This is a little bit different than your average second chance romance and I’m all here for it. The layers built into the story, and into the love really tell the tale of The Byrds. It was fun to be back in Spunes but it took me a minute to remember some of the former storylines to catch onto some of the side characters own minor storylines. Thus, I now want to go back and re-read not only Savor It, but Tarah’s other books. They’re just such wonderful, filling reads as they tend to involve all your emotions.

I do not know what Tara is putting in these books/characters, but somehow I think I love this book even more than I did Savor It, which was my fav read in 2024. Left of Forever has been my most anticipated release of 2025 since it was announced- and my expectations felt impossibly high.

I was lucky enough to get an e-arc of this one ahead of the May release date. Thank you to St Martin’s Press and NetGalley for not making me wait ‘til Spring to read this book.

Tara delivered another gem. There’s something about these characters in Spunes- I desperately need them all to be happy. Wren and Ellis’s story is heart wrenching at times but their love for one another is so beautiful. When the title surfaces in the story- it was perfect.

Of course I loved catching up with Sage and Fisher as well, and just as Wren and Ellis were making their presence known in Savor It, Silas was the presence here. I can’t wait to get back to Spunes and these characters and Silas’s love story someday. It was great to see all of the Spunes characters again, even though much of this story was away from Spunes.

It’s only mid-February and I think I’m fairly certain I’ve read my fav book of 2025. I don’t reread many books but I’m going to have to return to Spunes long before Silas has his turn.

I truly didn't think I could love any of Tarah DeWitt's characters more than Farley and Meyer. But WOW do Wren and Ellis come in SWINGING for that top spot. I've never read a 2nd chance romance quite like this and it was really interesting to see it unfold. While the first 40% had me sorta like, "let's get to it"... I honestly WEPT at the end- the last 20% has you cheering for Ellis to get the girl. It's so sweet, super funny and of course very DeWITTY.

Tarah DeWitt is an auto buy author for me and will continue to be!

Thanks to NetGalley and MacMillan for the ARC.

A very easy 5 star read. Loved Savor It and have been waiting for Ellis and Wren's story. This was such a tender look at the past and filled with so much nostalgia it made me teary a few times. Every character was incredible and I can't help but hope the other Byrd brothers will get their own stories. Tarah straddles the line of emotion depth and humor so well throughout this entire book. The writing is so beautiful I had to highlight some long paragraphs to reflect on. One of the best second chance romances i've had the pleasure to read.

This was a disappointing read for me. The concept seemed so promising! There were just too many elements that felt implausible to me. Like you’re telling me they’ve been dating since they were kids and they don’t recognize each other’s hand writing?? Plus, they divorced because of communication issues basically. Then, 5 years later they just randomly decide it’s time to talk finally? The supporting characters felt so flimsy. I don’t remember a thing about their son and I just finished the book! This just really wasn’t for me.

This romance was by a new to me author but it definitely will not be my last with her. I had a great experience reading it and I would encourage others who are curious about her writing to pick this book up.

This is an incredibly written second chance romance. It is mature and realistic and completely perfect. Each POV shows the true character and emotions. The story is funny and full of depth, and I loved every single word and page.

I highlighted so many sections of this book, because so much of what the story touches on is the essence of the human experience, and hit me when and where I desperately needed to be hit.

The story follows Wren and Ellis as they embark on a road trip after dropping their son off at college. Both were broken after their divorce 5 years prior, and both were still in love with each other, despite very real circumstances that tore them apart.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Oh my gosh, i am in LOVE with this. Tarah Dewitt has a way of just sucking you into a story and really encapsulates you into it. This divorced couple really encompasses the real and raw feelings of divorce and it is very emotional. I loved this so much and am so glad it was available to read early! Thank you so much Netgally!

I want to preface this review by saying I haven’t read Savor It before reading this book, so my perspective may change once I do. I initially thought this would be a series where each book could stand alone, and for the most part, I didn’t feel lost (though I do wonder if reading book 1 would have clarified a few things).

I’m not usually a fan of second-chance romances, but I was intrigued by the post-divorce angle in this one. However, there were a few issues that impacted my enjoyment of the story.

