Tarah DeWitte's SAVOR IT is small town romance all the way. Those who love the predictable, lockstep structure and characters will enjoy the twists and turns, the smart ideas that go preposterously wrong, the best friend urging courage, the surprises and the inevitable realizations. While the setting and the characters have been changed, I felt like I'd read this story before and felt disappointed in knowing what was going to happen before it did. I received a copy of this book and these opinions are my own, unbiased thoughts.

4.5 ⭐

This slow burn story crept up on me.

I loved the message of living in the now, appreciating it for what is. In a world where we are pushed to constantly look for more, it's a good reminder to slow down and make sure you're savoring the important things in life; to do things not for the outcome or possibility of winning but for the journey itself.

Fisher seemed lost at the beginning of the book, what with his recovering from burnout and newfound guardianship, but he eventually found his way, learned to love the little things again. There was so much growth for both Fisher and Indy. I loved seeing them get their footing together.

The romance between Sage and Fisher was so romantic... I have no other word for it. And although they were two broken people, their healing was not dependent on each other.

Sage even says, "He didn’t fix me, and I didn’t heal him, but we loved each other wholly." They found their healing together by showing each other how it was to be understood and loved as they are.

There's also great communication between them. They knew they had an expiration date and that helped them savor every experience they had together.

Oh, there's cliche small town happenings but done in a really positive way, the best way possible when community shows up for you.

Read if you like:
😂 Puns and witty banter
💐 Found family
🐕 Quirky and adorable animals
🔥 Fake dating (turned real, as you know)
💔 Satisfying endings despite heartbreaks

Other details and mild spoilers:
Open door, multiple scenes with moderate detail
Dual first-person POV
CW: grief, death of a loved one, discrimination, career burnout, migraine attack

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

Oh my, what an amazing love story. I absolutely adored everything about this book. From the instant connection between Sage and Fisher, to Indy's sullen teen behavior, to the menagerie of farm animals in the backyard and their insane shenanigans. This book tugged at all of my heartstrings and then some.

There is nothing as bad as loving someone at the wrong time in your life, and unfortunately for both Fisher and Sage, that is exactly what happens. They both know that Fisher's presence in Spunes is temporary, but even the rapidly approaching expiration date cannot stop these two from falling in love.

Everything surrounding their relationship, from the very real and visceral way that Fisher comes to terms with the trajectory of his life and career and Sage's open honesty about how she feels lost in the town she calls her home. Everything feels so raw and open that it is hard to put this book down and even more so to not finish it in one sitting.

Amazing book!

No one can make me cry like Tarah DeWitt. Savor it was literally everything and more! This book felt like summer, with its small town perfection. I feel like every book she puts out is better than the last, which feels insane to say because they've all been incredible reads!

This is a new to me author. I've had her other books on my TBR list for a few months. The beginning of this book started out great. The middle kind of dragged a little for me, BUT holy moly, the ending pulled it all back together and turned this around!! I read this book in 24 hrs from start to finish! Love, love, love!! (and the baby goats, be still my heart!!)

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!! All thoughts and opinions are my own!!

My interest completely fell off around the 85% mark. I think it was Sage and Fisher's relationship quickly escalated here and felt rushed instead of the steady build we had in the beginning of the story. I liked the quirky smalltown setting with the charming festival and history, a cast of colorful characters (and animals) to round the cast. I like that Fisher and Sage were both on self acceptance journey and helped the other along, but once they start hooking up, that takes over their relationship and I feel like we get little meaningful conversations and development after that.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review

I enjoyed this one. It was good - cute and sweet. I liked the family dynamic with Fisher and Indy, especially how they navigated their relationship and grew. I also really liked the forced proximity between Fisher and Sage, plus I kept thinking how awesome it would be to have Sage as a friend.

This one was a little hard to get into at first, but as the story progressed I found myself relating to the characters more.

Thank you so much for the pleasure of reading this in advance!

