Forbidden by Destiny

The author of Forbidden by Faith delivers “a very touching story . . . [of] Iranian culture and family dynamics . . . completely relatable” (InD’tale Magazine).


When Leyla’s best friend Sara goes through a complicated breakup, Leyla reluctantly agrees to pick up Sara’s things from her boyfriend Ben’s home. She thinks she is doing what any good friend would do, until she finds Ben completely shattered. His pain speaks to Leyla’s heart, and she suddenly finds herself feeling what it’s like to fall in love for the first time ever.


An afternoon of an innocent lunch and a walk on the beach to cheer him up turns into fireworks—and Leyla can’t get Ben out of her head. Pushed to her limits, fighting for a love she’s always dreamed of, and against a demon she never knew existed, Leyla must ultimately make a choice. Her decision will come down to loyalty to her best friend, the expectations of her family, or the desires of her wanting heart . . .


Praise for the Forbidden Love series


“Forbidden by Faith shows how family, love, and faith can collide, even in this modern age.”—A. K. Leigh, author of See Her Run


“A heartfelt immigrant love story.”—Publishers Weekly


“Ms. Papehn is a wonderful storyteller! I was immediately caught up in the lives of her characters. In Forbidden by Destiny, the heroine, Leyla, might be of Iranian descent but her story belongs to all women.”—Carrie Nichols, author of the Small-town Sweethearts series