This is my first book by Taj McCoy and definitely won’t be my last. From the beginning I was rooting for our girl Kendra. She was ambition, determined and no matter how others may try to placate and turn her dreams down she didn’t let that stop her. And Mr. BJ! Chile that man had me cheesin from ear to ear, but high key his whole “let’s just go with the vibe” when it came to him and Kendra’s situationship had me ready to jump in the book.. Love the whole forbidden romance, brother’s best friend trope. While it maybe a bit of a slow burn that tension didn’t come to play. Oh and the spice?!! It reminded me of that TikTok sound, “Looks like a cupcake, but will put your head through a mattress”. It’s got ambition, Black Girl Magic, food that’ll make you hungry while reading, and a love story that feels earned. Taj McCoy gave me romance, community, and a main character who’s not afraid to bet on herself. Easily one of my favorite rom-coms of the year.

+ There are a lot of things I enjoyed about this rom-com. One of them being the strong theme of family. Kendra is back home in Washington, D.C. and staying with her older brother and his wife while she gets her feet back under her. She’s helping at his new restaurant but she has dreams of opening a speakeasy of her own. I love how her cousin is almost like a sister – I totally relate to that! I love that her family is tight-knit and though at times critical, there is always support somewhere in the family. When she is with her cousin, Lani and her sister-in-law, Shonda, they are so funny together – I loved their family friendship.

+ I love the different ethnicities being represented. Kendra is half Black on her mom’s side and Filipino and Thai on her dad’s side which was cool! I loved hearing about filipino food dishes in the book.

+ The romance is a brother’s best-friend kind of romance, and there are a few spicy scenes. There are some challenges between Kendra and BJ/Ben though but it is resolved in the end.

~ Now as much as I love her tight-knit family, there was definitely favoritism. She got criticism which is again totally relatable but I felt bad for Kendra. She was putting in the work and had all her plans laid out. Her brother was supportive but also a little bit overprotective. Kind of wished there a moment with her parents at the end where they work things out.

~ Speaking of overprotective – BJ is her brother’s best friend so yes her brother would have thoughts about that. But the way BJ kind of strung her along, saying no they can’t act on their desire and then acted on it, then pushed her away? I did not like that and started not to like him. Also, he had no personality – he was definitely there for a booty call, but he didn’t open up to Kendra at all.

Final Thoughts:

There were a lot of things I liked about this story – the family themes, the food, the girlfriend group, and Kendra trying to make her dreams come true. I didn’t love the romance, even though the spice was good. I just didn’t like how BJ was going back and forth – keeping her at a distance, then pulling her in, then pushing away again. So I didn’t love the romance but I think everything else, at least for me, made up for it, plus it was a quick read.

The plot was nice and so was the story, it was my first book by this author but not my favorite writing style. I enjoyed the banter and the characters. I also had a connected with the main female character in what she is going through with her family. This was not bad but it was not memorable.

Taj McCoy is one of my favorite romance authors!!! Every book I’ve read from her, I have loved with all my heart!! Dating Prohibition is a story about a woman who is just trying to achieve her dream. Faced with obstacle after obstacles, Kendra wants to move out of her older brother’s shadow and embark on her own journey of opening a bar/speakeasy supper club. Back in DC after traveling for two years, Kendra is swept back in the arms of her brother’s bestfriend BJ.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It offers a perfect blend of romance, humor, and heartwarming moments. However, I wish there had been a deeper exploration of BJ’s apprehension to dating Kendra. It felt like the aspect was rushed and underdeveloped. I believe that delving deeper into BJ’s emotions and desires would have added a layer of complexity and emotional resonance to the story.

La calificación es exclusivamente para Kendra, porque merecía ser feliz. Aunque, la verdad, no me gustó que terminara con BJ/Ben; a él le faltó mucho para demostrar que estaba arrepentido y que realmente la amaba.

