There is a useful and provoking discussion about transplant issues here, but it is eclipsed by high drama on the black market, a cat-and-mouse thriller, a predictable whodunit about donors, and POOR communication between our protagonists. Romance is not a genre with which I am familiar, and I am still skeptical about it after this book. The dual timelines and trio of POVs did not really work for me, either. At least the sex scenes were fairly realistic about what makes female sexuality tick? ( )

Kimi has lived in a bubble since she was diagnosed with an auto-immune illness as a child. A heart transplant finally allows her to live in the real world and love the boy who was her only companion, albeit outside the plastic walls. Rahul is now a police officer and involved in an organ-trafficking case.
I haven't read anything else by this author and I think that's a disadvantage for this series. I suppose this can be a stand-alone book, but I often felt I was missing backstory in regards to Jen, Nikki, and Nikhil that would better flesh out the main characters here. It seemed as if I was suddenly in the midst of a story at the first chapter. As a result, both Kimi and Rahul seemed a bit distant, and it was hard for me to get into their characters.
It wasn't helped by the constant back and forth between past and present. Again, it led to a disconnection between me and the main characters. Maybe it was supposed to aid in raising tension, but I found it more frustrating than anything else. The central mystery wasn't much of a mystery, so I would have preferred more romance and less suspense.
The writing is lovely with wonderful descriptions of India. I just wish the intimacy and detail applied there had also been used in describing the romance. ( )

Once upon a time, Kimi Patil was locked in gilded isolation room – to prevent her from dying from a rare disease. For 14 years, Rahul Savant, from a Mumbai chawl, was her best and only friend. Their lives were so intertwined, it was impossible for either to think about living without the other. But when a heart transplant allows Kimi out into the world, reality crushes their relationship. Her parents and their social classes separate them as strongly as Rahul’s superstition and fear of loss. Meanwhile, DCP Rahul has thrown himself into stopping a black-market organ ring uncovered in A Change of Heart. When the villain escapes, the Bollywood melodrama kicks into high gear. Together Kimi and Rahul find the mastermind, and how to be together outside of their isolated past. This friends to lovers, complex romance novel is perfect for book clubs, addressing: the true meaning of friendship, the meaning of love (between friends, parents and children, and lovers), the role of women in society, optimism versus fear, accepting loss and the potential of loss, and much more. ( )

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. ( )

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 danger thrown in as well. I loved the back and forth between Kimi and Rahul's past and present--watching them become friends, and then seeing them become more--and the Rapunzel-like feel of her life in The Mansion was a nice touch. (The label "Mission KAKA"--Keeping Ailing Kimi Alive--made me smile every time she thought it.) Sure, there were times I wanted to shake Rahul for being so stubborn, but at the same time it's hard to blame him when you know his history. (Plus, the story needed angst. Still, though--grrrrrr.) Kimi was just wonderful from start to finish--how that girl could manage to stay so positive in spite of everything--especially what she finds out toward the end--was inspiring. She has a lot to do with the story's black moment, but that too felt realistic and believable.

Word of advice, though--don't take a big sip of anything just before Kimi reflects on reading the Kama Sutra online--OMG, I almost lost it there ;) Horses and elephants...LOL!

Rating: 4 1/2 stars / A-

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book. ( )