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Honey and Spice
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
30 posts | 30 read | 10 to read
Babalola's writing shines whether she's writing parry-riposte banter or fresh, evocative interiority. -- New York Times Book ReviewBabalola's hilarious romance debut will have you laughing out loud and reconsidering first impressions. -- BuzzfeedBreakout 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.
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xicanti
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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I know some of y‘all wanted to see the finished version of the tiny house I built while I listened to the tagged book, among many other things. I‘ve just shared a whole bunch of zoom-inable pictures on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C_DhAd8Av3l/?igsh=MWk5bjJ6djltNXcyZg==

Ruthiella So cute! 3mo
AmyG That‘s amazing! (edited) 3mo
Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks I love it 🏠 3mo
See All 6 Comments
dabbe 🤩🤩🤩 3mo
xicanti @Ruthiella @AmyG @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks @dabbe thanks, everyone! My aunt loved it, too. I haven‘t heard the grandkids‘ reaction yet. 3mo
Caroline2 Beautiful 🤩 3mo
34 likes6 comments
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xicanti
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Just building a tiny house for my aunt and her grandkids, as you do.

I like HONEY AND SPICE overall, especially now I‘m a fair ways in, but the setup almost put me off it at first. Even though it‘s extremely British, Kikiora makes sense of her university via so many stereotypes it feels like a US high school novel, and y‘all know those are a hard sell for me. There‘s a serious meat market vibe to the dating aspect, too. #audiocrafting

xicanti Babalola‘s wring is very witty, though, and she does interrogate some of the stereotypes as the book gains steam. That saved it for me. 3mo
niftytiffd Excellent craftsmanship! I love your tiny house! 🏠 3mo
TheBookHippie I love it!!!!! 3mo
See All 6 Comments
dabbe #stunning 🤩🤩🤩 3mo
xicanti @niftytiffd @TheBookHippie @dabbe thanks! I lucked into the kit at the thrift store and it‘s been fun to work on. 3mo
AmyG Just beautiful. 3mo
40 likes1 stack add6 comments
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Gissy
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Mehso-so

Read in February 2024
Unpopular opinion. I didn‘t enjoy this book as much as I wanted or as much as many people did🤷🏽‍♀️I found characters so immature, the story too cheesy, repetitive and I didn‘t care about the characters or their story. I found it bored😳2.5/3⭐️But I like the cover☺️

TheAromaofBooks At least it's off the list!! 7mo
Gissy @TheAromaofBooks Yes and maybe I can sell it🤷🏽‍♀️ 7mo
See All 12 Comments
TheAromaofBooks That's what I've been doing with a lot of my books. I can't remember, are you in the US? Both Pango and PaperbackSwap have been great resources for me to unload unwanted books and get some new ones!!! 7mo
Gissy @TheAromaofBooks I‘m going to try PangoBooks but I didn‘t know about Paperbackswap. I have a full box already. I will try to sell them this weekend. Apparently all you have to do is take a picture and link my PayPal? Are you familiar with with PangoBooks? 7mo
DieAReader 👋🏻👋🏻Next! 7mo
TheAromaofBooks Yes, I have been using Pango for a few months now and really like it. After you set up your account, to sell a book you just scan the book's barcode and the app will upload the publishing info (you can still edit it if you need to). You take some pictures, select the condition and price of the book, and you are good to go!! What I love is when someone purchases it, Pango creates a shipping label that you can print (usually the buyer pays shipping) 7mo
TheAromaofBooks Paperback Swap isn't as good as it used to be just because it now costs more to mail a book even media mail!! But basically you post books you have to get rid of. If someone picks your book, you mail it to them and then you receive a credit. You use that credit to pick a book from someone else. So basically you get books for what it costs you to mail a book to someone else (now $4-5). You can also create a wishlist and get notified if someone ⬇ 7mo
TheAromaofBooks (cont'd) posts a book you want. It's a great way to get books that are a few years old and not as “hot“ as they were when they were first published 😂 7mo
Gissy @TheAromaofBooks Thank you! I will try it and definitely will use PangoBooks I buy books from them all the time. It‘s a matter of patience because sometimes some new releases are expensive and later you can find them in a great deal. Thank you for the information 🤗 7mo
TheAromaofBooks Yes, I love buying books from Pango because you can SEE what book you are purchasing. Sometimes I am looking for specific editions or covers, and it's so helpful to see photos instead of just a “stock picture“. 7mo
Gissy @TheAromaofBooks Same here! My phone and iPad are full of book pictures. I think I will live for eternity to read books🤣 7mo
38 likes12 comments
review
Cupcake12
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Pickpick

