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abarnakwn_ourcolourfulpages's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Misogyny, Bullying, Sexual harassment, Cursing, Sexual violence, Sexism, and Racism
Minor: Toxic relationship, Racial slurs, and Cultural appropriation
cady_sass's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Took quite a while to get going but once the story finds its groove you can’t put it down! For the first time in my life I think I’ll say that the audiobook is the way to read this- I probably would’ve DNFed this because I was having a hard time reading it and engaging with the characters and lexicon (British/Nigerian) but the narrator does a FANTASTIC job.
My only critique of this is that I think it should’ve been YA, which is a weird thing to say but hear me out: there are only two spicy scenes, one is literally the first paragraph of the first chapter and the other places a heavy focus around “being ready” for it. I think tone it down like 2 notches and you could expand your audience! The characters are so young and dealing with complex trauma from their adolescence, while trying to navigate love and the college experience. Smart, well-crafted, and the perfect blend of sweet and spicy (hey, like the title!). I definitely recommend, I think if you’re in your late teens-early twenties this could be a 5 star read for you.
My only critique of this is that I think it should’ve been YA, which is a weird thing to say but hear me out: there are only two spicy scenes, one is literally the first paragraph of the first chapter and the other places a heavy focus around “being ready” for it. I think tone it down like 2 notches and you could expand your audience! The characters are so young and dealing with complex trauma from their adolescence, while trying to navigate love and the college experience. Smart, well-crafted, and the perfect blend of sweet and spicy (hey, like the title!). I definitely recommend, I think if you’re in your late teens-early twenties this could be a 5 star read for you.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Alcohol, Bullying, Cursing, Sexism, Misogyny, and Racism
kayladaila's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, and Grief
Minor: Abandonment, Infidelity, Colonisation, Cultural appropriation, Alcohol, Bullying, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
aparizo704's review against another edition
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
There is a part of me that wishes I read a book like this in my college years. The growing pains of life and overall character development of Babalola’s power couple, Scotch and Kai, is inspiringly reflective and honest about the hard truths and persistent effort it takes to become a better person each day. Honey and Spice breezily immerses the reader into an emotional vulnerability boot camp and “How To” guide on holding yourself - and others - accountable to show up as the best version of yourselves.
Content Warnings
Minor: Bullying, Alcohol, Sexism, Sexual harassment, and Toxic friendship
purplepenning's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.25
Not gonna lie — it took several chapters and an embarrassing number of Google searches for this white, small-town, Gen X American to get the vibe of this one, but it was ultimately worth the effort. If I weren't so old and out of touch, I'm sure I would've enjoyed it even more. As-is, here's what I loved:
- a strong, complex, nuanced main character
- one of the best book boyfriends I've ever read in recent memory
- sizzling banter and gorgeous prose
- so much sister solidarity and friend support
- Afro-Caribbean, specifically Nigerian Londoner, voices centered and supported with beautifully cast context
- a couple of squee-worthy, next-level, book-nerd gestures that were absolute perfection
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol
Moderate: Bullying, Sexual content, Toxic friendship, Sexual harassment, Vomit, Cursing, Racism, and Toxic relationship
Minor: Abandonment, Cancer, and Infidelity
slut shaming, non-consensual photos / revenge porn, blackmail, police harassmentdalmavatai's review
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
This book is truly an ode to Black (British) joy and love. Malakai and Kiki are dynamic characters with their unique struggles and it's beautiful to see them come together and make each other feel worthy. I loved the tension and chemistry between them, in fact I wanted more, just like I wanted more steam. I loved the commentary on what it's like to be a Black woman at a British university as well as the ways in which the Black women in the story came together despite their differences and stood up for each other. I kind of didn't really care about the university politics that was a big part of the book and I wanted more of the relationship instead, more of the back-and-forth, did-he-touch-me-or-was-it-accidental kind of tension that I felt like we didn't get enough of. I also thought this book was very long and it was more than just a romance so it makes sense but I was mostly in it for the romance so in places it was a bit slow for me. But despite these things this was a joyful, sweet, beautiful story that I'm glad I read, plus it's probably the prettiest book I bought this year!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Racism, Sexual content, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Bullying and Toxic relationship
sdupont's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Wow wow wow I knew this book was going to be amazing before picking it up but once I started reading I just knew this was the book of the year! This needs to be adapted into a movie immediately. This romance has so much heart. I’m obsessed with Kiki- she is tough but sweet a well balanced fleshed out character who anyone can relate to. And what can I say about Malakai? The man had be falling in love right alongside Kiki. Truly the entire friend group is the best. Highly highly recommend everyone to run, don’t walk, to your local bookstore/library and pick this up.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Sexual harassment, and Misogyny
Moderate: Racism and Sexual assault
Minor: Medical content, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship
churrosmom's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This book is so much fun! This romance follows Kiki, a British Nigerian university student who runs a radio show giving advice about relationships and f*ckboys to Black women at the university. She concocts a fake dating scheme with the new "wasteman" in town, Malakai. The banter (between the couple and between friends) is impeccable, the friendships are so well done, and the Blackwell (the university's Afro Caribbean Society) world the author created is so vibrant. Every character was so well fleshed out and came to life off the page. I really hope the author follows up with sequels following some of the other women from Blackwell!
For people who don't like pop culture references in books, there are a LOT in this one, but I didn't mind them at all.
Disclaimer: I received a Netgalley eARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
For people who don't like pop culture references in books, there are a LOT in this one, but I didn't mind them at all.
Disclaimer: I received a Netgalley eARC of this book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Bullying, Alcohol, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Sexual content, Toxic friendship, and Racism
Minor: Cancer and Violence
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