I absolutely adored Love In Colour so as soon as this came up I dived straight in to request!

Honey and Spice is a story of university and weaving your way through the politics of love and learning. It had many quips and funny things to say about modern life and men and it reminded me of Luster and Sunset, both recent novels out about modern dating life.

This is a very different novel to the collection of love stories Babalola has written before and this felt too long. It was a different spin on a modern romance and I enjoyed it.

I wasn’t sold at the beginning of this book, but as it progressed, I enjoyed it more and more! I adored the female empowerment vibes and the characters. I loved reading about their growth and how they grew throughout the book. Definitely one worth reading.

oh this was just gorgeous from start to finish. the love is warm and fills you up, the friendships are bolstering and reaffirming and worthy of their own love story. everything about this is just divine.

Honey and Spice held a lot of promise for me as the description sounded amazing! Black British Kiki Banjo joins forces with a newly identified wasteman on campus in order to boost her radio show’s audience and ratings, in a bid to be accepted to a summer programme in New York. This gave me enemies-to-lovers, fake dating trope, black love energy and I was honestly here for it.

Unfortunately the execution wasn’t as high as I had hoped, especially given the praise that Bolu Babalola had received for her debut bestseller, Love in Colour. For those not well acquainted to British slang- you will have to get used to it soon! At first I found it quite jarring and it took me a while to get used to it, but in the end it really fleshed out the characters and their personalities. I actually loved Kiki, Malakai, and even those supporting characters including Simi and Aminah. Babalola did a phenomenal job of showcasing the diversity of personalities that Black women can have. Unfortunately these underrepresented characters in literature are often represented as stereotypical 2-dimensional black women, but Babalola really dispelled this and brought in lots of meaningful African cultural references to build them up.

My main disappointment was the trajectory of the plot and the ending. For me the story ended so abruptly, and I think this was worsened by the epilogue that had random snippets of emails and blogs with the purpose of just throwing in answers to unresolved plot points at the end of the story; sometimes is better to have some questions left unanswered. The execution of the plot wasn’t that engaging which is why it took me a while to read this book, but it did have great potential.

Read: for a fake-dating story where Dear White People meets the Receipts Podcast on a British University campus.

NB: Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Books for giving me an ARC of this book (pub. 05/07/22). I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy and all thoughts and opinions are my own.

When I first started Honey & Spice, I worried a bit that this would be another of those books where I enjoy the author’s shorter works, but don’t get along with their novel-length ventures. And, having finished it, I think I’m on the fence about this one. In the sense that I did enjoy the book, then this prediction didn’t come true. However, I’m not sure if I can say I loved the book.

Let me take a step back then and describe what was good about it. As was clear from her short story collection, Bolu Babalola excels at character work. Every character in Honey & Spice, whether they were a protagonist, a secondary character, or even just a side character who appeared for the briefest of moments, felt vibrant and fully realised. They’re the kind of characters it’s a joy to read about, that feel like they have complex inner lives that you’re only ever on the edge of finding out about.

This extends to their relationships too: Kiki and Malakai’s relationship was the main draw of this book, and when they were on page together, it was electric. Equally, Kiki’s friendships felt much the same. This was as much a book about a romance as a book about finding your people and falling in love with them. If at times it felt like this was going to be drawn in the direction of girls hating one another, then it swiftly pulled you out of that assumption with a wink and a smile.

So, if I loved pretty much the central components of the book, why am I still on the fence about whether I loved it overall? There are two things: the length, and the third act break up.

The length is easiest and quickest to cover. I thought that, at nearly 450 pages, this was a shade too long for a contemporary. Yes, it gave the characters time to develop relationships at a slower pace, but at times it felt a little repetitive, particularly regarding conversations they had about said relationships.

Conversations, then, is perhaps a good lead into my next point: the third act break up. For almost the whole of the book, Kiki and Malakai communicated excellently. They each were willing to tell the other about their pasts, they had no miscommunications on account of keeping secrets from one another. It all seemed to be going swimmingly. And then, right near the end (I think it was about 60 pages to go), they seem to go completely against type and don’t communicate, leading to a break up.

