Absolute perfection! This audiobook was everything I ever dreamed of. I had already read and loved Savor It, but listening to it was a whole different experience. The narrators completely brought these characters to life and PERFECTLY captured their personalities. 10/10 recommend this audio!!

Audiobook review:
Savor It by Tarah Dewitt

This contemporary romance brings together a small town teacher, female MC, Sage and famous chef and city boy, Fisher together. Fisher is sent to the small town to try and get a fresh start again after loosing one of his Michelin stars. He is given another chance to start up another restaurant in the town. He’s been struggling with his passion for cooking and is now the main guardian of his, niece. There, he meets animal lover, Sage. Sage is bothered that everyone is pitying her after her ex or 5 years broke up with her and is now engaged. They come up with a plan to fake date each other so that Fisher can win over the townspeople in order to open up the restaurant sooner and Sage plans to win a canoe competition with the help of Fisher. She wants to prove to herself and others that she can do it without her ex. Fake dating leads to real feelings and the two fall for each other. Only, Fisher’s niece isn’t happy about staying in the small town and reminds him that he has a life in the city. The two think it won’t workout after all, but Fisher’s road to self discovery puts him on a different path.

This book was so fun to listen to. It was light, funny, endearing, and delightful. I found it refreshing and a great palate cleanser between heavier reads. This book was full of heartfelt moments and just the right amount of spice. The narration was superb, making the storyline easy to follow, feel the emotions in the story, and find the characters relatable.

This is my second Tarah Dewitt book and it won’t be my last. I love her style of writing and plan to pick up more of her books. I highly recommend this audiobook!

Thank you @macmillan.audio for the free ALC in exchange for my own opinions.

#MacAudio2024

#SavorIt

Swoony, steamy, and heart achingly sweet.

This is the comforting small town romance I didn’t know I needed. A perfect blend of what is so lovable about hallmark movies, without too much cheesy melodrama. Believable characters and a sweet slow build, everything about reading this was exactly what the title implies. A treat, something to savor.

There’s nothing more refreshing than leading characters than can be OPEN about their feelings! No miscommunication, no hiding how they felt, both MCs were honest and vulnerable throughout this book and my goodness it was SO nice to see!

I adored this book and both Fisher & Sage were loveable main characters that you wanted to cheer for from the get go.

It was sexy, it was funny, and it was full of love. Such a great read!

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to listen to this one before its release day!

Tarah DeWitt’s new novel Savor It is a grumpy-sunshine, friends-to-lovers romance that is set in the small town of Spunes, Oregon. The story follows Sage Byrd, a young woman who has lived in Spunes all her life. In fact, she was practically raised by the townsfolk and her brothers after losing her parents when she was only five. The people of Spunes love Sage and worry about her when her ex announces he is marrying someone else. Sage wants to do something to prove to everyone that she is fine and so she enters The Festival of Spunes, the town’s annual summer competition.

Sage needs help though and that’s where the male love interest, chef Fisher Lange, enters the picture. Fired from his job for costing his restaurant a Michelin star, Fisher has been given a chance to redeem himself by coming to Spunes to help open up a new restaurant.

Fisher isn’t excited about relocating to Spunes, even if it is only temporary, but he doesn’t have a choice. Plus, it will give him a chance to bond with his niece Indy, now that he has custody of her. Fisher ends up renting a place right next to Sage, & as soon as Sage and Fisher meet, the sparks flew between them and I was hooked!

The chemistry between Sage and Fisher is everything. Once Sage gets past Fisher’s gruff exterior, they immediately bond and they’re just so cute and fun together. I was especially amused by their mutual love of puns, which made their banter especially hilarious.

What I enjoyed most though was how they banded together to help and support each other. Fisher helps Sage with her competition, while Sage helps Fisher come up with a menu that will appeal to both locals and to tourists. Along the way, Sage even helps Fisher when it comes to bonding with Indy. That special bond between Sage and Fisher had me rooting so hard for Fisher to decide to stay in Spunes.

The audiobook was narrated by Karissa Vacker & Zachary Webber. They do a fantastic job & I ended up binge-listening to the book in a day!

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for this Audio ARC Copy!

I was really excited to read this book and I really enjoyed the narration, however I waited a while to post a review and and I seem to have forgotten pretty much everything about the book. Not that its a bad thing, I read a lot of books, but I guess it was just not memorable enough to really stick with me. I do know that I enjoyed it at least and I rated it 4 stars so that is saying something!

