Of Lies and Honey

by Donna Norman-Carbone

Harper Alexander is devastated by a miscarriage even though she thought she never wanted to be a mother. Because of her husband’s determination to create a family and her inability to carry a child to term, they consider alternative options.

As the result of a secret love affair, Callie Sebastian becomes pregnant. Her socialite mother is appalled by her teenage daughter’s behavior. To protect the family’s reputation, she sends Callie to a Catholic boarding school for wayward girls.

When Raina Edwin’s third child starts school, leaving her with an empty house, she begins to long for another baby. Unfortunately, their farm will not support a new addition to their family. To fill the void, Raina starts a new business: selling honey.

As Harper, Callie, and Raina deal with their strife, their lives collide in unexpected ways. A revealed secret forces each of them to make choices that will alter their roles as mothers and daughters forever.

280 pages, Paperback

First published April 23, 2024

About the author

Donna Norman-Carbone has a passion for writing women’s fiction that tugs at the heartstrings. After having taught as a university adjunct and adult educator, Donna currently teaches writing, film and British literature to high school students. She lives in a small Connecticut suburb where she and her husband have raised three wonderful and creative children, two Labrador Retrievers and a Siamese cat.

Donna holds a master’s degree in English from Southern CT State University and is a member of the Women’s Fiction Writers Association. She's the program director for Bookish Road Trip and co-host of the Authors Talking Bookish podcast.
In her spare time, Donna enjoys reading a good book on a sunny Cape Cod beach, traveling worldwide to immerse herself in other cultures, and spending cherished time with family and friends.

Reviews

[Cara · Rating 5 out of 5]

OH MY ACHEY BREAKY HEART!!!!!! Of Lies and Honey written by Donna Norman-Carbone shredded my heart to pieces, but by the end my heart was bursting with so much joy. This book was filled with rawness, pureness, authenticity, and heart shredding moments. I have never read a book by Donna Norman-Carbone before, but when I saw that gorgeous cover, I knew I had to get my hands on it immediately, but while reading this book, I realized that Donna is such a talented author that LOVES to break my heart into a million pieces. The relationships Of Lies and Honey between parents and children, husbands and wives, and even friendships along the way are layered and so authentic in their own way. Of Lies and Honey was NOT an easy read in any way, at times it was very difficult to read because of the topics at hand. The snot bubbles were bubbling tremendously. I can't recommend this book enough, it was so beautiful, gut wrenching, raw, and so powerful. If I could give this book an infinity rating, I totally would with my whole heart because it deserves all the justice it can get. If you do decide to read this beautiful book, Please check the trigger warnings.

THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND RED ADEPT PUBLISHING FOR AN ARC OF THIS BOOK IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW!!!!!!

⚠TRIGGER WARNINGS⚠
-Mentions of abortions
-Miscarriages

Of Lies and Honey centers around three women, Raina, Harper, and Callie. All of these women's lives weave together in some sort of way and a long the way connections and bonds are made. Each of their stories are very compelling and they are all centered around their own complicated feelings about being a mother. Callie, Harper, and Raina, y'all are the strongest group of women I have ever met, y'all are beyond brave and deserve the world, I love you all with my whole heart. While I was reading Donna's words, it felt like I was right there in that moment going through life with these three women as they went through the complications of being a mom, I just wanted to reach into my kindle and hug each of them dearly and hold them close to my heart. The amount of tears that my kindle absorbed was insane, with every turning pages I was shedding tears and even at times giggling because these women shared some funny words while trying to navigate their daily lives. I don't really know how to describe my emotions, in all honesty, they were all over the place, one minute I was sobbing, and then the next minute I was giggling, and then the next minute I was clutching my heart in pain. If any of you have the chance to read this book, please please do so because it opens your eyes to what some mothers actually struggle with.

