A cute and wholesome small town romance. This was an enjoyable read that delved into some tougher topics such as grief but was also filled with so much hope and love throughout. This story reminds us of the importance of appreciating the little things in life and finding people who appreciate and respect you for who you are. At the beginning Fisher and Sage are both dealing with their own internal struggles but eventually connect on a deep emotional level. I love how much Fisher and Sage really cared about each other and brought out the best in each other. The ending was my favorite part and I will definitely be reading more from this author in the future. My only critique is that the pacing was a bit slow at times but the main characters are so well fleshed out it’s hard not to fall in love with them.

Cute good writing and I loved the author and the character. Adorable cover as well as the story it fits the vibe of what’s written

"Savor It", by Tarah DeWitt, is about a young woman named Sage who lives in a small Oregon coastal town. Sage loves the small town feel she's surrounded by, and loves her farm filled with a variety of interesting animals. However, after being dumped by her long-time love and having to see him parade his new girlfriend all over town, she needs a win. Sage decides her town's annual summer competition is the perfect spot to get her win. Before she can really start training, her small town receives some new inhabitants: Fisher and his teenage niece. Fisher moves in to the small cottage that Sage lives next to, and when the two cross paths, sparks begin to fly. Fisher has some problems of his own: his niece is angry over the loss of her mother and is taking it out on him. However, Sage's fun and sweet personality wins her over and helps Fisher develop a relationship with his niece. Along the way, Sage and Fisher fall in love and start to train for the summer competition.

This was a sweet book, but I felt like it was missing something that I can't put my finger on. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

There’s just something about a book with characters learning to love their life for me. Fisher is grieving and trying to find a way back to himself but a healthier version of himself. Sage and him understand each other and their banter made me laugh out loud multiple times. Sage was a breath of fresh air, she lived her life her way with what brought her joy and I loved seeing that. The small town setting just takes it up a notch. Nosy townsfolk , funny history lessons, and town traditions made the setting so real. I appreciated the lessons that each character was learning about life throughout the book. The writing captured the characters and their emotions perfectly and I couldn’t put this book down. Fisher and Sage complimented each other so well and I loved seeing them get the care they deserved.

TARAH! This book was so lovely. I love the strangers to friends to lovers trope apparently?? Fisher and Sage gave me all of the feels. The banter was on point, the yearning was on point, the tears I cried were on point. So excited for everyone to meet the cast of characters in Spunes!

I’ll admit it took me a bit to get sucked into the story. Had to restart a few times but this story was warm and cozy like a hug on a rainy day. I loved the characters and the dynamic with the main characters and each other as stand alones. I love it when a book has the potential to have a sequel with another set of characters. I don’t know why I waited so long to break in Tarah but I’m glad I have more to dive into on my shelves. 4.75 out of 5 for me.

𝘚𝘢𝘷𝘰𝘳 𝘐𝘵 follows Fisher - a highly accomplished, yet recently unemployed chef escaping the hustle of New York and his kitchen to Spunes, a small town in nowhere Oregon, with his niece as they both grieve her mother.

Sage Byrd has spent her whole life in the same town and she's content but why does it feel like s̶̶o̶̶̶m̶e̶̶o̶̶n̶̶e̶ something's missing?

As the two confide about their grievances and nurture each other's strengths, a love flows that might just bring their smiles back.

- ~ -

Sage and Fisher's story made me nostalgic for a life I haven't lived and a town I've not visited. I applaud the author for creating a town so filled with love and antics I wish I could live there.

I hope we can all find a love as calming as theirs and a million more.

And I know for a fact that Ellis and Wren's story is coming soon and I can barely sit straight because I just know I'll be all up in the feels <3

- ~ -

3.94 / 5✩

𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘬𝘴 𝘵𝘰 𝘚𝘵. 𝘔𝘢𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘯'𝘴 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘕𝘦𝘵𝘨𝘢𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘺. 𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘵𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘰𝘯𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘮𝘺 𝘰𝘸𝘯.

This adorable book was a great hallmark movie romcom that also tears your heart open in the best way with a story of healing. The characters were real and relatable, I’m always a fan of the grumpy/sunshine trope!!

