Thank you to William Morrow and @BookClubGirl for my NetGalley ARC and to Libro.fm for my ALC!

Pub date: 7/5/22
Genre: romance (fake dating), own voices
In one sentence: Kiki Banjo and her radio show Brown Sugar are the female voice of the African-Caribbean Society at Whitewell University - but she finds herself breaking her own rules when she starts fake dating player Malakai Korede.

I love Babalola's writing style, and Honey and Spice does not disappoint in that aspect! Kiki's voice is the highlight of the novel, and it's captured so well in the text. I also enjoyed listening to parts of the book on audio - since Kiki has a radio show, it felt really fitting to hear her voice this way. Malakai was the perfect foil to Kiki - smooth and seductive, and their banter was really fun.

My only issue with this book is that it felt a little too college-y and overdramatic - I think I was expecting Kiki to be a bit more mature. I still enjoyed it, but I think this book is more new adult versus adult fiction, so keep that in mind if you pick it up. 3.5 stars.

This book was very cute, but I do understand why some people DNF’d it. I almost did it as well due to the small rants/scenario building. The side characters and plot points very much overwhelmed this story and left it feeling very muddy. This story also took a while to get underway then felt kinda stop and go through the second half. I will say that this story also felt like it was trying to force a narrative onto you. I truly loved the chemistry between our main characters and their best friends; however, I really wish we would’ve left the story to them.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This is a British college romance story that also involves race relations and campus politics. While I eventually found an interest in this book, it took a while. In my opinion, the first 25 percent of this book (75-100 pages) could have been cut and condensed into a short chapter.

Kiki is a sophomore at Whitewell University. She’s a top student, and she knows it and shows it. She’s arrogant, even though she doesn’t think she is, holier than thou, and too smart for her own good. She’s also involved in the school’s African-Caribbean student social organization, Blackwell. And if that’s not enough, she’s got a thing going on with the hottest guy in that group, Zack, only she doesn’t want anyone to know about it.

Then, she crosses paths with Malakai, and things start changing. He’s as smart as Kiki, but he’s kind and gentle, happy to meet people and make friends. Kiki immediately dislikes him and thinks the worst of him. As the story progresses, these enemies decide to fake a relationship in order to gain academic advantage, only to have it develop into something more.

The book uses lots of academic language in casual dialog. I had a hard time believing anyone carried on informal conversations speaking that way. I think it’s the author trying to show how much she knows by using words that don’t really fit or make sense. Also, for those who are concerned with such things, there’s a never ending stream of crude language throughout the book. Both of these kept pulling me out of the story.

I’ve had access to a lot of universities in the United States, and I’ve never seen Black students isolate themselves as much as they do in this book. At no point is any interaction with white students or teachers shown.

I finally found myself involved in this book after the halfway point. More than once I debated calling it quits. I suspect that I’m not the target audience this book is aimed at, and often found it flat out boring.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley. I thank all involved for their generosity, but it had no effect on this review. All opinions in this review reflect my true and honest reactions to reading this book.

Honey and Spice is a great romance debut and I can’t wait for the sequel. Bolu Babalola knows romance and it comes out in every one of her works. Highly recommend.

After reading Babalola’s Love in Color, I was super excited for this novel. I loved the richness and texture Babalola was able to give to the setting. Her descriptions of color and ambiance were truly transient. Unfortunately, I found the characters a little underdeveloped, the ending rushed, and just overall the book felt very young. I could see this book being more appealing to young/ new adult readers but even as a early twenties reader, some of the dialogue and behaviors of the characters felt childish to me. I also felt like Babalola could have created more dialogue around Kiki being a black woman, it felt like everyone else in the story was fully engaged in their blackness and Kiki was kind of just standing up for her friends, but never engaging with her own reality.

i'm a fan of bolu babalola and read her debut novel, love in colour.

honey & spice had everything that i love: set in college, romance, friendship, love, parties! but i had to say that i was soooo annoyed by kiki at times. and it is hard for me to TRULY enjoy a novel if i hate the main character. LIKE SHE WAS SO WEIRD AT TIMES???????? i couldnt help but find her over dramatic. and i hate that i'm gonna say this but... maybe it's because she was 19??? but i'm only 23. i'm not THAT old. so i dont really understand why i found her to be too extra. especially about the whole cliques thing. like, babes ur in college, not in high school.

but i still recommend this book to everyone. it's THEE hot girl read of the summer!

What an interesting story set at a college. We have two people whose relationships are starting to mess with their jobs as radio hosts at a college station. Interesting to see all the dynamics between all the different players and how everyone handles romantic relationships differently. I think the hero and heroine are complicated and I enjoy their story very much. All of the side characters are well thought and add to the story immensely. It’s an interesting fascinating book.

What a novel to read un the heat of summer! I feel like I've discovered a new amazing romance with debut novel. Kiki is a force to reckoned with when her romance plans are turned upside down!

Honey and Spice is an engaging, fun, and romantic read. I thoroughly enjoyed reading it and definitely recommend it! Kiki is such a strong female main character. I love how clearly her past influences her current actions but we also see how much she develops and grows throughout the book. I am always a sucker for the fake dating trope, and the fun banter and undeniable chemistry between Malachi and Kiki really sold this story for me.

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars!!!
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Lit (Young Adult/College)
Spice Level: 2 out of 5 peppers
Representation: Black Brits, Nigerian
Content Warnings: Sexual Exploitation, Manipulation, Isolation, Illness of Parent (mentioned), Infidelity (mentioned)

This book has a hold on me! I loved Babalola's first book, Love in Color, but I'm obsessed with this novel. From the hilarious conversations and Kiki's creative word-smithing to her intense chemistry with Malakai, I couldn't get enough. I felt like I was there as a part of Kiki's friend group. Honey & Spice shows off Babalola's witty writing and charm. Malakai is adorable and definitely book boyfriend material!
I could have done with less Drake references (because he's a creep) and I know that people who aren't fans of Beyonce won't enjoy all of the references to her and her music, but I still love this book as a whole. I'm kind of sad I finished it but it was pretty long in terms of Romance novels.
If you're looking for a lot of smut, that's not what this book is meant for. It's about trust and first love. There's a tiny bit of spice tho!

