Name: Mad Honey
ISBN: 9781984818386

Jodi Picoult

Jennifer Finney Boylan

A Novel

Mad Honey

Emily Moore

She taught me how to remember the signs of the zodiac in order, with the sentence “The ramble twins crab liverish; scaly scorpions are good waterfish.”

“I’m just afraid-“ I say. “It’s not enough to make me happy.” 

She thinks this over. “Some people,” she says gently, “have to fight for that harder than others.”

But he waits, patient, this tortured boy who thinks he has a hurricane brewing under his skin.

How even if there are broken parts of him and broken parts of me, together we still make a whole.

I watch the police car until I cannot see the taillights, like the crimson blink of the creature you once thought lived under the bed or in the closet, the thing that scared you most.

"Why do you do that? Joke about it?" "Because if I don't," I admit, I’ll cry."

“Ask me if I give a fuck,” Jordan tosses back. He opens the closed office door.

I'm a very different person than I was during those dark days. Or so I like to think.

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

He stares at my face, at my body, like it's perfect. Like I'm a one-of-a-kind wonder meant just for him.

I had one run at passion, and that's probably all I'll get for the rest of my life.

Sometimes it's like my legs have been bound with anchor chains, and I've been thrown by off a ship into the cruel ocean, and all I can do is sink.

"You're not the only person to be sad. Sometimes I think, if you're not really sad in this world, you're just not paying attention.”

I do not know what this world is, but I know that it contains miracles that I cannot explain, and the love that people have for each other is the biggest mystery of all.

We aren't here on earth in order to bend over backward to resemble everybody else. We're here to be ourselves, in all our gnarly brilliance.

He treated each word out of my mouth as if it were a drop of water, and he was a desert.

and I’m pretty used to thinking of myself as someone who is impossible to love.

There was something about the way impressionist paintings make sense from a distance, but not up close, that I felt in my bones.

A soul-stirring novel about what we choose to keep from our past, and what we choose to leave behind, from the New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here and the bestselling author of She's Not There. Olivia McAfee knows what it feels like to start over. Her picture-perfect life—living in Boston, married to a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon, raising a beautiful son, Asher—was upended when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined she would end up back in her sleepy New Hampshire hometown, living in the house she grew up in, and taking over her father's beekeeping business. Lily Campanello is familiar with do-overs, too. When she and her mom relocate to Adams, New Hampshire, for her final year of high school, they both hope it will be a fresh start. And for just a short while, these new beginnings are exactly what Olivia and Lily need. Their paths cross when Asher falls for the new girl in school, and Lily can’t help but fall for him, too. With Ash, she feels happy for the first time. Yet at times, she wonders if she can she trust him completely . . . Then one day, Olivia receives a phone call: Lily is dead, and Asher is being questioned by the police. Olivia is adamant that her son is innocent. But she would be lying if she didn’t acknowledge the flashes of his father’s temper in him, and as the case against him unfolds, she realizes he’s hidden more than he’s shared with her. Mad Honey is a riveting novel of suspense, an unforgettable love story, and a moving and powerful exploration of the secrets we keep and the risks we take in order to become ourselves.

I didn't realize till now that when I finished this book, this would relate to pride month as it tackled lgbtq and the stigma around them. It must be hard to live in their shoes but freedom to express who they really are. I felt sad to those who grew up trying to look at themselves like there's something wrong with them just like what Lily felt. It was sad she ended up in that way, she didn't deserve that and would've had a long life ahead of her. 

More than that, it also looks on motherhood and domestic abuse where Olivia had to go through that  and how she and Asher saved each other from their past. Although, I kind of hated that Liv doesn't trust her son enough, but still, I get her being scared that Asher has his ex husband's traits (even bad habits are inherited). And gosh, bees, now I'm craving for honey! 

I felt sad for Ava, losing a son and now, her daughter. I felt like Lily didn't get her justice and the last chapters were at a fast pace, although I got it. This is why you should never fall in love with someone who has a girl bestfriend! Don't, ever!

stephie

I didn't realize till now that when I finished this book, this would relate to pride month as it tackled lgbtq and the stigma around them. It must be hard to live in their shoes but freedom to express who they really are. I felt sad to those who grew up trying to look at themselves like there's something wrong with them just like what Lily felt. It was sad she ended up in that way, she didn't deserve that and would've had a long life ahead of her. 

More than that, it also looks on motherhood and domestic abuse where Olivia had to go through that  and how she and Asher saved each other from their past. Although, I kind of hated that Liv doesn't trust her son enough, but still, I get her being scared that Asher has his ex husband's traits (even bad habits are inherited). And gosh, bees, now I'm craving for honey! 

