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The Indian Royals #2
The Queen of Hearts
When a lowly Devgadh girl — Tara Thakker meets a stranger on the banks of a river in Baroda, her life takes an unexpected turn. The stranger, seemingly older, wiser, and certainly too arrogant for her taste intrigues and annoys her in equal measure. Unaware of his identity, Tara finds herself drawn into a day of kayaking, bantering, birdwatching, and a deep, unexpected spark of connection that takes her whole being by storm.
It’s only when the day ends that she stumbles upon the truth — he is Siddharth Sinh Solanki. The divorced, father-of-a-teenager King of Nawanagar. Scandalised, Tara runs as fast as she can. As far as she can. But their paths cross again. And again. And they continue to cross — in secret meetings and hidden trysts, from their own kingdoms to far-flung Antarctic expeditions, between passionate nights and adventurous days. And slowly, their hearts become tethered by the invisible strings of fate.
But back in the confines of their reality, love alone is not enough. Because when Siddharth asks her parents for her hand in marriage, they demand more than just love. They demand the impossible. And even as Siddharth refuses, his son, in a reckless moment, makes a dangerous oath — an oath that would cast a long shadow over all their futures.
As Tara’s fate becomes bound by this teenager’s oath, and her new role in a resentful kingdom becomes tenuous, tragedy strikes again. And all eyes turn to her. Will she stand for justice, for what’s good and right? Or will the weight of ambition, fear, and insecurity destroy a pure love, budding bonds and a dynasty that was on its way up?
A DUAL POV, FORBIDDEN, ANGSTY, AGE GAP ROYAL ROMANCE by the author of 'THE QUEEN'S EYES' and 'MADE IN MUMBAI.'
Indian royalty, age gap, forbidden romance, he fell first, alpha hero, strong heroine, hero in STEM, angsty romance
It’s only when the day ends that she stumbles upon the truth — he is Siddharth Sinh Solanki. The divorced, father-of-a-teenager King of Nawanagar. Scandalised, Tara runs as fast as she can. As far as she can. But their paths cross again. And again. And they continue to cross — in secret meetings and hidden trysts, from their own kingdoms to far-flung Antarctic expeditions, between passionate nights and adventurous days. And slowly, their hearts become tethered by the invisible strings of fate.
But back in the confines of their reality, love alone is not enough. Because when Siddharth asks her parents for her hand in marriage, they demand more than just love. They demand the impossible. And even as Siddharth refuses, his son, in a reckless moment, makes a dangerous oath — an oath that would cast a long shadow over all their futures.
As Tara’s fate becomes bound by this teenager’s oath, and her new role in a resentful kingdom becomes tenuous, tragedy strikes again. And all eyes turn to her. Will she stand for justice, for what’s good and right? Or will the weight of ambition, fear, and insecurity destroy a pure love, budding bonds and a dynasty that was on its way up?
A DUAL POV, FORBIDDEN, ANGSTY, AGE GAP ROYAL ROMANCE by the author of 'THE QUEEN'S EYES' and 'MADE IN MUMBAI.'
Indian royalty, age gap, forbidden romance, he fell first, alpha hero, strong heroine, hero in STEM, angsty romance
- GenresRomance
555 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2024
15 people are currently reading
134 people want to read
About the author
Bhavini K. Desai
11 books157 followersBhavini K. Desai is a literary fiction author whose debut novel ‘The City of Pillars’ ranked in the top 10 on Amazon. She has worked as a copywriter, a content editor, and more recently, as a creative strategist. But she found her true calling in stitching words together and telling epic stories.
Her passion for contemporary issues and a teenage obsession with romance novels translated into her first novel, a love story set in the enchanting backdrop of Kashmir. And unlike your regular genres, she broke the rules by weaving a tale of romance, drama, adventure, and politics.
Bhavini is currently working as a creative strategist for an American skincare brand, while expanding on the Kashmir universe in The Heaven Series. She is also crafting a spinoff from The Queen’s Eyes while writing a swoony rom-com set in the dreamy city of Mumbai. You can find her daily writing and music updates on her Instagram.
Her passion for contemporary issues and a teenage obsession with romance novels translated into her first novel, a love story set in the enchanting backdrop of Kashmir. And unlike your regular genres, she broke the rules by weaving a tale of romance, drama, adventure, and politics.
Bhavini is currently working as a creative strategist for an American skincare brand, while expanding on the Kashmir universe in The Heaven Series. She is also crafting a spinoff from The Queen’s Eyes while writing a swoony rom-com set in the dreamy city of Mumbai. You can find her daily writing and music updates on her Instagram.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
November 4, 2024
Trope : Indian royalty, Age gap, Forbidden Romance, He fell first, Alpha Hero, Strong Heroine, Hero in STEM, Angsty Romance.
Some books demand time because of their length, but Queen of Hearts consumed two days of my life for a completely different reason: its beauty. Bhavini has created a breathtaking journey that digs into love, heartbreak, loyalty, and all the messy, complex triumphs life throws our way. This isn’t just a romance; it’s a full-blown emotional experience that stays with you long after the final page.
One of the most unforgettable aspects of this book is Desai’s brilliant use of Mahabharata parallels. Just as Bhishma’s oath became a keystone in the epic, Tara’s choices for Sharan, Samarth, and Siddharth ripple out with far-reaching consequences. But unlike Bhishma, who remained bound by his vow, Tara reshapes her fate and those around her. While Bhishma’s vow led to epic conflict, Tara’s choices redefine love and honor, transforming her into a beautifully flawed character you can’t help but champion.
Tara, in particular, is not the self-sacrificing saint so common in romance tales. She is selfish at times, conflicted, wanting to protect Sharan fiercely yet needing Siddharth close. Her instincts as a mother to Samarth may have taken time to awaken, her delayed yet fierce motherly love, are just a few layers to a character that you can’t help but root for. But the depth they eventually reveal is worth the wait.
The book doesn’t hold back on emotion. Whether it’s the highs of new love, the depths of Passion & desire, or the quiet heartbreaks of family bonds, Queen of Hearts strikes a nerve in every way. It even managed to make me a defender of an age-gap romance, something I rarely go for.
Queen of Hearts is exactly that rarity. Normally, I’m not a fan of big age differences in love stories, but Bhavini's portrayal here had me rooting for Tara and Siddharth like I was their attorney. The dynamics between them aren’t just believable—they’re captivating, adding a layer of emotional tension and complexity that sets this romance apart.
