What do you think?
Rate this book
Once Upon a Wedding #2
Matched by Masala
He cooks for their customers…but he'd rather cater to her heart!
One impetuous, slightly drunken kiss has turned up the heat on chef Amar Virani’s feelings for Divya Shah. He’s been in love with the sexy pastry chef—his sister’s best friend!—since they were teenagers, but a painful tragedy in his past keeps Amar from revealing his true emotions. As they work side by side in Divya’s tiny food truck, she realizes there’s more than just business simmering between them. For the first time, she's tempted to step outside her comfort zone and take a chance on Amar—even if it means risking more than her heart.
From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Once Upon a Wedding
Book 1: The Five-Day Reunion
Book 2: Matched by Masala
One impetuous, slightly drunken kiss has turned up the heat on chef Amar Virani’s feelings for Divya Shah. He’s been in love with the sexy pastry chef—his sister’s best friend!—since they were teenagers, but a painful tragedy in his past keeps Amar from revealing his true emotions. As they work side by side in Divya’s tiny food truck, she realizes there’s more than just business simmering between them. For the first time, she's tempted to step outside her comfort zone and take a chance on Amar—even if it means risking more than her heart.
From Harlequin Special Edition: Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Once Upon a Wedding
Book 1: The Five-Day Reunion
Book 2: Matched by Masala
268 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 15, 2022
6 people are currently reading
195 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews
Read
May 8, 2023Friends to lovers/opposites attract story with burdened-by-past hero and manic pixie heroine (childhood cancer survivor who lives for the day in a somewhat excessive fashion). Lovely food description, entertaining supporting cast, and assured writing.
July 5, 2022
Life‘a been crazy, I haven’t had too much time to read but I’m so grateful that somehow..what I have been able to read amidst the craziness have been true winners and oh my gosh Matched by Masala was such a joy to read.
The heroine, Divya had cancer at seventeen. Surviving it, beating it has turned her into a bit of an impulsive adventurer and I loved that for her. The hero..her best friend’s brother, Amar is carrying some heavy grief and guilt over the loss of his parents. Things between them are are complicated and complex but the attraction and love is undeniable. Mona Shroff masterfully weaves in the push and pull tug of war between these two…the I love you, I’m crazy about you but I’ll never be with you but I also don’t want to see you with anyone else but I’m also not good enough for you! It’s frustrating in the best way possible and makes it all so worth it in the end.
The heroine, Divya had cancer at seventeen. Surviving it, beating it has turned her into a bit of an impulsive adventurer and I loved that for her. The hero..her best friend’s brother, Amar is carrying some heavy grief and guilt over the loss of his parents. Things between them are are complicated and complex but the attraction and love is undeniable. Mona Shroff masterfully weaves in the push and pull tug of war between these two…the I love you, I’m crazy about you but I’ll never be with you but I also don’t want to see you with anyone else but I’m also not good enough for you! It’s frustrating in the best way possible and makes it all so worth it in the end.
June 19, 2022
Thank you to Harlequin Romance, Harlequin Special Edition, and Mona Shroff for the opportunity to read Matched by Masala in exchange for an honest review.
This book is a well-written joy of a read about love, family, and overcoming the challenges life throws. Being of the Harlequin Special Edition, this book focuses on "Being in love. Overcoming obstacles. [and] Find[ing] happiness." This book also follows the "falling in love with your sister's best friend" trope.
Both Divya and Amar love making food and dream of being in the culinary business. In his high school days, Amar loved Divya from afar, though never acted on his feelings because she is his sister, Anita's, best friend. Divya also spent her high school years battling cancer. Despite being cancer-free for over a decade, Divya's friends and family constantly worry about her. There will always be the lingering fear that the cancer will come back.
After being laid off from working at a restaurant (due to the fact his food-making choices were far superior to the menu's), Amar joins Divya on her ventures with Lola, a bus-turned food truck to use as a baking and catering service for parties. As they cook and work together, Amar and Divya find that they make quite the pair! The question is, can Amar overcome the fear of sharing his feelings with his sister's best friend?
It is important to note there are two dogs in this book and those scenes are just a nice joy to see how animals bring people together.
While this novel has its tense moments, the family relationships and the romantic dynamic make for an easy-going, fun-to-read novel. The slice-of-life aspect has its moments of disbelief at times, but also delves in realism and makes the reader aware of tough situations we face in life as people and how we go about overcoming those obstacles.
Matched by Masala is an excellent contemporary romance I would recommend to an audience that loves food, culture, family, romance, and anyone who can relate to facing a challenge in life (and isn't that everyone?).
This book is a well-written joy of a read about love, family, and overcoming the challenges life throws. Being of the Harlequin Special Edition, this book focuses on "Being in love. Overcoming obstacles. [and] Find[ing] happiness." This book also follows the "falling in love with your sister's best friend" trope.
