Honey in Her Veins

by Ruth McKell

Arthur Connoway desperately wants to free himself from the monster inhabiting his mind. Instead, he is rapidly losing control of it following his mother’s death. In a last-ditch effort to feel whole again—and to lay his mother’s memory to rest—Arthur decides to return to the quiet bee farm he once called home, hoping their sacred honey can heal him in more ways than one.

Eight years ago, Eva Moreau's flora magic caused a terrible accident, harming her father in the process. Now, she’s desperate to find a way to heal him, but her attempts only seem to do the opposite. If she could just learn to control her magic, she might be able to save her father and leave the past behind.

When Arthur returns to town looking for absolution, Eva once again loses control of her magic, putting everyone she loves in danger. Together, the pair decides to trek to the source of her family’s magic to find a cure for both Arthur and her father. But there’s a mysterious ghost haunting the forest, and it won’t let Arthur and Eva leave the woods without confronting the secrets of their past...

Genres: Fantasy, Romance, Magical Realism, Fiction, Science Fiction Fantasy, Romantasy

Kindle Edition

Expected publication April 7, 2026

Reviews

[Marquise]

All righty! Which of you author friends was it that wrote a story with bee and honey magic I was enthralled by and loved so much it may or mayn't be the reason I requested and was granted the ARC for this book?

Come forward and fess up, please.

[Sydnie Sweeney · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story opens slow and steady, at a welcome pace. Theres a mystery here, narrative the reader has not earned yet. Something happened eight years ago and we need to know what. It's sickeningly sweet, being kept in the dark about the tragedy that must have occurred. The POV switches between characters, but also between time, as the mystery from eight years ago is unraveled for us. In present day, Arthur's mother is dead. Upon her last wishes he brings her to the bee farm, to scatter her ashes. Arthur is struggling. The mystery we don't yet know about is weighing on him. A burden it seems, blanketing everyone is a layer of grief and resentment. Arthur left 8 years ago and never looked back. He's struggling now that he is back, for his mother's sake, despite the fact that he believes she never truely loved him. The monster inside of Arthur, upon being attacked, has taken control, and he's hurt Jack, the honeyman. The sheriff is in their house, attempting to arrest Arthur. We quickly are lead to believe that Arthur killed him 8 summers ago. In an attempt to save Jack, Arthur and Eva run to the woods for what they believe will heal Jack. Out in the woods, desperate, hurt, and alone, the three of them bloom further than they thought possible. It was actually Eva who killed Dane via vines through his chest. Her dad, Jack, used his own blood, invigorated by the healing honey found deep in the woods, to revive Dane. There was a price to pay and so Jack must live with a live growing Aspen tree jutting out of his body, intertwining with his own organs. Eva is shot and Arthur arranges the same deal to save her life. Eva's sister, Isobel, and Dane also fall in love and marry. The mystery in the woods is Arthur's mom was actually a spirit of the woods.

The authors words are very raw, and real. Clearly someone steeped in reality, without any rose colored lenses. It's definitely an ode to self love and overcoming your demons, as well as rebuking selfishness and embracing found family. While this was an okay story, I was hoping for more regarding the mystery of what was out in the woods. I did struggle to finish it but feel that was only because it wasn't my preferred genre or topic.

[Ehundz · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are no words for how this book has imprinted itself within me. The concept of befriending the monster within us instead of casting it out is so incredibly powerful. This book leaves readers feeling seen, validated, & like all their worst thoughts about themselves are ones that still deserve space to breathe because smothering them only makes them fester & rot. Bonus - Ruth writes some of the most atmospheric, evocative, breathtaking prose I’ve ever read! She will forever be an auto-buy author from me after this breakout debut!

[Erica G. Craig · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the most beautiful and creative books I’ve read in a long time. Atmospheric writing with a really interesting plot. It was suspenseful and kept me guessing until the very end. I fell in love with the characters and their story. Ruth McKell is a MUST read author for me now and forever. Highly recommended! A million stars!

[Aamira · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book hooks you in from the first page and never lets go. Creative, heartfelt, and filled with hope, Honey in Her Veins is an exciting debut that takes you on a wild and adventurous ride until the very end.

