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The Kat Bunglar: A Romantic Comedy Heist
To find yourself, you have to lose a little control...When broke but bold social media influencer @Kat_Kares stumbles upon on a luxurious wallet on a secluded beach, she sees it as her golden ticket--until it leads her straight into the chaotic life of Laila Malik, a high-powered lawyer with a knack for keeping secrets.
Laila’s trip to Los Angeles, with her charming client Gabriel Santos, was supposed to be discreet--losing her wallet wasn’t part of the plan. As Kat struggles to offload the loot and get paid, Laila scrambles to cover her tracks and keep her secrets from her husband and Gabriel. The only way to stop the madness? Track down Kat!
Between stolen identities, escalating lies, and a few inconvenient sparks with Gabriel, Laila’s perfectly polished world begins to crack.
In this laugh-out-loud tale of love, lies, and the ridiculous ways we stumble into connection, one thing is sometimes, to find yourself, you have to lose a little control - and maybe your wallet, too.
Laila’s trip to Los Angeles, with her charming client Gabriel Santos, was supposed to be discreet--losing her wallet wasn’t part of the plan. As Kat struggles to offload the loot and get paid, Laila scrambles to cover her tracks and keep her secrets from her husband and Gabriel. The only way to stop the madness? Track down Kat!
Between stolen identities, escalating lies, and a few inconvenient sparks with Gabriel, Laila’s perfectly polished world begins to crack.
In this laugh-out-loud tale of love, lies, and the ridiculous ways we stumble into connection, one thing is sometimes, to find yourself, you have to lose a little control - and maybe your wallet, too.
208 pages, Paperback
First published May 6, 2025
1 person is currently reading
55 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
March 21, 2025
The Kat Bunglar by Tanima kazi , is a chaotic, hilarious, and totally addictive ride that had me cackling from start to finish.
Kat Kar is a broke, dramatic, and slightly delusional influencer whose career is cancelled, her bank account is a crime scene, and her rent is due. So when she stumbles upon a rich woman’s wallet, she does the logical thing;plans a heist.
Enter Laila Malik: elegant, successful lawyer, and completely unaware that Kat is about to turn her life upside down. But Laila isn’t just some clueless rich lady;she’s got her own tangled love life, featuring Gabriel, a dangerously charming art professor who flirts like it’s his full-time job.
This book is unhinged in the best way possible. The humor is sharp, the plot twists are wild, and the heist? A beautiful disaster. Kat’s terrible decision-making had me screaming, and her friendship with Christian deserves an award for "Best Bestie Who Puts Up With Absolute Nonsense."
If you love messy heroines, laugh-out-loud heist shenanigans, and romance with just the right amount of tension and swoon, The Kat Bunglar is a must-read. 5/5 stars for the sheer audacity.
Kat Kar is a broke, dramatic, and slightly delusional influencer whose career is cancelled, her bank account is a crime scene, and her rent is due. So when she stumbles upon a rich woman’s wallet, she does the logical thing;plans a heist.
Enter Laila Malik: elegant, successful lawyer, and completely unaware that Kat is about to turn her life upside down. But Laila isn’t just some clueless rich lady;she’s got her own tangled love life, featuring Gabriel, a dangerously charming art professor who flirts like it’s his full-time job.
This book is unhinged in the best way possible. The humor is sharp, the plot twists are wild, and the heist? A beautiful disaster. Kat’s terrible decision-making had me screaming, and her friendship with Christian deserves an award for "Best Bestie Who Puts Up With Absolute Nonsense."
If you love messy heroines, laugh-out-loud heist shenanigans, and romance with just the right amount of tension and swoon, The Kat Bunglar is a must-read. 5/5 stars for the sheer audacity.
March 23, 2025
A rollercoaster of fun and chaotic rom-com!
Kat Bunglar by Tanima Kazi is the perfect book to pull you out of a reading slump. It’s a wildly entertaining ride filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of chaos.
Kat is such a unique character— she's undeniably flawed, yet her antics are so outrageous you can't help but laugh. And then there’s Laila, who feels like the mature, grounding presence in the story. My heart absolutely broke for her at times.
I also loved how the author wove in Asian culture, especially through Kat’s parents. The book touches on so many relevant themes—what it means to be an influencer, the control Asian parents often have over their children’s decisions, the beauty of female friendships, and so much more.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted yet meaningful read!
Kat Bunglar by Tanima Kazi is the perfect book to pull you out of a reading slump. It’s a wildly entertaining ride filled with humor, heart, and just the right amount of chaos.
Kat is such a unique character— she's undeniably flawed, yet her antics are so outrageous you can't help but laugh. And then there’s Laila, who feels like the mature, grounding presence in the story. My heart absolutely broke for her at times.
I also loved how the author wove in Asian culture, especially through Kat’s parents. The book touches on so many relevant themes—what it means to be an influencer, the control Asian parents often have over their children’s decisions, the beauty of female friendships, and so much more.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a lighthearted yet meaningful read!
April 7, 2025
Kat is in trouble. How was she supposed to know the lipstick line she was promoting to her followers was filled with carcinogens? Now, she's facing a legal battle, her influence is tanking, rent is due, and she's on the verge of eviction unless she can come up with the money and fast.
By chance, Kat finds a luxurious wallet while walking on the beach, and an idea begins to form. After some social media sleuthing, Kat discovers that the wallet belongs to Laila, a wealthy and high-profile immigration lawyer who happens to be away on vacation.
Teaming up with her best friend Christian, Kat hatches a wild plan. They head to Chicago to Laila's vacant apartment, hoping to make a quick getaway. But things quickly spiral out of control, and soon both Kat and Laila find themselves scrambling to cover their tracks for very different reasons.
I really enjoyed this fast-paced novel by Tanima Kazi. It kept me hooked, and I ended up reading it in one sitting. It’s a quick read, and if you enjoy high-stakes stories full of dramatic moments, this one’s for you.
