i absolutely loved this book! I did not do my due diligence so I didn't realize it was book 2 until i was a quarter of the way through but it really didn't change anything for me. It felt good to be in a black love story and watching these two find their way back to each other.

Sweet Heat was my most anticipated sequel and it still somehow exceeded all expectations. From the first page, I was already dreading the end. Bolu Babalola’s writing is rich, funny, and deeply felt. Every sentence carries emotional weight, and these characters feel like real people you know (or want to know).

Kiki’s voice remains unmatched: emotionally raw, wickedly sharp, and so relatable, especially for Black girls trying to find their voice in creative spaces. The way Bolu explores ambition, mental health, eldest daughter burdens, and grief felt so personal, I had to pause just to breathe.

The love story? Devastating, healing, sexy and grown. Malakai is a top-tier book boyfriend, and his reconnection with Kiki is steeped in joy, pain, and hard-won forgiveness. The intimacy here isn’t just physical, it’s soul-deep.

Bolu is a generational talent. This duology deserves a two-season TV adaptation. I closed this book feeling both satisfied and drained, but mostly grateful to have been a witness to such a full, beautiful story. Huge thanks to NetGalley for providing the arc for me!

This book is not for me. I couldn’t get into it. It hops all over the place for me and I just couldn’t connect to it.

I LOVED Honey & Spice so my expectations were HIGH for the continuation of their story. I have to say it took awhile for me to get into the story as it started off really wordy and slow paced, and took awhile for the story took off. This is a second chance romance that leaves you wanting more in my opinion. I wished that we got to see Kai POV instead of just KiKi. I can see others loving this but it was just okay to me.

4.5 stars

Wow! Okay let me first start off by saying that I am a very picky second chance romance person. It isn't my favorite because I feel like a lot of books only handle the surface level aspects of the trope. Sweet Heat is nothing like that. You will feel ALL the emotions. It is very relatable, dives deeper into adult relationships, and makes you feel so attached to everyone involved.

I got very emotional in pretty much every chapter. About halfway through I was on the verge of tears for pretty much every chapter as well. Bolu Babalola is so good at what she does and portraying very raw and human emotions.

I also really adored the friendships and sense of community that this book conveys. And I have to give the conversations surrounding art and authenticity a shout out because it was so well done.

I do wish we got a little more time with Mal and Kiki being together. I love them so much.

Sweet Heat was an excellent read, and it will be THE book release of 2025. Everybody knows that I love second-chance romances, and I’m so grateful that one of my favorite fake-dating books became a second-chance romance. The characters in Sweet Heat went through so much emotional growth. I also love how there was a focus on therapy being the catalyst to rekindling a relationship. It reminded me of Before I Let Go by Ryan Kennedy, but with slightly younger characters. Finally, I want to acknowledge Bolu Babalola’s beautifully poetic writing style. She has a way of writing books that reach for your heart and wring out all the emotions that the characters feel, whether they be negative or positive. Shout out to HarperCollins for approving my first book request on NetGalley. I appreciate it!

Book Review: Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola

If you know me, you know I love a good second chance romance. There’s just something so special about two people getting another shot at forever—and Sweet Heat really taps into that.

That said, I was a little unsure when I first started the book. I found it a bit hard to get into, and I’m not sure if that was because of the writing style or how the story was laid out. Some of the sentences felt pretty wordy and a little confusing. For example:

“While I initially came to know Shanti and Chioma in second year through the very normal friendship meet-cute of their being previously romantically entangled with the man I was to fall in love with, mine and Aminah’s friendship started on the first day of university.”

That line had me rereading a few times. It kind of pulled me out of the story, so I think a few edits could help smooth things out.

But let me tell you—once I got to about 25% in, I was hooked. The tension and chemistry between Kiki and Kai really jumped off the page. I loved seeing them grow, find themselves, and slowly find their way back to each other. The mix of angst and sweetness was just right.

Overall, I really enjoyed the follow-up to Kiki and Kai’s story. It had all the heart I look for in a second chance romance. I’d definitely recommend it to anyone who loves a good emotional, romantic read—with a little heat, of course.

Kiki and Kai . All grown up and giving each other a second chance ! This put me in my feels a few times, tackled a lot of issues (ALOT was going on in this book) and it had some parts that had me fanning myself! A solid read and I know the readers will LOVEEE this sequel. Thankyou to the author and NetGalley for this arc !!!

