This is Tarah DeWitt’s best novel yet, hands down. I say that as somebody who does not love second chance romances, but Left of Forever is truly something special. Ellis and Wren’s love story immediately hooked me and would not let go until I finished it.

Wren and Ellis are childhood sweethearts who got married and had a child young, but somewhere along the way they lost their connection. They’ve been divorced for five years now and most days it’s hard to even be in the same room. When it’s time to drop their son off at college, Ellis sees this as the perfect chance get his wife back. A weeklong road trip along the west coast with nothing to do but have fun and learn how to reconnect with each other.

This book was so beautifully written. You can feel the depth of love Ellis and Wren have for each other. And the yearning - my god. Once they realize the feelings are still there and they might actually be able to rekindle their relationship, you can’t help but feel hopeful for them. The road back home is filled with plenty of fun moments, but Ellis and Wren don’t shy away from the difficult topics that caused the demise of their marriage. You will feel all of the emotions along with the characters - heartbreak, longing, so much passion, so much hope. I really, really loved this book.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a review copy.

It all started when Ellis Byrd yelled out "She's still a Byrd" in Savor It. From that moment, the masses BEGGED for Wren and Ellis's story, and it is truly the gold standard for second chance romance. Tarah DeWitt, we are not worthy.

This is such a special story. Wren and Ellis fell in love, had their son Sam, and got married all at a very young age. They were both still growing up, and then Ellis also had to become a parental figure for his three younger siblings when they lost their parents unexpectedly. Unfortunately, Wren and Ellis's marriage didn't survive. They divorced, but kept their relationship amicable for the sake of Sam and their broader family. Wren is still a Byrd after all!

Now, five years after their divorce, Sam is headed off to college, and it's clear that Wren and Ellis have not moved on. Ellis, the mayor of Yearntown, is fed up with missing Wren and is determined to win her back. He proposes that he and Wren take an extended road trip after they drop Sam off at college. And when I say this man yearns, he YEARNS. He PINES. He ACHES.

The story that ensues is incredible romantic, emotional, and grounded. I loved watching them find their way back to each other! Definitely one of my favorite second chance stories of all time!

I also love how Tarah continues to setup future stories for the other Byrd siblings. Silas, I am looking at you, and I am SO READY!

Please. Please. PLEASE read this book. I am confident in saying that this book is going to be in at least the top 5 of my favorite books this year. This was so beautifully written. I have read a lot of romance books and this one was honestly so refreshing and unique in its own right. Left Of Forever grabbed me by the throat and did not let go. I finished this book in under. day and I have zero regrets. I was completely enthralled in Ellis and Wren's story. This was a perfect second chance romance with real life problems that made me connect to the story on a personal level. Wren and Ellis were well written characters with amazing development as the story went on. Their journey was so fun to go on together. Though there are some not so fun topics covered in this book, they were handled with care and love.

This book was honestly the breath of fresh air and I loved every single second of this book.

"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 was very fortunate to be Able to listen to an ALC copy of this and Connor Crais and Megan Wicks truly made this story even more magical than I could have dreamed. I felt everything that these characters were going through from the narrators and it was wonderful.

5/5 stars

Tarah DeWitt cannot be allowed to keep doing this to me. I've read this ARC three times and only now do I feel ready to even attempt to write a review.

ELLIS AND WREN. There was that one moment between Wren and Sage in Savor It that had me dying for a Wren and Ellis reunion. But I didn't realize how badly I needed that until I started reading Left of Forever, and boy it did not take long for me to be sick over these two. I probably say this every time I read and review a book by Tarah DeWitt, but I truly do not believe anyone writes longing like this author. I NEEDED Ellis and Wren to be together because I could feel how much they needed it.

There are too many things about this book that I loved. We get so much of the past these characters share and how it has shaped them into who they are now. And at the center of all of it, even when their marriage was falling apart, there is so much love between them and between their extended family. I'm going to need Silas and Micah books. I don't know what Tarah and her publishers have in the works, but I need more Byrd family asap.

