Thank you MacMillan for the audio review copy of Savor it. I liked this book but it was a slow start for me, the narration was strong and honored the complexity of the backstory for the male main character (who was struggling with grief and complex transitions in a few ways) and for me the farm/animal setting did not land (but it seems to be a big win for many others). Once the plot moved into a kind of small town fake dating but more them I was all in, it's sweet but also sexy story, a plot that finds its own pace and I do appreciate the focus of a male character learning to parent a teenage niece, coping with loss, and offering emotional vulnerability.

There was no savoring this, just the need to keep listening. 💜

I started this one evening & then had to stay up & finish it. It is SO GOOD.

I loved every minute of this. And now all I want is to live in a small town on the Oregon Coast on a hobby farm with a handsome chef.

Special thanks to @macmillan.audio for the ALC.

This was cute! I enjoyed many things such as the PNW setting, both characters back stories, the light-hearted nature of it all, and the steamy scenes were good. Ultimately it was missing the *spark* but again, I did enjoy it! A great beach read.

Audio note: I’m happy to report that the audio lives up to the quality of the storyline! Karissa Vacker is quickly becoming one of my favorite female narrators, because her voice is so easy to listen to and perfect for the feel of this story. I also really love Zachary Webber’s voice, though it’s not quite what I pictured for the “sexy, sad boy, modern pirate” vibes our hero gives off. That’s probably tough to emulate, lol, so I’ll forgive that – especially since I like Webber’s narration so much. The runtime (around 9 hours) is ideal for bingeing, and I do recommend this as a workday listen. There is some heat, but it’s not the focus and the story is a slow burn overall. The audio is a great way to experience this heartfelt love story!

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With a soft, tender romance and a small town that is bursting with eccentric charm, this quiet love story slowly got under my skin in the best of ways. I've loved all three of DeWitt's previous books, so I was nervous that this wouldn't meet my very high expectations, but I shouldn't have worried. Her writing is fresh and distinct (as always), with an undercurrent of emotion weaving through the pages. I loved that this was so fun and genuinely funny, while also sneaking in moments of heart-wrenching angst. This couple knows from the start that their connection is meant to be a temporary one, so that adds a layer of tension to the bond that forms between them. It's got a great strangers to friends to lovers feel, with tons of chemistry and a fantastic cast of characters. The heroine is a delight, and I so appreciated that she found her partner in a man who is worthy of her time. My only complaint is that it wasn't long enough, but I have a feeling we'll be back in this small town before long. I loved it!

The story follows Sage, a woman who has found family in her small community. While others can't wait to get out of town, Sage has flourished here. When a sexy chef and his troublesome teenage niece move next door for the summer, Sage isn't sure what to think. Fisher is clearly a bit of a mess and trying to find himself again, while his niece is counting the days until they can return to the city. Though Fisher is attracted to Sage, he knows that starting something up is ill-advised at best. So the two form a tentative friendship that sometimes feels like more. As Sage and Fisher grow closer throughout the summer, their connection starts to feel deeper than anything temporary ought to be.

I tried to avoid all spoilers and go into this with fresh eyes, though I was already drawn in by my past love of DeWitt's work and that gorgeous cover. It took no time at all before I was feeling the attraction between these two, and I loved that everyone in the story felt unique and authentic. The small town vibes are immaculate, and I sincerely hope we're getting several of the other stories that are teased here. But I loved Sage and Fisher most of all, because they were absolutely perfect together. Sage has the lightness that Fisher needs in his life, and he was such an empowering presence for Sage. They were better together. I've never enjoyed a hero who is described as looking like a sexy pirate, but Fisher definitely stole my heart. Their story is just the right mix of soft, sexy, and sentimental, with as many playful, humorous moments as there are angsty and emotional ones. The spice certainly didn't hurt either, lol, and I felt the slow-burning attraction in a big way. I would've eaten up another 50-100 pages of their love story, but the shorter length made it easy to devour in a single day. It was everything I wanted and more.

