Ah! I loved this book! Prem is ow owww. You aren’t much of a fan of him at the start, but come to love him and understand him. Rina is such a strong, independent woman that stays true to herself although she has multiple people doubting her and telling her how to live her life. She truly is an admirable character. I actually couldnt stand her sister, father, & dadi 😂 i think that was done purposely though, cause I became so defensive for Rina throughout the book. Prem & Rina’s evolving relationship was so much fun to read. Oh and spicy!!!! Of course i loved the romance part of it, but i really loved learning about Prem and Rina’s culture and their families too. It looks like this is the first book in a series and i cant wait for more.

I have very mixed feelings about this book and the more I think about the book the less I like it. It’s loosely based on Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew, which in and of itself is an interesting choice for a modern romance. My reference point for the play is 10 Things I Hate About You which I love, but this was not that. Nisha tried to modernize the story by having this be a fake dating book instead of having the hero fake date the heroine and her not know, but they never really fake dated. Instead, Kareena was actively trying to date other people while keeping Prem as a backup. This may have been Nisha’s twist on what’s the most popular trope of the moment, but it didn’t work for me.

I really really struggled with Kareena’s family. They were horrible to her, like actively trying to make her life miserable. Everyone from her father, to her grandmother, to her sister were extremely selfish, to a point that didn’t even make sense. I know that there were cultural family dynamics at play, but usually actions of family members are coming out of love and the situations in this book were not that.

I really really really liked Kareena. She deserves much better than everyone in the book (literally everyone from her family to Prem treats her like garbage). I liked Prem at the beginning of the book but my opinion of him deteriorated as the story progressed. He was arrogant and misogynistic and never showed any growth. I genuinely don’t think the pair are endgame even with this book ending in their engagement. I was happily surprised to find that this was a steamy book as so may books books set in the Southeast Asian community are either closed door or fully chaste, but still don’t love Kareena and Prem together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is an easy, bingeable retelling of Taming of the Shrew. I have read all of the author’s previous work (YA novels) and she does a great job at bringing her culture to life, this included. This one has a little fake dating with some good banter and wow - I did not expect Tessa Bailey steam in this one. I saw on Goodreads that it is book 1 of “If Shakespeare was an Auntie” series and I am excited to see what comes next!

🥰 liked || 🔥 descriptive
🤟dual POV,
📚Sara Desi + Tessa Bailey
🎶7 Things by Miley Cyrus
📺10 Things I Hate About You

I really was not a fan of this book which was unfortunate. I really struggled with the writing style in the beginning and how the characters were acting. They were literally throwing food at each other as grown adults after meeting once?!? I didn't understand how they could possibly hate each other as much as was shown. This made me just not buy into the rest of their relationship. I was very close to DNF'ing but wanted to push through so I could accurately review.
The second half of the book I enjoyed more, as they both calmed down significantly, and it really read like a different book. However, this wasn't able to make up for the rest of what I had read. Just not my favorite.

Dating Dr. Dil
by Nisha Sharma
4 stars
Kareena has decided on her thirtieth birthday to take on dating again to find her soulmate, while she fixes her mom's old car and the house. Her father has decided he wants to sell the house and Kareena is not having it, the only way she can afford to get the house in time is to find someone to get married to in four months how hard can it be?
Enter Perm aka Dr. Dil and all his hunkiness he wants to set up a community health center but after he meets Kareena their first encounter gets steamy, but he leaves her hanging. The second time they meet Kareena throws a bottle at him that gets attention from his biggest donor, so he needs to try to show a better image or get married to get help from his mom.
Prem ends up talking with Kareena's aunties and decides they both need an engagement so why not join forces and fake it. Kareena isn't sure about this because she wants true love and Prem doesn't believe in love. With Prem's persistence and the help of Kareena's aunties can he get Kareena to change her mind?
This book was funny and cute with lots of laugh-out-loud moments. It did take a little bit for me to get into it but both MCs were perfect, and I enjoyed how they added the texting in it a bit. I couldn't stand Kareena's sister's one-bit bridezilla and spoiled omg that child needed to be smacked. The Aunties were so cute and fun and had her best interest at heart and Dr. Dil is such an amazing book boy. He pays all the attention to Kareena and makes sure she's okay and she's comfortable with it all but even while she decides he still watches out for her and lets her take her time.
Thank you, Net Galley, and Avon for this ARC for an honest review

I had read and enjoyed one of Nisha’s earlier books, so I was pretty excited to get this one.

I love love loved Kareena. She’s sassy, reads romance, and stands up for herself. Prem is confident, successful, and headstrong. Together they have instant chemistry, loads of button pushing, and a lot of fun. Oh, and there are some great side characters slash BFFs on each of the MC’s sides and I hope they get their own books.

