Honey and Leonard

by Mark Paul Smith

Honey and Leonard are in their 70s when they fall in love. Leonard is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, and Honey thinks her love will cure him. When their heirs try to keep them apart, they flee to France in violation of court orders. Pursued by police, press, and private investigators, they become an international media sensation.

In a time just before cell phones and the internet, they become the Bonnie and Clyde of love. Their whirlwind romance encompasses arsenic poisoning, elder law, Alzheimer's, an Eiffel Tower arrest, and a Paris jailbreak. And through it all, Honey is in the middle of the difficult process of discovering that love does not conquer all. Or does it?

Genres: Romance, Contemporary

Audible Audio

Published August 2, 2021

Reviews

[Megan Rivera · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honey and Leonard are in their seventies when they fall in love. Leonard is in the early stages of Alzheimer's and Honey thinks her love will cure him. This was a great book and I highly recommend reading this book.

[Marti Dolata · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mark is my uncle, so.........
I was impressed by the level of pain that came through from his experience with his own father. I found it particularly poignant as I read my mother's copy as I was "babysitting" her in my sister's home, as her own developing Alzheimer's made it unsafe for her to be left alone. Although there are some too convenient plot contrivances, I found it hopeful that sufferers can still enjoy life, found the relationship between Honey and Leonard sweet and I like that in the end, Mark didn't have the main "villain" of the plot be a stereotype, but gave her some depth too. I thought for a freshman novel, it was superior.

I look forward to his next book, and I'm not just saying that, Uncle Mark.

[Laurice · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story of Honey and Leonard was beautiful. It is a story of love and its importance on every level of life. The portrayal of the condition of Alzheimer's disease was very eye opening. I enjoyed reading this book.

[Vanessa Lafleur · Rating 5 out of 5]

Honey and Leonard is a unique love story due to the ages of the main couple. Although Honey and Leonard are both in their seventies, they are deeply in love with each other, and realize that the meaning and feelings associated with love can be different depending on the stage of life. While this is primarily a love story, it is also full of adventure, humor, and great inspirational wisdom about finding and holding onto love. These characters do face challenges because Leonard is in the early stages of Alzheimer's, but that also strengthens the novel's message. In most cases, I don't enjoy this type of novel, but Honey and Leonard is the exception. I love the emphasis on the deeper meaning of love over physical attraction.

[Paul McAfee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is about two old people who fall in love, disappear to France, and take the whole world by storm due to their love.

If you are into a lovey dovey story, then this is for you. There is so much love between those two that their marriage becomes a bigger event than a royal wedding. Their story is in the news all over the world. The people of France are all on their side and help them stay out of trouble. Finally, a lonely billionaire befriends them and solves all of their problems.

It is a fun book and if you’re not into all of the mushy descriptions you can easily skip over them and still enjoy their unique story. It is locally written in northeast Indiana and the local descriptions are a nice touch if you are from around here.

[Jill · Rating 3 out of 5]

"It's more important to love than to be loved". What a fun romp of a story and what a beautiful love story. Honey slowly realizes how tough it will be to stay with Leonard as Alzheimer's increasingly rules his life. But before then, they have a fairy-tale run of excitement as they run off to Europe, never having to worry about money, only about being caught. Charming, rather unbelievable and over-the-top, but a great cast of characters and philosophy about life and love.

[Len Joy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This madcap, wildly improbable tale of two septuagenarian lovers who flee the authorities and escape to Paris and the French Riviera and become international celebrities was really fun to read. But it was more than that. Leonard has early-stage Alzheimer’s and the author does a masterful job of conveying the frustration, confusion and sadness of a man who knows the day is coming when he will no longer remember the great love of his life.

Recommended. Especially if you are over fifty.

[Donna O'Donnell Figurski · Rating 5 out of 5]

Many think love is only for the young, but Honey and Leonard written by Mark Paul Smith proves that theory wrong. This romantic tale, about two 70-something lovebirds, is riddled with mystery, suspense, and humor. Their antics will have you looking forward to each page turn. I enjoyed every minute of this book and would heartily recommend it.

donna o’donnell figurski - author of "Prisoners without Bars: A Caregiver's Tale"