♾️💛 for Sage and Fisher

This book had all the right feelings and emotions wrapped up in a pretty lil book decorated with the most gorgeous cover, and from page one until the end I didn't want to let go. I found myself trying to savor it, so I read this over a span of a few days.

There were SO MANY THINGS I loved about this book.

Read at your own risk/minor spoilers ahead :)

Let's start with Sage: I was asked a QOTD about who the character of my current read is and if I would be friends with them. I had to say, "Mine is Sage from Tarah DeWitt's next book Savor It, and I truly love her. She's learning to be proud of herself and I could cheer her on for sure! Plus, she loves fiercely and we all need more people in our lives like that!" From her Sage Advice to be encouragement to be present in the moment, she draws every single person she interacts with into her orbit. I also love that she feels so deeply, and I think it makes us all feel more deeply towards her. I found myself in her emotions so often, there would be tears in my eyes, because I just felt so much for her and her life story, everything her character was feeling, the way she took in all the stray animals and wanted to grow beautiful things in her garden. Sage was a beautiful and poetic character that I can't wait to meet again one day soon.

Now, Fisher: Top tier book boyfriend but also SO MUCH MORE. He's an uncle-daddy, and a hot one at that. He's a former-but-trying-to-be-one-again chef, who has lost his way with food and special moments, because his grief and something unnamed is consuming his thoughts. He's having a hard time raising his teenage niece, largely because he's so disconnected from everything around him. Sage Advice and her moments of being present here help him get back to himself, and then help him become so much more. He connects with his niece. He reflects and decides when therapy might help (which is so hot, might I add). When he creates, he lets that joy seep from within him and out into the world in a way that was lost on him before. The community of Spunes (which I will get to in a moment) draws him out and makes him think about other people. And then there's the way he falls in love with Sage, in every single moment that they spend together and allllll the moments they are apart.

SPUNES, OR - NOT TO BE CONFUSED WITH FORKS, WA
I almost died. I loved this community from the first introduction. They are in each other's business and they want to support one another. They keep their people. Not only did Indy and Fisher need Sage, but they also needed this town that felt like a warm hug (after a little bit of an icy welcome - they keep their people, and therefore, they protect themselves from the outsiders who come in every summer just to leave again).

Other things I loved:
- Indy & Gary (the goose?)
- gopher hunting
- the LIBRARY SCENES
- Wren's scones
- the summer festival
- the meetings in the meadow and sunroom and kitchen
- when Fisher SEES Sage having a migraine and takes such good care of her (as someone who has frequent migraines and lives with a spouse who helps a little, it was super affirming to see a partner who knows what the other person needs - and it has encouraged me to have my own conversations with my spouse about this subject)
- the use of therapy in a positive light
- the emotions of a teenager who lost their mom and the sibling who was left to care for them (Tarah does a fantastic job of showing Indy and Fisher going through these emotions, sometimes in a crazy tantrum way and sometimes in a mature way that shows they're both growing)
- Sam + Indy + the trunk's horn
- all of Sage's animals and their unique names and characteristics (the cast was pretty small, but the animals, they added a whole community to Sage's life)

Infinity stars from me. This will likely be on my 2023 favorites list AND my 2024 favorites list, I liked it that much. Out in May 2024! Thanks to the author, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book. These are my honest (and lovely) thoughts.

EDITING TO ADD: THIS AUDIOBOOK IS AMAZING. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for an advanced listener copy via NetGalley! This book was one of my very favorites, and listening to it is EVERYTHING. This book is emotional and funny and so full of heart, and Zachary Webber and Karissa Vacker bring these characters to life! It felt like my friends Sage and Fisher were in my ears, making me teary-eyed and laugh out loud and grieve and hope and all of the other things, too. Five big stars for this audio! Check it out next Tuesday!

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

I absolutely loved this one! a perfect and sweet small-town romance, the banter was so good and punny but the character development for both Sage and Fisher as individuals but also together as friends/lovers was perfect!

This was perfect on audio, Zachary Webber and Karissa Vacker were great choices and just worked so well together!

This is my first Tarah DeWitt but I know it won't be my last.

I had a really wonderful time. I think the book was very well paced, and it was the perfect length. I do find that some romance novels are endless long for no reason, and not to sound cold about it, but it was perfectly economical. All the angst, self-reflection, spicy & steamy-ness was perfectly balanced and stuffed into this wonderful book without sacrificing any of the character development, or plot. Just a wonderful happy time.

I also appreciated that it touched on the fact that small towns have two sides. Usually, happy go lucky, we're trying to help people, save the pier, or whatever, but if you're any way different or have some non-savory members of that small town, that people can be shunned and it makes living there 100% more isolating.

All in all, a wonderful time, and I will never not love the audiobook. It was a really excellent way to read this.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for an e-copy.

