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Honeysuckle
Not yet published
Expected 24 Mar 26The Bear and the Nightingale meets Weyward in this enchanting, deeply compelling debut about love and power, autonomy and consent.
Once upon a time, on the edge between meadow and forest, there was a lonely child with only his older sister for company. In exchange for being left in peace, his sister made him a playmate-Daye, a girl woven from flowers and words. And for the first time, this boy, Rory, had a friend.
Rory couldn't be happier, until he learns that Daye is a short-lived creature. At the end of each season, she must be woven back together or fall gruesomely apart. And every time Daye falls apart might be her last.
As Rory and Daye grow older and the line between friendship and romance begins to blur, Rory becomes desperate to break this cycle of bloom and decay. But the farther Rory pushes his research and experiments to lengthen Daye's existence, the more Daye begins to wonder just how much control she really has over her own life.
As a loose reimagining of the story of Blodeuwedd from Welsh mythology, Honeysuckle is an entrancing, inventive, and unsettling debut.
Once upon a time, on the edge between meadow and forest, there was a lonely child with only his older sister for company. In exchange for being left in peace, his sister made him a playmate-Daye, a girl woven from flowers and words. And for the first time, this boy, Rory, had a friend.
Rory couldn't be happier, until he learns that Daye is a short-lived creature. At the end of each season, she must be woven back together or fall gruesomely apart. And every time Daye falls apart might be her last.
As Rory and Daye grow older and the line between friendship and romance begins to blur, Rory becomes desperate to break this cycle of bloom and decay. But the farther Rory pushes his research and experiments to lengthen Daye's existence, the more Daye begins to wonder just how much control she really has over her own life.
As a loose reimagining of the story of Blodeuwedd from Welsh mythology, Honeysuckle is an entrancing, inventive, and unsettling debut.
336 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 24, 2026
24 people are currently reading
10669 people want to read
About the author
Bar Fridman-Tell
1 book64 followersBar Fridman-Tell has a BA in art history and an MA in English literature. (She gleefully wrote her thesis about Victorian vampires.) She has worked as a bartender, a bookseller, a translator, and a library assistant. She is currently studying for a master's in library and information sciences, hoping to stay in a library for good. She lives in Toronto with her professor husband and two very fluffy cats. Honeysuckle is her debut novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 71 reviews
December 18, 2025
Thank you to the author for sending me an ARC! All opinions are my own.
My heartstrings have snagged on this timelessly simple, yet emotionally intricate tale. This will stick like a burr to me for many years to come.
Fans of botanical horror, character-driven stories, and folklore, this is not one to miss.
(BTW, if you pre-order this and you’re in the US, you can get a lovely bookplate by yours truly!)
CW: abusive relationship, dubious consent, sexual content, animal death and violence, blood & gore, absent parents, bullying, alcohol, emesis
My heartstrings have snagged on this timelessly simple, yet emotionally intricate tale. This will stick like a burr to me for many years to come.
Fans of botanical horror, character-driven stories, and folklore, this is not one to miss.
(BTW, if you pre-order this and you’re in the US, you can get a lovely bookplate by yours truly!)
CW: abusive relationship, dubious consent, sexual content, animal death and violence, blood & gore, absent parents, bullying, alcohol, emesis
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Based on the Welsh mythology of the Blodeuwedd, Fridman-Tell's debut is a masterfully told dark fairy tale with touches of horror. Woven with themes of consent, power dynamics, and the ethics of creating life/sentience for your own selfish desires (one of my favorite themes, also explored in works like Frankenstein and Annie Bot), Honeysuckle is a feminist fantasy at its heart with a damn powerful message.
I received an advanced reading copy from Bloomsbury in exchange for a review.
I received an advanced reading copy from Bloomsbury in exchange for a review.
January 11, 2026
3.75, rounded up because most of what this book is trying to do, it does really well, but I think it didn’t really end up being what I thought it was going into it, which is more my fault than the book’s!
Honeysuckle is an interesting story following a boy and his best friend, a girl made of flowers, as they grow up and the friendship turns romantic. It’s atmospheric and I loved the Welsh-inspired mythology of the Blodeuwedd, and the conversations about autonomy and consent are compelling. However, I think the fairytale is a bit of an over-promise for what the plot actually is. I found the comp of Bear and the Nightingale to be wildly misplaced and for that reason, found it to be a bit of a let down. I think found it much more similar to Ava Reid’s work (though significantly less gruesome).
Honeysuckle is much more akin to Frankenstein, or even something like Anniebot, as it’s primarily concerned with the relationship and power dynamic between Rory and Daye. On the whole it feels much more dark academia than fairytale. It’s an enjoyable read, but the expectation of horror, the hope that things might really get weird and go off the rails as the trust between creator and creature erodes was misplaced. Go in for a hedgewitchy feminist exploration of identity, autonomy, the building of a toxic relationship based on anxious attachment, and whether certain power dynamics can ever leave space for free and enthusiastic consent.
Honeysuckle is an interesting story following a boy and his best friend, a girl made of flowers, as they grow up and the friendship turns romantic. It’s atmospheric and I loved the Welsh-inspired mythology of the Blodeuwedd, and the conversations about autonomy and consent are compelling. However, I think the fairytale is a bit of an over-promise for what the plot actually is. I found the comp of Bear and the Nightingale to be wildly misplaced and for that reason, found it to be a bit of a let down. I think found it much more similar to Ava Reid’s work (though significantly less gruesome).
Honeysuckle is much more akin to Frankenstein, or even something like Anniebot, as it’s primarily concerned with the relationship and power dynamic between Rory and Daye. On the whole it feels much more dark academia than fairytale. It’s an enjoyable read, but the expectation of horror, the hope that things might really get weird and go off the rails as the trust between creator and creature erodes was misplaced. Go in for a hedgewitchy feminist exploration of identity, autonomy, the building of a toxic relationship based on anxious attachment, and whether certain power dynamics can ever leave space for free and enthusiastic consent.
January 26, 2026
4.5/5 👏👏👏 review to come
October 13, 2025
Honeysuckle is the aching, gothic fairy tale of our time — fantasy horror, done to perfection. I must applaud her for creating the next must-read piece of feminist literature. A gleaming exposition of consent and the right to bodily autonomy. Beautifully written and paced, the whole book rolls off the tongue.
I was hooked from the start, making every gut-wrenching detail that much more invasive. This book serves morose cottage-core in a way that both complements its characters and setting, and leaves behind the subtle tinge of feminine resentment. My heart broke in so many ways I wasn’t prepared for, both for Rory and for Daye. In the end, the grand crescendo melted away all suspense and tension within.
In short, this is the perfect book for your next book club read, something all genders could take from.
I was hooked from the start, making every gut-wrenching detail that much more invasive. This book serves morose cottage-core in a way that both complements its characters and setting, and leaves behind the subtle tinge of feminine resentment. My heart broke in so many ways I wasn’t prepared for, both for Rory and for Daye. In the end, the grand crescendo melted away all suspense and tension within.
In short, this is the perfect book for your next book club read, something all genders could take from.
December 28, 2025
Got an arc through Libro.Fm 4.5/5
This is a gorgeous book, it’s also horrifying in a very subtle way that layers on the golden summertime veneer of childhood love until suddenly you’re abruptly hit with winter’s snowball of misogyny, and that’s where the true horror comes from. Our heroine being a planet homunculus aside, her experiences are all too real, and men who think like this and justify it all the while are real as well. I’m gonna be thinking about this one for a good long while!
