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The Singh Family #1
The Takeover Effect
Hemdeep Singh knows exactly what he wants. With his intelligence and determination, he has what it takes to build his own legacy away from Bharat, Inc. and the empire his father created. But when his brother calls him home, Hem puts his dreams on hold once again to help save the company he walked away from. That’s when he encounters the devastating Mina Kohli in the Bharat boardroom, and he realizes he’s in for more than he had bargained.
Mina will do whatever it takes to regain control of her mother’s law firm, even if it means agreeing to an arranged marriage. Her newest case assignment is to assist Bharat in the midst of a potential takeover. It could be the key to finally achieving her goal while preventing her marriage to a man she doesn’t love—as long as her explosive attraction to Hem doesn’t get in the way.
As Mina and Hem work to save Bharat, they not only uncover secrets that could threaten the existence of the company, but they also learn that in a winner-takes-all game, love always comes out on top.
Mina will do whatever it takes to regain control of her mother’s law firm, even if it means agreeing to an arranged marriage. Her newest case assignment is to assist Bharat in the midst of a potential takeover. It could be the key to finally achieving her goal while preventing her marriage to a man she doesn’t love—as long as her explosive attraction to Hem doesn’t get in the way.
As Mina and Hem work to save Bharat, they not only uncover secrets that could threaten the existence of the company, but they also learn that in a winner-takes-all game, love always comes out on top.
Kindle Edition
First published April 2, 2019
102 people are currently reading
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About the author
Nisha Sharma
20 books2,827 followersNisha Sharma is the critically acclaimed author of YA and adult contemporary romances including My So-Called Bollywood Life, Radha and Jai’s Recipe for Romance, The Singh Family Trilogy and the If Shakespeare was an Auntie series. Her books have appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly and more. She lives in Pennsylvania with her Alaskan husband, her cat Lizzie Bennett and her dog Nancey Drew. You can find her online at Nisha-sharma.com or on TikTok and Instagram @nishawrites.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 184 reviews
July 6, 2019
If you strip away the romance, and left this story as a tense corporate espionage and family feud-y business takeover thriller, I think I would've loved THE TAKEOVER EFFECT. But the romance was very prominent and gross characters (who are supposed to be gross) were extra awful by toying with the heroine and threatening arranged marriages if she didn't comply with their shady nonsense. Which, I mean, I think I could've been okay with just that as a blackmail tactic when, again, paired with the tense business politics and schemes. But the actual romance plot just dragged it all down for me.
I didn't love the romance, obviously, and didn't love the characters together. Infact, maybe didn't love the hero at all? Mina was strong, feminine, feminist, but I also feel like she got railroaded by the hero a bit. She stood up to him but she also let herself be convinced, consumed, and let him distract her beyond sense and logic despite how hard she tried to stay professional. Add to the that the fact that the hero went alpha at every given moment? No me gusta. The fact that we also had constant comparisons, or references or throwaway lines, in association with the hero's "evil ex" was too much. It was to the romance's detriment that so much time was spent tripping over this character that didn't even have her own page time and it felt a little like the author was trying so hard to compare the two women in order to sell us on Mina. Did it work? No. Because I was too distracted by Lisa's ghostly presence in these situations that had nothing to do with her.
Also, the sex scenes? Can't say they did anything for me. They felt very abrupt, often shoehorned into important dialogue or emotional scenes, and they were too out of place, over too quickly, for any connection to be given to them. I like sexy times as much as the next person but I like them better when they have a purpose or build the relationship. These didn't.
I will likely read on in the series because the writing wasn't bad, even if some moments felt a little cheese, and because maybe it was just these characters that failed to sell me on the swoonytimes; other brothers and/or family members, who I assume will get their own stories, might appeal more (the one I most want is the cousin & PA m/m romance because yes hi I want that hate banter please).
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This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
I didn't love the romance, obviously, and didn't love the characters together. Infact, maybe didn't love the hero at all? Mina was strong, feminine, feminist, but I also feel like she got railroaded by the hero a bit. She stood up to him but she also let herself be convinced, consumed, and let him distract her beyond sense and logic despite how hard she tried to stay professional. Add to the that the fact that the hero went alpha at every given moment? No me gusta. The fact that we also had constant comparisons, or references or throwaway lines, in association with the hero's "evil ex" was too much. It was to the romance's detriment that so much time was spent tripping over this character that didn't even have her own page time and it felt a little like the author was trying so hard to compare the two women in order to sell us on Mina. Did it work? No. Because I was too distracted by Lisa's ghostly presence in these situations that had nothing to do with her.
Also, the sex scenes? Can't say they did anything for me. They felt very abrupt, often shoehorned into important dialogue or emotional scenes, and they were too out of place, over too quickly, for any connection to be given to them. I like sexy times as much as the next person but I like them better when they have a purpose or build the relationship. These didn't.
I will likely read on in the series because the writing wasn't bad, even if some moments felt a little cheese, and because maybe it was just these characters that failed to sell me on the swoonytimes; other brothers and/or family members, who I assume will get their own stories, might appeal more (the one I most want is the cousin & PA m/m romance because yes hi I want that hate banter please).
---
This review can also be found at A Take From Two Cities.
March 26, 2019
3.7 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Mina had seen her fair share of beautiful men, but the Singh brothers were in a whole different league. They were like the Punjabis her mother warned her about when she was a child. Their edges weren’t just rough, they were serrated. Built, with smooth dark skin and light brown eyes, their masculinity was barely restrained in custom-fit suits.
Especially Hemdeep Singh.
The first in the Singh Family series, The Takeover Effect, brings together the eldest brother Hemdeep and Mina, a lawyer sent to assess if Bharat, Inc (Singh family company) should take a buy-out from WTA. This was a story full of corporate espionage, insta-spark, and family drama. Ms. Sharma created such a fascinating and emotional world that I was instantly sucked in.
Spending time with Mina meant engaging in a constant battle of wit and lust.
We start off being introduced to Hem and learn that he left as CEO of Bharat to start his own firm. The catalyst was due to family pressure to get married and how he saw that as damaging his relationship with his now ex-girlfriend. When he gets a call that his father had a heart-attack and there is some shady dealings going down by the Bharat board to accept a buy-out, he rushes home to stand with his other two brothers, Ajay and Zail. Hem makes a strong impression right off the bat and I loved his take charge attitude. He's instantly attracted to Mina when he sees her and while their business relationship worked as a credible reason to keep them apart, thus providing some steamy can't quite act on it lust, I would have liked to see more of a gradual mentally falling in love. I also thought that in the second half we lost Hem a little bit, Mina's strong character comes on and instead of them shining together, he fades into the background more. I did, though, immensely enjoy his personality of strong and protective but also sweet and caring.
She’d do anything to get her mother’s company back, except lose her integrity.
Mina's mother died in a car accident when she was younger and since then has worked to be able to eventually take back the law firm she thinks her mother's brothers pushed her mother out of, causing her drinking. Her uncle has been pressuring her to agree to an arranged marriage, claiming he'll make her an equity partner if she does. When her uncle comes to her with another deal, this time to unethically and illegally present a biased opinion on a buyout report, she knows it is time to start taking action against her uncle. Mina was a fantastic heroine, she was strong, capable, smart, funny, cheeky, and had that hint of vulnerability that creates just the right amount of empathy, sympathy, and endearing. I loved how she more than matched Hem's strong personality, they absorb each other's emotions instead of having them bounce off. I liked the friendship she seemed to have with her friend Rajneet but I wanted them to appear more together; Rajneet was a defined character but also a pretty clear series baiting one, too. I also think Mina's relationship with her father could have been flushed out more, he's pretty absent for most of the story to then come forward at the end to provide what is supposed to be a heavy emotional moment.
“Hiriye, I’m a sardar. A Punjabi Sikh man. Do you really think I can resist a challenge?”
“And I’m a sardarni,” she snapped. “Do you really think I’ll put up with your bullshit?”
He leaned forward and stole a quick kiss. “Challenge accepted.”