The raw honesty these characters share with one another, their hurts, their wants, their dreams, all of it wrapped up in their love for each other. It's just all so beautiful. Thinking about it as I write this, I know I'm about to pick it up and read it again.

This book made me experience a range of emotions. I've already commented about the longing. But this book made me cry (I didn't count how many times but it was just the right amount), it made me laugh. I think I might have squealed in a giddy way at least once. I can only assume that the author has personally experienced "hot pepper hands" as my mom calls them. I say this as a person who tried dicing a jalapeno for the first time at age 22, and then the following day had to take a handwritten college midterm with my hands still burning. The descriptions of Ellis' conundrum were so incredibly spot on. I laughed, but with the knowledge that it is utter misery.

I'm not one for summary reviews. Read the book synopsis if you want that. Just know that I adored this book, as I do all Tarah DeWitt books. She has not let me down yet. I wish I could read this again for the first time but I'll settle for reading it a fourth time. Read this book. Read all of her other books.

ARC provided by publisher via NetGalley in exchange for honest review.

This book was BEAUTIFUL and I did not want it to end. The characters were so well developed and so emotionally raw. I had a few good cries while reading.

Tarah is always a 6/5 author for me, but this book was something truly special. I absolutely loved the honest, vulnerable dynamic between Wren and Ellis as they worked through their past struggles. Their journey felt raw and real in the best way. As someone who has experienced infertility, this story hit me right in the feels, it was both emotional and validating. I cried, a lot. A beautiful, heartfelt read that stayed with me long after I finished the last page.

6/5 stars would recommend to everyone I know.

This is absolutely in my top 5 favorite romance novels. Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes. I love getting to see a couple come back to each other but especially when we get to witness their growth and devotion to change.

Mr. Ellis "She's kissing me. I'm home." Byrd. I swooned, kicked my feet, cried quite a bit, and loved every single second. Tarah DeWitt's writing perfectly captures the feeling of being so entwined in each other and the feeling of missing your other half. Please go read this book. I will be making everyone in my life pick it up because it is just that good.

alll my second chance girlieeessss THISS ONE IS FOR YOU !!!

i’m so obsessed with this book words can’t even compare, my second book by TD and i’m goner FIVE freaking stars!!!

i willl never ever get over wren and ellis ugh they were everything and more the yearninggg in this boooookkkk was TOO GOOD ! the found family is what i literally live for!!!

i honestly can’t wait for the next book i’ll be counting down the days ! until then i’ll go read her other books.

she's kissing me. her lips are on mine after five long years. five hundred years. She's kissing me. i'm home.

““Like, I don’t get it. Why’d we let the bad stuff win?” My nose stings and my throat knots. “I actually have an answer for that,” I manage to say. “Per my therapist.” It comes out stiffly, but I feel like credit should be given where credit is due. “Tell me.” I clear my throat. “Because when it comes down to it, on a physical level, feeling happy doesn’t take priority over surviving,” I say. “We’re programmed to remember the bad so that we know what to stay away from and how to keep going. That’s why the shit that hurts stands out in our minds. That’s why holding on to the happy takes work.””


ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW



WRENELLIS MY PARENTS MY BELOVEDS MY EVERYTHING!!!!!


Tarah mother thank you so so so much from the moment you decided to be a writer because with each book you do magic and being love and happiness into the world. I love them all and the new one becomes my absolue favorite until another comes along and still my heart.

From the moment Ellis srcramed in Savor It “She's still a Byrd“ I was so ready so sold on their book, I knew nothing and I knew I loved it. Now that I do know, I confirm I love them so much my heart is full.

It's not always an author delivers a second chance between a divorced couple (I remember only to have read like 4 so maybe it's me) and it's just so vulnerable, and sweet and heartbreakingly beautiful how two people belong together and find their way back to home, to each other.

