Sweet Heat

Honey & Spice #2

by Bolu Babalola

Three years after their break-up, Kiki's worked hard to forget her first love. But just as she thinks she's got her life under control—jumping into the distractions of her romance-by-calendar-invite boyfriend, and plans for her best friend, Aminah's, wedding—Kiki's career implodes, the family business teeters on collapse, and Malakai returns. As Malakai takes up his role as best man opposite her maid of honour, suddenly Kiki can think of nothing but their simmering chemistry, what went wrong, and why it is now impossible to act normal around each other.

Juggling a new job, the prospect of her parents' restaurant being sold, and keeping her best friend from going full bridezilla, dealing with The Ex is the last thing she needs. But somehow the spark between them is only getting hotter—and threatening to ruin everything.

Genres: Romance, Fiction, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Audiobook, Second Chance, Adult

496 pages, Paperback

First published July 3, 2025

About the author

BOLU BABALOLA
is a British-Nigerian woman with a misleading bachelor's degree in law and a masters degree in American Politics & History from UCL. She feels it is important to state that her thesis was on Beyoncé's "Lemonade" and she was awarded a distinction for it. So essentially she has a masters degree in Beyoncé. A writer of books, scripts, culture pieces and retorts, a lover of love and self-coined "romcomoisseur", Bolu Babalola writes stories of dynamic women with distinct voices who love and are loved audaciously. She is a big believer in women being both "Beauty and the beast". She is not a fan of writing her own bios.

Reviews

[Shawnaci Schroeder · Rating 5 out of 5]

5/5
- I’m actually speechless and already want to read this book over again. It’s so obvious that this author took her time with this book. It truly shows! The way she so beautifully weaves words together to really make you feel exactly how every single character was feeling in that moment.
- My heart might burst if I never read another moment of Kiki and Malakai like I neeeeeeed more!!! If you love a slow burn (ish) that focuses on second chance romance, but also on family, friendships, and difficulties to navigate in life, this is a great one to read. A perfect book if you’re working through that tough after college what do I do now time in life.
- Loooove how this book focused more on emotional intimacy and tension over anything. I could literally feel their love growing! Now that I’ve finished this book, I want to go and read honey & spice all over again. I feel like I’ll have an even greater appreciation for it.

[emma · Rating 3 out of 5]

there is nothing more coveted to me than finding a new romance author to obsess over.

https://emmareadstoomuch.substack.com...

and i love this writer's funny and emotional writing. over the past couple books i have really grown to care about these characters. i did not expect that this would follow the same couple as the last book, now broken up and angsty, but that did lead to a lot of yearning which i loved.

but like the first, i found the romance to be lacking compared to the fleshed-out other parts. not a lot of problem-solving, kind of anticlimactic reunion, too much friend drama.

and yet i will keep reading!

although this was long.

bottom line: other than the genre this was great.

(thanks to the publisher for the e-arc)

[JustJJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Blog | Instagram

Rating: 4 stars

'Sweet Heat' serves up a spicy, beautifully written, second-chance romance packed with relatable struggles.

Cover: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Writing: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Storyline: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Main character(s): 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
Secondary characters: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Romance: 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Narration & Audio:🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

I hesitated to pick up this book, worried that it would ruin the charm of Honey & Spice. To my delight, Kiki and Malakai's journey in this sequel turned out to be the second-chance romance I didn't know I needed. Their undeniable chemistry, combined with nuanced explorations of themes such as identity, vulnerability, and grief, quickly drew me back into their world. While the heat promised by the title is definitely delivered, I found the spice and romantic angst somewhat overwhelming at times, making parts of the story feel drawn out or repetitive.

"The biggest mistake people make is thinking a relationship should be easy just because loving the right person is easy."

The highlight for me was the clever, authentic banter and character dynamics. It was also great to reconnect with the older, more complex character cast. Besides the characters, Bolu Babalola's writing felt noticeably refined. It has a richer, more poetic flair that skillfully captures Kiki's complex emotions and keeps the story deeply immersive. The transitions between the past and present also flow smoothly. However, the frequent tangents and pop culture references occasionally pulled me out of the moment.

"Who you are is an abundance, not a burden."