Both Divya and Amar love making food and dream of being in the culinary business. In his high school days, Amar loved Divya from afar, though never acted on his feelings because she is his sister, Anita's, best friend. Divya also spent her high school years battling cancer. Despite being cancer-free for over a decade, Divya's friends and family constantly worry about her. There will always be the lingering fear that the cancer will come back.
After being laid off from working at a restaurant (due to the fact his food-making choices were far superior to the menu's), Amar joins Divya on her ventures with Lola, a bus-turned food truck to use as a baking and catering service for parties. As they cook and work together, Amar and Divya find that they make quite the pair! The question is, can Amar overcome the fear of sharing his feelings with his sister's best friend?
It is important to note there are two dogs in this book and those scenes are just a nice joy to see how animals bring people together.
While this novel has its tense moments, the family relationships and the romantic dynamic make for an easy-going, fun-to-read novel. The slice-of-life aspect has its moments of disbelief at times, but also delves in realism and makes the reader aware of tough situations we face in life as people and how we go about overcoming those obstacles.
Matched by Masala is an excellent contemporary romance I would recommend to an audience that loves food, culture, family, romance, and anyone who can relate to facing a challenge in life (and isn't that everyone?).
June 29, 2022
A terrific friends-to-lovers story complicated by being best-friend's-brother/sister's-best-friend, too. Divya and Amar have been friends since they were kids and had crushes on each other in high school but never said anything because of Anita. Now they are all grown up but still holding out on each other.
Divya is a talented pastry chef. She also tends to be impulsive and adventurous. She survived a bout of cancer in high school and now lives each day like it could be her last, worried that cancer could return. She's never met a challenge that she's turned away from.
Amar is also a talented chef. He was fired from his last job because he took a chance on improving the head chef's dish. He now runs his catering business out of the kitchen of his family home. That kitchen is falling apart, but he won't renovate it for fear of losing the memories he associates with it, including some guilt and regret. Amar is organized and methodical in his work and his life.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Divya and Amar. When Divya buys an old school bus and turns it into a food truck, she invites Amar to join her in forming a catering business. There are conflicts as Divya's "anything goes" approach clashes with Amar's more conventional methods. I loved the cooking scenes as they learned the art of compromise and cooperation. I loved how they poked at each other, but never in a mean way. They quickly become an in-demand duo, and their teamwork is impressive. I loved how they were there for each other during crises and how they encouraged each other to follow their dreams.
When Amar's sister, Anita, forces the issue of the kitchen renovation, Divya invites Amar to stay with her across the street and share her kitchen. Now that they are working and living together, the constant proximity makes it impossible to ignore the sparks between them. Complicating matters is the drink-induced kiss they shared several months earlier that neither can forget. Besides the whole sister thing, Amar hesitates to get involved with Divya because of baggage from his past trauma. Just as she seems to break through his walls, trouble from her past rears its ugly head. The emotional ending had me in tears, while the epilogue made it all worth it.
Besides the romance of the story, I loved the culinary theme. I'm not familiar with Indian food and found myself googling almost everything. My mouth watered throughout the book, and I look forward to trying some of these dishes in the future. I also enjoyed the family theme. Besides the characters' closeness to their immediate families, I enjoyed the intertwined connections with those whom Amar and Divya cooked for. I also liked seeing Anita and Nikhil from The Five-Day Reunion again.
#netgalley
Divya is a talented pastry chef. She also tends to be impulsive and adventurous. She survived a bout of cancer in high school and now lives each day like it could be her last, worried that cancer could return. She's never met a challenge that she's turned away from.
Amar is also a talented chef. He was fired from his last job because he took a chance on improving the head chef's dish. He now runs his catering business out of the kitchen of his family home. That kitchen is falling apart, but he won't renovate it for fear of losing the memories he associates with it, including some guilt and regret. Amar is organized and methodical in his work and his life.
I enjoyed watching the relationship develop between Divya and Amar. When Divya buys an old school bus and turns it into a food truck, she invites Amar to join her in forming a catering business. There are conflicts as Divya's "anything goes" approach clashes with Amar's more conventional methods. I loved the cooking scenes as they learned the art of compromise and cooperation. I loved how they poked at each other, but never in a mean way. They quickly become an in-demand duo, and their teamwork is impressive. I loved how they were there for each other during crises and how they encouraged each other to follow their dreams.
When Amar's sister, Anita, forces the issue of the kitchen renovation, Divya invites Amar to stay with her across the street and share her kitchen. Now that they are working and living together, the constant proximity makes it impossible to ignore the sparks between them. Complicating matters is the drink-induced kiss they shared several months earlier that neither can forget. Besides the whole sister thing, Amar hesitates to get involved with Divya because of baggage from his past trauma. Just as she seems to break through his walls, trouble from her past rears its ugly head. The emotional ending had me in tears, while the epilogue made it all worth it.