And, let’s be honest—I’m a sucker for steamy scenes, and Bhavini did not disappoint in that department! The chemistry is electric, and she strikes a balance between intensity and intimacy that’s nothing short of magnetic. Every interaction between Tara and Siddharth pulls you in, refusing to let go.
The cameos are another delight. Seeing Maan and Sami pop in was like spotting old friends and the reappearance of Giriraj Singh. Truly mind-blowing. He’s the kind of character who leaves a mark, his presence adding a distinct flair to an already rich cast.
But if there’s a real hero in this story, it’s Siddharth. He’s the anchor around which so many lives revolve. Despite facing life’s tempests, he remains steady, his love for Samarth, Tara & Sharan unwavering. He’s in a class of his own. Unlike many heroes, Siddharth is open with his emotions and doesn’t shy away from expressing his feelings. His calmness, his respect for Tara’s parents, and his desire to want Samarth as his heir despite everything—it’s a portrayal of maturity and resilience that is rarely seen. Men like him? You find only in books like Bhavini’s.
One scene that hit hard was when Tara, initially reflecting on Siddharth’s absence, reveals that she didn’t cry. But Desai knew what she was doing, making sure we’d be crying for her. And just as I was bracing myself for Siddharth not to return from his last expedition, the twist came in: Desai threw in that leaves you breathless, your heart skipping a beat. It's a masterstroke that brings the story full circle, pulling you deeper into its emotional vortex.
Beyond the love trials and family dynamics, Desai’s novel is a tribute to relationships in all forms—lovers, father and sons, friends, and Parents. The emotions feel so real, so universal, that it’s impossible not to find yourself somewhere within these pages.
I’m already planning a second read, just to relive my favourite moments. Queen of Hearts is more than a story—it’s a beautifully crafted journey you’ll want to take again and again. It's a reflection of life’s complexities, its highs and lows, and the people who make it all worth living.
Some books demand time because of their length, but Queen of Hearts consumed two days of my life for a completely different reason: its beauty. Bhavini has created a breathtaking journey that digs into love, heartbreak, loyalty, and all the messy, complex triumphs life throws our way. This isn’t just a romance; it’s a full-blown emotional experience that stays with you long after the final page.
One of the most unforgettable aspects of this book is Desai’s brilliant use of Mahabharata parallels. Just as Bhishma’s oath became a keystone in the epic, Tara’s choices for Sharan, Samarth, and Siddharth ripple out with far-reaching consequences. But unlike Bhishma, who remained bound by his vow, Tara reshapes her fate and those around her. While Bhishma’s vow led to epic conflict, Tara’s choices redefine love and honor, transforming her into a beautifully flawed character you can’t help but champion.
Tara, in particular, is not the self-sacrificing saint so common in romance tales. She is selfish at times, conflicted, wanting to protect Sharan fiercely yet needing Siddharth close. Her instincts as a mother to Samarth may have taken time to awaken, her delayed yet fierce motherly love, are just a few layers to a character that you can’t help but root for. But the depth they eventually reveal is worth the wait.
The book doesn’t hold back on emotion. Whether it’s the highs of new love, the depths of Passion & desire, or the quiet heartbreaks of family bonds, Queen of Hearts strikes a nerve in every way. It even managed to make me a defender of an age-gap romance, something I rarely go for.
Queen of Hearts is exactly that rarity. Normally, I’m not a fan of big age differences in love stories, but Bhavini's portrayal here had me rooting for Tara and Siddharth like I was their attorney. The dynamics between them aren’t just believable—they’re captivating, adding a layer of emotional tension and complexity that sets this romance apart.
And, let’s be honest—I’m a sucker for steamy scenes, and Bhavini did not disappoint in that department! The chemistry is electric, and she strikes a balance between intensity and intimacy that’s nothing short of magnetic. Every interaction between Tara and Siddharth pulls you in, refusing to let go.
The cameos are another delight. Seeing Maan and Sami pop in was like spotting old friends and the reappearance of Giriraj Singh. Truly mind-blowing. He’s the kind of character who leaves a mark, his presence adding a distinct flair to an already rich cast.
But if there’s a real hero in this story, it’s Siddharth. He’s the anchor around which so many lives revolve. Despite facing life’s tempests, he remains steady, his love for Samarth, Tara & Sharan unwavering. He’s in a class of his own. Unlike many heroes, Siddharth is open with his emotions and doesn’t shy away from expressing his feelings. His calmness, his respect for Tara’s parents, and his desire to want Samarth as his heir despite everything—it’s a portrayal of maturity and resilience that is rarely seen. Men like him? You find only in books like Bhavini’s.
One scene that hit hard was when Tara, initially reflecting on Siddharth’s absence, reveals that she didn’t cry. But Desai knew what she was doing, making sure we’d be crying for her. And just as I was bracing myself for Siddharth not to return from his last expedition, the twist came in: Desai threw in that leaves you breathless, your heart skipping a beat. It's a masterstroke that brings the story full circle, pulling you deeper into its emotional vortex.
Beyond the love trials and family dynamics, Desai’s novel is a tribute to relationships in all forms—lovers, father and sons, friends, and Parents. The emotions feel so real, so universal, that it’s impossible not to find yourself somewhere within these pages.
I’m already planning a second read, just to relive my favourite moments. Queen of Hearts is more than a story—it’s a beautifully crafted journey you’ll want to take again and again. It's a reflection of life’s complexities, its highs and lows, and the people who make it all worth living.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 19, 2025
CONTAINS SPOILERS
This is a story of Tara and Siddharth. Tara is a common helper of the Devgardh royalty and Siddharth is a king of Nawanagar. They both fall in love instantly but have to face many obstacles in the way to be together, things like their class difference, age difference and the issue of the next heir between both of their kids.
This is a 500 kindle unlimited book and it's my first Indian love story. The age-gap and the angst was done really well, you can see the difference between Tara and Siddharth maturity due to their age difference. Siddharth is possessive, caring and an alpha male. He was well presented as a man who is in love and also someone as powerful as a king. The writing was very well done to the point that you feel every emotion and you want to keep turning the pages. The chemistry between Tara and Siddharth was also portrayed well and not making you feel pervy. I appreciate that the author had Tara as 21 and not a teenager, someone who is mature enough to know what she is doing.
