WOW!!! Words alone cannot express how much I loved this book, A Distant Heart by Sonali Dev. From the beginning, this book pulled me into a story of friendship, romance, struggles, mystery, and secrets. Kimi and Rahul are unforgettable characters as we learn their stories, both now and ago. The manner in which Ms. Dev went back and forth with time as she told this love story was very well done. This reader felt as if these two were friends of her. Sonali hit home in showcasing the dilemma a parent faces when their child faces death and choosing the “right” options to keep them alive. This was truly a heart-wrenching love story that still allowed the main characters to reach their happy ever after despite lots of detours and obstacles.

I really loved reading this book and had trouble putting this book down. Ms. Dev held me captive, drawing me into her book, making me forget the world around me and not letting me go even after I turned the last page. I highly recommend this book to other readers.

I voluntarily reviewed a complimentary copy of this book.

This is part of Dev's Bollywood series in that it's a stand alone story but has characters from the other books (I wish I could remember them more!). Kimi and Rahul have a lot of obstacles to overcome as they find their way to each other; we learn about their relationship as the narration alternates between past and present.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kensington for the ARC in exchange for an unbiased review.

The story is set in India, Mumbai and follows two people, Kimi and Rahul, as they form an unlike friendship. They come from two completely different worlds; Kimi is rich, whereas Rahul is extremely poor. However they somehow make it work and they form a very strong bond between them.

When the story begins, Kimi and Rahul are not in, let’s say, speaking terms. For some reason their bond and trust has been broken. Through flashbacks, the reader learns how this friendship started and how they came to be this inseparable duo. And for me these were the best parts of the whole book; we got so much insight on each character, so much backstory and it made the plot come together and the characters to feel fleshed out and real.

Kimi as a character is very interesting. Despite all the money she has, she has had to face many difficulties which made her tough. But next to her toughness there is also an immense amount of positivity and optimism. Her optimist is a little annoying at times -maybe that’s just a me issue cause I’m not the most optimistic person on the planet and cheerfulness gets on my nerves heh– and I really, really, really disliked her constant use of “thank you very much”. GOD THAT WAS SO ANNOYING!

Anyway, moving on to Rahul. Ah, Rahul *swoons*. He is THE tortured, broody, poor, thinks he’s not good enough, male lead. His backstory was a lil bit too tragic but it’s fiction so I don’t really care. I really liked we got to see a character that is actually poor. If you follow me on twitter you may have seen me complaining about this issue before and it was so refreshing finally seeing it in a story. His family lives in a chawl (click on the word to get to the wikipedia page if you don’t know what it is) and they barely make ends meet. They struggle with money and they don’t buy new clothes and toys every other day.

Now the romance aspect. In case you didn’t get it from all the above this is a best friends to lovers book. But BEWARE! If you cannot handle slowburn and you are tempted to burn the book in the pyre to save yourself from the torture like me ahem, do not pick this up. Otherwise it was good. Even though this is a romance novel, the focus isn’t so heavy on the romance. There is another subplot running which was more on the mystery/ crime genre.

One thing I liked very very much is the use of Marathi words. Whenever I read a book and the plot is set outside the US, I like getting those little words ’cause they make me feel more connected to the setting and the plot. So that’s a plus!

Final thoughts: A Distant Heart is a romance novel with beautiful writing, set in India featuring Indian characters which will for sure captivate your heart! Definitely recommend!

I received this e-ARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Wonderful Book

I’ve never read a book by this author before but I thoroughly enjoyed this one. I’ll definitely look up more books by this author. The characters and storyline intrigued me. I loved everything about it

A Distant Heart is a follow up, standalone novel to Sonali Dev's A Change of Heart. Those who have read A Change of Heart will be familiar with the characters of Rahul and Kimi, central figures in that storyline who now have their own book in A Distant Heart. Here they explore their own romance and also tying up some loose ends leftover from the previous book. Rahul and Kimi's relationship starts from childhood and as they grew up so does the complexity of their relationship. Ms. Dev gradually reveals the nuances of their friendship slowly, dividing each chapter between the past and the present. Although there is a little bit of action/suspense in the plot, A Distant Heart is mostly a character centered book, where both Rahul and Kimi learn to acknowledge their weaknesses, their past and most especially their love. Ms. Dev delivers once again a memorable novel that is this time set in Mumbai but still with excellent dialogue, spirited and layered characters and of course passion both for life and love.

