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Tarah DeWitt always hits!!! This book was tender, tear jerking, but also laugh out loud funny and I really enjoyed it. Ellis is such a earnest and selfless man who would do anything for the people he loves which for years meant putting his own thoughts and feelings aside. I loved getting to see his journey of realizing that in order to get the things he wants, better relationships with his siblings and a second chance with Wren, he needs to truly voice his own feelings and thoughts versus stuffing them down.

While there was other elements and communication breakdowns that exasperated things, the breakdown of their marriage is directly linked to their infertility challenges and the ectopic pregnancy Wren had after three years of trying to get pregnant. I'm definitely not the right person to be able to fully comment on a situation like this since it's not something I've gone through and plan on never going through since I don't want kids, but in a way this made it feel like their reunion came together easier after they finally had the conversation about it since they are never going to face the situation that "broke" them again.

I am really interested to see where the rest of this series goes. We get lots of set-up moments for future stories for Micah, Silas, and even potentially Sam & Indy. I read Savor It almost a year ago, so I feel like at times I definitely struggled in trying to remember some of the elements of the Byrd's family dynamic, ages, and when things happened to them since I felt like the book referenced a lot of these elements but didn't fully outright state them or didn't mention them til later on.

I thought the audio book of this was really well done and I loved that whenever the journal entries or letters the characters wrote got read the person doing the writing narrated them even though the chapter would be in the other's POV.

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an ALC & ARC of Left of Forever!

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If there’s one thing I love reading about… a divorced couple still pining for each other and getting a second chance. I loved Ellis and Wren in Savor It and I’m so happy they’re getting their own book. 🥺🥺

This book delivered everything I crave and more. The chemistry between the characters is undeniable, but what truly sets this story apart is the emotional depth and character development. These aren’t just two people reconnecting—they’re healing, growing, and learning to be truly emotionally available to each other.

The sexual tension simmers beautifully throughout, making every glance and every moment feel charged with unspoken history. And don’t even get me started on the road trip—DeWitt uses the journey not just as a backdrop, but as a way to peel back layers of each character, allowing them (and us) to see what’s still possible between them.

It’s raw, sweet and so satisfyingly real. If you’re into emotional storytelling wrapped in swoony romance with just the right amount of angst and humor, this book is everything. I didn’t want it to end.

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I felt and adored every moment of Wren and Ellis’s second chance love story *so* *very* *much*!! The glimpses of their childhoods together, their young love — the angst and depth of their dynamic, and how they both worked so hard to come back to each other!!! Beautiful writing, developed characters, gorgeous settings, nostalgia, angst, hope — this book has everything I love in a second chance romance.

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Easiest 5 stars. I cried throughout this entire book. Sad tears, frustrated tears, heart broken tears and happy tears. I cried them all.

I love Wren and Ellis (and Sam) endlessly.

While this is technically a second chance as Wren & Ellis have been divorced for several years, it read more like a marriage in crisis to me. Marriage in crisis is one of those tropes that is SO underrated in my opinion, because you go into the book knowing their love already exists for one another, but watch as they experience the true difficulties of navigating a long term relationship. It's not always sunshine & rainbows after the HEA. It's people who are still flawed, still learning, still growing and not always growing in the same direction. Sometimes even growing complacent, or resentful. It happens, and it takes effort to maintain the magic in the everyday and mundane.

That's why I love marriage in crisis books so much. They're raw, they're real, they're hard, but it's so satisfying when they find their home in one another again.

Wren and Ellis were exactly that for one another. Home. They had a long and complex history that involved countless struggles including grieving the loss of parents, becoming teen parents to a newborn themselves while also suddenly taking care of Ellis' siblings.

Another one of my favourite tropes is a road trip romance. Ellis and Wren taking a week long road trip after dropping Sam off at college as a means to re-learn one another and hash out their issues on neutral territory created some hilarious and emotional moments that I loved. The drunken cooking class will live rent free in my head lol.

And the LETTERS!! Ugh, I am a sucker for letters on page and I loved how we got to know Wren & Ellis' personalities through them.

The tension and chemistry between these two was delicious, but there was so much heart and emotion captured in the spicy moments too. It felt very well balanced.

