Member Reviews
Thank you to the publisher for my review copy. Both audio and NetGalley.
Alright. I'm going to start with this. I loved this title. Classic friends to lovers story where you know what is going to happen...but you enjoy the ride while on it. Farah has done it again for me. She is definitely an auto buy author!
I wanna talk a little about the audio as I signed up to review both the audio and the title.
I did not like the audio. Now, I was able to recognize that this title was something I wanted to finish...albeit via a different format. The narrator was awful for me. I mean. I was cringing.
Overall, I would say read this one. Don't listen...but the story...so very good.
I loved Kamila! She is spunky and the life of the party. Sometimes a bit over the top but who isn't? 😂 But she is genuine, she speaks her mind even when it doesn't come out right.
Rohan 😍. I love his kind heart. He's a great friend to all. He may not always think before he speaks and it kind of gets him in trouble, especially with Kamila. But I also understand that he is loyal and won't betray trust people have in him.
I love the Bollywood theme nights that Kamila puts on. I love how much she loves dogs. She truly just wants the best for her friends. I like the growth that she had with Jana after so many years of misunderstandings from each other and the people in their lives. I like that she finally decides what she wants at the end and just pushes for it!
Jane Austen novels were the gateway to my love of romance!
Kamila lives with her father and works for his accounting firm. She loves her dog, planning parties and setting up her friends. But she is so much more!!! She takes care of her father, she volunteers, she is always going above and beyond for those she loves… including her family fried, Rohan. She’s known Rohan’s since she’s been a child… he’s one of the most comforting presences in her and her father’s lives… what will she do if he gets together with her old frienamy who’s back in town???
I absolutely loved matching up the characters with their Emma counterparts. I had a few moments of surprise… that I kicked myself over later when I compared it to the original. This was an impressive retelling. Farah has brought Emma to modern time but has kept all the parts that make it great. I think the placement of the characters within the Muslim culture really helped add the structure needed to create such a true retelling, while also modernizing and freshening up the story!
Overall I just adored Kamila & Rohan (and all their friends 🥰) and their sweet friends to lovers romance.
Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron was released March 8th, 2022.
I received a complimentary copy of this book from Forever Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.
#KamilaKnowsBest #FarahHeron #Netgalley #pinkcowlandreads
This is a fun, flirty friends-to-lovers romantic comedy about Kamila, an Indian Canadian woman in her late 20's who hosts fabulous weekly Bollywood parties, loves her dog, plans huge fundraising events, matchmakes her friends, takes care of her father, and tries to grow her family accounting business. The love interest, Rohan, is a high powered business exec who is such a secret simp for Kamila and is so loving and caring towards her and her family. They've grown up together since childhood and in the year since Rohan was divorced he has basically become a family member to Kamila and her father. They have such fun banter and this is a slow burn.
Though it is a romance it does not solely revolve around the romance. The book focuses a lot on Kamila's growth and healing: Kamila's journey to heal from the emotional abuse she suffered from her mother who is now deceased, her relationships with her father and chosen family (and lifelong nemesis), and her coming into her own in terms of her professional and volunteer life. Kamila's character is really complex and relatable--she seems to have it all but on the inside struggles with insecurity, jealousy, pressure to be perfect, and her past traumas. I can personally relate to Kamila a lot because I have also lost a parent who was abusive to me growing up. The side characters are also complex and really well developed with fun side stories as well.
The pacing of the book does feel a bit slow or repetitive at times, especially because it is a very slow burn, though I still read it in only a couple sittings because I wanted to see when they would finally get together!! I personally did not really feel the spark/butterflies between Kamila and Rohan but still really enjoyed the sweetness of their love for each other, Kamila's character arc, and the fun world the author built.
Overall would really recommend this book, such a fun read! This was my first book by Farrah Heron and I am excited to read more!
Content warnings: Death of emotionally abusive parent (in the past)
There is very little spice in the novel--just a few not too explicit makeout scenes and one scene where the characters have sex but the details are off page.
Disclaimer: I received a digital ARC of this book through NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.
I want to start with the positive things I liked about this book. I really love how Farah Heron writes about food, and how food is always so important to her characters. This book will make you hungry. I also really liked Rohan and most of the side characters. The dogs were also adorable and a wonderful addition to the book.
