Mad Honey: A Novel (Unabridged)
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4.1 • 1.4K Ratings
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
GOOD MORNING AMERICA BOOK CLUB PICK • 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 their beautiful son, Asher—was upended when her husband revealed a darker side. She never imagined that 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 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 Ash, 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.
*Includes a downloadable PDF of recipes from the book
APPLE BOOKS REVIEW
A mother’s unconditional love is put to the test in this arresting domestic thriller co-written by best-selling authors Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan. Fearing for her teenage son, Asher, Olivia left her abusive husband and returned to her small New Hampshire hometown to take over her father’s beekeeping business. But mother and son’s quiet life is shattered in an instant when Asher is found holding the battered body of his girlfriend, Lily. From the riveting opening sequence to the shocking final reveal, Mad Honey is packed with suspense. Guided by a varied cast of talented narrators—including actress Carrie Coon—this timely thriller tackles a wide array of resonant topics, including domestic violence and transphobia. A novel this full of amazing twists and complex social issues doesn’t come along every day.
Customer Reviews
Loved
Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan was another incredible summer read. It had everything I enjoy in a book: a murder mystery that kept me guessing, young love, family secrets, and the powerful bond between a mother and her son.
I especially appreciated how thoughtfully the story explored the transgender and broader LGBTQ+ community. Because this subject is personally meaningful to me, I found myself absorbing so much of what the book shared. At its heart, the story is a reminder that every person deserves to be seen, accepted, and loved. Regardless of who or how you love, the fact that you are capable of love is what truly matters.
I have already recommended this book to friends and family because stories like this can help create understanding, encourage compassion, and normalize experiences that some readers may not be familiar with.
And unexpectedly, I also loved learning so much about bees, beekeeping, honey, and all the ways honey can benefit us. Educational, emotional, suspenseful, and beautifully written, this was such a worthwhile read.
DRAGGED!!!
Had the potential of being a good book, but was so slow. Lots of unnecessary information about bees and beekeeping. Predicable ending. Don’t waste your time or money.
Intriguing storyline!! Twists kept coming!
This was a really interesting story! I went in blind and it had a lot of twists and kept me on my toes with what would happen and how she died. I see a lot of reviews not liking the transgender element, and I anticipated that as soon as that twist occurred due to our current political climate, but it didn’t bother me at all and I enjoyed learning more about how that works! It made it interesting from a court (real and public opinion) perspective rather than just being “guy kills girlfriend”, so I think it was a great plot line! It did not seem pushed in my opinion, I didn’t expect it but you saw how people responded positively and negatively in the courtroom and her personal life - if you feel like you relate to those who responded negatively this could be a good book to help you understand both sides. I love Jodi’s other books and I’ll be checking out Jennifer after this!