Both Arthur and Eva have uncontrollable secret abilities that are a mirror image to each other. When an unfortunate accident takes place, Arthur is forced to leave abruptly and never look back. Now 8 years later, he’s back in town to honor his mother’s wishes and spread her ashes on Eva’s family bee farm. He was not prepared for the consequences of the fateful night he left to confront him.

I loved the magical world that McKell created, and her vivid descriptions bring it to life. I could smell the earth and flowers and taste the honey. She paints a visceral portrait you can’t help but get lost in. Her characters are complex and messy, and you can’t help but have a tremendous amount of empathy for them. I really wanted Arthur and Eva to have their second chance, and the flashbacks added a poignant layer to their present. These two are meant to be together.

I especially loved the characterization of Arthur’s monster. He was more complex than what even Arthur knew him to be. He was his protector, and I couldn’t help feel connected to him too. He wasn’t evil, just the counterbalance that’s part of nature. I loved the fun moments when he and Arthur would banter.

The switch in POV between first and third person is interesting. I’m not quite sure how I feel about it as a literary device. I noticed this in another book as well. To be honest, I don’t think it really adds much to the story. It just seems like a new trend on the horizon.

Aside from that little quibble, I really enjoyed this novel. It’s creative and heartfelt with complex characters and a compelling narrative.

[Cristy Ramadani · Rating 5 out of 5]

From its first page, Honey in Her Veins casts a spell. The prose is breathtaking—every sentence feels like a drop of honey -- sweet and sticking to you. The novel is deeply atmospheric, infused with a quiet magic that lingers long after you close the book.

The premise feels like folklore retold through modern bones: the theft of something beautiful brings a curse, and in that transgression lies both warning and wisdom. The balance between life and death, creation and destruction, pulses through the story—especially in the fragile bond between Arthur and Eva. Their magic, in opposition and in union, underscores a truth: only in needing each other can balance be forged.

I was particularly struck by the portrayal of the “monster” in Arthur's — the dark, restless piece you cannot wholly slay nor wholly deny. This internal monster becomes a companion, adversary, mirror. To see how McKell approached this as something to be understood, not just vanquished, felt deeply validating for anyone wrestling with mental health and identity. There is sorrow in these pages, but also tenderness, acceptance, and the fierce longing to be seen.

The tone is emotional, magical, and deeply human. It is a book about love and acceptance, but also about the hidden hollows we carry. There is a cottage-core softness to parts of it, but never naive: darkness always lurks just behind the petals and moss.

I closed this book feeling as though I had wandered through a dream and carried home a wild seed—small, fragile, yet alive with possibility.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jensen McCorkel · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was immediately drawn to this story because my own family has a generational bee farm in the rural south so this instantly became a must read and I am so glad I did. This story is written so beautifully that at times it almost seems poetic. One of the best things about this novel is the lush, gothic atmosphere. The author does an amazing job at creating a melancholic and intimate feel that blurs the line between myth and reality creating an incredibly immersive read.

The pacing may feel slow in some places but I believe this is due to prioritizing world building and atmosphere. So in some cases I can very much appreciate what the author did but again there are some moments that did drag a bit towards the middle of the novel. The Magic its self is left ambiguous with not very much explanation given but I believe that adds to the over feel of the story and does not necessarily take away from it. But I would have liked a bit more explained. I loved that it explores the power and pain that is passed down through bloodlines over generations. Reveling just how steeped in superstition rural areas can be. We have family trauma, half-buried secrets, whispered curses, and the double edged sword that is inherited power.

Overall Honey in Her Veins is dark yet lyrical with a blend of gothic fantasy and a helping of generational folklore that is done incredibly well.

[Nicole · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honey in Her Veins is so beautifully written, with such an interesting concept and magic system. The story follows Arthur, who carries a monster within him, and Eva, whose rare gift allows her to create life and coax plants to bloom. They are opposite sides of a coin, one tied to taking and the other to giving. This world explores what it means to live with darkness inside you, and it felt raw, real, and powerful. I loved how it showed the struggle of accepting that part of yourself instead of trying to cast it out.

Arthur and Eva’s relationship was breathtaking. They are truly made for each other, and their love felt so genuine. Then there is Dane and Isobel, whose friendship slowly blossoms into something deeper and tender. Watching their bond shift added another heartfelt layer alongside the main romance.