I felt sad for Ava, losing a son and now, her daughter. I felt like Lily didn't get her justice and the last chapters were at a fast pace, although I got it. This is why you should never fall in love with someone who has a girl bestfriend! Don't, ever!

Very good! Felt kinda uneventful in the ending but great story line! 

Madilyn Taylor

Kind of wish Olivia would have specifically said to the reader it was “Lily’s” (the bee) honey that she gave to Ava.

Tabitha Rone

Kiana Johnson

started off good, then it got preachy/lecture-y/forced, then a little better, then boring 

Carmen Malca

Love this! I had trouble putting this away, as I kept on wondering what would happen next. All my expectations of a Jodi Picoult story were met as I was placed in the different viewpoints of the characters.  I loved that it addressed the controversial issue of transgender individuals and what they go through as they grow up. Very insightful.  Mind blowing ending!!!

Amanda 

This is the kind of book you want from Jodi Picoult. Jodi is someone you can count on to build a thought provoking, character driven, layered story. I was on the edge of my seat for most of the book and could not put it down. There’s twists and turns, there’s characters you’ll love and hate at the same time. You feel so conflicted at times and so resolute at others. She delivers characters that have dimension, show growth, and just feel like real people. Absolutely loved it. 

engaging and interesting but i found the ending weak and some characters lazily written

Nina

Got this book on my line to read right on the Christmas day.. and it became my new year reading to end the year! Gosh, I have many things to say for this book throughout the rollercoaster emotion that I have been through. I didn't expect it will be this good.. Like, THIS GOOD. I ever read Jodi Picoult's book before, it was Wish You Were Here if I am not mistaken? And I had a so-so experience to get through that so this one is out of my league. 

Okay, so this book was all about the murder cases; how it happened, the people who are involved, and the reasons or motive behind it. But it wrapped in tragic love story behind it. I listened to I Hear A Symphony by Cody Fry each time I dig to the story.. Please consider it one since the melancholy drama suits the tone very well. I learned more about the difference of sex and gender, also sort kind of disease from the causes and mechanism how it works in our body. I never cried this hard on the love sex scene but I DID IT IN HERE T__T 

The language usage! I believe it will be so easy and page turner for everyone.. You will find some poetic phrases but it's so enjoyable. Just personal cases since one of the character remind me of someone I really knew in the past, I need to take a break few times since it is quite triggering for me, but it's still okay! This book taught me to see thing from the crystal clear glass, of how we didn't see people as an object, and treat them as equally and nicely as it could be. Also being a woman has meant being someone who gets talked over in conversations or ignored; who gets judged as a body instead of as a sentient soul; no matter who you are or what you are doing, always has to be on guard, lest someone else decide that you’re going to be his victim. 

Mad Honey is a book about the shades of gray of love life, like its title, you will find this world is not black and white as it seems? As it goes back, coming all around, sometimes it works just like a funnel; not every bad thing that happens is a crime, not every crime can be prosecuted. Not every prosecution results in a conviction. Not every conviction results in jail time or whatever the victim’s family may want. For the thriller cases, this book wouldn't offer you like a detective-solver type, but it's so deep and meaningful for people who need it. This book is so dear to me. 

"We don’t say anything as we ascend the path back to temple street... A few pedestrians pass us by. How similar does someone have to be to you before you remember to see them, first, as human?" 

"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."


Got this book on my line to read right on the Christmas day.. and it became my new year reading to end the year! Gosh, I have many things to say for this book throughout the rollercoaster emotion that I have been through. I didn't expect it will be this good.. Like, THIS GOOD. I ever read Jodi Picoult's book before, it was Wish You Were Here if I am not mistaken? And I had a so-so experience to get through that so this one is out of my league. 

Okay, so this book was all about the murder cases; how it happened, the people who are involved, and the reasons or motive behind it. But it wrapped in tragic love story behind it. I listened to I Hear A Symphony by Cody Fry each time I dig to the story.. Please consider it one since the melancholy drama suits the tone very well. I learned more about the difference of sex and gender, also sort kind of disease from the causes and mechanism how it works in our body. I never cried this hard on the love sex scene but I DID IT IN HERE T__T 

The language usage! I believe it will be so easy and page turner for everyone.. You will find some poetic phrases but it's so enjoyable. Just personal cases since one of the character remind me of someone I really knew in the past, I need to take a break few times since it is quite triggering for me, but it's still okay! This book taught me to see thing from the crystal clear glass, of how we didn't see people as an object, and treat them as equally and nicely as it could be. Also being a woman has meant being someone who gets talked over in conversations or ignored; who gets judged as a body instead of as a sentient soul; no matter who you are or what you are doing, always has to be on guard, lest someone else decide that you’re going to be his victim. 

