A second-chance romance that takes place over a cozy and reflective summer week. There's nothing like a couple who knows each other so intimately and innately even after divorcing 4 years ago.

"She's still a Byrd" !!!

Thank you to St Martin's for providing me with a digital review copy of this book!

This one hurt so good! I’m obsessed.

Wren and Ellis’ marriage fell apart five years ago. A random chance led them to becoming pen pals and Ellis realizing how much he was still in love with his wife. He winds up pursuing her by proposing a trip together after they drop their son off at college and the rest is pure ✨magic✨.

The way these two fight for their love all these years later after going through SO much is so beautiful.

Also cried my eyes out when they dropped Sam off at college and she talks about dropping him off at preschool, I could not hold it together. Being a parent is so full of these hard little goodbyes - plus getting used to being a couple again outside of just being parents is tough. The way Tarah portrays this push and pull of parenthood and marriage is literally stunning. I don’t even have the right words. I would recommend this to ANYONE although please tread lightly if you are in a stage of TTC as it deals with a lot of infertility and loss.

I can’t wait to go back and read Savor It now, knowing how much all of these characters love and protect each other throughout life’s up and downs.

Thank you so much to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read this book for an honest review! I fear I will be insufferable and will not shut up about this book now!

Wren and Ellis grew up together, fell in love, and ended up having their son, Sam, when they were teenagers. Yet despite being seemingly made for one another, their marriage fell apart leading them to divorce. Their lives are separate from one another, with Wren running a bakery and Ellis working as a firefight, coming together whenever it comes to their son. When Sam gets accepted into college, the former couple moves him in and then decide to road-trip along the California coast-line to see if they’re able to work through everything and fall back into one another.

There’s something incredibly special about not just a second-chance romance, but a book that ends up showing the complexities of young love turned into something that was meant to last forever. We get the right amount of glimpses into their childhoods from those first moments of falling in love at such an awkward age, to the fear of becoming parents at such a young age. My heart hurt so desperately as we watched the two of them no longer fight through hard times, but then found myself crying as they realized there was still time to fall back into one another.

It’s hard for me to have words as someone who found their love and lost their love, only to find that same love once again.

I loved this book, so much.

What a ride.

Ellis and Wren have been in each other's orbit since they were 6 years old. Getting pregnant at 17, and separating after some heart breaking life circumstances ends their marriage in their late 20's. They've stayed cordial co-parents and their son Sam is off to college. As a send off, they decide to take a road trip and see if they can make it work a second time around, or at least be better friends. Lots of heartache and secrets are unleashed.

What i loved:
🐦The meddling Byrd Family and secondary characters were a hoot. I didn't realize that this was a second book in a series though, you know how I am a stickler for order, but that didn't stop me from enjoying the rollercoaster of love and loss. I hope this expands and we get books for the whole Byrd family.

♥️ Wren and Ellis transition from kids to teens to parents, to divorced single people. Lots of feels as a fellow parent, their evolution was bittersweet. Tarah DeWitt did an amazing job making you feel their long term relationship struggles.

🍷I was absolutely dying of laughter at their road trip adventures, especially at the villa. Speaking of spice....

💌 Ellis' pining and confessions. He's such a great MMC. The 🌶️ really was spicy.

✍🏻 Completely bingeable book and read it in one sitting. Tarah DeWitt is a new to me author, but you bet I'm going to look into her back log of books. Starting with Savor It.

Thanks to @netgalley @stmartinspress for this beautiful arc.
Pub date: May 20, 2025
Rating: 5 ⭐

After being in a reading slump I read this one so fast! When I read savor it, I knew Wren and Ellis’s story would make an excellent book and Dewitt nailed it. Second chance romance perfection.

"Left of Forever" delivers an emotionally charged and utterly captivating second chance romance that will leave you breathless. Tarah DeWitt masterfully crafts a story of Wren and Ellis Byrd, childhood sweethearts who built a life together, only to see it crumble. Now, in their 30s, they embark on a road trip, a last-ditch effort to salvage what's left of their forever.

"After all, what is bravery if not hope in action?"

From the very beginning, the raw vulnerability and yearning between Wren and Ellis are palpable. DeWitt's writing beautifully captures the complexities of their relationship, the lingering love, and the unresolved pain. The journey along the California coastline becomes a backdrop for their emotional exploration, allowing them to confront their past and navigate the possibility of a future together.

The side characters are compelling and add depth to the story, enriching the world of Spunes, Oregon. DeWitt's ability to evoke the atmosphere of this coastal town is immaculate, making it feel like a character in itself. The book is filled with moments that will make you laugh and cry, from the hilarious hot pepper scene to the poignant college dorm scene. And for those who appreciate a touch of pop culture, the Twilight references are a delightful bonus.

"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."

"Left of Forever" is short and sweet, yet it packs a powerful punch. DeWitt's writing is both tender and steamy, creating a romance that is both believable and unforgettable. This book is a testament to the enduring power of love and the possibility of finding forever, even after it seems lost.

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press, and the author for giving me the chance to read this book in exchange for my honest review!

