This is my first read from Taj McCoy and certainly not my last!

I thoroughly enjoyed the writing style. It was romantic, fun and well paced.
The spice, the storyline, the characters and the emotions that I felt from cover to cover is reason enough to add this to your TBR. The Black love between the MCs felt authentic and real and that’s what I enjoyed most.

This is a book that I would own, recommend and reference when offering book recommendations.

The Dating Prohibition was the perfect mix of spice, sweetness, and second chances. Kendra’s return home isn’t exactly on her terms—her dream business is struggling, she’s feeling like she’s let everyone down, and now she’s got to navigate family tension and her own sense of failure. What she doesn’t expect is to fall for her brother’s best friend, BJ… which breaks every rule in the family book.

But when old chemistry resurfaces and BJ starts showing up for her in all the ways she didn’t know she needed? Game changer. The romance was fire, but it was the emotional growth that hit just as hard—Kendra learning to extend herself grace and BJ proving he’s more than just a pretty face with loyalty.

Taj McCoy knows how to write soft, messy, real Black love. This was my first book by her and definitely won’t be the last. If you’re looking for a heartfelt romance with depth, healing, and heat—The Dating Prohibition is one to add to your list.

Heat Index: 7/10

—brother's best friend

—food that sounds so good it WILL make you hungry (much like our hero is hungry, always)

—baby sweet angel princess who does get jerked around a bit, it's true

The Basics:

Kendra's come home to help her brother open his restaurant, which is great but does make her feel overshadowed—to her family, she'll always be the baby, even if she's scheming to open her own place. On the bright side, this has put her back in the orbit of BJ, her brother's hot friend, on whom she's always had a crush... and yes, he has noticed that Kendra's all grown up. Too bad he doesn't want anything serious... and doesn't want to cross that line... until he does.... Thing is, she's not going to wait around if she can't make her concept work here. And if BJ doesn't get his act together in time, he might miss the opportunity of his life.

The Review:

This is an interesting one, because a part of me was so annoyed with this (admittedly very hot and sexy and glasses-wearing man) that I wasn't sure I'd rate it as highly as I have? Because when I say BJ needs to get his act together... If Kendra was my friend, I probably would tell her to just. Let it go. Sooner rather than later.

But this is fiction, and it is good drama, and I also just really, really liked Kendra? This is my first Taj McCoy book and I'd say that charismatic, flawed characters were the standout quality. Everyone felt very real; not just Kendra and BJ, but the people around Kendra. Brother's best friend drama can be tricky—when it works, it really works. And when it doesn't, it's usually because people are acting absolutely ridiculous and attempting to own the bodies of adult women.

Here, any concerns Kendra's brother had about BJ weren't over the top, and they were... kinda justified? Because BJ is a mess. For reasons that aren't impossible to understand. And he's not an obvious mess. He's successful, he wears glasses, he's not a rake~. He just isn't in a Relationship Place. But his heart may be in a Kendra Place. And his dick is DEFINITELY in a Kendra Place.

The dynamic between BJ and Kendra was sexy and fun, but also very real. He isn't intentionally manipulative, but he is careless with her heart. He clearly is falling for her and has deep feelings and values this woman—but does he initially express all that the way he should? Nope! And he has to get it together to win her. To earn her! Because she's worth it!

I suspect this might turn some people off, but again, I just liked Kendra so much—she's funny and likable without being perfect, basically an ideal romcom heroine in pursuit of a romcom heroine job (owning a restaurant)—and enjoyed the character development to the point that it won me over.

And in the words of one Marie Kondo: I love mess.

The Sex:

The sex scenes in this book are quite hot, and there are a good amount. It's like—nothing crazy happens, but the way McCoy writes a sex scene makes it feel very real.

That said! There was one move (not sexually, plot-wise) that surprised me a little. And again, I do think some readers might raise an eyebrow. It's bold. It's one of many moments where I went "He did NOT", but as a reader... I wasn't mad.

The Conclusion:

I don't know if this is a "sweep you off your feet" idealistic romance, but it is a good one. It manages to blend a sense of "messy people making messy mistakes" with the principles of a romcom. And I just really liked being in this world. Even if it did make me want to visit Kendra's restaurant. Which seems challenging, as she isn't real.

Thanks to MIRA and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a great, well-written story. My only frusutrations were people not taking Kendra seriously, and how dismissive some of her family was to her. I was seething! But then that tells me the author did a great job, in drawing me in. I really felt like I understood Kendra & her motiviations, and felt her emotions.

This was the first read for me by the author and I will definitely be checking out the rest of their works.

