Mad Honey by Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan (464 pages)
A Mother’s Love, a Son’s Heartbreak, and New Beginnings Buzz Around In Mad Honey
Olivia McAfee is residing in her childhood home in Adams, New Hampshire. She is raising her high-school age son, Asher, as a single mother. This is not the life she dreamed of after marrying a brilliant cardiothoracic surgeon. A dark side of her marriage forced her to carry on her family’s legacy in the small town she vowed to escape. Olivia is a beekeeper, just like her father.
Lily Campanello and her mother find themself starting over in New Hampshire, too. Lily crosses paths with Ash and soon the two are inseparable. For the first time in a long time, Lily is happy.
Then, one day, tragedy strikes and Ash is suspected of doing something horrendous. Olivia begins to question whether her son inherited her former husband’s worst traits.
Mad Honey is a suspenseful tale and love story that is incredibly compelling.
Current, Relevant, and Timely Topics
Olivia McAfee is a survivor, raising her son Asher by herself. She inherited her childhood home and is continuing a legacy of beekeeping. Together, she and her son are living a peaceful, quiet life in New Hampshire.
Lily Campanello left her old life behind and moved to New Hampshire with her mother. Lily’s mother is doing everything she can to give her daughter the life she dreams of.
Lily and Ash soon become an item and fall madly in love. Their happiness is short-lived, as a homicide occurs in the town and Ash becomes the prime suspect. The story follows the crime, the subsequent trial, and two mothers’ devotion to their children.
The Bottom Line: 5/5 stars
This is truly a story about love – a mother’s love, young love, and a love of yourself so you can be the true you. I strongly suggest you read the synopsis and prepare yourself for the “WHAT” moment at about the halfway mark. My son was sitting next to me when I gasped and I stopped to tell him what I just read.
The character’s experiences in this story are heartbreaking and joyous at the same time. This is a powerful story about a person’s right to choose. It also touches on the craft of beekeeping. The nature of bees is truly fascinating.
Mad Honey is a combination of the authors’ amazing work; it features a perfectly developed story and unforgettable characters.
Two powerful writers collaborate for a 5-star read.
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Shannon K. Loar is a small town girl with a passion for reading. Books have played a significant role in her life since her youth where she’d spend hours in the local library where her grandma served as the librarian. In her free time, you can find Shannon reading or listening to a book, practicing yoga or binging a streaming show. Her most precious time is spent with her children ages 20, 18 and 15. Her new favorite fashion trend, athletic leisure.
