Another amazing addition to the If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series. Veera, who is best friends with the 2 previous FMCSs, has been finding herself and navigating her career after becoming unemployed. Deepak's only goal is to become CEO of his family's company, his one-track mind has impacted his relationships as he finds out his fiance is breaking off their engagement from a social media video. When Veera calls Deepak for help, he knows she's also just what he needs in his life. I loved how Veera and Deepak interacted with one another as the reader could feel the chemistry through the pages. I have always enjoyed Nisha Sharma's writing style and this book was no different! The alternating perspectives and flashback encounters helped fully engulf me in the character's world! This is the perfect read for fans of accidental marriage, friends-to-lovers, meddling families, and steamy romance.

Book Review: Marriage and Masti by @nishawrites

Reading this book was bittersweet for me, I loved it but I also didn’t want to read it since this marked the end of the If Shakespeare was an Auntie series. I think this series was groundbreaking in the literary world for a south asian writer who was able to capture the attention of so many non south asian readers with this series!

Set against the vibrant backdrop of a fake Indian wedding, the story follows the journey of Veera and Deepak as they navigate friendship to enemies to fake wedding to love, their insecurities, careers, ambitions and the expectations of their families.

The chemistry between the leads is electric, and their evolving relationship is portrayed with a perfect balance of humor and heartfelt moments. Nisha’s ability to depict the nuances of Indian culture with both humor and realism adds a rich layer of authenticity to the narrative. The themes of love, commitment, and cultural identity are seamlessly woven into the storyline.

For fans of contemporary romance with a cultural twist, Marriage and Masti is a must-read!!! Highly recommended!
Thank you to @avonbooks and @nishawrites for an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Leave it to Nisha Sharma to never disappoint.

Always wanted to read a book with the they get drunk to the point where they get married, and I’m glad it was this one.

Things you may like:
-Strong fmc
-she falls first
-fake marriage with not so fake moments
-great representation
-Indian culture
-friends to lovers

What a lovely conclusion to If Shakespeare Was an Auntie! I adored Deepak and Veera's friends to lovers relationship and how their identities flourished with each other's support. I think if you are already a fan of Nisha Sharma, you will love this book.

There were times when I questioned why Nisha felt the need to add certain scenes and dialogue, and while I understand every author has their style, this felt like her hopes for certain scenes didn't translate how she wanted them to. I also felt like the corporate aspect of this story was a lot - I found it slightly annoying once I got to the 80% mark, but it didn't hinder the ending for me.

Veera's journey really stood out to me! At the beginning of the book, she is literally running away from her career problems, is no-contact with her father (understandably), and is feeling left out of her friends' lives after they found their life partners. She truly is the most interesting character, and I was so happy to finally read from her perspective.

My overall ranking for this series:
1. Tastes Like Shakkar (I'm sorry but Bunty and Bobbi are my favorite hero/heroine match-up)
2. Marriage & Masti (The pacing of both relationship and plot was fab)
3. Dating Dr. Dil

I always think that I have a favorite Nisha Sharma book & then she writes another one and all of a sudden I have a new favorite! Marriage & Masti is no different. I zipped through this in a day, and I was so excited for this new one in the trilogy that I didn’t even look up the plot first- I only knew which characters were the lead. 🤣

So I was really excited when Deepak & Veera’s story became a marriage of convenience and I absolutely LOVED the drama going on with the aftermath of the merger between their two families.

This was the perfect ending to the trilogy and it was filled with all of the amazing banter and chemistry I’ve come to expect from this author’s books but also all of the heart too. ♥️

Highly recommend! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Thank you to the author for an ARC of this book to read & review! I can’t wait to get my hands on a hard copy! :)

This was a lovely final chapter to Nisha Dharma’s If Shakespeare were Aunties series. I really enjoyed the first two books, so I was excited to see Veera and Deepak get their HEA, and to see the other two couples play their roles in it. I love friends to lovers and marriage of convenience, so I was all in on this one!

I loved Veera and Deepak’s love story! The slow build of friends to lovers was oh-so messy BUT in a good way. The characters are complex and realistic. Vee has always been my favorite of the three FMCs of the series, and this book gave her the love story she deserved! I loved that although this book is a romance, it touches on so much more: friendship, parental expectations, and finding your own path. This is an excellent conclusion to the “If Shakespeare was an Auntie” series!

