All That Sizzles

by Sakshama Puri Dhariwal

Wedding planner Tanvi Bedi is all fired up about her new project, the $100 million wedding of a media heiress. The only hitch is her client’s wishlist chef, Nik Shankar, who avoids weddings at all costs. But there must be something—or someone—he can’t resist.

Nik Shankar’s inheritance is in jeopardy due to his estranged grandfather’s absurd caveat: marry or lose his ancestral home. When Tanvi storms into his office, a surprising solution emerges—Nik will do the wedding if Tanvi poses as his fiancée.

What starts a recipe for disaster turns into a delectable feast of fiery passion. As pretense blurs into reality, Tanvi and Nik must confront their inner demons before their charade goes up in smoke.

Genres: Romance, Indian Literature, Rom Com, Fake Dating, India

272 pages, Paperback

First published December 20, 2023

About the author

Sakshama Puri Dhariwal is the critically acclaimed author of 'The Wedding Photographer'.

She was born in New Delhi and raised in a loud Punjabi family on whom she often bases (and blames) her characters.

Before she started writing romance, Sakshama worked in marketing. She now lives in California with her husband, two kids, and about eleven copies of Pride and Prejudice.

Sakshama’s most recent book is the swoony, steamy romantic comedy, 'All That Sizzles'.

Reviews

[Deepthi · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is everything I didn’t knew i needed in a desi romance. Now I want a NIK SHANKAR who can name a dish after me🫠🫠🫠
4.5⭐️
Tropes: Chef and Wedding planner, fake dating, he falls first and he obsessed
Spice🌶️🌶️

This is such cute fluffy , i have my smile intact for most of the book. Some scenes are 🥹 . The Indianness this book showed without making it cringe HAAYE!!,🥰🥰🥰. Tanvi and Nik’s chemistry is superb .

The subtle way of approaching mental health and queer is admirable. This book made me feel there is a hope for desi romance.

[a.readers.corner · Rating 5 out of 5]

the perfect INDIAN ROMANCE doesn't exi-

it was PERFECT!
the banter, the romance, other elements than romance.
not at all cringy and perfect romance read!!

[Sakshama Puri Dhariwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Chef was cute, would eat here again.

[Isha ツ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I just completed this book and immediately opened Goodreads to write the review, with giant ass smile still on face.

The story of this book follows Tanvi, The Wedding Planner and Nik, the Michelin star chef. They strike a deal of mutual benefit, Tanvi to pretend as Nik’s fiance for him to get his inheritance and Nik to design the menu of big fat Indian wedding- Tanvi is planning. But from the first moment they just can’t deny that spark of attraction between them and one event lead to another and they ended up falling for eachother🤭( He fell first and HARD)

The thing I loved MOST about this book was the “Indian-ness” in this book. It made the book 100x times better for me. From reading about Chai to reading about the step wells and the Havelis of Rajasthan 😫 I loved it!!!

And the bond between siblings ? So precious
The friends group?
GPS AND VPS😂(iykyk)
It was SO GOOD.

Apart from this book being light and fun romcom, there’s good amount of emphasis on Mental health and importance of therapy. Also the rep of LGBTQ was also very well done.

The epilogue was the cutest thing ever and perfect ending for the book!

The only thing I didn’t like was the abrupt ending, I feel like they should’ve talked more about Tanvi’s healing and all the stuff happened before. But overall I really enjoyed reading this one!

Thank you Sakshama for sending me this beauty💕 I’m so glad I got this book💓

[Avi · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read for sure. I think by the end, I felt like it lacked a little depth personally for me but I laughed out loud multiple times and so this is a high 3 * for me.

Will never get over the Albert Pinto reference. Top tier.

[imashamedofmyoldreviews · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5 stars. Stop being weird about the bra strap ffs.

[Gargee Sharma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute, on-the-flight read ❤️

[P :) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I JUST FOUND MY FAV FAV INDIAN ROMANCE BOOK IG 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹

this one had me 🥹💗💗💗 tanvi and nik have my whole freaking heart!!!! and the plot was just so nice, that i couldn't stop reading it (b/w my work) i completely enjoyed this one, i am definitely going to re-read it a lot of times.. so first i read man of her match by the same author, and the bits of nidhi and vikram had me (and them as husband and wife) screaming!!!!! overall, i found one of comfort books ig!

ps - i missed risha's book( the wedding photographer), will read that soon too!!!!

