Thank you to St. Martin & NetGalley for this e-ARC.

I’m a big fan of Tarah Dewitt’s work. This is my third novel by her and she just never fails. This story is about two high school sweethearts who divorced, but never fell out of love, find a way to rekindle their relationship after five years apart during a weeklong excursion in Northern California. It was an absolutely beautiful story.

The beginning of the novel was quite slow with how it was laid out. I almost wish it was interspersed throughout the roadtrip instead of plucked into the beginning of the story. It took me a bit to get into it, but the wait was worth it. Once they got on their trip together, my cheeks were hurting from smiling so much.

I will say that the writing style is a bit long winded. There are so many LONG paragraphs within the novel and just a ton of internal monologues that kind of dragged on a bit. I think a bit of editing to cut this down could have helped fine tune everything. I also wanted more banter between them!

Also, whoever the cover designer is for her books should get a raise. Another absolutely stunning cover.

infinite stars for Wrellis!!!

tropes: second chance, divorced couple, single parents, baker FMC x firefighter MMC, road trip, one bed, letters

I had been WAITING for this book ever since the iconic “she’s still a Byrd” moment in Savor It (the first Spunes book) and I was NOT disappointed. Tarah DeWitt was already a favorite author of mine but this book was on another level. I already know it’s in my top books of 2025 <3

The childhood friendship, the grief, the young love and pregnancy, the wreckage after their marriage, their relationship as parents, the growing, the heartache as they try to communicate, the letters(THE LETTERS), the connecting, and the loving each other… GOD. Frankly, I was in shambles on page one. The emotional rollercoaster Ellis & Wren’s story took me on was full of absolute devastation and maximum joy at every twist and turn. I quite seriously cannot stress enough how wonderfully this book broke me!!

Both Wren and Ellis are such relatable characters. They were raw, honest, and just a breath of fresh air. It was so easy to get lost in their story and their chemistry. The dynamics of not only their relationship as it moved through different stages of their lives- both together and apart- but their dynamics with the entire Byrd family. Those bonds are so important to me!!! Every single one of the Byrds had me in shambles!!! (be right back, crying again.)

There was just such a sense of both longing and belonging that choked me as I read. The immersion into both of their lives throughout!! that’s really what struck me so hard during their story. & the chemistry was TRULY undeniable. It was so natural— like, coming out of the book’s PORES.

I cannot recommend this book enough!! Beautifully written and truly remarkable. One of the best second chances out there and it's going to be in my heart for the rest of my life.

Alright ,I’m going to go scream into the abyss about them now. seriously. NEVER. GETTING. OVER. THEM.

Tarah does it again. I love every book she has written and I can’t wait to have this on my shelf! It made me cry, swoon, and just adore this couple and want them to get back together. They were so in love with each other still but needed to meet each other again.

This book had so much heart in it I made mine want to burst. The characters were so relatable, raw and real, dealing with real life things. Wren and Ellis’s one string that tied them together, their son Sam, was the only thing holding them together for so long after their divorce. With that string unraveling with Sam heading off to college, Wren and Ellis were finally caught in a crossroad that they were both scared to navigate. I really loved and reflected a lot from Ellis and his journey. I’ve never connected to a male main character in that way, but I understood where his hurt was coming from. I really connected to both Wren and Ellis and their want to be needed by others, to be the nurturer and give so much to others that sometimes you forget about yourself and your priorities along the way. Tarah’s writing is so poignant and real that I was so immersed in their journey I never wanted to leave.
I’ve always loved Tarah’s characters and the journeys that she takes them on. Wren and Ellis felt like they could be real characters with this very real issue at hand. The way that they found their way back to each other was not easy in the slightest; they had to go through some real shit to figure it out and actually come out better on the other side, regardless of if they were going to be together in the end. I think they healed their friendship first which in turn helped their romantic relationship.
Growing up in the area that Tarah writes Wren and Ellis’s road trip through is always a fun time. It brings a sense of pride in knowing that others will get to read about such an amazing area.

I’ll be honest—Tarah Dewitt never misses!! Every book she writes completely pulls me in, and this one was no exception. The moment Wren and Ellis were introduced, I knew I needed their story, and it delivered in every possible way.

This book is everything I could’ve hoped for and more. It’s raw, real, and incredibly relatable. The emotions hit hard, and yes, I definitely cried! The maturity in Wren and Ellis’s relationship and the way they love each other is so beautiful.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this incredible story- I’ll take 123442 more. I’ve left my heart in Spunes, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’m not sure there are words to describe how much I loved this book.

Tarah Dewitt is an absolute master at making me feel every emotion. LoF was no exception. The characters were so open and raw, it felt like living the journey with them.

I will be recommending this right along side Savor It for the foreseeable future.

10/10. No notes. Perfection.

