Although I read the book very quickly I can’t say it’s my favourite Dawn O’porter novel. It tackles some tough topics, mental health, menopause, dealing with Alzheimer’s , aging, promiscuity and alcoholism as well as men’s attitudes to women and extra marital affairs. They were portrayed well and with kindness. The main characters were lifelong friends and it covered how friendships change and grow as we age.. humorous in places, serious in others and very sad in places, my heart ached for many of the characters.

Kindly and sensitively written however I really couldn’t warm to the characters like I have in this authors other books

Thank you to Netgalley the author and publishers for an arc in exchange for an honest review

Honeybee follows the lives of Flo and Renee, from O’Porters YA series ‘Paper Aeroplanes’, as the navigate the shift into become adults.

I was hooked on this book and devoured it in one sitting - there’s just something so compelling about Dawn O’Porters writing that pulls me in every time. I can’t say I loved either Flo or Renee, they were messy, chaotic and made questionable choices - but I feel like that was the point. You also still couldn’t help but root for them.

It made me forever grateful for a tame time in my early twenties and even more glad to be in my comfortable thirties.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Harper Fiction for the ARC.

There are three main characters in this story; Flo, Renee and the island of Guernsey.
But all of the supporting characters are just as colourful.

Flo and Renee are old school friends who drifted apart but found their way back to each other again in their 20s. They first became friends through adversity; the loss of a parent and they are clearly very different girls on first introduction and yet they care for each other deeply, whilst also arguing, as friends do.
They lose each other at the beginning of their 20s but are thrown together again a few years later to the point that not only are they best friends again but they are working together and living together; the recipe for a potentially stressful friend relationship that already has baggage from the past. So, their relationship is tested to the full.
On first introduction, Renee is a total flirt, hates being an adult and she just wants to continue having fun by getting drunk and sleeping around and not caring about the outcome of her actions and how it affects those around here, i.e. Flo. Flo is more reserved and sensible; work oriented. But she has a fun side that Renee likes to pull out of her. But there is a dark side to Flo, which Renee discovers. And then the roles become reversed and Renee must become the adult. At this point, I fell in love with Renee. At first, she appears to be a selfish friend but during times of trouble, you could see the lengths Renee was prepared to go, to help those in need.

I loved hearing about the island, Dawn makes the essence of the place truly alive and as big as the characters within it.
Renee is a large personality; a big fish in a small pond. And yet when she travels from her home in Guernsey to London, she becomes completely lost and overwhelmed. Whereas the reserved Flo opens up more in a very busy noisy London; the anonymity amongst strangers, suited her better.
We got to experience Renee’s feelings of anxiety around London. And with the inclusion of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, this added an extra level to the girls experience as seen from the streets of London, as well as with the other characters living in a much more settled island, away from potential terrorist threats, though the story does touch on Guernsey’s role during WW2 and how it was occupied by German soldiers.

The novel touches on experience of the menopause, PMT, promiscuity, alcoholism and mental health, amongst others. I found this created more empathy towards the characters; it also made them more real, 3-dimensional and complex.
A very enjoyable read, thought provoking, warm hearted, funny and relevant.

I really enjoy the compelling style of Dawn O’Porter’s books, I find them so hard to put down and this one was no different- albeit chaotic.

This book follows Renee and Flo, two girls who were teen-hood best friends growing up on the remote island of Guernsey. Both girls had ventured off the island into adulthood but circumstances found them both home at the same time. This book follows them as they navigate early adulthood, the adjustment of their relationship following their previous falling out and confronting the difference that were much easier to overlook when they were younger. This book see’s both girls go through challenges and in places push the self destruct button on their own lives.

From the outset I could tell this book was going to be completely chaotic (in the best way), the dual POV meant we quickly got to know both characters and the intricacies that make them who they are. I really liked how both MC’s had very different voices despite the things that made them similar- I thought this contrast really added to the impact of the depth of the story.

