I did not realize this was a spin off of a previous novel. Although it does work as a standalone, I wish I had read the previous novel first as there are a lot of characters for whom I did not have backstory. That said, I really did love Wren and Ellis' story. There is a bit more spice than I usually like but this was a quick and enjoyable read. I laughed out loud at points which is always good in a romance! I probably will go back and read the first book in the series at some point (after taking a breather from the on page spice!)

This book was amazinggggg!! I loved how "early" into the book Ellis realized he still loved Wren and how hard he worked to get her back!


Full review coming later xoxo

Tarah DeWitt hasn’t missed yet with a book, and this one is fantastic. I’m usually not the biggest fan of second chance romance, but she pulled this off so well. The longing (oh, the longing!), the chemistry, the deep love these two have for each other even after 5 years apart. She did a great job of sharing their history and having them heal themselves and their relationship. Probably a top 10 of 2025 for me.
4.5 stars, rounded down.

I love love loveee this book. There’s just something so special about second chance romances especially when it’s a marriage reconciliation (when cheating is not the cause). The way both Ellis and Wren love each other and still desperately want to be with one another had me in shambles. They were both so raw and open with each other that I found myself needing to take a couple breaks because it was so intense (in a good way!!). These two characters were beautifully written and it was a joy to get to know them and see their story play out. Seeing Ellis yearn, YEARN, for his woman was such a treat; I was giggling and kicking my feet the whole time.

The writing was exceptional, the feelings described were incredible and the vibes were extraordinary

This book seems to be highly aniticipated by so many so was thrilled to get an early copy of it. Love Tarah's writing and really enjoyed this one AND so excited to see it is an Aardvark June 2025 pick! Thanks so much for the gifted copy

Thank you so much @stmartinspress for my gifted digital copy for an honest review.

I loved that book so much ! I waited for my physical copy to share with you some quotes !

Tarah DeWitt writes so well. I have annotations in her authors note, just saying hahaha. Her writing is almost poetic.

Wren and Ellis made me feel so much. I'm just flabbergasted by them. Their life story, their love, the way they find each other again ; every thing was just so powerful and real.

It resonates so much with me and I know it will resonate with so many other readers out there.

I wish I was better with words to make you understand how much you need to pick up this book.

It's a book that needs to be felt. So, cozy up, read this and be prepared to annotate the hell out of it, because it's just sweet perfection.

Read this if you love :

✨ Second Chance Romance;
✨ Small Town ;
✨ Road Trip ;
✨ Spicy ;
✨ They fell for each other when they were young ;
✨ Forced Proximity;
✨ They Write letters to each other.

Will be screaming “I LOVE THE BRYDS” from the rooftops!! This was my first book by Tarah DeWitt and I absolutely loved it! I believe second chance romance needs to have a plausible reasoning for the break up AND the reunion and this book did it wonderfully. As someone who has struggled with TTC, it was relatable and hard but also wonderful to have representation on this topic. I loved seeing their past and present and knowing they will be HEA! Only reason it wasn’t a true 5 star book (rated it 4.75/5 stars) was because I did have to suspend disbelief just a little at the beginning. But still loved!

From the moment I read Ellis Byrd say “She’s still a Byrd” about Wren in Savor It, I became throughly invested in this divorced couple. I needed their story but I also knew it was going to hurt a bit. To say that I cried reading Left of Forever is an understatement. I was a sobbing mess throughout reading and listening to the audiobook. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. I’ve talked about having soul books before. A book that is more than 5 stars, it is a book that changes you, it stays with you. In your daily life pieces of it show up and you remember how intensely you felt while reading it. I know every time I see an origami bird I’m going to think of this book. I’m going to think of how beautifully Tarah wrote about this couple who were meant to be together but got lost in grief, hurt each other, then were able to find their way back to each other. Second Chance romance is one of my favorite tropes because people make mistakes, shit happens and as flawed humans we don’t always make the right choices. But having a second chance at being with “the one”, it’s an incredibly beautiful prospect, to make right what went wrong or start a new beginning.