The only thing I did not like was the ending, things started to rush through after part 3. Their was a 10 year time lapse to the future where Tara and Siddharth have lost that connection they had for each other because of disagreement on who from both of their kids gets to be the next king of Nawanagar. Both of them have been fighting about this issue for 10 years and in the end it just shows briefly that Tara learned that Samarth has all the tools to rule Nawanagar while her own son is very little to rule and this acknowledgement made Siddharth very happy resulting in the end of their 10 year long fight.
I wish the heir issue was thoroughly discussed because it seemed like Siddharth was only happy because he got what he wanted, ending with Tara making the ultimate sacrifice. Tara, her mother and Shmarth never got the satisfaction for their insecurity that one day Samarth could also turn against his step-brother for power. Instead Tara's mom was protrayed as a bad woman making her apologize to Sid and Tara at the end for her "way of thinking." She was not wrong.
The whole "KING (SID) IS DEAD BUT NOT REALLY DEAD" seemed very unrealistic to me. Before that every plot twist was realistic and raw making you feel like you are someone that is going through the situations that were in the book like how Tara's whole transition from a regular person to the Queen of Nawanagar was shown. She wasn't accepted in the beginning like every fairytale story but it showed how she struggled to get accepted and how much she developed throughout her journey. Part 4 was unrealistic too, it was turning into a soap drama. Siddharth dead but also coming back alive was so weird, almost like a set up for Tara to give up her stubborness and give up the fight for her own son to get the King's position with Siddharth.
Overall I gave it a 4 star. For a long time I was looking for a book where I would feel something, where every word could move you and a romance book where it would feel realistic and not super woo-woo and this one hits the spot. Although I am disappointed with the ending but the author did a great job with this one.
This is a story of Tara and Siddharth. Tara is a common helper of the Devgardh royalty and Siddharth is a king of Nawanagar. They both fall in love instantly but have to face many obstacles in the way to be together, things like their class difference, age difference and the issue of the next heir between both of their kids.
This is a 500 kindle unlimited book and it's my first Indian love story. The age-gap and the angst was done really well, you can see the difference between Tara and Siddharth maturity due to their age difference. Siddharth is possessive, caring and an alpha male. He was well presented as a man who is in love and also someone as powerful as a king. The writing was very well done to the point that you feel every emotion and you want to keep turning the pages. The chemistry between Tara and Siddharth was also portrayed well and not making you feel pervy. I appreciate that the author had Tara as 21 and not a teenager, someone who is mature enough to know what she is doing.
The only thing I did not like was the ending, things started to rush through after part 3. Their was a 10 year time lapse to the future where Tara and Siddharth have lost that connection they had for each other because of disagreement on who from both of their kids gets to be the next king of Nawanagar. Both of them have been fighting about this issue for 10 years and in the end it just shows briefly that Tara learned that Samarth has all the tools to rule Nawanagar while her own son is very little to rule and this acknowledgement made Siddharth very happy resulting in the end of their 10 year long fight.
I wish the heir issue was thoroughly discussed because it seemed like Siddharth was only happy because he got what he wanted, ending with Tara making the ultimate sacrifice. Tara, her mother and Shmarth never got the satisfaction for their insecurity that one day Samarth could also turn against his step-brother for power. Instead Tara's mom was protrayed as a bad woman making her apologize to Sid and Tara at the end for her "way of thinking." She was not wrong.
The whole "KING (SID) IS DEAD BUT NOT REALLY DEAD" seemed very unrealistic to me. Before that every plot twist was realistic and raw making you feel like you are someone that is going through the situations that were in the book like how Tara's whole transition from a regular person to the Queen of Nawanagar was shown. She wasn't accepted in the beginning like every fairytale story but it showed how she struggled to get accepted and how much she developed throughout her journey. Part 4 was unrealistic too, it was turning into a soap drama. Siddharth dead but also coming back alive was so weird, almost like a set up for Tara to give up her stubborness and give up the fight for her own son to get the King's position with Siddharth.
Overall I gave it a 4 star. For a long time I was looking for a book where I would feel something, where every word could move you and a romance book where it would feel realistic and not super woo-woo and this one hits the spot. Although I am disappointed with the ending but the author did a great job with this one.
June 16, 2025
It's a belated review but please excuse the clumsy, silent reader for that.
This is the first book of the author I discovered around a month back and couldn't look back since then from the world I never knew existed even in fiction. And I'm not even exaggerating.
There aren't too many Royal Indian romances written, at least none I know of, especially something that grslippedr heart and sucks your soul while taking you to a ride in a realm of all things and characters seemingly human and yet larger than life and the kind of love and romance we all crave to read and experience but seldom come across even in books.
The Royal Indian backdrop, the way it's shown, taking pride and more than aquainting you to all things actual, authentic India in an era where even the most acclaimed ones run away from touching it in the name of maintaining the 'cool' of the book and characters is such a breath of fresh air.
Siddharth is hands down my most favorite bookish man ever and will remain so for a life is all I can say. The mighty king, the intellect personified scientist, the adventure enthusiast, nature lover, and the platinum hearted man of every woman's wishes is everything I've never read before, never been so in awe with before.
Tara, the girl we understood yet cried and stayed upset with like Sid because she was our Tara, and we hoped she'd always shine despite the rationality of her reasons and insecurities is the telltale fact of how much power you hold over your readers and how deeply consuming everything was in the book that I picked to enjoy my favorite tropes and hardly presumed would rule me head, dreams and life.
I still can't get over how much I felt for them both, for Samarth, for everything that made us smile and cry. Coming back to a world of reality where Siddharth doesn't exist, Tara doesn't retort and Samarth isn't restoring faith in God is like a betrayal we can't even blame anyone for except for considering ourselves lucky to have lived it at least in the world of words.
I know this may not even be a proper review talking about technicalities and constructive criticism and everything but I don't even think I'm capable of detaching myself and dissecting a world like theirs with all that. But I also believe that's because it didn't have a single flaw. The mahabharat, the folklore, the the development of story, the scenic beauty of everything, the longing and separation, Sid and Tara are names forever etched on my heart so much that I'd love to live in the delusion that they exist somewhere living the love story we saw a glimpse of!
