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Honeysuckle
Once upon a time, in the middle of the forest, there was a lonely child with only his older sister for company. So his sister made him a playmate –
Daye, a girl woven from carefully selected flowers and words. And finally, this boy, Rory, had a friend.
Rory is finally, gloriously happy, until he learns that Daye is a seasonal creature. At the end of each season, she must be woven back together or fall gruesomely apart. And when, one autumn, his sister fails to return home from university in time, Rory has no choice but to watch his best friend slowly crumble, not knowing until the last second if she can still be pieced together again.
Realizing he can no longer rely on his sister to keep Daye alive, Rory determines he must leave home to learn how to do it himself. And the more he learns the more he starts to Why can’t Daye survive more than one season? Can he do anything to break this cycle of bloom and decay? But as Rory grows older his thoughts turn darker too . . .
While Rory sinks deeper into research and experiments, ensconced in libraries and hunched in university labs, Daye is left to wait for his return. Alone. Sometimes, the silence seems to seep all the way to her branch-bones. Sometimes, the company of birds is the only thing to remind her that she is still alive. And as Rory keeps pushing his experiments further and further, Daye starts to wonder – how far is too far?
A feminist Frankenstein with flowers, Honeysuckle is a deliciously dark and twisted, horror-tinged fairytale with rot at its heart . . .
Rory is finally, gloriously happy, until he learns that Daye is a seasonal creature. At the end of each season, she must be woven back together or fall gruesomely apart. And when, one autumn, his sister fails to return home from university in time, Rory has no choice but to watch his best friend slowly crumble, not knowing until the last second if she can still be pieced together again.
Realizing he can no longer rely on his sister to keep Daye alive, Rory determines he must leave home to learn how to do it himself. And the more he learns the more he starts to Why can’t Daye survive more than one season? Can he do anything to break this cycle of bloom and decay? But as Rory grows older his thoughts turn darker too . . .
While Rory sinks deeper into research and experiments, ensconced in libraries and hunched in university labs, Daye is left to wait for his return. Alone. Sometimes, the silence seems to seep all the way to her branch-bones. Sometimes, the company of birds is the only thing to remind her that she is still alive. And as Rory keeps pushing his experiments further and further, Daye starts to wonder – how far is too far?
A feminist Frankenstein with flowers, Honeysuckle is a deliciously dark and twisted, horror-tinged fairytale with rot at its heart . . .
304 pages, Paperback
First published March 24, 2026
119 people are currently reading
19972 people want to read
About the author
Bar Fridman-Tell
1 book115 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 207 reviews
Did not finish
March 27, 2026Look, as the youngest child in a large brood, I do know how it feels to be a pest to your elder siblings that no longer want to play dolls with you because they're 23 and about to marry and you're 3 and still wetting the bed, but . . . I doubt my eldest sisters would create a boy out of plants for me to play with and eventually learn to add hair on his face and down there for my own pleasure when hormones hit me. They would drown me in Barbies and candy and children's films so I leave them alone.
The premise is ridiculous, it's basically a Fantasy version of having a robot sex doll that eventually bites you in the unmentionables in some way.
Not fitting my project theme, and not interesting enough to continue as a personal read either.
The premise is ridiculous, it's basically a Fantasy version of having a robot sex doll that eventually bites you in the unmentionables in some way.
Not fitting my project theme, and not interesting enough to continue as a personal read either.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This was sooooo good!!!
Why is no-one talking about it?!
The characters were amazing! The vibes were immaculate! The setting was deliciously Gothic! This has everything I love.
The themes discussed in this book are just so riveting and thoughtful. I absolutely loved every minute I spent reading this story! If you are looking for a perfect coming of age story, this is absolutely it!!!
Everything about the writing style and the pacing of the story was just 👌🏻👌🏻. Even the ending was perfect for the story. Was the ending evil? Yes definitely! But it makes perfect sense.
"But after three whole seasons at Rory's side, she was out of practice; she had forgotten how to transmute loneliness into aloneness, how not to fall into the hole of his absence."
Girl I can't explain how hard this line got to me... This story really gave me a lot of things to reflect on.
I will read everything Bar Fridman-Tell will publish!
Thank you so much Netgalley and Pan Macmillan publishing for this ARC! This was exceptionally beautiful ❤️
Why is no-one talking about it?!
The characters were amazing! The vibes were immaculate! The setting was deliciously Gothic! This has everything I love.
The themes discussed in this book are just so riveting and thoughtful. I absolutely loved every minute I spent reading this story! If you are looking for a perfect coming of age story, this is absolutely it!!!
