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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: Cursing, Misogyny, Stalking, Medical content, Cancer, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship
maladaptivebookdreaming's review
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: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders
caitlinemccann's review
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, Sexual content, Sexism, and Grief
Moderate: Death of parent and Misogyny
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: Death, Death of parent, Sexual content, Cursing, and Grief
Moderate: Alcohol, Emotional abuse, and Medical content
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, Colonisation, and Panic attacks/disorders
ohheyitskaitlin's review
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, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Grief, Medical content, and Sexism
Minor: Alcohol, Colonisation, Emotional abuse, Panic attacks/disorders, and Terminal illness
Food allergy/anaphylaxis description used as a casual plot point:criticalbooks's review
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: Classism, Sexism, Terminal illness, Grief, Misogyny, Panic attacks/disorders, and Death
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
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: Sexual content, Misogyny, and Death of parent
Minor: Medical content and Panic attacks/disorders
alices13thdiary'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: Sexual content and Sexism
Moderate: Death of parent and Grief
Minor: Panic attacks/disorders and Alcohol
jessgreads's review
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⬜
Title: Dating Dr. Dil
Author: Nisha Sharma
Genre: Romance
Setting: New Jersey
Month Read: March 2022
Book Type: Hardcover
Publication: 2022
Publisher: Avon / HarperCollins
Pages: 364
*March Book of the Month Pick
TRIGGER WARNING-
Sexual Themes / Grieving / Light (?) Emotional Abuse (via family)
"Kareena couldn't stand there anymore, faking nice, pretending everything was going to be part of a happily ever after. None of this was real."
No Spoiler Summary:
Dating Dr. Dil is a contemporary retelling of The Taming of the Shrew focusing on Kareena (a hopeless romantic, single, thirty year old Indian woman in New Jersey who still lives at home) and Dr. Prem Varma (a doctor and tv host who doesn't believe in love). Both need to be engaged in a number of months, Kareena so she can secure her dowry and buy her family home, and Prem needs to secure funding for his South Asian centered family clinic that he hopes to build.
Will things work out the way that Prem and Kareena hope when they agree to be fake-engaged? Or will true love ultimately win in the end?
Review:
I'm obsessed. I think the premise is one of the most fun, most original premises I've heard for a contemporary romance series in a little while, and setting it with Indian characters is really fun to read about. For whatever reason I am really into Indian romances, which started a while back when I picked up a copy of When Dimple Met Rishi, and finally delving into non YA Indian romances was so much spicier! I truly loved it.
Kareena is really relatable, and really likable, and you want to root for her throughout the book. I felt really similarly about Prem, as well, and the split narrations were *chef's kiss*. The side characters are both the best and the worst (love to hate em!), and if you don't want to throw down with Dadi or Bindu by the end of this book, you're better than I am.
If you, like me, have exhausted the works of Evie Dunmore, Emily Henry, Helen Hoang, Casey McQuiston, and you'll find a great new author in Nisha Sharma. It's fresh, it's spicy, it's original, and I think Book of the Month should be applauded at putting such a great book in front of us. I'm extremely happy I last minute switched this into my box because I wanted to hold off at first. (That would have been SUCH a mistake.)
See more reviews at: https://jessgreads.wixsite.com
"I can't believe that after all these months, you still can't just come out and say that you're wrong and I was right."
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship, Sexual content, and Sexism
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Grief
Minor: Misogyny, Sexism, and Panic attacks/disorders