I enjoyed this story, but felt it was more suited to a younger audience. I've not read any Dawn O'Porter books previously and I didn't realised these were recycled characters.
Great if you want something light hearted.

The audiobook narrators were great!

After reading Cat Lady my expectations for this were so high but I was seriously disappointed.

When the book opened in 2001 and we were following two girls who were 22 I immediately thought we would be following them throughout their lives until present day, but nope. We spent the entire book in a 22 year old brain. What was the point of starting in 2001?

There’s no doubt everyone would be able to relate to these girls but as someone in their 30’s i just wasn’t interested by the end of the book. I would have loved to seen how their lives ended up.

I’m not sure who this book is aimed at as I don’t think 22 year olds could understand the message this book is trying to convey and anybody older would just get annoyed by the girls and their silly decisions after 300+ pages!!

Honeybee portrayed some really deep, really heart wrenching topics, such as alcoholism, finding your way in life in your early twenties, loss of loved ones, and unconventional relationships (family, friends, romantic). How Dawn O’Porter continues to convey such emotion, complex characteristics, and real life situations in her books amazes me - Honeybee was no different.

Exceeding my expectations for an emotional book focussing on the myriad of relationships in your early twenties, this book was far too relatable for comfort. There were also parts that shocked me, that comforted me, and that made me wonder what we are all actually here for.

I loved reading this messy, complicated, vulnerable expression of women in their teens, women in their twenties, women in their peri-menopausal phase, and women in their old age. I adored the added layer of complication and depth that the setting (Guernsey) gave the characters and the plot; it was all just done so brilliantly.

Honeybee, I think, is about connection and how we crave it, waste it, and seek it. I absolutely loved this read and would recommend it to absolutely anybody. Just check the TWs first.

Honeybee was my first Dawn O’Porter book.

I didn’t realise that this book was a follow-up book. That said, I think I managed to catch up on the backstory of Flo and Renee.

It was expertly narrated by Céline Buckens and Sarah Ovens.

That said, it took me a while to finish the book. I found Flo and Renee a little annoying at times, and whilst I knew they were in their early 20s, they felt very immature. I found them rather irritating.

I think the book was well written and it did portray the ups and downs of friendship. I just think perhaps I was a little too old for the book.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, HarperCollins UK Audio | HarperCollins, for making the e-audiobook available to me in exchange for a fair and honest review.

I’ve read a few of this authors other books and really enjoyed them so am a big fan of her work. Unfortunately I struggled with this one. I couldn’t relate to either of the main characters, kept mixing them up and found them both annoying, I also didn’t realise it was a follow up to two previous books which I hadn’t read as it made no mention of this. Sorry it just wasn’t for me.

Honeybee by Dawn O’Porter is a heartfelt and relatable story of friendship and navigating adulthood.
Renée and Flo, now in their early 20s, return to their hometown of Guernsey and reconnect after years of distance. The audiobook, narrated wonderfully by Céline Buckens and Sarah Ovens, brings their journey to life, capturing both the humor and the deeper emotional struggles they face. I loved the way the story touched on real-life issues like alcoholism, grief, and the pressures of young adulthood, all while maintaining a strong sense of warmth and friendship.
It’s a beautifully narrated, easy listen with a perfect balance of laughter, tears, and growth.
Very great to the publisher for my ALC, opinions are my own

A funny little popcorn read that explores women of different generations and at different points in their life and reproductive journey (perimenopausal, child-bearing age, mothers). Honey Bee adds humour to the mundane workplace drama (I don't think I've ever had an 'accidentally hit reply all' incident. Yet!) and gives us quite a relatable story.

Renée and Flo are in their early 20's and back on their home island of Guernsey, definitely not where they had planned to be. They had fallen out a few years ago but the connection was still there and they rekindle it.

I have not read the earlier books and don't think I missed out on anything as there was enough recapping without needing to retell the entire previous book. I may go and read them at some point.

Renée as a character is generally very selfish and annoying to the point I was shouting and swearing back at the narrator over some of her actions. I may never be able to return to that supermarket, I suppose that proves that she is believable and by the end of the book I had warmed to her.

I think I would have enjoyed it more had I been closer in age to the girls rather than to Auntie Jo but it was entertaining.

The narration was good and I liked hearing more about Guernsey, I would like to visit some day.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for the DRC.

Always been a fan of Dawn O’Porter. Listening to Honey Bee on audio gave an extra dimension to what feels like an alternative Bridget Jones saga post Covid. Definitely make a good Netflix series.

