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A Distant Heart
(Bollywood #4)
by
Her name means “miracle” in Sanskrit, and to her parents, that’s exactly what Kimaya is. The first baby to survive after several miscarriages, Kimi grows up in a mansion at the top of Mumbai’s Pali Hill, surrounded by love and privilege. But at eleven years old, she develops a rare illness that requires her to be confined to a germ-free ivory tower in her home, with only t
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Paperback, 302 pages
Published
December 26th 2017
by Kensington Publishing Corp.
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I sat next to Sonali at an RWA book signing in Orlando this year, and managed to talk her out of an advance copy of A DISTANT HEART. I fell in love with this series after reading A Bollywood Affair, and couldn't wait to get my hands on this one.
The thing is, every once in a great while a reader might be lucky enough to find an author with a voice so powerful, an ability to tell a beautiful story so compelling, that they become an absolute “auto buy.” For me, Sonali Dev is that author—her writing ...more
The thing is, every once in a great while a reader might be lucky enough to find an author with a voice so powerful, an ability to tell a beautiful story so compelling, that they become an absolute “auto buy.” For me, Sonali Dev is that author—her writing ...more
A Distant Heart is not my favorite from Sonali Dev but it remains very likable and engaging, especially if you like romantic suspense with plenty of emotion. This book provides alternating timeframes along with characters you may recognize from Dev's other novels. The delicate subject of coming of age with a life-threatening chronic illness created palpable emotion while providing a segue to the crime/suspense element. Overall I liked it and would recommend it if you enjoy the genres listed.
My f ...more
My f ...more
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 hear ...more
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 hear ...more
You can find this and many more reviews on my blog Marianna's Corner!
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 flashbac ...more
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 flashbac ...more
Loved it! Still wiping tears from my eyes as I type this. Happy tears, though. How I adore Sonali Dev. Love her. Love her books. 😍
I took my time reading A Distant Heart even though I had a deadline to rate and review it within two weeks of its release. I wanted to not only delve deep into the story and characters, but also study the writing style and learn from it. I've decided that the majority of my books will be set away from the US and this is a perfect model for me to emulate. Sonali transp ...more
I took my time reading A Distant Heart even though I had a deadline to rate and review it within two weeks of its release. I wanted to not only delve deep into the story and characters, but also study the writing style and learn from it. I've decided that the majority of my books will be set away from the US and this is a perfect model for me to emulate. Sonali transp ...more
A book that is almost impossible to drop into a neat category. It's part suspense, part gritty crime tale, wholeheartedly romantic, and a most unusual Rapunzel tale. I loved that it was set in Mumbai, and yet was completely accessible. Loved Sonali's voice, which is highly original and lyrical. Loved the romance between two hungry souls. Sexy, gritty, romantic, compelling. Excellent.
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.
ARC provided by publisher through Net Galley
I definitely recommend it to one and all.
ARC provided by publisher through Net Galley
3.8 stars !
This is a push and pull romance. It was great for about 70% of the book, literally kept me on the toes but it got kinda draggy draggy midway through . I wish Rahul could have had that same spark that he had for Kimi till the end cause it kinda got diluted with his moodiness and tad bit of insecurity.That's the only thing that lacked, though Kimi deserves a full hundred for being such a positive ball of light throughout the book.Overall a descent read.
This is a push and pull romance. It was great for about 70% of the book, literally kept me on the toes but it got kinda draggy draggy midway through . I wish Rahul could have had that same spark that he had for Kimi till the end cause it kinda got diluted with his moodiness and tad bit of insecurity.That's the only thing that lacked, though Kimi deserves a full hundred for being such a positive ball of light throughout the book.Overall a descent read.
I have a love affair with Sonali Dev's books. She writes such good words. Words that usually completely break my heart (it's still broken after reading A Change of Heart) but she repairs it and gives us a shiny HEA at the end with all the smiles. The heroine in this book, Kimi, literally has a broken heart. A lifelong heart condition that keeps her sick most of her youth in Mumbai, India (where the whole book takes place) leaves Kimi very sheltered. Her father, a former bollywood actor turned m
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Originally published at Reading Reality
It’s all Kimi’s fault. Not just the events in A Distant Heart, but also everything that happened in A Change of Heart. Both the good and the bad. But especially the bad.
