I would love to interview Nisha Sharma on my podcast, Raise Your Words. Tastes Like Shakkar is an incredible swoon-worthy book. This book is a retelling of Shakespeare's Much Ado about Nothing. I loved reading about Bobbi and Benjamin.

Absolutely loved! I’m officially obsessed with Nisha Sharma after reading Dating Dr. Dil and now Taste Like Shakkar!

Is it funny? Yes.
Is there romance? Duh, it’s a love story.
Is there drama? Of course! The aunties are involved after all 😏
Is there spice? Well, have you had Indian food? It’s way spicier. BUNTY brings the heat in the kitchen and the bedroom.

But here’s why I really loved Taste Like Shakkar. It’s more than just a love story between Bobbi and Benjamin. It’s a story of self growth and finding happiness despite the struggles they both faced as first generation Desi-Americans. And thats the part that makes me emotional! To feel seen and represented is a beautiful thing.

Thank you, Nisha, for writing these stories to share with us and unapologetically taking up space in an industry that lacks South Asian representation.

Thank you so much Avon for providing an arc in exchange for an honest review.

Nisha Sharma returns with the second book in her If Shakespeare Was An Auntie Trilogy, this time with her take on Much Ado About Nothing which is hands down my favorite Shakespeare play - I’m embarrassed to admit how many times I rewatched the movie in high school (but I digress).

Tastes Like Shakkar follows our second couple of the friend group, Bobbi and Bunty, in an antagonists to lovers storyline that is full of the same humor, chemistry and (seriously hot) spice that we’ve come to expect from Sharma’s adult romances. It’s really kicked up a notch with some of the best banter ever committed to page, even more nods to the source material and *ahem* kink (I was not prepared but I was pleasantly surprised).

I loved both our main characters but even more so, I loved seeing more of the entire friend group together. We get more of Kareena and Perm as they prepare for their wedding and set up for Deepak and Veera’s story. And the way all the characters play off each other is delightful to read - imagine being a part of this friend group! Also, the aunties of course are back bringing their own brand of hilarity and chaos.

If you can’t tell this was a 5 (million) star read for me and if you loved Dating Dr Dil, you will love this one even more.

I absolutely ADORED this book. To me this book is a love letter to workaholics who love their job and need a reminder that you don't have to carry the world on your shoulders. I really felt connected to both Bunty and Bobbi. And honestly they made me reevaluate my own life. Just like Bobbi I loved my job, I love what I do and sometimes I forget to take care of myself. But just like Bunty I'm so preoccupied with making everyone happy that I forget about what makes ME happy. I loved the drama with trying to figure out who was sabotaging the wedding. Listen, as someone who grew up on novellas I LIVE for wild drama and the aunties were there to help figure it out. Something that I loved in both Dating Dr. Dil and in this book was the unapologetic adoration of tradition and culture while still keeping up with being modern. As someone who has been reconnecting with my own culture and traditions it was beautiful to watch.

And just like in Dating Dr. Dil I kept yearning for more scenes with Veera. I have a feeling her book is going to be THE book for me.

I didn't believe I could fall for the characters as much as I fell for Prem and Kareena in Dating Dr. Dil. But somehow, Nisha made me fall harder for Bobbi and Bunty. This was one of the best book in the series. I cannot wait for Veera and Deepak's book next!!!

Thank you Avon for an ARC copy in exchange of an honest review.

I was wondering how was Nisha Sharma going to top Dating Dr Dill.. & OMG! Tastes Like Shakkar is just an addicting page turner!

The Aunties are back! Kareena and Prems wedding is in the backdrop of Bobbi and Bunti hilarious hopelessly romantic story, With a bang on family drama and a mysterious Shaadi Saboteur >_<

I can honestly say that I laughed out loud so much throughout the novel and I couldn’t emotionally handle Bobbi’s and Bunti’s dynamic! Their family and emotional struggles of being the kids of immigrant parents and having to feel as it’s their ultimate job to make everyone else happy but themselves.

Once I started reading page 1 I just simply couldn’t stop. Bobbi and Buntis chemistry was so incredibly perfect. The way they got in each others nerves, flirt with each other and ultimately their process of realizing that they are perfect for each other and that they will need to come to the conclusion that it is time for them to put themselves FIRST! & give their love a chance. *internally screaming*

I need you all to pre order this one because it’s a BANGER! From begging till end! So much that I’m sitting here waiting for book 3 to come out because I NEED VEERA’S STORY ✨NOW✨

Tastes like Shakkar was even better than Dating Dr. Dil and that’s a hill I’m willing to die on. I loved Dating Dr. Dil, it introduced me to Nisha Sharma as an author and her writing style and characters plus the humor throughout her books made her an auto buy author for me.

