Jana Goes Wild

The only thing better than this cover is the book inside!!I really loved Jana Goes Wild and I think it really boils down to Farah’s writing. This is my third book by Farah, and it won’t be my last. I plan to go back and read Kamila Knows Best (a modern Emma retelling!!!) because I want to see where Jana and Anil began.

I really loved the emphasis on coparenting and thought it was such an interesting and TENSE dynamic. I do think Anil was feeling a BIT bad for himself and didn’t quite respect how hard it was for Jana to be around him, but I understand it was ultimately for the best. I just loved that they both raised their daughter equally and then had to go on a trip together like good god the forced proximity!!!

This was super slow burn but the payoff was worth the melt. Both Kamila Knows Best and Accidentally Engaged were closed door, but I’d say Jana Goes Wild had around a sex scene and a half. My favorite was the coshowering 🥵🧼

Overall, this second chance romance was so emotional and set against such a lush background. I was in all my feels at ALL times. I really loved getting a book long grovel. I wouldn’t think I’d like a book that’s basically all third act breakup but I really, really did.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5 🌶️🌶️.5/5

This was my first Farah Heron novel, but it won’t be my last. In fact, I will be ordering another as soon as I finish my review.

Dr.Jana Suleiman is a highly educated woman with a challenging job and is a single mother to an adorable 4-year-old daughter. She is also introverted, a perfectionist, and deeply concerned about how she is perceived by others. Her daughter is the result of a 2 week fling and drives the plot.

After the initial backstory, we find Jana is a bridesmaid at a destination wedding in Tanzania. At the wedding, she will be socializing with the father of her child, her mother, numerous longtime friends, and her potential new boss. Things don’t all go as planned, and the novel is a delightful safari ride to self-awareness and growth. The reader willingly believes all the coincidences and examples of how small a world we live in.

The romance is hot, the conversations between friends laugh-out-loud-funny, and the descriptions of Tanzania divine. This book was definitely not-put-downable.

'Jana Goes Wild' is the first book that I've read by Farah Heron, but it won't be my last! The main setting for this book is a destination wedding in Tanzania. I never thought about visiting Tanzania, but I am now! The descriptions transported me to the breathtaking views and amazing animals that were on their trip. Farah Heron's words made me feel like I was right there with Jana on her journey.

Jana Suleiman has always been one to strive for perfection. She strives to life up to her mother's standards and do everything the right way. The one time that she goes out of her comfort zone.. she winds up with a baby. Her daughter, Imani, is now 4 years old, and Jana is still working on getting along with her daughter's father, Anil. Anil and Jana co-parent their daughter, but other than that, they don't have a relationship or a friendship. That's all about to change as Anil shows up at the destination wedding of their friends Kamila and Rohan.

Now that they are in Tanzania together, Jana gets to see firsthand how great Anil is with their daughter. She spends more time with him and they start to feel like they could be a family. Anil hurt her in the past, and she has to ask herself if she is willing to take a chance with him again.

I loved books where I can learn about other cultures, foods, and traditions, and this book delivers! It even has recipes at the end of the book, and I can't wait to try them, I loved learning about the Muslim wedding traditions, Indian wedding customs, and traditional Indian and Tanzania foods.

Overall, this story really swept me away to the picturesque country of Tanzania. The characters felt relatable, and I love how the #bridalbrigade really showed up for Jana. Also, who doesn't love the music of ABBA? What a great story!

Thanks to NetGalley and Forever Publishing for an ARC of this book.

I had SO much fun reading this book! The setting? Phenomenal. The cast of characters? Incredible. And I loved going along with Jana on her journey of discovery and re-discovery with Anil. She grows so much over the course of the book while remaining herself and every second of it was a treat. Thank you to Netgalley and Forever for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!