Left of Forever left me in a heap on the floor in the best way. It is a second chance romance with a bit of a twist, taking the reader on a bit of an emotional roller coaster. DeWitt takes care to share the story of Wren & Ellis in such a way that the reader can’t help but root for them, individually and as a couple.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

unfortunately, (soft?) dnf at 25%

i think perhaps i dnf’d was because despite being a standalone, this book is TECHNICALLY part of a series, and i haven’t read the first book that introduces all of our characters. typically, i prefer to read the first book in the series and go from there, so this is a soft dnf until i read the first book.

although, i do typically hate second chance romance, so we will see…

This book. This BOOK! I'm truly wowed by Tarah DeWitt's LEFT OF FOREVER, a second-chance romance with all the wit, yearning, and deep-feeling romance you can ask for. In Wren and Ellis, DeWitt has created a memorable, lovable couple that will stick with you for a long time after reading the story. Their complicated history feels as real as their reunion does earned, and I was so moved by how the characters wrestled with their past issues while falling in love all over again. Between all the fun inside jokes and the sexy banter, every bit of their love story is a joy to read. Bonus points for such immersive, nostalgic California settings and a secondary cast of characters that adds extra layers to the romance. This is Tarah DeWitt at her finest, and I can't wait to recommend LEFT OF FOREVER to any romance fan who will listen.

if you’re looking for a second chance, small-town romance, look no further because this is IT. it’s a beautiful, heartwarming, and emotional story about falling back in love, longing, and finding the best version of yourself. this book absolutely wrecked me, in the best possible way. i balled my eyes out because of how badly i loved ellis and wren!! this book is so deeply romantic, and it made my heart ache. the journey ellis and wren go on is so emotionally raw, honest, (spicy), and beautifully portrayed. i still can’t get over how perfect they were for each other. the way they’d do anything for each other, the way they knew each other on a whole other level. their relationship was so open and honest, so vulnerable, and filled with the purest of love. if i could sum up this book for you in just one word it would be beautiful. truly one of my new, all-time favorite romances.

“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.”

Oh my goodness, I LOVED this book! This is definitely my favorite Tarah DeWitt book that I’ve ever read and Ellis has officially ruined me for all other men. This is such a beautiful second chance romance, and of two people coming together after losing each other for a while. I loved both of them so much, but Ellis…whew! That man was so deliciously wonderful. And the way he loved Wren and Wren loved him and how they both loved the rest of the family was so so sweet. The chemistry was off the charts!! And no third act breakup!

4.75 ⭐️

Ellis Byrd… the man that you are 😭

This was so wholesome and just so good. Reading about Wren and Ellis finding their way back to each other after such a gut-wrenching, emotionally exhausting divorce gave me so much anxiety that I had to keep putting the book down because my heart literally couldn’t take it.

The YEARNING they had for each other was so painful, I was spiraling, terrified they wouldn’t find their way back (spoiler alert: it’s a HEA, thank god). The ending had me full-on sobbing. And as someone who isn’t typically a huge fan of second-chance romances, I think this story was done so beautifully.

The healing Wren and Ellis go through, both separately and together, is heartbreaking in the best way. It’s another perfect example of how love alone isn’t always enough to make a relationship work, and MY GOD DOES THAT FREAKING HURT.

Needless to say, I loved it. Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy. I'll simply read anything Tarah writes at this point.

Maybe I struggled to relate to the characters but I just couldn’t see the charm in this book that others had mentioned. It felt thrown together and messy. I didn’t hate it, but I felt like I was jumping all over the place.

I absolutely cannot get over how amazing this book was. Its the second chance romance of my dreams. Ellis and Wren were so likeable and relatable. Their story hit so close to home. It wasn't just a romance, it was a story on how in a long term relationship, assumptions become the main form of communication. Tarah did an amazing job depicting the realities of a divorced couple. I loved Spunes, Oregon. I lovedc The Byrd's &: hope Tarah gives us a story with Micah & Silas.

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year and man, did it deliver. I love a good second chance romance, and seeing that through the perspective of childhood best friends to lovers as they enter the next stage of their lives as empty nesters? It was perfect. Wren, Ellis, and the entire Byrd family have my heart.

I love reading the real & messy side of marriage and relationships, and Left of Forever nailed it 100%. I live for second chance romance, but second chance after divorce is a rare thing that we get to experience in the book-world. I love the emotional experience that it brings & I ate this story up.

