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Bayou Dreams #3
Yours Forever
Can the sins of the past…
Louisiana powerhouse attorney Matthew Gauthier has spent a lifetime safeguarding his prominent family's scandalous history. So when Tamryn West makes it her mission to dig up the past, Matthew must do everything in his power to stop her. But his plan to distract the alluring history professor begins to send his own passions raging out of control.
…become the hope of the future?
Tamryn came to the town of Gauthier to find the diary that could be the missing link to her grandmother and her enduring legacy. In the process, she stumbles onto the secrets of another family—secrets Matt will protect at any cost. As his sensual touch awakens Tamryn's deepest desires, will a revelation that could make her career cost Matt his political dreams—and their future together?
Louisiana powerhouse attorney Matthew Gauthier has spent a lifetime safeguarding his prominent family's scandalous history. So when Tamryn West makes it her mission to dig up the past, Matthew must do everything in his power to stop her. But his plan to distract the alluring history professor begins to send his own passions raging out of control.
…become the hope of the future?
Tamryn came to the town of Gauthier to find the diary that could be the missing link to her grandmother and her enduring legacy. In the process, she stumbles onto the secrets of another family—secrets Matt will protect at any cost. As his sensual touch awakens Tamryn's deepest desires, will a revelation that could make her career cost Matt his political dreams—and their future together?
220 pages, Paperback
First published February 18, 2014
16 people are currently reading
249 people want to read
About the author
Farrah Rochon
72 books2,576 followersA native of south Louisiana, Farrah Rochon officially began her writing career while waiting in between classes in the student lounge at Xavier University of Louisiana. After earning her Bachelors of Science degree and a Masters of Arts from Southeastern Louisiana University, Farrah decided to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a published novelist. She was named Shades of Romance Magazine's Best New Author of 2007. Her debut novel, Deliver Me, the first in her Holmes Brothers series, garnered rave reviews, earning Farrah several SORMAG Readers' Choice Awards.
In September 2010, Farrah joined the Kimani Romance family with the launch of her new series that follows the life of the fictional New York Sabers football team.
When she is not writing in her favorite coffee shop, Farrah spends most of her time reading her favorite romance novels, hanging around on Twitter, and trying to attend as many Broadway shows as her budget will allow. An admitted sports fanatic, Farrah feeds her addiction to football by watching New Orleans Saints games on Sunday afternoons.
In September 2010, Farrah joined the Kimani Romance family with the launch of her new series that follows the life of the fictional New York Sabers football team.
When she is not writing in her favorite coffee shop, Farrah spends most of her time reading her favorite romance novels, hanging around on Twitter, and trying to attend as many Broadway shows as her budget will allow. An admitted sports fanatic, Farrah feeds her addiction to football by watching New Orleans Saints games on Sunday afternoons.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
July 4, 2016
One thing I have to give Farrah Rochon is that she writes pretty easy to read and great contemporary romances. Her heroes tend to be stand-up (err...excluding A Forever Kind of Love's Corey because cheating, even in the past, isn't my thing) and confident (but not cocky, imo) guys, which is a nice change from alpha assholes. This book was no different.
Matthew Gauthier is an attorney and son of the founding family of Gauthier, Lousiana. His current goal is to run and win the state senate seat to benefit his little town. Matt had qualities I generally really like in a hero. He was confident and smooth, he threw out plenty of double-entendres (though didn't go overboard, imo) and he respected a woman's word when she said no. He also knew he wanted Tamryn early on and, after a bit of delay, he went for her when he couldn't deny his attraction. He first wanted to avoid entanglement with Tamryn because she's a history professor who's been working on her own family's history for quite some time. Her family happens to have a connection to his, so she's been trying to contact him for the last six months, but he's been doing everything he can to avoid her. And then one day he finds her on the side of the road in a busted car (because she was headed to his town) and helps her out, only later discovering that she's the professor who's been hounding him for months.
However, there were some things I didn't like about him. He's clearly far more experienced than Tamryn (although she's not a virgin, so that's a plus). He's said to be a ladies man and has dated plenty of women, including ones from his small town, two of whom the readers meet. One of his exs, Mariska, is even said to have had a bad breakup with him, but it's not explained what it was that happened. I don't know why we had to meet them, tbh, because they didn't add anything to the book. A plus is that he does say he's fiercely monogamous, so he's not the player or cheating type, but I don't know what that means for when he's single (and whether he sleeps around or not).
And then we have Dr. Tamryn West, who's an African-American history and women's studies professor at a university in Boston. Like I mentioned, she's been looking for information about her family's past. After a stop on the Underground Railroad is discovered in Matt's family's law practice building, she uncovers that her great-great-great-grandmother, Adeline, had likely been a conductor in that very place. She also wants to uncover proof (in the form of a diary) that her ancestor had worked to open the first school for black children in the US, and had done so along with Matt's ancestor, Nicolette.
