Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this book. I was so excited to receive this one, because I have loved everything I have read by Tarah DeWitt. This one did not disappoint!

Fischer is a chef from New York who has won lots of awards, including multiple Michelin stars. His success has been derailed lately due to tragedy in his life including the death of his sister causing him to take the role of surrogate parent to his niece. When Fischer takes on a summer assignment hoping to reset his life, he moves to the small town of Spunes, Oregon. He meets Sage the literal girl next door and small town sweetheart. Their story is a sweet one and I loved absolutely every second of it. I recommend it for any romance lover.

"So what if you happen to meet the love of your life in some tiny town, and so what if you get stuck there? If it's a life that's filled with joy, by your standards? I can't imagine a bigger, more fulfilling feeling."

A small town romance with a cast of characters that feel realistic? Check.
Real advice and little moments in the book that can be applied to life? Check.

Sage and Fisher's summer of hard work, self discovery, and love was packed with little moments that made me smile, laugh, and even cry. The advice sprinkled throughout the story touched home for me and while normally, I don't annotate when I read, I couldn't help but highlight my favorite lines to remember.

I’m pretty sure I will read anything and everything this author writes and love it. I have loved every single thing they have written and this book was just added to that list. It’s such a quick, easy read. Would highly recommend!

"Savor it" is a small town romance with an epic romance feel. Fisher is a burnt out chef who is trying to figure out parenting his late sister's teenage daughter; Sage is a cheerful and vibrant high school teacher on summer vacation. Sparks fly when they become temporary neighbors. "Savor It," like DeWitt's previous novels, benefits from stirring chemistry between the two leads. The obligatory small town cast of characters is likable and noble. "Savor It' is an excellent read that deserves to be, well, savored. Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy.

If you ask me to recommend a romance, 9/10 times I am telling you to read Funny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt. If that book has 1 fan, it is me. 0 fans? I am dead.

I have loved every book that Dewitt has released, but in the back of my mind I was skeptical about something beating Funny Feelings for top spot in my romance loving heart. I have what would probably be described as an unhealthy attachment to that book and its characters. REMEMBER THIS.

Savor It is my new favorite book, full stop.
FULL STOP.

Tarah has managed to create something so special and beautiful within these pages. Yes, Fisher is an actual dreamboat that I am going to obsess over for years to come. MAJOR book boyfriend material. And yes, Sage is incredibly relatable and I feel connected to her on a cellular level. But I want to talk about how this book made me FEEL. To do this, I need to tell a story.

At the age of 20, my father died. 3 months later, my best friend welcomed a baby girl into the world. I was in the hospital waiting room before the birth when I got a call from an unknown number. The call turned out to be conclusive results about the cause of my fathers death. So there I was, sobbing alone in the hospital bathroom about his death as my best friend was welcoming life to the world. I vividly remember the juxtaposition of how angry I felt versus the beauty I was witnessing between my friend and her daughter. The JOY bubbling within me trying to drown out my grief. How ironic it was that as I started closing one chapter of my life, another sprung open.

THIS is what this book meant to me. It so perfectly captures the importance of not ignoring every day beauty. Taking advantage of every scrap of love and joy and goodness you can get or create for yourself. Making an effort for these things to take a leading role in your life. Not only did she capture this essence, but she managed to demonstrate how differently this can look for people in different stages of life and their grief journey.

So far this review makes this book sound depressing, but it is VAST (a reference to something Fisher calls Sage and swooning as I recall it.) Did I cry in the dark reading this at 3 AM? Yes. But this book wouldn’t be one of Tarah’s if it also wasn’t wickedly clever and laugh out loud hilarious. An absolute masterclass of balancing between tears of laughter and sorrow. It is set in Spunes, Oregon, NOT to be confused with Forks, Washington. Don’t get it twisted.

I simply cannot recommend this book enough. My love for it knows no bounds.

Savor It by Tarah DeWitt

Five stars! I loved it! Here’s what I loved:

-REAL, relatable people with real, relatable problems!
-Healthy communication between main characters.
-Talking about therapy as a normal coping mechanism.
-A confident, secure female main character.
-A sassy teenager, who just needs some understanding and guidance, and receives both from a goose. Ha!!
-No big, dramatic blow up in the third act.