📖Wren & Ellis have been in each others lives since they were kids. They evolved many ways through the years & unexpectedly became parents as teenagers. They’ve been divorced for 4 years, but are raising a teenager together & have many crossover areas of their lives. Left of Forever gives us the now and then of their relationship with dual POV and some memories/flashbacks to the past.

I loved Ellis & Wren’s story so much more than I expected. Their emotions & thoughts had me smiling & crying. I highlighted PARAGRAPHS while reading. I saw myself in Ellis more than I'd like to admit, but also in Wren. The end of this book had me ugly crying and I loved it.

Things I loved:
-the author's note & prologue (both made me cry)
-pen pals
-Ellis' POV chapters 😭🥹
-their letters & journal entries 😭
-both MC's: relatable, sweet & subtle characters
-the small town that rallied behind them

Long story short: I cried a lot.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for this amazing ARC!

I’m not usually one for second chance romances, but this one did it for me. I loved the setting, the characters that continue to be built upon in each book. The book flows so nicely and kept me hooked from the start, I couldn’t put it down!

"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 loved every moment of this book.

Ellis and Wren are childhood sweethearts that had a child young and married young. Life struggles and growing up together eventually got between them and led to divorce. Now, their child is off to college leaving them as empty nesters and wondering “what went wrong”, “can it be fixed”, and “do we want to try again?” What better way to do this than on a week long road trip, cliche relationship quiz questions, meddling family and friends, small town shenanigans, and countless memories?

Something I have come to love about Tarah DeWitt’s writing is how realistic and honest the emotions of the characters are portrayed. This book took you on an emotional roller coaster and I was really invested in all of the characters, not just Ellis and Wren. I loved how they were able to confront all the things that went wrong the first time around and acknowledge their short-comings. It was also nice to see those around them push them to be better.

Overall, this book had incredibly written emotional journeys, hilarious situations, angst, tension, amazing side characters whose story I would love to see next (I’m looking at you Silas) and nosy and cozy small town vibes.

Tarah DeWitt, you genius. Raw in every form. Hard topics at times, but it works so well for the characters and their story. Wren and Ellis are the epitome of forever and always. New favorite romance book of 2025. Dewitt captures the feeling of being in love with your best friend perfectly.

This second trip to Spunes, Oregon was even more emotionally satisfying and swoony than the first!! To start, can we all just acknowledge that the cover of this book is so HOT!! I am low key obsessed with this illustrated couple. That said, divorced parents Wren and Ellis are even better on the page as fate intervenes to have this baker and fire fighter exchanging letters and then going on a week long road trip to send their only child Sam off to college.

With help from meddling friends and family, Wren and Ellis learn how to be more open and honest and communicate to one another about how things went wrong and how much they miss each other. Fantastic on audio narrated by favs Connor Crais and Megan Wicks, this book touches on infertility, ectopic pregnancy loss and having a parent with MS.

Highly, HIGHLY recommended, especially for fans of other marriage in trouble books like Out of the woods, Rules for second chances or Ever after always. While there are cameos from past characters this can still be read as a standalone without a problem. Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital, audio and physical copy in exchange for my honest review!!

Tarah DeWitt is one of my new favorite authors and I am so excited to read her backlist. I feel like 5 stars aren’t enough for this book, they deserve more, even though that’s not possible.

The chemistry between Wren and Ellis is INSANE. Their relationship felt so real and heartfelt. Every time they interacted I was kicking my feet and eating it up. I couldn’t get enough. It was so obvious that they are meant for each other. Also their sex scenes>>>> they are so hot and so well written.

Thank you to Saint Martins Press for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest opinion.

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

♾️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ doesn’t seem like enough stars for this book. It was everythinggggggg, probably my favorite second chance at love story EVER!!

I binged this in a couple sittings because I truly could not put the book down, it sucked me right in, and I had to keep reading to see how things would end. The found family between this group in this quirky small town was so fun, and wholesome.

And now onto Ellis and Wren…. My God the chemistry between these two could light the entire world on fire. It was so clear to see they were always meant to be together, but they would have to figure out how to make their second chance at love successful. Their road trip was so much fun to follow, and I loved how it was a perfect mix of fun lightheartedness, but also tough and serious conversations. Also the spice with these two, was truly NEXT level. Watching these two figure out how to spend what’s left of forever together was truly so special.