The problem is that Kimi doesn’t know it’s her fault, or that the people she trusted the most saved her life with a giant lie. All that she knows is that two years ago, a donor heart was mysteriously found, and she was able to finally emerge from the sterile bubble in which she had been forc ...more
It’s all Kimi’s fault. Not just the events in A Distant Heart, but also everything that happened in A Change of Heart. Both the good and the bad. But especially the bad.
The problem is that Kimi doesn’t know it’s her fault, or that the people she trusted the most saved her life with a giant lie. All that she knows is that two years ago, a donor heart was mysteriously found, and she was able to finally emerge from the sterile bubble in which she had been forc ...more
I hate it when books with an Indian backdrop promise an "authentic Indian rep" and it ends up being a bad imitation of cheesy bollywood song-and-dance romance.
But I loved A Distant Heart for being so unabashedly Bollywoodsy in terms of setting up the world of its two main characters.
Rich Girl meets Poor Boy - CHECK
Poor Boy follows his father's footsteps by joining the city police force - CHECK
Rich Girl's father is a politician - CHECK
The infamous Mumbai mafia are the menacing villians in the s ...more
But I loved A Distant Heart for being so unabashedly Bollywoodsy in terms of setting up the world of its two main characters.
Rich Girl meets Poor Boy - CHECK
Poor Boy follows his father's footsteps by joining the city police force - CHECK
Rich Girl's father is a politician - CHECK
The infamous Mumbai mafia are the menacing villians in the s ...more
What a really good book does is:
- Keeps you flipping pages (all night long) until it's done
- makes you stare at the book in your hands even after you've finished reading it
- urges you to hand it over to another avid reader so you can gush about it together
- inspires that next great scene out of you (as a writer)
- triggers various gushy social media posts
ADH does all of that and more. Having read a Change of Heart, I was already acquainted with DCP Rahul and Kimi. I knew what was coming. I knew ...more
- Keeps you flipping pages (all night long) until it's done
- makes you stare at the book in your hands even after you've finished reading it
- urges you to hand it over to another avid reader so you can gush about it together
- inspires that next great scene out of you (as a writer)
- triggers various gushy social media posts
ADH does all of that and more. Having read a Change of Heart, I was already acquainted with DCP Rahul and Kimi. I knew what was coming. I knew ...more
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
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I liked this, but I wish it had been a little more linear. I get why it wasn't, but it was definitely a book where I got into a part and then we were somewhere else. It was also a little frustrating that it took the entire book to get to the reveal regarding Kimi's heart. Again, get why! But it was sort of obvious from the beginning what was going on.
**Read for Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo, Fairy Tale Retelling**
**Read for Ripped Bodice Summer Bingo, Fairy Tale Retelling**
One of the great things about this book is that it doesn’t fit into a perfect genre category. A coming-of-age tale flavored with suspense, as well a satisfying romantic tale, I found myself turning the pages rapidly, and I even had to swallow a lump of emotion a time or two. The author’s voice is compelling and unique, and at times, Dev sprinkled in a bit of wry humor. But what I enjoyed most of all was the visual imagery, and the little gems about Indian culture I didn’t know before, especially
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4 Stars
Yes, three stars for a Sonali Dev book. I can’t believe I’m writing this and meaning it.
Before I go any further, I want to say two things.
First: This isn’t a bad book, and Ms. Dev is an amazing author.
Second: this review is my personal opinion, which, since I’m only human, is influenced by expectations. So, if you go into this book with other expectations than mine, this review may not reflect on your opinion on this book.
** Received and ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve read, loved an ...more
Before I go any further, I want to say two things.
First: This isn’t a bad book, and Ms. Dev is an amazing author.
Second: this review is my personal opinion, which, since I’m only human, is influenced by expectations. So, if you go into this book with other expectations than mine, this review may not reflect on your opinion on this book.
** Received and ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve read, loved an ...more
I was enchanted from Sonali Dev's dazzling book cover with adorned brown legs, and I am pleased to share that this heartwarming romance did not disappoint any of my high expectations!
