{"title":"Bolu Babalola","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBolu Babalola’s\u003c\/strong\u003e novels weave together rich narratives that explore love, identity, and desire through vibrant characters and engaging storytelling. Readers can expect a blend of contemporary romance and historical fiction, with a fresh and heartfelt approach that highlights diverse voices and perspectives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer stories often reimagine classic themes with a modern twist, infusing passion and wit into every page. Whether set in the present or the past, \u003cem\u003eBabalola’s\u003c\/em\u003e work celebrates the complexity of relationships and the power of self-discovery.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sweet-heat-by-bolu-babalola-9781472286444","title":"Sweet Heat","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eSweet Heat\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Hilarious, hot and heartfelt' \u003cb\u003eMEG CABOT\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Romantic, sexy, fun, delicious and important' \u003cb\u003eMARIAN KEYES\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'A triumph' \u003cb\u003eBETH O'LEARY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe most hotly-anticipated romcom of 2025, from the author of Reese's Book Club Pick and TikTok Book Awards winner \u003ci\u003eHoney \u0026amp; Spice\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eNot every relationship makes it out of university.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBut Kiki and Malakai were supposed to be forever.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eEverything was perfect, until it all went up in flames.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThree years after their epic 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs Malakai takes up his role as Best Man opposite her Maid of Honour, suddenly Kiki can think of nothing else: their simmering chemistry, what went wrong, and why it is now impossible to act normal around each other.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eJuggling 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThey just have to get through the wedding, so why does it feel like playing with fire?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHeart-melting, hilarious and completely addictive, Kiki and Malakai return in this standalone second novel from \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author Bolu Babalola.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e?? \u003cb\u003eLOVE FOR BOLU BABALOLA'S WRITING\u003c\/b\u003e ??\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Rarely is love expressed this richly, this vividly, or this artfully' \u003cb\u003eCANDICE CARTY-WILLIAMS\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Bolu understands desire better than anyone else' \u003cb\u003eANNIE LORD\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Incisively funny' \u003cb\u003eENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Absolutely intoxicating' \u003cb\u003eCASEY MCQUISTON\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Everything you could ever want from a romance and more - the vibes are simply immaculate' \u003cb\u003eZOELLA\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Babalola's writing shines' \u003cb\u003eNEW YORK TIMES BOOK REVIEW\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Breathes new life into the genre with its vibrant characters and sexy, authentic voice' \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eRED\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e'Romance will never be dead, as long as Bolu is writing it' \u003cb\u003eJESSIE BURTON\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette New Zealand Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46369520943340,"sku":"9781472286444","price":37.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781472286444.jpg?v=1744787799"},{"product_id":"honey-spice-by-bolu-babalola-9781472286420","title":"Honey \u0026 Spice","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA REESE'S BOOK CLUB AND TIKTOK BOOK CLUB PICK\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Hilarious, hot and heartfelt' \u003cb\u003eMEG CABOT\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Gorgeously written and heart-meltingly romantic' \u003cb\u003eBETH O'LEARY\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Romantic, sexy, fun, delicious and important' \u003cb\u003eMARIAN KEYES\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eSisters, beware the 'Wasteman of Whitewell' . . .\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAs host of the radio show Brown Sugar, Kiki Banjo's mission is to protect her listeners from heartbreak. Which puts Whitewell College's newest student, handsome 'player' Malakai Korede, at the top of her hitlist.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBut when Kiki's dream summer internship in New York depends on finding a fresh angle for her radio show, she must make an unlikely bargain with Malakai himself - to put their simmering clashes aside to form a fake relationship, something sweet and spicy enough to win over the whole campus.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHowever, close proximity to the notorious heartbreaker brings everything Kiki thought she knew about her own heart into question. Why does throwing out her stringent romantic rulebook suddenly seem so tempting?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWill she find it in her to resist?