Kendra siempre ha tenido un enamoramiento por el mejor amigo de su hermano, BJ. Cuando ella se muda de regreso a su ciudad natal, sus sentimientos vuelven a resurgir, pero él deja claro que no quiere una relación, y hasta ahí todo bien. El problema empieza cuando pasan una noche juntos y, en lugar de decirle a Kendra en la cara que no significó nada, prefiere invitar a otra mujer a una cita y llevarla justo a donde estará Kendra para que los vea y entienda el mensaje. Ella lo entiende y se hace a un lado, pero él ni la quiere ni la deja, porque empieza a mandarle mensajes que se tornan coquetos, y ella como tonta vuelve a caer. Durante un tiempo él está feliz porque tienen sexo, pero cuando ella le da a entender que quiere algo más, le dice que no. Ella abre los ojos y decide enfocarse en su proyecto.

Luego vienen los últimos dos capítulos, donde él aparece en la inauguración, le dice que se equivocó y ella lo perdona… y son felices. Fue bastante anticlimático: no hay escenas que me hagan creer que él realmente se enamoró, porque incluso cuando se acostaban, él insistía en que lo mantuvieran en secreto.

Para colmo Kendra tiene que soportar a su familia que no la apoyaba, por lo menos sus padres. Afortunadamente tenia a su tia Mack.


Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for the ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

Brother’s best friend who is forbidden fruit?! Bet. I’m in.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I went in blind since Taj is a new to me author and I left as a fan! Let’s get into why I loved this book.

BJ is an C after my own heart - an intelligent professor with locs and a naughty mouth. I melted a lot as the book went on but he was a whole tease in the beginning - my boy was scared to cross the line as he was definitely giving mixed signals which was frustrating (in a good way). Flirty but not, touchy feely but emotionally distant. I was like boy, if you don’t just kiss her…my goodness. He had a complicated history with love so his reluctance to get involved was understandable. He gave in though and I will forever rank Professor Nasty Man as one of my top book boyfriends forever.

Kenny aka KeKe, my girl was going through it. She was trying to figure out her business plans and then BJ was being a whole weirdo. A lot was going on and my girl was stressed but she found stress relief through boxing matches with BJ…iykyk

The tension? Lord, it was high, so high I was strung out and kept turning the pages to be relief. I was gobsmacked when he didn’t remember how a particular evening ended and I screamed when he asked for a re-enactment! The re-enactment?! Baby, I was cheering like I was watching Monday Night Football!

This book had lots of humor, spicy scenes and banter that had me blushing profusely and DRAMA that kept me screaming at my kindle! I loved how much Kenny advocated for herself, she was not to be played with and she made that clear to her entire family who kept trying to play in my girl’s face and I loved how my boy BJ came through for my girl! When he said, “I want to be where you are, Kendra,” I melted completely. Yes, we love a healed king!

I’m in love with this book and cannot wait to own a copy!

Thank you, NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read the eARC! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

The Dating Prohibition by Taj McCoy is a layered romantic comedy that will make you laugh while tugging at your emotions. After a whirlwind trip around the world, Kendra is finally ready to step out of her brother’s shadow, put down roots, and launch her dream business. But sparks fly with the most unexpected person, her brother’s best friend, who has sworn to keep his distance. As their chemistry becomes undeniable, they must confront the consequences of their mutual attraction.

One of my favorite elements of this story was Kendra’s growth and determination to never water down her dreams or desires. Even when her family hesitates to support her business idea, she pushes forward, fighting to make her talents and ambitions known. Her perseverance mirrors the experience of many women who struggle to be heard and respected, especially in spaces where men’s opinions are centered.

If you’re looking for a romance that balances sharp, playful banter with meaningful personal growth, The Dating Prohibition should be on your reading list.

Taj McCoy delivers a rom-com that is as flavorful and inviting as a perfectly curated supper club menu. The Dating Prohibition stands out in the genre because it blends heartfelt ambition with a sizzling “off-limits” romance, wrapped in humor and family dynamics that feel both relatable and real.

Kendra’s journey isn’t just about romance. It’s about carving her own space in a world that still sees her as “Keke,” the little sister. Her passion for her speakeasy supper club becomes the heartbeat of the story, and it’s refreshing to see a heroine so fiercely committed to her dreams while also navigating complex relationships.