Now that I read back that list, it doesn’t scream “READ THIS BOOK!” But really, READ THIS BOOK!

One of my very least favorite things in a book is a weak female main character. Someone who doesn’t believe in herself, doesn’t believe she deserves good things, just isn’t relatable to me (and trust me, I am truly grateful for that!). Sage has lived in this small town her whole life, and has everything mapped out for her future, which comes to an abrupt halt with a break up before our story begins. As much as she hates seeing her ex around town, she is doing her best to move on. She is incredibly self-sufficient, and seems contentedly settled into her life by herself. Although with her barn full of rescues, it is obvious she is always looking for someone to save!

I wouldn’t say she tries to save her new neighbor’s “daughter”/niece, but she treats Indy with respect and care for what she’s gone through. I’m doing so, Sage does rescue Indy, eventually.

Fisher is a mess in his head. After the loss of his sister, and the responsibility of taking on her daughter, he really needed an escape from life. I love that Sage always met him right where he was, and didn’t let him hide himself from her.

I felt like every time something came up that could, in other novels, cause conflict, they just communicated openly and honestly, and avoided the conflict all together. When there was an opportunity to withhold information to make himself not look bad, Fisher did not take that opportunity. He admitted his faults. I see how conflict engages the reader, but you know what? So does a good, healthy conversation!!

There were a ton of fun side characters in this story, and I would love to read more about the townspeople! I just really loved this story, the writing style, everything! This was my first book from this author; I look forward to reading more!

This is the 95th book I’ve read this year and only the second I’ve rated 5 stars. Because in my mind 5 stars is like, perfect perfect. No notes. Nothing could make it better. And it’s literally so so good. So well written. I’m obsessed with Tarah Dewitt’s writing, loved Rootbound and Funny Feelings. Loveeeee that the authors books aren’t 1000% happily ever after for every character but so easy to connect with and understand the characters. And they all recognize their own flaws and actively work on themselves not hey I met someone so my flaws are all fixed like in some books. Just can’t say enough good things.

The MMC asked the FMC if she’s okay. And she says, This quote, which was great “I feel myself being irrevocably changed, I think. I’m more than or something other than okay.” And I think it’s beautiful and every person can relate.

i really connected with sage, about how she feels about her life and others around her. i did feel like the book was slow moving, but it could also be that i have been reading fast-paced books recently.

THIS BOOK!!! I love Tarah Dewitt books & Funny Feelings is one of my top 5 favourite RomComs ever. This story I think may also now be in my top favourites. I mean…Fisher is just such a fantastic male lead (absolutely swoony) , the small town charm, lovely Sage, animal rescue, Uncle taking in and raising his teen niece, dealing with grief & finding a way through it with the help of others. I loved that the story wasn’t overly complicated and no miscommunication happened which is an automatic 5 stars. The communication between Sage & Fisher is what RomCom dreams are made of. But what I loved the most was It was one of those easy stories that is just full of authentic love. The way friendship naturally led to love that they knew may not last but decided it was worth it anyway. And just like in Funny Feelings Tarah gave me more of some of my all time swoony romance quotes/paragraphs of all time:

-“It’s like the cruelest tease of the life we might’ve had, if our paths had found a way to converge. Instead, I know this loop is coming to an end, and have to find a way to appreciate it for the beautiful maze it’s been.”

-“You’re all the shapes made perfectly to hold me, and you’re all my favorite colors.” His lips press against my chin. “You’re definitely my favorite flavor,” he lowly says into my ear, and I feel my laugh rumble through our embrace softly. “I love you so much,” I have to say. “I love you, too. Please bring me home.”

-“It’s been a privilege to fall in love with you, Sage,”

-“And whenever we’re separated throughout the evening, I find that I still watch the woman I love. She’s the one I intend to make my wife, who helps me parent Indy, and who I’d be honored to raise more children and even more animals with one day. She’s the woman who has taught me to let go of so much so that I can wish and dream for more. I plan to savor every bit of it.”

I MEAN!!! if these do not convince you to read this story I don’t know what will. Fisher was perfect.

On an end note I also appreciate her dropping in “Farts and Arts: The Craft of Lighthearted and Life-Changing Comedy by Farley Jones” at the library. Made me chuckle!

Highly recommend!!