Everything about the writing style and the pacing of the story was just 👌🏻👌🏻. Even the ending was perfect for the story. Was the ending evil? Yes definitely! But it makes perfect sense.
"But after three whole seasons at Rory's side, she was out of practice; she had forgotten how to transmute loneliness into aloneness, how not to fall into the hole of his absence."
Girl I can't explain how hard this line got to me... This story really gave me a lot of things to reflect on.
I will read everything Bar Fridman-Tell will publish!
Thank you so much Netgalley and Pan Macmillan publishing for this ARC! This was exceptionally beautiful ❤️
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
March 6, 2026
This was a beautifully written, dark story about a magical childhood friendship that turns unsettling. It has a very strong Frankenstein vibe.
I loved that Daye, the “Flower Girl,” had a different look for each season. It was so cool that she was technically made of plants and flowers but she looked like a human being, just slightly off somehow if you got too close.
There is some very cool, ecological body horror in this story. Nothing too extreme, but enough to add the creepiness factor I was hoping for. And Fridman-Tell is a lovely, descriptive writer that kept me invested with her prose. I can’t believe this is a debut!
Eventually the dynamic between Rory and Daye starts to feel very uncomfortable. It’s supposed to, because the whole point of the plot is to question Rory’s actions. I definitely grew to hate him, but the author did a great job showing his thought process and how his feelings for Daye developed into something dark and possessive without him even realizing it. At first, I didn’t think the POV switching was needed, but Daye’s perspective was vital and I loved her as a character. A little over halfway through the story, some very interesting and fun developments took place and she started to remind me of Sally from “A Nightmare Before Christmas.” The gothic flavor of this book was delicious.
My only issue was that the book felt a bit longer than it was. The action of Rory constantly going to the city and coming back home felt repetitive. Maybe that was by design, to make the reader feel the monotony that Daye was subjected to. But it’s only a minor complaint.
This story deals with some heavy themes, like bodily autonomy and consent. But they’re handled capably, and the story is intriguing. I won’t be forgetting Daye any time soon.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Animal Harm/Experimentation, Questionable Consent
I loved that Daye, the “Flower Girl,” had a different look for each season. It was so cool that she was technically made of plants and flowers but she looked like a human being, just slightly off somehow if you got too close.
There is some very cool, ecological body horror in this story. Nothing too extreme, but enough to add the creepiness factor I was hoping for. And Fridman-Tell is a lovely, descriptive writer that kept me invested with her prose. I can’t believe this is a debut!
Eventually the dynamic between Rory and Daye starts to feel very uncomfortable. It’s supposed to, because the whole point of the plot is to question Rory’s actions. I definitely grew to hate him, but the author did a great job showing his thought process and how his feelings for Daye developed into something dark and possessive without him even realizing it. At first, I didn’t think the POV switching was needed, but Daye’s perspective was vital and I loved her as a character. A little over halfway through the story, some very interesting and fun developments took place and she started to remind me of Sally from “A Nightmare Before Christmas.” The gothic flavor of this book was delicious.
My only issue was that the book felt a bit longer than it was. The action of Rory constantly going to the city and coming back home felt repetitive. Maybe that was by design, to make the reader feel the monotony that Daye was subjected to. But it’s only a minor complaint.
This story deals with some heavy themes, like bodily autonomy and consent. But they’re handled capably, and the story is intriguing. I won’t be forgetting Daye any time soon.
Thank you to Netgalley and to the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.
Biggest TW: Animal Harm/Experimentation, Questionable Consent
Currently reading
January 28, 2026NEED this book or I might wilt and die. 🥀🖤
March 29, 2026
4.5
Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell is a darkly atmospheric, lushly gothic tale that explores what happens when fairytales begin to fray, until all that remains is the rot beneath the magic.
There’s an almost gauzy, dreamlike quality to the opening, as we meet Daye, a girl created by Rory’s sister, Wynn, from seasonal flora for the sole purpose of being eight-year-old Rory’s companion. It’s a purely selfish act, meant to free Wynn from her younger brother’s constant bids for attention. Within this framework, we watch the relationship between an orphaned, neglected boy and his only friend take root, deepen, and evolve as the seasons and years pass.
Because Daye exists with a singular, imposed purpose, it’s easy for the reader to recognize how little control she has over her own life. But the true horror lies not in that awareness, it lies in watching the characters come to that realization themselves, slowly and in conflicting ways. Love begins to curdle into fear and control, and the illusion of choice and autonomy fractures. The story becomes a haunting embodiment of the adage “the road to hell is paved with good intentions,” and it is utterly heartbreaking.
This isn’t a novel that relies on shock or titillation. Its core story is as old as time, yet it seeps into your bones with a quiet, persistent ache. If you’ve ever asked, “Why don’t they just leave?” this book may offer some insight.
