This analysis was generated by AI from publicly available reader reviews, literary criticism, and book discussions. It has not been verified by a BookLens community reviewer and may contain errors. Be the first to verify →
Content snapshot
Flag an inaccuracy →What's in this book, at a glance — five things readers want to know before they start.
Violence
A lot
Domestic violence in backstory; a teen death and its circumstances; threats of violence throughout
Language
Some
Moderate language; teen voices feel authentic
Sexual Content
Some
A trans teenager's experience of romance and intimacy; handled with care and specificity
Substance Use
Some
Teen alcohol and drug use at parties
Emotional Intensity
A lot
A trans girl's inner life rendered fully, domestic violence's generational reach, the grief of parents in impossible positions
What this book is about
When Lily Campanello is found dead, her boyfriend Asher is the prime suspect. The novel alternates between Lily before her death — a trans girl trying to find her place in a new town and a new relationship — and Olivia, Asher's mother, who has her own history of surviving a violent relationship. Jodi Picoult and Jennifer Finney Boylan write an unflinching, compassionate novel about trans identity, domestic violence, and the impossible positions parents occupy when their children are accused.
Notes for sensitive readers
Reader-flagged moments and themes that may affect your experience.
teen death and its investigation
domestic violence in backstory
trans identity themes central to the narrative
Reader Verification
Be the first to verify
this rating
Have you read MAD HONEY? Submit a community rating to confirm or correct the AI estimate. Your review helps other readers make an informed choice.
Rate this book →Free · ~5 minutes · No account required
Similar reads
More Fiction books from the catalog.
Think this AI estimate is off?
Flag an inaccuracy →Where to Buy
Affiliate links — BookLens earns a small commission at no extra cost to you.