Well I enjoyed Honeybee by Dawn O'Porter it's a lovely follow on from her book Paper Aeroplanes which I had listened to in audiable just earlier this year although it has to be said it is not essential to read both this will do well as a stand alone. I simply felt I was listening to the characters growing, which is always a nice theme when an author can bring back the same characters but with more story.

Renee and Flo have grown up a little in the 3 years since they were previously together and when they meet up again by chance at a funeral neither of them expects the other one to be at they put aside their differences, decide to talk through their fall out and life goes on from there where they go on a journey of young adulthood.

It's a beautiful story of friendship and laughter along with some heartfelt and deep issues that many can and most likely will relate to on some level. Covering various topics such as alcohol addiction, grief, loss, careers, love, finances, family, affairs, friendship and of course the fact it was during late 90s into 2000 era it also covered the tragedy of 9/11 in brief detail.

I feel this book had more structure, plot, twists, and depth and just followed on beautifully from the Paper Aeroplanes.

Very well narrated, an easy listen I was captivated from the beginning and invested immediately in Renee and Flo to hear all about their lives, where things were heading for them. I smiled, I laughed, I gasped and I even had some fuzzy heart moments along with a couple of heart pangs of wishing maybe things weren't so but this is exactly how it is supposed to be. This novel was delivered in all the right ways.

Fantastic work by author Dawn O'Porter and narrators Celine Buckens & Sarah Ovens.

With thanks and gratitude to Netgalley, Harper Collins UK Audio for this ARC in return for an open honest review.

Loved this audiobook version - the actors were perfect for the characters & read the story beautifully. I loved how the book encapsulated growing up in the 90s & 00s, even having never been to Guernsey, it was so relatable for my age group. Dawn really drew you into island life & swept you up into the world of Flo & Renee through the simplest of ways & I loved that. As some who also has a hormone imbalance (thanks Mother Nature) I also loved hearing the menopause being discussed so openly as it’s still not done enough. Brilliant book & will be recommending to everyone I know - especially in audio book form! Thanks!

This is the first book I have read by Dawn O'Porter and I've heard so many good things about her writing over the last few years. This story follows our FMC's Renee and Flo. They are childhood best friends, both of which have had tough lives.

Overall I feel like this fell a little flat for me. I could relate to somethings in this book but I really found it hard to relate with the characters and connect with them. Maybe it's because I'm 30? I'm unsure.

I do like Dawn O'Porters writing and think she has a wonderful way with words and is very witty but I'm not sure this was the book for me. I would like to read some of her other books and see if I can connect more with them.

I'm afraid I must be too old for this book.. I really liked the description and persevered with it to about half way, but I found the 2 main characters really annoying and immature. I kept waiting for something to happen but it just didn't for me. I recognise that it was really well written, but I am not the target market and with so many other amazing books calling to me I'm afraid I gave up on this one. I am sure it will do really well as Dawn O'Porter is a great writer, just not for me on this occasion.

I have read most of Dawn O’Porter’s books and usually quite enjoy them. I was intrigued by the title and colourful cover and was delighted to receive a copy of both the ebook and audiobook. I alternated between both but preferred the audiobook as it gave the story some life. The narration is good and I like that they have two narrators.

The story follows Renèe and Flo, characters from her YA novel, Paper Planes. I haven’t read this but I’m not sure it matters too much. After not speaking for a few years, both of them return to Guernsey and miraculously become the best of friends again. Now in their early 20s, Renèe not only moves in with Flo but also gets a job at the same company Flo works at, despite being pretty incompetent to begin with.

I only made it halfway through the book before giving up on it. Part of me wanted to keep reading in case it got any better but I decided there are too many other books I could be reading. Nothing much really happens, I found both main characters annoying, unrelatable, totally vapid, and immature. Neither of them seem to have many life skills and act like a pair of irresponsible teenagers, instead of the 20 something, supposedly professional women they’re meant to be. Renèe’s obsession with her boss was like something a teenager would do, and the frequent references to her “soaking vagina” 🤢 were more crude than funny.

I think I’m too old for this book and not the target audience. It tries hard to be a humorous story about two friends reuniting and navigating life but to me it was boring and I couldn’t connect with the story or characters.

Thanks to Harper Collins UK, Harper Collins UK Audio and NetGalley for my copies.

It was lovely to be back on Guernsey with Renee and Flo again. Watching them slip back into their friendship, rocky as parts of it may be, was comforting and I loved the next instalment of their story. Thank you so much for this copy.