Now, let's introduce these lovely strong women. Harper Alexander is devastated by two miscarriages even though she thought she never wanted to be a mother. Even though Harper never wanted to be a mother, she saw all these loving families with bubbly smiling children and her husband Gabe wanted nothing more than to be a dad. Because of Gabe's determination to create a family and Harper's inability to a carry a child to term, they consider alternative options between adoption and a surrogate. As Harper was talking about her pain after having two miscarriages, my heart absolutely broke for her. Callie Sebastian has a secret love affair with a coach at her school, as a result of this secret love affair, Callie becomes pregnant. When Callie's mom, Evelyn finds out Callie is pregnant, she sends Callie to a wayward school for pregnant girls. Evelyn didn't want to ruin their families reputation, so she tried to get Callie to get an abortion, but my girl Callie put up a good fight, because what if Callie can't get pregnant again after going through with the abortion her socialite mother wanted her to get. Raina Edwin is a mama to three bubbly beautiful children. When Raina's third child starts school, leaving her with an empty house, Raina begins to long for another baby to keep her busy. But their family farm is low on income and won't support another addition to the family.

[Nursebookie · Rating 4 out of 5]

TITLE: OF LIES AND HONEY
AUTHOR: Donna Norman Carbone
PUB DATE: 04.23.2024

I love a good story. OF LIES AND HONEY by Donna Norman Carbone, a new author to me, delivered a riveting and truly emotional read that had me crying. then laughing, and then crying again. This beautiful book is exceptional and tells a story about motherhood in all its shape and form, through the lives of three women. Carbone expertly weaves the story as their life changing experiences all collide together. A perfect book club read.

[Sarah Dacombe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lovely book, I really enjoyed it. There were some relatable sad times & some wonderful times - the ending was really feel good 😊

[Sharon Valler: Live Love Read Review · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh how I adored this wonderful book! Three completely different women struggling with motherhood.

Harper doesn’t want children, but then a surprise pregnancy throws her a curve ball.

Callie is 17, in love and pregnant, but her child will bring disgrace on her family.

Rhona has three children, but being a mother is all she knows and she is desperate for another baby.

When the women’s lives collide, an unbreakable connection is formed between them and a journey of discovery begins.

I loved all of the characters and the descriptions of the bees were utterly fascinating. Every possible emotion within me was invoked as some point throughout the book and I just didn’t want it to end.

5 ⭐️ Thanks to Netgalley, Donna Norman-Carbone and Red Adept for an ARC in return for an honest review.

[Carrie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great story told through different viewpoints that are woven together by the end into a beautiful tapestry. This book reads like a lazy hot summer afternoon in Georgia- slow, sweet, relaxing. Very clean, some language, but no spice. Loved the characters.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Susan Peterson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parenthood, and motherhood especially, is an extremely complex subject, and this book, Of Lies and Honey, handles it with the utmost care and honesty. This compelling novel weaves together the lives of three women—Callie, Harper, and Raina. Each of their stories are compelling, all of them centered around their own complicated feelings about being a mother. The relationships in this book—parents and children, husbands and wives, friendships—are layered and authentic. There was such intimacy in the writing that I felt I was in the room with them as the women navigated their way to find fulfillment and comfort, not just as a mother, but as a daughter, a wife, a friend, a partner, a woman. Women of all ages will find this book relatable and riveting, and book clubs will have much to discuss. Congratulations to author Donna Norman-Carbone for writing a novel with characters and stories that give us so much to think about; I love books that make me look at life from different angles and points of view. I received an advance reader copy of this book from the publisher.

[Fruzsina Bagin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Norman-Carbone's novel, "Of Lies and Honey", weaves together the lives of three seemingly different women and takes the reader on an emotional journey that explores profound questions of motherhood, loss, and human relationships. The story masterfully navigates between the different storylines of the three women's lives as their connection slowly unfolds, with touching and surprising twists and turns.

The novel opens with the story of Harper, who loses two of her babies before they are born. Though she never planned to become a mother, when her baby begins to move in her womb, it awakens a deep maternal love in her. After the first miscarriage, she is wracked with guilt for not wanting the baby at first. After the second miscarriage, even though she and her husband start looking for a surrogate mother through an agency, she is torn by doubts about whether she really wants to be a mother.

Callie's life becomes complicated by a secret affair when she becomes pregnant by the school's young coach. Although she dreams of a happy family, the man refuses to risk his career. Callie's mother tries to force her to have an abortion, but she ends up in a girls' institution where, to her surprise, she finally finds true friends. After giving birth, however, she is told that the baby did not survive.

Raina, the third main character, is a happy mother of three who lost her mother at a young age. She wants a loving home for her children, but her husband says they cannot afford a fourth child. Raina wants to become a surrogate mother to make their family more financially stable, but this decision raises serious questions for them.

