The story flowed well and the characters were well developed. I recommend this book and look forward to more from this author.


****Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC in exchange for my honest review****

2 stars
DNF @ 40%

I am so sad, but I had to DNF this book. I was excited for this read as I have enjoyed prior works, but I just couldn't bring myself to finish. I went into this book expecting a cute rom com situation and that (at least the first half of the book) fell flat for me. I wasn't enjoying either of the main characters- I wanted better for Kendra and I was lowkey looking at BJ sideways. Of course its possible in the second half BJ has some sort of "redemption arc" that would make me actually enjoy his character buuuut I couldn't push to stick around and find out.
As far as the plot, there is a lot of emphasis placed on the building she chooses- I found there to sometimes be almost too much detail, I skimmed several chunks.

Overall while this book wasn't for me, I do think it would be worth the read for someone looking for cultural representation in romance or even a friends to lovers/brothers best friend read.

Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

Taj is an auto read author for me. When I saw that this book was coming out, I had to give it. Ben and Ken are the best. The chemistry was palbable from the start.

What can I say about a book that felt like a love letter to DC, black culture, and food?! The Dating Prohibition is a beautiful book full of angst and spice.

Kendra (Kenny) and BJ (Ben) are childhood friends turned friends with benefits. Ben is Kenny’s brother’s best friend and her childhood crush. Kenny comes back home from a 2year sabbatical to help her brother with the launch of his new restaurant with her own dream of starting her a prohibition era styled bar/ restaurant. She is seen by her family as the typical flighty younger sibling. Everyone except her best friend/cousin, brother, sister in law, her favorite aunt, and BJ think that she may be biting off more than she can chew. With the help of BJ and his knowledge of historic landmarks, Kenny sets on a quest to find the perfect place to open her bar.

As they begin to spend more time together, Kenny realizes that she wants more. Despite the warnings from those closest to her Kenny starts to fall for Ben. She tells herself that what is growing between them is nothing serious, but deep down she wants more. Due to the tragic loss of his fiancé Ben is cautious about opening his heart to the possibility of more with Kenny. The physical relationship they build starts from one drunken night and turns into one that is one that is full of spice, spontaneity, and boxing puns. They start by having secret hooks ups that they take great efforts to hide from their loved ones.

This story touches on a lot of different plot lines. We get to see the relationship between Kenny and her brother and how it feels to step out of his shadow. We watch her come into her own, and prioritize her dreams and goals without compromise. The sisterhood between Shonda, Kenny, and Lani was really sweet too. I loved how they supported and encouraged one another. Even though they couldn’t keep a secret for the life of them, lol. Kenny’s relationship with her parents was one that I wished we could have explored a little more, I hated how her mother critiqued and doubted everything she did.

This was not just a romance novel, but also one of self discovery. Kenny had to step outside of what she originally wanted to find herself and make her dreams come true. With help from Auntie Mack and a change to the original plan Kenny was able to open her bar in Charleston and make it more than she could have ever dreamed of. She ended up getting, her bar, her man, and her overall happy ending.

I rated this 4⭐️ the story was good and I loved that it ended with a happy ending. Once you get over a few pacing issues you end up with a beautiful story.

I don’t read a lot of romance books, but this is my second Taj McCoy book and once again I REALLY enjoyed it!! I found the story really engaging and I had a hard time putting it down. I found the “spice level” to be just right and appropriately fit in with the plot. Highly recommend this when it is released in September!

This is my first read by this author, and I enjoyed it. Kendra was a very relatable character. Feeling like you are living in your siblings' shadow is no joke. I hated how her mom treated her. She acted like she didn't like her child in the dinner scene. I wish we could've seen them have a heart to heart about everything. BJ worked my nerves a little bit. He didn't want to date Kendra because of his boundaries, but he was willing to start a physical relationship with her. His back and forth had me frustrated.

I absolutely loved the family dynamic in this book. The support that they gave to each other was beautiful. Aunt Mack was my favorite side character because of how she supported Kendra. She helped her realize her vision even though it wasn't in the location she initially wanted. I especially loved the relationship between Lani, Shonda, and Kendra. Their sisterhood was chefs kiss. Overall, I enjoyed this story. I loved that we got a HEA for several characters.

Unfortunately, this book really was not for me. The characters fell really flat for me and I just didn’t get the chemistry between Kendra and BJ. I might have liked this more if we got some chapters from BJ’s perspective. I think other people might enjoy this book, but I was not one of them.