Tarah's writing... I wish I had words to express how much I love Tarah's writing, and every time I read a new book by her I am again surprised by how much I love her writing.

Narrators Megan Wicks & Connor Crais were flawless in their performance. I loved every minute of their narration and how they captured so much of the vulnerability and raw emotion these characters displayed throughout the story. My only complaint is I wish there were more chapters from Ellis' POV so we could listen to more Connor.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press & Macmillan Audio for the opportunity to tandem read the ebook & audiobook (my favourite way to read).

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5✨ all the stars. my favourite TDW book. just the prologue had me trying & failing to hold back tears. i was not ready for the heartbreak i knew was coming but i wanted it.

***
dear stranger,
this review is very long, extremely vulnerable, and incredibly raw. i write my reviews for me & my thoughts & my feelings and i had big feelings reading this book. so reader beware, there’s a lot here.
***

ellis byrd. a man if i’ve ever seen one. i love this man with all that i am. ellis’ mind is crying out for help with no one but himself to answer. he’s got this big, beautiful, loving family that he’s looked after his whole life and he doesn’t even tell them where he is. he doesn’t want to worry them and it breaks my heart for him. he’s a grown ass man with a world of responsibility on his shoulders. but with her...with her he’s a boy in love and nothing else matters. he loves so hard, with his whole being. his people are his everything. his byrds. i don’t even know if i can appropriate put words to my feelings for this man and all that he is. he’s just epic. he altered wren’s DNA and there is no going back from that. he fought so hard. he made a decision, he worked on himself, he tried. he tried to be good enough for her, to deserve her. he wasn’t selfish, he only thought of her. and damn did he do the work to win her back. it was stunning. and i love how it’s not just about wren and ellis. i mean, it is in every way, but it’s also just about ellis. about him finding this new version of himself, changing in ways unthought of so he can be better for & to himself, to wren, but his family too. to change his role in their lives and be who they need him to be now rather than who he needed to be for them then. he can just be their brother, their friend. also, two words: eight inches.

wren salem byrd. still a byrd. she grew up with her greatest love and her heart took shape around his…i was sobbing. she worked on herself so much and created a life for herself that she enjoyed. yes, it took ending her marriage and starting over but sometimes that’s what needs to happen. she remade herself, she found herself, she healed herself. did she ever get over the love of her life? no, and she never will. but she tried. and sometimes trying again, a second chance, is what’s needed. i admire her for setting boundaries and taking her time and seeing where things go with them. i also don’t blame her for lowkey throwing those boundaries out the window and throwing herself at her ex-husband. i’d throw myself at him too.

this book was…gods i don’t even know how to explain my feelings. i was crying every other page. literally. the way you can feel the depth of their connection, the longing and pining and yearning for the feelings that never went away…it hurt me. it broke me. it made me ache. what they had was so beautiful. something to long and pine and strive for. and they fucking got it back. they deserved it. they created it. they nourished it. it devastates me cause i don’t think i will ever have that.

i adored every bit & piece & snippet of sage & fisher. they brought so much joy, which was very needed cause wren & ellis just made cry. and the way fisher, ellis, and silas became so familial and joking with each other just makes me smile so big it hurts. and WHY IS SILAS THE SWEETEST BABY BOY EVER!? he’s truly a phenomenal “side” character. i couldn’t get enough of him. i know his story will hurt me too (a TDW byrd books trend). this family is just everything. i adore them. and they adore each other.

i think the reason second chance romances burrow into my soul and feed on my bones is because even having lost a love so fierce, a love that was engrained in your DNA, having had it in the first place is a privilege. it’s such a beautiful thing. something that’s taken for granted and maybe realized too late. and even still they find their way back to each other. it’s a love i can only hope to have. a love that every passing shooting star hears about, is asked about, is begged for. it’s a love so special and worth waiting for. a love you’d save a seat for. this love may be lost, but it’s never forgotten. all it needs is a second chance.