A Distant Heart takes up the story that was started in a Change of Heart. Now the focus is on Rahul the police officer chasing down a criminal ring who steal hearts on the black market.

Rahul has suffered much loss in his life, he comes from a poor family and has always fought his way courageously through life. Growing up he made friends with Kimi, a young girl who has severe immune problems She's locked up in her safe "tower". Eventually it will lead to heart failure and the need for a new heart.

The book moves between their younger lives together and their lives now. I found that a little disconcerting, yet it filled in the background of both of them. Kimi is much loved, her parents take great care of her in their way, but is their way best? Her father - Kirit, has told Rahul that Kimi can never be his, and even though Kirit knows Kimi sparkles around Rahul he will not give his blessing.

However Kirit is being blackmailed and the person who was shot in the last book and severely wounded is now more or less up and about and out to do damage to Kimi and Rahul.

Kimi has many challenges to face down, many truths to come to grips with, and the way she does tells how strong she is and how wise. Rahul because of all the losses he has experienced has learned to act often out of fear, to dampen down his feelings and live within a self imposed wall. Can he become a whole human being and learn to live with a heart that accepts that fear is not the way for living.

I enjoyed reading the book, seeing the case solved, justice meted out and Kimi and Rahul finding their happy for now.

A vibrant and action packed adventure with a perfect blend of mystery and romance, this book was a treat. Kimi is a miracle child, the only surviving child of her parents, but she suffers from a rare blood disorder that means she must live in virtual isolation, and even her politician father's wealth and power can only do so much to make her life more bearable, That wealth and power also makes him a target, and when a police officer dies while protecting him, he vows to help and care for the man's children. Rahul, son of the policeman is reluctant to take charity and insists on working for the family, where he meets and grows close to Kimi. Flash forward to the current day, where Kimi's life is changed by a heart transplant, but Rahul, now a police officer following in his father's footsteps, finds himself investigating a series of murders linked to an organs for sale ring, Can his love for Kimi keep her safe, and will it make him compromise his investigation?
This was a really engaging book, one that I found difficult to put down, Reading it I was transported to India, the author does a great job of bringing the sights and sounds, and even the smells of her native country to life. Alternating chapters from the past with the current events in the book worked really well to build the relationship between Kimi and Rahul, as well as develop them as individual , well drawn characters that I believed in and found myself rooting for. Rahul in particular was a fascinating character, intellectually so smart, but struggling to understand his emotions, and to relate to other people, including his own brother. I understand that this book is a sort of sequel to another book by this author, but it works perfectly well as a standalone.

I always wanted to read Sonali Dev’s novel ‘A Bollywood Affair’, so I was overjoyed to receive an ARC of "A Distant Heart" from NetGalley to read and review.
Well, it was an interesting reading: a mix of (Bollywood) thriller – romance; an impossible love story overcoming loss, life-threatening illness ("The Fault in Our Stars" kind), class difference, time. There are so many facets of love (paternal, fraternal, friendship turning into love, lust, devotion, agape), that, in the end, Kimi points out she only needs one kind of love, the natural one – accepting your beloved mortality and being there, in the moment.
Other than this, the scenes are well-written, you can imagine them acted line by line in front of your eyes. The two characters/ narrators are quite obsessed with each other, their thoughts reflecting the other’s actions, like a mirror.
Of course, I liked the happy ending, though I almost lost my patience half way through.

Sad to report that I did not finish this novel, which I had looked forward to with great anticipation. I found the first 100 pages too frenetic and frankly confusing. The story switches back and forth between the past and the present but it starts with the present and, well, I kept thinking I was missing something. The past story- when Kimi and Rahul meet- was more relatable than the present but it wasn't allowed to gain momentum before suddenly we were back in the present and switching narrators, sometimes within a chapter. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. I very much wish I had enjoyed this but I found it more frustrating than engaging.

FINAL DECISION: A challenging and beautiful story of love and loss and living life. Kimi and Rahul are destined for one another but life is complicated and sometimes the fear of loss prevents one from living.