Unlike Matt, I don't recall there being much mentioned about Tamryn's dating history. She mentions that her libido is "too-often-ignored," so I took that to mean that her dating history isn't all that long (at least in comparison to Matt's). Like Matt, an ex of hers does make an appearance. Her ex is Reid Hayes, a co-faculty member who she dated for about two years, but they broke up after she helped him on a research project (putting aside her own work) for an entire year, which gained him accolades and grants. The problem? He didn't credit her anywhere. Unlike the appearances of Matt's exs, however, Reid does serve a purpose. He is now the head of the history department at her university, and because she doesn't have tenure, it's pretty clear that Tamryn's job is on the line if she doesn't get this research project about her family done.
And that where's the great conflict of the book comes in. She needs proof about her family's involvement with this school in order to write this paper. She finds things here and there, but there's nothing concrete that connects Adelaide to it that she can find. She needs Nicolette's journal...a journal that Matt happens to have. He doesn't want to turn that journal over to her because it also contains his family's past wrong-doings, which would then hinder his run at the state senate seat. And it would ruin his family's name in the town that they founded. This was also why he avoided her calls and put her off for half a year. And his conflict then centres around him "[choosing] between the woman he was quickly falling in love with and the town he owed so much to."
With the conflict, I did find it believable. He wanted to do what was best for his town, which he felt he could do better as a senator, but he also didn't know if he could hand damaging information about his family to Tamryn, who was a stranger at this point. I understood his dilemma and found it to be plausible. The issue I had with it is that I didn't think it was that great of a secret. It was his family's past transgressions, with having to do with lining their pockets with money and stuff, but I didn't think it was that great for it to be hovering over the entire book like a dark cloud. I also think that part of it was because Matt beat himself up over it for the entire book, feeling guilty as hell, but then the author resolved it within a couple of pages.
The bigger issue for me was Matt keeping the diary a secret from Tamryn, which she needed for her research. He even tried to get her to stop her research at one point, saying that maybe evidence of Adelaide's involvement in the school is because there really isn't any. He felt like shit as he said it, but he still said it. She still presses on and doesn't stop, but the betrayal is still there. While at the end he does apologize to her, and his apology was definitely heartfelt and not lacking, I still felt he should've grovelled a bit more. At the same time that the above issue (with his ancestors) is resolved, Tamryn is forgiving him. I really didn't like that. He spent the entire book lying (through omission) to her, so I was expecting a bit more. And combine that with her previous betrayal with Reid, so I was expecting far more than just her understanding his dilemma and forgiving him as a result.
With the conflict, while I felt things meandered through the story, the conflict and resolution felt rushed and hurriedly resolved. The book was building up to the major climax, but then things came to a head in one chapter and were resolved in the next. It was pretty dissatisfying. I also don't like when things are kept a secret for so long (especially as the reader), but then it makes me go "that's it?!" when it's finally revealed.
However, I really do like Rochon's writing and characters and will continue to read her books, but I just wish the story itself was more engaging and better plotted. I also feel that if you're going to act like there's some deep, dark secret, that there actually should be. Greed and corruption isn't great, but it's fairly minor when you consider other transgressions that there could've possibly been. However, if it had been something worse, I feel it would've started veering into irredeemable territory, which I don't think the author wanted to do with the town's well-loved son, Matt. BUT, because the entire book kept going on about how bad his family's past was, I felt disappointed when things were finally revealed.
Matthew Gauthier is an attorney and son of the founding family of Gauthier, Lousiana. His current goal is to run and win the state senate seat to benefit his little town. Matt had qualities I generally really like in a hero. He was confident and smooth, he threw out plenty of double-entendres (though didn't go overboard, imo) and he respected a woman's word when she said no. He also knew he wanted Tamryn early on and, after a bit of delay, he went for her when he couldn't deny his attraction. He first wanted to avoid entanglement with Tamryn because she's a history professor who's been working on her own family's history for quite some time. Her family happens to have a connection to his, so she's been trying to contact him for the last six months, but he's been doing everything he can to avoid her. And then one day he finds her on the side of the road in a busted car (because she was headed to his town) and helps her out, only later discovering that she's the professor who's been hounding him for months.
However, there were some things I didn't like about him. He's clearly far more experienced than Tamryn (although she's not a virgin, so that's a plus). He's said to be a ladies man and has dated plenty of women, including ones from his small town, two of whom the readers meet. One of his exs, Mariska, is even said to have had a bad breakup with him, but it's not explained what it was that happened. I don't know why we had to meet them, tbh, because they didn't add anything to the book. A plus is that he does say he's fiercely monogamous, so he's not the player or cheating type, but I don't know what that means for when he's single (and whether he sleeps around or not).
