Rating: 4.25/5 ⭐️

It’s no secret that I LOVED Dating Dr. Dil so I couldn’t wait to read Tastes Like Shakkar, the second book in Nisha Sharma’s ‘If Shakespeare Was an Auntie’ series. And once again, I was not disappointed!

TLS is a modern retelling of Much Ado About Nothing and tells Bobbi and Benjamin’s (aka Bunty) story. If you enjoy enemies to lovers, forced proximity, a whodunit mystery, and TSwift references, and panty dropping spice then I definitely recommend Tastes Like Shakkar!

Like Dating Dr. Dil, I loved that Nisha Sharma’s characters are unapologetic about their Indian heritage and culture. Sharma tackles a number of tough subjects from racism and the dynamics of second generation children of immigrants to body positivity, and I really enjoyed the consistent self-love and self-confidence displayed by Bobbi and Bunty in dealing with these topics.

TLS turned up the spiciness and I LOVED it! Bobbi and Bunty are kinky! No body parts were named and the spice *chefs kiss*

⚠️ Spoilers Ahead ⚠️

My only complaint was that I wanted more Bobbi and Bunty after their 3rd act break up. The focus was so much on the whodunit mystery that the relationship took somewhat of a backseat. As a result, I felt like the story moved on to introducing book 3 before we got to enjoy Bobbi and Bunty being together.

⚠️ End of Spoilers ⚠️

Overall: While I didn’t love it as much as Dating Dr. Dil, TLS is another hit for me and I cannot wait for the next book!

LIKES:
👥 Dual POV (Bobbi & Bunty)
⚔️ Enemies to lovers
🔗 Forced Proximity
🇮🇳 Indian American MCs
🔍 Whodunit mystery
🌶️ Spicy!
🩷 Exploration of Family Dynamics
🫶🏽 Body positivity

This book was so good! VERY VERY spicy so if that's not your jam don't pick this up. There are scenes involving bondage, so just FYI.

The union of two friends' wedding brings two "enemies" together as they work on getting things ready for the big day. They have a constant back and forth but it's SO hot. They also feel very real challenges like familial expectations, living on opposite coasts, anxiety, body shaming, and other things.

In the meantime, someone is determined to sabotage their friends' wedding and they are having to figure this out while dealing with their own struggles.

I really loved this one. I learned so much about Desi culture and traditions, and of course the beautiful weddings.

Highly recommend this one.

What a great story. If you read and enjoyed Much Ado About Nothing then you will know and appreciate this story. The whole idea is such fun and I can’t wait to read more by this author.

This was a surprise and a delight. Perfect Indian representation. Loved the details about the wedding and the wonderful aunties. Although I had not read the first book in the connected trilogy (Dating Dr. Dill), it was easy enough to catch on to this cast of characters. And the spice... that was a surprise because it brought way more spice than I thought!
The banter between the two main characters was fun and witty. I loved the scenes with them together because of their dialogue.
Appreciated the plus size rep of the MFC. Well done by the author.
This trilogy has a Shakespearian connection, but you do not have to be familiar with Shakespeare's work to understand the story.
Now to go back and read book one and anxiously await the next book!

Nisha Sharma charms readers with a classic enemies to lovers tale loosely based on Much Ado About Nothing. Bobbi Kaur is an exceptional wedding planner and eager to give her best friend, Kareena, the wedding of her dreams. However, she's forced to collaborate with the groom's best friend and famous chef, Benjamin Padda, to create a menu for the wedding. Unfortunately, Bobbi's reputation with her boss/uncle is strained, and she blames Benjamin. Bobbi has no room for error as she manages multiple weddings and her best friend's wedding. But a wedding saboteur works diligently to thwart Kareena's wedding. Tastes Like Shakkar is a great read if you like some spice, overly involved aunties, and family drama.

dnf 34%. It has taken me over three weeks to make it 34% of the way through this book. I'm not connecting with the characters and the story isn't keeping me interested enough to want to read (I actually broke an almost 300 day reading streak because I did not want to pick this book back up). I need to move on and give other books a chance to be my focus. I may return to it in the future but I'm done for the foreseeable future. There was nothing offensive or anything particular that turned me off the book. it just didn't work for me.