*thank you to netgalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book in exchange for an honest review*

Nothing short of a masterpiece! From the very first page, I was completely captivated by the depth of the characters and the rich, immersive world Dewitt has created. The story is an emotional rollercoaster, weaving complex themes of love, loss, and identity with such raw authenticity that it stayed with me long after I finished reading. The writing is beautiful, poetic even, and the pacing keeps you on the edge of your seat. Each chapter felt like a journey, with twists and turns that I never saw coming. The depth of the protagonist’s journey, both internal and external, is portrayed in such a relatable and compelling way that I couldn’t help but root for them every step of the way. This book touched my heart, and I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a thought-provoking, unforgettable read. Tarah DeWitt’s talent shines through every page, and Left of Forever is a book I will return to again and again.

No one talk to me for the next couple days as I mourn finishing this book. Holy… this book HIT. I don’t know if it’s because I’m married, so some of the problems just hit close to home, but this is my favorite Tarah book!!!! I can’t even begin to describe how many times I cried during this book. I love love love a second chance romance, but throw in a childhood friends to lovers. I’m SOLD. I felt like Tarah did such a good job of writing both characters inside thoughts/ growing their characters that I was literally rooting so hard at the end. I didn’t want this book to end. 🥹
Thank you Tarah Dewitt, St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for this ARC!!! 🫶🏼

⭐️: 5.0!!
📖: Kindle

I wanted to love Left of Forever—second-chance romance, forced proximity, and a scenic road trip? Yes, please! And don’t get me wrong, there’s a lot to enjoy here: Wren and Ellis have history (hello, teenage love and co-parenting), the Oregon coastline is practically a supporting character, and the emotional depth? Off the charts.

But here’s the thing—while I adored the idea of Wren and Ellis finding their way back to each other, the execution sometimes had me feeling like we were stuck in traffic. The tension was there, but the pacing dragged at times, making me really wish I could honk at them and yell, “Just talk it out already!” Wren’s walls were high, and Ellis was so patient—to the point where I wished he’d shake things up a bit. (Sir, please—go cause some mild chaos!)

That said, when the emotions did hit, they hit. The letters? Gut punch. The spice? Chef’s kiss. And the small-town vibes? Delightful. I just wish the journey to their happily-ever-after had been a little more dynamic.

If you love slow-burn, deeply emotional second-chance romances and don’t mind a bit of a meandering road trip, you’ll probably enjoy this. Just make sure you pack some patience along with your snacks!

I looooved this.

I love marriage reconciliation in books - especially when done RIGHT. And let me tell you, this was done right.

As someone who got married also at a young age (19!!!) it was refreshing to see that represented within a book and all the challenges + blessings that come from it.

This almost had some literary fiction moments thrown in to as well but I believe that had to do with the sentimental statements about marriage, true love, and what commitment truly means.

I loved that both of the characters focused on overcoming personal issues on their own with zero expectation of eachother having done so, and then eventually seeing if they could work things out. The fact that there was a long length of time between separation + introducing the potential of reconciliation was more realistic for me.

This was a perfect book to represent true love, soulmates, and what it takes to truly stick with a partner through thick and thin.

Thank you to the publisher for an e-ARC 🩷

Unfortunately this one was NOT for me. I typically enjoy second chance romances but their lack of communication really was too much. I may come back and give this book another chance at an another time but this was absolutely not my style. I also found the beginning part to be a bit dry and kind of bizarre honestly with the part with him licking blood from her hand? This feels very different from any of Tarah’s other works.

I absolutely adored reading about Wren and Ellis' second chance at love. This book beautifully captures the raw, unfiltered realities of relationships, marriage, and love—especially when faced with a devastating event that has the power to either break you apart or bring you closer together. Wren and Ellis show that love isn’t always rainbows and sunshine—it’s about choosing each other, day after day. Love is a constant choice, a commitment to picking that person every single day, no matter what challenges arise.

Left of Forever is another shining star in Tarah DeWitt’s collection of work. I’m always amazed at how quickly I fall for her characters. They feel real and messy and flawed but also have such great depth and heart.

Wren and Ellis are no exception.

After their marriage failed the first time, they’ve kept a respectful distance. It’s a small town and they’ve been folded into each other’s lives for as long as they can remember so they almost had to.

What the proximity brings though? A lack of closure. After some secret pen pal activities and a roadtrip to set their son up at college, these two decide to tackle the hard conversations and figure out if maybe…just maybe, they gave up too soon.

I loved this book. I laughed out loud into my kindle. I cried SEVERAL times (I’ll bill you for the emotional damage Tarah!). But mostly, I loved how honest these two were about love being about more than the happiest moments. In a good second chance romance, I love the moments when they confront the why they aren’t together; what went wrong. And we got that in spades here!! It was raw and real and beautiful.

Not that I expected anything less from Tarah’s writing. She knows how to pull you in and keep you on the hook!

Thanks to St. Martins and Netgalley for the digital ARC.

—high school sweethearts to parents to married to divorced to ???

—roadtrip romance

—nobody's rich!!!!!