This is a gorgeous book, it’s also horrifying in a very subtle way that layers on the golden summertime veneer of childhood love until suddenly you’re abruptly hit with winter’s snowball of misogyny, and that’s where the true horror comes from. Our heroine being a planet homunculus aside, her experiences are all too real, and men who think like this and justify it all the while are real as well. I’m gonna be thinking about this one for a good long while!
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
HONEYSUCKLE is a timeless fable of autonomy, obsession, and the power of choice, woven throughout with the all-too real horror of being in a profoundly complicated relationship with a manipulator to whom you are inexorably linked.
Fridman-Tell's prose as addictive as the drifting scent of lilacs on a warm spring day, as unsettling as the rot those same blossoms emit after a week in a vase.
Fridman-Tell's prose as addictive as the drifting scent of lilacs on a warm spring day, as unsettling as the rot those same blossoms emit after a week in a vase.
November 6, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and Pan Macmillan / Tor Nightfire for providing me with the ARC.
Pub Date 2 Apr 2026
I wasn't familiar with the myth of Blodeuwedd. It was so fascinating reading about a girl woven from flowers. The story has some vague dark academia vibes, magical skills and practices that are unfortunately not fully explored. But this reality was very intriguing, and it kept me in awe the whole time. I was very invested in the plot lines, the relationship between Daye and Rory, his sister and their routine. I wanted his sister to be more present, but she only appeared in the beginning and for a bit towards the end of the story.
I cannot put this book in any genre, it has fantasy elements, some horror vibes, and a romance of some sort. It is a coming-of-age story and an emancipation journey. Multiple themes are explored, but the main plot revolves around Rory’s abandonment issues, his toxic ownership of Daye and their friendship. I found his misogynistic teenage boy sexuality to be disgusting, mostly because of the lack of consent. Being with someone who is bound to you and cannot contradict you in any way is just inhumane.
I love what happened to Daye at the end, but I needed to see Rory suffer more or at least to acknowledge his toxic possessiveness and selfishness. There was one character that appeared on two occasions, and I was expecting him to have a bigger impact, but unfortunately most of the background characters weren't fully developed. 4.5 stars
Pub Date 2 Apr 2026
I wasn't familiar with the myth of Blodeuwedd. It was so fascinating reading about a girl woven from flowers. The story has some vague dark academia vibes, magical skills and practices that are unfortunately not fully explored. But this reality was very intriguing, and it kept me in awe the whole time. I was very invested in the plot lines, the relationship between Daye and Rory, his sister and their routine. I wanted his sister to be more present, but she only appeared in the beginning and for a bit towards the end of the story.
I cannot put this book in any genre, it has fantasy elements, some horror vibes, and a romance of some sort. It is a coming-of-age story and an emancipation journey. Multiple themes are explored, but the main plot revolves around Rory’s abandonment issues, his toxic ownership of Daye and their friendship. I found his misogynistic teenage boy sexuality to be disgusting, mostly because of the lack of consent. Being with someone who is bound to you and cannot contradict you in any way is just inhumane.
I love what happened to Daye at the end, but I needed to see Rory suffer more or at least to acknowledge his toxic possessiveness and selfishness. There was one character that appeared on two occasions, and I was expecting him to have a bigger impact, but unfortunately most of the background characters weren't fully developed. 4.5 stars
January 12, 2026
I loved, loved, loved this book.
September 19, 2025
4.5 stars
This was such a beautifully written and haunting debut with a hint of horror. Daye, built from flowers as a friend for Rory, changes with each season but always remains the same at her core. The story grew darker and more unsettling with each page as we explored the deepening relationship between Daye and Rory, blurring the line between control and obsession. I was fascinated by the world crafted here, and as I read, I found myself wanting to know more about it outside the little bubble Rory and Daye lived in, like some of the side characters or Rory and Wynn's parents. But, as the story unfolded, I realized it wasn't really necessary - I became so captivated (and also kinda horrified) by the main characters and their dynamic instead. I feel like this is a perfect atmospheric/spooky read for all year round!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC!
This was such a beautifully written and haunting debut with a hint of horror. Daye, built from flowers as a friend for Rory, changes with each season but always remains the same at her core. The story grew darker and more unsettling with each page as we explored the deepening relationship between Daye and Rory, blurring the line between control and obsession. I was fascinated by the world crafted here, and as I read, I found myself wanting to know more about it outside the little bubble Rory and Daye lived in, like some of the side characters or Rory and Wynn's parents. But, as the story unfolded, I realized it wasn't really necessary - I became so captivated (and also kinda horrified) by the main characters and their dynamic instead. I feel like this is a perfect atmospheric/spooky read for all year round!
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted ARC!
January 10, 2026
A poignant reimagination of Welsh folklore’s Bloudeuwedd that confronts topics of autonomy and consent while challenging the means of love. This book is perfect for fans of Frankenstein, botanical fantasy, and thought-provoking themes.
quick synopsis:
Living isolated in the countryside, eight-year old Rory longs for a friend. Fed up of his relentless requests to play, Rory’s older sister creates him a Bloudeuwedd, or a ‘flower girl’, he names Daye. The two are thick as thieves, and as the years go by, their friendship grows into something more. At the turn of each season, however, Daye’s body wilts with rot and needs to be reconstructed with new plants to survive. Acts of love turn to desperation as Rory tries to solve Daye’s reliance on seasonal transitions.
spoiler-free review:
It begins much like a beautiful fairytale, with luscious descriptions of an idyllic countryside and tender moments of friendship and young love. But as the story continues, things increasingly grow unsettling. Fridman-Tell weaves a truly thought-provoking story and her strength as a writer is without question. Creating a complex character that you both resent and feel real empathy towards is no small feat. Rory’s desperation was palpable, his anxiety and conviction bleeding through the page. Fridman-Tell’s version of the creator and their creation is complicated, and brings about real discourse on autonomy and what constitutes as love. There are raw layers of emotional, moral, and philosophical issues woven into the story’s narrative that I think are really important to explore.
I think the one thing missing was a full, self-actualization moment for Rory. He felt that his choices and actions were right, and it’s unclear whether he had a true introspective moment by the end.
Honeysuckle prompts thoughtfulness and compassion, and the messages presented here are important to sit with, even if the delivery is uncomfortable. I’m excited to read more of Bar Fridman-Tell in the future!
Much thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review ◡̈
4 stars
quick synopsis:
Living isolated in the countryside, eight-year old Rory longs for a friend. Fed up of his relentless requests to play, Rory’s older sister creates him a Bloudeuwedd, or a ‘flower girl’, he names Daye. The two are thick as thieves, and as the years go by, their friendship grows into something more. At the turn of each season, however, Daye’s body wilts with rot and needs to be reconstructed with new plants to survive. Acts of love turn to desperation as Rory tries to solve Daye’s reliance on seasonal transitions.
spoiler-free review:
It begins much like a beautiful fairytale, with luscious descriptions of an idyllic countryside and tender moments of friendship and young love. But as the story continues, things increasingly grow unsettling. Fridman-Tell weaves a truly thought-provoking story and her strength as a writer is without question. Creating a complex character that you both resent and feel real empathy towards is no small feat. Rory’s desperation was palpable, his anxiety and conviction bleeding through the page. Fridman-Tell’s version of the creator and their creation is complicated, and brings about real discourse on autonomy and what constitutes as love. There are raw layers of emotional, moral, and philosophical issues woven into the story’s narrative that I think are really important to explore.
