After Elijah “Enforcer” Holmes is blindsided by his wife’s request for a divorce he’s left with sole custody of their young daughter. He’s always lived by the rules and values instilled in him by his traditional parents. Rules he follows even harder now to give his daughter the stability she needs. But living by the rules has left him little time to find joy. Except when it comes to Layla Townsend, the mother of his daughter’s best friend. He doesn’t want to ruin their friendship, but there’s something about her smile that makes him yearn for more.
Layla divorced her ex-husband because he treated her more like personal assistant than a partner. Now a single mother, she’s not willing to sacrifice her peace for anyone. Even a man as enticing as Elijah. She’s ignored the attraction simmering between them, but when Elijah decides to bend the rules and prove to her they’d be the perfect pair, she’s ready to discover if breaking his rules is worth the risk.
A Slow-Burn Romance That Celebrates Black Fatherhood and Second Chances
📚 On Casey’s Bookshelf
Book: 83 Dates read: 04.27.2026 – 04.27.2026 Title: Enforcer Author: Synithia Williams Format: digital ARC
#caseysbookshelf
This is the final book in the Single Dads Society series and I’m honestly sad to see it end. One thing I really appreciated across all three books was the positive representation of Black single fathers. We know these men exist in real life… men who love, support, and raise their children every day… but we don’t always get to see them centered this way in romance. So I really appreciated this series putting that love and care front and center.
And when I realized this installment was by Synithia Williams? Yeah, I already knew I was about to enjoy myself. I loved both her Jackson Falls and Peachtree Cove series, and this one absolutely delivered.
This is definitely a slow burn friends-to-lovers romance, and y’all know that trope will get me every time when it’s done right.
Elijah is blindsided when his wife asks for a divorce, leaving him suddenly navigating life as a single father to his daughter, Sabrina. What stood out to me most is how deeply he throws himself into being a good dad, trying so hard to create stability for his daughter that he slowly loses pieces of himself in the process.
Then there’s Layla, the mother of Sabrina’s best friend, who has already lived through a marriage where she felt unseen and overworked. She’s protective of her peace and understandably hesitant to risk it again. I really liked that both of these characters felt emotionally mature. The tension between them isn’t rooted in games or unnecessary drama. It’s about fear, healing, trust, and deciding whether love is worth opening yourself up again.
And the girls? Absolutely adorable. Sabrina and Jasmine basically knew what was up long before their parents did.
This story is soft, heartfelt, and grounded in family, friendship, and emotional healing. A really strong close to the series.
Another book off the shelf. We keep reading with intention. 📚
This story had potential but the ending just fell a little flat for me because it felt rushed and like the story should have been longer. Majority of the story was spent on Elijah being told that he needed to find work/life balance and joy and him figuring out how to do that once he stopped being in denial that he needed to do so. Then you have him finally admitting to wanting to be with Layla and her admitting the same but questioning whether or not he was genuine or just saw her as the next step to his plan to find joy and work/life balance. Once he assured her that wasn’t the case, they got together and then you have the end of the book. I would have loved to see more of Elijah and Layla together to see how they worked as a couple versus how they interacted as essentially coparents being there for each other as friends while raising their daughters who were best friends.
With all that being said, I still liked the story but I was left with wanting a little more.
