Bolu Babalola’s debut novel Honey & Spice arrives as a refreshing addition to contemporary romance, weaving together sharp social commentary with undeniable chemistry. The book serves as the first installment in Babalola’s Honey & Spice series, with the anticipated sequel Sweet Heat continuing the world she’s masterfully crafted. Following her internationally bestselling collection Love in Color, Babalola demonstrates her evolution as a storyteller, though not without some growing pains that prevent this debut from reaching its full potential.
The Heart of the Story: Kiki’s Guarded World
At the center of this tale sits Kiki Banjo, the sharp-tongued host of the Brown Sugar radio show at Whitewell University. Babalola has created a protagonist who is refreshingly flawed—someone whose protective mechanisms have hardened into rigid rules about love and relationships. Kiki’s mission to shield the women of the African-Caribbean Society from heartbreak feels both admirable and suffocating, revealing a character trapped by her own cynicism.
The authenticity of Kiki’s voice represents one of the novel’s greatest strengths. Her internal monologue crackles with wit and vulnerability, though Babalola occasionally lets her protagonist’s defensiveness overshadow her growth. When Kiki declares herself the “Queen of the Unbothered,” readers understand this as both armor and prison. The radio show serves as more than just plot device—it becomes a metaphor for how Kiki communicates with the world: from a safe distance, behind a microphone, controlling the narrative.
What makes Kiki compelling is her contradictions. She’s simultaneously wise about relationships and completely inexperienced in them. Her expertise comes from observation and theory rather than practice, which creates delicious tension when she’s forced to navigate her own romantic feelings. Babalola captures the particular anxiety of someone who has built an identity around being untouchable, only to discover she desperately wants to be touched.
Malakai: Beyond the Player Archetype
The introduction of Malakai Korede initially follows familiar romance territory—the charming newcomer who threatens the heroine’s carefully constructed world. However, Babalola subverts expectations by revealing the complexity beneath Malakai’s surface appeal. His characterization evolves from the “Wasteman of Whitewell” that Kiki initially brands him to be into someone genuinely worth falling for.
The fake relationship trope that drives much of the plot works because both characters have compelling reasons for the arrangement. Malakai isn’t just another player looking for conquest; he’s someone dealing with his own reputation management and genuine feelings. His willingness to dress as Niyo from Kiki’s beloved fantasy series for a romance convention demonstrates the kind of thoughtful gesture that elevates him above typical romantic heroes.
Babalola excels at showing rather than telling us why these characters work together. Their banter feels natural and lived-in, particularly when they’re discussing literature or challenging each other’s assumptions. The slow burn of their relationship allows readers to believe in their connection, even when the characters themselves remain skeptical.
Cultural Authenticity and Academic Politics
One of the novel’s most impressive achievements lies in its authentic portrayal of Black student life at a predominantly white institution. Babalola doesn’t just gesture toward diversity—she creates a fully realized community with its own social dynamics, politics, and cultural touchstones. The African-Caribbean Society feels like a real place with real stakes, not just a backdrop for romance.
The subplot involving Zack Kingsford and campus politics initially seems tangential but ultimately serves to highlight Kiki’s growth from passive observer to active participant in her community. When she uses her platform to expose corruption and injustice, it represents a crucial evolution in her character. However, this political storyline occasionally feels rushed compared to the careful attention paid to the romantic development.
The novel’s exploration of reputation and gossip culture within the Black student community feels particularly timely. Babalola understands how social media and campus blogs can destroy or elevate someone’s standing, and she uses this dynamic to create genuine stakes for both protagonists.
Writing Style: Vibrant Voice with Some Stumbles
Babalola’s prose sparkles with contemporary Black British vernacular that feels authentic rather than performative. Her dialogue crackles with energy, and she has a particular gift for internal monologue that reveals character psychology. The voice feels distinctly youthful without being dumbed down, capturing the intellectual sophistication of university students while maintaining accessibility.
However, the novel occasionally suffers from pacing issues that prevent it from achieving its full impact. Some conversations feel drawn out when they should snap with tension, while certain pivotal moments rush past without proper emotional weight. The fake relationship premise, while well-executed overall, relies on misunderstandings that occasionally strain credibility.