I think the one thing missing was a full, self-actualization moment for Rory. He felt that his choices and actions were right, and it’s unclear whether he had a true introspective moment by the end.
Honeysuckle prompts thoughtfulness and compassion, and the messages presented here are important to sit with, even if the delivery is uncomfortable. I’m excited to read more of Bar Fridman-Tell in the future!
Much thanks to Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley for providing an e-ARC in exchange for my honest review ◡̈
4 stars
January 16, 2026
This is a heart-wrenching and absolutely devastating story about loneliness, obsession, and the ache of feeling trapped and oneself.
A boy and a girl grow up together in a home in the middle of nowhere, with no one to play with but each other. But the girl is over six years older, and as she grows too old to play with her brother, she makes him a friend out of flowers and twigs.
That friend grows into so much more than the flowers and twigs that make up her body. And soon, the boy becomes enraptured by her, turning her into his entire universe. She has her own consciousness, her own sense of self. But it’s also one crafted entirely by him. And we follow their stories from both their POVs along the way.
Reading this story felt like looking back as an adult on my own upbringing. In the first half or so, I could strangely relate to both characters. The boy’s loneliness, his need to fit in and feel validated. But even more so, the flower girl’s self sacrifice to mould herself (quite literally) to his needs and desires, losing herself in the process and becoming trapped.
In many ways, this feels like the ultimate depiction of the society many women find themselves in today. From the “loneliness epidemic” and the way many men tend to ignore the need for therapy, instead taking out their anxieties on the people around them. Then there’s the way many end up treating their spouses like playthings, moulded to their liking and waiting around for them to play with at their beck and call.
This book left me absolutely devastated in the best way possible. There are so many moments in here that are just so profound, and the layers of meaning within this story are something that will leave a lasting impression on me for a while to come.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a feminist dark fantasy. There are definitely horror elements in here too, but it’s more gothic/botanical horror rather than creepy.
Thank you so much to Libro.fm & the publisher for the ALC and ARC.
A boy and a girl grow up together in a home in the middle of nowhere, with no one to play with but each other. But the girl is over six years older, and as she grows too old to play with her brother, she makes him a friend out of flowers and twigs.
That friend grows into so much more than the flowers and twigs that make up her body. And soon, the boy becomes enraptured by her, turning her into his entire universe. She has her own consciousness, her own sense of self. But it’s also one crafted entirely by him. And we follow their stories from both their POVs along the way.
Reading this story felt like looking back as an adult on my own upbringing. In the first half or so, I could strangely relate to both characters. The boy’s loneliness, his need to fit in and feel validated. But even more so, the flower girl’s self sacrifice to mould herself (quite literally) to his needs and desires, losing herself in the process and becoming trapped.
In many ways, this feels like the ultimate depiction of the society many women find themselves in today. From the “loneliness epidemic” and the way many men tend to ignore the need for therapy, instead taking out their anxieties on the people around them. Then there’s the way many end up treating their spouses like playthings, moulded to their liking and waiting around for them to play with at their beck and call.
This book left me absolutely devastated in the best way possible. There are so many moments in here that are just so profound, and the layers of meaning within this story are something that will leave a lasting impression on me for a while to come.
I highly recommend this to anyone looking for a feminist dark fantasy. There are definitely horror elements in here too, but it’s more gothic/botanical horror rather than creepy.
Thank you so much to Libro.fm & the publisher for the ALC and ARC.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This novel is hauntingly beautiful. An updated Frankenstein-esque story that adds layers due to the power dynamics between male and female layered on top of creator and created. I got a little mentally bogged down in the darkest aspects of the narrative in the middle, but that feeling truly mirrors the arc of the story. The moments where the narrator shifts are also so carefully crafted. There were times when I was dying to know Daye's perspective, but I didn't get to in a way that was poignant and thoughtful, once again, mirroring the narrative. I feel like this one will stick in my bones for quite awhile.
October 20, 2025
The writing is gorgeous, no doubts about that. The descriptions of the seasons are all stunning. But unfortunately the story wasn’t what I was expecting. It turned into a dark academia, a story about sex, consent and growing up. It just personally wasn’t for me.
Thank you PanMacmillan for the ARC
Thank you PanMacmillan for the ARC
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Thank you NetGalley for the eArc!
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is hard to pin down the genre of this book but it is like a gothic fantasy. We follow the point of views of Rory and Daye. Rory being human and Daye being a construct out of plants. It really highlights the importance of consent and what actual consent is then just assuming. It was lighthearted in the beginning but as the story unfolds it turns dark and sinister. It was really captivating and I was rooting for Daye the whole way through the story.
I really enjoyed reading this book. It is hard to pin down the genre of this book but it is like a gothic fantasy. We follow the point of views of Rory and Daye. Rory being human and Daye being a construct out of plants. It really highlights the importance of consent and what actual consent is then just assuming. It was lighthearted in the beginning but as the story unfolds it turns dark and sinister. It was really captivating and I was rooting for Daye the whole way through the story.
December 1, 2025
Thank you to Netgalley and PanMacmillan for the eARC
3,5/5
Between the cover and the inspiration (Frankenstein x Blodeuwedd), I was intrigued, especially with the mix of horror, love story and botanical elements. I can't really say I am disappointed but there is something that didn't click with me.
Let me start off with the basic story. Rory, then a eight year old boy, was lonely, so his sister created a playmate for him so he wouldn't bother her anymore. That playmate was made of flowers and plants, but wouldn't last more than a season, so she needed to be rebuild at every seasonal turn.
It started off really well, with a nice prose and fairytale atmosphere. There is purity in the first part of the story, following Rory and Daye childhood and eary teenaged years. Understandably, Rory is quite distressed by Daye crumbling down if not rewoven each season, especially after the time when her sister didn't get home on time (she is at university). So, like a reasonable young man, he sets off to learn how to make the transition himself, then seeks a way for Daye to be more and more independant. Or at least that's what he tells himself. Because Rory slowly drift farther and farther from their countryside home, spending more time at the university, trying and failing to create a balance in his life. He is guided by fear and control, in the end, and has a great deal of struggle coming to term with that.
Daye, for her part, has to learn to be alone, to have her own identity aside from Rory, the person she was made to play with.
The book as a lot to deal with : childhood friendship turning into romantic love, boundaries, consent, control and power dynamics. And it does its best to tackle each of these topic, with a distinct fairytale vibe turning into a more dark, horror tale. Lots of good ideas but in the end, something felt off to me, and not in the good way.
I don't know what it is, maybe a sense of lack of something, of discussion, of break through for the characters despite the breakage at the end. It feels like threads hanging, unfinished. Maybe it is meant to be that way, but... yeah, I am not convinced.
Another thing that bothered me a bit was the worldbuilding. I was quite unclear for a long time if the story was set in our world but in an alternate history, or in a secondary world reminding us of England. More importantly, I would have liked to know more about other constructs, about power dynamic in the world, challenges in thought etc. We have glimpses, but not enough for me to really get a good taste of how it all work, and I wanted that.
