Amazing. Seriously incredible. I need to purchase a book immediately to reread and annotate and I never want to reread romance. The depth of this story was so beautiful and I now need to go read honey and spice. 10/10.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advanced listeners copy.

I absolutely loved Honey & Spice, and was so excited to see this!!

I am very picky about second-chance romances, and I devoured this audiobook. I love KiKi & Malakai and was so invested in their reconciliation.

This story is hot and sweet and I just enjoyed it so much.

4.5 stars! Thank you to NetGalley, HarperAudio, and William Morrow for this advanced copy! You can pick up Sweet Heat on September 2, 2025.

Bolu Babalola has an absolutely phenomenal way with words. I haven't felt so transported by a contemporary romance book in AGES, and she did it so effortlessly. Not only was this book a gorgeous exploration of self-discovery, recovering from heartbreak, grief, sisterhood, and rebuilding bridges, but the way it described music (specifically music by Black artists) was pure poetry.

I don't know that I've ever thought about music and the way it connects people in as poetic and scholarly a way as Kiki does in this book. Kiki is a baddie for several reasons, but I really love her passion and dedication to her craft. This book makes space for her to rediscover what her purpose is and what drives her, and I just thought that was really beautiful to see (and relate to).

Of course, another huge driving factor in Kiki's life is her relationship (and lack thereof) with Malakai. In the ways she talks about him, you can tell that she and Malakai had that once-in-a-lifetime kind of love, and the worst of life's circumstances tore them apart. Seeing them rebuild that trust and love through forced proximity was absolutely delightful (and heartbreaking). I loved the use of flashbacks to paint a timeline of their rise and eventual fall, and the payoff once they decided to really pursue this thing had me kicking my feet and giggling.

But also, this book focuses on familial and sisterly relationships as well as romantic relationships. Kiki's bond with Aminah was sweet and spicy and full of all the love that ties two people together. It felt so real to see them not only acknowledge the good in their relationship but the ways life can fray and tear at it, causing friction between two people who have only ever loved each other.

The only reason this book isn't five stars is that 500 pages is a bit too long for me for a contemporary/romance book. Listening on audio helped, but I honestly might've struggled a bit more if I had to eyeball read it.

Overall, if you love second-chance romance with forced proximity, sisterhood, and celebrating Black excellence, this is the book for you.

I loved seeing Kiki and Malakai reprise their roles in each others lives. It was nice to see them mature. To see them have new challenges, new feeling and new goals. It was also nice to see how those new people were still drawn back to each other. Babalola has a very unique way of writing that allows for the story to flow in a way that is uniquely her own.

I had the opportunity to preview this copy via audio book, Weruche Opia does an excellent job narrating this book. They capture the essence, the cultures and the spirit so divinely. I highly recommend the title.

ALC HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley review.

4/5 stars

Book: I enjoyed this story a lot. Kept me intrigued. A second chance romance about heartbreak and finding their way back to each other. Bolu Babalola wrote this story with amazing poetry that made you connect with Kiki on a personal level.

Audio: Perfect. The narrator did an amazing job! No complaints.

Thank you HarperAudio Adult and NetGalley for letting me listen to this audiobook.

Publisher: HarperAudio Adult
Narrator: Weruche Opia
Publication: Sep 1, 2025

Babu Babalola made more magic with this one. They have the ability to create a gorgeous and complex story riddled with every human emotion, and make it believable. The highs are high, and the crying will make you do the same!
This one follows the brilliant Kiki who has recently left her job as a podcast creator, and as she is trying to figure out her next steps --in life, in love, in career. After a wild dinner involving a a non-proposal and a job offer, Kiki moves her attention to assisting with her family's restaurant business, looking for a job, and being the best maid of honor for her super newly engaged best friend! The real problem with that is her fiancée's best man is Malakai. Kiki's ex. The man who loved her so deeply, and wrecked her completely when they broke off 5 years ago. AND they end up working together on a killer project with a musical artist that neither of them can afford to turn down. The tension and banter and depth of emotion that play through their lives are so godsdamn beautiful and real! The love is real, and we love a second chance romance that actually feels like it could work out!
All of this wrapped in a gorgeously lyrical package, expertly delivered in audio form by Weruche Opia! It felt like poetry and music!

