July 5, 2022

The Complexities of Romance

Bolu Babalola on celebrating love that centers on women

The Complexities of Romance

Bolu Babalola on celebrating love that centers on women

As a writer, I’m all about celebrating love that centers on women: our desires, and being desired, and being empowered by love… and Honey & Spice, my debut novel, is no different in that respect!

Honey and Spice is a campus rom com set in England that centers on Kiki Banjo, a girl with a sharp tongue and a soft heart (even though she tries to hide it). On her radio show, she gives relationship advice to the women of Whitewell University. There is one particular guy she has warned her girls about: Malakai Korede. And of course—because this is a rom com—through a series of events, she ends up in a fake relationship with him to salvage her reputation with her listeners, the demographic she loves and treasures so much. Malakai’s also hoping to save his reputation through the arrangement. But obviously things aren’t as simple as they seem…

My book explores the complexities of romance—how appearances can be deceiving, learning to let people in, learning to trust someone, and building a community (not just for the main couple, but for the whole girl gang at Whitewell). It’s a sexy romance that also celebrates the importance of friendship.

I really loved getting to know Kiki and Malakai and their whole crew, and I learned so much from them—I didn’t want to leave! Kiki and Malakai were a delight to create. It was like I was just a vessel for them as I wrote.

I can’t wait for you to meet the gang at Whitewell University! I can’t wait for you to get to know Kiki! I can’t wait for you to have a crush on Malakai! I really hope you love Honey and Spice.

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Taking place in 1950s South Korea, this story of family separation and reunion is as beautiful as it is powerful. Pre-order at our link in bio to receive your copy when it comes out 7/21/26.
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Join us on Bookmarked, the Reese’s Book Club Podcast, for an intimate conversation with our November author, @CharlotteMcConaghy, as she shares the inspirations, challenges, and creative magic behind Wild Dark Shore.

Start listening now on the @iHeartPodcast app, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you love to listen. 🎧
This Tuesday is one to celebrate: it’s launch day for our Reese’s Book Club LitUp Fellow @ByMargotFisher and her debut novel Leave It on the Track! 🎉

A powerful first novel about self-acceptance, queer love, and (of course) the wild, vibrant world of roller derbies, this is the next must-read to add to your TBR.

Head to the link in our bio to start reading! ✨
So many quotes in @ReeseWitherspoon and @HarlanCoben's Gone Before Goodbye have us thinking of Maggie and the moral dilemmas she finds herself in throughout the novel. 💙

Psst... Looking for this exclusive white edition of Gone Before Goodbye? It also features a letter from Reese & Harlan themselves, and discussion questions. Check our link in bio for this very special edition!