These two were such a well matched couple, I loved them but I also wanted more. Like I mentioned, it was pretty much insta from Hem, with Mina a little emotionally slow to get there and being the one to recognize the professional problems. The professional issues worked very well to hold off the ultimate physical insta-lusting, giving our couple more time to interact on the pages before the sex scenes started, something I, personally, appreciate. I did think the sex scenes got a bit over-the-top at times, let's just say I'm happy about all the chai they are drinking because of all the screaming going on. They had such delectable back and forth, I craved more scenes of them just being together.
“Mai tuhade lai a ri aahn.” I’m coming for you.
The corporate espionage plot was intriguing and this may be a weird thing to point out but I liked how the author mentioned/incorporated all the technology (tablets, etc) that would be such common instruments for business people, gave it a sleek and actual contemporary feel. I did cringe at times when Mina's uncle's weight comes into mention (paunch, neck rolls, sweaty) in such a way that it felt like it was supposed to highlight his villain status, this is old imagery that needs to go away. I also thought, there was some unneeded drama at the end where Hem had some slightly out of character angst. It was pretty quick and quickly dealt with but I just didn't feel the ending needed that. However, the conversation between Hem and his father provided lovely heartfelt emotion.
This was an excellent start to the Singh Family series and because of how vivid the world and stirring the characters were that the author created, I craved a Danielle Steel-esque page count. The corporate espionage takes pages away from Hem and Mina more than I would have liked but they're still worth the price of admission. Bharat, Inc isn't out of the woods yet and with a cliffhanger involving that thread, I can't wait for the second in the series to see Ajay and Zail (or perhaps their cousin Brahm?) find a heroine (or hero) to more than match them.
They linked fingers and tangled limbs. “It was worth the wait,” she said softly.
Hem chuckled. “That was just the start.”
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Mina had seen her fair share of beautiful men, but the Singh brothers were in a whole different league. They were like the Punjabis her mother warned her about when she was a child. Their edges weren’t just rough, they were serrated. Built, with smooth dark skin and light brown eyes, their masculinity was barely restrained in custom-fit suits.
Especially Hemdeep Singh.
The first in the Singh Family series, The Takeover Effect, brings together the eldest brother Hemdeep and Mina, a lawyer sent to assess if Bharat, Inc (Singh family company) should take a buy-out from WTA. This was a story full of corporate espionage, insta-spark, and family drama. Ms. Sharma created such a fascinating and emotional world that I was instantly sucked in.
Spending time with Mina meant engaging in a constant battle of wit and lust.
We start off being introduced to Hem and learn that he left as CEO of Bharat to start his own firm. The catalyst was due to family pressure to get married and how he saw that as damaging his relationship with his now ex-girlfriend. When he gets a call that his father had a heart-attack and there is some shady dealings going down by the Bharat board to accept a buy-out, he rushes home to stand with his other two brothers, Ajay and Zail. Hem makes a strong impression right off the bat and I loved his take charge attitude. He's instantly attracted to Mina when he sees her and while their business relationship worked as a credible reason to keep them apart, thus providing some steamy can't quite act on it lust, I would have liked to see more of a gradual mentally falling in love. I also thought that in the second half we lost Hem a little bit, Mina's strong character comes on and instead of them shining together, he fades into the background more. I did, though, immensely enjoy his personality of strong and protective but also sweet and caring.
She’d do anything to get her mother’s company back, except lose her integrity.
Mina's mother died in a car accident when she was younger and since then has worked to be able to eventually take back the law firm she thinks her mother's brothers pushed her mother out of, causing her drinking. Her uncle has been pressuring her to agree to an arranged marriage, claiming he'll make her an equity partner if she does. When her uncle comes to her with another deal, this time to unethically and illegally present a biased opinion on a buyout report, she knows it is time to start taking action against her uncle. Mina was a fantastic heroine, she was strong, capable, smart, funny, cheeky, and had that hint of vulnerability that creates just the right amount of empathy, sympathy, and endearing. I loved how she more than matched Hem's strong personality, they absorb each other's emotions instead of having them bounce off. I liked the friendship she seemed to have with her friend Rajneet but I wanted them to appear more together; Rajneet was a defined character but also a pretty clear series baiting one, too. I also think Mina's relationship with her father could have been flushed out more, he's pretty absent for most of the story to then come forward at the end to provide what is supposed to be a heavy emotional moment.
“Hiriye, I’m a sardar. A Punjabi Sikh man. Do you really think I can resist a challenge?”
“And I’m a sardarni,” she snapped. “Do you really think I’ll put up with your bullshit?”
He leaned forward and stole a quick kiss. “Challenge accepted.”
These two were such a well matched couple, I loved them but I also wanted more. Like I mentioned, it was pretty much insta from Hem, with Mina a little emotionally slow to get there and being the one to recognize the professional problems. The professional issues worked very well to hold off the ultimate physical insta-lusting, giving our couple more time to interact on the pages before the sex scenes started, something I, personally, appreciate. I did think the sex scenes got a bit over-the-top at times, let's just say I'm happy about all the chai they are drinking because of all the screaming going on. They had such delectable back and forth, I craved more scenes of them just being together.
“Mai tuhade lai a ri aahn.” I’m coming for you.
The corporate espionage plot was intriguing and this may be a weird thing to point out but I liked how the author mentioned/incorporated all the technology (tablets, etc) that would be such common instruments for business people, gave it a sleek and actual contemporary feel. I did cringe at times when Mina's uncle's weight comes into mention (paunch, neck rolls, sweaty) in such a way that it felt like it was supposed to highlight his villain status, this is old imagery that needs to go away. I also thought, there was some unneeded drama at the end where Hem had some slightly out of character angst. It was pretty quick and quickly dealt with but I just didn't feel the ending needed that. However, the conversation between Hem and his father provided lovely heartfelt emotion.
This was an excellent start to the Singh Family series and because of how vivid the world and stirring the characters were that the author created, I craved a Danielle Steel-esque page count. The corporate espionage takes pages away from Hem and Mina more than I would have liked but they're still worth the price of admission. Bharat, Inc isn't out of the woods yet and with a cliffhanger involving that thread, I can't wait for the second in the series to see Ajay and Zail (or perhaps their cousin Brahm?) find a heroine (or hero) to more than match them.
They linked fingers and tangled limbs. “It was worth the wait,” she said softly.
Hem chuckled. “That was just the start.”
March 29, 2019
Hem wanted to branch out on his own, to leave his father’s tech company behind for good, but when he gets a call that another company is attempting a takeover of everything his father has worked towards, he comes home to help. Meanwhile, Mina must take on the role of his legal counsel in hopes of appeasing her greedy uncle and boss. All she wants is to get the job done and become a partner, no distractions—but what can she do to say no to the beautiful Sikh man wooing her now?
There are a handful of things I look for in romance novels: first and foremost being diversity and focus on consent, but beyond that, I’m such a sucker for a businesswoman as a heroine. There’s something about a strong, bold, sometimes angry woman who isn’t willing to hear the word “no” ¬from anyone that just sucks me in so fast, so I was pretty pumped for The Takeover Effect.
→ L I K E S :
Mina had seen her fair share of beautiful men, but the Singh brothers were in a whole different league.
Luckily, Mina fills that role pretty well. I’ll be honest, I didn’t always understand what she was going on about—there is a lot of business-y and legal jargon in here, if you’re someone like me who has no clue about most of that stuff—but I liked the way she put herself across and I really appreciated how headstrong she could be (except when it came to Hem, most of the time).
Hem, meanwhile, is such a softie I can’t even stand it (in a good way!). He’s this huge, hulking, scary, slightly angry dude, but then he gets all emotional and love-y and cute, and it’s fun to watch the transitions between his alone moments with Mina, and the rest of the time, when he’s yelling at people or fussing with his brothers.
It doesn’t hurt that the plot is super intriguing, too, and I was genuinely in suspense for a while over who the culprits were and how certain things would go down; however, if I had to pick one favorite thing about this novel, it’s easily the representation of Mina’s and Hem’s cultures. There is so much talk of food and tradition, cultural celebrations, and even some commentary on religion. They speak Punjabi to each other and get all gooey and mushy, and it’s just so sweet and lovely.
