I absolutely devoured Tastes Like Shakkar. I thought Dating Dr. Dil was just fine, but I liked the If Shakespeare Was An Auntie world that Nisha Sharma came up with, so I was intrigued by Tastes Like Shakkar. And I wasn't disappointed at all.

Prem and Kareena, from Dating Dr. Dil, are getting married, and one of Kareena's best friends, Bobbi, who is a wedding planner, is planning their wedding. The problem? Weird mishaps keep happening. Not to mention the fact that Bobbi has to work with Benjamin (aka Bunty), one of Prem's best friends, and a major thorn in her side. We got a glimpse into their fighting in Dating Dr. Dil, but at the start of Tastes Like Shakkar, we see the scene that starts their enemy relationship. And reader, it's a good one. From the start, it is obvious that Bobbi and Benjamin are attracted to each other, and there's a spark. But Benjamin put his foot in his mouth and, unknowingly, made things hard for Bobbi, and so she can't stand him. But if they're going to plan a wedding, they're going to have to spend a lot of time together. And that spark doesn't go away.

Individually, I really loved Bobbi. She is spunky and knows what she wants and isn't afraid to call people out. But she also puts everyone else's needs ahead of her own, and that includes Kareena and her wedding. And I also liked Benjamin -- he's a hot shot chef and an heir to the Naan Kingdom, but he manages to mostly not have an enormous ego and be a jerk. Especially once he's gotten back on Bobbi's good side.

And the chemistry between these two -- whew. The enemies to lovers spark is perfect. Bobbi is comfortable in her body, and Benjamin is comfortable in his. Which means that they get... very comfortable with one another. The spicy scenes in this book are just *chef's kiss* (pun intended).

Tastes Like Shakkar also fits into one of my favorite categories, which is "bad-ass lady detectives." Among other things that Bobbi and Benjamin have to deal with, there's a shaadi saboteur who keeps messing with the wedding planning, from little pranks to big catastrophes. Bobbi, Benjamin, and the aunties have to figure out what's going on, and this subplot added some intrigue and mystery to what was already a really solid romance. And who doesn't love bad-ass lady detectives?!

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for providing me with an eARC of Tastes Like Shakkar in exchange for my honest review.

I had to giggle at the end of this when reading the acknowledgements, especially the line about aunties asking if it was like 50 Shades... As I read some steamier bits, I thought the EXACT same thing!
OMG. Does that mean I am an aunty now??
Okay, back to the book!
I only recently read Dating Dr Dil, so the cast of characters was fresh in my mind and Tastes Like Shakkar was another fantastic addition to the Shakespearean-styled series that Nisha Sharma has crafted.
This time we go Taming of the Shrew.
Bobbi is an event planner hoping to take the reins of the family business she has worked hard to support over the years. But things aren't going as smoothly as planned, and she needs to prove herself to her uncle while planning her best friend Kareena's wedding.
Bunty is trying everything he can to avoid becoming the successor to his family business - frozen naan bread. And not any old naan bread, but the best in the US! Instead, he wants to focus on his passion, cooking. Plus he has to support his best friend through his wedding to the above-mentioned Kareena.
This means they need to be together a lot. And that is a problem because they really don't get on.
Well, there is crazy hot chemistry, but it's like a lust/hate relationship... or is it?
I loved the plus-sized heroine, Bobbi, and Bunty, the Punjabi chef/son of the Naan King!
Nisha Sharma touched on some great topics through this story, especially the expectations of society when it comes to looks and familial expectations.
And she took the spice factor to another level!
I am eagerly awaiting the third book, taking the story further with another possible couple within this friendship!
Many thanks to NetGalley and, Harper Voyage, Avon Books for an arc.

I mean I know I was going to love anything Nisha Sharma rights, but damn this delivered. I absolutely adored the two main characters Bobbi and Benjamin as they found romance in a retelling of "Much Ado About Nothing." Nisha Sharma crushed it in the second in the "If Shakespeare was an Auntie" series. We got a sneak peak of this fiery couple in Dating Dr. Dil but getting to see their romance play out on the page of Tastes Like Shakkar was so much fun. The banter between the two was phenomenal, and the spice was perfect. I love the additional themes woven throughout, including Bobbi navigating body confidence in a cultural that may not be accepting of body types that aren't the "norm" and the pressures of family obligations. I cannot wait for more in the next book in the series!