This book was truly a delight. The scene with the Imperial March will live rent free in my head for the rest of time. Nisha Sharma, that was literal gold.

The premise of this romance is silly goofy wacky, but in the best way. Like what do you mean you will go through every single step of your traditional Hindu wedding ceremony just to show a couple of strangers how it’s done?? Oh and now you’re accidentally married for real?! Even though you’ve always loved him?? Girl, how convenient! But I ate that stuff up.

Honestly, one of my favorite structures of a romance book is not one that *ends* in a wedding or engagement. I love when the wedding happens (or whatever signal of long-lasting commitment you want to insert here) and THEN the couple starts to fall in love. That’s what happens here, despite Veera being in love with Deepak for literally ever. She may have fallen first but he falls HARDER, which is my other favorite romance trope! If you are a simp for him calling her “wife” then this is the book for you.

Beyond the very steamy romantic love that blossoms between Veera and Deepak, there is so much commentary in this book on community and friendship love. Veera feeling out of touch with her best friends is so relatable, as is their eventual reconnection. Her observations on the in/out-group dynamics within her Desi community are so real!!

While I knew Veera was my girl from the earlier books, I didn’t expect to like Deepak so much. I’m still a Benjamin girl at heart, but on the whole I connected with Veera and Deepak’s love story a little more than Shakkar. This series is a masterpiece and a must read for every romance lover out there.

Thank you so much to Nisha Sharma, Chris from HarperCollins, and NetGalley for a digital ARC!

I absolutely loved this book!! It was my favorite in the series!! The marriage, the tension, the dynamics with the family of Veera and having an outside obstacle to overcome in their marriage as fantastic and I have zero notes! So good and I am so excited to have a physical copy in my hands to reread again!

Will come back and add social links when posted

I finished Marriage & Masti last night and I already know that I'll be immediately re-reading this book. Part of this has to do with it being the end of a series that I don't want to end, but also this book really leaned harder into all of the wonderfully beautiful cultural pieces that I am unfortunately quite unfamiliar with. I want to be able to slow down and take my time googling while reading the book to further learn and understand how much was included. The first time I just couldn't put it down and didn't want to continue to pause. I love that books like this exist and showcase lives and cultures that I otherwise do not see.

I thought this was the absolute perfect conclusion to this series! I LOVE a marriage of convenience and this was a unique take on it in a contemporary setting.

I loved Veera and Deepak together and also loved getting to revisit past characters through their friendships with the two. Veera and Deepak had so much care for each other. even through stressful times and their own insecurities, they really always acted with care towards each other. I thought the third act was so incredibly well done - I think it's really difficult for an author to create a compelling third act without relying on a breakup - it's actually one of the reasons I love marriage of convenience so much, as they tend to have fewer third act breakups and typically rely more on an external conflict.

I think Nisha brings culture into her books that make so much sense and really add to my experience as a reader, particularly one that does not belong to the culture I'm reading about. I thought her descriptions of the marriage ceremonies as well as the food were wonderful and made me really feel like I was there.

My one complaint is that there is a bit of kink that is introduced without any communication between the characters either before or after.

Read this for:
- Friends to Lovers
- "fake" marriage of convenience
- No third act breakup
- she falls first, he falls harder

Thank you to Avon for the eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

A lovely end to the trilogy! It was a fun read. There is the perfect mix of friendship, family, culture, and love. You don’t want it to end.


I voluntarily read an early copy.

This was such a beautiful ending to a wonderful trilogy. I love a good “he’s always loved her” trope and this was that trope done beautifully. There’s so much Indian culture that is so beautifully spotlighted and I loved that we get to see the happy endings for our favorite heroes and heroines from the previous two books.

This was such a wonderful novel with a strong heroine who gains strength throughout the novel and stands on business when it comes to her man and her money.

I loved how these two “accidentally” get married and then just… stay married. I thought this was such a fun, sexy, and enjoyable read and a wonderful conclusion to the series.

