As someone who loved Honey and Spice, I was super excited for this book and so when I found out there was a second book where we pick up Kiki and Malakai have been broken up for a while. Kiki has tried to move on from it, but it all comes rushing back when their best friends announce they are getting married. I love the second-chance romance trope with some forced proximity, I love a little bit of angst, and this definitely delivered all of that.

I loved working with a dual timeline/perspective of Kiki as we go back and forth from what feels like her memories and her present events.

Bolu Babalola has not failed to capture my interest and attention with this book, definitely a great read!

Funny, heartfelt and a good beach read but not really the book for me unfortunately.. it may have been the mood 8 was in but 8 just found the book quite difficult to get into.

Sweet Heat is the follow up to Honey & Spice, and no one writes romance better than Bolu Babalola. I don’t read romance very often, yet I have been so excited to get into this and lapped it up. Around 80% is raw sexual tension and the other 20% is banter - amidst a backdrop of music, food, family and friendship drama.

As a sequel it expands on the characters from Honey & Spice, giving us more depth and entertainment, whilst also introducing new characters and providing insight into the life Kiki has created for herself in London.

The emotional depths explored in this book are impressive, with so many different stages to Kiki and Malakai’s relationship. It’s also what I would describe as a literary romance, so if you’re in the mood for a funny, sexy summer read with substance, I highly recommend getting stuck into this spicy series.

I’m just a girl standing in front of you, telling you, a second chance romance will break me.
I adored coming back to Kiki and Malakai. I do think you can enjoy this without reading honey and spice but I do think it’s best enjoyed together.
The writing style kept me hooked and while this isn’t a Light or quick read, it is one that will make you see how hard you have to fight for your second chances.
I adored the romance and how Babalola writes a story of self recovery and self forgiveness!!!

Babalola's evocative and poetic prose sweeps the reader into Kiki and Kai's story. You feel as though you are being invited into their friend group with open arms as you experience their highs and lows as both a group and as individuals. I really loved the framing of this story as a second chance romance as the two former paramours are forced in close quarters with the upcoming nuptials of their best friends. Their schism is ever-present as for those that followed them falling in love in Honey & Spice, you feel sad that life has torn them apart and are constantly cheering for their reunion

Thank you to Netgalley and Headline for an eARC copy for review.

This is a must if you love a second chance romance! While she is juggling a career setback and the fact her family's restaurant is slowly going out of business, the FM KiKi is suddenly reunited with her ex (first love... and heartbreak) Malachi to fulfil maid of honour and best man duites at their friends' wedding. If that wasn't stressful enough, they somehow both start working on a career defining project.

While the physical attraction and chemistry is still very strong, there are unanswered questions and unresolved feelings at play. Babalola uses the vibrant backdrop of London, in what feels like a very Black British love story.

Sweet Heat lives up to its name—equal parts delicious and steamy! I absolutely loved the witty banter between Kiki and Malakai. Their chemistry was undeniable from page one, full of tension, teasing, and vulnerability that made me root for them hard.

Babalola’s writing shines brightest in her portrayal of Black female friendships—fun, real, messy, and full of heart. Kiki’s ride-or-die crew felt like a warm hug and a hype squad rolled into one.

The book blends sharp humour with tender moments in a way that feels effortlessly authentic.

4.25 stars

Honey and Spice is one of my favourite romance books ever so I was so excited to get my hands on this book, and my expectations were high. Taking place eight years after the events of the first book, Aminah and Kofi’s upcoming wedding sees Kiki and Malakai reunite for the first time since their devastating breakup three years ago.

I loved how Kiki and Malakai evolved as individuals and as a couple in this book. They are no longer uni students but adults in the big wide world, and as such they have to deal with bigger issues like career struggles, mental illness, and grief, as well as the reality that young love often doesn’t stand up to the demands of adulthood. I really liked how both characters had to sort out their own problems first in order to rebuild their relationship on a solid foundation. But despite these challenges facing their romance, there is still that undeniable chemistry between the two. I enjoyed their banter and how they are just drawn to each other even in a room full of people.

The other characters who return in this book are also a delight. Just like Honey and Spice, Sweet Heat is a celebration of female friendship, and the scenes involving Kiki, Aminah, Chioma, and Shanti are real standouts for how the girls uplift and support each other, even when Aminah becomes a rather overbearing bridezilla.