Thank you Netgalley for the audiobook.

This book was good. The narrators did a great job. Story was good, likable characters. Overall enjoyable. Cute cover too.

Savor is a sensory experience! It is sweet, juicy, spicy and hilarious! I love the main characters and being totally engulfed by the small town. I am finding I have a thing for the small town setting. I love feeling like I am IN this quaint place with the characters! Tarah Dewitt did a beautiful job painting the scenes without it feeling tedious to read a ton of description. It was almost like she emotionally painted the world around the Main Characters. It leaves me feeling so enraptured by the story and those in it.

Sage Byrds is just one big beating heart and it’s impossible to not fall in love with her. Fisher Lange is enamored by her from the start. They are both tender and broken, but find solace in each other. This book is both light and fun, while also fully encompassed by the biggest of feelings. There is a lot of talk about grief and loss, but it is handled beautifully and chocked full of “sage” wisdom.

The voice actors did a wonderful job! My only complaint is that I struggle with Zachary Webber’s female voice. It always sounds like he is making fun of her or something. I cant explain it and it’s not exclusive to this book. Karissa Vacker’s performance was impeccable all around!

Overall, this book is a GREAT summer read!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced recording

4.5 Stars

I've loved Tarah's previous books so much, and when I love all of an author's books, it always makes me nervous because WHAT IF I DON'T LOVE THEIR NEWEST BOOK?!?!?!? And I was especially nervous because this one involves a chef, and for some reason, food/chef based books aren't my cup o' tea.

HAVE NO FEARS THOUGH BECAUSE I BECAME OBSESSED WITH THIS ONE.

Small town? Check.
Cozy yet chaotic home? Check.
A plethora of fun robes? Check.
A grumpy teen? Check.
Inept police officer brothers? Check.
A goose? Check.
An ex getting married and is all over town with their new fiance? Check.
Fake dating? Check.
Real feelings? Check.
CANOE RACING? Check.

Like, what more could I ever want in a book? It was swoony, spicy, and so heartfelt. I was obsessed. And like all of Tarah's other books, this one was full of self-discovery and moving through grief while also making room for joy! Loved.

I highly recommend this book, as well as all of Tarah's others, especially on audio, if you enjoy that. This one had dual POV and two narrators that were *chef' kiss* perfection.

Sage lives alone on her farm, with her rescue animals and flowers. She was recently dumped by her long time boyfriend (and cop) for her friend. After only a year of dating her ex-boyfriend and ex-friend are engaged. Sage is tired of the pitying looks she is receiving around town.

Fisher was a big time chef until he had a confrontation with a food critic. Fisher and his adopted niece, Indy, are sent to this small town to scope out a new restaurant location for his boss.

Sage and Fisher strike up a deal to help each other. Fisher will pretend to date Sage in order to help with the pitying looks and to help Fisher become more liked in the town. Fisher will also be Sage’s partner for the annual summer competition.

This was my first Tarah Dewitt book. I’ve heard great things about her other books so I was excited to read it. I’ll be honest though, the cover is initially what drew me in. I love the colors! The cover is swoon worthy.

I really enjoyed the characters. Sometimes in rom-com books the characters are very surface level. In this story all of the characters are complex and grew in the story. I started to read this book for the romance but stayed for the character development.

Overall it was a cute rom-com with moments of realness. The fake dating aspect fell a little flat for me (let’s be honest, they were clearly dating from the start). I think this was 3 stars for me since fake dating is one of my favorite tropes and I would have liked a little more of that. I also felt the pacing was off at times.

Check this book out if you love small town romances and slow burns!

Overall this story was a little meh for me. It started out promising with a cute setup but started to feel very muddles as it went on. It jumped around and but and the passage of time was never clearly noted which made the last third for the books feel more like a movie montage than a well developed and intentionally plotted story. It was very sweet story and if you like animals as prominent secondary characters this has a lot of that. I liked both main characters, but Indy was probably my favorite characters. She felt more fully developed than either Sage or Fisher, so kudos for a well written teenager because that doesn't happen often in a rom com. Overall not bad but a little vanilla and forgettable. In terms of narration, I didn't like the way the male narrator did the women's voices.

