Rating: 3/5 stars


The concept of this book is what originally intrigued me – a woman on a self-imposed “man ban,” presumably because her last boyfriend did something horrible, and she ends up finding the one without really realizing. Manny and Harper’s meet cute was super awkward, but it set the tone for what was I was hoping to become an intriguing story between them filled with quips and love.

And it did deliver – to a certain degree. While enjoyed Harper’s quick wit and acknowledgment to knowing what she wanted, as I’ve seen in other romance books where they have degree of denying what they want, she didn’t. And the same goes with Manny. I enjoyed that there wasn’t a period of denial and deflection with their feelings.

Overall, this book just sort of fell flat for me, but that doesn’t mean that other readers will not have a good time. I had a bit of trouble really connecting with the characters from the get-go – Manny especially. It felt like I was just a watcher, rather than completely intrenched in their lives and their relationship. There were moments where the internal dialogue was repetitive and didn’t really seem to change until near the end of the book. Harper did have a bit of character development throughout while she worked through her own issues, Manny’s kind of lagged behind, but I understand why it did.

The Man Ban really focuses on the romance so it is a very character/relationship driven book. Yes, there are other things that go on outside of their story, the focus is entirety on them. So, if you like plot-driven stories, this isn’t the one for you.

In the end, I enjoyed it, it passed the time, but it didn’t really stick out to me.

Alright y'all. I am here for this book. This is the first time I have read about an Anglo-Indian protagonist. It's the first time I've seen Australian Indians represented in literature. AND it's the first time that the Indian protagonist has been a straight-up smoke show. Thank you, @nicolamarshauthor, for bringing us the story of Manny Gomes and Harper Ryland.

Harper is a food stylist (yes, it's a real profession, look it up) on a self-imposed man-ban after her last relationship ended abruptly after she revealed her vitiligo. Manny is the perpetual bachelor racing to fulfill his grandmother's last wish against his own hesitancies. They collide at a wedding, and fate and chemistry takes it from there.

If you're looking for a heartfelt, witty romcom featuring Australians and Anglo-Indians, look no further. The Man Ban by Nicola Marsh (published by @berkleyromance) hits bookshelves on July 27th. Pre-order your copy now!

The Man Ban features two crazy flirtatious people, Harper Ryland and Manish Gomes. Manny is an Anglo-Indian ER doctor and Harper is a food stylist. They meet at Harper’s best friend's wedding where she helped with the food. Although, Manny didn’t realize at that exact moment that she styled all this food while he was belittling her work. Which eventually lead to him getting whip cream in his face after a hot make-out session outside of where the wedding was taking place.

Harper recently got out of a relationship which made her form the Man Ban. Manny rubs her the wrong way but that all changes when the two of them are all alone in New Zealand where he steps in to help Harper with her work. However, Manny himself is known as the player and doesn’t date a girl for more than a week. But the real question is why?
Harper and Manny are very flirtatious and constantly bantering with each other. The chemistry that continues to grow between them as the story continues is unbelievable. But is everything is moving way too fast? Especially when Manny’s grandmother has to have surgery and he did what his grandmother constantly told him to do before she would die.

But did he do that out of love or only because his grandmother kept telling him this every time they would talk? Although Harper and Manny do appear to be very much in love, everything is moving fast. What hasn’t Harper told him? Why is Manny so closed off? Well, you’re just gonna have to read and find out yourself.

Without any spoilers in this review, I just have to say that I really loved this book. The constant flirting between these two is just made this book. Having characters banter in books is so fun to read. The love they have for each other is so easy to see. Although his grandmother did piss me off many times, she really helped make this book the way it is.

*Thank you to NetGallery and Nicola Marsh for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest review*

I love Indian romances and have read a surprising amount of them for a white girl from Utah. I absolutely adored this book’s meet-cute. Him insulting her work. Her taking him outside and kissing him before spraying him in the face with whipped cream. I wish that the entire book had kept up that energy. But even though it didn’t I was thoroughly engrossed by the story and read it quickly.

I really liked both Harper and Ryland. I don’t think I’ve ever read a book where the main character has vitiligo and I appreciated the author’s note at the end stating that she has the disorder and receives the same treatment as Harper. The portrayal of Harper’s struggles both physically and emotionally with the disorder felt very real. I adored how soft Ryland was. Yes he’s a hot doctor, but he also loves his grandma.

I’m very torn on the pacing of this book. Manny and Harper went from strangers to lovers to dating to fiancees in a very short amount of time. I get that the author wanted them to progress that far in the book, but I feel like it could have been stretched over a longer amount of time. Of course, if it had been stretched out I probably would be complaining that too much time was skimmed over.