5 STARS!!!!!!!!!!

I LOVE NISHA SHARMA SO FREAKING MUCH. She absolutely outdid herself with the fabulous, steamy, swoony "Tastes Like Shakkar." I loved Bobbi and Benjamin (Bunty)'s story so, so much. Their off-the-charts hate-to-love chemistry and pining really made this book unputdownable. Their personalities clashed in a way that made me fall for them even more. Benjamin is an egotistical, devastatingly handsome chef who goofed up his chance with Bobbi over a year ago. Bobbi is a curvaceous, loyal, commanding, in-control wedding planner. They hate each other based on one very bad interaction they had over a year ago...but they can't stop thinking about each other and how they drive each other crazy. I loved the vivacious, expansive family dynamics, including the meddling Aunties, who are always good for a laugh and work more efficiently than the FBI. I appreciated the heck out of the Indian culture that shines through on each and every page here. I found myself so immersed in the culture of this story that I was googling phrases and events and words as I was reading to get a fuller picture and imagery of the lavish and intricate wedding clothes and events and foods. I loved the plus-size representation of Bobbi, and I love her assuredness in herself. I enjoyed the wedding sabotage aspects and think that they served to move the plot along quickly and efficiently. I loved the SPICE. OMGOMGOMG. My jaw DROPPED reading some of the scenes! Get me a fan because it is hot in here!! This book is fun, cute, sexy... you will not be able to put it down. I devoured it. The amount of love I have for this book (and Nisha Sharma!) is immeasurable. PLEASE GO READ IT ASAP!!!

Thank you to NetGalley, Nisha Sharma, Avon, and Harper Voyager for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.

I recently read Dating Dr. Dil and I fell in love with the author and her writing style. I loved the twists that she has created on Shakespeare’s plays. Taking them putting a contemporary twist with an Indian twist as well. So when I was on Netgalley browsing as I shouldn’t have done, I came across the second book in the series. I requested then kept my fingers crossed and hoped I would get approved. I was thrilled when I got that approval email.

Bobbi is an event planner. While she does it all she does Indian weddings the most. She is very good at it. When her best friend is getting married and then drops the bomb on her that they are getting married sooner than Bobbi was aware of, she has to jump into action to get it all done in time. With that, she is tossed into a partnership of sorts with her arch-nemesis Bunty (Benjamin). He is a well know Indian chef and her friends want him to do the food. When things start to heat up between them what will happen with their so-called fighting? This book is steamy….and kinky (finding kinks I didn’t know I had)…. However, the beginning is a slow burn. So don’t give up on it. It’s well worth the wait. MY dingus self pre-ordered this book from Barnes and Noble and then also requested it as an ARC but that is ok I will just add it to my collection.

Holy moly this book has made me so hungry for Indian food. Furiously googling Indian restaurants near me and discovering since I live in Northern Michigan the nearest one to me is a 1.5 hour drive away. I love the banter that these two main characters had with each other. It just built upon their relationship, they may have been enemies of some sort but that was just a base upon which they created their relationship. The descriptions that the author wrote in this book had me visualizing everything. The detail she provides helped me to see everything she was describing. The writing style flows well and doesn’t leave you wondering what she meant, only thing I wish was that the epilogue was something more. I wanted to know what happened with Bunty and Bobbi. Do they get married do they get engaged? Hopefully, we get more in the next book. I cannot wait for the next book in the series, I can only assume that it will be about the last friend in the girl’s friend group, can’t wait to see what Shakespeare play it will be. I have another one of the author’s books on my shelf at home and will be moving it closer to the top of my pile.