[Vaishali Aggarwal · Rating 5 out of 5]

I aaammmm in love with this book!!!

The story revolves around a fiesty wedding planner, Tanvi bedi, who is planning the multi million big fat Indian wedding of the Amlani's . The bride has requested the wedding dinner menu to be planned by celebrity chef, Nik Shankar. But Nik is least interested in such projects, until he is faced with a property dispute and needs a fake fiance. Tanvi and Nik come to a mutual agreement and decide to do the wedding and the charade of being engaged!!!

I loved this book... Like totally completely uffff!!!
This book has the right amount of love, romance, drama , comedy, and a very strong mental health note!!!
I had read the previous two books by this author a few years ago and I loved those... And the couples from both those books make a reappearance in this one!!! Which is such a treat, like meeting long lost friends, and getting a glimpse of their lives after their books end.... Chef's kiss!!!!
Also the sibling bond!!! And the friendships in this book are just ...gold! This book made me feel so much. If you are looking for a perfect rom com read... Pick this one up!!!

[Bookescape_ (Neha) · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.4 stars

Favourite desi romance alert!!

Lives were changed when she said,"harder, chef." Iykyk

I finished this book in a day when I was in a reading slump!! That should tell you enough.

Tropes
Hate to love
He's obsessed with her
He falls first and HARD
Forced proximity
Fake dating (fake engagement)
Found family
Desi core (not cringy at all)
He cooks for her (he's a chef)
Spicy 🔥

[G · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars

this book was such a treat - the desi references, the characters, the vibes, the depictions of delhi, the casual queer representation. highly recommend this rom-com!

only thing I did not love was how dark their backstories got - felt a bit jarring in the context but did not spoil my reading experience

[Mishty · Rating 4 out of 5]

In the mood for a fun, spicy, non-cringy, Indian romance with lots of yummy food and a guy who’s utterly obsessed with her? THIS IS YOUR BOOK!

He’s a Royal chef and she’s a wedding planner who have to fake date, what could ever go wrong😏🥵

[Malvika · Rating 4 out of 5]

Awesome rom-com!!

A strong female lead in a hot romantic story is what I love most!! And this author does it best!..keep writing Sakshama.

[Shruti Kedia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having followed Sakshama as an author from her first book, her maturity as a writer really shines through in her latest.

The characters are complex, interesting and lovable. The plot kept ticking.

The bigger issues of mental health and sexuality have been handled very well.

Really really enjoyed the book. The hard work and love gone into the writing shines through. Her best work yet! Already waiting for the next.

[harshiiiii_02 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Full review: https://harshiiiiireviews02.blogspot.....

'All That Sizzles' by Sakshama Puri Dharwal is a steamy romantic comedy chick-lit book, which is the third installment in a series but can be enjoyed on its own. The story revolves around Tanvi Bedi and Nik Shankar.

Tanvi, a wedding planner at Iris Wedding, needs to convince Chef Nik Shankar to create the menu for a wedding reception, even though he usually avoids catering for weddings. They make a pact for mutual benefit: Tanvi will pretend to be Nik's fiancée so that he can secure his inheritance from his grandfather, and in return, Nik will design the menu for the wedding.

The best part of this book is its Indian essence. Reading this book felt like sipping hot chai on a rainy day-heavenly!

[Jayee · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review

Overall Rating:

• Book: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (4/5)
• Spice Level: 🌶️🌶️ (2/5)
• Writing: ✍️✍️✍️ (3/5)

Plot Holes: There are some, but they’re subtle and not overly noticeable.

Reading “All That Sizzles” by @sakshama got me out of my reading slump! I devoured it in one sitting, which says a lot about how gripping it is.

This book does an excellent job focusing on the protagonist’s mental health struggles and their journey to cope with them—a beautifully nuanced approach. The chemistry between the protagonists is undeniable, and I especially loved that their key moments were understated yet deeply impactful.

That said, I wished there was more development of the side characters. Some topics could have been explored more thoroughly as well.

Still, I thoroughly enjoyed this book and highly recommend it!

