My debut novel, Honey and Spice, is a rom-com; a love story, in the classic sense: two people, coming together and finding peace and joy and home within each other. However, it’s also a story about many kinds of love—friendship and community and self-love—all happening in tangent with each other. Kiki and Malakai’s glorious romance can only soar because of the other love stories happening in Kiki’s life. It’s bolstered by it. There is her best friend, Aminah, her merciless supporter and ride or die—she will kill for or with her sister, depending on the occasion. Her blossoming friendships with Shanti and Chioma, slowly show her that she can be her whole self and still be loved unconditionally, an example of grace and understanding. Crucially, her girls also check her! Their love holds her to account. And the whole Blackwell community, who empower and bolster Kiki as she does so in return. All of these relationships are love stories, and they all feed into each other and teach Kiki to live more joyfully, confidently, and hopefully.
Most importantly, this is Kiki’s love story with herself. In the beginning of the novel, she’s carrying insecurities and hurt and guilt from her first heartbreak, and she’s still learning to forgive herself. She is learning that she is enough. Through Malakai and her girls and the whole Blackwell community, Kiki is able to see herself more clearly. She sees her strength, her power, and her voice, reflected in their unconditional support. Even when she’s pushing them away, they continue to remind her. And subconsciously, that sinks in. Kiki knows who she is, but it is the affirmation of their love that helps her break down her walls and open herself up to receiving it. When the book begins, Kiki has convinced herself that love is only about a limited perception, or that it comes with trickery. She thinks the other shoe will always drop. But accepting that someone can love all of her, plain and simple, helps her truly believe that she deserves it. And it helps her become a stronger lover of others too.
But of course, I did say this is a rom-com. I think what makes Malakai the perfect match for Kiki is that even when they’re fighting, he keeps proving that he truly sees her. “I don’t need to see you to see you,” he tells her. There’s physical desire, but it’s her essence, her flaws, her spark, that attracts him most. He continues to remind her that her voice is powerful and that she is at her best when she isn’t holding anything back.
We need all these loves in our lives to be our fullest and happiest selves. Kiki loves fiercely and devotedly, and that inspires others to do the same. I hope that after reading Honey and Spice you will feel empowered by all the love you give and receive—to be true to yourself and know that others will see you.
