Honey-Belle Hewett in She Drives Me Crazy: A Character Analysis

Overview

Honey-Belle Hewett is a supporting character in Kelly Quindlen's She Drives Me Crazy, but her presence shapes the story far beyond her screen time. As Irene Abraham's best friend, she is a warm, perceptive, and unapologetically earnest presence who models what genuine connection looks like in a world where social performance often takes precedence. A member of the Earl-Hewett family, owners of the Christmas Emporium, Honey-Belle brings a distinctive blend of emotional openness, playful humor, and quiet practicality to every scene she inhabits. While the novel centers on Scottie Zajac's journey from heartbreak to healing, Honey-Belle serves as a steady anchor for the people around her, facilitating the central romance and embodying the themes of authenticity and community that the book champions.

Plot Role

Honey-Belle's role is multifaceted, evolving from a background confidante to a key catalyst in the story's climax. She is first introduced indirectly in chapter 6, when Scottie overhears a conversation between Honey-Belle and Irene at the Homecoming dance. Honey-Belle encourages Irene to have fun, reassures her about her chances at the Student Athlete of the Year (SAOY) award, and urges her to be honest with her parents about the insurance deductible. This scene establishes Honey-Belle as Irene's closest ally and reveals Irene's private struggles with finances and family expectations.

In chapter 7, Honey-Belle approaches Scottie at school and enthusiastically welcomes her as a “girlfriend-in-law,” expressing happiness for her and Irene. She even notes that she sensed “sexual tension” but not “true affection” between them, showing her perceptiveness. In chapter 10, she hosts a gathering at her home, leading a “How's Your Heart?” game that encourages emotional vulnerability among the group. She deliberately creates space for Scottie and Irene to have a private conversation, orchestrating a moment that deepens their connection.

Her most significant plot contribution comes in chapter 18, when she helps Scottie execute the elaborate halftime surprise for Irene. She throws Irene's pom-poms aside, seats her in the bleachers, and then joins the cheer routine, ensuring the romantic gesture goes off without a hitch. In the final chapter, she supports Irene's decision to drop out of the SAOY competition, saying, “Let's hear her out. I trust Irene's intuition,” and celebrates Danielle's victory by making her a flower crown.

Motivations and Traits

Honey-Belle is driven by a deep-seated belief in emotional authenticity and the importance of supporting the people she loves. Her actions consistently reflect this motivation. She encourages Irene to be honest with her parents about the insurance deductible (chapter 6), she openly shares her own feelings about Gunther during the “How's Your Heart?” game (chapter 10), and she trusts Irene's intuition when Irene announces she's dropping out of SAOY (chapter 19).

She is also perceptive, noticing Irene's “dark and spiky” aura and knowing when to give Scottie and Irene space. Her playful side emerges in her teasing of Gunther and her enthusiastic participation in the halftime routine. She is unapologetically herself, using phrases like “shimmery and bold” to describe Irene's aura, and she encourages others to do the same. Her decision to take a gap year to become a doula (chapter 19) further underscores her nurturing, care-oriented nature.

Chronological Arc

Honey-Belle's arc is subtle but meaningful. She begins as a background figure, primarily known as Irene's best friend. Over the course of the novel, she becomes more integrated into Scottie's life, first as a welcoming presence, then as a confidante who helps Scottie plan the halftime surprise. By the end, she is part of the tight-knit group that celebrates Danielle's SAOY win and witnesses Irene's romantic gesture for Scottie.

Her own romantic storyline with Gunther develops quietly, from her admission of liking him in chapter 10 to their affectionate embrace in chapter 19. She also matures in her understanding of Scottie and Irene's relationship: initially she believes the fake dating is real, but she later learns the truth and still chooses to help Scottie, showing her capacity for forgiveness and her commitment to Irene's happiness.

Relationships

• With Irene: Honey-Belle is Irene's best friend and confidante. She knows Irene's secrets, including her feelings for Charlotte and her financial worries. She offers practical advice and emotional support, and she trusts Irene's decisions even when they are surprising, as seen in chapter 19.

• With Scottie: Honey-Belle welcomes Scottie into the group with open arms, calling her “girlfriend-in-law” and expressing happiness for her and Irene. She later becomes a key ally in Scottie's plan to win Irene back, demonstrating her trust in Scottie's intentions.

• With Gunther: Honey-Belle develops a romantic interest in Gunther, which she openly admits during the hot tub scene. Their relationship progresses throughout the novel, culminating in them wrapping arms around each other in the final chapter.

• With Danielle: Honey-Belle encourages Danielle to share her feelings and praises her qualities, such as her leadership and intelligence. She also makes Danielle a flower crown to celebrate her SAOY win.

• With the group: Honey-Belle is a unifying force, hosting gatherings and fostering emotional intimacy among the friends.

Key Decisions and Consequences

One of Honey-Belle's most consequential decisions is to help Scottie with the halftime surprise in chapter 18. By throwing Irene's pom-poms aside and seating her in the bleachers, she takes a risk that could have backfired, but it ultimately leads to Irene's joyful reaction and the public reconciliation of Scottie and Irene. Another key decision is her support of Irene's choice to drop out of SAOY; she says, “Let's hear her out. I trust Irene's intuition,” which validates Irene's autonomy and reinforces their friendship. Her decision to be open about her feelings for Gunther, as seen in the hot tub scene, leads to their eventual relationship. These decisions highlight her role as a facilitator of positive outcomes for others.

Theme and Symbol Connections

Honey-Belle embodies several of the novel's central themes. Her emphasis on emotional honesty and vulnerability connects to the theme of authenticity and self-acceptance under social pressure. She contrasts with the performative romance that Scottie and Irene initially engage in, as seen in the performance of romance vs genuine connection theme. Her role as a supportive friend and community builder ties into the role of family and community in personal growth. She also helps characters heal from heartbreak, as when she encourages Irene to open up, linking to healing from heartbreak and the process of letting go. Finally, her own comfort with her identity and her lack of concern for social hierarchy reflect the theme of social hierarchy and the pursuit of validation.

Symbolically, Honey-Belle's “How's Your Heart?” game represents the emotional check-ins that the characters need, and her flower crown for Danielle symbolizes celebration and care. Her planned career as a doula—a professional support person during childbirth—mirrors her role in the narrative: she is always there to support, nurture, and guide her friends through difficult transitions.

Book-Specific Questions

1. What is Honey-Belle's role in the halftime surprise for Irene?

Honey-Belle helps Scottie by throwing Irene's pom-poms aside, seating her in the bleachers, and then joining the cheer routine, ensuring the surprise goes smoothly.

1. How does Honey-Belle support Irene during her financial and family struggles?

In chapter 6, she encourages Irene to tell her parents about the insurance deductible and reassures her about her chances at SAOY, showing her practical and emotional support.

1. What does Honey-Belle think about Scottie and Irene's relationship?

Initially, she believes it is genuine and expresses happiness for them, calling Scottie her “girlfriend-in-law.” After learning it was fake, she still helps Scottie, indicating her trust in Scottie's good intentions.

1. How does Honey-Belle encourage emotional vulnerability among her friends?

She leads the “How's Your Heart?” game in chapter 10, where each person shares how they feel, and she openly shares her own feelings about Gunther, setting an example.

1. What are Honey-Belle's plans after high school?

She plans to take a gap year and is considering becoming a doula, as mentioned in chapter 19.

For a deeper look at how Honey-Belle's actions shape the story's resolution, see the ending explained page, or explore common questions and answers about the novel.