This story has all the elements to make a great story, but I find myself completely uninterested. There is quite a bit of long winded description and repetitive concepts. I ended up skipping over a lot of the story.

Super cute story! It was a pretty standard romance in my opinion, but it did a great job at hitting all the bits really well. Loved the aspect of a chef and Michelin stars.

I’m not surprised with how good this was, Tarah is a great author. Fisher and Sage are absolutely amazing. Their stories are equally great and this book was hard to put down. In fact, I might reread this again soon! If I can recommend anything, it’s this book!! Tarah has a way with words that soothes the soul and this book was nothing short of amazing!

He’s a CHEF. That’s it. I’ll leave the review there.

But seriously, this book started a little slowly but more than made up for that in the end. The romance was super compelling, the hard-hitting life lessons were expertly placed, and the small town felt so real. Nothing felt out of place or unnecessary- it all had the perfect amount of detail. In conclusion, if you like reading romance you should read this (just a reminder to check trigger warnings).

Thank you St Martin’s Griffin and Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is the second book by Tarah Dewitt that I have had the pleasure of reading and she did NOT disappoint! This felt like a rom com with truly great comedy as I found many moments where Sage and Fisher’s banter or inner monologue had me laughing out loud. The author does a great job of intertwining mental health in a real and relatable way, which just makes her stories even better. I appreciated that there was a good split in Fisher vs. Sage’s POVs, as it never felt like we were getting more of one than the other. I’m finding that I love anything Tarah writes and can’t wait to read her other books. I think one thing i maybe would have liked to get from this story was a little bit more of the side story of Wren and Ellis and why they aren’t together ( the romance reader in me sees them as another book in a “could be” series, as a second chance romance…maybe one day!)

All in all, I loved this book and will certainly recommend it to others! Thank you Net Galley for the opportunity to read this as an ARC.

Fisher hates small towns, but after a meltdown that took his Michelin star and his job, he doesn’t have much choice but to head to Spunes, OR for a new gig. Sage, the girl next door, shows him that there’s more to small town life and living big might mean staying somewhere small. The romance is a delight, and the normal miscommunication tropes that plague rom-coms are refreshingly no where to be found. An absolute treat of a novel that you’ll want to savor!

I can't help but gush about the delightful journey that Tarah DeWitt takes us on in "Savor It." From the very first page, I was hooked and now find myself yearning for more of her captivating storytelling. This was my inaugural encounter with DeWitt's work, and let me tell you, it won't be my last. I am officially a devoted fan, eagerly awaiting the moment I can devour more of her literary creations.

"Savor It" unfolds in the enchanting coastal town of Spunes, Oregon, a place that quickly became as vivid and charming in my mind as the characters themselves. Sage Byrd, our resilient protagonist, is intricately woven into the fabric of this small world. I found myself rooting for her, empathizing with her struggles, and celebrating her victories. DeWitt's portrayal of Sage's journey through heartbreak to newfound strength is nothing short of masterful.

The plot is an intricate dance of emotions, sprinkled with the perfect blend of spice and summery-romance feels. Sage's life takes an unexpected turn when her five-year relationship crumbles, and her ex, the town's golden boy, announces his engagement. Enter Fisher Lange, a once-hotshot chef from New York City, grappling with loss and responsibilities. The accidental kiss that sparks dating rumors sets the stage for a strategic alliance that propels the story forward.

The Festival of Spunes, the annual summer competition, adds a delightful layer to the narrative, creating the perfect backdrop for Sage and Fisher's journey. The fake dating trope, small-town charm, and dual POV narration added layers of depth and complexity that I thoroughly enjoyed. It's a story that skillfully combines heartwarming moments with sizzling romance, making it an absolute page-turner.

I particularly appreciate the dual perspectives that DeWitt employs, allowing us to dive into the minds of both Sage and Fisher. Their chemistry is palpable, and as their relationship evolves from a strategic pact to steamy rendezvous, the emotional nuances are delicately portrayed.