Although I am hoping for a spin off of some kind in the same world. :)

Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma is the third book in her 'If Shakespeare Was an Aunty' series. In this series, Sharma ingeniously retells Shakespeare plays from the perspective of Indian immigrants who are making their way in America. Coming to the end of reading this series, I must say everything feels quite bittersweet, as I feel as if I have grown attached to these characters, and it pains me to know that this is the end of their stories.
As per usual, everything Nisha writes is excellent. She is an Indian American romance author, and what I believe sets her work apart is her ability to intertwine social commentary and romance. Life is not an easy road, and people are not two-dimensional. In her writing, Sharma manages to create complex characters, and she makes you fall in love with them (or hate them to death) as they traverse life, encountering many problems.
This novel tells the stories of Veera and Deepak, friends turned lovers, when Deepak’s engagement falls through and they stage a fake Indian wedding to save face. The only thing is that this marriage was anything but fake; it actually happened on a whim, and to Deepak, Veera is very much his wife; she just takes some time to actually realise it. This novel takes us on a ride as these newlyweds learn how to live together in the midst of trouble brewing at Deepak’s family’s company as competition challenges him for the CEO position, in the midst of Veera’s own personal battles with her misogynistic father, who is undermining her plans to have a successful career in the field of finance. This couple showed readers that true love can really brew in the midst of adversity, and by having the right partner, you can tackle any problem that life throws your way.
This novel ended the series perfectly, as it served as a goodbye message from the characters the readers fell in love with as the series progressed. It tied up all the loose ends and resolved all the conflicts, and it was evident how hard the characters worked to overcome their battles, so the ending was anything but convenient. This novel was enjoyable to read through and through; the language was engaging, the pace of the plot was perfect, and the characters were relatable. This book was not just a great experience for me as a reader, but as a writer, I couldn’t help but to stop and take notes. Nisha Sharma is a writer's writer; her work inspires me to write and reminds me why I write. Without a doubt, I would recommend this book and her work in general to anyone who is a lover of romance novels.

Marriage and Masti was an excellent conclusion to Nisha Sharma’s “If Shakespeare Was An Auntie” series. Veera and Deepak’s friendship had been previously established in the prior books, with the end of the second book setting up the circumstances that lead to their own story. This book dives more into their family lives as well as their careers, which are intertwined in many different ways. Past books briefly touch on it but in Marriage and Masti we get to see how intelligent and competent both Veera and Deepak are in their respective fields. We also get to see how they help each other to grow in said career fields, as well as in their personal lives.

Either because this is the final book or because of the particular source material of Twelfth Night, there are a few moments that felt more “out there” than the previous books (for example the literal shipwreck) but I enjoyed it as I feel like such things fit into a romantic comedy. I also enjoyed how Olivia was adapted to be queer, that’s a personal preference but her storyline with Sana of previously being rivals and becoming lovers really intrigued me even though they weren’t the main couple.

As for the main couple, I love the switch where Veera falls first but Deepak falls harder, and early on he is sure that his feelings are now more than platonic. Even then, the two still have to get to know each other as romantic partners, as well as reestablish their friendship, and I enjoyed seeing that happen on page. Their prior friendship or even their faux marriage doesn’t mean that their romantic relationship is a given, and they have to work through things like any other couple.

Also enjoyed seeing the return of the Aunties and how different cultural aspects were integrated into both main characters’ arcs. Not just an introspection of past traditions and mindsets but also showing a vision towards the future for the community. I also loved how Deepak’s family accepted and helped Veera when her own family let her down.

Finally as the conclusion to the series, a lot of loose ends get tied up, including the identity of Mrs. W.S. Gupta, the name of which I didn’t realize was supposed to reference William Shakespeare until the last book but that’s on me. We also get to see Kareen, Prem, Bobbi, and Benjamin further on in their journeys as well as how they help Veera and Deepak. Loved getting to know all three couples and this was a great sendoff for all of them.

Veera has spent the last year traveling the world with her twin sister, Sana, trying to rebuild her life. She has been trying to move past her father’s betrayal and her heartbreak over her best friend (and the source of her unrequited love) Deepak’s engagement to another woman.

When her sister breaks the unpleasant news that she doesn’t not want to start a business with her, just after they’ve been involved in a mostly minor shipwreck, Veera is forced to call the only person who she knows can help; Deepak.

Deepak has just been very publicly dumped by the fiance he has essentially ignored for the last year. There are no hurt feelings, but the engagement was meant to secure his place as a future CEO. Hoping to delay a PR nightmare, and thrilled to finally hear from his best friend, Deepak doesn’t hesitate to fly to Goa and rescue Veera.