Now I know this is a bit "sappy" but to whoever reading this review, know that when you read her books, you'd realize the kind of effort and knowledge about everything from folklore to mythology to science to culture to pretty much everything you can think of it must have to taken to pen down such a mesmerizing read with the beloved romance genre being the core to heart's ccontent. Kudos and all the success to you bhavini!
And I tried keep spoilers off table but if excuse me if anything slipped.
This is the first book of the author I discovered around a month back and couldn't look back since then from the world I never knew existed even in fiction. And I'm not even exaggerating.
There aren't too many Royal Indian romances written, at least none I know of, especially something that grslippedr heart and sucks your soul while taking you to a ride in a realm of all things and characters seemingly human and yet larger than life and the kind of love and romance we all crave to read and experience but seldom come across even in books.
The Royal Indian backdrop, the way it's shown, taking pride and more than aquainting you to all things actual, authentic India in an era where even the most acclaimed ones run away from touching it in the name of maintaining the 'cool' of the book and characters is such a breath of fresh air.
Siddharth is hands down my most favorite bookish man ever and will remain so for a life is all I can say. The mighty king, the intellect personified scientist, the adventure enthusiast, nature lover, and the platinum hearted man of every woman's wishes is everything I've never read before, never been so in awe with before.
Tara, the girl we understood yet cried and stayed upset with like Sid because she was our Tara, and we hoped she'd always shine despite the rationality of her reasons and insecurities is the telltale fact of how much power you hold over your readers and how deeply consuming everything was in the book that I picked to enjoy my favorite tropes and hardly presumed would rule me head, dreams and life.
I still can't get over how much I felt for them both, for Samarth, for everything that made us smile and cry. Coming back to a world of reality where Siddharth doesn't exist, Tara doesn't retort and Samarth isn't restoring faith in God is like a betrayal we can't even blame anyone for except for considering ourselves lucky to have lived it at least in the world of words.
I know this may not even be a proper review talking about technicalities and constructive criticism and everything but I don't even think I'm capable of detaching myself and dissecting a world like theirs with all that. But I also believe that's because it didn't have a single flaw. The mahabharat, the folklore, the the development of story, the scenic beauty of everything, the longing and separation, Sid and Tara are names forever etched on my heart so much that I'd love to live in the delusion that they exist somewhere living the love story we saw a glimpse of!
Now I know this is a bit "sappy" but to whoever reading this review, know that when you read her books, you'd realize the kind of effort and knowledge about everything from folklore to mythology to science to culture to pretty much everything you can think of it must have to taken to pen down such a mesmerizing read with the beloved romance genre being the core to heart's ccontent. Kudos and all the success to you bhavini!
And I tried keep spoilers off table but if excuse me if anything slipped.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 8, 2025
So, It started out great. It was very engaging, I liked the characters in first part even though it was kinda insta-lust but still I enjoyed that. Things went downhill a little in the Antartica part. It was too rushed to get them hooked up and engaged.
And most importantly, the 3rd and 4th part - utterly disappointing. Samarath deserved better. A lot better and I’ll never be seen as someone who didn’t support Siddharth in his fight for his son’s rights. I hate Tara’s parents because of all that stuff. Most importantly, I HATE TARA. I’m very disappointed in her. The thing is, she was shown as a strong character, she was ready to be a step mother, she didn’t want Samarath to give up the throne … But in the 4th part she completely flipped. Did a 360. I was like The fuck ? She never became a parental figure in Samarath’s life, she didn’t even try to form even a friendly relationship with him and that’s what I hated the most. I mean so what if people of the kingdom don’t like you…. Aren’t you strong yourself to take care of your kids even if something happened to your husband or his empire🤷🏻♀️ This leads to another point… her career… after Antarctica part her career is completely forgotten… didn’t she want to work after marriage so what happened to that ? She just became whatever her mother wanted her to be. Boo-fucking-hoo bitch
I hate her mother. When Samarath was trying to take control after Sid’s death, to make Sharan the heir of the throne officially… Tara’s mother created such a havoc …. I would’ve beaten the shit out of her.
I hated the timeline jump. Because why was it not shown how they recovered from their big fight …like they slept in different rooms and the author didn’t think to put more light on them during their separation
As for the rest of the story, the storyline had potential but only first part was good enough. Idk why he had to die. I only cried when Samarath cried because his father was dead. The letters were a sweet touch. I hated the timeline jump.
And most importantly, the 3rd and 4th part - utterly disappointing. Samarath deserved better. A lot better and I’ll never be seen as someone who didn’t support Siddharth in his fight for his son’s rights. I hate Tara’s parents because of all that stuff. Most importantly, I HATE TARA. I’m very disappointed in her. The thing is, she was shown as a strong character, she was ready to be a step mother, she didn’t want Samarath to give up the throne … But in the 4th part she completely flipped. Did a 360. I was like The fuck ? She never became a parental figure in Samarath’s life, she didn’t even try to form even a friendly relationship with him and that’s what I hated the most. I mean so what if people of the kingdom don’t like you…. Aren’t you strong yourself to take care of your kids even if something happened to your husband or his empire🤷🏻♀️ This leads to another point… her career… after Antarctica part her career is completely forgotten… didn’t she want to work after marriage so what happened to that ? She just became whatever her mother wanted her to be. Boo-fucking-hoo bitch
I hate her mother. When Samarath was trying to take control after Sid’s death, to make Sharan the heir of the throne officially… Tara’s mother created such a havoc …. I would’ve beaten the shit out of her.
I hated the timeline jump. Because why was it not shown how they recovered from their big fight …like they slept in different rooms and the author didn’t think to put more light on them during their separation
As for the rest of the story, the storyline had potential but only first part was good enough. Idk why he had to die. I only cried when Samarath cried because his father was dead. The letters were a sweet touch. I hated the timeline jump.
December 25, 2024
A Regal and Heartwarming Masterpiece! 💕
I just finished reading this incredible novel, and I'm still reeling from the experience! 🤩 The author masterfully weaves together a complex tapestry of royal life, politics, and romance, set against the stunning backdrop of Nawanagar. 🌟
The age-gap romance between Sid and Tara is beautifully portrayed, with the author tackling the challenges and triumphs of their relationship with sensitivity and nuance. 🌈 Their journey is filled with stolen moments in the picturesque orange orchard , thrilling expeditions to Antarctica ❄️, and heartwarming displays of love and commitment. ❤️
But what truly sets this novel apart is its thoughtful exploration of royal life intricacies and politics. The author's attention to detail is impressive, transporting readers to the opulent world of Indian royalty. 👑
The story itself is deceptively simple, yet the author's masterful storytelling elevates it to new heights. The beautiful descriptions of Nawanagar's natural beauty , its rich history, and vibrant culture will leave you spellbound.