REVIEW FOR TASTES LIKE SHAKKAR

4.5 Stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Avon and Harper Voyager for the gifted copy!

So, I was NOT a fan of Dr. Dil. I really liked Kareena but I could not STAND Prem, like at all. I also wanted more from the aunties. But Tastes Like Shakkar? Delivered on all fronts! I loved Bunty and Bobbi. Their tension-filled, enemies to lovers story was ::chefs kiss::. Bunty was the perfect balance of sugar and spice, and Bobbi was such a badass!

The aunties also had more scenes in this story, which I loved. I think they are so funny and unique to Desi culture, and I love having more of that representation.

The only thing I feel could have been done a bit better is, I'm tired of the stories being centered around a specific ancillary character. I think the shaadi sabetour, while a funny storyline, ended up being annoying as I feel like we can't get beyond that one character and their family.

Overall, I loved it so much! Would highly recommend adding it to your TBR!

This books is delicious. Nisha Sharma is officially one of my fav romance writers. I loved how this is the perfect mix of fun, sexy, smart, silly and moreover, has had all the entertaining and fun side characters too. Couldn’t recommend it enough!

This book was a page turner from the start. A fun and emotional retelling of Much Ado About Nothing - this book never left me wanting more. I felt sufficiently satisfied. I'd go as far to say that i enjoyed this than the 1st book. Bobbi is an instant favorite and matches perfectly with Bunty.
Now I can't want to read Veera's romance.

Thanks for the arc netgalley

If you loved Dating Dr. Dil as much as I did then you don’t want to miss Tastes Like Shakkar by @nishawrites

Bobbi Kaur is determined to plan a celebration to remember for her best friend’s wedding. But she has two problems that are getting in her way:

1. The egotistical, and irritatingly sexy, chef Benjamin “Bunty” Padda is supposed to help her with the menu since he’s the groom’s best friend, and

2. Someone is trying to sabotage the wedding.

I love me some enemies to lovers romance with a side of spice 🥵🔥
The chemistry between Bobbi and Benjamin is perfection. I enjoyed learning about Indian Weddings and the food descriptions will leave you hungry. Add some fun Hangover type Las Vegas Antics and you’ll be chuckling throughout this story.

"There isn't a single dish that I could create that would taste as good as the both of us together.”

Tastes like Shakkar is such a funny, slightly smutty and food packed romance novel. From enemies (ish) to lovers, I loved seeing these two fall for each other and both grow to be better at managing their own feelings and personal lives! Full of references to South Asian culture, cuisine and pitfalls - this really is a book for adult me.

These two have a meet - hate aka Benjamin (aka Bunty) misspeaks and how he's forever on Bobbi's naughty list - until their best friends getting married means they have to work together. She's an event coordinator and he's the best Indian chef around and they're both deeply passionate in their jobs and friends. So when they start getting hints that someone is trying to sabotage the wedding, they decide to bond fast to save the day.

I loved that a huge emphasis on this book is actually stepping back and focusing on yourself and your needs. Bunty is constantly being pulled into his family drama on the west coast and it takes Bobbi and his friends to help him realize that family doesn't go over all and that he can chase his own passions on the east coast. Likewise, Bunty helps Bobbi accept help and that she doesn't have to do it all herself. Big heart!

I haven't read Dating Dr Dil, so this book was a bit like jumping into chapter 2 of an ongoing series but I adored it! It was still easy enough to follow along - we got natural updates and reintroductions to all the main characters.

rep// plus sized MC, Desi MC + cast

cw// fatpbia, deceased parent, racism, consensual kink

Thank you to the publisher for sending me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nisha does it again!! Bobbi and Bunty have sizzling chemistry and are irresistible. Their flirtatious banter and ability to have fun with each other keeps this book so upbeat and easy to read! And no one can forget about the Aunties! Loved the little mystery feel to it!

