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4.11 AVERAGE
4.11 AVERAGE
The wiring style was passive and at times over explanatory, more show than tell, and excessively descriptive of people and things we already know many chapters in
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
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:
Complicated
I think this was my favorite one. In the beginning of the book the author says something about the hardest love stories being the best and this really was. One thing I noticed is that a theme in the series is the connection and power of the love and support of the moms, mothers in laws, and the aunties. And I enjoyed that so much. In each story there is a conversation where the mom or mother in law expresses how much she knew, saw, or worked behind the scenes to make happen. And it was my favorite moment in each book. The narrators for this series were incredible and definitely added to the story. In my experience trying a new author for the first time in audio is risky because it exposes mediocre writing but I am without a doubt a Nisha Sharma girl! The culture, the family dynamics, the depth of the emotions, she has all the elements I love in a romance. And baby the way Deepak groveled at the end!!! She should teach a course cause I need way more of that in romances!!
I love this series, and I really, really really wanted to love this book… but the writing is so sloppy, rushed, and inconsistent.
The twin sister’s character made no sense at all (she’s totally on Veera’s side when she rushes off to find Olivia, and then somehow she’s always hated Deepak and has to protect Veera from him when she comes back?).
The father is supposed to be the Big Bad, but he’s in like, two scenes, says some dumb shit, is exposed as being conveniently terrible at business (despite having trained two super genius business savant daughters), and leaves.
There are several places where I was baffled by errors that should have been caught by a proofreader, including at least two references to Olivia’s last name as being Mathur (that’s Veera’s last name; Olivia is a Gupta).
All of which I wanted to hand wave, because I liked the two main characters and Deepak’s parents, even though I was SUPER disappointed by the way the rest of the friends were basically left out of 90% of the books (and it makes sense with the girls because the distance between the couple friends and the single friend becomes a theme, but WHITHER PREM AND BUNTY???).
What I can’t forgive is that this book is nowhere near as hot as the other two. And I’m sorry, but the idea that they always know what each other needs and have some psychic connection about liking blueberry scones and spanking DOES NOT MAKE SENSE when the book relies so heavily on their miscommunication.
The twin sister’s character made no sense at all (she’s totally on Veera’s side when she rushes off to find Olivia, and then somehow she’s always hated Deepak and has to protect Veera from him when she comes back?).
The father is supposed to be the Big Bad, but he’s in like, two scenes, says some dumb shit, is exposed as being conveniently terrible at business (despite having trained two super genius business savant daughters), and leaves.
There are several places where I was baffled by errors that should have been caught by a proofreader, including at least two references to Olivia’s last name as being Mathur (that’s Veera’s last name; Olivia is a Gupta).
All of which I wanted to hand wave, because I liked the two main characters and Deepak’s parents, even though I was SUPER disappointed by the way the rest of the friends were basically left out of 90% of the books (and it makes sense with the girls because the distance between the couple friends and the single friend becomes a theme, but WHITHER PREM AND BUNTY???).
What I can’t forgive is that this book is nowhere near as hot as the other two. And I’m sorry, but the idea that they always know what each other needs and have some psychic connection about liking blueberry scones and spanking DOES NOT MAKE SENSE when the book relies so heavily on their miscommunication.
hopeful
lighthearted
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
I received an ARC of this book for free via Goodreads giveaway. This has in no way impacted my final rating.
Luckily, jumping in at the end of the series never made me feel like I was missing too much. These books are all wonderfully creative and I am so pleased for the author's success.
However, a Shakespeare retelling with a diverse twist was not enough to overcome my typical disinterest in contemporary romance novels.
Luckily, jumping in at the end of the series never made me feel like I was missing too much. These books are all wonderfully creative and I am so pleased for the author's success.
However, a Shakespeare retelling with a diverse twist was not enough to overcome my typical disinterest in contemporary romance novels.
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
relaxing
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
lighthearted
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
✨ Review ✨
📖 Marriage & Masti
📚 Book 3, If Shakespeare Was An Auntie series
✍🏻 Nisha Sharma
☑️ Contemporary Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️ 🌶️
This was mostly a miss for me unfortunately, but I still fully recommend the second book!
Overview:
•Fake Dating/Marriage
•Friend to Lovers
•Found Family + Banter
•Complex Family Dynamics
I’m keeping this one simple and quick.
What I liked:
•I really enjoyed the depictions of Indian culture and traditions! All of the marriage and wedding moments were so lovely.
•Also, when Deepak gifted Veera that elaborate shopping day? SO sweet.
What I didn’t like:
•While I normally love a good fake relationship storyline, this one felt a little too unrealistic for me.
•I didn’t love how the friendships and sisterhood were outlined here. The trio of girls had such a strong connection in the previous books, and that was lacking for me in this one. Plus, Veera and Sana’s relationship was so inconsistent.
•Deepak’s lack of awareness drove me crazy.
Overall, I wouldn’t recommend this one, but I still fully recommend the second book!
✨ Read via Libby ✨
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
In Marriage and Masti, the third book in the If Shakespeare Was an Auntie series, we focus on Veera and Deepak. These two characters became friends back in Book 1, but in this book, we learn just how close they’ve become. After accidentally getting married, they agree to stay that way for the sake of their careers. While Veera tries to keep things strictly business, Deepak is determined to prove that their marriage is real and that they belong together.
Once Deepak realizes that Veera is, and has always been, the one, he goes all out to show her. From a new wardrobe to supporting her business ventures, Deepak does everything to make their relationship work.
Veera’s dedication to promoting financial literacy and independence for women, especially within her community, is inspiring. So it’s heartbreaking to see her father undermine her hard work and pit her against her sister, all while planning to betray them both. Thankfully, her mother eventually sees the light, but her father remains a truly awful figure.
Through all the family drama, Deepak is a constant source of support for Veera, and watching him uplift and empower her is truly heartwarming.
Once Deepak realizes that Veera is, and has always been, the one, he goes all out to show her. From a new wardrobe to supporting her business ventures, Deepak does everything to make their relationship work.
Veera’s dedication to promoting financial literacy and independence for women, especially within her community, is inspiring. So it’s heartbreaking to see her father undermine her hard work and pit her against her sister, all while planning to betray them both. Thankfully, her mother eventually sees the light, but her father remains a truly awful figure.
Through all the family drama, Deepak is a constant source of support for Veera, and watching him uplift and empower her is truly heartwarming.
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
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
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No