This has jumped into one of my top three reads of this year. It is the first time I've read a book by either author and I was very pleasantly surprised. I don't want to say too much about the subject matter as it's the not knowing that makes this book so amazing. All I can say is buy it, read it, love it.

This book was nothing like I expected ans it was such a wonderful surprise. With 2 stories intertwining along with some fantastic knowledge of bees it had me hooked from beginning to end. Though it covers a few sensitive topics they were done amazingly. Often when books cover these topics it tends be in a somber and sad way but the authors did a fantastic job. A great collaboration that I'm hoping will be repeated soon

"Do not listen to anyone who tells you a broken heart is a metaphor. You can feel the crack and the fissures. It's like ice splintering under your feet; like the cliff crumbling beneath your weight"

TW : physical abuse, transph0bia

"Mad Honey comes from bees that forage on rhododendrons and mountain laurel, and it's full of poisonous grayanotoxins.
....The secret weapon of Mad Honey, of course, is that you expect it to be sweet, not deadly. You're deliberately attracted to it. By the time it messes with your head, with your heart, it's too late"

Let me start by saying that Mad Honey is a slow paced heavy read. It isn't for everyone as it deals with various serious topics (see TW above). The way of writing deserves praise because it is impossible to distinguish between the writing of the two authors, the prose flows and merges into one beautifully.

It is a heart touching tale that is also a mystery as it poses the question - 'what happened to Lily?'. The story gives a lot of information about what it means to be transgender, how it feels to be stuck in an abusive relationship (including the sweet, manipulative side of it), how beekeeping is done, the legal system in US and the effects of TTP (a blood disorder).

I was reading more to find the answer to the burning question the book posed and less for the character development, to be honest. I felt like it was too detailed at times, which may have added to the slow pace of the book. I knew what was happening way before it was revealed and only one major plot twist was unforeseen (I don't think anybody expects that!), so the ending felt a little flat to me.

A good 4/5 star read for me.

Single mum and beekeeper Olivia is very proud of her teenage son Asher - hockey player, doing well at school and helps her out with the bees since she took over after her father died. But when he has an argument with girlfriend Lily and tragedy strikes, she is forced to rethink what she thinks of Asher, especially when he shows some worrying behaviours.

This was a great read about a very relevant and thought-provoking topic, while still having aspects of brilliant storytelling with some excellent twist and turns to keep you reading. I loved the dual perspective and past/present setup giving a very well-rounded story.

I love Jodi Picoult and had my eyes on Netgalley for this one popping up early, so I was pretty excited to get approved for it! I’ve never read any of Jennifer Finley Boylands books but I will be on the lookout now!

This one reminded me of Jodi’s old days, back to her original style of shocks and twists. I loved it, every page. The twist halfway through is something that neither me or my buddy readers (some of the girls also got it approved and we read it alongside each other) guessed what was coming. I wont say any more as to not give anything away.

I loved the characters, I really felt like I knew them, which is the way Ms JP always makes me feel in her writing. I learned a lot about Beekeeping and Bees in general while reading this, I love how there’s always something in her stories which make you want to learn more. And then this huge controversial topic which blows you away.

Honestly, just give this one a go, whether you’ve read either authors books before or not, I’d suggest you read this one. Also read the authors words after the book, I love the story of how thes two wonderful ladies came up with the idea for the book.

I was delighted to be approved to read Jodi Picoult's new novel having enjoyed her last one so much. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy this one quite as much, although it was still a good read. I found in Mad Honey that there was just too much going on and I felt a little weighed down by it all at times. I also saw the twists coming, which was a shame. I did enjoy the story of the bees and how that echoed what was going on in the novel at times.

This one was not for me, I'm afraid.

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

Olivia has to flee what should of been her dream life. Back to her childhood town with her son should be a fresh start. When her son is accused of a terrible crime it looks like history is repeating itself. I could not of predicted the twists in this story. The ending seemed abrupt for me but a great read never the less.

I really enjoyed Jodi Picoult's books when I was younger as well as 'I wish you where here' more recently, so was excited to get lost in her latest co-written with Jennifer Boylan. I loved both protagonists, two strong but troubled women who were written fantastically. It was great to see Jordan and Selena back and I think it's a really nice touch that Jodie brings these characters back every so often.

Admittedly I think I would have personally would have preferred Lily's chapters to not be ordered backwards as sometimes it threw me a bit trying to remember what had happened and where I was in the timeline. I thought the bees and beekeeping elements woven through this book was absolutely fascinating and I adore how Jodi can make me interested in the most random of subjects - I even found myself spouting sporadic bee facts to my husband.

While the murder trial is at the heart of the book, there are so many other important topics touched on by both authors and without wanting to give anything away, I think these were all handled really well and are incredibly provoking.

Although I was felt a little disappointed at the end (it felt a bit of a letdown and I yearned for more of a twist), I really enjoyed reading Mad Honey and would thoroughly reccomend,

Jodi Picoult never shies away from 'controversial' topics and in this amazing novel, written with Jennifer Finney Boylan, she is on top form. Olivia McAfee has inherited her father's beekeeping business which she runs whilst raising her son, Asher. Her world is blown apart when Asher is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Lily. The story follows her attempts to prove his innocence. There is, however, a lot more to Mad Honey than a murder mystery. There are key points in the narrative that introduce a completely different focus.

