The design and UX isn't done, Rob and Abbie, okkurrrr! 😌
rebeccakshores's review against another edition
3.0
Very cute, great if you're looking for a rom-com read.
maggiementions's review against another edition
4.0
When Payal has a one night stand with Ayaan she doesn’t think she’ll ever see him again. But when their families decide on a business deal that includes an engagement between Payal and Ayaan their fun hookup suddenly becomes a lot more serious. The business deal can benefit both Payal and Ayaan in professional ways so they agree to the engagement as long as they don’t announce it officially for several months and take the time to get to know each other. The more time Payal and Ayaan spend together the more they discover there is more to each other then they thought. Will they learn to love each other and go through with the engagement or will the pressure of their families and companies be too much?
I enjoyed this romance as it delved into pertinent issues we all face as adults when trying to both please our families and find love. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
I enjoyed this romance as it delved into pertinent issues we all face as adults when trying to both please our families and find love. I’m looking forward to the next book in the series!
thebritishbibliophile_'s review against another edition
5.0
'Sugar, Spice and Can't Play Nice is a prime example of a read that is both fulfilling, romantic and educational. Annika Sharma promotes culture in an inclusive and admirable manor through a heart-warming and true to life story all can enjoy' - The British Bibliophile
Sugar, Spice and Can't Play Nice is the second book in Annika Sharma's 'Chai Masala Club' series. A series dedicated to the lives of the Chai Masala club and the trials and tribulations of navigating their own lives while still tied to their cultural roots, detailing the delicate balance of modern day life while respecting their backgrounds.
The series began with Love, Chai and other Four-Letter Words, which first introduced to me as a reader, one branch of the South Indian cultural background. Annika told the story of Kiran and Nash, two polar opposites brought together on the common ground that is New York City. Here is where we were fist introduced to one of the main characters that would feature in this novel, Payal Mehra. The common ground previously seen in Love, Chai and other Four Letter Words is swapped out for neutral ground. Specifically, London.
Payal's character is one of great determination and independence. Knowing what she wants to do with her life and what she has to do to get there, her hard work seems to be for nothing as on the verge of her career breakthrough she is put into a corner with little to no ways of escaping out of. A different kind of contract. One specifically of marriage. But is all as it seems?
Ayaan Malhotra, a fellow Londoner and son of a family friend to the Mehras, is also backed into a similar corner to Payal when mention of marriage arises. Second-fiddle to his 'golden child' brother and desperate to prove himself to his parents, he agrees to the marriage under a condition which will end up being beneficial to him. He demands 50% of his parents' company, and soon the prospect of marriage doesn't seem so bad as he now has something to fall back on as well as the opportunity to make his parents proud of him at last.
Payal and Ayaan, despite coming from the same culture, could not be more different but also similar to one another at the same time. They are both aware of what they have to do for the ones they love, for their pride and culture, and what personal sacrifices must be made to appease those who are putting them into their respective corners. There's only one way they can do this, and that's as a unified united front. Only, that's not as easy as it is on paper.
Many roadblocks come up for the pair along the road to a satisfying conclusion, namely; a meddlesome grandmother, a spurned ex-girlfriend, two families with stakes of their own, a fashion brand on the line, and, unexpectedly, actually liking each other. Its a test of their grit, determination, steel and everything else in their arsenal to see if they can come out the other side with the rewards they both have their eyes set on, or if they'll end up in a place ten paces behind from where they started in the first place.
As a reader who is still not as widely exposed to stories centred around south asian culture and background, I am continuously learning and in awe of every aspect that I have been blissfully exposed to in this novel. With the experiences of the culture differentiating from author to author, person to person, each branch of the cultural tree is further grown and expanded which is the case here with Ayaan and Payal's story. I grew to know so much about the south asian culture from Love, Chai and Other Four-Letter Words, and that growth showed no signs of stopping with elements woven into this story. There's always something we will never know, something to learn and add to our knowledge, and I look forward to more from Annika continuing this enlightening pattern.
Annika does her culture and people proud with what she has written for us all here to read. Where this might not be everyone's cup of tea, I think this bland of chai has hit the spot and has quenched my thirst for romance, culture, and everything that comes with mixing modern with traditional to create this signature blend of bookish delight.
I'm hoping to hear more from the Chai Masala Club, I hope that is the case among my fellow readers as well.
