I read this after listening to the author be interviewed on a podcast, and having never read any the previous books I felt reassured this could be read alone - and it can! But I will be going back to read the previous novels featuring these characters, as I loved them. Particularly appreciated the author's natural inclusion of discussions of menopause.

There’s a lot I love about Dawn O Porter’s writing and one of those things is how quickly she grabs the readers attention with her witty introductions. Honey Bee is no exception, as we are introduced to Renee and Flo’s friendship as they attend their high school bully’s funeral.

Twenty-two year old Renee and Flo are learning to navigate adulthood, while reigniting their friendship. The characters are flawed but likeable and several important themes are raised, in an impactful way, while interspersed with humorous scenes so that it never gets “too heavy”. At times there were a couple of scenes that felt a bit superfluous (e.g. Renee’s potential pregnancy). I also enjoyed the theme of the honey bee and how that came together at the end, as a comforting metaphor. I enjoyed appreciated how the ending was handled, with things not quite neatly summarised, but a note of hope, which feels right for characters of the age group.

Enjoyable, witty and heartwarming, with themes of bereavement, alcoholism and friendship.

Renee and Flo were best friends. They drifted apart but now at 22 they are both returning to their small island home.

Honeybee by Dawn O. Porter is a well-intentioned novel that falls short of its potential. The pacing is sluggish at times, and the characters aren’t especially likeable. I hadn’t realised they were from YA stories by the author. I really wanted to like this book but it always felt like a chore to read, I didn’t connect with it at all. A real shame.

Absolutely glorious story of female friendship, devastating loss, finding your way in the big bad world and creating marketing slogans for cheese. Dawn is so funny but also such a talented writer that hits you squarely in the feels. Guernsey sounds gorgeous too.

A somewhat enjoyable page-turner, but I am afraid to me it felt less polish than what one expects from Dawn O'Porter! Everything happens in a rush, no massive drama, very young characters that I did not particularly like and also fail to identify with; and before you have time to blink, everything was well with the world....The only bits I've enjoyed were Renée’s occasional jokes and the old darling Lilian. But unfortunately we see very little of both, or better said: not enough to save this novel, at least not for me!

This wasn't for me.
I felt it was trying too hard to be funny and quirky and came across as very unpolished and amateur.
I haven't read this author before and probably won't again.
An easy beach read but not worth the time imo.

Honeybee by Dawn O’ Porter
I give this book 4 stars

Renée’s dreams of being a writer are going nowhere. Flo’s hiding a secret shame. They’re both failing in work and love.
Careening from one disaster to the next, and learning to spread their… wings, Renée and Flo must uncover the secret to living their best lives

This book follows on from Paper Aeroplanes and Goose but I didn’t realise this, I read it as a standalone and it didn’t spoil my enjoyment.
We follow Renee and Flo as they both end up back in Guernsey at the same time. An entertaining story rekindling a strong female friendship between two flawed characters,I also really loved Lillian aka Mrs Mangel and Aunty Jo ( both older/wiser.) Filled with fun along with some touching moments and a few cringey situations which are a trademark from this author,this is an easy and very readable journey through the next stage of their lives.
An interesting insight the author admits to pouring herself into the character Renee and that made it more special to read.
With thanks to the author,Netgalley and HarperCollins UK, HarperFiction for my chance to read and review this book.

Renee and Flo were best friends in Guernsey. After school, Renee left the island to live with her father in Spain, and Flo went to university in England. They kept in touch but were estranged after a bitter argument. In 2001, they return to the island and meet again. This story explores what happens next. I like this author's immersive storytelling and flawed characters; Renee and Flo are both lost. Their lives have not turned out as expected, making them believably human and relatable. Sisterhood and friendship are the defining themes of this story, and through the characters, the author shows how supporting and trusting your friends can also help you. I like the emotional journey the young women experience, showcasing moments of empathy, selfishness, humour and sadness as their characters develop. The balance of heartbreak and happiness makes this an enticing read.
I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

I really tried to like this but I could not warm to the main characters. I read to the halfway point and gave up.
Renee was so self centred it was no surprise she didn't notice that there was something amiss with Flo.
It was just not to my taste.

