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Forbidden Love #1
Forbidden by Faith
A gripping romance rich with culture...and one woman’s journey to discover the line between faith, family, and love.
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?
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?
344 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 6, 2018
About the author
Negeen Papehn
12 books76 followersNegeen Papehn was born and raised in southern California, where she currently lives with her husband and two rambunctious 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.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 51 reviews
January 25, 2018
The blurb on the back of this book does not do the story between the covers justice.
Forbidden by Faith isn't only a love story, it's also the story of young woman's journey of self-discovery. Sara has her plate full: pharmacy school, loving--but demanding--traditional Persian parents and family, and two hot, forbidden men who are both willing to fight for her.
The author kept me guessing and I loved not knowing how this story was going to end. Papehn also did a stellar job of depicting Sara's struggle to find the truth while those around her are busily pursuing their own agendas.
Sara walks a fine line of being an American, a Persian, and a woman who is her own person, regardless of labels or her family's or society's expectations.
Papehn tells Sara's story in a clean, fast-paced, direct fashion that is compelling without sacrificing beautiful, intelligent, and often amusing prose.
Here are a few examples:
"There was a warmth about him that felt like fingers wrapped around a hot cup of tea on a cold day."
"Persian women were a special breed, possessing certain ironclad strength. They never showed weakness. . . . Absolutely no one considered therapy, unless they were clinically insane."
And then there were the descriptions of food, which left me so hungry I was ready to gnaw off my arm. I LOVE Persian food and it was torture to read about it and have no Persian mother here to cook for me.
Anyhow, I loved the book--starting from the very first page. The prologue, which was clever, made the story even more fun and interesting to read (you'll need to read the book to see what I mean!)
5 stars
Forbidden by Faith isn't only a love story, it's also the story of young woman's journey of self-discovery. Sara has her plate full: pharmacy school, loving--but demanding--traditional Persian parents and family, and two hot, forbidden men who are both willing to fight for her.
The author kept me guessing and I loved not knowing how this story was going to end. Papehn also did a stellar job of depicting Sara's struggle to find the truth while those around her are busily pursuing their own agendas.
Sara walks a fine line of being an American, a Persian, and a woman who is her own person, regardless of labels or her family's or society's expectations.
Papehn tells Sara's story in a clean, fast-paced, direct fashion that is compelling without sacrificing beautiful, intelligent, and often amusing prose.
Here are a few examples:
"There was a warmth about him that felt like fingers wrapped around a hot cup of tea on a cold day."
"Persian women were a special breed, possessing certain ironclad strength. They never showed weakness. . . . Absolutely no one considered therapy, unless they were clinically insane."
And then there were the descriptions of food, which left me so hungry I was ready to gnaw off my arm. I LOVE Persian food and it was torture to read about it and have no Persian mother here to cook for me.
Anyhow, I loved the book--starting from the very first page. The prologue, which was clever, made the story even more fun and interesting to read (you'll need to read the book to see what I mean!)
5 stars
January 16, 2018
Set in Los Angeles, Negeen Papehn's debut novel, Forbidden By Faith, is a modern day Romeo and Juliet. If you enjoy high stakes Romance, you won't want to miss this one!
Read
May 26, 2022Romance between an Iranian Jew and an Iranian Muslim in the US, with much difficulty based on his family's resistance to him marrying a Muslim.
Didn't entirely work for me as a romance. Partly because it's very much an eyes-meet-across-the-room instalove with them being certain they are The One for each other, but we don't really see a lot of them actually functioning as a happy couple, and they spend more time apart and in other relationships/a coma than together on page.
Partly it's because it's really quite hard to root for Maziar. He flat out lies to Sara to get her to date him, not once but for months, claiming that his family will accept her which he knows isn't true. He walks away from her when ordered to; then he stalks her; then when they finally get together again and he cuts ties with his family, once they reach out to reconcile, Sara ends up doing the majority of emotional labour to achieve that while he stands on his offence. Meanwhile Sara wins no prizes: she gets together with a perfectly nice man who treats her wonderfully, makes him untrue promises about her feelings, and drops him like a hot rock when they are *about to move in together* because Maziar.
Of course, all of the devastation caused by as well as to this pair happens because Maziar's mother and by extension daughter are hostile to him marrying a Muslim. For me the book really takes off in the carefully drawn process of reconciliation, which shows the hurt and the painful compromising and necessary swallowing of resentment on all sides. It's not easy, and people's cultures do matter to them, and there are points where the happy couple are clearly shown handwaving real issues with 'love conquers all'. The message is more, maybe it can, as long as it's backed up by a LOT of hard work.
