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Shari Jones needs to get a life. Preferably someone else’s.
Single, homeless and jobless, Indo-American Shari agrees to her best friend’s whacky scheme: travel to Mumbai, pose as Amrita, and ditch the fiance her traditional Indian parents have chosen. Simple. Until she’s mistaken for a famous Bollywood actress, stalked by a Lone Ranger wannabe, courted by an English lord, and busted by the blackmailing fiance.
Life is less complicated in New York.
Or so she thinks, until the entourage of crazies follows her to the Big Apple and that’s when the fun really begins. Shari deals with a blossoming romance, an addiction to Indian food and her first movie role, while secretly craving another trip to the mystical land responsible for sparking her new lease on life. Returning to her Indian birthplace, she has an epiphany. Maybe the happily-ever-after of her dreams isn’t so far away?
Praise for Busted in Bollywood
“Busted in Bollywood is a fun, flirty story with a snarky, mischievous tone and an underlying theme of self-discovery. The book is lush with humor, sensuality and lively characters who wouldn’t know a cliché if it handed them a masala chai.” -Kathy Altman, USA TODAY
“Busted in Bollywood should be at the top of everyone’s ‘must read’ list. It’s that good. Please treat yourself to this terrific novel by the talented Nicola Marsh.” -NYT Bestselling Author Susan Wiggs
AnjV
Posted July 14, 2012
I spent the first 15 minutes after I finished reading this book trying to google everything I can about Nicola Marsh. I couldn't help it, I had to know if she was Indian. Sadly, I still don't know. Only thing I could find out about her was that she's from Australia. All I can say is, if she's not Indian, you'll never guess it because she has done a fantastic job with this book.
Bused in Bollywood has so found a place on my favorites shelf. Really, there's nothing not to like love. The story begins with Shari having drinks with her friend Amrita before she leaves for Mumbai, where she'll be impersonating Amrita to help break off her engagement to a man she has never met. I know, it sounds crazy right? But Shari has her own reasons for agreeing to Amrita's insane request; she's hoping to find some clarity. After being dumped, fired and kicked out by her ex-boyfriend/ex-boss/ex-landlord (yeah, it's all the same guy), it's understandable that she's a little shattered so a trip to Mumbai could be just what she needs right now.
'Look up stupid in the dictionary and you’ll find my picture.
Along with revealing stats: Shari Jones, twenty-nine, five-seven, black hair, hazel eyes, New Yorker. Addicted to toxic men like my ex, cheesecake, and mojitos (not necessarily in that order), and willing to do anything for a friend, including travel to India and impersonate aforementioned friend in an outlandish plot to ditch her fiancé.
See? Stupid.'
Marsh had me hooked right from the very first line. Believe me, you don't want to be drinking anything while you're reading this book. I'm embarrassed to admit this but Shari's narration was so hilarious that I was snorting water on my iPad. Personally, I loved everything about this one.
You'd think that it's because I'm from India but frankly, I've read a ton of books that're kind of based on India and I've usually found myself bored with most of them. So yeah, I'm not biased.
Marsh has captured the fun/entertaining side of the Indian culture perfectly; her descriptions - right from the food, people and country - are so vivid that they truly paint a picture. However, the two things that really made this book are Shari - I absolutely loved her character/personality - combined with Marsh's awesome writing (refer to the above-mentioned quote for a sneak peek).
Busted in Bollywood is fun, colorful and entertaining. It's the kind of book that'll have you grinning stupidly while feeling all warm and gooey on the inside. Reading this lifted my mood so I hope others can appreciate it the way I did.
A fun and romantic adventure!
This story definitely has a wacky twist to start! Shari and Rita are Indo-Americans. Rita’s parents have just arranged a marriage for her, but she is not ready to get married to a stranger. Shari agrees to go to India in her place, to sabotage this engagement. By Shari going instead, Rita is not directly disobeying her parents. Loophole! Added on top of that, Shari has recently broken up with her boyfriend. And lost her job. And she’s been evicted. Yeah, definitely sounds like the girl could use a little vacation to clear her mind! So off to India she goes.
But India is definitely full of surprises! Her visit there is packed full of fun and drama, and some of the best food you could hope to find. Oh yeah, one of Shari’s favorite things is Indian food, and there is definitely a lot of that in this book. Definitely make sure you eat before reading, or else you will get very hungry!
While in India she meets Drew. Drew is a bit of a jerk at first, he’s looking out for his friend – her fake fiancé, Rakesh. Even though he’s a jerk, she is attracted to him. Really, how could you not be? Drew seems to be the perfect blend of everything you want in a man. A bit mysterious, sexy, tall and handsome. Filthy rich! Haha! Not to mention he is very sincere and true to his friends and obviously into Shari in a big way. I absolutely loved Drew, I think he was the perfect addition to this knockout cast.