Mad Honey is a book about the shades of gray of love life, like its title, you will find this world is not black and white as it seems? As it goes back, coming all around, sometimes it works just like a funnel; not every bad thing that happens is a crime, not every crime can be prosecuted. Not every prosecution results in a conviction. Not every conviction results in jail time or whatever the victim’s family may want. For the thriller cases, this book wouldn't offer you like a detective-solver type, but it's so deep and meaningful for people who need it. This book is so dear to me. 

Lauren Piper

charlotte brand

Jess

** spoiler alert **
           There’s so much I disliked about this book, but first want to say I do applaud the author for integrating important themes into a book and raising awareness of trans visibility and perspectives.

Disliked:
1. The Mom and all of the anecdotes were too much
2. All of a sudden Olivia and Mike, that was random
3. The names didn’t match the characters
4. Even with Lillie the reflections were too much, repetitive, and annoying at times. I had to fast forward quite a bit in the second half of the book.
5. They only dated for a few months?
6. I’ve never rated a 1 but this book was insufferable. I considered DNFing but fast forwarded instead.

This book really touches on depression, suicide, abuse. I won’t lie, hated the parts where they talked about bee’s and honey. I get why it was added. I wish we could of just gotten the story without the extra stuff. I hate the ended. The girl best friend killed the girlfriend but it truly sucks that a year of Asher’s life was a loss when it truly wasn’t his fault and the girl best friend gets a tap on the wrist. Also the mom of the girl who was killed still mad at Asher when he didn’t kill Her trans daughter.. what kind of shit.

Jordyn Walker

Lauren Grey

I had read that Mad Honey was reminiscent of Picoult’s earlier work and I am SO GLAD it’s true! I started devouring Picoult’s novels when I was in 8th grade starting with My Sister’s Keeper and once I finished I didn’t stop until I got my hands on everything she had written. Honestly, the past few of her books hadn’t really hit the spot for me for different reasons, but this one went back to her roots of controversial topic + courtroom drama + family dynamics and it equaled a hit!

My favorite thing about Picoult novels are that they educate and make me think. I typically know next to nothing about whatever topic she is writing about, so I really enjoy the learning aspect that comes with taking in her story and how I have to keep an open mind. I brought up some of what was addressed to my husband and it sparked great conversations.

In an effort not to spoil the story, I felt that the characters were interesting and likable, the bee facts were surprising, the family dynamics hit hard now that I am a mother, and the courtroom drama was very compelling. I will warn you to embrace the twists and just keep an open mind as you read this story.

There’s a twist partway through that I genuinely didn’t see coming and added an interesting thread to the plot. Unfortunately, that’s really the only positive thing I have to say about this book. After that I found the storyline was repetitive and dragged on. I held out for what I hoped would be an exciting/shocking ending of redemption, but felt that fell flat as well. 

Kaitlyn Wendler

Caitlin Moore

4.5
This book audibly made me gasp about halfway through - always a good sign when you don’t see it coming. I think this book is about so much more than honey and a mystery- and I think it could open so many peoples minds. Absolutely loved. Also loved that there were honey recipes at the end!

Way too much in depth bee-keeping information. Odd method of story-telling with one characters timeline going in reverse. Seemed like a lot of random reveals (i.e. sheriff kiss, friend’s confession at the end) and not enough looking into other areas (ex-husbands current life). Could’ve easily been 100 pages shorter - a lot of repetition which made it a difficult read. 

Paige Paul

I would rate it five stars but the ending seemed like a copout to me. It is not an ambiguous ending that also speculation and for you to draw your own conclusions as a reader, which is what I hoped for the entire book. Still very good. 

Peyton

Samantha Huster

I really enjoyed this read. Both authors write so seamlessly that the reading experience is very smooth. I did predict a lot of the twists in this book so maybe I'm just not cut out for mysteries. But overall...a good read with a powerful message.

Mad Honey / Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ / avg bookclub rating 4.14

“better to have a boy, who would never be someone’s victim”

I have never read a Jodi Picoult book, although I see them at every single secondhand book fair and I went into this one completely blind. It was extremely well researched, and I did learn a lot about the legal system and beekeeping, whilst constantly trying to put pieces of a puzzle together and almost felt like I was on the jury.