If you add to the wrenellis recipe a group of fantastic beloved funny side characters (fishersage I'll always love you you'll always have me) (silas you're a pookie and a legend I can't wait to get your book) (here I formally petition for micah to get a book after silas because his story deserves to be told) (sam and indy I adore you kids)

also THAT cameo If those characters?!?!?! I SCREAMED LAUGHED LOVED (and maybe cried)

also the soundtrack it's a dream come true.

the whole book it's a dream come true.


some of my favorite quotes (i have soon many)so beware of spoilers below 



“I have genuine butterflies when I finally lie down to go to sleep. But… they’re heavier than butterflies, with different wingspans and speeds. More like birds.”



“We’re not the kids who loved each other as friends or the teenagers who were overwhelmed by want. And we’re not the bright-eyed optimists who thought we were the exception when it came to young love, who thought our love and marriage could conquer all. We’re the war-torn adults who loved each other fully and still didn’t make it together in the end.”



““That man is the best sort of good. He’s the kind of good that doesn’t want to be seen or fussed over with accolades. He’s a man of action.”“Oh, we’re back to action, are we?”“Wren Salem, don’t be glib with me right now,”she says, and I’m shocked by the strictness in it. “I understand why you split before, mainly because I understand not wanting another person to have any influence over how you go about your life. I understand that marriage is highly inconvenient at best, and it’s paralyzing at its worst.”“Most people would argue that marriage is convenient,”I say. Sharing money, meals, responsibilities. “Most people are fucking idiots,”says Mom. I gasp playfully. A curse is a rarity coming from her.““



““Because I know you. I know what kind of man you are.” I stab a finger at him. “I. Love. You. I would choose you. Over everything! Over everyone.” He’s a statue other than a rogue tear tracking down his cheek. “I still would. I still love you.” I put both hands over my breastbone like I can hold my heart in place there, the cage of my ribs not enough to keep me together. “Whatever you want from me, Ellis. It’s all yours. It’s always been yours.”“

This is a second-chance romance between Wren and Ellis who were married, had their son young, drifted apart and we jump into the story after they've been divorced for 5 years. 

Tarah DeWitt has solidified herself as an author I need to read more of. She writes characters and their feelings & internal monologues so well.  I never felt "trapped" in the main characters' heads but rather like I WAS them.

The YEARNING!!! The shared history and chemistry between these two mixed with vulnerabilities and apprehension related to their more recent history made for some GOOOOD yearning...followed by scalding hot spice!

Typically, I HATE miscommunication, especially in a second chance romance (hello? these people are supposed to already know each other deeply). But I feel like it was actually masked well as the two of them working hard through some tough chapters of personal growth given the vulnerabilities created by their marriage falling apart once already.

Both Wren and Ellis demonstrate great character growth and personal development that the author proves they are doing because they want to be better for their partner to give things the best shot at working. 

Overall truly loved this title that made me feel sad, happy, flirty, giggly, proud and just in love with love! :-)

Will share instagram link upon posting!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s for the eARC!
I really enjoyed this! The journey was emotional and felt so real. You could tell that these two had so much love for each other in their hearts, and were always meant to be.
They had such a long history together and ending up together tied the whole story together. The whole family working together to help was also very sweet.
It was a second chance, two people finding their way back to each other romance.
This was very character driven which I liked, and the plot was good too. The road trip aspect of it was fantastic.
Ellis was so sweet to Wren, and they really did belong together.
Overall, this was so beautifully written and so so good.

I think it's me. I just don't vibe with this author's writing. I read Savor It and the The Co-op and just didn't like them. I heard such good things about this book, so I requested it.

But...no, not for me.

The storyline just didn't work for me. Ellis and Wren married very young, had a child who is now going to college, been divorced for five years and NOW decide to try again with their marriage????

The narrators did help, though. Megan Wicks and Connor Crais are both excellent.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the advanced readers copy. Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the advanced listener copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This time, they’ll get it right.
And my heart? It never stood a chance.