Kat is vain and caught up in the world of social media, a theme that's evident throughout the book. At first, I didn’t care for her character, but as the story progressed, even when she made morally questionable decisions, her quick wit and daring personality had me rooting for her.
I loved Laila. She's sweet, smart, and driven. She seems put together on the outside, but her life is far from perfect. And Gabriel, her love interest, is so sexy. A flirty, handsome art history professor from Mexico whom Laila has taken on as a client, he brings undeniable chemistry whenever they are together. I just wish there had been more moments between the two of them.
I also appreciated how Tanima incorporated her Bangladeshi culture into the story. Learning about the pressures Kat’s parents put on her gave me deeper insight into her character.
Tanima’s writing style was fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue. While I liked the story overall, some parts were a bit over-the-top and fantastical. That said, if you’re looking for a fun, quick read with plenty of twists, definitely pick this one up!
Book Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️
✨Read This Book If You Enjoy✨
🖤Morally Grey FMC
💎Heists
💰High Stakes
🏠Family Drama
💖Slow Burn Romance
🇧🇩Cultural References
💃🏻Strong POC
By chance, Kat finds a luxurious wallet while walking on the beach, and an idea begins to form. After some social media sleuthing, Kat discovers that the wallet belongs to Laila, a wealthy and high-profile immigration lawyer who happens to be away on vacation.
Teaming up with her best friend Christian, Kat hatches a wild plan. They head to Chicago to Laila's vacant apartment, hoping to make a quick getaway. But things quickly spiral out of control, and soon both Kat and Laila find themselves scrambling to cover their tracks for very different reasons.
I really enjoyed this fast-paced novel by Tanima Kazi. It kept me hooked, and I ended up reading it in one sitting. It’s a quick read, and if you enjoy high-stakes stories full of dramatic moments, this one’s for you.
Kat is vain and caught up in the world of social media, a theme that's evident throughout the book. At first, I didn’t care for her character, but as the story progressed, even when she made morally questionable decisions, her quick wit and daring personality had me rooting for her.
I loved Laila. She's sweet, smart, and driven. She seems put together on the outside, but her life is far from perfect. And Gabriel, her love interest, is so sexy. A flirty, handsome art history professor from Mexico whom Laila has taken on as a client, he brings undeniable chemistry whenever they are together. I just wish there had been more moments between the two of them.
I also appreciated how Tanima incorporated her Bangladeshi culture into the story. Learning about the pressures Kat’s parents put on her gave me deeper insight into her character.
Tanima’s writing style was fantastic, and I thoroughly enjoyed the dialogue. While I liked the story overall, some parts were a bit over-the-top and fantastical. That said, if you’re looking for a fun, quick read with plenty of twists, definitely pick this one up!
Book Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Rating: 🌶️
✨Read This Book If You Enjoy✨
🖤Morally Grey FMC
💎Heists
💰High Stakes
🏠Family Drama
💖Slow Burn Romance
🇧🇩Cultural References
💃🏻Strong POC
April 28, 2025
Let me paint a scene🖌
You’re broke, on the verge of giving up and you’re wandering along a beach trying to escape your own thoughts—and then boom There it is. A wallet! Thick, expensive, definitely not yours
Would you turn it in? Keep it? Freak out? Laugh? Cry?
I honestly don’t know what I would do—but Kat?
She runs headfirst into the chaos. And somehow, makes it make sense
This book was a surprise in the best way! I picked it up expecting something light, maybe funny...and yes, it is funny, in that perfectly unhinged, awkward, you-can’t-look-away kind of way.
But it’s also layered, unpredictable and weirdly touching.
Kat isn’t your typical heroine. She’s impulsive, kinda messy and makes decisions that had me yelling internally “GIRL!! NO!!”... But at the same time? I got it. I’ve felt that kind of desperation. That urge to shake things up just to feel something different
And that’s why this book hit!!
Because beneath the wild scenarios and laugh-out-loud moments, it taps into something real: how easily life can unravel and how sometimes, strangers and bad choices lead us exactly where we need to be
I adored the energy of this story. It’s chaotic but thoughtful. Funny but sharp. And Kat? She’s a lot...but she’s definitely unforgettable!
If you love rom-coms with heart, heat and a healthy dose of chaos, The Kat Bunglar will steal your heart (and maybe your wallet too 👀🤪)
You’re broke, on the verge of giving up and you’re wandering along a beach trying to escape your own thoughts—and then boom There it is. A wallet! Thick, expensive, definitely not yours
Would you turn it in? Keep it? Freak out? Laugh? Cry?
I honestly don’t know what I would do—but Kat?
She runs headfirst into the chaos. And somehow, makes it make sense
This book was a surprise in the best way! I picked it up expecting something light, maybe funny...and yes, it is funny, in that perfectly unhinged, awkward, you-can’t-look-away kind of way.
But it’s also layered, unpredictable and weirdly touching.
Kat isn’t your typical heroine. She’s impulsive, kinda messy and makes decisions that had me yelling internally “GIRL!! NO!!”... But at the same time? I got it. I’ve felt that kind of desperation. That urge to shake things up just to feel something different
And that’s why this book hit!!
Because beneath the wild scenarios and laugh-out-loud moments, it taps into something real: how easily life can unravel and how sometimes, strangers and bad choices lead us exactly where we need to be
I adored the energy of this story. It’s chaotic but thoughtful. Funny but sharp. And Kat? She’s a lot...but she’s definitely unforgettable!
If you love rom-coms with heart, heat and a healthy dose of chaos, The Kat Bunglar will steal your heart (and maybe your wallet too 👀🤪)
March 31, 2025
I loved this book 😍 thank you to Author Tanima Kazi and Samiksha for sending me the ARC copy.
What chaos will unfold when a daring influencer, a fierce lawyer, and a charismatic professor join forces?
