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.

Nothing better than starting the day with Isola ☀️

📷: @kenzienoelle.reads
#ad You aren’t dreaming! We are adding another chapter to one of your favorite books.

Reese’s Book Club and @IKEAUSA have teamed up to extend the tale of one of our picks, How To End A Love Story by @yulin.kuang. The new chapter will be the perfect bedtime story, and we can’t wait for you to hear it.

Visit our link in bio to shop Yulin’s favorite sleep essentials and check back soon for her extended story. We might just have another one coming…
"Working little by little, day by day, you will get to the end of your journey." 

@AllegraGoodmanWriter sharing incredible advice for writer's and people alike. Thank you for being our February Pick 💙
GIVEAWAY: Find out the significance of the letter by entering to win a copy of Famous Last Words by @gillianmauthor. Hint: It's in the first chapter 😉

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Everyone needs a Damienne in their life 💙

Check the link in our bio to start reading Isola.
Our Sunday plan: soaking up sunshine with a great book ☀️📖
And just like that, the highly-requested full library reveal! 😍 Isn't she stunning?

📷: @theintrovertedition
Just the essentials 🥰

📷: @readyourworriesaway
#ad We love a good book as part of our nightly wind down routine!

Thanks to @IKEAUSA we’ll be revisiting some of our favorite books, like Twelfth Knight by @afarolfollmuth, and sharing a brand-new bonus chapter coming soon! Visit our link in bio to shop her favorite IKEA sleep essentials.
“It’s not just that he’s a villain, but that he represents a man of his time.” Author @allegragoodmanwriter shares what makes Roberval such a terrifying antagonist in Isola.
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