And then we have Dr. Tamryn West, who's an African-American history and women's studies professor at a university in Boston. Like I mentioned, she's been looking for information about her family's past. After a stop on the Underground Railroad is discovered in Matt's family's law practice building, she uncovers that her great-great-great-grandmother, Adeline, had likely been a conductor in that very place. She also wants to uncover proof (in the form of a diary) that her ancestor had worked to open the first school for black children in the US, and had done so along with Matt's ancestor, Nicolette.
Unlike Matt, I don't recall there being much mentioned about Tamryn's dating history. She mentions that her libido is "too-often-ignored," so I took that to mean that her dating history isn't all that long (at least in comparison to Matt's). Like Matt, an ex of hers does make an appearance. Her ex is Reid Hayes, a co-faculty member who she dated for about two years, but they broke up after she helped him on a research project (putting aside her own work) for an entire year, which gained him accolades and grants. The problem? He didn't credit her anywhere. Unlike the appearances of Matt's exs, however, Reid does serve a purpose. He is now the head of the history department at her university, and because she doesn't have tenure, it's pretty clear that Tamryn's job is on the line if she doesn't get this research project about her family done.
And that where's the great conflict of the book comes in. She needs proof about her family's involvement with this school in order to write this paper. She finds things here and there, but there's nothing concrete that connects Adelaide to it that she can find. She needs Nicolette's journal...a journal that Matt happens to have. He doesn't want to turn that journal over to her because it also contains his family's past wrong-doings, which would then hinder his run at the state senate seat. And it would ruin his family's name in the town that they founded. This was also why he avoided her calls and put her off for half a year. And his conflict then centres around him "[choosing] between the woman he was quickly falling in love with and the town he owed so much to."
With the conflict, I did find it believable. He wanted to do what was best for his town, which he felt he could do better as a senator, but he also didn't know if he could hand damaging information about his family to Tamryn, who was a stranger at this point. I understood his dilemma and found it to be plausible. The issue I had with it is that I didn't think it was that great of a secret. It was his family's past transgressions, with having to do with lining their pockets with money and stuff, but I didn't think it was that great for it to be hovering over the entire book like a dark cloud. I also think that part of it was because Matt beat himself up over it for the entire book, feeling guilty as hell, but then the author resolved it within a couple of pages.
The bigger issue for me was Matt keeping the diary a secret from Tamryn, which she needed for her research. He even tried to get her to stop her research at one point, saying that maybe evidence of Adelaide's involvement in the school is because there really isn't any. He felt like shit as he said it, but he still said it. She still presses on and doesn't stop, but the betrayal is still there. While at the end he does apologize to her, and his apology was definitely heartfelt and not lacking, I still felt he should've grovelled a bit more. At the same time that the above issue (with his ancestors) is resolved, Tamryn is forgiving him. I really didn't like that. He spent the entire book lying (through omission) to her, so I was expecting a bit more. And combine that with her previous betrayal with Reid, so I was expecting far more than just her understanding his dilemma and forgiving him as a result.
With the conflict, while I felt things meandered through the story, the conflict and resolution felt rushed and hurriedly resolved. The book was building up to the major climax, but then things came to a head in one chapter and were resolved in the next. It was pretty dissatisfying. I also don't like when things are kept a secret for so long (especially as the reader), but then it makes me go "that's it?!" when it's finally revealed.
However, I really do like Rochon's writing and characters and will continue to read her books, but I just wish the story itself was more engaging and better plotted. I also feel that if you're going to act like there's some deep, dark secret, that there actually should be. Greed and corruption isn't great, but it's fairly minor when you consider other transgressions that there could've possibly been. However, if it had been something worse, I feel it would've started veering into irredeemable territory, which I don't think the author wanted to do with the town's well-loved son, Matt. BUT, because the entire book kept going on about how bad his family's past was, I felt disappointed when things were finally revealed.
June 25, 2018
How I long to visit Louisiana. The culture and food are what interest me most. I enjoyed Yours Forever. Matt and Tamryn's story was a good one. Matt was trying to do all he could for Gauthier to make up for the past atrocities of his ancestors upon the city. Tamryn left Boston to come to Gauthier looking for evidence of a school for free blacks and slave children her grandmother (Adeline West) had started with a Gauthier ancestor. Matt had been ignoring her previous calls for six months before she showed up. I would surmise the message of Yours forever is redemption. Both Tamryn and Matt found redemption for themselves albeit being in totally different ways. I must say that the storyline was good, but I wanted a more developed love story. I'm tiring or becoming disenchanted with the insta-love.
I was provided an eArc by the publisher via Netgalley.