I liked the set up of the story and I found a lot of the exploration of growing up and how it makes you feel really relatable and did really enjoy those elements of the story. I didn’t find the humour fit in with this one quite as much as in O’Porter’s other books and at times it pulled me out of the story a little as I just didn’t feel as though it fit the voice of the characters. I think I would have liked this book to be a little longer as the last third felt a little rushed and that was the only element that didn’t feel as the realisations just came a little too convenient.

Overall, I really enjoyed this story. I found the writing very engaging and easy to read however it definitely isn’t my favourite by this author.

Being a huge Dawn O’Porter fan I was so excited to read Honeybee. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t connect with the characters. I think this is definitely a ‘it’s not you, it’s me’ situation. I just couldn’t settle into the story as much as I have done with Dawn’s previous titles. I have given this three stars as I am sure many people will love this one as much as I enjoyed Cows and Cat Lady.

I always love Dawn O’Porter’s books and re-read Paper Aeroplanes and Goose in anticipation of starting Honeybee. It was great to have the opportunity to catch up with Renée and Flo again and to see what they are doing as adults. The book was written in the same relatable style however I found myself not liking the characters as much as in the previous books. Overall it was an enjoyable read for the nostalgia, but it’s not my favourite Dawn O’Porter book.

Witty and tender, this is a feel-good novel that I can guarantee will make you yearn to visit Guernsey! The setting is perfect, and the characters are vibrant. A really great summer read about female friendship.

"Honeybee" by Dawn O’Porter is a deeply moving and beautifully crafted novel that captures the complexities of life, love, and self-discovery. O’Porter’s storytelling is both poignant and engaging, drawing readers into the rich inner world of her characters. The protagonist's journey is depicted with raw honesty and emotional depth, making her experiences profoundly relatable and impactful. O’Porter's writing is infused with wit and warmth, balancing the heavier themes with moments of genuine humor and tenderness. The vivid descriptions and keen insights into human nature make "Honeybee" a truly immersive read. This novel is a testament to O’Porter’s talent as a writer, offering a narrative that is as thought-provoking as it is heartwarming. "Honeybee" is a must-read for anyone looking for a story that beautifully explores the intricacies of human relationships and personal growth.

Renee and Flo have been friends for years but a falling out means they have not spoken for a few years. Being adults is not what they expected. On Guernsey Renee dreams of moving to London and becoming a writer. Flo has left London and has a secret that she is ashamed of and has returned home to work from the Guernsey office.

They reunite at a funeral of someone they went to school with but despite not liking the person particularly it shows them how short life can be. Something both women are acutely aware of.

Can their friendship last the distance and the fact that both women are opposites. Flo, shy and retiring. Renee, outgoing and fun.

This book was so good. Once again Dawn O’Porter has knocked it out of the park. It had funny moments, poignant moments and cringey moments but is written in such a raw and compelling way. I loved Renee’s character and her I don’t care attitude. Flo was a bit unlikeable at first but she grew on me and when the story unfolded I did feel sorry for her. A 5 ⭐️ read

I feel so grateful to have received an ARC of Honeybees from NetGalley, thank you HarperCollins!
Dawn O’Porter never fails to create extremely complex, flawed, morally questionable characters who I inevitably love anyway. Her ability to subtly navigate nuance in an entertaining way is amazing to me, and more necessary than ever.
I loved the different types of relationships throughout this book, obviously Flo & Renee but particularly Aunty Jo. I hope everyone has an Aunty Jo in their lives.
This was an entertaining, challenging and heartwarming rollercoaster that had me near tears from laughing AND heartache!

Our story follows two best friends, who feel trapped on Gurnsey, a small British isle. At 22, we meet them again, they’ve fallen into island life and get back in touch, following the funeral of an old school friend. What will happen next? Will they still want to escape the imaginary confines of the island?

Dawn covers some tough messages well in this book. Alcoholism and mental health - they were portrayed well and with sensitivity. The book is incredibly relatable, particularly with how friendship dynamics change as people get older. I was so grateful to be given the chance to review this book by NetGalley! Thank you! Another fantastic read by Dawn.