Still, a nice try at complicated love, growing up and letting go.
3,5/5
Between the cover and the inspiration (Frankenstein x Blodeuwedd), I was intrigued, especially with the mix of horror, love story and botanical elements. I can't really say I am disappointed but there is something that didn't click with me.
Let me start off with the basic story. Rory, then a eight year old boy, was lonely, so his sister created a playmate for him so he wouldn't bother her anymore. That playmate was made of flowers and plants, but wouldn't last more than a season, so she needed to be rebuild at every seasonal turn.
It started off really well, with a nice prose and fairytale atmosphere. There is purity in the first part of the story, following Rory and Daye childhood and eary teenaged years. Understandably, Rory is quite distressed by Daye crumbling down if not rewoven each season, especially after the time when her sister didn't get home on time (she is at university). So, like a reasonable young man, he sets off to learn how to make the transition himself, then seeks a way for Daye to be more and more independant. Or at least that's what he tells himself. Because Rory slowly drift farther and farther from their countryside home, spending more time at the university, trying and failing to create a balance in his life. He is guided by fear and control, in the end, and has a great deal of struggle coming to term with that.
Daye, for her part, has to learn to be alone, to have her own identity aside from Rory, the person she was made to play with.
The book as a lot to deal with : childhood friendship turning into romantic love, boundaries, consent, control and power dynamics. And it does its best to tackle each of these topic, with a distinct fairytale vibe turning into a more dark, horror tale. Lots of good ideas but in the end, something felt off to me, and not in the good way.
I don't know what it is, maybe a sense of lack of something, of discussion, of break through for the characters despite the breakage at the end. It feels like threads hanging, unfinished. Maybe it is meant to be that way, but... yeah, I am not convinced.
Another thing that bothered me a bit was the worldbuilding. I was quite unclear for a long time if the story was set in our world but in an alternate history, or in a secondary world reminding us of England. More importantly, I would have liked to know more about other constructs, about power dynamic in the world, challenges in thought etc. We have glimpses, but not enough for me to really get a good taste of how it all work, and I wanted that.
Still, a nice try at complicated love, growing up and letting go.
October 25, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC of this book.
I would recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of the gothic/fairy tale retellings by authors such as T. Kingfisher or Ava Reid. The lush botanical writing was gorgeous and offset by the horror in the text..
I want to start off saying that I was pleasantly surprised by this gem of a book. Truly the real horror is having no freedom or autonomy.
I'd say I give it a 4.5 stars but I round up for Goodreads ;)
My only issue was I found it a bit hard to get into at first, the early sections didn't pull me in as fast as comparison to the latter half of the book, but boy am I glad I kept with it.
This was a botanical, academic, romantic (kind of) horror of a lonely boy named Rory who's older sister makes him a playmate out of flora so he'll stop pestering her. Both siblings having since been all but abandoned to a house in the countryside by their parents and left under the care of tutors and housekeepers.
Daye is borne of sticks, leaves and flowers but they soon find she needs to be changed as the seasons progress or she falls sick to the rot of falling out of season. This becomes an issue as only the older sister knows how to remake her and spurs Rory into a lifetime of research into how to keep Daye alive on his own. As the seasons come and go and Rory grows up and it becomes apparent that there are things separating Daye from a real girl. He begins making more and more radical changes to Daye as he also spends more time apart from her learning about this type of magic at an academy a several hour train ride away.
The relationship between the two veers into the romantic and physical as they get older, but what consent can there be between a creation and their creator, especially when Daye seems to not be able to refuse an order from Rory. Daye seeks the ability to make her own choices free from influence, and to go where she chooses.
The beauty I found in this writing is how my opinions on the characters changed as the plot progressed, and though I feel pity for Rory in his cold upbringing, his codependency on Daye to fulfill his needs can not be excused. He's a complicated antagonist in the way that he's not truly evil and wholly uncaring, but in that in his misguided way he both abandons and manipulates Daye.
I'm looking forward to this book coming out as I've already recommended it to a few friends, and as someone local to the Toronto area I'll be looking out for any book release events.
I would recommend this book to anyone who's a fan of the gothic/fairy tale retellings by authors such as T. Kingfisher or Ava Reid. The lush botanical writing was gorgeous and offset by the horror in the text..
I want to start off saying that I was pleasantly surprised by this gem of a book. Truly the real horror is having no freedom or autonomy.
I'd say I give it a 4.5 stars but I round up for Goodreads ;)
My only issue was I found it a bit hard to get into at first, the early sections didn't pull me in as fast as comparison to the latter half of the book, but boy am I glad I kept with it.
This was a botanical, academic, romantic (kind of) horror of a lonely boy named Rory who's older sister makes him a playmate out of flora so he'll stop pestering her. Both siblings having since been all but abandoned to a house in the countryside by their parents and left under the care of tutors and housekeepers.
Daye is borne of sticks, leaves and flowers but they soon find she needs to be changed as the seasons progress or she falls sick to the rot of falling out of season. This becomes an issue as only the older sister knows how to remake her and spurs Rory into a lifetime of research into how to keep Daye alive on his own. As the seasons come and go and Rory grows up and it becomes apparent that there are things separating Daye from a real girl. He begins making more and more radical changes to Daye as he also spends more time apart from her learning about this type of magic at an academy a several hour train ride away.
The relationship between the two veers into the romantic and physical as they get older, but what consent can there be between a creation and their creator, especially when Daye seems to not be able to refuse an order from Rory. Daye seeks the ability to make her own choices free from influence, and to go where she chooses.
The beauty I found in this writing is how my opinions on the characters changed as the plot progressed, and though I feel pity for Rory in his cold upbringing, his codependency on Daye to fulfill his needs can not be excused. He's a complicated antagonist in the way that he's not truly evil and wholly uncaring, but in that in his misguided way he both abandons and manipulates Daye.
I'm looking forward to this book coming out as I've already recommended it to a few friends, and as someone local to the Toronto area I'll be looking out for any book release events.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
This book made me feel every emotion under the sun.
I rated this book 4.5 stars. It made me stressed and uncomfortable in the best way possible!
Summary:
After bothering his big sister to play with him, Rory’s sister decides to build him a playmate out of flowers. Daye quickly becomes the playmate of Rory’s dreams - that is, until she begins to wilt and die at the end of the season. Luckily, his sister can fix her, but the idea of Daye dying every three months sparks anxiety within Rory.
As Rory gets older and his feelings for Daye begin to change, he decides he needs to find a way to stop Daye from falling apart as the seasons change. Daye, however, is not interested in finding a solution and begins to wonder how much of a say she has over her own life.
Things I liked:
I really loved the changes we saw in Rory throughout the novel. In the beginning of the story, he is a child who simply wants to keep his best friend alive. However, as he gets older, we see his naivety turn into denial, and his denial change into something much more sinister.
In continuation, I loved that this novel was told from the perspective of Rory and Daye. At the beginning of the novel, I, like Rory, truly wanted to believe that Daye was becoming a “real” person. However, Daye’s perspective perfectly highlights how inhuman she is, and that she doesn’t truly understand the world around her; she only knows what Rory tells her.
