Negeen PapehnRezensionen

The writing itself was overall good, for the most part. I appreciated the cultural aspects of the writing. But romance of this sort is not really my cup of tea, as I later discovered. Maybe this book would've been more enjoyable had my tastes been different.

I couldn't finish it in the end, but if you feel like this is a book for you, go for it!

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/

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!½

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.½

Arc provided by Library Thing Early Reviewers for an honest review

There are times when you read a book and know from the very first chapter what your rating will be. Then there are times when you’re completely thrown off kilter and your prediction is waaaaay off. This was definitely a case of the latter. In a good way!

Forbidden by Time was a surprisingly enchanting and enigmatic read that had me up until the early hours of the morning. What started out as cultural-based story of a woman seeking independence merged in to a romance that not only captured my heart but left me feeling giddy. There’s something about the age-gap distance trope that I find appealing, regardless of how well it’s written. In the case of this book I was whole-heartedly hoping that despite the obstacles the main characters faced, they would end up getting the happily ever after that they deserved.

“Somewhere in a past life, Ramtin was mine and I was his. There’s no other way to explain this instant connection I feel. And in this life, I’m sure that there’s nothing more I want than to repeat history.”

The story follows a young woman named Bita, the eldest sibling of an Iranian family, who has achieved higher education and seeks her own independence from the marital expectations set for her by family and culture. While in search of her own space, a home for her to build a life in, she meets Ramtin – the man she has been searching for without even knowing it.

“All this time, I thought I was so focused on getting my own life together that I had no time to invest in relationships and setting roots with someone. But I’m slowly starting to realise that time was never the issue. I just hadn’t met anyone who spoke to my soul.”

Despite their connection, the budding relationship between Bita and Ramtin is met with seemingly insurmountable obstacles. From family disapproval, age difference and the prospect of children with a man who already has his own, Forbidden by Time highlights how love is not the only factor in order for a relationship to survive. The desperate and heart-touching story of a couple’s fight for love and the potential losses incurred with its gain was eye-opening.

“I can’t help but wonder if all I stand to lose, all I must give up in order to be with him, is worth the weight of my possible regret?”

What captured my attention and approval the most in this book was Papehn’s honesty and approach to the situations the characters faced. Written well, Papehn successfully created flawed characters who did not easily choose between family or love. While honest, the story was at times painful to read – which is always a success in my book. I genuinely cared about the characters which came as a surprise. I had not anticipated that the book would affect me as it did. What was initially (first chapter) judged as a three star turned in to a five by the end of the book. I eagerly await the next book Papehn has to offer!

Forbidden by Destiny was a quick read for me. Very engaging, I couldn’t put it down. This story is about a romance in Iranian culture. Many Iranian words and their translations helped immerse you in the culture, along with Iranian traditions. There are some explicit descriptions and an attempted rape that may not be suitable for younger readers. I look forward to reading the first, Forbidden by Faith, and third book, Forbidden by Time, in the Forbidden Love series now!

(I received a free review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.)

Forbidden by Destiny
I like this book, but I really wanted to love it. The characters were real and the story dealt with relatable relationship concepts. I felt the story dragged a bit with the couple figuring out they should truly be together, and that is why I give this one 3.5 stars.½

I thought this was a good book. It was well written and easy to read book about love, family, friendship, heartache, attempted rape and happiness. I look forward to reading other books from this author. The was the second book in a series and I plan on going back and reading the first one.

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

Sara's life would be easier if she married a man of her faith, but when it comes to matters of the heart, when has love ever been easy?

Raised by Iranian immigrants, Sara was raised to always respect her parents and their values. She has always made decisions that her family has approved of, that is until she meets Maziar. The two share an instant attraction and it seems like fate when she learns that he is also Iranian.

It's too good to be true—Sara is Muslim and Maziar is Jewish.

Despite their cultural and religious differences, Sara and Maziar fall in love, but their love comes at a high price because it comes at the expense of losing their families.

I was so thrilled when I heard from Negeen asking me to review her debut novel—the synopsis was intriguing and I loved the cultural twist on this love story.

Papehn's writing was engaging, while not being overly stylized or trite. She captured the emotions and struggles of young love against the cultural constraints of differing religious backgrounds.

Sara is the daughter to traditional, albeit demanding, Persian parents, a student, and a girl trying to navigate through a relationship that challenges her upbringing. She is also American and wants to fit it, but she also wants to stay true to her culture. What I liked most was the growth of Sara over the course of the narrative. She experiences tremendous progress to become her own person outside of her family.

The prologue was unexpected and the perfect hook. I look forward to the second book in this series. Congratulations, Negeen, on this wonderful accomplishment. Thank you for the honour of letting me review the book—I devoured it, it was a great summer read.½