Honeysuckle by Bar Fridman-Tell is a darkly atmospheric, lushly gothic tale that explores what happens when fairytales begin to fray, until all that remains is the rot beneath the magic.
There’s an almost gauzy, dreamlike quality to the opening, as we meet Daye, a girl created by Rory’s sister, Wynn, from seasonal flora for the sole purpose of being eight-year-old Rory’s companion. It’s a purely selfish act, meant to free Wynn from her younger brother’s constant bids for attention. Within this framework, we watch the relationship between an orphaned, neglected boy and his only friend take root, deepen, and evolve as the seasons and years pass.
Because Daye exists with a singular, imposed purpose, it’s easy for the reader to recognize how little control she has over her own life. But the true horror lies not in that awareness, it lies in watching the characters come to that realization themselves, slowly and in conflicting ways. Love begins to curdle into fear and control, and the illusion of choice and autonomy fractures. The story becomes a haunting embodiment of the adage “the road to hell is paved with good intentions,” and it is utterly heartbreaking.
This isn’t a novel that relies on shock or titillation. Its core story is as old as time, yet it seeps into your bones with a quiet, persistent ache. If you’ve ever asked, “Why don’t they just leave?” this book may offer some insight.
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 26, 2026
4.75/5 stars
i feel like this one hit me on so many vastly different but equally as deep levels. as a true coming of age love story, this accounts the themes of cycles of abuse, codependency, consent, narcissism, and loneliness wrapped up in prose gushing with lush botanical ambiance. it gave notes of both frankenstein and mother! in a whimsical and atmospheric foreground with a gorgeous nature/pagan witchcraft based magic system. while i wouldn’t consider this horror by any means, there certainly were horrific and harrowing scenes that made this so addicting it was hard to put down.
the whole time i was reading, all i was thinking about was how familiar a relationship like rory and daye’s felt to me. while set in a fantastical world, i found a younger version of myself in daye, and caught myself dwelling on both my own past relationships and those of my friends, and considering how much self-growth and reflection has happened for me since adolescence. i realized i know what it felt like to only exist for someone else, to never know or to lose yourself in your relationship, to be dominated and controlled and accept that abuse in fear of loneliness. but, in turn, through the loss of those relationships you gain the freedom to exist for yourself and yourself alone, and rediscovering yourself and who you want to be after being pushed down time and time again is a beautiful revelation. it’s part of why this book hit so close to home for me, was because it felt like healing. it felt like i must have worked through some past trauma as i found my way through this story. and i think others who have found themselves lost or stuck in a cycle they can’t break out of may feel the same way too.
this was almost a perfect read to me, but i do feel like it is being a bit wrongly advertised. i strongly do not believe this should be considered any semblance of a horror read, and while it has some dread inducing elements, they are not scary in the traditional sense. i was expecting a bit more of a conventional pagan horror based on marketing and the kinds of book lists it is being found in on instagram/goodreads, and while i still really enjoyed it, i fear some may be mislead into thinking this is something it is not, which may impact ratings. i also do think this book is quite repetitive, though i could see how this was a stylistic choice in a similar vein to the invisible life of addie larue.
i hope and pray this one takes off upon release, it really deserves it. i would looooove a special edition of it (im looking at you, book boxes!!!)
i feel like this one hit me on so many vastly different but equally as deep levels. as a true coming of age love story, this accounts the themes of cycles of abuse, codependency, consent, narcissism, and loneliness wrapped up in prose gushing with lush botanical ambiance. it gave notes of both frankenstein and mother! in a whimsical and atmospheric foreground with a gorgeous nature/pagan witchcraft based magic system. while i wouldn’t consider this horror by any means, there certainly were horrific and harrowing scenes that made this so addicting it was hard to put down.
the whole time i was reading, all i was thinking about was how familiar a relationship like rory and daye’s felt to me. while set in a fantastical world, i found a younger version of myself in daye, and caught myself dwelling on both my own past relationships and those of my friends, and considering how much self-growth and reflection has happened for me since adolescence. i realized i know what it felt like to only exist for someone else, to never know or to lose yourself in your relationship, to be dominated and controlled and accept that abuse in fear of loneliness. but, in turn, through the loss of those relationships you gain the freedom to exist for yourself and yourself alone, and rediscovering yourself and who you want to be after being pushed down time and time again is a beautiful revelation. it’s part of why this book hit so close to home for me, was because it felt like healing. it felt like i must have worked through some past trauma as i found my way through this story. and i think others who have found themselves lost or stuck in a cycle they can’t break out of may feel the same way too.
this was almost a perfect read to me, but i do feel like it is being a bit wrongly advertised. i strongly do not believe this should be considered any semblance of a horror read, and while it has some dread inducing elements, they are not scary in the traditional sense. i was expecting a bit more of a conventional pagan horror based on marketing and the kinds of book lists it is being found in on instagram/goodreads, and while i still really enjoyed it, i fear some may be mislead into thinking this is something it is not, which may impact ratings. i also do think this book is quite repetitive, though i could see how this was a stylistic choice in a similar vein to the invisible life of addie larue.
i hope and pray this one takes off upon release, it really deserves it. i would looooove a special edition of it (im looking at you, book boxes!!!)