This is a powerful and emotional read through which I learned an awful lot. It's not possible to say what without creating spoilers. I can say there are themes of a person's right to choose, domestic abuse and some violence. This is a brilliantly realised and executed novel which will stay in my mind for some considerable time.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This was an interesting story with many many themes throughout that at times can detract from the storyline. At the heart of it it's a story of love and pain. Loving one's self and how to love others. The pieces we share and the ones we keep locked away. How we deal with betrayal once those secrets come to life. It's about a boy who loves a girl through everything, even death and the possibility of being sentenced to life for her death. I loved Olivia's point of view, the bee's and her trauma. I struggled a little with Lily's back and forth timeline but it was not enough to give up. I really enjoyed it and I would recommend it to pretty much everyone.

I am a big fan of Jodi Picoukt so jumped at the chance to read this book she has co authored. I really enjoyed the book and was griped. The book covers a tough subject which is often the case with this author and I felt like I learnt a lot. The story follows Asher and Lily and when Lily is found dead Asher is accused of her murder. The story keeps you guessing until the end but was well written and I liked the way it was written with each chapter being fron a different characters point of view. Highly recommended.

On each occasion Jodi Picoult writes a new novel, I know that I am going to want to read it; Mad Honey is written in typical Jodi Picoult style, thought provoking and emotional. The book has been written with Jennifer Finney Boylan, and their partnership works well here. Apiarist, Olivia McFee leaves Boston and her wealthy cardio-thoracic surgeon husband, taking her son, Asher, and returning to her hometown of Adams, New Hampshire. She's living in the house she grew up in and taking over her family's beekeeping business, hoping for a fresh beginning. Lily Campanello and her mum, Ava, relocate to Adams, and they also are hoping for a new start. Asher and Lily meet at their high school but then Asher discovers Lily's dead body, and he is charged with her murder.

Rich descriptions and details of beekeeping, the industry, and the reasons for abusiveness in relationships, there are many issues and topics at play in the novel. Glowing bright are acceptance and compassion, that, alongside the terrific characterisations, contribute to make this a terrific, informative, touching read of love, grief, loss, abuse and family. There is a sense of not knowing which direction events will follow and that makes for a sense of foreboding. I adored it.

A special thank you to Hodder & Stoughton, Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan, NetGalley and Pigeonhole for the opportunity to read. This review is my unbiased opinion.

This is an enjoyable but sometimes difficult read, not shying away from important issues like violence, abuse and identity.

Olivia leaves her abusive husband and moves to New Hampshire with her son Asher and they move into her parents’ house when her dad dies, and take over her dad’s apiary - not knowing she'll fall in love with bee keeping.

Lily’s mom leaves her husband who has emotionally abused their daughter. She and Lily and move to the same New Hampshire town, Lily and Asher then start dating. Out of the blue, Olivia gets a call that Asher is with the police and Lily is dead. We go back in time and Lily’s story is told in reverse. Saying much more would spoil it but this is a great read and will keep you hooked to the end!

What a book! This is the first Jodi Picoult book I have read (I know) and what an introduction.

The characters, the story line, the topics and themes, the … I don't even want to spoil it by giving too much away. This was not what i was expecting but I loved it..

The book starts by introducing Olivia and her son Asher. Olivia is a bee keeper and bees and honey are an interwoven theme throughout which was I found interesting and different to anything I have read before. She receives a phone call from Asher saying he is in the police station and something has happened with his girlfriend Lily.

We see the story told from both Olivia's and Lily's point of view jumping between past and present.

the writing and love story was beautiful and one of my favourite lines ever was ' I love you so much that even using those words is like saying the oceans just water' <3

I think this book was really good at making me realise people aren't always who they appear to be and the way Jodi does this is outstanding. The book covers many themes but the one I will take away the most is the love - between two people romantically and also between a mother and their child.

I will be recommending this book to others and looking out for more from this author.

I was slightly hesitant to read this one after reading a mixed bag of reviews. If you are in a similar situation then I urge you to give it a try because, well, wow. I like to think I have readers' intuition and the downside of this is I am rarely caught off guard but this book completely blindsided me.
It centres around two characters linked by Aster, his mum Olivia and his girlfriend, Lilly. When Lilly's body is discovered and Aster is at the scene the finger is quickly pointed in his direction. Most of the narrative focuses on the aftermath of her tragic demise.
I do agree the book could have been shorter, I personally lost interest in the bee detail towards the end. That said, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, it has the power to educate if read with an open mind. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the ARC, an absolute privilege.

i enjoyed this story and enjoyed the authors works, thank you to the publishers and netgalley for the arc of this book in exchange for this honest review

I have been a Jodi Picoult fan since I read 'Songs of the Humpback Whale ' so I was delighted to read a pre-release copy of her latest book, 'Mad Honey.'

This felt like old-school Jodi, in which I am fully invested. Although this is co-written, I forgot this was the case whilst reading. (Sorry!) The grittiness of this storyline, the tense, the emotion, and the depth of the characters had me gripped and absorbed, reminding me why I love Jodi's books so much.

Due to the sensitivity of the plot, some readers may find parts of this upsetting; however, I thoroughly enjoyed this read and appreciated the authors' approaches. Nothing seemed too dark or out of place. Everything flows flawlessly. Loved this!

Five stars read that I highly recommend it. This will be a fantastic introduction if you haven't read anything by these authors before! Order a copy today!

I absolutely loved this book. It gave me a whole new perspective on trans people and how they live their lives.Also I love a good Court drama and this had one with a real "WHAT" minute. So much interesting information about bees as well. The characters were so human . Full of secrets and lies this is one not to be missed

My thanks to NetGalley and Hodder and Stoughton publishing for the opportunity to review this book.
Phenomenal, a page turner, thought provoking with twists. I invested in the characters and had my heart broken with the unjust and cruel actions depicted in the book.
Loved it a highly recommended read.