Siddharth Sinh Solanki, the male lead, is the mann! Period .
The camaraderie between Samarth and Sharan adds a delightful layer of depth to the story.
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with this book! 🤩 It's a must-read for anyone who loves romance, royal drama, and authentic character portrayals. The author's writing is pure magic! ✨
I just finished reading this incredible novel, and I'm still reeling from the experience! 🤩 The author masterfully weaves together a complex tapestry of royal life, politics, and romance, set against the stunning backdrop of Nawanagar. 🌟
The age-gap romance between Sid and Tara is beautifully portrayed, with the author tackling the challenges and triumphs of their relationship with sensitivity and nuance. 🌈 Their journey is filled with stolen moments in the picturesque orange orchard , thrilling expeditions to Antarctica ❄️, and heartwarming displays of love and commitment. ❤️
But what truly sets this novel apart is its thoughtful exploration of royal life intricacies and politics. The author's attention to detail is impressive, transporting readers to the opulent world of Indian royalty. 👑
The story itself is deceptively simple, yet the author's masterful storytelling elevates it to new heights. The beautiful descriptions of Nawanagar's natural beauty , its rich history, and vibrant culture will leave you spellbound.
Siddharth Sinh Solanki, the male lead, is the mann! Period .
The camaraderie between Samarth and Sharan adds a delightful layer of depth to the story.
Overall, I'm thoroughly impressed with this book! 🤩 It's a must-read for anyone who loves romance, royal drama, and authentic character portrayals. The author's writing is pure magic! ✨
January 28, 2026
The Queen of Hearts is a genuinely enjoyable, easygoing read with strong character work across most of the board. The author does a great job of building personalities you can connect with, which makes the story flow effortlessly for the most part.
My only real hiccup was Sid’s character arc. It was developing beautifully and then suddenly felt… dropped. The shift lacked consistency, and that break in momentum stood out because everything else was handled so thoughtfully.
The story also felt slightly longer than it needed to be a tighter edit (about 100 pages shorter) could’ve made it even more impactful without losing its charm.
That said, this is still a chilled-out, engaging read that’s perfect when you want something character-driven without emotional exhaustion. Flawed, yes... but enjoyable overall.
My only real hiccup was Sid’s character arc. It was developing beautifully and then suddenly felt… dropped. The shift lacked consistency, and that break in momentum stood out because everything else was handled so thoughtfully.
The story also felt slightly longer than it needed to be a tighter edit (about 100 pages shorter) could’ve made it even more impactful without losing its charm.
That said, this is still a chilled-out, engaging read that’s perfect when you want something character-driven without emotional exhaustion. Flawed, yes... but enjoyable overall.
November 28, 2024
This book broke me 😭
The way I cried and how
Every scene in this book hit home, from judgy relatives to fighting for self, to not feeling belonged in a place where you’re at 😮💨
Loved the book so much, finished it in one day and night. Carried it around with me and when got the time, just read and sobbed my heart out 🥹
Loved the author’s ability to connect with a desi along with those royal vibes ❤️✨👑
The way I cried and how
Every scene in this book hit home, from judgy relatives to fighting for self, to not feeling belonged in a place where you’re at 😮💨
Loved the book so much, finished it in one day and night. Carried it around with me and when got the time, just read and sobbed my heart out 🥹
Loved the author’s ability to connect with a desi along with those royal vibes ❤️✨👑
January 4, 2025
Loved the story🤌🏻🤌🏻
The banter between tara and sid was so cute and sassy and their dating was the best. Their time in antartica was soo soo beautiful i really really liked it 😍
It's a must read one...
Gonna recommend to my other fellows for sure 😁
And author can you also suggest me on which book i shoud read next from your works please it'll be kind of you. Thankyou😊
The banter between tara and sid was so cute and sassy and their dating was the best. Their time in antartica was soo soo beautiful i really really liked it 😍
It's a must read one...
Gonna recommend to my other fellows for sure 😁
And author can you also suggest me on which book i shoud read next from your works please it'll be kind of you. Thankyou😊
February 9, 2025
2.25/5
Plot wise it had lots of potential but kind of wasted. The start is promising but things tank around the Antartica expedition. It had a repetitive look and fell flat. Things did get interesting post the marriage but then they were too rushed. I think if equal care was given to that part just as the start, it would have worked better for the book.
Plot wise it had lots of potential but kind of wasted. The start is promising but things tank around the Antartica expedition. It had a repetitive look and fell flat. Things did get interesting post the marriage but then they were too rushed. I think if equal care was given to that part just as the start, it would have worked better for the book.
October 29, 2024
Alright. ALRIGHT. Siddharth and Tara. They are the most mismatched, forbidden couple I have ever written. And yet when it came down to it, they were pretty similar at their core. When I began writing The Queen of Hearts, I envisioned a fun, passionate first half with an angsty second half. If you are familiar with the tale of King Shantanu and Matsyakanya, you know how THAT story ends.
Of course, this one came with its own twist(s), as was the case with The Queen's Eyes as well. Even so, what I envisioned and what ended up translating on paper were worlds apart. Literally.
The result? This entire book became one big ball of love, passion and angst. While Tara remained at the core of this burning fire, Siddharth formed its wick, powering it up right until the last word was typed. And then there was Samarth. A character I had written in passing in the first book, and knew would play a major role in this book, but who ended up becoming much more. So much more.
And then followed Hira ben -- a character that was an amalgamation of so many amazing women I have known in my life.
A whole new world panned out with her. And I rediscovered my own roots -- the songs and stories of Saurashtra. I revisited the lullabies of my childhood, and re-lived the folk tales my mother used to tell me. I re-opened the culture of my country, and spread it out on the floor of a contemporary world. And amid all this, Tara remained my steady rock. Crumbling now and then, shaking with the tremors of life, love and her own insecurities -- but never breaking. She remained so because there was a Sid behind her. A man of love, loyalty and unconditional support -- even at the cost of his own joy.