Besides the romance of the story, I loved the culinary theme. I'm not familiar with Indian food and found myself googling almost everything. My mouth watered throughout the book, and I look forward to trying some of these dishes in the future. I also enjoyed the family theme. Besides the characters' closeness to their immediate families, I enjoyed the intertwined connections with those whom Amar and Divya cooked for. I also liked seeing Anita and Nikhil from The Five-Day Reunion again.
#netgalley
July 4, 2022
What a special read this turned out to be,
One with romance and tragedy,
Alongside lots of tasty dishes
And fantastic dreams and wishes.
Since teens they've crushed on each other
But he's her best friend's brother
And she's his sister's best friend
So if things went wrong where would it end?
Add in health issues and tragedy, too,
Neither wants to risk their friendships, would you?
However, fate has another surprise
That may help their romance be realised.
A heartwarming read with some difficult issues
So whilst reading it you may need some tissues.
An enjoyable story where everyone else knows
But the couple themselves resist their love that grows.
There are plenty of twist to keep you page turning
And a delightful epilogue to feed your yearning!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
One with romance and tragedy,
Alongside lots of tasty dishes
And fantastic dreams and wishes.
Since teens they've crushed on each other
But he's her best friend's brother
And she's his sister's best friend
So if things went wrong where would it end?
Add in health issues and tragedy, too,
Neither wants to risk their friendships, would you?
However, fate has another surprise
That may help their romance be realised.
A heartwarming read with some difficult issues
So whilst reading it you may need some tissues.
An enjoyable story where everyone else knows
But the couple themselves resist their love that grows.
There are plenty of twist to keep you page turning
And a delightful epilogue to feed your yearning!
For my complementary copy, I say thank you,
As I share with you this, my honest review.
June 25, 2022
Thank you to NetGalley and Harlequin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
5⭐️
I read this in one morning. I loved it so so much! Amar and Divya had such amazing banter and they butt heads all the time, and I loved how Shroff uses this to build their relationship before and after they officially get together.
This is such a fun and quick read with so much food and love. I loved Amar and Divya so much, and loved their families too. I loved their presence all throughout.
Amar was obsessed with Divya and I LOVED it! His feelings are clear from the very beginning, and it was just so hot. Amar and I have something in common though, we’re both obsessed with Divya. She’s incredibly strong and smart and just so lovable. She and Amar are opposites and they work so well together.
Now, I need to get my hands on Anita and Nikhil’s book. Because I just know I’m gonna love them as well.
5⭐️
I read this in one morning. I loved it so so much! Amar and Divya had such amazing banter and they butt heads all the time, and I loved how Shroff uses this to build their relationship before and after they officially get together.
This is such a fun and quick read with so much food and love. I loved Amar and Divya so much, and loved their families too. I loved their presence all throughout.
Amar was obsessed with Divya and I LOVED it! His feelings are clear from the very beginning, and it was just so hot. Amar and I have something in common though, we’re both obsessed with Divya. She’s incredibly strong and smart and just so lovable. She and Amar are opposites and they work so well together.
Now, I need to get my hands on Anita and Nikhil’s book. Because I just know I’m gonna love them as well.
October 30, 2023
A slow start, at least for me. The characters were fine and I liked the dog, but the story didn't really grip me at first and I kept not picking this up to continue reading.
I was also kinda meh about Divya, and sympathetic to Amar, when Divya would just randomly promise too much for catering clients and then change the menu without consulting Amar. I get her whole philosophy of carpe diem and you don't know what you're capable of unless you take risks, but that's just really inconsiderate of your business partner. Amar raised good points that it's ridiculous to go directly from catering for 30 to catering for 200, and that wedding with the super demanding mother of the bride could have gone much worse than it did. I was glad when Diyva got a wakeup call at how much the workload turned out to be, but I wish I'd seen more lasting growth from her on this point.
But overall, this was a sweet book, and the second half was better. Divya and Amar's support for each other was really sweet, and I like how Divya finally learns to accept Amar's love and support.
I was also kinda meh about Divya, and sympathetic to Amar, when Divya would just randomly promise too much for catering clients and then change the menu without consulting Amar. I get her whole philosophy of carpe diem and you don't know what you're capable of unless you take risks, but that's just really inconsiderate of your business partner. Amar raised good points that it's ridiculous to go directly from catering for 30 to catering for 200, and that wedding with the super demanding mother of the bride could have gone much worse than it did. I was glad when Diyva got a wakeup call at how much the workload turned out to be, but I wish I'd seen more lasting growth from her on this point.
But overall, this was a sweet book, and the second half was better. Divya and Amar's support for each other was really sweet, and I like how Divya finally learns to accept Amar's love and support.