This book was a book for the girls. Yes, it had romance but it was more about relationships and the main climax was two besties figuring their shit out together. It was true to the relationship between soul mate best friends and the changes to that relationship when true love happens to one of the friends. The romantic relationship was important and got its due in the story too. The author also focused on the relationship with self and how confusing growth can be at any age but that the confusion will lead to clarity just not always in the way we expect or plan for. Overall this was a great story.
The narrator did a great job and made each of the characters feel unique.

This was the perfect update I needed for Kiki and Malakai. I really enjoyed the banter -Bolu has a way of making banter feel almost poetic. The audiobook took it to another level. The narrator's rhythm and inflections gave us a flow that made me love it even more.

I loved how the flashbacks were woven into the story. They brought out the feelings that were still lingering from the past and breakup years later. Could the Kiki and Malakai face the way their relationship ended and how it affected them? The author gave just enough detail to keep me guessing how it would all play out.

Kiki's confidence, her bond with Amina and the way she and Malakai were connected- made me realize you can have more than one soulmate at a time.

This was an amazing book and it's OFFICIALLY my new comfort read.

Kiki and Malakai might be my favorite couple of 2025 so far! I had book one, Honey & Spice, on my radar to read for a while, but after receiving Sweet Heat as an ARC, I decided I needed to divide into this series. H&S was a great intro to the characters during their college days, enjoyable different personalities of their friend groups, humor, etc and it was great.. but for me, I enjoyed book 2 even more! I feel like this author did a beautiful job of making me feel like I was part of the story or could visualize it as a Black Romance movie of the 90s!

This is a second chance romance that takes place after college and after a devastating break up between Kiki and Malakai. Their worlds collide again when their best friends are preparing for their upcoming marriage and Kiki and Malakai are the Maid of Honor and Best Man! The plan is to avoid one another until they also are thrust into working on a business project together.

I loved the chemistry between these two! The sexual tension and then the actual spice.. UGH! You believe they are destined to be together and because it's a 2nd chance romance and they dealt with a painful breakup, there is obvious miscommunications that happen, so sometimes I wanted to yell at them and say "COMMUNICATE" but that showed I was invested! There are also difficult conversations had in this such as dealing with grief from the loss of a parent, panic attacks/mental health that sometimes people find difficult to open up about.

This is book 2 and is written well enough to be a standalone but I highly suggest reading Honey & Spice first! It provides a wonderful framework for Sweet Heat! I did a immersive read as I received the book and audiobook in advance. The narrator Weruche Opia did a beautiful job bringing the feeling, emotions and the various characters to life.

Thank you to Bolu Babalola, William Morrow Publishing and NetGalley for an eARC of this book, as well as HarperAudio Adult for an ALC.

**Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola**
⭐⭐⭐ | 🌶️🌶️ | *When your past shows up as the best man*

This was fine, honestly. The audio production was solid, which definitely helped carry me through. Kiki's dealing with her career falling apart, family restaurant drama, and then her ex Malakai swoops back in as best man at her best friend's wedding. Classic mess.

I wanted to love this more than I did. The setup had all the right ingredients - second chance romance, family loyalty, wedding chaos. But I struggled connecting with Kiki and Malakai despite Babalola giving them plenty of backstory. Their chemistry felt forced rather than magnetic. The pacing dragged too.

If you're craving messy family dynamics mixed with second-chance romance, this might hit different for you. Just didn't quite spark for me personally.

**Vibes We Are Tracking:**
✨ Second chance romance
👰 Wedding party drama
🍽️ Family business struggles
💔 Ex-boyfriend returns
🔥 Forced proximity tension

This was such a good book, even better on audiobook. Thank you to NetGalley and Harper audio. This book felt so realistic from the friendship to the family and community elements.

