Mad Honey
by Jodi Picoult
Year
2022
Pages
509
Contents
Lily 7
Summary
- Lily discovers her feelings for Asher, who seems different from the rough hockey player on ice, displaying thoughtfulness and attention while they talk at a party.
- Asher, Maya, and Lily share a bonding moment over apple pie with steamed cheese at a diner, introducing Lily to a local favorite.
- Lily feels a mix of excitement and fear when Asher expresses interest in her, challenging her self-perception and past experiences of feeling undateable.
- During an intimate moment, Asher asks Lily out, clarifying that his interest is in her and not Maya, leading to Lily accepting his invitation to date.
- Lily reflects on past experiences with her ex-boyfriend, Jonah, contrasting the previous relationship with the newly budding one with Asher.
- Lily and Asher's first date involves ice skating, which leads to learning, laughter, and a shared kiss, marking the start of their romance.
- The chapter conveys the budding moments shared between Lily and Asher—from discussions about loons to Hope Cakes in the cafeteria.
- Lily and Asher bond over small revelations as they get to know each other, though Lily hides her deepest truths.
- Asher introduces Lily to his mother, who is a beekeeper, while Lily remains cautious about the details she shares about her past.
- Lily experiences complex emotions from a vivid dream involving Asher, as she navigates her transgender identity.
- Asher meets Lily's mother during an outing and is embraced with warmth and care despite the guarded nature of Lily's mom.
- The chapter explores Lily's past, detailing a fencing match where her father publicly outs her as a trans girl, which leads to her school life collapsing due to betrayal by a friend.
- During a fencing tournament at Dartmouth, Lily is confronted by Jonah's presence, and although they share a reconciliatory moment, it leads to tension with Asher, who reacts with jealousy and anger.
- Maya spends the night with Lily to distract her from thoughts of Asher, highlighting the complicity of their friendship, but a bruise from Asher's aggressive behavior raises concerns.