I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it. I love romance books, and I do really enjoy some spice as well! But I felt like this just had a little too much smut :/

I really liked the storyline with the Uncle Indies. And thought the problem they faced were very realistic. But in the end, it just wasn’t a favorite for me.

What I recommend it, yes. When I buy it for myself no. But I am super thankful for the ARC!

Whether you savor it, or end up binging it like I did, this is a good one. Savor It is a delicious small town romance with just enough spice to add a nice bit of flavor. Add in a healthy serving of chemistry and a couple of well-drawn and likable leads, and you have the recipe for a fantastic and fun romance. I highly recommend adding this to your summer beach reading list. Bon appétit!

Thank you Tarah DeWitt, St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing this ARC for review consideration. All opinions expressed are my own.

I fell in love with this book and its characters, it was amazing. A small town romance with so many emotions, great tension and banter, and only a limited time together, this book will give you all the feels (it made me cry several times, it was like I couldn’t stop at the end). Sage and Fisher were made for each other and I loved seeing them together and their growth as a couple but also their individual growth especially with Fisher and facing so many hard emotions especially with his relationship with Indy, who is another amazing character and loved seeing her growth as well even if it was in the background and connected to Fisher’s. Indy is just one of several Greta secondary characters who bring the small town of Spunes to life.

I received a DIGITAL Advance Reader Copy of this book from #NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I loved this book. The summary made it seem like this was going to be a fake dating trope but I was so happy to see it really wasn't. (Though I do enjoy that trope every now and then) The entire world and characters that were in this book were amazing and I would love it if this became a series. I would be so happy to return to Spunes and see Wren and Elliot get back together and to see if Sage's other brothers find love.

This might be a spoiler but I actually liked how the third act breakup was done. It felt different from other books and it was so refreshing I won't go into specifics because then it'll be a real spoiler.

💜 small town
💜 summer romance
💜 slow burn
💜 friends to lovers

I have read all of Tarah's previous work through audio so I am wondering if that's part of why I struggled with this one. It started out slowwww and then honestly kinda stayed slow. I never really felt connected to Fisher and their romance pull. What kept me reading and interested was 100% just Sage. I really related to her and loved her character.

Thank you for the e-arc of this. I may give it another try on audio when it's out.

3.5 rounded up to 4

first of all, thank you to netgalley and st marten’s press for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

this is my first Tarah Dewitt book, and it certainly did not disappoint!

I have been in the throes of a reading slump for *weeks*, but still very much enjoyed sage and fisher and the beautiful people of spunes, oregon (not to be confused with forks, washington) 🤭

all in all, I wish we got a little more plot! this was a very character-driven book, and I usually prefer something more plot-driven, especially with a small town romance - which lead to me having a harder time connecting to the story. that being said, the character development was beautiful and their journeys (both individually and together) through grief and life and truly savoring what you have we so so real and special and important. tarah’s writing is stunning, and it’s so apparent that she puts so much heart and effort into her writing. I’m exciting to dive into more of her books!

out 5.21.24!

First of all, the location is Spunes (pronounced Spoons), Oregon which I LOVED!

Sage grew up in Spunes and mostly loves small town life. She takes in animals, is close with the townspeople, and is just a light of the town. The only downfall is running into her ex all over town.

Fisher is a Michelin star chef from NY. He lost his sister in an accident, has gotten custody of his teen niece, and has spiraled in his job. He comes to town to assist his boss with a new restaurant she's opening there and just get away and connect with his niece and find his path.

He moves in next door to Sage and they become somewhat reluctant friends. I loved Sage. She is quirky and sassy and just genuinely a good person. Fisher is grieving and realizes he needs help with his niece. He opens up to Sage. She talks to him. They care for each other.

Their communication was top notch which was refreshing.

The audio dual narration was so well done!

Many thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press for an eARC and MacMillan Audio for an ALC in exchange for my honest review.

✩4

✦What to Expect✦
•Neighbors
•Just for the summer
•All the animals
•Single parent(his niece)
•Small town vibes
•"Yes chef”
 
✦Characters✦
•Fisher Lange
•Sage Byrd
 
✦Fav Quotes✦
“I think your laugh could maybe defibrillate me.”