This book is emotional, magical, and deeply human. It is about love, acceptance, and the balance of light and dark. I highly recommend, such a beautiful and creative debut.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review an Advance Reader Copy of Honey in Her Veins.

This is a book you sit in quiet with after you finish. Honey in Her Veins moved me and touched vulnerable and raw pieces of me I thought I kept well under wraps. And what a beautiful and breathtaking experience that is.

It’s a slow paced, emotional and painfully human story told through beautifully dark lyrical prose. That moved me to tears on more than one occasion.

Gothic fantasy intertwined with Appalachian folklore creating a book that took root in my soul. I believe McKell did a wonderful job creating a bridge of mental health and magic. I adored the magic system and the connection to emotion.

This story is beautifully human and a reminder there is always hope and keep choosing life even when it feels too heavy to go on.

[Kayla Foster · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

WOW! This book is easily one of my favorites of the year. It was so atmospheric that each time I picked it up to read, I felt transported into the story as if I was a part of the scene itself, watching the events unfold. The prose is to die for! There were so many lines in this book that just gave me all the feels and were just utter poetry. One of the biggest takeaways from this story for me was the message of hope. Despite everything thrown at these characters, they pushed on because there was nothing else for them to do but hold onto that hope.
Ruth McKell is an auto buy author for me now and I cannot wait for this books release next year so I can recommend it to everyone.

[Kristie Kieffer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Honey in Her Veins is a deeply emotional and beautifully written novel that explores love, identity, and the complexities of family and desire. Ruth McKell’s writing is intimate and evocative, drawing the reader into the lives of her characters with honesty and sensitivity.

The story balances heart-wrenching moments with hope and tenderness, capturing the nuance of relationships and the courage it takes to embrace one’s truth. The characters feel authentic, their struggles and triumphs lingering in your mind long after the last page.

This is a moving, thoughtful read for anyone who enjoys character-driven stories that celebrate self-discovery and the power of love in all its forms.

[Y.N.]

Thank you to Netgalley and Little, Brown and Company for the eARC

I was drawn to this story by cursiosity, beckoning me to reach outside my usual reading genre. Reading about death touched and honey magic seemed quite interesting, and for once I was willing to go for a romantasy.

The story opens slowly and continues steadily, shifting between a few povs and two timelines. It help bring the information together and have them delivered to us quite organically, as the main story unfurls.
The prose is nice, with a lot of metaphors and words eager to put images in your mind. It felt a bit stilted at times, but the others reviews seem to have liked it, so it might be a me problem, who couldn't really get into the flow of the things.

The characters had great potential but I couldn't really care about them. I see what they are standing for and what they are meant to be and become, but I slipped right off them. Maybe because the plot is, in the end, quite simple and familiar, with a lot of things easy to gather if you are familiar with these kind of stories and symbolims.

The magic, in a quite withdrawn well despite its presence every pages, was interesting but not enough for me to really get a grip on the story.
A miss, probably because I am not the intended audience, even though I thought I could be.

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a lush, atmospheric and unique love story told in dual perspectives and dual timelines. The setting is so well described and it pulled me in immediately. I wanted to inhabit the spaces the characters were in. The characters themselves are equally engaging. I was compelled to continue turning the pages to see where their story would go. Though the main characters are Arthur and Eva I was equally compelled by Isobel and Dane. All in all this is a beautifully written, very original story. I'll be reading more by Ruth McKell for sure.

[Laura Holt · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ruth Mckell 's Honey in Her Veins is one of those books that stays with you long after you finish reading it. It is beautiful, unique, like a hidden meadow of wildflowers you just happen to stumble on while hiking through the woods. The romance is hot, hot, hot! Eva was definitely my favorite character (#evarthurforever), although Bug was a close second and I related to Isobel in a lot of ways. Plus, the cover alone is something magical. Definitely pick this one up, yall. Thank you so much to the author and publisher for the free e-arc!

[Rachel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thank you so much to NetGalley & Little, Brown & Company for the ARC of this book. I loved how atmospheric it felt with all the touches of nature throughout. Eva and Arthur’s magic was very fun and unique and the dual timelines of their past and present made you just route harder for them. I also really enjoyed getting chapters from the Monster’s prospective. Excited to see what comes next from this author.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dnf 30%

I was intrigued by the start of the book, but it fizzled out for me. I don't think I liked the way the story was told. It felt chaotic to me. I was getting irritated, which is an indicator for me to stop reading. Please, give this book a try. Just because it didn't work for me doesn't mean it won't work for you.

