I feel as if this book is far too long and needed a good edit. I also applaud the book for taking on so many issues, but when you take on so many it becomes somewhat scattered and often fell into cliche or felt a little trite in it's handling, or the writers were telling instead of showing what I was supposed to be taking away. I'm a woman and a member of the queer community, a lot of this was repeating back to me things I already knew and they weren't being presented in any original way. A lot of the time I felt I was being talked down to as a reader.

I felt lost at times, the timeline shifted so many times and the central characters were not speaking to each other for so many different reasons that they kind of blurred into one too many times.
There were also instances in the court room where a famous defence lawyer would allow their client to be called a murderer without objection, but I guess that's supposed to be overlooked.

I also felt the resolution was completely underwhelming.

Following her escape from an abusive marriage, Olivia and her young son Asher, return to her parents’ home, taking over her late father’s business as bee keeper. Several years later, the story begins when Asher’s girlfriend Lily, is murdered, and he is accused of being the perpetrator.
However, all is not as it seems. This gripping and compelling story is told by Olivia and Lily, giving their viewpoint from different timeframes. Olivia’s story is told in the present time fighting for Asher’s innocence, while Lily’s graphic account is about events leading up to the crime.
The book is incredibly well researched giving remarkable insight into beekeeping, caring for the bees and how honey is extracted from hives. Also, how the American judiciary system works as Asher fights his defence. Characters are strong, well drawn and relatable, developing as the story unfolds with its twists and turns. Some of them astonishing. Is Asher the well-liked, popular boy Olivia thinks he is, or an abuser like his father?
I became thoroughly absorbed in the characters, heart breaking story and complex plot as it advances through Asher’s trial, fiercely defended by Jordan, Olivia’s brother. This is an excellent collaboration between two talented authors, sensitively written, and I learned so much about certain issues. Highly recommended.

Having enjoyed a lot of Jodi Picoult's older books, I was intrigued to read Mad Honey. The premise - boy meets girl, girl ends up dead, boy is accused of murder but not all is as it seems - was interesting and I think the authors pulled it off well. Along the way, topics such as gender identity, self-harm, divorce and abuse are all thrown into the mix and make for several morally grey characters. I overall enjoyed the book, but I do think that the twist right at the end was perhaps a bit too much.

I also was not a huge fan of all the bee metaphors/bee knowledge - it distracted from the main plot and I just wasn't that interested.

I have always been a huge fan of Picoults and this book is no different, written in her signature multiple POV style, which is something I have always been fond of.

The story follows two points of view, Lily’s and Olivia’s. As always with Picoults tales, there are twists and turns which I can never predict and this book was no exception. I feel the less you know before starting this book, the better your experience will be.

However, this story brings to the forefront contemporary issues which we face in todays society and is a story of challenges, acceptance and understanding of those around us.

I would say this book is up there with my favourites from Picoult including House Rules, change of heart and small great things. Would recommend this book to anyone.

*Thanks to Hodder & Stoughton / Net Galley for this ARC*

Was not sure about this as it’s written by two authors. But WOWWY! Absolutely devoured it. Hopefully Jodi P will team up again with Jennifer Boylan. Team made in heaven.

Jodi Picoult’s books never shy away from issues that may be challenging and divisive. Mad Honey, a joint collaboration with author Jennifer Finley Boylan is no exception. Some people reading this book will feel challenged and immensely uncomfortable, most will hopefully see the strength and courage Lily showed in her life.

Lily is a gentle soul, who appears not to have had an easy path in her life. Sadly that life is taken away all too early.
At the heart of the story are two teenagers, very much in the midst of their first heady love. Both Mum’s have a huge amount in common, despite the situation dividing them. They are fiercely loyal and protective of their children. Their lives have been shaped by the decisions they made, to protect those children, from the outside world. In some ways it has cost them both dearly, though neither would change those decisions.

Early in the book, Lily mentions Jonah, and I had no idea who he was. Since reading who Jonah is, I really wish I hadn’t known.

This book looks beyond labels, looks through the assumptions and stereotypes, to show a human being, with feelings. At the end of the day we are human beings, with feelings, so we are all the same, while still being different, and deserve the same respect and empathetic treatment.

I do not know how the process of co-authoring a book works, but the result is an emotional, engrossing, thought provoking and extremely cohesive read.
If you have read this review, and thought, I don’t like feeling uncomfortable while reading; this is definitely the book you should read. Be bold enough to step outside your comfort zone, and fall in love with Lily. This book should make everyone question themselves. Are we open to looking beyond labels, to see the human being, and not just our assumptions?
My final thought, this book is about love.
If I could give 10⭐️ I would, so it is most definitely 5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ from me.

I really enjoyed this novel, you could tell it was heavily researched and very well informed.
This book captured my imagination so much that i've booked for the in conversation piece at Storyhouse Chester after publication.

Honey bees are the background throughout this extremely good book, but it is about more than bees.
The three main characters are Olivia, what has happened in her life to take her back to her childhood farmstead as a bee keeper.
Her son Asher, and Lily, his girlfriend and her story.
It is a powerful, compelling and thought provoking book.

I found this book absorbing. It is the first book I have read that was written by two authors, and wow this bold novel was such an interesting read. Sensitively portrayed, it certainly helped me understand a little better some very sensitive gender identity issues. With bee keeping running through the whole of the book I found it informative, with many interesting facts dispersed throughout, about bees and more.
I loved some of the one-liner sentences, and reading the epilogue from both authors found where a few of them came from. It was very interesting reading the authors reasons for writing the book.
I cannot go to much into the storyline as it would ruin it, and it is a book that should be delved into by the reader themselves.
The characters are easily understood.
For me it was a real page turner, and I have gleaned some interesting facts. I didn’t have an opinion about some of the books storyline before reading, but I now see things clearer, and hope it makes me a better person because of it.