February 8, 2026
4.5 stars. A dark, atmospheric, botanical horror adjacent fairytale. Based on Welsh mythology- Daye is a girl created from flowers as a playmate for Rory. They grow to love each other. Rory’s feelings towards Daye become romantic and many questions arise for Daye about consent, autonomy, sense of self, and freedom. The fragile relationship between creator and created upsets the balance of their relationship dynamics. Is Daye a person? Is she a thing? Can she say no?
A thought provoking, frustrating, feminist piece of literature that was beautifully written. A well done audiobook performance as well. Thank you Libro fm for this ALC.
A thought provoking, frustrating, feminist piece of literature that was beautifully written. A well done audiobook performance as well. Thank you Libro fm for this ALC.
March 30, 2026
4.5 stars, this was absolutely incredible. soo bittersweet, melancholic and atmospheric. one of the most unique portrayals of a toxic relationship i can recall seeing in media. one that starts so innocent and sweet but slowly but surely turns suffocating. the offending party isn’t the stereotypical evil person, but one that life slowly molds into that shape.
i have so many more thoughts and will elaborate later, but i loved the writing and sense of suffocation it evoked. adored Daye’s character so much and my heart still breaks for her.
the only reason this isn’t rounded up to 5 stars is my personal preference for more plot driven stories, which made the middle feel a smiiiidge repetitive. but i loved this regardless!
thank you bloomsbury for the ARC!!
i have so many more thoughts and will elaborate later, but i loved the writing and sense of suffocation it evoked. adored Daye’s character so much and my heart still breaks for her.
the only reason this isn’t rounded up to 5 stars is my personal preference for more plot driven stories, which made the middle feel a smiiiidge repetitive. but i loved this regardless!
thank you bloomsbury for the ARC!!
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.
abandoned-books
March 15, 2026I can’t say for sure since I chose to quit at 41%, but I’m fairly certain we are supposed to feel disgusted by Rory’s actions. He is supposedly considering agency, but not really—he is still being a creep, pursuing his own selfish desires. At the same time, given the isolation he’s experienced for so long, it doesn’t all seem terribly surprising. Poor Daye, though. She has no voice—figuratively and literally. The concept the author embraced is a good one. I don’t know that I need all of the details, though. I’ve been extremely annoyed by how drawn out the story has been (so little had happened as I neared the halfway mark!), as well as its redundancy. I also thought this was going to be a horror story, and while Rory’s behavior is horrifying, the novel isn’t scary. Maybe it will be later, but I suppose I’ll never actually know. Life’s too short to press on with books you don’t like.
I am immensely grateful to Libro.fm and Bloomsbury for my copy. All opinions are my own.
I am immensely grateful to Libro.fm and Bloomsbury for my copy. All opinions are my own.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 27, 2026
I think this is going to make my top 10 books of the year.
I can’t even coherently describe this one without sounding like a lunatic, so read the description or don’t, I don’t care, but read this book.
The exploration of the power dynamic and self actualization and independence was just phenomenal.
I don’t know what else to say without giving anything away, but just read this one.
I can’t even coherently describe this one without sounding like a lunatic, so read the description or don’t, I don’t care, but read this book.
The exploration of the power dynamic and self actualization and independence was just phenomenal.
I don’t know what else to say without giving anything away, but just read this one.
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.
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.
March 26, 2026
Thank you to Libro.FM and Bloomsbury for the gifted Audiobook!
“𝓘𝓽’𝓼 𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮- 𝓽𝓸 𝔂𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓷 𝓼𝓸 𝓶𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓲𝓽 𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮.”
•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•
✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
Honeysuckle was a heavy and haunting psychological deep dive into consent, body autonomy and power dynamics in relationships. I was wholly consumed by the dark, eerie atmosphere, and fully captivated by the slow-creeping sense of unease from start to finish.
The characters were profoundly complex and deeply flawed. My heart broke over and over for Daye, as she grappled with the complete lack of control over her own life and body. Her experience had me reflecting upon my own past relationships, as well as the feminine experience as a whole.
