The Five-Day Reunion

Divorcées pretend to still be married in Shroff’s emotionally charged Once Upon a Wedding series opener. Law student Anita Virani hasn’t seen her ex-husband, Nikhil Joshi, in the three years since their divorce—until Nikhil’s mother makes Anita an offer she can’t refuse. She wants Anita to attend her daughter’s five-day wedding celebration as Nikhil’s wife to help her save face in front of her family, whom she never told about her son’s failed marriage. In exchange, she’ll pay Anita’s law school tuition. But she doesn’t tell Anita that Nikhil is unaware of this arrangement, leading to an explosive reunion. Nikhil, a writer who’s eager to prove his worth to his family after refusing to work in the family law firm, agrees to the charade to appease his mother. The wedding festivities force proximity between the couple and unearth buried feelings. But can love rekindle among lingering arguments about Nikhil’s workaholic tendencies and Anita’s career path? This question gives rise to a tempestuous will-they-won’t-they that Shroff (Then There Was You)expertly balances with family drama. Fans of juicy, tropey contemporaries should snap this up. Agent: Rachel Brooks, BookEnds Literary. (Jan.)