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA fresh, utterly addictive rom-com from \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e bestselling author Bolu Babalola, \u003ci\u003eHoney \u0026amp; Spice\u003c\/i\u003e is full of delicious tension and romantic intrigue that will make you weak at the knees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Romance will never be dead, as long as Bolu is writing it' \u003cb\u003eJESSIE BURTON\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Everything you could ever want from a romance and more - the vibes are simply immaculate' \u003cb\u003eZOELLA\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Charming and funny' \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eOBSERVER\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'The book many have been waiting for' \u003cb\u003eLIZZIE DAMILOLA BLACKBURN\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Kiki compares her feelings for Malakai as like swallowing a star. That's a bit how I felt after reading this messy but joyful book' \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eTHE TIMES\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Breathes new life into the genre with its vibrant characters and sexy, authentic voice' \u003ci\u003e\u003cb\u003eRED\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Smart, sexy and energetic' \u003cb\u003eEMMA GANNON\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'This book is so addictive' \u003cb\u003eANNIE LORD\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eWHY READERS LOVE HONEY \u0026amp; SPICE\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Sweet and spicy'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'How modern chick flicks should, and probably will, look like'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Warm, funny and sweet. I see a lot of myself \u0026amp; experiences in the main character Kiki - and we love that kind of representation'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Funny, hot, thought-provoking'\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46734137819372,"sku":"9781472286420","price":27.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/5001723482712.jpg?v=1755193606"},{"product_id":"love-in-colour-by-bolu-babalola-9781472268884","title":"Love in Colour","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eThe \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e Bestseller\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Perfection in short story form. So rarely is love expressed this richly, this vividly, or this artfully.' — Candice Carty-Williams\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Beautifully written and full of joy. Bolu Babalola is a star.' — Meg Cabot\u003c\/b\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBolu Babalola takes the most beautiful love stories from history and mythology and rewrites them with incredible new detail and vivacity in her debut collection. Focusing on the magical folktales of West Africa, Babalola also reimagines iconic Greek myths, ancient legends from the Middle East, and stories from countries that no longer exist in our world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA high-born Nigerian goddess feels beaten down and unappreciated by her gregarious lover and longs to be truly seen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA young businesswoman attempts to make a great leap in her company, and an even greater one in her love life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA powerful Ghanaian spokeswoman is forced to decide whether to uphold her family's politics, or to be true to her heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether captured in the passion of love at first sight, or realising that self-love takes precedent over the latter, the characters in these vibrant stories try to navigate this most complex human emotion and understand why it holds them hostage.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMoving exhilaratingly across perspectives, continents and genres, from the historic to the vividly current, \u003ci\u003eLove in Colour\u003c\/i\u003e is a celebration of romance in all its forms.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cb\u003e'Here is love as freedom, love as deep joy. Romance will never be dead, as long as Bolu is writing it.' — Jessie Burton\u003c\/b\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46853121507564,"sku":"9781472268884","price":29.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/4826363482712.jpg?v=1759186038"},{"product_id":"honey-and-spice-by-bolu-babalola-9780063141513","title":"Honey and Spice","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eINSTANT NATIONAL BESTSELLER - A REESE'S BOOK CLUB PICK - A TIKTOK BOOK CLUB PICK\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Sexy, messy and wry, \u003cem\u003eHoney and Spice\u003c\/em\u003e more than delivers.\" -- New York Times Book Review\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"A vibrant debut novel . . . Babalola is incisively funny, capturing the kick and sweetness of her title with her words.\" -- Entertainment Weekly\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eNamed a Best Book of the Year by Time, Esquire, Vanity Fair, Oprah Daily, Cosmopolitan, Elle, Harper's Bazaar, Southern Living, Buzzfeed, Women's Health Magazine, AudioFile, Popsugar, and more!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIntroducing internationally bestselling author Bolu Babalola's dazzling debut contemporary romance, full of passion, humour, and heart, that centres on a young Black British woman who has no interest in love and unexpectedly finds herself caught up in a fake relationship with the man she warned her girls about.