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Negeen Papehn
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Forbidden by Faith (The Forbidden Love Novels Book 1) Kindle Edition

by Negeen Papehn (Author) Format: Kindle Edition
4.5 out of 5 stars 106 ratings

One woman is torn between faith, family, and passion in this “heartfelt immigrant love story” from the author of Forbidden by Destiny and Forbidden by Time (Publishers Weekly).

Raised by her immigrant parents, Sara has been taught that a good daughter makes decisions based on her family’s approval, and she’s spent most of her life in their good graces. Until she meets Maziar.

An instant electricity ignites between them, and their meeting seems like fate. Just as her mind begins to soar with the possibilities, he shatters her hopes. Sara is Muslim. Maziar is Jewish. Will faith tear them apart?

Despite centuries of unrest behind them, Sara and Maziar embark on a forbidden love affair, attempting to navigate through cultural and religious prejudices. Deep within the trenches of their battle, Sara finds herself more empowered and careless than ever before, but will her love and newfound life be worth the ultimate cost—her family?

Praise for the Forbidden Love series

“Forbidden by Faith shows how family, love, and faith can collide, even in this modern age.”—A. K. Leigh, author of See Her Run 

“A strong message about family and protecting those you love.”—InD’tale

“Ms. Papehn is a wonderful storyteller! I was immediately caught up in the lives of her characters. In Forbidden by Destiny, the heroine, Leyla, might be of Iranian descent but her story belongs to all women.”—Carrie Nichols, author of the Small-town Sweethearts series
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Previous slide of product details
  1. Print length
    399 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Publisher
    City Owl Press
  4. Accessibility
    Learn more
  5. Publication date
    February 20, 2018
  6. File size
    6.6 MB
  7. Page Flip
    Enabled
  8. Word Wise
    Enabled
  9. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
Next slide of product details

Editorial Reviews

Review

"FORBIDDEN BY FAITH shows how family, love, and faith can collide, even in this modern age." - Romance Author, A. K. Leigh

Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B08BNS13JT
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ City Owl Press
  • Accessibility ‏ : ‎ Learn more
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ February 20, 2018
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 6.6 MB
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 399 pages
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1944728717
  • Page Flip ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.5 out of 5 stars 106 ratings

About the author

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Negeen Papehn

Negeen Papehn

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Negeen Papehn was born and raised in southern California, where she currently lives with her husband and two boys. She wasn’t always a writer. A graduate of USC dental school, Negeen spends half of her week with patients and the other half in front of her laptop. In the little time she finds in between, she loves to play with her boys, go wine tasting with her friends, throw parties, and relax with her family.

Customer reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars
106 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this book to be a must-read with a love story that offers more than just romance, and one review notes it avoids clichés. Moreover, the book keeps readers engaged throughout, with believable characters and wonderful details about Persian culture. Additionally, the writing is highly descriptive, and one customer mentions the fast-moving plot line.

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Story qualityReadabilityCharacter developmentCultureEngagementPacingReligionWriting quality
19 customers mention "Story quality"19 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the story quality of the book, describing it as an enchanting love tale with depth beyond romance, and one customer notes it avoids clichés that can sometimes sink romances.

"...BY FAITH, Negeen Papehn’s debut novel, is a very interesting contemporary romance novel...." Read more

"...There is something entrancing, seductive -- yet at the same time no-nonsense -- about the way this story is weaved...." Read more

"...Will these two make it? The story is well written and gives a look into two cultures and their way of life...." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading Forbidden by Faith - a sweet love story where the main characters exemplify the true meaning of perseverance in their..." Read more

17 customers mention "Readability"17 positive0 negative

Customers find the book highly readable, keeping them interested throughout and making it a must-read, with one customer noting it's unlike anything they've read before.

"...It also isn’t rushed or (sometimes) unbelievable, the relationship between Sara and Maziar is an authentic, true-to-life romance...." Read more

"...The pacing was really spot on, and no-nonsense in giving you exactly what you needed, while still teasing you with what happened next...." Read more

"...This is a great book that touches on the all too often family politics we come face to face with in our lives and highlights the reality that love..." Read more

"I thoroughly enjoyed reading Forbidden by Faith - a sweet love story where the main characters exemplify the true meaning of perseverance in their..." Read more

10 customers mention "Character development"10 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the character development in the book.

"...The novel is very well written, and the characters are all fully developed. I can’t wait to see what is next from Negeen Papehn!" Read more

"...The characters really had me enthralled (only a moment here or there where I didn't quite understand the level of emotional reaction), and I felt..." Read more

"...I found myself relating to the main character and her struggles with being accepted by her boyfriend’s family...." Read more

"...The characters and story felt relatable and real, and the twists, turns, and emotions kept me wanting more...." Read more

9 customers mention "Culture"9 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the book's portrayal of authentic Persian culture, with one customer noting how it weaves in cultural and religious differences, while another highlights its realistic depiction of family dynamics.