Renee and Flo were great characters, neither one fully likeable but also not terrible people, just two normal young women struggling with the transition into adulthood! It’s funny, sarcastic and emotional, definitely worth a read.

This is a continuation of the paper aeroplane series but I read it as a stand alone which completely worked, we were told about an relevant things that happened in the past and nothing was too focused on it. I do think that reading them could possibly add to your emotional investment in the characters as you’d get those back stories in much more detail but don’t let not having read them put you off picking this one up!

Honeybee - Dawn O’Porter REVIEW 📖

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Collins for providing me with an Audible version of this novel in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first time reading Dawn O'Porter's work, and I must say, I was quickly drawn to her writing style. Her wit, humor, and frankness feel like a breath of fresh air, making even the messiest parts of this story enjoyable. Honeybee is a raw and intimate tale about two estranged friends who find themselves back in each other’s lives, navigating the complexities of adulthood and life in their hometown.

The characters were relatable—charming but flawed—and I enjoyed getting to know both of the protagonists as they dipped their toes into adulthood and found the waters deeper than expected. While there wasn’t a major twist, and some parts of the story might feel predictable, that predictability made the book feel comforting. Sometimes, that’s exactly what we need—a story that’s engaging without the need to shock us.

Dawn O'Porter doesn’t shy away from tough topics. She covers a full spectrum of issues: pregnancy, substance abuse, menopause, adultery, aging, sex, and relationships. It’s thought-provoking and messy in the best way.

For me, the story really picked up in the second half, and I appreciated how it evolved, even though it was more about the characters' journey than plot-driven twists. Overall, Honeybee was an enjoyable read that combined humor, heart, and a good dose of reality.

Renee and Flo, characters returning from earlier novels, find that adulthood at 22 isn’t everything they hoped it would be. Each grappling with personal challenges and the weight of dysfunctional families, they journey back to their homeland of Guernsey in search of stability and a fresh start. As childhood friends, they quickly reignite their connection and decide to share a home.

Through their experiences, we explore the ups and downs of early womanhood at the turn of the century, filled with humor and heartfelt moments, all tinged with a hint of sadness. The characters are richly developed, with notable mentions like 'Mrs. Mangle' (Lillian) and Renee's Aunty Jo, who happens to be a beekeeper, adding charm and depth to the story.

The book is laced with clever analogies—mirrored in its title—symbolizing the quest for the right 'hive' and the supportive 'wingwoman' highlighted on the cover. Both women help guide their younger selves, emphasizing the importance of friendship and empowerment.

Celebrating womanhood in all its complexity, the story addresses significant themes such as menopause, alcoholism, and the impact of 9/11, all grounded in real-life settings (including the ferry from Weymouth to the Channel Islands, which I can personally vouch for!). It reads like an intimate diary, making it relatable and poignant. Now that I’ve been introduced to Renee and Flo, I can’t wait to see where their journey takes them next!

I was lucky enough to be given the opportunity to read / listen to this book in return for an honest review.
I was looking forward to reading this when I saw it was written by Dawn O’Porter. I have always loved the TV programs she’s been involved in.
We get to know old best friends Flo and Renee as they head back to Guernsey where they grew up. The book has highs and lows and lots of laugh out loud moments. It covers some quite sensitive topics such as alcohol, grief and menopause. Dawn covers these really well and tactfully. We see how the girls lives entwine and go through the ups and downs with them.
I’ll definitely look out for more of her books.

There are audiobooks that I put on for an hour or so a day and listen to gradually. Then there are some that once I start, I'm consumed and I can binge the whole thing in one sitting. This book was a massive binge for me.

At the start of the story, I thought I was in for a coming of age story that was going to be light hearted and some gentle entertainment. What I ended up getting was a story that was hugely relatable, with some heavy going topics but they were covered with in such a sensitive and at times comedic way, that I never felt uncomfortable.

Renee and Flo were two young women that were delightful to read about and I think every woman could read them and see elements of themselves. I have certainly had my own Renee/Flo in my life that has been my ride or die through those confusing and thrilling twenties. I started off feeling slightly aggravated by Flo, but as her story arc developed, my empathy grew and I understood her.

This was such a great story about women in their early twenties; the friendships, loves, decisions and turmoil. It was such a reminder to me of being that age and thinking that I knew myself so well, when I really and truly didn't. Great plot, great characters, great narration in the audio book. I had a fabulous time.