I really enjoy the story! I wish there hadn’t been a breakup so late in the story.

The quirky small town will be a great series!

》ARC Review: Savor It《

Last year I read Funny Feelings by Tarah Dewitt and fell in instant love. Needless to say, I became a fan so having the opportunity to read this book ahead of its release thrilled me. And I loved every moment of it. It’s claiming a spot as one of my favorite contemporary romances. I wish I could un-read it just to experience it for the first time all over again.

Yeah, I loved this one.

》The Characters《

Sage. Sage is the type of character that can quickly fall into a stereotypical “quirky, not-like-the-other-girls” type of lead, but luckily sidesteps all those pitfalls. Yes, she’s definitely an oddball, but she feels so real. She is fully fleshed out, allowing her character to possess both virtue and flaw. I could so easily relate to her, but I also massively admired her. I wanted to take on that outlook on life she displays so heartily. I loved her character.

Fisher Fisher, like Sage, is a fully formed character who is perfectly imperfect. He is struggling to navigate his own path while trying to be a good parent to his orphaned niece, but it doesn’t come easy. None of what he does comes easily, he’s a male lead that is also allowed to struggle along the way. And those struggles make him all the more relatable.

He’s also a total babe.

The Supporting Cast. The supporting cast is riddled with the best variety of personalities. At its head is Indy, Fisher’s niece. I find children/teenage characters can be very hit or miss for authors, but Tarah once again proves she has such a terrific handle on younger characters. I felt every bit of Indy’s anger, her spite, her grief, and her hope. She very much felt like a teenager, and I loved how she grew over the course of the book.

The other supporting characters were great, if I could change one thing is that I hate it when lousy exes have a nice enough ending. I wouldn’t have minded a hint that Sage’s ex was in for an unhappily ever after. But that’s just me being petty haha!

》The Romance《

Sage and Fisher’s romance is so lovely. I became so attached to them that I was worried all the way through how their happily ever after would come about, considering how temporary Fisher made his life in that small town. You’ll have to read and find out how it all unfolds. But something I loved about this romance is the emotional connection. Yes they go at it like rabbits, but they are very much into each other emotionally, not just physically. This is best seen in what I consider my favorite scene of the book, a poignant conversation concerning flowers.

》The Conclusion《

This book was like a bowl of chicken soup. So warm, so hearty, so hopeful. It isn’t just a story of romance, but a story of perseverance, of taking chances, or learning it’s okay to not be okay.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for providing me an e-arc in exchange for an honest review.

My first book by this author and it was refreshing to read about a small town romance where the main characters are not torn apart by the town drama, but instead leverage the backdrop to help them grow, heal, and learn to love themselves and each other.

Sage is a high school teacher with a big heart for people and animals even given her own past sadness. Fisher is a NY based Michelin star chef who is shipped to Sage's hometown to both retreat and reset himself after a series of unfortunate events including becoming his niece's new guardian.

I loved the banter and chemistry between the main characters, the love and pride of the small town folks and how they take care of each other, and the relationship with the teenage niece and her uncle was so spot on as they navigate their grief, relationship and her just being a teen.

Appreciate the ARC NetGalley!

Tarah DeWitt has done it again! Everything she writes is gold. I love how her characters have true human struggles, and that plays into the story development, as well as the development of the main characters' relationship.

Sage knows and accepts her flaws beautifully, while also finding herself in her relationship with Fisher. Fisher takes his cues from her on how to learn and grow from his. Without even realizing it, these two needed each other to become the best version of themselves.

Tarah DeWitt creates a small town vision with her words, her characters, the animals included, and her story. Without giving away the perfection of Sage and Fisher's story, I will promise, if Meyer and Farley are a favorite, you won't be disappointed.

This is honestly one of the best books I’ve ever read. I love it so much and I desperately didn’t want it to ever end.

Absolutely adored this book and can't wait for others to experience it!

I giggled all the way through it!

Small-town romance ✅
Swoony characters ✅
Slow burn ✅

Definitely pick this one up!

My new favorite by Tarah Dewitt! Loveable characters in a charming small town, with banter that made me laugh out loud, authentic and realistic conversations that made me cry, and a love story that gave me all of the feels. A truly five star read!