Love this story!!! Had me laughing and crying. Like big tears.. good thing I was listening to the audiobook because I wouldn’t have been able to see the words on the page.
I didn’t want the story to end.

Sage Byrd has lived in Spunes, Oregon her entire life and she adores the small town life, she making her own path and doing things the way she wants to do them. That doesn’t make it any easier when her ex gets engaged to one of her friends and she can’t escape the pity from everyone around her. She finds the perfect distraction in her new temporary neighbor, Fisher Lange. Fisher was a big time chef in NYC, but his world starts to crumble around him when he loses one of his Michelin stars and his love of cooking. He has custody of his teenage niece, Indy, following the death of his sister a few years ago and he is trying his best to keep his head above water with her. The temporary move to Spunes is exactly what Fisher didn’t know he needed and Sage just might end up being the best thing that could have walked into his and Indy’s lives.

I fell in love with this book and the characters from the very beginning. I loved Sage so much and liked how she wasn’t afraid to be herself, but still had the typical insecurities everyone has. She was a strong, sweet lead and the perfect match for Fisher. I am a fan of small town romances and this one checked all of the boxes. There were so many good tropes in this book that I really enjoy, like neighbors to lovers, small town romance, opposites attract, fake dating. I’m not always a fan of slow burning romances, but this one had the perfect amount of slowness. I really enjoyed everything about this book and the different layers of the characters and their extended families. I would love to visit this town and these characters again. If you are a small town romance fan this is a great summer read to check out.

Savor It
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Author: Tarah Dewitt

I requested a digital advanced readers copy from NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Macmillan Audio and providing my opinion voluntarily and unbiased.

Synopsis: Summer won't last forever.

Sage Byrd has lived in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington) her entire life. She's learned to love her small world, with the misfit animals on her hobby farm, and her friendships with the town’s inhabitants. But when her 5-year relationship ends and her ex, town-golden-boy Ian, suddenly gets engaged, Sage needs a win—something that will convince everyone to stop pitying her all the time, and to put Ian in his place. The Festival of Spunes, the town’s annual summer competition, would be the perfect opportunity. She just needs a partner.

Fisher Lange was a hotshot chef in New York City until the loss of his sister left him numb, grieving, and responsible for his teenage niece Indy. When Fisher loses his Michelin star along with his love of cooking, his boss sends him and Indy to Spunes on a much-needed summer sabbatical to consult on a restaurant opening. But when clashes with the townspeople threaten his last chance to redeem himself and a kiss with his new neighbor Sage leads to dating rumors, a strategic alliance might just be the best way to turn things around.

A deal is struck. Sage will improve Fisher’s image in the eyes of the town and remove the roadblocks he is facing with the restaurant, and Fisher will be Sage’s partner for the competition. But as their pact quickly turns into steamy rendezvous, emotional wounds begin to heal, and the pair tries to savor every moment, they start to realize that summer is racing by much faster than they would like...

My Thoughts: This was quirky, fun, and sweet. Sage is a small town girl and thrives in the small town. She has a variety of animals, some who would not have a home otherwise, and enriching friendships within the community. Her relationship has ended with the town’s cop and he is suddenly engaged, everyone is pitying her. She needs something outside of that scope to elevate her above the pity. The Festival of Spunes would be the prefect opportunity, if only she had a partner. Fisher lost his sister, his job and is now responsible for his niece, Indy. They some to Spunes so he can consult on a restaurant rehab and build his career again. He is only there for the summer. At first, he clashes with everyone. He needs a way in to show the town that this restaurant is a good thing. Fisher and Sage then strike a deal, she will help his image with the townsfolk and he will be her partner for the festival. Then their pack turns into something unexpected, however, they only have the summer. This follows the tropes of single parent, enemies to lovers, small town romance, and fake dating.

The story is a dual narration between Sage and Fisher, in their respective perspectives. Sage was sunshine, fierce, and independent. Fisher was dealing with grief, navigating raising his niece, but was charming, and one of the best book boyfriends. The characters were developed with depth, had witty banter, to the moon chemistry, were passionate, and intriguing. The supporting characters, especially Ren and Indy really did elevate this story and this story would have been missing a solid piece without them. I also loved the town dynamics. A place where community looked out for its own and was a little standoffish with newcomers, but at the same time welcoming. The author’s writing style was complex, genuine, realistic, heartfelt, spicy, and engaging. The author really did an outstanding job with details on the town setting, you really felt like this was a real town that you could visit (and one I would absolutely visit). There is a third act breakup, it was mutual, but still so sad and made my heart go out to the MCs.

