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jessicalarson125's review
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
- 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
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
mari1532's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
#23for23 (learn more at:https://www.23for23.net/)
I listened to the audiobook from my library.
Brief Summary: A modern retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Kareena Mann wants an epic love story, just like her parents, but modern dating is making that hard to achieve. Rather than waste her time on dating apps Kareena spends her time working and repairing her mom's old car. However, her life quickly begins to unravel. Starting with her baby sister demanding her assistance with her ever more elaborate wedding, finding out her father is selling her childhood home, and getting being one half of a disagreement in a now-viral video.
The other half of the viral video, Dr. Prem Verma is having his own issues. Mainly he wants to leave his popular television show Dr. Dill on a high so he can get funding from some large local donors to realize his dream of opening a community health center. However, his fight with Kareena causes his donors to get nervous and pull out at the last second.
When an opportunity presents itself that just might help Kareena and Prem solve their biggest problems they set aside their differences. However, by setting aside their conflict to reach a shared goal, they begin to discover that things might be more than fake between them.
Thoughts: Sharma's writing is incredibly entertaining and light-hearted. I finished this book feeling content with the love story that unfolded between Prem and Kareena. That being said this wasn't my favorite romance or Shakespeare retelling. While I really, really, liked Kareena as a character and found her dynamic and entertaining, I did not really like Prem so much. His backstory did make him a little more endearing, but he did feel a bit like one of those guys in your college class who has decided that he is right and thinks your use of contradictory evidence is simply cute not based on research/facts. I just didn't like him so that made it a bit hard to root for him and Kareena to get together. That being said I do think that Sharma provided some nice moments between the two of them and had more than one very sweet romantic gesture.
Another reason I think I didn't like this book is because I hated Kareena's sister. I think that Sharma was trying to make her simply annoying with her writing, but Sharma's writing is too powerful because she came off as super spoiled and then with what happens at the end of the book. It was a no-go for her as likeable.
Kareena's friends and aunties were a delight throughout the book, however. I definitely cannot wait to see them make further appearances in the sequels of this series.
If you enjoy romance novels and/or retellings I think you will enjoy this book. Sharma's writing is great and will leave you with that joyous feeling you want when you are done reading a romance novel.
I listened to the audiobook from my library.
Brief Summary: A modern retelling of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew. Kareena Mann wants an epic love story, just like her parents, but modern dating is making that hard to achieve. Rather than waste her time on dating apps Kareena spends her time working and repairing her mom's old car. However, her life quickly begins to unravel. Starting with her baby sister demanding her assistance with her ever more elaborate wedding, finding out her father is selling her childhood home, and getting being one half of a disagreement in a now-viral video.
The other half of the viral video, Dr. Prem Verma is having his own issues. Mainly he wants to leave his popular television show Dr. Dill on a high so he can get funding from some large local donors to realize his dream of opening a community health center. However, his fight with Kareena causes his donors to get nervous and pull out at the last second.
When an opportunity presents itself that just might help Kareena and Prem solve their biggest problems they set aside their differences. However, by setting aside their conflict to reach a shared goal, they begin to discover that things might be more than fake between them.
Thoughts: Sharma's writing is incredibly entertaining and light-hearted. I finished this book feeling content with the love story that unfolded between Prem and Kareena. That being said this wasn't my favorite romance or Shakespeare retelling. While I really, really, liked Kareena as a character and found her dynamic and entertaining, I did not really like Prem so much. His backstory did make him a little more endearing, but he did feel a bit like one of those guys in your college class who has decided that he is right and thinks your use of contradictory evidence is simply cute not based on research/facts. I just didn't like him so that made it a bit hard to root for him and Kareena to get together. That being said I do think that Sharma provided some nice moments between the two of them and had more than one very sweet romantic gesture.
Another reason I think I didn't like this book is because I hated Kareena's sister. I think that Sharma was trying to make her simply annoying with her writing, but Sharma's writing is too powerful because she came off as super spoiled and then with what happens at the end of the book. It was a no-go for her as likeable.
Kareena's friends and aunties were a delight throughout the book, however. I definitely cannot wait to see them make further appearances in the sequels of this series.
If you enjoy romance novels and/or retellings I think you will enjoy this book. Sharma's writing is great and will leave you with that joyous feeling you want when you are done reading a romance novel.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Grief, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
annahamburger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
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? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Grief, Death of parent, and Abandonment
Moderate: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Violence, Xenophobia, Grief, Alcohol, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Religious bigotry
3readingcircus's review against another edition
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism, Sexual content, Grief, and Death of parent
Moderate: Cancer
this_momma_is_booked's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-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
This book was a delight to listen to! It was steamy and lovely and so freaking relatable in some ways. Kareena's "oldest daughter" vibes throughout spoke to my soul and I completely empathized with the unfairness she felt for always being expected to be on top of things and not make mistakes while having her feelings disregarded. I loved the dynamic of the characters and their relationships - even her younger sister, who I thought was incredibly annoying and self-centered at the beginning - sorta redeemed herself by the end. And Prem? Holy moly. I love that man.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Grief and Death of parent
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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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
kashiish's review
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
3.0
“love makes people depressed, insecure and sometimes isolated. too much bad for our bodies and emotions.”
the song for the book is— you belong with me by taylor swift
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body shaming, Grief, and Death of parent
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, Sexism, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Misogyny and Death of parent
Minor: Death and Panic attacks/disorders
passionatereader78's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
relaxing
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? Yes
5.0
I had a great time reading this book! I love the aunties! It was so well written. The characters tackle tough topics beautifully. It's full of humor. I laughed so much reading this. Kareena is turning thirty. When she goes out to celebrate with her friends she meets the man of her dreams until he deserts her. Prema doesn't believe in love. He believes in proper medicine and chemistry. When he discusses this on the Dr. Dil Show he is ambushed by the women he left unexpectedly the night before. Great read!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Grief, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
emmysforeverbooked's review
emotional
reflective
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? It's complicated
3.75
This book was the true definition of a rom-com to me. There was the perfect balance of spice and humor and emotion and I truly cannot wait to pick up the second book in the series. I think Nisha Sharma might've just turned into an auto-buy author for me!!
(little spoilery section about the spicy scenes below!!)
So, the only thing I really had qualms with in this book was the sex scenes. At certain times, they felt a little fanfiction-y to me. They weren't bad necessarily, it just felt kind of like I was reading something on Wattpad in a way. Oh yeah, also she named his d!ck for some reason? I will never look at another person named Charlie the same way again 🫣
(little spoilery section about the spicy scenes below!!)
Content Warnings
Graphic: Cursing, Sexual content, and Grief
Moderate: Death, Misogyny, Medical content, and Death of parent
Minor: Terminal illness and Alcohol