This was such a joy to read. Bolu Babalola has a collection of love stories from history and mythology, rewriting the with vibrancy and tenderness. She's also included a few new love stories.

The short stories retell iconic Greek myths, folktales of West Africa, Persian myth and the tale of an Egyptian queen. The collection celebrates love (obviously), but more specifically, Black love and Black joy.

The writing is rich and vibrant. The stories are only short, but the characters and setting really come to life.


Bolu Babalolo has put a unique twist on the retellings of myths and folklore. In all of the stories it is the females who take centre stage. The women who have the agency and say in how the relationships develop. Babalolo has done away with the patriarchy and male gaze of traditional myths. And I am here for the female representation.


I loved that music was a theme woven through the book. From tribal drums, to showstopping tunes in a 1920's style bar, from a pop star that gave me K-Pop vibes, to modern R&B. The music heightened the unique setting of each story, but also really connected the women. Plus what is a love story without a good song or too?


I also really appreciated that Bolu Babalolo included a list of the myths that she used as inspiration for the book. I was familiar with Scheherazade, Eros and Psyche, and Nefertiti but most of the other myths were completely new to me.

My favourite stories were:

Ọ̀ṣun - the writing in this one was beautiful and I loved the rhythm of the drums.

Siya - a strong, independent, badass woman