TW: grief, loss of a loved one (past), and bodily injury (insinuated). I had both the digital and audio ARC for this one. I preferred the audio. The narrators, Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber, were superb. Their voice variation was carried across character distinction. The pitch and flow were spot on and I listened at 2x speed without having any issues. The flow and pitch was perfection. These were the perfect narrators for this story. I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect mix of fun, heavy topics, and a sweet budding romance. I highly recommend picking up today!!

"Sometimes courage is just quietly trying again."

The delicious Savor It by insightful RomCom author Tarah DeWitt is an emotional read. The writer's uncanny ability to blend small town humor, witty banter, swoony romance, coping with grief, lost love and healing with found family is seamless.

Sage needs a partner for the annual summer canoe competition to win and stop the pity looks. So what if she and Ian broke up after 5 years, and in less than a year he's engaged...and always wins the canoe race. She's happy in her small world with her rescue animals.

Fisher resents this small town. He was a Michelin star NYC chef...until he lost the star, the chef's job...oh and his sister died leaving him his 15 year old niece, Indy. He's given a second chance to set up a new restaurant in town. But before he even starts he insults the townfolk jeopardizing the restaurant.

Enter new neighbor Sage. The town loves her. A deal is struck. He will be her canoe partner, they will fake date so the town will love him too. Let the quirky antics begin...until panic attacks, overwhelming grief, built up anger and life makes it all a bit too real.

Voice actress Karissa Vacker had me in tears as Indy navigates becoming a woman without a mother's guidance. The tissues were out for Sage dealing with buried grief. Voice actor Zachary Webber gives truth to Fisher's pain of losing his sister, fear of caring for Indy and undeserving of Sage's love. Also, Sage and Fisher's chemistry steams up the headphones with these talents.

The message amidst the laughs, tears, and swoon is enjoy it all but especially the smiles and the love; just savor it everyday.

I received a free copy of this book/audiobook from the publishers via #NetGalley for a fair and honest review. All opinions are my own.
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4.5 Stars

This was such a good romance book. I loved the characters. This is a big city guy moves to the country for the summer with his niece that he is the guardian of after his sister died, He meets his quirky animal loving neighbor and discovers he might not hate small towns as much as he thought he did. At least not this small town. Oh and he is a chef! The love story is so good. This was a great one and the narrator was amazing.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillian audio for the opportunity to listen to this audiobook.

4.5 Stars

While I really enjoy this audiobook, I listened to it halfway and it just wouldn't play for me. The ALC was probably corrupted. Not sure. I contacted support for help, but It didn't help. So I went and bought the audiobook myself on release day.

Besides that, I had a really fun time with the audiobook. It was funny, heart touching, and sweet. This was my first read from Tarah Dewitt, and I need to read more of her books.

Sage just broke up with her ex-boyfriend of 5 years, and with her living in a small town, makes it even harder. Fisher is new in town with his niece. He lost his job as a chef in a Michelin restaurant, and is now his niece's guardian. The relationship buildup of Sage and Fisher was quite slow, but I love the growth of it. I totally recommend it!!

I reallly liked this book! A cute summery city vs. country romance with some light and heavy aspects!!! It also was a super fast read!!! This was my first book by this author but not my last!!

Thank you to Griffin for the review eARC and @macmillan.audio for the gifted ALC!!!

#savorit #tarahdewitt #griffin #macmillanaudio #MacAudio2024

I loved this audiobook ! I could not stop listening. The romance was so quirky and fun. Loved the small town vibes. The narrator did a great job keeping my attention. Will definitely read more books by this author.

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

Listened at 2.5x narration speed with no issues. Enjoyed the dual POV approach, with the matching narration. I preferred the male and his voices a bit more, but the female did not in any way harm the story.

This was the classic rom-com that everyone could see coming from page one. Sage and Fisher both gave me moments of giggling, but it was Sage's brood of brothers that really struck the humor for me. Sage's rescue animals help add to the small town vibe while simultaneously adding a lightness to the story. This was just a feel-good Hallmark-esque story from beginning to end.

Overall: 4 stars (I really liked it)

**Thank you to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for the free ALC. All opinions expressed are my own.**