Note: Read my updates because I always tell more detail about characters and story as I'm reading.
I was provided an eArc by the publisher via Netgalley.
Note: Read my updates because I always tell more detail about characters and story as I'm reading.
February 6, 2026
Easily my favorite of the series
January 26, 2014
I received this book yesterday as a prize from Farrah. When I got home this morning after work I started reading at 12:25am and couldn't stop until I finish it at 2am. I loved it! It is a beatifully written book that has all the chemistry needed to hold you til the end.
February 16, 2026
Yours Forever is a lovely book about holding on to your dreams, goals, and convictions in the face of faltering support and never-ending obstacles. It's also a nice love story and a terrific opportunity to get acquainted with part of Louisiana outside of New Orleans and a bit of history ignored by most textbooks. Boston-based Professor Tamryn West is determined to learn and share as much as she can about Black women in Gautier who strove to educate and help those around them. Matt Gauthier rides a motorcycle in his leisure time and looks rocking hot while doing so, but he's running for political office, determined to better the lives of his neighbors. Tamryn and Matt face unique hurdles, but they also can't deny the strong attraction that keeps pulling them closer. The book is replete with history, gumbo, town celebrations, and crawfish, and I enjoyed every moment of my time with Yours Forever. I’m grateful to NetGalley for an early review copy of the audiobook, nicely narrated by Marissa Hampton.
February 8, 2026
Beautiful! I read this in one sitting. Book 3 of this series and I think my favorite so far. I love how the characters come in from the first 2 books. Loving the small town feel and this one was perfect for black history month with Tamryn looking into her family’s history. Loved Matthew’s character and drive to step out of his family’s shadow. Just an overall great story. Minimal spice but lots of chemistry!!
Looking forward to book 4. :)
Looking forward to book 4. :)
January 9, 2016
Nice story. Heroine is a history professor at a college in Boston, researching the hero's ancestor who had a connection with her great-great-great-great grandmother. He's been avoiding her, but now she's come to Louisiana to do her research close up. And she's gorgeous. He'd much rather date her than answer questions. There's plenty of angst to go around --the heroine's over her job and a nasty ex-boyfriend, the hero's over his shady family past and his dad, particularly since he's running for the state legislature and trying to run as clean a campaign as possible. Not much plot but a good story what with all the angst to be resolved. I liked it.
February 20, 2022
Archival laminate is not a thing.
February 2, 2026
This was such a delightful and fun romance; definitely a perfect read during a lazy Sunday afternoon or while on vacation.
Tamryn is a professor looking to uncover the story of a century that will help boost her career and land her a coveted tenure track position at her liberal arts college. She ventures down to Gauthier, LA to find it. However, she didn’t plan to fall for the person that holds the keys to unlocking her future. Enter Matthew Gauthier, a successful lawyer and aspiring politician whose family literally founded and built his town. He has a lot to live up to with that name, and a lot at stake if he doesn’t. He doesn’t want anyone looking too closely at his family’s history/legacy, since that could mean his political career is over before it begins. As they get to know one another, sparks fly and they cannot help but feel a natural attraction to each other.
I really enjoyed this book! I found both of the main characters instantly likable and would be so much fun to be around. Their banter was lighthearted, fun, and had just enough steam. Their love story was incredibly believable. I also really enjoyed the parts focused around their ancestors and unveiling family secrets. I wish we had more time in that part of the story, because there was so much more to unpack there. I also loved the narrator for the audiobook. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend to anyone interested in swoon-worthy characters, tight knit small towns, and complex family stories.
Thanks Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ARC!
Tamryn is a professor looking to uncover the story of a century that will help boost her career and land her a coveted tenure track position at her liberal arts college. She ventures down to Gauthier, LA to find it. However, she didn’t plan to fall for the person that holds the keys to unlocking her future. Enter Matthew Gauthier, a successful lawyer and aspiring politician whose family literally founded and built his town. He has a lot to live up to with that name, and a lot at stake if he doesn’t. He doesn’t want anyone looking too closely at his family’s history/legacy, since that could mean his political career is over before it begins. As they get to know one another, sparks fly and they cannot help but feel a natural attraction to each other.
I really enjoyed this book! I found both of the main characters instantly likable and would be so much fun to be around. Their banter was lighthearted, fun, and had just enough steam. Their love story was incredibly believable. I also really enjoyed the parts focused around their ancestors and unveiling family secrets. I wish we had more time in that part of the story, because there was so much more to unpack there. I also loved the narrator for the audiobook. Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would recommend to anyone interested in swoon-worthy characters, tight knit small towns, and complex family stories.
Thanks Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for the ARC!