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSweet like plantain, hot like pepper. They taste the best when together...\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSharp-tongued (and secretly soft-hearted) Kiki Banjo has just made a huge mistake. As an expert in relationship-evasion and the host of the popular student radio show \u003cem\u003eBrown Sugar\u003c\/em\u003e, she's made it her mission to make sure the women of the African-Caribbean Society at Whitewell University do not fall into the mess of \"situationships\", players, and heartbreak. But when the Queen of the Unbothered kisses Malakai Korede, the guy she just publicly denounced as \"The Wastemen of Whitewell,\" in front of every Blackwellian on campus, she finds her show on the brink in this witty college romance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey're soon embroiled in a fake relationship to try and salvage their reputations and save their futures. Kiki has never surrendered her heart before, and a player like Malakai won't be the one to change that, no matter how charming he is or how electric their connection feels. But surprisingly entertaining study sessions and intimate, late-night talks at old-fashioned diners force Kiki to look beyond her own presumptions. Is she ready to open herself up to something deeper?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eA gloriously funny and sparkling debut novel, \u003cem\u003eHoney and Spice\u003c\/em\u003e is full of delicious tension and romantic intrigue that will make you weak at the knees.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"A smart, sexy summer read, which hits your brain and your romance buttons in one shot.\" -- Los Angeles Times\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"The ultimate summer romance . . . It's got all the juiciest, most satisfying romance tropes, but in Babalola's capable hands, the story feels fresh and unique.\" -- The Cut, New York magazine\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Divine summer reading. Hilarious, hot, and heartfelt.\" -- Meg Cabot, #1 New York Times bestselling author\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47642966753516,"sku":"9780063141513","price":51.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780063141513-honey-and-spice.jpg?v=1779161687"},{"product_id":"sweet-heat-by-bolu-babalola-9780063306967","title":"Sweet Heat","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBOLU BABALOLA IS...\u003c\/strong\u003e \"A queen of romantic comedy.\" - Oprah Daily - \"Incisively funny.\" - \u003cem\u003eEntertainment Weekly\u003c\/em\u003e - \"A really great romance writer.\" - Quinta Brunson, \u003cem\u003eHarper's Bazaar\u003c\/em\u003e - \"Keeping the hope for true love alive and enjoyable.\" - Shondaland - \"A rom-com expert.\" - \u003cem\u003eNew York Times\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA \u003cem\u003eRolling Stone\u003c\/em\u003e Most Anticipated Book of Fall\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eTwo exes. One summer wedding. Zero chance of escaping the heat.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePrepare to laugh, swoon, and fall head over heels with this irresistible standalone romance from Bolu Babalola, the bestselling author of \u003cem\u003eHoney and Spice\u003c\/em\u003e, a Reese's Book Club pick.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTwenty-eight-year-old Kiki Banjo hosts the popular podcast \u003cem\u003eThe HeartBeat\u003c\/em\u003e, solving romantic conundrums and dishing out life advice. But behind the mic, career setbacks and a devastating breakup have left her hanging on by a thread. As she's preparing to be the Maid of Honor in her best friend's wedding, everything starts to unravel, and Kiki is left wondering if she ever had the answers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThen Kiki finds herself face-to-face with the Best Man, her ex-boyfriend, Malakai--the smooth-talking, absurdly handsome, annoyingly perceptive man who stole her heart and then shattered it. While Kiki's approaching rock bottom, Malakai's been on the rise as a filmmaker, and now they have no choice but to play nice until the wedding is over. Both are hell-bent on ignoring the smouldering chemistry between them, but as they navigate the chaos of wedding plans, career ambitions, and Kiki's growing fears about the future, they can't ignore the spark that's only getting hotter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThey just have to get through the summer. So why does it feel like playing with fire?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Babalola's sharp sense of humour, slick pop culture references, and keen sense of the zeitgeist . . . offer a refreshing portrait of what modern love really looks and feels like.\" -- \u003cem\u003eTime\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Babalola expertly blends sex with societal discourse in ways that echo Jane Austen and Nora Ephron.\" -- \u003cem\u003eVanity Fair\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\"Babalola soars in her rich depictions of intimacy and relationships, in all their grandeur.\" -- \u003cem\u003eThe New York Times Book Review\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47934253400300,"sku":"9780063306967","price":54.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780063306967-sweet-heat.jpg?v=1783908301"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/bolu-babalola.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}