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onegalonelife27's review against another edition
emotional
funny
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
4.25
We’ve got ourselves a really great story here! Prem and Kareena find themselves on opposite ends on love-Prem is convinced that love actually hurts while Kareena is seeking true love-a search sped up by her father selling her family home and he’ll only give her money she desperately needs if she gets engaged. And when they fight on his talk show-on air- over their views damages Prem’s reputation, it makes him desperate to take up on his mother’s offer to sponsor his community health center if he gets engaged. And Kareena’s four aunties are quick to stage an invention, pointing out their circumstances to one another and thus are perfect for one another much to the other’s horror.
An interesting point that happens next is that while Prem is perfectly fine with the tried and true with fake dating, Kareena is not. Kareena does want true love-just doesn’t want it with Prem. She tries the delights of internet dating, while Pram tries to convince her to go with his plan. Leading to some of the most competitive, and frankly adorable dates I’ve read.
I do feel like we’re made to dislike Kareena’s family a bit too much, not a good first impression. Though they do have their good sides. I do feel like they could have gotten a bit more time to shine and show they do care about Kareena.
I like how when we meet our leads, we learn what they want, backstory-nothing is a mystery to reader about these two. There’s no big dramatic reveal to us, but as they get closer they start to share more about themselves which I think is very tender and sweet.
For the “aunties” in the series, “If Shakespeare was an Auntie”, four aunties-friends of Kareena’s mom, are the matchmakers for the story, perhaps the rest of the series. While the four have distinct personalities, they are a well oiled machine, working together to get what they want-from staging an intervention/meeting with the couple to get them to date, to getting a ride to their local TV studio or taco bell.
All in all this is a book for those who like a twist on the classics. I’ll definitely pick up the next in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, and Sexism
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders, Medical content, and Alcohol
rchatterjee188's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Cancer, Cursing, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, and Stalking
maladaptivebookdreaming's review against another edition
funny
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
Dating Dr. Dil is a recommended read for anyone looking for a cute Desi romance filled with comedic laughs and Taylor Swift references. I’m typically not a fan of fake dating tropes but I found the way the author wrote about it in this novel to be less stereotypical and more nuanced with a lot of cultural significance at play. The main characters had great chemistry and I loved how it was established earlier in how the MMC truly cared about the FMC and respected her. The book offers a beautiful and humorous insight into desi culture and I love love love when BIPOC authors utilize food when displaying characters culture within their work. In contrast, the author does a great job at diving into the struggle the MCs face within their American desi culture specifically regarding familial obligations, patriarchal mindsets of the older generation, and the effects of colonialism on South Asian families. Overall, was a great read and I look forward to reading more from Nisha!
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Because it’s only fair for me to explain my 1 star subtraction. I truly could not overlook that the MMC referred to his penis as “Charlie”. This honestly threw me off every time he said it and made the sex scenes lose momentum in my opinion. Also in a way it felt…out of character for him??
Also, even knowing the cultural significance behind the main characters lack of boundaries with her family, I am still annoyed by her lack of confrontation after the constant belittling, dismissal of her feelings, and frankly overall shittiness in their behavior to her. I am happy the MMC stood up for her but I feel like it should of been her to do it. The author talked a lot about unlearning behaviors and getting out of imposed mindsets but I felt there was a lack of DOING that made me feel a little underwhelmed. I wanted to see Kareena confront her father’s unequal treatment apparent between sisters. I wanted her to confront Bindu on her entitled behavior. The ending felt a little rushed and wrapped up and too forgiving after the catalyst at her sister’s engagement party.
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.