→ D I S L I K E S :
There were just a few minor issues I had, and these were why I couldn’t quite give The Takeover Effect a full 5 stars: first, the romantic dialogue often didn’t feel natural to me. I think it’s because I didn’t feel like we got to spend much time in the buildup of their relationship, so it felt weird sometimes.
Second, I think the sex scenes needed work. The first sexual encounter in the book is really awkwardly timed during a super serious/stressful discussion, and it kind of comes out of nowhere. There’s also some weird stuff regarding sex without condoms, and Hem not explicitly getting Mina’s permission to stop using them? It didn’t feel non-con necessarily, but I would’ve liked to have seen the author take just a paragraph or two to address the consent issues there beforehand.
Those two issues were pretty small and didn’t affect my enjoyment too much, but the biggest reason I knocked off a star is just that Hem is really pushy and that’s always a little bit of a turn-off for me with romance heroes.
All of that aside, I liked so much more than I disliked about this book, and I can’t justify taking it any lower than 4 stars because, frankly, this is 100% a book worth picking up, and I can’t wait to read the second installment in the series!
All quotes come from an advance copy and may not match the final release. Thank you so much to Avon Impulse for providing me with this ARC in exchange for an honest review!
March 30, 2019
I've been stalking The Takeover Effect pretty much it was announced. A romance novel about brown/desi people falling in love? Heck yeah, I was all over it. It's safe to say that I was hyped for The Takeover Effect and oh my goodness, did it deliver or what! It was fierce, sexy, and just one of the most romantic books I have ever read.
I really loved all the characters in this book and by the end, I was left eagerly awaiting some of the side characters' books. Our protagonist here is Mina. She's a badass lawyer who is an unfortunate situation. Her gross uncles have taken over her late mother's company and her uncles are now forcing her into an arranged marriage that she most definitely does not want. Mina was great! She was smart, bold, and definitely a go-getter. I enjoyed her passion and her drive. I low-key wish I had that badass confidence that she had. Mina wasn't a woman who let people walk all over her. In fact, she could crush anyone with her heels! Then there was, Hem. He was a perfect match for Mina. Guys, I fell so head over heels for this guy. He was most definitely husband material. Hem was a family-oriented man who was also ruthlessly driven. Despite his family's fame, he remained a man who was humble and true to himself. Gahh! I'm just about swooning here just remembering him.
Mina and Hem meet when she is asked to help Hem's family company before a potential buyout. Their attraction to each other was instant and their romance was very fulfilling. I loved how Hem was all in and was willing to go to lengths for Mina and her happiness. There were times when he was being very possessive and Mina didn't hold back her thoughts. I loved how comfortable they were around each other and their banter was definitely top-notch. And the sex scenes? SMOKING! These two were just perfect for each other. I also loved how family-oriented The Takeover Effect was. Hem's family was important to him and they were definitely a focus here. I loved his interactions with his brothers who were all uber hot (and who are all getting their own books!). The plot was also fun. I enjoyed the whole business aspect and internal company politics.
The Takeover Effect was a fantastic romantic adult debut for Nisha Sharma. I hope she keeps writing more of these romances because I'm certainly obsessed.
I really loved all the characters in this book and by the end, I was left eagerly awaiting some of the side characters' books. Our protagonist here is Mina. She's a badass lawyer who is an unfortunate situation. Her gross uncles have taken over her late mother's company and her uncles are now forcing her into an arranged marriage that she most definitely does not want. Mina was great! She was smart, bold, and definitely a go-getter. I enjoyed her passion and her drive. I low-key wish I had that badass confidence that she had. Mina wasn't a woman who let people walk all over her. In fact, she could crush anyone with her heels! Then there was, Hem. He was a perfect match for Mina. Guys, I fell so head over heels for this guy. He was most definitely husband material. Hem was a family-oriented man who was also ruthlessly driven. Despite his family's fame, he remained a man who was humble and true to himself. Gahh! I'm just about swooning here just remembering him.
Mina and Hem meet when she is asked to help Hem's family company before a potential buyout. Their attraction to each other was instant and their romance was very fulfilling. I loved how Hem was all in and was willing to go to lengths for Mina and her happiness. There were times when he was being very possessive and Mina didn't hold back her thoughts. I loved how comfortable they were around each other and their banter was definitely top-notch. And the sex scenes? SMOKING! These two were just perfect for each other. I also loved how family-oriented The Takeover Effect was. Hem's family was important to him and they were definitely a focus here. I loved his interactions with his brothers who were all uber hot (and who are all getting their own books!). The plot was also fun. I enjoyed the whole business aspect and internal company politics.
The Takeover Effect was a fantastic romantic adult debut for Nisha Sharma. I hope she keeps writing more of these romances because I'm certainly obsessed.
April 3, 2019
Hello lovely readers!
I know, rating my book 5 stars is sort of cheating, but hey, I'm biased and I'm owning it. I wanted to drop in and share some fun information about The Singh Trilogy.
The story was inspired by tons of shenanigans I was lucky enough to witness in law and tech. In the trilogy, three brothers work together to help save their father's company from a takeover attempt. Each story features a different brother, and a different type of love. The Takeover Effect is about love at first sight. I truly believe in insta-love, and that everyone, even jaded educated professionals can experience it. The second story and third will feature lust to love and friends to lovers. I can't wait to share my stories with you!
First, i'd really appreciate if you could also review on Amazon (if you purchased there). It's important for the book's visibility.
Second, feel free to sign up for my newsletter for information about appearances, giveaways, and new book news. The sign up page is available on my website as well.
Last but not least, I'm going to be signing paperback copies of my book at KissCon in April and at RWA in July! More appearance information is up on my, you guessed it, website.
I try to keep everyone posted on my whereabouts through the site, but if not, check out my Instagram and Twitter for other ramblings and odd tidbits @nishawrites.
Happy reading!
I know, rating my book 5 stars is sort of cheating, but hey, I'm biased and I'm owning it. I wanted to drop in and share some fun information about The Singh Trilogy.
The story was inspired by tons of shenanigans I was lucky enough to witness in law and tech. In the trilogy, three brothers work together to help save their father's company from a takeover attempt. Each story features a different brother, and a different type of love. The Takeover Effect is about love at first sight. I truly believe in insta-love, and that everyone, even jaded educated professionals can experience it. The second story and third will feature lust to love and friends to lovers. I can't wait to share my stories with you!
First, i'd really appreciate if you could also review on Amazon (if you purchased there). It's important for the book's visibility.
Second, feel free to sign up for my newsletter for information about appearances, giveaways, and new book news. The sign up page is available on my website as well.
Last but not least, I'm going to be signing paperback copies of my book at KissCon in April and at RWA in July! More appearance information is up on my, you guessed it, website.
I try to keep everyone posted on my whereabouts through the site, but if not, check out my Instagram and Twitter for other ramblings and odd tidbits @nishawrites.
Happy reading!
March 8, 2019
I had high hopes for THE TAKEOVER EFFECT and my hopes were realised. I have really enjoyed previous desi contemporary romantic reads so I knew this was a book worth taking a chance on. THE TAKEOVER EFFECT was about equality in the workplace, legacy and it had an office setting with a whole spaghetti of problems because the mix of family and work is complicated.
Mina was a feminist to the core and I delighted in her character. This was a woman who knew herself, had drive and was a realistic beacon for readers. Mina's work as a lawyer found her in an unbiased role assessing an attempt to buy out a multi-million dollar company. Here she met Hem, eldest brother and ex-CEO of the organisation. Hem was a strong Sikh man with feminist sensibilities (hooray) and what ensued between these two was a slow-burn of sizzling chemistry set in a great plot. I loved watching the connection between these two grow.
The story was interesting from the start with some fast-paced excitement towards the end. I really enjoyed the other characters, they gave depth to the read and I am envisaging future stories for a number of them; I want books with Raj and the other brothers. I have found a new author to keep watch for and I am delighted. More of these desi diverse reads please, the book world needs them.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
Mina was a feminist to the core and I delighted in her character. This was a woman who knew herself, had drive and was a realistic beacon for readers. Mina's work as a lawyer found her in an unbiased role assessing an attempt to buy out a multi-million dollar company. Here she met Hem, eldest brother and ex-CEO of the organisation. Hem was a strong Sikh man with feminist sensibilities (hooray) and what ensued between these two was a slow-burn of sizzling chemistry set in a great plot. I loved watching the connection between these two grow.