June 16, 2022
*Thank you to the author for providing this finished review copy. All thoughts are my own, and not influenced by the fact that I received this book for review.*
If you love romances that have food or cooking as part of the story, pick this one up right away! I'm still hungry from all of the amazing food descriptions!
The sister's best friend trope is well in play with this one, with a slice of forced proximity. I adore forced proximity tropes anyway, but by them sharing their creative space that is the kitchen...SO GOOD!!!
But what I really loved were the characters. I loved seeing Anita and Nikhil again and I loved getting to know Amar and Divya. The push and pull of Amar and Divya is a thing of beauty, and more proof that Shroff knows what she is doing. I was thriving on how they were there for each other in all of the imporant moments when it counted. Their belief in each other's dreams was intoxicating, and something that everyone should strive for in their partner.
To quickly sum it up, this book was charming, inspiring, and full of heart, just like her other novels. Shroff is a must read for me, and I encourage all of you to also read her work.
If you love romances that have food or cooking as part of the story, pick this one up right away! I'm still hungry from all of the amazing food descriptions!
The sister's best friend trope is well in play with this one, with a slice of forced proximity. I adore forced proximity tropes anyway, but by them sharing their creative space that is the kitchen...SO GOOD!!!
But what I really loved were the characters. I loved seeing Anita and Nikhil again and I loved getting to know Amar and Divya. The push and pull of Amar and Divya is a thing of beauty, and more proof that Shroff knows what she is doing. I was thriving on how they were there for each other in all of the imporant moments when it counted. Their belief in each other's dreams was intoxicating, and something that everyone should strive for in their partner.
To quickly sum it up, this book was charming, inspiring, and full of heart, just like her other novels. Shroff is a must read for me, and I encourage all of you to also read her work.
June 22, 2022
Friends to lovers are one of my favourite tropes in literature and this book didn't disappoint.
Matched by Masala is a lovely story that pushes together friends Divya and Amar who both love making food and have big aspirations of making it in the culinary world. Since high school, Amar has had feelings for Divya but never acted on them since she was his sister's best friend.
When a series of events push them into working together on this food truck, they realize that they make a great team and sparks begin to fly.
If you love food, friendship, and culture with a sprinkle of romance then this book is for you. I loved the food descriptions they were so vivid that my mouth is still watering.
Matched by Masala is a lovely story that pushes together friends Divya and Amar who both love making food and have big aspirations of making it in the culinary world. Since high school, Amar has had feelings for Divya but never acted on them since she was his sister's best friend.
When a series of events push them into working together on this food truck, they realize that they make a great team and sparks begin to fly.
If you love food, friendship, and culture with a sprinkle of romance then this book is for you. I loved the food descriptions they were so vivid that my mouth is still watering.
July 25, 2025
"Matched by Masala by Mona Shroff is book two in the "Once Upon a Wedding" series. I absolutely loved Divya and Amar's story. Divya is best friends with Amar's sister, Anita. Divya is worried about getting sick again and tries to keep people at arms length. Her and Amar become close and become business partners. I liked how they each enjoyed the kitchen and had jobs that complimented each other.Mona does such a wonderful job with writing stories. Anytime I start a book by Mona, I know I will not be putting it down any time soon. My favorite scene was at the hospital.
June 19, 2022
This is a heartwarming friends-to-lovers, opposites attract romance. Amar has been in love with Divya forever, but her laidback style drives him crazy once they start working together. These two have to learn to trust and compromise in order to make their professional and personal relationships work.
CW: The heroine has a history of cancer.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
CW: The heroine has a history of cancer.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
June 8, 2022
Divya has gone through a lot. As a teen, she survived cancer and now she wants to live each day like it's her last, cause she never knows if it will come back. She is impulsive and goes after what she wants. A complete opposite of Amar.
Amar is stuck. Living in the family home, he works as a caterer in the kitchen that is crumbling around him, but he can't stand to fix it. He's afraid that the memories of his family will vanish with the reno, not to mention how much guilt and regret he carries with him. Until his sister forces him to move on.
Divya has bought an old school bus. She is a pastry chef and plans to use it for jobs. They decide to work together. But after the kiss they shared last year, the air between the is full of tension and sparks. But falling in love seems too risky.
It's such a romantic story, with lots of will they- won't they and so much food. :) They are both from Indian families and there is so much culture, family dynamics and so much food. I was drooling as I googled what were they making.
I love it and highly recommend it!
received from Netgalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own
Amar is stuck. Living in the family home, he works as a caterer in the kitchen that is crumbling around him, but he can't stand to fix it. He's afraid that the memories of his family will vanish with the reno, not to mention how much guilt and regret he carries with him. Until his sister forces him to move on.
Divya has bought an old school bus. She is a pastry chef and plans to use it for jobs. They decide to work together. But after the kiss they shared last year, the air between the is full of tension and sparks. But falling in love seems too risky.
