Honey

By: B. Wiseman

Many thanks to the author for the e-ARC of this book!

For Lainey Davis, love wasn’t supposed to be like this. It wasn’t supposed to be making herself small, fearing when he came home, trying to make sure she did things a specific way as to not set him off, but that’s what it became. When Lainey runs into her childhood friend, Olivia, she pours her heart out, and with her planning and help, Lainey escapes. Just because she physically escapes, doesn’t mean her mind does nor does her body’s reactions to certain sounds. She might have escaped, but she’s not yet free. With time and help, Lainey starts to come alive again, she starts to live again. It’s not about forgetting the past, it’s about healing, strength, bravery, and accepting help and love.

Wow. this book was powerful. Like the dedication of this book says, this book is for anyone who has ever been in an abusive relationship or is currently in one, and doesn’t think that there is a way out safely. It was raw, it was honest. It didn’t sugarcoat Lainey’s feelings or fear. This type of abuse, mental, emotional, financial, and physical is real. It happens every day. The controlling behavior, the isolation… and it happens so slowly that its hardly noticeable as its happening.

More than that though, this book really highlighted that there is hope beyond all that. It didn’t rush that hope, it wasn’t overnight. It took time. Slowly Lainey started to do things for herself, even if it was merely picking out something to wear in her favorite color. It was honest that she needed more help than just friends and family, and she got professional help – went to therapy. There was light at the end of the tunnel for Lainey, and there is light at the end of the tunnel for anyone else in these positions too.

I cannot believe this is a debut novel. How this author taps into all of this in a debut? And made it feel so effortless, raw and honest? It’s simply amazing. I cannot wait to read the second book in the duology.

Publish Date: September 17, 2025
Find the book here.
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