There's lots of good stuff here about Iranian and Iranian-American culture, with some lovely supporting characters and friendships, and really well-drawn family dynamics, plus an overall message of love and acceptance which you can't argue with, and it kept me reading. But I did feel it would be better framed as women's fiction than romance. YMMV.
Didn't entirely work for me as a romance. Partly because it's very much an eyes-meet-across-the-room instalove with them being certain they are The One for each other, but we don't really see a lot of them actually functioning as a happy couple, and they spend more time apart and in other relationships/a coma than together on page.
Partly it's because it's really quite hard to root for Maziar. He flat out lies to Sara to get her to date him, not once but for months, claiming that his family will accept her which he knows isn't true. He walks away from her when ordered to; then he stalks her; then when they finally get together again and he cuts ties with his family, once they reach out to reconcile, Sara ends up doing the majority of emotional labour to achieve that while he stands on his offence. Meanwhile Sara wins no prizes: she gets together with a perfectly nice man who treats her wonderfully, makes him untrue promises about her feelings, and drops him like a hot rock when they are *about to move in together* because Maziar.
Of course, all of the devastation caused by as well as to this pair happens because Maziar's mother and by extension daughter are hostile to him marrying a Muslim. For me the book really takes off in the carefully drawn process of reconciliation, which shows the hurt and the painful compromising and necessary swallowing of resentment on all sides. It's not easy, and people's cultures do matter to them, and there are points where the happy couple are clearly shown handwaving real issues with 'love conquers all'. The message is more, maybe it can, as long as it's backed up by a LOT of hard work.
There's lots of good stuff here about Iranian and Iranian-American culture, with some lovely supporting characters and friendships, and really well-drawn family dynamics, plus an overall message of love and acceptance which you can't argue with, and it kept me reading. But I did feel it would be better framed as women's fiction than romance. YMMV.
January 17, 2018
Taking one of history’s oldest cultural divides, the author — with her gifted ability of capturing the authentic tension of the moment — pushes the story into territories that are uncomfortable, but necessary.
Through the many passionate escapades between lovers, the heart-wrenching anguish of a parent, and the seething outrage of intolerance — she straps you in tightly and brings you along on this wonderful rollercoaster ride.
In the end, they say that love conquers all... but they didn’t say that it wouldn’t be messy, and they certainly didn’t say that there wouldn’t be any casualties.
Through the many passionate escapades between lovers, the heart-wrenching anguish of a parent, and the seething outrage of intolerance — she straps you in tightly and brings you along on this wonderful rollercoaster ride.
In the end, they say that love conquers all... but they didn’t say that it wouldn’t be messy, and they certainly didn’t say that there wouldn’t be any casualties.
January 14, 2018
Negeen Papehn’s debut novel “Forbidden by Faith” tells the incredible story of Sara,Persian Muslim
and Maziar,Persian Jewish.Family,religion,customs and traditions are on the way of Sara and Maziar’s love...The author magically and skillfully describes the Persian culture and values and that makes the book so much more than a love story..We find ourselves in many of the scenes..Realistic yet romantic and beautiful Forbidden by Faith is a must read!
and Maziar,Persian Jewish.Family,religion,customs and traditions are on the way of Sara and Maziar’s love...The author magically and skillfully describes the Persian culture and values and that makes the book so much more than a love story..We find ourselves in many of the scenes..Realistic yet romantic and beautiful Forbidden by Faith is a must read!
January 13, 2018
Negeen's beautiful prose takes us on a journey through the trials of young adulthood--of finding your own path and independence. Mix that with a love your family, friends, and faith cannot condone and the result is a series of triumphs and heartaches as felt through the heart of a young woman determined to find her way.
December 17, 2017
This book highlights the heartbreaking conflict between people who fall in love of different religions. It's a soul-searching journey between the couple to decide if love can overcome all obstacles. A strong story that touches on many levels. Family, loyalty, betrayal, faith, all the elements of a deep read. Anyone who has ever been in this situation will appreciate this book.
January 27, 2018
I've never read a romance novel quite like this one. It's absolutely unique in its format, storytelling, and subject. The food, customs, and belief systems of Sara and her family really made Sara come off the page and feel like more than a character in a book. The author did a fabulous job of fully fleshing out her characters, especially her main character, and making me want to cheer Sara on in her quest for a lasting love. This was a great story and offered a different perspective than what we normally see in romance fiction, which I'm very thankful for the opportunity to have read. Thank you, Negeen Papehn!
January 13, 2018
Forbidden by faith is not your average romance, but so much more. Through the struggles of Sara and Maziar, I was given insight into a culture I didn’t know very much about. I felt the tension and the heartbreak when they had to choose between their love for each other and their families. The author weaves a web you get tangled in and creates a book you can’t put down. I highly recommend it!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 10, 2018
Sara is intelligent, passionate, devoted to her faith and family. But love doesn’t care about faith. What do you do when you are in love with someone your family is going to hate? The book starts off with a bang and I couldn’t put it down! Sara and Maziar are so touching together. Their love will melt your heart. This was such a great read and the writing is very melodic.
January 30, 2018
I couldn't help but think of "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" while reading this book. Forbidden By Faith isn't a rom-com, but it has the same soul, one that champions love and family and tradition in a multi-cultural world. Sara, a young woman from a close Persian, Muslim family balances her growing independence during pharmacy school with the pull of familial expectations of propriety and, let's face it, parents who have trouble recognizing their little girl is all grown up. Add into this a love interest who, while Persian, is Jewish. This clash of culture isn't a clash for the lovers, but love and marriage isn't just between two people. Love and marriage bring together entire families. What happens when the families don't want to come together? Forbidden By Faith follows the emotional growth of Sara, while examining the challenges and ultimate rewards of recognizing but putting aside differences and focusing on the common joys of family.
February 22, 2018
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!
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!
February 1, 2018
Forbidden By Faith is a beautiful love story. Two young lovers, Sara and Maziar, are at the heart of it, but the story, like love itself, is never just about two people. It's about parents, siblings, and friends; tradition, culture, and faith. All these elements pull in two different directions until the chasm between Sara and Maziar is so wide you just don't know how, or even if, they can make a life together. Papehn reveals the raw emotions of everyone involved in this relationship, deftly pulling the reader first one way then the other, never giving a hint of the outcome until the very end. A compelling read!
February 16, 2018
Wow. Just wow. What a wonderful story! Debut author Negeen Papehn brings us an amazing and modern twist on the classic Romeo and Juliet, amidst a clash of cultures and religion. Sara's story is engrossing, particularly her having to deal with her family and balancing this with her own feelings against her cultural upbringing. There were so many twists and turns, I was intrigued right to the very end. Ms Papehn's prose was just beautiful and I'm eagerly looking forward to what she has in store for us next!!
February 21, 2018
Romance novels are uncharted territory for me, but this book made me so glad I decided to do some exploring. I was hooked from the first few pages! The writing style was lovely and easy to read. This was a wonderful debut, and I can't wait to see more from Negeen Papehn.
April 20, 2018
Faith, tradition, family, love: what do you do when these deep bonds pull you in opposite directions? This novel explores this question and deals realistically with the answers. I loved seeing a young Muslim-American woman, living in this culture but also a little apart from it, trying to please her family and herself. It was heartbreaking to feel her pain as she falls in love with the "wrong" man -- not once, but twice... I feel like I learned something about the world as well as reading a love story.
February 23, 2018
4 stars
I've read Forbidden by Faith a while ago but I needed some time to process it because I've never experienced what I did when I was reading this book. This is the first time I've hated the beginning of a book but ended up loving it. I usually waste no time DNFing when it happens but I was stranded in the country with my family and no wifi, I was in a MAJOR book slump and I really wanted to read this story because the topic is so interesting.
I love when books break the usual romance structure, I really enjoy reading romance books about troubled relationships, I know some people prefer to read about the process of falling in love but sometimes it's refreshing to read about a couple fighting for their relationship to work and dealing with external stuff. I loved the Spiral of Bliss series by Nina Lane for example, it was SOOOO good but I digress.
When I started Forbidden by Faith I thought that it was such a shame that this book had the potential to get me out of my book slump but that I just HATED the writer's style. It starts with Sara and Maziar meeting at a party, nothing wrong with that, but I didn't like the fact that the narrator was telling us about the beginning of their relationship rather than showing it. I also hated how absent Maziar seemed. I didn't know if it was on purpose, I had no idea how I was supposed to feel about him but I was pissed at him because he seemed super passive especially when Sara met his family for the first time. I wanted to shake him during that moment, I was super frustrated by the lack of his POV because it made him seem weak and indecisive. I think that's when I seriously considered DNFing, but I remembered that I was bored and had no wifi and I needed to know what happened next so I guessed it was a good sign. I really don't want to spoil anything but I'm really happy I continued, it's already one of my best 2018 reading decisions.
What was interesting here is the fact that both characters were Iranian but with a different religion and it was enough to create tension realistically.
I knew it was probably the only romance book about an interfaith relationship I would get this year, so I decided that was going to try to get into it and Maziar decided he was going to SHOW UP big time for his girl and it was AMAZING guys. He stood up for her, loved her fiercely and gave me all I needed and more. I also loved that Sara never waited for him to get there, she lived her life, grew as a character, I was pleasantly surprised by both characters growth. It was beautiful to see them realize what was really important for them, what they were willing to compromise with and what they couldn't sacrifice in order to be content with their life. It was surprisingly inspiring to be honest, I didn't expect to learn so much from this book even though it was obvious from the start that it was an important story to tell for Negeen Papehn . It's her culture and it was loosely inspired by her relationship with her husband.
I decided to write this review to support this author because I really want more story representing the USA's different cultures. It's a shame that this diversity that makes this country so interesting is barely represented in this genre. I definitely enjoyed it and ended up rooting for the couple and their love. It was entertaining and thought provoking enough to keep me engaged until the end. Forbidden by Faith still has all of the flaws you can expect from a first book but at some point I just let go and started to really love it and I can honestly write that I don't regret finishing it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoy reading romance with characters of different religious, cultural or/and racial background. Give it a chance, I promise you won't regret it !
LoveLysBooks
I've read Forbidden by Faith a while ago but I needed some time to process it because I've never experienced what I did when I was reading this book. This is the first time I've hated the beginning of a book but ended up loving it. I usually waste no time DNFing when it happens but I was stranded in the country with my family and no wifi, I was in a MAJOR book slump and I really wanted to read this story because the topic is so interesting.
I love when books break the usual romance structure, I really enjoy reading romance books about troubled relationships, I know some people prefer to read about the process of falling in love but sometimes it's refreshing to read about a couple fighting for their relationship to work and dealing with external stuff. I loved the Spiral of Bliss series by Nina Lane for example, it was SOOOO good but I digress.
When I started Forbidden by Faith I thought that it was such a shame that this book had the potential to get me out of my book slump but that I just HATED the writer's style. It starts with Sara and Maziar meeting at a party, nothing wrong with that, but I didn't like the fact that the narrator was telling us about the beginning of their relationship rather than showing it. I also hated how absent Maziar seemed. I didn't know if it was on purpose, I had no idea how I was supposed to feel about him but I was pissed at him because he seemed super passive especially when Sara met his family for the first time. I wanted to shake him during that moment, I was super frustrated by the lack of his POV because it made him seem weak and indecisive. I think that's when I seriously considered DNFing, but I remembered that I was bored and had no wifi and I needed to know what happened next so I guessed it was a good sign. I really don't want to spoil anything but I'm really happy I continued, it's already one of my best 2018 reading decisions.
What was interesting here is the fact that both characters were Iranian but with a different religion and it was enough to create tension realistically.
I knew it was probably the only romance book about an interfaith relationship I would get this year, so I decided that was going to try to get into it and Maziar decided he was going to SHOW UP big time for his girl and it was AMAZING guys. He stood up for her, loved her fiercely and gave me all I needed and more. I also loved that Sara never waited for him to get there, she lived her life, grew as a character, I was pleasantly surprised by both characters growth. It was beautiful to see them realize what was really important for them, what they were willing to compromise with and what they couldn't sacrifice in order to be content with their life. It was surprisingly inspiring to be honest, I didn't expect to learn so much from this book even though it was obvious from the start that it was an important story to tell for Negeen Papehn . It's her culture and it was loosely inspired by her relationship with her husband.
I decided to write this review to support this author because I really want more story representing the USA's different cultures. It's a shame that this diversity that makes this country so interesting is barely represented in this genre. I definitely enjoyed it and ended up rooting for the couple and their love. It was entertaining and thought provoking enough to keep me engaged until the end. Forbidden by Faith still has all of the flaws you can expect from a first book but at some point I just let go and started to really love it and I can honestly write that I don't regret finishing it and would recommend it to anyone who enjoy reading romance with characters of different religious, cultural or/and racial background. Give it a chance, I promise you won't regret it !
LoveLysBooks
March 26, 2018
This book has me hooked from the very first sentence! The characters were endearing and the story was refreshing and original. This was a lovely read!
April 19, 2018
Interesting look at cross-cultural romance set in America.
February 23, 2018
I enjoyed Forbidden by Faith for its look into Persian family dynamics. Sara, an upper-twenties young woman finishing pharmacy school, meets two men, both forbidden to her by her family. The first, though Persian, was Jewish; the second Caucasian. Sara has an instant attraction to Maziar. She and Maziar break up after acknowledging that their relationship can never progress because of religious differences. Sara, on one hand, was not particularly likable because she uses Ben to fill the void in her life after her relationship with Maziar ends. On the other hand, Sara must be applauded for her efforts at gaining independence from her closely-knit, traditional Persian family and becoming her own person. She, like many second-generation immigrants, struggle with the dual identities of their families’ home countries and being American.
June 10, 2018
Forbidden by Faith is a story about family, unity, and heritage. Despite their differences in faith, Sara and Mazair find one another and learn the true challenge and lengths one can go to - for love. Papehn weaves a beautiful tale about self-discovery and acceptance. The great divide that exists in the story, shaped by the disapproval opinions of both Sara's and Mazair's families, sets the stage for the underlying conflict and desire for acceptance in the face of love. Papehn writes a story that is rich in detail and emotion, which will leave you only wanting more! I highly recommend this book for anyone seeking a thoughtful and memorable love story full of culture.
March 1, 2018
A romance made more interesting than most because of the cultural and religious obstacles in the way of love. I have to wonder how many relationships last the decades when extended families are not interested in staying connected because of an incoming (possible) in-law with a different background. Papehn deals with many of the situations that could occur in this romance that's only on-again, off-again because of family pressure and bigotry, and she rides us through it all to a satisfying end.
May 15, 2019
An impressive and explosive debut by Papehn. The storytelling with descriptions of the culture and belief system of Sara's family was well done and avoided clechés that can sometimes sink romances. I was entertained and cheered Sara on her quest to find a healthy relationship––something I love seeing in romance. Can't wait to see what Papehn comes up with next!
June 8, 2019
She always obey her parents and does as she is told until she meets him. They call in love but there is one big issue between them and it is religion. Neither parents would want them to be together. Can they prove their love? Can they get their parents to understand their love? See how they get on
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
September 13, 2019
This is a great book! The author kept me interested the whole time. I didn't want to stop reading. From the beginning to the end! I could picture the characters in my mind as Negeen gave great descriptions to what they looked like. You could feel the sadness Sara felt when she couldn't be Maziar because of their religion. You easily lose track of time because you get lost in the story. I can't wait to read the other books by Negeen!
March 8, 2018
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.
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.
Want to Read
February 20, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon today (2/20/2019)! 🎁
Blurb:
Sara knows her life would be easier if she married a man of her faith, but when has love ever been easy?
Raised by her immigrant Iranian 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, and her world is turned upside down.
An instant electricity ignites between them, and it seems like fate when she discovers he’s also Iranian. 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?
Blurb:
Sara knows her life would be easier if she married a man of her faith, but when has love ever been easy?
Raised by her immigrant Iranian 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, and her world is turned upside down.
An instant electricity ignites between them, and it seems like fate when she discovers he’s also Iranian. 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?
January 10, 2019
Very interesting read about the cultural and religious issues that erupt when a Muslim woman and a Jewish man fall in love, even when neither the woman's family nor the man's family are actively following their respective religions. The fact that both are Persian (Iranian) provides another intriguing dimension to this great story line. As this story unfolds, the constant, unanswered question is: Will their love overcome the very significant cultural and religious obstacles that arise from their respective families?
Michael Wright
Author, A Balmy Breeze from Two Seas
www.abalmybreeze.com
Michael Wright
Author, A Balmy Breeze from Two Seas
www.abalmybreeze.com
March 13, 2019
I really enjoyed this story. Really good plot to the story. Very well written. Would highly recommend it to anyone who likes this kind of stories. Can't wait to read more from this author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
August 19, 2018
What a great read! Exposed me to a culture that I wasn't familiar with and left me wanting to know more. Can't wait to see what's next!
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