This book breaks the mold of a standard romantic comedy; it's a wild, chaotic heist featuring an influencer, a lawyer, and a charismatic professor, all sprinkled with romance and Asian family dynamics. What more could you want?😱. Seriously, it's an adventure that's packed with drama, humor, lies, strong female friendships, and the journey of self-discovery amidst the delightful chaos. Plus, the standout aspect of this book is it has two strong female protagonists who are completely different yet incredibly relatable.
Kat Kat Kat, what can I even say??? She's an influencer who’s both daring and cash-strapped at the same time🙊. This dramatic character is trying to get her life sorted, and she's ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen, maybe even pull off a heist😉. She’s bound to make some reckless decisions, and honestly, I felt like I could relate to her in those moments — Kat is me, and me is Kat🤣. I couldn't help but root for her, especially with her critical Asian parents hovering around🙊 (ifykyk). It seems like she attracts chaos, but somehow she'll always find a way to get back in the game. I just loved her infectious energy! ❤️
Next up is Christian, Kat's best friend. This woman had me laughing so hard that my stomach was hurting! 🤣🤣🤣 I absolutely adored her character; she quickly became my favorite, and I had that classic love-hate relationship with her, just like you do with your bestie. 🙊 You love having them around, but sometimes you just can't handle them! 😂 Her monologues were incredible! One of my all-time favorites was, “We are epically fudged.” Oh man, 🤣🤣🤣 How did Author manage to make a character so hilarious with such perfect one-liners?
Meet Laila, a strikingly beautiful and strong lawyer. She's a kindhearted person with an endearing personality, and she definitely knows her stuff in her career. But when it comes to her personal life, does she really have all the answers???? On top of that, she's drawn to an irresistibly charming Mexican professor who wears his flirting skills like a badge😬 😬. While Laila navigates her own complicated love life, she has no idea that Kat is about to turn her world upside down.
Gabriel, Ahhh Hello Gabriel 😜.. He’s the ideal character in this wild, action-packed tale, and his phrases like “Preciosa” will definitely win you over. ..Ahh he is cute only😉.
I really enjoyed the writing style and how the story takes you on an exciting journey with women exploring their self-discovery. The author has a talent for making each character memorable, and you'll find yourself falling for all of them. Plus, I was blown away by the amount of action packed into this book!
If you like thrilling mix of action that’s packed with Desi-Videsi drama, romance ,humor, lies, strong female friendships , amazing characters featuring two fierce heroines who will win you over and a charming professor who adds an extra layer of excitement and the journey of self-discovery amidst the delightful chaos, this book is for you.
The book drops on May 6th, so make sure to preorder and be part of the Heist of the Year! 😉
What chaos will unfold when a daring influencer, a fierce lawyer, and a charismatic professor join forces?
This book breaks the mold of a standard romantic comedy; it's a wild, chaotic heist featuring an influencer, a lawyer, and a charismatic professor, all sprinkled with romance and Asian family dynamics. What more could you want?😱. Seriously, it's an adventure that's packed with drama, humor, lies, strong female friendships, and the journey of self-discovery amidst the delightful chaos. Plus, the standout aspect of this book is it has two strong female protagonists who are completely different yet incredibly relatable.
Kat Kat Kat, what can I even say??? She's an influencer who’s both daring and cash-strapped at the same time🙊. This dramatic character is trying to get her life sorted, and she's ready to do whatever it takes to make it happen, maybe even pull off a heist😉. She’s bound to make some reckless decisions, and honestly, I felt like I could relate to her in those moments — Kat is me, and me is Kat🤣. I couldn't help but root for her, especially with her critical Asian parents hovering around🙊 (ifykyk). It seems like she attracts chaos, but somehow she'll always find a way to get back in the game. I just loved her infectious energy! ❤️
Next up is Christian, Kat's best friend. This woman had me laughing so hard that my stomach was hurting! 🤣🤣🤣 I absolutely adored her character; she quickly became my favorite, and I had that classic love-hate relationship with her, just like you do with your bestie. 🙊 You love having them around, but sometimes you just can't handle them! 😂 Her monologues were incredible! One of my all-time favorites was, “We are epically fudged.” Oh man, 🤣🤣🤣 How did Author manage to make a character so hilarious with such perfect one-liners?
Meet Laila, a strikingly beautiful and strong lawyer. She's a kindhearted person with an endearing personality, and she definitely knows her stuff in her career. But when it comes to her personal life, does she really have all the answers???? On top of that, she's drawn to an irresistibly charming Mexican professor who wears his flirting skills like a badge😬 😬. While Laila navigates her own complicated love life, she has no idea that Kat is about to turn her world upside down.
Gabriel, Ahhh Hello Gabriel 😜.. He’s the ideal character in this wild, action-packed tale, and his phrases like “Preciosa” will definitely win you over. ..Ahh he is cute only😉.
I really enjoyed the writing style and how the story takes you on an exciting journey with women exploring their self-discovery. The author has a talent for making each character memorable, and you'll find yourself falling for all of them. Plus, I was blown away by the amount of action packed into this book!
If you like thrilling mix of action that’s packed with Desi-Videsi drama, romance ,humor, lies, strong female friendships , amazing characters featuring two fierce heroines who will win you over and a charming professor who adds an extra layer of excitement and the journey of self-discovery amidst the delightful chaos, this book is for you.
The book drops on May 6th, so make sure to preorder and be part of the Heist of the Year! 😉
April 15, 2025
The Kat Bunglar is a fun and thrilling fast-paced contemporary romance romcom centered around a high stakes heist with a clean slow burn romance, secrets & betrayal and unexpected over-the-top plot twists. It also includes topics of social media influencer culture, Asian culture, family drama, female friendships and self discovery.
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. Tanima has a strong writing style that pulls you into the story right away and makes it difficult to put down.
This novella gives The Girl’s I’ve Been vibes with a comedy heist twist and a strong Bangladeshi FMC who is so morally grey, chaotic and impulsive that you can’t help but love her. I hope there is a book two in the works—this one was so good and a total page turner!