[Tulika (books_and_raves) · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.9-4 🌟

okay, this was adorable. i seriously enjoyed it so much. my good feelings were probably also exacerbated by the fact that it was my first indian romance by an indian author since 2016? and i truly believe Sakshama healed all my scars left by the popular contemporary indian romance authors (you know them 🙃). and i also wanted to stop being overly critical of indian authors bc of my connection.

the writing was fresh and elegant and sharp and with a swath of wit and humor. the romance wasn't perfect (i'll come to that later) bUt it kept me entertained and thoroughly engaged in a constant flow of charm and chemistry and sweetness. i didn't realise wedding planner FMC & celebrity reclusive chef MC *pretending to be engaged* would be such a hit for me. but it was, and what trumps for me was the organicness of the MCs' interactions, the genuineness of all the characters and how authentic they felt, the friendships on both sides that were so powerful and supportive they almost make you shed tears.

sewn into the narrative was also a heavy undertone that the overall light ambience of the romance belies. my favorite parts were the diverse underrepresented marginalized groups and issues highlighted here in casual but hard-hitting way. the entire theme of powerful women professionally dominating fields generally monopolized by men, including the professional female driver, which is rarely seen in india, really was impressive. and! there was also a healthy doze of queer people's appearances, which i appreciate so much, since queer visibility is severely lacking in indian lit. not only that, the disgusting display of homophobia that was more rampant in our country even a decade ago, especially in indian parents, and the dire consequences of such bigotic acts also carved a loud part in the story.

and...so did mental health representation. the portrayal was heartaching, authentic, from workplace satisfaction to repressed trauma and how that can affect our adult relationships, to attachment styles and panic and anxiety attacks, the author carefully and compassionately weaved them into the narration so they tie into every character's development arc. i sincerely loved the prioritization of mental health in the novel. and despite my reservations with the romance, i absolutely adored how Nik gave Tanvi the space needed to process her issues, and not badger her into submission. and how Tanvi took the time she needed to work on herself before plunging into a relationship. and that their arcs didn't end up with them "cured", but rather showed that mental illness is an ongoing struggle that can't be healed overnight.

on the whole, the novel isn't unique per se, but set against all the heaps of dissatisfying indian romances recycling the same cishet homogenic cliches and stories, it was honest and refreshing.

as i said, tho, it wasn't perfect and there were some missteps that likely made me rate it less. like the introduction of the trans character appeared to be transphobic at worst and an old way of introducing them at best, and there were also a HP reference that honestly could've been done with.

but also the whole romance...could've come together in a better way. it seemed like all the elements to perfect the story were there, but they were crammed together into a jumbled shape hastily? the character had fiery chemistry and the building of their connection was pretty sweet, but then the "i love you" part came way too abruptly and quickly for my liking. it just seemed rushed, the way their feelings intensified. also, it was written in third-person POV, but that POV kept changing frequently and mid-chapter which made it dirorienting to read.

but even with these missteps, i enjoyed my time with it! and after speaking to the author on my issues, i am left hopeful that we can expect amazing books from her next. so if you want some light and sexy and cute romance, this is your chance!

a hearty thank you to the author for providing me with the ARC!

[diyareads · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the Indian books i'm actually going to recommend to my friends <33.

I usually don't like romance books by indian authors because they know to always mess it up. But this book >>>

The plot was really nice. The banter between Chef *ick and Tanvi was so cute. The fmc yaps and the mmc listens to her. They are opposites but still perfect together.

The starting was a little 🤏🏻 off because NIK WHAT MAN DOESN'T CHECK HIS EMAILS. And I think she got a bit too aggresive when he didn't respond which was not up my alley woman. But as the book goes on, it gets better.

Thankyou to the author for providing me a review copy <3

[Kiranmayi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Full review on my blog:
https://blog.medhaapps.com/2024/03/bo...

Tanvi Bedi is excited about the wedding she is going to plan and execute soon, a coup of sort between two powerful and rich families. The only trouble being the bride wants Michelin star chef Nik Shankar to design the menu and cook for the wedding festivities, but the Chef is a recluse and does not care about being part of expensive weddings.

