Loved this next book in the series and that all the other great characters including the aunties were in there. Steamy as well

Tastes Like Shakkar was so fun! Great banter, steam, and a super fun plot. I loved it! I can't wait for the next one.

* netgalley arc review *
* 4.25 stars *

Ok hear me out… I thought it was good but what’s keeping me from giving it a higher rating is that it was a romcom. It started off great; I enjoyed the banter between them off the bat, but I wasn’t expecting them to get together so fast. The book ended up turning into a long-distance relationship and there was just a ton of texting going on. With that being said, I would have loved if she went the route of a cozy mystery (kind of like Dial A for Aunties). I found myself more intrigued by the mystery in here and wanted more (with a tad bit of romance)

Seriously obsessed with this series! Not only is is beautifully written but it’s funny and reflective. I love books that’s put me through and emotional ringer and this book delivered! I laughed, cried, raged, and cheered while reading it. And I mean literally cheered for Bobbi because let’s face it she is amazing and a badass and I want to be her when I grow up!

We start with a bit of a misunderstanding between Bobbi and Benjamin(Bunty) that leads to a year of rage filled back and forths, Awkward dinners with friends, and endless pranks and bickering. Only for them to have to work together to make Prem and Kareena’s wedding perfect! And to make matters worse they are on a condensed timeline with a shaadi saboteur trying to ruin the wedding. Bobbi has to figure out how to accept help and to not take everything on herself and Bunty has to make a decision for himself and prioritize his own happiness.

Both Bobbi and Benjamin are such amazing characters full of depth and are so relatable. Both working hard to be successful in their field and juggling family and friends and relationships. Also the side characters are amazing and actual fleshed out people rather than just props to further the story of the main characters. And we can’t forget the spice! Seriously is it hot in here because damn!

Cannot wait for the next in the series!

Nisha Sharma is an auto buy author for me. Like Dating Dr. Dil, I was hooked from the beginning and couldn't stop. From the steam to the family shenanigans to the food descriptions, I absolutely loved this and can't wait for more Nisha Sharma!

Hotttttt! I know this is cliche but Tastes Like Shakkar was a delicious rivals to lovers romance. Bobbi and Bunty can't stand one another, at first. Bunty thinks that Bobbi is annoying sometimes but mostly sexy as hell. Bobbi thinks Bunty is a handsome asshole because his refusal to cater a wedding made her and her family lose a huge client a few years ago. So when their besties Karina and Prem stick them together to figure out the wedding menu, Bobbi and Bunty have to figure out how to put the past behind them and their sexual tension to the side.

There quite a few racy scenes in here that I will probably never forget. Thank you, Nisha Sharma! I really enjoy the hate to love you trope and this one was so satisfying because the lovebirds are really good at arguing. They were funny and knew how to get under each other's skin.

Once again, Sharma brings the readers into her lead's family lives, too. I felt like I could understand why they felt the way they did about their situations and their issues with one another. They both feel the pressure and expectations.

I'm realllly looking forward to the next book in If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series!

After loving the previous book, there was no way I was going to miss this one.

I liked Bobbi and Benjamin. They're both driven, loyal, and passionate. I didn't quite see the jump from annoyance to interested, but the chemistry was definitely there. Of course it's always good to see this friend group and I'm definitely here for more Aunties.

Plot wise, it sort of felt all over the place. There are a lot of moving pieces and sometimes it was overwhelming to keep track of everything. I did enjoy the hunt for the saboteur (hello, Aunties) and the big confrontation at the ending. However, the lead in for the next book has me stupid with excitement.

Overall, this was a fun and chaotic story with a load of delicious sounding food and beautiful cultural references. I can't wait for the next story.

**Huge thanks to the publisher for providing the arc free of charge**

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this Advanced Readers Copy of Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma!

Nisha Sharma knocks it out of the park once again with her follow-up to the delightful Dating Dr. Dil. Her newest adult romance, Tastes Like Shakkar, is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and the second installment of the If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series. It focuses on wedding planner Bobbi Kaur and grumpy chef Benjamin “Bunty” Padda in an enemies-to-lovers romcom with plenty of spice in and out of the kitchen.
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I started reading Tastes Like Shakkar before I read Dating Dr. Dil, so when I realized they were connected I just had to go back and listen to the DDD audiobook (which I highly recommend–it was so fun). Once back to TLS, I could not put it down!

