What do you think?
Rate this book
If Shakespeare Was an Auntie #3
Marriage & Masti: A Novel
The third and final installment in Nisha Sharma’s beloved Shakespeare-inspired rom-com trilogy—an ode to Twelfth Night—is the perfect friends to lovers romp featuring an accidental wedding, meddling families, and plenty of sizzling chemistry.
Veera Mathur has been through a lot in the past year. Both of her friends found soul mates, the man she fell in love with got engaged to another woman, and her father fired her before selling the family company. When her twin sister, Sana, tells her there is no way of getting her old life back, Veera feels lost at a single, unemployed mess with a bad tattoo and tons of talent, but nowhere to go.
Deepak Datta hasn’t had the best luck either. To secure enough board votes for the CEO position at his family's company, Illyria Media, he’s ready to marry board member and famous beauty influencer, Olivia Gupta. That is until he wakes up to a get ready with me video announcing their separation. Despite his immediate relief, Deepak needs to do something fast to repair his image.
After a series of convenient mishaps bring them together again—including a literal shipwreck, way too many drinks, and a sunset elopement on the beach—Deepak and Veera realize their accidental wedding might be the solution to their career aspirations. Together, they plot against the very company that ruined their lives in the first place.
As they try to convince the world their friendship was a ruse for romance they’ve felt all along, the line between fake and real begins to blur. Now Veera and Deepak must ask themselves the terrifying question that has haunted them since the first time they will love ruin everything?
With her signature humor and heartfelt storytelling, Nisha Sharma writes a messy, spicy romance about identity, family honor, and love. In Marriage & Masti, readers are sure to love the highly anticipated finale of this beloved trilogy.
Veera Mathur has been through a lot in the past year. Both of her friends found soul mates, the man she fell in love with got engaged to another woman, and her father fired her before selling the family company. When her twin sister, Sana, tells her there is no way of getting her old life back, Veera feels lost at a single, unemployed mess with a bad tattoo and tons of talent, but nowhere to go.
Deepak Datta hasn’t had the best luck either. To secure enough board votes for the CEO position at his family's company, Illyria Media, he’s ready to marry board member and famous beauty influencer, Olivia Gupta. That is until he wakes up to a get ready with me video announcing their separation. Despite his immediate relief, Deepak needs to do something fast to repair his image.
After a series of convenient mishaps bring them together again—including a literal shipwreck, way too many drinks, and a sunset elopement on the beach—Deepak and Veera realize their accidental wedding might be the solution to their career aspirations. Together, they plot against the very company that ruined their lives in the first place.
As they try to convince the world their friendship was a ruse for romance they’ve felt all along, the line between fake and real begins to blur. Now Veera and Deepak must ask themselves the terrifying question that has haunted them since the first time they will love ruin everything?
With her signature humor and heartfelt storytelling, Nisha Sharma writes a messy, spicy romance about identity, family honor, and love. In Marriage & Masti, readers are sure to love the highly anticipated finale of this beloved trilogy.
1 pages, Audio CD
First published August 27, 2024
228 people are currently reading
17663 people want to read
About the author
Nisha Sharma
20 books2,823 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.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,083 reviews
August 11, 2024
Excuse me, how dare this book be SO GOOD!! I’ve adored each book in Nisha’s Shakespeare inspired series, and this final installment, a clever, swoony, and wonderfully written take on Twelfth Night, is the perfect way to bring it to a close. Loved it with my whole heart!!
August 27, 2024
Hi friends!
Thank you so much for your support in reading MARRIAGE AND MASTI, the third book in my Shakespeare inspired rom com series. It's officially out now!
A few notes:
* Content Warnings: misogyny, gaslighting, sexism on page, complicated father/daughter relationship
* You do not have to read the books in order in the trilogy, but it does enhance the reading experience.
* Marriage and Masti is inspired by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
You can buy your copy now!
Bookshop.org
LibroFM
Amazon.com
Barnes&Noble
Thank you so much for your support in reading MARRIAGE AND MASTI, the third book in my Shakespeare inspired rom com series. It's officially out now!
A few notes:
* Content Warnings: misogyny, gaslighting, sexism on page, complicated father/daughter relationship
* You do not have to read the books in order in the trilogy, but it does enhance the reading experience.
* Marriage and Masti is inspired by Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
You can buy your copy now!
Bookshop.org
LibroFM
Amazon.com
Barnes&Noble
November 24, 2024
.⋆˚⁀➷ 4★
i like to go into books blind, most of the time so i had no idea this was friends to lovers (i don't like those because they always have this deep relationship we don't get to see. there's always more tell than show) but despite that... this was so cute!! i loved the south asian representation. deepak was fine af + such good book hubby material. i love when rich men spoil their women and he actually knew what veera liked 🤌🏼
ngl, there were a few moments their work-life bored me but overall this romance was sweet. the audio book was good too!!
quotes i like:
➵Her voice was like icy cool rainwater in a desert heat.
➵She looked down at her mehndi. The color was a dark burgundy now. There was a belief that the darker the mehndi was on the bride, the more the husband loved her.
➵One of the age- old romantic customs in a Punjabi Hindu ceremony was to hide the groom’s name or initials in the mehndi design for him to find before the first wedding night was over. [...]
Deepak leaned down and pressed a kiss right over his name.
omggggg so romantic and beautiful. i want to cry
➵Seven lifetimes with Veera Mathur would never be enough.
➵ he looked up at her from his kneeling position.
“And as your husband, I consider it my privilege.”
period
⋆⭒˚.⋆ ⌞pre~read⌝⋆.˚⭒⋆
i need something sweet. i've only heard good things about this book. and the cover is sooo cute!!