3.5 Stars!!
Have you ever read a book where you want to talk back to the characters and give them the what for…

I really enjoyed this book in many ways. But the story frustrated me in several ways, too. Let’s start with the likes.

* Strong female lead
* Focused and driven
* Hard working
* Major crush on a hottie
* Loads of steamy, hot scenes

The female lead has great relationships with her brother (luv him) and some close relatives. That is a strong part of the overall story. The relationships were fun and supportive (mostly). McCoy tapped into the family connections, dinners, business acumen, and tight support systems.

But with that came some of the issues that frustrated this reader:

* Nothing is sacred – not keeping secrets and talking behind other people’s backs
* Some family members were not supportive and condescending
* Man crush is using her and not forthcoming with his issues
* Communication between them was terrible
* Main focus of the story is finding a location for her restaurant – Space descriptions ad nauseum
* She forgave him everything, while he had to “choose her”

The plot was enjoyable and included some great twists. The romance was hot, and that man was delicious, but he carried baggage he would not share.

Overall, McCoy delivered a story that is fresh and real, which makes it a standout. I will definitely be reading her works again!

As a Taj McCoy fan, I am disappointed. The characters were insufferable.

Kendra clearly had low self-esteem and lacked boundaries. I get living in your brother’s shadow and how tricky family dynamics can be, but get a backbone. Also, when it came to Ben? Girl, be serious with yourself. I feel like she hurt her own feelings and instead of dusting herself off, she doubled down on it. Never let a man have to tell you he doesn’t want you twice. I don’t care how sticky it feels

I was annoyed throughout this ENTIRE read.

The Dating Prohibition delivers a flavorsome, feel-good romp rooted in race-conscious romance and familial complexities. Its witty banter and emotional arcs pair wonderfully with the backdrop of food, community, and personal reinvention. Perfect for fans of second-chance romance with emotional depth and cultural texture.

Good romance with relatively decent plot. Conflict resolution was a little anticlimactic but overall decent read.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperCollins for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

Thank you to Net Galley and Harlequin Trade Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This was my very First Taj McCoy read, and I will say she now has a Fan for Life!!!

This story follows Kendra who when through a major life change after being let go from her job. She decides to travel the world and after a couple of years from traveling she decides to come home and settle down. Start her own business & follow her dreams. Kendra was always able to share things with her brother Logan. After returning from her trip, she falls for her long-time crush (BJ-her brother’s best friend). I have to tell you this…. If a book makes be yell at the characters like I would in real life… It checks off boxes while I am reviewing because it makes the book feel even more realistic to me. Well, I was YELLING at Kendra, BJ, Logan, Auntie Mack, Lani and Shonda!! Everybody gets YELLED at!! This book gave me all the feels!! Although BJ and Kendra made me mad half the time, they were going through their own things and the story just needed to play itself out!!
If you love a good Rom-Com Romance, please pick this book up!! It will not Disappoint!! I hope you loved it as much as I did!!!

Kendra is forced to return home but she feels like she is resorted back to her old ways and feels like a kid she once was.She is still feeling like she needs love but is trying to be mindful. She runs into her longtime crush BJ who changes her mindset and helps her grow her future.

Overall was a good read but I honestly wasn't a big fan of the characters.

I hateeeeeddd BJ. I feel like he used her the entire story... he took advantage of the crush she had on him, took advantage of her needing his help with searching for historical buildings, took advantage of her wanting love.. I didn't like that. She was falling all in with this dude and he wouldn't even hold her hand in public??? Consistently saying he don't want nothing serious but calling her for sex every night?? Boy bye!

& Kendra was way too nice of a person. Between her family and BJ, I would've been cut everybody off or better yet just not came back home. It seems like nobody really believed in her and everybody was constantly making decisions for her life. She was so forgiving of everyone for them to keep doing the same things, she gave them all way too many chances.

I really don't think the two deserved the happy ending, I think Kendra should've went and opened her business and found someone who wasn't afraid to love her out loud.


**As always, thank you NetGalley and Taj McCoy for an advanced reader copy of this book. I voluntarily read this story and all thoughts and reviews are completely my own**

Thank you to Harlequin Trade Publishing/MIRA for the advanced reader copy of The Dating Prohibition by Taj McCoy!

Kendra is an entrepreneur returning home to open a speakeasy supper club. She’s reunited with BJ, her childhood crush and her brother’s best friend. BJ believes in her as she embarks on fulfilling her professional dreams.  
 