Nik has been fighting all his life to inherit his ancestral house, but his grandfather has a new condition to settle it amicably — Nik must get married before the house can be transferred to him. As Tanvi confronts Nik for his reluctance to take up the wedding, Nik’s business partner and friend Ruq comes up with an idea — Tanvi to act as Nik’s fake fiancé till the ancestral home is transferred to Nik by his grandfather and in return Nik to take up being the chef for the wedding that Tanvi is planning.

While it sounded like a good deal at the beginning, only after Nik and Tanvi start the charade and visit Nik’s grandfather, are they no longer sure if they are acting or their feelings are real. Will Nik and Tanvi be able to move past their respective past and acknowledge their feelings for each other forms the rest of the story.

A short, pretty wedding planner with a hot temper and a tall, handsome star chef who stays away from media, are protagonists as contrasting as it can get. The story begins with a bang but gets a bit cliched when both readily agree to act as fake lovers. The middle parts also drag when Nik and Tanvi reach Nik’s grandfather’s ancestral home, only to bring back drama in the story when their respective past surfaces, creating the much-needed conflict.

This is the third book in the series (after The Wedding Photographer and Man of her Match) with characters from the earlier two books coming back as supporting characters. Tanvi who had a brief appearance in the earlier two books has this book dedicated to her journey. The author’s strength lies in creating characters who have their own quirks but are relatable. The importance given to mental health awareness by making it a major part of the story and not just adding it as a passing
topic is commendable.

The discussion around homophobia, and reluctance of families to accept gay and trans personalities is also an important part of the story narration. The author has handled all these sensitive but important topics is a very mature way. The family backgrounds of Tanvi and Nik are also well contrasted, with somea strong supporting characters that make the narration interesting till the end. I also like how the respective professions of the protagonists is weaved into the narration with authentic back stories. The romance between Nik and Tanvi is very spicy and warm.

A faster pace in the middle sections could have made the story more appealing. Overall, the book makes for an entertaining read while delivering a good message about the importance of mental health and emotional healing.

[Yesha- Books Teacup and Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Review - https://booksteacupreviews.com/2024/0...

All That Sizzles is entertaining, spicy, and delectable foodie romance that follows Tanvi Bedi a wedding planner and Nik Shankar the Michelin star chef.

Tanvi is the $100 million wedding of a media heiress and one of their non-negotiable request is Nik create the menu for the wedding reception. The only problem is Nik is unapproachable. He wouldn’t respond to emails and would avoid catering to such a large crowd at all cost.

When Tanvi finally got hold of him Nik made a deal with Tanvi, in exchange for catering the wedding she has to be his fake fiance for few weeks so he could get his inheritance from his estranged grandfather. It was amazing to see how their animosity and pretense turned into irresistible attraction and something deep and real.

Plot is flawlessly engaging, entertaining and fast-paced with the right amount of banter, humor, romance, and drama with the theme of healing old wounds, mental health, and forgiveness. All characters added their own charm to the story especially Tanvi, Nik, Bed boys and Ruq.

Nik is introvert, observant, and caring. I loved how early he could detect Tanvi’s guarded exterior, could see the vulnerability behind it, understand her reactions, and respected her feelings even though she hurt him often.

His personal life is a closed book that created suspense about what happened with his grandfather, why he hated him so much and why a dilapidated mansion meant so much to him. When it was revealed in the second half, I liked him even more for living the dream of his loved one and at the same time wanting him to get closure of his issues with his grandfather. It made sense why he cared about the mental health of his staff more than getting fame and making money.

Tanvi is brave, straightforward, and responsible famous for her unbridled reactions and no-nonsense nature that I always admire in heroines. I enjoyed knowing more about her close circle that included her brothers and friends – Nidhi and Risha (they both have their own stories covered in previous books by the author and I’m definitely getting those books pretty soon). I loved Bedi boys. Even though their appearance was intermittent and not long, I enjoyed sibling dynamics and how protective they were of Tanvi.

I loved how the author represented mental health throughout the book, especially with Tanvi’s childhood trauma that she wasn’t aware of until she started experiencing panic attacks. She misinterpreting them and not taking it well until she gets help was all portrayed realistically. I loved how she accepted her flaws and worked on by the end.

Even with some serious and heavy themes of the story, there is humor aplenty, some heartwarming scenes, and many spicy and hot scenes written so perfectly. The chemistry between Tanvi and Nik was the chef’s kiss (pun intended) and the fake relationship added its own spice to their romance.

