✨BOOK REVIEW: Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨/5

4.25/5

This was my first read by Nisha Sharma and it certainly will not be my last. HOW HAVE I NOT PICKED UP A BOOK OF HERS BEFORE?! Immediately adding her others to my TBR. This book is part of the trilogy inspired by The Twelfth Night. You can read it as a standalone, which is what I did, but I will definitely be going back to the first two books because I am sure it would have added even MORE layers to this delicious story. I appreciated the fact that even if I had not read the first two, I did not feel lost at all — and that is something that can happen when it comes to books that are stand alone reads yet part of a series. Nothing felt rushed or fake about this friends to lovers “fake” marriage and that has always been a qualm of mine in these tropes.

As a desi punjabi girl myself, let me tell you how refreshing it was to see a brown couple in LOVE. Your girl is traumatized so this was so nice to read about. Girl had me wanting to download Dil Mil right after I read it to find my own Punjabi man (until I remembered Deepak is sadly fictional, sigh.) I guess SRK movies will have to suffice.

Nisha is so wonderful at writing about topics that really hit home, whether it be the specific patriarchy that plagues the South Asian communities, the diaspora, the struggles of setting boundaries with our parents and the fight to become your own person and not just an extension of them and the guilt — oh, the guilt.

⭐️⭐️✨ = 2 stars and a consideration

⭐️ I didn’t know that I needed… *that* done to me while wearing a lengha until I read that entire chapter, and I… yeah. Just… yeah.

⭐️ The way Deepak stands up for Veera against her father?!?! There is nothing hotter than a man who won’t think twice about protecting his loved one even if it might make the aunties faint at the way he is speaking to the elders. If I witnessed my man doing that in person? You bet that lengha scene would be happening right then and there.

✨ Honestly? I cannot think of a single consideration other than at myself for not reading her books sooner. I SHALL GET ON IT.

Thank you to, @NishaWrites, @avonbooks, and Net Galley for this ARC! #marriageandmasti #nishasharma

Pub Date: Aug 27, 2024

This has been a highly anticipated read for me, so when Nisha Sharma's team reached out with an ARC I immediately downloaded my copy and took it with me on vacation! Marriage & Masti is the final instalment in the 'If Shakespeare Were an Auntie' trilogy and it goes out with a bang. This was Sharma's strongest novel in the trilogy and left such positive memories with me.

Marriage & Masti puts a modern desi twist on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and closes out a wonderful trilogy that re-shapes Shakespeare works for culturally diverse readers.

When Veera and Deepak throw caution to the wind and accidentally get married they remain committed because they both follow sacred Hindu traditions. Traditions that I've never truly seen been highlighted or honoured in the romance genre, I'm taking the moment to say it's the first time that I've ever read a true summary of a Hindu wedding that was meaningful and succinct for readers to understand. For that alone I must thank Nisha Sharma. It's so lovely to see cultural values and traditions being given a light to shine in a modern setting with two characters that are independent with an author not shying away from traditions that still resonate with diasporas.

Cultural moments and religious festivals were utilized as vehicles to facilitate emotional growth. Sharma leans into the South Asian experience and lets it bloom throughout her novel. But most importantly she allows her characters to embrace their identities. From the numerous traditions of welcoming a bride to the family, Deepak helping Veera to fix her lengha/dupatta, the practice of fasting for Karwa Chauth, and the premise of a jeevansathi (a life partner). It's masterfully done and I'll say this now, the vermillion/sindoor scene will forever be a favourite. That's a special scene that I will never forget.

Marriage & Masti covers the trope of friends to lovers, marriage of convince, and in an odd way arranged marriages. When thrown together they make a moving novel. I will always say this, I never thought I would ever see this kind of representation in the romance genre and knowing that it's steadily growing makes me so happy. While the trilogy is sadly coming to an end, I can't wait for Nisha's next novel.

Thank you so much Harper Collins, Nisha Sharma and NetGalley! I'm happy to give this 5 stars.

Ok so friends to lovers where she falls first but he falls harder is quickly becoming a favorite scenario of mine in romance books. There’s just something so magical about that moment when he finally finds out how she’s felt all this time. Throw in a fake (tho it’s kind of real) marriage, and I just DIE. So many swoony and giggle inducing moments are in this book, I swear. This is easily my new favorite of Nisha’s books. Like, wow.

And on top of the romance, this was a huge love letter to single, successful, women who often feel alienated. The sisterly love and female friendships also made me very emotional! Just, a remarkable book.

