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Fort Bender #1
Some Kind of Forever
Kayla Harris doesn’t have the time. A past heartbreak has pushed her to keep busy during college and as she enters her final year, one last job-filled summer stands between her and the internship of her dreams. When a cute tourist crashes into her life, Kayla has to reconcile her fear of another broken heart, and her determination to keep him at arm’s length with her growing attraction.
Chase Wilmington is ready to relax. Finished with college, he’s excited to take it easy before jumping into the family business. Summer vacation is exactly what he needs and he’s ready to unwind… until he meets Kayla. All he wants is a moment of her time and she won’t give him the time of day.
Chase is captivated and Kayla is trying to stay focused. When her world comes crashing down around her, Kayla has to rely on the very guy she’s tried to keep at a distance.
Can Chase reach the girl who seems immune to his charm or will Kayla’s fears keep her from letting someone new into her life?
Summer vacation only lasts so long and life, like love, can be complicated.
Chase Wilmington is ready to relax. Finished with college, he’s excited to take it easy before jumping into the family business. Summer vacation is exactly what he needs and he’s ready to unwind… until he meets Kayla. All he wants is a moment of her time and she won’t give him the time of day.
Chase is captivated and Kayla is trying to stay focused. When her world comes crashing down around her, Kayla has to rely on the very guy she’s tried to keep at a distance.
Can Chase reach the girl who seems immune to his charm or will Kayla’s fears keep her from letting someone new into her life?
Summer vacation only lasts so long and life, like love, can be complicated.
336 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 1, 2024
64 people are currently reading
550 people want to read
About the author
Layna James
3 books60 followersLayna James lives in Texas with her family, an anxiety-ridden Rottie named Ruby, and way too many ideas about future projects.
A romantic at heart, her stories feature diverse characters who navigate the complexities of life while falling in love. Witty banter and swoon-worthy moments are her favorite things to write.
Layna loves fuzzy socks, most types of dessert, and all genres of music.
A romantic at heart, her stories feature diverse characters who navigate the complexities of life while falling in love. Witty banter and swoon-worthy moments are her favorite things to write.
Layna loves fuzzy socks, most types of dessert, and all genres of music.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 48 reviews
October 29, 2024
Such a sweet romance 🥹
August 14, 2024
Chase Kayla, ashlie, hunter I loved them especially Kayla and chase he was so determined to break down her walls from past hurt ,ashlie love her she hilarious , mister hunter what can I say I had a feeling about him and I was somewhat right. I can't stand Maggie and her father yuck disgusting people
The way they treat people and any one that isn't white is truly sick. Chase my sweet Chase I absolutely love him the only woman he sees and makes him truly happy is Kayla he is the perfect man for her she deserves all the love
My favorite part was when he said
“I want to know your favorite things, and your hopes and dreams. I want to know about your family, about your past. I want to know why you look down whenever I say something too direct and what makes you scratch at the side of your thumb. I just…need you to let me in a little bit. Okay?”
The way they treat people and any one that isn't white is truly sick. Chase my sweet Chase I absolutely love him the only woman he sees and makes him truly happy is Kayla he is the perfect man for her she deserves all the love
My favorite part was when he said
“I want to know your favorite things, and your hopes and dreams. I want to know about your family, about your past. I want to know why you look down whenever I say something too direct and what makes you scratch at the side of your thumb. I just…need you to let me in a little bit. Okay?”
February 10, 2025
I loved this story ♥️
A fmc who shares my name ✔️
Who also I connect with with over shared experiences ✔️
Chase a fictional boyfriend name since I was a kid ✔️
I live on an island which is essentially small coastal town vibes ✔️
I really loved this book. It was such a sweet slow burn romance featuring a retriever mmc and an fmc with black cat energy. They were the definition of opposites attract.
This book has so many cute swoon worthy moments, fun side characters, some definite bad girls, but a sweet summer romance. This book was big on miscommunication which is not my favorite. There was much that could have been solved with simple conversations and trust.
I’m really looking forward to book 2 in this series!
A fmc who shares my name ✔️
Who also I connect with with over shared experiences ✔️
Chase a fictional boyfriend name since I was a kid ✔️
I live on an island which is essentially small coastal town vibes ✔️
I really loved this book. It was such a sweet slow burn romance featuring a retriever mmc and an fmc with black cat energy. They were the definition of opposites attract.
This book has so many cute swoon worthy moments, fun side characters, some definite bad girls, but a sweet summer romance. This book was big on miscommunication which is not my favorite. There was much that could have been solved with simple conversations and trust.
I’m really looking forward to book 2 in this series!
August 5, 2024
If you didn't know this was a debut novel going in, you wouldn't believe it. So very good.
Everything about this story between an (almost) unbreakably insistent golden retriever and the secretly-soft black cat who catches his eye is sweetness until the end of Act II. Then it's all pining and angst and dealing with past trauma poorly and miscommunication trope gone so over-the-top it would be silly if you weren't already aching from the sadness of it all. That being said, if I wanted my stories realistic than I wouldn't read romance novels. With endearing MCs, loveable side characters, a villain/minion team you'll love to hate, and a well-balanced story, SOME KIND OF FOREVER is a very enjoyable read.
Spice: 2/5 (Your pearls will remain unclutched.)
Swoon: 5/5 (Get ready to feel some feels.)
