Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

Honey & Spice by Bolu Babalola

44 reviews

moon_peach's review against another edition

emotional funny informative lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Ok so to start with this book has a Black main character. This also takes places in the UK. So she is British Black woman. It is also very African specifically they mention Nigeria a lot. So there may be some cultural disconnect if you don't belong to any of those identities. 

However it is still a great book! Kiki is such a great character, when she's being self destructive you really feel for her. But when she puts on her mask you can't help but love the energy she puts out. She is the definition of a "girl's girl".

Malakai is so good. A lot of male leads can be pretty toxic but he's sooo sweet. He also has baggage but he follows Kiki's lead and doesn't overstep boundaries. I 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Racism, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

isabellarob73's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted relaxing tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75

What Bolu Babalola understands is that the hottest thing a man can be is thoughtful! Fun read, hope there’s a movie for this- feels cinematic 

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Bullying, Cancer, Chronic illness, Cursing, Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Cultural appropriation, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, Alcohol, Sexual harassment, and Classism

mayahill22's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

gabichatslit's review against another edition

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

kirareadssometimes's review against another edition

hopeful inspiring lighthearted fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

First off this author uses a lot of adjectives! Otherwise, nicely written story. A few aspects reminded me of the movie Dear White People which was a fun call back to a movie I really like. Kai was so sweet and wonderful. I found Kiki so wonderfully complex being inexperienced while also being so helpful at sharing relationship advice. The social aspects of the end of the book were a bit of a surprise and while super engaging and important, I wished more time was spent on Kai and Kiki in the end. 
Not very spicy. Just one descriptive scene. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Gaslighting

revoli's review against another edition

emotional funny medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Infidelity, Racism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

maxinekelly's review against another edition

emotional funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Toxic relationship

gerlinen's review against another edition

funny lighthearted slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

I still genuinely don't know why its a prerequisite in the genre that the couple must always admit that they started off as a 'fake relationship' — like seriously, whose business is it?! Always do love when it's actually the woman in the wrong in these hetero set-ups but I do feel like Malakai needed a bit more characterisation — just a bit more edge.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Misogyny and Sexism

temi1008's review against another edition

funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted relaxing fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny and Sexual content

Moderate: Racism, Toxic relationship, and Sexual harassment

Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship

nataliegray's review against another edition

emotional funny inspiring lighthearted reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Racism and Toxic relationship

Minor: Cancer, Infidelity, and Toxic friendship