I loved the premise of this book and the tension between Kendra and BJ was perfect! Kendra and her story throughout the book was a highlight for me. I love how BJ supports her and these two MCs have excellent chemistry together. You can feel the connection between these two as soon as they’re reunited.

If you enjoy a brother’s best friend, this is one to check out!

Identity
Leap of Faith
Doubt
History
I love me some Taj McCoy and this did not disappoint! I was pulled in from the beginning and didn’t want to put this down. You know when you’re reading her writing because of the family dynamics, the humor, and her writing style in general. Now, you will very likely get frustrated with both of the main characters but I definitely loved the profession BJ was given. He’s a professor in historic preservation, how many romance books feature that and as a Black man! I loved it!
Kendra’s family is tight knit but she wants to get out of her brother’s shadow. However, it seems quite a few feel she’s unprepared but she’s the most prepared person there is. She wants to finally be seen outside of her brother and instead as her own individual. This was so relatable to me! Then, BJ is still healing from his past. The feelings he has for Kendra just doesn’t outweigh the risk that he sees. The historic buildings mentioned were also a fun touch!

The Dating Prohibition
Author: Taj McCoy
Pub Date: September 2, 2025

I received this book via NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

Taj has done it again. This book gave me all the feels. First, if you are a Rom-Com lover then you have found your book, Having a protective sibling is one thing, but having to feel like you are living in his shadow was another. I am glad Logan let go, and let Kendra come to him if she needed his assistance.
The relationship between BJ and Kendra was undeniable and very spicy. I am not going to lie at first I wanted her to forget about BJ, because I felt like he was playing in her face especially when he showed up with that date. Once I realized that BJ was holding on to the past and could not move forward. I knew he had work to do. Kendra wanted to act as if it wasn’t bothering her that they were just physical and not a couple, but being in that position before myself, I knew she was hurting. I am just so glad the distance between the two made them both realize that they wanted to be with each other and they both did what they had to do to make it work.

I recommend that all the rom-comers rad this book!

Thank you, thank you, thank you to NetGalley for sending this ARC over.

Taj McCoy has another hit on her hands!

She never ceases to amaze me with her writing and the stories she comes up with. This was a brothers’ best friend romance, and I loved it all. We meet Kendra, the younger sister of Logan and his best friend, BJ. Kendra has always been able to confide in BJ, but after an extended vacation overseas, she returns home to the DMV, and BJ has never left but has gotten real easy on the eyes (don't get me wrong, he's always been cute, but now he makes Kendra feel things she never thought were possible).

Now, fast-forward through a night of drinking and fun. Kendra finds herself as one half of a situationship with BJ, who is not ready to commit due to grief. Kendra, being the ever-optimistic one, sticks around, knowing that eventually he will stop being afraid to love her out loud until an eventful night that makes all her decisions so much easier.

I absolutely adored this book. The spice, the story, and the plot—perfection. Perfection. Tens across the board.

Can't wait to see what Taj comes up with next. And I can’t wait for this to come out so I can get my hands on a hardcopy.

Books have always been my “happy place.” The genre that I can never get enough of is romance. I was really excited to get a chance to read this book because I don’t often read books that feature characters that look like me,

I sometimes have a hard time getting into books by authors that I have not read before because I sometimes have a hard time getting used to their writing style. I did not have that problem with this book at all. In fact, the language used was very recognizable within my own family circle.

About the only issue that I had with this book is that, with the exception of the FMC, her brother, and her aunt, I really didn’t like the characters in the book. Unfortunately, that includes the male lead. By the end of the book, there was a bit of redemption of that character, but I went through most of the book thinking that the FMC deserved so much better.

All in all, I did like this book, and I am excited to see what is next for the author.

**I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.**

Kendra was laid off from her high=paying job in the tech industry and spent the last 2 years traveling the world, learning about new cultures and trying new food and drinks. She returns home to the DMV to be with her family and hopefully, start her own business venture. Kendra has lived in her older brother’s shadow her whole life and is hoping to prove her own with this new opportunity. BJ, is her brother’s best friend, and she’s always had a little bit of a crush on him while they were growing up. Now Kendra is all grown up and it seems like that crush has been reciprocated.

Cute read and loved the culture representation in this (ube pandesal mentioned!!!!!) The family dynamic was really tight-knit and the characters were fun and entertaining.

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