Mad Honey

 

“Mad Honey”

By Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan

Published by Ballantine

Finished 12/31/22 – 5/5 stars (Great way to end the year!)

 

Wow!  Just wow!  There are so many wonderful things about this book but unfortunately, I can’t discuss them all here.  I never include spoilers in my reviews so some of my thoughts will have to stay with me (or discussed in person after you’ve read it).  Just know that there are some sensitive topics addressed within the storyline and I believe the authors handled them all perfectly.  What I can tell you is that it’s a mystery with a couple twists but it’s also full of love, strength, growth, acceptance, family….the list goes on.  At times it will break your heart and other times it will make your heart melt (although I never shed a tear).  And as a bonus, you’ll learn about bees and the benefits of honey.  Like next time you’re hungover, eat a spoonful of honey to help you feel better.        

 

Side note – make sure you read the authors notes at the end for a little extra insight into the book and what brought these two women together to write.  And then enjoy the recipes at the very back (they sound yummy).

 

Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine for gifting me with an advanced copy to read and review.  My apologies for reading it later than expected.

 

#MadHoney

#JodiPicoult

#JenniferFinneyBoylan

#Ballantine

#NetGalley

#5StarReads

#2022Reads

Mother Daughter Traitor Spy

 

“Mother Daughter Traitor Spy”
By Susan Elia MacNeal
Published by Bantam
Finished 12/26/22 – 3/5 stars

This is historical fiction, taking place during the year before the attack on Pearl Harbor.  It focuses on a mother and daughter who suddenly pick up and move from New York to California.  Once there, they come across a Nazi cell and agree to work with the FBI to infiltrate their group to gain inside information. One would think this would be an action-packed story or one full of scenarios keeping you on the edge of your seat, but it’s not.  It’s actually pretty slow.  I was also hoping it would be a book with female empowerment, but it doesn’t really have that feel either.  Yes, these woman are doing something brave that they aren’t trained for, but it doesn’t give off that vibe.  Overall, it was just an OK book for me.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for gifting me with an advanced copy to read and review.  My apologies for not reading it prior to publication.   

 #MotherDaughterTraitorSpy
#SusanEliaMacNeal
#Bantam
#NetGalley
#2022Reads

After Anna

 “After Anna” by Lisa Scottoline

Published by St Martin’s Press

Finished 12/17/22 – 4/5 stars    

 You know how in real life you sometimes get a feeling that something is just not right?  Well, I got that feeling multiple times while reading this book.  And I must say, that feeling was almost always right, although I did not guess the final ending correctly.  But that’s the fun of reading a book with lots of twists and turns to keep you on your toes.  You think you know what’s going to happen but then the story takes a turn and you have to rethink it all again.  And because of all the twists, I really can’t tell you much about this book other than that I think the backbone of the story is the love a parent has for their child.  You in no way need to be a parent to enjoy it though.  You just need to enjoy books that will keep you guessing.

 #AfterAnna
#Lisa Scottoline
#StMartinsPress
#2022Reads

The Saints of Swallow Hill

 “The Saints of Swallow Hill” by Donna Everhart

Published by Kensington Books

Finished 12/4/22 – 5/5 stars

 

I knew I was going to give this book 5 stars before I even finished the first 100 pages.  I absolutely loved it!  It takes place during the depression era in rural Georgia and North Carolina, where the trees are “farmed” to collect turpentine.  I knew nothing about this process or it’s camp life until reading this book – quite interesting.  During this time period races were not to interact, blacks and women were mistreated, and anyone thought to be gay was completely taboo.  All of these issues are touched upon during this book, plus there’s a little romance thrown in as well.  Not a hot and heavy romance by any means, more like a sweet courting.  You also witness the personal strength and growth of the two female lead characters as they overcome many obstacles as well as the personal growth the main male character goes through to become a better man, treating others with respect (he definitely didn’t start out that way).  When you compare the lives of those three characters when first introduced in the novel to their lives by the end, there is quite a difference and all for the better.  I would sum it up as a story of survival and compassion.  I highly recommend it.

 

#TheSaintsofSwallowHill

#DonnaEverhart

#KensigntonBooks

#5StarReads

#2022Reads