First, they’ve known each other since they were 5 years old, yet they couldn’t recognize each other’s handwriting? That felt a bit hard to believe. I did think the letters back and forth was cute, but then she veered off into this road trip. I don’t know I was having a hard time. Second, they’ve been divorced and separated for five years, yet they get back together after only a week. I could have understood this if they hadn’t still been living in the same small town and spending holidays together. I get that they were amicable for the sake of their child, but it felt like they were never truly trying to move on. Also they had decided to try again on this trip but decided to not talk about anything until the end to then immediately forgive and forget.

Ultimately, I still enjoyed the premise but felt the pacing and emotional depth of their reconciliation could have been more fleshed out.

Thank you Netgalley, Tarah Dewitt and the publisher for the arc!

My first read in the Spunes universe and it was great. The story was believable and funny while also moving. I may have teared up a more than once!



Check out this review on Fable
https://fable.co/review/329dd47e-1706-4979-9e4c-6c3f976d1a05/share

I have been waiting for Wren and Ellis's story since I read Savor it and it did not disappoint. This was such an emotional read and I really love the honest portrayal of marriage. Love doesn't preclude you from struggling and sometimes love just isn't enough. I also love that a huge part of this story was that they both were working on themselves to be better. Honestly I just loved everything about this story!

Huge thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the E-ARC!

I want to say thank you to the publisher and netgalley for allowing me to read and review this arc.

How do I rate perfection? I finished this book a week ago, and I still can't find a way to do her justice. This book altered my brain chemistry. Not just that, my soul has been irrevocably changed after reading it. I've been waiting to read this book since Savor It came out, and I've never had a book so aggressively meet and exceed my expectations. By chapter 2, I knew this was going to be one of my favorite books that i've ever read. It made me feel like every other 5 star I've given was not accurate because I will never love a book the way I loved this one. I had to turn around and read it again because I just wasn't ready to say goodbye.

Wren and Ellis were everything that I wanted them to be and more. From the heart-wrenching tension between them to the flirty easiness, I loved getting to know them as individuals and as a couple. Their characters were just so deeply personal to me that I couldn't stop crying, basically the entire book. Like just a steady stream of tears down my face for hours.

Tarah, some of the stuff you put in here was absolutely crazy. Chapter 4? Hello? The ice cream scene? Frankly, bonkers. The hike? Hello operator, I think I've just been shot. THE LAST TWO LINES, MA'AM?! I have never burst into tears so quickly in my life. I'm about to sue for emotional damages (for legal reasons, this is a joke).

I can't wait for my copy to show up in May, and I want to personally thank Tarah DeWitt for this masterpiece. Who knows maybe I'll just read it again just to feel something lol

Disclaimer: Tarah is my absolute favorite author. I love everything she has ever written, and with second chance romance being my absolute favorite of all the tropes, I knew going in that this would be one of my top reads of the year. I WAS NOT DISAPPOINTED.

This is the most raw romance I've ever read. This is not a book about characters falling in love. This is about characters crawling their way, through the hurt they've inflicted, back to each other. I could feel each memory, the good and the bad, like they were from my own past.

These are people that are tied together by the heartstrings, but no longer linked in every day life. Watching them suppress their instinctual casual intimacy with each other was GUT WRENCHING. And watching them cautiously, optimistically open the door back up inch by inch, was so incredibly satisfying.

I don't think I've ever read a book before where I can't even jokingly claim the MMC as my book boyfriend. Ellis Byrd is everything anyone could ever want in a man, but he is no one's book boyfriend. HE BELONGS TO WREN.

Getting revisit our favorite Spunes residents was delightful - plus a HEALTHY dose of Fisher and Sage and lots of Silas to prep us for his book next!

I absolutely loved it. I can't wait to hear it on audio!

Wren and Ellis are a divorced couple preparing to drop their son off at college... and maybe rekindle their romance along the way.