The biggest issue I had was with Kamila. And since she’s the main character of the book, it really made this a rough read. Kamila was a weird balance of being overly confident while also being deeply insecure. She felt like she had the right to control the lives of everyone around her, and to pass judgements on others purely based on assumptions. But then she took any misunderstanding as a huge affront and acted like she was the victim all the time. It was like whiplash throughout the book trying to keep up with who she hated and who she was being fake towards. I get that people are complicated, but she was COMPLICATED. And it just didn’t need to be like that. I know miscommunication is a huge trope in romance, but this book had about 20 miscommunication conflicts and they all could’ve been fixed with Kamila didn’t jump to conclusions or actually let the other people speak without her talking over them.
I feel like I had similar issues with the heroine in Heron’s first book. I really wanted to like this book, and there are definitely parts I really did like, but the miscommunication trope just doesn’t work for me when it can easily be fixed by asking a simple question. The heavy reliance on the MC just reacting to assumptions is hard and really makes the journey to the HEA a rocky road.
Thank you to Forever Romance and NetGalley for the early copy of the book.
This is the first book that I have read by Farah Heron, but I know that it will not be my last. If you are looking for a quick and fun read to stave off a reading slump, look no further than Kamila Knows Best. Kamila is in her twenties; she lives with her dad and is known for her "wild side". No one can throw a party quite like Kamila, and she definitely has her own sense of fashion. One of Kamila's best friends is a guy named Rohan, who she has known since she was a child. Rohan seems to always be around Kamila and is always willing to help her out. But, Rohan is also moving on from a divorce. Rohan is definitely a cinnamon roll hero (p.s. I didn't even know that was a thing until recently). You can't help but love him. Throughout the book, he is so kind to Kamila and her dad, and you can't help but root for him. Kamila is the perfect lead for the story to balance out some of Rohan's seriousness- she loves to have a good time and she has a habit of saying what is on her mind. Rohan and Kamila are surrounded by a fun cast of characters- from all of the friends like Asha and Nicole to some not so likeable characters (ahem, Jana), but they all come together in a book that is entertaining and a good palate cleanser. I read a little over 100 pages in one sitting in less than an hour, so I was eager to see how Rohan and Kamila's story unfolded. I love a good friends to lovers story, and this one was no exception. I probably could have used a little more spice, but that is definitely a personal preference. I also liked that so much of their culture was incorporated throughout the story, even if it did make me particularly hungry for some authentic Indian cuisine. Thank you to Read Forever for my digital ARC of this book.
Received an advanced copy from the publisher.
I am always charmed by Farah Heron novels, but imagine my delight when I got a few chapters into Kamila Knows Best and gasped "OH it's Emma!" I didn't see the modern Austen pitch in any of the marketing, so this was a true surprise and a great one. Heron pays loving homage to a heroine Austen thought only she herself would like with Kamila. The Emma story is a wonderful framing device for a meddling, loving, constantly underestimated woman trying desperately to make everyone's lives better but avoiding looking at herself. Heron's "Knightly" is perfectly infuriating but with a sweetness that lets the reader, and Kamila, love him despite his faults. A lovely, lovely little story.
I've been interested in Farah Heron's work since "Accidentally Engaged," so I was super grateful to receive an ARC for this book. Honestly, the whole friends to lovers trope really isn't my favorite, BUT this book was absolutely divine! The plot and characters were so unique, but also relatable. The author did really well in portraying the character's diverse backgrounds, and I think that made the book even more captivating. Even as friends, Kamila and Rohan had so much fondness for one another- the Jane Austen parallels were really undeniable.
I loved how this book touches on the importance of friendship, breaking stereotypes/family norms, and simply not molding into people's expectations. Kamila was clearly always never given enough credit for her ambitions, authenticity, and fierceness (which just makes her my absolute favorite).
I was excited to learn that this is a retelling of Jane Austen's Emma. This light romance includes a fun cast of characters that deliver entertaining drama while equally weaving in some serious topics.
Kamila is definitely modeled after the classic heroine. She's independent, smart, a meddlesome matchmaker and comfortable with non-commitment. She is the perfect host who enjoys throwing weekly Bollywood gatherings for her friends that sounded absolutely delightful. She also cares for her widowed father who is nearing retirement.
It's very relatable and enduring to see a character who is now responsible for taking care of an aging parent. She truly worried for his well being and both deal with deep emotions following her mother's tragic passing. This part of the storyline touched on chronic anxiety and it's effect on physical and mental health. I like that she positively talked about the benefits of therapy.