The story was interesting from the start with some fast-paced excitement towards the end. I really enjoyed the other characters, they gave depth to the read and I am envisaging future stories for a number of them; I want books with Raj and the other brothers. I have found a new author to keep watch for and I am delighted. More of these desi diverse reads please, the book world needs them.
I voluntarily read an early copy of this book.
October 15, 2025
This was a fast-paced, whirlwind romance between a very charming billionaire ready for love and an independent, business-oriented woman trying (and failing) to keep things strictly professional and I'm so excited to get into the rest of this series.
Hemdeep is just one of those characters that is the epitome of a man written by a woman: flawless even when handling his mistakes.
Mina is stronger than I am in her attempts to pretend like she wasn't ready to go all in with that man from day one.
This is also a very messy family...I loved it.
CW: explicit sexual content (minimal), reference to alcohol dependency, toxic family dynamics + manipulation, off-page death of parent, hospitalized parent.
Hemdeep is just one of those characters that is the epitome of a man written by a woman: flawless even when handling his mistakes.
Mina is stronger than I am in her attempts to pretend like she wasn't ready to go all in with that man from day one.
This is also a very messy family...I loved it.
CW: explicit sexual content (minimal), reference to alcohol dependency, toxic family dynamics + manipulation, off-page death of parent, hospitalized parent.
March 26, 2019
This review was originally posted on (un)Conventional Bookworms
*I received a free copy of [title] from [publisher] via Edelweiss. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *The Takeover Effect was an excellent story on absolutely every level! A boardroom thriller / romance, it kept me riveted from start to finish.
Add in a very strong and intelligent female lawyer, and a strong-minded, honest oldest son in charge of his own company coming back to save the family, and you have a recipe for greatness!
*I received a free copy of [title] from [publisher] via Edelweiss. This has in no way influenced my voluntary review, which is honest and unbiased *The Takeover Effect was an excellent story on absolutely every level! A boardroom thriller / romance, it kept me riveted from start to finish.
Add in a very strong and intelligent female lawyer, and a strong-minded, honest oldest son in charge of his own company coming back to save the family, and you have a recipe for greatness!
February 21, 2019
What do you do when you are in a sort of reading slump and nothing looks interesting - I decided to pick up the latest romance by my favorite author, because Nisha Sharma totally delighted me in My So-Called Bollywood Life and I expected nothing less from this book. And I’m so glad it lived up to all the promise and hopefully, my slump is a thing of history.
I’m one of those readers who loves books with tropes, especially in romances because sometimes, the predictability can be comforting and just what I need. I also agree with the various discussions in the community that even though many readers are bored with tropey romances, it’s a fact that POC readers have not had much opportunity to enjoy these tropes with characters who look like them. And that’s why this book felt extra special to me. Nisha uses the common plot lines we see in lots of adult/erotic romances - billionaire alpha male hero, independent ambitious heroine, hostile business takeover and some good old corporate espionage - while rooting the story in desi culture, and that’s why it felt so relatable even though I’ve never met such rich people in my life 😉😉. While this book has a definite case of instalove, I found it convincing enough and the intensity of the interactions between the MCs was quite interesting. The author also managed to strike a great balance between the love story, the family dynamics of both the MCs and the subplot revolving around the business. All the references to delicious Indian food made me very hungry 😋, the discussions about nosy families were hilarious and I absolutely loved the little Punjabi words in conversations.
Hem is an interesting character - he loves his family, takes his duty as the eldest son seriously but also wants to chart his own path in life and career. I liked his loyalty and drive and self assured nature. My only pet peeve is that he is too alpha and possessive for my taste. I absolutely adored Mina. She is spunky, confident, ambitious and knows exactly what she wants in life - though she might not always be sure how to get there. I liked their romantic dynamic - sometimes sweet and vulnerable, others highly intense - but I never doubted their feelings despite everything happening fairly quickly. I really loved Hem’s brothers Ajay and Zail. The trio make for some great scenes and I especially enjoyed their dynamic at the workplace. Their mom is the typical Indian mother - a strong woman, the rock behind her husband’s success, who loves feeding everyone and just wants her sons to get married. Their father and the genius behind the business can be slightly hardheaded and proud, but I came to like him towards the end. I completely fell in love with this family and can’t wait to get to know more about them all.
This book was exactly what I needed for my current mood and I’m so thankful to Nisha for writing such wonderful books with Indian American characters. This is a fun, entertaining and exciting romance novel with very strong characters, rooted in our culture while also having a very interesting business takeover subplot. It also ends on a slightly mysterious note and I can only hope that the next book is going to be about Ajay and Mina’s bff Raj, with a whole lot of shenanigans.
I’m one of those readers who loves books with tropes, especially in romances because sometimes, the predictability can be comforting and just what I need. I also agree with the various discussions in the community that even though many readers are bored with tropey romances, it’s a fact that POC readers have not had much opportunity to enjoy these tropes with characters who look like them. And that’s why this book felt extra special to me. Nisha uses the common plot lines we see in lots of adult/erotic romances - billionaire alpha male hero, independent ambitious heroine, hostile business takeover and some good old corporate espionage - while rooting the story in desi culture, and that’s why it felt so relatable even though I’ve never met such rich people in my life 😉😉. While this book has a definite case of instalove, I found it convincing enough and the intensity of the interactions between the MCs was quite interesting. The author also managed to strike a great balance between the love story, the family dynamics of both the MCs and the subplot revolving around the business. All the references to delicious Indian food made me very hungry 😋, the discussions about nosy families were hilarious and I absolutely loved the little Punjabi words in conversations.
Hem is an interesting character - he loves his family, takes his duty as the eldest son seriously but also wants to chart his own path in life and career. I liked his loyalty and drive and self assured nature. My only pet peeve is that he is too alpha and possessive for my taste. I absolutely adored Mina. She is spunky, confident, ambitious and knows exactly what she wants in life - though she might not always be sure how to get there. I liked their romantic dynamic - sometimes sweet and vulnerable, others highly intense - but I never doubted their feelings despite everything happening fairly quickly. I really loved Hem’s brothers Ajay and Zail. The trio make for some great scenes and I especially enjoyed their dynamic at the workplace. Their mom is the typical Indian mother - a strong woman, the rock behind her husband’s success, who loves feeding everyone and just wants her sons to get married. Their father and the genius behind the business can be slightly hardheaded and proud, but I came to like him towards the end. I completely fell in love with this family and can’t wait to get to know more about them all.
This book was exactly what I needed for my current mood and I’m so thankful to Nisha for writing such wonderful books with Indian American characters. This is a fun, entertaining and exciting romance novel with very strong characters, rooted in our culture while also having a very interesting business takeover subplot. It also ends on a slightly mysterious note and I can only hope that the next book is going to be about Ajay and Mina’s bff Raj, with a whole lot of shenanigans.
July 7, 2021
Main tuhadi sari zindagi nu pyar karan di udika kara riha hum.
BRB crying because I know for a fact that desi guys IRL don't hold a candle to Hemdeep Singh.
Also Mina is such a baddie omg I want to be her friend so bad.
BRB crying because I know for a fact that desi guys IRL don't hold a candle to Hemdeep Singh.
Also Mina is such a baddie omg I want to be her friend so bad.
December 30, 2024
can’t believe i am saying that i am not a fan of a piece of work by nisha sharma.
it felt too rushed, i genuinely did not like the main characters, and again i was expecting more romance/spice.
it felt too rushed, i genuinely did not like the main characters, and again i was expecting more romance/spice.
November 20, 2019
C- review: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/r...
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
Disclaimer: I received a free e-ARC from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
May 3, 2019
I mostly liked this! The biggest problem that I had was that it's intensely business focused (fine), but I have a very hard time believing in the business story and the ethical lapses on the parts of our two lawyer protagonists drove me a little batty. The hero was also maybe a bit more alpha than I would have preferred, because he bulldozes past stated boundaries of the heroine on more than one occasion, but it's not any worse than any other business executive hero I have ever read.