"...The romance between Sara and Maziar was realistic and, at times, heartbreaking. As is her relationship with her parents, brother, and friends...." Read more

"...Will these two make it? The story is well written and gives a look into two cultures and their way of life...." Read more

"...as a mother to her boyfriend’s mom (the antagonist) and the deep connection, bond, and love a mother has for her child...." Read more

"...The wonderful details provided me with all that was necessary to envision the characters’ physical and emotional space...." Read more

4 customers mention "Engagement"4 positive0 negative

Customers find the book engaging.

"...This book kept me so engaged and eager to find out what was going to happen next." Read more

"...It sucked me in immediately and kept me glued to the pages all the way to the end...." Read more

"Fast moving plot line. Interesting,kept me involved. Liked the ending" Read more

"Such a great book. You are engaged the entire time you are reading it. Great read-I couldn’t put it down!" Read more

4 customers mention "Pacing"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the pacing of the book, with one noting its fast-moving plot line and another mentioning they lost track of time while reading.

"...The pacing was really spot on, and no-nonsense in giving you exactly what you needed, while still teasing you with what happened next...." Read more

"...I lost track of time as I read this book. Definitely have to read it!" Read more

"Fast moving plot line. Interesting,kept me involved. Liked the ending" Read more

"My screen time went up thanks to this book...." Read more

4 customers mention "Religion"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the religious elements in the book, with one customer highlighting the religious conflict and another noting how the story plays out over years.

"...days, weeks, or months like a lot of romance novels, FORBIDDEN BY FAITH plays out over years...." Read more

"...The author really delves into family dynamics, traditions, religion, and the fact that oftentimes relationships aren’t as simple as people’s love..." Read more

"I loved Forbidden by Faith!!It is so much more than a romance novel...." Read more

"...It kept you interested with a glimpse into Iranian culture and religious conflict. Very entertaining. Can’t wait for the next installment, Negeen." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers praise the writing quality of the book, with multiple reviews noting its incredibly descriptive prose, and one customer describing it as poetic.

"...The novel is very well written, and the characters are all fully developed. I can’t wait to see what is next from Negeen Papehn!" Read more

"...I absolutely love this book! Papehn’s writing is beautifully descriptive and poetic...." Read more

"...I'm not usually a fan of present tense, but the writing is so phenomenal that it felt natural and helped me feel as if I were in the scene itself...." Read more

"...I never wanted to put it down! The writing was unbelievably descriptive!..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Randee
    5.0 out of 5 stars Captivating contemporary romance
    Reviewed in the United States on April 28, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Sara and Maziar are both Persian, and their parents and ancestors are from Iran.

    The problem is that Sara’s family is Muslim, and Maziar’s family is Jewish. If you know anything about the centuries of unrest in the Middle East, you know that the differences in religion is a huge deal. Turns out that it is also a pretty big deal between Persians living in California.

    Sara and Maziar, neither of whom are overly religious, are determined to make their relationship work. Maziar is confident than everything will be okay. Sara is more practical, and she has her doubts. But that doesn’t stop her from pursuing the relationship. The problems in their relationship is caused by their family members. Sara’s family is mostly accepting of Maziar, though they are not pleased with their only daughter’s relationship. Maziar’s family is dead set against the relationship, and they succeed in breaking the two of up for a matter of years. Even after Sara and Maziar are brought back together, his family won’t accept it. But, during their second chance at love, Sara and Maziar are determined to let no one and nothing come between them.

    FORBIDDEN BY FAITH, Negeen Papehn’s debut novel, is a very interesting contemporary romance novel. Instead of playing out over a matter of days, weeks, or months like a lot of romance novels, FORBIDDEN BY FAITH plays out over years. It also isn’t rushed or (sometimes) unbelievable, the relationship between Sara and Maziar is an authentic, true-to-life romance. And the novel isn’t just about the romance between Sara and Maziar, it’s also about their relationships between their family and friends. It’s about their lives – from school, to work, to just day-to-day life.

    The story is told entirely from Sara’s perspective. The reader is taken along on a journey of ups and downs as they follow Sara for multiple years. The novel begins on the night that Sara meets Maziar when she is a 24 year old graduate student. The novel ends a few years later – after Sara is done with school and embarking on the next stage of her life. Sara is a very likeable character – though she does seem to cry a lot. The reader will feel her struggles as she fights for her relationship with Maziar. The reader will also feel for Sara as she finds her independence and begins to break from the expectations placed upon her by her family. Her parents expect Sara to be a good Persian daughter by following their dictates. Until she meets Maziar, she has based nearly all of her life decisions on what her parents would approve of. Dating a Jewish man (even if he is also Persian) is definitely not something that her parents would approve of. Dating a Caucasian Christian during the years where Sara and Maziar are broken up upsets them even more. Sara wants her parents’ approval, but she also wants to live her life as she wants to. Watching her grow and assert her independence and dreams for her life are captivating. The readers will definitely find themselves cheering for Sara during her journey.