It's such a romantic story, with lots of will they- won't they and so much food. :) They are both from Indian families and there is so much culture, family dynamics and so much food. I was drooling as I googled what were they making.
I love it and highly recommend it!
received from Netgalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own
November 30, 2025
This book is part of a series but it can me read as a stand alone. This is a sibling's best friend trope and I enjoyed it. Amar is interested in his sister's best friend, Divya, but he won't make a move. Divya feels the same way. Divya has dealt with so much in her life. Because of her experiences, she lives life to the fullest. She is willing to try new things even if things don't work out. Amar is so different from her. He likes safe. The two may be different, but they work well together.
June 25, 2023
This is the second in a series, the couple from the first book appears in several scenes here but I had no problem reading this as a stand alone.
If you enjoy reading about food you’ll love the plethora of scenes here involving cooking and baking. I really liked seeing Amar and Divya at work throughout the story, trying to build their fledgling catering/baking businesses and figuring out how to mesh their different work styles, lately I prefer a romance novel that gives me a bit more of the characters’ lives and aspirations beyond a relationship, and this delivered well on that while still weaving in a satisfying love story.
The love story did test my patience occasionally with the jealousies and for seemingly everyone except the two of them aware of their feelings for one another, but their backstories/baggage (her history with cancer, his sudden loss of his parents) did a good job of explaining their hesitancy to take a chance on being upfront with each other.
Harlequin books are generally known for being uplifting, borderline Hallmark-ish, often the sadness has already occurred in the characters’ lives and the book is mostly focused on the bright days in front of them, but I liked that this story mimicked actual life patterns, where things are a bit more up and down, humming along and suddenly you’re walloped with something sad, and then just when you’re getting back on track from that you’re tested by something else. Dropping a bit of sadness into the middle of a romance won’t appeal to every reader, for me, though, I appreciated that the “dark moments” here went deeper than than just the standard brief break in the relationship.
All that is not to say that this is a dark depressing read, it most certainly is not, there’s warmth and hope throughout, not to mention a great supporting cast (I particularly loved the brother-in-law’s efforts to bond with Amar) and a couple cute dogs (one of which I very much loved in those jealousy moments I complained about earlier in this review).
If you enjoy reading about food you’ll love the plethora of scenes here involving cooking and baking. I really liked seeing Amar and Divya at work throughout the story, trying to build their fledgling catering/baking businesses and figuring out how to mesh their different work styles, lately I prefer a romance novel that gives me a bit more of the characters’ lives and aspirations beyond a relationship, and this delivered well on that while still weaving in a satisfying love story.
The love story did test my patience occasionally with the jealousies and for seemingly everyone except the two of them aware of their feelings for one another, but their backstories/baggage (her history with cancer, his sudden loss of his parents) did a good job of explaining their hesitancy to take a chance on being upfront with each other.
Harlequin books are generally known for being uplifting, borderline Hallmark-ish, often the sadness has already occurred in the characters’ lives and the book is mostly focused on the bright days in front of them, but I liked that this story mimicked actual life patterns, where things are a bit more up and down, humming along and suddenly you’re walloped with something sad, and then just when you’re getting back on track from that you’re tested by something else. Dropping a bit of sadness into the middle of a romance won’t appeal to every reader, for me, though, I appreciated that the “dark moments” here went deeper than than just the standard brief break in the relationship.
All that is not to say that this is a dark depressing read, it most certainly is not, there’s warmth and hope throughout, not to mention a great supporting cast (I particularly loved the brother-in-law’s efforts to bond with Amar) and a couple cute dogs (one of which I very much loved in those jealousy moments I complained about earlier in this review).
July 6, 2023
I was thrilled to discover that this was not the Harlequin book of my teens. Instead it was a delectable feast for both the heart and the taste buds. I also was thrilled to discover a romance that transcended the conventional tropes and was tantalizing.
At the center of the story are Divya, a fierce and passionate baker, and Amar, a recently criticized chef with dreams of blending Indian cuisine with modern flavors. Shroff skillfully incorporates the culinary journey into the narrative, allowing the reader to savor every delectable dish. From fragrant spices to delectable fusion creations, the food becomes a character in its own right, adding an extra layer of sensory delight to the story.
While the romance aspect is a significant part it diverges from traditional Harlequin novels by placing a greater emphasis on character development, cultural exploration, and the complexities of family.
Shroff's writing style is inviting, effortlessly transporting readers into Divya and Amar’s worlds. The chemistry between them is palpable, and their interactions are filled with genuine emotion. Their relationship is a slow burn/simmer, allowing the reader to savor each moment of connection.