Plot wise, it was good. There’s a lot of push and pull, but it really worked here. And give me an older and super meddling family member any time. It’s always one of my favorite things and these Aunties are fantastic. Added bonus: the break up doesn’t last too long and the grand gesture is perfect.

Overall, this was a super fun and quick read. I can’t wait to get my greedy hands on the next book.

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

I absolutely loved this book. Read the whole thing in one sitting.

Dating Dr. Dil took everything I love about Taming of the Shrew (one of my favorite Shakespeare plays), turned the more problematic elements on their head, and put everything in a romance that both made me cry starting in the first chapter and rocketed to the top of my favorites. The way Prem was obsessed with Kareena from their first meeting was one of my favorite things and the way he wanted to take care of her the whole time was just too cute. I loved them so much. Prem and Kareena had SUCH good chemistry together and I was not expecting the steam levels in this book but BOY was I wonderfully surprised.

Kareena was my favorite character and I love that she didn't want or have to lower her standards to get her love match. I also really related to her on some levels so her happy ending was especially powerful for me.

Highly, HIGHLY recommend to any romance lover. I'm going to be pushing this book on everyone.

3.5 stars

You can read all of my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This is a fun and flirty contemporary romance. Kareena Mann is an attorney living in her childhood home with her family. She just turned 30 and is more interested in restoring her deceased mother's old car than dating. When she finds out her father is selling their home, she makes a deal with him. If she gets engaged in four months, he will sell the house to her. But, it won't be easy because Kareena believes marriage should be a love match. While helping her sister who is appearing on a local tv show, she sees Dr. Prem Verma, or Dr. Dil. He believes that "love" is actually harmful to one's health and believes that it is not necessary to have a happy marriage. In the middle of the show Kareena and Prem get into an argument that goes viral.

The video damages both Kareena and Prem's plans. He is trying to raise capital to build a community health center but loses his biggest investor after the viral video. She can't find a desi man willing to go out with her. Enter her meddling aunties who devise a plan to bring the couple together for a happily ever after. (The aunties are a hoot and I loved every scene they were in.)

This is a cute quick and fun read. If you're looking for a light-hearted, enjoyable romcom, this is the book for you. The main characters are fairly well-developed and likeable, although Prem's reasons for denying love exists is pretty weak. The story is predictable but it was still a fun read. Kareena and Prem have loads of chemistry, and the author did a good job of having Kareena stand firm on requiring a love match. I enjoyed learning more about Indian culture and some of the traditions, particularly those of arranged marriages. I was glad I was reading the book on a kindle so that I could look up all of the words that I didn't understand.

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

cute & steamy

CW: grief, loss of a parent, loss of a loved one

This was such a delightful, cute, and steamy rom-com centred around South Asian culture! I loved the focus on dating and marriage among South Asians and how (North) American-born South Asians navigate dating and marriage in their culture while simultaneously immersed in Western culture.

I really enjoyed our leading lad and lady, Prem & Kareena. Prem was sexy, but not in the usual "raised brow and smirk" type of way - he was smart, confident, self-assured, and well established; he was stubborn at times but likable. Kareena, freshly thirty, was super relatable to me. She, too, was smart, confident, and well-established and I totally found myself resonating with her feelings on being single.

I loved Prem and Kareena's chemistry. the steam was great and I loved the flashbacks to their initial meeting because it really laid the groundwork for how in sync they were! They got along so well and seemed like they could've been the type of couple who (could've) had a friendship as the foundation of their relationship! And I loved seeing two established 30+, single characters come together.

Things fell a little flat for me with Kareena's family, some of the writing, and aspects of the plot.

I did not like the way Kareena's family treated her. I couldn't wrap my head around her being treated as lesser-than just because she was 30 and unmarried, meanwhile, her spoiled brat of a sister was constantly doted on (because she was getting married) - it was such an ugly double standard (I don't even think that's the correct term I'm searching for but I digress) and really boiled my blood and also made my heart hurt for Kareena. I was SO happy when Prem went off on the family and put them in their place and I wish that scene had been drawn out a little more so we could really see the family have to grapple with the ramifications of their actions.

Another thing that bothered me was some of the writing. While it was easy and funny for the most part, there was some language that made this feel like the author was trying too hard to be funny and relevant (Prem would also refer to his dick [thankfully during his inner dialogue] as "Charlie" and I would physically cringe every time I had to read it - like why????).

Lastly, I didn't like that Prem didn't believe in love - it just made no sense to me, even when it was explained. Romantic love isn't the only type of love that exists - how did he think his parents felt about him if it wasn't love? Even though his parents never really said it out loud, it was clear that they loved him. Had the plot been more explicitly focused on his fear rather than disbelief, I think that would've been more realistic and believable as a plot point.