Everything about this story between an (almost) unbreakably insistent golden retriever and the secretly-soft black cat who catches his eye is sweetness until the end of Act II. Then it's all pining and angst and dealing with past trauma poorly and miscommunication trope gone so over-the-top it would be silly if you weren't already aching from the sadness of it all. That being said, if I wanted my stories realistic than I wouldn't read romance novels. With endearing MCs, loveable side characters, a villain/minion team you'll love to hate, and a well-balanced story, SOME KIND OF FOREVER is a very enjoyable read.
Spice: 2/5 (Your pearls will remain unclutched.)
Swoon: 5/5 (Get ready to feel some feels.)
February 6, 2025
Some kind of forever is heartwarming contemporary romance and is the first book in the Fort Bender series. This book shows the readers the feeling of falling in love and truly learning to let go of the past.
The story follows Kayla who doesn't have time for anything other than her job and her dream ambition. The past heartbreak seems to have left its mark however Chase Wilmington's sudden and unexpected entry in her life changed all that.
But Kayla is trying her level best to keep everything non- romance-y between them but it's not going too well as far as the events in her life seem to have other plans. Chase will not give up on her and that's the beginning of it all.
This book has all of my appreciation and love from the bottom of my heart. It's the perfect balance between love, swoon-worthy romance, witty banter, and memorable moments. The characters Kayla and Chase will imprint on your mind. Chase, he is the epitome of a book boyfriend and I'm not the only one who thinks so. A guy like him would truly give happily ever after. This book was an instant like for me because of the narration pace, writing style and plot execution.
I have kept my review spoilers free but if you have read this book then you must know how difficult it is to not talk about the protagonists and story without missing a beat.
The story follows Kayla who doesn't have time for anything other than her job and her dream ambition. The past heartbreak seems to have left its mark however Chase Wilmington's sudden and unexpected entry in her life changed all that.
But Kayla is trying her level best to keep everything non- romance-y between them but it's not going too well as far as the events in her life seem to have other plans. Chase will not give up on her and that's the beginning of it all.
This book has all of my appreciation and love from the bottom of my heart. It's the perfect balance between love, swoon-worthy romance, witty banter, and memorable moments. The characters Kayla and Chase will imprint on your mind. Chase, he is the epitome of a book boyfriend and I'm not the only one who thinks so. A guy like him would truly give happily ever after. This book was an instant like for me because of the narration pace, writing style and plot execution.
I have kept my review spoilers free but if you have read this book then you must know how difficult it is to not talk about the protagonists and story without missing a beat.
February 17, 2025
3.5 rounded up
I finished this book last night and I am trying to think of how I want this review to go. I mostly liked this book, it was a very sweet he falls first for the guarded FMC.
There was a lot going on in the plot of this book, so it didn’t always feel like just a romance, but I can’t determine if it took away from the book. I feel like it was very long and drawn out.
There is a miscommunication and 3rd act breakup that I found to be rather annoying, but at the same time, it made sense, it’s just some of the least favorite tropes that I have.
The epilouge I think was my favorite that I have ever read and it was done beautifully. I think that it was the sweetest part of the entire book!
I finished this book last night and I am trying to think of how I want this review to go. I mostly liked this book, it was a very sweet he falls first for the guarded FMC.
There was a lot going on in the plot of this book, so it didn’t always feel like just a romance, but I can’t determine if it took away from the book. I feel like it was very long and drawn out.
There is a miscommunication and 3rd act breakup that I found to be rather annoying, but at the same time, it made sense, it’s just some of the least favorite tropes that I have.
The epilouge I think was my favorite that I have ever read and it was done beautifully. I think that it was the sweetest part of the entire book!
August 2, 2024
a sweet romance with so many cheesy lines that it will make you swoon.
September 25, 2025
*3⭐️ 3🌶️ (look on my profile to see what my ratings mean to me)
Main Tropes:
Slow Burn
Dual POV
Opposites Attract
Small Town Romance
Black Cat x Golden Retriever
Forced Proximity
Points I enjoyed in this book:
Black Character Representation
The Friendship Between Kayla, Chase,Ashlie And Hunter
Light Hearted Read
Enjoyable Tropes
There are some parts that I didn’t overly enjoy like I felt like there should’ve been a confrontation after the Maggie and her Dad situations they were just glazed over. Following along with that I felt like parts of the story started but then were abandoned. Personally for me I wish there was more spice in this book. Overall even though some things weren’t for me I did enjoy reading this book and I can’t wait to read more from Layna James.
Main Tropes:
Slow Burn
Dual POV
Opposites Attract
Small Town Romance
Black Cat x Golden Retriever
Forced Proximity
Points I enjoyed in this book:
Black Character Representation
The Friendship Between Kayla, Chase,Ashlie And Hunter
Light Hearted Read
Enjoyable Tropes
There are some parts that I didn’t overly enjoy like I felt like there should’ve been a confrontation after the Maggie and her Dad situations they were just glazed over. Following along with that I felt like parts of the story started but then were abandoned. Personally for me I wish there was more spice in this book. Overall even though some things weren’t for me I did enjoy reading this book and I can’t wait to read more from Layna James.
January 31, 2024
This is a story many of you will appreciate and love. A true 10/10.
January 9, 2025
A small town romance featuring a girl with a broken heart who is afraid to love again and the man who isn't willing to let her go despite this.