Things I disliked:
It is really hard for me to find something about this book that I don’t like. If anything, I feel like the novel was a bit slow in the middle once Rory and Daye are separated for long periods of time. However, I did read the majority of this book in one sitting, so perhaps it felt slow to me because I was ready for a break.
Who do I recommend to:
I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys stories similar to Frankenstein or Bunny, as this story shares similar ideas but focuses more on consent between maker and monster.
I rated this book 4.5 stars. It made me stressed and uncomfortable in the best way possible!
Summary:
After bothering his big sister to play with him, Rory’s sister decides to build him a playmate out of flowers. Daye quickly becomes the playmate of Rory’s dreams - that is, until she begins to wilt and die at the end of the season. Luckily, his sister can fix her, but the idea of Daye dying every three months sparks anxiety within Rory.
As Rory gets older and his feelings for Daye begin to change, he decides he needs to find a way to stop Daye from falling apart as the seasons change. Daye, however, is not interested in finding a solution and begins to wonder how much of a say she has over her own life.
Things I liked:
I really loved the changes we saw in Rory throughout the novel. In the beginning of the story, he is a child who simply wants to keep his best friend alive. However, as he gets older, we see his naivety turn into denial, and his denial change into something much more sinister.
In continuation, I loved that this novel was told from the perspective of Rory and Daye. At the beginning of the novel, I, like Rory, truly wanted to believe that Daye was becoming a “real” person. However, Daye’s perspective perfectly highlights how inhuman she is, and that she doesn’t truly understand the world around her; she only knows what Rory tells her.
Things I disliked:
It is really hard for me to find something about this book that I don’t like. If anything, I feel like the novel was a bit slow in the middle once Rory and Daye are separated for long periods of time. However, I did read the majority of this book in one sitting, so perhaps it felt slow to me because I was ready for a break.
Who do I recommend to:
I recommend this novel to anyone who enjoys stories similar to Frankenstein or Bunny, as this story shares similar ideas but focuses more on consent between maker and monster.
December 29, 2025
This horror-tinged retelling of the Welsh myth of Blodeuwedd weaves in elements of Frankenstein and dark academia, asking questions about codependency, creation and consent.
It follows Rory, a young boy left with only his sister for company when their parents abandon them. His sister weaves him a playmate - a Blodeuwedd called Daye - out of plants and well-chosen words. Daye and Rory become inseparable, but Daye is unable to speak (only sign) and disintegrates each season unless somebody puts her back together. As he grows, Rory becomes consumed by the need to work out how to lengthen Daye’s lifespan and give her a voice. But all Daye has ever wanted is his love, and when his quest takes him away from her to university, and when he starts making changes to her without her agreement, she begins to wonder whether her attachment to him is still a choice, or whether it’s becoming a cage she’ll need to escape.
I absolutely devoured this. It’s laced with decadent natural descriptions and small moments that mean everything to the characters. You get a startling sense of place and can imagine the settings clearly. The central relationship is incredibly complex, and a sense of unease builds in both the reader and the characters as the pages turn, driving forward to the inevitable conclusion. Daye’s arc is incredible - no notes. I’m fascinated by Wynne, the sister, who sets all this in motion yet seems to take no personal accountability. And I do wish there was more closure to Rory’s arc, but I appreciate that after all he’s done and how far he’s fallen by the end, the way things turn out might both serve him right and set him free.
Overall, this is an eerie read perfect for a long, thoughtful night and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
Thank you to @barfridmantell and @tornightfire for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
It follows Rory, a young boy left with only his sister for company when their parents abandon them. His sister weaves him a playmate - a Blodeuwedd called Daye - out of plants and well-chosen words. Daye and Rory become inseparable, but Daye is unable to speak (only sign) and disintegrates each season unless somebody puts her back together. As he grows, Rory becomes consumed by the need to work out how to lengthen Daye’s lifespan and give her a voice. But all Daye has ever wanted is his love, and when his quest takes him away from her to university, and when he starts making changes to her without her agreement, she begins to wonder whether her attachment to him is still a choice, or whether it’s becoming a cage she’ll need to escape.
I absolutely devoured this. It’s laced with decadent natural descriptions and small moments that mean everything to the characters. You get a startling sense of place and can imagine the settings clearly. The central relationship is incredibly complex, and a sense of unease builds in both the reader and the characters as the pages turn, driving forward to the inevitable conclusion. Daye’s arc is incredible - no notes. I’m fascinated by Wynne, the sister, who sets all this in motion yet seems to take no personal accountability. And I do wish there was more closure to Rory’s arc, but I appreciate that after all he’s done and how far he’s fallen by the end, the way things turn out might both serve him right and set him free.
Overall, this is an eerie read perfect for a long, thoughtful night and I’ll be thinking about it for a long time.
Thank you to @barfridmantell and @tornightfire for my copy in exchange for an honest review.
January 25, 2026
✨✨ARC Read✨✨
I do thoroughly enjoy a good botanical rot horror! Now allow me to go on record by saying, if you go into this expecting a typified horror theme with plenty of jump scares, you will be sorely disappointed. It is, however, still ‘horrific’ in the very literal sense. It is a slow, creeping dread and a sense of wrongness throughout. It is a beautiful new budding bloom, slowly and painfully turning black through decay and corruption. Drenched in Welsh mythology, this is a fairytale gone hideously and nightmarishly wrong.
In this tale we follow a lonely young boy called Rory, who desperately wants a companion to play with. After some badgering of his older sister, Wynne, she decides to make him a Blodeuwedd, a beautiful little girl made of flowers. Daye is the perfect playmate, a wildling happily frolicking around the grounds with both Rory and the animals alike. Everything is seemingly perfect. That is, until she begins to fall apart.
What starts out as an endearing child’s fable, steadily deteriorates as we follow our main characters through the trials and tribulations of traversing the journey into adulthood. As their bodies mature so to do their priorities, dreams, and of course, desires. This is an uncomfortable exploration of the darker sides of human condition, with themes of obsession, consent, body autonomy, power dynamics and relationship toxicity being brought into the limelight. At its heart is a fierce feminist flame, a burn to follow one’s own dreams without fear, a desperation to be free.
It is slow going, so if you’re a bigger fan of high stakes tension, I’m afraid you won’t find it here. This is more of an intensive character-driven tale that takes its time to build a sense of dread. Admittedly I had hoped for Daye to rip out Rory’s heart or even take a bite out of him at the end, more of a profound comeuppance for the ‘maker’ (much like Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein) but alas this was not quite the case. It was, however, still an enjoyable read with an incredibly important message.
Fantastic debut, would be very interested to see how Bar develops as an author. A big thank you to Tor Books for the arc. And an extra shoutout to Liz over on @acourtofnapsandsnacks for an enjoyable buddy read as always ❤️
I do thoroughly enjoy a good botanical rot horror! Now allow me to go on record by saying, if you go into this expecting a typified horror theme with plenty of jump scares, you will be sorely disappointed. It is, however, still ‘horrific’ in the very literal sense. It is a slow, creeping dread and a sense of wrongness throughout. It is a beautiful new budding bloom, slowly and painfully turning black through decay and corruption. Drenched in Welsh mythology, this is a fairytale gone hideously and nightmarishly wrong.
