Title: Kamila Knows Best
Author: Farah Heron
Publisher: Forever
Publication date: March 8th, 2022
368 pages
3/5 stars
Goodreads Synopsis
Kamila Hussain’s life might not be perfect, but, whew, it’s close. She lives a life of comfort, filled with her elaborate Bollywood movie parties, a dog with more Instagram followers than most reality stars, a job she loves, and an endless array of friends who clearly need her help finding love. In fact, Kamila is so busy with her friends’ love lives, she’s hardly given any thought to her own . . .
Fortunately, Kamila has Rohan Nasser. A longtime friend of the family, he’s hugely successful, with the deliciously lean, firm body of a rock climber. Only lately, Kamila’s “harmless flirting” with Rohan is making her insides do a little bhangra dance.
But between planning the local shelter’s puppy prom, throwing a huge work event, and proving to everyone that she’s got it all figured out, Kamila isn’t letting herself get distracted—until her secret nemesis returns to town with an eye for Rohan. Suddenly, it seems like the more Kamila tries to plan, the more things are starting to unravel—and her perfectly ordered life is about to be turned upside down.
Review
I really enjoyed Accidentally Engaged so I was very interested in Heron’s next read – however, it was a letdown and I had a hard time getting through it. Kamila is an an accountant working for her father, who is getting older and having some minor health issues. Kamila is obsessed with her father’s health and happiness and she doesn’t know how to say no in her personal or professional life. She loves to matchmake with her friends and meddle in their lives. Rohan is her father’s business partner and close family friend, and also the only person her father will speak to about his health issues.
I mostly liked the background characters of the book, pretty much everyone but Kamila and Rohan, and at times her father. Other than that, this book didn’t hit any positives for me. Kamila is fake, petty, judgmental, self-centered, and manipulative. Rohan is secretly pining for her but is also fairly insulting towards her during 2 major blow up fights. Kamila holds a grudge against another family friend and is actively rude to her. I honestly couldn’t find anything redeeming about either character.
I understand this is a retelling of Emma, which I have not read and know nothing about. But If this is similar to Emma, I know it is not for me. The book got a little bit better when Kamila realized her feelings for Rohan, but it fell right back down when the conflict was introduced. It’s a strong no for me – but if Emma is a story you like, then this may be a book for you.
Thank you to Forever and Netgalley for an early copy in exchange for an honest review.
Happy reading, folks!
Baltimore Bibliophile 