Bolu Babalola

'Hilarious, hot and heartfelt' MEG CABOT 'Romantic, sexy, fun, delicious and important' MARIAN KEYES 'A triumph' BETH O'LEARY ?????? The most hotly-anticipated romcom of 2025, from the author of Reese's Book Club Pick and TikTok Book Awards winner Honey & Spice... Not every relationship makes it out of university. But Kiki and Malakai were supposed to be forever. Everything was perfect, until it all went up in flames. Three years after their epic break-up, Kiki's worked hard to forget her first love. But just as she thinks she's got her life under control - jumping into the distractions of her romance-by-calendar-invite boyfriend, and plans for her best friend, Aminah's, wedding - Kiki's career implodes, the family business teeters on collapse, and Malakai returns . . . As Malakai takes up his role as Best Man opposite her Maid of Honour, suddenly Kiki can think of nothing else: their simmering chemistry, what went wrong, and why it is now impossible to act normal around each other. Juggling a new job, the prospect of her parents' restaurant being sold, and keeping her best friend from going full bridezilla, dealing with The Ex is the last thing she needs. But somehow the spark between them is only getting hotter - and threatening to ruin everything. They just have to get through the wedding, so why does it feel like playing with fire? Heart-melting, hilarious and completely addictive, Kiki and Malakai return in this standalone second novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Bolu Babalola. ?? LOVE FOR BOLU BABALOLA'S WRITING ?? 'Rarely is love expressed this richly, this vividly, or this artfully' CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS 'Bolu understands desire better than anyone else' ANNIE LORD 'Incisively funny' ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY 'Absolutely intoxicating' CASEY MCQUISTON 'Everything you could ever want from a romance and more - the vibes are simply immaculate' ZOELLA 'Babalola's writing shines' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW 'Breathes new life into the genre with its vibrant characters and sexy, authentic voice' RED 'Romance will never be dead, as long as Bolu is writing it' JESSIE BURTON

The bestselling author of the Reese's Book Club pick Honey and Spice returns with a sexy, hilarious, and heartfelt standalone novel starring Kiki Banjo, a young woman who hosts a podcast about modern love, even though her own love life is a hot mess. When her ex comes back into the picture, Kiki must decide whether she's ready to risk it all--or let her heart burn again. Twenty-eight-year-old Kiki Banjo hosts the popular podcast The HeartBeat, solving romantic conundrums and dishing out life advice. Behind the scenes, though, career setbacks and a devastating breakup have left her hanging on by a thread. As she's preparing to be the Maid of Honor in her best friend's wedding, everything starts to unravel, and Kiki is left wondering if she ever had the answers. Then Kiki finds herself face-to-face with the Best Man, her ex-boyfriend, Malakai--the smooth-talking, absurdly handsome, annoyingly perceptive man who stole her heart and then shattered it. While Kiki's approaching rock bottom, Malakai's been on the rise as a filmmaker, and now they have no choice but to play nice until the wedding is over. Both are hell-bent on ignoring the smoldering chemistry between them, but as they navigate the chaos of wedding plans, career ambitions, and Kiki's growing fears about the future, they can't ignore the spark that's only getting hotter. They just have to get through the summer. So why does it feel like playing with fire?

The bestselling author of the Reese's Book Club pick Honey and Spice returns with a sexy, hilarious, and heartfelt standalone novel starring Kiki Banjo, a young woman who hosts a podcast about modern love, even though her own love life is a hot mess. When her ex comes back into the picture, Kiki must decide whether she's ready to risk it all--or let her heart burn again. Twenty-eight-year-old Kiki Banjo hosts the popular podcast The HeartBeat, solving romantic conundrums and dishing out life advice. Behind the scenes, though, career setbacks and a devastating breakup have left her hanging on by a thread. As she's preparing to be the Maid of Honor in her best friend's wedding, everything starts to unravel, and Kiki is left wondering if she ever had the answers. Then Kiki finds herself face-to-face with the Best Man, her ex-boyfriend, Malakai--the smooth-talking, absurdly handsome, annoyingly perceptive man who stole her heart and then shattered it. While Kiki's approaching rock bottom, Malakai's been on the rise as a filmmaker, and now they have no choice but to play nice until the wedding is over. Both are hell-bent on ignoring the smoldering chemistry between them, but as they navigate the chaos of wedding plans, career ambitions, and Kiki's growing fears about the future, they can't ignore the spark that's only getting hotter. They just have to get through the summer. So why does it feel like playing with fire?