♡ i rented the audiobook + ebook from the library♡
i like to go into books blind, most of the time so i had no idea this was friends to lovers (i don't like those because they always have this deep relationship we don't get to see. there's always more tell than show) but despite that... this was so cute!! i loved the south asian representation. deepak was fine af + such good book hubby material. i love when rich men spoil their women and he actually knew what veera liked 🤌🏼
ngl, there were a few moments their work-life bored me but overall this romance was sweet. the audio book was good too!!
quotes i like:
➵Her voice was like icy cool rainwater in a desert heat.
➵She looked down at her mehndi. The color was a dark burgundy now. There was a belief that the darker the mehndi was on the bride, the more the husband loved her.
➵One of the age- old romantic customs in a Punjabi Hindu ceremony was to hide the groom’s name or initials in the mehndi design for him to find before the first wedding night was over. [...]
Deepak leaned down and pressed a kiss right over his name.
omggggg so romantic and beautiful. i want to cry
➵Seven lifetimes with Veera Mathur would never be enough.
➵ he looked up at her from his kneeling position.
“And as your husband, I consider it my privilege.”
period
⋆⭒˚.⋆ ⌞pre~read⌝⋆.˚⭒⋆
i need something sweet. i've only heard good things about this book. and the cover is sooo cute!!
♡ i rented the audiobook + ebook from the library♡
Read
December 3, 2024Billionaire/CEO type romance. The MCs accidentally get drunk married, then realise it would be useful for career reasons because the corporation for which he wants to be CEO wants him to be married (we just go with this trope okay). As it happens she's known she's in love with him for ages, and he has been in love with her without knowing it, so it's really a matter of them both taking the leap, plus interference from aunties, friends, siblings, evil fathers, corporate boards (I said we just go with it).
I thoroughly enjoyed the Punjabi elements here--the aunties, the various ceremonies, the cultural insights. Veera is a likeable heroine, battling a lot of bad feelings relating to her controlling father and critical mother, but standing up for herself well. Deepak is mostly a pretty likeable hero, frequently oblivious and gets things wrong but doesn't generally have to have them explained twice. I particularly liked a point where the heroine is presented with evidence he's betrayed her . Veera's relationship with her sister is fun in a prickly, awkward way. I did want a lot more of Sana and Olivia's story as Olivia is frankly great and they are both hugely messy bitches.
I remain a bit confused by the Shakespeare branding. It starts with a shipwreck and there's a partner swap involving twins and a woman called Olivia, but that's just machinery, it's not what makes Twelfth Night. I was looking forward to, I don't know, complex deception, gender shenanigans, truth under lies, impossible longing...maybe no cross gartering but surely yellow stockings. ahem. I sort of feel if you're going to do a retelling you have to lean in more heavily. However, I don't see why it's necessary in the first place because this book didn't need to rely on another source: it's a very absorbing story in its own right which I thoroughly enjoyed.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Punjabi elements here--the aunties, the various ceremonies, the cultural insights. Veera is a likeable heroine, battling a lot of bad feelings relating to her controlling father and critical mother, but standing up for herself well. Deepak is mostly a pretty likeable hero, frequently oblivious and gets things wrong but doesn't generally have to have them explained twice. I particularly liked a point where the heroine is presented with evidence he's betrayed her . Veera's relationship with her sister is fun in a prickly, awkward way. I did want a lot more of Sana and Olivia's story as Olivia is frankly great and they are both hugely messy bitches.
I remain a bit confused by the Shakespeare branding. It starts with a shipwreck and there's a partner swap involving twins and a woman called Olivia, but that's just machinery, it's not what makes Twelfth Night. I was looking forward to, I don't know, complex deception, gender shenanigans, truth under lies, impossible longing...maybe no cross gartering but surely yellow stockings. ahem. I sort of feel if you're going to do a retelling you have to lean in more heavily. However, I don't see why it's necessary in the first place because this book didn't need to rely on another source: it's a very absorbing story in its own right which I thoroughly enjoyed.
September 23, 2024
4.5 stars. Combining a retelling of Shakespeare's Twelfth Knight set in the world of high-stakes NYC finance with an excellent friends-to-lovers romance that reminded me of one of my favorite Taylor Swift songs, Marriage & Masti brings Nisha Sharma's If Shakespeare Were an Auntie series to a near perfect curtain close and is my favorite of the series.
September 19, 2024
I really enjoyed this modern take on Twelfth Night! The way Veera and Deepak end up accidentally sort of married is clever and I enjoyed the movement of their friendship into a real relationship. It was a bit spicier than I was expecting, but that dynamic was also interesting given what these characters are like. Thematically, this is about feeling like the odd one out when you're the last of your friend group to be in a long-term relationship, and also about how there can be a different kind of strength in women who are "nice" but not pushovers. I enjoyed it and would recommend it if you like her writing!
June 19, 2024
Ok so friends to lovers where she falls first but he falls harder is quickly becoming a favorite scenario of mine in romance books. There’s just something so magical about that moment when he finally finds out how she’s felt all this time. Throw in a fake (tho it’s kind of real) marriage, and I just DIE. So many swoony and giggle inducing moments are in this book, I swear. This is easily my new favorite of Nisha’s books. Like, wow.
And on top of the romance, this was a huge love letter to single, successful, women who often feel alienated. The sisterly love and female friendships also made me very emotional! Just, a remarkable book.
There was ONE spicy moment I didn’t love in the ENTIRE book, but otherwise, all the spice was very hot and well choreographed. Like, Nisha had me clutching my pearls. And to be fair, the one scene I didn’t like, I think it was supposed to be cheesy and silly haha.