Thanks, Macmillan Audio, for the audiobook. #macaudio2024 (Available 21 May 24)

Fisher, a sensitive but wounded chef trying to do right by his orphaned niece, moves in across the meadow from Sage, a heart-on-her-sleeve small-town girl who grows veggies and flowers. It’s just for the summer, but that’s enough time for them to strike up a deal. She’ll help improve his image in town, removing roadblocks from the restaurant he’s starting up, and he’ll be her partner in the annual canoe race. Of course, that leads to more.

Take believable intimacy (and HEAT) between the MCs and mix in great ancillary characters, small-town charm/snark, and a bevy of animals (a lovesick goose, a cranky Clydesdale, and a three-legged attack cat), and you have a recipe for making me happy. To quote Fisher, “If I had a tail, it would be wagging.”

And the audiobook? Chef’s Kiss. Karissa Vacker. C’mon. Could she be any more incredible as a narrator? She was already a favorite. Now, I’ve added Zachary Webber. I loved shifting from one to the other as the POV changed between Fisher and Sage.

It’s a five-star spicy romance served up as a #fivespongeaudiobook (A book that is so good you look for something to clean so you can keep listening)! 🧽🧽🧽🧽🧽

Sage has lived in the small coastal town of Spunes, Oregon her entire life. Her world might be small, but she loves her life with all her animals and her friends. However, that world is feeling a bit smaller and more stifling when her ex gets engaged and everyone in town is looking at her with pitying eyes. She needs a win and she thinks the annual summer competition at the town festival would be the perfect opportunity if she could only find a partner. Fisher is new to town. He was a Michelin star chef in NYC until a scandal led him to be sent to Oregon to open a new restaurant. The townspeople of Spunes are not the most welcoming to Fisher, so he makes a deal with Sage. She will help improve his image in town and he will be her partner for the competition.

This book is full of steam, heart, and humor. All of the Spunes, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington) got me every single time. The small town vibes (and many Hallmark jokes) made for the perfect romance backdrop, and add in the food descriptions and a friendly town competition, this book had so many fun aspects. Sage and Fisher only added to the charm of this book. Their chemistry was incredible and each of them had an incredible growth journey. I couldn’t help but root for them both together and in their individual lives.

I adored the audiobook narrated by Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber. They did an incredible job bringing these character to life.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advance copy.

This was absolute perfection and I would not change a single thing, Then narrators were absolutely brilliant. Everything about this audiobook I am absolutely blown away. Tarah DeWitt… the person that you are. I’m obsessed with your brain, I wanna live in it. The biggest forehead kisses for you. 🥹🥹🤎

Savor It by Tarah Dewitt was a fun, enjoyable small town romance. It didn't knock my socks off, but it was cute and overall enjoyable.

Fisher is a Michelin starred chef suffering from professional burnout. He relocates to Spoon, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington) in order to consult on a new restaurant concept/location. On top of that, he is raising his teen niece after his sister dies.

Sage is a native of Spoons and high school teacher who spends her summers in the garden and with her animals. When Fisher moves next door, they begin an unlikely friendship. She begins to help him with all the meddling small town barriers to opening the restaurant in exchange for him partnering with her in the town canoe competition.

While the plot was entirely predictable and the second half felt a little flat to me, I really enjoyed the nosy small town characters, the mental health rep/healthy communication, and the idea that life is unpredictable and that we really need to savor every good thing.

Thank you to NetGalley and McMillan audio for an advanced copy. Savor it debuts May 21, 2024!

Savor It is a sweet, spicy, funny and swoony romance that had me laughing, blushing and just overall giddy. I thought it was a really beautiful story, I loved how it started out and how it all played out. The setting was great and just made me feel all cozy with the small town setting.

The characters in this book are a treat. Fisher and Sage were so much fun, the banter between them was hilarious. The tension was palpable and the chemistry was off the charts. It was a true explosion when they came together, you could truly feel their connection. Also, they actually communicate their feelings and emotions, there is no miscommunication, that was a HUGE bonus for me !

I thought it was a very flowy read, it was cute, sweet, swoony, adorable and overall just a great love story. I hope this becomes a series so we can see more of the brothers.

🎧 The narration by Karissa Vacker & Zachary Webber was amazing. These 2 together just worked so well. Karissa is just fabulous at bringing characters to life with the perfect pitch and tone. I just love how their voices fit. i highly recommend the audio for this one.

✨️ Thank you to @netgalley, @macmillanaudio & @tarahdewitt for my gifted ALC & ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sweet, spicy, and heartfelt romance that’s a perfect summer read!

I absolutely ADORED the characters throughout the book, including all the cute and quirky animals. The narrators were phenomenal, the setting was fun, and overall such a great read.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for my ALC in exchange for my honest feedback! 4.5 🌟

A sweet and lightly spicy small town romance. Just a taste of grumpy/sunshine. Tons of animals and lots of small town fun.