Kayla Harris is gearing up for one last summer of busy work before starting an internship that will potentially pave the path to her dream career as an event planner. Chase Wilmington is ready for one final summer of relaxation before he jumps into working at his family's tech business. When Kayla the workaholic meets Chase the charmer, things can't help but heat up as they fall for each other hard and fast. Unfortunately, summer vacation only lasts so long and the chances of them lasting longer than the summer are next to none. Can Chase melt Kayla's unflinching exterior and heal her broken heart before the summer is up?
Honestly, I consumed this book relatively quickly, yet I don't remember a whole lot from it. For the most part, this book felt like a pretty average romance that didn't sparkle in any special way. I thought the summery camp vibes in this book were pretty fun, but they didn't really last all that long. I also really enjoyed how Kayla connects with family that she didn't know that she had in this book. It was sweet seeing her interact with Artie, and I really came to appreciate these two's relationship.
I didn't hate Chase and Kayla as a couple, but they personally moved a little too fast for my taste. Chase was pretty desperate to have her from their first meeting and that made me a tad uncomfortable. Luckily, he did a good job of holding himself back and giving Kayla the space that she needed throughout the entirety of this novel. If he wouldn't have done this, I'm not sure I could have enjoyed this book. As it was though, I'm really glad that Chase wanted to bond with her on a more emotional level before making things more physical than holding hands and kissing. This entire story happens over a single summer, which is still a tad fast for me considering how far their relationship went in such a short period of time. I suppose when you find the one, sometimes you just know and don't want to waste time, though. I appreciate that Kayla was much more hesitant and made Chase really work to get her to cave in to his charms.
The third act conflict in this one was a tad petty, but I also see why it was done. Morgan is such a jerk, and it checks out that she would go to the lengths she went to make Kayla jealous. I get that Kayla has every right to be skeptical after the events that went down with her ex, but man, why can't any romantic relationships seem to be built on trust and open communication? *shakes head sadly*
On a complete side note, I really liked Kayla's best friend, Ashlie, and Chase's best friend, Hunter. The second book is apparently about these two, so I might have to consider this series despite my lackluster feelings about this book.
Overall, "Some Kind of Forever" was a pretty average romance for me. I didn't dislike Chase and Kayla, but I didn't feel overly attached to them either. This romance did have many cute moments, but it moved a tad too quickly for me to truly fall in love with this relationship. I did adore many of the side characters, and I have hopes that additional books in this series could work better for me personally. If one enjoys small town romances featuring charming men and independent women, this would be a good one to check out.
Kayla Harris is gearing up for one last summer of busy work before starting an internship that will potentially pave the path to her dream career as an event planner. Chase Wilmington is ready for one final summer of relaxation before he jumps into working at his family's tech business. When Kayla the workaholic meets Chase the charmer, things can't help but heat up as they fall for each other hard and fast. Unfortunately, summer vacation only lasts so long and the chances of them lasting longer than the summer are next to none. Can Chase melt Kayla's unflinching exterior and heal her broken heart before the summer is up?
Honestly, I consumed this book relatively quickly, yet I don't remember a whole lot from it. For the most part, this book felt like a pretty average romance that didn't sparkle in any special way. I thought the summery camp vibes in this book were pretty fun, but they didn't really last all that long. I also really enjoyed how Kayla connects with family that she didn't know that she had in this book. It was sweet seeing her interact with Artie, and I really came to appreciate these two's relationship.
I didn't hate Chase and Kayla as a couple, but they personally moved a little too fast for my taste. Chase was pretty desperate to have her from their first meeting and that made me a tad uncomfortable. Luckily, he did a good job of holding himself back and giving Kayla the space that she needed throughout the entirety of this novel. If he wouldn't have done this, I'm not sure I could have enjoyed this book. As it was though, I'm really glad that Chase wanted to bond with her on a more emotional level before making things more physical than holding hands and kissing. This entire story happens over a single summer, which is still a tad fast for me considering how far their relationship went in such a short period of time. I suppose when you find the one, sometimes you just know and don't want to waste time, though. I appreciate that Kayla was much more hesitant and made Chase really work to get her to cave in to his charms.
The third act conflict in this one was a tad petty, but I also see why it was done. Morgan is such a jerk, and it checks out that she would go to the lengths she went to make Kayla jealous. I get that Kayla has every right to be skeptical after the events that went down with her ex, but man, why can't any romantic relationships seem to be built on trust and open communication? *shakes head sadly*
On a complete side note, I really liked Kayla's best friend, Ashlie, and Chase's best friend, Hunter. The second book is apparently about these two, so I might have to consider this series despite my lackluster feelings about this book.
Overall, "Some Kind of Forever" was a pretty average romance for me. I didn't dislike Chase and Kayla, but I didn't feel overly attached to them either. This romance did have many cute moments, but it moved a tad too quickly for me to truly fall in love with this relationship. I did adore many of the side characters, and I have hopes that additional books in this series could work better for me personally. If one enjoys small town romances featuring charming men and independent women, this would be a good one to check out.
February 6, 2025
Disgustingly Adorable!
Oh my goodness! Layna James is a new to me author, and after this book she is definitely a tried and true one. This story was great. And by great I meant it gave everything I needed and didn’t realize I was wanting at the moment.
Some kind of forever is the story of Kayla, who’s extremely busy trying to make sure she reaches her goals in life and has absolutely NO time for distractions, especially not distractions in the form of cute tourists. Chase is looking to relax the summer after graduation in the quaint beach town his dad has them staying in, until he sees her. The moment Chase sees Kayla all his plans are out the window and the only thing that matters is getting her to notice him….and then maybe go out with him. Determined to keep Chase at arms length, life decides to stop playing fair and thrusts Chase in Kayla’s face at every conceivable turn. Will Kayla eventually let her guard down and live a little or will her ambition and fierce need for independence keep her untouchable?
