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Forever With You
In Gauthier, love isn't just found. It's forever.
Leslie Kirkland is surviving, not living. Between raising two daughters, singing in the church choir, and dodging well-meaning matchmakers determined to find her a man, she barely has time to breathe. The last thing she needs is to notice Gabriel Franklin, the new teacher turned assistant principal who looks at her like she's the answer to a question he's been asking all his life.
Gabriel came to Gauthier to build a future far from the troubled kid he used to be. When he meets the recently widowed single mother who volunteers at his school, he sees everything he never knew he was searching for. But Leslie's heart is carefully guarded, and breaking through those walls means proving he's worth the risk.
As their connection deepens against the backdrop of science fairs and community expectations, Gabriel must convince Leslie that love doesn't have to mean losing yourself. Sometimes it means finding the person who's been waiting to help you live again.
Leslie Kirkland is surviving, not living. Between raising two daughters, singing in the church choir, and dodging well-meaning matchmakers determined to find her a man, she barely has time to breathe. The last thing she needs is to notice Gabriel Franklin, the new teacher turned assistant principal who looks at her like she's the answer to a question he's been asking all his life.
Gabriel came to Gauthier to build a future far from the troubled kid he used to be. When he meets the recently widowed single mother who volunteers at his school, he sees everything he never knew he was searching for. But Leslie's heart is carefully guarded, and breaking through those walls means proving he's worth the risk.
As their connection deepens against the backdrop of science fairs and community expectations, Gabriel must convince Leslie that love doesn't have to mean losing yourself. Sometimes it means finding the person who's been waiting to help you live again.
- GenresAudiobook
Audible Audio
Published April 21, 2026
About the author
Farrah Rochon
84 books2,708 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 - 11 of 11 reviews
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Quick Summary: A OWYM short adult contemporary romance
My Review: Forever With You by Farrah Rochon is book #5 in the Bayou Dreams series. It was originally released in 2015. The audiobook is being released on 4/21/26.
About the Book: "New life. New love?
The tranquil bayou town of Gauthier is the perfect place for widowed single mother Leslie Kirkland to raise her two daughters. Until she's elected president of the elementary school's Parent-Teacher Organization."
In My Own Words: A widow must learn to trust herself when it comes to her life and her heart.
About the Characters: The community of Gauthier is small town realness. They are a collection of colorful lives who mean well, who fight hard for what they believe in, and who don't give up on each other.
About the Couple: Learning how to take a chance on love can be a challenge when you've lost the person you thought you'd spend your life with. That is what Leslie Kirkland was learning how to do. When Gabriel Franklin came into her life, she didn't know how to give herself permission to move on and find the happiness that she deserved. He loved her through her journey of healing and reconciliation with her past.
About the Conflict: The conflict in this story was relatively light, in my opinion. Minor drama, concerning the community, was weaved into the romance elements. The primary conflict dealt with the concept of progressing forward. The family tension addressed finding closure from a tragic past and wanting better for family and self.
About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Marissa Hampton. I was thoroughly entertained by her delivery. Her rhythm and tones worked well and held my attention.
My Final Say: This was an enjoyable, fast-paced story. It was simple and sweet. The OWYM detail was so subtle. The falling in love was insta, but still...it flowed.
Other: This book may contain triggering content related to PTSD. Potential readers should read any and all content warnings.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 💕
Heat Factor: 🌶️
Format: 🎧
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. I enjoyed revisiting this series again. This installment proved to be a charming addition. I look forward to reading more books in the series in the coming months. I am grateful for the opportunity.
My Review: Forever With You by Farrah Rochon is book #5 in the Bayou Dreams series. It was originally released in 2015. The audiobook is being released on 4/21/26.
About the Book: "New life. New love?
The tranquil bayou town of Gauthier is the perfect place for widowed single mother Leslie Kirkland to raise her two daughters. Until she's elected president of the elementary school's Parent-Teacher Organization."