The writing is similarly flawless - Babalola has a real talent for writing scenes that are equal parts literary and steamy. And her musings on struggling to carve out a place for yourself and find your vocation after leaving university are so relatable. I do wonder, though, if the book is a little too long, with too many flashbacks that last so long that you forget when you are in the timeline and what’s actually supposed to be happening in the present. But if that’s something I have to endure to enjoy more of Babalola’s writing, I’m happy to make that sacrifice!

Overall, though, this book definitely lives up to the expectations created by Honey and Spice, while also displaying a more mature, grown, evolved, but just as endearing, relationship between two wonderful characters. Fantastic!

If I'm being honest, this started a little slow for me, but by 25%, I was locked in and although I hadn't read Honey & Spice I still was able to enjoy the characters without feeling like I had no idea of their past dynamics. But saying that, I do think reading thr first book would provide a richer understanding of the characters.

Once it got going, I really enjoyed this book. I find second chance romances quite hit or miss, but I'm learning that as long as there is some heavy longing/pining and clear character development while the MCs work through a heartbreaking past... then I'm all in, and this book had that in spades. There were some great characters in this and very different but wholesome friendships to add to the crazy drama that unfolded throughout.

As someone who reads romance novels all the time, this felt extra special as I could see myself,  friends and family portrayed in multiple conversations, situations and environments that were explored in this book. It was great to read the black British experience thay felt relatable and wasn't about hardships or crime and violenceetc.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.

Thank you to Netgalley and the UK publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Fans of Honey and Spice absolutely CANNOT miss this instalment. Being able to visit these characters again was amazing. Kiki and Kai just have the most amazing chemistry - perhaps even more so than the first book. The friendships between Kiki and Aminah was amazing as well.

I love that the love story doesn't seem tropey at all - it feels real and emotional. And the dialogue just leaps off the page at times.

My only complaint was that I didn't get to see Kai at all for the first 25% of the book, so the initial pacing felt a bit off to me. But once it all got going I loved it. Such beautiful writing!

Steamy, romantic, and full of empowerment 🔥💖. Sweet Heat is a sizzling, feel-good collection of love stories with bold heroines and irresistible chemistry. Bolu Babalola delivers witty banter, swoony tension, and heartfelt moments in every tale. I adored the celebration of joy, love, and unapologetic romance. A must-read for fans of empowering, spicy love stories.

Kiki And Malakai are back!!!!

I first read Kiki and Malakai's story in Honey and Spice and I absolutely loved them. And when I heard they were back in this sequel, Sweet Heat, I was excited!!!

Sweet Heat follows Kiki and Malakai 3 yrs after their painful breakup. They haven't seen each other in all those years and now they're reunited and forced to work together as Maid of Honour and best man for their best friends' wedding. And now, being in close proximity they have to put all their unresolved feelings and past hurts, play nice and work together.

This is a slow burn second chance romance, with elements of forced proximity, which I'm a sucker for. There was tension. Angst. Passion. Yearning. Heat. Sweet Heat.

It was written in dual timelines which managed to blend the past and the present into one beautiful story.

I loved the characters: All of them, including the side characters. Each and every one of them. They were all so likeable. Real. Relatable. There was also strong character growth and development in comparison to Honey and Spice. Yet it's impressive how Bolu managed to keep the core of who the characters are whilst still showing how much they've grown and evolved over the past years.

The writing style: My goodness!!! Bolu is such an exceptional writer. She writes in a way that makes you feel every single word on that page. The prose is very poetic and lyrical - so beautiful.

There were also some themed highlighted in the book such as loss of a loved one and grief and how that can impact relationships. There was also subtle mention of the importance of opening up through therapy and also having strong family and friendship connections. Also, trying to figure life out especially in your 20s.

This was definitely a step up from Honey and Spice - accolades to Bolu!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline Publshing for sending me an ARC of the book.

I rated this 4.75 stars

I wasn't sure I wanted to read this after feeling a bit let down by Honey and Spice. But, this ended up being a lot more enjoyable. I liked the fact that it followed the original characters but at a different stage of life - it felt more grown up and more relatable than the undergraduate antics of the first book. Also Kiki is less annoying (which is a big plus) and there are fewer jarring pop culture references. I started reading this in an airport queue and then finished it in one sitting over a 8 hour plane journey - if that's not a sign of a good story, then I don't know what is!