A young black British woman at university. Kiki, hosts the popular student radio show - Brown Sugar. Her mission iis to ensure Afro-Caribbean women understand their worth and guide them through heartbreak. She becomes embroiled in a fake relationship with Malakai for a social experiment for her show. But the late nights talks, sizzling chemistry and fake public display of affection…..can she open herself up to something more meaningful.

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Cupcake12
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Looking forward to starting this tonight 📕📚

Milkyway01 Heyy how was it for you? Did you enjoy it? 5mo
Cupcake12 I really enjoyed it. I really liked the banter between the two MC. 5mo
34 likes2 comments
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Gissy
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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1. Not plans there are various delicate family situations occurring at the same time. Living day by day, hour by hour second by second to see what happens.
2. Due to family situations I don‘t know what is going to happen on February 14. But I will be there, in person with family with all my love, heart, seeking strength to support them and myself💔Not much reading of course for the whole month
3. Talking talking blah blah about hot guys🙄

Gissy Thank you @TheSpineView @sleepswithbooks 🥰♥️😘♥️ 9mo
kspenmoll Sending you love I hope everything works out for you❤️ 9mo
TheSpineView You're welcome! 9mo
See All 8 Comments
BethM Sending you love and support! 9mo
Gissy @BethM @kspenmoll Thank You! 9mo
mabell I‘m sorry it‘s a difficult time for your family @Gissy ! I hope all goes well ❤️ 9mo
BookNAround I hope today wasn‘t as difficult for your family as it sounds like it had the potential to be. 9mo
Gissy @BookNAround @mabell Thank You! Today, at this right moment I‘m writing this, everything is stable, but we are living day by day. ♥️ 9mo
33 likes8 comments
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themonaisa
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
Bailedbailed

Not my style. I kept getting lost in the wording and the writing. Fake dating is TOTALLY my bag! But sadly, not this time :(

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JillR
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Pickpick

I‘d got to the point of giving up on modern romance; too cheesy, never plausible, eye-rolling dialogue. All the classic romcom tropes are here. My eye-rolling started. Yet it‘s also smart, snappy and of its time and…I think I enjoyed it. The feminist solidarity was strong and at the forefront. Yes I have quite a lot of niggles, yes it was too long, but the younger me would have loved it and that gets it some points!

squirrelbrain Fab review! Still not sure I‘d be tempted though…. 🤔 14mo
JillR @squirrelbrain it was a book club read and the rest of the group pretty much disliked it (overall averaged out we gave 2.5/5) - all felt it was v much on the YA side… 14mo
32 likes2 comments
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vlwelser
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Pickpick

This is very cute. It's thoroughly entertaining if you're looking for something fairly light. The audio is well done.

#BookSpinBingo @TheAromaofBooks

TheAromaofBooks Woohoo!!! 1y
39 likes1 comment
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S3V3N
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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#naturalitsy #midsummerswap #midsummersolace
@AllDebooks @jenniferw88

Thank you @TheQuietQuill I loved everything! I‘m going to plant the gladiolus immediately. I needed gardening gloves. I had resorted to using my winter mittens. LOL Honey & Spice will be bumped up on my TBR List! Oh! I love the pumpkin travel mug. I‘m going to try the coffee this morning too.

