She yearned for him.Nyla Mullaney couldn’t shake her want for a man she knew could never be hers.He desired her.Asan Chamberlain sought peace and found it in a woman who he should’ve been avoiding at all costs.They formed a bond that had them treading in forbidden waters with no desire to escape. Nyla and Asan were never meant to be, history said so, but fate had other plans.*please note, this is a full-length standalone novel drenched in pure unadulterated black love.
I adore the fact that the love between Nyla and Asan overcame any minor disputes between their families. This was a short, nice story. How expressive both of them were with one another was beautiful. I continue to think that Mullaney and Chamberlain's family feud was pointless.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Again as always 5 stars. Honestly I didn’t think this book was a slow-burn I think that they pursued each other at a nice pace not really slow. Nonetheless I still enjoyed the book! I love how the Love in Seattle and the flower sisters series were connected.
Asan Chamberlain and Nyla Mullaney’s families have been at odds for decades and it took a chance encounter between the youngest siblings to start to reverse this rivalry. Asan and Nyla’s love story was so sweet and when you get down to the bottom of why their families hated each other I was BEYOND annoyed! The dads were trash and I’m glad Asan and his brother along with Nyla and her sister weren’t going for it! This book was a slow burn but felt good! Loved the happy ending and epilogue! Also curious about Nyla’s middle sister and Asan’s best friend 👀. Overall I enjoyed this book! Not fully Romeo and Juliet but I’m in the same vein!
3.5 stars With a name like “Forbidden,” I really expected for the couple to have to work through more obstacles. But the conflict…wasn’t really a conflict for anyone; so as a fan of angst, it felt like I was set up for disappointment. Ultimately, I liked the writing, the world, and the characters, but the romance fell flat for me.
Ok...While I really liked Nyla and Asan as characters and found their relationship cute. I didn't much care for the story itself. It wasn't holding my attention like I wanted. To be honest, I thought this book was boring. Nothing happening in the story kept me entranced. As much as I would like to give it a higher rating. I can't. The characters were great but not even they were enough for me to give this book 4 stars. I still like Asia as an author but this one didn't do it for me unfortunately.
4.5 ⭐️ First, let me just say, to carry a feud for so long over something that seems so trivial (to me) is asinine! I’m definitely glad that this was revealed toward the end, even as much as I wanted to know what the issue was (because what!! 😒🙄).
Now that I’ve gotten that off my chest, Asia Monique YESSSSSS MAAAA’AAAAMM 👏🏾!!! I’m in strong like of Asan & Nyla’s story! From beginning to the very sweet end was everything. I loved the relationships that they both had with their siblings and that they were all successful in their own right! The fact that these were 2 prominent black families at odds with one another was disheartening, but the fact that they now have the ability to overcome those obstacles shows a light at the end of the tunnel. I just hope that there is success in that department. This was the start of a very great series, I enjoy Asia’s romance series tremendously. Very well done 🤌🏾👌🏾!
Wow! The love in these pages were almost tangible. I had butterflies reading about Nyla and Asan. I loved how the author worked them together and brought them together. Asia has a way expressing love between her characters and it's incredible. These characters were, black, smart, beautiful and bougie. I loved it.
I absolutely loved Nyla and Asan’a chemistry. I am so glad they found each other. I love they their love was strong enough to deal with a silly family feud.
I love their love for each other. They were so attentive to each other needs.
My first by this author . This was so sappy. There wasn’t any real antagonist . No real challenges . The idea was there but it wasn’t really executed well. The audio narrators were awful. I’ve listened to the female before and I think she is better with older voices . The guy was terrible. Definitely can’t narrate an urban character.
“Forbidden” by Asia Monique, the first in the Mullaney-Chamberlain series, brilliantly reimagines the timeless allure of forbidden love through the lens of a modern-day feud between two powerful media families. At the heart of this passionate narrative is Nyla Mullaney, a successful magazine owner and one of the three Mullaney sisters, who epitomizes both grace and authority. Born into a family that is not just wealthy and influential but also steeped in the media industry’s royalty, Nyla and her family live by one cardinal rule: never trust a Chamberlain.
The Mullaney family’s long-standing rivalry with the Chamberlains is legendary, spanning two generations and entrenched in the competitive media landscape. Yet, when Nyla relocates from the West Coast to Philadelphia, her life takes an unexpected turn. She encounters Asan, a vibrant, charismatic photographer whose presence ignites a passion in Nyla that she never anticipated. The twist? He is the youngest son of the Chamberlain family, the very embodiment of the rule her family lives by.
Asia Monique crafts a narrative that is not just a love story but an exploration of the complexities that come with familial loyalties and the courage it takes to defy them. This novel pays homage to the quintessential tale of Romeo and Juliet, yet it cleverly avoids the tragedy that befalls the star-crossed lovers, instead offering readers a sweet, passionate romance that captivates from start to finish.
Reading “Forbidden” is akin to indulging in a fine wine—each sip, or in this case, page, is to be savored. The backdrop of the media industry adds a layer of intrigue and sophistication to their love story, highlighting the clash between duty and desire, loyalty and love.
“Forbidden” was a story that gave me all the feels! This was a love story without struggle. It’s so refreshing to read a love story without hurt and drama. Nyla and Asan were raised in two families that were foes. A family feud that started so long ago that it makes no sense in how it still exists now. It was kismet that Nyla and Asan encounter each other in Philly, miles and miles away from their families and the media circus that follows them. Asan is a photographer that stands in for a good friend, unbeknownst to him it was Nyla’s magazine he was shooting for. Sparks fly immediately! Not even the hostility between their families can stop this blossoming love! I loved them both! I loved how Asan would speak life into Nyla! He was so sweet, intuitive, and supportive! Nyla was so adorable! She was such a ray of light that Asan needed to escape the dark! If you love slow burn romances that make you feel warm and fuzzy, then this is the book for you! Phenomenal writing and storytelling! Highly recommended!
Bay-be Queen Asia Monique won me as a fan-girl after reading "The Flower Sister's" series. She gave us such a beautiful semi enemies to friends to lovers insta-love story💕. Nyla daddy needed his a** beat walking around with the petty a** grudge for all those years🙄😔. I thoroughly enjoyed reading about Asan & Nyla's journey to love💕. The way these two ended up working together was fate. That one encounter sparked something in them both, but that first date sealed the deal on their lover story. Asan had me falling in love with him. These two choosing to be together no matter what, definitely brought their families together❤. Would definitely recommend cause IT'S A MUST READ FOR ME 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 Looking forward to reading the next book in this series💕
All I can say is “WOW”! This is the very reason why Asia Monique is by far the best Black Love Romance author on my list. The things she does with a pen is phenomenal. I love her writing style. Nyla and Asan story was sweet and sexy. I loved how Asan was very protective of Nyla and always had her back. Despite their families differences they were committed to each us. I also love how Asia connects all of her previous characters together in each book. I can’t wait for the next story. Keep blessing us with you God given talent!
The title, cover, and synopsis of this book attracted me instantly and I am glad I took the chance to read this book. This new to me author delivered in every way possible. The author provided an engaging storyline with the right dose of drama and the required character development. I absolutely loved both Nyla and Asan. They complemented each other well and I admired their strength, loyalty and dedication to each other. Asan is book bae worthy and Nyla is boss heroine. I will be checking out more of this author's works.
A great love story. The title of the book definitely describes the story within. A storyline for the ages. Family history that kept the couple apart until they moved away and connected as they should. I love these characters, that are interesting, likeable, and great together. This author always delivers a great story.
I love slow burn romance😭 Asan? What amazing guy. Everything about Nyla and Asan was just right, they fit together and were just meant to be. Loved how Asan praised Nyla and made sure he was her biggest supporter. He always reassured her and was so sweet.
"If I did it, it was because I wanted to and doesn't require a thank you." What do you even say to that😭 The tension between these two was top 2 and not 2. Loved them together real bad. Nyla was such a sweet,hardworking and caring woman
This is my first book from this author and she’s off to a great start. Definitely moving on to book 2 of this series. Cute little love story I love the fact that we bridge two families back together.
SIDENOTE (aka “Don’t come for my stars!”): Just a quick heads-up my ratings are based on whether I’d reread the book or add it to my personal collection, not the quality of the story itself. So here’s how I roll:
5 🤩 = I’m obsessed with everything the storyline, the author, and the narrators! I read it yearly and own ALL the copies: physical, digital, and Audible. I can basically recite this book. It lives in my private library. 4 🌟 = Loved the story, the author, and the narrator (if it’s audio). I’d happily reread it when I need a solid comfort read. 3 ✨ = Enjoyed the story, the author, and definitely the narrators. A great addition to my yearly reading challenge likely to revisit if it’s part of a series I need to refresh.
