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sfeldmann's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
informative
mysterious
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
3.5
The Honeybee Emeralds is an Adult Contemporary novel tying in the history of women throughout various period of history and the three women (Alice, Lily, and Daphne) who’s lives become intertwined with the story surrounding a mysterious necklace.
I do not read much adult fiction, but I greatly enjoyed learning about the mystery of the honeybee emeralds and the lives of the three main characters. Each character felt unique and their stories were complicated and messy, similar to the stories of people in the real world. I don’t want to spoil anything but I think you’ll grow to like these women as much as I have when you read their stories.
The plot itself is slow, but not the dragging kind of slow. More like the kind of slow patience that is rewarded when one makes a loaf of brioche or cinnamon rolls. At first it seems as though the process could have the potential to drag but the multiple POVs both historical and in the present kept the mystery unfolding steadily, leaving the readers in the end with something sweet and filling to take away.
While some parts of the ending felt a little rushed and a little bit du es machina, the story overall was good and I would recommend it.
I do not read much adult fiction, but I greatly enjoyed learning about the mystery of the honeybee emeralds and the lives of the three main characters. Each character felt unique and their stories were complicated and messy, similar to the stories of people in the real world. I don’t want to spoil anything but I think you’ll grow to like these women as much as I have when you read their stories.
The plot itself is slow, but not the dragging kind of slow. More like the kind of slow patience that is rewarded when one makes a loaf of brioche or cinnamon rolls. At first it seems as though the process could have the potential to drag but the multiple POVs both historical and in the present kept the mystery unfolding steadily, leaving the readers in the end with something sweet and filling to take away.
While some parts of the ending felt a little rushed and a little bit du es machina, the story overall was good and I would recommend it.
amanda214's review
adventurous
informative
lighthearted
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
This historic/ thriller was a pretty interesting read that kept me guessing what would happen next. This story follows the fellowship ( a group of friends/ colleagues) who are searching for the origins of a mysterious diamond an emerald necklace that was found in the basement of a magazines office. When Lily and Alice find the necklace they immediately want to know more about this unique piece of jewelry. Daphne one of Lily’s friends who happens to work for the government in the department for stolen art tells them that this necklace is authentic and probably dates to the 1800’s. We follow the three lady’s along with three men as they uncover the interesting history behind this unique necklace all while trying to beat another Paris magazine to the scoop on this story.
This book was a quick fun read but is not something that will stick with me for long. It was very entertaining and kept me wondering what would happen next or who else they were going to pull into the story.On that note I will say I was not a huge fan of the characters it felt like we didn’t learn enough about them and I kept getting them mixed up. I felt like it would have been better with just the three women and we could have learned more about them. I did listen to the audiobook and I really enjoyed the narrator she was engaging and easy to understand. I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest opinion.
thepessimisticreader's review against another edition
5.0
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media.
A natural must-read for all fans of The Devil Wears Prada and Emily in Paris.
The Honeybee Emeralds seamlessly weaves obscure French history, Hollywood glamour, and seeds of WWII espionage together in one perfect narrative told from multiple perspectives.
The rag-tag employees of an expat magazine come together to research an article when one of them finds a genuine diamond necklace in a hidden room of the office’s basement. The necklace, like all of France, has an enormous history.
From the French Revolution, to Napoleon Bonaparte, to Josephine Baker, to Mata Hari, so many historical figures and notable time periods make an appearance in the novel. I love the historical aspect, and I even learned a few things.
This one singular read has the potential to spiral into a francophile obsession. Already I am eyeing a few choice biographies.
The characters create something of A Fellowship in their pursuit of knowledge, and it’s a race against the clock that they publish before their competitors uncover their discovery.
Each character is three-dimensional and lovely, I have a particular affection for a delicious perfumer who allows himself to be swept up into the chaos of journalism. All of them must endure their own trials and tribulations and I was engrossed in the ordeal beside them.
A gorgeously narrated audiobook, it made me feel like I was actually witnessing these characters discover history. I will definitely recommend.
A natural must-read for all fans of The Devil Wears Prada and Emily in Paris.
The Honeybee Emeralds seamlessly weaves obscure French history, Hollywood glamour, and seeds of WWII espionage together in one perfect narrative told from multiple perspectives.
The rag-tag employees of an expat magazine come together to research an article when one of them finds a genuine diamond necklace in a hidden room of the office’s basement. The necklace, like all of France, has an enormous history.
From the French Revolution, to Napoleon Bonaparte, to Josephine Baker, to Mata Hari, so many historical figures and notable time periods make an appearance in the novel. I love the historical aspect, and I even learned a few things.
This one singular read has the potential to spiral into a francophile obsession. Already I am eyeing a few choice biographies.
The characters create something of A Fellowship in their pursuit of knowledge, and it’s a race against the clock that they publish before their competitors uncover their discovery.
Each character is three-dimensional and lovely, I have a particular affection for a delicious perfumer who allows himself to be swept up into the chaos of journalism. All of them must endure their own trials and tribulations and I was engrossed in the ordeal beside them.
A gorgeously narrated audiobook, it made me feel like I was actually witnessing these characters discover history. I will definitely recommend.
mfrazier126's review
4.0
Thank you to the author, Net Galley, and publisher for an ARC of this book for an honest review.
I enjoyed the Honeybee Emeralds. The characters are interesting as well as the twists and turns in the mystery. I love the characters. I think they were all interesting. I love the little group the characters formed, all because of the Honeybee Emeralds. I was so interested in the story that it led me to look up Josephine Baker and read about her life. I thought the mystery about the necklace was fascinating.
I don't think high school students would be interested in this book, however I would recommend it to my friends.
I enjoyed the Honeybee Emeralds. The characters are interesting as well as the twists and turns in the mystery. I love the characters. I think they were all interesting. I love the little group the characters formed, all because of the Honeybee Emeralds. I was so interested in the story that it led me to look up Josephine Baker and read about her life. I thought the mystery about the necklace was fascinating.
I don't think high school students would be interested in this book, however I would recommend it to my friends.
lsquared's review
mysterious
medium-paced
3.0
Thank you NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review. This was an interesting thriller, with some historical fiction mixed in. A diamond and emerald necklace is found, now to figure out who it belongs to.
kaleys23's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
cpalmisanod's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
When an amazing necklace is found in the basement of a struggling magazine, the staff set out to discover it's story to save their readership.
The necklace's story is full of scandal, intrigue, twists, turns, love and tragedy.
This was a fun read that also had the humanity of those in the past and the staff and friends involved in investigation of the necklace.
The necklace's story is full of scandal, intrigue, twists, turns, love and tragedy.
This was a fun read that also had the humanity of those in the past and the staff and friends involved in investigation of the necklace.