*I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
And on top of the romance, this was a huge love letter to single, successful, women who often feel alienated. The sisterly love and female friendships also made me very emotional! Just, a remarkable book.
There was ONE spicy moment I didn’t love in the ENTIRE book, but otherwise, all the spice was very hot and well choreographed. Like, Nisha had me clutching my pearls. And to be fair, the one scene I didn’t like, I think it was supposed to be cheesy and silly haha.
*I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*
October 30, 2024
idk if I’ll ever fully be a romance reader, but I am a nisha sharma reader and I will miss this series dearly
August 27, 2024
I can't stop crying lmfaooo
I can’t believe this trilogy has come to a close. It feels like only yesterday I was in awe seeing the cover of Dating Dr. Dil for the first time, and now we’ve gotten the love stories of everyone in the Kareena-Bobbi-Veera and Prem-Bunty-Deepak trio. These characters honestly feel like a second family, and it’s so bittersweet that we won’t be getting more stories about their shenanigans. 😭
I love how in each of the novels in the trilogy, Nisha always sends the message to brown women to keep their standards high to receive the love that they deserve. The following slides contain some snippets of Deepak’s love languages when spending time with Veera. These are also some of my favorite scenes from the novel. 🥹 Just from these quotes alone, you can tell how wholeheartedly he loved Veera, and would truly move worlds to keep her in his life. Like Dating Dr. Dil and Tastes Like Shakkar, this book is so filmy and heartwarming and reminiscent of so many Bollywood movies we love.
Thank you Nisha for writing such an unforgettable series, and I can’t wait to see where your upcoming releases take us next!
Thank you so much to Nisha & Avon for sending me an ARC!
I can’t believe this trilogy has come to a close. It feels like only yesterday I was in awe seeing the cover of Dating Dr. Dil for the first time, and now we’ve gotten the love stories of everyone in the Kareena-Bobbi-Veera and Prem-Bunty-Deepak trio. These characters honestly feel like a second family, and it’s so bittersweet that we won’t be getting more stories about their shenanigans. 😭
I love how in each of the novels in the trilogy, Nisha always sends the message to brown women to keep their standards high to receive the love that they deserve. The following slides contain some snippets of Deepak’s love languages when spending time with Veera. These are also some of my favorite scenes from the novel. 🥹 Just from these quotes alone, you can tell how wholeheartedly he loved Veera, and would truly move worlds to keep her in his life. Like Dating Dr. Dil and Tastes Like Shakkar, this book is so filmy and heartwarming and reminiscent of so many Bollywood movies we love.
Thank you Nisha for writing such an unforgettable series, and I can’t wait to see where your upcoming releases take us next!
Thank you so much to Nisha & Avon for sending me an ARC!
June 17, 2024
This was a good ending to the series but im also a little sad that it's done. First of all, if you haven't started this series then what are you waiting for, i need more people to read it because it's well-written, spicy, and diverse. This book is a friend to lovers, accidental marriage turned marriage of convenience and it was great. The main characters had unrequited love where the fmc loved him first and then he did, but they didn't know. This had all the vibes of wealthy Indians with family business, parental trauma, and lots of cultural references. I loved all the descriptions and scenes with the Sari dresses, bangles, Hindu traditions, Indian weddings, and food.
I really liked the romance, friends to lovers is really growing on me y'all. The main characters friendship was so sweet and they had that closeness that comes with being friends. The tension though was giving especially with the characters trying to figure out their feelings and how real their marriage was. There weren't too many steamy scenes but the ones that were there were good. Of course, I recommend this book for anyone who loves contemporary romance! Thank you Nisha Sharma and Avon for this arc for an honest review.
Read for:
- Friends to lovers
- Accidental marriage
- Close-knit friend group
- Shakespeare retelling
- Indian mc's
- 🌶️🌶️
4.5✨✨✨
I really liked the romance, friends to lovers is really growing on me y'all. The main characters friendship was so sweet and they had that closeness that comes with being friends. The tension though was giving especially with the characters trying to figure out their feelings and how real their marriage was. There weren't too many steamy scenes but the ones that were there were good. Of course, I recommend this book for anyone who loves contemporary romance! Thank you Nisha Sharma and Avon for this arc for an honest review.
Read for:
- Friends to lovers
- Accidental marriage
- Close-knit friend group
- Shakespeare retelling
- Indian mc's
- 🌶️🌶️
4.5✨✨✨
August 17, 2024
I was most excited for Veera and Deepak’s story which makes this book all the more disappointing to me. These were not the Veera and Deepak that I knew from the first two books. They were caricatures of themselves and this read more like a billionaire romance than a romcom.
The reason Deepak was engaged to someone else at the beginning of the novel made no sense, him not seeing Veera in a romantic way until the beginning of this book made no sense, the fake marriage made no sense (and not in a good way), Veera’s sister made no sense, Veera’s dad made no sense…. Yeah…. It was very sloppy writing.
For two people who “loved each other so much”, their relationship had no meat to it. It was all lust and “I need you” “I want you” and absolutely no substance. Deepak was no longer a nerdy sweetheart but a strong finance bro…. I just did not understand what happened to his character from book 2 to this one at all.
Anyway…. This is definitely my least favorite of the series and has made me reconsider if this author’s writing is for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc copy of this book.
The reason Deepak was engaged to someone else at the beginning of the novel made no sense, him not seeing Veera in a romantic way until the beginning of this book made no sense, the fake marriage made no sense (and not in a good way), Veera’s sister made no sense, Veera’s dad made no sense…. Yeah…. It was very sloppy writing.
For two people who “loved each other so much”, their relationship had no meat to it. It was all lust and “I need you” “I want you” and absolutely no substance. Deepak was no longer a nerdy sweetheart but a strong finance bro…. I just did not understand what happened to his character from book 2 to this one at all.