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

✦Thoughts✦
This one took me a minute to get into, but once I got into it ya girl was invested. I couldn’t put it down. I was loving the chemistry and banter…all the innuendos had me cackling. Sage’s relationship with her brothers was so funny and incredibly sweet. The small town of it all, the town hall meeting was immediately giving me Gilmore Girls vibes. I was dying for Sage & Fisher to finally come together, and then that ending… all the feels.

I enjoyed this. Sage's life seems so fun; teacher during the school year but a caretaker of animals and people during the summer. I really liked the found family angle as well.

I received an advance copy. All thoughts are my own.

This was my first book by Tarah Dewitt and I can’t wait to read others! This small town romance was so cute. I loved watching Sage and Fishers relationship grow - the dual POV helped show the characters personalities and what they were dealing with. Sage in her small town after a long-term relationship ends and Fisher after temporarily moving from a big city to a small town with his niece Indy after losing his Michelin star and his sister. I loved the camaraderie and competition, but wish we had seen more of the festival that was talked about throughout the whole book and was a main part of Spunes, Oregon. Overall, really enjoyed and hope we get a second chance romance story with Sage’s brother, Ellis and her best friend, Wren.

A cute romance that will give you all the feels! Great summer read. Thank you so much to NetGalley for this early copy! Definitely check it out May 21!

Another adorable romance from one of my favorite trusty romance authors! Tarah’s tone and her ability to balance serious emotion with joyful romance will always resonate with me, so I’m very grateful to the publisher and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

Sage and Fisher were so adorable and felt so genuine, I wholeheartedly enjoyed reading their story. Sage’s feelings about being too small or “too nice” were so interesting and deeply relatable. FMCs who struggle to take up space are nothing new, but this specific iteration of it hit me hard; the need for someone to see the rich inner life beyond the outward impressions of being kind and gentle and maybe even “average.” It was beautiful to read about her relationship with someone who really saw her. In that vein, one of my favorite things about Tarah’s books are the genuine and emotional MMCs, and Fisher was no exception.

***potential spoiler?***
Both of the MCs felt like real people, and while I’m not even one of the third act breakup haters (surprising, I know- the unnecessary ones are dumb but I don’t hate them when they make sense), this one felt not only understandable, but somewhat necessary.

My main complaint would be that the progression of some of the plot points/their relationship felt a bit fast to me, but that may have just been a personal preference. Some of the secrets they shared, their first kiss, etc happened fairly quickly, but maybe I’m just a closed off person, lol. Overall, I found the pacing slow but not difficult to get through at all. I also would’ve enjoyed seeing more of the progression in Fisher and Indy’s relationship, and even Sage and Indy, but I also understand that there’s only so much space in a romance book.

P.S. If the next book is about Wren and Ellis, I am SO seated

P.P.S. Indy and Gary >>>

Savor It is a small town romance. It’s only predictable in the way all small town romances are—one MC is from out of town and the other has lived in this place all their life amongst a cast of goofy characters, if there’s a third act breakup it’s because one of the MCs will inevitably leave, at least temporarily. But Savor It never felt gimmicky or tropey (just a little puny) and knew when to make fun of itself. Sage and Fisher are introduced because Fisher is renting out a cottage for the summer in Spunes, OR that Sage takes care of for the owners—the meet cute itself is hilariously original (Webber’s “police” voices are to die for funny!). Listen, if you can make me laugh out loud while reading, then I will always pick up your books. Although their start is a bit rocky, Fisher saves Sage from awkwardness with her ex in the town library. Their banter and sexual tension really begin in this moment; two things DeWitt is really good at writing. Savor It is low angst, high Stars Hollow vibes with the perfect dose of steam mixed in. It’s easily enjoyable without making you work too hard to have fun. Although the details may be somewhat forgettable, the sweet feeling will stay with you. I received this advanced e-copy from St. Martin’s. All opinions are my own.