Fleeing her own nuptials wasn’t part of wedding planner Sangeeta Parikh’s design for her life. Neither was stumbling into chef Sonny Pandya’s arms, nor the video that went viral. Now they’re an internet sensation! So why not fake the relationship with no commitment? Sangeeta can save face and her job, and Sonny gets needed exposure for his restaurant. It’s a good plan for two commitmentphobes…until all that pretend hand-holding and kissing start to feel real.
From Harlequin Special Believe in love. Overcome obstacles. Find happiness.
Once Upon a Wedding
Book 1: The Five-Day Reunion Book 2: Matched by Masala Book 3: No Rings Attached Book 4: The Business Between Them
No Rings Attached by Mona Shroff Once Upon a Wedding series #3. Harlequin Special Edition. Contemporary diverse romance. Can be read as a stand-alone. Fake relationship, second chance troupes. Sangeeta Parikh runs away from her wedding in full Indian dress and bare feet. She finds herself in an alley outside chef Sonny Pandya’s restaurant. He helpfully picks her up since she’s bleeding and limping when they get caught on camera. To save her wedding planner job, they agree to a fake relationship. Now they have to explain it their families. And figure out what they really want. Book 1: The Five-Day Reunion Book 2: Matched by Masala Book 3: No Rings Attached Book 4: The Business Between Them Book 5: Their Accidental Honeymoon Book 6: If You Can’t Stand the Heat… Book 7: The Dating Game (December 2025)
I need chai tea. I’ve read a couple of books from this series and the food and tea sounds so good! And the clothing gorgeous. I’ve learned a lot too. Sangeeta and Sonny are a great couple and I enjoyed following their second chance.
Thank you so much to Harlequin for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
No Rings Attached is yet another adorable romance from Mona Shroff! Even if the stories are pretty straightforward, I've really been enjoying reading the individual romances among this group of interconnected characters in the Once Upon a Wedding series, and this time, I fell in love with Sonny and Sangeeta! I loved the fake dating and forced proximity between them, combined with a dash of second chance romance. The South Asian rep is so positively and proudly included as well, as with all of Mona Shroff's books. I look forward to reading Reena and Akash's book next--the tension between them was so palpable in this novel!
Thank you @monashroff for the signed copy of No Rings Attached, receipt of which did not impact my review. Pub date: 3/28/23.
I can always trust Mona Shroff to give us a contemporary romance that is sweet, funny, and charming. No Rings Attached is a fantastic edition to her Once Upon a Wedding Series!
Sonny and Sangeeta had a ✨ moment ✨ last year, but shortly after, Sangeeta got back together with her boyfriend/fiancé. On her wedding day, Sangeeta realizes this is not where her life should be and runs - straight into the alley behind Sonny’s restaurant. There’s an opportunity to help both Sangeeta’s career and Sonny’s family business by working for rising star influencer Asha Gupta’s wedding - if they pretend to be dating and in love.
This was a quick and lovely read with a fade to black/closed door romance. Both MCs had character growth throughout the story and the inclusion of couples from books one and two were great! I’m also looking forward to the next book in the series, which will pair nicely with this one!
"No Rings Attached" by Mona Shroff is book three in the "Once Upon a Wedding" series. It is a well written book with great characters. Sangetta is to get married, but as she was supposed to get married, she decided she didn't want to do it. So she runs out of her wedding and into Sonny. Sonny and Sangetta met each other months ago and have kept bumping into each other ever since. Sangetta is a wedding planner, so her boss wants to fire her because her running out of her own wedding doesn't look good for the business. So in order to save her job and Sonny's family hotel, they decide to "fake" date. I really like the storyline, and Mona has a way of writing that keeps you wanting more. I look forward to reading others by this author.
What a sweet romance from Mona Shroff! This is my first book by this author, and it definitely won't be my last.
One of my favorite things in a romance is the "one bed" trope, and buddy, does this have a cute one! Sonny is the star of this book, in my opinion. The pining is sooo good! I also love the fake dating trope, and this one is a knockout! I love Indian romances for a number of reasons, but one of them is the large family that usually accompanies them. I'm a fan of romances that have family dynamics. To me, it makes the story more believable.
I do want to mention that this is a relatively closed-door romance, so just know that going in. Overall, this was a wonderfully charming book that I'm so glad I requested. I look forward to reading more from Shroff!
I enjoyed this story. It was an easy book to listen to on an audiobook, I didn’t know some of the culture, but felt like I was learning some of it by listening to this book. The romance was incredibly engaging as well.