In My Own Words: A widow must learn to trust herself when it comes to her life and her heart.
About the Characters: The community of Gauthier is small town realness. They are a collection of colorful lives who mean well, who fight hard for what they believe in, and who don't give up on each other.
About the Couple: Learning how to take a chance on love can be a challenge when you've lost the person you thought you'd spend your life with. That is what Leslie Kirkland was learning how to do. When Gabriel Franklin came into her life, she didn't know how to give herself permission to move on and find the happiness that she deserved. He loved her through her journey of healing and reconciliation with her past.
About the Conflict: The conflict in this story was relatively light, in my opinion. Minor drama, concerning the community, was weaved into the romance elements. The primary conflict dealt with the concept of progressing forward. The family tension addressed finding closure from a tragic past and wanting better for family and self.
About the Audiobook: This novel was narrated by Marissa Hampton. I was thoroughly entertained by her delivery. Her rhythm and tones worked well and held my attention.
My Final Say: This was an enjoyable, fast-paced story. It was simple and sweet. The OWYM detail was so subtle. The falling in love was insta, but still...it flowed.
Other: This book may contain triggering content related to PTSD. Potential readers should read any and all content warnings.
Rating: 4/5
Recommend: Yes
Audience: A
Status: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Level: 💕
Heat Factor: 🌶️
Format: 🎧
Series: Yes
Cover: +
Appreciation is extended to the author, to the publisher (Dreamscape Media), and to NetGalley. Thank you for providing access to an ALC of this title in exchange for an honest critique. I enjoyed revisiting this series again. This installment proved to be a charming addition. I look forward to reading more books in the series in the coming months. I am grateful for the opportunity.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I was given an ALC of this book to review from NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
Leslie Kirkland is just trying to be a good mom to her two girls after their father's death. Being a single mom isn't easy, neither is being PTO president. She only has time for the important things, and a man isn't one of them. Until Gabriel Franklin makes his interest known.
Gabriel is trying his best to enrich his students lives, but the small town he teaches in is hesitant to change. This gets worse when he becomes the assistant principal to the school. Leslie should be off limits, but he just can't stay away.
I believe that this book was first published in 2015, and this is an audiobook re-release. I thought that Marissa Hampton did an excellent job of voicing both Leslie and Gabriel. Her male voice wasn't super forced which helped me stay in the story. Sometimes that can be distracting if the female narrator forces her voice to be more male rather than just dropping it slightly. Marissa did great at also doing Leslie, she changed her accent slightly. It was a very enjoyable listen.
The book was a sweet story of a widowed, single mom and her daughter's teacher. There wasn't a lot of angst to the story even though there could have been. This is just a solid read that would be great if you like, single parents, parent/teacher, or small town.
Leslie Kirkland is just trying to be a good mom to her two girls after their father's death. Being a single mom isn't easy, neither is being PTO president. She only has time for the important things, and a man isn't one of them. Until Gabriel Franklin makes his interest known.
Gabriel is trying his best to enrich his students lives, but the small town he teaches in is hesitant to change. This gets worse when he becomes the assistant principal to the school. Leslie should be off limits, but he just can't stay away.
I believe that this book was first published in 2015, and this is an audiobook re-release. I thought that Marissa Hampton did an excellent job of voicing both Leslie and Gabriel. Her male voice wasn't super forced which helped me stay in the story. Sometimes that can be distracting if the female narrator forces her voice to be more male rather than just dropping it slightly. Marissa did great at also doing Leslie, she changed her accent slightly. It was a very enjoyable listen.
The book was a sweet story of a widowed, single mom and her daughter's teacher. There wasn't a lot of angst to the story even though there could have been. This is just a solid read that would be great if you like, single parents, parent/teacher, or small town.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Initial thoughts:
I need to catch up on the bayou series because reading book1 and now book 5, I feel like there is more swoon worthy love stories I missed that established in Gauthier.
Farrah Rochon did her thing with this story and will definitely recommend this series.