This book, this couple are going to stay with me forever. I am also hoping that Tarah is not done with Spunes yet because I absolutely love Silas and Micah Byrd and am desperate for their stories 🥰

5 stars, 2.5 spice

This is how you do second chance romance. Wowwowowowow.

(Thank you to St. Martin’s press for the e-arc and sorry on the delay, I heard the audio was so die for so I waiting to listen and I am so glad I did. The Duel narration is absolutely perfect, highly recommend)

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

Wren and Ellis rediscover their romance as they take a road trip after dropping their son off at college. This story dives into their teen romance, teenage pregnancy, their marriage and how even when you love someone so much, sometimes that isn’t enough to hold it all together.

Definitely my favorite book by Tarah Dewitt so far! These characters are so beautifully flawed, they go through so much growth together and individually. The balance of learning about their past and rediscovering each other in the present is perfect.

<I>Ellis' eyes find me first, because of course they do. They always have and probably always will. Even if it wasn't him finding me first, I think I'm helpless when it comes to his gravity, like all the life between us created some fundamental reflex.</I>

I just loved the writing, I was captivated from the very beginning.

The yearning was delicious and so was the spice.
The letters and journaling throughout 🫠

Highly recommend to anyone that loves contemporary romance with complex characters (that drive the plot) and all the feels. I teared up multiple times.

<I>“All I know is that if I found out heaven was real and got there first? I’d hang back in the waiting room and save you a seat.” </I>


What to expect:
- 2nd chance, post divorce
- Childhood friends to lovers
- Teenage parents
- Forced proximity/road trip
- Journal entries/letters
- Therapy positive
- Dirty talk

Triggers: Infertility, ectopic pregnancy

Left of Forever is book two in the amazing Spunes, OR Series by Tarah DeWitt.
I absolutely loved reading Savor It!
And her newest title did not disappoint!
A beautiful second-chance romance filled with amazing humor and big time feelings.
I loved every page of this book. The writing is witty, fun, flirty but also dives into emotional topics.
This book is a perfect blend of heartfelt emotion, witty banter, and slow-burn romance that keeps you hooked from start to finish. The characters are incredibly well-developed, with chemistry that leaps off the page, making every interaction feel genuine and full of depth.
This book was exactly what I needed, and I know I’ll be recommending it to everyone.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC. My first book by this author I enjoyed the emotions it evoked, the family dynamic, and the romance. I will be looking forward to more by this author in the series. Worth a read!

Left of Forever is a heartfelt second-chance romance about Wren and Ellis, high school sweethearts reconnecting after divorce when their son leaves for college. Their road trip along the California coast becomes a journey of healing, love, and rediscovery. Tarah DeWitt delivers raw emotion, authentic characters, and sizzling chemistry, making this a warm and passionate read for fans of emotional romance.

✅ Wren, 35 & Ellis, 36. Teenage sweethearts (and parents) who got married and raised their son and have now been divorced for 5 years
✅ second chance romance. One week to figure out if their story is done for good
✅ dual POV
✅ no third act breakup
🌶️: yes


I wish I could read this book for the first time again

This book was so beautiful and I cried through the ending while reading it at the food court in the mall! A gorgeous, sexy, mature second-chance romance about a couple who got divorced years ago after being childhood best friends, high school sweethearts, and very young parents. Ellis is determined to win Wren back and suggests the two do a road trip after dropping their son off at college. I haven't read Savor It, but I plan to!

Wow, getting it right the first time is one thing but also getting it right a second time! I mean what more is there to want. Wren and Ellis are what I Love for a forever and them proving me right since the beginning was awesome. I mean their story wasn't a typical one being child parents themselves but knowing that they would make it through made me Happy. Can't wait to read more stories in this series because I am sure they are coming!

This was my first book of Tarah’s and it for sure won’t be my last. This book was FANTASTIC. I fell in love with the Byrd’s immediately and knew this book was going to be a favorite after like 3 chapters. Second chance is one of my all time favorite tropes but this was one of the few I’ve read where the two MC’s were divorced with a child already.