Sugar, Spice and Can't Play Nice is the second book in Annika Sharma's 'Chai Masala Club' series. A series dedicated to the lives of the Chai Masala club and the trials and tribulations of navigating their own lives while still tied to their cultural roots, detailing the delicate balance of modern day life while respecting their backgrounds.
The series began with Love, Chai and other Four-Letter Words, which first introduced to me as a reader, one branch of the South Indian cultural background. Annika told the story of Kiran and Nash, two polar opposites brought together on the common ground that is New York City. Here is where we were fist introduced to one of the main characters that would feature in this novel, Payal Mehra. The common ground previously seen in Love, Chai and other Four Letter Words is swapped out for neutral ground. Specifically, London.
Payal's character is one of great determination and independence. Knowing what she wants to do with her life and what she has to do to get there, her hard work seems to be for nothing as on the verge of her career breakthrough she is put into a corner with little to no ways of escaping out of. A different kind of contract. One specifically of marriage. But is all as it seems?
Ayaan Malhotra, a fellow Londoner and son of a family friend to the Mehras, is also backed into a similar corner to Payal when mention of marriage arises. Second-fiddle to his 'golden child' brother and desperate to prove himself to his parents, he agrees to the marriage under a condition which will end up being beneficial to him. He demands 50% of his parents' company, and soon the prospect of marriage doesn't seem so bad as he now has something to fall back on as well as the opportunity to make his parents proud of him at last.
Payal and Ayaan, despite coming from the same culture, could not be more different but also similar to one another at the same time. They are both aware of what they have to do for the ones they love, for their pride and culture, and what personal sacrifices must be made to appease those who are putting them into their respective corners. There's only one way they can do this, and that's as a unified united front. Only, that's not as easy as it is on paper.
Many roadblocks come up for the pair along the road to a satisfying conclusion, namely; a meddlesome grandmother, a spurned ex-girlfriend, two families with stakes of their own, a fashion brand on the line, and, unexpectedly, actually liking each other. Its a test of their grit, determination, steel and everything else in their arsenal to see if they can come out the other side with the rewards they both have their eyes set on, or if they'll end up in a place ten paces behind from where they started in the first place.
As a reader who is still not as widely exposed to stories centred around south asian culture and background, I am continuously learning and in awe of every aspect that I have been blissfully exposed to in this novel. With the experiences of the culture differentiating from author to author, person to person, each branch of the cultural tree is further grown and expanded which is the case here with Ayaan and Payal's story. I grew to know so much about the south asian culture from Love, Chai and Other Four-Letter Words, and that growth showed no signs of stopping with elements woven into this story. There's always something we will never know, something to learn and add to our knowledge, and I look forward to more from Annika continuing this enlightening pattern.
Annika does her culture and people proud with what she has written for us all here to read. Where this might not be everyone's cup of tea, I think this bland of chai has hit the spot and has quenched my thirst for romance, culture, and everything that comes with mixing modern with traditional to create this signature blend of bookish delight.
I'm hoping to hear more from the Chai Masala Club, I hope that is the case among my fellow readers as well.
bookwormbullet's review against another edition
emotional
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sabrinaboyk's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
jennyjones's review
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
bethbaty's review against another edition
4.0
I enjoyed this one way more than the first book. It still had themes of feminism and culture and privilege, but it was balanced so well and I was way more connected with the characters. I cried. I mean the tension was so good and the sad moments wrecked me.
booksandprosecco's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
bookobsessedmommy's review
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
The typical merger includes cash, shares, and promises of seats on the board, but this merger is anything buy typical. Two families promise to marry their kids to one another to cement their business relationship, but Payal and Ayaan are not here for it. Payal is a budding fashion designer looking for fun, not forever. Ayaan is the black sheep of the family, with a revolving door of girlfriends and no interest in settling down. Their parents expect to drag them to the altar kicking and screaming, but are surprised when each agrees to the match, but there are terms. Our MC's attempt to play nice for the sake of their ambitions, and are surprised to find themselves feeling more. Secrets always come to the light though, and their spark could get snuffed out before the flames can grow. Great follow up to Love, Chai, and Other Four-Letter Words, following another member of the Chai Masala Club. This story moves a bit slower than I would like and the descriptions of the clothes Payal designs started to blur into endless lists, especially at the fashion show. I would have loved to see some sketches/examples so I could properly picture them. The 3rd act conflict felt a bit dragged out, but it did give Ayaan an opportunity for even more character growth. I assume there will be books for each of the other friends, and I'm excited to read them.