I loved this story so much! From the way Chase is down bad from beginning to end, to the side characters who I want to know all about, to the epilogue that had me screaming and kicking my feet, this book had it all! I love the dynamics between characters, and the intricacies woven into the story of race, micro-aggressions, and family dynamics without having to make it a huge spectacle. The way this author approached the miscommunication trope was also different and refreshing and I actually enjoyed it because it was so nuanced. Also this is the type of third act breakup I can tolerate, because even though you might’ve been mad at the characters for their actions, it was very realistic and raw. It showed how flawed even the most perfect book bfs can be.
I truly enjoyed myself reading this and I can’t wait to keep reading the series!
Oh my goodness! Layna James is a new to me author, and after this book she is definitely a tried and true one. This story was great. And by great I meant it gave everything I needed and didn’t realize I was wanting at the moment.
Some kind of forever is the story of Kayla, who’s extremely busy trying to make sure she reaches her goals in life and has absolutely NO time for distractions, especially not distractions in the form of cute tourists. Chase is looking to relax the summer after graduation in the quaint beach town his dad has them staying in, until he sees her. The moment Chase sees Kayla all his plans are out the window and the only thing that matters is getting her to notice him….and then maybe go out with him. Determined to keep Chase at arms length, life decides to stop playing fair and thrusts Chase in Kayla’s face at every conceivable turn. Will Kayla eventually let her guard down and live a little or will her ambition and fierce need for independence keep her untouchable?
I loved this story so much! From the way Chase is down bad from beginning to end, to the side characters who I want to know all about, to the epilogue that had me screaming and kicking my feet, this book had it all! I love the dynamics between characters, and the intricacies woven into the story of race, micro-aggressions, and family dynamics without having to make it a huge spectacle. The way this author approached the miscommunication trope was also different and refreshing and I actually enjoyed it because it was so nuanced. Also this is the type of third act breakup I can tolerate, because even though you might’ve been mad at the characters for their actions, it was very realistic and raw. It showed how flawed even the most perfect book bfs can be.
I truly enjoyed myself reading this and I can’t wait to keep reading the series!
January 26, 2025
Some Kind of Forever is the perfect summer romance that pulled at my heartstrings and filled me with all those warm and fuzzy feelings. I absolutely love Kayla and Chase’s journey of trust, healing, and love.
Kayla Harris is a strong and independent woman who’s determined to focus on her career and not let anyone in- especially not a man who would likely break her heart. Chase Wilmington is charming, patient, and completely enamored by Kayla from the moment they meet. Their relationship is so lovely! The slow-burn romance between them had me swooning as Chase patiently worked to break down Kayla’s walls and prove that true love takes time and understanding.
The pacing of their relationship was perfect for me. It wasn’t rushed or forced- it was a beautiful build-up of trust, emotional vulnerability, and tender moments. Chase’s sweetness and determination to win Kayla’s heart made him the perfect book boyfriend. The chemistry between them was evident and I loved watching them grow together and support each other through their challenges.
I also really enjoyed the side characters- especially Kayla’s best friend Ashlie and Chase’s best friend Hunter. Their friendship added a healthy dose of charm to the story and I can’t wait to see more of them in the next book!
The plot was relatively simple and didn’t dive into heavy conflict, so it made for a cozy, comforting read that I loved. The minor moments of drama, particularly around Kayla’s past and trust issues, were handled well and kept the emotional stakes high without being overly complicated. It is a feel-good and heartwarming romance with an adorable slow-burn. Kayla and Chase’s story is one you’ll want to come back to time and time again. Highly recommend!
Kayla Harris is a strong and independent woman who’s determined to focus on her career and not let anyone in- especially not a man who would likely break her heart. Chase Wilmington is charming, patient, and completely enamored by Kayla from the moment they meet. Their relationship is so lovely! The slow-burn romance between them had me swooning as Chase patiently worked to break down Kayla’s walls and prove that true love takes time and understanding.
The pacing of their relationship was perfect for me. It wasn’t rushed or forced- it was a beautiful build-up of trust, emotional vulnerability, and tender moments. Chase’s sweetness and determination to win Kayla’s heart made him the perfect book boyfriend. The chemistry between them was evident and I loved watching them grow together and support each other through their challenges.
I also really enjoyed the side characters- especially Kayla’s best friend Ashlie and Chase’s best friend Hunter. Their friendship added a healthy dose of charm to the story and I can’t wait to see more of them in the next book!
The plot was relatively simple and didn’t dive into heavy conflict, so it made for a cozy, comforting read that I loved. The minor moments of drama, particularly around Kayla’s past and trust issues, were handled well and kept the emotional stakes high without being overly complicated. It is a feel-good and heartwarming romance with an adorable slow-burn. Kayla and Chase’s story is one you’ll want to come back to time and time again. Highly recommend!