my issue with books in which the mc’s are parents is that they make me realize i have parental trauma i didn’t even know i had. because i don’t recall ever feeling so unquestionably loved like that. my parents loved and love me, i know that. but the pride and support parents have for their children in books like these is unparalleled. i’ve always felt like a disappointment because i know i have been. not in a self deprecating way, but in a way that’s just fact. i didn’t get good grades for a long time and by the time i did, who cares? i wasn’t good at math or science. i didn’t get the education they wanted for me, the job or career path they wanted for me. i’m alone with no prospects. i don’t want kids. it’s all foreign to them. they don’t understand it. it’s disappointing, and that has made me realize that i feel unfit to be a parent. like i wasn’t parented well enough and didn’t turn out right so how could i possibly do any better? and i don’t want to parent a child like they parented me. i have great parents and i love them and they’ve done & provided so much. it sounds selfish and awful to say it wasn’t enough but… can i even pinpoint a time they told me they were proud of me? have they ever had a “we did it” moment about me? but wren & ellis make me think that maybe a child is something i could one day want and do well. do better. what a wild thing for a book to make you feel. they make me feel like things are possible. gods this book made me feel everything. it made me want to write, made me want to love, to try, made me want to have a child. it made me want things that feel impossible, unattainable. it made me feel hopeful and hopeless all at once.

need i say it again? this book was magic. the birds (byrds), the vows, the compliments, the saying what’s in his head when he thinks of it. goddammit he did good. he did so fucking good.

wren & ellis’ story, their love, is like a raw, exposed nerve. it hurts and it aches because it’s healing. they are magic together. they may have lost their way & each other but they tried so hard for sam. they did absolutely everything they could to keep their son safe, happy, and growing up with role models and a healthy environment. they may have hurt each other, but they did everything in their power to not hurt sam. i love how they didn’t drastically over think things. they were just being open and honest and raw in ways they never had been but felt comfortable being. they weren’t hesitant to reconnect and commit to being together. to love each other. they’re so vulnerable with each other. ellis is so vulnerable with himself. their story, and their love is pure magic. it glows like an aura around them that everyone can see. you cannot look at those two people and not see, plain as day, that they are meant for each other.

tarah dewitt is one of my big three authors and this is one of the best romances i’ve ever read. her best book, for me, to date. she did them justice. this book is riddled with long lasting emotional effects. i'm still crying. i will feel them & love it for whatever’s left of forever.

”I grew up with my great love, so I think maybe my heart took shape around his.”

“His DNA altered mine, and our souls shaped themselves for each other.”

“You're still a Byrd.”

“If you're lost, I'll find you. I'll give you my body, my heart, and my soul. I'll cherish every bit of yours in return. I'll fight with you. I'll fight for you. I'll love you for everything left of forever, in every lifetime we get.”

“She’s kissing me. I’m home.”

“If you’re lost, I’ll find you. I’ll give you my body, my heart, and my soul. I’ll cherish every bit of yours in return. I’ll fight with you. I’ll fight for you. I’ll love you for everything left of forever, in every lifetime we get.”

“A hummingbird for Sage, a crow for Micah, a red-tailed hawk for Silas, a swallow for Sam, and a wren for me.”

• small town romance
• second chance
• divorced couple
• childhood friends to lovers
• first loves
• road trip
• forced proximity
• single parents / co-parenting
• longing, pining, yearning
• man in uniform (firefighter)
• TW: ectopic pregnancy (off page, discussed)

thank you st. martin’s press & netgalley for the opportunity & privilege of arc reading my most anticipated book of the year by one of my big three 🫶🏼

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This is, by far, one of the best second chance romances I’ve ever read—and that’s saying something. Left of Forever completely swept me off my feet with Wren and Ellis’s emotional, heartfelt journey back to each other after divorcing five years ago.

What made this story so special for me was the deep dive into their past. Instead of brushing over their history, Tarah DeWitt takes us through the heartache, the healing, and everything in between. I loved how honestly their struggles were portrayed and how much intention was placed on why they fell apart—and how they could choose each other again.

Wren and Ellis's chemistry? Off the charts. I was rooting for them from the very beginning, and watching their dynamic shift as they worked through their pain and rediscovered what made them fall in love in the first place had me swooning. The title of this book took on such a beautiful, layered meaning, and I’m still not over it.

If you love second chances, characters with real depth, and romance that feels earned and raw and real—this is one you don’t want to miss.

