You know what? I liked it! It took a little longer than usual for this one to grow on me (and there were definitely things that bugged me along the way), but this felt really fresh and unique. We follow this non-couple as sparks fly between them – while there is plenty of chemistry, and they both would benefit greatly from an engagement, their vastly different opinions about love keep them apart. Kareena has seen love in action, and she’s holding out for that… even though she’s practically a senior citizen by Indian matchmaking standards. Prem doesn’t believe in romantic love, but he wouldn’t mind having Kareena as a partner for however long things last. It’s these differences that threaten to tear them apart while they’re being pulled together. The vibe is light and a little bit funny with some serious steam in the back half, and there’s a lot to love about the book overall.
The story follows Kareena, a workaholic who finds herself single at an age that’s not considered acceptable by those around her. When Kareena discovers that she needs to be engaged in order to keep the home she grew up in, she puts her dating life into overdrive. But a run-in with a sexy doctor threatens to derail her plans of finding a love match. While Prem and Kareena drive each other kinda crazy, they also have the kind of connection that rarely comes along. Unfortunately, Prem doesn’t believe in romantic love, so he surely can’t be the man Kareena has been looking for. As the status of their relationship shifts with every interaction, these find themselves drawn together through it all.
I really didn’t know what to expect from this, but I liked the vibrant, sexy feel. Prem and Kareena are attracted to each other from the moment they meet, and the sparks definitely fly between them. It’s not a super steamy book, but it certainly doesn’t shy away from intimate scenes either. I loved how they fight their attraction (or Kareena does, at least), so there’s plenty of sexual tension. This might’ve had a slower start for me because I was getting my bearings with the story, or it might’ve been that Kareena continues to date other guys for awhile. There’s not really any major OM drama – it’s obvious Prem is the guy for her – but I wish the emotional connection had kicked in sooner. That’s also part of the story though, so I grudgingly accept that. Personality-wise, I liked both Kareena and Prem most of the time, but they both show the unflattering parts of themselves. Prem is pushy to the point of being obnoxious sometimes, but I actually liked him quite a bit. It’s an interesting combination of characters and an intriguing start to what could be a great series of interconnected standalones. I’d definitely check out the author’s work again, even though this wasn’t a total homerun for me. I received an early copy and am voluntarily leaving a review of this diverse fake relationship romance.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LIlEF9
Blurb:
Nisha Sharma’s new romantic comedy features enemies to lovers, a cast of best friends, and a gaggle of aunties determined to make a match.
Hi! I’m Kareena Mann. As cheesy as it sounds, I’m looking for my soulmate. In four months. And he must gain the approval of my meddling aunties.
Kareena dreams of having a perfect love story like her parents did. That’s why on the morning of her thirtieth birthday, she’s decided to suit up and enter the dating arena. When her widowed father announces he’s retiring and selling their home after her sister’s engagement party, Kareena makes a deal with him. If she can find her soulmate by the date of the party, he’ll gift her the house, and she’ll be able to keep her mother’s legacy alive.
Hi, I’m Dr. Prem Verma, host of the Dr. Dil Show. Prem means love, Dil means heart, and I’m a cardiologist. Don’t let my name fool you. I only fix broken hearts in the literal sense.
Prem doesn’t have time for romance, which is why it’s no surprise when his first meeting with Kareena goes awry. Their second encounter is worse when their on-air debate about love goes viral. Now Prem’s largest community center donor is backing out because Prem’s reputation as a heart-health expert is at risk. To get back in his donor’s good graces, he needs to fix his image fast, and dating Kareena is his only option.
Even though they have warring interests, the more time Prem spends with Kareena, the more he thinks she’s might actually be the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. In this Taming of the Shrew re-imagination, for Prem and Kareena to find their happily ever after, they must admit that hate has turned into fate.
Amazon: https://amzn.to/3LIlEF9
About the Author:
Nisha Sharma is the award-winning author of YA rom-com MY SO-CALLED BOLLYWOOD LIFE, and contemporary romance drama, THE SINGH FAMILY TRILOGY. She grew up immersed in Bollywood movies, eighties pop-culture and romance novels so it comes as no surprise that her work features all three. Her writing has been praised by Entertainment Weekly, NPR, Cosmopolitan, Teen Vogue, Buzzfeed, Hypable and more. She lives in New Jersey with her Alaskan-born husband, her cat Lizzie Bennett and her dog Nancey Drew. You can find her online at http://www.nisha-sharma.com or on Twitter and Instagram @nishawrites.
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