The Dating Prohibition

"Taj McCoy's writing positively crackles with energy, wit and humor." --Jayci Lee, author of Booked on a Feeling

In this spicy new rom-com, an ambitious entrepreneur working to get her speakeasy supper club off the ground is pushed off balance when her childhood crush turns up, hotter than ever--then tells her she's off-limits.

Now that Kendra's returned home, she can't help feeling like a kid again--back in her big brother's shadow, trying to get her restaurant off the ground while his new venture is flying high right out the gate. It doesn't help that everyone refuses to stop calling her Keke, the childhood nickname she loathes.

The only bright spot is her longtime crush BJ. He's been her big brother's best friend for most of her life, and he's always been that cool, chill guy who was easy to talk to and made her laugh. Now he's looking at her like she's all grown up, and there's nothing childish about the chemistry brewing between them. Even better, he takes her dreams seriously, and he's ready to help her make her supper club a reality.

But then BJ extinguishes the sparks flying between them, insisting nothing romantic can ever happen because she's "off limits." As her investors fall through and her best chance at fulfilling her professional dreams points toward leaving home again for a fresh start, will BJ be ready for love before Kendra moves on? Or will he sweep her off her feet when she least expects it?

For fans of:

• Brother's Best Friend
• Spicy Rom-Com
• Childhood Crush
• Off-limits Romance
• Ambitious Heroine
• Second Chances

Author: Taj McCoy
Publisher: Mira Books
Published: 09/02/2025
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.54lbs
Size: 8.03h x 5.38w x 0.78d
ISBN: 9780778368588


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 07/21/2025
Library Journal 08/01/2025 pg. 54

About the Author
McCoy, Taj: - Oakland-born law grad Taj McCoy is committed to championing stories that include Black and multiracial women of color, plus-size protagonists, Black love, Black joy, and strong senses of sisterhood and familial bonds. Taj started writing as a small child, enjoying her first publications in elementary school. When she's not writing, Taj may be on Twitter boosting other marginalized writers, practicing yoga, sharing recipes, or cooking private supper club meals for close friends.