“You once told me you thought you were a lot of nots. I want you to know that to me, you’re everything.” 💜

Your honor, I loved it. If you love Gilmore Girls - but add a bit of spice - and you’ll probably love SAVOR IT by Tarah Dewitt. {Thank you to @macmillan.audio for the gifted ALC to review!} You get a small town, dual POV (and fantastic dual narrators for the audiobook!), a dash of fake dating, friends to lovers, and a bit of grumpy x sunshine.

I just fell in love with Sage and Fisher. Sage is a wild, happy and bit eccentric teacher, but part-time homesteader - unruly garden and lovable farm animals included. Fisher is a grumpy chef working through grief, unexpected new responsibility, and a recent breakdown resulting in his boss sending him to small town Oregon for a new restaurant project.

Their chemistry is a bit of a slow burn, but in the best way. It’s a supportive and healthy relationship, with tons of very detailed spicy scenes, and an incredibly mature and realistic third act breakup. I enjoyed FUNNY FEELINGS by the same author, but I looovvved SAVOR IT - which is out now!

CW // death of a parent; grief; wildfires; descriptive food content

This was an absolutely amazing read. Super cute small town romance.
All the characters are likable actually they’re lovable!
I would say this is a perfect summer book.

In my summer books I expect only a few characters to where I can keep track and the book takes place during summer months. Enjoyable and interesting also must make me smile because of how cute it is & this book did all of it.

This book really helps you SAVOR everything from small moments, food, relationships, friendships & summer

👨‍🍳 Single parent
🌸 Small town romance
👨‍🍳 Summer fling
🌸 Slow burn
👨‍🍳 Fake dating
🌸 Banter & Dual POV
👨‍🍳 Grumpy x Sunshine
🌸 Plenty of animals/ farm animals

TW: Grieving, loss of loved one (from the past)

The Audio is amazing!

3.4⭐️
Thanks to Netgalley for this arc.
This book was romantic and cute. I liked the characters. The relationship between Sage and Fisher was wholesome, and there was so much vulnerable and heartfelt moments between them. I felt that this book was oddly paced though. Important moments were brushed over and simplified, relationship dynamics changed quickly, and it was all too fast for me. This caused me to not be able to connect to the characters really well. This book was good, but it was not memorable, I can already feel myself forgetting the plot and characters. I just didn’t enjoy this the way i wanted to.

Tarah DeWitt is one of my auto buy authors for a reason. I have loved her since her indie debut, and I'm so excited to see her transitioning to traditional publishing--simply because now more people will get to experience her stories. Savor It is the same slow, gentle kind of romance she's known for--but don't be fooled. Her books also pack in some heat. What to expect: small town romance, "just for the summer," chef MMC, bubbly FMC with a whole posse of rescued animals, and some tender exploration of grief. As a bonus, it's set in Oregon, in the beautiful PNW. As a resident PNW romance reader, I loved that she actually got the weather right--so many books totally miss the mark. (It's a personal pet peeve of mine.)

I would also highly recommend the audiobook, if you're into them. Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber deliver great performances in this dual POV recording. Honestly, I'd listen to Zachary Webber read the phone book...but Savor It is way more engaging so I'd recommend starting there, and then move on to the phone book option down the line.

Definitely pick this one up. You'll want to...(wait for it)...savor it. (Pardon my terrible pun. I know it's low-hanging fruit, but it's also very true.)

This was so sugar sweet! I love quirky small towns and this one had those hallmark/Gilmore girls vibes! On top of it just being so cute with the romance it has so many adorable animals!

Fisher and Sage were such fun characters! Fisher is a little grumpy, dealing with some personal struggles and the fact he is now responsible for his teenage niece when they have to go to the PNW for the summer. They end up renting the house next to Sage and from the very first night their interactions had me giggling! I love how quirky Sage is and also how passionate and caring she is to everyone and thing! There was so much banter between them and just loved how they just fell together slowly but so sweetly!

This book just gave me all the happy and warm feelings. It was sweet while also being layered with humor and a touch of spice! Fisher cooking for Sage had me swooning and I adored all the Sage advice! Definitely a fun read for the summer!

