
The Dating Prohibition
A Novel
Taj McCoy(Author)
Mira Books (Publisher)
Published on 9. October 2025
Book
Paperback/Softback
978-0-7783-6858-8 (ISBN)
Description
From the author of SAVVY SHELDON FEELS GOOD AS HELL, now a CW Original movie airing November 30, 2025!
"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
More from Taj McCoy:
Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell
Zora Books Her Happy Ever After
The Good Ones Are Taken
Even If the Sky is Falling (a riveting collection of interconnected multicultural stories by acclaimed authors Lane Clarke, Farah Heron, Taj McCoy, Charish Reid, Sarah Smith and Denise Williams)
"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
More from Taj McCoy:
Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell
Zora Books Her Happy Ever After
The Good Ones Are Taken
Even If the Sky is Falling (a riveting collection of interconnected multicultural stories by acclaimed authors Lane Clarke, Farah Heron, Taj McCoy, Charish Reid, Sarah Smith and Denise Williams)
Reviews / Votes
Praise for The Dating Prohibition"With warm characters and high stakes, McCoy's newest rom-com is the perfect read for those who love a good forbidden romance." -Essence
"McCoy's talent for crafting steamy scenes, deft hand with dialogue, and mouthwatering food descriptions will make this a popular title." -Library Journal (starred review)
Praise for the novels of Taj McCoy
"[An] exceptionally entertaining, superbly sexy love story that also freely embraces other important things in life, like friendship, family, and food." -Booklist on The Good Ones Are Taken
"Tremendously sexy, moderately suspenseful, and refreshingly diverse... Highly recommended for all libraries." -Booklist on Even If the Sky is Falling
"McCoy Doesn't miss a romantic beat." -Publishers Weekly, starred review of Zora Books Her Happy Ever After
"Taj McCoy offers readers a yummy love triangle with her latest . . . A romp offering readers a heroine who knows what she deserves and two men competing to measure up." -Entertainment Weekly on Zora Books Her Happy Ever After
"This feel-good, uplifting read is filled with positive messages about self-care and self-love. It is sure to please foodies, home-makeover buffs, and anyone looking for a light-hearted romantic read." -USA Today on Savvy Sheldon Feels Good as Hell
More details
Edition
Original
Language
English
Place of publication
Don Mills
Canada
Product notice
Paperback (trade)
Dimensions
Height: 135 mm
Width: 203 mm
Thickness: 21 mm
Weight
248 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-7783-6858-8 (9780778368588)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Person
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.