I enjoyed learning more and more about DC history, I think that was my favorite part. I enjoy “my brother’s bff” trope and I liked that BJ was a professor (education is sexyyyy)
Kendra was very independent but also had a sensitive and vulnerable side. I loved seeing the relationship with her family, especially her brother. I liked that the book touched on the fact that of the dichotomy of sibling relationship. You can love them and still feel like you’re in their shadow or their limelight. I liked that this book was alot about Kendra’s journey of finding herself now that she’s moved back home; it’s all about her shining without her brother’s light For me, it took BJ a bit too long to come to his senses. You got a baddie, you need to get it together and tell her you want her. I understand he didn’t want to lose his “adopted family” through Kendra’s family but sometimes love comes with sacrifice.

This is my first Taj McCoy book, and I am a fan! This book takes place in the DMV, and as a loud and proud DMV girlie, I knew it was love the minute the character Kendra landed at Reagan National Airport.

There are a lot of dynamics at play, but they all mesh well together. You have a little sister (Kendra) who lives in her big brother’s (Logan) shadow. She can thank her family for that. *insert eye roll* We know how they can be, but the love and support that they have for each other as siblings is dope.

Then her big brother’s bestie (BJ) enters the chat. They all grew up together, and he has always been a good friend to her as well. But now she is home after being gone for a minute, and they have grown up. He got fine, and she got fine, and now she has feelings, and he has feelings, and somebody wants more, and somebody isn’t sure they are ready. They play stupid games and win stupid prizes, and the short version is you study long and you study wrong. However, it was real cute and SPICY to see them figure things out.

In true rom-com fashion, BJ gets his ish together after Kendra decides to do her, and a declaration is made, and my heart was beating fast, I was smiling so hard my cheeks hurt. Kendra gets her dream of creating a Prohibition-themed speakeasy supper club, and the entire concept is dope. After reading the book, I wanted it to be a real place I could visit.

This book was so good, I read it twice. If you are a rom-com lover, this book is the one.

The Dating Prohibition is a smart, sexy, and deeply heartfelt rom-com that had me grinning, swooning, and cheering from start to finish. Taj McCoy brings her signature warmth, humor, and emotional depth to this delightful story about love, loyalty, and the tricky terrain of family expectations. The chemistry between the leads is undeniable—equal parts tension, tenderness, and laugh-out-loud banter—and the stakes feel real in a way that makes their romance all the more satisfying. What truly stands out is McCoy’s ability to create characters who feel like people you know: layered, messy, brave, and full of heart. The friendships and family dynamics are just as rich as the romance, adding emotional grounding and authenticity to every scene. And as always, McCoy writes with a fierce love for Black joy, ambition, and vulnerability, making this story shine with both relatability and representation. Whether you’re here for the will-they-won’t-they tension, the juicy drama of a love that breaks all the “rules,” or the cozy comfort of a romance that respects its characters’ full humanity, The Dating Prohibition is everything a modern rom-com should be—fun, fierce, and full of feeling. Taj McCoy has done it again.

The Dating Prohibition is a romance by the amazing Taj McCoy. This is the third Romance by the author that I enjoyed. However, I wasn't in love with the characters. While I understand that even in real life there are challenges because one person isn't ready. However, we're given the happily ever after that we crave when we read such a fraught back and forth. What I did love was the family connections, even when they're strained to a degree. I like having an aunt or a grandparent be the party to impart wisdom and support the main character. The sex scenes were hot, just—*fans self*–molten. The author can write sexy scenes uninhibited. Love that!
Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The dating prohibition is a tale about love and relationships, drawing on historical periods. The title suits the book perfectly. It was an enjoyable read that has the potential to evolve into a sequel.

Thank You for the ARC NetGalley & Harlequin of Harper Collins Publishing !
Here’s my quick little review for The Dating Probibition by Taj McCoy this book will be released Sep 2, 2025 (and that’s a special day for me it’s my Wedding Anniversary 💍❤️)

I enjoyed the book. I enjoyed the family relationships and I enjoyed the love that Kendra and her brother Logan had for each other. I also enjoyed her friendship with her cousin and sister in-law. It reminded me of my relationship with my family.

Now let’s get to this long time crush she had on her brother’s best friend. Although the feelings were mutual BJ aka Ben seemed to want to stick to his DO NOT date your best friend’s sister rule.
I like how the relationship between the two wasn’t perfect and the author did an amazing job with keeping you intrigued with their story.

I had the pleasure of hearing Taj McCoy tell us her reason for writing this story at a book event I attended and I was so excited to have received the opportunity to read it early and provide my thoughts.