Granted, the motivations for it made sense. For all the communication, there were still insecurities to be got over. But, and I think this was the key part, those insecurities hadn’t really been thought about for most of the book. I’m not saying they needed to be out and out mentioned and explained (that would have felt forced), but I wanted some hints of it. Completely the opposite of literally any other time I’ve talked about communication, I wanted some miscommunication and secrets.

However, overall, I think I can say I did like reading this one. And it’s definitely one that I’d recommend picking up.

I am obsessed with this book and you should be too!

Thank you to NetGalley, Headline and Bolu Babalola for this e-arc of what is honestly my most anticipated book of 2022!

This book is so sexy, it's sweltering, it's sweet, it's Babalola at her best! If you follow her on twitter, or have read Love In Colour you know how talented/ how smooth she is in her words and her phrasings. This book is all of that in one stunningly designed package - I mean ... look at that cover !

This is the type of book to make you miss your tube stop - it is that brilliant (trust me I know from experience!) it is funny it is clever it is ROMANCE LADIES AND GENTLEMEN ! SEXY AS ALL HELL!! FAKE DATING ENEMIES TO LOVERS UNIVERSITY SETTING A RADIO SHOW IT IS EVERYTHING I WANTED AND MORE

Run don't walk to your local bookstore on the 5th of July trust me you will love it ! (and if you dont then thats maybe on you bestie )

I had really high hopes for this. I've not read Love in Colour but I've heard amazing things, her passion for romance writing - TV, novels, film is clear if you follow her on Twitter. I found it a little difficult to get into - I think because there are a lot of pop culture references and maybe I'm just not super familiar with them all. This didn't take me long to get over and I really loved it, the chemistry between Kiki and Malakai was well written and so believable. the relationships all felt very real and raw. I loved the university setting and all that comes with that short time in your life. I can't wait to see what the author does next.

I cannot believe that this was a debut novel, it was so well written with a riveting storyline and well developed characters. Fast oaced and funny, I loved it.

Tender, warm, syrupy but electric. Bolu knows romcoms and love and this had everything I needed. It's a book not afraid to take its time with the romance, building familiarity and vulnerability so it's properly earned when you get it. Which is exactly what you want. She's got such a way with words, you really feel every inch of these two falling for each other.

I properly loved both our protagonists, I could read about them forever. And outside of that there's this whole uni life with a great cast of characters that feels real and vibrant. That's where we get all of our side plots but they feel like they add to the story. Loved it, couldn't recommend it enough.

Thank you NetGalley and Headline for this arc in return for an honest review.

Wow, I absolutely loved this book. The characters were so well described with so much depth and feeling that I instantly got swept up into the Blackwell life. The chemistry between the main characters was excellent and supported by just as strong relationships with the extended friendships in this book. It all felt so relatable and realistic which I absolutely loved.
This book has so much to offer, not least the enemies to lovers/fake dating trope which was brilliantly executed but this is also a story about friendships and culture and finding your own way and learning from past experiences and supporting each other. This book touched on some very important issues but still kept a fun and lighthearted feel to it. I could go on and on but basically this was a great book that I would highly recommend.

The characters have so much depth and emotion, so much life they almost step right off the page. Never have fictional characters seemed so real, and those sparks that were flying! You’ll have to work hard to convince me Bolu Babalola didn’t invent romcoms. All that chemistry and vulnerability, the charm and the seduction. Malakai and Kiki are a force of nature and I was so swept up in it from the very first chapter. So many romances lack the conversation and connection that Bolu makes look effortless. I’m not being told Malakai and Kiki are hot for each other, I’m experiencing it. It’s happening right there on every page. Enemies to lovers and fake dating are the best tropes.

But beyond that romance are those strong female friendships. Kiki is a guide to all those campus girls, dishing out her wisdom from afar, but she eventually opens herself up enough to create new bonds and nurture old ones.