With compelling sensitivity and depth, Donna Norman-Carbone writes about women's fates, motherhood and the challenges that come with it. "Of Lies and Honey" deals with difficult topics such as miscarriage, abortion, grief and the various difficulties of being a woman. The author touches these subjects with due sensitivity and respect, which allows the reader to delve deeply into the emotional world of the characters.

This book is a heartbreaking yet beautiful novel that both warms and breaks the reader's heart. I wholeheartedly recommend "Of Lies and Honey" to anyone who loves emotional, deeply human stories. I received a free copy of the book Of Lies and Honey by Donna Norman-Carbone via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Chelsie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a good read! All three of these women were so different, yet connected in heartbreak, decisions, and family. Harper is struggling with motherhood and whether she really wants to have a child after all they have been through. Raina has three wonderful children and when her oldest heads off to school she is itching for another one, but her husband just doesn't them being able to afford a fourth and tries to help her in filling her time with a hobby of hers. Callie still struggles with her past, a decision that was made for her and the "what ifs" that might have changed her life. All three women are thrust into the middle of a life changing situation and as questions are being asked, it is realized the past may just hold the answer to some of these questions and the decisions that are needed. I really enjoyed this one and look forward to more by this author. Thank you to the author for the complementary ebook and to Suzy Approved Book Tours for the invite. This review is of my own opinion and accord.

[Jennine Keleman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was emotional and riveting from the very beginning as I couldn't put it down.
This novel is told through three different points of view. Callie, Raina and Harper are three strong women who are grappling with motherhood in different ways.

In the second part of the book, you will see how the characters intertwine with each other. All three women see many forms of betrayal, but still there are themes are love and forgiveness.

I felt that this story was so authentic because of the real-life topics discussed and I appreciated Donna Carbone's storytelling and ability for one to connect with these strong, female characters.

PLEASE go and read this wonderful novel!

[Booksandcoffeemx · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a beautiful story, it was both heartbreaking and heartwarming. A powerful and moving story about family, motherhood and second chances that captivated me completely. I loved it.

Thank you Suzy Approved Book Tours for this tour invite.

𝗢𝗳 𝗟𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗔𝗻𝗱 𝗛𝗼𝗻𝗲𝘆 by Donna N Carbone released yesterday April 23, 2024.

https://www.instagram.com/booksandcof...

[Linda Rosen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Heartbreaking and heartwarming. Donna Norman-Carbone brings us layered characters in a page-turning story perfect for book clubs. Have your tissues ready.

[a🧚‍♀️ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3 stars ⭐️

[Linda O’Connor · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Norman-Carbone is masterful at creating characters with multilayered personalities, that we love and loath. We are pulled into their lives and homes in the story she is telling as though we are right there with them.
I couldn’t put it down. I found my self taking it with me to keep reading whenever and wherever I could until I was finished. I then read it again. It cleverly deals with many of the issues women may face with motherhood. I believe this novel will be all the BUZZZ for a long time. I plan on buying multiple copies of “Of Lies and Honey” for my book group mothers and grandmothers.

[Reader Views · Rating 5 out of 5]

Of Lies and Honey” by award-winning author Donna Norman-Carbone, resets the high bar in women’s fiction. This character-driven, plot-driven novel centers on three women, Harper, Callie, and Raina, from different eras, but they all share a single secret. We meet Harper first, who suffers a crushing loss no mother would want to endure, but she and her husband opt to have a family in a different way. Then we’re introduced to Callie, whose pregnancy is such a disgrace to her upper-crust mother that she is sent to a Catholic home for girls gone astray, The Covenant House. Finally, we meet Raina, whose three children are all in school now. She’d like to have another child, but she has a farm and can’t really afford it, so to make ends meet, she launches a new honey business. These three characters intersect in ways none of them could anticipate, giving the reader a wonderfully engaging look into the choices and influences that shaped their lives as women.

It’s clear that Norman-Carbone has her finger on the pulse of women’s fiction and its long-lasting appeal. Her writing encompasses generational and cultural trends, expectations, and choices. The author’s gift for creating realistic characters with descriptive detail keeps you deeply involved in the women’s stories as they unfold individually and then converge at The Covenant House.

