Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma

Tropes: Enemies to Lovers; Fake Relationship

Steam: Steamy, Open Door but with a good tension build up

Quick Desc: He believes in arrangements, compatibility, and science – she’s looking for love, soulmates and happily ever after.

Where to start? I was immediately drawn to this book when I saw it was a Nisha Sharma title. I have had the pleasure of reading two other books by her – both YA Contemp Romances, so I was excited to see her releasing a Romance / Rom Com title with Avon. ❤ As with all her covers, Dating Dr. Dil is no exception – the cover art is bright, fun, cute and inviting. Based on the author / cover and genre alone, I knew it was a must read for me. Finding out that it was also a take on Taming of The Shrew? That was icing.

This was an easy win for me, the book featured two of my all time favorite tropes: Enemies To Lovers and Fake Relationship. It also kept me up waaaaay past my bedtime (which may have resulted in a kindle to face situation 😂), but was 100% worth it. From start to finish, I was hooked – I loved both of the leads (Kareena and Prem) and was invested in their personal journeys and their love story from the beginning. The chemistry and bantering were there for me – and I loved that their were some epistolary points (as I do love some correspondence in a love story, whether it be via letter, email or text 🙌). I loved that Kareena was strong, independent and someone who knew her own mind and heart. It was refreshing for her to be in her 30s and have an established and well loved career and life. A full life that she was looking to add to. I also appreciated the build of a partnership between her and Prem as the story unfolds.

The book was lighthearted and fun, and I adored the way culture was woven into the story. Those careful references / descriptions of the food, clothing, etc really brought the book to life. (I’d love to see this one as a movie). The flow and pacing of the story was just right – especially the tension build up. The story contained a good amount of steam, but I appreciated how that was well paced out too.

Some things that I definitely have to touch on that I enjoyed: The side characters. I was very intrigued by Kareena and Prem’s besties. I’m hoping there is more to come for each. I also loved the aunties – they brought just the right level of drama / hijinks that made me smile. And of course, I can’t fail to mention the fun T Swift references. I’m a fan, and I definitely enjoyed and liked seeing the playlist at the end too.

Overall, it was an easy, fun read – and one I know I’ll be grabbing a copy of for my physical bookshelf. Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the chance to read an early release in exchange for my honest review. (And here’s hoping stories for Bunty and Deepak are soon to follow 🤞🤞😊)

Review posted on GoodReads for 11/5/21. Reviews on Amazon and Bookstagram (@TheBookishDachshund) will be posted for release week.

This book is amazing. I'm such a sucker for a love interest who doesn't think that they can love or that love isn't real. Seeing Prem slowly fall in love with Kareena and try to deny it even though he knows that's what it is, is so beautiful. I also love that Kareena never actually thinks she can change him, she just accepts him as he is and if he can't love her then she won't be with him.

That car scene during the party made me feel lots of things and I actually want Prem for myself. This book is soooo good and I can't wait for everyone to be able to read it.

I received a copy through netgalley.

Full review will be up on pop-culturalist.com closer to pub date! I love this book so freaking much and the romance is to die for. Nisha Sharma is one of my new favorite romance authors!! If she’s available I would love to do an interview with her.

I absolutely loved Dating Dr. Dil. I was immediately drawn in by the cover and the promise of a Taming of the Shrew adaptation. This book did not disappoint! It’s sweet, steamy (!!), and shows interesting, complex characters who are easy to root for. Bonus points for sweet dates & banter, enemies to lovers, and Indian aunties. I’ve already googled where I find Pani Puri because that seems like a must.

Kareena is a strong, independent woman who is searching for a true love marriage like her parents had. Kareena’s mother, who passed away when Kareena was younger, poured her heart into the home Kareena shares with her grandmother, father, and sister. On the morning of her 30th birthday her life is turned upside down when it slips out that her dad is selling the house and retiring. Kareena will stop at nothing to purchase the house for herself - even putting an end to her dating moratorium and finally finding the one. Which may be easier said than done. An explosive viral moment with handsome tv Dr. Dil (Prem) kicks off a series of events that will change both of their lives forever.

Kareena was such a likeable, well-developed character and I was really proud of her character development. She refuses to conform to the traditional roles most Desi women are expected to, even if it means she’s basically destined to be single for the rest of her life. She was willing to do anything for her family, despite them not always deserving her,, but by the end she was able to stand up for herself and put her foot down.

Prem had his own development as well and it was refreshing to see a male character work through his emotions. Before the book begins, we learn that Prem has suffered a loss of his own and he doesn’t even realize just how much that loss has changed him and driven his goals for the future. When he sees Kareena across the room of his friend’s restaurant his life truly changes. I loved that he let Kareena figure things out on her own, but was always there as her plan B.

I thought all of the Taylor Swift references were cute as well. The bonus playlist at the end was great.

Thank you to NetGalley & Avon for an advanced copy of this book. I’ll definitely be preordering (and anxiously awaiting the next book in this series)!

Dating Dr. Dil. I discovered this book through the magical clock app of Tiktok. I was intrigued by Nisha's video on the book and so glad I was able to get an arc. I think three of my favorite things included: 1) We get a woman who likes cars and knows how to work on them 2) THE BANTER 3) Perm's refusal to let Kareena go despite struggling with the word 'love.' Something that frustrated me were Kareena's family but I only felt so incredibly frustrated for her because I saw my own family dynamic being reflected and I understood the struggle she was going through. It was interesting to see how oblivious Perm was to his own feelings. Him not growing up with affection and the hurt he had faced caused him to view love differently. It's interesting to see the differences on their viewpoint of a relationship. Also tie that with the fact I did grow up like Perm without seeing much affection yet my viewpoint is more like Kareena. Also let's talk about how Perm's consistent nickname, "Rina Honey." Makes me MELT. I enjoyed how despite how toxic Kareena's family could be she never backed down and was willing to stand up for herself. Overall I could not put this book down and can't wait for the physical copy.