If you love sharp wit, pop culture references, vulnerability and being swept off your feet (or if you’re immune to Malakai, seeing Kiki being swept off her feet) then you need this book. It’s everything the romance genre should be. Bolu Babalola treats words like art, her language a masterpiece of imagery.

The humour, the romance, the friendships, the culture - ugh!! Any book that mentions Biggie and ovulation within the first few pages is going to be a winner.

Honey and Spice follows Kiki, a second year student at university in England who runs a radio show. Inevitably there are going to be some ‘Dear White People’ comparisons given the focus on black students on campus running a radio or show (rightly or wrongly), but it’s really unique despite the superficial similarities. Kiki’s radio show discusses relationships and she offers advice to fellow students. She calls herself a “fuckboiologist and mandemologist” - I mean, come on, that is soo good - and both her show and her interactions with other characters are hilarious and sassy and feminist. J’adore. I have highlighted so many lines like “I took it from him, desperately hoping that it wouldn’t compromise my feminism” that I genuinely laughed out loud at.

Kiki meets a new student on campus, Malakai, and they end up getting into a fake relationship. I’m a big fan of the fake dating trope. I think it’s a bit like reality tv crossed with a Shakespearean comedy - you know it’s ridiculous and fake, but you still enjoy it all the same, especially as you know there’s going to be a happy ending/wedding at the end. The best part of the fake relationship for me was that they both do it for their own studies - there’s a positive message throughout the book.

The whole novel is also just a really inclusive, progressive look at love and life and friendship (I loved the line “Sistren, brethren, them-thren”). I learnt a lot about black British culture, about Nigerian culture, and it was just a genuinely great example of making books that centre everyone’s experiences, not only those who usually feature in romance novels.

But Babalola is also just amazing at capturing romance and friendships and at really making you relate to her characters. I felt genuinely sad during the arguments and I understood what the characters were going through, and that is such a talent. I sincerely hope Babalola writes more books like this. I think the world needs them!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley for this lovely opportunity to read this and provide a review.

Okay where do I start? I’m going to go straight into it. Quite frankly I freaking LOVED every single part of the story. From the upcoming romance betwen my future baby daddy Kai and Kiki to the hilarious love story Aminah and Kofi had going this book had EVERYTHING. Humour. Romance. Angst.

The reason why I think I loved this book so much compared to other books is because of the language of the book. In my all 25 years of living (that’s along time you know) I’ve never read a book that quite literally spoke my language! Like rah I’m reading mandem? Stush? Fuckboi! What a time to be alive.

The jokes were impeccable too! Aminah saying ‘Call me maggi cube’ had me creasing.

The end took a turn that I expected but was hoping wouldn’t but alas it did! Kiki held herself strong and did what most people wish they did: stood up for herself. A QUEEN.

As you can see I throughly enjoyed the romance the story and everything about this book and I highly recommend to anyone that would read it. All I ask is for a man like Kai! .

I absolutely loved this! The writing felt fresh and original, and I was instantly hooked by the characters and premise. All of the characters in this have such vibrant personalities and I loved how many strong female characters there were. The entire cast was diverse, and the book delved into issues such as race and sexuality in a really well-done way. The two main characters, Kiki and Malakai, were both such relatable characters with fiery chemistry, and I loved how their relationship naturally progressed throughout the book, in sync with their own personal journeys. I really liked how their stories - in a way - mirrored each other; Kiki didn't date because she didn't want to be hurt again, while Malakai dated a lot but casually because he didn't know if he could be in a relationship. Watching them both reevaluate their stances on relationships through working together was really satisfying, and I was rooting for them to get together. This book is also just very funny (and very British!) If you're looking for a romance book to read, you won't be disappointed by this one.

Thank you to the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows Kiki who at university is somewhat of a big name on campus, when her reputation is threatened she finds herself forming a fake relationship with a fellow student who has had his fair share of bad press to try and save herself (and him) from total social ruin.