Book Review:
The love story between Lesley Kirkland , the vice president of the PTO and the interim Assistant principal and science teacher Gabriel Franklin.
Gabriel is new to Gauthier , he got big plans for the school but some how got roped into becoming the villain in the parents eyes when the school board decided to propose a school merger with a school in the next town with the potential of closing the elementary school all together locally.
He needs an ally to get into the good graces of the parents. The prefect ally is his students mother and his Lesley.
Lesley is a widow with 2 young daughters , she wasn’t looking for love after losing her husband 2 years go.
But Gabriel caught her attention she knows, he is younger than her and the teacher of her daughter.
Will Lesley give love a chance? Read the story to find out ?
I need to catch up on the bayou series because reading book1 and now book 5, I feel like there is more swoon worthy love stories I missed that established in Gauthier.
Farrah Rochon did her thing with this story and will definitely recommend this series.
Book Review:
The love story between Lesley Kirkland , the vice president of the PTO and the interim Assistant principal and science teacher Gabriel Franklin.
Gabriel is new to Gauthier , he got big plans for the school but some how got roped into becoming the villain in the parents eyes when the school board decided to propose a school merger with a school in the next town with the potential of closing the elementary school all together locally.
He needs an ally to get into the good graces of the parents. The prefect ally is his students mother and his Lesley.
Lesley is a widow with 2 young daughters , she wasn’t looking for love after losing her husband 2 years go.
But Gabriel caught her attention she knows, he is younger than her and the teacher of her daughter.
Will Lesley give love a chance? Read the story to find out ?
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Thank you Farrah Rochon & Dreamscape Media for offering an audio arc via NetGalley!
I truly can’t gush enough about this series! Just thinking about it makes me giddy, and Forever With You only deepened that feeling.
This story follows Leslie (whom we met in Book 4), and her journey is such an emotional one: navigating grief, single motherhood, and figuring out if a town that was only ever home because of her late husband is somewhere she can truly plant roots, but it’s also the only home her daughters have ever known.
And then there’s Gabriel… her daughter’s teacher. It feels a little forbidden (teacher + PTA president, a small age gap), but he’s so patient, kind, and understanding that she can’t help but fall for him.
It’s such a sweet, heartfelt love story that reinforces one thing: the Bayou Dreams series is absolutely a must-read
I truly can’t gush enough about this series! Just thinking about it makes me giddy, and Forever With You only deepened that feeling.
This story follows Leslie (whom we met in Book 4), and her journey is such an emotional one: navigating grief, single motherhood, and figuring out if a town that was only ever home because of her late husband is somewhere she can truly plant roots, but it’s also the only home her daughters have ever known.
And then there’s Gabriel… her daughter’s teacher. It feels a little forbidden (teacher + PTA president, a small age gap), but he’s so patient, kind, and understanding that she can’t help but fall for him.
It’s such a sweet, heartfelt love story that reinforces one thing: the Bayou Dreams series is absolutely a must-read
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
What a cute book and an absolutely lovely audio narration. I love how deep it was and how the author didn’t shy away from letting difficult and sad themes into this lovely romance book. Themes of grief run in the background—of losing a husband and coping afterward while bringing up two daughters alone. I especially adored the willingness to put yourself and your family first, and to stand your ground until you’re ready for a connection with someone else.
The setting was charming and altogether very wholesome!
Thank you to RBmedia and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Overall rating: 4 stars
The setting was charming and altogether very wholesome!
Thank you to RBmedia and NetGalley for providing me with an audio ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.