Left of Forever is one of the most emotionally charged, soul-deep second chance romances I’ve ever read. Wren and Ellis Byrd aren’t just characters.. they’re a love story that feels lived-in, raw, and utterly unforgettable. Childhood sweethearts turned teen parents, turned heartbreakingly estranged adults, Wren and Ellis’s story is soaked in nostalgia, regret, longing, and that rare, quiet kind of hope that sneaks up on you when you thought you’d given up.

Their journey, set against the breathtaking backdrop of the California coast, is equal parts devastating and healing. Tarah DeWitt doesn’t just write romance, she writes love: messy, aching, lifelong love that gets under your skin and stays there. Wren and Ellis’s connection is magnetic and deeply intimate; their chemistry jumps off the page (yes, it’s spicy!) but it’s the emotional weight—the pain of what was lost, the beauty of what could be—that truly wrecked me.

This book is a masterpiece of vulnerability, forgiveness, and finding your way back to the one person who has always felt like home. Wren and Ellis are tattooed on my heart forever. I’m obsessed, ruined, rebuilt, and already ready for a reread.

If you love second chances, emotional gut punches, tender healing, road trips, letter writing, healing, and love stories that feel like fate—you need Left of Forever in your life!

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

Another second chance romance that’s done it for me again! This was such a quick and enjoyable read. I love wren and all her sweet treats, the things I’d do to taste her baked goods everyone rave about lol Ellis is so filthy and I ate up every second 🤭 The yearning from him was EVERYTHING!!!

I read this in less than 24 hours which is so crazy to me. The audiobook helped a lot, it was sooo good!!! This book was “read now” on NetGalley and I’m happy I decided to get it.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press for the ARC of Left of Forever.

3.5 rounded down to 3.

I felt very indifferent about this second chance romance. I liked the road trip aspect of it. Ellis worked very hard to give Wren a great experience. I really appreciated the strong co-parenting representation. What I didn't care so much about was the miscommunication-ish. You can't tell me that after decades of knowing each other Wren wouldn't know Ellis's handwriting from the note? I thought it was very shitty that Ellis went snooping around and found something that moved the story along. Not nice at all. And I really didn't like the flashbacks; especially the flashbacks with them getting it on. I mean, I don't need to be in their heads as they think back on their steamy moments. I think that could have been portrayed in a different/better way. I did like the small town vibes, but would have liked to have had a bit more of it. I really did enjoy the big family vibes and how much they all loved and cherished each other.

🧡 baker fmc
🧡 firefighter mmc
🧡 married and had a kid young
🧡 second chance romance (divorced for 5 yrs)
🧡 SO much yearning
🧡 he’s down so bad and has a moustache
🧡 road trip
🧡 deep passion, hurt, desperation, and forgiveness
🧡 wine, hot peppers where they shouldn’t be, and everything is foreplay… how are you not convinced yet?

It took me so long to finally put metaphorical pen to paper and write this review because I just didn’t want this book to be over. It felt like holding off on reviewing would let me keep living in Wren and Ellis’s world, luxuriating in Tarah’s gorgeous prose. But alas, all good things must come to an end, so here we go.

This book is everything a second chance romance should be and everything every romance writer should strive for. As always, Tarah’s work is inspirational, consuming, devastating, and sensational, but it’s clear she’s poured some deep parts of her soul into this one. And that’s where the magic comes from.

Because Wren and Ellis were married in the past and were together for so many years, you might think their closeness in this new chapter of life wouldn’t feel exciting. Like there’d be no tension because everything is known. But that’s so not the case here. Tarah writes long term love—love that’s grown with you and that you’ve grown into—in such a beautiful way, and she makes it clear from the jump that these two still have sparks and a lot of love for each other left to give. Honestly, their rekindled relationship felt more special and unique to me simply because they know each other’s intricacies, tells, and turn ons so well already. Telling a second chance love story this way felt very fresh.