These two characters became such a strong unit, that their banter as well as battle were worth hooting for. Worth laughing and cyring for.
This story was written for those who come from the dark but don't take the dark along.
This story was written for all of us, who come from something terrible (some more, some less) lingering behind us.
This book was written to commemorate our future selves, whose heads will remain firm and hearts will remain open.
Of course, this one came with its own twist(s), as was the case with The Queen's Eyes as well. Even so, what I envisioned and what ended up translating on paper were worlds apart. Literally.
The result? This entire book became one big ball of love, passion and angst. While Tara remained at the core of this burning fire, Siddharth formed its wick, powering it up right until the last word was typed. And then there was Samarth. A character I had written in passing in the first book, and knew would play a major role in this book, but who ended up becoming much more. So much more.
And then followed Hira ben -- a character that was an amalgamation of so many amazing women I have known in my life.
A whole new world panned out with her. And I rediscovered my own roots -- the songs and stories of Saurashtra. I revisited the lullabies of my childhood, and re-lived the folk tales my mother used to tell me. I re-opened the culture of my country, and spread it out on the floor of a contemporary world. And amid all this, Tara remained my steady rock. Crumbling now and then, shaking with the tremors of life, love and her own insecurities -- but never breaking. She remained so because there was a Sid behind her. A man of love, loyalty and unconditional support -- even at the cost of his own joy.
These two characters became such a strong unit, that their banter as well as battle were worth hooting for. Worth laughing and cyring for.
This story was written for those who come from the dark but don't take the dark along.
This story was written for all of us, who come from something terrible (some more, some less) lingering behind us.
This book was written to commemorate our future selves, whose heads will remain firm and hearts will remain open.
April 15, 2025
It’s easy to villainize Tara, after all, she was selfish. She stole something precious from the two people who had only ever known selflessness. She stole Sid’s dream and Samarth’s birthright. It’s easy to pity Sid, who won the love of his life but, in the same breath, saw his dream of Samarth as his successor and with a family of his own, shattered. And it’s easy to admire Samarth, who with unwavering integrity and dignity, sacrificed his future for the sake of his father’s happiness.
But history, like stories, is rarely so simple. In The Queen of Hearts by Bhavini K. Desai, Tara wasn’t selfish, she was insecure. She wasn’t stealing from those around her, she was securing herself.
When someone has witnessed firsthand how even their own family can fail to protect them, becoming tormentors instead, it’s only natural to doubt the goodness of others and to believe that it would last. She had two examples to draw from, her simple family and Devgadh’s royal dynasty.
Yet, this is where history bends in this modern retelling of Mahabharat’s Satyavati and Shantanu’s journey, and Tara’s path diverges from Satyavati’s. Tara’s actions were driven by insecurity, while Satyavati’s stemmed from ambition. When faced with adversity, Satyavati’s ambition twisted into greed, whereas Tara rose to the potential Siddharth had always seen in her.
Bhavini Desai masterfully crafts stunning visual backdrops, from the smooth sailing of kayaking, the serenity of bird watching, the lush orange orchards of Devgadh to the thrilling Antarctic expeditions, and seamlessly weaves them with the real-world complexities of ordinary people’s struggles, societal mentality and norms, and the intricate tapestry of royal life.
But history, like stories, is rarely so simple. In The Queen of Hearts by Bhavini K. Desai, Tara wasn’t selfish, she was insecure. She wasn’t stealing from those around her, she was securing herself.
When someone has witnessed firsthand how even their own family can fail to protect them, becoming tormentors instead, it’s only natural to doubt the goodness of others and to believe that it would last. She had two examples to draw from, her simple family and Devgadh’s royal dynasty.
Yet, this is where history bends in this modern retelling of Mahabharat’s Satyavati and Shantanu’s journey, and Tara’s path diverges from Satyavati’s. Tara’s actions were driven by insecurity, while Satyavati’s stemmed from ambition. When faced with adversity, Satyavati’s ambition twisted into greed, whereas Tara rose to the potential Siddharth had always seen in her.
Bhavini Desai masterfully crafts stunning visual backdrops, from the smooth sailing of kayaking, the serenity of bird watching, the lush orange orchards of Devgadh to the thrilling Antarctic expeditions, and seamlessly weaves them with the real-world complexities of ordinary people’s struggles, societal mentality and norms, and the intricate tapestry of royal life.
May 30, 2025
2 stars overall plus 1 more for Sid and Samarth.
Conflict in the second half of this book annoyed me. A lot. I know it was probably supposed to be a "realistic" decision for Tara to want to safeguard her children, but I just don't feel that it spoke to her personality. And no external circumstance forcing her. for someone who is independent and headstrong I would have expected her to believe that even if the worst happened and she was treated unfairly in the future, she would weather it. The rift it creates between her and Sid was natural, and of course it was hard to read. And if we are being realistic, Sid should have been a lot more resentful of her and not so quick to forgive either. I wasn't convinced with Tara's character arc and her "change of heart". Not to mention that her motivation was actually that the kingdom is in too much turmoil and Sharan is too young to handle it. Instead of believing that it is the right thing to do because she was wrong. She MAY be thinking it on the inside, but it is definitely brushed under the rug.
But what I really cannot forgive is her treatment of Samarth. His sacrifice, absence of a mother's love, even when it was so close when his father married Tara but that she chose to selfishly keep it from him broke me. My heart aches for that boy, and although it is not addressed in this book, I hope that it is in Samarth's. Tara's apology and grovel to both Samarth and Sid for this is surely missing. I mean not even an apology? All this to say that the resolution of this conflict was very unsatisfactory.
The fact that he turned out to be the man he is despite this is amazing. Sid and Samarth carried this story, and as such I would prefer to think of this as a prequel to Samarth's own love story. Can't wait for it!
Conflict in the second half of this book annoyed me. A lot. I know it was probably supposed to be a "realistic" decision for Tara to want to safeguard her children, but I just don't feel that it spoke to her personality. And no external circumstance forcing her. for someone who is independent and headstrong I would have expected her to believe that even if the worst happened and she was treated unfairly in the future, she would weather it. The rift it creates between her and Sid was natural, and of course it was hard to read. And if we are being realistic, Sid should have been a lot more resentful of her and not so quick to forgive either. I wasn't convinced with Tara's character arc and her "change of heart". Not to mention that her motivation was actually that the kingdom is in too much turmoil and Sharan is too young to handle it. Instead of believing that it is the right thing to do because she was wrong. She MAY be thinking it on the inside, but it is definitely brushed under the rug.