There was ONE spicy moment I didn’t love in the ENTIRE book, but otherwise, all the spice was very hot and well choreographed. Like, Nisha had me clutching my pearls. And to be fair, the one scene I didn’t like, I think it was supposed to be cheesy and silly haha.

*I received an arc from the publisher in exchange for my honest review*

This was the best conclusion to this trilogy I could have ever asked for. I loved the other two book, Bobbi and Bunty specifically are my favorites! But I had such a good feeling about Veera and Deepak, I knew their story was going to be perfect. And it WAS. I love friends to lovers so much and watching Deepak and Vera’s friendship throughout the other books made this SO SWEET. And a marriage of convenience??? It was absolutely wonderful. Nisha writes with so much love and it never disappoints.

First and foremost I LOVE how every time Veera said their relationship was fake, Deepak corrected her. That man had it SO BAD. Before he even fully understood his feelings, he was IN SO DEEP. And I loved it so much. And Veera of course has had feelings for Deepak for so long, and she was just scared to lose him!

Veera has my HEART! I loved her watching her really grow and change throughout the book. She was always a badass, but by the end she was a confident badass! I also love a girl who cries when she’s mad. I love her so much. And DEEPAK DATTA! Nisha knows how to write a GOOD MAN! I was unprepared for how much I love him.

I also love the friendships! Veera, Kareena and Bobbi are my favorite friends!! And of course Deepak, Prem and Bunty! I wish we could have seen more of the guys this time around! I love this group so much. They love each other so much and they always show up for each other!!

Thank you SO MUCH to Nisha Sharma and Avon for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I’ve absolutely adored Nisha Sharma’s If Shakespeare Were an Auntie trilogy. Deepak and Veera’s story was the perfect retelling of Twelfth Night. The storyline was wonderful, making me laugh, gasp, and turn the page again and again.

#IfShakespeareWereAnAuntie #TwelfthNight #MarriageandMasti #NishaSharma #NetGalley

This was a good ending to the series but im also a little sad that it's done. First of all, if you haven't started this series then what are you waiting for, i need more people to read it because it's well-written, spicy, and diverse. This book is a friend to lovers, accidental marriage turned marriage of convenience and it was great. The main characters had unrequited love where the fmc loved him first and then he did, but they didn't know. This had all the vibes of wealthy Indians with family business, parental trauma, and lots of cultural references. I loved all the descriptions and scenes with the Sari dresses, bangles, Hindu traditions, Indian weddings, and food.

I really liked the romance, friends to lovers is really growing on me y'all. The main characters friendship was so sweet and they had that closeness that comes with being friends. The tension though was giving especially with the characters trying to figure out their feelings and how real their marriage was. There weren't too many steamy scenes but the ones that were there were good. Of course, I recommend this book for anyone who loves contemporary romance! Thank you Nisha Sharma and Avon for this arc for an honest review.

Read for:
- Friends to lovers
- Accidental marriage
- Close-knit friend group
- Shakespeare retelling
- Indian mc's
- 🌶️🌶️

A must read for anyone who has ever felt the sting of familial betrayal or unrequited love. The third and final book in @nishawrites If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series delivers on every level.

The spice? Educational. 😏
The struggle to balance our own needs with that of our family? Powerful. You go, Veera!
The shifting friendships? Heartbreaking and healing.
The pining? Chefs kiss.
The immersive cultural references? Significant.

In this friends to lovers closer, Veera, having recently been served the double whammy of heartbreaks when her father fires her and the man she has feelings for gets engaged, she is a lost, lonely island. Deepak, finding himself on the precipice of finally getting his dream job as CEO, is served a harsh dose of reality when scandal threatens to uproot his world.

Though this series is wrapped, I can't wait to see what else Nisha has in store!

I fear this book has changed the trajectory of my life seeing as I’m now debating the amount of “fun” situations I can put myself in while wearing a lehenga.

This book was everything.

If you didn’t already know, Marriage and Masti is the finale in Nisha Sharma’s “If Shakespeare Were An Aunty” Trilogy. This is Deepak and Veera’s love story, and it might be my favorite! If you haven’t read the first two books, I suggest you do, because some beloved characters make a comeback and their stories are just as wonderful.

Veera was amazing. Just like Kareena and Bobby, she was an absolute girlboss, careerwise and familywise. I love how firm she was in her decisions, and love how her professional and put-together side was countered by a funnier, more laidback side that she had around those she loved.