Can we just start with the cover? The cover of Savor It by Tarah DeWitt is gorgeous & screams to be read/listened to during the summer. This is a sweet, small town romance & would be the perfect beach read. The narrators are incredible & only add to the story. There is humor & spice & romance- the perfect recipe for a beachy, summer read & DeWitt manages to give us just the right amount of all these things! Add this to your summer TBR.

Thank you NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for an ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

Such a sweet small-town romance! If girl next store and small-town romances are your thing, add this to your summer TBR list! I really enjoyed this book, but I will say the relationship moved fast and I didn't feel super connected to the characters as a result. The characters are likable, but I lacked the emotion I usually feel with these types of romance tropes. I had the pleasure of listening to the audio version, and the narrators were A+!!!! I always appreciate a separate female/male narrator. If you are an avid audio book listener like me, you may recognize Zachary Webbers voice from other favorites. He is one of my favorite narrators and this character fit him well!

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ARC.

Savor It was a fun and cute story that will make a great beach read for the summer. I didn't grow too attached to the characters, but overall I enjoyed the concept.... (Spunes?! How cute is that?!) This is an easy and lighthearted small town romance read that will surely be a hot of the summer.

Really enjoyed this!

A sweet yet slightly angsty summer romance. It had just enough pain to make my heart ache but a lot of sweetness and love to make the taste less bitter. I loved our quirky, yet not too quirky, heroine. Our broody yet kind hero who is trying to do his best by his niece.

Fisher and his niece, Indy, end up in Spunes, Oregon to get his head on straight and set up a restaurant for his boss. They both has a lot pain and confusion to work through. Neither of them really wants to be there but this is a chance to shake it off and have a summer away from the stress of the big city.

Fisher doesn't want to get close to anyone here so he is quite wary of his sweet neighbor, Sage. Her and her small menagerie of animals are poised to steal his and Indy's hearts. That dang goose, I swear! He tries to keep her at arms length but she just might be his chance at redemption.

Sage knows how to navigate small town politics and personalities and in exchange for his help during the Festival of Spunes, she'll help Fisher win over the town. Of course, as they do this, falling is inevitable. But Summer won't last forever.

Have your tissues ready and keep your heart open. Because this book is gonna get ya. It felt a bit slow in some aspects around the middle but I enjoyed all the characters and the story. I REALLY hope Tarah isn't done with Spunes... there are many stories left to tell here.

Also, I listened to the audio, which was wonderfully performed by Zachary Webber & Karissa Vacker. Very enjoyable.

ℝ𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕟𝕘: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | 𝔽𝕠𝕣𝕞𝕒𝕥: 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜𝒷𝑜𝑜𝓀

𝐀𝐧 𝐚𝐝𝐨𝐫𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐲 𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐬𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐥-𝐭𝐨𝐰𝐧 𝐬𝐮𝐦𝐦𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞! 𝐈𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐞𝐜𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐞𝐧𝐝 𝐨𝐟 𝐡𝐮𝐦𝐨𝐫, 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐠, 𝐧𝐚𝐯𝐢𝐠𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐭𝐞𝐝 𝐫𝐞𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐩𝐬, 𝐫𝐨𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞, 𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞, 𝐩𝐮𝐧𝐬, 𝐜𝐮𝐭𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐫𝐦 𝐚𝐧𝐢𝐦𝐚𝐥𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐨 𝐦𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞!! 𝐈𝐭 𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐟𝐫𝐨𝐦 𝐨𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐫𝐨𝐦-𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐬 𝐈’𝐯𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝 𝐛𝐞𝐜𝐚𝐮𝐬𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐲 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐚𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐫 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐯𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐨 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐩𝐥𝐞𝐱𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐠𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐟𝐚𝐦𝐢𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐢𝐧 𝐨𝐧𝐞 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐩𝐡, 𝐛𝐮𝐭 𝐦𝐚𝐧𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐭𝐨 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐥𝐚𝐮𝐠𝐡 𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐥𝐨𝐮𝐝 𝐢𝐧 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐧𝐞𝐱𝐭 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐬𝐞𝐚𝐦𝐥𝐞𝐬𝐬 𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐨𝐧.

𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐨𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐫𝐮𝐦𝐩𝐲/𝐬𝐮𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐠 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐨𝐧𝐞, 𝐦𝐚𝐤𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚 𝐝𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐟𝐮𝐥 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐲 𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝.

𝐻𝓊𝑔𝑒 𝓉𝒽𝒶𝓃𝓀 𝓎𝑜𝓊 𝓉𝑜 𝒯𝒶𝓇𝒶𝒽 𝒟𝑒𝓌𝒾𝓉𝓉, 𝑀𝒶𝒸𝓂𝒾𝓁𝓁𝒶𝓃 𝒜𝓊𝒹𝒾𝑜, & 𝒩𝑒𝓉𝒢𝒶𝓁𝓁𝑒𝓎 𝒻𝑜𝓇 𝓉𝒽𝑒 𝒜𝑅𝒞! 𝒜𝓁𝓁 𝑜𝓅𝒾𝓃𝒾𝑜𝓃𝓈 𝒶𝓇𝑒 𝓂𝓎 𝑜𝓌𝓃.