But what I really cannot forgive is her treatment of Samarth. His sacrifice, absence of a mother's love, even when it was so close when his father married Tara but that she chose to selfishly keep it from him broke me. My heart aches for that boy, and although it is not addressed in this book, I hope that it is in Samarth's. Tara's apology and grovel to both Samarth and Sid for this is surely missing. I mean not even an apology? All this to say that the resolution of this conflict was very unsatisfactory.
The fact that he turned out to be the man he is despite this is amazing. Sid and Samarth carried this story, and as such I would prefer to think of this as a prequel to Samarth's own love story. Can't wait for it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 10, 2025
I’ve accidentally made it a ritual now—kickstarting each month with a Bhavini K Desai book. Her stories are such a cozy start—light, breezy, and so deliciously desi. And honestly, Indian stories just hit different—they feel like home.
This was my third pick after absolutely loving the first two from her Mumbai series. The Queen of Hearts came with all the right ingredients: royal forbidden love, an age gap, a broody divorcee with a teenage son, and a plot that started with a nod to Satyawati-Shantanu? ICONIC move!
Siddharth? Ugh, a whole enigma. Dominant, intense, and hopelessly in love.
Tara? She had the makings of a queen but kept slipping into damsel territory. I struggled to relate with her beliefs, her passiveness, and her tendency to live by everyone else’s rules but her own. Felt like she stole a decade from Rawal and gave back very little.
Now, I live for slow-burn royal courtship, but this one zipped by way too fast. There were such good bones to this story—the family drama, the heir wars, the cultural layers—but post the heir twist, the romance got sidelined like we were suddenly in an Indian daily soap.
While I did enjoy parts of it (especially Sid's constant effort), it didn’t give me the same feels as her Mumbai series. The spark was there… it just flickered too fast.
But hey, Bhavini still remains a fave for weaving Indian magic into modern tales. I’ll definitely be reading more from the Royal series—with fingers crossed for better pacing and stronger queens.
This was my third pick after absolutely loving the first two from her Mumbai series. The Queen of Hearts came with all the right ingredients: royal forbidden love, an age gap, a broody divorcee with a teenage son, and a plot that started with a nod to Satyawati-Shantanu? ICONIC move!
Siddharth? Ugh, a whole enigma. Dominant, intense, and hopelessly in love.
Tara? She had the makings of a queen but kept slipping into damsel territory. I struggled to relate with her beliefs, her passiveness, and her tendency to live by everyone else’s rules but her own. Felt like she stole a decade from Rawal and gave back very little.
Now, I live for slow-burn royal courtship, but this one zipped by way too fast. There were such good bones to this story—the family drama, the heir wars, the cultural layers—but post the heir twist, the romance got sidelined like we were suddenly in an Indian daily soap.
While I did enjoy parts of it (especially Sid's constant effort), it didn’t give me the same feels as her Mumbai series. The spark was there… it just flickered too fast.
But hey, Bhavini still remains a fave for weaving Indian magic into modern tales. I’ll definitely be reading more from the Royal series—with fingers crossed for better pacing and stronger queens.
July 7, 2025
The Queen of Hearts by Bhavani K. Desai is an enrapturing journey of love, royalty, heartbreak, family, compromises, loyalty and betrayal.
Wrapped up in beautiful culture references, I finished this book within 24 hours and haven't stopped thinking about it since. It portrayed the age gap romance so well, the single dad trope and also the intricacies of being in a relationship with a commoner as a king.
Tara and Siddharth's story was filled with passion, angst and forbiddances with good banter. From the Baroda kayaking adventures, orange orchard getaways, the accidental Antartica meet, then finally the drama that accompanies the happy ending in Nawanagar... It had everything.
Talking about the most important character in this modern retelling of Satyawati and Shantanu, Samarth. Oh my god, Samarth. I don't even know where to begin with the best son and the biggest self-sacrificing person to ever exist. Not to mention the cutest and smartest character besides Sharan. I am literally jumping as I am reading his book in present.
Obviously, Sami and Maan cameos were to die for. My heart was very happy!! More hate to Sangram!!!
Special shout out to Hira Ben! If she exists in real life, I would love to meet her and touch her feet.
P. S. - If you hate on Tara, you have to fight me!!
Wrapped up in beautiful culture references, I finished this book within 24 hours and haven't stopped thinking about it since. It portrayed the age gap romance so well, the single dad trope and also the intricacies of being in a relationship with a commoner as a king.
Tara and Siddharth's story was filled with passion, angst and forbiddances with good banter. From the Baroda kayaking adventures, orange orchard getaways, the accidental Antartica meet, then finally the drama that accompanies the happy ending in Nawanagar... It had everything.
Talking about the most important character in this modern retelling of Satyawati and Shantanu, Samarth. Oh my god, Samarth. I don't even know where to begin with the best son and the biggest self-sacrificing person to ever exist. Not to mention the cutest and smartest character besides Sharan. I am literally jumping as I am reading his book in present.
Obviously, Sami and Maan cameos were to die for. My heart was very happy!! More hate to Sangram!!!
Special shout out to Hira Ben! If she exists in real life, I would love to meet her and touch her feet.
P. S. - If you hate on Tara, you have to fight me!!
February 1, 2025
I discovered Bhavini on instagram. On the verge of dismissing her work as another Wattpad guff, something attracted me to the plot and I looked her up in kindle unlimited. And hereby started my pleasantly surprising and beautiful journey of discovering her work.
This literally had me completely heart and soul. My initial feelings about Sid were sceptical. And I have to admit even after going through the entire journey in laughter and tears, having understood Sid and his life, appreciating his character, sacrifices and developing a deep sense of respect, a part still felt like he did trap Tara. And Tara my tigress!! What a beauty!! What strength and what resilience. Nothing like a female character who is entirely feminine, right from her beauty, her wit, her intelligence, her strength and her love. This book would be a great recommendation for someone who is looking for a light read but with depth.
At a time when Indian fiction authors are struggling to find originality and write authentic Indian stories, Bhavini is paving her way quietly yet strongly.