Anyway…. This is definitely my least favorite of the series and has made me reconsider if this author’s writing is for me.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an e-arc copy of this book.
June 7, 2024
This was just perfection.
I absolutely loved reading Tastes Like Shakkar last year so I was a little worried to see how this would match up; however, Nisha completely blew my expectations out of the water. This story had the perfect mix of angst, comedy, spice, and tenderness. I kept having to stop myself from devouring this book too quickly because I did not want this series to end.
After reading the last two books of the series, I was so excited to finally get to Veera and Deepak's story. Their journey from friends to lovers felt incredibly genuine and built up the perfect amount of angst without it overshadowing the plot. I loved getting to be back in the world with the fake marriage antics, meddling aunties, and found family in Prem, Karina, Bobby, and Bunti. There were truly so many moments with that group throughout the novel that had me screaming, giggling, and kicking my feet back and forth.
Deepak Datta the man that you are. I was so taken aback by his dominance that I had to take a minute to cool down. Chapter 24; that's all I have to say. Nisha DELIVERED with the spicy scenes in this book and I will be thinking about them for the longest time. Deepak was so down bad for Veera from the beginning of the novel and I was just so OBSESSED.
I really loved getting Veera's POV and seeing first hand her relationship with Sana and her estranged father. I thought her character arc was fantastic and I personally loved watching her gain confidence in her personal and professional careers. I loved how passionate and ambitious she was to make a change. The small moments that Veera shared with Deepak's family made my heart so happy. I loved the significance behind the marriage ceremonies and how she was able to form the strong bond with her mother and father in law.
Nisha writes from the heart and it's such a beautiful thing to see her soar and surpass expectations with each new release. I love how she incorporates her south asian heritage into these Shakespeare classics that we know and love, giving a fresh take on the something that's been reimagined many times.
I am so sad to say goodbye to this series, but I truly cannot wait to read what Nisha writes next!
Thank you Avon, Nisha Sharma, and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange of my honest review.
I absolutely loved reading Tastes Like Shakkar last year so I was a little worried to see how this would match up; however, Nisha completely blew my expectations out of the water. This story had the perfect mix of angst, comedy, spice, and tenderness. I kept having to stop myself from devouring this book too quickly because I did not want this series to end.
After reading the last two books of the series, I was so excited to finally get to Veera and Deepak's story. Their journey from friends to lovers felt incredibly genuine and built up the perfect amount of angst without it overshadowing the plot. I loved getting to be back in the world with the fake marriage antics, meddling aunties, and found family in Prem, Karina, Bobby, and Bunti. There were truly so many moments with that group throughout the novel that had me screaming, giggling, and kicking my feet back and forth.
Deepak Datta the man that you are. I was so taken aback by his dominance that I had to take a minute to cool down. Chapter 24; that's all I have to say. Nisha DELIVERED with the spicy scenes in this book and I will be thinking about them for the longest time. Deepak was so down bad for Veera from the beginning of the novel and I was just so OBSESSED.
I really loved getting Veera's POV and seeing first hand her relationship with Sana and her estranged father. I thought her character arc was fantastic and I personally loved watching her gain confidence in her personal and professional careers. I loved how passionate and ambitious she was to make a change. The small moments that Veera shared with Deepak's family made my heart so happy. I loved the significance behind the marriage ceremonies and how she was able to form the strong bond with her mother and father in law.
Nisha writes from the heart and it's such a beautiful thing to see her soar and surpass expectations with each new release. I love how she incorporates her south asian heritage into these Shakespeare classics that we know and love, giving a fresh take on the something that's been reimagined many times.
I am so sad to say goodbye to this series, but I truly cannot wait to read what Nisha writes next!
Thank you Avon, Nisha Sharma, and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange of my honest review.
April 29, 2025
do i like friends to lovers????
this was one of my most anticipated reads of last year but time got away from me so i didn't pick it up until now. kinda pissed at myself because this was so cute and such a good finale to the series! i've loved all the love stories nisha sharma has written in this friend group and i love them like my real friends. i was originally unsure of this book because i knew deepak and veera would have a friends to lovers arc and i usually am not the biggest fan of this trope. i had no idea there was a fake relationship plot line and that definitely made up for it.
it was so, so sweet to see deepak fall in love. we already knew veera was in love and we see her heartbreak in this book but deepak falling for her even harder made me smile. he was genuinely one of the sweetest mmc's i've read this year and i loved how supportive he was of veera the entire time. i loved the two of them as a couple because they did NOT play about each other. this relationship was pretty easy going and the outside issues didn't cause them to stop communicating which i loved. sana did bother me at times and i didn't fully care about the ceo plot line but the relationship made up for it.
sad to leave this friend group but happy to see all their happy endings!! pick up this series if you haven't because its so sweet and i love these couples!
this was one of my most anticipated reads of last year but time got away from me so i didn't pick it up until now. kinda pissed at myself because this was so cute and such a good finale to the series! i've loved all the love stories nisha sharma has written in this friend group and i love them like my real friends. i was originally unsure of this book because i knew deepak and veera would have a friends to lovers arc and i usually am not the biggest fan of this trope. i had no idea there was a fake relationship plot line and that definitely made up for it.
it was so, so sweet to see deepak fall in love. we already knew veera was in love and we see her heartbreak in this book but deepak falling for her even harder made me smile. he was genuinely one of the sweetest mmc's i've read this year and i loved how supportive he was of veera the entire time. i loved the two of them as a couple because they did NOT play about each other. this relationship was pretty easy going and the outside issues didn't cause them to stop communicating which i loved. sana did bother me at times and i didn't fully care about the ceo plot line but the relationship made up for it.
sad to leave this friend group but happy to see all their happy endings!! pick up this series if you haven't because its so sweet and i love these couples!