I'm struggling with my rating on this one. The story was so sweet I nearly got a toothache but at the same time it was also a little bland? Vanilla? Even with the steamy descriptions I struggled to feel an emotional connection to the characters. I enjoyed it but never felt any intense feelings while reading, if that makes sense. If second chance romances are your jam this one is solid but not a showstopper.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to read an early copy.

After reading Savor It, I was excited to read Wren and Ellis’ story. I didn’t get the emotional connection to them that I hoped for. They grew up together but didn’t know each other’s handwriting? They’re divorced and was apart for five years but was able to get back together after a week. It makes them being apart to begin with seem nonsensical. They put in no work together and their reunion was too swift. There was no tension, and their story was told to us and that wasn’t enjoyable to read or connect to.

Loved the Byrd family and the small town kinship. I was also excited for Sage and Fisher.

Thank you Netgalley, Tarah Dewitt and the publisher for an early copy of this book.

I cannot say enough good things about Left of Forever. Tarah absolutely captures longing and tenderness is the best way. This book may have single-handedly confirmed that I love a second chance romance. It gave me the same emotional impact as when I read The Ex Vows by Jessica Joyce. I absolutely loved Wren and Ellis and devoured their story in a day. Tarah is easily an auto-buy author for me now.

Wren and Ellis have known each other their entire lives. When Wren gets pregnant as a teenager, they are thrust into parenthood and Ellis is also taking care of his younger siblings after their parents die. They end up divorcing and five years later, are sending their only son off to college. They use it as an opportunity to do a little road trip back home to rediscover their friendship, or more.

I really enjoyed this book and was a quick, light read. I think as a married person, it was more relatable than your typical falling in love story. It was interesting to see how they worked through what went wrong, opening up and being vulnerable/honest to figure out next steps.

"My DNA mixed with yours, and it altered your very bones, Byrd."

I could leave it at that, and you'd already understand why this is one of the best romances ever written. Ellis, the man you are! I had to pause more than once just to process the things that came out of his mouth because they made me feel absolutely insane.

This is a second-chance romance, so I knew it would be top-tier. But nothing could’ve prepared me for the way this book completely rewired my brain. The glimpses of Ellis and Wren in Savor It had me excited, but this story? It expanded my mind, shifted my entire perception of life and love. Ellis and Wren didn’t just redefine romance—they invented it. They set the standard for second chances.

The plot was beautifully crafted, adding layers of tension that made every moment between them even more electric. It was so deeply emotional sometimes, especially the entire talk about time passing, life moving on, seeing all the changes, having to adapt to them, and saying goodbye to the past—it made me sob so hard. Ugh. Some scenes were laugh-out-loud funny, others were heartbreakingly emotional, and the spice? Absolutely insane. It was the perfect mix, and it left me breathless.

It’s been two days since I finished this book, and not a minute goes by without thinking about it. I need it in my hands, to reread, to annotate, to obsess over. This book didn’t just tell a story; it became a part of me. I didn’t know I needed this book until it shattered me and put me back together again.

*** Spoiler Free Review of Left of Forever out May 2025***

I’m a big fan of second chance romance, but make it previously married / still married. An interesting spin on a beloved trope that brings another level of reality that sometimes it’s always the right person, but wrong timing.

Wren and Ellis have been in love since kids, having their own child at just 17 years old. But as he grew older, they started to drift apart. Now, they’ve been divorced and it’s time for Sam, their child, to start his own life. Working as a bakery owner and a firefighter, they decide to take a break from their day to day in order to take a celebratory road trip after dropping their son off at college. During this road trip, they must decide whether or not their love will last or extinguish one last time.

My thoughts: I knew when I saw the playlist for this, that it would hit hard. I love this take on second chance romance, and thought Tarah’s writing was excellent. As my first book, I definitely will be picking up others by Tarah. This was heart wrenching with some good comedic timing that never cheapened the heart of the story. Plus, who doesn’t love a firefighter with a mustache!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for this ARC in exchange for a spoiler free review!

Absolutely adored this story! The characters are such good people you can't help but root for them. I did get confused in the beginning with the time line but ultimately figured it out about a third of the way in. Cannot wait to continue reading more by this author!