Rory’s feelings toward Daye shift so easily and naturally from a place of innocence and friendship to that of toxic obsession and ownership. It was fascinating to be inside of his head as he so easily justifies his actions and sees himself as a protector. He is of course absolutely delusional, but this is an approach to relationships and women that I think a good portion of men have.
There is a lot to unpack and unravel within this story, and it will definitely stick with me. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys dark, gothic, feminist fantasy, even if they don’t traditionally read horror. The horror elements are much more psychological, so it will appeal to those newer to the genre and fans of magical realism.
✦ 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 ✦
This has many dark themes - check trigger warnings before reading
✦ 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 ✦
Lovely duel narration from Catrin Walker-Booth and Geraint Rhys. I enjoyed how much nuanced emotion each of these narrators brought to their performance, adding to the atmosphere and really bringing these characters to life. I highly recommend the audio either on its own or for a tandem read!
✦ 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬 ✦
Frankenstein
✦ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 ✦
Welsh Mythology Retelling
Botanical Gothic
Mad Scientist
Obsession vs. Devotion
Reflection on Consent
Magical Realism
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✄----------
Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Botanical Horror / Dark Fantasy
Format Read: Audio
Narration: Duel; Catrin Walker-Booth and Geraint Rhys
Standalone
✄----------
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“𝓘𝓽’𝓼 𝓼𝓽𝓻𝓪𝓷𝓰𝓮- 𝓽𝓸 𝔂𝓮𝓪𝓻𝓷 𝓼𝓸 𝓶𝓾𝓬𝓱 𝓯𝓸𝓻 𝓼𝓸𝓶𝓮𝓽𝓱𝓲𝓷𝓰, 𝓪𝓷𝓭 𝓭𝓻𝓮𝓪𝓭 𝓲𝓽 𝓪𝓽 𝓽𝓱𝓮 𝓼𝓪𝓶𝓮 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮.”
•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•
✦ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 ✦
Honeysuckle was a heavy and haunting psychological deep dive into consent, body autonomy and power dynamics in relationships. I was wholly consumed by the dark, eerie atmosphere, and fully captivated by the slow-creeping sense of unease from start to finish.
The characters were profoundly complex and deeply flawed. My heart broke over and over for Daye, as she grappled with the complete lack of control over her own life and body. Her experience had me reflecting upon my own past relationships, as well as the feminine experience as a whole.
Rory’s feelings toward Daye shift so easily and naturally from a place of innocence and friendship to that of toxic obsession and ownership. It was fascinating to be inside of his head as he so easily justifies his actions and sees himself as a protector. He is of course absolutely delusional, but this is an approach to relationships and women that I think a good portion of men have.
There is a lot to unpack and unravel within this story, and it will definitely stick with me. I highly recommend this to anyone who enjoys dark, gothic, feminist fantasy, even if they don’t traditionally read horror. The horror elements are much more psychological, so it will appeal to those newer to the genre and fans of magical realism.
✦ 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐖𝐚𝐫𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 ✦
This has many dark themes - check trigger warnings before reading
✦ 𝐀𝐮𝐝𝐢𝐨 𝐍𝐨𝐭𝐞𝐬 ✦
Lovely duel narration from Catrin Walker-Booth and Geraint Rhys. I enjoyed how much nuanced emotion each of these narrators brought to their performance, adding to the atmosphere and really bringing these characters to life. I highly recommend the audio either on its own or for a tandem read!
✦ 𝐒𝐢𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐚𝐫 𝐕𝐢𝐛𝐞𝐬 ✦
Frankenstein
✦ 𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬 ✦
Welsh Mythology Retelling
Botanical Gothic
Mad Scientist
Obsession vs. Devotion
Reflection on Consent
Magical Realism
•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.••*´¨`*•.¸¸.•*´¨`*•.¸¸.•
✄----------
Rating: 4 Stars
Genre: Botanical Horror / Dark Fantasy
Format Read: Audio
Narration: Duel; Catrin Walker-Booth and Geraint Rhys
Standalone
✄----------
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March 28, 2026
4.75⭐️
This is the kind of book that feels like a punch in the gut. Even considering how character driven the story is, it has a bingeable quality that made it so hard to put it down. The characters were so complex and riveting, and their relationship slowly unraveled from something so pure in its innocence into something so twisted and manipulative and toxic— and strangely enough that’s what made the story so good!
Themes of bodily autonomy and love versus control, and the quiet foreboding of self fulfilling prophecies made the story completely unlike anything else. Seeing Rory’s boyish affections grow into something darker was like watching a train wreck in slow motion in the best kind of way. And I felt for Daye so deeply!! She’s such a sympathetic character and, ironically enough, the beating heart of this story.