THE STORY: Kimi and Rahul meet as children. Kimi, the only of eight children to survive birth has medical issues which require her to be isolated. Rahul comes to Kimi house when his father in murdered while protecting Kimi's father. In order to pay the debt of his and his siblings education, Rahul insists on working. While cleaning the mansion's windows, fourteen year old Rahul meets Kimi. The two begin a friendship that lasts to adulthood. Then things get complicated.

OPINION: This is a beautiful book that takes place in India but centers on the universal human themes of loss and love and living. A companion to A CHANGE OF HEART, this book tells the story that readers of that book got glimpses of. The book is told in varying points of view and also takes place over time and asks for some commitment from the reader. In return, the reader gets a book that is part romance, part suspense, part life drama.

Kimi and Rahul are a classic friends to lovers story mixed in with impending loss at every turn. The characters are strong and vivid. The story has a strong sense of time and place detailing the complexities of the cross-class romance in India.

I knew where the story was headed on the mystery front early on (there are quite a few clues in A CHANGE OF HEART) but I was enthralled by the intense connection between Kimi and Rahul and how their past is slowly revealed.

The depth of the story comes from how the characters deal with the possibility of loss and about letting go and when not to let go. This is not a fairy tale HEA, but rather a HEA about living ones life no matter what the outcome might be.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book is told in varying points of view over a period of years.

CONNECTED BOOKS: A DISTANT HEART is the fourth book in the Bollywood series. The books generally are loosely connected and can be read as standalones, but this book is closely connected with A CHANGE OF HEART and I recommend reading that book first (it is fabulous) because they are almost companion books.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide a review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

Review to be published on December 26th.

A very well written mix of romance, mystery different from other books in the same category as it takes a look at India. Enjoyed it and it is highly recommended.
Many thanks to Netgalley and Kensington Books.

A Distant Heart is a friends to lovers story set in India that I quite enjoyed. I loved the way in which the author told it. Showing the hero and heroine's first meeting as children and how their relationship evolved over time. Nothing between moves quickly, it's a slow build up that is very much reflected in the way things are revealed and the culmination of their first sex scene.

I definitely recommend it to one and all.

A suspenseful, gritty yet romantic tale. Sonali's writing is enchanting as always. Great for readers looking to add some diversity to their romance reading!

I love everything Sonali Dev does. Reading this book made me want to go back and reread all her others, though you certainly don't have to have read her previous novels to appreciate this one! They all take place in the same shared universe, and there are some of the same peripheral characters, but this is still a contained story. It's exciting and sexy, and you truly root for the heroine.

This book shows how complicated life can be. A beautiful written story of love between Kimi and Rahul that is never easy and not complicated. Sonali Dev always amazes me with her easy flow of writing and always leaves me waiting for what’s next

I’d been wanting to read Kimi and Rahul’s story since reading A Change of Heart and it did not disappoint. Sonali has a way with words, made me want to read out loud. She writes stories that keep you interested and characters you want to root for. Always a delight to read such an authentic voice.

Sonali Dev is an author I heard about for quite some time before picking up her first book. Most of my major books blogs were raving about Dev’s writing, but as someone with no interest in watching Bollywood movies, I figured a book series labeled <i>Bollywood</i> would not be my cup of tea. But boy howdy, was I wrong. I dearly love a good angsty romance. And Sonali Dev can deliver that in spades! Set after A Change in Heart, A DISTANT HEART can nonetheless be appreciated on its own. Although Goodreads does not list A DISTANT HEART as book 4 in the <i>Bollywood</i> series, it clearly is, including many of the same characters from book 3.



While Dev’s books are presented as romance, they feel like crossover genre reads to me. Women’s fiction, mystery, and romance combine with the joy of learning about a rich culture I am not intimately familiar with. Dev’s books are lush pageants of color, taste, and emotion. A DISTANT HEART feels more firmly in the Women’s Fiction camp with a romance enlivening it, rather than a “simple” romance. Much of the book is beautifully heart-wrenching.



Kimi and Rahul struggle with so many challenges that both unite them and separate them. Class distinctions in their native Mumbai, terrible medical disease and uncertainty, and loss. Yet there is the presence of hope and of dreams, of friendship and of love. This book brings me to tears over and over. Tears of both sorrow and of joy. There are a lot of raw emotions here that really illuminate the underlying messages of hope and connection. Dev’s A DISTANT HEART will be a book that lingers in my heart for years to come, whispering words of love and complex emotion.