February 4, 2025
Some Kind of Forever by Layna James
Review: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story is so sweet, with lots of fun and flirty moments filled with tension. With February being the month of love and Valentines Day approaching, this was such a perfect fit for me. This is not a Valentine themed book, but man, oh man, you could feel the love and care in this one. Our main characters Kayla and Chase have such beautiful hearts and their relationship starts off with Chase "chasing" Kayla who doesn't want to give into the idea of relying on someone else, but Chase is a relentless Golden Retriever of a man with his patience, helpfulness, flirtiness, care and sweetness breaking down walls. Our characters have multiple run-ins being in a small town setting of Fort Bender, which just adds to all the fun and flirty moments . Layna James took such care with creating her characters and the build-up of their relationship. With so many romances I have read, this story flowed so seamlessly with such a realistic time frame and storyline that it was quite relatable. Now, she still gives us a few surprises and plot twists within their story that definitely amped up the plot and added a little bit of drama, but it was just the right amount. This is book 1 of the Fort Bender Series, and I already can not wait for the continuation of this series to see what is in store for the next set of characters.
Review: 5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This story is so sweet, with lots of fun and flirty moments filled with tension. With February being the month of love and Valentines Day approaching, this was such a perfect fit for me. This is not a Valentine themed book, but man, oh man, you could feel the love and care in this one. Our main characters Kayla and Chase have such beautiful hearts and their relationship starts off with Chase "chasing" Kayla who doesn't want to give into the idea of relying on someone else, but Chase is a relentless Golden Retriever of a man with his patience, helpfulness, flirtiness, care and sweetness breaking down walls. Our characters have multiple run-ins being in a small town setting of Fort Bender, which just adds to all the fun and flirty moments . Layna James took such care with creating her characters and the build-up of their relationship. With so many romances I have read, this story flowed so seamlessly with such a realistic time frame and storyline that it was quite relatable. Now, she still gives us a few surprises and plot twists within their story that definitely amped up the plot and added a little bit of drama, but it was just the right amount. This is book 1 of the Fort Bender Series, and I already can not wait for the continuation of this series to see what is in store for the next set of characters.
February 6, 2025
Kayla and Chase are definitely a pair worth fighting for. Early on in the story, Kayla struggles to give Chase a chance, but he does everything he can to show her that he wants to give her the world. From the moment they met, he knew she was the one.
I think Kayla’s character was written nicely. Her back and forth of course made me want to just show her how much Chase was not like her ex. When she finally started to let him in, and open up, I was excited to see their love story take off. Chase was a great character. Even though he had his moments where he tried to hard to get Kayla to his level, I still felt like he embodied love.
Kayla had a lot thrown at her. From her ex to finding out about her family. And then of course…..that awful witch Maggie. It was a lot for sure. I will mention that there is a third act break-up/miscommunication which plays a big role in the story.
I am definitely interested in the Hunter and Ashlie. I thought their characters were really fun and their chemistry is off the charts. I could tell from day one that something would happen between them.
Overall, it was a nice read. I definitely cried a lot and wanted to scream at many people. But by the end, it’s very much worth the wait.
Thank you Layna and Thank you Torch Lit ink for letting me read this story.
I think Kayla’s character was written nicely. Her back and forth of course made me want to just show her how much Chase was not like her ex. When she finally started to let him in, and open up, I was excited to see their love story take off. Chase was a great character. Even though he had his moments where he tried to hard to get Kayla to his level, I still felt like he embodied love.
Kayla had a lot thrown at her. From her ex to finding out about her family. And then of course…..that awful witch Maggie. It was a lot for sure. I will mention that there is a third act break-up/miscommunication which plays a big role in the story.
I am definitely interested in the Hunter and Ashlie. I thought their characters were really fun and their chemistry is off the charts. I could tell from day one that something would happen between them.
Overall, it was a nice read. I definitely cried a lot and wanted to scream at many people. But by the end, it’s very much worth the wait.
Thank you Layna and Thank you Torch Lit ink for letting me read this story.
February 13, 2025
✨ eARC Review ✨
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
What if Kayla’s biggest distraction becomes her only lifeline? And what if Chase’s summer escape turns into something worth staying for?
Some Kind of Forever by Layna James is a heartwarming small-town, summer romance that’s equal parts sweet, swoony, and impossible to put down! This interracial love story is filled with charm, depth, and just the right amount of butterflies.
What I Loved:
✅ Well-Developed Main Characters – Despite the insta-love, Kayla and Chase’s story had real depth, making their connection feel authentic.
✅ The Small-Town Magic – Fort Bender completely stole my heart! Cozy, charming, and full of warmth, it’s easily one of my favorite small-town settings.
✅ Hunter & Ashley – Layna James, you’ve officially hooked me! I need their story ASAP.
✅ A Perfectly Balanced Romance – Sweet yet deep, Chase and Kayla just made sense together. Their love story felt natural, not forced.
✅ Just Enough Drama – No unnecessary angst—just the right amount to keep things interesting!
Tropes You’ll Love:
🏝️ Small Coastal Town
💚 Found Family
🏝️ Slow Burn
💚 Light Spice
🏝️ Opposites Attract
💚 Forced Proximity
🏝️ Insta-Love
💚 Interracial Romance
If you love heartfelt romances with cozy small-town vibes, Some Kind of Forever is a must-read! 💕
⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
What if Kayla’s biggest distraction becomes her only lifeline? And what if Chase’s summer escape turns into something worth staying for?
Some Kind of Forever by Layna James is a heartwarming small-town, summer romance that’s equal parts sweet, swoony, and impossible to put down! This interracial love story is filled with charm, depth, and just the right amount of butterflies.
What I Loved:
✅ Well-Developed Main Characters – Despite the insta-love, Kayla and Chase’s story had real depth, making their connection feel authentic.
✅ The Small-Town Magic – Fort Bender completely stole my heart! Cozy, charming, and full of warmth, it’s easily one of my favorite small-town settings.