And then there’s BJ; the charming best friend of her brother who’s been in her life forever, suddenly noticing her in a new way. Their chemistry is undeniable, but the “we can’t go there” tension makes every interaction feel like it’s charged with electricity. McCoy writes these moments with a spark that will have romance readers grinning, swooning, and maybe even fanning themselves.

What makes “The Dating Prohibition” worth your time is how it balances lighthearted banter with genuine emotional stakes. The sibling dynamics, the tension between chasing dreams and staying grounded, and the question of whether love can survive old boundaries all hit in ways that keep you turning pages.

The pacing is mostly smooth, though the mid-point leans a little heavily on the “will they/won’t they” back-and-forth. Still, McCoy’s wit and warmth pull it back on track, making the ending all the more satisfying.

Perfect for readers who love friends-to-lovers with a dash of “forbidden,” food-centered romance settings, and heroines who refuse to dim their light for anyone.

📌 Why You Should Read It:
This isn’t just another rom-com. It’s a deliciously layered love story served with ambition, spice, and the ache of wanting something (or someone) you’re told you can’t have. McCoy’s voice is vibrant, witty, and deeply engaging, making it easy to root for Kendra’s happy ending both professionally and romantically.

A spicy rom-com about an ambitious entrepreneur anxious to open her speak easy supper club in Washington, DC. Eager to exit the shadow of her big brother and prove to her family that she is fully capable of making her dreams come true and make her own decisions without their meddling.

While various obstacles attempt to delay & detour Kendra, she finds a confidant in her big brother’s best friend, BJ who seems to be the only one taking her dreams as seriously as she does. While Kendra’s always had a crush on BJ, will he ever see her as more than his best friend’s little sister or will she remain “off limits.”

Frustrated with her family treating her like she’s still a little girl, Kendra has to prove to them and herself she’s fully capable of accomplishing everything she’s ever dreamed of her way.

4.25 stars
"Clumsy and awkward, we are off to a great start."
" I owe it to myself to try."
"To family, to community, to remembering where we come from and still exuberantly chasing every single dream until it becomes real. To dreams *cheers*"

Big thanks to Harlequin Trade Publishing and Harlequin Audio for an E-ARC and ALC! Immersive reading for the win! One of my fav voice narrators narrated this story, and it was such an enjoyable listen! This is truly just a love letter to Black happiness. I laughed out loud so many times and was smiling ear to ear. To the mannerisms, dialect, food, family dinners, sense of family, solid support, and a love holding it all together. Wow, I absolutely loved this so much, as a big foodie and a love for traveling internationally and locally, this story really spoke to my heart! I really like Kendra and her story is extremely relatable as she is navigating her life after traveling & gaining experience, and trying to get out of her older brother's shadow (Logan) & finding her footing on accomplishing her goals with having a speakeasy restaurant / bar. She is such a ray of sunshine, goal getter, perfectionist, detail oriented, & just trying to make it in life, and of course she has hiccups along the way in her journey, and I love the way the author highlights her highs and lows with her story because it makes it feel real and show that life comes at us fast and we have to adapt or at least try to adapt. As she navigates her connection with BJ and finding a solid place to have her own speakeasy, the moments of support from Lani, her aunt, and brother's wife always made me smile. Lani and Kendra were cracking me up the entire time!

Kendra and BJ's connection was very intense and hot in the same breathe! Whew the spicy scenes!!I love how honest and blunt Kendra was when it came to her feelings and how expressive she is in the story. Although BJ had his reserves since Kendra is his brother's younger sister, their connection still felt real and relatable! It was a bit frustrating at times, because I wanted them to be on the same page, and I wanted BJ to be sooner, however I understood the journeys they had to experience to get to their HEA at the end. I LOVE that BJ and Logan constantly poured love, encouragement, positivity, and support into Kendra when she was doubting herself, she was always surrounded by love from family and BJ and I just loved reading about a Black woman being loved on in platonic settings, romantic settings, and familial settings!

I couldn’t give The Dating Prohibition more than two stars because the central romance was too frustrating. Kendra, our FMC, honestly deserved better. For nearly 90% of the book the MMC Ben is telling Kendra he can’t be with her because of some misguided belief that if they don’t work out he’ll lose access to her family, which has become like a family to him. It’s a half baked excuse that’s never fully explored. Ben says he can’t be with her romantically, but he’s fine having sex with her on a regular basis. After the first time they sleep together (which he can’t remember because he was so drunk, but he still was able to get it up?) he tells her that it was a mistake and shouldn’t have happened, but literally a handful of lines later, on the same page, he’s asking her to have sex again.