January 31, 2026
Title: Yours Forever
Author: Farrah Rochon
Genre: Romance
Format: audiobook
Narrated: Marissa Hampton
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️✨️ (4.25)
Tamryn West, Ph.D., did not plan to swap Boston lecture halls for dirt roads, a failing radiator, or a surprise motorcycle rescue. But a research grant leads her to Gauthier, Louisiana, where the past opens doors she never meant to knock on, including the one belonging to Matthew Gauthier, the lawyer who avoided her calls and showed up anyway with dimples fully deployed.
*Yours Forever* is book three in the Bayou Dreams series, and let me just say this series continues to get better with every book! I really enjoyed the chemistry between Tamryn and Matthew, and the story behind the city. This was a cute, quick read. I can't wait to see what the next book holds.
The audiobook is narrated by Marissa Hampton. And let me just say, she always does an amazing job! Her male voice is amazing! She also brings depth to every character she voices. She was easy to listen to and also understand. I listened at 2x speed.
The Ending: Happily Ever After
Would I Recommend: Yes
Days Read: too many 1.5 Day
Thank you, NetGalley, and Dreamscape media for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
Author: Farrah Rochon
Genre: Romance
Format: audiobook
Narrated: Marissa Hampton
Star Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐️✨️ (4.25)
Tamryn West, Ph.D., did not plan to swap Boston lecture halls for dirt roads, a failing radiator, or a surprise motorcycle rescue. But a research grant leads her to Gauthier, Louisiana, where the past opens doors she never meant to knock on, including the one belonging to Matthew Gauthier, the lawyer who avoided her calls and showed up anyway with dimples fully deployed.
*Yours Forever* is book three in the Bayou Dreams series, and let me just say this series continues to get better with every book! I really enjoyed the chemistry between Tamryn and Matthew, and the story behind the city. This was a cute, quick read. I can't wait to see what the next book holds.
The audiobook is narrated by Marissa Hampton. And let me just say, she always does an amazing job! Her male voice is amazing! She also brings depth to every character she voices. She was easy to listen to and also understand. I listened at 2x speed.
The Ending: Happily Ever After
Would I Recommend: Yes
Days Read: too many 1.5 Day
Thank you, NetGalley, and Dreamscape media for the audiobook in exchange for my honest review.
October 19, 2019
You can feel the connection from the start between lawyer Matt finds professor Tamryn standing by her broken car on a back road in Louisiana. He whisks her away on his motorcycle, neither of them knowing he is the man who won't response to her many inquires about her ancestress who possibly founded a school for slave children along with his own. She seeks a diary that will confirm this fact and save her job at a small college by resulting in a publication. Their attraction is irresistible and eventually consummated. All the while, Matt denies her the diary that will also expose the nefarious doings of the men in his family. Running for public office to right some of those wrongs, he cannot afford this revelation. Matt also has political aspirations and it seems sometimes he puts himself first before Tamryn.
February 4, 2026
Book three did not disappoint.
I most certainly wish Gauthier, Louisiana was a real place because I'd be there right now. I've visited Louisianna twice in my life and these books encompass all the great things that are Louisiana through and through.
Matthew and Tamyrn had a great story. Like the other two men in the series, Matthew was hooked first and would not let up (which I love a man who knows what he wants and goes after it). Tamryn being a professor of African American studies made me so happy since that was my minor in college. I loved the tie in of history and culture within the Bayou Dream series but I truly loved that Tamryn was an "outsider" coming in and showing Matthew that he was living history by just being a Gauthier. Great series, great story. I'm sad it's over.
I most certainly wish Gauthier, Louisiana was a real place because I'd be there right now. I've visited Louisianna twice in my life and these books encompass all the great things that are Louisiana through and through.
Matthew and Tamyrn had a great story. Like the other two men in the series, Matthew was hooked first and would not let up (which I love a man who knows what he wants and goes after it). Tamryn being a professor of African American studies made me so happy since that was my minor in college. I loved the tie in of history and culture within the Bayou Dream series but I truly loved that Tamryn was an "outsider" coming in and showing Matthew that he was living history by just being a Gauthier. Great series, great story. I'm sad it's over.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Quick Summary: A family history/protecting the legacy romance
My Review: Yours Forever by Farrah Rochon is book #3 in the Bayou Dreams series. It was originally released in 2014. The audiobook edition is scheduled for release on 1/27/26.
About the Book: "Their collision begins with a ride into town, luggage retrieved like a good deed that came with invisible fine print, and a quiet spark that grows louder than expected. Archives and chance meetings steer their summer off course, but their journey to happily ever after is worth the ride."
In My Own Words: A professor who is chasing her family's history and a prominent attorney/upcoming political figure who is holding on to a secret that could change her life click and clash in this small town romance.