Overall, I enjoyed this and thought it was cute and sexy!

3.75⭐️

I had a really hard time deciding how to rate this book. While I feel it had amazing potential the editing killed me.

I understand eARCs are “uncorrected” but the things that bothered me should have been caught in content editing; walking someplace then walking there again two lines later or commenting on color then having it be a different color the next page. Little things that really affect the readers’ imagination. You’ve already crafted something in your brain— just to pull out the giant eraser and have to craft it again.

While this bothered me enough to almost DNF I decided to only take down one additional star from my otherwise four star rating because it *could* still be corrected before publication.

I really enjoyed the representation of American-Indian culture, something I don’t find often in mass market. I also really appreciated that the book was obviously written so that those from outside the culture would still understand culture-specific terms or behaviors. I never found myself questioning what something was or why actions were allowed— unless it was the food; I googled all of that (but then again the closest Indian restaurant is 5hrs from me).

I absolutely hated Kareena‘s immediate family but I loved the Aunties and friends. I would absolutely pick up books about Kareena and Prem’s friends falling for each other— after publication… and hopefully with a better editor.

This was such an enjoyable book which is about a TV doctor who must convince a love-obsessed homebody to fall in love with him in order for both of them to get what they need. I read Sharma's YA book last year which was a great read until I found out she is releasing an adult romance novel. This book was amazing as the MCs are Indian and there is diversity in this book. At first, I was a little suspicious about the book from the summary but Sharma didn't disappoint. I was hooked from the first page and kept on going. The pacing was perfect and I enjoyed the conflicts that were in the book.

This book is written from both Kareena and Prem's pov. Kareena is trying to buy her mother's house and makes a deal that she will get engaged while Prem is trying to get donors for his show. I really enjoyed both characters as Kareena is such an independent woman (which I stand for especially in a desi community) and Prem is such a caring, respectful guy once you know him. I have to say that there wasn't much of a character development but I did feel connected to them. There were many side characters in this book but I have to say that they were kind of the negative types which I didn't enjoy. They were mostly from Kareena's side of the family and it was toxic where I wanted to yell at them. Though the romance was super cute and I ship the MCs hard. It's an enemies to lovers' romance and let's say that this book was steamy!

The ending was well done and I heard that there will be more books coming that are set in this world. I'm excited to see who the next book is about and will for sure be reading it. Overall this book was very good except for some minor problems. I really enjoyed reading a steamy romance novel with Indian characters. I totally recommend this to fans of The Shaadi Set Up and The Man Ban.

Prem is a doctor who is trying to make his dreams of opening a medical center dedicated to the Asian community and the differences in their health needs. He would have all the funding he needs to buy the perfect location if he was engaged to be married. Kareena is a lawyer for a group that helps women in creating their own companies. She longs to buy the family home that her mother designed, but only will have enough money in time if she is engaged to be married. Obviously a fake engagement would help both of them out, but what happens if one catches feelings for the other?

Do you want to know all the reasons I loved the heck out of this book? I will list them for you.

1) First things first, freezing the peppermint flavored creamer so that you can use it all year long is freaking genius! Why have I never thought of that? I’m a peppermint creamer girl myself, so the coffee saving tip was life changing.

2) Two career oriented people who both have left more lucrative jobs to follow their passions (even amongst the criticisms from their well-meaning families)? Love it!

3) The fact that Prem is head over heels for this woman long before she has given up on her dreams of finding a love match? Swoon worthy! Ugh, makes me melt inside.

4) Texts between characters, a column written by a local matchmaker, and Kareena’s aunties. When a book makes you wake your spouse with your laughter, you know that’s a winner!

I could make this list even longer, but seriously, just go get this one. It’s got insane chemistry, it’s got great banter, and you are going to get sucked in by the end of the first chapter!

Thanks to Avon and Harper Voyager for providing me with an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

I love a good Shakespeare inspired story, but Taming of the Shrew isn’t one I generally think of working well for a modern romance. However, Sharma pulled it off. There are clear external forces that make Prem and Kareena being pulled together make sense. Plus, Kareena's hilariously awful dates felt relatable. I do wish some of the inner work both of them had to do would have come sooner in the book. I think it put the pacing a bit off. Regardless, it was a fun ride full of snarky banter.

