Negeen Papehn

Plot:
Bita is a successful dentist and she’s pretty content with her life. But her family – above all her mother – can’t accept that Bita is single. When Bita decides that it is time to get her own house, she finds an old family friend as the real estate agent – Ramtin. Ramtin is incredibly charming, divorced and 15 years her senior, but sparks fly between them. Their age gap shouldn’t be a problem – or at least that’s what Bita thinks at first.

Forbidden by Time is a generally nice read and I liked that it was set in the Iranian-American community, but it definitely would have needed some more editing. I enjoyed it for the most part anyway.

Read more on my blog: https://kalafudra.com/2019/08/30/forbidden-by-time-negeen-papehn/… (meer)

A special thank you to the author, Negeen Papehn, for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Bita is a strong, modern woman who is successful in her professional life—she's a dentist—and is a no-nonsense kind of gal. In her personal life, she is single, which to her pushy Iranian mother (and the rest of her family), is concerning.

Determined to be self-sufficient and to stand on her own two feet, Bita purchases her first home. An unexpected spark with the handsome, older real estate agent leads to more than just a business transaction.

The relationship has its challenges with their fifteen-year age gap, his ex-wife and daughters, and Bita's overbearing family. Despite all that is working against them, it is Ramtin who she wants to be with. But then something unexpected happens and Bita must decide if Ramtin is worth the ultimate sacrifice she will have to make.

Although this is the third and final installment in the Forbidden series, it can read as a standalone novel. There is enough information provided for those that didn't read Forbidden by Faith or Forbidden by Destiny, yet isn't repetitive.

Bita is the strong-willed, older sister of Maziar from Forbidden by Faith. She was a stand-out character in that book, so I was quite happy that Papehn chose her to be the main character for this story. She is a dynamic, strong, and multi-faceted character that many women will be able to relate to.

What I enjoy most about this series is that it is a modern/cultural take on the forbidden love/Romeo and Juliet trope. Each of the main characters must overcome familial obligations and expectations, as well as experience growth, for there to even be a chance at love and ultimately, they must decide if the relationship is worth the fall-out that could occur as a result.

Papehn writes with intense feeling and purpose—she injects her contemporary love stories with the emotions of all of the characters. She also infuses the novels with her own experiences and voice, bringing her Iranian heritage into each book in this series as the basis of the narrative. These types of stories are important to tell because they represent so many, yet are not widely read or written about.

Congratulations, Negeen, on another fabulous achievement. I can't wait to see what you do next!… (meer)

A special thank you to the author, Negeen Papehn, for providing me with a copy in exchange for an honest review.

When Sara and Ben finally end things for good, she calls on Leyla to collect her things from Ben's apartment. Leyla reluctantly agrees. After all, that's what best friends are for, right? Wanting to cheer him up, Leyla invites Ben to lunch and the two end up spending an enjoyable afternoon together. Her loyalties are tested when she realizes that she's attracted to him. On one hand, Leyla has always liked Ben and she's bothered with how Sara ended things with him; on the other hand, even though she has moved on and is happy, Sara is still her best friend, and Ben is her ex.

To be with Ben could cost Leyla not only her best friend, but the support of her family because she would be going against what is expected of her. Ultimately she must decide if this love is worth the risk.

Although this is the second novel in the Forbidden series, it can read as a standalone book. Papehn provides enough information for those that didn't read Forbidden by Faith, yet isn't repetitive.

She has matured as an author with this sophomore effort. As a result the characters were more purposeful and the narrative was tight and well thought out. True to the series, this book is also a contemporary love story with a cultural twist. These types of stories are important to tell because they represent so many, yet are not widely read or written about.

This book does not shy away from some pretty sensitive subject matter. Papehn deftly handles the responsibility that comes with writing about sexual assault. She writes the victim with care and compassion all while giving them an authentic voice.

Thank you, Negeen, once again for trusting me with your book. You have really hit your stride and I'm anxious and excited to see how the trilogy ends.… (meer)