Sangeeta has always lived life with a plan. If everything is carefully planned, life will be as it should be. Until her wedding day, when she realizes that maybe her plans were wrong, and she runs away. Sonny Pandya is shocked when a woman in bridal attire runs into his restaurant. He is even more shocked to find that she is the same woman who broke his heart months ago. In a twist of fate, they are forced to fake a relationship in order to save their jobs and families. I have been waiting eagerly for the next installments of Mona Shroff's Once Upon A Wedding series. I love getting to know characters that we met briefly in previous novels. I wasn't a huge fan of Sangeeta's character, but I loved Sonny. Some of the story was a bit over the top, but it was cute, and I definitely recommend it for anyone who's a fan of lighthearted romance. I'm excited to read Reena's story in the next novel in the series!
Thank you to Netgalley and Harlequin for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Sangeeta gets cold feet and leaves her groom at the alter, or mandapa. As she's fleeing, she runs into Sonny, who she hasn't seen in months after they had a magical few days on the beach. Their run-in is caught on camera where they become a viral sensation - a runaway bride being carried off by her supposed true love. A popular influencer needs a new venue for her wedding and she wants Sangeeta and Sonny to be involved, wanting to capitalize off of their popularity and true love. They pretend to be in a relationship since Sangeeta's wedding planner career is threatened after her stunt and Sonny's family needs the exposure to keep their hotel. But of course, feelings get in the way and Sangeeta and Sonny realize they can't fake their very real feelings towards each other.
I picked up this book after seeing a Harlequin book with a South Asian couple on the cover. Things have truly changed and books are diversifying. I haven't read too many romance books with an Indian couple so I decided to read it, especially with the fake dating trope. I could definitely believe footage of a runaway bride and her supposed true love would go viral.
This book was pleasant. Sangeeta and Sonny complimented one another with Sangeeta as a type-A planner and Sonny as a more laid-back guy. It did grow a little tiring that no matter how disheveled or plain they looked, the other person constantly thought they were the sexiest person alive. There was constant pining and lusting, which was odd when it faded to black when they actually had sex. There was one line that said Sonny relinquished all of his desires onto Sangeeta and they went to bed exhausted in each other's arms. It was pretty anti-climatic considering all of the heated gazes and electric touches.
The conflict was also very low-stakes. Rahaul, the influencer's fiance, catches Sangeeta and Sonny discussing fake relationship. They both stress over how Asha, the influencer, could fire them if she found out. This would be a good source of conflict if Rahaul was actually going to out them for fabricating their relationship. He literally said he wasn't going to tell Asha. However, Sangeeta and Sonny still freak out. They were stressing out over nothing. There is a good source of conflict that comes later. However, even this conflict conveniently comes to an end.
Things just worked out a little too conveniently for Sangeeta and Sonny. Their families were way too calm and accepting of everything despite Sangeeta fleeing her own wedding for a virtual stranger. Asha was in complete denial over her fiance's cheating until seconds later where she randomly believed them. The weirdest part was Asha thinking Sangeeta and Reena (Sonny's sister and manager of the hotel) were friends even though they hardly spent time together. Even when Sangeeta went to events that Asha demanded she attended, she quickly left. Sangeeta and Sonny's lie was revealed and no real consequences happened. Sangeeta lost her job, but it was written so nonchalantly that I didn't care. Partly, because Sangeeta's unemployment was wrapped up a chapter later where she decided to start her own business and then two chapters later in the epilogue, it was confirmed that her business was a success.
Not bad, but not great. I'm actually more interested in the love story between Reena (Sonny's sister) and Akash (Asha's brother). Maybe I'll check out their book later on.
Good second chance story. The book opens on Sangeeta's wedding day, highlighting the preparations to marry her fiancé, Param, but something feels off. Instead of excitement and happiness, she has a sinking feeling of dread. She tries to convince herself it is nerves, but she can't do it when it comes time to walk down the aisle. She takes one look at the open doors and runs the other way, ending up in the alley behind Sonny's restaurant.
Sonny and Sangeeta have a history. They'd met at the beach a year earlier when Sangeeta and Param had broken up. For three days, they spent time together, talking about everything and nothing, connecting deeply. But when Param called, Sangeeta returned to him and was engaged shortly after that. But fate wasn't done with them. As Indian parents do, their parents set up an introduction between them, hoping they would suit. But Sonny can't forget how she left him, and Sangeeta is committed to Param, so nothing came of it.
Neither was pleased to see the other again. Sonny had worked hard to put his feelings for Sangeeta in the past, and seeing her again stirred them up. For Sangeeta, Sonny reminded her of a beautiful time that didn't fit her life plan. They want nothing more than to see the backs of each other when a video of her arrival at the restaurant goes viral. With what seems like the world looking for her, Sangeeta is stuck at Sonny's for now. Matters become more complicated when Sonny's sister Reena arrives with a plan. If they go along with a fake relationship for two months, it will save Sangeeta's job, boost Sonny's restaurant, and enable Reena to keep the family hotel. All they must do is play-act for a social media influencer who wants them to handle her wedding.
I enjoyed watching Sonny and Sangeeta's relationship develop. Because of their deception, they are forced into living and working together. It is rapidly apparent that the sparks between them are still there. Both fight hard against their feelings. Sonny doesn't want to get hurt again, and Sangeeta is convinced it's too soon after her non-wedding to have feelings for Sonny.
Sonny has a caring heart, and I loved watching him care for Sangeeta. Much of his love language is food related, and I loved the description of the food he made. I also liked how well he understood her need for plans and how he eased her into trying spontaneity now and then.
Sangeeta has been a planner all her life. Sometimes, her plans made me laugh, such as the hiking trip, and others when I wanted to shake her and tell her to lighten up. She had mapped out her life and career, and when things fell apart, she was lost. The chance to get back on track gave her a purpose, while the relationship with Sonny opened her eyes to what she had been missing.
As Sonny and Sangeeta got deeper into their deception, the playacting started to feel very real. Their fake dates to keep Asha happy became harder to separate fake from reality. Sonny felt his heart trying to have hope but was afraid to trust. Sangeeta kept fighting against her suspicion that her feelings for Sonny were real. When an unexpected twist made their deception public, both must decide if what they have is worth fighting for. I loved the ending and seeing the changes in both.
I enjoyed the family dynamics in this book. The large families are frequently over-involved in each other's business, but the love is undeniable. I understood Sangeeta's frustration with her mother, whose controlling ways contributed to Sangeeta's issues. I especially enjoyed seeing Sangeeta stand up to her at the end. Sonny has a similar problem with his father, as the differences in his and Sonny's visions drive them apart. I have yet to decide about his sister Reena, whose desperate focus on the family hotel started the process. The vibes between her and Akash in this book make me think something is happening there. I'm looking forward to the next book and seeing how it turns out.
- runaway bride - dual POV - fake dating - only one bed
She ran away from her wedding, but was she running away from love or straight into it?
Wedding planner Sangeeta Parikh just left a guy at the altar. Not so much left, as ran away from. When she ducks into an alley to try to escape a crowd that has begun following her, she winds up in the arms of a hot chef named Sonny Pandya. There’s only one problem. They’ve met before. It doesn’t take long for there to be another problem: Sangeeta’s job is on the line. Who wants to a runaway bride as their wedding planner?
There is only one way to fix it: fake date so she can plan the wedding of a social media phenom who thinks Sangeeta fled from her nuptials for the most romantic reason ever: true love.
Sonny’s family hotel business is about to be sold. His sister had her heart set on running it one day and he really wants to help her keep it.
There’s only one way for this loyal brother to help his beloved sister: get free publicity by planning the menu and fake dating Sangeeta.
Get ready for some serious pining and a lot of "will they or won’t they". Sangeeta is trying really hard to convince herself that while she might be feeling something for Sonny, this isn’t real. Sonny is trying really hard not to get his hopes up. After all, his hopes have been dashed before.
Plus, they both have extended families with a lot of questions. I loved that the families were well meaning and didn’t resort to trickery.
The food is its own character and a star of the story. The descriptions of the various Indian dishes are wonderful and I loved how Sangeeta reacted to Sonny’s cooking. If you love a hot chef who makes amazing food, get ready to salivate. I couldn’t help but fall in love with Sonny and root for him to win Sangeeta’s heart.
“No Rings Attached” is part of Shroff’s “Once Upon a Wedding” series but I read it as a standalone and it worked well. Now, I want to spend more time with these characters so I can’t wait to pick up the other titles.
Thank you to Harlequin, Harlequin Special Edition and Mona Shroff for an Advance Review copy of “No Strings Attached” in exchange for my honest review.
No Rings Attached is a forced proximity, second chance, fake relationship that is rich in colorful details and excitment as the book opens with a wedding just about to start. Just before the bride is to walk down the isle she realizes that she can't say "I Do" and takes flight. When her race to freedom reunites her with someone from her past, she unintentionally finds herself in a predicament that quickly gives birth to a plan. A plan that will change everything she thought she knew about love and marriage. This delightful plot twist takes us inside the family chaos, and all around shenanigans as everyone attempts to find the bride and figure out what happened.
Sangeeta Parikh is a wedding planner and when she decides that she can't say yes, with no idea what to do regarding her hesitation and no one to talk to, she takes off, running away from her own wedding. Will her family forgive her? Will her career survive? Who will hire a wedding planner that ran away from her own wedding?
Sonny Pandya had dreams for the family hotel business, but a difference of opinion and family conflict pushed him towards finding success on his own. Despite the differing opinions he still dreams of one day working with his family, having their acceptance, and recognition. With all the stress of family and work, will he have time for the one thing he wants, finding someone to share it all with?
When an unexpected reunion with a runaway bride gives Sonny an opportunity to change his future, he's reluctant. It will take a little convincing to go through with such a crazy plan. Family obligations and expectations weigh heavily for Sangeeta and Sonny. Can they avoid heartbreak? A second chance for a cosmic love might happen if the stars align, will they be that lucky?
Sometimes the best plan is not having a plan, being spontaneous and living in the moment. If a "fixer" and a "planner" can survive a fake marriage, they may discover that maybe there is something real. No marriage is perfect but if the foundation has love, and is built on trust and friendship it can be magical. In the end, it's a partnership with someone you can't live without, and who makes your life better.
Sangeeta and Sunny will discover that love doesn't care about plans, schedules, goals, or the weather. Love is messy, takes work, and like the stars, some days shine bright and for others, the nights are cloudy with occasional peeks of sunshine. In the end, it's learning to listen, be flexible, and sometimes not have a plan because you never know what you'll miss unless you take a chance.
Mona writes her stories with depth, heart, and infuses a blend of culture while emersing the reader into the book from the first page until the last, OMG. AMAZING. Mona's take on the classic runaway bride trope, was unique, refreshing and exciting, and full of all the feels. Usually the story focuses on the bride and groom, this .... the family gets involved and that makes it way better. I loved the chemistry between Sonny and Sangeeta, their story and the shenanigans that ensue. Oh, and I was totally craving all kinds of food and fun during and after ;).
Thank you Harlequin and Mona Shroff for this advance reader copy for a fair and honest review. Satisfy that bookcation and add this to your must read list.
I enjoyed listening to No Rings Attached. The story was fun and flirty and romantic. Sangeeta’s a runaway bride who ran right into the arms of a guy she spent time with while taking a break from her fiancé so she could figure things out. She went back with her fiancé but considering she ran away from their wedding before the vows took place, she apparently made the wrong choice to return to him.
I enjoyed all of the family interaction in this story, including all of the bickering. 😊 I’m also glad that I listened to this book because I love learning how to pronounce words that are foreign to me so reading this book with my ears was the right choice. The narrator was new to me and I think she did an OK job. I had trouble distinguishing the various characters at times because she didn’t do a great job of using different voices. It didn’t prevent me from enjoying the story but I thought it was worth mentioning.
While this is the third book in the Once Upon a Wedding series, it works fine as a standalone. I’m disappointed that not all of the books are available in audio format. It seems a bit strange that the second book isn’t but I know that’s a publisher decision, not the authors.
What happens when you change your mind on your wedding day? For wedding planner, Sangeeta Parikh, it means she runs away! Leaving her groom and her family behind her there She runs away but doesn't take good care.
An injury, nothing there to help, till she is rescued By a chef she discovers makes the tastiest food. Not only that but they met before And the video of this encounter is viral before she's entered the door!
Dealing with the outfall from her running away, Sorting out somewhere safe for her to stay. An offer, a chance, for a fresh start, If only she'll agree to lie and play her part.
A story of a fake relationship that soon feels real Could this become for them a true deal? A second chance romance they're trying to resist In this heartwarming read that's not to be missed.
There's family drama, celebrations, romance and strife, As this story gives an insight into Hindu family life. A lovely story, a delightful read I hope it is one you'll soon need.
For my complementary copy, I say thank you, As I share with you this, my honest review.
Very passionate and emotional love story that starts off with a runaway bride. I really like the growth that Sangeeta showed to finally standing on her own two feet becoming independent woman! I love this story Sangeeta Parikh decides she can't marry her fiancé Param. So, she runs away from the wedding this is where she comes back to the first man that her family set her up with chef Sonny Pandya. These two become and internet hot topic so the three of them including Sonny's sister Reena decide to take advantage of this opportunity. With all the problems these three decide this is the best method to Sangeeta retaining her job as a wedding planner Sonny will get exposure, he needs for The Marsala Hut and Reena gets to save her families hotel. Through all of this Sonny and Sangeeta realize they've always be in love with each other, and the couple gets there HEA! Thank you, Mona Shroff, for the ARC I can't wait for Reena and Akash's story!
When wedding planner Sangeeta runs away from her own wedding chef Sonny comes to her rescue. The two had previously met and had a connection but Sangeeta decided to return to her fiancé. Video of Sonny picking Sangeeta up and carrying her into his restaurant goes viral and people assume she left her fiancé for Sonny. Unfortunately, it’s not good business for a wedding planner to run from her own wedding. To save Sangeeta’s job and to help Sonny’s family’s hotel, they pretend to be dating. A highlight of Mona Shroff’s books for me is the great family relationships she writes. This book has cameos of characters from the previous books in the series but can be read as a standalone. The book ends with a very sweet HEA. I recommend this book to anyone who enjoys fairly low heat, low angst contemporary romance.
Runaway bride Sangeeta Parikh runs from her wedding and straight into the alley where an old acquaintance, Sonny Pandya, has his restaurant. Sonny helps Sangeeta hole out, but videos on phones reveal her location. Her mom and dad are mad, his mom and dad are mad, and there is more about children trying to live up to their parents' expectations. However, the notoriety of her runaway is having repercussions for her wedding planning job, when Sonny's sister, manager of the family hotel, comes up with a plan - a major internet influencer has just changed her mind about her venue, and thinks that Sangeeta and Sonny's romance is just the ticket to help her get the wedding of her dreams. But Sangreeta and Sonny are faking it. What can go wrong.
This is a fun start with a runaway bridge and viral video gone haywire. Sangeeta runs from her wedding and just happens to cut her foot outside of Sonny’s restaurant - who she meets thanks to some magic beach time and their parents. We get fake dating to save business - what could go wrong? These two still have chemistry and Sonny was head over heels in love with her. He is just so sweet with her from chai in the mornings to healing her foot. I’m really enjoying this series! Love we get the family throughout along with more families. Can’t wait for book four. Could be read as a standalone.
Runaway bride Sangeeta ends up in Sonny's arms—and a video of them goes viral. They fake date to save her job and get publicity for his restaurant. What happens when their pretend relationship starts to feel real?
This book is funny with great characters and a ton of chemistry between Sangeeta and Sonny. The plot is sweet and charming and immersive. I love light-hearted romances like this, and look forward to the next book in the series.
Thanks, NetGalley, for the ARC I received. This is my honest and voluntary review.
This book was so good. I just loved the romance between Sonny and Sangeeta.
When the few days they spent at a beach didn’t pan out a forever for them they met up later after she was a runaway bride. The spark was still there. It was a fun filled story.
This was the the first book I’ve read of Mona Shroff’s and it did not disappoint. I can’t wait for Reena and Akash’s story next.
I also won this book on the authors web site. I’m so thankful that I did, because I discovered this wonder author.
Thank you NetGalley, Mona Shroff and Harlequin Special Edition for the ARC of No Rings Attached. This is my personal review. I devour a good romance book that has a runaway bride, fake relationship and romance all wrapped up in one story. This was an easy book to read even with a few spots that were a bit impossible to imagine and yet it all fit together. This is the first book I have read by this author and I will now look for more.
Sangeeta is a wedding planner that flees her own wedding. Unfortunately, her fleeing and rescue by Sonny is caught on video. The video goes viral and a plan is hatched on how to further their futures by pretending what happened in the video was real. What could possibly go wrong! A nice story of things unraveling so you can put them back together.
No Rings Attached is a well written romance. I enjoyed the plot and the character dynamics. I recommend this book. I received an advance ebook from the publisher and Netgalley. This is my unbiased review.
The first three books in the Once Upon a Wedding series has been interesting, educational, sad, comical, and amazing. Mona Sheriff was a new author to me, I am now looking into her back catalog as I wait for book four in this series. This series is a must read.
This story with a very dramatic moment. Sonny and Sangeeta decide a fake relationship is the way to go to fix everything. This sets off a whole series of events that seem to be spiraling out of control. I love the sweet way this story ends. The audio quality was well done. #CMCon25
Sweet romance with lots of plot twists and characters that still have depth, personality and heart. Love the family dynamics, the runaway bride, and of course the resolution, a woman who makes her own choices.