—some of the most delightfully ludicrous sex scene setups

Heat Index: 7/10

The Basics:

Ellis and Wren had a kid as teenagers. Then they got married... then they were supposed to be together. But that didn't work, and a few years after their divorce, they set to drop their son off at college. But Ellis drops a bomb on Wren: He wants to see if there's something between them still; and he proposes a week together on the way back to see if they can make it work. Easier! Said! Than! Done!

The Review:

When I say we need contemporary romances with stakes and intense emotion...

This is the perfect kind of second chance by way of divorce book. DeWitt seems to instinctively understand the importance of emphasizing the sheer degree of intimacy between two people who were as serious as Ellis and Wren. And it's the emotional, yes; but it's also the way the emotion translates to their physical relationship.

Left of Forever is an amazing argument in favor of explicit content in romance novels. It's so clear that Wren and Ellis know each other, can communicate in a way you only can once you've shared a life with someone. But there's also the sort of raw hunger they feel for each other. It doesn't read like romance novel magic; it reads like people who know each other on a real level, who love the quirks and rhythms of one another's bodies. The romance between these two, on so many levels, felt realer to me than it often does in contemporary romance.

Might I add, part of this was also because Ellis and Wren live comfortable but not-crazy lives and aren't megarich. He's a firefighter, she's a baker. They've been raising a kid for most of their lives. They haven't traveled the way they wanted to, and the roadtrip is an in-state adventure. They're good! They're happy! But they're also tangible. And I'm not anti-megarich people romance, right? But there's something refreshing about this approach. Like, even the cowboy romances often feature cowboys who live on wealthy ranch land or whatever.

All that being said, Ellis is one of the hottest heroes I've read in a while. Because he isn't perfect! He's withholding and proprietary at times. He fucks up. He makes one delightfully unethical decision to basically kick this book off. All of this makes him feel more like a real human you could fall in love with. A real human with vulnerabilities... And like... The ability to break you in half...

Wren is similarly refreshingly real. Part of this novel deals with secondary infertility issues Wren and Ellis experienced while they were married. I loved the way in which DeWitt alluded to Wren's desperation for a baby when they were trying while never betraying her more nuanced feelings in the present. It was so complex and believable and again... I loved it.

Nothing in this novel reinvents the wheel plotwise. This is a character-forward book. It just emotionally hits every beat at the max level of emotion.

The Sex:

Look, the sex in this book was AMAZING. We got loooovemaking. We got primal sex. We got funny sex. We got an act we don't see in tradpub romance much at all! There's an incident with ice cream that made me laugh AND pearlclutch. A win!

Conclusion:

When I say this will grab your heart and twist it in a way that's somehow comforting, I mean it. And small town romance antis like me.... look , this one is DIFFERENT. Read it!

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

ARC REVIEW--4.5 stars
dare i say...tarah dewitt's best work yet? i loved this one so much😭everything you need and want in a second chance romace! the emotion, the rawness, the realness was so overwhelmingly beautiful and i loved every second that i was reading this book. tarah dewitt never fails to leave me wanting more. if there's one thing everybody should want in life it's a happily ever after with their person and ellis and wren got theirs 🥹
honorable mention for the origami birds, their vows and the fact that he literally replicated her dream destinations!! (that part left me sick bc if he wanted to he fucking would)

I loved this book so much. Their journey was beautiful. I really enjoyed every part of this story and seeing their growth as a parents and then a couple. ahhhhh. 10./10 recommend.

Tara you ate with this one! Second chance is my FAVORITE trope and you got it down to a T with this story. This book took my heart on an emotional rollercoaster—breaking it apart and then putting it back together in the most beautiful way. The writing was so raw and heartfelt that every emotion felt tangible, pulling me deeper into the story. There’s something undeniably special about two people destined for each other getting a second shot at love, and I was completely captivated.

Wren and Ellis’s connection was electric. Their journey was filled with moments that made my heart ache, swoon, and race all at once. One minute, I was on the verge of tears, and the next, I was blushing because their chemistry was off the charts!

Beyond their love story, I adored the Bryd family bond. Seeing Sage and Fisher again was such a joy.

I can’t help but hope for a book about Silas next! or Micah or whoever is up next in line!!!

Left of Forever is the type of story that leaves an imprint on your soul. It’s easily Tarah’s best work and probably one of the best books I have read. I am a total sucker for second-chance marriage romances, but this one takes the cake. I fell so deeply in love with these characters as individuals that it made their re-connection as a couple that much sweeter. I will be raving about this story, these characters, and this author until the end of time. Im honored to have read an ARC of this.

really loved this one!! loved the letters the MCs wrote back and forth and always love a good second chance!!! TD never misses and I love everything she writes

This book ripped my heart and then mended it back together! The writing was done so beautifully that you could feel every emotion poured in! It’s just something about seeing two people made for each other get a second chance at a happily ever after, ughh I love them so much!

Wren + Ellis are soulmates! There were so many heartwarming/wrenching moments between them. My heart ached for their vulnerability and connection! Seriously, my eyes are tearing up one minute, but then the next I’m blushing because they were so hot together!

I also loved the bond between the Bryds. Seeing Sage and Fisher again made my heart happy. And I’m hoping we can get a book about Silas!