After a series of fortunate events and a game of shots, Veera and Deepak end up “fake married.” Convinced by Sana to pretend their fake marriage is a real marriage in order to advance their career aspirations, Deepak and Vee are determined to put on their best act, but there’s nothing fake about their very real feelings.

I loved Deepak and Veera’s love story; the chemistry was amazing and the slow progression from friends to lovers was so satisfying. Deepak was down bad for Veera - even before he admitted to himself that what he was feeling was definitely love - and hated when she referred to their marriage as “fake.” I loved the top-tier banter; their friendship really came through and solidified the groundwork for their love story. I loved the communication, the found family, the South Asian representation. Can I also say that I loved that they were both smart, successful and rich. Because I did.

Marriage & Masti was the final book in the If Shakespeare Was An Auntie series and my new favorite in a series that I absolutely adored.

“Vee, whether you’re standing in the middle of the office, or you’re in my home wearing my clothes, leaving your cords and cables everywhere, I love you. I want to be with you. I want to show you how you are the most important person in my life, and I swear I will never take you for granted again.”

"They were sisters, and they brought out the ugliest in each other but also the strongest parts, too."

There hasn't been a book that has resonated this strongly with me in a long time, I couldn't resist messaging Nisha immediately.

Deepak is perfection and Veera is lovable and real. I loved how Nisha addressed difficult topics - friends drifting apart unintentionally due to relationship changes, parental bias and so on. But even as she tackled these difficult and often unaddressed issues, she had me laughing through the whole novel which I could not put down once I started and flew through in a single sitting. I highlighted so many passages, it would have been easier to highlight parts that I didn't need to go back to. I had thought that no MMC could top Prem but I was so wrong. Deepak as I said was absolutely perfect in every way. He was mature to realise what he had and that he wanted it and he endeavoured to make Veera comfortable enough to accept it, by doing what would make her happy. He is the ultimate green flag.

I hated Malkit with a passion. I can't fathom what would have him behaving in such a manner and I'm so glad that he got what was coming to him in the end.

Read this for the perfect feel-good South Asian inspired romance with family drama (what's a South Asian book without drama), a emotionally mature couple, and the perfect balace between romance and sexiness.

Nisha, you have outdone yourself.

P.S> the Sindoor scene.. pure Bollywood at its best!!

I absolutely devoured this and I knew I should've tried to savor it but this was just perfect!! I'm slowly becoming a fan of friends to lovers and add a (fake but not really fake) marriage of convenience and I'm sold!! The chemistry and friendship between Deepak and Veera was so effortless and one day I hope to have what they do because reading their story was so magical and beautiful.

This one is for the single women in their friend group who are all paired off and I FELT that. But there was something so powerful reading Veeras journey with not only herself, but with her friends, Deepaks family and in the work field. There is such a strong bond within the friend group and a found family feeling that had my chest aching. And while Veera fell first for Deepak over the years, he fell harder and I'm just obsessed so with them!

The way Nisha has written this series has felt like a comforting hug and warm cup of chai on a rainy day. This was a perfect way to end this series and I can't believe the series is over with but I'm excited for what's next for Nisha!

Thank you Avon and NetGalley for the gifted arc for my honest review!

Nisha just had me REELING over the family drama of it all in the last 20% of this book! I was a LUNATIC screaming at my kindle.

This was such a satisfying conclusion for this series and these characters. I am a sucker for a friends to lovers romance but THEN add in the fake marriage schemes and I cannot be held accountable for the things that I say and do.

Veera may have fallen first but Deepak fell SO MUCH harder. I loved the flashback moments when got at the beginning of some chapters, especially as we get to see how their relationship developed offscreen during the first two books.

Anyways, I loved it. It was so sweet and silly and Bollywood level of dramatic at times. My only complaint is how frequently we time-skipped through the book. I know it can be tough to do that 6 month time frame in the span of one book and still give us day-to-day scenes but I would have loved to have spent more time with them during their weekend when they visited his parents. But overall, it was still such a fun time.

Nisha Sharma does it again! I adored Marriage & Masti. Veera and Deepak's relationship was a sweet and respectful. I was giggling out loud and kicking my feet at the banter and sweet moments. Veera and Deepak complimented each other so well. The way the books started had me hooked from page 1. I adored the found family and friendships. I am having a hard time realizing this is the last book in the "If Shakespeare Was an Auntie" series.