Jodi Picoult is known for exploring current topics and ethical issues from multiple viewpoints in her fiction, with plenty of twists and turns to keep the story compelling. This time she paired up with Jennifer Finney Boylan because the book’s focus is about the experience of being transgender, and Boylan is. For a fascinating article about Jennifer Finney Boylan, click here.
From Boylan’s author notes: “On the eighth of May 2017, I woke from a strange dream in which I was writing a novel with Jodi Picoult. There were three characters in the dream: a trans girl who had died; her boyfriend, who had been accused of her murder; and the boy’s mother, who was torn between the compelling evidence of her son’s guilt and the love she bore for him in her heart.” That was a pretty specific dream, and it did come true. This book is the result. How bees came into it I’m not sure, but I did learn a lot about them! The two authors tag teamed the writing so seamlessly in this novel, no one is quite sure anymore who wrote what!
This is a book with a great deal of love & acceptance on display in challenging times. But there is also some domestic abuse and self-harm described which may be triggering for some readers. I applaud the authors for telling a transgender story that sparks compassion, because it is important to do so in a time when transphobia is common. The short interview with the authors below, is worth a listen.
Joanne's Reading Blog 
I am reading Mad Honey now, into the last few chapters.. love Jodi’s books, doesn’t disappoint, her research is always so thorough.I as well applaud the authors in telling this transgender story.. very moving. Charlotte V.
Haha, what a nice coincidence Charlotte! What you say about the book is very true! It’s an important one right now.