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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
I will start with admitting I didn't know this was the third book in a series, and therefore I went in with no preconceptions about the characters nor the setting as people who read the first two books may have (I now have the others on my TBR and will be reading them too!) I give it a 3.75 stars, rounded up to 4.
Although I felt the set-up for the book was a little shakey - they eloped in a religious ceremony by accident, but it doesn't appear that that information ever got leaked in any way which is how I had assumed they would have been roped into keeping up the "fake" marriage to avoid another public scandal for Deepak's CEO campaign - I deeply loved this retelling of Twelfth Night.
Veera echoed a lot of the struggles we face as we get older - being the odd one out of a friend group who seems to be growing in different directions, facing the hurdle of being the "emotional" or "soft" child in a family that values strength, and coping with loss and change when your life path is thrown off course. Deepak, although a nepo baby, is hard working and deeply loved by his parents which we don't often get for MMCs unless he is a fatally flawed "mama's boy," which was comforting to see. I appreciated, too, that Deepak's family loved and welcomed Veera into their family instead of icing her out for eloping.
The spice in the book honestly shocked me, but in the best way. I don't know why I wasn't expecting a$$ slapping and face f*cking, probably because up until they started being intimate there was zero indication that Deepak was freaky, but I enjoyed it and I love to see an author have no fear in making sex more exciting!
I struggled with Sana's motivations in the end of the book; I had assumed Olivia's influence would have been what spurred her behavior, weakening her resolve with her no-contact father and stoking her hate for Deepak; but Olivia is actually against Sana's behavior. I wish there was some sort of evidence (although fabricated) that Sana had seen to at least back up the fact that she believed her dad who she had allegedly hated the entire time. The resolution came as quickly as the problem arose, which I think was fitting for a snap-judgement emotional decision, and I was satisfied with how they came to the end of it.
Although I felt the set-up for the book was a little shakey - they eloped in a religious ceremony by accident, but it doesn't appear that that information ever got leaked in any way which is how I had assumed they would have been roped into keeping up the "fake" marriage to avoid another public scandal for Deepak's CEO campaign - I deeply loved this retelling of Twelfth Night.
Veera echoed a lot of the struggles we face as we get older - being the odd one out of a friend group who seems to be growing in different directions, facing the hurdle of being the "emotional" or "soft" child in a family that values strength, and coping with loss and change when your life path is thrown off course. Deepak, although a nepo baby, is hard working and deeply loved by his parents which we don't often get for MMCs unless he is a fatally flawed "mama's boy," which was comforting to see. I appreciated, too, that Deepak's family loved and welcomed Veera into their family instead of icing her out for eloping.
The spice in the book honestly shocked me, but in the best way. I don't know why I wasn't expecting a$$ slapping and face f*cking, probably because up until they started being intimate there was zero indication that Deepak was freaky, but I enjoyed it and I love to see an author have no fear in making sex more exciting!
I struggled with Sana's motivations in the end of the book; I had assumed Olivia's influence would have been what spurred her behavior, weakening her resolve with her no-contact father and stoking her hate for Deepak; but Olivia is actually against Sana's behavior. I wish there was some sort of evidence (although fabricated) that Sana had seen to at least back up the fact that she believed her dad who she had allegedly hated the entire time. The resolution came as quickly as the problem arose, which I think was fitting for a snap-judgement emotional decision, and I was satisfied with how they came to the end of it.
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
I have loved the other 2 If Shakespeare Were an Auntie and the third edition to this series was no different! I enjoyed the lighthearted banter between Deepak and Veera as well as their journey with fake dating. You do not have to be well-versed on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night to enjoy this book in the least.
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Loveable characters:
Yes
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
"Her father had given her two gifts: trauma and the ability to whistle like a drunk Punjabi uncle. At least one of them came in handy."
THIS HAS NO BUSINESS BEING FUNNY
THIS HAS NO BUSINESS BEING FUNNY
I was a little confused as to why the sister pushed her into it then got mad when she ran with the idea. But overall I enjoyed this... good way to end the trilogy. That being said, I've never seen or read Twelfth Night.
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
emotional
funny
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Nisha’s books always offer up a great romance with a side of drama and antics that I just love. While this book features the Aunties less, I really enjoyed this story. Deepak and Veera are meant for each other, they just cluck. They have a beautiful friendship that was based in love (even if they didn’t know it yet!). I am a sucker for a fake marriage that was never fake and this book delivers exactly that. Honorable mention to Deepak’s parents who were the absolute sweetest. If you’ve liked this series so far, you will enjoy how it ends. I recommend this for fans of a friends to lover/marriage of convenience moment.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Misogyny, Sexism
Moderate: Gaslighting
Minor: Grief, Classism