I genuinely love Kiki and Malakai so much. I am normally not the biggest second chance romance fan, but this really worked. The pacing was a bit slow at times, but I didn’t mind because I love these characters so much. The plot of this was really entertaining and I found myself kicking my feet and giggling a few times. The spice in this one was ramped up quite a bit and super well done. I am so glad that we got this book!!!

Thank you so much to Harper Audio for the advanced audiobook in exchange for an honest review!!

I was so excited to get an early audiobook of Sweet Heat. Honey & Spice is one of my favorite books of all time, and hitting play on this felt like your across-the-country best friend walking through the door with her bag and a bottle of tequila. Hello, Kiki Banjo, girl, I missed you.

The Blackwell crew is back, but our favorite couple, Kiki and Malakai, are no longer together. The way Bolu Babalola paces and layers the backstory of their breakup with the present-day tension, forced proximity as Maid of Honor and Best Man at Aminah and Kofi’s wedding and creative partners on a big project, is masterful. “Scotch” and Kai’s physical chemistry sizzles, but it’s the deeper connection, the way they truly see each other and show up in big and small moments, that I enjoyed the most.

Overall, this is a fantastic and satisfying follow-up to Honey & Spice. The cultural moments, the music, and the humor! I was cackling in public more than once.

Bolu’s writing is lush, sharp, and full of musicality, and the audiobook takes it to another level. Weruche Opia’s narration is phenomenal, perfectly capturing Kiki’s energy, vulnerability, and spark. Give her all the flowers!

Sweet Heat releases 9/2/25 and is available for pre-order now. Thank you to HarperAudio/William Morrow and Netgalley for the ARC!

I enjoyed this. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed this. I enjoyed this.

Thank you for the ALC copy of Sweat Heat! The audio was amazing and super engaging.

Bolu Babalola’s *Sweat Heat* delivers a story rich with layered relationships, where character development is as nuanced as it is heartfelt. The way the characters grow—individually and together—feels authentic, making their emotional connections resonate deeply. Tasteful pop culture references are seamlessly woven into the narrative, adding warmth and relatability without ever distracting from the plot. Most striking is Babalola’s sensitive yet powerful portrayal of grief, balancing its weight with moments of tenderness and hope. A compelling, emotionally intelligent read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the chance to listen to this book.

Kiki and Kai are brought back together for the planning of their best friend's wedding and although they haven't seen each other for a while it's very obvious that the chemistry hasn't died. Both are being stubborn though and they promise themselves they are only there for the wedding as the best man and the maid of honor and that nothing will happen. In close proximity it seems like maybe beyond just the physical chemistry there is still a lot of love there, and possibility for a second chance romance. I loved these two characters together I was rooting for them the whole time. They both had flaws, but they are young and in love trying to figure life out.

The female friendships were well developed, and I really enjoyed that part of this book as well. The friends were all like a family and it felt genuine and added to the story rather than distracting from it. The problems that were presented in the friend group and also individually for the characters such as jobs, place in life as a young person, love, and family feel relatable and intimate to the reader or listener.

I really enjoyed this book and the narration was 10/10!

Sweet Heat catches up with Kiki from Honey & Spice, now a little older, wiser, and standing at the crossroads of love, ambition, and self-worth. When Malakai—someone from her past with unfinished business—steps back into her life, she’s forced to navigate old wounds, undeniable chemistry, and the question of what she truly wants for her future.

What I Loved:
• The audio production is phenomenal—especially the phone call scenes that sound like real conversations rather than narration. It’s immersive in a way that makes you feel like you’re right there.
• Kiki’s world feels lived-in, with vibrant cultural dialogue, references that made my millennial heart sing (Beyoncé to Christina Milian!), and friendships that feel real—messy, loving, and complicated all at once.
• The second-chance romance between Kiki and Malakai is chef’s kiss—full of hunger, tenderness, and that delicious tension of rekindled love. It’s giving major Love Jones energy.
• The emotional core is strong—Kiki and Malakai take accountability, show vulnerability, and allow us to witness the small, authentic steps of reconnecting.

What Didn’t Float My Boat:
• The first chapter starts a bit slow, but it’s laying a solid foundation that makes the rest of the story hit harder.
• Bakari… yeah, he didn’t win me over. His energy toward Kiki’s work felt undermining, and I was ready for her to step into her full power.