About the Characters:
Dr. Tamryn West - > Historian, bruised and betrayed, guarded in love, driven to succeed
Matthew Gauthier - > Lawyer, prominent family in community, grieving son, difficult relationship with dad, carries weight & worries on his shoulders
About the Couple: Tamryn and Matthew are mutually attracted to each other. They both fight what they feel until they simply cannot.
About the Conflict: Secrets and silence, power plays, and a moral dilemma are a part of the conflict arc in this story.
About the Audiobook: This book was narrated by Marissa Hampton. She did a great job with portraying the characters. She made the listening experience enjoyable.
My Final Say: I liked this book well enough. The most appealing parts of the story related to the unveiling of the family histories, the close knit nature of the community, and the strength of conviction of the FMC. In terms of the featured relationship, what Tamryn and Matthew experienced was insta in nature but believable under the circumstances.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Level: 🌶️
Series: Yes
Format: 🎧
Narration: +
Cover: +
Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate the opportunity. The thoughts and opinions I have shared are my own and have not been influenced by the aforementioned in any way.
My Review: Yours Forever by Farrah Rochon is book #3 in the Bayou Dreams series. It was originally released in 2014. The audiobook edition is scheduled for release on 1/27/26.
About the Book: "Their collision begins with a ride into town, luggage retrieved like a good deed that came with invisible fine print, and a quiet spark that grows louder than expected. Archives and chance meetings steer their summer off course, but their journey to happily ever after is worth the ride."
In My Own Words: A professor who is chasing her family's history and a prominent attorney/upcoming political figure who is holding on to a secret that could change her life click and clash in this small town romance.
About the Characters:
Dr. Tamryn West - > Historian, bruised and betrayed, guarded in love, driven to succeed
Matthew Gauthier - > Lawyer, prominent family in community, grieving son, difficult relationship with dad, carries weight & worries on his shoulders
About the Couple: Tamryn and Matthew are mutually attracted to each other. They both fight what they feel until they simply cannot.
About the Conflict: Secrets and silence, power plays, and a moral dilemma are a part of the conflict arc in this story.
About the Audiobook: This book was narrated by Marissa Hampton. She did a great job with portraying the characters. She made the listening experience enjoyable.
My Final Say: I liked this book well enough. The most appealing parts of the story related to the unveiling of the family histories, the close knit nature of the community, and the strength of conviction of the FMC. In terms of the featured relationship, what Tamryn and Matthew experienced was insta in nature but believable under the circumstances.
Rating: 3.5/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2
Level: 🌶️
Series: Yes
Format: 🎧
Narration: +
Cover: +
Thank you to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley for granting access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest review. I appreciate the opportunity. The thoughts and opinions I have shared are my own and have not been influenced by the aforementioned in any way.
January 30, 2026
Cute romance with likeable characters. I wanted to know about her research and the history of the area she was in. I love books set in Louisiana, especially when I can identify markers that they mention. Overall, a well-written and easy to read romance that has a small town feel with historical references and big-hearted characters.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the review copy.
Thank you to NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for the review copy.
February 7, 2026
Spice: 3/5
Dr. Tamryn West was so fun! She had Matt on his toes from the moment they met. While I could understand Matt's deep guilt about his family's history, for a smart man, I really feel like he made stupid decisions. Of course, It didnt make sense for him to share what he knew with Tamryn when she was a stranger but you say you love this woman and you still dont share? I'm glad at least he felt seriously guilty and apologized profusely for it.
Dr. Tamryn West was so fun! She had Matt on his toes from the moment they met. While I could understand Matt's deep guilt about his family's history, for a smart man, I really feel like he made stupid decisions. Of course, It didnt make sense for him to share what he knew with Tamryn when she was a stranger but you say you love this woman and you still dont share? I'm glad at least he felt seriously guilty and apologized profusely for it.
February 7, 2026
3 1/2 Stars I have to say, Farrah Rochon writes really easy-to-read and great modern romance books. "Yours Forever" is the third book in the Bayou Dreams series, which is a re-release and each book just keeps getting better! I really liked the chemistry between Tamryn and Matthew, and I found the city’s history fascinating. It was a nice mix of romance and family history. This was a cute and quick read. I’m excited to see what happens in the next book!
April 9, 2018
This was delightful. I gave it a bit of a side eye when I found out our hero, Matt, had political aspirations, but boy howdy, if all politicians were like him, I might not hate politics so much! He's one of the good ones. Two thumbs up for the very familiar, small town south!
February 4, 2026
Yours forever
Tamyrn's required her to go to search for things she needed to finish her book, was the best direction god sent her to fill the information she needed. Matt was waiting for such a person. History is required to inform children of where they came from.
Tamyrn's required her to go to search for things she needed to finish her book, was the best direction god sent her to fill the information she needed. Matt was waiting for such a person. History is required to inform children of where they came from.