Weruche Opia's narration enriches the audiobook beautifully, with an emotive and nuanced delivery. My only complaint about the listening experience is that the audio effect used for phone calls felt unnecessary.


See my other reviews for Bolu Babalola:

Honey & Spice:
1. Honey & Spice


You can also find more of my thoughts and discussion questions on my blog! - I'd love to hear your thoughts!

[melody · Rating 5 out of 5]

bolu babalola has done the impossible- she wrote an amazing romance that convinced me that two people should wholeheartedly be together, had them go through a brutal breakup, and then convinced me AGAIN that they should be together. sweet heat is everything you want from a second chance romance- it has so much angst, spice, and further development of characters and their identities. i really appreciated reading about kiki and malakai as adults and their struggles related to identity/success, families, and managing friendships. speaking of friendships, kiki's relationship with aminah (and chioma and shanti to a degree) is a pure highlight of the book- it's true sisterhood, and they are so so funny. i also loved the playful banter and the characterization of places and music- this felt like a true extension of honey and spice, which is a true gift.

Malakai and I didn't last, and maybe we weren't meant to, but what I felt was real, and not even he can take that away from me. That love is still mine to give.

thank you so much to netgalley and the publisher for the advanced copy!!

--
a honey and spice sequel you are KIDDING ME!!! second chances i'm so excited :')

[Kezia Duah · Rating 4 out of 5]

“This is a second-chance romance of—“ Say no more! I barely remember anything from the first book, but after rereading my old review……and cringing….. I was so excited to dive into this one.

My first thought when I saw this was, “Babalola, you broke Kiki and Malakai up??!! “ This better be good, because second-chance romance is actually my favorite trope ever. When it’s done right, that kind of passion is truly unforgettable.

From the first few pages, I was reminded of how funny this author is, and I was instantly hooked. The humor never really fades, even as the story takes on more serious tones. I was dying to know what happened in the past that brought us here, because the tension between Malakai and Kiki was crazy. Like, I genuinely felt like I should give them privacy. Babalola slowly revealing the backstory was so satisfying, and it all felt believable. Yes, their breakup could’ve been avoided, but it didn’t feel silly. Instead, it felt human. I could feel their heartbreak, but also their love in every single moment.

Now, onto Amina and Kiki’s friendship, I honestly do not remember her from the first book, but wow, she’s something. I don’t dislike her… not exactly a fan either… but she’s adorable? So I’m conflicted. Still, I appreciated how their friendship added another layer of love to Kiki’s life. Speaking of love-filled lives, I adored Kiki’s parents! They’re not your stereotypical African parents, and that was such a breath of fresh air.

As for why this isn’t five stars… I couldn’t even tell you. Maybe I was just missing that final umph, something I can’t quite put my finger on. But either way, I’ll definitely be picking up whatever Babalola writes next.

[BookmarkedByAlia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5⭐️
This was my first ARC and I’m so glad that it was one of my VERY highly anticipated ones for 2025.
It was so good to be with the crew again and dive into where they are now in their lives-all grown up LOL
I didn’t know how much I missed them until I reacquainted myself and really got into the story. It was amazing seeing the changes and growth of all the characters while still being what made them “them” in Honey & Spice.
Malakai and KiKi’s second chance romance was REAL. The attraction to each other was undeniable while the hesitation of diving in too deep too soon was so believable.
However, I will say that the RIDICULOUS amount of pop references throughout the entire book became VERY annoying( I LOVE Beyonce but DANG!!🙄) This definitely threw me off a bit (way more than the first book).
Because this was an arc, the format and flow of this book seemed very choppy and was difficult to read at times. I definitely plan to re-read or listen to this after it’s officially released at some point to see if my rating changes at all.

Thank you Netgalley for accepting my request for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Fernanda (ivyfer_isreading) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved Honey & Spice when I read it years ago but Sweet Heat is definitely a step up. 
This book is everything I could ask for in a romance, it is happy, but also a little sad at times, wholesome and god is it hot. I don't think I've ever read a book where I felt the tension like in this one. Just superb. 
The characters are not caricatures, they are flawed, they disagree, they fight, they make mistakes and atone for them. It's so rare to see romance books where everyone isn't cookie cutter, but here main and side characters feel so real, imperfect. 
Now for the actual content of the book: this is a continuation of Honey & Spice, and when we pick up Kiki and Malakai have been broken up for a while. Kiki tried to move on, but it all comes back when their best friends announce they are getting married. 
I love the second chance romance trope, probably because I love a little angst, and this definitely delivered. 
Please give this book a chance, it is wonderful. And if you haven't read Honey & Spice yet, what are you doing with your life?!

