Aurora Palit’s Sunshine and Spice will forever be on my bookshelf and I’m so happy Honey and Heat can live right beside it. In her second novel, Palit dives into the importance of a healthy working environment, being the only woman in the boardroom in a corporate structure unwilling to change, the financial stressors of being an immigrant and supporting family, and finally the guards women place around their hearts and inner peace while trying to balance the journey of accomplishing personal goals and milestones (while the world constantly tells them no).

So when people say romance is redundant? I scoff and simply show books like Honey and Heat to them. I was an early reader of Sunshine and Spice and caught the potential chemistry between Cynthia and Rohit. The sparks were sizzling and they came to fruition in Book Two. It’s your classic “Black Cat x Golden Retriever”, workplace romance tropes but throw in the high stakes of Succession (Rich Kumar is no doubt Logan Roy).

Rohit calling Cynthia his ‘rani’ (Queen)? *heart eyes* his quotes in this book are caring and divine. While Cynthia is cold she takes her time warming up to him and it’s totally understandable. She’s not callous simply cautious. Plus we get some special appearances from our lovelies from Book One (YAY).

Yes, I have immense praise for this book but I also want to highlight some things. The format this time around is a bit choppy, and the ending felt abrupt. We were often given information but now shown (the best way I can describe it there were a lot of fade to black moments?) I felt rushed this time while reading and barely had time to sit with a moment before we were off dealing with something else in the book. I wish we had more time with Sipra Kumar instead of Rich Kumar. I wanted the journalism aspect of the story to be beefed up, there was room for growth. But that’s natural for authors trying to figure out their tone and story.

So I’m happy to give Honey and Heat 4.5 stars (round that star up to a 5 cause I adore Aurora) and I can’t wait to get a physical copy later this year.

Thank you so much Berkley Publishing for the digital arc!

I couldn’t get enough of this book. Cynthia and Rohit’s rivalry started out as this fiery tension, and watching them go from enemies to lovers was an absolute delight. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and the way their relationship evolves amid all the career-driven drama makes for such a captivating story. I loved how both characters are so strong and driven but are forced to face their vulnerabilities as they navigate their feelings for each other. The mix of business rivalry and personal emotions was expertly done, with high stakes in both their careers and their hearts. It’s one of those books where the tension between the characters is so thick you can practically feel it, and when they finally give in, it’s explosive. A definite must-read for anyone who loves a high-energy, heartfelt romance.

Thank you Netgalley for an advanced copy! The story is cute and definitely steamy but I found some of the conflicts too forced. Overall, a quick enjoyable read.