I mean, has Dawn ever written a bad book? Absolutely not in my opinion. Loved this just like all her other ones. Totally recommended for Dawn lovers and new readers!

Childhood best friends Flo and Renee find themselves back on Guernsey, the island they grew up on. After being seperated for a while, they soon fall back into best friend ways and end up loving and working together at a local marketing office. Together, they navigate all the fun that comes along with early-twenties life.

This was a cheery little listen, despite covering soem oretty serious subject, and I think most people will either know a Flo or Renee!

A delightful story. Honey Bee is a romp through life by twenty two year old friends Renee and Flo. The girls grew up on Guernsey and while both have been away, Flo to university and beginning working life in London, and Renee to Spain to live with her dad for a few years. Both were bereaved of a parent while young which has brought them together. Although an argument a few years back led to an estrangement the girls pick up their friendship and move in together. Clearly Flo has a dark secret and is struggling. Renee, forever the party animal just wants to party and have fun. Until she doesn't. Gradually the girls grow up together in ways they wouldn't have thought. A few days in London in September 2001 has a profound effect on both of them. Peripheral characters Aunt Jo and elderly neighbour Lilian are delightful. It was interesting to see some of the things they don't know as young women - Renee's ignorance of her aunt's menopause gave me food for thought. #netgalley #HoneyBee

Dawn O’Porter's Honeybee is a tender and witty exploration of life, love, and self-acceptance. O'Porter creates a rich, relatable world filled with complex characters navigating the messy realities of modern life. Her sharp and humorous writing delves into themes of identity, relationships, and the pursuit of happiness, capturing both the lighthearted and poignant moments of the protagonist's journey. Honeybee is a refreshing and heartwarming read, brimming with honesty and warmth, reminding us of the beauty in embracing our true selves amidst life's chaos.

Honey Bee by Dawn O’Porter

The Blurb ~
For best friends Renée and Flo, adulthood isn’t the party they expected.
Renée’s dreams of being a writer are going nowhere. Flo’s hiding a secret shame. They’re both failing in work and love.
Why did nobody warn them? Why does adulthood feel less like freedom, and more like a trap?
Careening from one disaster to the next, and learning to spread their… wings, Renée and Flo must uncover the secret to living their best lives.
But maybe we never stop growing up. And maybe they’ll survive the course – if only they stick together.

My Thoughts ~ Even though this book covers quite a few difficult topics (alcoholism, grief, menopause, family feuds, to name a few) it is laugh out loud funny! The main characters are really likeable ~ I loved the girls’ friendship and the way they stuck by each other no matter what! I also adored Renée’s friendship with their elderly neighbour Lilian (when she farted in public 😆) The book is mostly set in Guernsey, which is now on my list of places I’d like to visit!
This is the first Dawn O’Porter book I have read and it definitely won’t be my last! In fact I have just discovered that ‘Honey Bee’ is actually the third Renée and Flo book - so I have just ordered the previous two (Paper Aeroplanes and Goose)
A solid four stars from me! 🐝🐝🐝🐝

Thank you to @harpercollinsuk for providing a digital ARC of this book in return for an honest review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

#honeybee #dawnoporter #reneeandflo #netgalley #bookreview #arc #harpercollins

Honeybee by Dawn O'Porter revisits characters she first wrote about as young teenage girls in Paper Aeroplanes. It is now 2001 and Flo and Renee are young women struggling with what it means to be adults, trying to find their place in the world and get their careers established , but circumstances have brought them both back to their native island of Guernsey. Adulthood is far more difficult than either of them imagined and they are each struggling in their own ways but the power and strength of their friendship will help them both through, if they can remember to trust and support each other along the way.
I did not realise when I first picked this up that it was part of a series, and I had not read any of the previous books but I have to say that this worked perfectly as a standalone, the author seamlessly seeds any relevant history into the story so it never felt like I was missing part of the story and instead I fully believed that this pair of young women had been best friends for years. Written with the author's trademark blend of humour and poignancy, this book definitely takes the reader on an emotional journey, but one that will definitely have you chuckling to yourself as you read. I also loved the wise older female characters in the book and the suggestion that they have so much to offer if given a chance to shine. If you love a character driven story that highlights the importance and value of female friendships this is absolutely a book for you.