I also highly recommend listening to this on audio! It was so well done and Webber’s voice just does something to me!

Thanks to NetGalley for the arc!
I was excited to read this! Sounded like a great story by the description! For the most part I did really enjoy this! There were times it seemed very predictable and the instant relationship was a little cheesy at some points. Overall, this was a cute book, some spicy scenes that didn’t go too far into things, and was an enjoyable quick read. I wasn’t disappointed and did like it, but wasn’t a complete hit for me.

After hearing so much buzz about this author I was eager to dive into the small-town romance world. The premise had all the elements I typically enjoy: charming animals, tight-knit friendships, and a heartfelt journey through loss and grief. However, while there were moments I appreciated, the overall experience left me wanting more.

Let's start with the positives. Sage, with her endearing love for her animals and her strong bond with her friend Wren and her three brothers, was a character I wanted to root for. Fisher and his niece Indy added a sweet dynamic to the mix.

Despite these strong points, I found the writing style didn't quite resonate with me. The pacing felt uneven, with scenes that ended just as they were getting interesting, which made it difficult to connect deeply with the characters or their budding romance.

Sage and Fisher's love story, which should have been the heart of the book, didn't fully capture me. I didn't feel the chemistry between them, and their relationship development felt a bit forced. Additionally, the sheer number of side characters and their detailed backstories made the narrative feel cluttered at times.

The handling of grief and loss, while central to the story, felt emotionally flat. I struggled to connect with the characters' pain and growth, leaving those pivotal moments feeling somewhat hollow. The myriad conflicts, while realistic, seemed to pile up without adequate resolution, which diluted their impact on the overall plot.

I have to commend the audiobook narration which was engaging and brought the characters to life more vividly than the text alone. Both narrators delivery and ability to capture the distinct personalities of each character made the listening experience enjoyable, even when the story itself didn't fully resonate with me.

Sadly, I found myself unable to finish the book, stopping at about 85% because I just didn’t care anymore. "Savor It" had its moments of charm and potential, but it ultimately didn't live up to my expectations. However, if you're a fan of small-town romances with summer vibes and adorable animals, you might find it worth a read. I'll certainly give this author another chance with her other works, hoping to find that spark that everyone else seems to see.

Thank you to NetGalley & McMillan audio for this advance reader copy

This rom com about a summer fling between a chef and a teacher really sparkled in places and fizzled out in others. I was waiting for some satisfying twist at the end, but it never materialized. However, it was a sweet story with a great cast of characters, and I thought the audiobook narrators did an excellent job.

3.5 stars.

"Savor It" transports readers to the quaint coastal town of Spunes, Oregon, where a romance brews between lifelong resident Sage Byrd and a chef at a crossroads. Tarah Dewitt's knack for witty dialogue keeps the story engaging, but the book falls short in other areas. The use of endearments like "sweetheart" feels forced and come on too quickly, while the plot relies on contrived situations to push the story forward. The instant love between Sage and Fisher lacks depth, making it difficult to fully invest in their relationship. Though it has its moments, "Savor It" ultimately fails to deliver a satisfying or original romantic tale.

As for the narration, Karissa Vacker, one of my favorites, and delivers a fantastic performance, breathing life into the characters and making the experience more enjoyable. Zachary Webb is also a skilled narrator, but his portrayal of female voices may not resonate with all listeners.

Thank you so much to Tarah Dewitt, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for sending me the ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Huge thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC! 💌

Oooof this hits me right in that Elsie Silver spot. A small-town romance with a grumpy outsider (with an “adopted” teenage niece) that is paired up with a sunshine resident? Uh.. DUH. Any book that makes me shed a tear (or three) is five stars in my book.

