Wren and Ellis were childhood friends who fell in love as kids. Shortly after falling in love they became teenage parents to their son, Sam. Through the challenges that becoming parents at such a young age and having to help raise Ellis’s siblings, Wren and Ellis married and built a beautiful life together in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon. They were made for one another, until life got in the way and they fell apart and eventually divorced.

Now divorced and in their 30s, Wren and Ellis have spent the past few years apart. Both trying (and failing) to move on from one another. When Sam is accepted to college, Ellis convinces Wren to take a road trip back from dropping Sam off at college and give their relationship one more go. The California coast provides the perfect backdrop to reconnect, but both Wren and Ellis know that they cannot move forward together without confronting their past and revealing secrets that might destroy them for good.

At times it feels like the romance genre is filled only with couples in their early 20s who resolve their issues, get married and live happily ever after. Left of Forever is a refreshing second-chance love story that shows the true complexities of marriage, what it takes to make it work, the aftermath of what happens when you can’t and the lengths it takes to get it back when it all falls apart.

The dual POV added so much to the story as you get to experience the deep yearning that both feel for one another.

Fans of second chance romances will adore Left of Forever!

Thanks to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for providing me with a digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

"Left of Forever" is a beautifully depicted story of restoring love and rekindling first love. Tarah unpacked the hard things that life throws at us with loss, choices, and how it can affect us. Wren an Ellis both MC's are unpacking their pasts and intertwining their thoughts into the current reality. One of my favorite parts was the journal entries and the letters. Everyone, I think deserves a second chance at love and maturing and this road trip of a book did it well and right.

I will be recommending it to my friends and family who love second chances, re sparking a flame, and a bit of spice. If you love family, love, relationships and a balance between romance and contemporary realities, then this is the story for you!

Thank you for NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Tarah DeWitt for this ARC. It did not disappoint. Thank you again!!

round to 3.5 because I love this world.

This book was the perfect blend of friends to lovers and second chance!!!!!!

As someone who's two fav tropes are second chance and friends to lovers this was the perfect blend of the two. This book was very enjoyable, I think I would have loved it even more if I was in a different state of mind.

I often think about how people who claim to love you can go so long without reaching out or rekindling and that was my thought process throughout this book. I know life gets in the way and I also understand that time goes by fast but I still can't comprehend that their divorce lasted five years... I don't know? I get that it could have been many different things but getting back within a week but the divorce lasting five years di dnot make sense to me.

I love savor it so I was very glad for that ending scene hehe and I am excited to see what Tarah will write for Silas and Micah. But more so for Sam and Indy <3

Thank you St. Martins Press for the digital arc

First of all, thank you St. Martin's Press, Tarah DeWitt and NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. It was a privilege to read this before the public release!

Left of Forever is the kind of book that grabs you by the heart and refuses to let go. I read this in one sitting, and I’m still reeling. Wren and Ellis’s story is the perfect blend of yearning, pain, hope, and healing—and it is absolutely gut-wrenching in the best way possible.

From the very first page, the chemistry between Wren and Ellis is undeniable. They’re both carrying so much pain, and watching them navigate their lost love and attempt to adjust to their new reality of guarding themselves from one another in the first half of the book was heartbreaking. The longing and regret over one another had me in tears more than once. There’s something uniquely painful about two people who love each other deeply but can’t find their way back—especially when the wounds are still so fresh, even years later. The guilt and heartache they both carry feels suffocating, yet despite it all, their love for each other never truly fades.

The honesty and openness in their communication while they’re “giving it one last go” is everything I’ve ever wanted in a romance. I was completely captivated by how they finally decided to let down their walls and give themselves to each other, wholly and without reservation. It felt so real, so raw—like watching two people fight for their forever.

And let me tell you, Ellis calling Wren “Byrd” was everything. That little detail just broke me in the best possible way. It was a reminder that, no matter how much time has passed, they were never really meant to be apart. She was always his, and he was always hers. The little things in this book just hit me so hard in the feels.

The ending… oh my god, the ending. It wrecked me. I don’t want to spoil anything, but let me just say—prepare for your heart to shatter and be put back together in the most beautiful way possible.

Left of Forever is a masterpiece of second-chance romance. It is emotional, raw, and full of all the feelings you could ever hope for. I cried, I laughed, I felt the longing and the hope. I truly don’t think I will be able to stop thinking about Wren and Ellis anytime soon. If you’re looking for a book that will wreck you in the best way possible and then leave you feeling like your heart has been remade, Left of Forever is the book to read.

Bravo, Tara DeWitt. This one is a keeper, and I will be thinking about it for a long time. Every star. Every tear. Every emotion.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt.

In Savor It, we get to meet Sage’s brother, Ellis, and her best friend and ex sister in law, Wren. Wren and Ellis fell in love when they were young. Both were teenagers when they had their son, Sam. Their marriage fell apart five years ago. Sam is preparing to move to college when Ellis suggests that they take Sam together. Ellis also asks Wren if on their way back they can use the trip to consider giving their relationship a second chance.