This is my first Sonali Dev book and surely not my last wow!!! What a fantastic ride this was. I didnt read the book before this one and was still able to follow the events with ease.
The story told by switching between present day events and Kimi and Rahul's past and it was done so effectively. We really get so much depth of these characters by seeing their relationship from how it began to what it is at present.
I loved Kimi and Rahul so much. Well fleshed out, complex characters.
I was on edg ...more
The story told by switching between present day events and Kimi and Rahul's past and it was done so effectively. We really get so much depth of these characters by seeing their relationship from how it began to what it is at present.
I loved Kimi and Rahul so much. Well fleshed out, complex characters.
I was on edg ...more
I was lucky enough to snag an ARC of A Distant Heart at RWA this past July and jumped at the c hance to read it ASAP.
Sonali's writing is lyrical and evokes all the emotions and feelz. You are immediately transferred to Mumbai and her descriptions are so vivid, it makes you feel like you are right there, seeing what the characters see, feel, taste, smell, and experience. But also, Sonali dives into the tangled web of complicated family dynamics and relationships, and tackles heavy topics like reg ...more
Sonali's writing is lyrical and evokes all the emotions and feelz. You are immediately transferred to Mumbai and her descriptions are so vivid, it makes you feel like you are right there, seeing what the characters see, feel, taste, smell, and experience. But also, Sonali dives into the tangled web of complicated family dynamics and relationships, and tackles heavy topics like reg ...more
I got an ARC of this book at RT.
This story is set in Mumbai and it's a continuation of the previous book (A change of heart). We were introduced to Kimi and Rahul in the previous book. The previous book was a bit dark. Especially from the authors other works. This one is much lighter. The description of Mumbai, the environment and it's people is spot on. The parallel timelines worked really well for me. We got to see how Kimi and Rahul's relationship progressed and that was very sweet. Some par ...more
This story is set in Mumbai and it's a continuation of the previous book (A change of heart). We were introduced to Kimi and Rahul in the previous book. The previous book was a bit dark. Especially from the authors other works. This one is much lighter. The description of Mumbai, the environment and it's people is spot on. The parallel timelines worked really well for me. We got to see how Kimi and Rahul's relationship progressed and that was very sweet. Some par ...more
A story that is told in two voices, both of which tell their side of the story in a mix of flashbacks to past and distant past events, using these voices and the concept of ‘love’ to explain, justify, share and provide pivot points on which the story moves forward, sideways and occasionally halting as the layers are uncovered. The cornerstone on which the story pivots is Kimi and her friend (only friend) Rahul – both from very different levels in society and both caught in the trap of love, loss
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4.5/5 Stars
This book is easily my favorite in the Bollywood series so far. It definitely has a different feel than the other books in the series since it flashes back to Kimi and Rahul’s childhoods and it takes place in India, but I think it’s all the better for those things!
What Fed My Addiction:
A lifetime romance.
I am a sucker for a story of childhood friends who become more, and I absolutely loved seeing the friendship between Kimi and Rahul develop. Their history makes every moment between ...more
This book is easily my favorite in the Bollywood series so far. It definitely has a different feel than the other books in the series since it flashes back to Kimi and Rahul’s childhoods and it takes place in India, but I think it’s all the better for those things!
What Fed My Addiction:
A lifetime romance.
I am a sucker for a story of childhood friends who become more, and I absolutely loved seeing the friendship between Kimi and Rahul develop. Their history makes every moment between ...more
There is always a danger when you are waiting anxiously for a book that it won't live up to your expectations. Sonali Dev set the bar incredibly high with her previous books and there is always that worry that the next one will be a weak link in the chain. Fortunately, Dev is better than that and this book is an excellent conclusion to her Bollywood series.
First things first, this is not a standalone novel. It really is necessary to read the previous book, A Change of Heart, before starting this ...more
First things first, this is not a standalone novel. It really is necessary to read the previous book, A Change of Heart, before starting this ...more
I really loved Sonali Dev’s previous books, especially A Change of Heart, which introduced the characters of Rahul and Kimi, so I was excited to see them take center stage in A Distant Heart. Overall, though, A Distant Heart just didn’t grab me in the way that Dev’s other books have. All of her previous books were binge-reads for me; I sat down and read them straight through without stopping. I didn’t feel the same compulsion with A Distant Heart—it was never much of a struggle to put the book d
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I loved Dev’s first two books, but these two that deal with organ transplants are...not great.
