Anna's Reviews > Marriage & Masti

Veera Mathur is in a tough place, both figuratively and literally. After being forced out of the family company and losing her best friend Deepak Datta in the process, she's been traveling the world with her twin sister as they try to start their own consulting business. But when her sister backs out of their business plans and they are shipwrecked after a client's yacht sinks, she's really hit her limit. In need of cash, she calls the one person who can front her the money: Deepak.

Deepak is not in a great position either. Months ago, he proposed a loveless marriage to a fellow company board member. Then one morning, he wakes up to a Get Ready With Me video of her explaining why she's ending their engagement. The relationship that should have cemented his nomination as company CEO now threatens to end it. So, when Veera calls for help, he flies across the world to her side. He tells himself that it's to lay low during a PR disaster, but the truth is, he's missed her, having distanced himself following his engagement.

After some heavy drinking, they agree to demonstrate a traditional marriage ceremony for a couple they meet and in the process, end up married themselves. What started as a lark on a beach quickly becomes another potential public relations disaster, and Deepak is quick to suggest that they continue their semi-fake marriage, at least until he's officially the company CEO.

Veera, who's been deeply in love with this utterly blind man since they first met, agrees. They quickly fall into a happy, comfortable routine. But Veera's evil father, still part of the company, is out to sabotage Deepak's chances at becoming CEO and he's got a willing ally in Deepak's former fiancé. It will take the rest of their family and friends to overcome this hurdle, but Veera and Deepak eventually get what they want.

It's a great book. The whole series is excellent. However, if you are at all sensitive to toxic family dynamics, these can be tough reads. Veera's father is the absolute worst, but frankly, her twin sister has some messed up moments. And Veera, numb in her grief over losing her career AND Deepak, neglected her other, female friends, so she has some issues to work out too. There are definitely some wonderful, accepting, lovely side characters and almost everyone who messes up is redeemed (just don't expect any fairy tale endings with dear old Dad). So it isn't to say that all the characters are awful. But it's a theme in this series that the people who raise you can also hurt you pretty badly, and if that isn't a comfortable place for you, maybe steer clear.

Recommended for readers who enjoy smart, fierce business women who are willing to confront their toxic family dynamics AND international business relations. If competence is your thing, this book (along with the rest of this stellar series) is for you. If you don't mind a friends-to-lovers trope with a MMC who you occasionally want to smack upside the head, "Marriage & Masti" is a good choice.

Thank you to Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of "Marriage & Masti" by Nisha Sharma in exchange for an honest review.