Thank you to NetGalley, Ruth McKell, and Little, Brown and Company for the e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

[Sarah Glenn Marsh · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unforgettable. It's a really gifted author who can craft such a strong sense of place; I loved the balance of nature's magic with prose that was so warm and full of emotion; I loved that things played out so differently than I expected at the outset. Most of all, I loved the notion of embracing our monster, that we are all complicated but worthy of acceptance and love.

[Julianna Pakstis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Many unique elements. Made it slightly frustrating but also piqued my curiosity as I tried to figure out what was going on. A neat and moving story with a good amount of depth though left room to have gone deeper into lore.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

[Julia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Haunting, romantic, atmospheric. A totally inventive and unique story, and the cottagecore romantasy that dreams are made of! I can’t wait for everyone to read this stunner!

[Theresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A stunning story that weaves mental health, magic, the healing power of love, found family, and self acceptance.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honey in Her Veins is a beautiful story of love, grief, and the family roots that bind us. The wondrous magic at its heart allows this story to bloom into something wholly unforgettable.

[badger baddie]

DNF 25%. Not a fan of the style or the pacing. None of the characters feel like they hold up beyond the pretty random plot changes.

[Saray · Rating 5 out of 5]

I haven't even finished the book yet, and I'm giving it 5 stars. Full review to come, but omg just that first page really pulls you in.

[EBM · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an arc of this book from NYCC 2025. Thank you to Hachette for the opportunity to read and review early!

[C.C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

HONEY IN HER VEINS is is the kind of book that breathes life back into your bones. It comes around at the perfect time, just when you need it. In a world that constantly has us chasing imaginary goals and bowing under pressure, this story forces you to sit and breathe and soak it all in. This isn't just a book for your yearly goal. This is a book that haunts you far beyond its pages. If sad, soft, and sexy is your brand, look no further.

Like a freshly buried seed, Ruth takes tender care with this story and how she handles the intimate themes that blossom throughout. Mental health is an important subject and often requires a certain gentleness, and Ruth does such an incredible job showing us the monster in Arthur's head in a way that is raw and vulnerable and sensitive. This is not an "I need to be fixed" kind of book. This story teaches us what it means to be human. That our insecurities and our fears are pieces of us, and that we are not broken or ruined or unworthy of love despite what those monsters tell us. I also feel it's necessary to give a shout out to the side characters and their incredible complexity, vulnerability, and humanness. I am obsessed with Jack and Izzy and all of the cast. So anyway Little Brown, how about some spinoffs???

Between Ruth's exquisite prose, attention to detail, and ability to charge every word with emotion, there is a tender heart beating at the center of this book that touches all of your human parts. Following along with Eva and Arthur's story, living through their traumas, engaging with their demons and their doubts and their fears felt a lot like holding up a mirror to my own insecurities. This is a book that will make you laugh and cry and swoon with its aching emotion.

What an absolute feat of a debut.

Hey, bee girl. I'm so glad I got to meet you.

[Kayla · Rating 5 out of 5]

HONEY IN HER VEINS is a gorgeously written book. Mckell's prose is as luscious as it is delicate and sweet, and invites the reader to linger. Arthur's story is haunting; he is the heart of the book, and I felt so strongly for him throughout his story, particularly in those chapters where he's struggling to disentangle himself from the monster and thus his own fear. I ached for him and how he longed to touch and be touched by others. In a world where men are celebrated for physical strength and dominance, I loved Arthur's softness, and the ways in which that softness also defined his relationship with Eva. The ending, particularly his, felt tremendously earned.

[Taylor LaRue · Rating 5 out of 5]

A masterwork. Ruth McKell’s breathtaking debut delivers achingly beautiful prose, deliciously complex characters, and a deeply moving second chance romance with all the heated longing romance readers thirst for. No one pines quite like Arthur Connoway. Honey in Her Veins is the kind of book you keep on your bedside table long after you’ve closed it so that you can relive the tale over and over again. I was spellbound from the first honey-soaked page. Prepare yourself for a lifelong love affair.