In conclusion, Matched by Masala is a delightful departure from the formula romance novels of my younger days. Mona Shroff has created a delectable blend of romance, cultural exploration, and tantalizing culinary delights. If you're looking for a contemporary romance that satisfies your heart, stirs your senses, and leaves you hungry for more, this book is an absolute treat.
At the center of the story are Divya, a fierce and passionate baker, and Amar, a recently criticized chef with dreams of blending Indian cuisine with modern flavors. Shroff skillfully incorporates the culinary journey into the narrative, allowing the reader to savor every delectable dish. From fragrant spices to delectable fusion creations, the food becomes a character in its own right, adding an extra layer of sensory delight to the story.
While the romance aspect is a significant part it diverges from traditional Harlequin novels by placing a greater emphasis on character development, cultural exploration, and the complexities of family.
Shroff's writing style is inviting, effortlessly transporting readers into Divya and Amar’s worlds. The chemistry between them is palpable, and their interactions are filled with genuine emotion. Their relationship is a slow burn/simmer, allowing the reader to savor each moment of connection.
In conclusion, Matched by Masala is a delightful departure from the formula romance novels of my younger days. Mona Shroff has created a delectable blend of romance, cultural exploration, and tantalizing culinary delights. If you're looking for a contemporary romance that satisfies your heart, stirs your senses, and leaves you hungry for more, this book is an absolute treat.
July 30, 2023
Matched by Masala by Mona Shroff is a heartwarming romance that follows chef Amar Virani and pastry chef Divya Shah, whose longstanding friendship takes a passionate turn when they share an impetuous kiss. As they navigate their emotions while working together in Divya's food truck, both must confront their pasts and step outside their comfort zones to embrace love and take a chance on each other.
Matched by Masala is the second book in the Once Upon a Wedding series. I haven’t read of the other books in the series, but I was told it can be read as a stand alone. This contemporary romance novel touches upon heavy subjects like the death of parents, grief, cancer, child loss, and car accident, making it an emotionally impactful read. The author’s writing style was beautiful. I was captivated by the well-developed characters along with the slow burn romance they shared. The author’s inclusion of dogs in the storyline added a delightful touch which brought the main characters closer together and revealing different sides of their personalities. Despite some intense scenes, the book also offered sweet and tender moments which provided a perfect balance. Overall, I enjoyed reading Matched by Masala and highly recommend picking this up!
Matched by Masala is the second book in the Once Upon a Wedding series. I haven’t read of the other books in the series, but I was told it can be read as a stand alone. This contemporary romance novel touches upon heavy subjects like the death of parents, grief, cancer, child loss, and car accident, making it an emotionally impactful read. The author’s writing style was beautiful. I was captivated by the well-developed characters along with the slow burn romance they shared. The author’s inclusion of dogs in the storyline added a delightful touch which brought the main characters closer together and revealing different sides of their personalities. Despite some intense scenes, the book also offered sweet and tender moments which provided a perfect balance. Overall, I enjoyed reading Matched by Masala and highly recommend picking this up!
October 27, 2022
FULL REVIEW HERE:
https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-ma...
What I love most from this book is the way Ms. Shroff, like a elaborated recipe, mixes romance with serious issues while creating a light atmosphere filled with clever dialogues. Also, she developed the main characters’ personalities so that could ‘season’ their scenes. Best example is how the author uses Amar’s fixation with Marvel/DC Universes to build strong moments in the plot.
“He wiped away her tears and looked at her like she held his life in her hands. He squeezed her hand and they walked toward the entrance.
“Wonder Woman T-shirt?” she asked.
“We need the big guns today, Div.” Amar grinned.”
Matched by Masala is a mouthwatering book with an easy, funny and fast reading that celebrates Indian culture and cuisine—yes, I had to ask Saint Google for those delicious recipes Ms. Shroff brought to the table (yummy!!)—family values and how facing difficult moments in your live is better when love is around.
https://harlequinjunkie.com/review-ma...
What I love most from this book is the way Ms. Shroff, like a elaborated recipe, mixes romance with serious issues while creating a light atmosphere filled with clever dialogues. Also, she developed the main characters’ personalities so that could ‘season’ their scenes. Best example is how the author uses Amar’s fixation with Marvel/DC Universes to build strong moments in the plot.
“He wiped away her tears and looked at her like she held his life in her hands. He squeezed her hand and they walked toward the entrance.
“Wonder Woman T-shirt?” she asked.
“We need the big guns today, Div.” Amar grinned.”
Matched by Masala is a mouthwatering book with an easy, funny and fast reading that celebrates Indian culture and cuisine—yes, I had to ask Saint Google for those delicious recipes Ms. Shroff brought to the table (yummy!!)—family values and how facing difficult moments in your live is better when love is around.
August 14, 2022
Tropes: friends to lovers
Steam level: 🌶
Picking up a Harlequin romance reminded me why I used to devour these when I was younger. They're usually really quick reads, and even if the quality of the writing isn't always the best, I'm usually entertained by them. That was the case with this one as well.