This book is a rollercoaster of emotions, a perfect blend of sweet and spicy that left me utterly enchanted. The characters are vividly brought to life, the plot is engaging, and the writing style is both captivating and evocative. "Savor It" is a masterpiece, and I am eagerly counting the days until I can get my hands on a physical copy. Thank you, Tarah DeWitt, for this enthralling experience, and to NetGalley for providing the digital review copy that allowed me to savor every moment of this literary gem. Five stars doesn't feel like enough—I'd give it more if I could!

Tarah DeWitt is officially a new favorite author of mine. I kid you not, as soon as I was done reading Savor It, I went out and bought a copy of Funny Feelings—I needed it immediately.

Savor It is funny and sweet and heartwarming. The dynamic between Fisher and Sage was wonderful to read, each had their own charm and wit. The small town felt so cozy I kept picturing scenes from Practical Magic while reading.

This book was such a delight I kept thinking what if I too can be like Sage and have my own little farm of animals and live in a coastal town.

Been thinking about rereading it ever since I finished it!

Feels feels feels
Def my fave of 2024
This story is emotional and cute
Can’t wait for more
This is my first read by this author ❤️

** I received this as an e-ARC from NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are honest and my own**

There was so much I liked about this book, but ultimately, I struggled to get through it. I enjoyed the small-town aspect and the characters, but I really struggled with the pacing. There was far too much set-up and it just felt so long. I really struggled to stay interested in the story and even though I was liked the FMC and MMC, I just wasn't invested in their relationship. I appreciated the funny bits, and the chemistry was there, but then there are all these other unnecessary details, and I would lose interest.

I feel like there are a lot of people who would really enjoy this, but unfortunately this wasn't for me.

I have been a fan of Tarah's for a long time now, and I am so happy that I was able to partake in the joy that is "Savor It".

All in all, I loved this novel. I appreciated the underlying sentiment of enjoying the here and now, and always going out of your way to make the small things big. I really resonated with Sage, her journey through/after grief, and her desire to find spaces where she might fit in. Fisher was so, so sweet. and his feeling of this emptiness, regardless of his accomplishments impacted me greatly. I loved how gentle they were with each other, and how so much of what we saw was them genuinely wanting to get to know and understand each other, despite their obvious attraction. The communication and honesty between the two of them, considering the novel's tropes, was also refreshing. I loved Fisher's journey with Indy and wish we had more moments like the "so what?" that we got. I also wish we had more moments of Sage and Fisher discussing grief and loss - it was such a large portion of the narrative component of the novel, but wasn't incredibly present in the dialogue.

I will say that I do agree with the reviews that highlight the lack of dialogue as well as occasional word choice. The dialogue between Sage and Fisher in the latter half of the novel was wonderful and truly reflected their personalities to the reader; however, I wish more of this was used throughout. Several sections felt more narrative-heavy and could've used a bit more balance, especially when building their relationship. Some word choices definitely impacted the flow of the narrative and dialogue and took me out of the story. It's not a bad thing to use simple words at times - honestly, simple words make things more impactful if people don't have to ask themselves what is really being said. I struggled to pull myself back in when word choice felt forced and didn't really make sense in the context of the sentence or the narrative surrounding the particular word.

I was able to access an ARC of this novel when it was available under the "read now" section of Netgalley for 24 hours. Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC!

'Savor It' was the story I needed after returning home from two weeks of a life changing international adventure. The duality between Sage's steadfast & humbling understanding of herself coupled with Fisher's lack of direction provided a safe space to empathize with myself.

Normally, I read a book and fall in love with characters for who they are. This was a book where I was looking for the characters to tell me more about myself and understand what choices I would make in their place. DeWitt put on the page what we sometimes struggle to admit to ourselves and brandied about a mirror of candid truths.

Some of my favorite and most searing quotes below:

"I think sometimes some people make us different versions of ourselves, where we meant to let them or not".

"That a few days with someone by my side should not fundamentally create an auto-response like that".

"It's as if my subconscious had my best interests at heart by being hesitant to reach for more connection with him, knowing it would be temporary".

"People can't follow your rules if you don't make them clear. This applies in all your relationships: parenting, love and friendships alike. If you don't tell people what is and isn't okay with you, they have no way of knowing".