4.5 stars rounded up?!! What a lovely romcom to finish out my year. It gave me the same warm feelings as my experiences reading Book Lovers by Emily Henry and Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez (2 of my favorite romance books ever). You'd think this would read as a cheesy Hallmark movie with the premise- the small-town hero convinces the big-city chef to embrace the little things. And yet it's so much more than that. I loved their authentic conversations about grief and therapy. The minor book characters (really hoping for a second-chance romance book 2 with Wren and Ellis) And I love a good dual POV. The reason it isn't a 5-star for me is because I felt like some major characters (a la Wren) disappeared in the last 40% of the book when she arguably should've been the mainstay in a very difficult period for the FMC. And there were a few word choices that felt so out of place, like a thesaurus on shuffle mode. I actually had to look up if the author was British because of how proper the English was towards the beginning of the book. I was shocked when it was revealed the small town was in Oregon! Minor issues for me personally but I loved the book overall and would def recommend it.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the ARC! Publish date: 05/21/2024

Summary: Exhausted in the midst of rebuilding his career as a Michelin-star chef, Fisher is relocated from NYC to small-town Oregon. He brings along his niece as they hope for a fresh start while coming to terms with the loss of his sister. Sage is the small-town FMC hero character with enough love, farm animals, and advice to go around, but struggles to put herself first. She's determined to build her confidence in the midst of a bad breakup. Despite the multiple differences between their personal lives, can love bloom?

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Farah DeWitt for allowing me to review this ARC!

I just finished reading this book and all I have to say is that it was such a breath of fresh air. A sweet story taking place in a small town where Fisher and his niece move next door to Sage. Fisher not exactly feeling confident in his life right now, raising his sister's daughter after her death, he feels uncertain about his next steps. Enter Sage, a carefree teacher who makes him forget about needing to be the next best thing, the perfect chef with the most awards. They both find solace and comfort in each other and discover that maybe what expectations he had were not always what should happen; that's it's ok to live a simple life with those you love!

An inspirational story that shows that you don't have to be perfect, the best in your business, living a grandiose life to have a rich life. Sometimes what you believe should happen to make a person happy doesn't have to. I very much enjoyed this story. Low on spice level but with great charm. Will definitely recommend!

Savor It by Tarah DeWitt is a small-town romance and the story of Sage and Fisher.
 
Sage has lived in Spunes, Oregon all her life and she has built a happy place with a little farm surrounded by animals and a beautiful garden. I absolutely loved her farm and the charming coastal small town. Sage is such a loving and a bit eccentric person and I adore her. But life isn’t always roses and rainbows and when her partner of five years leaves her and is engaged to someone else shortly after, she is devastated by it.
 
Fisher is a successful chef from New York whose life gets turned upside down after the loss of his sister when he became the guardian of his teenage niece Indy. I liked how this book dealt with grief and showed how everyone has bumps in his life. And Fisher is on a down path with his career after he loses one of his Michelin stars. Therefore, a change of scenery is the perfect opportunity to fall back in love with his job and his life.
 
The people of Spunes are rather skeptical of Fisher and see him as an outsider. So, he desperately needs to improve his image and his neighbor Sage helps him with it and it’s a win-win for both. They spent more time together and slowly fell in love and I adored following that. This romance is very cute, and I especially loved how supportive they are of each other.
 
Overall, Savor It is my favorite of Tarah DeWitt‘s books and it’s a great small-town romance. 4 stars.
 
(ARC kindly provided in exchange for a review.)

Fisher Lange is a New York chef who has recently lost a Michelin star. He’s also the legal guardian to his teenage niece, Indy. After the loss of the star and a public meltdown, Fisher’s boss sends him to Spunes, Oregon for the summer to consult on a new restaurant. Sage Byrd has lived in Spunes all her life. She lives in the house that belonged to her parents and runs a farm with a variety of animals. When Fisher rents the house next door to Sage, the two fall into summer love…

I thought that the character’s backstories and the tension were built up well. I’m no chef so I have no idea if they were realistic, but I enjoyed the descriptions of all the food. I enjoyed both Sage and Fisher as characters so watching their romance build was beautiful. I enjoyed their interactions, their self-reflections, their growth and honesty with each other.

I would agree with other reviews that this book started off a bit slow but I understand it was necessary in order to present the background.

Overall this was a cute and quick read. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.