I am happy to see more diversity in both the authors and the characters compared to 20 years ago. I really loved all the descriptions of Indian food and culture that we got. Both characters had some kind of baggage that leads them to initially refuse a relationship, and then to the third act breakup, none of which was very surprising or difficult to believe.
I did have trouble sympathizing with some of Divya's actions. She has a very forceful personality, and never seems to think about Amar's point of view when it comes to making decisions that impact them both. She feels she knows what's best for him, his future, and his business, and he basically doesn't get much of a say in the matter. It's a character trait that makes my skin crawl with how much I dislike it, regardless of whether the other party is accepting of the situation or not.
Steam level: 🌶
Picking up a Harlequin romance reminded me why I used to devour these when I was younger. They're usually really quick reads, and even if the quality of the writing isn't always the best, I'm usually entertained by them. That was the case with this one as well.
I am happy to see more diversity in both the authors and the characters compared to 20 years ago. I really loved all the descriptions of Indian food and culture that we got. Both characters had some kind of baggage that leads them to initially refuse a relationship, and then to the third act breakup, none of which was very surprising or difficult to believe.
I did have trouble sympathizing with some of Divya's actions. She has a very forceful personality, and never seems to think about Amar's point of view when it comes to making decisions that impact them both. She feels she knows what's best for him, his future, and his business, and he basically doesn't get much of a say in the matter. It's a character trait that makes my skin crawl with how much I dislike it, regardless of whether the other party is accepting of the situation or not.
July 4, 2022
I received a complimentary copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley and I am voluntarily reviewing it.
While this is a part of a series, you don't have to read the prior one to fully understand and enjoy this one.
I loved the fact that this was written in my favorite dual POV format. Getting that glimpse into a character's thoughts really help me to better understand and connect to the character. I loved learning a lot about the Indian food and a few of the cultural aspects here.
The best friend's older brother troupe was a little more complex with the addition of an illness. I will not lie when I say that there were a few scenes that brought a tear to my eyes.
There were some kissing and anything else was behind a fade to black. If you like to learn while reading a wonderful romance story, this one could be for you.
While this is a part of a series, you don't have to read the prior one to fully understand and enjoy this one.
I loved the fact that this was written in my favorite dual POV format. Getting that glimpse into a character's thoughts really help me to better understand and connect to the character. I loved learning a lot about the Indian food and a few of the cultural aspects here.
The best friend's older brother troupe was a little more complex with the addition of an illness. I will not lie when I say that there were a few scenes that brought a tear to my eyes.
There were some kissing and anything else was behind a fade to black. If you like to learn while reading a wonderful romance story, this one could be for you.
July 9, 2022
Amar who we meet in book one is and has been in love with his little sister’s best friend Divya and Divya is in love with her best friends big brother…these two have butt heads and tease each other but the banter Mona does for these two is perfect as they try to figure out how to go from friends to more. We also get real life with a cancer survivor (Divya) and losing both his parents (Amar) that still impact both their lives and if they can love. We also get two dogs with this one that add in puppies! And the food!! I didn’t know many of the dishes but I’m dying for some chai now! I really enjoyed this book- the flow- the drama that was fun and banter- families and friends woven in and again the food!
Can’t wait for more of this series and more of Shroff’s writing!!
5 stars
2 steam - closed door
Can’t wait for more of this series and more of Shroff’s writing!!
5 stars
2 steam - closed door
May 27, 2022
Amar has been in love with Divya since they were teens, unfortunately Divya is his sister's best friend and he is struggling to forgive himself for a tragic accident years ago. The fact that they shared a drunken kiss last year complicates things. When they end up having to work together, she is a pastry chef and he is an expert culinary chef, they are forced to deal with the feelings they have for each other.
I really enjoyed Mona Shroff's Five Day Reunion, which focused on Amar's sister, Anita. This was a cute love story that dealt with a few serious issues. I loved reading Amar and Divya's story and I'm looking forward to the next book in the Once Upon A Wedding series!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
I really enjoyed Mona Shroff's Five Day Reunion, which focused on Amar's sister, Anita. This was a cute love story that dealt with a few serious issues. I loved reading Amar and Divya's story and I'm looking forward to the next book in the Once Upon A Wedding series!
Thanks to Netgalley and Harlequin for the advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
May 27, 2022
I got an ARC of this through NetGalley!
While the concept was sweet, it felt like the book lacked dimension and scope. I thought the romance was nice and was a good example of the friends to lovers trope, but that didn't save the whole book.
Divya is a pastry chef who went through cancer in high school, and now lives each day to the fullest. Amir is a chef who lost his parents in a tragic accident and never recovered, too afraid to take risks and strike out on his own. The two are neighbors, and decide to pair up and start a catering business. Will their contradicting personalities work out in both a relationship and a business?