Overall rating: 4 stars
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
This story was a cute short listen to for those who like a romance book without a lot of smut. Honestly, it didn’t need it; the characters are both navigating through hard times. One who lost her husband and the other one shouldering the responsibility of his entire family. It’s also important to note that the author allowed the FMC to take her time with getting back out there in the dating world. She was able to truly understand that it is not a bad thing that she has feelings for the MMC. This was truly a wholesome book to read, and I would definitely recommend it for a quick reset after a long book to get through.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
I enjoyed listening to this story. The narration was well done. The story was sweet and hopeful. Leslie and Gabriel were great together. I enjoyed the teacher parent aspect of the book. Can't wait to read more by Farrah Rochon.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for a gifted copy of the book.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Advanced Reader Audio received from NetGalley…
Gab and Leslie my cutie patooties!! This was a sweet well-paced story. I love a good slow burn romance and this hit the spot! It was a perfect palate cleanser to some of the darker reads I’ve read lately.
The narration was great and I would definitely listen again 💕
Gab and Leslie my cutie patooties!! This was a sweet well-paced story. I love a good slow burn romance and this hit the spot! It was a perfect palate cleanser to some of the darker reads I’ve read lately.
The narration was great and I would definitely listen again 💕
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
cute short romance story. Love the attention to ptsd, suicide and grief/trying to move on.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Forever With You is the 5th and final book in the Bayou Dreams series by Farrah Rochon. I was excited to return to the cozy small town of Gauthier, Louisiana. Leslie Kirkland is a young widow struggling to move forward, despite her entire town’s efforts to set her up on dates. Gabriel Franklin is her daughter’s teacher, then assistant principal, and is drawn to Leslie.
This book was so wonderful and heartwarming. Leslie has lived through tragedy, has a successful career, and is raising her young daughters on her own. She is hesitant to move forward and start dating again, until Gabriel starts pursuing her. He has been interested in her for months, and is more than willing to move at her slow pace in order for them to be together.
I was truly happy to see Leslie move on with her life, and loved her family’s support of her starting a new relationship. She and Gabriel are a fantastic match with tons of physical chemistry, and genuine love and affection between them. The audiobook version was excellent, and once again narrator Marissa Hampton did a fantastic job with all of the characters.
Thank you to Farrah Rochon, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for an advance listener’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
This book was so wonderful and heartwarming. Leslie has lived through tragedy, has a successful career, and is raising her young daughters on her own. She is hesitant to move forward and start dating again, until Gabriel starts pursuing her. He has been interested in her for months, and is more than willing to move at her slow pace in order for them to be together.
I was truly happy to see Leslie move on with her life, and loved her family’s support of her starting a new relationship. She and Gabriel are a fantastic match with tons of physical chemistry, and genuine love and affection between them. The audiobook version was excellent, and once again narrator Marissa Hampton did a fantastic job with all of the characters.
Thank you to Farrah Rochon, Dreamscape Media, and NetGalley for an advance listener’s copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
This was a sweet, emotional story about love, healing, and learning how to open your heart again after loss. Leslie’s journey as a widowed mother trying to balance raising her daughters, showing up for her community, and finding herself again was touching and relatable.
I really enjoyed Gabriel’s patience and the way he saw Leslie beyond her responsibilities. Their connection built slowly, and I appreciated the reminder that love doesn’t have to mean losing who you are. Sometimes it's about finding someone who encourages you to become more of yourself.
Marissa Hampton’s narration brought warmth and emotion to the story, especially in the quieter moments of vulnerability and reflection. Her performance helped bring the characters’ feelings to life.
While I enjoyed the themes and the heartfelt moments, some parts of the story felt a little predictable, and I wanted a bit more depth in the romance and character development. Overall, it was a comforting read about second chances, family, and finding joy again. 💕
I really enjoyed Gabriel’s patience and the way he saw Leslie beyond her responsibilities. Their connection built slowly, and I appreciated the reminder that love doesn’t have to mean losing who you are. Sometimes it's about finding someone who encourages you to become more of yourself.
Marissa Hampton’s narration brought warmth and emotion to the story, especially in the quieter moments of vulnerability and reflection. Her performance helped bring the characters’ feelings to life.
While I enjoyed the themes and the heartfelt moments, some parts of the story felt a little predictable, and I wanted a bit more depth in the romance and character development. Overall, it was a comforting read about second chances, family, and finding joy again. 💕
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews