This was such a cute end to the If Shakespeare was an aunty series! I loved Veera in the first 2 books, so I was especially excited to read her story. Veera & Deepak were really really cute together, especially when they always protect each other in front of Veera's family. I was (as always) taken aback by the sex scenes in this book. But surprisingly I enjoyed it more than I thought!

This book was swoony and also empowering. Veera is a strong and smart woman capable of doing anything she puts her mind to. I loved that fact that Sharma didn't make Deepak be Veera's "savior" or a "white knight" Instead he was an equal partner that believed in her and helped her move forward.

I loved this series and can't wait to see what Sharma writes next!

Thank you so much to Avon, NetGalley, and the author Nisha Sharma for sending me this book in exchange for an honest review!

Third in a series…
Same fun characters but it’s finally Veera’s turn for love!

Deepak and Veera have been part of the same friend group for years. She has always felt more for him but he had an arranged married planned to another woman. Veera’s heart is broken, but when she needs him the most he comes into rescue her and they have a second chance!

I love all of the cultural aspects and family traditions found in this book! I also enjoyed seeing all three couples back together again.

Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC!

I just devoured Marriage & Masti, the latest installment in Nisha Sharma's If Shakespeare Were an Auntie series, and I'm still grinning from ear to ear! This novel is a delightful, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy that will capture your heart and leave you feeling uplifted. The characters are so well-crafted and relatable. The banter is witty and engaging, the chemistry is electric, and the emotional connection is deep and abiding. The pacing is perfect, the dialogue is snappy, and the emotional depth is remarkable. Sharma tackles issues of identity, family, love, and self-acceptance with a deft hand, crafting a narrative that feels authentic and real. Their connection is electric and the spice is oh so nice. I also appreciated the way Sharma wove in elements of Indian culture and tradition, adding a richness and depth to the narrative. I would highly recommend Marriage & Masti to anyone looking for a heartwarming, humorous romance that will capture their heart and imagination. Nisha Sharma is a talented storyteller, and this book is a true masterpiece.. Definitely Your Next 5⭐ Read..

What a wrap up to this series - Nisha Sharma can WRITE OMG. I have been waiting for Deepak and Veera and this book didn't disappoint. You want a friends to lovers with fake marriage and meddling yet supportive aunties and Succession style boardroom shenanigans and amazing food descriptions and only one bed and….. you get the gist. BUY IT.

There is one only one bed scene where I literally cpmbusted. And then finding out who Mr.s Gupta is! The meddling Aunties. The boardroom vibes of how they were going to literally stage a COUP. The secondary sapphic relationship OMG. It's got everything a must read.

I have loved this series so much but the third and final installment might be my favorite! Marriage of convenience plus friends to lovers? A book could not be more tailored to my personal tastes!

We’ve seen best friends Deepak and Veera over the course of this series and I was so happy to watch them get their HEA. Deepak is getting ready to go before the board of his family business to be named the next CEO when his fiancé dumps him via a GRWM TikTok video. Needed space, he heads to India where his best friend Veera has been traveling. Deepak and Veera volunteer to demonstrate a Hindu wedding ceremony that ends up feeling a bit too real, and when they head home they decide to lean into it to help Deepak rehab his image with the board.

The chemistry between these two was sizzling, and their foundation of friendship made it so delicious. We get to see both of them grow and mature individually and together, and we get to spend lots of time with the characters we’ve loved throughout this series. I found the ceremonies and symbolism of the various newlywed ceremonies described in the book to be an incredibly genuine and authentic addition that really helped to endear these two to me along with their extended families. I will miss the universe created in this series and look forward to what comes next from Nisha!

I voluntarily read a gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I always enjoy a Nisha Sharma read - ya or romance, so this one has been on my TBR since it was announced. Her books never fail to be fun, a bit sassy and have some great cultural tidbits too.

Marriage & Masti was the third and final book in her romance series If Shakespeare Were An Auntie, and it gave us the story of Veera and Deepak. I loved the two characters and really enjoyed seeing their story play out - it even featured a favorite trope of mine, fake relationship and made me rethink my stance on another trope (friends to lovers)

While I was obviously there for the love story, I also found the business / family dynamics angle an interesting plot to follow as well. I liked that we got a dual pov - it was fun seeing things from each perspective and getting the insight. I also enjoyed getting cameos from the other former couples in this story.

A fun, lighthearted read that was easy to read through in an afternoon. I will warn it does have some spicier bits and is not closed door, though it’s possible to skip around those bits too.

This series has been really fun to read. I enjoyed getting to know all the characters. Deepak and Veera had a great story. I loved the fake marriage and all the tension.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

this was such a great ending to a great series! i always love a well written friends to lovers, and this was just as sexy as the first two. not to mention i just love a romance with a blueberry scone... iykyk😉

These stories inspired by The Taming of the Shrew, Much Ado About Nothing & Twelfth Night with a Desi twist were so fun and heart warming and go beyond just romance, but also focus on relationships with friends and family.

This was fizzy and fun and endearing- what a sweet conclusion to this series! I will miss reading about Bobbi, Kareena and Veera and books like these are truly the kind of representation that we need more of!

So, so well written. So funny. So fuzzy.

4.75
What a great ending to a fantastic trilogy! Just remember, as with the other two in this series, don't read this while hungry! The food descriptions get me every time. And of course, the food isn't the only spicy thing about these books! Nisha Sharma is truly one of the best contemporary romance authors out there.

When Veera and her twin sister find themselves unexpectedly shipwrecked in India, she calls on her old friend Deepak for help. To her surprise, he flies all the way across the world to help them and, to everyone's surprise, they end up getting married while drunk at the beach. They decide to stay married for a bit while navigating some tough situations at their families' joint business and their feelings for each other.

5.0

Accidentally Married
Fake Relationship
Friends to lovers
He Falls Harder
Twelfth Night Retelling vibes

When I tell you that I could not have possibly loved a book more!

As a really big fan of the series as a whole, I felt like this one was probably my favorite out of the three. I first wanna start out by saying that I really liked the twelfth night retelling aspect of it. It just gave me a kick. Seeing something as simple as the story having twins, the company being named Illyria, and so many other little details. There is not enough positive things that I can say about this book. Out of the three books, I definitely feel like this one just connected with something in me. This book was so well written and I thoroughly enjoyed each character’s individual growth. Actually, the individual storylines were so Good that it’s shocking. The book is so well paced and I feel like everything got it’s due time. The side characters which we know and love from the other two books were so alive and funny and there to be leaned on when needed, and I thought that they were a great addition for the time that they were used.

As far as the plot goes, the tropes that were used are also a favorite of mine so this book was enjoyable for me from the start. The usage of the fake marriage trope was absolutely genius, especially because of the fact that I liked that it didn’t start out as a scheme, and I like how throughout the whole marriage journey it wasn’t so much of a “lie “. And I feel the same way about the fake dating of it all. When you read the book you’ll get what I’m saying, but I like that it was the truth, but still not at the same time. The usage of both tropes weren’t typical, and in typical romcoms the fake dating/marriage of convenience type tropes are usually based on lies and are a scheme, but in this that wasn’t the case and it felt so much more when I was reading it.

The friends to lovers trope was top-tier because I really did get the sense that they were best friends and that they knew each other and that their friendship was genuine so when they fell in love, it felt true. The chemistry between Vera and Deepak is probably some of the best chemistry that I read in a very long time. Deepak was down so bad for Veera when he realized his feelings for her and I like that once he put his foot on the gas he never let up. And I do understand why Veera was hesitant, but I do like that when she jumped in, she did it with her whole heart. Because I understand being cautious, especially with everything that went down earlier, so I respect how it was written. The tension between the two was absolutely powerful. And I don’t just mean the sexual attention, but that was tense too, in the best way possible.

This book had a mix of sexy tension and chemistry that was absolutely delicious. From the very beginning, there were moments where I was laughing, and then there were moments where I was tearing up and so very emotional. This book took me on an absolute emotional roller coaster and when I was done with the book, I read it again. It was absolutely perfect.
Overall, this trilogy is a hit. Each book has a certain vibe and a little something for everyone. Nisha Sharma is an absolutely amazing writer where her characters have so much emotional depth.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️//🌶️🌶️🌶️ omg did I love this story, first off let me say, friends to lovers is usually not my jam. But the author made me rethink my opinion on them! Everything from their banter, their journey and growth as a couple and as individuals made this such a wonderful book to read. Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

3.5! This is a fun series and I’m sad it’s over! There was so much build up for Veera and Deepak’s story over the course of the first two books and ultimately the chemistry and tension didn’t really do it for me! It was this sort of weird flip where suddenly Deepak liked her and then suddenly stated he had actually liked her/loved her the whole time but just hadn’t realized it? Idk it just wasn’t very believable given what information was given. Again, the tension was not built up enough for it to be satisfying when they finally got together. It felt very 0-100 on Deepak’s end and felt like whiplash for Veera since she had finally decided to try to get over him since he was getting married just to find out after 8 months of no contact that they actually aren’t getting married and now he likes her? And I feel like Deepak didn’t have as much depth as I was wanting (honestly same with Veera it’s was primarily just focused on her relationship with her father but in a very surface level way?) overall I still enjoyed it but it didn’t like up to my expectations.

Thanks netgalley and Avon for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Nisha Sharma finished her If Shakespeare Were An Auntie series strong with a friends-to-lovers romance done RIGHT. It has the perfect amount of pining and angst without veering into pathetic territory, and the way Deepak and Veera's romance develops post-marriage feels so natural and QUITE swoony.

Veera's in a bad place after being forced out of her family business by her own dad before they merge with Deepak's company. She's aimless and trying to raise capital with her twin sister for their next venture when she's yacht-wrecked in Goa. Enter Deepak, who was juuuuust dumped by his influencer fiancée via "get-ready-with-me" video (I did laugh; THERE'S your "com" in the romcom) and he rescues Veera, except they have a few too many and wake up married the next morning.

Here's the thing: Veera and Deepak have a history. Their friend groups merged a couple years back and they really hit it off, something we see via flashback text message conversations (similar to Tastes Like Shakkar which I loved), and you really see how Veera developed feelings for Deepak, as well as her hurt when she found out Deepak was engaged to someone else without telling her. Somewhere along the way, probably after his engagement, Deepak realizes he has feelings for Veera too and he takes the opportunity to play the long game after their accidental marriage. I like how neither Deepak nor Veera are in a place where they're like, super tragic about their love being unrequited which is how a lot of friends-to-lovers romances don't end up working for me. They never take it out on the other person, and though Veera especially hesitates even after they have sex and Deepak has kind of made his feelings known, it doesn't feel contrived.

I think Indian weddings are seen both in India and abroad as this enormous to-do (if recent events are any indication) and sort of the be-all-end-all, but there is so much more to a marriage than the wedding. And because Veera and Deepak basically elope, we don't get the wedding and instead, we see all these lovely, meaningful post-marriage Indian (specifically Hindu-Punjabi) traditions like the Aunties blessing their home and the Grihapravesha pooja to welcome Veera to Deepak's family home. And some of these moments are so so romantic— I DIED when Deepak pleats Veera's dupatta and helps her with her baliyan earrings before their wedding reception, and the way they observe, but also subvert the patriarchal tradition of Karva Chauth (where married women fast for their husband's well-being) in such a sweet way.

A couple other things worth noting— there is a lot of boardroom drama; the plot is centered around Deepak getting enough votes to become CEO, and Veera finding closure and moving forward after being shunted out of her family's company by her own dad. And a part of that, interestingly, is going no-contact with a family member, something that is still looked down upon in =South Asian communities, but I appreciate the nuanced way it was handled in this book, and by the end, you can see Veera is 100% valid for doing what she does. I also liked how the story deals with Veera feeling like the odd one out after both her friends coupled off which is very relatable.

