Renee and Flo are childhood best friends that find themselves back on the island of Guernsey. On the cusp of adulthood, they navigate living together, office romances and confronting their demons.
This book feels like a real celebration of female friendship and relationships. From the people you work with in the office to the less than conventional mother figures you may have in your life. Renee and Flo feel like opposing halves of the same person at time, yin and yang. I adored reading the turbulence and ultimate resolve of this friendship and found I could relate to aspects of Renee and Flo throughout.
When Dawn wrote "experience is more valuable than success" it's something I feel a lot of people will get a fuzzy feeling reading.
Delightfully relatable.

From the moment I pressed play on the audiobook of "Honeybee," I felt enveloped in the warmth of friendship, laughter, and the bittersweet messiness of adult life. Dawn O’Porter has created a delightful narrative that resonates deeply with anyone navigating the chaotic waters of early adulthood, and the narration by Céline Buckens and Sarah Ovens made the experience feel like catching up with my favourite girlfriends over a relaxing afternoon wine.
The story revolves around best friends Renée and Flo, both grappling with the harsh realities that come after the carefree days of youth. All their aspirations—writing careers for Renée and a fresh start for Flo—seem to crumble under the weight of their expectations. As I listened to their stories unfold, I found myself chuckling, cringing, and empathising in equal measure. Their adventures are riddled with mishaps and heartbreak, yet their unwavering support for one another shines through, making it impossible not to root for them.
O’Porter’s writing has a distinct humour that kept me engaged, even when the themes ventured into weighty territory like insecurity in relationships and the pressures of adult responsibilities. I appreciated how she tackled these serious topics while still allowing moments of levity to break the tension. The dual narrative perspective gives depth to the characters, and I enjoyed how their struggles—Renée's longing to escape to London and Flo's hidden secret—intertwine as they navigate their way back to each other.
However, I encountered some technical issues with the audiobook that disrupted the flow of my listening experience. Unfortunately, some sections went completely silent, including critical moments towards the end. This frustrating hiccup made me wish I could hear the conclusion of Renée's journey as she copes with a missed period and Flo’s determination to change her relationship with alcohol.
What stood out to me was how O’Porter captures the nuances of female friendship. It’s beautifully messy and complex, reflecting the ups and downs that come with growing alongside one another. Watching Renée and Flo rekindle their bond and redefine their priorities illustrates a powerful message—that having a true wing woman can make all the difference when life stings.
Overall, "Honeybee" is a free-spirited exploration of what it means to be a young woman today—filled with hilarity, heartache, and the occasional perplexing moment. It celebrates the journey of self-discovery amidst the chaos of adulthood while reinforcing the value of sticking together through thick and thin. I look forward to picking up a physical copy to see how the stories of Renée and Flo unfold in their entirety and to fully appreciate the ending that I, unfortunately, missed in the audiobook.
I wholeheartedly recommend "Honeybee" to anyone looking for an uplifting read that balances laughter with insight. If you’re seeking a story about friendship, growth, and the imperfect journey of becoming an adult, this one is not to be missed!

Honeybee by Dawn O'Porter

Rating: ★★★★☆

Honeybee is a good book that touches on incredibly important and often overlooked topics. I loved reading about everyday issues that no one really talks about, like grief, menopause, and yes, even fanny flaps! Dawn O'Porter’s candid approach to these subjects was both refreshing and thought-provoking.

The audiobook was fantastic, but it would have been a 5-star listen if the narrator brought a bit more emotion to the performance. That said, the story itself is compelling and well worth the read!

Listening to *Honeybee* felt like a bit of a missed opportunity for me. Daw O'Porter delivery is very straightforward, which kept the focus on the story, but I couldn’t help but feel that it lacked the emotional range I was hoping for. There were moments in the story that, in my opinion, needed more intensity, but the neutral tone she maintained made those scenes fall a bit flat. Because she wrote the book, I expected her to bring more depth to the performance, but that connection didn’t always come through. Her narration felt authentic, but also a bit too subdued. I found myself wishing she’d pushed a little further in certain moments where the protagonist’s emotions should’ve hit harder. The technical side of the production is solid, but for me, it didn’t make up for the fact that the tone stayed pretty much the same throughout. If you prefer a more understated, subtle style, this might be right up your alley. But for me, it didn’t quite hit the emotional highs I was looking for. The more restrained approach left me feeling a little disconnected, which was a shame considering how powerful the themes in the book are.