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This is a really well-done second-chance romance that follows the story of two childhood sweethearts who became parents young and separated/divorced five years before this story begins. We get glimpses of both Ellis and Wren in DeWitt’s previous book, “Savor It,” which really helps set the scene for this extended family of siblings/friends.

Being set in a small town gives all the angst and closeness this couple has and have never really gotten over each other after breaking up. The poignant trips down memory lane and back story really makes you feel how the couple even got themselves to where they are now. Ellis had so much responsibility at such a young age while Wren did as well.

Connor Crais and Megan Wicks expertly brought Ellis and Wren to life in the audiobook. This is by far one of the best performances I’ve listened to this year (and that is saying a lot).

In this book:
*second chance romance
*small town
*road trip
*empty nesters
*found family

Thank you Tarah DeWitt, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an ARC/ALC of this book.

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I did feel this book started out a bit slow, but I think it needed to so that we could appreciate the journey that Wren and Ellis needed to take to get back to each other. This was a well written story about second chance love and making sure to get it right the second time. Wren and Ellis were deeply reflective of their relationship--where it went wrong and how to get it right. I loved the references to have what's left of forever to love each other unconditionally.

(I received a complimentary ecopy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed in this review are my own. Thank you Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Tarah DeWitt.)

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Tarah Dewitt, you have done it again. This book was actual perfection and more. Tarah has such a way with making her characters feel raw and real. The love between Ellis and Wren poured off the pages and went right into my heart. Like guys the quotes in this book had me screaming, crying, and ripping my hair out (complimentary). I also love how even if you may not relate to this story (me because I’ve never been married, let alone been in a relationship), it didn’t stop me from my heart aching and feeling everything both MCs were going through. I was captivated from the prologue and couldn’t put it down till the very end. The town of Spunes will be in my heart forever, thank you so much to netgalley and SMP for the arc. And thank you Tarah Dewitt for writing yet another banger <3

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Well then. I wasn’t expecting so much spice… what a pleasant surprise! 😏

Second-chance romance isn’t my favorite trope, but this one was enjoyable! I particularly loved *SPOILER* the lack of a third-act breakup. That being said, it didn’t feel like there was much conflict throughout, so I guess that’s what you get with a real breakup. Sigh.

Either way, a sweet and spicy marriage rekindling! Spice was like 3.5-4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

(Thank you, St. Martin's Press, Macmillan Audio, and Netgalley, for the ARC and audiobook ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

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Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for sending me an ARC of Left of Forever in exchange for an honest review.

The Goodreads description of this book tells you every you need to know about the plot, so I’ll jump directly to my thoughts.

Left of Forever picks up a few months after Savor It, and has many overlapping characters and storylines (Ellis is Sage’s oldest brother), so I would recommend reading that book before reading this one. Left of Forever hits many of the beats you’d expect in a second chance romcom. Ellis and Wren slowly realizing that they still have feelings for each other four years after their divorce, but being afraid to open their hearts and get hurt a second time. Them trying to reconnect, getting past secrets, misunderstandings, and old hurts, but also avoiding wrestling with the thing that broke up their marriage the first time. Like Savor It, Left of Forever is an above average romcom, funny and moving in equal parts. Recommended.

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I absolutely loved this book! Tarah DeWitt does an incredible job of writing nuanced characters with believable motivations. I don’t usually enjoy a second chance romance, but I bought into this storyline immediately!

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“We have whatever’s left of forever, you and me.”

♾️⭐️
🌶️🌶️.5


I don’t even know where to start. Tarah DeWitt’s writing just speaks to me on a soul deep level. Wren and Ellis’ story is a second chance romance but it is also so much more. Wren and Ellis met when they were so young. They started their relationship as well as parenthood before they were even adults.

This story captures the ups and downs of marriage and the tiny ways that we can slowly start letting things slip. The examination of how you can be so madly in love with someone, but still not be able to make things work due to the day-to-day challenges of life was so painful and so beautifully written.

Wren and Ellis have a relationship that I loved reading about so much. Their chemistry and intimacy was perfection.

I think this book also resonates with me on a deeply personal level. My husband and I met when I was 17 and he was 18. We have been together ever since and married for 10 of the 20 years we’ve known each other. While we are still together, Wren and Ellis are so relatable. When you’ve had to grow up together you can easily see the moments that can make everything fall apart if you don’t keep choosing to find one another and fight and love and communicate.