This is a lovely, hard hitting romance story.

It did take me a little while to get into it, but I was soon hooked and wanted to know everything!
The characters are really well developed and the more you read the more you feel for them.

There is a lot of chemistry between the characters, and this is very well written.

All in all this was emotional, full of believable romance and you may find it makes you laugh, it may even make you cry! But you will be glad you picked it up.

Book! Of! The! Summer! Look I loved Honey & Spice, it is really excellent. Sweet Heat is somehow even better??

Kiki & Malakai are three years post break-up. Kiki is spending a lot of time figuring out what it is exactly she wants from life, what she wants for herself. Then her best friend Aminah’s wedding throws Malakai back into her orbit.

God where do I START with this? The chemistry is off the charts. You just truly believe every feeling these two have for one another. But it’s not only about them! Kiki’s relationships with her friends are just as beautiful & meaningful as the romance.

Babalola is also an expert at weaving in pop culture references in a way that doesn’t feel jarring. It’s very obvious a huge amount of care was taken with this book.

Grown & sexy. No notes, a perfect romance.

Kiki and Malakai are no more, and Kiki's with the dullest man on earth now: when she thinks he's planning to propose, she full-on panics. But best friend Aminah is getting married and who will be coming to the wedding ...? Can they manage to be civil, just as Kiki wobbles? Her longed-for job in publishing was full of tokenism, her once-beloved podcast has succumbed to frankly racist pressures and her parents are planning to sell their restaurant and retire, and she's not even sure if she can afford the mortgage on the flat above where she's actually living. Now she has a bridezilla with too many elders fussing around on her hands, a potential new job with a somewhat terrifying boss, and who will be joining her to make this documentary ...?

Themes of bereavement and growing up are woven seamlessly into the narrative and I feel Babalola's writing has deepened and become more lyrical, while still giving us fun plots and brilliant expositions of friendships.

Blog review published 03 July 2025: https://librofulltime.wordpress.com/2025/07/03/two-novel-reviews-bolu-babalola-sweet-heat-and-danica-nava-love-is-a-war-song/

Sweet Heat is a steamy, intelligently written romance that will have you hooked once you start reading. Funky, sexy likeable characters and I was rooting for Kiki and Kai from the off. I just couldn’t stop reading!

I don’t know what it is about Bolu’s writing but I just love it, her tone is humorous but also handles the more serious topics so well! I loved Honey & Spice, and I love a second chance romance. Whilst it gutted me to see Kiki and Malakai be split up at the beginning I loved seeing their resolution. One thing I love is the depth of the characters (and even the besties) and overall a really fun book! Thank you to NetGalley for this arc!

I'm going to be totally honest this book took me some time to get into, I never read the first one and didn't realise it was part of a series, I figured it out half way though, but you don't need to read the first one to understand this one. the reason it took me so long to get into it was because I didn't understand all of the main characters inner ramblings, at first I didn't think they were necessary but by the end of it I could see that they were so necessary they made up the story and made it believable.

by the time I had got half way through this story I loved it and was thoroughly enjoying it. the chemistry between the two main characters was electric I was routing for them from the beginning and really wanted them to have their happy ending, I was biting at the bit to find out what happened next with them and loved everything about them. I think the fact that they ended up working together helped them to work out their differences.

the wedding of the two best friends was really well written an I'm glad that they were able to do it the way they wanted I don't think they would of been happy if they did it the way their parents wanted it.

this is the first time I have read anything by this author and I am telling you that it won't be the last I loved her writing style and if I was asked to recommend a book it would be this one.

the only complaint I have about this whole book is that you never find out who M is I would of loved to know who's pool Kiki and Kia had taken a dip in at that famous party, yes he said it was him but I really don't believe it 😀

Thanks to @netgalley, the author and publishers for the ARC.

I didn't know that this book was a sequel, so I constantly felt as though I was always a step behind throughout. That being said, this was a lovely book to read. It was wholesome, it was sad, it was spicy, full of tension, all things a good romance should be!
This is a second chance romance trope as its best & I think I'll now need to go back & read the first book, Honey & Spice.

The angst and grief and tension and heartbreak and longing I felt while reading this was overwhelming but I loved it. This book is a masterpiece. Undoubtedly one of the best books of 2025, of any genre.