Thank you so much Tanima Kazi & Samiksha for the opportunity to be on your ARC reader team! I loved Kat’s story and definitely recommend adding it to your TBR! (Plus that cover is chef’s kiss.)
I thoroughly enjoyed this novella. Tanima has a strong writing style that pulls you into the story right away and makes it difficult to put down.
This novella gives The Girl’s I’ve Been vibes with a comedy heist twist and a strong Bangladeshi FMC who is so morally grey, chaotic and impulsive that you can’t help but love her. I hope there is a book two in the works—this one was so good and a total page turner!
Thank you so much Tanima Kazi & Samiksha for the opportunity to be on your ARC reader team! I loved Kat’s story and definitely recommend adding it to your TBR! (Plus that cover is chef’s kiss.)
April 23, 2025
The Kat Bunglar is an intense, quick-paced rollercoaster that uses humor and unfiltered emotion to depict the chaos of digital identity, treachery, and survival. You're captivated from the instant Kat removes all traces of her internet persona until the dramatic altercation with her former partner. Because of Tanima Kazi's vivid and dramatic writing, I experienced every punch, scream, and sorrow. A compelling tale for our era of social media obsession. I was unable to put it down!
March 30, 2025
✨Book Review: The Kat Bunglar by Tanima Kazi✨
If you love messy main characters, high-stakes drama, and the thrilling chaos of social media culture, The Kat Bunglar is an absolute must-read! The author delivers a brilliantly sharp, funny, and wildly entertaining story that feels like Inventing Anna meets Ocean’s Eleven, but with a darkly comedic twist. This book is a wild ride through influencer scandals, financial desperation, and a con that spirals way beyond what its mastermind intended.
🔥 Why You’ll Love This Book:
✔️ Unfiltered Social Media Commentary: The book hilariously (and brutally) exposes influencer culture, cancel culture, and the pressure to stay relevant in a digital world obsessed with perfection.
✔️ A Chaotic & Lovable Anti-Heroine: Kat is selfish, impulsive, and morally questionable,but you can’t help but root for her, even as she makes one terrible decision after another.
✔️ A Dynamic Friendship: Christian, her best friend, is both her voice of reason and the enabler of her worst ideas, making their interactions an endless source of humor and chaos.
✔️ A Heist with Heart: While the con itself is thrilling, the novel dives deeper into themes of identity, self-worth, and survival in a world where success often feels just out of reach.
✔️ Cinematic Vibes: The writing is fast-paced, filled with sharp dialogue, hilarious inner monologues, and just the right amount of tension. Every scene feels like it belongs in a Netflix series.
✔️ Luxury, Deception & Drama: From designer bags and penthouse apartments to shady deals and identity swaps, the novel is a glamorous yet darkly humorous take on ambition, greed, and reinvention.
💭 Final Thoughts:
The Kat Bunglar is as sharp as it is hilarious, a fast-paced rollercoaster that keeps you flipping pages late into the night. It’s a story about chasing dreams (sometimes illegally), bending the rules of morality, and questioning what truly matters beyond the glitz, filters, and perfectly curated lives we see online. Kat’s journey is messy, unpredictable, and outrageously entertaining just like real life, but with a lot more designer handbags and questionable decisions.
If you love morally gray protagonists, dark humor, and fast-paced heist plots with a modern twist, this book needs to be on your shelf!
If you love messy main characters, high-stakes drama, and the thrilling chaos of social media culture, The Kat Bunglar is an absolute must-read! The author delivers a brilliantly sharp, funny, and wildly entertaining story that feels like Inventing Anna meets Ocean’s Eleven, but with a darkly comedic twist. This book is a wild ride through influencer scandals, financial desperation, and a con that spirals way beyond what its mastermind intended.
🔥 Why You’ll Love This Book:
✔️ Unfiltered Social Media Commentary: The book hilariously (and brutally) exposes influencer culture, cancel culture, and the pressure to stay relevant in a digital world obsessed with perfection.
✔️ A Chaotic & Lovable Anti-Heroine: Kat is selfish, impulsive, and morally questionable,but you can’t help but root for her, even as she makes one terrible decision after another.
✔️ A Dynamic Friendship: Christian, her best friend, is both her voice of reason and the enabler of her worst ideas, making their interactions an endless source of humor and chaos.
✔️ A Heist with Heart: While the con itself is thrilling, the novel dives deeper into themes of identity, self-worth, and survival in a world where success often feels just out of reach.
✔️ Cinematic Vibes: The writing is fast-paced, filled with sharp dialogue, hilarious inner monologues, and just the right amount of tension. Every scene feels like it belongs in a Netflix series.
✔️ Luxury, Deception & Drama: From designer bags and penthouse apartments to shady deals and identity swaps, the novel is a glamorous yet darkly humorous take on ambition, greed, and reinvention.
💭 Final Thoughts:
The Kat Bunglar is as sharp as it is hilarious, a fast-paced rollercoaster that keeps you flipping pages late into the night. It’s a story about chasing dreams (sometimes illegally), bending the rules of morality, and questioning what truly matters beyond the glitz, filters, and perfectly curated lives we see online. Kat’s journey is messy, unpredictable, and outrageously entertaining just like real life, but with a lot more designer handbags and questionable decisions.
If you love morally gray protagonists, dark humor, and fast-paced heist plots with a modern twist, this book needs to be on your shelf!
May 6, 2025
Thank you to @the_.social_.script and @kamikazi_bc for this advanced copy of The Kat Bunglar. I truly did not know what shenanigans I was getting myself into when I accepted this PR package, but I am so glad that I did.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Friends, this is not a “how to” book on burglary because truly we could not ask for worse burglars. However, the comedy of errors that this book details was so good and I absolutely adored everything about this book and these characters. Fun, morally gray, POC characters, cultural references, laugh-out-loud moments, swoon worthy romance, and action on every page. The pace is fast and you will want to read quickly to keep up!
