If I Ruled the World: A Novel

A MOST ANTICIPATED Book (Oprah Daily, Essence, Bustle, Stylist, Missing Perspectives, and more!)

"The first CAN'T MISS page-turner of 2026." —Oprah Daily • "EXCEPTIONAL." —Forbes • "CAPTIVATING." —Essence • "Sizzling...A SEXY, FAST-PACED ride!” —Tia Williams, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author

In development as a MAJOR TV SERIES with Hulu!

A juicy debut novel that peeks behind the curtain at the cutthroat world of hip-hop music and the glamorous magazine scene in the late 1990s, written by the ultimate insider

It's 1999, and Nikki Rose is the only Black editor on the staff of a prestigious fashion magazine she once thought would be her ticket to becoming a respected editor in chief. But after being told one too many times by her boss that “Black girls don’t sell magazines,” she quits to take over Sugar, a struggling hip hop music and lifestyle magazine with untapped potential.

Thrown into an entirely new world of wealth, decadence, and debauchery, Nikki has just six months to save Sugar—and her own dreams. As she pulls all-nighters at the office and parties with New York City’s most influential bad boys, Nikki must prove she has what it takes to lead. But her most dangerous challenge is evading Alonzo Griffin, her very married, very powerful ex-lover and former boss, who is determined to destroy both her and Sugar. Along the way, Nikki leans on a circle of loyal friends and navigates unexpected romances that force her to reckon with what—and who—she truly wants.

If I Ruled the World is a smart, utterly immersive journey through one of the most dynamic eras in pop culture history—a story of ambition, friendship, love, and finding your own voice.

ADD TO MY SHELVES

Recommend book

BUY THE BOOK

Published Jan 27, 2026

352 pages

Average rating: 8.33

3 RATINGS

Community Reviews

Write a review...

@sweettea_and_a_book

Jan 29, 2026

9/10 stars

Fresh, energetic and FABULOUS! IIRTW takes us to the highly charged world of the 1990s NYC magazine and hip hop era. I absolutely loved this story. Nikki was such a complex, melodramatic character with so many things popping off in her personal life and professional career that left me waiting for the next big jolt. She made poor choices, but who hasn't. I loved seeing her grow and evolve, taking charge, unraveling chains, and carving her own path. When you see pictures from the 90s celeb you get a glimpse into the luxury party lifestyle that commanded the scene. You see the high powered players, the R&B stars, music moguls, slick models, bottles popping and 50 watt smiles. What you don't see are the rumors, blackmail, manipulation and scandals looming beneath the surface. This books shows us all of that and more! It was such an exciting read that I got lost in, taking me back to the 90s when life was good and I was picking up Essence/Cosmopolitan magazines every month to see the latest celebrity news. I swear I felt like I was weaving through the crowded clubs with Nikki and her friends, sipping bubbly and turning up to the rump shaking beats. This debut was bold, rich, fun and so real. IMO the author’s style struck me as my favorite author - Tia Williams (not the romance, but the core of the characters). She really spotlighted a lot of the messiness that happened and is now being brought to light! The narration was magnificent! Kristolyn Lloyd epitomized each character 1000%. Highly skilled in her craft, perfect tones, pitches, “that girl” aura, and magnifying the essence of the character and every emotion felt. SHE was Nikki, you can't tell me otherwise! Thanks to Netgalley for my ALC!!

See why thousands of readers are using Bookclubs to stay connected.

CREATE YOUR CLUB