Overall, All That Sizzles is refreshing, heartwarming, entertaining, and delectable romcom that would make a perfect Bollywood movie.

[Divya Lalitha · Rating 4 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I loved the grumpy-sunshine dynamic between Tanvi and Nik. Tanvi is blunt, no-nonsense, and closed off, while Nik is the complete opposite—open, expressive, and carrying his own baggage. Their interactions were my favorite part; whether they were arguing, bantering, or just having a deep conversation.Their relationship had the perfect mix of tension, humor, and heartfelt moments, which kept me invested throughout.

The book also does a great job with inclusivity. The LGBTQ+ representation felt natural and well-woven into the story, rather than just being added for the sake of diversity.It actually played a role in the character arcs, which I really appreciated.The family dynamics were another highlight and the relationships felt real and endearing.The grandpa’s redemption arc had me this close to crying,and I loved how the story showed that relationships,even within families,are messy but worth fighting for.Also,the book cover?Absolutely perfect for the vibe of the story.

Now for the not-so-great parts.The beginning was rough.The writing felt overly complex in the first few chapters, with a lot of fancy vocabulary that had me reaching for Google.While I appreciate rich writing,sometimes simpler words would have worked just as well.There were also too many characters introduced too fast—I was seriously tempted to draw a family tree to keep track of who was who.Nik’s dialogue in the early chapters sometimes gave off lowkey creepy vibes. But once I got past the initial chapters,things settled into a much better flow,and I found myself genuinely enjoying the story.

Tanvi as a character was interesting but not always easy to love. She has a short temper, and at times, her reactions felt borderline toxic. That being said, the book does a good job of showing her struggles with mental health, making her flaws feel more human rather than just frustrating. And considering Nik is literally a three-star Michelin chef,I really wish we had gotten more cooking scenes!

Also,just a heads-up—this book has explicit and spicy scenes in the later half,so keep that in mind if you’re on the younger side.

Overall inspite of a shaky start, this was an enjoyable read.

[Vidhya Thakkar · Rating 5 out of 5]

When fate stirs the pot, can they handle it?

Just like the title, Sakshama’s All That Sizzles is a sizzling, fun chemistry between wedding planner Tanvi and Chef Nik. Work brings them together and how they plan to make it work makes a sizzling tale of love, passion and romance. Full of laughter and drama with a touch of Indianness, friendship, and love, Saksham weaves an exciting tale, no less than a rollercoaster ride, making readers feel content after a hectic day.

Nik and Tanvi struggle with their inner demons, a battle unknown to others and just like peeling off the layers, they confront their inner demons with each other. Little did they know, it brings them closer. What started as a project was now much more spicy and passionate. Will they accept the love?

Crisp, refreshing and heartwarming, that's how this book is. With an exciting plot and gripping narrative, we could feel the chemistry between Tanvi and Nik and the way the events unfold. What I loved is the way Sakshama gives importance to family, the relationship Tanvi shared with the people in her life and the way she guarded herself.

While Nik is truly the romance hero, I found bits of myself in Tanvi. The passion with which she works, her ethics and the way she protects herself, left an impact on me. While Tanvi is a closed book, Nik is more like an open book which we could read again and again, and his passion for Tanvi is the love we all expect in our lives. Each character is brilliantly developed, making a place in the hearts of the readers. Be it Deepu’s character or Sahil’s character, each of them adds depth to the story.

The chemistry unfolds many layers. It not only talks about love but about the importance of mental health, the sibling's bond, and the lighter, cheerful side of life which we often miss amidst the burden of work. It talks about how the right person can help you fight the battle you have been fighting forever, and how it can help you end that battle. It's a beautiful beautiful read, no less than a Bollywood movie. Sakshama’s candid and enchanting writing style keeps the readers invested in.