The integration of the fictional fantasy series The Reign of Ifekonia within the larger narrative demonstrates Babalola’s creativity but sometimes feels disconnected from the main plot. While it serves to deepen our understanding of Kiki’s character, the fantasy elements don’t always enhance the romantic storyline as effectively as they could.
Chemistry and Emotional Depth
Where Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola truly succeeds is in the development of emotional intimacy between its protagonists. Babalola understands that great romance isn’t just about physical attraction—it’s about characters who challenge each other to become better versions of themselves. The moment when Malakai reads Kiki’s favorite fantasy series just to understand what she loves represents the kind of thoughtful romantic gesture that feels both grand and realistic.
The physical chemistry between Kiki and Malakai burns off the page, but it’s their emotional connection that provides the novel’s strongest moments. Their late-night conversations and shared vulnerabilities create a foundation that makes their eventual romantic resolution feel earned rather than inevitable.
The supporting characters, particularly Aminah as Kiki’s best friend and radio producer, provide excellent emotional grounding. Their friendship feels genuine and supportive, offering a model of healthy relationships that contrasts with Kiki’s romantic fears.
Areas for Growth
While Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola offers much to celebrate, it’s not without weaknesses that prevent it from reaching five-star territory. The novel sometimes gets caught between being a campus comedy and a serious examination of relationship trauma, struggling to balance these tones effectively. Some plot threads, particularly involving secondary characters, feel underdeveloped compared to the central romance.
The resolution, while satisfying, arrives somewhat abruptly after an extended period of conflict. More time spent on reconciliation and working through the issues that drove the protagonists apart would have strengthened the emotional payoff. Additionally, some of the cultural references and slang may not age well, potentially dating the novel in ways that universal emotions do not.
The university setting, while generally well-drawn, occasionally feels more like a backdrop than a fully integrated part of the story. The academic pressure and career concerns that should be major stressors for these characters often take a back seat to romantic drama.
Place in Contemporary Romance
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola contributes meaningfully to the growing diversity in romance literature, offering representation that goes beyond surface-level inclusion. Babalola creates characters whose Blackness isn’t their only defining characteristic but is integral to their experiences and worldview. The novel joins works by authors like Talia Hibbert, Jasmine Guillory, and Alisha Rai in expanding what romance can be and who it can represent.
For readers seeking similar vibes, Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert offers comparable wit and cultural specificity, while The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory provides another excellent fake relationship romance. Babalola’s Love in Color serves as an excellent companion read, showcasing her range as a romance writer across different time periods and cultures.
Looking Ahead to Sweet Heat
The promise of Sweet Heat as the series’ second installment raises interesting questions about how Babalola will expand this world. The foundation she’s built in Honey & Spice provides rich material for exploring other characters within the Whitewell community, and the political storylines introduced here could bear further fruit in subsequent books.
Final Verdict
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola succeeds as both an entertaining romance and a meaningful contribution to contemporary literature. While it doesn’t achieve perfection, it showcases an author with genuine talent for character development and cultural authenticity. Babalola has created a world worth returning to and characters worth caring about.
The novel works best for readers who appreciate character-driven romance with social awareness and cultural specificity. Those seeking pure escapism might find some of the political elements heavy-handed, while readers looking for deep social commentary might wish for more sustained engagement with the issues Babalola raises.
Despite its flaws, Honey & Spice represents a promising start to what could become an important series in contemporary romance. Babalola has established herself as a voice to watch, and the foundations she’s laid here suggest even stronger work to come in Sweet Heat and beyond.
For romance readers seeking diverse voices and authentic representation, Honey & Spice delivers enough sweetness and heat to satisfy, even if it doesn’t quite reach the perfect balance its title promises. It’s a debut that announces a talented new voice in romance while leaving room for growth—exactly what readers should hope for from a series opener.
Similar Books You Might Enjoy
- Get a Life, Chloe Brown by Talia Hibbert – Contemporary romance with neurodiverse representation and excellent banter
- The Proposal by Jasmine Guillory – Another excellent fake relationship romance with diverse characters
- Love in Color by Bolu Babalola – The author’s previous collection showcasing her range across different romantic styles
- Flirting Lessons by Jasmine Guillory – Contemporary romance with similar themes of reputation and social dynamics
- A Princess in Theory by Alyssa Cole – Romance featuring academic settings and cultural identity themes