The sex:

Deepak has strong "don't worry baby I'll take care of you" energy and I have to say, I'm a fan. It starts off strong with a sleepy sex moment (HOT; I love when two characters are just too exhausted to not give into their impulses), but my favorite scene is definitely before their belated wedding reception, and Veera is feeling anxious so she asks for "stress relief"— Obviously Deepak is more than happy to oblige, and there are so many details I loved, like the chime of her anklets against his back, and the way her lehenga is half off and exposing her partially. Again, Nisha Sharma is doing the most to eroticize Indian clothes and jewelry and I'm HERE for it.

There's also this mild brat/bossy dynamic which kind of peaks when Veera and Deepak go all the way the first time. It was surprising in a good way, and I just wish Nisha had expanded on it some more.

Overall:

Look, it's hard to find South Asian romances with this level of heat (and believe me, I've looked) and Nisha Sharma did a great job of interweaving the romance and culture in a really lovely way that I'd recommend to anyone looking for a romcom-esque romance novel.

Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

Rating: 4/5
Heat Level: 3.5/5
Pub Date: August 27th

Thank you NetGalley and Avon for providing me an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

I loved this one! I had the pleasure of reading Tastes Like Shakkar earlier this year so I was so excited to read the final installment in this series. Super spicy and sweet!

Veera Mathur is going THROUGH it this time. Her closest friends are now married and doing married people stuff without her, she and her twin sister are fired from their father's business, and her longtime crush and best friend is engaged to someone else.

Deepak Datta is ALSO going through it. He is hoping to get the CEO role in his father’s company, a role he has worked tirelessly towards his whole life and all that stands between him is the votes. But when his loveless, but good for business, engagement is ended abruptly, through a Get Ready With Me video, his position is suddenly in jeopardy!

Through a wild series of events, Deepak and Veera find themselves accidentally married in India. They figure out that this may be just what they both need to repair Deepak’s image and get Veera her job back. Shenanigans ensue!

This book was so sweet and so devourable. If you like forced proximity, this one is for YOU! There’s so much of it here. As always, Nisha Sharma brings a fun mix of south asian culture and Shakespeare drama that keeps you hooked. PLUS NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP!!

I am so excited but so sad the third and final installment of this series has arrived! This series has stolen my heart and put badass female characters on the map, showing they can have success in all areas of their lives, friendships, business, religion, and relationships.

Veera is such a complex female heroine. She's a woman scorned by her own father after he ousts her from her family company in a merger. She is feeling a bit left behind in a different stage of life from her friends and how she has to tackle that. I've said it once and I'll continue saying it. As someone in this situation time and time again it feels so nice to be seen and see how these friendships come out on top of it.

Deepak is smooth and sexy and bossy but he is also completely unaware of Veera's feelings and has a hard time seeing anything outside of his business goals. Throughout the story time and time again he is learning how to prioritize goals outside of business. With Veera can they conquer the business world and get the romance of their dreams?

I will always recommend this series. The Aunties and other secondary characters always shine through and make for an interesting storyline. The steam is perfection! And especially in this book, I loved that we got a Sana/Olivia side plot which ties in perfectly with the interstitials of the anonymous gossip columnist who has been wreaking havoc on the friend group of the last 3 books.

Read if you like Friends to Lovers, Marriage of Convenience, and Forced Proximity, with a ton of Family Drama! Thanks to the publisher for the ARC in return for an honest review. This book releases 8/27

Overall: 4.5/5
Spice level: 2.5/5
Tropes: billionaire/CEO, friends to lovers, fake marriage, slow burn

Another freaking hit by Nisha Sharma!

What do I even say? Deepak and Veera were magnetic together. Their friendship that led up to the fake marriage, although a little estranged, was so special. And the way they would do anything for each other made my heart melt.

The spice and chemistry was on point and they had amazing character development. I also loved that the author included LGBTQ rep with Veera's twin sister being lesbian. And you could tell it wasn't just for show.

My favorite aspect was how Deepak was the one the whole time to really believe in their "fake" marriage. Even though it was only initially bound by spiritual practice and not legality, he took it seriously. So many "my wife" moments!

I really can't wait to see what's next in store for Nisha Sharma since the series is finished.

