SWEET HEAT

College sweethearts turned exes reunite in Babalola’s scorching sequel to Honey & Spice (2022).

When readers first met London-based university student Kikiola “Kiki” Banjo in Honey & Spice, she was the smart-talking radio personality behind the show Brown Sugar. Almost a decade later, Kiki is reeling from having been pushed out of her own podcast and is looking for her next big career move. Meanwhile, her boyfriend, Bakari, a tech mogul more focused on sales than on remembering Kiki’s favorite flowers, just popped the big question. Not the marriage question—which Kiki finds herself alarmingly thankful about—but instead a work proposal: come work with him and forget about her impractical music-industry dreams. Kiki is unwilling to compromise her happiness, vocationally and romantically, so she and Bakari decide to take a break. Just as well, because Kiki’s best friend, Aminah, is newly engaged, and the semi-bridezilla needs Kiki’s full attention for her maid of honor duties. First step: Learn how to speak to the best man again. It’s been three years since Kiki experienced the worst heartbreak of her life from Malakai Korede, and suddenly the Hollywood-bound director is back in her orbit. When Kiki and Kai first got together at Whitewell College, they were inseparable; now, she can barely say his name. But she’s Kiki Banjo, and no man is going to ruin her fun, especially if he’s going to stick around for the wedding in six months. She can handle the occasional run-in and fake smile—that is, until a popular musician enlists Kiki as producer and Kai as director for her latest documentary. Can Kiki and Kai keep the past hidden as they work together, or will old feelings resurface? And when that old spark inevitably returns, will Kiki be able to recover if it ends in heartache? Babalola is an artful and lyrical writer, and her prose is a feast for readers. Kiki is a strong, sexy heroine who’s full of heart, and Malakai is a worthy contender for both her temper and affection. Fans won’t want to miss their second-chance love story.

A sweet and spicy treat for fans of Babalola’s characters.