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Dating Dr. Dil is a fun reimagining of The Taming of the Shrew with a modern desi twist, first in the If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series. And if future books are as fun as this one, I’m hyped. This book is packed with LOL-worthy humor, including (as you’d expect) desi auntie matchmaking shenanigans and cringey dating app matches, and while there is an infusion of more heartfelt and emotional moments, they are more about fleshing out the characters and assisting their growth, and do not bring the mood of the book down.
Kareena and her struggles with dating really resonated with me. While I’m not desi, and my situation is different as a result, some of her sentiments about her situation at the start of the novel hit hard. I’m also thirty and single, and I related so much to her thoughts and reactions to the assumptions that “her standards are too high” or she’s “difficult.” Even in contemporary societies where marrying for love is common/expected, the burden is still put on the woman at some point to settle for less than she’s truly worth, particularly in terms of the way a partner treats her. I love the subtle, humorous way Kareena’s experiences with dating and her standards were depicted in action through navigating these apps and blocking all these losers who tried dumb things with her.
Love-phobic heroes are kind of a tired archetype for me, but Prem’s character won me over nonetheless. I felt he was a bit too set in his ways, and would stubbornly refuse to allow himself to give in as he felt himself falling for Kareena, but in spite of that, I found him interesting. And while past heartbreak at the root of the issues is another cliche, I did feel it was well executed, and endeared me to him. And they have wonderful chemistry throughout the book.
This a fabulous start of what looks like a fun series. I’d recommend it to anyone who loves multicultural romance.

This one took me a bit to get into but then it was fast-steamy- drama filled. Kareena has deadlines to meet and one sister (I wanted to punch) so she can keep the house and car she loves that her mother loved/started. Prem is a heart doc that doesn't believe in love and avoids it. I loved her friends and her Aunties add in fun. I liked how it had the letters and texts in their format and add to the storyline perfectly. This was a cute - learning to understand each other- hate to love- and super steamy as their chemistry get better and better!

I can't wait for more of this series with hopefully with her friends and his!! I haven't read Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew, so didn't know how it would end.

4 stars
4.5 steam

Thanks Avon for a copy of this one

Last month I received an ARC of Dating Dr. Dil by Nisha Sharma and I finished it in a weekend! If you enjoyed Ten Things I Hate About You then you’ll love Dating Dr. Dil. Both are a retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. This is a cute RomCom

Kareena and Prem are adorable. She believes in love and soulmates but Prem is lovephobic and believes love is an illusion. Kareena is also hilarious, very opinionated and relatable (I’m giving her a pass on the Taylor Swift love). There is numerous banter, meddling aunties and even some spice 🌶 I laughed throughout the book, which I think many of us need right now.

This was my first novel by Nisha Sharman and will not be my last! Do yourself a favor and be sure to pre-order today (releases March 15, 2022).

I’ve been excited for this book ever since the author talked about it on her TikTok. I was lucky enough to get an early couple through Bonkers Romance Podcast and I’m so glad I did because now I can tell all of you to go buy it when it comes out on the 15th.

This book was so fun even when it was hard. And I say that because the way that Kareena’s family acted towards her was so completely frustrating, that it was sometimes difficult to read without feeling uncomfortable. I kind of wanted to smack them all. There’s a great scene towards the end of the book that made me cheer related to them so it’s not all bad. And I understand where they’re coming from, it just brought up some stuff for me and I struggled a little.

Prem and Kareena are explosive from the beginning and I love all the ways they get at each other throughout the story. I love Taming of the Shrew so of course I was going to pick this one up even without all the hype I heard. But it’s worth the hype. It’s ridiculously sexy and Kareena is such a strong, awesome character that I couldn’t help but love her.

Prem took some time to warm up to but man oh man did he exceed allllllll my expectations. The shower scene? Hot damn. Also, the food! There’s so much delicious food mentioned in the book and I even learned about some new dishes that I now want to try. This was a sexy, fun book and I give it four stars!

I don't like sharing negative reviews on my socials, so I will not be linking this to GoodReads or my socials. Unfortunately this book just wasn't for me, or it might not be for me right now. I had a hard time getting in to the story. I liked Kareena, but overall the romance, the enemies to lovers all fell a little flat to me and I just had a hard time staying invested in the story.

I ended up DNFing around 30% in.

This book gave me all the feels I love when it comes to rom-coms and all of the steam, because the steam between Prem and Kareena is next level, and I was not expecting that. Lately I have been reading books lots of cultural rom-coms and I am here for it, I get to learn so much. This book made me laugh so hard, made me cry a little and not in a bad way, and the way it ended was just perfect. Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

I am definitely the kind of person who will fall for any rivals to lovers/ workplace romance and boy did this deliver! Not only were the characters absolutely swoon worthy, but the whole book will have you laughing and smiling (and maybe tearing up a little just because). Thank you so much to Netgalley and Nisha Sharma's team for this advanced copy!