Heat Factor: It got unexpectedly kinky all of a sudden
Character Chemistry: Obvious best friends
Plot: First comes marriage, then comes shenanigans to impress the board of directors
Overall: A bit of a mixed bag

So, when I picked up this book, I was under the impression that it was a fake relationship book, which is not accurate. It’s a whoops we’re married book, and I love to see it. What I don’t love to see is Veera’s continued insistence that it’s a fake marriage. Ma’am. You got married in a religious ceremony. After the wedding, you engaged in traditional marriage customs (such as getting mehndi and specific jewelry) in order to show that the marriage was real. You moved into his house. As Erin said in a recent post: if it looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it’s not a fake marriage. (This is a little more complicated here because they didn’t sign any paperwork, but my point still stands.) Anyways, I found that bit from Veera pretty darn irritating, though I do understand that she is protecting her heart blah blah blah.

Anyways, Veera and Deepak decide to stay married, fake or otherwise, because Deepak’s father is getting ready to retire and there will be a vote by the board about him taking over as CEO. Obviously, being married will show that he’s steady and settled. Oh, and also, his ex-fiancée is a member of the board, so we’ve got to make things ok with her. Plus, there’s a whole side plot about Veera and her close female friends, because they partnered up before she did and left her feeling isolated (not least because of the many ceremonial duties of married Hindu women). And in the midst of all this, Deepak and Veera are playing house and making business plans, because actually there are even more business shenanigans than the whole thing with the board involving Veera’s father and his unwillingness to see how awesome Veera is at money. In short: there’s a lot of plot.

At times, I felt very bogged down by all the plot happening, especially since I saw the “twist” coming a mile away. On the other hand, the plot was a nice break from Deepak and Veera not communicating about their feelings for fear of getting hurt.

I haven’t been very positive so far in this review, but there were some things that I absolutely loved.

First, I really enjoyed how culturally specific this book is. Deepak and Veera are part of a close-knit community of Punjabi expats in New York / New Jersey. (Are you an immigrant if you plan on retiring back to the home village in India?) There are a lot of rituals and customs that the characters participate in, and I appreciated that Sharma didn’t stop the narrative to explain what every little thing was. (I always like it when authors assume that readers who don’t understand can look something up.)

Second, there’s a scene where Veera and Deepak are talking about Veera’s old pantsuits—her signature look—which she got rid of when her dad fired her. Deepak tries to give her his AmEx Black Card, because that’s what billionaires do, and Veera laughs in his face, because she has one too…and if he’s trying to seduce her, paying for her to do all the work of shopping isn’t actually sexy. So what does Deepak do? He contacts a designer who has Veera’s measurements and has them make an entire wardrobe of pantsuits in a rainbow of colors for her. All she has to do is show up for the final fitting. Now *that* is a swoonworthy use of Black Card.

And finally, there’s a scene toward the end of the book when all the family betrayals are out on the table. Deepak comes home to Veera plotting while listening to the “Imperial March.” You know, for inspiration to kick some serious butt. And then they have sex. To the “Imperial March.” It’s amazing.

That does remind me, though, that I didn’t love the *other* penetrative sex scene in the book, because Deepak suddenly got all Dom and spanky. It seemed completely out of character for him and for their relationship. On the other hand: there had to be some way for him to show his billionaire bona fides.

In case you were curious, “Masti” means “fun.” The characters go through a lot of stuff that’s not fun together—there’s quite a bit of corporate drama—but I think what really cements them as a couple is the fun they have together.

A final note: this book is (very) loosely based on Twelfth Night. I didn’t pick up on it as I was reading (though we do open with a shipwreck), but looking at is from a bird’s eye view, I can see the dynamics of the play in some of the characters’ interactions. Sadly, there are no yellow stockings cross gartered.


I voluntarily read and reviewed a complimentary copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. We disclose this in accordance with 16 CFR §255.

This review is also available at The Smut Report.

This was the perfect finale to this series. I absolutely devoured it. Deepak and Veera were wonderful together. I can’t wait to see what’s next from this author.