December 29, 2024
the book was a delight however it just didn’t hit the same like the other two.
i was already kind of over the business ordeal- i just wanted more romantic moments!!!
i was already kind of over the business ordeal- i just wanted more romantic moments!!!
September 16, 2025
I think Nisha Sharma just became one of my favorite romance authors 😍
September 22, 2024
I devoured this book in 2 days (that’s like fast for a slow reader like me). I'm genuinely sad that ‘If Shakespeare Were an Auntie’ has come to an end, but the ending was exactly what the series needed. The arranged marriage and friends-to-lovers tropes were perfectly executed—I absolutely loved every moment! 🥹
If you're a romance reader and haven't yet picked up ‘Dating Dr. Dil’ (Book 1), it's a must-add to your TBR! This series is an absolute delight and totally worth the journey!
spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵
Thank you Nisha Sharma and @WilliamMorrowBooks for the review copy! ✨
If you're a romance reader and haven't yet picked up ‘Dating Dr. Dil’ (Book 1), it's a must-add to your TBR! This series is an absolute delight and totally worth the journey!
spice level: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🥵
Thank you Nisha Sharma and @WilliamMorrowBooks for the review copy! ✨
September 21, 2025
Marriage & Masti is certainly fun read. I miss the thrid book when it was publushed and I am glad I picked it up.
Miss Sharma putting so much banter and comedy into her story. I love the story. It was fun, clever and witty.
4 stars
Miss Sharma putting so much banter and comedy into her story. I love the story. It was fun, clever and witty.
4 stars
September 3, 2024
I am thankful for the arc! I haven’t read the other books in the series so my review is only based on this book.
This book was a really fast, one sitting read. I have really mixed feelings about the story. I really adored Veera and Deepak but I disliked every other character to some degree (except Deepak’s father - his mom was likable until she pulled the do this for my son move that reminded me of mother in laws in every show that will sacrifice their daughter in laws in a heartbeat for their sons). They all irritated me by their actions that lacked any actual empathy or sympathy for Veera beyond words. So much of this, in fact, every bit of this book was extremely predictable. Almost every scene felt like it was plucked out of a Hindi show or movie and then was sprinkled with sex. Even the ending was so Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai coded with how easily everyone forgives each other and are a happy family.
I think I’m so annoyed because the characterization of Veera is so perfect for a great storyline of growth and development but the story was just filled with cliche after cliche. Her situation with her dad is such a common experience that could have been so nuanced but it was treated like a Disney villain arc. A lot of the romance scenes once or twice would have been swoonworthy but being able to predict/clearly visualize which movie/show every scene came from ruined the effect of this being Veera and Deepak’s love story. It felt so generic. Veera was also giving every “bahu” (daughter in law) in every daily soap that was honestly a disservice to her characterization. She forgave everyone at a drop of a hat for hurting her every five minutes when they had done nothing to earn it (specially her twin, who I despised every second of the book).
Deepak was a highlight easily for me, it’s so easy to like him but he also falls victim to the every moment is taken from a show/movie where his actions feel fake and overly trying to be the “men written by woman” vibe which lessens the romance impact but this is probably only a issue if you are also a desi grown on bollywood content. I wish he had been firmer and stayed a bit more the authoritative businessman from the beginning of the book at the end instead of randomly turning into this golden retriever cheerleader for Veera, Sana, and Olivia (which Sana specially did not deserve at all).
I liked the book overall but I wish it hadn’t been so predictable and overdone. I wish we had explored more of Veera’s emotional struggles instead of them being throwaway lines said to Deepak that made him coo at her. I wish we had also gotten to see more of Deepak’s struggles as the expected heir that caused him to be so oblivious for so long. His sudden switch for Veera felt unearned. His forgiveness of Sana and Olivia also felt the same.
This book was a really fast, one sitting read. I have really mixed feelings about the story. I really adored Veera and Deepak but I disliked every other character to some degree (except Deepak’s father - his mom was likable until she pulled the do this for my son move that reminded me of mother in laws in every show that will sacrifice their daughter in laws in a heartbeat for their sons). They all irritated me by their actions that lacked any actual empathy or sympathy for Veera beyond words. So much of this, in fact, every bit of this book was extremely predictable. Almost every scene felt like it was plucked out of a Hindi show or movie and then was sprinkled with sex. Even the ending was so Yeh Rishta Kya Kehlata Hai coded with how easily everyone forgives each other and are a happy family.
I think I’m so annoyed because the characterization of Veera is so perfect for a great storyline of growth and development but the story was just filled with cliche after cliche. Her situation with her dad is such a common experience that could have been so nuanced but it was treated like a Disney villain arc. A lot of the romance scenes once or twice would have been swoonworthy but being able to predict/clearly visualize which movie/show every scene came from ruined the effect of this being Veera and Deepak’s love story. It felt so generic. Veera was also giving every “bahu” (daughter in law) in every daily soap that was honestly a disservice to her characterization. She forgave everyone at a drop of a hat for hurting her every five minutes when they had done nothing to earn it (specially her twin, who I despised every second of the book).
Deepak was a highlight easily for me, it’s so easy to like him but he also falls victim to the every moment is taken from a show/movie where his actions feel fake and overly trying to be the “men written by woman” vibe which lessens the romance impact but this is probably only a issue if you are also a desi grown on bollywood content. I wish he had been firmer and stayed a bit more the authoritative businessman from the beginning of the book at the end instead of randomly turning into this golden retriever cheerleader for Veera, Sana, and Olivia (which Sana specially did not deserve at all).