Deepak Datta, the man that you are…Nisha Sharma took her time with this one. Deepak gives off pure Bollywood vibes. Pair that with confessions and pining and you’ve got yourself a 1000/10 man.

This is a spicy book and let me just tell you I have been inspired. As I mentioned earlier, I have new goals regarding my lehengas.

Another thing I’ve mentioned in previous reviews of Nisha Sharma’s books is how much I absolutely love how she incorporates Indian Culture into her stories. It’s been a while since I read the other two books in this series, but I was beyond delighted when I saw how much Indian Culture was incorporated into Veera and Deepak’s story.

This is one of those books that makes you believe in love again, in the type of love that you once only believed could exist on a screen or in a book.

Marriage and Masti by Nisha Sharma releases on August 27th, 2024!!! I assure you that I will be running to Target to grab my copy. If you love novels filled with Desi Romance, pining, confessions, spice, and heavy Bollywood vibes, I absolutely recommend this book to you. I assure you, you will love it, especially if you love love.


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This review will be be posted to Instagram (@le.midnight.chaptre) Early August. The link to the review will be posted here then.

I'll start this review saying that I really thought 'Taste like Shakkar' was going to be my favorite book in this series and there was no way to top it, but this one did. Oh my god, this book was just the best!!!!! All my theories of this book were wrong, and I loved every second of being wrong.

THE RELATIONSHIP IN THIS HAD ME SCREAMING! Like I love that even thought it took Deepak a long time that what he felt for Veera was more than friendship, He made up for it every time in this book. I love the space he made for her in this book, to the point that by the third act I was freaking out of how it was all going to play out.

I'm going to say I really loved the way this book handled the changed when it comes to friendships. Like Veera talking about how she felt left behind now that her friends are in serious relationship or married, the abandonment she felt from her friends and seeing that even though their priorities have shifted the friendship is still there.

The sister bond in this had me crying, too. I wanted to punch Sana so much!!!!! The father/daughter relationship in this made me think of my dad a lot and how my sisters and I have to navigate with him.

Overall, I think this by far will be the best book I've read in 2024. I think it will be tough to match the way this made me feel. How special it was to finish this characters this way. I feel lucky to have this arc and I can't wait to read more book by Nisha.

I got an e-arc of this book on NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I adored every single part of this book. The friends to lovers x marriage of convenience was perfect. These two had me blushing and kicking my feet. The romance was very much romancing!!! And who doesn't love a billionaire willing to spend all of his money on his wife ok!!! I will read every single title from Nisha.

This series has been so special to me. 6 stars if I could!!!

I’m such a huge fan of Nisha Sharma! I have loved every single thing of hers I’ve ever read and this series was no exception!! I’m so sad the series is ending but what a way to end!! I devoured this ARC in one day and it exceeded all of my expectations.

This book is a delightful blend of humor and heart, telling Veera and Deepak’s story in a way that was both entertaining and deeply insightful.

Every book in the “If Shakespeare Was an Auntie” series is so unique but what I especially loved about this one was the focus on the characters struggle with their self worth and how it was defined by their parents view of them or approval of what they deemed a successful marriage. As always, I also adored the way Nisha incorporates beautiful details of Indian and South Asian customs into the story. All of the wedding and marriage and traditions were written with such detail and makes the reader feel even more immersed in the rich culture.

Deepak and Veera’s story features some of my favorite tropes, friends to lovers and fake marriage. The progression of their relationship and story flowed so naturally. These characters are vivid and relatable, their experiences reflective of the universal truths about love and growing up in a community that revolves around specific familial values and expectations. I was swooning the entire time I was reading Deepak realize he had fallen for a beloved friend. I knew Veera’s POV was going to hurt me because she was the character I related to the most but seeing her growth through the progression of the story made it worth it.

This story features the same close friendships and rambunctious family members as the other two books. I cannot recommend this book and this series enough! Thank you so very much to Netgalley, the publisher, and Nisha Sharma for this e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Veera may be finding herself a bit lost after her close friends finding their ones, her secret crush getting married soon, and her father firing her before the big merger. Thankfully, she has her twin sister to form a plan by traveling the world and building their client list. You would think that everything was going to plan. It’s not. Veera finds herself in a situation where her only choice is to call her former crush, Deepak, for help. Not really ideal.

