Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma is such a fun, vibrant rom-com. Inspired by Much Ado About Nothing, it’s a delightful mix of enemies-to-lovers banter, cultural richness, and a touch of mystery.

The story follows Bobbi Kaur, a confident wedding planner, and Bunty Padda, a charming yet infuriating chef. Their chemistry is electric, with plenty of witty back-and-forths and swoony moments as they navigate a chaotic wedding and a saboteur trying to ruin it all. I especially loved the meddling aunties and how seamlessly the South Asian wedding traditions and food were woven into the story—it felt so lively and authentic.

Bobbi’s confidence and Bunty’s vulnerability made their dynamic feel fresh and real. And while this is the second book in the series, you can totally read it on its own.

If you’re looking for a rom-com that’s full of heart, humor, and a whole lot of spice, Tastes Like Shakkar is an absolute must-read. It’s sweet, sassy, and just so much fun!

I love Nisha Sharma, and Tastes like Shakkar is not exception. I fell in love with this world and these characters in Dating Dr. Dil and I am so happy to have revisited Bobbi and Bunty for their story in the “If Shakespeare was an Aunty” universe.

This book had it all for me, humor, spice, banter, and a great romance. This is a great use of the forced proximity trope, because Bunty and Bobbi need to save Kareena and Prem’s wedding. We watched Bobbi slowly put down her walls and Bunty take care of her was everything. Their relationship was HOT.

Once again the culture was great in this book and I really enjoyed being immersed in South Asian culture. The aunties are everything to me. I can’t wait to read the next installment in the series!

I recently had the pleasure of diving into Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma, and let me tell you, it’s a treat you don’t want to miss. 💖📚

First off, the title sets the perfect stage for a story that's as sweet and flavorful as shakkar (sugar). This romantic comedy is packed with vibrant characters, rich cultural details, and a storyline that will make your heart flutter and stomach growl in equal measure.

One thing I absolutely adored about this book is the way Nisha Sharma brings food into the narrative. Seriously, if you’re a foodie, you'll be salivating. Take for example, the scene where the main characters, Payal and Rahul, are cooking together in her kitchen. The sensory details— from the sizzle of cumin seeds in hot oil to the aromatic whiffs of freshly chopped cilantro—are so vivid, I could almost taste the dishes they were making. It’s more than just food; it’s a metaphor for the characters’ growing connection and the shared heritage they both cherish.

Plus, Sharma’s humor is spot on! The banter between Payal and Rahul is witty, endearing, and sometimes hilariously awkward (in the best way possible). It adds such a fun, light-hearted layer to the romance that keeps you hooked.

So, if you’re in the mood for a story that’s delightfully romantic, deliciously descriptive, and filled with heart and humor, Tastes Like Shakkar should be your next read. 🍴💞 Don’t just take my word for it—grab a copy and dive in!

Happy reading! 📖✨

I don't think in a contemporary setting enemy to lovers works for me. It just feels a little bit silly. I didn't like Benjamin a lot, Bobbi was ok. The whole sabotage kept frustrating me; I just wanted Bobbi to tell her friend what was going on. But overall the book was fun.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon/Harper Voyager for the e-book copy!

I recently read Dating Dr. Dil because I knew I had a Tastes Like Shakkar and I wanted the knowledge from the former in mind while reading the latter. While I did not enjoy Dating Dr. Dil, I did enjoy Tastes Like Shakkar. I enjoyed Bobbi and Benjamin's relationship as well as their character development. I liked that despite struggling they were willing to ultimately compromise on their life choices to accommodate the other. The mystery aspect of this added to the plot well and I had fun seeing some characters I liked from the first book. I recommend this book especially if you are like me and did not enjoy Dating Dr. Dil. I am going to read the final book soon and I hope it also turns out to be a great experience.

✨ Review ✨ Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma; Narrated by: Soneela Nankani, Vikas Adam

Thanks to PRHAudio, Berkley and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

The release of the third book in the If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series lit a fire under me to finally read this book, #2 in the series.

Kareena and Prem, the characters of book 1 are getting married, and one of her best friends, Bobbi Kaur is planning the wedding. But she's forced to work with one of Prem's besties, the chef Benjamin “Bunty” Padda to plan the wedding's food. The only problem is, besides hating Bunty, is that someone's trying to sabotage the wedding, and they're forced to work together to figure it out.

This was lots of fun and truly a joy to listen to and read. The elements of friendship, family networks, and Indian weddings made this a rich story, filled with layers and texture, and was filled with drama and delicious-sounding food.

I don't really know the plot of Much Ado about Nothing, so I didn't have strong feelings about that, but the chemistry between Bobbi and Bunty is 🔥. The enemies-to-lovers plot isn't particularly drawn out, but I was okay with that. I loved what they had together! I can't wait to read the third book!

🎧 I loved the audio with the caveat that sometimes when Bunty would stay something stern or short with someone it would come off sounding cruel rather than just stern.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️(4.25)
Genre: f/m contemporary romance
Setting: NYC/Jersey
Length: 10 hrs and 13 mins
Pub Date: 2023

Read this if you like:
⭕️ Big Indian weddings
⭕️ enemies-to-lovers
⭕️ Shakespeare-inspired stories
⭕️ Indian food

Thank you, Nisha Sharma, for this lovely book. The protagonists has good banter and portrayed in a way that all relationships should ideally be handled with great care and mutual respect.

I was happy in how Sharma stressed the need for consent and safety in any relationship.

nisha sharma's books are the most well constructed, joyous, heart warming rom coms i've had the pleasure of reading. such an amazing follow up to dating dr. dil, i loved this!! you care so deeply about the characters and feel their emotions so strongly, i can't wait to read the next one in the series :)

I loved the first book and this one met all my expectations.I liked the connection that Bunty and Bobbi had, it felt real.

