Mad Honey

A Novel

By: Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finney Boylan

Narrated by: Carrie Coon, Key Taw, Jodi Picoult, Jennifer Finn

Length: 15 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

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

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan (P)2022 Random House Audio

Educational

The story line is page turning and so much light through that story telling that leads to understanding.

I had no idea

I didn't know anything about this book when I bought it and I am so glad I didn't because I never would have wanted to listen to it - but I'm so glad I did. My views and ignorant preconceived notions on the subject were just that - ignorant. I have a vastly different view now. I'm sorry to be so vague but I don't want to spoil it for anyone else that picks the book just because maybe they met the author years ago at a book party and she was so nice... I often read reviews of books just long enough to know if it's a good book but try very hard not to know what it is about.

Thought provoking gift

This story is a true heart opening gift. Thank you both. And you are right Lily is a character all can find compassion for!

An incredible story

This story was addictive, the characters are so real and I loved them all. Although I guessed the plot pretty early on, I didn’t want the book to end. The narration was perfect. One of those stories that I will remember for a very, very long time. Highly recommend.

A phenominal must-read for anyone living in the modern day.

This was a stunning and intimate, lovingly written lens into trans women’s struggles and victories. A powerful telling of the unbreakable bonds between single mothers and their children, and, of course, the secret lives of bees. What a gift.

Voice of Lilly

The voice of Lilly was an initial deterrent for me. Breathy, not finishing the ends of words. Almost stopped listening. Story was excellent. Sound track could be better. Thank you

Liked didn’t love

This is a great story, the problem is that it’s bogged down with long chapters that describe too much of what’s emotionally going on. My feeling is that Picoult didn’t want to edit Boylan for reasons that I won’t go into to avoid spoiling. It’s a wonderful & beautiful story while simultaneously a page turning mystery. The issue is that it could have been a much tighter and satisfying mystery had it not been bogged down with emotion. This is not to say that the emotional aspect of the character development wasn’t important, it just needed to be cut down a bit. I had so many questions throughout the book and while most were answered, many either were not or came far too late in the story.

In terms of a literary evaluation that is my critique, however I do think this novel is very much worth reading, especially if you like small town crime stories. It’s an important one that shouldn’t be skipped over.

Incredibile in every way!

I always devour Jodi's novels, but this one I could only put down because it was time to sleep! My husband listened, my horses listened... and I outlined the story as it swayed and turned to my trainer. She'll have to get her own copy to feel, like I did, the pain of those involved and to get the education I now have on this topic. You can be assured I will encourage the reading of Mad Honey to all who work with children and young adults. And to spread love... as we have no right to judge.

Mad Honey

Another gem of a novel by Jodi Picault, seamlessly co-written with Jenny Finn.
The storyline carries you along as your eyes and heart are open to the struggles of what it is like to be transgender in our current society. I hope this book both enlightens and touches the hearts of the reader and our society evolves to love all of God’s human creations.

Still processing

At first I was really pissed off by the ending, thinking it was trite. Then I began to question my reaction, and still processing it. Be sure to listen to the afterword!