Listening to the audiobook felt like listening to a podcast of girl friends lol.

We follow the aftermath of Kiki and Cai’s breakup but they must come together for their friend’s wedding and pull of the best wedding. But with unresolved issues and feelings and sexual chemistry, things maybe harder than they expected.

The narrator does such an amazing job with switching between characters and expressing the appropriate emotions and feelings for each situation. I would definitely recommend this read

Steamy, sexy, fun -- this second-chance romance was everything I hoped for and more. While it can absolutely be read as a standalone, there’s added richness if you’ve read Honey and Spice first. Personally, I loved Sweet Heat even more.

We follow Kiki Banjo, host of the podcast The HeartBeat, who gives out love advice while her own life is spiraling from career setbacks and a devastating breakup. Enter Malakai, the ex who broke her heart and just so happens to be the Best Man to her Maid of Honor. Forced proximity, unresolved chemistry, and sharp, heartfelt banter make their reunion both sizzling and emotional.

Babalola’s writing balances heat with humor and heart, making this a compulsively readable romance that’s equal parts fun and moving. Second-chance romance fans, this is one to add to your list.

This is the perfect end of summer read. Narration by Weruche Opia was fantastic. She brought Kiki Banjo and her cast of friends to life!

Kiki is quite the personality! As we meet her, she's kind of blown up her podcasting career and also her stable and steady boyfriend - who though very nice, isn't really that likeable at all.
She's sure that will all work itself out, despite him being kind of a total disappointment at every turn.
She's helping her friend prepare for a wedding that will be full of personalities that will need to be managed, and lots of details. All this is going along pretty well, until her Ex enters the picture. She knew he'd be at the wedding, but now he's showing up for the pre-parties and she's not really over him, so what's a girl to do?

You'll have to read to find out. Really enjoyed this one here at the end of the summer- a funny, surprising second chance romance for everyone who has needed a second chance to get things right!
Thanks to Harper Audio for the advanced listener copy. Delightful! My first book by Babalola but definitely not my last.

ALC Review
📚 Book Title: Sweet Heat
✍🏽Author: Bolu Babalola
📕 Format: 🎧
🎙️Narrator: Weruche Opia
⭐️ Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶 Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️

🕑Quick Take:
We reconnect with Kikiola “Kiki” Banjo eight years after her days of hosting the “Brown Sugar” radio show at Whitewell College. If you haven't read “Honey & Spice,” you should check it out. Kiki is now a popular podcast host on “The HeartBeat!” However, her life is about to change in a way that may initially seem like the worst but will ultimately turn out to be the best.

Malakai “Kai” Korede, Kiki’s ex, remains handsome and charming, and he is now a sought-after film director.

Kiki and Kai find themselves as the maid of honor and best man at their respective best friends' wedding events, where the tension and longing between them reignite.

💕What I Loved:
I read “Honey & Spice” last summer and decided to reread it in preparation for “Sweet Heat” ARC/ALC. It was even sweeter the second time around! “Sweet Heat” perfectly continues Kiki and Kai’s relationship. Although they tried to resist their feelings, they couldn’t ignore the intense connection between them. The tension, pining, and longing were executed beautifully. I truly loved the love they shared, and I felt a swell of warmth every time Malakai called her “Scotch.”

Tropes:
- Second Chance
- Lovers to Enemies to Lover
- Slow Burn
- Angsty

🎭 Narration:
Weruche Opia did a phenomenal job narrating this novel. I appreciate that she used a consistent yet original voice for each character. For example, when she voiced Kiki’s best friend, Aminah, you could really hear the dialogue between the two characters, with appropriate tonal shifts and inflections. Her delivery is top-tier.

⚠️ Heads Up (Trigger/content warnings):
- Mature Themes (18+)
- Parental Death

💭Final Thoughts:
I am thrilled to have reviewed *Sweet Heat* as both an ALC and an ARC. It provided the perfect immersive reading experience. I can't wait to add both formats to my collection. I highly recommend *Sweet Heat* to anyone who enjoys slow-burn, swoon-worthy love stories with elements of coming-of-age.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for this advanced listener copy.