✅ Hunter & Ashley – Layna James, you’ve officially hooked me! I need their story ASAP.
✅ A Perfectly Balanced Romance – Sweet yet deep, Chase and Kayla just made sense together. Their love story felt natural, not forced.
✅ Just Enough Drama – No unnecessary angst—just the right amount to keep things interesting!
Tropes You’ll Love:
🏝️ Small Coastal Town
💚 Found Family
🏝️ Slow Burn
💚 Light Spice
🏝️ Opposites Attract
💚 Forced Proximity
🏝️ Insta-Love
💚 Interracial Romance
If you love heartfelt romances with cozy small-town vibes, Some Kind of Forever is a must-read! 💕
May 31, 2025
Some Kind of Forever: A Small Town Romance (Fort Bender Book 1) by Layna James is the first book in this series. The book is a young adult romance with two engaging main characters and the setup for future stories. Kayla Harris wears many hats: hardworking college student, part-time waitress, camp counselor, and soon to be event planner. After an ugly break-up and with all her other duties, she has no time for romance. Chase Wilmington really should check any one’s boyfriend boxes: he is handsome, kind, sweetly persistent and doesn’t take himself too seriously. However, every overture he makes to Kayla is met with an invisible wall. The independent child of a single mother (we get breadcrumbs about her father early on) Kayla has learned early not to depend on anyone. Will she ever let Chase into her inner sanctum, or will she keep him at arm’s length? I enjoyed this sweet, poignant story, and Ms. James did a great job of allowing Chase and Kayla to get to know each other. Conflict and misunderstandings occur at a reasonable rate but with satisfying resolutions. Low steam level but romantic and cute. Hunter and Ashlie are featured in the next story.
https://theretiredreader.com/f/some-k...
https://theretiredreader.com/f/some-k...
August 12, 2024
𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑
“𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘦’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆.25
𝐀 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 that follows Kayla Harris and Chase Wilmington in their journey of trust and slowly falling in love.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book so much. Cheesy romance literally sweeps me off my feet, and I’ll never get tired of it.
Kayla is a very headstrong FMC but slowly (and I mean slowly) allows herself to open up Chase and his charming ways. Their chemistry and relationship was unmatched.
This was such a cozy read and didn’t have a hardcore or complex plot. Just two strangers getting to know each other with a few mishaps along the way.
Chase is SO sweet and he’s definitely book boyfriend material. His patience and kindness was nice to read. But of course, he was frustrated at times, rightfully so.
𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 is a great palette cleanser that will have you swinging your feet, and I cannot wait until book two. (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)
.
“𝘐 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘸𝘦’𝘷𝘦 𝘣𝘶𝘪𝘭𝘵, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘪𝘧 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘭𝘪𝘧𝘦 𝘵𝘰𝘨𝘦𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘯𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘣𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘺𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘮𝘰𝘳𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘐 𝘸𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘭𝘭 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘮𝘢𝘯 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘦 𝘣𝘦𝘤𝘢𝘶𝘴𝘦 𝘐 𝘩𝘢𝘷𝘦 𝘺𝘰𝘶.”
☆ ☆ ☆ ☆.25
𝐀 𝐒𝐔𝐌𝐌𝐄𝐑 𝐑𝐎𝐌𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐈𝐍 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓 𝐁𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐄𝐑 that follows Kayla Harris and Chase Wilmington in their journey of trust and slowly falling in love.
I absolutely enjoyed reading this book so much. Cheesy romance literally sweeps me off my feet, and I’ll never get tired of it.
Kayla is a very headstrong FMC but slowly (and I mean slowly) allows herself to open up Chase and his charming ways. Their chemistry and relationship was unmatched.
This was such a cozy read and didn’t have a hardcore or complex plot. Just two strangers getting to know each other with a few mishaps along the way.
Chase is SO sweet and he’s definitely book boyfriend material. His patience and kindness was nice to read. But of course, he was frustrated at times, rightfully so.
𝐒𝐎𝐌𝐄 𝐊𝐈𝐍𝐃 𝐎𝐅 𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑 is a great palette cleanser that will have you swinging your feet, and I cannot wait until book two. (˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶)
.
February 1, 2025
2.5 rounded up
This was cute and a great debut novel for the author, but I didn't really love it.
Right off the bat, Chase was A LOT. I was uncomfortable with almost how obsessed he was with Kayla. The man saw what he wanted and ran for it, but I can't help but feel like he would be seen as majorly creepy if he wasn't attractive. Kayla was great-- hardworking, independent, and sure of herself. I liked that! I just couldn't take the internal back and forth in her head so often. Also, Chase made her cry in big ways two times... let's not reward men like that.
This was a cute romance with a small town setting, but the angst just didn't pull me in. Did I cry? Sure. But that's nothing new for me! Overall, I feel like nothing happened other than a ton of miscommunication (which drives me insane). And a lot of teenager level horny lust. I also couldn't piece together how old these characters are meant to be...? Or what Patti's job is in relation to Kayla's internship...?
I have faith that this author's books will get better in time
This was cute and a great debut novel for the author, but I didn't really love it.
Right off the bat, Chase was A LOT. I was uncomfortable with almost how obsessed he was with Kayla. The man saw what he wanted and ran for it, but I can't help but feel like he would be seen as majorly creepy if he wasn't attractive. Kayla was great-- hardworking, independent, and sure of herself. I liked that! I just couldn't take the internal back and forth in her head so often. Also, Chase made her cry in big ways two times... let's not reward men like that.