I will probably pick up the sequels.
I will probably pick up the sequels.
December 9, 2023
No 3rd act breakup, just a height of the moment argument.
Some of the great stuff might have been a little OTT and omg I'm so hungry for Indian food and a decent chai, but I honestly think this might be almost the perfect romance novel???? I'm hoping to dive into the second book soon and hope we get a third sooner or later.
Some of the great stuff might have been a little OTT and omg I'm so hungry for Indian food and a decent chai, but I honestly think this might be almost the perfect romance novel???? I'm hoping to dive into the second book soon and hope we get a third sooner or later.
April 18, 2019
I really enjoyed this book. I felt that for someone who hasn’t ever written adult romance, Nisha Sharma did an incredible job. I absolutely loved the Indian culture and the talks of all the food and the different sayings thrown into it. I did feel like the sex scenes were okay but not like incredible. I also felt that there were parts that were a little rushed and not fleshed out so much. But overall, I really did enjoy it and I cannot wait to read the next book in the series
April 19, 2019
Actual Rating 3.5
I absolutely adored My So-Called Bollywood Life when I read it last year so when I found out that Nisha Sharma was writing another book, specifically an adult romance, I was all aboard. When I found out the series would follow a wealthy Sikh Punjabi-American family, I WAS EVEN MORE EXCITED (which I didn’t know was possible but whatever.)
The Takeover Effect is a quick read. The pages just sort of fly by. That said, it did take me more than half the book to actually be invested in the characters and the plot. I don’t know if I can even point out a specific reason why this was but I didn’t really click with the book until shit hit the fan.
And when shit hit the fan, IT HIT THE FAN. I found myself incredibly invested in the plot and needed to know whether Bharat, Inc. would be saved and if Mina would finally get justice for the shit her uncles had put her through.
Hemdeep Singh is the prodigal son. After a falling out with his parents, he leaves the family company and starts his own law firm. When his father has a heart attack and the board of Bharat, Inc. is up to some sketchy shit, Hemdeep is forced to come back and confront his past.
Mina Kaur Kohli will do anything to become a partner at the law firm her mother built from nothing and her uncles stole from her. But does that include lying to the board of Bharat, Inc. about whether or not they should sell the company?
When these two ambitious souls meet, they are immediately attracted to each other. But conflicting interests get in the way and they have to figure out how to navigate their new, budding relationship while investigating who is leaking company secrets to competitors.
To be quite frank, I am not sure I was actually invested in the romance? I loved Hem and Mina as individuals but their insta-attraction and some of Hem’s more alpha qualities didn’t always work for me. He once got sort of riled up when they first met because his brother and her clicked??? WTF?? Bro, take a chill pill.
The Takeover Effect is a romance novel so maybe the fact that I wasn’t invested in the romance should have resulted in me DNFing the book but there was just so much going on plot-wise and secondary relationships that I found myself invested in the book overall. There were a LOT of secondary characters that I fell in love with and wish I could see more of and potentially even get to read full length novels about.
I also just loved how the characters’ identities as Sikh Punjabis was woven into the book. Both Hem and Mina connected to those identities differently given the vast differences in how they grew up and I LOVED that we got to see such contrasts. I loved that the characters got to express their shared identity in different ways.
Overall, The Takeover Effect is far from perfect but it is such a great start to this series. I cannot wait to read more of the brothers (and potentially other characters???) down the road and hope that this book/series might even make it to the big screen one of these days!
I absolutely adored My So-Called Bollywood Life when I read it last year so when I found out that Nisha Sharma was writing another book, specifically an adult romance, I was all aboard. When I found out the series would follow a wealthy Sikh Punjabi-American family, I WAS EVEN MORE EXCITED (which I didn’t know was possible but whatever.)
The Takeover Effect is a quick read. The pages just sort of fly by. That said, it did take me more than half the book to actually be invested in the characters and the plot. I don’t know if I can even point out a specific reason why this was but I didn’t really click with the book until shit hit the fan.
And when shit hit the fan, IT HIT THE FAN. I found myself incredibly invested in the plot and needed to know whether Bharat, Inc. would be saved and if Mina would finally get justice for the shit her uncles had put her through.
Hemdeep Singh is the prodigal son. After a falling out with his parents, he leaves the family company and starts his own law firm. When his father has a heart attack and the board of Bharat, Inc. is up to some sketchy shit, Hemdeep is forced to come back and confront his past.
Mina Kaur Kohli will do anything to become a partner at the law firm her mother built from nothing and her uncles stole from her. But does that include lying to the board of Bharat, Inc. about whether or not they should sell the company?
When these two ambitious souls meet, they are immediately attracted to each other. But conflicting interests get in the way and they have to figure out how to navigate their new, budding relationship while investigating who is leaking company secrets to competitors.
To be quite frank, I am not sure I was actually invested in the romance? I loved Hem and Mina as individuals but their insta-attraction and some of Hem’s more alpha qualities didn’t always work for me. He once got sort of riled up when they first met because his brother and her clicked??? WTF?? Bro, take a chill pill.
The Takeover Effect is a romance novel so maybe the fact that I wasn’t invested in the romance should have resulted in me DNFing the book but there was just so much going on plot-wise and secondary relationships that I found myself invested in the book overall. There were a LOT of secondary characters that I fell in love with and wish I could see more of and potentially even get to read full length novels about.
I also just loved how the characters’ identities as Sikh Punjabis was woven into the book. Both Hem and Mina connected to those identities differently given the vast differences in how they grew up and I LOVED that we got to see such contrasts. I loved that the characters got to express their shared identity in different ways.
Overall, The Takeover Effect is far from perfect but it is such a great start to this series. I cannot wait to read more of the brothers (and potentially other characters???) down the road and hope that this book/series might even make it to the big screen one of these days!
May 25, 2019
My Rating: 2.5/5 stars
I jumped at the chance when Nisha Sharma came into my email and asked if I wanted to review her first adult romance novel. I read one of Nisha's books before (My So-Called Bollywood Life) and enjoyed it enough to trust that Nisha can write a decent book. And The Takeover Effect hit the mark, met all my standards of a good romance, but it ultimately fizzled/sizzled for me. I was waiting for the heat, the intrigue, the build-up but it was an overall average book to me.
Now for fans of romance with an edgier twist where there's an underlying plot going on including actual villains then this one is for you. All Mina wants is to be partner of the law firm her mother built from the ground up but was taken over by her evil uncle when she passed away in a tragic car accident. Rumors say that her mother had a heavy drinking problem but Mina was too young to really know so readers feel anger towards anyone slandering her name without proper proof. Don't worry folks, the truth does come out. Anyways, when Mina's dirt bag tells her to basically become bias and convince everyone on the council of Bharat Inc, to agree on the hostile takeover situation.
Hem, on the other hand, comes flying black to Bharat and owns up to his position. He can't let his father's legacy/american dream go into the hands of a buyer when it should always be family owned and passed on from generation to generation. It would be easier if Mina wasn't so hot and his enemy basically.
Anyways, instead of the whole idea where Mina would do whatever it takes to take back her mother's firm and therefore, be unlawful, she would rather look at it objectively. What does her uncle want out of this situation? What is really happening behind the scenes? Which is great but it also saved a lot of the expected angst from the synopsis because Hem trusts Mina since she's honest as a rock. And they fall in love. Quickly. Actually, they get intimate quickly which is bothering a lot of the readers but guys, the book is short. It probably needed to wrap up quickly to meet the publisher's specifications so I'm not going to be mad about this. I found the pacing to be fine.
Like I said, the only issue is that nothing really happened enough for me to grip my book and go WHY? WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN? I just kind of went 'oh, okay.' and a 'sure, let's go with this' and so that's why it's just a sizzle and not FIRE IN THE KITCHEN.
MY RECOMMENDATION
I would still recommend you to read this book because it's a romance from a big publisher about south asian characters and it's 2019 and about time we see some variety.
