Whoever You Are, Honey

Set against the backdrop of an AI pioneer’s murder, Whoever You Are, Honey is built on simmering tensions at the precipice of boiling over , marked by a distinct strain of techno-pessimism endemic to someone who grew up during the rise of Silicon Valley. The twin themes of women’s loneliness and desire are the timeless beating hearts of Olivia Gatwood’s debut novel, propped up by of-the-moment ruminations on queerness and artificial intelligence . . . vivid storytelling

Set against the backdrop of an AI pioneer’s murder, Whoever You Are, Honey is built on simmering tensions at the precipice of boiling over , marked by a distinct strain of techno-pessimism endemic to someone who grew up during the rise of Silicon Valley. The twin themes of women’s loneliness and desire are the timeless beating hearts of Olivia Gatwood’s debut novel, propped up by of-the-moment ruminations on queerness and artificial intelligence . . . vivid storytelling

Sharp, captivating, and apt - an intimate, pitch-perfect fable of the time , I immediately went back to the start.

A sensual, detail-rich, utterly immersive novel. So propulsive and atmospheric (and at times creepy), I never wanted to put it down and longed for its company when not turning the pages. A gorgeous reading experience

As lush and hypnotic as a dreampop album, this is an intoxicating debut about two women, each carrying a dark secret, who desire more than they've been allowed to want.

A gorgeous, haunting, tender story of women finding different kinds of love and solace in each other , Whoever You Are, Honey looks directly into the deep, dark depths of what makes us alive - and what sustains that life. I loved every minute of it.

Whoever You Are, Honey is a gripping, heartfelt novel, a moving exploration of unconventional friendships and the desire to be accepted and loved — not in spite of, but because of, our flaws. Every page sparkles with insight about human intimacy , the stories we project onto one another, and the courage to push past first impressions to a deeper, more complicated understanding.

Lush with desire, pleasure, and the deep longing for connection that underlies everything we do, Whoever You Are, Honey makes the familiar new; the everyday is made sensuous, rich, and jewel-bright.

A tender and searching exploration of what it means to inhabit a female body. The characters — wounded, wounding, and longing for a better world — will catch you up and carry you along with them.

Here’s a novel about the vastness of feeling and friendship - their unruliness a brilliant counterpoint to the glazed screens and aspirations of the modern world.

Gatwood’s writing is lyrical, eerily propulsive and addictive. This is the type of novel I’m always hoping to find—I couldn’t put it down.

Olivia Gatwood is the author of two poetry collections, New American Best Friend and Life of the Party. Her debut novel, Whoever You Are, Honey , was released in 2024, which she will also adapt for the screen. She has received international recognition for her poetry, writing workshops, and work as a Title IX Compliant educator in sexual assault prevention and recovery. Her performances have been featured on HBO, HuffPost , MTV, VH1, and the BBC, and more. Her poems have appeared in The Poetry Foundation , Sundance Film Festival, Lambda Literary , and The Missouri Review . Originally from Albuquerque, New Mexico, she lives in California.