Final Thoughts:
The Sweet Heat audiobook is heartfelt, steamy, and deeply engaging—balancing drama, cultural richness, and romance with a production that elevates the story. If you love second-chance romances, dynamic friendships, and a listening experience that feels like you’re living in the moment, this one’s for you.

I don't think I have found a better example of steamy scenes that don't skip out on the plot than this book. IYKYK...

Kiki Banjo is a phenomenal character who I immediately fell in love with. She is strong, smart, talented... we love her! Her career might be falling apart, but her best friend is getting married and she is ready to celebrate that love... until she learns that her ex boyfriend is also in the wedding party. She hasn't been the same after their break up three years ago, but she is working on it. Having Malakai in her orbit again won't help... or will it?

Kiki and Malakai find that they will have to spend more time together than just what their friends need from them for the wedding, in fact the two cannot get away from each other. It brings all the unresolved feelings they have for each other, pain from their break up, and their undeniable attraction to one another to the surface. Things get messy, but in such a painfully beautiful way.

This book was lyrical. I cannot recommend this audiobook enough. The narration is melodious and the production is fabulous. I loved everything about this book. We encounter characters that are flawed but not incapable of change. You champion for them because you know they are GOOD, even when they can't see it for themselves. This was a beautiful, heart wrenching, sexy novel that left me feeling empowered. I highly recommend it.

Thank you to William Morrow and Netgalley for approving me for the ARC audiobook of Sweet Heat. I want to note that this review is focused solely on the narration, not the book itself (I reviewed the story on the book’s page).

Weruche Opia’s performance was excellent. I loved her accent and how she distinguished each character’s voice—it really brought the story to life. My only small critique is that the male voices sounded a bit too youthful for the characters’ age, occasionally making them feel younger than intended.

Overall, her narration captured the tone, rhythm, and energy of Bolu Babalola’s writing beautifully, making the audiobook a highly enjoyable listening experience.

The Blackwell crew is back!

Well… mostly. Because our favorite uni couple, Kiki and Kai, are gasp BROKEN UP.

Kiki is deep in the trenches of a quarter-life crisis when her best friend drops the ultimate bomb—she’s engaged! Now, as maid of honor (Kiki) and best man (Kai), these two are forced back into each other’s orbit. Cue the awkward glances, the tension you could slice with a knife, and the “we are NOT getting back together” energy that lasts… oh, about five seconds.

Scotch is in her full glory, firing off one-liners like she’s been saving them for this moment. And Bolu Babalola’s signature—sharp, witty, almost poetic humor—is back in full effect, just like in Honey & Spice. It’s warm, it’s chaotic, it’s love in all its messy glory.

So let’s talk about the audiobook: Weruche Opia, you know her from ‘I May Destroy You’ reprised her role as narrator and absolutely BODIES it. Every single member of the Blackwell crew gets their own distinct voice, making you feel like you’re sitting in the room with them. She doesn’t just narrate—she performs, and it’s pure magic.

Thank you again @williammorrowbooks and @boluberry for this ARC!

I really thought that honey and spice was a really good book. College Malachi and Kiki, a great couple but Adult Malachi and Kiki top tier. The banter was spot on, the heat was there! The love, never lost.

I’m not a big Second Chance romance girl, but this book kind of made me have to change your heart.

Thank you for allowing me the opportunity to read this early.

This book is at it’s heart a second-chance romance. But you get to know Kiki Banjo deeply because of her inner monologues that are peppered in throughout this novel. We understand her on a much deeper level because of the stream of consciousness writing that the author has implemented. I enjoyed being in Kiki’s head and know her innermost thoughts as things were happening to her. Usually for a romance book there are dual POV’s but I am so glad that this was just from Kiki’s perspective. You get to know Kiki and I became so attached to her as a character that I really really rooted for her and Malakai near the end.

All the things that this couple has had to endure both together and then separately. With them breaking up and spending 6 years without each other, even though the feelings never really went away. Kiki’s current boyfriend doesn’t compare to Malakai and that’s felt when they break up close to the beginning of the book and she barely has any feelings about it. But when she only hears that Malakai is going to be here early for her best friends engagement party she starts to freak out. The forced proximity of being the Maid of Honour and the Best Man for their friends wedding, as well as the fact that they are working on a secret project together with a musical genius that they both love makes them confront each other on their feelings eventually.