I jumped at the chance when Nisha Sharma came into my email and asked if I wanted to review her first adult romance novel. I read one of Nisha's books before (My So-Called Bollywood Life) and enjoyed it enough to trust that Nisha can write a decent book. And The Takeover Effect hit the mark, met all my standards of a good romance, but it ultimately fizzled/sizzled for me. I was waiting for the heat, the intrigue, the build-up but it was an overall average book to me.
Now for fans of romance with an edgier twist where there's an underlying plot going on including actual villains then this one is for you. All Mina wants is to be partner of the law firm her mother built from the ground up but was taken over by her evil uncle when she passed away in a tragic car accident. Rumors say that her mother had a heavy drinking problem but Mina was too young to really know so readers feel anger towards anyone slandering her name without proper proof. Don't worry folks, the truth does come out. Anyways, when Mina's dirt bag tells her to basically become bias and convince everyone on the council of Bharat Inc, to agree on the hostile takeover situation.
Hem, on the other hand, comes flying black to Bharat and owns up to his position. He can't let his father's legacy/american dream go into the hands of a buyer when it should always be family owned and passed on from generation to generation. It would be easier if Mina wasn't so hot and his enemy basically.
Anyways, instead of the whole idea where Mina would do whatever it takes to take back her mother's firm and therefore, be unlawful, she would rather look at it objectively. What does her uncle want out of this situation? What is really happening behind the scenes? Which is great but it also saved a lot of the expected angst from the synopsis because Hem trusts Mina since she's honest as a rock. And they fall in love. Quickly. Actually, they get intimate quickly which is bothering a lot of the readers but guys, the book is short. It probably needed to wrap up quickly to meet the publisher's specifications so I'm not going to be mad about this. I found the pacing to be fine.
Like I said, the only issue is that nothing really happened enough for me to grip my book and go WHY? WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT'S GOING TO HAPPEN? I just kind of went 'oh, okay.' and a 'sure, let's go with this' and so that's why it's just a sizzle and not FIRE IN THE KITCHEN.
MY RECOMMENDATION
I would still recommend you to read this book because it's a romance from a big publisher about south asian characters and it's 2019 and about time we see some variety.
April 17, 2020
Corporate espionage, a close knit Indian-American family, one spicy romance, and two strong-willed leading characters?! The Takeover Effect was a page turner! I loved so much about this book! The Singh family relationships, Mina’s sauciness, Hem’s protectiveness, and the unwavering determination of his parents to see him married off! I loved Hem and Mina a lot! One minute they could be butting heads and taking flak from one another. The next, they’re oozing pheromones and combustible chemistry! There were a lot of honest conversations and when secrets did come to light, I appreciated how Sharma didn’t drag out unnecessary drama. And as much as I enjoyed Hem and Mina’s romance-which was sexy and emotional in its own way- the corporate espionage thread had me glued! I can’t wait to read book 2!!
March 22, 2019
I was provided an eARC by Edelweiss+ in exchange for an honest review
About: Hemdeep Singh, a legal attorney, left his family company Bharat Inc. and started his own firm. But when his father suffers a heart attack he comes back to father and brothers to help. Mina is an attorney who just wants a partner position in her mother's company which is now run by her two evil uncles. This is the story of what happens when these two people's lives collide.
Characters: I loved both Hem and Mina. Especially Mina, as she was shown as a bold woman who doesn't care what people think. Hem was really dreamy and his brothers Ajay and Zail were fun.
Feelings: This was an interesting read. Most of it was legal talk that was getting a little confusing. The romance of Hem and Mina was great. I loved these two together and look forward to seeing more of them in the next books.
Recommendation: Yes I would definitely recommend this book is you want a romance read with family drama.
About: Hemdeep Singh, a legal attorney, left his family company Bharat Inc. and started his own firm. But when his father suffers a heart attack he comes back to father and brothers to help. Mina is an attorney who just wants a partner position in her mother's company which is now run by her two evil uncles. This is the story of what happens when these two people's lives collide.
Characters: I loved both Hem and Mina. Especially Mina, as she was shown as a bold woman who doesn't care what people think. Hem was really dreamy and his brothers Ajay and Zail were fun.
Feelings: This was an interesting read. Most of it was legal talk that was getting a little confusing. The romance of Hem and Mina was great. I loved these two together and look forward to seeing more of them in the next books.
Recommendation: Yes I would definitely recommend this book is you want a romance read with family drama.
Read
March 24, 2019Originally posted as a bookstagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/BvZQeR2HdPD/
The Takeover Effect by Nisha Sharma is a diverse contemporary romance featuring Indian-American characters. Hem and Mina have to work together on the due diligence of the potential takeover of one of his family's businesses. The book started off on a good note with banter between the two that I enjoyed. I liked Mina's strong character and how she can hold her own in the boardroom. I also enjoyed the Indian cultural references, especially all the talk about Indian food. However, that was where my enjoyment of the book ended.
I really wanted to love this one but I felt that there were too many things going on, with family drama on both sides, all the work involved in a potential acquisition and unearthing corporate espionage, as well as secondary characters who were being set up for their own books. It felt like the story was spread too thin because of all of these things, when I wanted the focus to be on the connection between the two main characters and their budding relationship. As such, I wasn't as invested in Mina and Hem's romance as I wanted to be. Still, I'm happy that more diverse romances by authors of color are being trad pubbed, and will wait to see what Nisha Sharma's future titles will be like.
The Takeover Effect will be released on April 2, 2019. I was provided a review copy by the publisher in exchange for a review.
The Takeover Effect by Nisha Sharma is a diverse contemporary romance featuring Indian-American characters. Hem and Mina have to work together on the due diligence of the potential takeover of one of his family's businesses. The book started off on a good note with banter between the two that I enjoyed. I liked Mina's strong character and how she can hold her own in the boardroom. I also enjoyed the Indian cultural references, especially all the talk about Indian food. However, that was where my enjoyment of the book ended.
I really wanted to love this one but I felt that there were too many things going on, with family drama on both sides, all the work involved in a potential acquisition and unearthing corporate espionage, as well as secondary characters who were being set up for their own books. It felt like the story was spread too thin because of all of these things, when I wanted the focus to be on the connection between the two main characters and their budding relationship. As such, I wasn't as invested in Mina and Hem's romance as I wanted to be. Still, I'm happy that more diverse romances by authors of color are being trad pubbed, and will wait to see what Nisha Sharma's future titles will be like.
The Takeover Effect will be released on April 2, 2019. I was provided a review copy by the publisher in exchange for a review.
August 10, 2022
Okay Nisha ate with this book, my only complaint is that it was too short 😾😾
The book is filled with drama (which I personally love in books when it’s done well), Punjabi 😍, hot and loveable characters (call me a homie hopper the way I’d make moves on the Singh brothers 🫣)
I love Hemdeep so much, my Punjabi king. Everytime he called her Hiriye my heart fluttered fr
Also, I can’t be the only one who tries to translate the English to your mother language when they say things like “she says in Punjabi” 😂 I be there like google translate speaking to myself
Cannot wait to devour the next book
The book is filled with drama (which I personally love in books when it’s done well), Punjabi 😍, hot and loveable characters (call me a homie hopper the way I’d make moves on the Singh brothers 🫣)
I love Hemdeep so much, my Punjabi king. Everytime he called her Hiriye my heart fluttered fr
Also, I can’t be the only one who tries to translate the English to your mother language when they say things like “she says in Punjabi” 😂 I be there like google translate speaking to myself
Cannot wait to devour the next book
March 27, 2019
WHOAAA!!
Fast-paced plot + quick and charming romance + independent heroine + passionate hero + power family = Super fun and heart-warming read!
Review to come!
Fast-paced plot + quick and charming romance + independent heroine + passionate hero + power family = Super fun and heart-warming read!
Review to come!
April 9, 2022
well 3.8
April 11, 2019
Nisha Sharma won me over as a fan with her debut, My So-Called Bollywood Life. When I heard she was writing an adult romance series, I knew I had to read it, and all I can say is - book two, please!
Who?
• Hemdeep - The oldest Singh son, who had been estranged after a falling out with his family. He had left his post as CEO of Bharat, Inc., his father's business, to start his own firm, but returned to the fold to help his brothers save the company.