This was a cute romance with a small town setting, but the angst just didn't pull me in. Did I cry? Sure. But that's nothing new for me! Overall, I feel like nothing happened other than a ton of miscommunication (which drives me insane). And a lot of teenager level horny lust. I also couldn't piece together how old these characters are meant to be...? Or what Patti's job is in relation to Kayla's internship...?
I have faith that this author's books will get better in time
February 21, 2025
Thank you to the author and Torchlit Ink for sending me the ebook in exchange for an honest review!
This book contains the following tropes:
Small Coastal Town romance
Found Family
Slow Burn
Opposites Attract
Forced Proximity
Instant Love
Interracial Romance
This book is freaking adorable! It tells the story of Kayla, a driven woman focused solely on achieving her goals, with no time for distractions—especially not the charming tourists who come through town. Enter Chase, who’s looking forward to a relaxing summer after graduation in the quiet beach town where his dad has them staying. That is, until he lays eyes on Kayla. In an instant, all his plans are forgotten, and the only thing that matters is getting her to notice him… and maybe go out with him.
Despite her best efforts to keep Chase at arm's length, life has other plans and keeps throwing him into her path. Will Kayla let her guard down and allow herself to experience love, or will her ambition and fierce independence keep her emotionally unavailable?
This book contains the following tropes:
Small Coastal Town romance
Found Family
Slow Burn
Opposites Attract
Forced Proximity
Instant Love
Interracial Romance
This book is freaking adorable! It tells the story of Kayla, a driven woman focused solely on achieving her goals, with no time for distractions—especially not the charming tourists who come through town. Enter Chase, who’s looking forward to a relaxing summer after graduation in the quiet beach town where his dad has them staying. That is, until he lays eyes on Kayla. In an instant, all his plans are forgotten, and the only thing that matters is getting her to notice him… and maybe go out with him.
Despite her best efforts to keep Chase at arm's length, life has other plans and keeps throwing him into her path. Will Kayla let her guard down and allow herself to experience love, or will her ambition and fierce independence keep her emotionally unavailable?
January 31, 2025
I felt like I should be reading this book on a beach with the summer sun beating down on me, not in the middle of cold January, but it was super cute regardless!
Kayla and Chase meet in a small, coastal town in California. Kayla is a local and Chase is just there for the summer with his best friend and their families. He meets Kayla and falls so fast for her! His awkward, adorableness is to die for!
Along with Kayla and Chase we get a cast of lovable (and some very unlovable!!) side characters! The plot twist in this book was totally out of nowhere and I LOVED it!! But no spoilers from me 😊
There was a bit of a miscommunication plot towards the end, however, I didn't feel as annoyed by it as I usually am with that trope because honestly, I think I would have reacted the exact same way if I was in that situation 🤷
Some kind of Forever has the ultimate small town, summer camp vibes, and is a great read to add to your summer TBR
Kayla and Chase meet in a small, coastal town in California. Kayla is a local and Chase is just there for the summer with his best friend and their families. He meets Kayla and falls so fast for her! His awkward, adorableness is to die for!
Along with Kayla and Chase we get a cast of lovable (and some very unlovable!!) side characters! The plot twist in this book was totally out of nowhere and I LOVED it!! But no spoilers from me 😊
There was a bit of a miscommunication plot towards the end, however, I didn't feel as annoyed by it as I usually am with that trope because honestly, I think I would have reacted the exact same way if I was in that situation 🤷
Some kind of Forever has the ultimate small town, summer camp vibes, and is a great read to add to your summer TBR
July 13, 2025
They were a super cute couple. I really enjoyed their dynamic. Cue independent girl who can’t afford to get hurt again and mischievous, respectful lover boy that does everything he possibly can to get through those walls. He’s respectful, funny, cheeky and loveable. FMC can be frustrating at times, but the more the book goes on you understand why. I often find that authors sometimes over do the moody FMC to the point she’s unlikeable, but this wasn’t the case, I still liked her character, she was just maddening sometimes. There’s also a really good storyline, a twist I honestly didn’t see coming and it was quite emotional, but also beautiful when the pieces started to make sense and come together. It also showed how strong their love was. Really enjoyed. I was giggling kicking my feet
September 15, 2025
September Read: Some Kind of Forever by Layna James ⭐️⭐️⭐️. This YA romance introduces two engaging leads and sets the stage for future stories. Kayla Harris is a diligent college student balancing multiple jobs and planning for her future career in event management. After a painful breakup, romance is not a priority. Chase Wilmington, however, is hard to dismiss—handsome, kind, persistent, and disarmingly genuine. Despite his efforts, Kayla’s guarded nature, shaped by her upbringing with a single mother and an absent father, keeps him at a distance. The question is whether she can let him past her walls. Conflicts arise at a believable pace and resolve with care. The romance is low on steam but charming, tender, and thoroughly enjoyable.
February 2, 2025
I didn't realize while reading this that it was a debut novel. And for a debut novel, it was so good! This one definitely had me smiling and feeling the butterflies. I was instantly hooked on Kayla & Chase's story. It was love at first sight for Chase, but he definitely had to work for it. I loved how sweet they were together. I really enjoyed the side characters too. There was definitely some miscommunication unfortunately, but that's real life sometimes.
Overall, a very cute, feel good, small town romance & I am excited to read the next one when it releases.
Overall, a very cute, feel good, small town romance & I am excited to read the next one when it releases.