This book will tear your heart out and then lovingly piece it back together. The pacing is perfect, you’re fully immersed from the first chapter, and we get to see some of our favourites from Savor It. Do yourself a favour and drop everything to read this TOMORROW!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this early 🫶🏼

How do I even begin…..
For starters, Tarah your writing is magic, I could literally feel it in my soul.
You have a way with words that makes it strike you in the heart.
I have always loved the way you write your characters to be sooo relatable!
Whether it’s through circumstances or how a character is or thinks.
This story was heartbreakingly beautiful
My heart broke and then you mended back together in one book.
This story follows Wren and Ellis Byrd
They were once married and have a son.
Now they are divorced and sending their kid off to college.
This is dual timeline and I loved getting to see where these two started and what brought them to where they are now.
Ellis takes this opportunity to convince Wren to take a roadtrip with him back home from dropping off their son at college.
Although reluctant and first, Wren decides to do it.
On this trip they are trying to find their way back home. (I mean that in the relationship spiritual way not just literal).
I think it is safe to say that whoever has read this book cried, rightfully so.
You are truly rooting for these characters to find their way back to each other.
The way they express themselves in first person POV had me swooning.
I love their love!
Another thing that I really loved was that although their families were also hoping for them to get back to each other Ellis did not want any outside help.
He wanted to do the work, he wanted to know that if they were able to get back to each other it was because they worked hard for it themselves. -I just friggin love that!
Some of these lines literally BROKE MEEEEE
-You robbed me __ ___
-We have whatever is ____ __ _______.
One scene had me laughing, crying, and then giggling and blushing… IN ONE SCENE.
I will be thinking about this book for forever.
Such an amazing story and characters!

Congrats Tarah, I am absolutely blown away!

I LOVE TARAH’S BOOKS.

This book is about a previously married, since divorced couple. And they still love another.

It begins with a series of letters, which really helps grab you in as a reader. From there it’s so sweet and will absolutely tug on your heartstrings. This is one of Tarah’s best books for sure, and it’s a second chance romance done so, so well!

I fear this book may have actually ruined me for all other romances. Tarah firmly took my heart and squeezed the life out of it before wrapping it up and giving it a little hug. Ellis and Wren’s story is simultaneously heartbreaking and warming. It is a tale of a divorced couple finding their way back to each other. There was so much tension and passion still there, but also a lot of pain and trauma that they needed to work through. I LOVE a second chance romance and seeing people who couldn’t work before put in the effort to make it work the second time around. There were so many precious things in this book. The letter writing and then subsequent exchanges, the road trip and planned excursions. I could not handle all the ways this book destroyed me, but in such a good way.

Ellis is a man among boys. His level of yearning and devotion is top notch. The way this man went and started working on himself before even trying to get back with her was everything. He knew if he wanted her back he had to be better than he was before and in a place where he was able to be a healthy partner for her. The planning and work he put into all the little details had me squealing and crying. I LOVE HIM.

Wren also had so much growth and introspection. The way both of these characters realized where they needed to work on themselves first in order to be good together was just so perfect. I loved getting to work through a lot of her feelings about the past and seeing her open up to possibilities again.

I need everyone to read this book immediately. It is my favorite Tarah DeWitt book yet!

Thank you St Martins Press for the arc!

Where do I even begin? I absolutely adored this book. "Savot It, Book 1" instantly became a top 10 favorite, and then she wrote this gem. It beautifully captures the journey of young love intertwined with the unexpected surprise of a baby. Navigating life with a newborn while caring for siblings is overwhelming for anyone. We all grow, and sometimes drift apart, but watching them find their way back to each other and witnessing their deep connection was truly heartwarming. I couldn’t put this book down; I was completely invested in Wren and Ellis's story. I appreciate how it interlinked with "Savor It" and am eagerly anticipating whose story will come next.

Favorite Quotes~
“If your 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.”

“People are the sum of their experiences, and we all have free will, but even if it is all made up, I think it’s nice to understand a little bit of why we all handle shit differently.”

Happy Reading