3.5 stars!

When I requested this book, I didn't know that it was part of an interconnected series—now that I know, I wish I had read Savor It first!

My first Tarah DeWitt book, and it didn't disappoint. The storyline was cute and a great second-chance romance. I enjoyed how she interconnected the letters to the road trip after sending their son to college. I think my one point of feedback is that I wish there had been more conflict and exploration of that conflict between Wren and Ellis. I feel like they immediately had "gotten over" ultimately what made them divorce in the first place. I also wanted to explore their struggles with TTC further. I liked the use of the journal, but it just stopped all of a sudden. I think the lack of this plot line made me feel like they were together too quickly, if that makes sense.

Overall, I love a second-chance romance, and it was an enjoyable read. Would definitely recommend picking up Savor It first, because there was a bit of context missing for me throughout this book.

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with this ARC. I can't wait to read more from this author.

I absolutely loved reading Ellis and Wren’s story. It was so moving to read about two people who lost their way in their relationship have real honest conversations to try to repair the past damage. Tarah wrote those moments in such a raw, emotional, and funny way that I found myself totally immersed in the sensations the characters were feeling. I also enjoyed the DPOV narration so you could see the characters evolve from both sides. I highly recommend this book!

This review is going to come off sounding a little stalkerish due to my obsession with Tarah DeWitt. I found her novel Funny Feelings as a Kindle Unlimited book without knowing much about her writing. Right off the bat, her main character’s name is Farley. My dog’s name is Farley…. As in Chris Farley, the famous comedian. These two pieces of coincidence smacked me in the face and I got sucked in by the banter and really smart mouth characters. Then there is hot Dad with a very smart child who is deaf. Okay…. I’m reviewing a different book so I better tie this up by saying… I was a fan fast! I read every book she has written as fast as they came out. Most recently, I read Savor It and as soon as our author mentioned Wren and Ellis and their young marriage turned divorced parents, I hoped that we would get their story!

To say that Left of Forever spoke to me in ways that no other book has is an understatement. Met my husband at 19, became pregnant and a mother by 20 and divorced then remarried means that I believe in second chances. My other connection to this story is that Ellis has the same middle name as my first born child and it’s also my son’s son’s name. Yes, my grandson’s name is Orion taken from his father’s middle name. How does Ms. DeWitt do this to me?
Okay, now to the story…. Wow! I don’t want to spoil this book by revealing any of the poignant moments but the letters that lead to revelations of deeply buried feelings made me ache for this couple and what they lost in not being equipped to handle hard stuff. I have to share this:


“Staying together and staying happy together does not come within its share of struggles. And you know what? So often the villain is simply Life. Life doles out circumstances that make relationships hard. Healthy communication and conflict resolution are much more difficult than anyone talks about”

This is an author’s note to the reader and it is one of the best ways I’ve ever seen written about why successful relationships are so much work.
So here is a beautiful story of a second chance story that makes my heart soar and ache from the joy and pain. I felt things really close to home and this one is probably more personal to me than most other people reading this book. I highly recommend it for reasons that I hope will resonate with you because getting a chance at a do-over is a beautiful thing to watch.

Signed, a fan forever
(Promise not to start actually stalking but when do we get Silas’s story?!!!!)

Read this book if you want your heart to explode from heart-wrenching sadness and overwhelming joy.

This book includes:
🪶 second-chance romance
🪶 forced proximity
🪶 road trip
🪶 witty banter and steaming chemistry
🪶 ex-marriage in trouble?
🪶 mistaken identity
🪶 letter writing
🪶 many open-door spice scenes
🪶 some bondage 👀
🪶 they have a child together (so single parents…. But together?)

Each of Tarah’s books gets better and better. One of the things I love most about her books is the chemistry between her characters. While this book was not exception, I felt like I deeply knew the history behind their relationship. It made me much more invested. The emotion behind these characters were so raw, and it was explained in the author’s note at the beginning why this was so personal for her to write.