'Hilarious, hot and heartfelt' MEG CABOT'Romantic, sexy, fun, delicious and important' MARIAN KEYES'A triumph' BETH O'LEARY?????? The most hotly-anticipated romcom of 2025, from the author of Reese's Book Club Pick and TikTok Book Awards winner Honey & Spice... Not every relationship makes it out of university. But Kiki and Malakai were supposed to be forever. Everything was perfect, until it all went up in flames. Three years after their epic break-up, Kiki's worked hard to forget her first love. But just as she thinks she's got her life under control - jumping into the distractions of her romance-by-calendar-invite boyfriend, and plans for her best friend, Aminah's, wedding - Kiki's career implodes, the family business teeters on collapse, and Malakai returns . . . As Malakai takes up his role as Best Man opposite her Maid of Honour, suddenly Kiki can think of nothing else: their simmering chemistry, what went wrong, and why it is now impossible to act normal around each other. Juggling a new job, the prospect of her parents' restaurant being sold, and keeping her best friend from going full bridezilla, dealing with The Ex is the last thing she needs. But somehow the spark between them is only getting hotter - and threatening to ruin everything. They just have to get through the wedding, so why does it feel like playing with fire? Heart-melting, hilarious and completely addictive, Kiki and Malakai return in this standalone second novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Bolu Babalola.?? LOVE FOR BOLU BABALOLA'S WRITING ??'Rarely is love expressed this richly, this vividly, or this artfully' CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS'Bolu understands desire better than anyone else' ANNIE LORD'Incisively funny' ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY'Absolutely intoxicating' CASEY MCQUISTON'Everything you could ever want from a romance and more - the vibes are simply immaculate' ZOELLA'Babalola's writing shines' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'Breathes new life into the genre with its vibrant characters and sexy, authentic voice' RED'Romance will never be dead, as long as Bolu is writing it' JESSIE BURTON

'Hilarious, hot and heartfelt' MEG CABOT'Romantic, sexy, fun, delicious and important' MARIAN KEYES'A triumph' BETH O'LEARYThe most hotly-anticipated romcom of 2025, from the author of Reese's Book Club Pick and TikTok Book Awards winner Honey & Spice... Not every relationship makes it out of university. But Kiki and Malakai were supposed to be forever. Everything was perfect, until it all went up in flames. Three years after their epic break-up, Kiki's worked hard to forget her first love. But just as she thinks she's got her life under control - jumping into the distractions of her romance-by-calendar-invite boyfriend, and plans for her best friend, Aminah's, wedding - Kiki's career implodes, the family business teeters on collapse, and Malakai returns . . . As Malakai takes up his role as Best Man opposite her Maid of Honour, suddenly Kiki can think of nothing else: their simmering chemistry, what went wrong, and why it is now impossible to act normal around each other. Juggling a new job, the prospect of her parents' restaurant being sold, and keeping her best friend from going full bridezilla, dealing with The Ex is the last thing she needs. But somehow the spark between them is only getting hotter - and threatening to ruin everything. They just have to get through the wedding, so why does it feel like playing with fire? Heart-melting, hilarious and completely addictive, Kiki and Malakai return in this standalone second novel from Sunday Times bestselling author Bolu Babalola. LOVE FOR BOLU BABALOLA'S WRITING 'Rarely is love expressed this richly, this vividly, or this artfully' CANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS'Bolu understands desire better than anyone else' ANNIE LORD'Incisively funny' ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY'Absolutely intoxicating' CASEY MCQUISTON'Everything you could ever want from a romance and more - the vibes are simply immaculate' ZOELLA'Babalola's writing shines' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW'Breathes new life into the genre with its vibrant characters and sexy, authentic voice' RED'Romance will never be dead, as long as Bolu is writing it' JESSIE BURTON

INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK - A TIKTOK BOOK CLUB PICK"Sexy, messy and wry, Honey and Spice more than delivers." -- New York Times Book Review"A vibrant debut novel . . . Babalola is incisively funny, capturing the kick and sweetness of her title with her words." -- Entertainment WeeklyNamed a Best Book of the Year by Time - Esquire - Vanity Fair - Oprah Daily - Cosmopolitan - Elle - Harper's Bazaar - Southern Living - Buzzfeed - Women's Health Magazine - AudioFile - Popsugar - and more Introducing internationally bestselling author Bolu Babalola's dazzling 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 aboutSweet 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. As 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 African-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 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 won't be the one to change that, no matter how charming he is or how electric their connection feels. But 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 gloriously funny and sparkling debut novel, Honey and Spice is full of delicious tension and romantic intrigue that will make you weak at the knees." A smart, sexy summer read, which hits your brain and your romance buttons in one shot." -- Los Angeles Times"The ultimate summer romance . . . It's got all the juiciest, most satisfying romance tropes, but in Babalola's capable hands, the story feels fresh and unique." -- The Cut, New York magazine"Divine summer reading. Hilarious, hot, and heartfelt. " -- Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author

A REESE'S BOOK CLUB AND TIKTOK BOOK CLUB PICK 'Hilarious, hot and heartfelt' MEG CABOT'Gorgeously written and heart-meltingly romantic' BETH O'LEARY'Romantic, sexy, fun, delicious and important' MARIAN KEYES__________Sisters, beware the 'Wasteman of Whitewell' . . . As host of radio show Brown Sugar, Kiki Banjo's mission is to protect her listeners from heartbreak. Which puts Whitewell College's newest student, handsome 'player' Malakai Korede, at the top of her hitlist. But when Kiki's dream summer internship in New York depends on finding a fresh angle for her radio show, she must make an unlikely bargain with Malakai himself - to put their simmering clashes aside to form a fake relationship, something sweet and spicy enough to win over the whole campus. However, close proximity to the notorious heartbreaker brings everything Kiki thought she knew about her own heart into question. Why does throwing out her stringent romantic rulebook suddenly so tempting? Will she find it in her to resist? A fresh, utterly addictive rom-com from Sunday Times bestselling author Bola Babalola, Honey & Spice is full of delicious tension and romantic intrigue that will make you weak at the knees. 'Romance will never be dead, as long as Bolu is writing it' JESSIE BURTON'Everything you could ever want from a romance and more - the vibes are simply immaculate' ZOELLA'Charming and funny' OBSERVER'The book many have been waiting for' LIZZIE DAMILOLA BLACKBURN'Kiki compares her feelings for Malakai as like swallowing a star. That's a bit how I felt after reading this messy but joyful book' THE TIMES'Breathes new life into the genre with its vibrant characters and sexy, authentic voice' RED'Smart, sexy and energetic' EMMA GANNON'This book is so addictive' ANNIE LORDWHY READERS LOVE HONEY & SPICE'Sweet and spicy' 'How modern chick flicks should, and probably will, look like' 'Warm, funny and sweet. I see a lot of myself & experiences in the main character Kiki - and we love that kind of representation' 'Funny, hot, thought-provoking'

FROM THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLING AUTHOR, BOLU BABALOLA COMES THE ROMANCE WE'VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR. 'A triumph of a novel.' BETH O'LEARY 'Hilarious, hot and heartfelt.' MEG CABOT 'Succulent, addictive romance. Simply wonderful.' LIZZIE DAMILOLA BLACKBURN 'Smart, sexy and energetic. I'm excited for everyone to read this book.' EMMA GANNON 'Romance will never be dead, as long as Bolu is writing it.' JESSIE BURTON Recommended by New York Times - Entertainment Weekly - Elle - Esquire - Harper's Bazaar - Sunday Times Culture - Stylist - Bustle - Buzzfeed - Time - Goodreads and more!__________ Kiki Banjo is an expert in relationship-evasion. In fact, she has made it her mission to protect the women of Whitewell University from the dangers of players and heartbreak, supplying advice, tips and essentials to paying men no mind on her student radio show, Brown Sugar. And then Kiki meets distressingly handsome newcomer Malakai Korede, who threatens to tear apart the community of women she's fought so hard to protect. Kiki publicly declares Malakai the 'Wasteman of Whitewell' on Brown Sugar and brings a stop to her girls chasing his attentions. But when she and Malakai suddenly find themselves shackled into a fake relationship to salvage their respective reputations and save their academic futures, she is in danger of falling for the very wasteman she warned her sisters about. With her heart compromised and defences weakened, Kiki has to learn to open herself up to the perils of love... and face up to a past that forced her to close down in the first place. A funny and sparkling debut, Honey & Spice is full of delicious tension and romantic intrigue that will make you weak at the knees. __________ Why readers LOVE Honey & Spice 'This book breathes new life into the genre with its vibrant characters and sexy, authentic voice.' RED 'Babalola's sharp sense of humour, slick pop-culture references, and keen sense of zeitgeist ensures that her story offers a refreshing portrait of what modern love really looks and feels like.' TIME' A vibrant debut novel . . . Babalola is incisively funny, capturing the kick and sweetness of her title with her words.' ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY 'Babalola's writing shines whether she's writing parry-riposte banter or fresh, evocative interiority.' NEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW 'A fast-paced commercial novel with a refreshing take on a well-worn concept. Someone should adapt it for the screen.' SUNDAY TIMES CULTURE 'A blissful celebration of first loves, second chances and sisterhood. Bolu is an expert at her craft.' JENDELLA BENSON 'Babalola's hilarious romance debut will have you laughing out loud and reconsidering first impressions.' BUZZFEED 'Addictive. Desire prickles under every word.' ANNIE LORD

INSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK - A TIKTOK BOOK CLUB PICK"Sexy, messy and wry, Honey and Spice more than delivers." -- New York Times Book Review"A vibrant debut novel . . . Babalola is incisively funny, capturing the kick and sweetness of her title with her words." -- Entertainment WeeklyNamed a Best Book of the Year by Time - Esquire - Vanity Fair - Oprah Daily - Cosmopolitan - Elle - Harper's Bazaar - Southern Living - Buzzfeed - Women's Health Magazine - AudioFile - Popsugar - and more Introducing internationally bestselling author Bolu Babalola's dazzling 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 aboutSweet 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. As 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 African-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 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 won't be the one to change that, no matter how charming he is or how electric their connection feels. But 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 gloriously funny and sparkling debut novel, Honey and Spice is full of delicious tension and romantic intrigue that will make you weak at the knees." A smart, sexy summer read, which hits your brain and your romance buttons in one shot." -- Los Angeles Times"The ultimate summer romance . . . It's got all the juiciest, most satisfying romance tropes, but in Babalola's capable hands, the story feels fresh and unique." -- The Cut, New York magazine"Divine summer reading. Hilarious, hot, and heartfelt. " -- Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER"Love stories by and about marginalized women . . . The heroines are strong and sure . . . Babalola's writing shines." -- New York Times Book Review"Absolutely intoxicating." -- Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White, and Royal Blue and One Last StopA vibrant debut collection of love stories from the bestselling author of Honey and Spice, retelling myths, folktales, and histories from around the world. A high-born Nigerian goddess, who has been beaten down and unappreciated by her gregarious lover, longs to be truly seen. A young businesswoman attempts a great leap in her company, and an even greater one in her love life. A powerful Ghanaian spokeswoman is forced to decide whether she should uphold her family's politics or be true to her heart. In her debut collection, internationally acclaimed writer Bolu Babalola retells the most beautiful love stories from history and mythology with incredible new detail and vivacity. Focusing on the magical folktales of West Africa, Babalola also reimagines Greek myths, ancient legends from the Middle East, and stories from long-erased places. With an eye towards decolonizing tropes inherent in our favorite tales of love, Babalola has created captivating stories that traverse across perspectives, continents, and genres. Love in Color is a celebration of romance in all its many splendid forms." 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

Love stories that truly represent the world we live in; celebrated and retold in this unique collection, by debut author Bolu Babalola.

INTERNATIONAL BESTSELLER"Love stories by and about marginalized women . . . The heroines are strong and sure . . . Babalola's writing shines." -- New York Times Book Review"Absolutely intoxicating." -- Casey McQuiston, New York Times bestselling author of Red, White, and Royal Blue and One Last StopA vibrant debut collection of love stories from the bestselling author of Honey and Spice, retelling myths, folktales, and histories from around the world. A high-born Nigerian goddess, who has been beaten down and unappreciated by her gregarious lover, longs to be truly seen. A young businesswoman attempts a great leap in her company, and an even greater one in her love life. A powerful Ghanaian spokeswoman is forced to decide whether she should uphold her family's politics or be true to her heart. In her debut collection, internationally acclaimed writer Bolu Babalola retells the most beautiful love stories from history and mythology with incredible new detail and vivacity. Focusing on the magical folktales of West Africa, Babalola also reimagines Greek myths, ancient legends from the Middle East, and stories from long-erased places. With an eye towards decolonizing tropes inherent in our favorite tales of love, Babalola has created captivating stories that traverse across perspectives, continents, and genres. Love in Color is a celebration of romance in all its many splendid forms." 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