If you want to laugh and even swoon a bit, you need to grab The Kat Bunglar today.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Friends, this is not a “how to” book on burglary because truly we could not ask for worse burglars. However, the comedy of errors that this book details was so good and I absolutely adored everything about this book and these characters. Fun, morally gray, POC characters, cultural references, laugh-out-loud moments, swoon worthy romance, and action on every page. The pace is fast and you will want to read quickly to keep up!
If you want to laugh and even swoon a bit, you need to grab The Kat Bunglar today.
May 2, 2025
Thank you to Tanima Kazi for sending me an early copy of The Kat Bunglar.
Kat is a struggling 20-something influencer who is trying to stay afloat in her small LA apartment after getting caught up in a brand scandal. She's hemorrhaging followers and she and her roommate, Christian, don't know how they're going to pay their rent. But when Kat finds Laila Malik's Chanel wallet on the ground near the beach she gets an idea. Laila is a well-to-do immigration lawyer in Chicago, stuck in a marriage that is withering on the vine. She starts to form a friendship with a man in her building who pays attention to her in a way her husband doesn't and ends up on a trip to LA with him where she loses her wallet. Kat decides this wallet is her ticket to financial salvation so she and Christian book a flight to Chicago and plan to rob Laila's apartment while she's out of town. But nothing goes to plan and Kat ends up in some serious trouble.
This book was a lot of fun! It's a heist story but instead of pulling it off, everything goes wrong from the minute it begins. I loved that Tanima turned the typical plot on its head and gave us incompetent thieves instead of slick, polished con artists. Kat is a mess of a person. She's dealing with a lot of pressure from her parents, other influencers and her own financial struggles. Even though she makes some really bad choices, you feel for her because she's dealing with a lot. But you also don't want to let her off the hook because she is making the wrong choice most of the time.
I wasn't expecting Laila's POV but it was a welcome surprise. Her life is just as messy as Kat's but she has the resources to help herself and eventually gets to a better place, even if it's not her happy ending. I liked the contrast between Laila and Kat a lot and thought it made the book stronger than if it had been single POV.
Just a heads up to my romance readers, this is not a romance novel. It is a heist with a romance subplot but there is no HEA. I know sometimes Goodreads and StoryGraph will tag books as romance if there is any kissing in them but know, this is not a romance.
Overall, I thought this was a lot of fun. It was a great palette cleanser between two books that dealt with some heavy themes and made me laugh, which is exactly what I wanted. 4 stars.
Kat is a struggling 20-something influencer who is trying to stay afloat in her small LA apartment after getting caught up in a brand scandal. She's hemorrhaging followers and she and her roommate, Christian, don't know how they're going to pay their rent. But when Kat finds Laila Malik's Chanel wallet on the ground near the beach she gets an idea. Laila is a well-to-do immigration lawyer in Chicago, stuck in a marriage that is withering on the vine. She starts to form a friendship with a man in her building who pays attention to her in a way her husband doesn't and ends up on a trip to LA with him where she loses her wallet. Kat decides this wallet is her ticket to financial salvation so she and Christian book a flight to Chicago and plan to rob Laila's apartment while she's out of town. But nothing goes to plan and Kat ends up in some serious trouble.
This book was a lot of fun! It's a heist story but instead of pulling it off, everything goes wrong from the minute it begins. I loved that Tanima turned the typical plot on its head and gave us incompetent thieves instead of slick, polished con artists. Kat is a mess of a person. She's dealing with a lot of pressure from her parents, other influencers and her own financial struggles. Even though she makes some really bad choices, you feel for her because she's dealing with a lot. But you also don't want to let her off the hook because she is making the wrong choice most of the time.
I wasn't expecting Laila's POV but it was a welcome surprise. Her life is just as messy as Kat's but she has the resources to help herself and eventually gets to a better place, even if it's not her happy ending. I liked the contrast between Laila and Kat a lot and thought it made the book stronger than if it had been single POV.
Just a heads up to my romance readers, this is not a romance novel. It is a heist with a romance subplot but there is no HEA. I know sometimes Goodreads and StoryGraph will tag books as romance if there is any kissing in them but know, this is not a romance.
Overall, I thought this was a lot of fun. It was a great palette cleanser between two books that dealt with some heavy themes and made me laugh, which is exactly what I wanted. 4 stars.
May 14, 2025
Oh my goodness! Kat seems to be trying to live a charmed life of an influencer, but knows how difficult it can be after getting canceled. So, after finding a lost wallet on the beach, she decides to visit the owner’s home and steal some things in order to make her rent and possibly get through her court case. Sounds easy, right?
And then we have Laila, falling for her neighbor Gabriel, before offering to be his lawyer and bring his family into the US. Sparks are FLYING between these two, but Laila is married…
Oh, and did I mention that the wallet Kat found belongs to Laila?
Things definitely get explosive when their paths cross, after Gabriel is hurt trying to find Laila. I was VERY surprised when Kat turned out to be the one to contact Laila about stealing her things, and still got her payday at the end of it all! This story was very cute and funny, a nice little break from all the fantasy I typically consume. Although, things did get a little fantastical at the end of this story with how everything wrapped up. I was so sad when Gabriel ended up moving back to Mexico, but it was left open-ended with Laila choosing to chase after him. Alternatively, I’m glad to see Kat getting back in touch with her family and heritage by the end.
Favorite Quotes:
Kat's morning affirmations: "I am beautiful. I deserve to be loved. I can cut a b!tch with these cheekbones. People will listen to me!"
"Is she... unhappy?" "No, she's just suffocating under the weight of her decisions."
Preciosa, I am man enough to admit that I was accosted by two very vicious young women who were definitely in their twenties.
You're not brown, you're like a golden, delicious truffle.
Life wasn't meant to be lived on the edge of adrenaline at every moment.
He was everything she has always wanted but was too scared to believe in.
If you love a good romantic comedy with a diverse cast, strangers crossing paths, and heists with a twist, check out this story!