Thank you Netgalley and William Morrow for the ARC!

[BookishByTammi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a perfect second chance romance
The chemistry between them was written to perfection, the tension was delicious and Malakai was hotter than ever, the man has charisma what can I say

I did think it took a bit too long for them to finally get back together, i wanted more happy moments with them together but aside from that I loved it

[cat]

I’m seeing so many people have 4+ ⭐️ and I feel like I’m actually going crazy. I was really excited to pick this up, but it just didn’t work for me. The first chapter felt scattered, overly long, and hard to follow with all the jumps between conversations. I even tried rereading some parts and still couldn’t stay focused. I was already skim reading halfway through the first chapter 🥲

The writing style was the main struggle. The chapters felt too drawn out, there were so many run-on sentences, and the inner monologue came across as so… scrambled. I usually enjoy descriptive or expressive writing, but this felt wordy in a way that made me set the book down again and again. I also found myself constantly pausing to look up words that felt unnecessary and out of place, almost like they didn’t fit with the book’s style. It just felt way too extra.

I did enjoy certain parts. The banter between Kiki and Kai was fun and their chemistry came through clearly in the more intimate scenes. Still, their reunion felt rushed since they got back together the very first night after years apart, and I wanted more buildup. What I really loved from what I read was Kiki’s connection with her friend circle. Those interactions felt genuine, warm, and supportive, and they were easily the most enjoyable parts of the book for me.

I wondered if starting with the first book in the series might have helped, but I think the writing style would have been the same challenge for me. I simply couldn’t connect with it. I’m not even usually a harsh judge when reading—I give out easy 4-5 stars most of the time. This though… it was just too unorganized and word-heavy to enjoy. I’m so disappointed to say this, but I ended up not finishing it. I know so many others loved this, but honestly it was a DNF for me.

-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-♡-

A huge thank you to Netgalley, William Morrow, and Bolu Babalola for allowing me to read this arc. These are all my honest opinions in this review.

──────────

・❥・⁀➷ pre-read

i’m so ready for some ex-boyfriend chemistry 🔥

[Darriona · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was one of my most anticipated reads of the year and I absolutely loved it. I’ve already added it to my yearly re-read line up with Honey & Spice. I won’t be able to read one without the other.

Sweet Heat is a second chance romance story where we are reunited with my faves, Kiki and Malakai. Y’all do not know how excited I was when I found out that Honey & Spice was getting a sequel, but also devastated because what do you mean they aren’t together anymore?! Luckily, I love a second-chance romance and I trusted Bolu Babalola to bring my faves back together somehow.

Sweet Heat was wonderful because it honestly felt like I was picking up where we left off in the universe of these characters. It is a few years after the story of Honey & Spice and our faves are little bit older now. Some things are a bit different with career changes and life changes.

Bolu Babalola is so good at writing relationship dynamics whether is romance, friendship, and even some family dynamics, but Kiki and Malakai’s relationship was the star of the show. Kiki and Malakai’s journey as they were brought back together was beautifully written and their stories were so perfectly intertwined. There was so much angst and yearning. The tension was so good! And the banter?! The best ever. Babalola is a comedian. I was screaming at the book because I just wanted my faves back together so bad. I was stressed out, but everything came together perfectly in the end.

I always love a story about late 20s to early 30-somethings because they always resonate with me. Kiki, Malakai, and all of their friends are growing and experiencing major life changes and they’re figuring out how to navigate that. I feel like in general people are experiencing a lot of change in their lives, and while some might seemingly have it figured out where things are going smooth, many are still trying to get a grasp of things. Times are stressful. This book felt relatable in that way and it really hit the spot.

I will say the chapters tend to be really long, which I don't typically love, so keep that in mind while reading! But overall, I really have no complaints about the story, I loved it!