In her newest novel, Bolu Babalola introduces us to KiKi Banjo—our FMC. Kiki’s life is a mess. She’s struggling with setbacks in her career and the fallout of a devastating breakup. She attends an event and runs into ex-boyfriend, Malakai. While KiKi’s scrambling to keep up with life’s punches, Malakai seems to be on the rise to success. They deny the surmounting chemistry between them—until Kiki is faced to decide if she’s ready and willing to put herself in a position to be hurt again. This read took me through an array of emotions—it was hilarious, tearful, lighthearted, and heartwarming.

I love a second chance romance and people finding their way back to each other. I really liked how Bolu continued the plot and storyline of the characters because it felt like I knew them personally and I was in their world. I liked that Kiki didn’t really know what to do after her podcast “fired” her, I feel like that was very realistic of someone in their 20’s because you don’t know what you’re doing. I like the friendship between her and Aminah and their love for each other as well as their fight because even bffs fight. I liked the portrayal of love and how you can love someone but not be in love like Kiki and her ex. The only thing I didn’t quite like about the book was the back and forth between her and Malakai, we didn’t get a lot of scenes of them as a couple and I was waiting for more scenes.

After reading honey and spice, I knew i would like this book. And I was not disappointed. I love the color. It gives you energy!

5 ⭐️

This book was EVERYTHING. 🤩

Thank you thank you to William Morrow Books and Netgalley for the ARC! (My first ever ARC!) 🫶

I don’t even know where to begin! This book was perfection! Babalola once again completely pulled me in. I already adored Kiki and Kai in Honey & Spice—their chemistry, their fire, their banter—and I love them even more now. Their love in Sweet Heat was messy and complex and healing.

The tension? Delicious. 🤤
The growth? Raw, tender and beautiful.
The banter? Sharp, flirty, hilarious—pure perfection.
And the forced proximity? SO much angst and yearning.

Babalola’s writing is magnetic. She blends sharp wit with deep emotional resonance in a way that just crushes you and then wraps you back together so beautifully. The dual timelines were masterfully done, weaving the past and present with such care and intention—it added so much emotional weight and context to Kiki and Kai’s journey and in such a slow unravel.

And the friendships! The way Babalola writes friendship and connection is so fun and dynamic.

There’s so much culture and richness layered into every scene—I loved the British-Nigerian identity, Black joy, creativity and community.

Loved every bit of this. Can’t wait to reread via audio! ♥️

I was first introduced to Bolu Babalola in 2023 when I read Honey & Spice. I related so much to Kiki Banjo as a fellow member of the diaspora who attended a predominantly white institution (PWI) for undergrad. My sister circle dealed with the same struggles and conversations as Kiki and her crew. When I heard that Bolu was coming out with a follow up to her debut novel, I rushed to pre-order. I’m ecstatic that I have an opportunity to review an advanced reader copy.

When me meet Kiki Banjo again she’s in a new season of her life. Her career is on standby after walking away from her podcast show due to creative differences (i.e. her bosses trying to co-opt her show to appease to the white masses). And she’s forced to re-evaluate her “on paper perfect” relationship with Bakari when thoughts of a would-be proposal has her on the verge of crashing out. Kiki has a brief moment of reprieve when her bestie, Aminah, shares her engagement news until Kiki remembers that wedding preparations means interacting with the best man, a.k.a. her ex-boyfriend, Malakai.

Imagine meeting the love of your life when you’re 19 years old. Someone who knows you as deeply as you know yourself. Maybe more so because he sees the light within you that you’re sometimes blind to. Imagine that love imploding and trying to put the shattered parts of your heart together. Parts of your heart that still belong to your ex several years later. When Kiki lost trust in Malakai, she also lost trust in herself. She lost trust in her ability to be vulnerable and allow others to carry her load. Bakari serves as Malakai’s foil. Pragmatism vs passion. Just enough vs all-consuming. Kiki has to decide if she’s capable of taking a leap of faith to have the life and love she envisions.

Another takeaway: The banter and friendship between Kiki and her merry band of Blackwell Baddies is everything. Their catch up session during brunch was the exact moment I knew had to recommend this book to my sister circle. Who else can you trust to gently shade you while still affirming you? Who else can see you at your worst but still stand firmly in your corner? My sister circle means so much to me. And I see so much of us in this novel.

This book gives F.U.B.U. vibes and I’m here for it! Showcasing Black love in all its flavors (romantic, platonic, and familial). I absolutely enjoyed reading this novel.

Technically a standalone novel, but I highly recommend that you read Honey & Spice. Please support your local indie bookstore and pre-order on Bookshop.Org. U.S. release date is 9/2/2025.

Thank you Net Galley and William Morrow Books.