This was a fun book but I had seriously high hopes as one of the reviews had dubbed it the rom-com of the decade - unfortunately it didn’t quite live up to that.

I liked Kiki and her friendship with her best friend was a great subplot, but the main romance was a bit too slow burn for my liking and the will they/won’t they went on for so long by the end I actually thought they were better as friends,

This is totally a personal preference but I also don’t enjoy it when books have too many pop culture references in them as they can become dated very quickly (it reminded me of Red,White and Royal Blue in that aspect) it wasn’t a bad book at all but think it’s more suited to readers who like YA rather than adult romance fans (despite the title there is little to no spice).

✨ I absolutely LOVED this book. It has SO much going for it. It has romance, spice🌶 and friendships along with covering SO many important topics including racism, mental health and family issues.

✨ All the characters were so likeable…. minus Zack👊🏽. I usually struggle to like characters but there really was nothing to dislike about any of them. The character descriptions are so well written it feels like you know them all.

✨I totally related to Kiki towards the end in regards to pushing people away because you’re scared to let them get close. Bolu described it perfectly.

✨ I would absolutely LOVE for this to be turned into a film…. although the descriptions in the book are SO good you can picture it all in your head anyways!

✨Thank you to NetGalley & Bolu Babaola @boluberry for sending me an E-Arc. I wish you every success for this brilliantly written book.

Kiki is a student at Whitewell university and hosts a radio show called Brown Sugar, dishing out anthems and advice. She keeps herself to herself and stays out of drama until Malakai arrives. He has the usually composed Kiki rattled due to the effect he has on her and a lot of other women on campus. Events transpire and Kiki and Malakai find themselves in a fake relationship to aid both of their academic aspirations.

Okay first off the chemistry? Off the charts. It is really masterfully done, just so believable and easy. The female friendships were truly the guiding light of this book and just as engrossing as the romance. There is a lot of heart and a lot of hurt in these pages and it was all handled so expertly.

Loved it, will read anything Bolu writes!

Thanks to NetGalley and Headline for the opportunity to review this book!

Honey & Spice follows Kiki Banjo who is out to save the women of her university from heartache and heartbreak from the local players, Kiki runs a radio show where she offers tips, tricks, advice and a heaped spoonful of truth. Kiki's perspective gets shifted when she calls out fellow student Malakai as the "Wasteman of Whitewell" only to find out there is more than meets the eye. What follows is a tale of discovery, both internal and external, and an unforgettable story.

This book is full of sisterhood, shared history and honest trauma; Babalola handles it all with care and sincerity. It packs a real punch and is a book I will return to for sure.

Note: Marking down a star owing to Honey & Spice including everyone's least favourite line "she let out the breath she didn't know she was holding".

Wow- what an amazing, beautiful and refreshing love story! I absolutely adored this book and cannot wait for it to become the romance book of the summer.

I think the thing which sets this book above others is how genuine the characters feel. They all have their own issues to deal with, but they come together to work these out. Every single character feels fully fleshed out and real.

Aside from the absolutely beautiful romance between Kiki and Malakai, that genuinely warmed my soul and will stick with me a long time, I think the best thing about this book is the female friendships which developed. It is not only about a woman learning to be vulnerable with her love, but also with her friends. Also every single woman is an icon who I would kill to be friends with!

Another aspect I really enjoyed was the university setting, which felt like a mix of British and American experiences. To me this gave the book a ‘timeless’ feel.

Would highly recommend this book- 5 stars!

First of all, lemme just say WOW! I was expecting big things from this book and it DELIVERED.

This book felt like a warm hug and a kick up the bum at the same time. The relationships displayed in the books are real, raw and vulnerable. Of course, it's a romance but the friendships are some of the strongest I've seen for a while.
The exploration of being your unapologetic self and figuring out who or what that self is and represents is so important for young twenty-somethings today.

My only gripe with the book is that I wanted it to be a tad bit shorter but apart from that I loved it.

5 STARS

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an open and honest review.