I know this book won’t come out for another couple months, but I desperately need the next one please. I’m such a sucker for an interconnected stand alone.

This book was gorgeous. I'm so glad it was the second "Spunes" novel. We already know the base characters, which really allowed the writing to dig so much deeper. I am a sucker for second chance romances and related so hard to these characters. I've never read one that was so full of hope. The kind you are sometimes mad at having because it makes the chances of hurt so much greater.. but also the kind that allows the best things to come back to you. This was Tarahs most raw and vulnerable novel and didn't feel full of cliches or anything unattainable. Getting married young and figuring out who you are with someone makes for a lot of growing pains, and that was showcased so well here ❤️

Left of Forever is *the* second chance romance. Real, raw, honest, and emotional. I loved being back in Spunes with these characters!

We met Wren and Ellis in Savor It, the parental figures of the Byrd Family, and we get the chance to roadtrip with them as they reconnect. Sprinkled with tender and emotional flashbacks to Wren’s infertility, as well as happy moments raising their son, Sam. Not to mention all the small town gossip and sibling meddling!

I loved the romance between Wren and Ellis, their letters were a sweet connection and it showed how much they grew in their time apart. The letters helped them be vulnerable with each other when there seemed to be too much distance to cover. The roadtrip stops were super romantic and I really enjoyed that plot line.

Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin for the free review copy.

I LOVED this book so much. I love a second-chance romance and the childhood friends to lovers made it extra special. I didn't realize this is an interconnected standalone and I'll definitely be reading Savor It, SOON! I think both Wren and Ellis are such dynamic characters and while I enjoyed Ellis more than Wren, they both complimented each other so well. You see Ellis grow so much, becoming a better version of himself by the end. I was worried about a piece of conflict that might affect their relationship but it was a nip in the bud, which was pefect for me because I do not like third-act breakups! This book just seemed SO real, and the flow was natural. I highly recommend this book, especially if you love spice, and dual point of views! LOVED IT!!!

- arc review -

I’m a mess 😭 Tarah has ruined me forever and I love her for it. But let’s be real, ever since the “she’s still a Byrd” outburst from Ellis in Savor It, I knew I was a goner.

This story about divorce, heartbreak, marriage, and real freaking life was so beautiful. Relationships aren’t perfect and they are hard work but when you want to be with someone, you put in that time and effort and make it happen. This book shows exactly that.

Wren and Ellis are two characters I loved since savor it but getting to know them more in this was everything. I really enjoyed the road trip (duh) and there were so many special moments that just had me all up in my feels.

Dare I say Tarah’s best book yet?!

“She’s kissing me. I’m home” 😭

Thank you NetGalley & Tarah for the arc!! ily forever.

- second chance
- marriage reconciliation
- road trip
- man determined
- family meddling
- small town
- firefighters

4 stars = I really liked it

What a beautiful love story!! I loved the beginning of the story, the anonymous letters and the road trip..!! Romances tend to be similar, so when the story unfolds in an original way, that's what really makes me appreciate it! I also realize that I loooove the Second Chance trope.

This was my first Tarah Dewitt read and definitely not my last!!

It’s the story you hold with both hands and don’t let it go. It’s the story of love and hope. Of making things right. Of maturity and life choices. And love… strong and deep and life lasting, lasting forever - everything left of it.

It’s high-pitched and pulls deep stings of your soul. It wasn’t an easy path for two loving hearts but altogether it was so worth it.
Tarah made a Wren and Ellis story so real and true with all small parts of everyday common people struggles, with grief and forgiveness, self-conscious.

Like all her previous books this one is so much more than a simple book for a great time passing. It’s the story you want to save and go back to to discover more, to feel yourself under this warm blanket of feelings. After this book you just want to keep queitly to yourself to savor its moments and cherish it.

Details:
Small coastal town (Spunes, Oregon don’t miss with Forks, Washington)
Second chance
Divorced couple
Firefighter and Baker
Roadtrip
Letters

Story trivia:
Divorced couple takes a road trip together after kicking their son to the college. And here is where I left you with guesses!))