Thank you William Marrow for the this ARC!

[Courtney N · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC review!
Thank you, NetGalley and William Morrow books!

The romantic journey of my dreams. An easy, emotional, emphatic 5 stars.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Listen, I was there and I was there! I screeched when I saw the announcement for this book, I screamed when I got the ARC and now I’m borderline depressed it’s over.

💫 The follow up to (a personal favorite of mine) Honey & Spice is every thing I could have wanted. The story follows all of our favorites from book one (Kiki, Malakai, Aminah, Kofi, and more) as they navigate their late 20’s and all of the changes, difficult dynamics and heartbreaks that come with growing and finding yourself.

💫To say I loved this book would be an understatement. While I typically fly through books in just a day or two, this took me 4/5 days. Why? Because I kept rereading paragraphs. I kept highlighting and annotating (my most highlighted book of the year so far). I kept stopping to think and feel. There were many moments I had to physically stop reading because I was overwhelmed with giddiness, hurt or the tension was just SO tense. The writing never failed to absolutely wrap me up and bring me to a different place (I could never tire of living in Kiki’s mind). The characters are so bone-achingly lovable that I’m sad to have finished their journeys. The premise of the book is nostalgic yet relevant to the here and now, it made me reflect on my own life and also look forward. It was swoon and tear worthy and I had an insane amount of fun the entire way.

💫Some key characteristics of the book:

- A very character driven story. This book dives even deeper into the souls of the characters. We get more depth, more growth, more reasoning, more roots. We watch them grow and discover all through Kiki’s brilliant and colorful lense. Being back in Kiki’s mind was like coming home after a long day away while simultaneously going somewhere new and exciting for the very first time.
- A second chance romance with forced proximity elements. The romantic plot was executed perfectly in my opinion. Every set up and timeline was reasonable and both Malakai and Kiki were worthy of a second chance.
- Dual timeline / flash back chapters. This kept the book moving at a good pace. I really enjoyed going into the book not knowing exactly what happened between Malakai and Kiki from the ending of Honey & Spice to the beginning of Sweet Heat. Getting bits and pieces of it throughout the story was emotionally impactful.
- Friendship and family dynamics. These dynamics were raw and relatable. They lended to the history and reasoning of each character.
- Poetic, fun and unique prose. I love the way Ms. Bolu writes. There isn’t another author I can think of that writes in a way that actually sings to my soul. The simplest sentence can make me feel so viscerally. I will never tire of the writing style. This is what makes so special.
- Cultural / Racial themes. This part I love and appreciate almost above all else. It is so refreshing to see Black culture represented in such a light. You can feel how proud the characters are to be Black in world that doesn’t always want them to feel that way. You can feel the way the characters navigate life (both professional and personal) blending their cultures with pride and respect. As someone who is half Nigerian but never had the privilege of knowing that culture up close, I am thankful for the joyous, loud and proud representation.
- Steamy and spicy (open door romance). As the characters matured from Honey & Spice so did the… well spice! I’ll leave it clean even though I was SWEATING but I will say that these were some of my favorite spice scenes ever. They were built up well with lots of tension and the emotional aspect made every thing pop.


✨✨ Overall, this was pretty flawless for me. You’ll find me hard pressed to love a couple more than I love Kiki and Malakai and even harder pressed to love a main character to this level. I can’t wait for my physical copy to add to my favorites shelf!

[Gry ☾ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just want it on the record that I manifested Honey and Spice being adapted to film in my last review.
So let me go ahead and do that again. Please let that come to life beautifully and become a major success so we also can see this absolute tearjerker on screen.

Whilst Honey and Spice was funny and comforting, this was pure heartbreak.
Seeing characters that had once fallen so deeply and beautifully into love built on friendship and trust, now with such steaming hatred for each other broke me. I sobbed so hard.

Bolu did an absolutely magical, incredible job in building this story. Dragging us into all the feelings Kiki was feeling, whilst still making us hope, yearn, wish for more.