• Mina - The sharp and smart attorney sent to review the takeover offer per her uncle's orders. Her goal was to get an equity partnership in the law firm started by her deceased mother without having to agree to an arranged marriage.
What?
Both Hem and Mina smelled a rat, and were trying to uncover the mole, who was sabotaging Bharat, but will they be able to expose the criminal before it was too late?
Why?
This was a sort of different kind of romance for me, because there was a lot of plot, which wasn't really central to the romance, but you know what? I throughly enjoyed it. The takeover brought Hem and Mina into each other's orbits, but it also had them running an investigation linked to corporate espionage. I found all the suspense and business elements rather intriguing, and was eager to nail the bad guys.
Sharma wove the romance into the story without taking away from it. She managed to balance the plot and the love story quite well, and I thought the two parts complimented each other.
Yes, I liked the whole find-the-mole-save-the-company thing, but I LOVED the romance. Hem was super swoony. He had a little bit of alpha going on, but he was also a very modern man, raised by a super strong woman. He showed a lot of respect for Mina and saw her an equal. I thought the two were fantastic together. There was chemistry and heat, and many beautiful and tender moments too. Lots of swoon.
Most importantly, though, was that Mina fit into the Singh family. Hem might have been on the outs with his parents, when the story began, but when his family needed him, he did not hesitate to come to their aid, and due to this, family played a huge role in this story.
The dynamic between all the Singhs was wonderful, and their home was filled with so much love. I was such a fan of Hem's mom. I adored every second I spent with her, and the interplay between the brothers was also stupendous. Sharma made me fall in love with this family, and by the end of the book, I cared for each an every one of them.
Some more things to gush about:
• This book was a lot of fun. They took their jobs seriously, but when away from work, Hem, Mina, and the gang knew how to cut loose.
• Once again Sharma gave a shout out to Central NJ. It's fun to see places local to me mentioned in a book, because it does not happen often.
• You many not want to read this on an empty stomach, because these characters share a LOT of meals, and each one was described in mouthwatering detail. Yeah, this had me wanting to head down the street to Moghul Express.
• I love when characters come to terms with things causing them pain. Both Mina and Hem had some baggage, and they dealt with it, and were able to move on to bigger and better things.
This was an easy book for me to love. It sort of had it all - fantastic characters, a hot and swoony romance, an intriguing plot, and fabulous family focus. All these things left me chomping at the bit for the next Singh romance.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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Who?
• Hemdeep - The oldest Singh son, who had been estranged after a falling out with his family. He had left his post as CEO of Bharat, Inc., his father's business, to start his own firm, but returned to the fold to help his brothers save the company.
• Mina - The sharp and smart attorney sent to review the takeover offer per her uncle's orders. Her goal was to get an equity partnership in the law firm started by her deceased mother without having to agree to an arranged marriage.
What?
Both Hem and Mina smelled a rat, and were trying to uncover the mole, who was sabotaging Bharat, but will they be able to expose the criminal before it was too late?
Why?
This was a sort of different kind of romance for me, because there was a lot of plot, which wasn't really central to the romance, but you know what? I throughly enjoyed it. The takeover brought Hem and Mina into each other's orbits, but it also had them running an investigation linked to corporate espionage. I found all the suspense and business elements rather intriguing, and was eager to nail the bad guys.
Sharma wove the romance into the story without taking away from it. She managed to balance the plot and the love story quite well, and I thought the two parts complimented each other.
Yes, I liked the whole find-the-mole-save-the-company thing, but I LOVED the romance. Hem was super swoony. He had a little bit of alpha going on, but he was also a very modern man, raised by a super strong woman. He showed a lot of respect for Mina and saw her an equal. I thought the two were fantastic together. There was chemistry and heat, and many beautiful and tender moments too. Lots of swoon.
Most importantly, though, was that Mina fit into the Singh family. Hem might have been on the outs with his parents, when the story began, but when his family needed him, he did not hesitate to come to their aid, and due to this, family played a huge role in this story.
The dynamic between all the Singhs was wonderful, and their home was filled with so much love. I was such a fan of Hem's mom. I adored every second I spent with her, and the interplay between the brothers was also stupendous. Sharma made me fall in love with this family, and by the end of the book, I cared for each an every one of them.
Some more things to gush about:
• This book was a lot of fun. They took their jobs seriously, but when away from work, Hem, Mina, and the gang knew how to cut loose.
• Once again Sharma gave a shout out to Central NJ. It's fun to see places local to me mentioned in a book, because it does not happen often.
• You many not want to read this on an empty stomach, because these characters share a LOT of meals, and each one was described in mouthwatering detail. Yeah, this had me wanting to head down the street to Moghul Express.
• I love when characters come to terms with things causing them pain. Both Mina and Hem had some baggage, and they dealt with it, and were able to move on to bigger and better things.
This was an easy book for me to love. It sort of had it all - fantastic characters, a hot and swoony romance, an intriguing plot, and fabulous family focus. All these things left me chomping at the bit for the next Singh romance.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
March 31, 2019
~~I received a free copy of this book to read and review for Wicked Reads ~~
I absolutely loved this story full of company espionage, dodgy dealings, family loyalties, and a scorching, chemistry laden romance. The best news of all is that it is the beginning of a new series, and I am already looking out for the second installment being released.
Whilst both Hem and Mina have grown up in the US and with hard working parents who have enabled them to have a comfortable and wealthy life, they are still bound by the traditions and expectations of their heritage. The whole arranged marriage issue for Mina is particularly interesting, given her ability to be a successful independent woman. It was a really effective foil for the simmering tension between her and Hem.
Their instant connection, the wit and fun that they have together, given their complex professional relationship, is delicious, and believable. I wanted to read on and on, as their every day conversations were so much fun, their intelligent banter both engaging and clever.
The business dealings which brought the two of them together were well written, and whilst not desperately complex, the plot worked well. It also meant that we got to meet the other Singh siblings who clearly need a push to become happily settled members of the family.
This was such a good book, I put off a couple of plans so that I could just sit and finish it - so do be warned that you may well find it difficult to put it down!
I absolutely loved this story full of company espionage, dodgy dealings, family loyalties, and a scorching, chemistry laden romance. The best news of all is that it is the beginning of a new series, and I am already looking out for the second installment being released.
Whilst both Hem and Mina have grown up in the US and with hard working parents who have enabled them to have a comfortable and wealthy life, they are still bound by the traditions and expectations of their heritage. The whole arranged marriage issue for Mina is particularly interesting, given her ability to be a successful independent woman. It was a really effective foil for the simmering tension between her and Hem.
Their instant connection, the wit and fun that they have together, given their complex professional relationship, is delicious, and believable. I wanted to read on and on, as their every day conversations were so much fun, their intelligent banter both engaging and clever.
The business dealings which brought the two of them together were well written, and whilst not desperately complex, the plot worked well. It also meant that we got to meet the other Singh siblings who clearly need a push to become happily settled members of the family.
This was such a good book, I put off a couple of plans so that I could just sit and finish it - so do be warned that you may well find it difficult to put it down!
April 4, 2019
Set in the high-stakes world of business and family, Singh’s debut tackles position, tradition and attraction with equal flair, using our couple as they struggle and work to gain their own desires. Mina is a lawyer and wholly qualified to run the firm if it weren’t for the traditions of patriarchy and her uncle’s determination to make the firm his. Her own legal skills could bring her success in both the boardroom and her personal life – helping the newly returned son of the Bharat founder to keep the company functioning could mean that she can both take over the firm AND prevent the marriage arranged by her family to a man she doesn’t know. For his part, Hemdeep doesn’t want to simply follow in his father’s legacy and keep constrained within those parameters. He can, and wants to start his own legacy and company – proving to everyone his worth and skill. But there is trouble on the horizon and Hem’s brother has requested his help, for without it the company could be lost.
Oh this was such a fun ride – from the business manipulations to the influence of traditional values from the culture: arranged marriages, familial and filial loyalties, sibling rivalry, a bit of feminist uprising from Mina – far more intelligent than most of the men in her family who seek to subjugate her . The attractions and byplays of attraction and interest that is displayed between several different characters – from overt electricity (as between Hem and Mina) or the more subtle moments of Hem’s brothers. And then we have the interactions – from the devious uncle and corporate double-dealing to Mina and Rajneet and even Mina and Hem’s interactions. She’s not one to take his occasional moments of overbearing man sitting down – more than capable of standing up for herself – she’s quick to point that out and make it clear.