And then we have Laila, falling for her neighbor Gabriel, before offering to be his lawyer and bring his family into the US. Sparks are FLYING between these two, but Laila is married…
Oh, and did I mention that the wallet Kat found belongs to Laila?
Things definitely get explosive when their paths cross, after Gabriel is hurt trying to find Laila. I was VERY surprised when Kat turned out to be the one to contact Laila about stealing her things, and still got her payday at the end of it all! This story was very cute and funny, a nice little break from all the fantasy I typically consume. Although, things did get a little fantastical at the end of this story with how everything wrapped up. I was so sad when Gabriel ended up moving back to Mexico, but it was left open-ended with Laila choosing to chase after him. Alternatively, I’m glad to see Kat getting back in touch with her family and heritage by the end.
Favorite Quotes:
Kat's morning affirmations: "I am beautiful. I deserve to be loved. I can cut a b!tch with these cheekbones. People will listen to me!"
"Is she... unhappy?" "No, she's just suffocating under the weight of her decisions."
Preciosa, I am man enough to admit that I was accosted by two very vicious young women who were definitely in their twenties.
You're not brown, you're like a golden, delicious truffle.
Life wasn't meant to be lived on the edge of adrenaline at every moment.
He was everything she has always wanted but was too scared to believe in.
If you love a good romantic comedy with a diverse cast, strangers crossing paths, and heists with a twist, check out this story!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2025
I recently re-watched the greatest classics (in my opinion) with a romantic heist theme called "How To Steal A Million" starring Audrey Hepburn. So when I saw that Tanima Kazi was launching her new novel in the same subgenre, I was all in! In The Kat Bunglar, a social media influencer Kat finds herself in a financial pickle and along with her sidekick Christian decides to attempt a heist.
This book was such a unique experience! It's hard to describe all the crazy fun happening in it without chancing a spoiler. The novel is full of culturally diverse characters who are imperfect in a perfect way. I enjoyed getting to know Kat and her Bengali family, Laila and her Pakistani traditions, Gabriel and his Latino appeal. Of all characters Laila was probably my favorite. Although the story showed her vulnerable side, I admired her as a strong female protagonist. If anyone deserves to be happy in love - it's her!
The story was fast-paced and had some great twists. Some parts made me laugh outloud and some parts made me shake my head at Kat's antics. If you are a fun of Finlay Dinovan series, you will enjoy this book.
This book was such a unique experience! It's hard to describe all the crazy fun happening in it without chancing a spoiler. The novel is full of culturally diverse characters who are imperfect in a perfect way. I enjoyed getting to know Kat and her Bengali family, Laila and her Pakistani traditions, Gabriel and his Latino appeal. Of all characters Laila was probably my favorite. Although the story showed her vulnerable side, I admired her as a strong female protagonist. If anyone deserves to be happy in love - it's her!
The story was fast-paced and had some great twists. Some parts made me laugh outloud and some parts made me shake my head at Kat's antics. If you are a fun of Finlay Dinovan series, you will enjoy this book.
May 4, 2025
📖 The Kat Bunglar
🧚🏻♀️Tanima Kazi
This cute little chaotic contemporary rom-com was the perfect treatment for my book slump!
This fast paced standalone novella features the following TROPES :
🖤 Contemporary Rom-com
🩷 Dual POV
🖤 High Stakes Heist
🩷 Plot Twists
🖤 Found family and Female Friendships
🩷 Clean Slow Burn
🖤 Sassy Morally Grey Anti-heroine (Kat)
🩷 Strong Successful FMC with a messy family life, on a path of self discovery (Laila)
🖤 Unfiltered and Chaotic Social media influencer reality
🩷 South Asian Culture (from Samosas to Sharukh Khan, From Chutney to Chu**ya 😏😏)
Being a Romantasy reader, I didn't think I could love a contemporary book so much ! I ended up DEVOURING the entire book in less then a day ! I kept flipping pages and giggling and gasping throughout the book .
✨ From the thrilling mayhem of social media culture to master-minding a heist,
✨ from a seemingly perfect life to a journey of self-exploration,
✨ from forbidden slow burn romance to near d3ath experiences ,
✨ this book is an absolute MUST READ !
Thank you sooo much Tanima Kazi for sharing an early copy of this beautiful book with me 🥰
🧚🏻♀️Tanima Kazi
This cute little chaotic contemporary rom-com was the perfect treatment for my book slump!
This fast paced standalone novella features the following TROPES :
🖤 Contemporary Rom-com
🩷 Dual POV
🖤 High Stakes Heist
🩷 Plot Twists
🖤 Found family and Female Friendships
🩷 Clean Slow Burn
🖤 Sassy Morally Grey Anti-heroine (Kat)
🩷 Strong Successful FMC with a messy family life, on a path of self discovery (Laila)
🖤 Unfiltered and Chaotic Social media influencer reality
🩷 South Asian Culture (from Samosas to Sharukh Khan, From Chutney to Chu**ya 😏😏)
Being a Romantasy reader, I didn't think I could love a contemporary book so much ! I ended up DEVOURING the entire book in less then a day ! I kept flipping pages and giggling and gasping throughout the book .
✨ From the thrilling mayhem of social media culture to master-minding a heist,
✨ from a seemingly perfect life to a journey of self-exploration,
✨ from forbidden slow burn romance to near d3ath experiences ,
✨ this book is an absolute MUST READ !
Thank you sooo much Tanima Kazi for sharing an early copy of this beautiful book with me 🥰
April 1, 2025
A fast-paced roller coaster! There is no other word to describe this book that managed to take me by storm within a few pages.
Khatira a.k.a. Kat Kares is an influencer in LA - on her way to becoming an UNfluencer. But the sudden decrease in her followers is the least of her problems. She has no money to pay rent and her homeowner is threatening to oust her and her roommate.
The solution they come up to get out of this pickle involves Laila Malik, an unwitting lawyer based out of Chicago. But how can Kat from LA harm Laila from Chicago in any way? This forms the (hilarious) plot.