February 8, 2026
I enjoy this series because for how short they are they really still manage to pack a light punch for the romance lover. I always leave a book wishing it was longer but appreciating the smile it inevitably put on my face while reading.
Read
July 19, 2019Vacation read. Cute story - I loved that it was a bit of romance and a bit of genealogy wrapped into one.
October 11, 2020
Loved this book! Sexy, heart-warming small town romance with smart characters you root for.
Read
January 30, 2026Hmmmm, I feel like this story and the one before it is giving same script different cast. Idk, it might be time for me to wrap this series up.
February 1, 2026
I love this series, I think this one was my favorite.
February 17, 2026
Actual Rating: 3.5
June 21, 2020
Rochon takes us to sleepy, quaint Gauthier Louisiana, where everybody knows your name, where you come from and who you're sleeping with. When Professor Tamryn West descends upon the town on a quest for answers about her past and a diary that could give her tenure at Boston's Brimley University, the first person she meets is handsome, rugged Matthew Gauthier, the town's favorite son. He shows up on a Ducati and rescues her from a busted radiator, depositing her at her hotel.
Tamryn knows who Matthew is-- after all, she's been trying to reach him for the past six months. Matt, on the other hand, doesn't recognize the name of the new beauty in town and he's already in deep lust before he realizes that she wants information and details on the recent discovery of a stop on the historic Underground Railroad, which just happens to be located under his law firm, a Gauthier institution.
Despite his attraction, Matt can't share his past with Tamryn, can't let her find out about the ugly sins-- past and present-- of the Gauthiers. He's about to run for a Senate seat against a nasty, mud slinging opponent and any scandal could ruin his chances. As much as he wants to help Professor West secure her teaching position, achieve tenure and make history with a book about how her great-great-great grandmother made history by creating a school for blacks with Matthew's great-great-great grandmother, he can't let his secrets be known. It could destroy everything he's worked for.
Rochon has quickly risen to the ranks of one of my favorite Harlequin Kimani writers. Her stories are always varied and intriguing, with a story line I can sink my teeth into and passion that draws me in and keeps me turning pages. I'm a lover of history myself, so I also enjoyed the lessons via the tours -- the old library archives at Xavier University, the pockets of history around Gauthier, and Rosemead, where Adeline West was born and worked as a slave.
Since this is a Harlequin Romance, I can't pass up the opportunity to present Yours Forever as a passionate love story that takes place in a romantic little town among two strangers destined to be together. The attraction between Matt and Tamryn jumped off the page from the beginning, and though Tamryn initially resisted, it seemed like the wait was worth it. I liked watching the sparks grow into animal lust and that lust grow into a love that would make a man risk his career so the woman he cared for could have what she's always wanted.
And in return, she gave him what he's worked for his whole life.
Yours Forever is an enjoyable read, I hope you'll pick it up when it's out February 18th from Harlequin Kimani.
Tamryn knows who Matthew is-- after all, she's been trying to reach him for the past six months. Matt, on the other hand, doesn't recognize the name of the new beauty in town and he's already in deep lust before he realizes that she wants information and details on the recent discovery of a stop on the historic Underground Railroad, which just happens to be located under his law firm, a Gauthier institution.
Despite his attraction, Matt can't share his past with Tamryn, can't let her find out about the ugly sins-- past and present-- of the Gauthiers. He's about to run for a Senate seat against a nasty, mud slinging opponent and any scandal could ruin his chances. As much as he wants to help Professor West secure her teaching position, achieve tenure and make history with a book about how her great-great-great grandmother made history by creating a school for blacks with Matthew's great-great-great grandmother, he can't let his secrets be known. It could destroy everything he's worked for.
Rochon has quickly risen to the ranks of one of my favorite Harlequin Kimani writers. Her stories are always varied and intriguing, with a story line I can sink my teeth into and passion that draws me in and keeps me turning pages. I'm a lover of history myself, so I also enjoyed the lessons via the tours -- the old library archives at Xavier University, the pockets of history around Gauthier, and Rosemead, where Adeline West was born and worked as a slave.
Since this is a Harlequin Romance, I can't pass up the opportunity to present Yours Forever as a passionate love story that takes place in a romantic little town among two strangers destined to be together. The attraction between Matt and Tamryn jumped off the page from the beginning, and though Tamryn initially resisted, it seemed like the wait was worth it. I liked watching the sparks grow into animal lust and that lust grow into a love that would make a man risk his career so the woman he cared for could have what she's always wanted.
And in return, she gave him what he's worked for his whole life.
Yours Forever is an enjoyable read, I hope you'll pick it up when it's out February 18th from Harlequin Kimani.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 18, 2015
“Yours Forever” by Farrah Rochon has been nominated by the Romance Writers of America as a RITA finalist – meaning that romance writers have judged her book to represent excellence in romance writing.