This was an amazing read I loved it to the very last page !! My first from this author won’t be my last thank you

This sequel of Honey and Spice picks up a few years later. Kai and Kiki have broken up and now live in different countries. Kai is a director in LA and Kiki hosts a podcast in London. The occasion of Aminah’s wedding brings Kai back to London and back into KiKi’s orbit— as does a job offer that involves them working together. I appreciated the deep exploration into their past relationship and what went wrong rather than just a generic happily ever after second chance romance. There is also some exploration of female and male friendship bonds as well. Really enjoyed this book. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

Thank you William Morrow Books and NetGalley for the ARC 🫶🏾

I’ve spent some time trying to write the perfect review for Sweet Heat and I still don’t think this will do it justice 🤣

In Honey & Spice, we were introduced to Kiki and Malakai and the spark of their budding romance. Sweet Heat picks up years later, reuniting us with them after a surprising breakup (can you imagine my shock?? I had to know what happened!). Without giving too much away, this is a second chance romance layered with heartbreak, vulnerability, culture, and the shifting dynamics of adult friendships.

I love a good second chance romance, but this one felt different y’all. Even as I write this, I’m struggling to articulate how deeply this story moved me. What I can say is: I am a Bolu Babalola fan, through and through.

You know a book is good when you’re moved just by the author’s note and acknowledgements. Reading Bolu’s reflections gave me even more appreciation for the care she poured into these characters and their story. She showed up for Kiki and Malakai and it shows on every page.

Her prose? Poetic. Lyrical. Even the smallest details were written with such beauty that I found myself slowing down, savoring each line. I kept pausing to reflect on how she managed to capture so much: the history, the love, the yearning, the ache 😭

I didn’t just read this book, I felt it. I felt the joy, the grief, the tension, the longing. One moment I was laughing out loud, the next my heart was aching. I love these characters so much. 🥹

I walked away from this book with two certainties:
1. I’m buying a physical copy to reread.
2. This is a top 5 for me. Period.

⭐️1/5 | 🌶️ 2.5/5
First person POV | Single narrative
Linear timeline

Sweet Heat had potential but unfortunately, I couldn’t even finish this one. The pacing dragged and I was really put off by the writing style. There were sooooo many run-on sentences, like long paragraphs that were all one sentence. It had such a rambling narrative that it often felt like wading through a stream of consciousness rather than reading a cohesive novel.
Instead of getting lost in the chemistry, I found myself lost in paragraphs of inner monologue that desperately needed trimming.

The “spicy” scenes I did read were present and on the page, but not super graphic or long. The focus leans more toward emotional intimacy and sensuality.

Thank you William Morrow for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

One of the easiest 5 star reads!!! This was an absolutely amazing story! I loved the cultural representative, the romance, the spice, the character growth. It was chefs kiss. This book was written in crack format and I loved every moment of it!

"Sweet Heat" by Bolu Babalola is a captivating sequel that stands strong on its own, offering a beautiful second-chance romance between Kiki and Malakai. Set three years after their breakup, the story explores their reunion amidst the backdrop of a friend's wedding, blending humor, tension, and heartfelt moments. Babalola masterfully balances past and present, providing just enough backstory to understand the depth of their relationship. The writing is both funny and poignant, making you feel every bit of the characters' journey. This book is not just about romance but also delves into themes of friendship, family, and personal growth. It's a delightful and engaging read that fans of "Honey & Spice" and newcomers alike will thoroughly enjoy.

*5 out of 5 stars – A Deliciously Fun, Feel-Good Romance!*

Reading Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola felt like sinking into the coziest, most joyful rom-com, and I absolutely loved every page. Babalola has such a warm, witty voice that made me laugh, swoon, and root for the characters with all my heart. I went in expecting something cute and fun, and it delivered that—and so much more.

The chemistry between the main characters is *fire*. Their banter felt natural and electric, and I appreciated how the romance unfolded with depth and emotional vulnerability. It wasn’t just about falling in love; it was about learning to trust, heal, and show up for yourself and someone else. That really resonated with me.

What also stood out was the cultural richness woven into the story—it added so much flavor (pun intended!) and made the world feel vibrant and real. Babalola writes with such care, making her characters feel fully human, flawed, and lovable. Plus, the way she plays with tropes while still keeping the story fresh and empowering? Brilliant.

I finished Sweet Heat with a huge smile on my face. It’s romantic, yes, but also deeply affirming and joyfully written. I honestly didn’t want it to end.

If you're into rom-coms with heart, humor, and characters you’ll genuinely care about, this is the book for you. Bolu Babalola is a star, and *Sweet Heat* is a total gem. I’m already counting down the days until her next book!