I completely finished the book in a single day amidst my other commitments. It was gripping and totally unputdownable. I loved Gabriel and even Christian, especially in the end. Some parts of it seemed a bit too convenient - the divorce, for instance. But it all came together beautifully in the end.
If you are a fan of Finlay Donovan, read this.
Khatira a.k.a. Kat Kares is an influencer in LA - on her way to becoming an UNfluencer. But the sudden decrease in her followers is the least of her problems. She has no money to pay rent and her homeowner is threatening to oust her and her roommate.
The solution they come up to get out of this pickle involves Laila Malik, an unwitting lawyer based out of Chicago. But how can Kat from LA harm Laila from Chicago in any way? This forms the (hilarious) plot.
I completely finished the book in a single day amidst my other commitments. It was gripping and totally unputdownable. I loved Gabriel and even Christian, especially in the end. Some parts of it seemed a bit too convenient - the divorce, for instance. But it all came together beautifully in the end.
If you are a fan of Finlay Donovan, read this.
April 21, 2025
A tale of a twisted burglar in the making, a social media influencer who wants to have money and that luxury life that she only sees through the screen. But not long after she gets this chance, she decides to rob the woman Layla, and for that, she and her friend are ready to do anything. Create a fake getup, 90 minutes in and out, that smooth heist. But it can't be that simple, right? Not when Gabriel interferes and things don't go as planned. And if it wasn't enough, after the heist, things went down when they finally had the items, and something within Kat changed. She now wants to make things right. But can she? Well, I know the answer, but you can find out by reading it because it is worth trying. The story has amazing hooks, and I was hooked. I just loved it and enjoyed it too much. The whole inner turmoil, the back and forth of scenes from Layla's point of view and Kat's point of view, were just wonderful.
This book is recommended.
This book is recommended.
March 26, 2025
The Kat Bunglar was everything wickedly funny and romantic
. When Kat stumbles upon a
wallet, the choice she makes sets off a chain of events that lead her to Laila. But Laila has secrets of her own-ones she must keep hidden from both her husband and her client, Gabriel.
What follows is an unexpected journey that had me completely hooked. The characters pulled me in, making me eager to uncover their stories. This book beautifully weaves together love, humor, friendship, heartache, and chaos, making it an absolute joy to read. While it's a romantic comedy, it stands apart from others in the genre, bringing in culture and strong female friendships in a refreshing way. By the time I turned the last page, I was left smiling and completely satisfied.!
. When Kat stumbles upon a
wallet, the choice she makes sets off a chain of events that lead her to Laila. But Laila has secrets of her own-ones she must keep hidden from both her husband and her client, Gabriel.
What follows is an unexpected journey that had me completely hooked. The characters pulled me in, making me eager to uncover their stories. This book beautifully weaves together love, humor, friendship, heartache, and chaos, making it an absolute joy to read. While it's a romantic comedy, it stands apart from others in the genre, bringing in culture and strong female friendships in a refreshing way. By the time I turned the last page, I was left smiling and completely satisfied.!
April 16, 2025
❣ 𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 - 4✨
❣ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - 6 may 2025
❣ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Thank you Author @kamikazi_bc for the free ARC. A chaotic heist, romance, and family drama? Sign me up! This book is a wild ride featuring an influencer, a fierce lawyer, and a charismatic professor an unexpected team with even crazier dynamics. Kat is a walking disaster in the best way possible—dramatic, reckless, but impossible not to root for. Her energy is absolutely infectious! & Christian is comedy gold. Her one-liners had me wheezing. Then there’s Laila strong, successful, but struggling with her own choices. Add in a flirtatious professor, and well... things get messy real fast. This book delivers laughs, tension, and heart. If you love fast-paced romcoms with high stakes and lovable chaos, this one’s for you!
❣ 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐞 𝐃𝐚𝐭𝐞 - 6 may 2025
❣ 𝐌𝐲 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐬 -
Thank you Author @kamikazi_bc for the free ARC. A chaotic heist, romance, and family drama? Sign me up! This book is a wild ride featuring an influencer, a fierce lawyer, and a charismatic professor an unexpected team with even crazier dynamics. Kat is a walking disaster in the best way possible—dramatic, reckless, but impossible not to root for. Her energy is absolutely infectious! & Christian is comedy gold. Her one-liners had me wheezing. Then there’s Laila strong, successful, but struggling with her own choices. Add in a flirtatious professor, and well... things get messy real fast. This book delivers laughs, tension, and heart. If you love fast-paced romcoms with high stakes and lovable chaos, this one’s for you!
May 8, 2025
Social media influencer, @kat_kares, who is broke and losing her followers and appeal, stumbles upon a luxurious wallet on a secluded beach. Not only is a designer wallet she’s been dying to have, the contents includes an exclusive black Amex card. Does she turn it in? Nope! She takes it and dives head first into the chaotic life of high-powered lawyer Laila Malik.
This fun and thrilling contemporary romcom is centered around a high stakes heist, with some romance, secrets, unexpected plot twists, and a whole lot of chaos! This was a light and quick read, yet energetic with very likeable characters, and is perfectly layered in a way that will have you finishing it in one sitting. The Kat Bunglar is an experience you won’t want to miss out on, so grab your copy today!
This fun and thrilling contemporary romcom is centered around a high stakes heist, with some romance, secrets, unexpected plot twists, and a whole lot of chaos! This was a light and quick read, yet energetic with very likeable characters, and is perfectly layered in a way that will have you finishing it in one sitting. The Kat Bunglar is an experience you won’t want to miss out on, so grab your copy today!
April 14, 2025
It is short, funny and a quick read. it is not the usual love story in fact the main leads are anti heroines ,
it teaches about how important and precious is female friendship and importance of having confidence in ourselves , the reality of being social media influencer and most importantly that anyone's life is not perfect everyone has their own struggles.