Thanks to Avon/Harper Voyager for the eARC of this title!

I will admit, I didnt realize this was a book 2 so there were a few moments I was a little lost but not to the point I couldnt follow what was happening. Ultimately, a fun romcom with witty characters that is an entertaining read!

I just finished reading 'Tastes Like Shakkar If Shakespeare Was an Auntie #2' by Nisha Sharma, and I'm still reeling from the experience! This book is a masterclass in storytelling, blending the Bard's wit and wisdom with the warmth and humor of an auntie's love. Sharma's writing is nothing short of enchanting, transporting me to a world of spice and sisterhood. The characters leap off the page, their struggles and triumphs feeling both deeply personal and universally relatable. If you're looking for a tale that will nourish your heart and soul, look no further.. Definitely Your Next 5⭐ Read..

This was sweet and hilarious and I love the aunties. (Also, it was capital N, Naaaaasty.) Argh, that epilogue. I’ll definitely have to pick up the next one.

2 stars

As an avid reader and fellow Indian, I was excited to dive into Nisha Sharma’s Tastes Like Shakkar, hoping for a story rich in cultural nuances and relatable experiences. While the novel does sprinkle in some authentic elements, it ultimately falls flat in delivering a compelling and cohesive narrative.One of the highlights of Tastes Like Shakkar is its attempt to weave in Indian culture, from familial dynamics to vibrant celebrations. These moments provide a colorful backdrop that adds authenticity to the story. However, the cultural aspects sometimes feel superficial, more like a checklist of cultural references rather than an integrated part of the characters' lives. This can make the portrayal feel forced and less genuine.The characters, while diverse and rooted in an Indian context, lack depth and development. The protagonist's journey is predictable, and her relationships, especially the romantic one, lack the spark and complexity that make for an engaging read. The interactions often feel scripted and fail to capture the essence of real, heartfelt connections that one would expect in a novel centered around love and family. Though Tastes Like Shakkar has moments that reflect the beauty and complexity of Indian culture, it ultimately falls short in providing a satisfying and well-rounded narrative. The lack of depth in characters and plot, combined with a straightforward and unremarkable writing style, makes it a less memorable read. For those seeking a rich and authentic representation of Indian life and love, this novel may leave you wanting more.

One of my favorite sub-genres is romance novels featuring Indian characters, particularly those featuring interfering aunties. I don’t know what it is about this sub-genre, but I just adore the scenes of big weddings and family members who care so much that they can’t help but get involved the main character’s business. So I was lucky to get “Tastes Like Shakkar” by Nisha Sharma from Avon Books and Netgalley, the sequel to “Dating Dr. Dil.” You really do need to have read the first book before this one, since they’re planning the wedding of those characters and there are mentions of events in that first book. It is also based on “Much Ado about Nothing” by Shakespeare, though I haven’t read that one in so long I couldn’t tell you where those influences were.

Unfortunately, this one fell a bit flat for me, I didn’t get the same sense of strong connection between Bobbi and Benjamin that I got from the first book. What did work for me were the characters’ devotions to their jobs - Bobbi to being a wedding planner and Benjamin as a chef and restaurant owner. I also appreciated the family dynamics, the reappearance of the aunties from “Dating Dr. Dil,” and learning more about the pieces of Indian weddings. The second half was better than the first, but still it was an “eh” overall. I'm hoping it was just a sophomore slump, and Nisha Sharma comes back strong with the third "Marriage & Masti" out in August.

Really liked the enemies to lovers vibes in this book and the mystery subplot as well. Funny thing though...I'm not a huge fan of 3rd POV, but it wasn't until maybe halfway through the book that I realized it was in 3rd! Idk how that happened lol.

I wanted to give this a try even though I didn't love the first in the series, but this still wasn't a win for me. I'm probably just not into Shakespeare remakes so this is just a me thing!

4.5 stars (4 stars on this grid)

Taste Like Shankar was so much fun and sex. Such a fun enemies to lovers. Loved the wedding planning and the food moment in this as well. Really love Ben and Bobbi as individuals and as a couple.. Highly recommend this one.

I loved Dating Dr Dil and this was a perfect #2 to this series. I really love when people take classics and give them a modern twist and this was done perfectly. I look forward to reading more by Sharma!

This retelling of Much Ado About Nothing for the modern age is entertaining and enjoyable. The premise of the best friend's wedding and tied in with food makes it all the more enjoyable and is the perfect follow up to Dating Dr. Dil.

Synopsis:

Bobbi Kaur, event planner extraordinnaire, is determined to plan a celebration to remember for her best friend’s wedding but someone keeps trying to sabotage her plans and she has to work with the egotistical but irritatingly sexy, chef Benjamin "Bunty" Padda. With hopes to take over her family's event planning business, she knows her future career is on the line. Bunty has his hands full trying to find a new location for his next restaurant and playing mediator between his brother and father, while helping Bobbi plan the wedding. The two have no choice but to call a truce and face the volatile attraction they have for each other.

Review:

This was an entertaining read with a cast of *super dramatic* characters. It felt pretty in line with the drama that can happen during an Indian wedding. I loved that Bobbi was a curvy girl and also a career woman. I felt like I could relate to the South Asian family dynamics in this book, with both main characters being bound by family obligations - and trying to balance their desires while also being supportive of their families. The romance was *fire* and I love that you get to basically attend a big fat Indian wedding just by reading this book!

Thank you to Avon Books for my digital galley!