"Bitter Honey" by Lola is a compelling novel that skillfully intertwines the lives of two women across different generations and continents. The story follows Nancy, who leaves Gambia for Sweden, and her daughter Tina, as they navigate complex family dynamics and personal growth. Through alternating timelines, the book explores themes of intergenerational trauma, healing, and the impact of toxic relationships. While some parts of the narrative felt a bit prolonged, the emotional depth and rich character development kept me engaged. The portrayal of Lars as a manipulative figure adds tension and highlights the challenges faced by the protagonists.

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for granting my request to read this e-ARC and provide my honest thoughts.

Let me just say—Lola’s books have never missed for me, and Bitter Honey is no exception! Every novel she writes is layered, emotional, and beautifully told, and this one? It wrecked me in the best way.

Two women. Four decades. A lifetime of secrets. Nancy leaves Gambia for Sweden to study, and then she meets Professor Lars. Love is a powerful thing—but loving the wrong person can leave lasting scars. This is a story of love gone wrong and the blessings and consequences it brings.

I just have to say this — Lars? A selfish, cowardly ba$tard. Yes, I said it! Men like him take and take, then disappear, only to show up years later like nothing happened. His love was parasitic and suffocating. And yet—he gave Nancy her babies, her greatest joys. The emotional complexity of that alone had me reeling.

Lars, you've no right waltzing out of Nancy's life and walking back into Tina's life. This book evoked a lot of emotions within me. I could relate to what Tina felt. I felt her pain, her confusion, and ultimately, her triumph in finding her voice. It was raw, real, and incredibly relatable.

Overall, I love love this book and the message it was trying to pass across. I got it, and I spotted a cameo from Lola's last book!

Thank you William Morrow and Netgalley for this Advance Readers Copy ebook in exchange for my honest review.

I struggled through the 1st 60% of the book. I felt that the MC’s were a little flat and the story was dragging. The story picked up and I started to enjoy it a little more. This was a solid read, but maybe just not for me.

<I>”His memories are poison, his entire being dead to her. His sweet honey eyes, now bitter.</I>

For the most part, I loved this story as it alternated between mother and daughter’s timelines, unfolding a mystery of Nancy’s story and Tina’s heritage, how Nancy loses herself and her dreams and ambitions — and Tina finds herself amid and despite living hers. In this way, it artfully tells a story of intergenerational trauma and also healing, deep wounds and forgiveness. It’s also a story of the destruction that can be wrought by narcissistic men, how they can unmoor even the strongest, most passionate women, particularly when they have few anchors in other friendships and facets of their lives. And cultural appropriation.

<i>“She’s seen his type crisscrossing Banjul in too-short shorts, rubber flip-flops and flowing long hair, learning all they wanted, flashing those grins at local women, returning home as experts on her country, while leaving their spawn behind.”</I>

The last third of the book didn’t drag, but felt too long, and I grew weary of Nancy’s emotional stuntedness, which I suppose was maybe the point, but also I think her inner story could have been a lot more developed. Lars was a creep, i never quite felt her fall in love with him nor and understood why, unless there was an unexplained need in her to be seen, a tenderness beyond what’s described, something besides his pushiness. And because the love rang hollow, so did the void of his absence, the allure of his return.

All in all, an enjoyable historical fiction set in a time, place and culture of which I knew nothing - African Swedes traversing European entertainment epicenters, glamorous LA music industry, navigating domestic racism and stardom in the era of Arab Spring. 3.5-4 stars.

Thanks to NetGalley for an opportunity to read this advance reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you so much to HarperCollins, the author, and NetGalley for this ARC!
I truly, truly enjoyed this read. I feel like it was the perfect sprinkle of historical fiction, with some romance aspects as well. I love the direction that this book went in. Despite the POV frequently changing from the mom to the daughter which could sometimes be seen as a confusing writing style, I feel like the author really did a great job of blending such different stories to emphasize on their similarities, the characters were easy to follow and relatable. This novel’s themes were eloquently executed, and I would definitely recommend to anyone who enjoyed “In Every Mirror She’s Black,” and “Everything is Not Enough.”

Bitter Honey is a captivating novel that spans three continents, weaving a tale of family dynamics and personal growth. The story unfolds through the eyes of Tina, navigating trials and tribulations alongside complex characters. The complexities of the characters become understandable, adding richness to the narrative.

Ultimately, the novel explores the importance of pursuing happiness amidst life's challenges. I'd like to thank Netgalley and Harper Collins William Morrow team for the opportunity to delve into this beautifully crafted story before it's publication date.

Super cool to learn about different cultures and I love how Lola, a book club favorite author, talks about the different trials and stories of women. I can't wait for others to read!

The story flowed well and the characters were well developed.  I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.



****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

There were some parts of the book that was not needed. I leaned a lot about Sweden and Gambia. I liked reading about the traditional customs and language. I was in the middle, I did not like it and like it at the same time,