This was more of a slower burn that her other books but I found it very hard hitting and my god the laugh out loud moments! I loved the audiobook, the narrator was perfect! The female friendships in this were perfect and I adored it. I am very drawn to plots with difficult mother/daughter relationships as it reminds me I’m not the only one that doesn’t have the perfect ‘my mum is my best friend’ life

Really nice audiobook that was funny in parts. I enjoyed the narrators and the voices were easy to listen to. The story was easy to listen to and follow. Had me laughing out loud in a few parts!

Dawn O’Porter’s Honey Bee is a sweet (but not too sweet) story of female friendship, with some serious stuff and humour too. Nicely narrated by Céline Buckens and Sarah Ovens.

This book was a surprise as someone who didn't like the authors first book and then loved this one! The narrators did a fantastic job and found myself listening to this in under 24 hours. It was witty, relatable and will make you laugh out loud in parts especially the audio version did for me anyway. I gave this 4.5 but rounded up to 5 for this review. Would highly recommend this audio book for something a bit different. Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for this audio arc.

I really enjoyed this story about Renee and Flo's friendship and how they navigated their early 20's as 'grown ups'. Dawn's writing is very sharp and funny and I laughed out loud whilst listening. I found them relatable and real and loved Lillian's character too and Aunty Jo's menopause struggle.

Last 2 audiobook chapters were missing so I requested the written version to complete the book. Enjoyed reading it as much as listening but really loved the narrators. One of them sounded a lot like Dawn and I was surprised that it wasn't her!

Honeybee is a gem of a read about youth, resilience and self discovery.

I loved the warmth and wit of Dawn O’Porters writing. A character centred story, I was so invested in Renee and Flo’s experience of navigating relationships, grief and loss, substance use and finding their purpose and place. The egocentricities of youth were captured with empathy and understanding, and the broader story read as a testament to the female experience, of aging, relationships, adjustment, health and identity.

I was fortunate to enjoy this as an ebook and audiobook. The dual narration perfectly captured the personality and emotional experience of Renee and Flo. It also made it easier to follow the alternating POV resulting in an immersive listening experience.

I’d highly recommend to anyone looking for a heartwarming and captivating read, and look forward to picking up more of O’Porter’s work.

Thank you HarperCollins UK, HarperCollins UK Audio, and NetGalley for a copy of this book. Opinions expressed are my own.

When life gives you lemons, make sure you have a decent wing woman who will sweep them straight in the bin and pour you a glass of wine. Renée and Flo had their hopes pinned on securing high flying marketing jobs and winning at life, but reality keeps stamping all over their plans. Adulting is so much harder than they imagined with disappointments in work and love. The pair nose dive into one disaster after another, but arm in arm, they tackle it together with lots of laughs alongside the melée disasters. A wonderful celebration of female friendship and solidarity. A freeing and uplifting read despite some heavy topics. The audiobook was wonderfully narrated by Céline Buckens and Sarah Ovens., which felt like hanging out with your favourite girl-friends A wonderful way to spend and afternoon sharing the highs, lows, laugh, loves and disasters of the girls #honeybee #dawnoporter #netgalley #audiobook

Many thanks for netgalley for allowing me to review this book. I really enjoyed this book, so much so I listened to it in under 24 hours. It was a perfect way to show the imperfections of young adults and how office culture can be so difficult. Flo and Renee had to find their new place as friends but also when push came to shove, they were each others people and meant to be in each others lives. The book shows so beautifully how important real friendships are and to cherish them. Unfortunately the audio went at the end so I also had to request the book so I got to read the last few chapters to see how this beautiful story all ended.
I will definitely be reading more from this author.

Have you read Paper Aeroplanes? I don’t think it’s essential as there are plenty of little recaps throughout Honeybee, but having reread Paper Aeroplanes recently I definitely felt really comfortable to be back on Guernsey with Renee and Flo. This time they’re having a go at adulting and finding it all to be a bit of a false advertisement.

For the most oart I really enjoyed Honeybee, I was the same are as the girls when the book is set in 2001, and was also finding adulting to be an ordeal. I think I’d have rated the novel a bit higher if I’d have got the benefit of hearing the end, I hope I do.

Lovely narration.

Unfortunately for me there were some serious sound issues. From around 00:16 until the end of track 6 is silent. All of track 27 is static with no background audio. Then the final chapter until the authors note is silent. To the publishers I’d really love to listen to what is missing. I deleted the copy and re-downloaded to no avail. I’m happy to update if the content is reissued.