This is one of those books that I just know I will be thinking about for a long time! Can’t recommend this one enough for all my Romance girlies!

Tropes:
🤍Small Town Romance
🤍Childhood friends, to lovers, to divorced, to lovers
🤍Epic road trip
🤍Second chance at love
🤍Found family

Some of my favorite quotes:

“But then I saw Wren’s face soon after, those wild blond curls and warm chocolate eyes, and it was like—like seeing home after decades away. Like falling into bed after sleeping on hard ground for years,”

“I’m just saying. My DNA mixed with yours, and it altered your very bones, Byrd.” He steps closer still and inhales again, closing his eyes like he’s absorbing my scent. When he opens them, his pupils are blown, something raw and open there, too. Something that strips me to my core. “I don’t give a fuck who you’ve slept with or how many times. I don’t give a fuck if you have a boyfriend right this minute. We belong to each other in ways no one else ever will.”

“Wren, I can still taste you in my mustache. I can’t think of a single person on the planet to be jealous of right now.”

“I want to be in him and for him to be in me. I want to be Ellis. I want him to be me. I want to be one single body and spirit, and I want him to feel what I feel for him like air in his own lungs.“

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

“I can’t tell if we’re crying or laughing or if we’re both doing both, our bodies vibrating with whatever this charge is between us, like we’ve finally returned home to our rightful ports.“

“Take it out, baby, see what you did to me,” he says. He’s impossibly hard and hot in my palm. “Wrap your legs around me—yeah, fuck, I love your thighs.” He pets them up and down before he tucks my underwear aside and buries himself into me in one long, hard thrust.”

“This love that I feel for him again is something brand new, like some charred marshmallow skin peeled away, exposing a fresh, gooey, unmarred center.”

“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.“

I am not okay. 😭
Thank you, St Martin’s Press, for the gifted copy of Left of Forever {partner}
 
Genre: Romance
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date:  5.20.2025
Pages: 336
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

“One day, when we’re very old and gray, one of us will open our eyes to a day that the other won’t, but we’ll smile knowing how full life has been. Knowing how we spent forever. Everything left of it, together.”

I devoured this book — and when I tell you it took a piece of my heart with it, I mean it. 

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt is the kind of love story that lingers. The kind that reminds you why we keep showing up for the people who matter most.

After falling hard for Savor It last year, I didn’t think she could top it… but here we are. DeWitt’s talent for creating raw, real characters is unmatched. Wren and Ellis feel like people you’ve known forever — their love, heartbreak, and fight to find their way back to each other was truly beautiful.

Left of Forever feels personal. You can feel every word and emotion—and the acknowledgments confirm it’s close to the author’s heart. Which makes it all the more powerful.

If you’re craving a romance that’s tender, honest, and completely unforgettable… this one’s for you.

Read if you enjoy:
❤️‍🩹 Second Chance Romance
🫶🏼 Found Family
🚨 Marriage in Crisis
🏘️ Small Town
🔥 Open Door Romance

Left of Forever was simply the perfect story, and I’m so grateful I had a chance to read it.

Sometimes it feels like a book was written just for you, in this exact moment in time. This was that book for me. Thank you Tarah, for this beautiful book.

That being said, it was heartbreaking starting this read. After Savor It, I knew I wanted Wren and Ellis together, and it was so hard seeing the struggles they both went through in this read. But it’s raw and it’s real, and it’s hope. Once I hit about 35% in, I couldn’t put it down.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Sometimes you just know a book is gonna be 5 stars by looking at it. This delivered times ten. In all honesty I, like many others, was sold from the moment in Savor It where "She's still a Byrd" and Dewitt thank goodness gave us a whole book with that energy! I could have done without the pepper sting/ice cream moment, but alas the rest of the journey to restoring their love was perfection.

4.5 Stars for Left of Forever

This book has solidified that second chance is the superior romance trope. The history and love between Wren and Ellis was a tangible thing throughout the whole book. Life gets complicated and things don't always work out the way we plan, but it was SO rewarding seeing these two find their way back to each other. Equal parts funny (literally laughed out loud several times!!), heartbreaking and swoony. Tarah's writing and books just get better and better. These two are so down bad for each other.

As if there wasn't enough reason to read this book.... it also has a secret tatto micro trope!!!

I want a book for ever single person in this family!!!

Many thanks to the Publish and Negalley for the ARC!