allcavesin's review against another edition
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I went into this blind after a recommendation from my boss. What an absolutely heart wrenching story. Olivia's journey out of abuse was hard to read, honestly, but I'm glad it was. It was real. I was rooting for Asher, and then I wasn't, and then I was again. I'm so glad we get to hear so much of Lily's story. Then the ending!!!!! I did not see it coming. The blend of both authors was seamless.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Domestic abuse, Blood, and Transphobia
clairewallace's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
terri993's review
dark
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
bookbloggerjanine's review against another edition
5.0
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan
I give this book 5 stars
Olivia fled her abusive marriage to return to her hometown and take over the family beekeeping business whe relationships n her son Asher was six. Now, Asher is in his last year of high school, and has a relationships girlfriend.
Lily also knows what it feels like to start over - when she and her mother relocated to New Hampshire it was all about a fresh start. She and Asher couldn't help falling for each other, but can she trust him completely?
Then Olivia gets a phone call - Lily is dead, and Asher has been arrested.As the case against him unfolds, she realises he has hidden more than he's shared with her. And Olivia knows that we rarely know the people we love well as we think we do.
This compelling and contemporary story swept me away and held me captive while reading.Written by 2 authors the writing style was evocative and seamlessly done.I absolutely loved the interwoven facts about beekeeping and the honey recipes.It is a strong character driven novel that tackles love,family,relationships,secrets and our identity..Olivia and Lily the two main narrators are so vivid and real that l felt immense empathy for them and didn’t want their stories to end.l was completely riveted by the courtroom and trial and the twists and turns of the backstory.as it unfolds.(my review is spoiler free and I strongly suggest you don’t read reviews before starting) This is a standout book for me this year!
Such a beautifully written poignant,powerful and thought provoking read, l couldn’t put this one down.
With thanks to Netgalley,the authors and Hodder and Stoughton for my chance to read and review this book
I give this book 5 stars
Olivia fled her abusive marriage to return to her hometown and take over the family beekeeping business whe relationships n her son Asher was six. Now, Asher is in his last year of high school, and has a relationships girlfriend.
Lily also knows what it feels like to start over - when she and her mother relocated to New Hampshire it was all about a fresh start. She and Asher couldn't help falling for each other, but can she trust him completely?
Then Olivia gets a phone call - Lily is dead, and Asher has been arrested.As the case against him unfolds, she realises he has hidden more than he's shared with her. And Olivia knows that we rarely know the people we love well as we think we do.
This compelling and contemporary story swept me away and held me captive while reading.Written by 2 authors the writing style was evocative and seamlessly done.I absolutely loved the interwoven facts about beekeeping and the honey recipes.It is a strong character driven novel that tackles love,family,relationships,secrets and our identity..Olivia and Lily the two main narrators are so vivid and real that l felt immense empathy for them and didn’t want their stories to end.l was completely riveted by the courtroom and trial and the twists and turns of the backstory.as it unfolds.(my review is spoiler free and I strongly suggest you don’t read reviews before starting) This is a standout book for me this year!
Such a beautifully written poignant,powerful and thought provoking read, l couldn’t put this one down.
With thanks to Netgalley,the authors and Hodder and Stoughton for my chance to read and review this book
hopkinspaige321's review
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
beccap104's review
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
bexbooksandstuff's review
5.0
I don't know where to begin to review this book without giving spoilers!
This book was a bit of a slow burner to begin which wasn't helped that I couldn't read it in long chunks due to life/work commitments. However once I got to the main part of the story and the major reveal half way through I was hooked.
I loved that the story was told in dual narration, it was really interesting seeing things from both Olivia and Lily's perspectives. I did have an idea of who had been involved in the murder however I was completely wrong!
This was a very thought provoking story. The detail and depth of which the topics were discussed was phenomenal. I learnt a great deal.
Yes there were a lot of discussions and topics described that may make some people uncomfortable and there certainly are some trigger warnings related to DV. However these discussions are so important to have and I think they were written beautifully and sensitively. I myself have learnt a great deal and will be thinking about this book for a long time to come.
This book was a bit of a slow burner to begin which wasn't helped that I couldn't read it in long chunks due to life/work commitments. However once I got to the main part of the story and the major reveal half way through I was hooked.
I loved that the story was told in dual narration, it was really interesting seeing things from both Olivia and Lily's perspectives. I did have an idea of who had been involved in the murder however I was completely wrong!
This was a very thought provoking story. The detail and depth of which the topics were discussed was phenomenal. I learnt a great deal.
Yes there were a lot of discussions and topics described that may make some people uncomfortable and there certainly are some trigger warnings related to DV. However these discussions are so important to have and I think they were written beautifully and sensitively. I myself have learnt a great deal and will be thinking about this book for a long time to come.
shannon_camposdowdy's review
challenging
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
itsashleigh's review
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Absolute perfection and very important! I honestly didn't know how it was going to wrap up. I want to start over again.