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.

From meeting Lucky in the book, to seeing her aesthetic on the screen, we can’t get enough! 🍒

Watch all episodes on @AppleTV now.
September is here 📚🎬 and so are some incredible book-to-screen adaptations! Which one are you most excited for? 👀
Questions answered by the Reese’s Book Club community, for the Reese’s Book Club community. 💛

Now it’s your turn: If you could choose your next book club pick, what would it be — and why?
Book club is officially in session ✨

Liane Moriarty and Laura Dave. Live. Together.

Join us on Wednesday, September 9 for an exclusive Reese’s Book Club Substack Live, presented by Apple Books, celebrating our September Pick: Big Little Truths. Author Liane Moriarty sits down with moderator Laura Dave for a conversation about the highly anticipated sequel to Big Little Lies — and you won’t want to miss it. 💛

🗓️ Date: Wednesday, September 9
⏰ Time: 4:30 PM PT / 7:30 PM ET
📍 Where: Reese’s Book Club Substack

👉 Comment “LIVE” and we’ll DM you the link to subscribe to our Substack so you’re ready to tune in when we go live!

P.S. Head to Apple Books to sample the eBook or audiobook of Big Little Truths for free before the show! 🎧📖
From Big Little Lies to Big Little Truths, we're so excited to read about all our favorite characters ten years later.

Start reading at our link in bio.
Ready to step back into Jane’s world — ten years later? We’ve truly missed her. ❤️

Start listening to Big Little Truths now at the link in bio.