The second chance romance was full of perfect banter and many will they, won't they moments. I adored Rohan. I enjoyed watching the slight changes he made as he tried to hint that he had feelings for Kamilla. Their late night phone chats were my fav.
If that's not enough, there are so many great, little side stories: enemies to friends, adorable dogs (you will want to adopt Potato) and getting the courage to be your true self as you let your passions shine. There's also nonstop Indian foodie chatter that will leave you craving boba tea, momo, samosas and biryani - Yum!
Thank you bet galley for this arc !
Kamala knows best is a retelling of Jane Austen “Emma” . This book was romantic and heartwarming :) loved ever second of it !
All of us need a Kamila in our life. In any case I would love to have one. Smart, funny, quirky, with the right amount of attitude, social butterfly AND intent on playing a matchmaker for her friends - life with Kamila in it is anything but boring. But I am getting ahead of myself.
I was excited to read Kamila Knows Best for a few different reasons. First of all because I love Jane Austen books and Goodreads' classification of this book as "Emma goes Bollywood" is so accurate. The other thing is that it takes place in Toronto - can't say that I've come across many Toronto based rom-coms. And third reason was that I needed a genre change from my usual psychological thriller reading tendencies.
I really enjoyed immersing myself into the "will they, won't they" story of Kamila and Rohan, a whole cast of other fun characters & PUPPIES. Not to mention the fact that I was frequently hungry reading this book - not surprising considering how often various delicacies were mentioned. I was rooting for Kamila even when in those instances when I was annoyed by her choices. And I kept wishing I could attend one of her Bollywood parties!
If you enjoy romantic comedies and Jane Austen this one is definitely for you. Make sure you have some snacks handy while reading it! It really is a fun, entertaining ride that will make you hungry along the way.
Many thanks to NetGalley and Forever (Grand Central Publishing) for gifting me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I absolutely adored this book! It was a little bit of a slower burn in the beginning but I knew from the opening pages I was going to fall head over heels for Kamila and Rohan. Their story was so fun, filled with amazing food and Bollywood references. I found myself pausing multiple times to Google nearby restaurants where I could order some of the food because my mouth was watering throughout the entire book. I also really enjoyed Kamila’s journey of self-discovery as she navigated her friendships and relationships. 10/10 recommend.
Steam level: very low
CW; grief, mental health, depression, abuse
Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for the gifted copy.
This book was so good! Kamila is a sweetheart. This book reminds me so much of Clueless and I absolutely love Clueless, of course that’s because this book is a modern spin on Jane Austen’s Emma. But it reminds me of Clueless first and foremost and I say that with love.
Kamila is often underestimated. If someone looks at Kamila they see a beautiful woman dressed in her own unique style. She has a cute little dog named Darcy. She loves to fix her friends up and throw parties, her weekly party is Biryani and Bollywood. She does charity work and her current project is a puppy prom. People see all the cuteness and sweetness surrounding Kamila and sometimes they overlook her intelligence and drive. Kamila has a lot going for her but she gets written off as silly and flighty sometimes. She might not mind much but her mother’s cruel words left some tender spots in Kamila’s self esteem. Her mom is long gone but her mother said things that have stuck with her forever.
Kamila has a best guy friend named Rohan. He’s really there for her 100% of the time. She worries about losing Rohan because he helps so much with her dad.
Kamila hasn’t realized that it might be more than that.
I loved Kamila, I loved Rohan, I loved the theme parties, I loved the puppies, honestly what’s not to love here? Just like Kamila this book is beautiful, sweet and funny but with a depth that shouldn’t be overlooked.
I got to read an early ebook edition from NetGalley, thank you!
Kamila is a fun, flirty woman wanting to make the people in her life happy, sometimes meaning setting up her friends. Along with volunteering at a local dog shelter and working hard at her father’s company she has weekly Bollywood movie nights. With her father facing health issues, Kamila grows closer and develops feelings for Rohan who is always there for her and her family. But when all her duties and matchmaking come to a head Kamila has to take a hard look at herself. Will she end up pushing Rohan away? The Toronto setting, not to mention all the delicious Indian food draws you into Kamila’s world and her messes that come from good intentions. I so enjoyed this book, and can’t wait for what Farrah Heron writes next!