Keeks and Kai forever<3

[Cydney · Rating 5 out of 5]

First, Bolu Babalola's writing in Sweet Heat is poetic, sharp, and engaging—pretty much right from the start I was pulled into this story. The banter was funny and witty, the spice was passionate and intimate, and Malakai and Kiki are older, a little bit wiser, and more settled into who they want to be. While I feel like they're two people who can hurt each other the most, they are also two people who can lift each other up, love each other, and support each other the way no one else in their lives can. Their bond established in college remains even through some of the hardest moments in their relationship because of this.

I was so excited to hear that Honey & Spice was getting a sequel, but when I heard this was a second-chance romance, I admittedly got a little scared of picking this up, despite that being one of my favorite tropes. Where they left off in Honey & Spice was so strong that I was terrified to learn what split them up. But I should've trusted Babalola to provide a satisfying journey for their second chance, because there were so many things I loved about this story.

I enjoyed the pacing, the flashbacks to the unraveling of their relationship, and the present-day passion project they team up with Taré on. In many ways, their partnership served as a full circle moment for their relationship and careers, and I appreciated seeing their growth.

I will say I struggled with the side characters/subplots. I found Aminah to be self-absorbed and mean, and Bakari was boring AND delusional, and Taré was uninteresting despite being described as such an interesting person. I also feel like if you are someone who is fatigued by social media references, pop culture, and the name-dropping of artists, you might struggle with this one. If seeing Beyoncé mentioned frequently in Honey & Spice got on your nerves, don't say I didn't warn you.

As for the audiobook, I found it mostly fine. I repeatedly caught up in hearing the narrator swallow, her throat clicking, and other various mouth noises, but I feel like that is very much a me issue. However, I think it's worth bringing up for people who also get caught up on things like that.

Thank you to HarperAudio Adult, William Morrow, and NetGalley for providing me with an ALC and ARC!

5 ⭐️
3.5 🌶️

[Lance · Rating 4 out of 5]

E-ARC generously provided by William Morrow in exchange for an honest review! Thank you so much!

4.5 stars. Sumptuous in its prose and delightfully thoughtful in its romance, Sweet Heat is a scorcher of a romance novel that turns up the heat on Kiki and Malakai's love story in a way that I didn't know that I needed.

[Binta A Musa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I don’t know what to say. I went into this book really expecting to love it, and I did at first. But it quickly fell from my expectations with each chapter. Honestly, I’m scared I may fall into a deeper book slump after reading it.
Too long. Too verbose. And yet, not enough.
I’ve always felt that romcoms don’t need to be more than 300 pages, and this book is a clear example why.
The beginning was pretty good, but after a third of it, it just became tiresome to read.
I also wasn’t a fan of the character work because I still don’t feel like I know any of the characters? They all seem kind of 2-dimensional to me. I also didn’t think the stakes were that high. Kiki’s and Malakai’s breakup did seem bad, but then I didn’t think there was enough keeping them apart. Also, I didn’t really enjoy the Tare twist, I didn’t see enough of them working together to actually see the point. Really, the events of the book felt like they were being told to me rather than my actually reading about them, which bored me even more.
I also didn’t like Aminah, even though I think I’m meant to? Not sure. Or maybe I’m not meant to like her, who knows? Kofi felt like some abstract idea of a person to be honest.
I think the only way the story would’ve made more sense to me, and the length would’ve been justified, is if it was a 2-perspective narration and we see what Malakai went through with the breakup and his father’s loss. Otherwise, it all feels like a lot of fuss over nothing.
Everything about the story seemed forced to be honestly. From the overly poetic prose (which I’m usually a fan of) to the beefs and the love between the characters.
It was actually a let down and I really wanted to like it.
2 sad stars.

[⋆˙sanyae˙⋆ · Rating 4 out of 5]

♡alc + arc review♡
i loved honey and spice but the one thing i was missing was a proper epilogue in the future. when i saw bolu babalola was writing a sequel, i was screaming 🦅🦅🦅

sweet heat was everything i wanted for a glimpse in the future. while i'm sad that my favorite cutie couple broke up, i was SAT for the second chance romance!!!! second chance is one of my favorite romance tropes especially when done right and listen, this was so good.

malakai×kiki have to come together as maid of honor + best man for their best friends wedding. the forced proximity and sexual tension had me about to gnaw my fist off. i also love that kiki is still friends with the same girls from university.