I thought that because it was very much them going about life that I would potentially lose interest in the story but I enjoyed getting to know each character and their quirks and have the everyday experiences because they all did end up contributing to the bigger picture of the story that the author was trying to portray.

All in all I very much enjoyed this book. And the audiobook definitely was a hit with me. I enjoyed the accent of the narrator Weruche Opia. She beautifully captured the vibe of the whole book. You could tell when there were different characters speaking and they all had their own little bit of flair. I would highly recommend the audiobook to anyone who loves listening to books.

I had the joy of listening to an audio ARC of Sweet Heat thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, and Bolu Babalola once again delivers a romance full of heart and nuance. This story follows Kiki and Malakai as they navigate the complexities of friendship, attraction, and what it truly means to choose love, over pride, fear, and the past.

What drew me in most were the intricacies of the central relationship, layered, tender, and real, showing that love can be both messy and healing, yet still win in the end. The friendships in this book are just as rich, with bonds that were deep and knowing. And woven throughout is a celebration of Nigerian culture, vivid, warm, and full of life that made me feel like I was part of the world Bolu built.

A joyful, heartfelt romance that celebrates both love and the people who hold us up along the way.

Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for this stunning ALC!

Sweet Heat by Bolu Babalola is the perfect continuation of Honey and Spice. Babalola crafted a story that doesn’t require you to know the history of Kiki and Malakai to feel the heartbreak and love. The narrator was amazing, truly embodying the emotions of each character.

I devoured this book, the banter, the emotions, the poetic flow of the words, made this book a 5 star read for me

Wow, another certified Babalola banger! Absolute poetry - in this exquisite follow-up to Honey & Spice, we pick up years after Kiki and Malakai break up, and get a front row seat to them figuring out who they are to each other again. The title perfectly describes the story: hot like fire, both comforting and dangerous, and sweet, full of so much tender love and care. Fans of the first book are sure to enjoy this one, and audiobook listeners are in for a real treat - Weruche Opia’s narration is nothing short of magical, bringing Babalola’s words to life with emotion and heart. Highly recommend, I plan on buying a print copy as soon as possible!

Yes. Absolutely yes.
Don't think. Go read this right now and thank me later.
Matter of fact, get the audiobook too because the actress is PHENOMENAL. (Plus, as an American, all the slang makes much more sense when I'm hearing someone say it whilst also reading it.)

I never considered how amazing it would be to read about two characters getting together in on book, and then read a sequel that's their second chance romance. I loved the execution of this. First of all, Bolu's writing is so sumptuous and captivating, I was feeling all the feels. Second of all, the plot turns had me gasping, giggling, covering my eyes at some parts.

And finally, Kiki and Malakai are SO IN LOVE. I love them!!! Their love is so beautiful, and the reason that they broke up was very believable to me which made it all the more heart-wrenching, emotional, and enjoyable to read. Watchinig them come together is so beautiful and satisfying, I fully believe in soulmates now. Like ughhhh, I love them.

Thanks to William and Morrow for this arc in exchange for an honest review! All opinions are my own.

Now why would you break my heart at the beginning of the book. Kiki and Kai loved thier love story from Honey & Spice, if you havent read it please do, this is the sequel. Kiki explores a second chance romance with Kai after a devastating break up almost 3 years earlier and now reunited due to the besties wedding. Through life and relationship setbacks adds a layer of depth and relatability to their individual journeys and the rekindling of their romance. I did find the beginning part a little slow and a little reminsce of how the first book went but I loved their first story and that had me thinking am I reading the same book. She ditches Bakari though, thankfully. I could tell he wasnt a match in a long way. Overall, it's a thoughtful and heartfelt second-chance romance, exploring the complexities of adult relationships with humor, wit, and emotional depth. Thank you NetGalley for ebook and audiobook.

The narrator was also phenonomal capturing the accents and pronunciation. She added depth and emotion to the story.