This literally had me completely heart and soul. My initial feelings about Sid were sceptical. And I have to admit even after going through the entire journey in laughter and tears, having understood Sid and his life, appreciating his character, sacrifices and developing a deep sense of respect, a part still felt like he did trap Tara. And Tara my tigress!! What a beauty!! What strength and what resilience. Nothing like a female character who is entirely feminine, right from her beauty, her wit, her intelligence, her strength and her love. This book would be a great recommendation for someone who is looking for a light read but with depth.
At a time when Indian fiction authors are struggling to find originality and write authentic Indian stories, Bhavini is paving her way quietly yet strongly.
August 14, 2025
I took my time reading this one and enjoying every line of the story as it progressed. Loved the main characters - Sid and Tara, their camaraderie, their banter and cheekiness, their lovey-dovey sappiness. This is my second book by Bhavini, I had first read 'A King's Oath' -book 3 of the series- and was delighted by Samarth and Ava.
This book was equally wonderful and very well written. Cannot wait to read remaining one in the series.
This book was equally wonderful and very well written. Cannot wait to read remaining one in the series.
December 27, 2024
My heart got crushed while reading it, it broke me and fixed me multiple times... the letters were everything...all I can say is, it gets better with time... and best with people♥️... the author is giving us the parallel universe of Mahabharat with the right set of plot and endings.. an extra star for this masterpiece⭐️...
January 4, 2025
3 Cause even if it was for the plot Tara was being super selfish and stupid. So didn't like they wasted or she wasted 10 years of Rawal's life in which he could've been genuinely happy. So f*ck you Tara
December 18, 2024
Book which has my heart 💞❤️💜....the story, the characters and the emotional rollercoaster...my my such an amazing book to read this winter season 🤩
June 1, 2025
❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
July 8, 2025
This series! This author always manages to make my cry
October 10, 2025
I read all the books in reverse lol… but it was a good read too⭐️❤️
January 6, 2026
The Queen of Hearts, Series: Indian Royals Book 2
Main Characters: Taarini 'Tara' Thakkar and Sidharth Sinh Solanki as Satyavati and Shantanu with Samarth Sinh Solanki as Devvrat Bhisma.
Reimagining old epics into modern stories is not easy. Yet the author makes it look smooth and effortless. The story of Satyavati is that of ambition and stubbornness. The story of Tara Thakkar is one of fear and strength.
Satyavati, flawed, high and mighty, ambitious and blind to what is right in front of her, is one of the first harbingers of destruction in Mahabharata. She sees her own legacy die out in front of her eyes and still holds on to her ambition for dear life.
Satyavati makes mistakes that Tara doesn't. Taarini 'Tara' Thakkar is not Satyavati in the traditional sense. She is a woman who fell in love with a man 14 years her senior. The man who is a King and has lived a life before her.
The king who has a son, the king whose first wife left said son when he was too young, and the king who understood his ex partner for her decision.
Tara is not Satyavati, she is a girl who has seen a certain life and who has held onto fears, built walls, and cocooned herself to protect herself. So she takes her walls and holds tight even in the face of her husband's anger. For a decade
To the naked eye, the king is left wanting for nothing. But Sidharth Sinh Solanki is not finished with life. So when he meets Tara, he tries, so hard not to fall. He knows the future would be full of hurdles but the man gives his best and then, when it doesn't work out, he takes three respectful steps back and leaves his queen.
But then, Sidharth Sinh Solanki's perfect, sneaky, 15 Year Old takes matters into his own hands. He wants his father to smile, so he makes the choice no one should have to, he keeps his father's happiness ahead of himself and sticks to it for ten long years, till Satyavati is yet again faced with the choice that changes everything. She has to think like a queen, not like a girl and for the first time in nearly a decade, she is the queen he saw in her.
She holds his son together in a time when she is well and truly breaking apart herself, her eyes for all that matters, are finally free of fog and insecurity, free of burdens she had clung to for almost her whole married life.
And that, that makes everything fall into place like a jigsaw puzzle. Once she saw the boy as danger, and years later, she saw the boy, a small, little boy, who needed a parent and that was the difference in the woman who had come into the marriage and the woman who was living it now. Now, she was the queen of hearts (Although here rawal would say, she is the queen of only one heart)
Main Characters: Taarini 'Tara' Thakkar and Sidharth Sinh Solanki as Satyavati and Shantanu with Samarth Sinh Solanki as Devvrat Bhisma.
Reimagining old epics into modern stories is not easy. Yet the author makes it look smooth and effortless. The story of Satyavati is that of ambition and stubbornness. The story of Tara Thakkar is one of fear and strength.
Satyavati, flawed, high and mighty, ambitious and blind to what is right in front of her, is one of the first harbingers of destruction in Mahabharata. She sees her own legacy die out in front of her eyes and still holds on to her ambition for dear life.
Satyavati makes mistakes that Tara doesn't. Taarini 'Tara' Thakkar is not Satyavati in the traditional sense. She is a woman who fell in love with a man 14 years her senior. The man who is a King and has lived a life before her.
The king who has a son, the king whose first wife left said son when he was too young, and the king who understood his ex partner for her decision.
Tara is not Satyavati, she is a girl who has seen a certain life and who has held onto fears, built walls, and cocooned herself to protect herself. So she takes her walls and holds tight even in the face of her husband's anger. For a decade
To the naked eye, the king is left wanting for nothing. But Sidharth Sinh Solanki is not finished with life. So when he meets Tara, he tries, so hard not to fall. He knows the future would be full of hurdles but the man gives his best and then, when it doesn't work out, he takes three respectful steps back and leaves his queen.
But then, Sidharth Sinh Solanki's perfect, sneaky, 15 Year Old takes matters into his own hands. He wants his father to smile, so he makes the choice no one should have to, he keeps his father's happiness ahead of himself and sticks to it for ten long years, till Satyavati is yet again faced with the choice that changes everything. She has to think like a queen, not like a girl and for the first time in nearly a decade, she is the queen he saw in her.
She holds his son together in a time when she is well and truly breaking apart herself, her eyes for all that matters, are finally free of fog and insecurity, free of burdens she had clung to for almost her whole married life.
And that, that makes everything fall into place like a jigsaw puzzle. Once she saw the boy as danger, and years later, she saw the boy, a small, little boy, who needed a parent and that was the difference in the woman who had come into the marriage and the woman who was living it now. Now, she was the queen of hearts (Although here rawal would say, she is the queen of only one heart)
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