♡8 years after honey and spice [3 years post breakup]
♡black love
♡second chance
♡forced proximity
♡british rom-com


sweet heat is everything i love about second chance. it was an emotional rollercoaster full of angst, chemistry, banter!!!!!, tension, yearning, friendship, music and humor.

🎧the audiobook is excellent. 5/5 stars! weruche opia does a great job bringing sweet heat to life. she is the same narrator as honey and spice. she adds sooo much to the stories. her accents, the delivery of humor.... she's a phenomenal narrator. i highly recommend the audio version!!

quotes i like:
╰┈❥closure is a lie we tell ourselves to hold on to something.

╰┈❥Of course, Malakai has managed to be approximately 2.75 times more attractive than the last time I saw him, when he was already insanely attractive. Right now, I can’t help but feel that this is to spite me. Breaking my heart wasn’t enough – he had to go ahead and get finer too

╰┈❥Kiki Banjo. The one and only.’
‘Aw. Did you search for others in your travels?’
‘Nah. I figured that one was more than enough for a lifetime.’

╰┈❥‘I’m being polite.’
‘I prefer you rude.’

╰┈❥‘I slipped to the bar downstairs. Asked for the second finest scotch in this place.’

╰┈❥I can’t imagine a world where I would ever feel unsafe with Malakai. At least not in that way. Romantically, though, he might be a death trap.

╰┈❥Instead, I reach my hand out underwater for his. His hand clasps around mine immediately. It feels like a secret. In this underground indoor pool in this secret garden, underwater, we can hold hands and no one will know. We barely know.

╰┈❥Who you are is an abundance, not a burden.’His gaze blazes into me. ‘You’re my abundance.’

╰┈❥‘you’re the only thing on earth I want to run to. I can’t run from you –you’re part of me. The best part of me. The only person I’m sure I’ll find in the dark. And I did. In my darkest moments, I still saw you. Still knew I was capable of feeling something because of you. You’re the only person I’ve ever chosen, but it never felt like a choice, it felt like instinct

╰┈❥I just want to exist near you. The fact that you let me in is a blessed bonus. I just want to be next to you. Talk to you. Touch you. Every time I see you, I’m thinking, God, how? How are you possible? I’m thinking about how I can’t believe I had you, that I let you go. I think about how I’ve never had a friend like you and never will. Because, really, you’re my best friend.


things i didn't like:
×the drama in the last 25% was a lot...
× I wanted more scenes with malakai and kiki together and happy. it took pretty much the whole book for them to get back together
×the beginning was very slow but it picked up for me around 30% once malakai finally showed up lol

♡♡thank you so much netgalley, harper audio adult + william morrow//william morrow paperbacks for an alc + arc♡♡

[Adesuwa Emma-Omogiate]

I got the arc!!

[Gina Loves 2 Read · Rating 5 out of 5]

Spicy, Soulful and Sexy!
This story felt like a love song that I unquestionably would listen to on repeat! 🧡
The characters were captivating, funny and realistic. The writing was poetic and enchanting.
One of my favorite romances of the year!

[jenny reads a lot]

| IG | TikTok |

Thank you William Morrow for the gifted book. All opinions are my own.

[suonnahbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sweet heat by Bolu Babalola
ARC from William Morrow
Release date: Sept 2nd 2025
-if you’re in your 20s figuring out your life like me I think you’ll relate with Kiki also if you’ve been or going through heartbreak
-I love Kiki she feels so raw, relatable and really funny
-love the drama, tension , forced proximity
-love the different tone of voice and sound effect
-They’ve been through so much the past and present timeline makes me understand and connect with Kiki and Malachi
-Them dancing 🥰 I’m giddy and nervyyyy
-so much healing ❤️‍🩹
-their connection and passion feels souls deep
-some moments sound like poetry
-“he’s my favourite kind of trouble and I’ve never know how to resist “ 😩
-“loving you is like muscle memory from a time before I even know I existed”😭
-this second chance romance was everything 🥹

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Monica · Rating 1 out of 5]

⭐️1/5 | 🌶️ 2.5/5
First person POV | Single narrative
Linear timeline

Sweet Heat had potential but unfortunately, I couldn’t even finish this one. The pacing dragged and I was really put off by the writing style. There were sooooo many run-on sentences, like long paragraphs that were all one sentence. It had such a rambling narrative that it often felt like wading through a stream of consciousness rather than reading a cohesive novel.
Instead of getting lost in the chemistry, I found myself lost in paragraphs of inner monologue that desperately needed trimming.