[Janane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved & Devoured it ♥️

Pick it if you want to read how a forced fake dating changes into forever between a chef & weeding planner ʘ⁠‿⁠ʘ

This book has everything I love : An absolutely one hundred percent cute & adorable rom com with so much Indian-ness (is that even a word :p)

Tanvi is so beautifully written from being so confident, independent, afraid of being loved & to love someone. And her vibe radiates so much energy throughout the pages. It's difficult not to fall for her, she just makes you do just by being herself ♡⁠˖⁠꒰⁠ᵕ⁠༚⁠ᵕ⁠⑅⁠꒱

Nik, he is every one's dream boyfriend. OMG he was literally everything. Like everything. He was so considerate & caring. The way he turned his trauma & pain around makes us fall for him more. In every chapter he just keeps on increasing the standards. The way he loves is perfection in other words. He was an absolute delight ♥️

Tanvi & Nik's relationship was so fun to read. They travel from: the way they both get to know each other piece by piece, delving into their own insecurities & trauma & finally having the love they both deserve is heart yearning to read yet so vulnerable to experience.

Nik, falls first that's no doubt but the way he keeps just falling her made my heart ache for him. He just knew in his heart & soul that she was the one (⁠✿⁠ ⁠♡⁠‿⁠♡⁠)

The book talks about lots of sensitive topics, the writing was great in a way it just makes you travel with all the emotions displayed. & It just brings so much warmth to the story.

Food just makes everything better, another reason this book will have special place with me 🌼

Apart from that, all the other aspects of the book, was perfect.

Be it Tanvi's relationship with her brothers, was so relatable for me (even though I have sisters). Their bond just has my whole heart literally!

I loved every single character, be it Tanvi's & Nik's friends, deepu, & their family. They were beautifully portrayed each having so much love & vulnerabilities. I ended up falling for them all, & in whole for the book 💛

And Match maker for the win, more love to Ruk 🧡

Ordered her other two books too :)

[Paradise_n_butterflies · Rating 5 out of 5]

All that sizzles is a perfect romcom with the tadka of witty banter and perfect spicy chemistry. Tanvi bedi is a wedding planner about to plan a 100 million dollar wedding (very much like the Ambani's) when a very difficult demand puts her reputation, of being the best wedding planner who can make exceptional requests come true by hook or crook, at risk she is ready to do anything to make this request a reality. And by anything it can also mean being engaged to the very chef who stirred things up in the first place, Chef Nik Shanker.
I lived, laughed, and loved this book. This is the perfect book to shove in people's faces and tell them that Indian authors can write romance and can be exceptionally good. Each and every character had their own unique personality and problem, making every, and by that I mean even the grandfather (VPS), lovable and charismatic.
I loved how the author instead of making them heal each other chose to make the characters heal themselves first and for their loved ones.

The book talks about grief, forgiveness, loss of loved ones, and LGBTQ representation. I want to talk about the Gramps because I know many will/ may hate his character specially foreign readers and yes all the things he did and said were wrong and he realised that too, but if you belong to a community were such topic are considered taboo, it's hard to understand them. It was just the first time they may have heard about such things making them think it unacceptable, even deepti in the book said the same. If the very ideology on which you grew up gets challenged, it's hard to accept the idea. What happened was inevitable but he realised his mistake and tried to make amends before it was too late.
I loved Nik Shanker. He was such a wonderful character. His love for tanvi just makes me want to cry. It was love at first sight for both of them. The way he never expected tanvi to love him back and care for him when he himself bare his soul for her makes him the greenest flag to ever exist!(Though he doesn't exist and that's the problem)
They are made for each other and you can't change my mind!
This is going to be one of my favourites from now on.🥹💖🙈

[Rupsa Pal Kundu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Please swipe for the snippets of the novel.
🥗Recipe for a rom-com with a humane touch:

🍎 Ingredients: a tiny yet beautiful wedding planner- Tanya, a handsome chef - Nik who isn't interested in cooking at weddings, a pair of hot shot industrialists whose children are getting married, dysfunctional families, age old trauma, a few bad discussions, a few good friends and a few good domestic helps.

⏰ Time for cooking and preparation: It's a healthy food disguised as fast food so won't take much time. Around two or three sittings are sufficient if cooked in simmer.

🫕 Method: Arrange for a heavy duty marriage of some industrialists' children. Add in a lot of shopping (preferred brands are like Gucci, Fabindia, Fizzy Goblet etc) especially in Dubai.

Now find a cute wedding planner who has unresolved traumas but is extremely empathetic and efficient. Collide her with a hot chef who can create amazing dishes with grace and has a little penchant for drama, but absolutely reluctant to cook for wedding guests.