In this tale we follow a lonely young boy called Rory, who desperately wants a companion to play with. After some badgering of his older sister, Wynne, she decides to make him a Blodeuwedd, a beautiful little girl made of flowers. Daye is the perfect playmate, a wildling happily frolicking around the grounds with both Rory and the animals alike. Everything is seemingly perfect. That is, until she begins to fall apart.
What starts out as an endearing child’s fable, steadily deteriorates as we follow our main characters through the trials and tribulations of traversing the journey into adulthood. As their bodies mature so to do their priorities, dreams, and of course, desires. This is an uncomfortable exploration of the darker sides of human condition, with themes of obsession, consent, body autonomy, power dynamics and relationship toxicity being brought into the limelight. At its heart is a fierce feminist flame, a burn to follow one’s own dreams without fear, a desperation to be free.
It is slow going, so if you’re a bigger fan of high stakes tension, I’m afraid you won’t find it here. This is more of an intensive character-driven tale that takes its time to build a sense of dread. Admittedly I had hoped for Daye to rip out Rory’s heart or even take a bite out of him at the end, more of a profound comeuppance for the ‘maker’ (much like Mary Shelly’s Frankenstein) but alas this was not quite the case. It was, however, still an enjoyable read with an incredibly important message.
Fantastic debut, would be very interested to see how Bar develops as an author. A big thank you to Tor Books for the arc. And an extra shoutout to Liz over on @acourtofnapsandsnacks for an enjoyable buddy read as always ❤️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 7, 2026
I am officially not finishing this book. I was fortunate enough to receive an advanced listen copy and it sounded intriguing and unique so I wanted to give it a shot. Every time I turned this audiobook on something disturbed me about the writing and gave me the “ick”.
I was shocked to see that this was a female author, because I swore this was a male author living out his fantasy of creating a living doll that he could essentially do whatever he wanted to and with. It was sickening.
The whole premise of this story is that as a little boy our main character, Rory’s, sister who is six years older, no longer wants to play with him and so she makes him a girl out of flowers to be his playmate. This girl is called a Bledaewyth (no idea how to spell it since I was doing audio). The girl basically disintegrates every season and his sister has to remake her out of elements from the Earth for every season. As our main character gets older he learns how to remake her himself. As he & the flower girl, named “Day” get closer together, he starts to develop sexual feelings for her.
At this point in the novel, he has rebuilt her so she has breasts and other female body parts, so they can have sex. Absolutely horrified by what I’ve listened to and completely disgusted. This “flower girl” for all intents and purposes, looks like a person for the most part and apparently is absolutely stunningly gorgeous. She’s also clueless because she’s not a person and I feel like our main character, Rory completely takes advantage of her. She was built to “please him” and he’s literally the only person she’s ever known and he basically was like, hey do you want me to rebuild you so we can have sex? What the F?! completely a DNF
I was shocked to see that this was a female author, because I swore this was a male author living out his fantasy of creating a living doll that he could essentially do whatever he wanted to and with. It was sickening.
The whole premise of this story is that as a little boy our main character, Rory’s, sister who is six years older, no longer wants to play with him and so she makes him a girl out of flowers to be his playmate. This girl is called a Bledaewyth (no idea how to spell it since I was doing audio). The girl basically disintegrates every season and his sister has to remake her out of elements from the Earth for every season. As our main character gets older he learns how to remake her himself. As he & the flower girl, named “Day” get closer together, he starts to develop sexual feelings for her.
At this point in the novel, he has rebuilt her so she has breasts and other female body parts, so they can have sex. Absolutely horrified by what I’ve listened to and completely disgusted. This “flower girl” for all intents and purposes, looks like a person for the most part and apparently is absolutely stunningly gorgeous. She’s also clueless because she’s not a person and I feel like our main character, Rory completely takes advantage of her. She was built to “please him” and he’s literally the only person she’s ever known and he basically was like, hey do you want me to rebuild you so we can have sex? What the F?! completely a DNF
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
Pulled From the Earth Already Dying
How did the book make me feel/think?
I did not enjoy this book.
And it hasn’t let me go.
Honeysuckle begins with loneliness: a young boy, Rory, an older sister, and no parents. Wanting freedom, the sister creates a companion for her brother out of foliage. I’ll stop there—this isn’t a synopsis.
The moment you pull a plant from the earth, it is already dead.
That idea haunts every page.
What begins as a coming-of-age story slowly curdles. Daye—the flowered friend—exists seasonally, her decay inevitable. Each change of season becomes a recurring trauma. Rory’s fear of loss hardens into obsession. The book isn’t whimsical; it’s claustrophobic. This isn’t a talking animal. I couldn’t disconnect from reality enough to accept the fantasy—and that friction became the horror.
As Rory ages, his fixation intensifies. The prose grows lush, even nauseating. I wanted each chapter to be the last.
I kept reading.
Both Rory and Daye become monstrous—not through spectacle, but through proximity to control, autonomy, and denial. At times, I felt lost on the page, untethered, as if the book demanded a guide. Yet it undeniably succeeds in forcing readers to confront loss, isolation, body autonomy, and mental health—no small feat.
I finished the book, closed it, and felt blank.
Two days later, I couldn’t sleep.
The ideas Honeysuckle plants keep shifting, re-rooting, changing shape. I didn’t like being inside this book—but it stayed with me. That lingering unease makes me wonder whether this might, in its own way, be a great read.
Bar Fridman-Tell has also written a story that could translate into a stunningly beautiful, animated film.
WRITTEN: 24 January 2026
How did the book make me feel/think?
I did not enjoy this book.
And it hasn’t let me go.
Honeysuckle begins with loneliness: a young boy, Rory, an older sister, and no parents. Wanting freedom, the sister creates a companion for her brother out of foliage. I’ll stop there—this isn’t a synopsis.
The moment you pull a plant from the earth, it is already dead.
That idea haunts every page.
What begins as a coming-of-age story slowly curdles. Daye—the flowered friend—exists seasonally, her decay inevitable. Each change of season becomes a recurring trauma. Rory’s fear of loss hardens into obsession. The book isn’t whimsical; it’s claustrophobic. This isn’t a talking animal. I couldn’t disconnect from reality enough to accept the fantasy—and that friction became the horror.
As Rory ages, his fixation intensifies. The prose grows lush, even nauseating. I wanted each chapter to be the last.
I kept reading.
Both Rory and Daye become monstrous—not through spectacle, but through proximity to control, autonomy, and denial. At times, I felt lost on the page, untethered, as if the book demanded a guide. Yet it undeniably succeeds in forcing readers to confront loss, isolation, body autonomy, and mental health—no small feat.
I finished the book, closed it, and felt blank.
Two days later, I couldn’t sleep.
The ideas Honeysuckle plants keep shifting, re-rooting, changing shape. I didn’t like being inside this book—but it stayed with me. That lingering unease makes me wonder whether this might, in its own way, be a great read.
Bar Fridman-Tell has also written a story that could translate into a stunningly beautiful, animated film.
WRITTEN: 24 January 2026
November 25, 2025
Rory loves Daye. This much is clear. But what does it mean to love someone you literally created? Someone who exists because you made her exist? As the line between friendship and romance blurs, Fridman-Tell forces us to confront uncomfortable questions about the power dynamics inherent in their relationship.