Ummm, 🤔 …The concept of a “Single Dad’s” supports group is/was revolutionary & sounds great in theory. However, Elijah’s rigidity is/was the dilemma ‼️There’s plenty of assistance for women & outlets for children. However, internalized their emotions. Typically, men don’t vocalize the need for help. Historically, a man’s ability to “provide” is predicated on strength & invincibility. That is, his identity is directly attached to his masculine. Likewise, Elijah’s character needs more than regular adult social interactions & the camaraderie of the Single Dad Society. Meanwhile, “Enforcer (Single Dad Society)” had the potential to be a better read. Unfortunately for Laylah, Elijah was/is experiencing a crossroads. Although, their lives have intersected, he isn’t emotionally ready (to be vulnerable) for the commitment of a relationship of their magnitude 🤨🤷🏾♀️‼️
This was definitely a slow burn, but I really enjoyed it. Husband one day and single dad the next. He never saw it coming and neither did I. LOL..I’m all caught. My heart broke for him and little Sabrina. Putting on his Superman armor he kept going. But at what cost? Trying to be all about him and his daughter as he lost bits and pieces of himself, not even realizing it. A chance of fate could change his life forever but will he let it or stick to his rules? This book made me think about decisions that I’ve made to protect me from being hurt, which almost costed me the love of my life. I’m not saying don’t be cautious. Only to be open enough to let someone have a chance to get to know you. You never know how it will turn out. I highly recommend you reading this book. The entire series is Awesome!
Elijah and Layla , two single parents whose daughters are best friends, finally take their relationship from the friend zone to a budding romance that will probably lead to a joining of the two families. Sabrina and Jasmine proved that these children knew long before their respective parent that a joining of them all would be what they all wanted. I like how these single dads stepped up to embrace fatherhood and how they geared their lives to accommodate them all. Synithia, you ladies have done it again. Although I have one more dad story to read, these two Romeo and now Enforcer has set the stage for three award winning dad series! Go on and take that bow in advance.
I enjoyed this second book in Single Dad Society series. After his wife left him and Sabrina Elijah closed himself off and put all his focus on work and caring for his daughter. He became even more strait-laced and rule oriented after she left. Being so rules oriented hindered him from making a move on his neighbor Layla who is the mother of his daughter Sabrina's best friend Jasmine. I enjoyed their co-parenting as neighbors and friends. I was sad that Sabrina thought her Dad was depressed and that he worked all the time. With the help of the Single Day Society, he finally realized that he was entitled to happiness. Wonderful HEA for him. Layla and their daughters who already thought of themselves as sisters.
Cute. Very cute. Angelica running out on her baby like that was weird and cowardly. Who gives their 4 yr old news like that to hold all day to relay to their other parent. I wanted to slap both sides of her face for that. Elijah finally taking accountability for his part in the breakdown of his marriage was refreshing. A little introspection is always needed for personal growth. The dates…. lol that last date was something else. Had Elijah going home to make immediate adjustments with Layla. Layla was on some bs too. She knew she wanted that man but at the same time she made him stand on business because my girl ain’t no .50 cent bottle of water. I had to laugh at the kids at the end because I agree. FINALLY! Now can we go eat. lol
Most times times, rules are made to be broken. In this case, Elijah had to break his own rules, in order to pursue and be in a relationship with his friend and next door neighbor, Layla.
Elijah had to prove not only to himself but Layla as well that he was serious about a relationship with her. He needed to prove that she wasn't just a convenience, as his neighbor, who was his help-mate with his daughter, Sabrina. Layla knew what she wanted but was waiting on Elijah to catch up & confess how he felt.
The dating app experiment was funny! I had the best laugh, especially with the last date, that he went on.
I gave this book five stars because it was well written, and the characters were easy to relate to. The story follows a couple whose spouses leave them to raise their children alone. As neighbors, they begin helping each other through the challenges of single parenthood. Their friendship slowly grows into something deeper, and eventually, they become lovers.
It was a sweet, heartfelt love story with relatable characters and a nice friends-to-lovers romance. I really enjoyed it!
It really took Elijah a long time to get himself together especially after his wife left. She decided that she didn't want to be a wife or mother. Elijah lost himself in work and raising Sabrina. My guy had no life.
It wasn't until Layla overheard Sabrina saying her dad was sad to let him know that he needed to get it together. Turns out they both were feeling each and became a family.