Women’s issues are told through the characters and their choices and are grounded in reality. Culture and peer pressure, especially from family, is never easy to escape. I’ve personally known women in the same situations as these characters, so the author’s portrayal of Harper, Callie, and Raina is spot-on. Motherhood, loss, and social stigma are addressed, and I love how the author weaves the theme of bees and beekeeping throughout. The issues of surrogacy, adoption, and pregnancy underpin the plot, making for a thought-provoking and timeless contemporary read.

I love the varying points of view, which I think is important in telling the stories of these three different females. The story has an intriguing connection that I won’t spoil here, but needless to say, it’s a defining feature of this dynamic narrative. Another thing I like is that these women lead ordinary lives. They aren’t unrealistic. These are women you could know or perhaps have already met in your own life. Besides the female characters, you do get insight into the male characters as well. The specific decades and cultural norms are characters in themselves, shaping the lives and decisions of the women with mood, texture, and setting.

Here is an excerpt that I just love:

Every year on April twenty-third, Callie secretly celebrated Stella’s birthday, the only part of her past she chose to acknowledge. She promised never to forget, and in this small way, sitting alone in silence with a cupcake, a candle, and her thoughts, she could remember what could have been. Although her life had taken a different path than she’d imagined when she gave birth, in Callie’s heart, Stella would always remain her first child.

She kept these celebrations secret even from Adam, just as she had kept much of her past hidden from anyone who hadn’t known her then. It was as if a chasm split her life in two—before Stella and after Stella.

If you like emotionally-driven dramas with multiple layers and social relevancy, you will love “Of Lies and Honey” by award-winning author Donna Norman-Carbone.

[Candice Quinn · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is about 3 women and their experiences and feelings about motherhood. It also looks at how each of their own mothers influenced their own view on motherhood. These women experience loss, hard choices, the limitation of choices and the many struggles related to pregnancy and being a mother. In addition, the choice to not be a mother, when society assumes all women desire to become one. This book is very well written and filled with emotion.

I really enjoyed this book, I read the entire thing in one sitting!

[Helen H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow…..this was one of those books where work and life got in the way because I didn’t want to put it down! ‘Of Lies and Honey’ is a story of exactly that (perfectly titled)…..lies, secrets and a lot of heartache, but also love, family and forgiveness.

This story is a beautiful reflection of motherhood in various ways, portrayed through the compelling characters of Harper, Raina and Callie. For me, Callie’s story was the one that pulled at the heartstrings the most and by the end of the book, her acceptance and radiance shines through, alongside Harper’s strength and Raina’s happiness.

The author, Donna Norman-Carbone, skilfully leaves the reader on a cliffhanger at the end of every chapter, making you want to continue turning those pages. The plot and the way in which the lives of the three main characters collide and intertwine is written with emotion and sensitivity. I highly recommend this book which had me hooked from beginning to end.

Finally, I love the way the author has portrayed bees as a symbol of motherhood (perhaps because I have a bee tattoo for similar reasons!). The Queen Bee is a perfect example of perseverance, multi-tasking and caring for the family - all of which is seen in ‘Of Lies and Honey.’ This is a book that will stay with me for a long time.

Thank you to the publisher, Red Adept Publishing, for an advanced digital copy of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you to NetGalley, Red Adept Publishing, and Donna Norman-Carbone for the chance to read, "Of Lies and Honey," a wonderful novel about love, lies, deceit, and the continued bond of a broken family.

This book had me hooked right from the start. It was about three women who all shared a secret that would change their lives in ways they never could have imagined. The author, Donna Norman-Carbone, did an amazing job of purposefully tying the lives of three women together in such a tender and loving manner.

Harper was a woman who had difficulty carrying a baby to full term and it put a huge strain on her marriage. Harper suffered from severe depression after the loss of her two babies and it left her wondering if having children was even what she wanted out of life. She and her husband ended up looking into using a surrogate to carry their baby. This decision brought about other complications that neither of them could have ever envisioned.

Callie, Harper's mom, was also holding secrets about her life before her marriage. She grew up with an extremely demanding and self righteous mother who kept her from living a normal childhood. Eventually, Callie's rebellious side came through and her mother sent her away to a house for wayward girls, so she would not be able to embarrass their family with her teenage actions. This decision ruined any chance of a good mother-daughter relationship between them, and in turn, it irrevocably changed their lives forever.

Raina was a woman who grew up as an only child in a very poor family. She fell in love with a farmer and had three children. They struggled financially, so Raina started a business using her honey to make products she could sell to the public. Even with her help they continued to struggle and she decided to become a surrogate mother in order to help make more money. However, Raina would soon find out things about her past that she never dreamed could have happened.

All three women end up uncovering long hidden secrets about their individual families that eventually tie them all together. It was heart wrenching and heart warming all at the same time. I thoroughly enjoyed this story and I would highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys a good story about family and the ties that bind them together forever. #NetGalley #OfLiesandHoney

[Diann Milone · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Norman-Carbone is a writer to follow. She just keeps getting better and better! I was impressed by her debut novel, “All that is Sacred,” and was thrilled to hear that she had released a second novel. Her second novel, “Of Lies and Honey” did not disappoint! It is a highly original and insightful look at what is often the defining moment in the lives of women: pregnancy. Norman-Carbone leaves no stone unturned as she delves into such topics as whether or not to become pregnant, the joy of pregnancy, the despair of pregnancy, the loss of pregnancy, and more as we experience those moments through the eyes of her many faceted characters. I fell in love with them all as they wrestled with their emotions, desires, and ever changing bodies. This is a page-turner and you won’t be able to put it down! I’d love a sequel. Highly recommend!

[lindaberlinbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Of Lies and Honey

Of Lies and Honey by Donna Norman-Carbone is a skillfully written novel told from three points of view. Norman-Carbone weaves an engaging tale based on copious research that dates back to the 1960s, when debutante balls in the south were in their heyday. Girls who got pregnant were hidden away from society to go full term then forced to give up their babies, whether they wanted to or not. A story of betrayal and dysfunction in the Sebastian family leads to a devastating estrangement. Redemption finds its way into the family through the next generation with a most unique twist. I highly recommend this book. It strikes at the heart of some of the most pressing issues still facing women today.

[Raquel Drosos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a riveting novel that evoked so many emotions; I couldn't put it down!! The story is told through 3 POVs, and Carbone has a knack for ending chapters with a cliffhanger and then switching to a new POV, leaving you in suspense and craving to read more. The plot has many twists and turns, but the characters are the true heart of the story. I found it easy to empathize with all three women. Harper's experience of pregnancy loss was absolutely gut-wrenching and Callie's naivete was very realistic. I connected most with Raina, because I am also a stay-at-home mom struggling to redefine my identity now that my kids are more independent. That process of rediscovering yourself can be so difficult for moms and yet is rarely portrayed in fiction (or even talked about). Carbone doesn't shy away from exploring real feelings that real women struggle with! I also appreciated how all the relationships in the story--between parents and children, between spouses--were nuanced and complex. The reader can see both sides in every conflict, rather than considering one character "right" and the other "wrong." The novel feels true-to-life because it doesn't oversimplify tough relationships and tough decisions.

[Caitlyn Aresti · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so excited when I got the opportunity to be an ARC reader for Donna’s second novel. Much like her first novel, All That is Sacred, Donna creates character’s that really capture her readers’ attention. I loved how Of Lies and Honey is told from three different perspectives, and also different time periods. Donna seamlessly transitioned between each character’s POV.

I was also able to connect to this book on many different levels. I appreciated how this novel acknowledged the many ways women, and couples, can become parents. I feel like this topic can be underrepresented in novels, and I really enjoyed seeing the different avenues/paths the characters went through.

There were also many twists and turns that I didn’t see coming that made Of Lies and Honey extremely engaging!

[Kate Underwood · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely adored Of Lies and Honey and tore through it in a day because I was so captivated by the story of these three women, all facing heartaches of motherhood and family. I loved the author's first novel as well, but somehow enjoyed this one even more.

Harper, Raina, and Callie, the three main characters, leap to life on the page, and their stories are so intricately and beautifully woven. The devastation each one goes through will ring true to so many who have experienced miscarriage or a pregnancy that didn't fit into your family's plans.

I really enjoyed going back in time for each of the main timelines and found myself cheering for each of the main characters to find their way. Norman-Carbone does such a beautiful job of painting a picture for her readers, from the garden and bee imagery to the world of Southern debutantes. Her writing is poetic yet in a way that enhanced my enjoyment of the story, rather than pulling me out of it.