Daye's seasonal death and rebirth isn't just a magical constraint - it's a metaphor for control. Rory must weave her back together, or she falls apart. He literally holds her existence in his hands. And as Rory becomes "desperate to break this cycle," we have to ask: is he doing this for Daye, or for himself? Is this love or ownership?
The brilliance of the novel lies in Daye's growing awareness. She begins to "wonder just how much control she really has over her own life" - a question that resonates far beyond the fantasy setting. How many relationships, in our world, involve one person holding the power while the other exists at their mercy?
The Blodeuwedd myth provides the perfect foundation. In the original Welsh tale, a woman created from flowers eventually rebels against her creator. Fridman-Tell's loose reimagining asks: what happens when something created for someone else's happiness develops its own desires?
Honeysuckle succeeds because it takes a childhood fantasy - having a friend made just for you - and follows it to its logical, disturbing conclusion. It's enchanting and inventive, yes, but also deeply unsettling in its exploration of how love can become a form of imprisonment.
Daye's seasonal death and rebirth isn't just a magical constraint - it's a metaphor for control. Rory must weave her back together, or she falls apart. He literally holds her existence in his hands. And as Rory becomes "desperate to break this cycle," we have to ask: is he doing this for Daye, or for himself? Is this love or ownership?
The brilliance of the novel lies in Daye's growing awareness. She begins to "wonder just how much control she really has over her own life" - a question that resonates far beyond the fantasy setting. How many relationships, in our world, involve one person holding the power while the other exists at their mercy?
The Blodeuwedd myth provides the perfect foundation. In the original Welsh tale, a woman created from flowers eventually rebels against her creator. Fridman-Tell's loose reimagining asks: what happens when something created for someone else's happiness develops its own desires?
Honeysuckle succeeds because it takes a childhood fantasy - having a friend made just for you - and follows it to its logical, disturbing conclusion. It's enchanting and inventive, yes, but also deeply unsettling in its exploration of how love can become a form of imprisonment.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
(4.5 stars)
I hadn't heard of the Welsh mythological character Blodeuwedd before Honeysuckle, and so had a read around on her story before I started. Honeysuckle bases itself very loosely on the original mythology, wherein Blodeuwedd is a beautiful maiden made from flowers to be the wife of Lleu LLaw Gyffes. Fridman-Tell's Blodeuwedd is made to be the friend of a lonely boy named Rory. She is constructed from seasonal foliage and brought to life through his older sisters knowledge of magical engineering. Desperate to stop Blodeuwedd decaying between seasons, Rory becomes obsessed with researching ways to extend her seasonal lifespan, causing Blodeuwedd to question her own identity and autonomy in the wake of his intense feelings for her.
Honeysuckle is a beautifully written book with a timeless fairy tale quality. I love anything that describes itself as a 'Frankenstein' story and so was very excited to read this. I had expected Honeysuckle to be a historical fantasy, however it is more of a modern urban fantasy/dark academia with its own system of academic magic. Some promotional material I saw had also likened it to Poor Things (my favourite book!), though I found it to be quite dissimilar in style despite its similar themes. Nonetheless, it is a darkly beautiful story in its own right. Honeysuckle will appeal widely to anyone interested in twisted fairy tales, 'Frankestein' narratives, botanical horror and dark academia settings.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this book for the purpose of review*
I hadn't heard of the Welsh mythological character Blodeuwedd before Honeysuckle, and so had a read around on her story before I started. Honeysuckle bases itself very loosely on the original mythology, wherein Blodeuwedd is a beautiful maiden made from flowers to be the wife of Lleu LLaw Gyffes. Fridman-Tell's Blodeuwedd is made to be the friend of a lonely boy named Rory. She is constructed from seasonal foliage and brought to life through his older sisters knowledge of magical engineering. Desperate to stop Blodeuwedd decaying between seasons, Rory becomes obsessed with researching ways to extend her seasonal lifespan, causing Blodeuwedd to question her own identity and autonomy in the wake of his intense feelings for her.
Honeysuckle is a beautifully written book with a timeless fairy tale quality. I love anything that describes itself as a 'Frankenstein' story and so was very excited to read this. I had expected Honeysuckle to be a historical fantasy, however it is more of a modern urban fantasy/dark academia with its own system of academic magic. Some promotional material I saw had also likened it to Poor Things (my favourite book!), though I found it to be quite dissimilar in style despite its similar themes. Nonetheless, it is a darkly beautiful story in its own right. Honeysuckle will appeal widely to anyone interested in twisted fairy tales, 'Frankestein' narratives, botanical horror and dark academia settings.
*Thank you to the publisher for providing a copy of this book for the purpose of review*
November 21, 2025
4.5 stars:
Honeysuckle pulls you in from the first page. It has that gothic fairy tale feel, but what really makes it stand out is how deeply it digs into desire, identity, and the will of man. The author created a story that feels intimate, tense, and emotionally sharp.
Daye, a girl made from flowers, is impossible to forget. The way she changes with the seasons while trying to hold on to who she is felt both soft and powerful. Her relationship with Rory becomes more complex with every chapter and the shifting balance between affection, control, and longing is written so well.
The theme that struck me most is the need for self fulfillment and how far someone will go to feel whole. The book shows how easily purpose and desire can twist into something consuming, especially when it comes from insecurity or fear. It makes the entire story feel heavier and more intentional.
The setting is small and eerie which makes every moment feel close and personal. By the end, I realized the contained world made the emotional turns hit harder.
The ending completely caught me. It was bold, emotional, and full of meaning for both Daye and Rory.
Honeysuckle is sharp, atmospheric, and full of depth. A thoughtful look at desire, purpose, and the cost of trying to shape your own destiny.
Thank you to netgalley for the galley
Honeysuckle pulls you in from the first page. It has that gothic fairy tale feel, but what really makes it stand out is how deeply it digs into desire, identity, and the will of man. The author created a story that feels intimate, tense, and emotionally sharp.
Daye, a girl made from flowers, is impossible to forget. The way she changes with the seasons while trying to hold on to who she is felt both soft and powerful. Her relationship with Rory becomes more complex with every chapter and the shifting balance between affection, control, and longing is written so well.
The theme that struck me most is the need for self fulfillment and how far someone will go to feel whole. The book shows how easily purpose and desire can twist into something consuming, especially when it comes from insecurity or fear. It makes the entire story feel heavier and more intentional.
The setting is small and eerie which makes every moment feel close and personal. By the end, I realized the contained world made the emotional turns hit harder.
The ending completely caught me. It was bold, emotional, and full of meaning for both Daye and Rory.
Honeysuckle is sharp, atmospheric, and full of depth. A thoughtful look at desire, purpose, and the cost of trying to shape your own destiny.
Thank you to netgalley for the galley
December 2, 2025
Honeysuckle is a beautiful, aching fairytale turned to something like horror. Rory is a lonely boy, constantly left behind by every person in his life when his sister makes him a playmate out of flowers and branches, one meant to love him and stay by his side always- Daye. This debut is so poignant and heart wrenching as it tackles a love turned toxic and control over consent and autonomy. It was a slow build up as the story encompasses years of their lives and what started as a sweet childhood friendship morphed into something far more unnerving and obsessive.