Kamila Knows Best is an adorably fun story, and I enjoyed every second! With a quirky, strong-willed heroine, an amazing cast of characters, addicting banter, and plenty of puppies, this is such a fun experience that will keep readers laughing throughout.
While I normally don't enjoy books written in 3rd person, Farah Heron has a knack for writing in this style that keeps me glued to the page + unable to put it down. Her writing style is addicting, and I felt like I was right there with Kamila + her friends at a Bollywood night. I really enjoyed the slow burn friends to lovers romance between Kamila + Rohan, and while the chemistry between the two was magnetic from the very beginning I loved that it wasn't the main focus of the story. The relationship between the two unfolded throughout the entire story, but Kamila's personal journey is the true star. Indian culture is seamlessly weaved in, and I loved getting learning more about the customs, dynamics, and drool-worthy cuisine!
I definitely recommend this one and can't wait to see what's next from Farah Heron!
Thank you so much for an arc of Kamila Knows Best by Farah Heron!
I really enjoyed this novel! It is a retelling of Emma by Jane Austen, which I also love! It was so fun to see the parallels between the books and then to see where Heron added her own elements, style and culture! I loved reading about all of the delicious food. I loved the development of the romantic relationship and of friendships. I felt like it was really well balanced and showed growth and developed from multiple characters. I’m already excited for what Heron will write next!
*will add link once posted
An adorable and heart warming retelling of Emma. Perfect for all Jane Austen fans with a fun spin for contemporary romance readers. In traditional Farrah Heron style - this book with make you hungry, please read only with a full stomach.
KAMILA KNOWS BEST is a slow burn friends to lovers romance starring Kamila and Rohan.
In between working as an accountant, volunteering for the local animal shelter, and worrying about her dad's help, Kamila also plays matchmaker for her friends, plans weekly Bollywood-and-biryani parties, and runs her dog's popular Instagram. Meanwhile Rohan heads one of the biggest personal and corporate finance firms in Canada -- and carries a secret candle for Kamila, who he's known her entire life.
I'd recommend this romance for those who enjoy a lot of little details, from the food they have for Bollywood night to the artwork in Kamila's home. There's a large cast of characters, all of whom felt imperfectly real, right down to Kamila's lovable dad.
I missed Rohan in the last third of the book; it felt like a lot of the focus was on Kamila coming more into her own. In that sense, KAMILA KNOWS BEST wasn't quite as good of a fit for me personally as ACCIDENTALLY ENGAGED, Heron's last novel. I should have been expecting that more, given that this one's a retelling of Emma! I guess there was just a bit of a mismatch for me, between all Kamila managed in a given week (not to mention all she'd accomplished thus far) and moments in which she came across as immature, despite desperately wanting to be taken seriously. Still, I found loads to like here!
thank you so much to the publisher and netgalley for the chance to read this book in exchange for an honest review
i liked this book, it's a retelling on emma, one i have yet to read so i'm unsure how it did in the retelling aspect. Yet everything else i found quite likeable
characters- overall each of the characters had their own flaws and own personalities, and that made some of them very likable, and relatable. I like how Kamila, the main character, grew out of some of her ways, while also doing what she loves. Rohan made me a bit nervous, mainly cause i didn't like how he treated her sometimes, but i feel that was a main conflict with it aswell.
plot- i disliked the spacing, it was something i wasn't very fond of, long chapters, and i personally think it went slow and why i had a hard time finishing it. The plot though however was decent, and found myself enjoying the story.
what i liked- i like the dynamic of each friendship, how the characters were flawed and relatable, and the food (and honorable mention, the dogs)
what i disliked- i disliked the long chapters, and some of the characters, but that was about it
4.25⭐️
Kamila Knows Best was an enjoyable read and apparently is a modern twist of Emma (I don’t know the story.) I thoroughly enjoyed the characters in this book and found the cast to be quite diverse. There is wonderful mental health representation here and it’s not just a brief glimpse, it is a constant throughout the story. I also love that it shows the impact on other characters.
Any story with Indian characters is my kind of book. I love the family dynamics, reading about the food, and hearing about all of the cultural differences.
A fun story with some serious and thoughtful aspects to it, give it a try!!!!
Thank you to Forever (Grand Central Publishing) Farah Heron and Netgalley for a gifted digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!