February 8, 2025
A sweet and very cute read. I could not believe this is a debut novel!
I loved the story of Kayla and Chase. Kayla is strong and focused on her career, not looking for love, while Chase is patient and kind, determined to win her over. Their slow-burn romance felt real and heartwarming.
This book had everything, from cute couple to fun banter. The side characters, like Kayla’s best friend Ashlie and Chase’s best friend Hunter, made the story even better.
The story flows seamlessly, with a realistic timeline and relatable scenarios.
I loved the story of Kayla and Chase. Kayla is strong and focused on her career, not looking for love, while Chase is patient and kind, determined to win her over. Their slow-burn romance felt real and heartwarming.
This book had everything, from cute couple to fun banter. The side characters, like Kayla’s best friend Ashlie and Chase’s best friend Hunter, made the story even better.
The story flows seamlessly, with a realistic timeline and relatable scenarios.
February 20, 2025
so so good
I was quite hooked from the start. I love how their love story unfolded, it made me giggle and aww constantly. The writing was so good it evoked my emotions. At one point I was furious. I understood but I was furious for a good minute because of a scene, but that turned back into awws, smiles and adoration. The ending is beautiful and so special. Chase is the perfect golden retriever boyfriend. Charming, witty, gentle, funny and thoughtful. Really sweet read, thoroughly enjoyed this
I was quite hooked from the start. I love how their love story unfolded, it made me giggle and aww constantly. The writing was so good it evoked my emotions. At one point I was furious. I understood but I was furious for a good minute because of a scene, but that turned back into awws, smiles and adoration. The ending is beautiful and so special. Chase is the perfect golden retriever boyfriend. Charming, witty, gentle, funny and thoughtful. Really sweet read, thoroughly enjoyed this
August 5, 2025
I actually posted this small part on Threads, but I’ll share it here too. I know we’ve talked about some of us outgrowing books with college aged characters, but I have to say, this one was really good. I kept forgetting the main characters were in their early 20s!
I absolutely loved Kayla and Chase. Chase’s patience with Kayla in so many different situations was everything. And I was so proud of Kayla for taking her time, figuring out what she truly wanted, and allowing herself to be open to her feelings for Chase.
The pacing of the story was perfect, and even the plot twist was done really well! Honestly, I don’t even want to call Ashlie and Hunter “side characters”, I loved them just as much and can’t wait to start their book.
Fingers crossed I can read Sunshine with you, in the next week! So ill be back lol
February 8, 2025
If you like a heartwarming romance this is perfect for a Valentines read 💞
“Hey Kayla…” Hmmm? “I told you I was going to fall for you this summer…” “And…?” I wait, watching the look in his eyes change from fiery passion to fierce vulnerability. “Baby, I’m free falling”. 💞
Layna James’s debut novel gives us a small town, cozy romance with a duel POV. Throughly enjoyed Chase and Kayla on their journey from breaking down walls, learning to trust, new found family and even some heart break. Chase’s tenderness was adorable and loved Kayla’s sassiness to his cheesy pickup lines 🤭
Thank you Layna for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful story.
“Hey Kayla…” Hmmm? “I told you I was going to fall for you this summer…” “And…?” I wait, watching the look in his eyes change from fiery passion to fierce vulnerability. “Baby, I’m free falling”. 💞
Layna James’s debut novel gives us a small town, cozy romance with a duel POV. Throughly enjoyed Chase and Kayla on their journey from breaking down walls, learning to trust, new found family and even some heart break. Chase’s tenderness was adorable and loved Kayla’s sassiness to his cheesy pickup lines 🤭
Thank you Layna for the opportunity to read and review this beautiful story.
March 26, 2025
A fantastic plot twist I didn’t see coming.
📘Small town
📘Dual POV
📘Interracial romance
📘He falls first, and harder
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Defintitely your next weekend read. I read it in less than twenty-four hours. Couldn’t put it down. The detailed map in the beginning of the book gave it that small-town feel and the characters were so relatable. We all need a friend like Ashlie! And I hope I meet my own Chase one day.💜
Can’t wait for the next book in the Fort Bender Series!
📘Small town
📘Dual POV
📘Interracial romance
📘He falls first, and harder
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Defintitely your next weekend read. I read it in less than twenty-four hours. Couldn’t put it down. The detailed map in the beginning of the book gave it that small-town feel and the characters were so relatable. We all need a friend like Ashlie! And I hope I meet my own Chase one day.💜
Can’t wait for the next book in the Fort Bender Series!
January 28, 2026
First off the beginning gave me sweet high school romance vibes, which I loved. 😍😍 Not trying to spoil it at all but the middle of the story had some plot twists that forced me to continue reading and not put it down. Ashlie is the best friend everyone needs, and Chase is the most adorable boyfriend everyone wants. Maggie and her father disgust me and made me want to throw my kindle across the room. Anyway READ ITTTTTTTT
August 24, 2024
Perfect Debut!
I totally love a story I can fully immerse myself into. I soaked up everything about Chase & Kayla. Their tug and pull was unrelenting. I even had a few tearful moments and I'm a hard shell to crack. Stunning prose. Vivid setting. Relatable characters. A perfect ten! Looking forward to more from this author!!!
I totally love a story I can fully immerse myself into. I soaked up everything about Chase & Kayla. Their tug and pull was unrelenting. I even had a few tearful moments and I'm a hard shell to crack. Stunning prose. Vivid setting. Relatable characters. A perfect ten! Looking forward to more from this author!!!
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