Matthew Gauthier of Gauthier, Louisiana was born into a legacy of family secrets. While he does everything for the town of Gauthier (including running for state government) he is haunted by the ghosts of his ancestors. Matthew is such a wonderful hero and I love how he’s conflicted by wanting to do right for his town and his family.
Dr. Tamryn West is a history professor using her summer vacation to research her own family past to help her tenuous faculty position back east. She’s been trying to contact Matthew for months to get permission to do research on their family, but takes matters into her own hands. Tamryn is my type of heroine; smart, ambitious, and loves teaching.
Ms. Rochon leaves no doubt why she was nominated for a RITA – her characters are believable, strong (with room to grow), and she weaves in Louisiana (and its history) into the story until you swear it’s another character. The pacing was fast and I couldn’t put the book down because I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. Whew, it was a nail biter! My favorite scenes are when Tamryn enters the basement room for the first time. Her reactions to the sense of history and meaning of the room gave me shivers. I loved Rochon’s description of the small town of Gauthier and its citizens. I definitely wouldn’t mind visiting again!
Matthew Gauthier of Gauthier, Louisiana was born into a legacy of family secrets. While he does everything for the town of Gauthier (including running for state government) he is haunted by the ghosts of his ancestors. Matthew is such a wonderful hero and I love how he’s conflicted by wanting to do right for his town and his family.
Dr. Tamryn West is a history professor using her summer vacation to research her own family past to help her tenuous faculty position back east. She’s been trying to contact Matthew for months to get permission to do research on their family, but takes matters into her own hands. Tamryn is my type of heroine; smart, ambitious, and loves teaching.
Ms. Rochon leaves no doubt why she was nominated for a RITA – her characters are believable, strong (with room to grow), and she weaves in Louisiana (and its history) into the story until you swear it’s another character. The pacing was fast and I couldn’t put the book down because I wasn’t sure how it was going to end. Whew, it was a nail biter! My favorite scenes are when Tamryn enters the basement room for the first time. Her reactions to the sense of history and meaning of the room gave me shivers. I loved Rochon’s description of the small town of Gauthier and its citizens. I definitely wouldn’t mind visiting again!
July 9, 2014
Professor Tamryn is in Louisiana looking for answer about her great grandma and she believes that Matthew Gauthier able to shed some light for her. He was the first person she met when she got stranded from a busted radiator. She knew who her rescuer is because she have been trying to reach him for the past six months. Matthew, on the other hand, have no idea the beautiful lady whom he have save earlier on. He have been avoiding her calls because he can’t get his family’s ugly sin, both past and presents. He is also in the midst of running for a senate place and he doesn’t want them to ruin his chances. It could destroys everything for him. But his attraction for her making it so much harder for him to refuse.
It is a passionate romance story set up in a little town who everyone seems to know each other. I like the way the story developed between strangers and how they ended up together. Reading about the little town set up and the side story gives me a cosy and warmth feeling. It certainly help in bringing out the essence of the story. I have read the earlier books by the author and I have like all her so far. Her stories are very engaging and intriguing.
It is a passionate romance story set up in a little town who everyone seems to know each other. I like the way the story developed between strangers and how they ended up together. Reading about the little town set up and the side story gives me a cosy and warmth feeling. It certainly help in bringing out the essence of the story. I have read the earlier books by the author and I have like all her so far. Her stories are very engaging and intriguing.
August 17, 2014
You can feel the heat from the very beginning of Yours Forever when lawyer Matt finds professor Tamryn standing by her broken car on a back road in Louisiana. He whisks her away on his motorcycle, neither of them knowing he is the man who won't response to her many inquires about her ancestress who possibly founded a school for slave children along with his own. She seeks a diary that will confirm this fact and save her job at a small college by resulting in a publication. Their attraction is irresistible and eventually consummated. All the while, Matt denies her the diary that will also expose the nefarious doings of the men in his family. Running for public office to right some of those wrongs, he cannot afford this revelation. But, small town values come to their aid and they move forward to the satisfying HEA.
March 4, 2014
I loved Ms. Farrah's work and this book is no exception to the rule. I'm not a die hard history buff, but I was drawn into Tamryn's search for info on her great-great-great grandmother's birth into slavery and later starting a school for slave and free children. She made history interesting! Great book, great read. Can't wait to read Forever's Promise next month.
March 6, 2014
This is another great book in the Bayou Dreams series by Farrah Rochon. We revisit the fictional town of Gauthier and it's residents with the story about Matt Gauthier. While Matt is running for Senate and falling in love with Professor West, secrets begin to be revealed about the towns founding family. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
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