I would recommend if you want an easy read that just has a bit of romance and not a lot of depth.
While the concept was sweet, it felt like the book lacked dimension and scope. I thought the romance was nice and was a good example of the friends to lovers trope, but that didn't save the whole book.
Divya is a pastry chef who went through cancer in high school, and now lives each day to the fullest. Amir is a chef who lost his parents in a tragic accident and never recovered, too afraid to take risks and strike out on his own. The two are neighbors, and decide to pair up and start a catering business. Will their contradicting personalities work out in both a relationship and a business?
I would recommend if you want an easy read that just has a bit of romance and not a lot of depth.
July 6, 2022
Pastry chef Divya Shah has big plans - pastry career, food truck. No so much in plans for the rest of her life. That shouldn't include across the street neighbor, chef Amar Virani, whose her best friend's brother. But when a kitchen fire leads to a whole remodel of the Amar's kitchen, Divya has him come over to use her parent's kitchen for his work. And they find they work well together - except on the surface, she's incredibly disorganized, and he is organized to a fault. But they join together to start a catering company, and work on her food truck. Despite being put off by her seat of the pants planning, Amar is falling hard. But he's hampered by memories of his parents' death.
October 29, 2022
Amar and Divya are both chef and have known each other since they were kids. Now all grown up they've also been in love with each other while growing up. These two were perfect for each other because together they were able to be what the other one needed. You see Amar is stuck in the past not wanting to let go of the family kitchen afraid that he will lose what was built in that very space. Divya was able to get him to let go of the past and look forward to the future it's the same with her when she thought her cancer was back. Awesome ending and glad the couple got there HEA. Thank you, Mona, for ARC and for wonderful story. Looking forward to Sangeeta and Sonny's story!
June 27, 2022
I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Harlequin REALLY needs to stop with including sensitive issues in their books, especially if they aren’t going to bother including content warnings. I like Mona Shroff, the first in this series was good. But the betrayal of going into a book promising a fun, if tension-filled best friend’s sibling dynamic, then get the bombshell that the heroine is a cancer survivor who is dealing with another health scare?! When I said I wanted high stakes for my romance couples, I didn’t mean literal illness!
Harlequin REALLY needs to stop with including sensitive issues in their books, especially if they aren’t going to bother including content warnings. I like Mona Shroff, the first in this series was good. But the betrayal of going into a book promising a fun, if tension-filled best friend’s sibling dynamic, then get the bombshell that the heroine is a cancer survivor who is dealing with another health scare?! When I said I wanted high stakes for my romance couples, I didn’t mean literal illness!
July 14, 2022
Thank you to Harlequin Books/Harlequin Special Edition for the finished copy of the book! Review contains my own thoughts and opinions.
I LOVE a foodie romance, and Matched by Masala was such a great one! Mona Shroff wrote such a heart-warming and delicious love story for Divya and Amar. I loved all of the great food they created together, and would love to attend one of their co-catered events.
Matched by Masala was the perfect read to inhale during my recent flight. I loved it!
I LOVE a foodie romance, and Matched by Masala was such a great one! Mona Shroff wrote such a heart-warming and delicious love story for Divya and Amar. I loved all of the great food they created together, and would love to attend one of their co-catered events.
Matched by Masala was the perfect read to inhale during my recent flight. I loved it!
January 19, 2023
Like I've said before, some of these books can be hit or miss for me. I usually try and go into them not expecting too much since they are very quick reads and the story is not usually as developed as I liked them to be.
This book had a lot things I really enjoy, like how food can connect two characters. I really loved the romance aspects of this book.
Thank you so much netgalley for the arc of this book.
This book had a lot things I really enjoy, like how food can connect two characters. I really loved the romance aspects of this book.
Thank you so much netgalley for the arc of this book.
December 27, 2025
This is a lovely story of healing and family. Amar and his sister lost their parents to a car accident and Amar has struggled ever since. He took care of his sister but not himself. Divya beat cancer at a young age and feels the threat of a reoccurrence as an adult. She feels she needs to live life to the fullest because you don’t know what will happen. Amar and Divya grew up together and are polar opposites and they start a business together – what could go wrong!
May 15, 2023
Divya was the character I couldn't like no matter what she did. She did not redeem herself at all, despite her annoyingness and changing plans without asking others. That part of communication did not become better at all, and throughout the book it just made me not like it. I think they both needed therapy even the sister too.
heat: 🌶
heat: 🌶
May 22, 2025
3.25 stars. Holy health code violations, Batman! This was a very sweet, very angsty friends to lovers roller coaster. I wanted to smack both MCs upside the head multiple times. Not sure the medical twist toward the end was necessary, but overall an entertaining read that made me crave biryani and rotli.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 41 reviews