TASTE LIKE SHAKKAR - NISHA SHARMA
3.5⭐
PLOT - Bobbi Kaur is determined to give her best friend the best wedding ever but she has to tackle Bunty Benjamin Panda the groom's best friend who is incharge of catering the food for the wedding.
As they work together she finds out that someone is our there to sabotage the wedding. With meddling aunties and attraction between Bobbi and Bunty it will be one heck of a wild ride .
MY THOUGHTS -
This was a decent read after Dating Dr. Dil..we have extra steam in this one featuring a plus sizes MC. I actually enjoyed the mystery about who was involved in the sharing sabotage and the antics that happened more than the romance
This can be read as a standalone but best to read book 1 as all the characters are recurring with a lot of backstories .
Thank you Netgalley and publishers for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

Dating Dr. Dil is still my favorite, but man, this is a very close second. I think the only reason I didn’t like this one more is because Dil was funnier. All I know is Sharma already has me waiting on the next one. So, so cute!

The characters in this were SO REAL. I LOVED Bobbi. She was not one to play with. Everyone knew not to play with her. And the person that decided they wanted to knew they met their match when she was able to back track and fix all the things. And then let’s talk about Bunty. Lordt his schmink?! YASSSSSS. And that throne scene? I cannot tell a lie…. I read it twice. They fought each other because they liked each other and I think this is the first time I ever felt like it was real. Now do I know why she randomly changed her mind? No. Is that important? Not even a little bit lol I didn’t care at all. All I knew was that they were together and i was happy. They were together and I was happy. Especially since I don’t normally like enemies to lovers. But this one was so good and I couldn’t look away.

The writing style was still super good. I was still sucked in and couldn’t even press the pause button if I wanted to. This one didn’t have the humor the first one did, but it did have something else: the mystery. I don’t know if Sharma has written another mystery before, but this one was so good. I didn’t guess who it was at all. I honestly thought **SPOILER** it was the baby daddy of that one person.**END SPOILER** (Also, I didn’t realize till just now that it was a retelling. That’s just how into it I was lol) Idk it seemed cool that me, a person who reads mysteries and thrillers on the regular couldn’t guess the person. So I knew I loved this book. Butttt even though it was one of my favorite things, it also was one of the reasons I was a little disappointed. Yes I know all the MCs were different, but I was still hoping some of that was in there. I loved that. It’s what made me give it 5 stars.

The rep was also another reason I fell head over heels for this. The body positivity side? OMG it was so good. I really felt everything that Bobbi felt. So many parts I wrote down, even though this was an audio. It was just something about this. I really resonated with her about the questioning of him with her body and how he would do XYZ with her. Hell I have a husband and he has to also tell me that as well. It’s definitely something I had to learn as well. And then on the South Asian side, all the rep was of course amazing as well. I wrote down every food that Bunty sent her because I have to know what it tastes like. I always say this is the power of authentic voices.

This series is quickly becoming a favorite of mine. I really want to re-read them both when the last one comes out. But until then, what am I supposed to do? What have you done to me Sharma?! If you haven’t read this series, do it now! It was so, so good!

Today I’m reviewing Tastes Like Shakkar by Nisha Sharma! I did receive an advanced digital copy of this book through NetGalley, however my procrastination led me to read the physical copy that I preordered. Either way, thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher for providing me with the advanced digital copy of this book and like always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

This book is exactly what I needed! It was fun, it was steamy, and it made me laugh-out-loud. I loved the characters and I also loved the mystery aspect of this book.

My favourite thing about this book is just how fun it was. I enjoyed reading about wedding planning and all of the chaos that comes with it. I also enjoyed the twist of someone trying to sabotage the wedding and trying to stay one step ahead of them. I loved Kareena’s aunties and the scene where they were in the restaurant made me laugh-out-loud.

I also loved the chemistry between Bobbi and Benjamin in this book. I enjoyed their banter and their initial reluctance to work together. I also liked that both Bobbi and Benjamin were driven and focused on their careers. I loved that this book was dual point-of-view. I also loved how much Bobbi loved herself and how confident and unapologetic she was. It was nice reading about a plus-sized female main character who was confident and who loved her body and herself.

I love the friendship between the characters in this series. I love Bobbi’s friend group and Benjamin’s friend group. I loved that they could call an SOS and that their friends would be there for them. The romance was fun to read, but the friendships brought me just as much joy.