For anyone wanting to read a book that feels like a dark fairytale that’s twisty and complex, you need to read this. A PHENOMENAL debut novel.
This is the kind of book that feels like a punch in the gut. Even considering how character driven the story is, it has a bingeable quality that made it so hard to put it down. The characters were so complex and riveting, and their relationship slowly unraveled from something so pure in its innocence into something so twisted and manipulative and toxic— and strangely enough that’s what made the story so good!
Themes of bodily autonomy and love versus control, and the quiet foreboding of self fulfilling prophecies made the story completely unlike anything else. Seeing Rory’s boyish affections grow into something darker was like watching a train wreck in slow motion in the best kind of way. And I felt for Daye so deeply!! She’s such a sympathetic character and, ironically enough, the beating heart of this story.
For anyone wanting to read a book that feels like a dark fairytale that’s twisty and complex, you need to read this. A PHENOMENAL debut novel.
February 6, 2026
I can hardly believe this is a debut. I loved this. I had visceral reactions to reading the whole time (hand over mouth, blushing, gasping, etc.). For most of the book I had no idea where the story was going to go next, no idea how far Rory would go, though I did think the ending was a little predictable which made the last few chapters drag on a bit. I absolutely loved the subtle horror elements to this. Can’t wait to read more from this author!
March 24, 2026
Magical realism is one of my favorite genres, and I enjoyed this one. The premise was intriguing, and I felt like the author delivered on it well. The middle dragged a bit for me, but the ending ultimately paid off.
What stayed with me most was the dynamic between the two main characters. It raises a lot of discussion-worthy questions around grooming, consent, love, abuse, and more.
I would recommend this if you enjoy magical realism and books that wrestle with complex, uncomfortable themes.
What stayed with me most was the dynamic between the two main characters. It raises a lot of discussion-worthy questions around grooming, consent, love, abuse, and more.
I would recommend this if you enjoy magical realism and books that wrestle with complex, uncomfortable themes.
March 27, 2026
dnf at 35%
i'm not sure where the 5 star reviews are coming from; considering they barely even talk about the book im assuming they're from friends/family.
okay but why? there's no explanation.
and
"without giving anything away" bc there's actually nothing there to give away. "just read this one" = "the author begged me to write this review"
and
oh... incentivizing with a bookplate? yeah these 5 star reviews r from family and friends.
let me tell you why this was actually ass
first of all, the fundamentals of storymaking: who, what, when, where, how. at 35%, i could only answer 3 of these questions.
who: rory, daye, and wynne (though barely)
where: i have no clue. we are literally NEVER told where we are.
when: no clue.
how: no clue.
what: horny teenage boy wants to fuck his flower girl
the book opens and moves quickly. the girl is created within a few chapters. rory is a sad pathetic lonely boy who can't learn to be by himself. for some reason, despite being like 11 and his sister being 16, his parents are not in the picture. they divorced, but they dont live at home? Neither of the parents live at home? but they have a cook and a servant.... where? in what time period? i dont know. there's phones, trains, university, etc... but i have no idea where we are. idk if the parents ever show up but they just abandoned the kids? there's never a conversation with one of the houseservants. where are the parents? i'm asking again: where are the parents?
from what i read, it felt like a first draft. like, you get the bones down, but you never added the meat or skin or muscle. which is fine... just not for me. the dialogue is plain, the development bland, and since there's literally NO DETAILS about anything aside from rory and daye, im like what the actual fuck is the point of this? i'm sure later there are some assessments on consent and autonomy... too bad it's so bad i couldn't get there! how do you have a book on folklore and not explain ANY of it? not develop it? at all? there's no backstory, no nothing... like the author was like "you know the tale" and decided to write it. NO I DON't!
since there's phones and shit, i'm assuming this is in some contemporary though magical realism world, and i can safely assume maybe it's happening today... let me emphasize what a total miss and fail that was on the authors part. this would have been wholly more convincing and horror-ific if it had been historically based. you expect me to believe rory tells people at wynne's university he made a flower girl and they actually believe him? I was hoping he'd get beaten up lowkey.
i'm also not sure why this is categorized as "horror". again i never finished it but from what i read there was 0 horror whatsoever. grossly misgenred.
the thing that made me finally dnf after being pretty disconnected was Rory talking about daye's breasts, the nonexistence of them, and whether he should try constructing them. meanwhile they are 16 at this point and he's getting aroused from the sight of daye's flat chested nipples. i can handle a lot; i've read lots of "horror" and watched lots of wild things. but i don't care about reading 16 year olds getting turned on by other 16 year olds imagining creating breasts. like how did we get here?
