Honey and Heat is the latest from Canadian author Aurora Palit. With an anticipated release date of September 16, 2025, it offers readers a grump-sunshine workplace romance. When Cynthia receives devastating news, she acts out of character and spends time at a bar, where she meets a handsome man. Rohit has exciting news and is encouraged by his family to celebrate. What happens when a one-night stand turns into her worst nightmare?
I want to thank Berkley and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Honey and Heat. All opinions presented here are my own.
Synopsis from Goodreads
Cynthia Kumar always wins. She’s successful, competitive, and knows exactly what she to be the heir to her father’s multimillion dollar business.
Except her father just chose his successor, and it’s not her… it’s her one-night stand.
Rohit Patel can’t believe his luck. He’s just landed the opportunity of a lifetime, his future is once again on track, and the woman he just spent the night with could be the love of his life.
Except she’s his new boss’s daughter, and now she hates him.
When Kumar Constructions falls under scrutiny, both Cynthia and Rohit are determined to see its tarnished reputation restored to its original glory. As they each try to swoop in and save the day, their game of one-upmanship fails spectacularly, leaving them no choice but to set their differences aside and work together. But as their partnership to save the company—and their feelings for one another—blossoms, they’ll have to decide what’s more important…their careers or love?
Positives
- Quick and easy read.
- Under 400 pages.
- Fun characters.
- Excellent references to rom-coms.
Negatives
- Where’s the communication?
My Opinions
Honey and Heat is a companion novel to Sunshine and Spice. But have no fear, you can read this as a standalone. That said, I look forward to reading Sunshine and Spice, as well as any other book Palit releases.
Honey and Heat showcases a woman who knows her worth and is willing to fight for it. It also showcases a man who loves love and will do anything to support those he cares about. If only the two had communicated better, several issues could have been resolved much sooner. That said, if that had happened, the book would have been at least 100 pages shorter. That said, most of Cynthia’s issues revolve around her relationship with her parents, rather than Rohit.
There is no wasting time in the book getting to the open-door sex scenes. I believe it was in Chapter 2 or 3. Obviously, with the mention of a one-night stand, you know there’s not going to be much of a delay in those scenes. However, you will have to wait a while for more, as Cynthia and Rohit need to focus on their relationship.
Overall, I enjoyed reading Honey and Heat and look forward to reading more from Palit. Who do I think will enjoy reading it? Do you enjoy reading about workplace romances? What about books with strong family connections? Or, ones with sassy leads who learn more about themselves as the book goes on? If you answered yes to any of these questions, then you should consider reading Honey and Heat.
Are you looking for some more books to read? Check out my bookish lists, book reviews, and monthly reading wrap-ups.
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Sounds like an interesting book! (Though I have to say, your note about a lack of communication doesn’t sound as appealing as the rest of it.) I don’t usually read contemporary romances without any fantasy elements, but this one sounds cute.
My biggest issue with the lack of communication isn’t necessarily between the main characters. It’s more between the MC and their families. But if there was clear communication, there wouldn’t be any drama and tension between the MC.
Oh, interesting! I don’t usually see the lack of communication trope play out between anyone other than the two main characters in books.