This series has easily become one of my favorite romance series. It’s incredibly well-written with fun and lovable characters. I am on my knees begging Nisha Sharma to write my love life! The fictional men in these books have set a standard to which no man in real life could possibly achieve. I mean, Bunty cooking food for Bobbi and sneaking it into her purse because he knows she tends to forget to eat when she’s working? Not to mention him using her geolocation to send her food deliveries when he can’t be there to cook for her! Literally, that’s all I want in a relationship–just keep me fed and happy.

The evolution of Bobbi and Bunty’s relationship was such a fun journey to experience. I was giggling. I was blushing and swinging my feet. I was even reaching for my nightstand drawer a couple times. 😜 I'm such a sucker for romance novels where the male love interest falls first, falls hard, and spends most of the novel slowly breaking down the walls the female main character has built around herself. They make each other better and add value to each other’s lives.

What makes this particular romance stand out was the addition of the shaadi saboteur mystery. I love how this gave Bobbi and Bunty a common goal to make sure nothing bad happens to the wedding instead of just being forced to spend time together planning the wedding menu. It gets them on the same side and makes the foundation of their relationship that much stronger.

The only downside of reading this book is that now I have to wait for the next installment! The If Shakespeare Was an Auntie universe is such a blast to immerse yourself in I can’t wait to see what Nisha Sharma does next.

I really liked the romance between Bunty and Bobbi. The chemistry and tension were definitely there. I really liked the incorporation of character growth when Benjamin realized he didn’t need to be everything to everyone and constantly be the mediator between his family members. What didn’t work for me as much was the drama around Prem and Karina’s wedding. A lot of the interactions felt a little forced and over the top.

Thank you, Avon Harper Voyager, and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest feedback!

If you write a shakespeare inspired book, I will read it. If you make it a POC retelling, I will preorder the book and try to get it signed. There was a little cringe in the dialogue, but I enjoyed it much more than Dr Dil.

I really wanted to love this one. I love this authors writing style and how she writes her characters. Her books are always laugh out loud and this one is as well but the spicy scenes were a turn off for me. That’s just a personal preference. I hope all others enjoy it and can’t wait to read more from this author. Dating dr dil was a 5 star read for me

Absolutely loved Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma. Bunty and Bobbi are just great in this frenemies that need to plan a wedding for their best friends.

I'm mad that I waited so long to read this novel, but the timing hadn't been right - I knew this book would have me craving Indian food, and I just always had previous meal plans any time I was ready to start this book. Especially since Bunty is a chef/restaurateur. I was not wrong in my prediction. I also still need to go get myself some Indian food. But I digress

As someone that has read Sharma's three other adult novels, and thinks that Sharma's writing is fabulous, I'm not sure how, but somehow Sharma like elevated her writing with Tastes Like Shakkar. The banter between Bunty and Bobbi, the organized chaos of the Aunties, the sex scenes...everything just seemed to level up beyond the scale. And that's before we even delve into the role of the family manager, particularly in immigrant families. The very realness of seeing Bunty play that role while trying to navigate a path for himself (physically) far from his family. The very real feelings of Bobbi in how one mistake has others second guessing her ability to make decisions. Everything just felt so real.

Looking forward to the conclusion of this trilogy next year, and what the future brings for Sharma's writing.

Tastes Like Shakkar is a super fun enemies to lovers + cozy wedding saboteur mystery that had me hooked from the very beginning.

Bobbi, the female main, is SO easy to identify with. She has a big family legacy that she wants to uphold, works too hard, kind and charismatic, loves her family, and has big expectations for herself, in part because she can't help it and in part because her family has big expectations too. Bunty, the male main, is so likable. He has a big family legacy that he wants desperately to get out from underneath, works too hard, is kind and charismatic, loves his family and his friends, and has big expectations for himself.

Yea, they're like the same person - which for me keeps the tension through the hate-hate, love-hate, hate-love, love-love ebb and flow of the book. They're so dedicated to their work, and sometimes that's in conflict with one another and sometimes it's a perfect combo. They're so perfect, lovable, and you're just cheering for them the whole time.

The wedding saboteur twist is *chef's kiss* (haha, literally). I loved it - it was such a wonderful twist to the romance without getting dark or anything like that. Perfect cozy mystery romance vibes. This is such a fun read.