Simmer the two main ingredients- Tanya and Nik in pretty conflicts and an opulent and romantic visit to a royal haveli for some twist in the story. Don't ever try to up the flame as this step is the most crucial in amalgamation of decadent flavours.

Now, put in some tragic unresolved drama from the lives of Tanya and Nik. Cook it for a brief period as it's very potent in building the ultimate taste.

Switch off the flame, decorate it with an heirloom emerald engagement ring. Serve hot.

I finished this beautiful rom-com in just two sittings as the book is very addictive. It's sweet while being hot. I enjoyed the fun moments as the author's sense of humor is too good. She is an amazingly sensitive person as her book deals with some mental illness and LGBTQ issues as well.

It can be an awesome companion in a train journey or in the long commutes.

Thank you @penguinindia for this beautiful book. @sakshama you are an amazing storyteller.

[Bookashbutterfly · Rating 5 out of 5]

🪻🩷 All That Sizzles 🩷🪻 by Sakshama Puri Dhariwal 🌷
🌺💕"When fate stirs the pot, can they handle it?"💕🌺
📚Qotd: If you could inherit a Royal Palace, where would you want it and what would you name it?
🌺🌼🪻🌷🌸🌺🌼🪻🌷🌸🌺🌼🪻🌷🌸🌺
🌺 GENRE: Romance
🌺 PAGES: 312
🌺 PUB DAY: 23/12/2023
🌺 RATINGS: 🩷🩷🩷🩷🩷

🌷 SYNOPSIS;Wedding planner Tanvi Bedi is all fired up about her new project, the $100 million wedding of a media heiress. The only hitch is her client’s wishlist chef, Nik Shankar, who avoids weddings at all costs. But there must be something—or someone—he can’t resist.

Nik Shankar’s inheritance is in jeopardy due to his estranged grandfather’s absurd caveat: marry or lose his ancestral home. When Tanvi storms into his office, a surprising solution emerges—Nik will do the wedding if Tanvi poses as his fiancée.

What starts a recipe for disaster turns into a delectable feast of fiery passion. As pretense blurs into reality, Tanvi and Nik must confront their inner demons before their charade goes up in smoke.

🩷 NOTES: 🌷Take equal parts of romance, steam, beautiful background stories and lots of love and you get this Sizzling hot gem of a novel!
🌷First of, thank you so much Sakshama ma'am for the gifted copy of this gorgeous book 📖
🌷 So many great references that connect to the Indian culture are the biggest plus point for me.
🌷 The MC's Nik and Tanvi are imperfectly perfect together!
🌷 Tropes: Fake dating, slow burn, he falls first and HOW, bollywood drama, royals and weddings!

And that Sizzling steam! Woww! A perfect blend of spicy romance 💕
TW's: Past trauma , sexuality, mental health.
🌷Ok, having said that, I highly recommend this novel for the month of love 💕
PS. Where can I order a ROYAL turned CHEF Nik!!??🩷🩷🌷💕🌺
#bookashbutterfly

[Rahul Vishnoi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like mango Rabdi with a tangy orange slice

All That Sizzles is about a wedding planner and a celebrity chef. Tanvi has to organise the wedding of the year (Ambanis?) and their request (order?) is to hire the chef of Apostrophe: Nik. Tanvi’s emails don’t go through and when she finally approaches him through someone, sparks fly.

Almost all the tropes of a romance novel are here- reverse sunshine, forced proximity, grumpy partner. But the author doesn’t fall upon the comforts of stereotypes. The book is clever and funny, one liners smart and sassy.
Puri Dhariwal has made her heroine short as well as short of temper- like a tornado trapped in a popcorn tub. She is headstrong but hiding something dark. The hero employs people with mental health and addiction issues in his restaurant. He equates different fancy foods with things he likes. Just like the title of this piece.

It’s really heartwarming to see the author creating a world which is inclusive, where the people aren’t toxic. Bosses of this world hug their employees and help them ride out their panic attacks. I guess this is the reason why so many empathetic people speak against the glorification of toxicity in mainstream movies like Animal and Kabir Singh. Sure you are free to tell a story but an all-inclusive story actually also reveals the creative heart and mind of the makers behind it. So kudos to the author for creating such a beautiful, little world. The only thing I found jarring was that everyone here, with token exception, was stinking rich. But then, she more than makes up for it with her beautiful characters.