Deepak didn’t think he would receive a phone from Veera after his arranged marriage blew up in his face. Ultimately, it worked out in his favor since he needed time away from the PR disaster, and Deepak desperately misses Veera. When he sees her again, it’s a bit different. Deepak finally realized that he needed Veera back in his life. And it doesn’t hurt that their marriage in India helps them in the long run.

I have been waiting for the Veera and Deepak stories forever, ever since the first book in the series. Just from the tiniest glimpse of their interaction, I always knew that Veera and Deepak's romance was going to be everything and more. And Nisha Sharma definitely delivered in Veera and Deepak romance! The way that Nisha put the ‘you called? you came” trope in this book was literally the most intense yet romantic thing ever to read. It made Veera and Deepak's slow-burn romance more angsty between them. 

Side note: I could not stand for Veera's father or sister at all. Like, I may tolerate her twin sister, but her father was hell no. That man was just trash. It’s literally a no for me. Her twin sister—I just knew something about her was selfish. She may support her sister, but she will belittle Veera when she finds her ground again. 

Anyway, I truly feel so lost after finishing the Veera and Deepak story. I love them so much. I knew that Veera and Deepak had always belonged to each other. It was just a matter of time before they did. And their romance story may be the longest slow-burn romance from book one in the series until their book in the series, but it’s justified.

Friends to lovers will always be top tier romance for me. There’s something so beautiful and seamless about this that feels so soft, cozy, and magical - like finally coming home after a long day.

As usual Nisha Sharma spins a beautiful tale of love, found family, and growth. While Tastes Like Shakkar will always be my favorite of the trio, this one was the perfect way to wrap the trilogy of these amazing characters.

Deepak and Veera’s story caught me by surprise the way their story unfolded in the most delightful way! I loveeeee that there’s no third act breakup and I love Veera so much as I knew I would. To me she’s the most relatable it felt so satisfying to see her get all that she deserves. Although I certainly wasn’t ready to be done and was eager for more!

Also we got a surprising reveal of this story’s very own gossip girl, Mrs. W. S. Gupta. Quite an interesting little nugget dropped that I’m going to have to re read the series asap with this new information.

As always if Nisha Sharma is writing it, I’m eagerly devouring every word. I’m going to miss these stories so much I’m already planning a re-read.

- 2/5 spice
- friends to lovers
- found family
- marriage of convenience / “fake” marriage
- Twelfth Night (Shakespeare) meets Bollywood

The story centers around Veera Mathur and Deepak Datta, two individuals who have faced significant setbacks in their personal and professional lives. Veera, still reeling from a series of personal blows—including her father's betrayal and the loss of her family company—finds herself at a crossroads. Deepak, on the other hand, is grappling with a high-stakes career dilemma that requires swift action to maintain his position .
Veera and Deepak their paths converge in a series of comically chaotic events that culminate in an accidental beach wedding. What starts as a seemingly convenient solution to their respective problems soon becomes a ruse to convince the world of their romantic involvement. However, as they navigate their fake relationship, the lines between pretense and genuine emotion blur, forcing them to confront their true feelings.
One of the standout elements of Marriage & Masti is its exploration of the fine line between friendship and romance. Sharma deftly portrays how deep bonds can transform into something more profound, challenging the characters to reassess their perceptions of love and loyalty. The theme of finding one's place in the world amidst chaos is universal, resonating with readers on multiple levels.

Marriage & Masti is a must-read for fans of romantic comedies and Shakespearean adaptations.

This was just perfection.

I absolutely loved reading Tastes Like Shakkar last year so I was a little worried to see how this would match up; however, Nisha completely blew my expectations out of the water. This story had the perfect mix of angst, comedy, spice, and tenderness. I kept having to stop myself from devouring this book too quickly because I did not want this series to end.

After reading the last two books of the series, I was so excited to finally get to Veera and Deepak's story. Their journey from friends to lovers felt incredibly genuine and built up the perfect amount of angst without it overshadowing the plot. I loved getting to be back in the world with the fake marriage antics, meddling aunties, and found family in Prem, Karina, Bobby, and Bunti. There were truly so many moments with that group throughout the novel that had me screaming, giggling, and kicking my feet back and forth.

Deepak Datta the man that you are. I was so taken aback by his dominance that I had to take a minute to cool down. Chapter 24; that's all I have to say. Nisha DELIVERED with the spicy scenes in this book and I will be thinking about them for the longest time. Deepak was so down bad for Veera from the beginning of the novel and I was just so OBSESSED.