I will happily read another one book by Nicola Marsh. Thank you to Berkley Books and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have so many conflicting feelings about this book. I liked Manny a lot but we don't really get much info on anyone else although I am familiar with their friend group already. I like the idea of a vacation fling so I was somewhat on board already. However, have read The Boy Toy and many of my issues with that book are present in this one as well. Overall this was a fun quick read that you can read as a standalone, I read it in just under 5 hours (total).

Some of the conflict just doesn't seem like as big of a deal as it's made out to be. There are at least 50 chapters before Harper reveals her "true self" and it's resolved immediately. Actually, nearly everything is resolved pretty quickly once people open their mouths and say something (just like in The Boy Toy). I have my own personal gripes that don't really affect the story or my ability to enjoy it like why does she have to be a decade younger than him, why did everything happen so quickly, what setting spray did she use?

However, I think ultimately many of my issues were with Harper herself. I don't understand her man ban or that it's been such a long time -maybe because I'm older than her, maybe because of the pandemic but I just don't think 1 year is very long. The man ban seemed pretty much nonexistent and everything happened so quickly, there wasn't even the idea of resistance on her end. She was eager to date, completely open and flirtatious. Because I don't have vitiligo and the author does I have to assume this is an accurate representation of at least a little bit of living with it but I've known so many people with vitiligo that I didn't realize it was a big deal. I have to assume part of it is cultural and I just won't understand it but it seemed like an odd thing to hide for so long and to be able to hide. Not once does she mention what setting spray or makeup she's using that stays on through multiple rounds of sex.

There is steam - there are multiple open-door scenes and a number of closed door scenes. The characters don't deny their attraction to each other and it's fun to read that.

The moment I finished The Boy Toy, Nicola Marsh's last Contemporary Romance, I was intrigued by the character Manish Gomes, the Anglo Indian Doctor who had an aversion to relationships. I was 'stoked' as the Aussies say, to hear that The Man Ban was going to follow, concentrating on the story of Manny, the unattainable Dr!
So, here we have Harper, a woman who is on a self-imposed man ban, following the awful breakup she had with her last long term relationship, triggered by an extremely superficial reason.
Then she goes and meets Manny, the cocksure, but hot doctor, at her friend's wedding. And, despite everything, he's the first man to make her doubt her ban decision.
Manny might seem like a shallow guy, but he's got plenty of reasons for keeping people at arm's length, yet the moment he meets Harper, things are different.
I loved the chemistry between both these strong characters, as they try their hardest to keep away from one another, but fate has other ideas.
There is sizzle and steaminess, as well as more serious issues covered, in a sympathetic manner, such as dealing with a diagnosis of Vitiligo, and cultural pressures to get married.
A real fun read!
Many thanks to Netgalley and Berkley Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Engaging romance book!

The summary sounded more like a rom/com, but the actual book reads more like a romance novel, which is fine, I just wish that had been clearer. Harper and Manny have great chemistry, and their banter is on point! I really enjoyed the setting of New Zealand, which I've always wanted to visit, and all the amazing food they described.

However, there was a few issues I had with this book. The lack of interesting side characters, the seemingly pointless angst that kept getting added, and the whole ending was somewhat lacking.

Still, this is a quick, overall enjoyable romance with two engaging main characters that have a lot of baggage, but help each other deal with their issues so they can be together.

Thank you Netgalley for this ebook arc.

Marsh wrote an enjoyable read about two strong personalities. Mannybis a debonair doctor with an insufferable granny who keeps harping on him that he needs to marry. Instead he finds Harper who, because of past hurts, refuses to date again. However, the sparks between the two are enough to bring rain to the outback. The bantering between the two is good and the chemistry leaps off the pages. They keep secrets from each other which threaten to ruin the relationship. I was waiting for the bubble to pop, but it's managed in a good way. Nicola Marsh always writes a good book to entertain readers.

I honestly just couldn't get into this book. I read a little over half before I gave up. It's just too slow..

3.5 stars on this one. Witty banter, not my favorite MCs. I liked Harper, the lead female character, but I went back and forth on if I liked Manny, the lead male character. At times I felt like his actions were a little over the top and almost creepy? I appreciated his traumatic emotional journey, but I felt like he was pushy at times?

I liked Harper for being quick witted and strong. I also appreciated the fact she had an auto immune disease and that was discussed frequently.

I liked the representation of culture in this book! It was cute, but at times I just wasn’t a total fan.

Sadly I think this review needs to come down to, if you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all.

This book is awesome! The character tension and banter is epic. I can't wait to read more by the author. I love the setting and blending of cultures and ideals with modern touches.