Oh I loved this! I liked Dating Dr. Dil & this companion novel was lovely as well. Bobbi is a stubborn control freak, and she meets her match with Benjamin. Their chemistry was wonderful and the spice scenes were SPICIN’. Can’t wait for the third one!

Thanks to @netgalley for the ARC.

An easy 5 star I have no issues with this book at all. Will 100% be one of my favorite romances this year.

The most important thing I will say about this book is THIS IS HOW YOU DO ENEMIES TO LOVERS. So the E2L trop is built on the assumption that the two characters hate each other but that hate turns to love .The problem with that is so many of the E2L books they don't actually hate each other. They are deeply in lust with each other and just won't admit it. There is no reason for the hate. They don't actually try to sabotage or kill each other. And that makes the stakes so low. With this book,. Nisha starts with what causes Benjamin and Bobbi to hate each other - we get a glimpse in Dating Dr. Dil but never knew what happened until the beginning of this book. And that sets such a strong stage for hatred. But also shows that they actually are hot for each other, and were since the beginning. Had the issue not happened, it would've always gone into sexy, lovey time. And the reason why they hate each other makes the enemies to lovers extremely more believable. Because it sets a foundation for the "enemies" but also shows that the lust has been there since the jump.

Ok so why is this book so good besides this? Benjamin and Bobbi are both strong workaholics with quick wit so their banter is perfect, their outer shells are hard, and their falls into love are steep. They feel so damn relatable. The backdrop of Prem and Kareena's wedding and a shaadi saboteur (I LOVE THIS PHRASE NOW) keeps the stakes so high. I never knew who is was going to be and the reveal was so well done. Also the way I love the Aunties (and I love how they are named after Nisha's fellow writer friends). Everyone's annoyance with Sonali Auntie and her religious sayings legit kills me everytime. And don't let me leave here without talking about Bunty and how filthy he is. FILTHY. Get ready for some kink folks and dive right in.

Lastly, what I love about Nisha is that she puts you in this world of Indian immigrants and Aunties and makes you figure it out. I google so much shit when I read her books (a lot of it food, and a lot of it makes me hungry after lol) but I like to understand what people are eating, reading, saying, wearing. And that makes know I am learning something while getting swept up into a story. She is stellar at enveloping you into her world. And I fucking love that.

Now someone make me a pani puri water margarita for the LOVE OF GOD.

Oh man this was a great read. Having enjoyed Dating D. Dil, with some caveats, I was very excited to read more from Nisha Sharma I will confess to almost quitting in the first few chapters because the characters enacted my biggest pet peeve: "banter" that is just immaturity and unnecessary meanness. However, here it served a purpose, both characters realize that the behavior is unneeded and everyone gets it together for some personal growth. I should probably mention that Much Ado About Nothing is hands down my favorite Shakespeare, so I was 100% in for the hijinks from the start. Add in some of the best written chemistry I have seen in a while and...whoohoo, could not put this one down!

TW: fat phobia, racial bias, death of parent

This is a frenemies to lovers romance between wedding planner, Bobbi and chef/restaurateur, Bunty, who are workaholics. Their love story was inspired by the Shakespeare play, Much Ado about Nothing.

It is set in the same universe as Dating Dr. Dil as Bobbi is Kareena’s best friend and Bunty is Prem’s best friend.

While I liked the storyline of Dating Dr. Dil more, I enjoyed the yummy Indian food references, and the wedding planning & Desi parental pressure aspects of the story. I also appreciated that the female MC was a plus-size, confident woman.

I feel like Nisha Sharma is the flag-bearer of steamy South Asian romances, which I so appreciate!

She had already dialed up the steam level in Dating Dr. Dil and I didn’t think it was possible to top that but she managed to dial up the heat even more in this one! The spice and sexual tension was my favorite part of this romance novel! 🌶️🌶️🌶️

I do wish the story had ended with a wedding scene as the ending seemed anticlimactic given all the wedding planning. However, I’m looking forward to reading Veera and Deepak’s story next!