Thank you to Harper Collins Audio UK and NetGalley for the opportunity to listen to this ELC

I really enjoyed listening to this, it was a perfect way to show the imperfections of young adults and how office culture can be so incestious. Flo and Renee had to find their new place as friends but also when push came to shove, they were each others people. Unfortunately the last 2 chapters of the book wouldn’t work for me on NetGalley so I will have to get a copy when it comes out to see how Renee is getting on after her missed period and how flo is getting on after giving up alcohol. I also loved how the girls opinions changed on people like the neighbour and coworkers throughout the book!

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for providing an Advanced Reader Copy of Dawn O'Porter's new novel Honeybee in exchange for an honest review.

I'd like to say that this review is coming from someone reading their first O'Porter book. This book follows child characters from a previous duology, which I have not read, who are now in their early 20s and navigating the difficulties that comes with.

I have to say this did not impact my enjoyment of the book. I feel it is written is such a way as to allow first time readers to get to know the characters and appreciate their humour and inside jokes.

If you are looking for a book heavy on plot, this is not what this book is. However, if you are looking for a book filled with humour and emotion, centred around exploring female friendships, growing up, and grappling with serious issues such as grief and addiction, then this is the book for you. The characters are amazingly fleshed out, and you can't help but cheer on both Renee and Flo as they do ever more outlandish things.

There were so many laugh out loud moments. And feel good moments. I would thoroughly recommend this book and can't wait to read more from this author.

Wow. I loved this book.

It’s from both Flo and Renee’s points of view. Two girls who are going through early adulthood and figuring life out. They were best friends and had become distant only to move back to Guernsey and rekindle their bond.

Renee dreams of leaving Guernsey and moving to London to pursue her dream of becoming a writer.

Flo has recently escaped the city with a secret and is doing her best to keep it hidden.

It’s funny, it’s sad. It covers deep and meaningful topics in a way that leaves the reader understanding the feeling of loss, grief and love.


Dawn O’Porter has such a distinct style of humour which runs throughout this novel.

Thank you so much NetGalley and HarperCollins for the audiobook. It was beautifully narrated too.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Honeybee by Dawn O’Porter, an audiobook narrated by Céline Buckens and Sarah Ovens is a delightful and fun book to read/listen to! I don't remember when I laughed out loud so much! Seriously, some parts were absolutely hilarious!

The characters Renee and Flo, oh my :D I just loved them in the way they were! Each has its own issues but is presented in such a cute way! They both are finding a way to be an adults and making mistakes like anyone would do! They testing things and trying to survive and the way they do is so cute and reliable!

Céline Buckens and Sarah Ovens did brilliant narration, and their voices greatly suited the characters! I am surprised they managed to get through some parts without laughing!
The First day in the office chapter I listened multiple times, it was so good!

This book is presented from Renee and Flo's points of view in the present time. So it's really easy to follow.

I loved this book!

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins UK Audio for this copy!

I’ve read all of Dawn OPorters books so far and enjoyed them all, this is no exception. As always great and enticing cover art. A believable and ace set of characters and a fun and engaging plot. Hope she continues to write many more books. Great job

**Listened to the audio book as well as reading the electronic version**

I have really enjoyed Dawn O'Porters books in the past, and i'm a big fan of her in general.That is why it pains me to write a negative review.

But this book was just so slow!! Nothing happens!! I appreciate it was more of a character driven narrative rather than a plot driven one. I have read Goose and Airplanes - and it still didn't grip me. (Not realising before reading that it was linked to Porter's early books - which I loved by the way!)

It just felt really ploddy and I didn't enjoy my reading experience.

I preferred the audio book than the hard copy as the narrator really tried to bring it to life - which I didn't necessarily get from just reading.

I really hope Dawn O Porter's next book is back to her usual top form and I feel more engaged!

Back in Guernsey after time away two old friends, Flo and Renee in their early twenties, reunite at a funeral and end up flat sharing. They are both fighting different inner demons as they try and navigate their way through early adulthood. Their friendship is tested over and over as they each display questionable behaviour as they strive to obtain what they think they want from life.
I didn't realise this was the third in a series of books involving these characters but there was enough backstory detailed to allow it to be enjoyed as a standalone.
Funny and sad in equal measures with a strong supporting cast of peripheral characters . Ideal for those who love reading about the complexities of female friendships.
I am grateful to NetGalley and the author for an advanced listener copy of this well-narrated audiobook.