Honey, which even finds its way into the book’s title, symbolizes honey multiple things over the course of the story. As an apiarist, Olivia harvests and sells honey for a living. In this way, honey represents her livelihood and what allows her family to thrive. The bear attack on one of her colonies is thus significant as a threat—and it takes place on the same day as Lily’s death. Olivia knows that the bees won’t survive the winter after losing their honey stores; accordingly, by March, they’re all dead. Similarly, Lily’s death marks a turning point for Olivia and Asher’s lives, and by the spring and the start of the trial, their lives have already been altered forever.

In addition, honey is a source of comfort in tough times. Olivia jots down recipes that use honey in her notebook throughout the trial. One of these recipes is a dessert made as a New Year’s Eve tradition and is a comforting memory for her and Asher; another is a honey loaf that Olivia bakes for Asher to commiserate a loss. Also, “honey” is a term of endearment that Ava sometimes calls Lily.

In contrast, Olivia describes “mad honey”—the type of honey that lends the book its name.