I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. I found it very enjoyable. I read it in one night. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

I was given an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review. What a fun story! It was a quick and easy read full of humor and romance. Harper and Manny are the perfect couple and I was rooting for them the whole time. Nicola Marsh is a new author to me and I will definitely be looking for more of her books to read. The dialogue in The Man Ban was quick witted and completely believable, as was the romance and steamy sex. I loved the cultural aspects woven throughout. Everything from the settings to the food was written in just the right amount of detail, I could easily envision it all. Overall a book that kept me entertained, and hoping that the story will continue in a third installment!

I was not impressed by this book. The author tells more than shows with her characters. There's only so many times you can hear that she likes to "verbally spar" with the guy. Show it with the dialog and other descriptors. The plot around the female protagonist's vitiligo was an interesting choice that didn't seem to warrant the drama. There may be patrons who will be interested in this book, but it was nearly unreadable for me.

The Man Ban drew me in first with it's title and second with the cover! After reading The Boy Toy, I was looking forward to Manny's story.

The meet cute in this book was one I have never seen before. I was hoping to have more of a solid enemies to lovers story line, instead I felt like they just got off on the wrong foot and that it didn't take long for them to get back on track.

After reading the authors note, I was appreciative that she used her own experiences with vitiligo to add to who Harper was. Autoimmune diagnosis are hard at any age, but having also received one as an adult, they can turn your whole life upside down. I like that by the end she wasn't hiding who she was from those that loved her anymore.

I wanted to like Manny, but at times found him to be condescending. I'm also not the biggest fan of men saying that a woman that eats is attractive and when Manny said it I cringed, like I always do. I don't know that I really bought that he was the right fit for Harper.

I will say thought they had chemistry and all the steam. I enjoyed their sarcasm and witty banter. I loved the descriptions of food and the tour of New Zealand, it made me want to book a flight as soon as possible. I also found Manny's grandmothers antics and dramatics to be both amusing and annoying. But that's family for you!

If you're looking for a quick steamy read that will make you hungry, check this out!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for providing me with an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

The Man Ban is my second book by Nicola Marsh and while I enjoyed it I did like The Boy Toy more. In this book we are following Harper who is a food stylist and Manny who is a Doctor and we met in the first book. I really enjoyed Manny's character but at times I felt like he didn't stay too true too his character at times. This book had great banter between Harper and Manny but it was very insta love. From the first meeting of the two Manny immediately starts chasing after Harper but Harper is on a man ban. Due to a chance encounter Manny and Harper start spending a lot of time together and both develop feelings very quickly. This is where I started to struggle a little with the book, I am not a fan of insta love and this book felt like that. Overall this was a cute read but it was pretty quick and predictable for a romance. If you like cute romances then I would recommend picking this one up. I really do enjoy the authors writing and am excited to read what she does next. Thank you Berkley and Netgalley for my gifted copy for review.

I adored this book! Nicola Marsh has a flair for creating characters that are relatable and pull at you heart while also making you chuckle at their wit. Manny was a unicorn, coveted by many women but emotionally unavailable. Harper is focused on her career and recovering from a broken heart. When they meet, their chemistry is undeniable. Give this one a read, but don’t start until you have some time. Once you start this book, you won’t want to put it down.

I really enjoyed this book! Based off the cover, I was expecting more of a romcom, but once I realized this was more of a romance, I loved it!

First off, I really loved the cultural aspects of this. I can't speak to how accurate they were, but they formed such brilliant pictures in my head. I'm between the delicious sounding food, and the vibrant saris, it was the perfect atmosphere for a book.

I also enjoyed the relationship between Harper and Manny. It did lose a bit of charm after the events at the end of the book, but I liked the rest of their romance. It was sweet, and I really enjoyed their interactions.

I do feel like this book fell into the trap of adding too much angst. There comes a point when the book should be over, and adding more drama just drags it on. This book definitely hit this point at around 90% and while it added interesting conflict, it wasn't necessary.

I also wish this had has stronger side characters. The only others we're introduced to were Izzy, and Harper's parents. I ended up hating Izzy, and Harper's parents spent top much of the book absent. It's hard to keep a book interesting that only has 2 dynamic characters.

Despite my 2 complaints, I really enjoyed this! It was the perfect mix of sweet and steamy, and I definitely see myself rereading it.

Thanks to Netgalley and Nicola Marsh for providing a free copy in exchange for an honest review!

This wasn't bad my any means, but I just finished this a few hours ago and I'm already forgetting it. The Man Ban was a fun and quick read - perfect for summer - and follows Harper Ryland, whose sworn off men, and Manny Gomes (who we meet in The Boy Toy) an ER surgeon (and perpetual bachelor) who complicates Harper's life as soon as he enters it. The two do have good chemistry, but the entire story felt rushed to me so I didn't really buy the relationship at all. And while I understand the plot reasons for the rushed relationship and the secrets and insecurities, it just made it hard for me to become as invested as I wanted to be. It's a fun story while you're in it, but it won't be one that sticks with me personally.