This was a really fun story. It was fast paced and full of action and drama. Shari is witty, daring and fun. And she has a sarcastic side that I really dug. Her thoughts were hilarious, but definitely a good thing she didn’t voice them all! Her best friend, Rita, seems like the awesome best friend we should all have. She knew Shari so well that she can see past what Shari says into the real truth. She gives Shari honest and sensible advice, and is just the all around great friend Shari needs. Rakesh is a fabulous man with a terrific sense of humor. I really enjoyed his insights and while not a major role in this cast, he is definitely a great character. Nicola really has a great talent for fleshing out the story, giving all of the characters and locations such great descriptions that you are instantly transported. Whether it was India, NYC’s Central Park, or Shari’s apartment, I felt like I was right there.
Busted in Bollywood has a lot to offer romance readers. It is funny and dramatic. There are some steamy scenes, but definitely safe enough for even teenagers to enjoy. I really loved this story, and would recommend it to anyone. I don’t by any means have an extensive knowledge of Indian culture, and this book didn’t leave me lost. Everything was explained, but explained so flawlessly and well that I didn’t feel like I was reading a text book. This story has a great flow, a lot of heart, and a superb cast. I hope you get a chance to read it!
Reviewed By~Desere
Review Copy Provided By~Author
In real life a arranged marriage in any woman or man's mind is something you would rather not think of, I am sure you will all agree that marrying someone you do not love and possibly do not even like and having to know that you will need to spend the rest of your life with this man or woman with no way out is one of the most terrifying thoughts ever. Not forgetting the fact that if you have not ever even met the other person how on earth are you suppose to develop any feelings for them?
In Busted with Bollywood we meet Shari, she seems like your everyday kind of girl however she is anything but, she has just ended her affair with her married boss and now is not only out of a man but also out of a job and very much desperate for money.
In comes Shari's best friend Rita and her very dangerous plot to prevent her parents from forcing her to marry a man she cannot and never will love. Shari must go to India and pretend to be Rita in order to convince her "arranged husband to be" that she is not the woman for him and if they marry it will never work. Shari agrees seeing that she needs money and who would not want to go to India for a "holiday" and in exchange get paid for pretending to be someone else for only a little while.
However immediately after her arrival Shari is caught out and Rita's fiance knows she is not the real Rita but agrees to not out her in turn for in turn for a little favor. So what might be the real obstacle here you may ask? Drew Lansford, best friend and business partner of "her fiancee". He sees straight through Shari's facade and recons she is out to get his best friends money and anything else she can get her gold digger hands on.
Over time Shari has more on her plate than she can handle, there is her wise old aunt that is out on a mission to find Shari a husband of her own ,not to mention her "fiance's" highly dysfunctional family who puts her more on edge than she lets on. Throw into the mix Shari falling in love with the very handsome Drew and you have all the trimmings for a good old fashioned romance with a twist.
Now wanting to go back to her life in New York but with no money, no home, a heart belonging to the man who suspects her of being a gold digger and a severe empty bank account, she is not so sure she can make any right decisions, if indeed any.
In this fun, spunky and light enchanted story, Nicola Marsh delivers us straight to India and teaches us not only the story of love deep in the heart of Bollywood but also we learn all about the different Indian dishes and various cultures of India, making this not only a fun and flirty romance to read but also a very educational piece of writing, that certainly kept me reading to the end.
Never in all the history classes I sat though in school did I ever find that the teacher of the lesson was able to combine the culture of any country with a good story be it a romance or even a mystery, it just never happened. But Nicola Marsh has certainly done that and so much more in this book. It was like getting a history lesson and learning about a romance all in one.
Living someone else¿s life, even a movie star¿s, may not be all it¿s cracked up to be.
¿Busted in Bollywood¿ was one crazy rollercoaster ride of crazy schemes, unexpected romance, and realizing a happy ending really isn¿t so far away after all.
Sheri is a very interesting heroine and it was a great joy following her along her journey to find her happily ever after. I laughed at many of the crazy situations she got into and rooted for her to make it out.
Very well written I think people who like comedy/romance novels will love Nicola Marsh¿s ¿Busted in Bollywood¿.
MamaElk
Posted January 2, 2012
I just finished reading Busted in Bollywood, and I feel kind of giddy. This book was really good. The characters were so colorful and believable. Nicola Marsh painted such a beautiful picture of Mumbai, India, which has always fascinated me.She brought it to life for me in a whole new way. I highly recommend Busted in Bombay.
Busted in Bombay tells the story of a beautiful friendship between Shari and Amrita who would literally go to the ends of the earth for each other. Shari is suffering the consequences of making a huge mistake, and finally setting her life right, leaving her confidence somewhat shattered, and causing her to second guess just about everything. She impulsively agrees to go to Mumbai and pose as Amrita to sabotage the marriage Amrita's parent's have arranged, and that's where the fun really begins! Bollywood at it's finest, Indian food that will make your mouth water, a good dose of NYC, hot men and beautiful women. This Book Has It All! Read it today!
Anonymous
Posted August 22, 2012
No text was provided for this review.
Overview
Shari Jones needs to get a life. Preferably someone else’s.
Single, homeless and jobless, Indo-American Shari agrees to her best friend’s whacky scheme: travel to Mumbai, pose as Amrita, and ditch the fiance her traditional Indian parents have chosen. Simple. Until she’s mistaken for a famous Bollywood actress, stalked by a Lone Ranger wannabe, courted by an English lord, and busted by the blackmailing fiance....