I thought the mystery aspect of this book added a fun layer to the story. I enjoyed trying to figure out who was trying to sabotage the wedding. I also enjoyed reading about Bobbi and Benjamin trying to problem solve and get past all of the hurdles that were being thrown at them.

I liked the family aspect of this book. Both Bobbi and Benjamin are having issues with their families and what their family expects of them on a professional level. I liked reading about them trying to navigate the situation, and I loved that they each had a moment where they stood up for themselves. I also enjoyed the idea that family can take different forms and that friends are just as important as family.

As far as steam goes, this book was steamier than I was expecting, not that I’m complaining about that. This book has multiple, descriptive, open-door scenes. There were also some scenes with bondage, which I’m still trying to process because while there was still clear communication and consent, something still felt a bit off about it. As far as tropes go, I this book has enemies-to-lovers and forced proximity. As far as a third-act break-up goes, this book did have one, but it was relatively minor. Technically, this book can be read as a standalone, but I recommend reading Dating Dr. Dil first because it’s a good introduction to the characters and the events in Tastes Like Shakkar are very much connected to Dating Dr. Dil.

Overall, this was a fun and steamy read and I cannot wait for the next installment in this series.

Thank you to NetGalley, Avon Books, and Harper Voyager for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Nisha Sharma knocks it out of the park once again with her follow-up to the delightful Dating Dr. Dil. Her newest adult romance, Tastes Like Shakkar, is a modern retelling of Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing and the second installment of the If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series. It focuses on wedding planner Bobbi Kaur and grumpy chef Benjamin “Bunty” Padda in an enemies-to-lovers romcom with plenty of spice in and out of the kitchen.
--
I started reading Tastes Like Shakkar before I read Dating Dr. Dil, so when I realized they were connected I just had to go back and listen to the DDD audiobook (which I highly recommend–it was so fun). Once back to TLS, I could not put it down!

This series has easily become one of my favorite romance series. It’s incredibly well-written with fun and lovable characters. I am on my knees begging Nisha Sharma to write my love life! The fictional men in these books have set a standard to which no man in real life could possibly achieve. I mean, Bunty cooking food for Bobbi and sneaking it into her purse because he knows she tends to forget to eat when she’s working? Not to mention him using her geolocation to send her food deliveries when he can’t be there to cook for her! Literally, that’s all I want in a relationship–just keep me fed and happy.

The evolution of Bobbi and Bunty’s relationship was such a fun journey to experience. I was giggling. I was blushing and swinging my feet. I was even reaching for my nightstand drawer a couple times. 😜 I'm such a sucker for romance novels where the male love interest falls first, falls hard, and spends most of the novel slowly breaking down the walls the female main character has built around herself. They make each other better and add value to each other’s lives.

What makes this particular romance stand out was the addition of the shaadi saboteur mystery. I love how this gave Bobbi and Bunty a common goal to make sure nothing bad happens to the wedding instead of just being forced to spend time together planning the wedding menu. It gets them on the same side and makes the foundation of their relationship that much stronger.

The only downside of reading this book is that now I have to wait for the next installment! The If Shakespeare Was an Auntie universe is such a blast to immerse yourself in I can’t wait to see what Nisha Sharma does next.


Tropes: enemies-to-lovers, found family, he falls first, plus-size FMC
Trigger/Content Warnings: fatphobia, racism, deceased parent, bondage

This was a fun rom-com with some drama twists. Bobbi and Bunty were fun and amusing with an enemies to lovers plot.

* I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley. Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this book. I also actually ended up winning this from a Goodreads giveaway as well. All thoughts are my own.

Tastes Like Shakkar was just as enjoyable for me as Dating Dr. Dil! I really liked the characters and their banter. It sounds like book 3 will be able Veera and again, sounds like it would be a good installment to the series! Also, I had no idea what Much Ado About Nothing was about going in so even though it’s sort of a retelling, you definitely don’t need to know anything about it.

Definitely recommend this book and am excited to read the next one!