By the end, I did feel, that the beekeeping side of it was dragging and despite loving a dual POV book, I struggled to get through some of the chapters from Lily’s POV. I also don’t think the final two chapters were necessary, as nothing came out of the revelation.

There’s actually not a lot I can say about this one without ruining anything, but I would definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings as there are some heavy themes. Overall, I would recommend this for a bookclub pick or a buddy read as it is a great one to discuss as a group.

Larissa Kirchberger

BOOK REVIEW

Mad Honey / Jodi Picoult & Jennifer Finney Boylan

My rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️ / avg bookclub rating 4.14

“better to have a boy, who would never be someone’s victim”

I have never read a Jodi Picoult book, although I see them at every single secondhand book fair and I went into this one completely blind. It was extremely well researched, and I did learn a lot about the legal system and beekeeping, whilst constantly trying to put pieces of a puzzle together and almost felt like I was on the jury.

By the end, I did feel, that the beekeeping side of it was dragging and despite loving a dual POV book, I struggled to get through some of the chapters from Lily’s POV. I also don’t think the final two chapters were necessary, as nothing came out of the revelation.

There’s actually not a lot I can say about this one without ruining anything, but I would definitely recommend checking the trigger warnings as there are some heavy themes. Overall, I would recommend this for a bookclub pick or a buddy read as it is a great one to discuss as a group.

⚠️ trigger warning, this book contains mentions and chapters expressing abuse, abortion, and suicide. Read with caution 

This book is HEAVY. I don't mean in weight physically but mentally. I expected the murder, the love story, the tears, the heartbreak. What I didn't expect was LITERALLY EVERYTHING ELSE.  

I by the middle of the book I had 4 ideas on where this could go. This book needs to be read with tissues nearby if you are a sucker for tears. 

Shanelle M.

⚠️ trigger warning, this book contains mentions and chapters expressing abuse, abortion, and suicide. Read with caution 

This book is HEAVY. I don't mean in weight physically but mentally. I expected the murder, the love story, the tears, the heartbreak. What I didn't expect was LITERALLY EVERYTHING ELSE.  

I by the middle of the book I had 4 ideas on where this could go. This book needs to be read with tissues nearby if you are a sucker for tears. 

Kristen Claiborn

Way back when Piccoult first started publishing books, I absolutely loved them. They were engaging, heart-wrenching stories that were impossible to put down. I blew through each new one and waited impatiently for the next, like millions of other readers. There was another author I read around the same time named Sarah Dessen. She primarily wrote young adult novels about teen girls and their angst. I blew through those as well. They were easy to read and usually quick reads. But book after book I realized that these stories were all sad. Every one of them. I wasn’t in the happiest place in my own life, so I spent a lot of time feeling exceptionally blue, and the books truly didn’t help. I finally had to decide to seek out lighter reading fare, so I gave up reading Piccoult and Dessen, for years. This is the first of hers I have picked up in about a decade, and the only reason I did was because it was a Good Morning America Book Club selection. 
	In the grand tradition of Piccoult (I know nothing about Boylan, that will likely change), it’s tragic from start to finish. Asher and his mom were refugees of a physically abusive husband and father, Lily’s mom whisked her to a new place to protect her from an intolerant father. Asher and Lily connect and find love and acceptance with each other. If the story had ended there, it would have been a good story. Alas, it got even more tragic. Lily is found dead, and Asher is the prime suspect, facing a jury of his peers as he defends himself against the murder charge. 
	During the trial, we discover Lily’s secret, which is even more heart-wrenching than the story already was. Here’s the thing though, it’s a damn good story. As much as I hate the tragic nature of her books, they are really good books. These characters are all expertly crafted, invoking empathy from the reader. I never once believed Asher to be guilty, which I suppose was the whole point. When the story reaches the boiling point, I was taken completely by surprised, for more than one reason. This book is though provoking and emotional. 
	I need to point out the honey part of the book. Asher’s mom is a beekeeper in the book, and facts about bees and honey are included throughout. I think I found that more fascinating than the entire story. My husband and I sat around googling honey facts, especially mad honey. He now wants to find some mad honey. There might be something wrong with him.

Katelyn Sykes

Absolutely loved this book!! So well done. It is not for people who are closed minded to some controversial subjects but I loved it. I did not expect the ending and I love that in a book.

Cecilia

So much better than I could have ever expected it to be.

Mad Honey A Novel

Reviews

Highlights