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.