Overall this book is an emotional roller-coaster with the perfect blend of fun , chaos , thrill ,suspense and desi vibes . It's kind of book to pull you out of your reading slump.
it teaches about how important and precious is female friendship and importance of having confidence in ourselves , the reality of being social media influencer and most importantly that anyone's life is not perfect everyone has their own struggles.
Overall this book is an emotional roller-coaster with the perfect blend of fun , chaos , thrill ,suspense and desi vibes . It's kind of book to pull you out of your reading slump.
May 6, 2025
The Kat Bunglar is a good read. The book is filled with hilarious, joy, painful moments you wouldn't want to forget. The pacing at the start is slow but once it takes the form you won't want to keep it down. It's light romance with no dark elements, which kinda is the best part of the book. Liked it. Being a part of the Beta Reading hub for this book was indeed my privilege. Thank you Tanima Kazi for this opportunity.
Ps: it's not total light romance. There are some sensual scenes but they aren't excessive.
Ps: it's not total light romance. There are some sensual scenes but they aren't excessive.
August 9, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ for me. This was very cute and binge-able! I got to see the author speak and you can tell she had a lot of fun with this one. I think the story was fun and I ate it up and felt entertained. I couldn’t put it down. A lot of suspense with short punchy chapters. There was not any development for Kat and it felt like she learned nothing in the end. Also Laila really frustrated me. If someone robbed me and pawned my stuff for $40k I definitely wouldn’t be doing them any favors or calling them a friend in the end 🤷♀️
January 11, 2026
When I met Tanima Kazi at a local author signing, her book The Kat Bunglar pulled me in with its beautiful cover. This was such a fun book and a nice break from all of the fantasy I’ve been binging recently. It had me laughing from interactions between characters and also cringing for them because of some of the relationships and situations that happen. If you’re curious and want a shorter but fun read definitely check this one out!
July 17, 2025
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's witty, free-spirited, fun, and unpredictable. The author wove together two completely different character personalities and made it work in a heartfelt and comforting way. Not to mention, the book left me on such a desperate cliffhanger, I am dying for a sequel!! I highly recommend it for your next read!
October 20, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ Super quick, fun read, but I wish it was longer so there could’ve been growth for the characters- they didn’t seem to learn anything in the end and weren’t very lovable. However, I did love how she brought her culture into it!
January 19, 2026
This is not my usual go to genre but I loved it! Super cute and fun read. Loved the whirlwind of stories happening and overlapping.
Also Kats dad perfectly explained why I can’t have a dog and children living at home at the same time!
Also Kats dad perfectly explained why I can’t have a dog and children living at home at the same time!
March 13, 2025
Witty and charming action adventure...I could actually imagine Kat pouting for camera...can't wait to complete it.
May 12, 2025
The Kat Bungler was a perfect afternoon read. Characters who felt real, living real life challenges.
Looking forward to the next release from Tanima Kazi.
Looking forward to the next release from Tanima Kazi.
July 25, 2025
Weird and all over the place but I kinda liked it.
April 13, 2025
OMG, this book💕 The heist, the comedy, the adventures everything about this book was awesome to the very next level.
Kat Kares Or that's how she goes in social media is an influencer. Coming from Bangladesh and living in USA was no small dream for her especially when her career was going up as an influencer but unfortunately life happened and her downfall started.
But what if one day all her problems have one solution which is the famous lawyer Laila Malik. Or maybe it's her Identity which will solve all the problems for Kat.
Laila malik had everything, a luxurious penthouse, a secure career and a business tycoon husband what more she could ask for? Until her house of cards falls in the wrong hands.
Laila had everything Kat ever wanted but would this heist go as she planned? Or will her plan finally backfires on her?
Kat Kares Or that's how she goes in social media is an influencer. Coming from Bangladesh and living in USA was no small dream for her especially when her career was going up as an influencer but unfortunately life happened and her downfall started.
But what if one day all her problems have one solution which is the famous lawyer Laila Malik. Or maybe it's her Identity which will solve all the problems for Kat.
Laila malik had everything, a luxurious penthouse, a secure career and a business tycoon husband what more she could ask for? Until her house of cards falls in the wrong hands.
Laila had everything Kat ever wanted but would this heist go as she planned? Or will her plan finally backfires on her?
April 3, 2025
I had the privilege of Reading A Proof copy of Kat Bunglar by Tanima kazi and these are my thoughts on it -
It is a brilliant and beautiful novella. one of my favorite books of the year. It’s sweet, funny, and refreshingly unique. This story is a must-read for every woman and girl who has ever struggled with self-confidence, contentment, financial independence, or the pressure to keep their family and relationships happy.
Unlike a typical happily-ever-after romance, this book isn’t about a girl and a boy falling in love. Instead, it delves into the power of female friendship, the strength of women supporting each other, and the complexities of trust, betrayal, secrets, and self-discovery. It’s about breaking free from doubt, finding your voice, and stepping into your own power.
Tanima Kazi’s writing is stunning, and for a book that marks her return after a decade, it is incredibly well-crafted and deeply researched. Kat Bunglar deserves all the praise and recognition, and I hope that anyone who has ever questioned their worth or struggled with their identity gets the chance to read it.
It is a brilliant and beautiful novella. one of my favorite books of the year. It’s sweet, funny, and refreshingly unique. This story is a must-read for every woman and girl who has ever struggled with self-confidence, contentment, financial independence, or the pressure to keep their family and relationships happy.
Unlike a typical happily-ever-after romance, this book isn’t about a girl and a boy falling in love. Instead, it delves into the power of female friendship, the strength of women supporting each other, and the complexities of trust, betrayal, secrets, and self-discovery. It’s about breaking free from doubt, finding your voice, and stepping into your own power.
Tanima Kazi’s writing is stunning, and for a book that marks her return after a decade, it is incredibly well-crafted and deeply researched. Kat Bunglar deserves all the praise and recognition, and I hope that anyone who has ever questioned their worth or struggled with their identity gets the chance to read it.
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