Full disclosure, I was so intimidated by the character list at the beginning - unlike many traditionally published romances that have a tight character list and perhaps introduce a few new characters to jump into the next romance in the series, this one has a big set of characters from the get go. There is family and friends and aunties and coworkers and inlaws and inlaws' inlaws. Don't let this intimidate you, like I did. I had no problem keeping up with who was who and what was going on. The wide character list adds to the value of this book - Bobbi and Bunty are the stars, but they're balanced on the foundation of a large cast of characters and it would definitely lack with out them. Love this read and highly recommend!

Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma
2nd book in the If Shakespeare was an Auntie series. Contemporary romance. Own voice, Indian. Can be read as a stand-alone but better in series order. This story is the wedding of the couple from the first book. A retelling and play off of Much Ado About Nothing.
Bobbi Kaur is an event planner. She is planning to give her best friend an epic event that she’ll be able to remember with fondness. Bobbi has two major problems to overcome. First, she’ll need to work with Benjamin “Bunty” Padda and the two of them have been like oil and water since their younger days. And second, and most problematic, there is someone trying to sabotage thee wedding. Bobbi calls in the aunties to search out the guilty person that is messing with the wedding plans.
Bobbi and Bunty, sitting in a ….restaurant, realize working together may actually be more fun that anticipated.

A sexy and fun book as the two clash and then play on their attraction to each other. Conflicts and family issues can make arguments interesting and making up all the sweeter.
Filled with lots of cultural references on clothing, food and life. I personally learned a lot and look forward to the next book in the series.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

Dating Dr. Dil was one of my favorite books of 2022 so I was thrilled to be back in this universe. Tastes Like Shakkar was incredible and everything I've come to expect from Nisha Sharma yet with even spicier spice?!?!?! I was blushing and kicking my feet LOL

This book is enemies to lovers (my fav trope always) done right and I was EATING it up!!! Definitely in the running for top romance of the year for me so yall pick this up ASAP.

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for the advanced copy!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for providing me with a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

In Tastes Like Shakkar, Bobbi is busy planning her best friend Kareena’s wedding. Unfortunately, this means working alongside Benjamin, a restauranteur and best friend of the groom.

The book follows shortly after the events of Dating Dr. Dil. I enjoyed the main characters of this one, and I thought it had more a Bollywood movie vibe that I really liked. The book touches on some fatphobia in Indian culture, but it completely dropped off after the first few chapters. I think it could have been explored more deeply. It is quite steamy, but I did not particularly care for the kinks present. In true Bollywood dramatic fashion, the plot was a little over the top at times. The romance was sweet though, and I always enjoy seeing positive representation of long-distance relationships. Without having read the Shakespeare plays, I would say that the adaption is a bit loose. Overall, this is a sweet and steamy series, and I love the Indian rep, but there are other rom-coms I have enjoyed more.

An absolutely DELIGHTFUL Shakespearean retelling that is just as spicy as it is sweet.
I want to start off by saying how much I appreciated the plus size representation we got in this book and how it was a part of the book without it becoming a huge plot point. Kudos to Nisha Sharma.

Even though I wish we got to see the two characters interact in person a little more, even moment between them was adorable, especially with Bunty's obvious acts of service love language. I love that he took care of her, even when he was far away.

These two were just the perfect pair. They complement each other so well and their banter was also top-tier
I love this series!

This is one of my favorite romcoms that I've read this year! I really enjoyed Dating Dr. Dil (Book 1 in this series) and this one was also a fun read! While this book is a stand alone story, it was so fun to circle back to many of the characters from Dating Dr. Dil.

As Bobbi plans her best friend Kareena's wedding (MC from Dating Dr. Dil), she must work closely with Benjamin (the groom's best friend) to ensure the wedding comes together smoothly. The only problem is-there is someone actively trying to sabotage the wedding. Bobbi and Benjamin must work together in this enemies-to-lovers romance as they both navigate balancing a new romance alongside their impossibly busy schedules.

This book has humor, spice, banter, and romance! If you enjoyed Dating Dr. Dil and/or are a fan of forced proximity romance, you'll probably enjoy this one. I can't wait to purchase a physical copy of this book as well!

Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for providing an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this sequel to Dating Dr. Dil. Bobbi and Bunty (Benjamin) have such amazing chemistry, if only they could get out of their own way to act on it. I loved how all the friendships and family played into this one and how the Aunties help to find the saboteur attempting to ruin Prem and Kareen's wedding. The food descriptions had me so hungry and getting takeout from local places. Nisha crafts such a well paced and thought out tale with laugh out loud moments and lots of heart.