    I thoroughly enjoyed FORBIDDEN BY FAITH. The romance between Sara and Maziar was realistic and, at times, heartbreaking. As is her relationship with her parents, brother, and friends. All of the various relationships fills the pages of the novel and help shape Sara as a person. The novel is very well written, and the characters are all fully developed. I can’t wait to see what is next from Negeen Papehn!
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  • BlueScale
    4.0 out of 5 stars Enchanting story, lovely debut
    Reviewed in the United States on March 8, 2018
    Verified Purchase
    Papehn writing style was the first thing that struck me: she's telling a story, not leading you through it. In a world where "show don't tell" is hammered into any writer's skull, I was surprised and intrigued by this shift. At first I thought I wasn't going to like it... and then I found myself unable to put it down.

    There is something entrancing, seductive -- yet at the same time no-nonsense -- about the way this story is weaved. I found myself identifying with the main character Sara on WAY too many levels, and her story had me thinking about it for days afterwards. There's just something about it that gets under your skin -- in the best way possible.

    The pacing was really spot on, and no-nonsense in giving you exactly what you needed, while still teasing you with what happened next. The characters really had me enthralled (only a moment here or there where I didn't quite understand the level of emotional reaction), and I felt really connected to the main protagonists. Each character really developed into feeling "real," even if I didn't understand every aspect of them.

    I can't speak to the cultural representation, but I understand this story is OwnVoices. That being said, I loved getting a glimpse into Jewish and Muslim Persian culture and the tensions that exist therein. And the food!!!

    Needless to say, I really recommend this. It's fresh, it's interesting, I don't think you're going to find anything really like it. This is Papehn's debut, and I'm really looking forward to what she will be writing next.
    4 people found this helpful
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  • Merry Jelks- Emmanuel
    5.0 out of 5 stars An Amazing Story
    Reviewed in the United States on March 10, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Two different faiths, cultures and one love. Will they survive the ramifications that their relationship places on their families. Maziar and Sara love each other but their families cultures are set and in Sara's case her family is not happy with her choices. Sara embraces her decisions and as a result she is in for a world of war between not only her family but Maziar's as well. Will these two make it? The story is well written and gives a look into two cultures and their way of life.

    I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
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  • chris edgar
    5.0 out of 5 stars Page Turner
    Reviewed in the United States on February 7, 2021
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    Page turner! Once I started reading it, I couldn’t set it down! Being half Persian, I loved the culture that was pulled into the book; however, anyone can relate to this storyline and the characters involved. I found myself relating to the main character and her struggles with being accepted by her boyfriend’s family. In addition, I also found myself relating as a mother to her boyfriend’s mom (the antagonist) and the deep connection, bond, and love a mother has for her child. This is a great book that touches on the all too often family politics we come face to face with in our lives and highlights the reality that love will prevail.
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  • Amy
    5.0 out of 5 stars Loved it!
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    I thoroughly enjoyed reading Forbidden by Faith - a sweet love story where the main characters exemplify the true meaning of perseverance in their quest to be together, despite their different religious backgrounds. The wonderful details provided me with all that was necessary to envision the characters’ physical and emotional space. I loved learning about the various cultural and religious aspects as well. This book kept me so engaged and eager to find out what was going to happen next.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

  • Kathleen Bulfon
    5.0 out of 5 stars One Hot Read!!
    Reviewed in Canada on April 2, 2020
    Verified Purchase
    Oh My Goodness. I have loved reading these amazing books. You feel so invested in the characters and story when you read them.These books were gripping, well written and the chemistry between the characters was just awesome!!

    I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
    Report
  • Esther
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great debut!
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on May 4, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Really enjoyed this novel. I don’t usually read romance, but the influence of cultural norms and faith traditions on the narrative meant that it went beyond ‘regular’ romance (not that there is anything wrong with romance, it’s just not my personal taste!).
    Really fascinating insights into a culture, plot that kept you reading as the characters and their relationships develop.
    Team Ben!
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  • Jenni Collins
    4.0 out of 5 stars This was a really interesting first novel and I enjoyed reading it
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on June 12, 2018
    Format: PaperbackVerified Purchase
    This was a really interesting first novel and I enjoyed reading it. I got drawn into the world and the differences and challenges presented by the two faiths, and especially the family life which made it really colourful. There was romance and drama, and great characterisation which made events more believable and also more powerful. Sara leads through the whole book, so it's very much an immersion into her world, but I liked the references to her career and how it was such an important part of her life, as well as her relationships. At times it did get frustrating as Sara cycled over the same arguments, but all in all this was a really enjoyable read and I can't wait for the next one!
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  • occasional reviewer
    5.0 out of 5 stars Unexpected read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 13, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Downloaded this on offer and gave it a go. Anything 'faith' makes me wary but I really enjoyed it! I love romances and this was a lovely and engaging read.
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  • Joanne Wilkinson
    5.0 out of 5 stars A great read
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on February 26, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    I loved this book, the storyline, the way it was written and the message it gave. Can't wait to read book two.
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