A story of patience, single parents, Elijah and Layla were cautious about their feelings for each other for years. It seems incredible that seeing each other almost daily did not trigger a relationship sooner, in spite of Elijah's reservations.. Even after years of knowing each other, they were still clueless to the other's wants and needs. A little difficult identifying descriptives and context, but it was a nice story.
This was a great read! I love Synithia Williams’s books. Elijah and Layla were both single parents. They were both raising daughters that were best friends. Their lives were dedicated to taking care of their daughters. They both tried the dating life. Only to realize that they wanted each other. Their daughters wanted them together, so they could be sisters. Looks like they were going to get their wish!! ❤️🔥
Layla and Elijah had a sweet, short story that was easy to enjoy. Living next door to each other, with their daughters as best friends, they leaned on one another for support—something that naturally grew into a deeper connection. 💞
Because of past relationships and demanding careers, they were both hesitant to open their hearts again. But over time, they let their guards down and decided to take a chance on love. ❤️✨
Enforcer, aka Elijah, lived by a set of rules, but found out that the best thing that ever happened to him occurred when he broke those rules. Elijah ended up being a single dad when his wife left him and their child. Now, this was the first book that I’ve read by Synithia Williams and I really enjoyed it. It was well written, flowed well and interesting enough to keep my attention. The men in this Single Dad Society are really stepping up to the plate.
Enforcer ( Single Dad Society series) is my last book read of this series. Elijah's wife left him and their four year old daughter Sabrina. Elijah had to step up for Sabrina. A few years later, Layla and her daughter, Jasmine, moved next door. Elijah and Layla began to grow closer with their daughters being best friends. Their attraction grows. Great storyline. Synithia Williams is a wonderful storyteller.. Check her out!👌🏾
Elijah lives next door to Layla and her daughter. Their kids are best friends. He’s starting to notice Layla more and more. He’s interested but worried about how a relationship will affect their kids. He is also a rule follower. Will he break the rules for Layla? Yes he most certainly will!!
Second read in the Single Dad Society series, two very precocious little girls were the story's joy. Elijah was as straight-laced as they come in both his personal and professional life. He becomes more stoic after being hit by a disaster. With the help of the Single Day Society, will he change and find joy?
If you’re a romance buff this is your tea .. Elijah and Layla were a good pair to have as mains. This tale is not your typical but to some it typical the way this tale flowed is how it really is. I love the idea of focusing on the dads bcz I know many single dads that re the best and definitely don’t get enough regard. Happy reading
A wonderful story of overcoming your fear after an unexpected divorce and abandonment by a spouse Two little girls becoming friends led to two divorced people finding love and Elijah learning how to truly love Great job Synithia Your characters are relatable and the storyline was on point about the needs of single dads
Avid rule follower Elijah take a chance and broken a rule. Never date a friend, but years of watching and waiting he saw a chance and took it . Layla was more free spirited and confident in self , also desired Elijah so when he expressed his feelings she was honest with him. They were sweet and the kind of story I needed to read.
I like how Layla and Elijah joined together to be each others village for Sabrina and Jasmine. I would like to have had a different ending it seemed to end abruptly.
Great read, I enjoyed the characters and storyline. Elijah and Layla divorced single parents. They live next door to each other, and their daughters are best friends. This is Elijah and Layla’s journey to love.
Took them long enough lol. Everybody was on the same page but Layla and Elijah 🤣🤣 Elijah’s dates tho….funny AF! It was crazy how their situations brought them together but that all worked out perfectly
Enjoyed this edition of Single Dad Society. Good that Elijah and Layla finally got their act together. They were both hurt in similar way. Their daughters were certainly happy.
Are rules sometimes made to be broken? Layla and Elijah tiptoe around their feelings they had for each other. Conversations were held and boundaries were established. Thank heaven for the daughters who knew more than the adults. Great second chance book.
I lobe Elijah and Layla as a couple. The both are divorced and went through heartbreak. They went from friends to being a couple and now their daughters who are beat friends can end up being sisters. Great Read!