Just the right amount of cuteness and wholesomeness going around in Philly!!!
This was just too cute and just to “make you feel good“ type of story. Nyla was so cute and so sensitive but determined and it was great that it’s her to stop this feud to continue. Asan was the man. Brawny yet sexy, intense, smart and very loving and very sensitive... perfect for a Mullaney woman. This was a wonderful, feel good at the end of a stressful day type of story. The two youngest children of 2 prominent rich families who so happened to have fallen in live and it’s through that live, the feud going on will be tested, fester, cut or solidify.... again a wonderful story!
The sins of the past tried to keep two people from living each other even though the lovers had now knowledge of what that sin was. How two families could let egos keep so much animosity going and expect future generations to do the same was cruel. Date steps in and breaks the generational curse and love, friendships and bonds are formed amongst the children. They find out that what kept the families feuding was based on lies and three people unwilling to accept their responsibility in letting this feud fester but love trumped it all and the truth is finally revealed.
I really liked this book! Whenever I think of Asia Monique I think of the first series I ever read by her which was the Love in Seattle series. I loved that series and therefore whenever I see a book written by her I am always willing to give it a try. This book didn’t not disappointment it was just as sweet and loving as her other book. I just love the tender love she wrote in this book I am a sucker for a black man loving a black woman correctly without a shadow of a doubt. This was a slow burn forbidden love because of an old family feud. I am excited to read the other books in this series as well.
I highly recommend this if you need a reset from heavy reading.
My star rating system 3⭐️ Liked it 4⭐️ Loved It 5⭐️ Obsessed with it
One thing Asia Monique is gonna do is give us a a woman deserving love and a beautiful man willing to give it. In this story we've got love, desire, and breaking ALL the rules. Nyla and Asan are out here navigating a relationship could very well end in disaster and you feel it—every bit of the tension, the longing, the desire between these to characters.
As always, Asia Monique's style is real, raw, and so poetic. You're pulled into these characters' messy, complicated family drama and a slow burn at the same time.
I will say that the whole forbidden love thing and the reason behind it was silly. Like these family had been feuding for generations and dragging their companies into it made no sense to me when you finally learn what the issue was.
I am going to be honest ,I really didn’t expect to like this book.However I have to admit I was blown away. The love Asen And Nyla had for one another was so sweet and so powerful That they both were willing to be disowned by both sets of parents.
I fell in love with Asen who seemed shy and closed off at first but when he encountered Nyla all of that changed. I loved how the siblings on both sides formed a united front.
I look forward to reading the rest of this series.
I really enjoyed the slow unfurling of Nyla's and Asan's relationship. I love how they both supported each other and really sought to know and understand one another. I love how they also thought through their actions when it came to letting us up to go, giving them space, or pushing them a little bit more for encouragement. They were a perfect fit.
I'm a socialist, but most of the story didn't give me the icky capitalist vibes I get from many tales. So I enjoyed reading this slow burn despite it.
What a beautiful story! Nyla and Asan were absolutely adorable! Even dealing with the pettiness of their families feuding, nothing could stop the love that was brewing between them. The love and protection between Nyla and her sisters, and Asan and his brothers was amazing! They were all ride or die for real! Loved catching up with the Flower sisters, and their men. Can't wait to see what happens with Drew and Nevaeh! Great read as always! 👍👍👍
Omg Asia you did it again!!! I absolutely love love love Nyla Asan they are so cute together. I love how much they love each you could feel the love in every page of the book. The length of this novel was perfect, so glad it wasn’t too short. So grateful to be reading a full length novel by you again. Keep up the great work and I’m looking forward to reading Neveah’s story hint hint, I love her already.
Just a wonderful read Asan was the perfect mix of smart and alluring while still having an edge. Nyla was smart, independent and self assured. I loved that they didn’t have that customary time apart and realize they can’t live without one another. It was steady and genuine getting to know one another and falling in love despite the family issues. I love that the rivalry between their families didn’t halt their growing love
Asia Monique has a gift!!! I love the way she is able to capture her audience and take them on a beautiful ride. Her books are always classy and not overly dramatic. I love Asan and Nyla! They both were scared but they didn’t allow their fear to keep them from being together. Their love for each other just leaped from the pages. Lately, I’ve come across a lot of writers who cannot craft a story much less follow a storyline. This book was everything. Kudos.