What emerges here is both a nice introduction to characters that will become important as the series progresses, but a nice sense of both similarities and differences in couples and relationships – and how those relationships are often fueled and influenced by culture, tradition and expectation. Of course there is some angst here in the relationship between Mina and Hem – as she is more than acutely aware of how becoming involved with a ‘client’ could backfire on her both professionally and personally: all of that before the discussion of the marriage arranged by her mother’s family for her. Hem only has a moment of actual angst – quickly resolved and feeling more as if it was a moment he ‘should’ have experienced rather than one that actually felt organic for his character. It wasn’t big or massively distracting – and didn’t take away from his intelligent, thoughtful and confident sense gained through the book – all of which added to the ‘sexy heat’ that seemed to heat up every room he entered. I’m excited for the next book in the series !
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
Oh this was such a fun ride – from the business manipulations to the influence of traditional values from the culture: arranged marriages, familial and filial loyalties, sibling rivalry, a bit of feminist uprising from Mina – far more intelligent than most of the men in her family who seek to subjugate her . The attractions and byplays of attraction and interest that is displayed between several different characters – from overt electricity (as between Hem and Mina) or the more subtle moments of Hem’s brothers. And then we have the interactions – from the devious uncle and corporate double-dealing to Mina and Rajneet and even Mina and Hem’s interactions. She’s not one to take his occasional moments of overbearing man sitting down – more than capable of standing up for herself – she’s quick to point that out and make it clear.
What emerges here is both a nice introduction to characters that will become important as the series progresses, but a nice sense of both similarities and differences in couples and relationships – and how those relationships are often fueled and influenced by culture, tradition and expectation. Of course there is some angst here in the relationship between Mina and Hem – as she is more than acutely aware of how becoming involved with a ‘client’ could backfire on her both professionally and personally: all of that before the discussion of the marriage arranged by her mother’s family for her. Hem only has a moment of actual angst – quickly resolved and feeling more as if it was a moment he ‘should’ have experienced rather than one that actually felt organic for his character. It wasn’t big or massively distracting – and didn’t take away from his intelligent, thoughtful and confident sense gained through the book – all of which added to the ‘sexy heat’ that seemed to heat up every room he entered. I’m excited for the next book in the series !
I received an eArc copy of the title from the publisher via Edelweiss for purpose of honest review. I was not compensated for this review: all conclusions are my own responsibility.
Review first appeared at I am, Indeed
April 15, 2019
In her first contemporary romance novel The Takeover Effect, Nisha Sharma begins a series focused on the sons of Deepak Singh and their involvement in the company he created Bharat, Inc. We are introduced to the eldest son Hemdeep, or Hem, as he is called home in the face of a potential buy out that affects his fathers health. His return stateside also means that he is introduced to lawyer Mina Kohli with who he shares an instant attraction.
While this is a story that reads like a corporate espionage novel, it is most assuredly bolstered by the budding romance between Hem and Mina. These two have great spark and connection and are characters that are well developed with intriguing backstories. They share an intense sexual chemistry that oozes off the page. Sharma builds their emotional and intellectual relationship through their shared Indian culture; food and family traditions. However, this is balanced by their work relationship which is a source of great conflict. As are those family influences. Yes, there is a great cast of secondary characters with their own motivations and who drive the plot forward. Some good and some very, very bad.
Now that we've been introduced to this dynamic family, I look forward to getting to know them more. With books 2 and 3 on the distant horizon, and sons Ajay and Zail with their unique traits and appeal, I'm putting these on my TBR shelf now. Sharms'a writing is impeccable and a her storyline is very well researched and/or lived through. I happily recommend that readers get started with this series.
*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
While this is a story that reads like a corporate espionage novel, it is most assuredly bolstered by the budding romance between Hem and Mina. These two have great spark and connection and are characters that are well developed with intriguing backstories. They share an intense sexual chemistry that oozes off the page. Sharma builds their emotional and intellectual relationship through their shared Indian culture; food and family traditions. However, this is balanced by their work relationship which is a source of great conflict. As are those family influences. Yes, there is a great cast of secondary characters with their own motivations and who drive the plot forward. Some good and some very, very bad.
Now that we've been introduced to this dynamic family, I look forward to getting to know them more. With books 2 and 3 on the distant horizon, and sons Ajay and Zail with their unique traits and appeal, I'm putting these on my TBR shelf now. Sharms'a writing is impeccable and a her storyline is very well researched and/or lived through. I happily recommend that readers get started with this series.
*I was gifted a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*
April 6, 2019
The Takeover Effect by Nisha Sharma is an exciting and sexy romance and the first in her Singh Family trilogy about three brothers determined to make their marks on the business world with strong and passionate women at their sides.
Hemdeep Singh has had a falling out with his father and left his family’s business Bharat Inc. and its focus on software development to start his own law firm. But when his father has a heart attack after he hears about a takeover bid from a rival digital company, Hem joins with his brothers Ajay and Zail to do all he can to prevent the takeover from happening. The board of directors has hired lawyers to do their own due diligence about the proposition, bringing Mina Kohli into Hem’s life.
Mina is determined to take back her deceased mother’s law firm from the hands of her uncles. She’s willing to do just about anything, even possibly agreeing to an arranged marriage her uncle Sanjeev has in the works for her as part of a business merger. When he offers her the chance to make partner by working with Bharat where he is on the board of directors, it’s with the caveat that she will put in a good word for the takeover, no matter what she actually finds. Meeting the Singh brothers, and especially Hem has her determined to make sure that the decision she makes is the fair one, no matter what her uncle wants. Someone is out to sabotage Bharat, and Mina soon finds herself involved in a corporate espionage case and working side by side with Hem.
Hem’s last relationship ended in disaster so he’s wary of bringing another woman into his life, but Mina is not like any other woman he’s met. She has the same Sikh religious beliefs and Punjabi background that he has, and she’s smart, attractive and not afraid to speak her mind. Having a secret affair while working together is one thing, but will it lead to a happy ever after?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-th...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for review.
Hemdeep Singh has had a falling out with his father and left his family’s business Bharat Inc. and its focus on software development to start his own law firm. But when his father has a heart attack after he hears about a takeover bid from a rival digital company, Hem joins with his brothers Ajay and Zail to do all he can to prevent the takeover from happening. The board of directors has hired lawyers to do their own due diligence about the proposition, bringing Mina Kohli into Hem’s life.
Mina is determined to take back her deceased mother’s law firm from the hands of her uncles. She’s willing to do just about anything, even possibly agreeing to an arranged marriage her uncle Sanjeev has in the works for her as part of a business merger. When he offers her the chance to make partner by working with Bharat where he is on the board of directors, it’s with the caveat that she will put in a good word for the takeover, no matter what she actually finds. Meeting the Singh brothers, and especially Hem has her determined to make sure that the decision she makes is the fair one, no matter what her uncle wants. Someone is out to sabotage Bharat, and Mina soon finds herself involved in a corporate espionage case and working side by side with Hem.
Hem’s last relationship ended in disaster so he’s wary of bringing another woman into his life, but Mina is not like any other woman he’s met. She has the same Sikh religious beliefs and Punjabi background that he has, and she’s smart, attractive and not afraid to speak her mind. Having a secret affair while working together is one thing, but will it lead to a happy ever after?
For more of this review please visit Harlequin Junkie: https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-th...
A copy of this story was provided by the publisher via Edelweiss for review.
February 1, 2021
I feel like I should have liked this one better than I did. I liked Hema and felt bad for the situation that he was dragged back into. He was trying to be on his own and prove himself, yet he wasn't able to let his family flounder, despite some harsh feelings from past actions. I liked Mina, felt bad about the situation that her family was putting her in. Plus she seemed smart, someone who could keep up with the 3 brothers and give back as good as she got. Yet I was bored. I put the book down at 20%, when I went to pick it up again I realized I didn't have it in me to see how things shook out. This one just wasn't for me.
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