Lyrical and Hot. These are the first two words that come to mind when I think about this book. And yes, I know this novel possesses an undercurrent of music culture throughout, but it's deeper than that. At its essence, this book is a love song to all the broken-hearted yet still hopeful, to the lost looking for their place. It makes you ache for Kiki and Malakai and the love they once had, and I hope that they have a future.

Tropes:
✨️ Second Chance Romance
✨️ Forced Proximity
✨️Contemporary Romance
✨️🌶🌶🌶

So, now is where I confess that I didn't do my research before listening to this one. I didn't realize it was the second in a series, with the first also focused on Kiki and Malakai. And I take full responsibility for the massive spoiler I have given myself, knowing how their story plays out before seeing where they began. That said, I never felt like I was missing important information, and Babalola does an excellent job of recapping important moments and information from the past throughout the narrative, and she does this heartbreakingly so.

The story itself is so vibrant and full of life, color, and music. It has a richness to it that I have not seen in a while. The characters are well-developed, flawed humans with such a depth and range of emotions, and it's tangible. I love how Babalola weaves music, film, food, and culture into the story. It adds a cinematic feel to the narrative and paints a vivid picture of the events in the novel; you can visualize it.

The spice is not to be overlooked, and boy is it 🔥🔥. It's smoky and sultry and visceral. It's desire and emotion married together in the best way.

This book took me on an emotional roller coaster. I laughed out loud so many times because the dialogue was witty and sharp, and several situations were hilarious. I found myself fighting back tears in other parts because you feel the pain Kiki carries with her from the loss of her relationship with Malakai those years back, and watching her struggle to find her footing in the current situation they find themselves in. The novel is told in first person from Kiki's perspective, so you never know what Kai is thinking and are forced to speculate with Kiki about his thoughts, desires, and motives throughout.

Now, I can't write this and not sing the praises of Weruche Opia. She brings so much depth and range to her vocal performance that you cannot convince me she isn't Kiki in the flesh. There is a sultriness to her delivery as Kiki while also bringing so much emotional depth. But her talents don't stop there. She gives every character in the novel their unique voice, going beyond what I've heard other narrators do in terms of delivery. She brings everyone to life in amazing ways, from pitch to tone, to delivery speed. It's utter perfection making the auditory experience unforgettable.

The novel is beautiful, poignant, cathartic, and consuming. I devoured it in two days and haven't been able to stop thinking about it.

This was delicious. The writing was beautiful, the tension was delectable, and I loved the stunning descriptions of emotions, friends, love culture, and characters. Despite her lack of focus in her life, I love how Kiki was still strong throughout this story. And Malakai was EVERYTHING. We love a man who works on himself. Aminah kind of drove me nuts, but I'm not gonna let her lower the rating of this book.

I started reading this, but switched to audio as I was traveling and it was even better. The narrator completely brought the story to life. Way better than the voice in my head.

Wow! Just wow. this is my first book by Bolu Babalola and I can say she is by far one of my favorite authors. Her writing is just magical. This book is pure poetry. The way she describes feelings, scenes, objects is all seductive. She had me an enraptured in this story with her tantalizing words. Thank you for this amazing experience while reading this book. I will be reading anything that she has written.

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC and introducing me to this amazing author!!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5 stars)
I’m not usually a big romance reader, but Bolu Babalola’s writing makes me want to convert.

Sweet Heat, the second installment in the Honey & Spice series, delivered everything I didn’t know I needed. We reunite with our beloved Kiki as she navigates the whirlwind of rising stardom: new love, family tensions, and, of course, her best friend’s wedding. And guess who’s also part of that wedding? Malakai, Kiki’s ex, who still carries some unfinished business.

With both of them deeply involved in the wedding festivities, they’re forced to confront their past, unearth what went wrong, and figure out whether there’s still something worth saving.

This book is packed with passion, messy second chances, and the bittersweet beauty of starting over. My only gripe? I wish we got more of Malakai’s perspective. When he reentered Kiki’s life, we only saw her emotional crash out. And I was dying to know: was Kai crashing out too?

Still, Babalola gave us a romantic, heartfelt, and vibrant story filled with Black love, sharp wit, and vulnerability. I really hope there’s a third book in the works—I’m not ready to leave this world yet.

Big thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the advanced listener copy in exchange for my honest review. Pick this one up if you love second-chance romances with heat, heart, and Black love. 💕