The writing itself is gorgeous, each page dripping with evocative detail. You can feel the heat of summer and the aching loneliness of time. Daye is also such a unique character. She is a ship of Theseus of a girl, remade each season with new plants and flowers, each piece of her new but still the same girl. I cared so much for her and it made me loathe Rory more and more as the story progressed. The pacing was a little slow in the middle but the ending had me so desperate to finish it that I stayed up way too late and I'm writing this at 2am after having just finished it. I can happily say that the ending was very satisfying and that I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
The writing itself is gorgeous, each page dripping with evocative detail. You can feel the heat of summer and the aching loneliness of time. Daye is also such a unique character. She is a ship of Theseus of a girl, remade each season with new plants and flowers, each piece of her new but still the same girl. I cared so much for her and it made me loathe Rory more and more as the story progressed. The pacing was a little slow in the middle but the ending had me so desperate to finish it that I stayed up way too late and I'm writing this at 2am after having just finished it. I can happily say that the ending was very satisfying and that I thoroughly enjoyed this book.
December 10, 2025
Im grateful for the opportunity to have read Honeysuckle as an ARC from Simon & Schuster in exchange for an honest review.
I know this gothic fairytale will be a hit for so many and people will be able to fall into this psychological fantasy world. There were things from this book that positively stuck out for me and I'll stick to those reasons (because I will recommend to check it out if your intrigued by the concept) but overall I think it just wasn't for me.
Honeysuckle follows the story of Daye and Rory as they grow up. Beginning in an isolated village and spanning through the trials and tribulations of growing up alone, the plot stretching critical ages throughout the early years of life. The whimsical aura of a flower girl and a world away from the city was what initially intrigued me upon reading the synopsis. The author did an amazing job of writing the characters to aid the reader through the world and the techniques used showed strong writing.
This book for me was a case of preference. I think I personally imagined something else when assuming the direction the plot would follow and that is not the fault of the novel or the author. I would be intrigued to read other books by this author even though the plot we followed through this one wasn't for me.
I know this gothic fairytale will be a hit for so many and people will be able to fall into this psychological fantasy world. There were things from this book that positively stuck out for me and I'll stick to those reasons (because I will recommend to check it out if your intrigued by the concept) but overall I think it just wasn't for me.
Honeysuckle follows the story of Daye and Rory as they grow up. Beginning in an isolated village and spanning through the trials and tribulations of growing up alone, the plot stretching critical ages throughout the early years of life. The whimsical aura of a flower girl and a world away from the city was what initially intrigued me upon reading the synopsis. The author did an amazing job of writing the characters to aid the reader through the world and the techniques used showed strong writing.
This book for me was a case of preference. I think I personally imagined something else when assuming the direction the plot would follow and that is not the fault of the novel or the author. I would be intrigued to read other books by this author even though the plot we followed through this one wasn't for me.
October 21, 2025
I LOVED THIS SO MUCH.
The genre is hard to pin down - I'd say a dark academia romantic horror fairytale. Which sounds like a chaotic mess but it's perfect.
It reminded me of Anne of Green Gables, because the writing is gorgeous, with its atmospheric descriptions of each season, creating a painting you just sink into. It made me love and long for each season as we rotated through them.
This was like Frankenstein, as Rory obsessively studied and experimented with prolonging his girlfriend made from flowers, but the Monster is Rory as we watch him shift from innocent boy to controlling, objectifying man.
It reminded me of Sally Rooney's Normal People, as Rory and Daye blossom together, become codependent, but then grow apart, with Rory bringing about the very thing he aims to prevent through his crazed obsession.
Rory and Daye are captivating as you watch them either sink into monstrosity or expand into freedom. You understand and weep for both of them. The story is incredibly surprising and well done, especially for a debut book, and I can't wait for more from this author.
The genre is hard to pin down - I'd say a dark academia romantic horror fairytale. Which sounds like a chaotic mess but it's perfect.
It reminded me of Anne of Green Gables, because the writing is gorgeous, with its atmospheric descriptions of each season, creating a painting you just sink into. It made me love and long for each season as we rotated through them.
This was like Frankenstein, as Rory obsessively studied and experimented with prolonging his girlfriend made from flowers, but the Monster is Rory as we watch him shift from innocent boy to controlling, objectifying man.
It reminded me of Sally Rooney's Normal People, as Rory and Daye blossom together, become codependent, but then grow apart, with Rory bringing about the very thing he aims to prevent through his crazed obsession.
Rory and Daye are captivating as you watch them either sink into monstrosity or expand into freedom. You understand and weep for both of them. The story is incredibly surprising and well done, especially for a debut book, and I can't wait for more from this author.
October 22, 2025
*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review.*
Honeysuckle follows Rory who lives with his sister after their parents abandoned them. His sister makes him a friend out of flowers called Daye. Daye is a seasonal creature so when the season changes and the flowers die, Daye must be put back together or she will fall apart. One autumn, his sister doesn’t return home from university in time so Rory decides to learn how to put Daye back together. Rory and Daye grow older together but Rory lives in the real world with real people. He frequently leaves Daye on her own and Rory starts experimenting on Daye and she wonders how far he will go to make her real.
This wasn’t really for me, it took me ages to read because I just wasn’t really feeling it. That said, this is written well and it has some unique elements. This book deals with questions of bodily autonomy and power differences which are important topics so whilst this wasn’t really for me, I would recommend this.
Honeysuckle follows Rory who lives with his sister after their parents abandoned them. His sister makes him a friend out of flowers called Daye. Daye is a seasonal creature so when the season changes and the flowers die, Daye must be put back together or she will fall apart. One autumn, his sister doesn’t return home from university in time so Rory decides to learn how to put Daye back together. Rory and Daye grow older together but Rory lives in the real world with real people. He frequently leaves Daye on her own and Rory starts experimenting on Daye and she wonders how far he will go to make her real.
This wasn’t really for me, it took me ages to read because I just wasn’t really feeling it. That said, this is written well and it has some unique elements. This book deals with questions of bodily autonomy and power differences which are important topics so whilst this wasn’t really for me, I would recommend this.
Review of advance copy
I almost passed on this book when one review mentioned 'body horror,' which I don't care for, but I'm glad I gave it a try. The horror here is less gore and more gothic; it is about lack of autonomy more than anything. Chilling, creepy, unsettling, but not bloody or graphic. Well, for the most part.
Reading about a manipulative, abusive relationship is tough; reading about such a relationship from the abuser's point of view is somehow even tougher, in that it makes you feel icky, almost implicated; but there is something really and truly horrible about seeing this relationship through the eyes of the abuser as he grows up, from an innocent little eight year old into a lying, controlling, narcissistic, self-justifying young man. And yet, the awfulness of Rory's evolution is balanced out by the hopefulness of Daye's self-realization; in fact, the one can't exist without the other. All in all, this dark fairy tale of a book did not disappoint, even if sometimes left a bad taste in my mouth.
Reading about a manipulative, abusive relationship is tough; reading about such a relationship from the abuser's point of view is somehow even tougher, in that it makes you feel icky, almost implicated; but there is something really and truly horrible about seeing this relationship through the eyes of the abuser as he grows up, from an innocent little eight year old into a lying, controlling, narcissistic, self-justifying young man. And yet, the awfulness of Rory's evolution is balanced out by the hopefulness of Daye's self-realization; in fact, the one can't exist without the other. All in all, this dark fairy tale of a book did not disappoint, even if sometimes left a bad taste in my mouth.
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