Honey and Spice - by Bolu Babalola

Book Synopsis

Babalola's writing shines whether she's writing parry-riposte banter or fresh, evocative interiority. -- New York Times Book Review

Babalola's hilarious romance debut will have you laughing out loud and reconsidering first impressions. -- Buzzfeed

Breakout author Bolu Babalola pens her vibrant debut novel, full of passion, humor, and heart, that centers on a young Black British woman who has no interest in love and unexpectedly finds herself caught up in a fake relationship with the man she warned her girls about.

Sweet like plantain, hot like pepper. They taste the best when together...

Sharp-tongued (and secretly soft-hearted) Kiki Banjo has just made a huge mistake. An expert in relationship-evasion and the host of the popular student radio show, Brown Sugar, she's made it her mission to make sure the women of the Afro-Caribbean Society at Whitewell University do not fall into the mess of "situationships", players, and heartbreak. But when the Queen of the Unbothered kisses Malakai Korede, the guy she just publicly denounced as "The Wastemen of Whitewell" in front of every Blackwellian on campus, she finds her show and her reputation on the brink.

They're soon embroiled in a fake relationship to try and salvage their reputations and save their futures. Kiki has never surrendered her heart before and a player like Malakai, no matter how charming he is or how incredible their connection is, won't be the one to change that.

After surprisingly entertaining study sessions and intimate late-night talks at old-fashioned diners force Kiki to look beyond her own presumptions, is she ready to open herself up to something deeper?

A side-splittingly funny and sparkling debut novel, Honey and Spice is full of delicious tension and romantic intrigue that will make you weak at the knees.

Review Quotes

"Babalola's writing shines whether she's writing parry-riposte banter or fresh, evocative interiority."--New York Times Book Review on Love in Color

"Bolu Babalola splashes onto the scene with her fantastic debut . . . Magnificent . . . Perfect for the beach."--Isaac Fitzgerald, Today Show, on Love in Color

"Full of life and character, it's such a pleasure to take this ride . . . in the company of a writer as witty and intelligent as Bolu. Her romantic sensibility is second to none."--Bethany Rutter, author of No Big Deal, on Love in Color

"Inventive, intimate, witty and wise, Babalola's irresistible explorations uplift you from the start . . . Romance will never be dead, as long as she's writing it."--Jessie Burton, New York Times bestselling author of The Muse, on Love in Color

"Richly imaginative, unashamedly romantic and a total pleasure to read. I didn't want it to end."--Alexandra Sheppard, author of Oh My Gods, on Love in Color

A thrillingly gifted Nigerian-British author . . . Babalola dives deep into the notion that "romance sweetens the casual bitterness we can encounter; it heightens the mundane and makes the terrestrial supernatural."--Oprah Daily on Love in Color

Babalola's hilarious romance debut will have you laughing out loud and reconsidering first impressions.--Buzzfeed, 15 Books You'll Want To Read If You Loved HBO's Insecure

Beautifully written and full of joy. Bolu Babalola is a star.--Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author, on Love in Color

Bolu Babalola is clever . . . she finds the perfect new twist for every story that you think you know . . . A true delight.--Dorothy Koomson, international bestselling author, on Love in Color

Perfection . . . I am in love with every single word Bolu Babalola has written. So rarely is love expressed this richly, this vividly, or this artfully.--Candice Carty-Williams, international bestselling author of Queenie, on Love in Color