The Byrds and all the characters in Spunes are my favorite. Micah and Silas are going to have incredible stories and I love how much we got to see of them in this book as well.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the e-arc. All opinions are my own.

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Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶

What I loved:
🍷The trip
🍷The vineyard
🍷The ending

This is the best second chance romance I have ever read. I've been ready for Wren and Ellis' story since they were introduced in Savor It, and I was not disappointed. This was such a beautiful and heartwrenching (in the best way) story.

I absolutely adored Wren and Ellis and loved being in their heads. Their story was so raw and genuine. Their love for each other was palpable. I loved the journey they went on to find each other again. I respected Wren being wary even while I was screaming at the page for her to take Ellis back.

The road trip was heartwarming and endearing. I loved the quiet moments. The funny moments absolutely stole my heart. I was living for the interference from the family and friends. I think the vineyard was my favorite stop. Everything about that part of the trip was magnificent.

There was one minor thing I disliked, and it was how the story was told. I was expecting a road trip, and while that did ultimately happen, it took a while to get there. I loved the letters and Ellis' POV during that time, but it made the story feel disjointed to me. Ultimately, this was a minor thing for me because I adored this story and Wren and Ellis!

This was such a beautiful book. It perfectly captured what it is to be in love. The ending was beautiful and had me endlessly crying in happiness. It's been a few weeks since I read this, and I'm honestly still speechless. I don't know how to accurately describe or put into words how brilliant this book is. I think if I didn't believe in love, this book would convince me. It's just that good. I don't know what DeWitt put in these pages. Maybe crack? Either way, I can't stop thinking about this book, and I'll absolutely be rereading it. And I hope we get more books following the Byrds!

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This is Tarah’s best book in my opinion. It’s nuanced and so sweet. I’m obsessed with both our MCs and really appreciated the raw and vulnerable look at their marriage and why it fell apart. But more importantly how they came back together and didn’t shy away from the hard conversations.

Thanks to netgalley for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review

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Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was absolutely perfect. I’m still crying, I love Ellis and Wren and their story so, so much. I knew I needed it the second Ellis said “She’s still a Byrd” in Savor It, and I’m soooo happy we got it. Exceeded my highest expectations. I’m hoping we get books for the remaining Byrd brothers!!!

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STUNNING. BRILLIANT. HEARTFELT. FUNNY.

Ughhh I knew by the 6th chapter that this was a 5 star read for me! And that it was going to make me emotional in the best way.

Here is what you need to know:

Wren and Ellis Byrd were once young and in love. Wren got pregnant with their son Sam in high school around the same time Ellis had to step up as the oldest in his family. They were a family through it all, but after dealing with pregnancy complications and other ways they pushed each other away they divorced. Once high school sweethearts now co-parents. But when the opportunity arises to see if there is still something between them will they be able to stoke the spark they once had? Or will it all go up in smoke?

If you are a romance reader that doesn’t mind spice this is one to put on your radar! I am a Tarah DeWitt fan and I will be trying to convince everyone to read her stuff now!!! 🥹

Tear tracker: I did tear up but did not outright cry, but my goodness this book is gorgeous.

About 4 open door scenes.

THANK YOU NetGalley, St. Martins Press, You had me at HEA for the eArc of this book! It has changed my reader DNA 🥹

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4.5

Thank you netgalley for this ARC ebook. I loved this book so much. This trope of marriage in trouble/ love after divorce is my favourite trope ever. And Tarah Dewitt did it extremely well. Ellis and Ren are meant to be and they're relationship is great. One bed trope and road trip trope. Their son going off to university. Just perfect.

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one of the greatest books ever written. i truly would not change a single thing about this book other then having myself written in HAHAHAH tarah is such a magnificent human and author and her heart and soul shows through these characters

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Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for an advanced reader copy of Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt. This book publishes on May 20, 2025.

I haven’t read anything by Tarah DeWitt before, but I’m a sucker for a second chance romance. This book did not disappoint. The love story between Wren and Ellis was beautiful. It does jump back and forth in time, and this muddied things a bit for me but overall it was an enjoyable read!

#netgalley #leftofforever #romancenovels #arc

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