LoveReading Says
LoveReading Says
After reading the glowing masterpiece that was Love In Colour, a short story collection and Babalola's debut, I was struck by the lush prose and deeply emotive voice, so of course I was excited to read her latest release; Honey & Spice.
This young and vibing novel is a summery, feel-good celebration of Blackness, Africanness and love. Babalola's writing exudes rich, flavoursome romance. I was so obsessed with her tasteful descriptions and the current feel of the story that I didn't mind having what felt like a plethora of archetypal romance clichés being thrown at me right until the end. As a reader that prefers more hard-hitting, grittier novels, I was impressed by the way Babalola wielded these otherwise textbook tropes and made me believe it.
Moreover, I loved how well Babalola painted these characters. She depicts Kiki as incredibly guarded, with a beguiling, keen-eyed confidence that Malakai effortlessly disarms with his magnetic personality. But little does Kiki know that Malakai also has his own insecurities. These two characters have great banter, bouncing off each other as they share their art, their interests and as they learn how to be more open and vulnerable; they complement each other, like honey and spice.
Equally as irresistible is side romance between Aminah and Kofi, a winning love story in and of its own, with its own obstacles to overcome and swoon worthy attributes.
Honey & Spice is a fresh, steamy glow-up of age-old love stories, one that centres Black love and womanhood.
Lois Cudjoe
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About
Honey & Spice Synopsis
Kiki Banjo is an expert in relationship-evasion.
In fact, she has made it her mission to protect the women of Whitewell University from the dangers of players and heartbreak, supplying advice, tips and essentials to paying men no mind on her student radio show, Brown Sugar.
And then Kiki meets distressingly handsome newcomer Malakai Korede, who threatens to tear apart the community of women she's fought so hard to protect.
Kiki publicly declares Malakai the 'Wasteman of Whitewell' on Brown Sugar and brings a stop to her girls chasing his attentions. But when she and Malakai suddenly find themselves shackled into a fake relationship to salvage their respective reputations and save their academic futures, she is in danger of falling for the very wasteman she warned her sisters about.
With her heart compromised and defences weakened, Kiki has to learn to open herself up to the perils of love... and face up to a past that forced her to close down in the first place.
A funny and sparkling debut, Honey & Spice is full of delicious tension and romantic intrigue that will make you weak at the knees.
About This Edition
| ISBN: |
9781472286420 |
| Publication date: |
11th May 2023 |
| Author: |
Bolu Babalola |
| Publisher: |
Headline Review an imprint of Headline Publishing Group |
| Format: |
Paperback |
| Pagination: |
441 pages |
| Primary Genre |
Romance / Relationship Stories
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| Other Genres: |
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Press Reviews
Bolu Babalola Press Reviews
Honey & Spice is gorgeously written and heart-meltingly romantic. Kiki and Malakai have a rare, extraordinary, sizzling chemistry which has you rooting for their love story from the very first moment they cross paths. A triumph of a novel. - Beth O'Leary
This book had me screaming from page one! Bolu understands desire better than anyone else and in Honey & Spice it prickles under every word. This book is so addictive it had me reading it even after I'd got off the bus. - Annie Lord
Bolu is one of the laugh-out-loud funniest and sharpest of writers working today. I fell in love with Kiki and the whole line-up of loveable characters. It's smart, sexy, energetic and sums up the realness of being attracted to someone you didn't necessarily expect. I'm excited for everyone to read this book. - Emma Gannon
Honey & Spice is the book many have been waiting for. Black love, Black joy and Black magic are all stirred into this succulent, addictive romance. Simply wonderful. - Lizzie Damilola Blackburn
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