I liked the book overall but I wish it hadn’t been so predictable and overdone. I wish we had explored more of Veera’s emotional struggles instead of them being throwaway lines said to Deepak that made him coo at her. I wish we had also gotten to see more of Deepak’s struggles as the expected heir that caused him to be so oblivious for so long. His sudden switch for Veera felt unearned. His forgiveness of Sana and Olivia also felt the same.
May 27, 2025
4.75⭐️
This book was so good?! I failed to realize this was part of a series and read this as a standalone and LOVED it! The tropes are friends to lovers and fake (but also kind of real) marriage! Time to go back and read the first two books 😅
This book was so good?! I failed to realize this was part of a series and read this as a standalone and LOVED it! The tropes are friends to lovers and fake (but also kind of real) marriage! Time to go back and read the first two books 😅
June 17, 2024
I can’t tell you enough how much this book has touched my heart!!!!
This is the 3rd and final installment in Nisha’s Shakespeare inspired desi rom com trilogy on Vee and Deepaks friends to lovers romance and ITS MY FAV OUT OF THE ENTIRE SERIES!!!
I love a good fake marriage especially when the moments start becoming not so fake!! Vee has always been in love with Deepak and they’ve been bestfriends forever until he becomes engaged to someone else in order to keep his family’s company.
After one drunken night they’re married and find they can mutually benefit from this as Vee has been fired from the same company by her own family and struggles with her relationship with her dad.
There’s so much I want to say but don’t know how so here’s bullet points of my thoughts and random ramblings lol
-She falls first but he realizes he’s an idiot and falls SO much harder
-the spice was spicyn
-a love letter to all older successful brown women who aren’t married yet and feel isolated or left behind
-friendships with married couples when alienation
-immigrant parents and their expectations from their kids
-realizing you can find love in anything and everything including your job, your friends, your family, and your partner.
Truly will have a special place for this story in my heart thank you Nisha, her team, Avon & everyone for always including me in pr, arcs, etc I can’t wait for everyone to love this too!!
This is the 3rd and final installment in Nisha’s Shakespeare inspired desi rom com trilogy on Vee and Deepaks friends to lovers romance and ITS MY FAV OUT OF THE ENTIRE SERIES!!!
I love a good fake marriage especially when the moments start becoming not so fake!! Vee has always been in love with Deepak and they’ve been bestfriends forever until he becomes engaged to someone else in order to keep his family’s company.
After one drunken night they’re married and find they can mutually benefit from this as Vee has been fired from the same company by her own family and struggles with her relationship with her dad.
There’s so much I want to say but don’t know how so here’s bullet points of my thoughts and random ramblings lol
-She falls first but he realizes he’s an idiot and falls SO much harder
-the spice was spicyn
-a love letter to all older successful brown women who aren’t married yet and feel isolated or left behind
-friendships with married couples when alienation
-immigrant parents and their expectations from their kids
-realizing you can find love in anything and everything including your job, your friends, your family, and your partner.
Truly will have a special place for this story in my heart thank you Nisha, her team, Avon & everyone for always including me in pr, arcs, etc I can’t wait for everyone to love this too!!
July 21, 2024
This was such a beautiful ending to a wonderful trilogy. I love a good “he’s always loved her” trope and this was that trope done beautifully. There’s so much Indian culture that is so beautifully spotlighted and I loved that we get to see the happy endings for our favorite heroes and heroines from the previous two books.
This was such a wonderful novel with a strong heroine who gains strength throughout the novel and stands on business when it comes to her man and her money.
I loved how these two “accidentally” get married and then just… stay married. I thought this was such a fun, sexy, and enjoyable read and a wonderful conclusion to the series.
Although I am hoping for a spin off of some kind in the same world. :)
This was such a wonderful novel with a strong heroine who gains strength throughout the novel and stands on business when it comes to her man and her money.
I loved how these two “accidentally” get married and then just… stay married. I thought this was such a fun, sexy, and enjoyable read and a wonderful conclusion to the series.
Although I am hoping for a spin off of some kind in the same world. :)
July 27, 2024
Book Review: Marriage and Masti by @nishawrites
Reading this book was bittersweet for me, I loved it but I also didn’t want to read it since this marked the end of the If Shakespeare was an Auntie series. I think this series was groundbreaking in the literary world for a south asian writer who was able to capture the attention of so many non south asian readers with this series!
Set against the vibrant backdrop of a fake Indian wedding, the story follows the journey of Veera and Deepak as they navigate friendship to enemies to fake wedding to love, their insecurities, careers, ambitions and the expectations of their families.
The chemistry between the leads is electric, and their evolving relationship is portrayed with a perfect balance of humor and heartfelt moments. Nisha’s ability to depict the nuances of Indian culture with both humor and realism adds a rich layer of authenticity to the narrative. The themes of love, commitment, and cultural identity are seamlessly woven into the storyline.
For fans of contemporary romance with a cultural twist, Marriage and Masti is a must-read!!! Highly recommended!
Thank you to @avonbooks and @nishawrites for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
Reading this book was bittersweet for me, I loved it but I also didn’t want to read it since this marked the end of the If Shakespeare was an Auntie series. I think this series was groundbreaking in the literary world for a south asian writer who was able to capture the attention of so many non south asian readers with this series!
Set against the vibrant backdrop of a fake Indian wedding, the story follows the journey of Veera and Deepak as they navigate friendship to enemies to fake wedding to love, their insecurities, careers, ambitions and the expectations of their families.
The chemistry between the leads is electric, and their evolving relationship is portrayed with a perfect balance of humor and heartfelt moments. Nisha’s ability to depict the nuances of Indian culture with both humor and realism adds a rich layer of authenticity to the narrative. The themes of love, commitment, and cultural identity are seamlessly woven into the storyline.