The “spicy” scenes I did read were present and on the page, but not super graphic or long. The focus leans more toward emotional intimacy and sensuality.

Thank you William Morrow for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

[amarachireads · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much, it was the perfect second chance romance with real characters and an interesting plot. The main characters Kiki and Malakai were complex and great characters and i enjoyed them together and with their back stories. So the story starts with Kiki and Malakai having to reunite because of their best friend’s wedding. They haven’t been together in years and still have unresolved issues they instantly clash due to so much tension. I loved their banter and that push and pull they had. I loved that they had to work together as a producer:director dynamic and seeing them trying to work through the past and future.

Im not always a fan of flashbacks but i loved how it was utilized in this book. The romance was sweet, tender and full of life. There are not alot of streamy moments but i loved what was there. I loved the friendship aspect, the weeding planning and the amazing friend groups. As a Nigerian i loved all the calls to Nigerian and west African culture. It was diverse and added so much to the story. Overall this was a great romance read and i love seeing how Bolu’s writing keeps getting better! Thanks to Avon for this arc!

[Ro_Monique_ · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars | “I’m here and I’m here”

Sweet Heat is the much anticipated follow up to the love story of Kiki and Malakai that bloomed in Honey and Spice. The chemistry and connection they share is undeniable. These two were fated to be together and the roadblocks in their relationship were mostly them getting in the way of themselves, which is sometimes inevitable with young love. The romantic scenes and declarations of love were chef kiss. The subplots, meh. In general, I was happy to catch up with this couple and their friend group.

Bolu Babalola’s prose is poetic and a bit overwritten at times. I feel this book in particular caters to an audience that is chronically online and in tune with cultural references and -isms.

[AlexTRBG · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m calling it, this was the best romance I’ve read all year. 😭💕 I’m just blown away! This was beyond 5 stars. Kiki and Kai were always endgame 💘And seeing them fall apart but find their way back to each other was everything to me 🥲 Literally everything!

This books gave me everything I needed in a 2nd chance and then some. It truly broke me and put me back together. 😭😮‍💨 Kiki and Kai were made for each other. And seeing them both so broken by their separation and the hardships of life was heartbreaking. I literally felt like I was in that breakup too lol.

But then 3 years later, they were forced to be around each other again, and you could just feel those threads pulling them back together with each chapter. And they literally couldn’t help it. They both fought it for so long throughout the book and it was truly maddening at certain points. I was audibly screaming at multiple parts during this read ngl. But I was never annoyed w either of their decisions bc I understood every bit of what they were each going through.

And my last favorite part about this had to be the friendships and found family 😭 like growing up is so hard and retaining those connections and friendships from college is ever harder. I loved how Bolu explored this with Aminah and Kiki’s relationship especially. That hit so hard bc it’s so real!

All in all, Sweet Heat was absolutely perfect. Honestly no notes or cons. I loved every bit. Bolu has def solidified her spot in my Mount Rushmore or romance authors. She’s so talented and I can’t wait to see what she comes out w next 🫶🏽

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is how you do a second chance romance. The growth, the passion, the witty banter, the friendship everything was so well written. Only 4 stars because the flashback chapters had me confused with the placement and timeline but overall this is worth the read.

[thee.millennialreader · Rating 2 out of 5]

Kiki spends so much time in her head that at times I felt lost right along with her. Her inner tangents—whether triggered by memories, possibilities, or present emotions—often pulled me out of the story, making it hard to stay grounded in the moment. The constant back-and-forth of her thoughts left me with a bit of a headache.

Kiki and Malakai, in particular, say so much without ever truly saying anything at all. Their exchanges are heavy with poeticism, yet underneath it, they don’t really hear or understand one another. That dynamic grew frustrating to read over time.