If you want to read an uplifting story of women across generations and the choices they must make, this is a gorgeous choice.

[Patti Procopi · Rating 5 out of 5]

At the beginning of the book the reader is introduced to three different characters. Each one has a compelling story. Possibly the most heart-breaking is Callie's story. A young girl who falls in love with one of her teachers, gets pregnant and is sent off by her parents to a home for unwed mothers to save the family from shame.
Years later we are introduced to Harper and Raina. They seemingly have nothing in common. Both are married but one has a home full of children and the other is struggling with pregnancy.
All these lives eventually come together in a story about families and lies and how the truth will come out eventually.
Good read. Realistic characters and circumstances. Recommended!

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wow this book broke my heart and brought tears to my eyes!

The book introduces us to three different women struggling with motherhood.

Callie is only 17 but she finds herself in love and then pregnant, but her child will bring dishonor to her family.
Rhona already has three children but she feels being a mother is what she knows, she desperately wants another baby.
Harper doesn’t want children, then finds she’s pregnant with a surprise pregnancy throws her life down a different path.
Soon all the three woman find their lives connecting with their different feelings towards motherhood. We follow their journey as they have experiences with their parents ,children, husbands , wives and friendships. These women experience loss, hard choices and a limitation of choices together.
Please be aware of TRIGGER WARNINGS⚠
-Mentions of abortions
-Miscarriages

[Lisa Albright · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a well-written emotional journey for three women and those around them. I enjoyed the different points of view and the way the story was written to come full circle. You can't read this book without a few tears and there are a few potential triggers so check the warnings. There are also lots of smiles as their lives play out and we see the way they are eventually brought together. The author has captured the complexity and beauty of life perfectly.

I received a gifted copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Melissa Pomeroy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Norman-Carbone’s book Of Lies and Honey is a story of three women from different generations dealing with issues of children, infertility and not wanting to have children. As they say it truly takes a village. Callie discovers she can forgive those who wronged her and find comfort in her friends and family. Harper realizes she doesn’t want to be a mother and focuses on her dog and career. Raina discovers family she never knew she had. This story will captivate you from the beginning.

[Jill Anderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful story of three women's lives entwined in ways they never could have imagined. I especially loved Callie's story, maybe because I knew several women in that era in a similar situation. I like that the author doesn't take the easy way out with her characters. All three women have personal struggles, and things don't always turn out how you think they will.

I couldn't wait to see how things would all play out for Callie, Harper, and Raina, and I loved each woman's strength and perseverance to follow their dreams and heart. It's a story of hope and challenges, secrets and trust, friendship and love... a story that encourages the reader to open their heart to the possibilities of life.

[Amy Balisciano · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donna Norman-Carbone's second book does not disappoint. As I read one chapter to the next my heart would soar and then break. I felt such a connection to each character but especially to Harper. I found myself crying for her, and for me, and when she was given pills, "an attempt to quell the inconsolable pain that flowed through her veins", I was right there with her. I could not stop reading this book once I started; I needed answers to so many questions but once one question was answered another one came up. Norman-Carbone's writing puts into words what many women feel but cannot express. I loved reading every word and I highly recommend this intriguing, hopeful and beautiful story.

[Gail · Rating 5 out of 5]

I stayed up past 2 am reading Of Lies and Honey by Donna Norman-Carbone. I couldn't put down this story that tugged at my heartstrings with such tenderness and pathos. The novel is told from the point of view of three different women. I knew their storylines would converge, and Norman-Carbone brings them together masterfully. The characters face daunting choices and make life altering decisions. My heart broke for each of them. I feel like they were people I knew or wished I could meet. Norman-Carbone is a compelling storyteller. She has written a beautiful story about mothers and daughters and what family really means.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel was spectacular. The storytelling of a family from three perspectives was masterful. Doing this, the reader was able to get to know each character on a more personal level. Callie is a debutante with a secret and has an extremely controlling mother who wants everything to be seen as perfect. Harper, a young, carefree, real-estate agent who was making a name for herself, but not sure about how to handle home stress of becoming a mother. Raina, a stay at home mom with many side projects to keep her busy, but all she wants is to be a mom. This novel is scattered pieces of a puzzle that ultimately fit together perfectly as the story unfolds. It brought me to tears in so many places. I highly recommend this novel!! 5 Stars!