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Also, even knowing the cultural significance behind the main characters lack of boundaries with her family, I am still annoyed by her lack of confrontation after the constant belittling, dismissal of her feelings, and frankly overall shittiness in their behavior to her. I am happy the MMC stood up for her but I feel like it should of been her to do it. The author talked a lot about unlearning behaviors and getting out of imposed mindsets but I felt there was a lack of DOING that made me feel a little underwhelmed. I wanted to see Kareena confront her father’s unequal treatment apparent between sisters. I wanted her to confront Bindu on her entitled behavior. The ending felt a little rushed and wrapped up and too forgiving after the catalyst at her sister’s engagement party.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
caitlinemccann'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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Sexism, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny and Death of parent
Minor: Death and Panic attacks/disorders
readwithde's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Death, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Medical content, and Alcohol
Minor: Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, and Colonisation
kaitlinnoodles's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Sexism, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Minor: Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, Terminal illness, Alcohol, and Colonisation
Food allergy/anaphylaxis description used as a casual plot point:criticalbooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexism, Terminal illness, Grief, and Classism
anoveldestination's review against another edition
emotional
funny
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.5
Thank you NetGalley and Avon for providing me a copy of this book to review!
The Taming of The Shrew is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, and this book is one of my new favorite retellings. Nisha Sharma has perfectly captured the spirit of Kate in Kareena, while also adding her own spin to the classic tale and heroine. I particularly enjoyed learning more about South Asian culture and communities while simultaneously gushing over an amazing romance and retelling.
This romance book ticks all the boxes for a great romance novel: a perfectly executed enemies-to-lovers trope, lots of banter, a hero who falls hard, and more than just a dash of spice. There were several very hot scenes in the book. Outside of spicy scenes, there are also some cute scenes that'll make you smile like the scene at the Met. This rom-com gave me all the feels.
While I love our leads, Prem and Kareena, the side characters were also endearing from the aunties to Kareena's sister and father. I found myself invested in each of them and their relationships with Kareena.
Overall, I loved this book, but I found myself questioning the logic of the plot in places. Kareena's reasons for wanting and not wanting to date Prem were believable. However, I thought Prem could've found another way to rebuild his reputation besides dating Kareena. As their relationship progresses, I questioned Prem's motivation less, but I did struggle to suspend my disbelief at the beginning of the book. There were also some minor parts of the dialogue where I felt the author was speaking rather than the characters.
Still, I highly recommend this book because it managed to get me out of a month-long reading slump and reinvigorated my love of romance novels. Also, if you're a fan of The Taming of The Shrew or its numerous retellings like "Kiss Me Kate" and "10 Things I Hate About You," be sure to pick up this exceptional retelling.
The Taming of The Shrew is one of my favorite Shakespeare plays, and this book is one of my new favorite retellings. Nisha Sharma has perfectly captured the spirit of Kate in Kareena, while also adding her own spin to the classic tale and heroine. I particularly enjoyed learning more about South Asian culture and communities while simultaneously gushing over an amazing romance and retelling.
This romance book ticks all the boxes for a great romance novel: a perfectly executed enemies-to-lovers trope, lots of banter, a hero who falls hard, and more than just a dash of spice. There were several very hot scenes in the book. Outside of spicy scenes, there are also some cute scenes that'll make you smile like the scene at the Met. This rom-com gave me all the feels.
While I love our leads, Prem and Kareena, the side characters were also endearing from the aunties to Kareena's sister and father. I found myself invested in each of them and their relationships with Kareena.
Overall, I loved this book, but I found myself questioning the logic of the plot in places. Kareena's reasons for wanting and not wanting to date Prem were believable. However, I thought Prem could've found another way to rebuild his reputation besides dating Kareena. As their relationship progresses, I questioned Prem's motivation less, but I did struggle to suspend my disbelief at the beginning of the book. There were also some minor parts of the dialogue where I felt the author was speaking rather than the characters.
Still, I highly recommend this book because it managed to get me out of a month-long reading slump and reinvigorated my love of romance novels. Also, if you're a fan of The Taming of The Shrew or its numerous retellings like "Kiss Me Kate" and "10 Things I Hate About You," be sure to pick up this exceptional retelling.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
kris386's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexual content, and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Medical content
starredbyalice's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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
5.0
i might be slightly biased bc taylor swift playlist at the end & the 10 things i hate about you inspired cover > anything else. but i read the entire book in 1 sitting because i could Not put it down, it was so good and comforting. i was so invested in every line, every character, every joke, everything, it was just so well written.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexism and Sexual content
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Alcohol