I do love the moment that’s commonly referenced in Savor It for this pair, but the moment that I desperately wanted Ellis and Wren’s story was at the end of Savor It when Wren is comforting Sage. The ache I had for these two to find their way back to each other in that moment was still present throughout Left of Forever. It’s such a beautiful second chance romance and I thought the story was so well structured. I equally loved the build up to their trip as I did their actual trip. I love the Spunes universe and we get to see so many of the characters from Savor It return.

If you love a second chance romance, this one needs to be on your TBR!

This is easily a top read for me this year!

"She's still a Byrd." The line that started it all.

Wren and Ellis grew up together, fell in love and had a kid. Simple. And then five years ago, they grew apart. But is that really what they wanted? Or is that spark they had back then still kicking around? Their solution to finding out- road trip.

This book encompassed so many of my favourite tropes- second chance, road trips, "single" parents. And it did them all beautifully.

It was impossible not to love Wren. She's a spitfire and brings so much life to everything around her. I'm convinced there isn't anything she can't accomplish. And she'll do it with so much love.

Ellis is the strong and quiet type. And while in the beginning, he maybe relies on that too much, we get to see him come out of his shell more and more as their trip progresses and it is oh so wonderful.

This is raw and vulnerable and everything you want in a second chance. Watching them rip open their wounds and help the other mend what was broken is the most beautiful thing. I just know this is going to be a favourite for a long time. One that I will for sure reread and revisit my favourite parts of in years to come.

Left of Forever was a highly anticipated 2025 release, and it was worth every day of waiting since Ellis stood up and uttered those four words. "She's still a Byrd." Absolutely worth it.

This actually full did not work for me at all 🫥. I was so bored and confused for the first 60% and then I didn’t care about the couple enough to root for them to end up together or not. Reading Savor It feels CRUCIAL before reading this one and since I did not do that I had no backstory or any idea who anyone was. So you’d probably like this if you read Savor It, otherwise definitely read that before reading this one

What can I say? This book is simply beautiful. Left of Forever swept me away with Wren and Ellis' emotional journey, exploring whether love can truly mend what time and heartbreak have fractured. Five years apart, yet the pull between them remains undeniable. A second chance romance.

Having not read Savor It, I stepped into their story with fresh eyes, yet it stood effortlessly on its own. Ellis' unwavering devotion to winning back his wife was captivating—his willingness to bare his heart, answer every question, and fight for their love made him impossible not to root for. Meanwhile, Wren’s hesitations felt so deeply real, yet I admired her strength, her honesty, and the way she embraced the moment.

This story was raw, romantic, and beautifully written. I adored the characters, their journey, and the emotions woven into every page. I’ll definitely be reading more from this author! ✨

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced copy!!

In this novel, Tarah DeWitt picks up roughly where Savor It ends and tells the story of Wren (Sage’s best friend from Savor It) and Ellis Byrd (Sage’s brother), exes who had been together most of their lives and are tied to one another through their son and the close knit Byrd family. The romantic plot line is pretty predictable, but that’s not a bad thing. In fact, it made all the twists and turns that the characters go through that much more engaging, in my opinion. DeWitt does a great job of weaving in backstory from Savor It (including family history mentioned in that book) to Wren and Ellis’ relationship, and the character grown feels very thoughtful and realistic.

Since you have some time before this one comes out, I definitely recommend reading Savor It first; it’ll make you appreciate the characters — both the protagonists and the minor characters (including the animals) — even more!

This is the first book I’ve read from this author but it definitely won’t be the last! There’s something about second chance romance that has really come to hold my heart. Tarah did this so wonderfully and Wren & Ellis had such a beautiful story 🩷

This is another author that is new to me. This book is about second chance romance and marriage reconciliation. I truly loved Wren and Ellis’ love story and maybe part of it is because I can relate to being with my current partner since a young age. I loved how the author covered many real topics that can happen in relationships, especially when those in the relationship have to grow up so quickly.

I loved their connection and their character development as well. There were so many moments throughout the book I was smiling or found myself thinking “aww”. This was my second reading with a second chance romance trope and I loved the way it was done because again you can really feel the tension between them as well as the love and history. I am now curious to read the author’s other book ‘Savor It’ and will definitely be purchasing it.

*+:｡.𝓘’𝓭 𝓽𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝔀𝓮 𝓬𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓵𝓸𝓿𝓮 𝓮𝓪𝓬𝓱 𝓸𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓻 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝓱𝓪𝓻𝓭 𝓽𝓲𝓶𝓮𝓼, 𝓫𝓾𝓽 𝓶𝓪𝔂𝓫𝓮 𝔀𝓮 𝓼𝓱𝓸𝓾𝓵𝓭 𝓱𝓪𝓿𝓮 𝓯𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱𝓽 𝓸𝓾𝓻 𝔀𝓪𝔂 𝓽𝓱𝓻𝓸𝓾𝓰𝓱 𝓽𝓱𝓮𝓶, 𝓽𝓸𝓸.｡.｡:+*

I don't have much to say about this book, mostly because I was so disappointed, and it's only my fault. I let myself get excited by other people's reviews again 🙃. It's so mundane I can't even make myself care. My only positive note is that I love that although both of them hurt when having to see each other and talk after their divorce they kept a cordial relationship so their child would grow up in a healthy environment. I didn't really care about their relationship at all.

