Charming Wanderer

by Sienna Mills

She’d rather stay home with a good book.
He's a secret millionaire who hasn’t stayed put for more than a month.
When he’s with her, he finds home.

~James~
I’ve been traveling the world for nearly a decade.
Searching for what, I don’t know.
When I’m back in my home town, I see her.
My best friend’s little sister.
She’s the bookish one, the one who likes to watch from the sidelines.
A craving for her starts within me that burns like fire.
The she says we’re just friends.
I’ll take what I can get, even if it's torture.
But being with her tells me I found what I was searching for.
How do I tell Layla she feels like home without scaring her off?

This passionate love story is a standalone novella and part of the Charming in Blue Ridge series, features a STEMinist heroine, can be read in a quick 2 hours or less, and has no cheating and an HEA.

84 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2024

About the author

Sienna Mills lives in Atlanta, Georgia, where she spends most of her time dreaming up her next book boyfriend and the woman he’s obsessed with.

If she isn’t writing, she’s with her family.

siennamillsromance.com
sienna@siennamillsromance.com

Reviews

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Layla and James complete each other, if only he can get her to realize that. 

Ethan Darvish, James Baret, and Shane Olson have been best friends for years. Layla Darvish and Abbi Baret are also best friends. 

Layla is an IT manager for a cybersecurity company. The main problem with her job is guys always mansplaining how various systems work. It happens even at Ethan and Abbi's engagement party. She works from home and prefers that. She's quiet and subdued compared to twin sister Sammy. 

Layla always used to get along with James. As kids, he spoke nerdese with her. But after college he became somewhat of a hunk, and then he left. He still may speak the language, but he no longer fits in with them as well as he once did. 

James designed an app and sold it when he was twenty-two years old. He made enough money to never have to work again. But he always had an itch to travel, so he left Blue Ridge as quickly as he could. He now works with World of Wellness as a volunteer; his friends aren't aware that he's a volunteer. 

He's known Layla for about twenty years, ever since his family moved to town. She's the first person he wants to talk to when something goes wrong and the first person he wants to share good news with. He's never felt as comfortable with anyone as much as he does with her. He's tired of traveling and wants to come home to Layla. But he's certain she'll think she'd interfere when he gets the urge to travel again. She doesn't want to hold him back. He's got his work cut out for him if he wants to claim her! 

Ethan, Sammy, and Layla Darvish inherited their family home seven years ago when their parents were killed in an accident. But now Ethan spends most of his time at Abbi's apartment. And Sammy is dating Shane and spending a lot of time at his place. Mr. and Mrs. Baret sold their house and are full-time RVers. So, James has been staying with Layla while in Blue Ridge. 

The six children and Mr. and Mrs. Baret always get together for Thanksgiving and Christmas. Shane had joined their group after his mother left the family and his father fell apart. This year, for the first time ever, his father will be joining them at Thanksgiving, and he's bringing a date. 

Will James be able to convince Layla that she's the most necessary part of his future? 

I received an ARC of this book from the author via Booksprout. I am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Grinning Cat · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cat’s Stats
MMC/FMC- James and Layla
Genre- Contemporary Romance
Length- about 81 pages
Heat- They do the things and use the P word. Plus the scene on the stairs *chef’s kiss*.
Series? Y
Safety? Y
Triggers? N
Tropes- Brother’s Best Friend, Best Friend’s Brother, Wardrobe Malfunction, Geek Love, STEMinist Heroine, Long-Distance, Billionaire, We’re Not Really Related.
Mewsings
What I liked- The stairs scene. And, yeah it’s uncomfortable in reality, but reads hot as sin. I liked that they had both a physical and mental connection. But I can’t describe all of the things I like about this story without giving more spoilers. Suffice it to say that this book is just what I wanted to read and I recommend it.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Morgan Schell · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third book in the series and a sweet romance novella. I've been seeing the name James come up now and then in the previous two books and am glad I got to know him better through this one. It's good to see Layla find her other half too. While I can't say it's my favorite of the series, it's nice seeing things wrap up nicely for this group of lifelong friends and family, and a story I enjoyed reading. James and Layla are well-made for each other. Looking forward to checking out the bonus scene you receive from signing up at the end of the book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[R Dragonfly · Rating 4 out of 5]

James and Layla have known each other since childhood but sparks don't start flying until they see each other at her brother's engagement party to his sister. She's happy sitting home reading and thinks he'll never be happy with her because he has been traveling the world for years. The two of them are adorable together and get their hea. Great short read!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sienna Mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was so much fun to write because Layla and James are so similar in some ways, even though it's an opposites attract kind of book. James's corny jokes were my favorite to come up with, and I love that, even though James is the nerdiest of all three Charming MMCs, he's maybe the naughtiest 🤫

I hope you love this book as much as I loved writing it! Please subscribe at the end of the book to get the free bonus epilogue featuring James and Layla! 🎁

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

James & Layla: Book 3 of Charming in Blue Ridge: Brother’s best friend/ friends to lovers/ opposites attract/ small town romance: Sweet and spicy quick read. Interconnected standalone. I have enjoyed reading this series with this friend/family group, and I was happy to finally get to meet James. It was sweet to see how Layla is his person and his “home”.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tiffany · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book. James and Layla have been friends forever but never acted on their feelings until now. Can james show Layla that he's not just settling back home to be with her or will she let her insecurities win?.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shalalah · Rating 5 out of 5]

Layla is a homebody, and James is a nomad...Can these polar opposites connect and find their happily ever afters together with each other??? This nerdy love story warms the heart and reminds you that there is someone out there for everyone who just fits; you just have to find them!!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining brothers best friend, short story, romance book that grabs your attention and holds it throughout. The storyline is intriguing as the elements unfold. The characters are well written with steamy chemistry together. I enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Esme Greiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

James has been away from his home town for years. When he returns to his hometown he sees his best friend's sister for the first time in years. He feels something when he sees her but she wants only friendship with him. Can he get Layla to see that they are meant to be together forever?

[Erica · Rating 5 out of 5]

James!!!

Definitely the winner for me.

A touch spicier with this couple, but oh so well done. I bet she looked at her stairs differently for awhile 😏😏

Make sure you read the bonus content, I’ve gotta write down those new rules (iykyk hehehe)

[Tracy H · Rating 5 out of 5]

The characters were well written. I enjoyed the chemistry, drama and journey.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Charming wanderer was part of the Charming in Blue Ridge series. And was James and Layla’s story. It was a quick and entertaining read. And am voluntarily leaving this review.

[Sandy Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG!! James is perfect. He gets Layla. The stairs and the house won me over.

[Caitlin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved James and Layla so much- they are so perfect together. Such a great novella