I just really didn’t like the dynamics of the relationship between Kendra and Ben, and Ben is never redeemed in the book. He drags her along emotionally for most of the book, and when he suddenly decides at the end he wants to be with her she accepts with no questions. While Ben was being wishy-washy, I also didn’t appreciate how several of Kendra’s family members were pushing her to try and reconcile with him.

Lastly, there’s a plotline in the story of how Kendra’s family, in particular her parents, aren’t as supportive of her as they are of her brother. There’s several instances of them belittling her dreams and ambition, but then that plot is just dropped. There’s never a moment where the parents admit their shortcomings when it comes to their daughter. They just show up when her dreams are finally realized and everything is okay.

McCoy's writing is vibrant and witty, capturing both the excitement of Kendra's entrepreneurial endeavors and the sweet, spicy moments between the leads. The supporting characters add depth, enhancing the story's warmth and humor. Overall, "The Dating Prohibition" is a fun, uplifting read that beautifully balances love and ambition. If you're looking for a romantic escape filled with charm and a dash of drama, this novel is sure to satisfy!

Reading The Dating Prohibition felt like being wrapped in a warm hug of sisterhood, laughter, and longing—with a healthy dash of chaos and cravings. Taj McCoy continues to shine as a writer who centers plus-size Black women in joyful, complex, and beautifully messy love stories—and this one did not disappoint.

At its heart, the book is about navigating grief, family expectations, and the very real tension between loyalty and desire. The setup—swearing off dating while helping a friend run a bar, only to fall hard for her very off-limits brother—gives us all the delicious slow-burn tension and moral dilemmas we love in a romcom. And Taj delivers it with emotional depth and plenty of spice.

The female friendships are a huge highlight. There’s something so refreshing about seeing women show up for each other, hold each other accountable, and also indulge in the kind of vulnerable, honest conversations that feel like real life. The banter sparkles, the food descriptions are downright sinful, and the romantic leads? Whew. The chemistry was palpable without ever feeling rushed.

What stood out most to me, though, was how McCoy writes about boundaries—both honoring them and learning when to push past them. The romance is swoony, yes, but it’s also about healing, self-trust, and permission to want more.

This story was cute but not a memorable one. I thought it felt pretty long at times. I enjoyed the DC setting but wish there was more details to that. I enjoyed all the cultural representation written into the plot. Other than that, it was ok, nothing spectacular.

Taj McCoy’s The Dating Prohibition follows a determined heroine juggling big dreams, family expectations, and a tempting forbidden romance. Kendra returns to D.C. after traveling the world with a vision: open a speakeasy-style bar with a hidden supper club. What she doesn’t plan for? The undeniable chemistry between her and Ben, her brother’s longtime best friend.

While the story delivers classic romance tropes—miscommunication, slow-burn tension, and will-they-or-won’t-they energy—it also leans heavily on dialogue and text message exchanges to push the plot. Some of the romantic conflict could’ve been resolved through mature conversations, and the pacing felt too quick, considering the level of emotional connection the author was aiming for.

That said, Kendra’s cultural roots and family dynamics offer meaningful depth, and her ambition is admirable (if occasionally frustrating). Ben is charming but emotionally reserved, adding complexity to their dynamic.

I wish D.C. had been more richly described—the setting had so much potential to shine. Still, this was a cute, quick read perfect for anyone needing a palate cleanser between heavier books. If you’re a fan of contemporary Black romance, driven female leads, and a little spice with your slow burn, this one might just hit the spot.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

There isn’t a Taj McCoy book that I have read that I didn’t love! She will always be one of my favorites and one of the authors that really transitioned me into romance books when I got back into reading as an adult!

I enjoyed the #ARC The Dating Prohibition! I’m finding I love a good Childhood Crush/Sibling Best-friend trope and this one was so good!