Savor It: ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

Tarah DeWitt

“Something tells me I couldn’t have you pegged in a decade, let alone a few days, Sage. But even I can tell that you’re vast.”

New to town, Fisher's just trying to boost his reputation and regain his inspiration. His next door neighbor Sage needs the town of Spunes, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington) to get off her back about her ex-boyfriend. And so, an agreement is made for the length of the summer but summer won't last forever...

Tropes:
– Small town romance
– Fake dating with benefits
– Forced proximity (neighbors)
– Single guardian

Here's the thing. I almost want to hate this book. I want to hate it because Savor It has essentially spelled out to me–with albeit witty words with a deceptively humorous lilt–that I will never find the pure, wholesome, untainted, head-in-the-clouds, worth-savoring love that Fisher and Sage have. But I can't hate it. So instead, I love it with every part of me.

There's something about this book that made me feel like I was being stabbed repeatedly because I related to Sage way too much for comfort sometimes and the story made me feel like hey, maybe there is a Fisher out there who could love a silly, too-sweet girl like me too. Maybe I'll have to move to Spunes to find it. Don't threaten me with a good time. Mixed in with the impeccable wit and humor and the love and feelings, there are so many quotes in this that really speak to the soul:

"I would love to find a person of my own, but I refuse to let not having a partner preclude me from enjoying my life. It’d just be nice to share it with someone who appreciates and loves me as is." I mean are you kidding me? This is my whole entire life right now, where everyone seems to be moving on with their life and their relationships and finding their forever happy and I'm just here. I don't want to talk about how much this quote impacted me.

“So don’t think I choose those things just because I’m too nice. I’m not. I’m fully capable of deciding I want to do something because of how it makes me feel.” As someone who is constantly told she is too nice, this is refreshing. I can and will do things that I other people may want me to because it makes me feel good. And that's fine. Sure, I'm still working on the other side of this coin, which is doing things just to make other people happy, but that's a battle for another day.

"Because who am I to want something bigger for myself when so often I’ve been made to feel like the things I love are frivolous, anyway?"
Oh my God, please leave me alone I literally want to cry.

I loved every moment of this book. The audio is an absolute delight as well. Zachary Webber can do no wrong and while Karissa Vacker is new to me, I thought she did a phenomenal job of being Sage. The sweetest book that feels like a warm hug yet will simultaneously gut you from the inside out.

With tons of swoon-worthy moments mixed with impeccable wit, Tarah DeWitt mastered this small-town romance that will make you feel things you never knew you could before.

Well written steamy love story that makes you think about relationships with others. Great story. I loved the small town setting and dilemma involved with it. Good depth to the characters as well.

Thank you St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley for review copies (ebook & audio). All opinions are slightly unhinged but they are my own.

I was blown away by this book. Tarah really went all out when it comes to character development, angst, grief, jokes, swoon, spice, and just all the emotions. Fisher’s grumpiness (mostly a product of his career imploding and questioning so many life decisions) juxtaposed with Sage’s sunshine (which was way more complicated than her cheerful demeanor let on) was a perfect balance. I’m always a sucker for guardianship romances and this was one of the best ones I’ve read, accurately capturing the feelings of uncertainty and guilt when it comes to parenting a teen unexpectedly following a traumatic loss. I cannot recommend this book enough, and do yourself a favor and treat-yo-ears to the audiobook: Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber are phenomenal in their ~9 hour performance.

I highly suggest the audiobook, this was such a good small town romance. I loved the dynamics between Sage and Fisher, their relationship was so mature, but playful at the same time.

I really loved this book!! I will always be a PNW girl so I knew I had to read this book when I discovered the Oregon coast was the setting for this story. I was screaming when my hometown was mentioned and I knew exactly what brewery Tarah was referring to.

I was smiling from the very beginning of this book. The goofy, flirtatious and witty banter was perfect and had me laughing out loud multiple times. The instant chemistry between Sage and Fisher was palpable and I thought their relationship was refreshing. I loved the vulnerability between them and how supportive they were of each other. Watching the relationship between Fisher and his nice blossom through the book was so heartwarming. I loved how they navigated their shared experience of grief and loss, ultimately discovering what they truly wanted and where they belonged.

Small town romances have my heart and this one did not disappoint. I highly recommend adding this book to your summer TBR! I listened to this book and really enjoyed the dual POV narration. I thought Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber did an amazing job and helped add to the story.