I knew as soon as I read the infamous “She’s still a Byrd” line in Savor It in early 2024 that I needed a book on Wren and Ellis. I am here to tell you that Left of Forever is everything you could ever want in a reunion book, and so much more.

Wren and Ellis Byrd have been divorced for five years, moving through life interacting with each other as little as possible, but missing each other fiercely. When their son, Sam, is accepted to his dream university, Ellis decides to use this opportunity to plan a “not-so-romantic” roadtrip home with Wren. As the two journey up the California coast on their way back home to Oregon, they find that their feelings for each other haven’t quite faded like they thought, and their journey back to each other might be a lot closer than either of them expected.

I have always been a fan of second chance romances, but there was something truly special about Wren and Ellis’ story. The desperation, tension, angst, and hope between the two characters leapt off the page. I went into this already rooting for their happily ever after, but while reading this book, I found myself rooting even harder for them with tears in my eyes (happy tears, I promise)!

I loved seeing the small glimpses of their past through Wren’s journal entries, and Ellis’ love letters were so, so beautiful. The love between Wren and Ellis felt so tangible and I did not want their story to end.

Because of Tarah DeWitt, I now have an even higher standard for second chance romances. Even so, this book felt like more than just a second chance for the Byrds to get it right. It felt like a love letter to romance, to love, and to hope.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC!

3.5 ★ : Sadly, I think I will be in the minority on this one 😭 It pains me because I really wanted to love this and Left of Forever was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025.

The first 50% had me locked in but as Ellis and Wren got closer to reconciling I found the plot to be lacking in substance and quite rushed. I did appreciate the heavier topics the book touched on and the snippets of Fisher and Sage as well as the rest of the Byrd crew.

I won’t be saying farewell to Spunes, Oregon just yet though, since Tarah has managed to create quite a bit of intrigue around Silas and possibly Micah? 👀

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!

This was by far the most compelling and moving second chance romance I’ve read in a very long time.

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

Ellis and Wren have been divorced for five years when fate intervenes: Ellis accidentally receives Wren’s letters inquiring about a pair of missing horses. With their son is about to head off to college, Ellis takes advantage of the situation and decides to plan a road trip, for a chance to see if there is anything left for another shot at a relationship.

Their dynamic is a perfect blend of playful banter, shy flirtation, and heartfelt charm. Though both in their thirties and bonded by a lifetime of shared history since childhood, their five-year separation reignites the giddy, awkward spark of teenage romance. I adored how their interactions oscillated between tender vulnerability and lighthearted humor—yes, this story will make you laugh, too!

What truly gripped me were the raw, vulnerable moments as they confront their painful past. Ellis, despite his emotionally reserved nature, shows unwavering determination to rebuild their relationship. The way they navigate their struggles while cherishing the good memories creates an emotional rollercoaster—That right there… that broke me as a reader in the best way.

“I’m begging you to fight with me, do anything with me. Just be with me.”

A beautifully crafted tale of love, growth, and second chances, this book is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of rekindled flames.

Thank you so much for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Holy cow this is my new favorite Tara Dewitt. I love a second chance storyline and this was top tier. The entire storyline was amazing. I loved it so much! Can not reccomend this one enough

Left of Forever was a pull-on-your-heartstrings kind of read where my heart shattered for the pieces of Wren and Ellis's relationship as they struggled in the beginning and yet, fate (and Tarah!) gives them a second chance. Seeing the people they grew to become and then watching their new relationship grow and change with them (and work out more existing issues because let's be real, every relationship has twists and turns), was a real treat. Thank you for bringing these characters to life, Tarah!

5 stars. It has been a minute since a book has made sob. I was weeping on my couch. The love, the pain, the regret, the hope... all written so perfectly and painfully. Everything about this was honest, from the brutal truths of heart break to the joys of love. I don't know how I am supposed to go on with life without Ellis and Wren. I swear I will carry them, and their love with me for what's left of forever.

5 ⭐️ !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
2 🌶️

TARAH DEWITT, YOU HAVE DONE IT AGAIN!!!!!!! Oh my GOD, this book was just perfection. I laughed, I cried, I blushed- this book had it all. The second chance at romance for Wren and Ellis was everything I needed and more. They were perfect 🫶🏻 also i have a major crush on Ellis!! Love this, love the Byrds!!

Thanks NetGalley and SMP for an ARC. Everyone needs to read this one immediately!!!