What a perfect Summer Read! So many LOL moments, Dawn O’Porter never fails to disappoint - a must buy author.

Honeybee tells us of the friendship between Flo and Renee, best friend from school find themselves back in their home town of Guernsey far from the dreams they envisaged.

Rekindling their friendship finds themselves sharing a flat and workplace which isn’t as dandy as they seemed.
Renee’s aspirations of becoming a writer and recently trip to London found her grounded back in Guernsey whilst best friend Flo struggles with alcoholism having been forced back to Guernsey. Will they rekindle their friendship and both discover what they want?

Thanks to Net Galley for a copy of this book!

A great story showing the trials and tribulations of friendships and how they can change and fluctuate as you age

Honeybee was an easy, enjoyable read for me.
This is my first read by Dawn and her humour scattered throughout was something I really liked, particularly as there was some heavier themes throughout too.

This is ideal for those long summer days when you just want to escape from 'real adult life' for a while!

Honeybee is Dawn O'Porter's newest novel picking up the story of two childhood friends Renee and Flo. I haven't read the other books featuring the pair, so I went into this blind. At the start I couldn't always keep track of who was who but after a while the two characters felt distinct enough for me to be more confident about which was which.

Its the early 2000s, and the friends have moved back to Guernsey after both living away for a while - they had a dramatic fallout last time they met but have found each other again and forgiven each other for what was said. The small-island life-style brings back memories for both of them - everyone knows your business, families all know one another and everyone has been out with everyone else

Both Renee and Flo find themselves working in the same marketing agency, owned by the handsome Ben. Flo is battling years of rejection from her mother, trying to bury her feelings of inadequacy through downing shots of vodka and blacking out. Renee is a freer spirit, happily flirting her way round the office without a care in the world, until she meets Ben and sparks fly.

For me the story picked up in the second half; it was an easy read though some of the plot lines felt a bit too conveniently introduced or tied up (the story opens with a message sent across a classroom on a paper aeroplane that felt too contrived for me personally & the discussion about peri-menopause felt shoehorned in) - but good to be reminded of life in the early 2000s.

I've long been a fan of Dawn O'Porter and first read about Flo and Renee in Paper Aeroplanes so I was delighted to be offered an ARC of her latest book Honeybee. In it we find the girls are now 22 and are back on Guernsey for various reason. Flo is suffering with her mental health and alcohol problems and Renee is struggling to find her place after years spent wanting to get away from the island.

For the first few chapters I struggled getting into the book and confusing which girl was which, owever after perservering I soon got into it and finished the book in a few days, which during the kids school holidays is a miracle! I loved Renee and her sense of style and carefree attitude. Flo was a little bit harder to like as she was quite uptight and a little overshadowed by Renee butby the end I found myself wanting to be friends with the girls and I certainly want to visit Guernsey as it sound beautiful!

Best friends Renée and Flo find adulthood far from the party they envisioned. With Renée's writing dreams stalled and Flo hiding a secret shame, both struggle with work and love, feeling trapped rather than free. As they stumble from one disaster to the next, they must discover how to live their best lives. This heartfelt tale is for anyone seeking belonging and reminds us that growing up is a continuous journey best navigated with friends.

I was super excited when I was offered an advance copy of Dawn O’ Porters latest book as I have loved all her previous books.
I decided to give this one a go on holiday in Crete, and hoped it would be a great summer read. I wasn’t wrong. This book had some great characters who you will be rooting for the whole way through and the setting on Guernsey has you in a chokehold too.
Although not my favourite of Dawns books, I still thoroughly enjoyed it and would 100% recommend.

Absolutely brilliant, loved it. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for allowing me an advance copy, I will definitely be recommending.

Overall I enjoyed this book but really struggled to connect with the two main characters. I loved the setting of Guernsey and thought small island life was described really well.