The story is so beautifully written, I have no words strong enough! Tarah overdid herself!
Oh, and there is spice and it’s sooo hot, you won’t want to miss it!


It’s 10 stars from me! So highly recommend!

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)
Spice: 🌶️ 🌶️
Tropes: second chance romance; small town; secret identity; road trip

I’m not exaggerating when I say that I checked NetGalley once a week to see if Left of Forever had been added. It was absolutely worth the wait from the moment Ellis uttered “She’s still a Byrd” in Savor It. I went into this book with high expectations, but Tarah exceed my hopes and dreams.

Wren and Ellis fell in love early in life, and it was beautiful to see their romance begin again from a moment of serendipity and chance. Ellis was fighting a fire out of state, and Wren sent a letter and box of sweet treats not knowing it would be her ex-husband who answered.

There’s so much more I could ramble about (the cooking class, the Parent Trap-ing, oh my), but I don’t want to spoil a single moment.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for access to an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Tarah DeWitt’s best book yet and this is coming from her biggest fan. WOW this book is packed with emotions, love, humor, family, and so much more. Might be by favorite romance book is the year. She ate with this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press Griffin for the advanced copy of this complex and deep second chance romance.
The story is centered around divorce couple Wren and Ellis. The couple had their son Sam when they were just teenagers, and the difficulties of life pushed them apart. When Sam is accepted into college, Ellis convinces Wren to go on a road trip together to drop Sam off and spend time on the way home, with the possibility of either reconciling or having closure.
This is a slow-burn romance with spice and passion building as it goes.
The characters are both flawed and vulnerable. It was a unique take on a second chance romance. I feel like most similar stories either have the couples originally miss their chance or they date when they're young and are reunited after time. Wren and Ellis have deep roots and have lived around each other's lives for years divorced. It adds a layer of stress and uncertainty because they will still have to be in each other's lives no matter what.
There are raw and deeply emotional moments. The book felt very realistic with how awkward and at times frustrated they were with each other.
The romance is sweet and proves how you can change and build something new, even after living a full life together. I enjoyed the characters.
The settings of their stops on the trip were romantic, fun, and relaxing.
Ellis is a brother of Sage from the book Savor It. Left Of Forever also works as a stand-alone.
I highly recommend this book if you're looking for a deep and thoughtful love story.

It’s not a secret that I didn’t love <i>Savor It</i> as much as I thought I would when requesting it, but I had a feeling that I would love <i>Left of Forever</I> more than anything. I fell in love with Tarah DeWitt’s writing years ago with <i>Funny Feelings</I> and despite the radically different nature of this book and that, it brought back all those feelings.

This book is a gem, a treasure, and possibly my favorite romance of the year. I suppose that’s presumptuous to say in March, but this really is that good. I can’t possibly describe how GOOD the <i>longing</I> of these two characters is described or the communication Wren and Ellis find somewhere along the California coast.

Please, everyone, read this book. I recommend reading <i>Savor It</I> first, for context. While you don’t have to, it will make this one sweeter. You have time, because <i>Left of Forever</I> doesn’t come out until 5/20/25!

Thank you so so much to Tarah DeWitt and NetGalley for the eARC for an honest review. I couldn’t possibly talk this book up more than I already have and more than the advance reviews already show. This is THE book. It is it. Please read it.

Left of Forever: ★ ★ ★ ★ . 5

Tarah DeWitt

"I’ll love you for everything left of forever, in every lifetime we get."

Wren and Ellis Byrd have been divorced for five years. But when they take a road trip to move their son into college, it's so hard for all of the emotions to not come flooding back.