What I did appreciate, though, was the author’s exploration of Kiki outside of her relationship. Between her best friend getting married, her career shifting, and her parents selling their restaurant to return to Lagos, Kiki is forced to ask herself some big questions about who she is and what comes next. That journey of self-discovery was the strongest part of the novel for me.

Unfortunately, the pacing made it difficult to enjoy the story fully. The slow unraveling, combined with the constant push and pull of emotions, felt draining. I tried hard to finish this one because I really wanted to love it, but in the end, it just wasn’t the right fit for me. I ended up stopping at 60% 🥴

I’m late to the party per usual, but thank you Net Galley & William Morrow for the ARC of this book.

[KaylaTRBG · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best romance I’ve read this year. 5 stars, no notes. Sweet Heat opens with a new reality for our KiKi and Kai: they’re no longer together. Both are navigating a new reality years after they’ve gone their separate ways. Of course, the upcoming nuptials of mutual friends bring them back into each other’s orbit. Throughout the book, we experience the rekindling of an inevitable relationship. We feel their joys, embarrassments, and vulnerable moments. The banter is unmatched and the chemistry is palpable. The language is also enchanting. Bolu has grown tremendously, and I am so excited for whatever she puts out next!

[Azanta (azantareads) · Rating 5 out of 5]

easily in my top 3 romance books. Bolu is a fantastic writer — i’m taking notes on craft and how to write electric chemistry and tension. you’ll always be famous Kai and Kiki 😭🩷

[Catherine Mukora · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.75 ⭐️
“Malakai and I didn’t have a love that was capable of becoming brittle and thin enough to snap. Our love was many things, but flimsy wasn’t one of them. We were stubborn in our own ways, we bickered, he clammed up and I lashed out, but the material of which our bond was made wouldn’t allow us to drift. It needed a severance, a brutal tectonic cleaving. Our love was obtrusive & decadent. It coated us, soaked us and maybe that was the issue. It overwhelmed us, bent our bones till we broke.”
I read Honey & Spice just over two years ago and I fell in love with Malakai and Kiki’s sharp witted and delicious banter! How even in their college years, Malakai was never the type of guy threatened by the force that was Kikiola. After I finished it back then, I had a thought that it would be so great to experience them grown up, in the throes of adulting, with real life challenges, see how their love holds up. I was so so happy when this book was announced. I loved, LOVED hearing his nickname for her again (I fear scotch has ruined me for other nicknames from dreamy MMCs😍)
I didn’t go into this book with too many expectations, just one, whatever you put them through, just bring them together in the end. Wheeeew, we made it Joe!🥵
I loved the exploration of the breakdown of Malakai and Kiki. Understanding what went wrong with them. It was so brilliantly written because they were both equal participants in it and I am glad that eventually (after forming hard guy & hard girl for eons🙄) they finally swallowed their fear, pride and self sabotage to have an actual conversation with resolution. It took too long for my liking and the constant interruptions from outside forces every-time they almost did had tested all my patience. It’s the only reason this isn’t a perfect 5 ⭐️) but we eventually got there and the payoff was incredible. The vulnerability, intense honesty and stark bearing of their souls made me tear up. When Malakai said, “…I don’t know how to scale back my knowledge of you. Mitigate my love for you. Because that’s the other thing: I’m so in love with you, Kiki. Never fell out of it. Never tried because getting to love you is what makes my life extraordinary…” I just about LOST IT!!😭😭 Bolu when I catch yooouuuu!!🥹🥹
I also love that this book explored real friendship challenges because omoo, Aminah was trying my spirit with her nonsense! I was glad her and Kiki finally had things out in the open because, wheeew, it had gotten untenable and while I get the pressure she was under, her lack of consideration was pissing me off. It was great to see them talk through it while each taking accountability.
Thinking was also so important to see the never ending debate of the importance of vocation vis a vis one’s passion, how significant is the purity and integrity of your dreams to you? Both Kiki, Malakai & even Aminah to an extent faced this and it was great to see it explored.
This book was beautifully rich in banter, beauty, black excellence, yearning, SECOND CHANCES!! All with some delicious spice😉
Malakai Korede and Kikiola Banjo, you will always be famous!👏🏽👌🏽

[kayli · Rating 5 out of 5]

sick to my stomach (positive)