If you’re looking for a cute little romance story with some spice and some fun girlfriend moments along with a little family drama make sure you pick this book up on its release day. Pre-order NOWWWWWW
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5

The writing was strong and the plot had a lot of heart, but I struggled with the relationships. The chemistry just didn’t fully land for me, and I felt like the FMC deserved better. That said, the concept was great and the story kept me engaged overall.

Expected Release Date: 09/02/2025

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the early access. All thoughts in this review are my own.

Thank you NetGalley, the publisher, and Taj McCoy for the chance to read this ARC!

I enjoyed reading Kendra's story and seeing her success with her business and her close-knit relationship with her brother and aunt. I felt for Kendra and her difficult relationship with her family and the constant double standard that she faced. Because of Kendra's contentious relationship with her family due to their expectations, I wanted more of a conversation with her parents addressing the issue. I was also very frustrated with BJ's `back and forth in terms of his relationship with Kendra.

Kendra is THAT girl but her family seems to question her every move but not her big brothers. She’s figuring out how to bring her dreams to reality despite the setbacks and the one thing in her life she has no control over becomes her situationship. The spice was spicy but was cut short here and there. I really wanted those scenes to be flushed out more BUT still spicy 4.5 🌶️ I definitely recommend this read. It was a fun ride and a nice romance. I enjoyed that technically they were well off family but she kept it very humble.

oh Kendra! You deserved so much better from everyone in your life. Your brother was pretty cool, as was Aunt Mack, but everyone else...they are not for you. This story really took me through it because Kendra was really a nice person that just wanted to forge her way through life doing what she loved most. I almost wish that it was just a story about her and how she navigated life as an aspiring entrepreneur because ol boy, he's not even worth mentioning to me, ruined the plot for me. He was not a good man. He may have some good qualities, but I don't believe he liked Kendra, let alone, loved her. He was selfish and never considered Kendra or her feelings. Even Kendra's best friend/cousin didn't have her best interest at heart. I think a good audiobook narrator can really add a softer layer to this story and make these characters more likable. The story is written really well and I love the plot, just not the relationships, unfortunately.

I received an advance reader copy (ARC) of The Dating Prohibition which I really enjoyed. Taj McCoy creates such warm, relatable characters, and I loved being pulled into Kendra’s world. She's ambitious, a little unsure of herself, and trying to balance family expectations with her own dreams of opening a Speakeasy supper club. Her journey felt real and grounded, and I appreciated how much depth was given to her relationships—especially with her brother and cousins.

The romance with BJ (her brother’s best friend) had great tension. Their chemistry was undeniable, and the "off-limits" dynamic added just the right amount of drama. There were definitely moments where I wished they’d just sit down and talk things through, but I suppose that’s part of what kept me turning pages.

The pacing lagged a bit in the middle, and I found myself wanting a little more development in a few side plots, but overall it was a fun, feel-good read with heart and humor.

Perfect if you like: slow-burn romance, family drama, foodie themes, and stories about women stepping into their own.

This was my first introduction to Taj McCoy’s writing and just know that I was not familiar with her pen game! While the story started off a bit slow, it didn’t take long for me to become fully invested. Taj McCoy has a way of crafting characters that feel real and rooted, and Kendra’s journey was both empowering and relatable. A true lesson in never settling whether its within your career or with a man. The tension between the FMC and the MMC was unmatched. This book had the perfect level of spice! If you're a fan of heartfelt romance with depth, spice, and a heroine who knows her worth, this one’s a must-read.

I really loved the constant presence of the family ensemble cast, it made for a bunch of very sweet and tender relationships. I also thought the relationship between Kendra and her brother was very complex and interesting. However, despite their chemistry and banter, Kendra and BJ took a lot to properly communicate what the actual barrier to them being together was and it made it kind of difficult to understand their motivations.

Thank you Harlequin of Harper Collins Publishing for reaching out to me with an Netgalley eArc of The Dating Prohibition. McCoy has created another novel that feels fresh and new in a genre that is fairly predictable. I enjoyed the family relationships littered with love and stress. The female friendships weren't perfect and neither was the love interest which added a layer of intrigue and emotional investment in the story. I felt equal parts rage and romance when reading this novel while delving into some historical facts I hadn't known before. And the spicy bits delivered! Great book. It is sure to be enjoyed by many in September.

I was immediately drawn to this book by the cover. I enjoyed this book and the style of writing. I loved the idea of having our female be such a strong force, there was a sense of family and togetherness with the way she was with her brother. BJ and Kendra had crazy chemistry and the spice was just right. I highly recommend this book.

Such a cute read! I loved seeing the main character go after her dreams even after being faced with so many struggles . I enjoyed the romance but really hate that it took so long for him to realize what a good thing he had going.