I love seeing two characters better themselves separately before coming together. Both of them had so much to deal with emotionally and I loved seeing how they both chose to work on their problems (Ellis with therapy and Wren with her journal). Wren’s journal entries really showed me how they fell in love in the first place and her memories of their relationship and I loved it.

This book was so beautifully written that it literally brought me to tears. Ellis’ email to Wren after their dinner in particular was beautiful, especially after seeing how hard it was for him to communicate his feelings the first time around. And Silas’ speech at their wedding. AND THE BIRD TATTOOS. I love them all so much.

I adored the Byrd family. I need to go back and read Savor It for Sage & Fisher but I truly hope we get books for Silas and Micah <3.

I am unwell!

This book is so beautifully written I can’t put into words how it made me feel.

I have not experienced many of the things this story tells but the emotion that comes through is just incredible. I cried so much reading this it’s insane.

The problems this couple deals with are so real it’s jarring. Even without experiencing them yourself you can still feel the emotion and it’s so telling of what a great writer Tarah is.

This was funny, spicy, relatable and overall just amazing.

Do yourself a favor and read this !

“New beginnings are best when you get to pick and choose what you carry over from the old.”

I can’t stop raving about Wren and Ellis, ever since Ellis declared in the small town meeting, “She’s still a Byrd” in “Savor It.” “Left of Forever” picks up their story—a divorced couple rediscovering love and the hope of a second chance to be together.

Before they drive their son to college, Ellis sees this as the perfect opportunity to reconnect. He suggests that maybe Wren should be open to it—that they spend some time together on the road. He confesses that he freakin’ misses her. In her mind, Wren thinks, “‘I miss you, too’ sounds so glib. Really, you’ve been missing from me—that’s more accurate. There’s a voice where you once lived.”

The road trip along the Oregon coast that follows is incredible—I wish I could tell you why, but I’d rather you pick up the book and see for yourself.😆 (Hint: Their longing for each other is no match for the forced proximity of the trip.)

It’s crystal clear though that maybe, just maybe, forever still has a shot.

Some of the quotes are gut-wrenching; I couldn’t put the book down. I loved how you can gradually see Wren unraveling when it came to her ex-husband. I’m a sucker for vulnerable men in stories, and Ellis definitely delivered 100%. Their love story is truly moving, emotional, and, honestly, inspiring.

If Tarah Dewitt has no fans, I’ve left the Earth. Wren and Ellis are absolutely perfect and so is this book. I knew from the moment I highlighted “She’s still a Byrd.” in Savor It that Wren and Ellis’ story was going to ruin my life, and I was correct.

This is my favorite type of second chance romance, and it was written in such a clever way. I loved that our leads clearly communicated their intentions from the very beginning of the book, making the stakes even higher because they were actively trying to fix things, not accidentally falling back in love.

Tarah’s writing style is so beautiful. Some of the quotes in this book will stick with me forever, and she has such a unique way of stringing sentences together that are so impactful.

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC via NetGalley.

❤️‍🩹 Thank you to St Martin's Press, Netgalley, and the incomparable Tarah Dewitt for this ARC.

I fell in love with Wren & Ellis back in Savor It, and getting to read their story felt like a gift. I mean "she's still a Byrd" is iconic at this point.

I've now read five of Tarah DeWitt’s books, and this is her best yet. Her writing is raw, poetic, and deeply human.
Romance novels often focus on falling in love, but what happens after The End?

Wren and Ellis fell in love as teens, got pregnant young, and life slowly pulled them apart and they eventually divorced. Now, with their son Sam moving away for school, they take a trip together - one last chance to reconnect.
This story is about showing up. From the start, both Wren and Ellis wanted this. They didn’t shy away from the hard conversations, and that emotional honesty made this book hit even harder.
And Ellis? This man has done👏the👏work👏
The letters? I have no words. Just tears.

As expected, this book tore me apart and put me back together. 2025 is clearly the year of second chance romances, and by now, you all know how much this trope means to me. I’m already counting down the days for more stories from Spunes (not Forks 😉) Silas? Micah? 👀