Mad Honey by Jennifer Finney Boylan

Mad Honey Reviews

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  Tamsynsbookreviews

  Author: Jodi Picoult
  Page Count: 429 Pages
  Published Date: 4th October 2022
  Genre: Domestic Fiction
  Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
  Synopsis:
  Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over. Her picture-perfect life—living in Boston, married to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, raising a beautiful son, Asher—was upended when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined she would end up back in her sleepy New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in, and taking over her father's beekeeping business. Lily Campanello is familiar with do-overs, too. When she and her mom relocate to Adams, New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start. And for just a short while, these new beginnings are exactly what Olivia and Lily need. Their paths cross when Asher falls for the new girl in school, and Lily can’t help but fall for him, too. With Ash, she feels happy for the first time. Yet at times, she wonders if she can she trust him completely. Then one day, Olivia receives a phone call: Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by the police. Olivia is adamant that her son is innocent. But she would be lying if she didn’t acknowledge the flashes of his father’s temper in him, and as the case against him unfolds, she realizes he’s hidden more than he’s shared with her.
  My Thoughts:
  I enjoyed this book although it was a very big book with long chapters. I liked the main characters in this book and as I was reading it I thought the genre of the book was a mystery as it had certain bits that made me think this but it wasn't. I would recommend googleing the trigger warning for this book as there is a few touchy subject that might upset you. Also there were a lot of bee talk which was nice to read about but I didn't understand it as I'm not really into bees. I have rated this book 4 out 5 stars because the chapters were just too long for me.
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  Leona

  I read Mad Honey with some fellow bookstagrammers as part of a buddy read! I had heard fantastic things about this book but unfortunately I didn't love this one! For me the pacing was very slow and I felt the story dragged quite a bit which made me not enjoy it as much. I started off being so intrigued by where the story was going but it lost me with all the repetitiveness throughout. Also spoilers of topics do not read on if you don't want to spoil the themes explored. The story does cover a lot of heavy topics including suicide, domestic violence, murder, transgender, transphobia, abortion etc so be prepared for them if reading. Another element I found that took up a lot of space in this book was information on bees and beekeeping! There was so much information scattered throughout the book, sometimes taking up big paragraphs or a couple of pages that I felt could have been left out but maybe some readers really enjoyed that.
  
  One element I did enjoy was the two different points of view, one from Lily in the past and one from Olivia the mother of Asher whose accused of murdering Lily and her perspective is told in the present time as well as a couple of flashbacks. I enjoyed dual perspective in books, however I did find myself skimming when Olivia's chapters went into so much detail on bees.
  
  Overall, I enjoyed parts of this and didn't love other parts so it was an okay read for me! I think if he had been shorter, less repetitiveness and less information on bees I would have enjoyed it more! However, it did keep me reading to find out the truth but it wouldn't be a book I'd pick up again unfortunately!
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  Ashleigh Miller

  WOW. I loved this book so much. I went into it blind and so glad I did. It was masterfully written to illustrate the developing love between two teenagers, one who death is learned of in the first chapter. The fact that only half way through the story, where Olivia the mom of the accused boy Asher, and Lily the deceased girl take turns narrating, we find out Lily was transgender. Up until this point it is a tragic story of a somewhat mysterious death. We get to know the teenage romance between Asher and Lily without any LGBTQI+ lens. After that twist, the story delicately and insightfully explores what it means to be a woman, what it means to love, what it means to hide, and what it means to protect. I loved this story so much. I am still so sad for Lily and the beautiful life she will not experience.
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  Sabrina Moutarde

  Here's my thoughts, I'm hugely appreciative of a book that explores gender that I support without question, hence my 4 star rating. However, the story itself was ever so long, and the layers of themes explored I felt twisted the central theme somewhat. Either way, I love that it will open up dialogue and be an education for many on this topic. That again I celebrate.
  
  The twist at the end was clever. I didn't see that coming. It's definitely a book to go into blind not knowing what it's about.
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  Melissa Davis zanlunghi

  Jodi Piccoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan have co-written a deeply provocative and emotional book about what it means to love and what it means to be a woman. Their incredible insight and profound storyline will leave readers to consider love and gender in the 21st century on a very different way.
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  Rachael Neal-Waddell

  I loved this book so much that I suggested it for book club. I almost never reread a book. This one is heartbreakingly beautiful.
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  Bonnie Sogoloff

  Mad Honey is an example of what happens when two prolific authors collaborate and are intent on outdoing each other.
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  Susan Dunn

  The writing and storytelling were engaging. However, I can’t embrace a child lifestyle change which tethers them as a slave to big pharma for life.
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  Isabel Male

  Absolutely loved this book, such a good read!
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  Steff Gadsby

  I think everyone should read this book. It was exceptional to me.
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  Stephanie Hirsch

  The new beginning for two women who have been abused and each escape with their child. The new beginning for each of them and their lives intersect and a major tragedy occurs and the results will floor you!!