You ever start reading a book and immediately know it will be a 5-star read? Sweet Heat was that for me!

This was the first book I've read by Babalola, and she absolutely blew me away. I'm speechless. She weaves a beautiful tapestry with her words. It is truly a piece of art that I wish would have never ended. I cannot wait to read any and everything she writes.

The story itself sounds like a simple second chance romance. Two exes are thrown together at their best friends' wedding as best man and maid of honor. Babalola takes it to the next level in her storytelling. The longing, the heartache, the tension. All of it. You feel the jealously, the sadness, the hope. You feel their love while also their trepidation. I felt every emotion with the characters and felt like I understood them on a deeper level thanks to the exquisite writing. The characters all grow throughout the storyline, and you also see their growth from when they first met.

Seriously though. I can't say enough good things about this book. Just go read it!!

This book was honestly a let-down personally. The follow-up novel from "Honey & Spice" was a stark contrast from the development and set we was given to the fmc and mmc's relationship prosper that sprouted overtime organically and humanly.

"Sweet Heat" was not the case. There were confusing jumps between past and present, to the point where I started to care for no one at all. I forgot about the whole wedding aspect until it was brought up again at the end, when that last conflict arised.

This novel just felt disingenuous and it was a disappointment to get through after waiting patiently for Bablola's next work after the publication of "Honey & Spice".

This was definitely a look into my soul of past relationships. I mean not all deserve a second chance, but some may have a chance not mines…lol but this one definitely deserves a chance. I think it was miscommunication and needed to grow into themselves definitely was a great read.

The audiobook was good. i enjoyed it. The story was a great second chance romance, the characters flowed so well together with their chemistry.

4.5 Stars

I don’t even know where to start, but this book was so good!

I was nervous and skeptical about reading Sweet Heat after reading Honey & Spice, because it was underwhelming for me. That being said, I actually wish I dove straight into Sweet Heat right after Honey & Spice because I loved it so much!

I’m not a big fan of the second chance trope, but Bolu did a beautiful job writing it! The angst, anticipation, yearning, anger, and personal growth was written so beautifully. I was so immersed into the story that I thought it was all happening to me. I was feeling everything the main characters were. In between the hurt and yearning, there was laughter. It was nice to have a good laugh in between. So many emotions are pulled out of you throughout this read, so be prepared to go on an emotional rollercoaster. I shed a few tears (I’m a book crier, I cry over any small thing lol)

In between reading about Malachi and Kiki relationship, we also read about Kiki and Aminah’s strained friendship during a stressful time for both friends. I will say I believe Aminah is not a great friend when she is stressed, she becomes a mean, shitty friend. It made me dislike her a lot, even up to the end of the book.

The audiobook I highly recommend! It was really good! I loved the narrator, they really immersed me into the story. They did a great job telling the story, really making you feel like you’re a part of it. The voice changes were rlly good too! My only thing was I did expect the MMC’s voice to be more deep though.

One thing:
- In Chapter 1 we get sidetracked multiple times on things that aren’t relevant to what is currently happening in the chapter, so be prepared for that and lots of rambling. Push through chap 1 though because the story gets better and better after that. I noticed in Honey & Spicy that the author sidetracked a lot from the plot and the point, so there was unnecessary rambling throughout that book and you ask yourself multiple times “how is this relevant?” In Sweet Heat, the author did the same in chap 1 with the rambling and sidetracking but it was only that chapter. My point is that between Honey & Spice and Sweet Heat, the author has grown so much with her writing and I loved seeing the difference and the growth! Bolu has outdone herself with Sweet Heat!

I really love Bolu Babalola. She is such a great writer who has mastered relationships (of all kinds, not just romantic ones), banter and tension. I would definitely recommend this to anyone who loves second chance romance with force proximity, funny / sarcastic friends and characters, open door spice and an infusion of West African culture.

Thank you to NetGalley and HarperAudio for the audiobook, which was fantastically narrated! (The slipping between accents was wild!)