For fans of contemporary romance with a cultural twist, Marriage and Masti is a must-read!!! Highly recommended!
Thank you to @avonbooks and @nishawrites for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!
August 18, 2024
Thank you to Avon and NeGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f contemporary romance
-marriage of convenience
-friends to lovers
-it's always been you
-pining
-she fell first but he fell harder
Please know I am devestated this series is over. I have adored everything about it. This is the third and can be read enirely as a standalone but I think it i smuch more appreciated in the buildup of watching these two finally FINALLY get together. Veera being the final single one in the friend group, the world giving up on her business prowress, her best friend she's been in love with for a long time constnatly friendzoning her. I just wanted to hug her.
Deepak was a bit oblivious, and definitely not looking for love until an accidental marriage with his best friend wakes him up (did I SAY FINALLY). I loved watching this man just crumble in love for Veera, his best friends laughing around him as it was his time to become a simp. I loved all of the glimpses of our favorite couples, and all of the glimpses of the desi marraige traditions. But most of all I loved watching these two risk their friendship for the love that they both deserved.
I would recommend if you're looking for (SPOILERS)
-m/f contemporary romance
-marriage of convenience
-friends to lovers
-it's always been you
-pining
-she fell first but he fell harder
Please know I am devestated this series is over. I have adored everything about it. This is the third and can be read enirely as a standalone but I think it i smuch more appreciated in the buildup of watching these two finally FINALLY get together. Veera being the final single one in the friend group, the world giving up on her business prowress, her best friend she's been in love with for a long time constnatly friendzoning her. I just wanted to hug her.
Deepak was a bit oblivious, and definitely not looking for love until an accidental marriage with his best friend wakes him up (did I SAY FINALLY). I loved watching this man just crumble in love for Veera, his best friends laughing around him as it was his time to become a simp. I loved all of the glimpses of our favorite couples, and all of the glimpses of the desi marraige traditions. But most of all I loved watching these two risk their friendship for the love that they both deserved.
September 10, 2024
Headlines:
Estranged friends
Pretence to more
Family business
Veera was a strong, determined woman who lost confidence when it came to her estranged friendship with Deepak. She was unsure quite how she'd lost her confidente and her heart. How these two became reacquainted was serendipitous but the escalation from there was anything but.
I love a convenient arrangement between a couple. I'm not sure these two really needed to catch feelings, as there was so much depth to their connection previously. They just needed to admit it to themselves.
The sense of family on both sides was strong with Veera having some awful parentage and a slightly dodgy sibling relationship. I got all warm and fuzzy over Deepak's family and how they were with Veera. She needed and deserved that goodness and nurture.
The plot on the business side was good but the connection and chemistry dominated the pages, with plenty of sparks. It wasn't difficult to care for this couple and cheer them on.
Thank you to Avon books and instabooktours for the review copy.
Estranged friends
Pretence to more
Family business
Veera was a strong, determined woman who lost confidence when it came to her estranged friendship with Deepak. She was unsure quite how she'd lost her confidente and her heart. How these two became reacquainted was serendipitous but the escalation from there was anything but.
I love a convenient arrangement between a couple. I'm not sure these two really needed to catch feelings, as there was so much depth to their connection previously. They just needed to admit it to themselves.
The sense of family on both sides was strong with Veera having some awful parentage and a slightly dodgy sibling relationship. I got all warm and fuzzy over Deepak's family and how they were with Veera. She needed and deserved that goodness and nurture.
The plot on the business side was good but the connection and chemistry dominated the pages, with plenty of sparks. It wasn't difficult to care for this couple and cheer them on.
Thank you to Avon books and instabooktours for the review copy.
September 8, 2024
I didn’t expect anything from this book but I was still disappointed. I can’t describe what I think about this book .. like I can’t think of words to explain it. It was too whitewashed for an Indian rep. I’ve read some other books of different authors where Indian rep has been done right. I’m not a hindu but I know they definitely don’t eat beef🤷🏻♀️ And she eats hamburger before every religious event and that felt wrong.
Deepak was a very good husband. Like really-really good husband. He loved her, adored her, supported her, spoiled her. Him being a good husband is the only reason i’m giving this book an extra star.
But he was a shitty friend and I hate shitty friends. I hate friends who leave their best friends behind whenever they are in a relationship and that’s what all Veera’s best friends did. I hate Kareena & Bobbi for that and it’s really ridiculous that even after the fight, even after expressing her feelings about everything that went down in their friendship, Veera had to be the one to contact them first. They didn’t even try .. they just felt guilty.
I hate her sister too. She wasn’t a good sister from the beginning to the end. Not at all. She left Veera high and dry by refusing to be her business partner after 8 months of dragging her along, she asked Veera to stay fake married and then told Veera it was all her own doing, she was more in contact with her father and she didn’t even have the decency to tell Veera, she got fooled by her father and was ready to tarnish Veera’s reputation by telling the public about the actuality of Veera & Deepak’s marriage but ohh she would protect her sister .. she wouldn’t let anything happen to her. And she was forgiven for all this .. like what the fuck ? She was jealous of Veera and toxic for her.
There are other curse words,in hindi or Punjabi, than chutiya.
Deepak was a very good husband. Like really-really good husband. He loved her, adored her, supported her, spoiled her. Him being a good husband is the only reason i’m giving this book an extra star.
But he was a shitty friend and I hate shitty friends. I hate friends who leave their best friends behind whenever they are in a relationship and that’s what all Veera’s best friends did. I hate Kareena & Bobbi for that and it’s really ridiculous that even after the fight, even after expressing her feelings about everything that went down in their friendship, Veera had to be the one to contact them first. They didn’t even try .. they just felt guilty.