‘Savor It’ has everything you could ever want in a small-town romance, and I knew I wanted to read this book the moment I finished the synopsis. It completely delivered and is a new fav! I loved the juxtaposition of toxic and neighborly small towns. Everyone out here romanticizing small-towns is having me pack my bags, ready to move, but Tarah brought me right back down to earth with the MMC’s hesitancy and conflict with small-towns. *Cautiously unpacks bags* I truly did not even realize how quickly I devoured this book which just goes to show how well it’s written. GIVE ME MORE GRONK AND SPRUCE. Please and thanks. *re-packs bags* 👀

I enjoyed this romcom! I loved the small town setting, Sage was such a strong female character and I loved her life in her small town. I loved how she gave her all to it, I loved her little farm with all the animals! They really made the book I adored them all and when we got to see them!! I also loved the dynamic between Sage and her brothers i thought the family aspect was done so well! Fisher started off in this book a little lost and dealing with so many things! I loved him and Indy and all the things we got with her sister and how losing her effected him and his niece Indy and I loved their journey together! I also loved how sage and fisher worked together the meet cute and fisher and Indy’s first night in the small town was so funny and the perfect set up! The only thing I wasn’t a fan of was how it felt like the book was close to being over before any thing really happened with the two main love interest and I would of liked to get a little more of them. I thought the ending was done really well i listened to this on audiobook and the narrators where amazing and I loved having this story read to me by them!!

This was such a fun reading experience. It was a lovely small town romance with opposites attract hero and heroine. Sage loves her small town, but it's hard to avoid her ex who dumped her, then quickly moved on and is engaged. Enter Fisher Lange who has come to town to consult on a new restaurant. He is running away from his own demons, he was a world renowned chef who has lost a Michelin star. Sage and Fisher are neighbors, and start helping each other.

Thank you to Netgalley and MacMillan audio for the advanced listener copy. Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber are wonderful narrators who add a lot of emotion to this great story. I highly recommend this book. It's oozes small town charm, and is a wonderful comfort read.

Such a sweet story, The goose, hilarious and sad and everything I wanted.

The competition plot line felt like it came out of nowhere but it made sense. It just seemed like it wasn't important until it was REALLY important.

my second book by tarah dewitt, 'savor it' follows sage, a small town hobby farm owner who needs a win after her recent ex suddenly gets engaged. when hotshot chef fisher arrives in town with his teenage niece after the loss of his sister, sage takes this as an opportunity to both get ahead: she can use fisher as a partner to with the local summer competition, and in return she will help improve fisher's image around town. but as their pact quickly turns into more than simply business, the two try to savor every moment of their summer, which is coming to an end faster than they'd like. this small-town romance was charming & fun, as well as quick summer read. i had a great time, it read like candy, & i'd recommend it.

Many thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion. The dual narration by Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber made my experience with this fun romance even better than it would have been if I had read it with my eyes!
I enjoyed the author's previous release, Funny Feelings, and now after loving this one I need to dive into her other books ASAP.
Savor It follows a disgraced NYC chef moving to Spunes, Oregon (not Forks, Washington - ha!) to heal for the summer with his niece. Once there he meets the woman who lives in the house next to his rental, along with her menagerie of animals. If you're a fan of small town romance, this is a must read (or listen)! Also, I have to mention that this cover is just stunning.
I started listening to this one over the weekend with a delicious iced latte which sadly used up the last of my cold foam. Is cold foam the same as whipped cream? I feel like the chef in this book would have known the answer 👩‍🍳

Savor It by @authortarahdewitt is a recipe for a beautiful book perfect to add to your summer TBR:
-A small town girl
-A hotshot big city chef
-Fake dating
-Grumpy x Sunshine
-A bit of spice
-A huge amount of sweet, quirky fun

Honestly, what is there not to love? I loved the setting on this book, all the side characters that bring the town to life and of course our two MC’s. I felt like the 3rd act conflict actually worked so well with this story and didn’t feel forced. I honestly have no complaints! I really wanted to “Savour” the book but it was so good that I couldn’t put it down!

Side note, I combined both the ebook and audiobook both narrators ( Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber ) were perfect for their characters!

Thank you @stmartinspress and @macmillan.audio for my advance copies.

Savor It is available today!