cover image Marriage & Masti

Marriage & Masti

Nisha Sharma. Avon, $18.99 trade paper (384p) ISBN 978-0-06-300118-3

Loosely inspired by Twelfth Night, Sharma’s charming final If Shakespeare Was an Auntie romance finds twins Veera and Sana Mathur at a low point. Their father has just fired them and merged the family business, Mathur Financial Group, with a “global media empire” owned by the father of Deepak Datta, Veera’s former best friend and secret crush. Determined to prove their worth, the sisters attempt to restart Mathur Financial on their own and head from New Jersey to a resort on the coast of Goa to drum up clients. The trip turns sour, however, after they lose their purses in a boating accident—with the hotel bill yet to be paid. The only person they trust to bail them out is Deepak, who drops everything to come help. While out drinking that night, Deepak and Veera meet an engaged couple who are unsure about the steps of their traditional Hindu wedding ceremony. To reassure them, Deepak and Veera provide a demonstration—and wake up the next morning realizing that, according to Indian custom, they are now actually married. It’s messy, but they can both use the marriage to their professional advantage—if, that is, they can prove the validity of their elopement while ignoring their growing feelings for each other. Sharma’s blend of comedic misunderstandings, Indian culture, and red-hot chemistry is a winning combo. Series fans will not be disappointed. (Aug.)