I gave this one a good 20% read but it is just not for me. I'm not in the age demographic for sure. There is lots of vernacular or slang that I didn't understand, and doing a definition check on my kindle didn't produce any results. So putting this one in my Did Not Finish pile. Thanks for the opportunity to try it out.

4.5 Rounded Up.

CW: Parent Illness, Sexual Harassment and Abuse.

I received a reviewer copy of Honey and Spice by Bolu Babalola from the publisher William Morrow from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Kiki Banjo doesn't mess with relationships. She hosts her own radio show (Brown Sugar) where she gives advice and tries to help fellow African-Carribean women at Whitewell University avoid players and relationship drama. But when Kiki ends up kissing Malakai Korede, new transfer student in front of all the Blackwellians. Only problem, Kiki has outed him as a playboy on her show.

What I Loved: I loved this book so much, it was a fantastic romance. This book has the fake relationship troupe, enemies to friends to lovers, and wow it is done well. I really related to Kiki, a girl who has been damaged by past relationships and fear of losing her mother to cancer in her final years of high school. I related to Kiki a lot and her desire to stay out of the light and minimize connections. I loved the friendships in this book. I loved the chemistry between Malakai and Kiki and the friendship/banter/romance between them. I wanted more steam but oh well, still enough! I truly think this is a fabulous new adult book and highlights the challenges of college.

What I didn’t like so much: I kind of thought the break up was a little weird but also these are young adults learning to love.

Who Should Read It: People who love a wonderful romance book. People who love college aged books.

Summary: A young woman falls into a relationship with the man she just called a playboy on her show!

Rom-Coms are not typically a genre I enjoy, but the description had me intrigued. I'm glad that I took the leap and didn't miss all of the fun! I literally laughed out loud at the witty banter among the characters and shed a few tears along to way as well.

Set on a college campus, the story centers around Kiki and Malakai, who for different reasons, have decided the relationship scene that others crave, is not for them. However, they engage in a fake relationship around campus to bolster their individual academic projects. I must admit that I feared the book would be superficial and frivolous, but the characters are actually very well developed and their back stories are believable. With a background in adolescent and child mental health, I can verify that the baggage (and resulting behaviors), brought to the table by the main characters is realistic and accurate.

Despite the ending being predictable, the ride to get there was quite entertaining. Watching the characters work through their issues, grow, and heal was beautiful. In addition to romance and relationships, additional subjects are deftly woven throughout the story; Black culture, race relations, misogyny, friendship, parent/child relationships, sexual harassment and more.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book! Thank you NetGalley, William Morrow, and Bolu Babolola for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

It took me about 1/3 of the way through to actually start enjoying this book. It was an almost DNF but I kept at it. Kiki the main character is very insecure after something that had happened to her in high school. She is now at university with her own Uni podcast. She has a bestie in Aminah and they make a great team. The book is about college life. It has drama, sexual harassment, bullying, fake relationships and great friendships. It is a great rom-com and would make for a great beach read. I felt for myself it was a little too young for me but it was a fun read.
Thanks to #netgalley, #williammorrow and @boluberry for this ARC.

As I started reading Honey & Spice, I wasn’t sure that I was going to finish the book. I struggled to connect with the college aged characters and almost felt like I was too old to be reading this book. Once the story progressed and I got about 1/3 of the way through, it clicked for me and I started enjoying the book a lot more.

Absolutely loved this book! I love how strong Kiki is but also how relatable her feelings about relationships are. Kai is just so amazing too. All the side characters were truly the best too. And that ending owns my heart.

I really loved this book. What a fun journey. Babalola is so specific in her world-building and with fleshing out the lives of her characters that it feels like a trip to a whole new place, yet the romance is so successful and universal that all readers can enjoy it. I loved learning about a whole new culture and falling in love with Malakai and Kiki.

Thank you to William Morrow, Book Club Girls and NetGalley for the ARC.

When I started reading this book I wasn't sure if this would be the book for me. But then the author brought in the fake dating trope and I got completely sucked in. First off, Kiki is amazing. I love her. Second, the spark and energy between Kiki and Malakai was *chef's kiss* perfection. Their banter was hilarious and heartwarming. I also loved Kiki's development as she found herself and her community. Her girls were the best and also completely hilarious.

I wish I could watch this story, particularly the ending scene, in movie form. It was so perfectly done. Slightly cheesy, several hilarious parts, but also gave me the warm fuzzies and tied everything up well.

I will say that the final conflict between Kiki and Malakai felt slightly forced to me, but because I enjoyed this book so much otherwise it didn't bother me too badly.

Overall I really enjoyed this book! Thanks to netgalley for the ARC

Special thanks to NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC. I tried so much to get in to this book and unfortunately, it just fell flat for me. If it wasn’t an ARC, I would have more than likely DNF’d it. For me, the characters were all over the place and the story line was hard to follow. This is more like a 2.5 for me…

Honey and Spice, an enemies-to-lovers romance set on a British university campus, hums with author Bolu Babalola's energetic, intelligent voice. A brilliant and wildly creative young woman with sharp corners and a sharper tongue discovers the softer side of life in Bolu Babalola's dazzling debut romance, Honey and Spice.

Full Review: https://www.bookpage.com/reviews/honey-and-spice-review/