Tropes:
— Second chance
— Forced proximity
— Road trip

Another Tarah DeWitt banger, I fear. This boooook wow. Anyone who knows me knows that I have been waiting for this book since the second that I read Savor It. I wanted “she’s still a Byrd” ingrained on my heart and that’s how I feel about this entire book. It was such a tender, sweet and loving story about two people who never really fell out of love with one another, but are still falling in love with each other all over again and realizing that that same love was what somehow drove them apart. I just adored the level of communication that the two of them had and how well they work together and wanted to be better for/to one another. There is literally no doubt that Wren & Ellis Byrd are cut from the same fibers of the universe.

Ellis. Wow. What an incredible character. I feel like he may come off as grumpy to some people, but honestly, he is the caretaker of his family and everybody around him and the way that he feels like he needs to internalize all of his feelings and keep everything to himself so that he can keep holding everybody else up is so relatable. He’s just… such an amazing man. He’s GOOD. That’s what he is. He’s a really good man.

And Wren, oh my goodness. She is such a real and raw embodiment of feminine love and the perfect complement to Ellis. While he is holding up everybody else around him, she is holding him up with a quiet, steadfast love from a heart that beats FOR HIM. She loves him SO much and it’s just so heartwarming to read how she feels about him!!

Left of Forever made me wanna find a husband, marry him, divorce him and then five years later, fall back in love with him. It really has me yearning for heartache just so I can heal.

I love love love the Byrds and love stories by Tarah DeWitt!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5 ♾️

arc book review!

left of forever by tarah dewitt

📖 release day: may 20th

back in spunes, oregon—but just for a visit—and let me tell you, wren & ellis byrd had me in a chokehold. the second-chance tension? the longing? the unresolved everything? CHEF’S. KISS. 👌🏼

tarah dewitt knows exactly how to write pining that hurts so good, and these two delivered. the past still lingers, old wounds are fresh, and watching them navigate that pull between history and hope was devastatingly perfect.

i laughed. i swooned. i screamed at my kindle. 10/10, no notes. if you love second-chance romance done right, you need this book in your life.

tropes:
•second chance
•marriage reconciliation
•childhood friends to lovers
•road trip
•slow burn

huge thank you to netgalley & st. martin's press for the arc! 💛

⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 | 🌶️.5

I am a sucker for a second-chance / marriage on the rocks romance, and Tarah's books are always a good time. But I struggled with this one.

Maybe because we don't get to experience Ellis and Wren when they're *going through it* but there was something about them coming back to each other essentially fully healed that just felt like skipping over the tough parts. There was vulnerability and sweetness and it was truly swoony but there was something about their reconnection that didn't quite hit it for me.

I do really enjoy Tarah's books, and this still had all the good stuff I want in a romance.

Thanks so much to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc in exchange for honest review.

This book was so much more than just a romcom. It was emotional, vulnerable, loving, funny, sweet, and sexy all at once. It was everything I ever wanted in an emotional, character driven second chance romance. The build-up was perfect, and I'll never forget that moment they finally came back together. Everything was perfect.

The dual POV told the story in just the right way. I fell in love with the Byrds and this has made me want to read Savor It right away

Left of Forever picks up where we left off in small town Spunes and continues Tarah DeWitt’s signature deeply emotional, angsty writing style. I enjoyed the second chance romance retelling of Ellis and Wren, with flashbacks through their past stages of friendship, love, parenthood, infertility, emotional detachment, and eventual divorce. The pace was slower than in her previous books, and I found myself skimming through many of the long winded inner monologues. Overall a recommended cozy read.

I don’t cry at romance books. I don’t. I squeal and kick my heart, and maybe sometimes there’s a hand-over-mouth moment, but crying?

Not until this book. Happy tears. I think it’s safe to say that I connected with Wren and Ellis; second-chance romance is deeply personal to me and Tarah DeWitt just perfectly captured the emotion of it.

I picked up this book as an escape from heavier themes — and it is! It’s sweet and funny and sexy, but the emotions are the part I didn’t expect. The longing, the hope, the pain — all done so well.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC. Admitting that a book made me teary is a thing I did all on my own.