Scan barcode
A review by rachaelm13
Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola
emotional
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? It's complicated
4.25
What a lovely book! It was so enjoyable but real at the same time. I love that in romance books because yes a fluffy romance is good sometimes but it just isn’t real. Also really like the female main character, in a lot of romance books I find them kind of annoying or really fake sounding.
Yes people you might have to look up some of the slang/terminology in this book if you aren’t Nigerian or from the UK, get over it, its enriching and allows you to read this fantastic book!
I saw this book recommended a few times and put it on my tbr, then kimmybooks said that the main characters’ communication was so good and it went to the top of my tbr haha sign me up baby we love emotionally mature humans. This book was so well done i didnt even mind that there wasnt really any spicy scenes. I genuinely was rooting for the characters and the love and care was palpable. I do think the time frame of 2 months was maybe short but i feel like lots of romances have similar short timelines.
Also loved how it was set in university/college age instead of working adult age. Loved the characters’ involvement on campus and in the community it really emphasizes how important community is. Also the focus on female friendships was amazing, although maybe a little rushed with the new friendships later in the book.
Loved the growth of Kiki and what she went through I think is similar to what many young adult women go through in the transitional stage from high school to post secondary, found her really relatable. I wish we had a bit more of Malakai’s struggles fleshed out I feel like it was kinda dropped in with his dad and they wasn’t a ton of growth or change there.
Loved the representation and the setting of this book and the celebration of black characters, if you want to read a book about a black girl winning and being loved on read this!
Yes people you might have to look up some of the slang/terminology in this book if you aren’t Nigerian or from the UK, get over it, its enriching and allows you to read this fantastic book!
I saw this book recommended a few times and put it on my tbr, then kimmybooks said that the main characters’ communication was so good and it went to the top of my tbr haha sign me up baby we love emotionally mature humans. This book was so well done i didnt even mind that there wasnt really any spicy scenes. I genuinely was rooting for the characters and the love and care was palpable. I do think the time frame of 2 months was maybe short but i feel like lots of romances have similar short timelines.
Also loved how it was set in university/college age instead of working adult age. Loved the characters’ involvement on campus and in the community it really emphasizes how important community is. Also the focus on female friendships was amazing, although maybe a little rushed with the new friendships later in the book.
Loved the growth of Kiki and what she went through I think is similar to what many young adult women go through in the transitional stage from high school to post secondary, found her really relatable. I wish we had a bit more of Malakai’s struggles fleshed out I feel like it was kinda dropped in with his dad and they wasn’t a ton of growth or change there.
Loved the representation and the setting of this book and the celebration of black characters, if you want to read a book about a black girl winning and being loved on read this!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Alcohol and Sexual harassment