I recently finished Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola and man, what a fun and sexy read. *insert gif of woman fanning herself.
There will be spoilers throughout this, so read at your own risk.
I loved the narrator’s voice, Weruche Opia. I listened to this one as an audiobook and enjoyed the story and the pace. I appreciated the insight into college in London at Whitewell and the different student organizations that gave it character. One of the funniest parts was when Kiki talks about how she and Amina met by cursing out a drunk white guy in a toga. I’m sure there are events like this that happened across other universities and I appreciate how this makes Kiki and Amina instant friends. Warms my little heart.
One aspect of the novel I didn’t like, but went along with was the constant mention by Kiki of how Malakai doesn’t actually like her like that. Like ma’am, um yes he does and you love him too. In my DJ Khaled voice, “You played yourself.” I get that it’s a part of the novel, but I’m also like, can we have female characters who know their worth and love themselves enough to admit that the male characters can realize that they have a good thing? Is there a book like this out there?
Whatever the case, the tension was seeexxxyy. I appreciate the subtle, but sexy inclusions. I tend to appreciate books that hint at sex and sexual situations rather than being so blatant about it. Maybe I just haven’t read the right book that describes sex in a way that doesn’t make it seem so cringey.
I also really enjoyed Bolu’s writing. For example, in chapter 5 she writes, “he had a body that was just muscle and skin and made for sin.” Love it. This book was right up my alley and had the perfect amount of honey and spice. *ba dum tiss. 😆
The descriptions of the students on campus, the radio show, and the restaurant, The Sweetest Ting, were all great. I would love to go to Whitewell to explore. Also, I loved that Malakai got into character after reading Kiki’s favorite book and going to RomCon with her. Overall, adorable book that featured love, lust, and growth from the main characters and a little bit of a Pride and Prejudice vibe from the snap judgements that were made and then had to be recreated based on new knowledge.
I would definitely revisit this book in the near future. What did you think? Were there parts you loved about Honey & Spice? Let me know in the comments.
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