One of my favorite sub-genres is romance novels featuring Indian characters, particularly those featuring interfering aunties. I don’t know what it is about this sub-genre, but I just adore the scenes of big weddings and family members who care so much that they can’t help but get involved the main character’s business. So I was lucky to get “Tastes Like Shakkar” by Nisha Sharma from Avon Books and Netgalley, the sequel to “Dating Dr. Dil.” You really do need to have read the first book before this one, since they’re planning the wedding of those characters and there are mentions of events in that first book. It is also based on “Much Ado about Nothing” by Shakespeare, though I haven’t read that one in so long I couldn’t tell you where those influences were.

Unfortunately, this one fell a bit flat for me, I didn’t get the same sense of strong connection between Bobbi and Benjamin that I got from the first book. What did work for me were the characters’ devotions to their jobs - Bobbi to being a wedding planner and Benjamin as a chef and restaurant owner. I also appreciated the family dynamics, the reappearance of the aunties from “Dating Dr. Dil,” and learning more about the pieces of Indian weddings. The second half was better than the first, but still it was an “eh” overall. I'm hoping it was just a sophomore slump, and Nisha Sharma comes back strong with the third "Marriage & Masti" out in August.

Really liked the enemies to lovers vibes in this book and the mystery subplot as well. Funny thing though...I'm not a huge fan of 3rd POV, but it wasn't until maybe halfway through the book that I realized it was in 3rd! Idk how that happened lol.

I wanted to give this a try even though I didn't love the first in the series, but this still wasn't a win for me. I'm probably just not into Shakespeare remakes so this is just a me thing!

4.5 stars (4 stars on this grid)

Taste Like Shankar was so much fun and sex. Such a fun enemies to lovers. Loved the wedding planning and the food moment in this as well. Really love Ben and Bobbi as individuals and as a couple.. Highly recommend this one.

I loved Dating Dr Dil and this was a perfect #2 to this series. I really love when people take classics and give them a modern twist and this was done perfectly. I look forward to reading more by Sharma!

This retelling of Much Ado About Nothing for the modern age is entertaining and enjoyable. The premise of the best friend's wedding and tied in with food makes it all the more enjoyable and is the perfect follow up to Dating Dr. Dil.

Synopsis:

Bobbi Kaur, event planner extraordinnaire, is determined to plan a celebration to remember for her best friend’s wedding but someone keeps trying to sabotage her plans and she has to work with the egotistical but irritatingly sexy, chef Benjamin "Bunty" Padda. With hopes to take over her family's event planning business, she knows her future career is on the line. Bunty has his hands full trying to find a new location for his next restaurant and playing mediator between his brother and father, while helping Bobbi plan the wedding. The two have no choice but to call a truce and face the volatile attraction they have for each other.

Review:

This was an entertaining read with a cast of *super dramatic* characters. It felt pretty in line with the drama that can happen during an Indian wedding. I loved that Bobbi was a curvy girl and also a career woman. I felt like I could relate to the South Asian family dynamics in this book, with both main characters being bound by family obligations - and trying to balance their desires while also being supportive of their families. The romance was *fire* and I love that you get to basically attend a big fat Indian wedding just by reading this book!

Thank you to Avon Books for my digital galley!

I am LOVING the plus size rep in books lately and Tastes Like Shakkar did NOT disappoint!

We got to know more of Bobby & Bunti and I loved it! The banter. The enemies to lovers. I mean, how do you come back from heavy making out to being told you’re not the type?

I love how Nisha keeps it real and gives me glimpses of the culture & food. Cause we LOVE

I never saw that I was approved for this, so it got archived but I bought it and am OBSESSED with it. I’ll read anything Nisha Sharma puts in front of me. I love her so much. This book was so amazing and I love all the nods to Shakespeare it adds a fun thing of looking for easter eggs almost. I am obsessed with Benjamin and Bobbi. I related a lot to Bobbi so I really appreciated their love story. Highly recommend!!!

I’m a huge fan of Much Ado and think it lends itself quite nicely to adaptation. Sharma did a great job weaving this and the previous book in the series together. However, that does mean this isn’t quite as stand alone as a lot of other romance novels. The chemistry between the leads crackled and I loved the sabotage subplot. It kept things super interesting and provided fun opportunities to incorporate more tangential characters.

I love a good enemies-to-lovers and this one is chef’s kiss (literally.😉)

I never knew I needed the micro-trope of an MMC making sure an FMC is always well fed and that her fridge is stocked, but here we are. And I have to say it is a very underrated trope and I need to see it more. It might actually be a new favorite. Food is love.🩷

I’m also seriously becomming obsessed with any book that has a chef character. Maybe it’s because I’m cooking more, but nothing is hotter than good food and good times. 😘 And @nishawrites knows how to deliver. I love this series and can’t wait for Veera and Deepak’s book.