Thank you NetGalley and Hodder & Stoughton for an e-book copy. Opinions are my own.

Lily is new in town. Town is old to Olivia, who grew up here and now raises her son here. Their stories intertwine in ways I cannot go into, but ways that will have you utterly gripped.

It's hard to talk about much of the plot without giving it away, and as a reader I enjoyed it so much I won't risk taking away a moment of that for other readers. I've read other reviews that say this book throws in too many issues or 'hot topics' but I found it all so organic I heartily. disagree.

Considering it is written by 2 authors, it is so fluid and natural to read. It takes issues and rights head on and educates the characters as it educates the reader. I enjoyed this book on so many levels; it really had me gripped.

I absolutely wouldn't hesitate to read this - the two write seamlessly together.

Tell it to the bees ★★★☆☆

*Possible plot spoilers*

When teenager Lily is found dead, her boyfriend Asher is accused of murder. This is the story of their romance, their secrets, and their mothers.

This is a sensitive and tender novel dealing with the complexities of love and identity. Both mothers – Olivia and Ava – have left abusive relationships in order to protect their children and allow them to blossom into who they are meant to be.

The authors deal with the difficult topics of suicide, abuse, domestic violence and gender identity in a cohesive way which feels like the work of one author.

Whilst I guessed the first twist based on authorship and context, the second twist was a little underwhelming.

However, the way the authors dealt with transgender issues – especially a scene between one of the characters and a shop owner – made me stop and think about my own perceptions and reactions to transgender people. As ever, Picoult makes those with the middle ground view realise their own ignorance.

A medium paced novel with a crucial lesson.

A slow start, but worth persevering as it picks up at about 40% and then I couldn’t put it down.
When Lily, is found dead at the bottom of her stairs, with her boyfriend Asher cradling her, he is arrested for her murder. His mother, Olivia, and her brother fight to prove his innocence, but as Olivia was abused by her ex-husband, Asher’s father, she starts to wonder if it is in his genes. Her bee keeping business is a thread running through the book, and draws parallels to the main story.
Once the story got moving, I enjoyed the book although, without giving anything away, I did find the lack of action at the end to be odd (you’ll understand once you have read it). I would recommend this book.

This is Jodi Picoult,writing with Jennifer Boylan, back to her best.I haven’t enjoyed her last two books as much as her previous books, as I felt she had changed the style and format, but this is a great book.She always manages to tap into what people are currently discussing,and without giving anything away,this is exactly what this book does.Although there are two authors,it’s hard to know as the styles fit so seamlessly together.
I could not stop reading this-highly recommended.
Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC in return for honest review which reflects my own opinion.

I was excited to read this novel, although a little apprehensive about how a novel by 2 authors would work. Despite not having read a novel by Jodi Picoult before, I was aware that she is an esteemed author. Initially, I was unsure about this story, it was a slow burn but then came a twist in the tale that had me gripped. I was so engaged in the story and it wasn't apparent that it was written by 2 authors. It is full of emotion, had me on tenterhooks and deals sensitively with a couple of once taboo topics. I will say no more than that to prevent spoilers!

Lily and Asher are High School sweethearts but then Lily is found dead being cradled by Asher. Did he kill her? A thoroughly enjoyable read and especially good as it is written by 2 authors but you can't tell. Would highly recommend this book.

This is my first Jodi Piccoult read and it won’t be my last. A heart stopping story told from two points of view which had me gripped from beginning to end.

I devoured this book, it is what Jodi does best: takes a controversial topic and challenge the reader with her writing. I didn’t see coming the twist halfway through the book.

Asher and Lily are seen as the perfect couple- even though they have only been dating for a few months. Lily is the newcomer at the high school, Asher is the popular kid. They have so much in common: both only live with their mom and their dad is not in their life anymore. Both had to move and start again- but there are secrets that they are both keeping from each other.

And when Asher finds out Lily’s dad is not dead and arrange for her to meet him, Lily is very angry and stops taking to him.
Now Lily is dead and Asher is being trialled for her muster.

The story has two narrators: Lily and Asher’s mom, Olivia. Such a powerful book. Loved it.

A quick and easy read that I found myself picking up after a long day to unwind. The characters are beautifully written and I came to love them within the first few pages and was rooting for them all the way to the end. At times I wanted to stop reading because I just wanted the experience to go on for longer.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book really took me back to a ‘classic Jodi Picoult’ with its court dramas, twists and turns and complex family relationships; it may be my favourite of hers for some time.

There is so much I could say about the learnings of this book and the emotional journey we are taken on, but I don’t want to spoil it for anyone! I would suggest to all readers to go into it with as little knowledge of spoilers as possible, to make the most of the journey.

I will definitely be recommending this book to friends and family!

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3 ok stars. I enjoyed this at the start but then it turned into a whole other book and became very specifically about an issue which while on the face of it is fine, I found it was dealt with in a very basic and unrealistic way.

It’s hard to say more without spoilers but there were just far too many ‘as if’ moments and none of the characters were likeable. And way, way too many sections on bees that was far more detail than was needed.

Disappointing.

A gripping read and beautifully written, I was captivated from the first paragraph when Olivia was describing her dreams of her future child "Each vision was a bead on a rosary of future memories; I prayed daily". The information about bees and bee-keeping was engrossing, I learned so much and the court room drama was Picoult at her best; excelling at what she's so good at.

Bees weren't the only thing we were educated about but without giving away a major plot twist I can't go further, the only thing I will say is that I never felt lectured only educated and always in a gentle way which moved the story forward effortlessly.