I enjoyed this book. Apparently this is the second in a series, but I definitely don’t feel you need to read the first in order to understand and enjoy this book. I like the author’s writing style- it felt easy to get into the book and have that movie in my head experience. The main characters got together a little earlier on in the book than I usually prefer, but after finishing the book I can see why that was the case. There are a few plot points I found confusing or frustrating:
- Harper says Manny has a “killer sense of humor” right from the beginning, but I really didn’t see it. Harper’s character actually seems to have a lot more zingers.
- The way Manny talks to Harper is described as “flirting”, but it’s more like he’s hitting on her. It’s a little over the top at the beginning considering they’re strangers.
- At the beginning, Harper complains that Manny acts like his job is so much more important than anyone else’s, but he’s an ER doctor. His job IS more important, especially more important than hers.
- At one point she’s wearing a tank top outside, but I thought she was worried about showing her vitiligo. Is she wearing body makeup or something?
- The situation with her parents is a bit odd. Her mom seems like a fairly mature person, but when she is unhappy she kicks her husband out instead of trying to talk to him?
- At one point Harper’s mom says she and Harper’s dad don’t owe her anything (when Harper asked for an explanation on what’s going on). I strongly disagree with this, especially after her dad had put her in the middle of the situation for so long.
- The psychologist Harper speaks to (who had dated Manny for a week) sounded insane talking to Harper about Manny’s intentions. She didn’t even really know him and spoke both unprofessionally and out of turn. It was just weird.
- Manny’s grandmother was just unnecessarily manipulative and cruel towards the end. She had no right to “test” them in the way she did and could have relayed her feelings about their relationship to Manny in a different way. She wanted Manny to open up to Harper, but the “test” didn’t seem like the best way to go about it. I was glad to see that she apologized after the fact.
- I don’t understand how the cover of the book fits with the story. It doesn’t make sense after finishing the book (although it is a cute cover).
- I appreciated reading in the author’s notes that she also suffers from vitiligo. I’m sure it gives Harper’s character more authenticity.
Overall, I ended up enjoying this book and would check out more rom-cons by this author.
Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Publishing Group for providing me access to this eARC!

DNFing this one at 43%. Everything felt too rushed with the MCs, and they became too lovey dovey too quickly for me. It let rushed and like the story could end here at 43%.

I flew through this new book from Nicola Marsh, who is quickly becoming a must read author for me. If you read The Boy Toy, you surely remember Manny and now he has his own book in The Man Ban!

Manny is an ER doc who is an unrepentant flirt and commitment-phobe. When he meets Harper at a wedding, he inadvertently criticizes her job but can’t deny the spark between them. Harper has instituted a “man ban” after a rough break up and has thrown herself into building her business. She gets a break through opportunity when her assistant flakes out on her. Lo and behold, she runs into Manny at the same hotel and he volunteers to help. Can their vacation fling turn into something more? Is he worth calling off her man ban?

I love Manny as a character. His flirtatious one liners had me laughing and sweating 🥵 It’s clear he worships at Harper’s feet. They have excellent chemistry and banter throughout the entire book - it makes this such an easy read. I also loved getting to revisit with the characters from Boy Toy who are supporting characters in this book. I docked half a star for some throw away lines in the book that came across as fat phobic (talking about how great it is to see a woman eat) — those could’ve been removed without taking anything away from the story and been more sensitive to some readers.

Thanks to Berkley and NetGalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

If you like romance with the classic enemies to friends theme I think you will really enjoy Nicola Marsh’s The Man Ban. I really enjoyed the descriptions of the food in this one. In the opening Harper is a struggling food stylist attending the 500 guest wedding of good friend who is Indian in Australia where she is a bridesmaid and has styled the food. Harper is not Indian, but has a strong appreciation for the food and culture from growing up with this friend. Manny is an Anglo Indian, confirmed bachelor, doctor groomsman. When he disparages the idea of food styling to Harper without knowing that it is her job they are off to a love/ hate attraction. Strong characters with peppy banter along with the setting and food made this an enjoyable read. I found myself craving Indian food.

I was very excited to start this read, looking forwards to a fun enemies to lovers novel, and this read delivered on that front. Here, Harper has been on a self-appointed "man ban" for a year after a really bad breakup, and instead, focuses on her growing career as a food stylist. Her latest gig is styling dishes at her best friend's traditional Indian wedding, where she meets the best man Manny who belittles her work the entire night. In retaliation, she decides she'll lead him on for the rest of the night so she can later humiliate him. Well, things don't always go as planned. Manny (as seen in "The Boy Toy") is a handsome Anglo-Indian doctor who immediately feels an inimitable pull towards Harper. One week later, he shows up at the same New Zealand resort where she's working on her next job. After a work catastrophe, he offers to help her and she notes his chivalry has gotten under her skin. She's ready to lift her man ban for a little vacation fling. He agrees, after all, he's not looking to get married despite his grandmother's dying wish for him to do so. Yet, he can't help but fall under Harper's spell. Told in dual perspectives, this enemies to lovers novel is full of compelling language that draws me in, plus so much freaking banter that makes me fall for this read that much quicker.

received this book for an honest review from netgalley #netgalley

I tried this one but I'm not going to lie. I DNF this one. It just wasn't my cup of tea.

Oh boy, Harper and Manny truly made my entire week with their incredibly hot chemistry which is powerful enough to put entire New Zealand into fire!

I normally check four things when I dive into romcom world;
-Undeniable, irresistible, sizzling, too hot to handle chemistry with witty banters
-Relatable, non obtuse, easy to resonate characters
-Well constructed angst
-Well developed coming clean, groveling, grand gesture which leads a great conclusion and memorable epilogue

This book checked each of the boxes.

40 years old, charismatic, flirty doctor Manny who has big emotional baggage to prevent him have long term relationships and settling up even though the last wish of her grandma Izzy for him to get marry. But she also insists he should settle down with fine Indian woman which narrows down his dating spectrum.

On the other hand, Harper, a successful food stylist tries everything to forget one of the most embarrassing moments she experienced at one of her best friend’s wedding event. She whipcreamed this hot doctor who gave her an unforgettable, passionate kiss, sending her witty text message a few days later which she didn’t write back.

She is already heart broken after her sudden breakup with Colin and their parent’s decision to end their 35 years long marriage which also makes her question everything she believes about love and happiness.

When her assistant calls sick and puts her into an agonizing situation at the photo shooting of travel magazines to be placed in one of the most exquisite New Zealand hotel chains, she bumps into Manny who came for attending to the medical conference and he offers his help to be an assistant for the preparation process of photo shooting.

Beggars cannot be choosers! Of course Harper is strong enough to resist the hot doctor’s charms and his high level of flirtation which confuses the hell of her mind! Didn’t she decide her serous man-ban to protect her heart? But the shameless doctor has every intention to break her man-ban oath! Good luck Harper!
Let the flirtation games begin!

Overall: I loved both characters and enjoyed to see how they peel off their facades to show their true selves. Both of them carry real emotional baggages!
I’m giving four interracial, sexy, smart, sweet, charming, Aussie, Anglo-Indian stars!

Millions of thanks to NetGalley and Berkley Publishing for making my wish come true by sharing this digital reviewer copy with me in exchange my honest thoughts.

I love a good enemies-to-lovers trope, and this one was a doozy! Manny and Harper's relationship starts off more than rocky, but when they reunite in New Zealand and Harper's "man-ban" is lifted. I loved the two of them together. This was fun, with the perfect amount of banter and romance.

Sometimes slow burns are not my thing, but this book had me hooked instantly. Nicola Marsh has written several wonderful books and she has done it again. I couldn't put this one down.