To start, I did not read Savor It but the author assures us at the very beginning that it is not required prior. After reading this book, I will 100% be going back to read about the lovely Fisher and Sage. Hopefully, more of the Byrd siblings will be getting their own stories told as well! I love a good second chance romance but a second chance romance where they've known each other since they were kids, became teen parents, married for years, then divorce?? Absolute perfection. Wren and Ellis have been divorced 5 years and are now sending their only child off to college. Ellis proposes a celebration road trip with Wren with the hopes they will rekindle their love. This was such a beautiful, sweet, and relatable read. Wren and Ellis just lost each other in the midst of life and honestly that is a such an easy thing to do. It takes extremely hard work to make a marriage work and sometimes you can feel so alone in a marriage. I loved how they didn't just immediately get back together but they actually communicated, told each other what brought them to their breaking point, and worked together to find each other again. This is going to be among the top of my list of best romance books I've read. It truly made me emotional and really appreciate how hard a marriage can be and how beautiful love is.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Left of Forever was a good book, however, I did not love it as much as I thought I would. I love Tarah's writing and have always enjoyed her books! This book starts super strong with the premise of second-chance lovers and a "you've got mail" trope going on which I loved to follow!

However, as the book progressed I felt less connected to the romance/compatibility between the characters and a bit overwhelmed with the different plot components. With that being said, I truly enjoyed reading about the characters and the overall storyline but I felt a bit detached from the romance aspect as the lust became the forefront for a good bit of the book until the end. When they inevitably discuss their past and what made their relationship fall apart the first time, I was very happy with how Tarah wrote about such important and delicate topics! These characters and this small town are extremely lovable, I will 100% be reading the rest of the series and as I mentioned before I truly love Tarah's writing but this one was not fully for me & that is okay!! Also, Ellis Byrd the MAN you are!! If you like obsessive mmcs, this one is for you!!

I would HIGHLY recommend everyone to check it out themselves especially if you love second-chance romances, yearning, a man obsesseddddd, and more emotional storylines in your romance books!

Thank you so much St. Martin's Press, Netgalley, and Tarah for the early copy! <3

While I really struggled with Wren’s character, I loved Ellis right away. There’s just something about being in the hero’s point of view, especially when it was so rare in this book.

Left of Forever is an absolute gem! Tarah Dewitt delivers a beautifully written, heartfelt romance filled with great banter, deep emotion, and amazing characters. The leads of this books had such amazing chemistry, you could almost feel the electricity, and the slow-burn tension is chefs kiss. Tarah always blends humor and heartache, making all her books impossible to put down. If you love emotional love stories, this one’s a must-read!

Tarah Dewitt has done it again. Second chance isn’t usually my favorite, because I’m such a sucker for the beginning of a love story, but this book did it PERFECTLY. Wren and Ellis had such a heartwarming story, one that felt so real I found myself tearing up over and over and wishing I could give both of them a hug. Their initial breakup was the cumulation of a lot and a little simultaneously, and the change in both of them since then made it easy to root for them to be together again. I loved how invested the town was and the Byrd siblings are in bringing them back together, because really everyone knew they belonged to eachother and with eachother and were just waiting for them to figure it out themselves. I loved the journaling aspect and the travel/road trip part was perfectly done. I also loved how much Ellis listened to what Wren needed and gave that to her, now that she was able to ask for it. We forget that we have to sometimes ask for what we need and this book was a great reminder of that.
Aside from being so real and heartfelt, this book was also laugh out loud funny at points! I love a touch of humor and I loved coming back to Spunes.

Thank you so much NetGalley for this eARC!!! This is my honest review <3

Every time I finish a Tarah Dewitt book I feel like standing and starting a slow clap that will eventually lead to a frenetic applause. From me. In my bedroom. They're that good.

Tarah has a unique ability to write characters who are extremely relatable and feel personal, and then to make that a universal experience for all her readers. She taps into a magic that allows her to showcase a familiar humanity within her stories and provides an opportunity for each and every reader to feel seen and connected to her writing.

Left of Forever has quickly risen to the top of my list of Tarah favorites. I loved each detail of this story. I loved the setup and the history between Wren and Ellis. I loved that Tarah took a chance to explore what it means to enter into a long-term relationship with someone when you still have so much growing to do. My favorite part of this, though, was that Tarah didn't take the easy route and put anyone particulary at fault for the end of their marriage. Frankly, no one did anything inherently wrong. Life, itself, was responsible for their marriage ending. While that choice may seem less dramatic, it lends a credibility to the story. It was refreshing to see characters who were willing to change, grow, and take responsibility for their choices. These characters are endearing and you can't help but root for them.

I'll be (as always) anxiously looking forward to what Tarah has in store for us next.

First of all, thank you Tarah for bringing back YEARNING. That's what I'm talking about!

I loved getting those flashbacks of Ellis and Wren before everything fell apart. We could see how they grew up together, but then life happened, and they just… drifted. It was so real, seeing them figure things out, heal, and learn to be themselves again? That was my favorite part. And that week of them actually communicating and getting to know each other again was everything.

I'm a total sucker for a marriage in crisis story, plus a second chance romance? Pleeeeease sign me up! This book delivered on every level.