Reviews tagging 'Gaslighting'

Mad Honey by Jennifer Finney Boylan, Jodi Picoult

86 reviews

curious_oyster's review against another edition

hopeful reflective sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse and Transphobia

Moderate: Suicide attempt, Deadnaming, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Violence, Death, Hate crime, and Bullying

Minor: Pedophilia, Medical content, Injury/Injury detail, and Gaslighting

saramoser's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious 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

Another amazing book by Jodi with co-author Jennifer. These authors wrote controversial topics so beautifully, they make sure to educate at the same time as telling an amazing story. The murder mystery along side high school drama and exploring what it is like to be trans youth in this day.

Highly recommend. And to those who are saying “why is she pushing her agenda down our throats?” - you chose to read this book…

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Self harm, Transphobia, Abandonment, Physical abuse, Sexual content, Child abuse, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

readinglitwithbritt's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional informative mysterious sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Abortion, Child abuse, Cursing, Blood, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Deadnaming, Gore, Suicide attempt, Transphobia, Emotional abuse, Homophobia, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Grief, Sexism, Sexual content, Self harm, Domestic abuse, Dysphoria, Gaslighting, Infidelity, Injury/Injury detail, Misogyny, Outing, and Toxic relationship

ellaticonstellation's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted mysterious reflective relaxing 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? It's complicated

5.0

This story broke me. The domestic violence, death, trial, and crime left me on the edge of my seat. I loved that the narrators were Olivia (Asher's mom) and Lily (the girlfriend) both women. The whole crime ordeal was tense and compelling. And this happens in real life; I bet it's super stressful and scary, especially for the parties involved. 

I truly believe a person's upbringing makes a part of a person. Meaning, as time went we decide for ourselves, and through that decision-making, we learn. What I'm saying is that we make what we are as people. Yeah, we can blame others for breaking us, but if we didn't pick up the pieces after that, we suffer so much and we won't survive. That's why I salute Olivia and Ava as mothers because they care about their kids whoever they may be. They both made sure that they were safe and away from people who constantly break them. That's not easy to do. I don't know transgender people irl, but it must not be easy to be trapped in a body that you don't see yourself in. Lily is a brave soul for knowing who she is and what she wants at an early age. 

I love the story structure of this. Liv and Lily told the story both in the past, but Liv's in the future style. If that even made sense. The story is gripping and fast-paced even though it's long. I didn't get bored even for a second.

Oh! The honey stuff and the fact that Liv called her queen bees pop divas names made me smile. This is my second book from Jodi and my first from Jenny, I'll read more. Oh, and it was so cool that this story was based on Jenny's epic dream. Overall, a great read❤️

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Body shaming, Deadnaming, Gaslighting, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic friendship

ariel_marie's review against another edition

challenging emotional informative sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

I had such a soft spot for all of these characters.

Mad Honey was so well written & covered important topics.

There were definitely some triggering moments as a large focus of this book covers DV. Sometimes it felt like things were being over explained & facts were given on end, but it was done in a way that was compelling.

The different POV's & past & present storytelling provided character depth that was much needed. Liv & Lily were so different yet so similar. I love that this was co-written with an author was has experience & can provide an authentic outlook to the topic covered in this book.

The ending though - it felt rushed & for a story that was so focused on justice, I did not appreciate the outcome.

I did absolutely love all the information I learned about bees & honey in this story. It was such a fun & lighthearted aspect to this heavy story.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Deadnaming, Outing, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Transphobia, Domestic abuse, Gaslighting, Body shaming, Bullying, Sexism, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Self harm, Physical abuse, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Alcoholism, Hate crime, Misogyny, and Sexual content

Minor: Abortion

cryfest's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Reading this as a trans queer non-binary person who has loved Jodi Picoult (one of the authors of this book) since high school -  I was a little apprehensive because I wasn’t sure if I trusted Jodi with my trans siblings, and while heart breaking, a lot of nuance to trans identities was explored compassionately, with the genius and lived experience of Finney Boylan of course. I definitely would encourage non-trans folks to read this as a small slice of insight to one fictional trans person’s experience/journey.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Death, Suicide attempt, Violence, Domestic abuse, Murder, Abandonment, Hate crime, Mental illness, Outing, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Toxic relationship, Transphobia, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexual violence, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, Misogyny, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic friendship

Moderate: Confinement

Minor: Pedophilia, Abortion, Alcoholism, Gun violence, Infidelity, and Mass/school shootings

kebbe7's review against another edition

emotional informative mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Grief, Self harm, Gaslighting, Medical content, Pregnancy, Hate crime, Physical abuse, Sexual violence, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Violence, Body shaming, Child abuse, Deadnaming, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, Alcoholism, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, and Transphobia

sunnydale's review against another edition

dark emotional informative mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

the first jodi picoult book i've read (albeit only half-written by her). her style is easy to glide through, and the characters are authentic and compelling. the plot involves some heavy subject matter that could be triggering, so i recommend checking content warnings. the ending was a little rushed and felt too satisfying—i think a lack of resolution actually would have fit the themes better. 

the audiobook has two voice actors, and they both do an excellent job. i also like the inclusion of recipes at the end!

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Domestic abuse, Child abuse, Outing, Transphobia, Grief, Mental illness, Dysphoria, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, and Suicide attempt

Moderate: Blood, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Gaslighting, Abortion, Hate crime, Medical content, Alcohol, Alcoholism, Sexual content, Murder, Death, and Injury/Injury detail

Suicide attempts:

Lily and Asher both cut their wrists to attempt suicide.

Transphobia: Two scenes described in detail.

Both are from Lily's perspective. In the chapter "Lily 6," Lily is publicly humiliated at a school dance, then attacked in the parking lot. This event is referenced in later chapters. In "Lily 10," Lily is bullied at an all-boys school, then is physically abused by her father.

Domestic abuse: Many of Olivia's chapters include flashbacks to moments when she was abused by her ex-husband. Some of Lily's chapters also include descriptions of physical or emotional abuse. Domestic violence is a significant part of this book.

katelynprice's review against another edition

emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

I adored this book and can't believe that it was written by two authors. It feels like one seamless, cohesive story, which really proves their talent. The way Lily's story was told in reverse was so cleverly done. There were "big issues" in this book, but nothing felt overly manipulative or heavy-handed to me. The conversation was nuanced, yet accessible. It also felt balanced in a way that was honest while being honoring and respectful. This book models what it is like to seek out answers, make mistakes, learn how to correct yourself, and extend grace to someone whose experiences are different than yours. The perfect balance of assertiveness coupled with grace is what will stick with me the most. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide attempt, Transphobia, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Self harm, Hate crime, Outing, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Abortion and Alcoholism

Minor: Cursing and Death of parent

nerdy_book_mom's review against another edition

emotional informative 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Domestic abuse, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting, Self harm, Outing, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Child abuse, and Transphobia