I hate her sister too. She wasn’t a good sister from the beginning to the end. Not at all. She left Veera high and dry by refusing to be her business partner after 8 months of dragging her along, she asked Veera to stay fake married and then told Veera it was all her own doing, she was more in contact with her father and she didn’t even have the decency to tell Veera, she got fooled by her father and was ready to tarnish Veera’s reputation by telling the public about the actuality of Veera & Deepak’s marriage but ohh she would protect her sister .. she wouldn’t let anything happen to her. And she was forgiven for all this .. like what the fuck ? She was jealous of Veera and toxic for her.
There are other curse words,in hindi or Punjabi, than chutiya.
August 31, 2024
Hands down my favorite of the series! Deepak MY WIFE Datta can get it and Veera Pantsuit Boss Lady Mathur Datta is brat and omg that use of the Imperial March 💀💀💀
Bravo also for doting MIL and the friend group rallying behind the MCs and not making the women (being vague here) the villains of the story. 🫡
Bravo also for doting MIL and the friend group rallying behind the MCs and not making the women (being vague here) the villains of the story. 🫡
September 23, 2024
Mini Audiobook Review: Thank you for Avon for a gifted copy of this book!
Each book in this series got better and better and this final one was just SO good! I loved this one from start to finish. I have done audio for all of them and the last two have been my faves. The characters from the prior books do make appearances in this one. I just love the friends to lover, accidental marriage trope and thought Sharma did such a great with this and made it feel believable. The chemistry between the two characters Veera and Deepak was off the chart. We knew that Veera had feelings from Deepak early on which made me want to scream throughout most of the book when he was leaning into her being his wife and she was apprehension. Now I get it, you don't want to get your hopes up and then comes crashing down but dude was so genuine each time they interacted. I felt that compared to the last book this wasn't as spicy but that doesn't mean there wasn't any.
Once again Vikas Adam and Soneela Nankani knocked it out of the park! I really enjoy each of their voices and it was such an enjoyable listen.
You do not need to read the others but I highly recommend reading book 2 and this one. Dating Dr Dil wasn't my favorite but perhaps knowing all the characters I should go back and reread it and I might feel differently the 2nd time around.
Content Warnings from Storygraph:
Each book in this series got better and better and this final one was just SO good! I loved this one from start to finish. I have done audio for all of them and the last two have been my faves. The characters from the prior books do make appearances in this one. I just love the friends to lover, accidental marriage trope and thought Sharma did such a great with this and made it feel believable. The chemistry between the two characters Veera and Deepak was off the chart. We knew that Veera had feelings from Deepak early on which made me want to scream throughout most of the book when he was leaning into her being his wife and she was apprehension. Now I get it, you don't want to get your hopes up and then comes crashing down but dude was so genuine each time they interacted. I felt that compared to the last book this wasn't as spicy but that doesn't mean there wasn't any.
Once again Vikas Adam and Soneela Nankani knocked it out of the park! I really enjoy each of their voices and it was such an enjoyable listen.
You do not need to read the others but I highly recommend reading book 2 and this one. Dating Dr Dil wasn't my favorite but perhaps knowing all the characters I should go back and reread it and I might feel differently the 2nd time around.
Content Warnings from Storygraph:
September 3, 2024
I'm rounding up to three stars because I knew going into this book that it contained my two least favorite tropes (fake dating/marriage and miscommunication), and I read it anyway. Generally, I find that there's no realistic scenario where either are necessary, and this book was no different.
I don't need my romcoms to be 100% scientifically accurate. I just want realistic and sensical. Situational inefficiences or things that just dont make sense really pull me out of the story.
For example, I almost dnfed in the first few chapters because I thought it was dumb that Veera had all her money on the yacht with her and had no other way of accessing her accounts. Amex can get you a replacement physical card in less than 48 hours and a digital version in seconds. It just seems so unlikely that she would need to call someone a million miles away for help.
If stuff like that doesn't bug you, there are a lot of great things about the book. The main characters have a solid friend group to talk their shit out with and interesting careers. The aunties provide some comic relief, and there's some interesting points about imperfect parents.
I don't need my romcoms to be 100% scientifically accurate. I just want realistic and sensical. Situational inefficiences or things that just dont make sense really pull me out of the story.
For example, I almost dnfed in the first few chapters because I thought it was dumb that Veera had all her money on the yacht with her and had no other way of accessing her accounts. Amex can get you a replacement physical card in less than 48 hours and a digital version in seconds. It just seems so unlikely that she would need to call someone a million miles away for help.
If stuff like that doesn't bug you, there are a lot of great things about the book. The main characters have a solid friend group to talk their shit out with and interesting careers. The aunties provide some comic relief, and there's some interesting points about imperfect parents.
September 14, 2024
This book has no business being this dang good, 4.5 stars!!
In this retelling of Twelfth Night, two best friends,Veera and Deepak, who have lost connection are drunkenly married when they’re reunited. This story was so fun and Deepak was a MAN!! They use their accidental marriage to their advantage and I felt as sold as their family and friends who surrounded them. Veera’s character was so insightful and I hope she makes South Asian women proud.
In this retelling of Twelfth Night, two best friends,Veera and Deepak, who have lost connection are drunkenly married when they’re reunited. This story was so fun and Deepak was a MAN!! They use their accidental marriage to their advantage and I felt as sold as their family and friends who surrounded them. Veera’s character was so insightful and I hope she makes South Asian women proud.
October 7, 2024
SO GOOD!!! the perfect ending to this trilogy. miss them already
Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,083 reviews