Forbidden Heart

The Hearts of Sawyers Bend, Book 9

By: Ivy Layne

Narrated by: Lucy Rivers, Sean Masters

In a house haunted by lies, love might be the most dangerous threat of all.

After serving a year in prison for a crime he swears he didn’t commit, Ford Sawyer returns to the shadowed halls of Heartstone Manor only to find freedom offers no escape. His father’s true killer is still out there, and suspicion clings to Ford like smoke. Worse, the man who once defended him now wants him dead—and has sent a killer to finish the job.

Paige McKenna thought taking a nanny job with the wealthy Sawyers would bring her closer to the truth about her father’s mysterious disappearance. But instead of answers, she’s entangled in secrets far darker than she imagined. And at the heart of them stands Ford—magnetic, brooding, and possibly a murderer.

As dangerous truths rise to the surface and a ghostly presence stirs within the walls of Heartstone Manor, Ford and Paige must decide if they can trust each other. Because someone is watching, someone is hunting—and the past isn’t done with either of them.

Forbidden Heart is a standalone romance with a happy ending. It’s the ninth and final book in The Hearts of Sawyers Bend series, featuring the Sawyer family of Sawyers Bend.

©2025 Ivy Layne (P)2026 Ivy Layne

Outstanding!!!

Ivy, what a great book series. This would be an excellent television series. A movie wouldn’t do it justice. Someone needs to pick it up. It has just enough of everything and keeps you on the edge of your seat while allowing you to feel the love grow back between the family members of this broken family. You can be very proud of what you’ve created here.

An Incredible Series You Don’t Want to Miss — Starting with Book 1-Book 9

I originally picked up the final book in the Hearts of Sawyers Bend series after pre-ordering it, but it had been a while since I’d read the earlier books. I remembered bits and pieces—but not enough. So I decided to start the series over from the beginning, and honestly… it was one of the best reading decisions I’ve made. I had forgotten just how incredible this series truly is.

While each book may technically stand alone, I strongly recommend reading them in order. There’s a deeper, overarching storyline that begins in the very first book and unfolds across the series, leading to a powerful and meaningful reveal later on. Experiencing that journey from start to finish makes everything so much more impactful.

What truly sets this series apart is the writing. Ivy Layne creates a rich, immersive world centered around the Sawyer family, and every character feels authentic, layered, and important. Watching how each family member’s story connects and evolves adds so much depth and heart to the series. The family dynamics are beautifully written, making you feel like you’re right there with them through every moment.

The storyline is absolutely superb—engaging, emotional, and thoughtfully woven together from beginning to end. The romance has just the right amount of spice, perfectly balanced with the emotional depth of the story. And the narration brings everything to life in such a natural and enjoyable way.

This is one of those rare series that completely draws you in and stays with you long after you’ve finished. I can’t recommend it highly enough—it truly is that good.

Just an Amazing way to end!

Honestly this books ends the most wonderful journey…thank you Ivy! You gave us so many hours to feel part of this family.

All of it

Loved the entire series. Hate that it’s over. But glad I know who killed the dad.

Fabolous Ending

This was an amazing series. Every character was perfectly matched with a perfect mystery and twist!