“An ambitious entrepreneur working to get her speakeasy supper club off the ground is pushed off balance when her childhood crush turns up, hotter than ever…then tells her she’s off limits”

I loved both main characters of this book, and I could immediately tell that there was chemistry between them! However, I will say that I felt BJ was playing major games! He crossed the line then came back and tried to switch things up and I didn't like that at all!

I hated how her family (everyone except her brother and sister in law) treated her when actually she was more qualified than everyone to run a restaurant. And had she not come back for the grand opening they wouldn't have had the special touches that she helped them with. But everyone tried to play her against her brother! But even her brother didn't play into it, but I would've loved for him to stand up for her more! I loved that her aunt came in and helped her in a major way! And that there were people outside of the family that spoke life in to her!

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to review this book!

The Dating Prohibition is a falling for your brother's best friend story. I almost feel at times Kendra, the FMC, came off a bit too eager for Ben's affection. Ben's, MMC, hesitation to engage in an affair with Kendra made sense considering his past, but at times it felt like he was pressing the breaks and the gas all at the same time...if that makes sense. At any rate it still gave all the feels and had plenty of spice.

This was a cute read. A little predictable but still worth the read. I give it a strong 3.5

Kendra comes back home to chase her dream of opening a speakeasy supper club, but baby the way the family drama meets romantic tension?? Whew! Her brother’s best friend, BJ, is fine, respectful, and a walking red flag only because he keeps saying “you’re off limits.” But sir… be for real … This was giving grown folks romance. For sure one of those “I know how this ends but I still need to see how we get there” kind of reads.

4 stars

Taj McCoy has been on my TBR list for such a long time, and the stars finally aligned. I thoroughly enjoyed this read and look forward to adding many more of McCoy's books to my roster.

Kendra is a GREAT protagonist. She's layered, interesting, smart, and ambitious, and sadly, those are not the most common qualities in women featured in cishet romance. She's been in the midst of major life changes, but she knows what she wants: to open her own speakeasy. In an effort to make her dream take flight, she's unpacking some family baggage, letting her brother and sister-in-law give her a helping hand, and reconsidering the kind of relationship she has with an old crush, who also happens to be her brother's off limits best friend.

Transparently, I get kind of...grossed out? by some of the more intimate descriptions in many romances, and I did not feel that way during this read. The physical relationship is believable and not filled with disturbing terminology (to be clear, I just read Gretchen Felker-Martin's newest book - disturbing terminology to me is usually in reference to the language people use for their bodies, not so much what they're doing with them). I'm not going to go overboard and say I lived for these scenes; they're still my least favorite part of this read, but I found them less ick than is almost always the case for me in this genre. This may seem like a weird compliment, but hopefully it sways other prospective readers who sometimes also find these scenes hokey or even grotesque. The relationship is respectful, consensual, and occurring between two thinking beings.

I was rooting for Kendra's success from start to finish, and part of the reason for this is that while romance is a central focus, it's not the only thing she cares about. Often, I was as wrapped up if not more so in her professional growth and her family relationships as I was her romantic quest.

The ending is a little over the top even for the genre, but this is a great read overall. I'll enthusiastically recommend this one to fans of romance, and I'll look forward to reading more from McCoy (finally)!

The Dating Prohibition by Taj McCoy 
4⭐
3.5🌶️

After two years of traveling around the world our FMC Kendra returns to her roots in DC. Her goal, to open her own prohibition style bar and supper club. What she didn't factor in was all the roadblocks she would face along the way, roadblocks that include Ben, and family members that seemed to second guess her every move. Ben, a childhood friend and now part of the family, has undeniable chemistry with Kendra but he has decided she's off limits.. This is not only a rom-com, but also the story of a woman's hopeful triumph over adversity. 

McCoy writes in a way that pulls you into the story. The writing feels intimate, as though this whole story is being told by a friend. I was most frustrated by Kendra's family, she deserved far more support then what her family gave her in my opinion. Also the MMC goes between Ben & BJ and sometimes my brain struggled with the name switch. 

The spice is SPICYYYYY - need I say more? 

Thank you to NetGalley, Taj McCoy, and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the eARC. I received an eARC of The Dating Prohibition in exchange for an honest review.