I am more than thrilled to read the next book in the If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series. I absolutely loved the first book in the series, and I know I am going to love the Bobbi and Bunty story as well.
Bobbi and Bunty may have started off rough, but you can’t deny their attraction for each other. They may be having arguments with each other, but they both just love pushing each other's buttons. It gives off enemies-to-lovers vibes between them with a bit of forced proximity trope. And it gets better when they have to spend more time with each other since they are both designated to help at their best friend's wedding.
While they may not like that they have to spend more time with each other, Bobbi and Bunty can finally clear the air between them. It may be uncomfortable at first, but it's most needed when they are deeply attracted to each other. And you can tell that they are meant for each other. They just need some pushing on their part.
Be warned: there are a few spicy scenes in this rom-com book. It’s not too spicy, but it's a medium-level spicy romance. You will truly enjoy reading it.

I devoured this book! This is the second book after Dr. Dil (the first) and it has a good mix of the past characters we know and love while focusing on a new love story. This one takes on the role of an enemies to lovers after a first impression gone wrong between our leads. They both work in the service industry (chef and wedding planner) and both push each other to ask for help, grow, challenge expectations and family obligations, and also help each other figure out who is trying to sabotage their best friends wedding!

This is a fun, SEXY, witty follow up book and I had the best time reading it. I love to get a glimpse into Indian culture through this book as well. Through both the food aspect (the chef), the familial and community aspects, and the wedding experience!

Add this one to your summer TBR! It comes out this august.

Every culture has its own unique traditions around weddings. The Desi culture is no different. When a misunderstanding occurs it causes Bobbi to resent Bundi. To make it even more complicated there’s a saboteur who is trying to ruin her best friend’s wedding. Is she able to overcome her resentment to create and plan the perfect wedding?

3.75 stars


********I received an ARC for my honest opinion from NetGalley****

Nisha Sharma does it again!!! I just wanna say thank you Nisha for feeding the us I absolutely ate this book up. I love when authors incorporate POC characters that speak their language in the book and call the love interest nicknames in that language.

I didn’t think I’d like a book more than Dating Dr. Dil but I was proven wrong because this had me in a chokehold. I love Bobbi and Bunty so much, their chemistry, character development 🤌🏼🤌🏼 Bunty is officially on the list of best and fav book bfs for me.

I loved the supporting characters in this book, the aunties specifically! We all deserve aunties like that in our life. It was funny at times because their interactions reminded me a bit of “The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives”.

Here’s some reasons you’ll love him (minor spoilers)
-He calls her with her last name (Kaur) during their banter
-He’s a chef
-He’s a simp
-He read a book she is reading for her bookclub for her

Tropes/Things you might like:
-Desi rep (specifically Punjabi!! YAAAAAYYYYY)
-Dual POV
-Forced proximity
-Amazing banter
-Nicknames in Punjabi/Hindi (rani, sapno ki rani)
-Set during a Wedding planning timeframe


ALSO, the hints for the next book with Veena and Deepak??? IM SO EXCITED!!!

Thank you Nisha and Avon Books for sending me a copy of this book, I love you so much🥹🥹

PS. Bollywood playlist coming soon!

I thought this book was a very enjoyable read. With a wonderfully diverse cast of characters, a wild romance, and even a thrilling mystery amidst a Big Fat Indian Wedding, it was a joy to learn more about Bobbi and Bunty and watch them fall in love. It was also fun to revisit characters introduced in Nisha Sharma’s previous novel, and get some hints to what may lay in the future of some other characters as well!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for this ARC.

Loved the premise and the characters, just the dialogue really felt stilted at times, especially during the spicy scenes, to the point where I was not enjoying them,

Thanks to the publisher, author and NET Galley for the ARC.

Love Bobbi and Bunty! This sweet rom com had me laughing at the banter between them and the aunties and fanning myself because of Bunty (the thrones).

Bobbi has hated Bunty since that night at Kareena's house when he essentially told her she wasn't his type after they almost kissed. With Kareena and Prem getting married she'll unfortunately have to see more of him as friends of the bride and groom. Especially when someone tries to sabotage the wedding and she reluctantly turns to him for help.