I love reading romance w/ more diverse characters and rep, and combining that with the plus size representation in this book as well? I was already so excited to read it.

Bobbi and Benjamin have such great chemistry in this book and their banter combined with the cute notes and messages passed back and forth to each other is everything I want in a rom com. The plot was fast paced and the character development was great. I loved that it highlighted the struggles of the character’s families & community and did it in such a seamless way that added to the already well developed story.

I already can’t wait to read Vera’s story next!

Nisha Sharma writes some of my favourite Desi Romances EVER. Dating Dr. Dil was a knockout and this follow up retelling of Much Ado About Nothing is also just as stunning but also significantly hornier than the first (not complaining). Bobbi is such a powerful lead in this story. Her self assurance and independence is inspiring and her growth to accepting and asking for help, showing vulnerability as a strength is stunning. Bunty is also absolutely hilarious. Desi f-boys are a dime a dozen in the real world but I’m glad Nisha Sharma is giving us another one with a heart of gold in this book. These stories are truly some of my favourite.

AHH NISHA SHARMA HAS DONE IT AGAIN!! Tastes Like Shakkar is a wonderful follow-up to Dating Dr. Dil and the second book in the If Shakespeare Was An Auntie trilogy. Much Ado About Nothing is my top favorite play by Shakespeare and Nisha did an incredible job adapting the comedic moments of the original play. This sequel was absolutely hilarious. I think I highlighted more comedic moments than romantic, honestly, because there were truly a boatload of funny scenes that had me dying of laughter. Tastes Like Shakkar offers more physical and slapstick comedy, and every scene was written perfectly. Every single moment with Kareena's aunties, the shaadi saboteur shenanigans, and of course Bobbi and Bunty frantically trying to figure out if the other person likes them back was so freaking funny. I also just genuinely love the sense of community that's portrayed within Kareena/Bobbi/Veera/Prem/Bunty/Deepak's friends and family. Seeing all of Kareena and Prem's loved ones come together to retaliate against the shaadi saboteur was super heartwarming!

The romance, of course, is also to die for. Bobbi and Bunty captured my heart from page one and I was so captivated by their chemistry, which was truly ELECTRIC in this novel . I'm forever in debt to Nisha for effortlessly writing such beautiful desi romances featuring brown girls being loved wholly and unconditionally (mere sapno ki rani god PLEASE when will it be my turn). As quipped in the dedication of Dating Dr. Dil, her books remind us to never lower our standards, and I'm so glad that both Kareena and Bobbi have stood their ground and demanded the love that they deserve from Prem and Bunty. It was also so sweet getting to see Kareena and Prem fully living their best lives as an engaged couple. PLUS the hints that we get about Veera and Deepak got me so excited!! I love that we got to see more of Veera's personality in this book (she's so spunky and funny), and I just know that she's going to be the character I relate to the most out of all three girls in this trilogy.

As we get closer to release date, I will share more thoughts about specific scenes in this book because I highlighted sooo many incredible moments, but I'm still high on this rush after finishing this book so excuse me while I process how much I enjoyed it! Obviously 5/5 stars and GO PREORDER THIS if you enjoyed Dating Dr. Dil!!!

Just when I thought that I couldn’t love a set of characters more than Reena and Prem, Nisha came and said “you absolutely can. And you will.”
Enemies (kind of?) to lovers and a nursery? Yes please. This book has the perfect amount of steam (new k!nk unlocked potentially?). The Aunties were as fantastic as I knew they’d be. And still I could relate to the “I need to do this for my family, but I don’t really want to do this” aspect.
Ugh. This book was phenomenal.

Every book written by Nisha Sharma needs to immediately adapted into a Netflix Romcom,

Tasted Like Shakkar is fun, sweet, lighthearted, but doesn’t loose any heart along the way.

Bobbi is one of my favorite female characters — her confidence, her strength, her love and willingness to do whatever to make her people happy — she shows that the strong woman still deserves someone strong her side too.

Bunty is the perfect balance of fun and exciting mixed with strength and being an immovable force. Bunty sees Bobbi’s strength as an asset, not a weakness and it makes for the perfect partnership.