I applaud her instinct to address the black market human organ issue, which IS a big deal in India and Asia. But this book feels like it didn’t know what it wanted to be. Is it a story about the black market organ scheme? A romance? A women’s fiction empowerment story?
Perhaps the biggest mistake in the book was the back-and-forth timeline. The second biggest was all the _telling_. I felt like I was re ...more
I applaud her instinct to address the black market human organ issue, which IS a big deal in India and Asia. But this book feels like it didn’t know what it wanted to be. Is it a story about the black market organ scheme? A romance? A women’s fiction empowerment story?
Perhaps the biggest mistake in the book was the back-and-forth timeline. The second biggest was all the _telling_. I felt like I was re ...more
I just finished A Distant Heart by Sonali Dev, and it’s left me with so many feelings! Like any Bollywood movie worth its salt, Rahul and Kimi have their ups and downs, flashbacks, action, family drama, debilitating sickness even, but it’s their connection that keeps them going above all else. Kimi is the breath of fresh air and heapfuls of hope that Rahul needs; and Rahul, well all I can say is, where can I find one? 😍 Stoic, broody, self-made, strong, principled, but above all, consumed by his
...more
Apr 11, 2018
Sally Kilpatrick
added it
I loved the idea of a Rapunzel story, and I won't spoil for you how that part of the story takes place. Kimi has been sheltered most of her life due to an immune disorder. Once she fixes that, the meds start destroying her heart. Finally she has a new heart, but the love of her life is keeping his distance and a shady mobster wants to kill her--this is the premise of A Distant Heart.
Kimi and Rahul's story is full of longing. Rahul is from the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak, and doesn't th ...more
Kimi and Rahul's story is full of longing. Rahul is from the wrong side of the tracks, so to speak, and doesn't th ...more
Oh, goodness.
I haven't read A Change of Heart yet (there is no excuse--I have the audiobook! I've read all of her other books! This year just got away from me :(...) and since this one is somewhat connected, there are some mildly spoiler-ish bits. But that didn't stop me from loving this book, and it's definitely not going to stop me from reading A Change of Heart...soon. Promise!
A Distant Heart is a wonderful story--just as deliciously angsty as her other books, with a touch of suspense and d ...more
I haven't read A Change of Heart yet (there is no excuse--I have the audiobook! I've read all of her other books! This year just got away from me :(...) and since this one is somewhat connected, there are some mildly spoiler-ish bits. But that didn't stop me from loving this book, and it's definitely not going to stop me from reading A Change of Heart...soon. Promise!
A Distant Heart is a wonderful story--just as deliciously angsty as her other books, with a touch of suspense and d ...more
Great story
I am not a huge fan of romance style books. Ms. Dev may be the one to change my thinking! Kimi and Rahul have been friends since they were young. Their first meeting was on two sides of a window but Kimis illness makes the divide greater. This is a story of two people separated by wealth and poverty , illness and health and the struggles they go through to be together. Throw in a mystery that Rahul is trying to solve that involves them all and you have a fabulously told story that wil ...more
I am not a huge fan of romance style books. Ms. Dev may be the one to change my thinking! Kimi and Rahul have been friends since they were young. Their first meeting was on two sides of a window but Kimis illness makes the divide greater. This is a story of two people separated by wealth and poverty , illness and health and the struggles they go through to be together. Throw in a mystery that Rahul is trying to solve that involves them all and you have a fabulously told story that wil ...more
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Sonali Dev’s first literary work was a play about mistaken identities performed at her neighborhood Diwali extravaganza in Mumbai. She was eight years old. Despite this early success, Sonali spent the next few decades getting degrees in architecture and written communication, migrating across the globe, and starting a family while writing for magazines and websites. With the advent of her first gr
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“Courage wasn't only fighting your circumstances; sometimes making peace with your circumstances required more courage.”
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“Sometimes the people you loved didn't know what was best for them and you had to be their good sense.”
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