And special mention for the beautiful cover. The book feels exquisite to look at.

[Readbyheart · Rating 5 out of 5]

"All That Sizzles" by Sakshama Puri Dhariwal is a fun rom-com with a spicy blend of chemistry and passion. The story revolves around Tanvi Bedi, a dynamic wedding planner and Nik Shankar, a chef who dislikes weddings. Tanvi is organizing a big wedding and the client insists on having Nik as the chef. However, Nik's dream of inheriting his family home depends on him getting married.

The story takes readers on a twist of events when Tanvi and Nik decide on a crazy plan Tanvi pretends to be Nik's fiancée so he can cater the wedding. As they navigate this fake relationship, the line between pretend and real feelings blurs. The story unfolds with humor, chaos, and a growing romance, and the characters face their own personal challenges. You'll find yourself cheering for them as they navigate through their challenges.The story moves at a good pace, with funny dialogues and touching moments that will keep you hooked.

The author's storytelling brings the characters to life, making Tanvi and Nik relatable and lovable. The book is filled with humor and tender moments. The Author's storytelling is both sizzling and heartwarming, making this novel a must-read for those who crave a perfect blend of spice, humor, and romance in their literary endeavors.

The supporting characters, like the eccentric grandfather and glamorous heiress, add extra flavor to the story.
To sum it up, "All That Sizzles" is a feel-good read, especially if you enjoy sweet romance. I'd totally recommend this book for a heartwarming and happy time!

[Book Island · Rating 5 out of 5]

• 𝕭𝖔𝖔𝖐 𝕽𝖊𝖛𝖎𝖊𝖜 •
All That Sizzles by Sakshama Puri Dhariwal is the passionate and amorous story of Tanvi and Nik. The FMC Tanvi is a wedding planner, whereas the MMC Nik is a chef who shuns weddings at any cost. Chaos begins when Tanvi is planning a wedding for a high-paying client who wishes Nik to be her chef. The issue in Nik's life is his grandfather's outrageous condition of marriage or forfeiture of his ancestral home. Nik offers to do the wedding if Tanvi pretends to be his fiancée, which is a startling option that surfaces when Tanvi barges into his office.

The first thing I would like to mention about the story is humor. The handling of humor is a craft. It's all about articulation with the right timing, and Sakshama passes that with flying colours while handling the fake dating trope. Next is the simplicity of the plot, though it contains many sensitive issues. The two main issues—sexuality and mental health—have been handled excellently. Characters are layered but endearing. With lucid language and an elegant writing style, the story unfolds to cook the relationship of Tanvi and Nik. Tanvi and Nik need to face their inner issues as their pretence fade into reality in order to keep their farce intact. As the language is easy and the author, though handles sensitive matter keeps things light, this book is definitely a beginner reader-friendly read. Overall, on a sizzling pan of romance, Nik and Tanvi's relationship cooks on a slow heat with spices from India that reader's would find a delicious treat.

[Deamer · Rating 5 out of 5]

A sizzling unexpected love story with lots of real, raw layers

I came across this author, while I was foraying into Indian romance fiction years ago. To be honest, I like Western rom coms, but I always wanted to bite into a good Indian romance, and those were way rare then. The moment Amazon Kindle started getting prominence, I picked her books, and wow I was hooked immediately, so I had to pick this up.

I think the most prominent part which I really love is the author's focus style on the main characters. Yes, they are the mains and Tanvi & Nik are stunning, but the subtle nuances she adds to the setting and the relationships surrounding them, that there is a different energy added in, like you know, we Indian's primary focus has always been on family, at least as Millenials, but here focus is on both the characters and family that has kept it special till the end.

Mental health was another angle which I was looking forward to, as this author likes to focus on it, especially keeping it raw and real, not just about the sizzles, and she did not disappoint.

Nik and Tanvi, are two great characters that I immediately connected with. The story and their arc was stunning. It had all the feels I was looking for in an Indian romance. And it was sizzling period.

My takeaway, was if somethings are meant to be let go, let them go by looking forward, but also avoid regrets when there is a genuine possibility. We need to heal to keep going, else we will be stuck even if we are still moving forward.

Book Recommendation - Hell Yeah.