I truly loved the community behind them as well. Their village, who always supported them and their decisions, but helped nudge them in the right directions. That’s family.

I also love the underlying message that choosing ourselves, choosing the life and people we want, does not mean we love the family we came from any less. Shifting priorities is not a loss to the family, but the gaining of more.

AND THE SPICE IS UNMATCHED. We rarely see people of color participating in kink and this was a beautiful way to make it as normal as it is.

At times, I do think the pacing could be a bit off. Very fast in some parts of the story. By the time we got to the “I love you”s, it felt a little rushed and forced to move on to the next segment.

I really, <i>really</i> enjoyed this one. Based on <i>Much Ado About Nothing</i>, this delightfully desi centered romp tackles the idea of a 'family manager,' and basing your worth on the support/help you give to your family/community. And as an eldest sibling of immigrant parents, I was here for it and enjoyed it (though really hard to give a well rounded, context-rich scope of the mentality, I thought it was a great way to dip our feet into the topic of what to do when your family wants you, but doesn't need you).

I was also appreciative that Sharma seemed to tone down and mellow out the caricature-ness and over exaggeration of stereotypes that I felt were over the top in [book:Dating Dr. Dil|57007401]. This was the right balance of seriousness, (albeit ridiculous) drama, and fun, though I really wish we saw more of the enemies banter with this MCs. I will also add that the way they get together is a bit rushed and kind of odd, but also I can see the very clear connection to the Shakespeare play.

And her dedication made me grin and pump my fist in the air.

All in all, it was a solid sick day read, and I can't wait for the next installment in this series.

<i>Thanks NetGalley for giving me an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review.</i>

This was a sweet and enjoyable read! When reading the first book in the series (Dating Dr. Dil) I could tell that Benjamin and Bobbi’s story was going to bring the heat, and I was not disappointed. I absolutely loved reading about their strong attraction amidst a great deal of frustration with each other and crushing expectations from their families. And the whodunnit subplot kept things extra exciting.
Cannot wait for Veera’s book!

I enjoyed this book for the most part. Bobbi is a wedding planner working for her family’s event planning company and Benjamin is a chef/restaurant owner also tied up with his family’s frozen food empire. They did not start off on the best terms but when their two best friends decide to get married, Bobbi and Benjamin have to team up to give their friends the best wedding day, but a shaadi saboteur is trying their best to ruin the wedding at every turn. Bobbi and Benjamin realize their dislike of each other may be hiding deeper feelings but can they both take the reins of their own lives and chose their own happiness?
I liked that Bobbi was a plus size character, I feel like that is not commonly seen in stories about Desi women and she was confident in her sexuality. I also thought the wedding backdrop created an entertaining setting for the story and helped further Bobbi and Benjamin’s relationship. I also loved the side characters who we met in Dating Dr. Dil!
I did not like that the pacing felt a bit all over the place, it dragged at points and was too quick at other times. The whole bachelor/bachelorette party in Vegas was too quick and I would have liked more of the story in Vegas. Also, Benjamin is revealed to enjoy rope play but how he got there was breezed over and I feel like more development was needed there.

Another fantastic book by Nisha Sharma. I loved these two characters and their story. It was also great to see more of the Aunties.

This was cute and fun, I liked the characters and it kept me enthralled throughout. The spicy scenes definitely hit and it was fun to see our favorite Aunties from the previous installment. I loved hanging out a little bit more with Bobbi and Bunty, especially their family interactions. Sharma is doing a lot here - on the surface a fun, spicy romance, but more deeply a commentary on family relationships in breaking down stereotypes.

Having read and liked Dating Dr. Dill, I was interested in continuing the series. I was also interested in the tension we saw between Bobbi and Benjamin developing in book #1. Due to a misunderstanding, Bobbi thinks Benjamin isn’t attracted to her. And Benjamin likes her so much he’s afraid of his own feelings. What follows is an enemies to lovers planning a wedding and trying to find a saboteur who wants the wedding to fail. I didn’t totally buy the origin of Benjamin and Bobbi’s disklike. And, the female main character having a job as a wedding planner in romance is overdone in my opinion, so this took me out of the story at times. Overall, this was an okay read. And I am interested in reading the next book in the series, Veera and Deepak’s.

I haven’t read the first book of this series but it seems like it works as a stand alone. I wasn’t personally interested and stopped at 7% but I felt like it did a good job opening up our world and our characters and the plot with balance.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the ARC.