Forbidden by Faith (Forbidden Love) (Volume 1)

MULTI-CULTURAL:  Sara is a smart and ambitious young Iranian woman working her way through pharmacy school.  Maziar is a handsome Persian young man on his way to becoming an attorney.  Young, good looking and with serious electrical voltage sending sparks flying, they look like a perfect match.  Except for the small detail that Sara is Muslim and Maziar is Jewish, and his family vehemently opposes the match.  Unable to see a way forward without his family’s support, Mazair and Sara decide to break up and go their separate ways. But a love like theirs is not easily forgotten and neither can truly move on.  Can they find a way to be together? Will they survive if they don’t?

Rich in culture, this first book in the Forbidden Love series immediately draws the reader in to this modern take on a familiar star-crossed lovers tale.  The chemistry between Sara and Mazair sparks white hot immediately and every interaction sizzles. Unfortunately, as is the case with star-crossed lovers, the path is not a smooth one for them and the twists and turns leave Sara badly shaken and insecure.  While some lingering emotional trauma is to be expected, Sara becomes frustratingly wishy-washy, and her insecurities stick with her throughout the story.  Fortunately, her hero is a true hero and provides stability and constant reassurance.  Hopefully, the next installment in the series will be out soon.

Elissa Blabac