I really loved getting Veera's POV and seeing first hand her relationship with Sana and her estranged father. I thought her character arc was fantastic and I personally loved watching her gain confidence in her personal and professional careers. I loved how passionate and ambitious she was to make a change. The small moments that Veera shared with Deepak's family made my heart so happy. I loved the significance behind the marriage ceremonies and how she was able to form the strong bond with her mother and father in law.

Nisha writes from the heart and it's such a beautiful thing to see her soar and surpass expectations with each new release. I love how she incorporates her south asian heritage into these Shakespeare classics that we know and love, giving a fresh take on the something that's been reimagined many times.

I am so sad to say goodbye to this series, but I truly cannot wait to read what Nisha writes next!

Thank you Avon, Nisha Sharma, and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange of my honest review.

I absolutely ADORE Nisha Sharma's writing! I've been a fan since Dating Dr. DIl was released and have read a few of Nisha Sharma's books. I was so excited to receive this ARC and I finished it in one day, it was that good! I loved the storyline, it felt like it flowed really well and naturally, not forced at all. The plot twist with Olivia's relationship was not one that I saw coming but it added a nice touch to the story as well because of Sana. I'm so sad that this is the last book in this series because it was just too good! Marriage & Masti also portrayed the pressure of desi parents and the community really well. I think it was really nice to see characters who also struggled with their self worth being defined through marriage and how capable their parents viewed them. This is something that made the characters easier to connect to and a bit more real, especially as someone from the Punjabi community. Overall, loved Marriage & Masti and would highly recommend it to all of my friends, especially my desi friends.

Nisha does it again! This is the perfect ending to the if Shakespeare were aunties. I absolutely adored this story as did I the last two in the series. The hard working leads find love in an unexpected way. The spice is perfect and again I couldn't ask for a better ending.

This is by far my favorite of the series! Making the friends-to-lovers trope work so well is not an easy feat! We had seen flashes of Deepak and Veera's story in the other books -- the fact that they were such good friends and that Veera had deeper feelings. I liked the evolution of their relationship in the series. I wish Deepak had maybe done a touch more groveling for being the blind fool he was, but overall, the love story really worked for me!

Cons: There were some cornier moments, mostly with the family dynamics and the corporate machinations, but I can see the author's plotting and writing evolution over the series. I was also confused by Sana's character. In the beginning, she's the one who is trying to get them together and egging the "fake marriage" on, but, by the third act, she's angry at their relationship and trying to break them up? The math wasn't mathing. The other thing that bothered me was that there was some choking that happened in their intimate moments that was not discussed prior.

Overall, though, this was an excellent conclusion to the series! My thanks to NetGalley and Avon for access to an e-ARC in return for an independent review!

Thank you to Nisha Sharma and Avon for the early copy!

'If Shakespeare Was an Auntie' trilogy is one of my favorite rom-com series, and the final book definitely lived up to my expectations. "Marriage and Masti" follows Veera and Deepak as they deal with the aftermath of their drunken wedding in Goa and rediscover their love for each other along the way.

A highlight of this series is the strong friendship and found family aspect. I admire Nisha Sharma's ability to question outdated aspects of the South Asian community and show the characters tackling them and emerging as better individuals. The book had several "my wife" moments, and I loved seeing how smitten Deepak was with Veera. It was also refreshing to see the Hindu rituals performed by a newlywed couple, reminiscent of some of my favorite Hindi serials.

My only gripe is that I wanted a more thorough exploration of how Deepak realized he was in love. I also missed the meddling of the aunties. Nevertheless, this was still an enjoyable read. My love for men in suits was certainly reinforced in this book

What an incredible finale to the “If Shakespeare Was an Auntie” series!

Nisha Sharma is an auto-buy author for me, and if you know me I’m usually one to borrow, not buy. I already have this pre-ordered to add to my collection! Veera and Deepak’s story is the one I’ve been waiting for, especially since the epilogue of Tastes Like Shakkar. As usual, Nisha did not disappoint! I started this book before bed, stayed up well past my bedtime, and spent all morning the next day reading until I was done. Now I’m here telling you all to read it the minute you can get your hands on it!

Highly recommend that everyone checks this out when it publishes on August 27!

Read if you like:
👰🏽‍♀️ Fake marriage
🥰 Friends to lovers
🌶️ Moderate spice
🎭 Family drama
🇮🇳 Cultural references

Thank you Nisha and NetGalley for the ARC in change for an honest review!