TheQuietQuill Yay! Enjoy and glad you like everything! 🌱🌱🥰🥰 1y
AllDebooks Gorgeous gifts x 1y
S3V3N @TheQuietQuill @AllDebooks ☺️This was a fun swap. 1y
TheBookHippie Love it! 1y
32 likes5 comments
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DimeryRene
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Pickpick

Loved it! Witty, quick, flirty, and fun. Very light on the steam. I wish there was more, but it didn‘t take away from anything. *Also pictured is my Valentine from my best little friend. 💘💘

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DimeryRene
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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🍯 Literally starting off to be my favorite romance. 🌶️

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Shievad
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
Pickpick

Romance book with fake relationship to real relationship trope. The audiobook is amazing! Love the narrator‘s different voices and how the recording payed with the quality to make you feel like you were listening to an interview in a crowded area or a podcast. The story itself was great, could have been a little faster in getting the characters to the whole realization that the other liked them. Highly recommend!

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Laurak0291
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
Pickpick

4/5

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Librosycafe
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
Pickpick

I'm currently listening 🎧 to the audiobook and I wish I had the actual book! I love the narrator Weruche Opia makes you feel part of the experience.

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DaNae.Gr
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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3 likes1 stack add
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Emilymdxn
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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I was rly busy at work today and not sure what to post for #ominousoctober then I saw this on the kindle daily deal email and it was perfect! It looks like such a cute book but I‘m trying to be strict about not buying kindle books on the 99p deals rn…… it‘s a small amount of money but lethal over time.

#scarathlon2022 #teamslaughter @Clwojick +6

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks Excellent 🧡🧡 2y
42 likes1 comment
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ICantImReading
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Although I probably would have enjoyed this more if I were in my early twenties, this is a fun collegiate romance. Kiki‘s voice is sharp and witty and her chemistry and banter with Kai are great. The audiobook narration really enhanced the story and brought the characters to life! 🎧 #reesesbookclub

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MsLeah8417
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
Pickpick

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

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Sydneypaige
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Now this book is fun! The chemistry between the main characters is great and though typically fake dating isn‘t my favorite romance trope, I enjoyed how it was done in this book! I also thought the female friendship through line was an asset to this book. Great nearing end of summer read 🌞🕶

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MallenNC
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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I was tagged by @Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks a few days ago but I thought I‘d still answer! I am reading the tagged book, which is YA romance. I just started but I think I will like it. Hope so!

I‘ve been distracted by the US Open and world news lately so I‘ve not read as much this week as I‘d like.

#CurrentlyReading #LittensWantToKnow

Alwaysbeenaloverofbooks ❤️❤️❤️ 2y
18 likes1 comment
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AlizaApp
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Pickpick

A sweet and spicy (lol) romance novel set at a liberal arts university in the UK. Kiki is the host of a popular dating advice radio show, but faces blowback after kissing resident college fuckboy Malakai at a party. How can their reputations ever recover? Fake dating!! Loved the author‘s voice and all the vibrant supporting characters. Recommend!

36 likes1 stack add
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Evita
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
Mehso-so

3 out of 5

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Lenamarcela339
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Graciouswarriorprincess
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Book 76/150. #reesesbookclub

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NikkiKey94
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Pickpick

I really liked this book! There was too much sexual tension and not enough 🌶🌶! It left me wanting more! 😂 Overall I loved it and it was a really good romance!

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KristiAhlers
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Pickpick

This book was so smart, funny, sexy, a total page turner! I highly enjoyed my time with these characters and recommend this book if you‘re looking for a fun read this weekend.

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marleed
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Pickpick

I thought this was smart, witty, and a great story. I didn‘t even care about what might happen next in the fake dating trope (I can be harsh to judge) between Kiki and Kai because I was so immersed in the current banter. If only I could deliver the words this author does!

KristiAhlers This is next on my list to read! 2y
marleed @KristiAhlers oh I hope you have fun with it! 2y
64 likes2 comments
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Graciouswarriorprincess
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
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Reading on my #kindkle this hot, humid July afternoon. I am joining the summer challenge and already have three bookmarks completed.

#kindleapp #kindlesummerchallege#honey&spice #booknerd #booklover #librarian

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Mpcacher
Honey and Spice | Bolu Babalola
Pickpick

This was a fun read - a rom-com with the fake dating trope. The main character has a radio show at her British University on dating and relationships aimed at other women of colour and the novel has some depth because of it. There is a lot of slang that made the reading a little slower as I wasn't familiar with some of it...but it was still a very entertaining read. This is a debut novel so I will watch for more from this author. 4/5!

5 likes1 stack add