TLDR: not worth the time; 5 star reviews are faked; not horror; no plot
i'm not sure where the 5 star reviews are coming from; considering they barely even talk about the book im assuming they're from friends/family.
"This was sooooo good!!!
Why is no-one talking about it?! The characters were amazing! The vibes were immaculate! The setting was deliciously Gothic! This has everything I love."
okay but why? there's no explanation.
and
"I think this is going to make my top 10 books of the year.
I can’t even coherently describe this one without sounding like a lunatic, so read the description or don’t, I don’t care, but read this book.
The exploration of the power dynamic and self actualization and independence was just phenomenal.
I don’t know what else to say without giving anything away, but just read this one."
"without giving anything away" bc there's actually nothing there to give away. "just read this one" = "the author begged me to write this review"
and
"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!)"
oh... incentivizing with a bookplate? yeah these 5 star reviews r from family and friends.
let me tell you why this was actually ass
first of all, the fundamentals of storymaking: who, what, when, where, how. at 35%, i could only answer 3 of these questions.
who: rory, daye, and wynne (though barely)
where: i have no clue. we are literally NEVER told where we are.
when: no clue.
how: no clue.
what: horny teenage boy wants to fuck his flower girl
the book opens and moves quickly. the girl is created within a few chapters. rory is a sad pathetic lonely boy who can't learn to be by himself. for some reason, despite being like 11 and his sister being 16, his parents are not in the picture. they divorced, but they dont live at home? Neither of the parents live at home? but they have a cook and a servant.... where? in what time period? i dont know. there's phones, trains, university, etc... but i have no idea where we are. idk if the parents ever show up but they just abandoned the kids? there's never a conversation with one of the houseservants. where are the parents? i'm asking again: where are the parents?
from what i read, it felt like a first draft. like, you get the bones down, but you never added the meat or skin or muscle. which is fine... just not for me. the dialogue is plain, the development bland, and since there's literally NO DETAILS about anything aside from rory and daye, im like what the actual fuck is the point of this? i'm sure later there are some assessments on consent and autonomy... too bad it's so bad i couldn't get there! how do you have a book on folklore and not explain ANY of it? not develop it? at all? there's no backstory, no nothing... like the author was like "you know the tale" and decided to write it. NO I DON't!
since there's phones and shit, i'm assuming this is in some contemporary though magical realism world, and i can safely assume maybe it's happening today... let me emphasize what a total miss and fail that was on the authors part. this would have been wholly more convincing and horror-ific if it had been historically based. you expect me to believe rory tells people at wynne's university he made a flower girl and they actually believe him? I was hoping he'd get beaten up lowkey.
i'm also not sure why this is categorized as "horror". again i never finished it but from what i read there was 0 horror whatsoever. grossly misgenred.
the thing that made me finally dnf after being pretty disconnected was Rory talking about daye's breasts, the nonexistence of them, and whether he should try constructing them. meanwhile they are 16 at this point and he's getting aroused from the sight of daye's flat chested nipples. i can handle a lot; i've read lots of "horror" and watched lots of wild things. but i don't care about reading 16 year olds getting turned on by other 16 year olds imagining creating breasts. like how did we get here?
TLDR: not worth the time; 5 star reviews are faked; not horror; no plot
March 9, 2026
4.5 A haunting and tragic story. This book is about a boy, Rory, (and his older sister), who have essentially been abandoned by their parents in the countryside. They’re wealthy, so “taken care of”, but lonely. When the sister gets annoyed with her 8 y/o brother always pestering her to play, she constructs him a “Blodeuwedd” which is essentially a girl for him to play with made from nature/flowers. Over the years, Rory and his flower friend, Daye, become inseparable and, over time, feelings of friendship develop into something more.
This book explores several dark themes like responsibility within power dynamics, cycles of abuse, and consent combined with coming of age. It left me with really complicated feelings at times.
Although beautifully written, this is probably not my favourite style of writing because it had little to no world building, leaving me with many questions about how a lot of the magic was being done. It was definitely slower paced with lots of repetition progressing over the years including the cyclical patterns of their relationship, but the short chapters did help offset this and made it still feel a decent pace. The ending was also a little ambiguous (which I typically hate) but I think it worked for me in this book.
Overall, this left my heart aching, but I’m so glad I read it. I can tell this one is going to stick with me. I think my complicated feelings about it only reinforce how much I liked this book.
Thank you for the digital ARC from Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley.
This book explores several dark themes like responsibility within power dynamics, cycles of abuse, and consent combined with coming of age. It left me with really complicated feelings at times.