I really enjoyed Honeybee by Dawn O’Porter. The friendship between Flo and Renee was fraught with distance, conflict, understanding and love throughout the book. Dawn doesn’t shy away from the themes of alcoholism and death in this book, but these themes aren’t dealt with lightly. I felt the book gave a real voice to two women in their early twenties trying to patch up their friendship, while living together and deal with their own struggles. Excellent book, I think I will reread this book again at some point in the near future. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for this E-Arc in exchange for an honest review.

I really enjoyed Cat Lady by Dawn O’Porter so was excited to read her new offering. It’s safe to say that Honeybee did not disappoint. A story about female friendships, winging it and adult life wasn’t something I was sure I would enjoy but from the first page I was hooked.

I think this is down in part to writing. O’Porter manages to write in a way that is both witty yet sensitive. You feel seen while reading the books and at the same time you can poke a bit of fun at yourself and ridiculousness of it all at the same time. She also manages to cover topics that can be much harder to tackle such as menopause, grief and alcoholism with a sense of understanding and sympathy. In short you will have all your emotions played with while reading but it will be worth it.

Characters are another thing I liked about O’Porter, not only are some extremely likeable they are all very believable. You can easily see the bond between friend Flo and Renee which helps you get dragged into their life. In short this is definitely worth a read, especially if you feel like you might not have everything fully under control right now.

As always thank you to Harper Collins and Netgalley for my e-arc. My review is always honest and truthful.

I really enjoyed #Honeybee. A story about womanhood, winging it and the wonders of female friendship.
Best friends Flo and Renee are back together on Guernsey where they grew up. But adulthood is not going to plan…
It’s very well written. Witty and sensitive. It covers many relatable issues like alcoholism, menopause and grief which is done so well, it’s refreshing and thought provoking. It had me laughing and crying. It’s entertaining with many heartwarming moments thrown in.
The characters are well developed and likeable particularly Aunty Jo and Mrs Mangle (Lillian). I loved the friendship bond between Flo and Renee. The author brings the characters to life on the page.
Definitely recommend. It’s well worth a read.
With thanks to #NetGallery #HarperCollinsUK @harperfiction for an arc of #Honeybee in exchange for a honest review.
Book publishes 26 September 2024.

I’ve enjoyed reading all Dawns books so was looking forward to this

I loved it

Easy to read
Funny
Just great

Keep writing

With thanks to the publishers and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

When I read the author's previous novel, Cat Lady, my initial impression that it was just a bit of chicklit fluff changed over the course of the novel, and that has been the case with Honeybee too.

I gather the two 22-year-old friends who are the main characters, Flo and Renee, have appeared in a couple of YA books already, which I haven't read. In Honeybee they have both come back to Guernsey after a few years away at university and working in London (Flo) and chasing the affections of a distant father in Spain (Renee). The two girls have also been estranged from each other for three years after a visit where the outspoken Renee upset Flo.

Back on Guernsey they reconnect and soon end up living together and working in the same office, a bit of a tall coincidence I felt, but one that is necessary to the slightly convoluted plot and which also highlights how hard it is to maintain boundaries and anonymity on a tiny island. Renee and Flo are both finding the responsibilities of early adulthood challenging, and this is very much a novel about the first steps in growing up and defining who you are, as opposed to your teenage fantasies about who you want to be. It's about facing up to fears and making difficult decisions and accepting responsibility. Along the way, Dawn O'Porter revisits some of the themes that were at the core of Cat Lady - the effects of a mother’s early death, and of the inability of an emotionally stunted father to show affection. Alcoholism and dealing with perimenopause also figure.

If that all sounds like a lot to pack into one novel, maybe it is but it is written lightly and is an easy read. It's not particularly profound and is more Hollywood movie than prizewinning high literature, but it's not fluff. A good holiday read.