This book took me all over the place, both with my emotions and being entangled in the chaos that was Kareena and Prem’s love life. I picked this book up because the cover made me swoon and I was so thrilled to see a South Asian couple on the cover (one being a doctor because I’m biased and who doesn’t love a hot South Asian doctor).

I really liked the fiery personality that Kareena had in that she was determined, didn’t want to settle for less than she deserved, and was an overall strong character. Characters like Kareena really resonate with me because growing up in the South Asian scene, and as seen in the book, a “good” daughter is one who is obedient, follows rules, always listens to her elders, etc. While all of these traits are ones I’ve developed being the older sister in the family, it doesn’t overshadow the other side of me which is stubborn and is always ready to fight for what I want.

With all that being said, I think sometimes the way these characters are written really falls into the “I’m not like over girls” trope, and instead of being relatable, they can get a little over the top. I did find times when I was reading Kareena’s POV and thinking to myself, “Why are we dragging this out so much? The only conflict that exists is from not communicating and being stubborn for the sake of being stubborn.”

Now, Dr. Prem Verma was also an interesting character and POV to read. What I loved about him was the fact that he was so passionate about creating a Women’s Health Clinic in memory of his past fiancee. As an individual who wants to go into health care, one of the biggest things I advocate for is the distribution of resources to the communities of color who may not be able to afford care or are hesitant about health care due to the past history in the United States. Because this issue is something I’m so passionate about I really liked that Prem’s main goal in doing what he was doing was for this health center.

Getting into the romance…I’m not going to lie it was quite steamy. Much steamier than I expected, not that I’m mad about it, but wow. There was definitely passion and chemistry between Kareena and Prem, there’s no denying that. I did feel that the conflict happening between them didn’t always make the most sense, but also, there was something about this book that just felt like a good guilty pleasure read that I didn’t want to put down.

I also liked the family dyanmics that were going on with all the aunties and how even though there are toxic traits and characteristics in South Asian culture, family is family and they always look out for everyone’s best interest.

All in all, I was pretty satisfied reading this book and I hope you all are excited to read and pick it up when it comes out next year!

Characters: 6/10
Atmosphere: 7/10
Writing Style: 7/10
Plot: 6/10
Intrigue: 7/10
Logic: 5/10
Enjoyment: 6/10

Rating: 6.3 or 3 stars (3.5 stars)

This was my first title by Nisha Sharma and I can't believe it. I requested the ARC because I'm a sucker for a Taming of the Shrew remake and this one did not disappoint. I loved the interactions between the main characters and found myself tearing up more than once at how Kareena (Rina) was treated by her family after the loss of their mother. Though well-meaning, they constantly underestimated her and treated her like a nuisance more than the fantastic person she was. The chemistry between her and Prem was hot and I was thrilled to see that the book included some of the more racier sections than I have previously seen with other Desi romance titles. The food and culture were a major part of the story and it definitely left me salivating for delicious Indian food. As a resident, I also enjoyed the occasional Jackson Heights shout-outs.

I devoured the book in less than 24 hours and cannot wait until it comes out so I can recommend it to patrons.

I loved this book! I love romantic comedies and Kareenas story was so much fun! I loved her back and forth with Dr. Verma as well as her meddling family which I think anyone could relate to and it was so much fun watching their love story evolve for enemies to lovers.

Nisha Sharma’s hilarious new romantic comedy inspired by The Taming of the Shrew features a love-phobic TV doctor who must convince a love-obsessed homebody they are destined to be together.

Kareena Mann dreams of having a love story like her parents, but she prefers restoring her classic car to swiping right on dating apps. When her father announces he’s selling her mother’s home, Kareena makes a deal with him: he’ll gift her the house if she can get engaged in four months. Her search for her soulmate becomes impossible when her argument with Dr. Prem Verma, host of The Dr. Dil Show, goes viral. Now the only man in her life is the one she doesn’t want.

Dr. Prem Verma is dedicated to building a local community health center, but he needs to get donors with deep pockets. The Dr. Dil Show was doing just that, until his argument with Kareena went viral, and he’s left short changed. That’s when Kareena’s meddling aunties presented him with a solution: convince Kareena he’s her soulmate and they’ll fund his clinic.

Even though they have conflicting views on love-matches and arranged-matches, the more time Prem spends with Kareena, the more he begins to believe she’s the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. But for Prem and Kareena to find their happily ever after, they must admit that hate has turned into fate.

Y’all I stayed up late on a Sunday, the night before my class Halloween party AND the week of conferences to finish this- #teacherstruggles.

Review: Dating Dr. Dil
Rating: 4.5 🌟
1. I lived for the dramatic ass aunties. I wish I had some of them in my life. They meddle, and they are fantastic.
2. I had to go try Pani Puri after reading this book. Highly recommend.
3. I have had a loooong and emotionally exhausting week, and this book was a totally fun escape. I couldn’t put it down. With a 3 month old and a toddler that’s saying a lot 😂🤷🏼‍♀️

Trope: enemies to lovers / fake dating

I am going to need a copy of this one for my shelves, and I would definitely recommend snatching this one on preorder! I also think Nisha Sharma and I have the same sense of humor and need to be internet best friends.

I was super stoked to read this and begin with quite high expectations, and holy cow it didn’t disappoint. I loved it especially, the dedication. I connected with Dr. Dil and Kareena quite deeply, and I’m already tempted to flip back to the beginning and start the incredible story all over again. Not only, it’s a great story of acceptance, love, being comfortable and be at peace, content with what you want but was also a great South-Asian rep read.