Although beautifully written, this is probably not my favourite style of writing because it had little to no world building, leaving me with many questions about how a lot of the magic was being done. It was definitely slower paced with lots of repetition progressing over the years including the cyclical patterns of their relationship, but the short chapters did help offset this and made it still feel a decent pace. The ending was also a little ambiguous (which I typically hate) but I think it worked for me in this book.
Overall, this left my heart aching, but I’m so glad I read it. I can tell this one is going to stick with me. I think my complicated feelings about it only reinforce how much I liked this book.
Thank you for the digital ARC from Simon & Schuster Canada and NetGalley.
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.
March 11, 2026
“𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒅𝒐𝒏’𝒕 𝒈𝒆𝒕 𝒕𝒐 𝒄𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒔𝒆 𝒐𝒏𝒍𝒚 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒎𝒆 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕’𝒔 𝒎𝒐𝒔𝒕 𝒄𝒐𝒎𝒇𝒐𝒓𝒕𝒂𝒃𝒍𝒆 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝒄𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒊𝒕 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆“
This story starts out as a whimsical tale of a lonely young boy named Rory who lives in the countryside and is desperate for a companion. His older sister weaves him a playmate from the flora of their meadow and forest and they call her Daye.
Loosly inspired by the story of Blodeuwedd from Welsh mythology, this has such an interesting premise. Daye looks like a normal girl, but at the turn of each season, her body begins to decay and she must be rewoven each time in order to continue living. With each change Rory finds himself desperate to find a way to lengthen her time in one form, to make sure she will always be with him. And as they grow older and their relationship turns more romantic, he becomes desperate to ensure she never leaves him, throwing himself into the study of “construction”, which is how a Blodeuwedd is made.
Rory’s devotion teeters on the edge of obsession. His anxiety over her fragility makes his love feel more like a fight for control. Daye becomes more and more suffocated by Rory’s obsession and her lack of autonomy becomes stifling.
This was so beautifully written, with similar storytelling to The Everlasting. It’s a slow, yet impactful tale of what it means to be a woman who feels powerless over her own life. Who has never felt as if she had a real choice about things that pertain to her own body and future, and of the precarious balance between love, obsession, and when anxiety over losing someone turns into a desperate need for control.
The ending was so beautiful, it had me in tears. This debut is stunning. Perfect for fans of Ava Reid, Alix E Harrow and Roshani Chokshi
𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡
This story starts out as a whimsical tale of a lonely young boy named Rory who lives in the countryside and is desperate for a companion. His older sister weaves him a playmate from the flora of their meadow and forest and they call her Daye.
Loosly inspired by the story of Blodeuwedd from Welsh mythology, this has such an interesting premise. Daye looks like a normal girl, but at the turn of each season, her body begins to decay and she must be rewoven each time in order to continue living. With each change Rory finds himself desperate to find a way to lengthen her time in one form, to make sure she will always be with him. And as they grow older and their relationship turns more romantic, he becomes desperate to ensure she never leaves him, throwing himself into the study of “construction”, which is how a Blodeuwedd is made.
Rory’s devotion teeters on the edge of obsession. His anxiety over her fragility makes his love feel more like a fight for control. Daye becomes more and more suffocated by Rory’s obsession and her lack of autonomy becomes stifling.
This was so beautifully written, with similar storytelling to The Everlasting. It’s a slow, yet impactful tale of what it means to be a woman who feels powerless over her own life. Who has never felt as if she had a real choice about things that pertain to her own body and future, and of the precarious balance between love, obsession, and when anxiety over losing someone turns into a desperate need for control.
The ending was so beautiful, it had me in tears. This debut is stunning. Perfect for fans of Ava Reid, Alix E Harrow and Roshani Chokshi
𝐇𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐲𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐤𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡 𝟐𝟒𝐭𝐡
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 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.
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March 28, 2026Definitely an uncomfortable read, and not exactly in the way I expected. I enjoyed the atmospheric writing, although I was initially slightly confused about the world this story takes place in. I just felt for Daye, and the way Rory became an abuser who was unable to see what the wrong in what he was doing truly made my stomach turn with disgust. Ngl, I got sick + tired of Rory's POV chapters because I wanted to drop him from a tree or smth, but obviously I get why they were there. Although I could somewhat predict how things would end, I was still a little terrified for Daye at times, and I kept flipping the pages to see what would happen next.
I would say that this wasn't really horror in the traditional sense? Not really sure how to describe it rn, but if you liked Annie Bot, you might like this.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
I would say that this wasn't really horror in the traditional sense? Not really sure how to describe it rn, but if you liked Annie Bot, you might like this.
Thank you to the publisher for the eARC copy in exchange for an honest review!
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
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