Cannot recommend this book enough! This friend group is just my favorite. From the Swiftie references to to the secrets to the funny group texts. Bobbi and Bunty start out with one thing in common putting everyone else first ... but the close proximity will get to them. Enough for Bunty to write her notes and read her mafia romance books.

Tropes: jealousy, family drama, hate to love, close proximity, steam, wedding planner x chef

It was so fun to come back to the charm that is any book by Nisha. I love these books so much.

Tastes Like Shakkar is Book 2 in the “If Shakespeare was an Auntie” series, and it was amazing! This book is a creative Indian retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. I have not laughed out loud this much while reading a book in a long time. My husband kept asking me, “what’s so funny?”.

Reading Nisha’s books feels like curling up with the newest, inventive Rom-Com. This story focuses on Bobbi Kaur, a wedding planner who never stops, and the talented and creative chef, Benjamin Punta. I adored this enemies to lovers story, but found myself as usual, surprised at the complex dynamics of the sub plots.

Nisha writes witty banter like no one else. These two characters are hilarious and the banter between the side characters is hilarious too. I haven’t felt this entertained by a beautiful cultural, rom com since Big Fat Greek Wedding!

Only bad thing is I have to wait for more. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this amazing little Rom Com.

Deliciously romantic, charming & entertaining!

Tastes Like Shakkar delivered every bit of the romcom journey I expected. I absolutely loved how it had me gasping, blushing, and quite literally laughing out loud. Sometimes sequels fall short of capturing the same magic as the first book, and that was certainly NOT the case this time. I was just as entertained and invested in the characters as I was with the first installemen, (Dating Dr. Dil).

Speaking of first installments, I absolutely adored all of the Prem & Kareena appearances and it made my heart so happy to not lose them entirely. I think they we're in it the perfect amount & I am usually wishing for more in these interconnected stand-alones.

10/10 review which was honestly expected. Nisha Sharma does it again!

Thank you Nisha Sharma & Harper Collins/Avon Books for the ARC

Bobbi Kaur is thrilled to be planning her best friend's wedding! This is the ultimate dream for the wedding planner. Unfortunately, she has to work with the groom's best friend, Bunty Padda, a sought after chef and restaurateur. Bobbi wants to prove herself to her uncle and become partner in his wedding planning business. Bunty, aka Benjamin, wants to open his own restaurants and not be tied down to his family's business empire.
While working together, these two find that they have a lot in common, mentally and physically. Unfortunately, their lives are going two separate ways.
This was a cute follow up to Dating Dr. Dil. I actually liked this book more than it's predecessor, but I also love food, lol! The wedding saboteur storyline kept me guessing. I LOVED that one of the main character's was plus sized but it didn't define her and she owned it! There were sections that dragged and I found myself skimming several parts. Also, as an Indian-American, I was wanting an explanation for the "mamu" /"bhua" terms. One means mother's brother and the other is father's sister. Since Bobbi's father wasn't in the picture, the terms just had me confused. A great romantic read and I am looking forward to Veera and Deepak's story!!
Thanks to @avonbooks, @harpervoyagerus, and @Netgalley for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

A very 🌶️ romcom set around a massive Indian wedding. This book is truly such a joy - a chef, a wedding planner, a huge, fun cast of secondary characters, shenanigans, incredible descriptions of food - this is sunshine in book form.

3.5

This was a cute follow-up to Dating Dr. Dil. I liked the return of the characters and the reuniting of the friend group. The character’s commentaries on the family business and responsibilities were solid and helped the story progress. While I liked the main couple, I did feel like the switch from antagonism at the beginning to them getting together was abrupt.

I loved last year’s romantic comedy Dating Dr. Dil, and have not-so-patiently anticipated the second in her Shakespeare-inspired series, Tastes Like Shakkar. It. Did. Not. Disappoint. In fact, I think I liked it even more, which is definitely saying something. Bobbi and Benjamin (Bunty) are adorable and have the best dynamic. This book was spicier than I had assumed it would be (which is never a bad thing). The aunties were amazing and hilarious and so very loving. If you haven’t read Dating Dr. Dil, I definitely think you should, and then grab this one also. You won’t be disappointed!


Special thanks to Net Galley and Avon and Harper Voyager Publishing for providing an advanced reviewer copy to me in exchange for my honest review and opinion!