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shannahtan's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.5
I really loved this book. The Yoruba Nigerian food, clothing, and language were beautifully weaved into the storyline. I normally am not drawn to college students as main characters, but the characters weren’t annoying in this book. Yes, they had their fatal flaws and made mistakes, but they also recognized their mistakes and kind knew they were being self-destructive. There was witty banter, and I love the thread of women banding together and having each other’s backs pretty much through the whole book. Also, the friendship! Calling each other out on their bullshit but also loving and supporting. The Afro Winter Ball outfit descriptions were *chef’s kiss*. There were definitely cheesy lines, but in general, I feel like the ups and downs of dating, friendship, pettiness, etc as a teenager and in your early 20s felt so real.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, and Police brutality
shaipanda's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
tense
fast-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
I absolutely LOVEDDDD this omgggg - 100% a 5 star read and honestly definitely one of my top romances of the year if not of all time?? I don’t even know how to explain everything was so so good in this but just everything was ughh fucking perfectttt - especiallyyyy the chemistry between the main couple(s)
the only small issues I had with this were that I thought it was slightly weird to just drop the conclusion of the storyline with Rianne in the middle and then never really address it much again? I appreciated why the storyline was there but also I thought the way it was done was slightly stilted. The other thing was I didn’t love that there was a 3rd act break up in this cause I just don’t love those anyways but I did appreciate that at least it was done pretty well
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism and Toxic relationship
Minor: Cancer and Toxic friendship
mayenk's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
This is a great romance book, that touches on working/studying art/media, and how scandals (buzz) in real life can help build social media engagement. It contains a taming of a fuck boy. The back stories are the main leads are interesting, though I didn't love the female leads' backstory (felt tropey). The side characters were just lovely; the cliches and the main villain were great and realistic.
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault
nyahj1's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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? It's complicated
4.0
Content Warnings
Minor: Sexual assault and Sexual harassment
trisarahtops_'s review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Racism, Sexual assault, and Sexual harassment
duckyreads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
This is the kind of book I wish I had in college. If there's a fake dating relationship where the main couple slowly develops feelings for each other I eat it up!! Kiki was very relatable in her chase for peace but also perfection in her work and Malakai was so sweet and vulnerable. He fell hard for her and had no problem letting her know when he was feeling her. I loved them together.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, Police brutality, and Sexual harassment
lindsayerin's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
reflective
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, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment
Minor: Sexual assault
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, Misogyny, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Racism and Sexual assault
Minor: Infidelity, Medical content, and Toxic friendship
savvyrosereads's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Out now! [Thank you so much to Libro.fm and the publisher for providing me with an advance listening copy in exchange for an honest review!]
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Kiki Banjo is a college student and the host of a radio show where she discusses relationships and how to avoid heartbreak. But when she is unexpectedly thrust into a fake relationship with Malakai Korede, who she has just dubbed the “Wasteman of Whitewell,” Kiki is about to learn that opening your heart and overcoming your past may just be worth the effort it takes.
I went into this one off the recommendation of a friend but with no specific expectations, and I absolutely adored it.
The audiobook is a masterclass in audiobooks—well acted, well paced, and with brilliant audio touches to add realism (i.e. making phone calls sound like phone calls), so I would absolutely recommend audio as the best format for this one.
As to the book itself, this is a classic college rom-com in all the best ways—it’s witty, charming, and utterly adorable, and I am head over heels for the leading man, Malakai, while also wanting to be best friends with Kiki and her girl group. The plot was moderately predictable, but was also refreshingly deep. Rather than feeling childish or overblown, the issues the main characters had to work through were real and painful and I loved watching them find healing and come into their own.
Finally, I will always love a book that is unapologetically feminist, which this one is, and a book that features Black joy and Black culture (in this case British-Nigerian culture specifically) is even better.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: diverse feminist rom-coms; well-acted audiobooks; sunshine-y male leads who will melt your heart.
CW: Cancer/illness of a parent; discussions of sexual assault/harassment; racism; misogyny/sexism; discussion of off-page incident of police brutality.
Rating: 4.5/5 stars
Kiki Banjo is a college student and the host of a radio show where she discusses relationships and how to avoid heartbreak. But when she is unexpectedly thrust into a fake relationship with Malakai Korede, who she has just dubbed the “Wasteman of Whitewell,” Kiki is about to learn that opening your heart and overcoming your past may just be worth the effort it takes.
I went into this one off the recommendation of a friend but with no specific expectations, and I absolutely adored it.
The audiobook is a masterclass in audiobooks—well acted, well paced, and with brilliant audio touches to add realism (i.e. making phone calls sound like phone calls), so I would absolutely recommend audio as the best format for this one.
As to the book itself, this is a classic college rom-com in all the best ways—it’s witty, charming, and utterly adorable, and I am head over heels for the leading man, Malakai, while also wanting to be best friends with Kiki and her girl group. The plot was moderately predictable, but was also refreshingly deep. Rather than feeling childish or overblown, the issues the main characters had to work through were real and painful and I loved watching them find healing and come into their own.
Finally, I will always love a book that is unapologetically feminist, which this one is, and a book that features Black joy and Black culture (in this case British-Nigerian culture specifically) is even better.
Recommended to anyone, but especially if you like: diverse feminist rom-coms; well-acted audiobooks; sunshine-y male leads who will melt your heart.
CW: Cancer/illness of a parent; discussions of sexual assault/harassment; racism; misogyny/sexism; discussion of off-page incident of police brutality.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, and Sexual harassment
Moderate: Cancer, Racism, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, and Police brutality
Minor: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship
chelsaat's review against another edition
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
4.5
"The game will always be the game, but make sure you're at least an equal player."
At an elite British University, Kiki runs a popular radio show geared towards her fellow Black women on campus, talking about how to stand up for themselves in the confusing uni dating scene. Malakai is the hot new player on campus. Can a fake relationship between the two of them help bolster both their reputations?
I liked this a lot! It definitely had some “Dear White People” vibes, with its sharp commentary on what it’s like to be part of a small contingent of Black students at a majority-white university. There’s a lot of lingo that I as a white American had to look up, and the plot slowed down a bit in the middle, but at the end of the day it didn’t matter. I ended up connecting with these characters’ rich inner lives quite a bit and really enjoyed spending time in Kiki’s head.
And this book is FUNNY. Bolu has always been one of my favorite Twitter follows, and I loved her collection of short stories. I’m really happy her debut novel was just as sharp and witty as I was expecting. The romance was hot and the banter was spicy. A perfect summer read.
Also, when I can read The Reign of Ifekonia??
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
At an elite British University, Kiki runs a popular radio show geared towards her fellow Black women on campus, talking about how to stand up for themselves in the confusing uni dating scene. Malakai is the hot new player on campus. Can a fake relationship between the two of them help bolster both their reputations?
I liked this a lot! It definitely had some “Dear White People” vibes, with its sharp commentary on what it’s like to be part of a small contingent of Black students at a majority-white university. There’s a lot of lingo that I as a white American had to look up, and the plot slowed down a bit in the middle, but at the end of the day it didn’t matter. I ended up connecting with these characters’ rich inner lives quite a bit and really enjoyed spending time in Kiki’s head.
And this book is FUNNY. Bolu has always been one of my favorite Twitter follows, and I loved her collection of short stories. I’m really happy her debut novel was just as sharp and witty as I was expecting. The romance was hot and the banter was spicy. A perfect summer read.
Also, when I can read The Reign of Ifekonia??
Thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault
Minor: Cancer