Special thanks to @avonbooks for the ARC.

"Tastes like Shakkar" was enjoyable, though not as delightful as "Dating Dr. Dil". Nonetheless, it's still incredibly sexy. If you enjoyed movies like "The Wedding Planner" or "Bridesmaids", this book is worth a read. Special thanks to NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader's copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I loved Dating Dr. Dil, and was excited to pick this one up...thankfully it lived up to my excitement! Bobbi and Bunty's enemies to lovers story was adorable. The way they supported each other and their careers is something we all hope for. I was both annoyed and angered with the way their families were so heavily immersed in their lives, but also thought it was nice how much love they had around them. Except for Bunty's father, he just sucked. The saboteur was a fun part of the book. Even though they were sabotaging the wedding, I looked forward to seeing what they would do next and how Bobbi and Bunty would fix it. Also, the Aunt's were friggen hilarious and awesome. I wish they were in my life for entertainment. I'm looking forward to the third installation!

This was cute but not great.

I had hopes as a fan of Much Ado About Nothing, but perhaps I set myself up to be disappointed. The book tried to overly pull in aspects of the original and it never seemed to be done well. It was done in a way that made me feel like "hey, look at me, I am a reference to the original!" and there were moments when references could've been made in ways that would've really helped the story.

It was great to be back in this "if Shakespeare were an auntie" world. I laughed so much! I felt so much (all the feels). The enemies to lovers trope was so fun (as it always is) and I loved the FMC.

Fun romcom and my first book by this author! Definitely want to read more of her work in the future! Fun banter and spice!

This series is giving me things I didn't know I wanted or needed.

I absolutely adore how Nisha has set this series up following friends. The scenes set for the next book always leave me super interested.

Overall these two are my favorite in this series so far now. Their rivals to lovers dynamic is fantastic.

Now to go get some Indian food ASAP

Thank you to the publisher and netgalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!
I absolutely *adored* dating Dr. Dil, the first book in this series (and my first of Sharma's), and was so excited when I saw the second installment. Bobbi and Benjamin have amazing chemistry and banter (and holy cow this book is SPICY! Like, wow). The characters and their dynamics were the best part of this book for me; I didn't care as much about the plot (I found the whole saboteur subplot to be poorly wrapped up).
As with Dating Dr. Dil, I also really appreciated learning more about the Desi community. Sharma does such a good job of seemingly effortlessly weaving in aspects of the culture into a fun rom com. I can't wait for Veera's story!

R A T I N G : 4.5

<b>Rep:</b> South Asian Rep
<b>Genre:</b> Contemporary Romance
<b>Trigger warnings:</b> Fatphobia, Deceased parent, Racial bias
<b>Spice Level: 🌶🌶🌶</b>

- Enemies to Lovers
- Forced proximity
- Much Ado About Nothing retelling
- Family drama
- Delicious food descriptions (*stomach growls*)
- Fighting the parental authorities, character self-discovery and empowerment
- Perfect portrayal of Indian family dynamics and drama

This review is well overdue!

This engaging novel, the second in a trilogy, stands independently of its predecessor Dating Dr Dil. The story takes a fresh focus on the dynamic duo of Bunty and Bobbi within the friend group.

<b>Summary:</b>
Bobby, a marriage wedding planner, and Bunty, a chef, find themselves reluctantly collaborating for their mutual friends' wedding. Despite their shared goal, their past tiff (highlighted at the beginning of the book) has left them harboring mutual animosity. The narrative unfolds as they navigate the intricacies of preparing for Kareena and Prem's wedding while trying to uncover the mystery of who is attempting to sabotage the celebration.

The book masterfully captures the chaos of big Indian family dynamics, including the meddling aunties, strict parents, and the whirlwind of wedding preparations. The characters embark on a journey of standing up against authoritative figures, peppered with witty dialogues and charmingly funny moments. The author's writing style, as always, keeps the reader engaged and hungry for more.

<b>Personal Connection:</b>
Perhaps I am biased because I read this book amid my wedding preparations, so I found the story exceptionally relatable.

I want to express my gratitude to Nisha Sharma for authentically representing the desi community. 🥰

<b>Anticipation for the Next Book:</b>
I eagerly anticipate the next installment, especially after the subtle hints throughout the narrative about Veera and Deepak's shared history. I'm eager to discover what happens next in their story.

<i>Thank you to Nisha Sharma and the team for the digital ARC which I received in exchange for an honest review.<i>

The first book in this series hit it out of the part for me so I was extremely excited to read this one but it fell a little flat for me. I just didn't love how the characters meshed. I was wishing for more. I still will come back for the rest of the series but this one just didn't hit quite right. I also found myself annoyed with how the characters from the first book just didn't pay attention to how much help their friend was needing which made my rethink if I liked them from the first book.