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕮𝖑𝖔𝖘𝖊𝖉 𝕯𝖔𝖔𝖗 𝕸𝖔𝖉𝖎𝖋𝖎𝖈𝖆𝖙𝖎𝖔𝖓𝖘˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

SKIP CHAPTER: 4, 23, 28, 29, 30, 33, 34, 36

⋆ ˚｡⋆୨୧˚𝕻𝖗𝖊-𝖗𝖊𝖆𝖉˚୨୧⋆｡˚ ⋆

Found it as "read now" on NetGalley. Wait for my review 🥰 thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press 💋

Tarah I loved this book so so much! You did a perfect job of making me believe they needed to be divorced and then did an even better job and convincing me that they HAD to be together again! I ordered the other book in this series because of this book! Congrats on this one, everyone is going to LOVE IT!!!

This book was everything I needed and more.

I love the way we were able to see a glimpse into the past for Wren and Ellis, but also see them grow in the present (individually and together). Although the crossroads are always tough, I really enjoyed seeing them tackle the hard stuff.

The added bonus of seeing the siblings move forward with their lives was awesome.

Dare I say- this second book was my most favorite! So thankful for the ARC.

Tarah Dewitt has quickly become one of my favorite authors. The way she strings sentences together is so beautiful and evocative.

That said, I’m not sure what didn’t fully click for me with this book. And let me be very clear: it’s not “bad” by any stretch of the imagination, I think I just found myself wanting more.

I felt that there just wasn’t enough yearning between Ellis and Wren before the trip. It seemed like, even though things were awkward between them, they almost immediately knew that the other person was still in love with them and wanted to reconnect.

Then, on the trip, it felt like there wasn’t enough hard / uncomfortable conversations before they started hooking up again.

I did notice that the ARC only had 270 pages, while Goodreads lists the page count as 336 so I’m hopeful that, when I re-read this book when it’s released, it will feel more fleshed out to me than it does right now. (I’ve already preordered it and I’m excited to get the final version. If my thoughts change, I’ll update my review accordingly.)

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

4.5/5

I’m going to intersperse this review with quotes I enjoyed. If you don’t want spoilers of any kind, I would skip this review, but I did try to pick ones that didn’t reveal anything specific! The review itself will be spoiler free.

“You all belong to each other, with it without me, I think. But I want someone to belong to me again, too. I wish it were still you. I hate that I wish it were still you.”

I really enjoyed this one. I really should read second chance romance more often, as it really is up my alley. The mutual “unrequited” yearning of the sub genre is so delicious. This book is rightfully hyped in my opinion, even if it’s not for everyone.

Content warnings: ectopic pregnancy (to mc, past but frequently discussed); fire/fire injury (to a side character, past. M!mc is a firefighter fire destruction is discussed throughout the book); emergency c-section, teen pregnancy

“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 live, 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.”

Synopsis: Childhood friends to lovers Wren and Ellis loved each other fiercely, but that didn’t stop time and pain to separate them. While still divorced, they maintained a distant relation but kept things polite for the sake of their son, Sam. With Sam moving out to college, Ellis proposes an extended road trip on their way back to try to give their relationship another chance.

“Sometimes I think I regret it even still but… there are different kinds of hurt. There’s the kind you inflict sharply and quickly-like emotional blunt for trauma- and then there’s the other kind, like a slow-building poison in your veins. I think it starts with withholding love, but maybe it starts with withholding hurt, too.”

Pros/things I liked:
* The yearning was masterfully done and had me absorbing this book. I stayed up far to late on the day I started it because I just wanted more. This probably serves a solid 2 of the stars given and is very much a personal taste thing.
* I think it was a really good choice of having two times to follow, even if it meant that the synopsis on the back of the cover didn’t kick in until about 40% into the book. The book started a couple months before they go on the road trip, building up their past and their current tension.
* The characters were grounded and realistic. They grew with the story and with feedback from eachother and it was really lovely to see.
* I thought it was really interesting to have protagonists in their thirties with a grown kid. It’s not frequently seen and I appreciated how it was done.
* While not the child of divorce, I have seen divorce absolutely wreck families, so I appreciated that the characters were very mature about it the whole time.

“I wanted her to go to bed, I wanted to rip down whatever walls we’d erected between us. I wanted to get her however I could again and I wanted her to let me care of her […] and for us to be happy.”

Cons/things I didn’t like:
* The ending really dragged and was much longer than it needed to be. It felt like a 50 page epilogue.
* There’s a lot missed by not having read the author’s other work, especially Savor It. Especially in the ending, it loses a lot of impact if you have no care for the side characters, which I didn’t since it was built into the story that you would have already met them. I don’t think it’s fair for them to not be considered a series.

More quotes I liked:

“My heart took shape around hers, too, and it will never go back.”

“I wanted to be connected to my wife again. I want to learn about her dreams and make them come true. I want to love without restraint. I want to say the good things without reservation and not be afraid to say the bad or difficult things, too.”

“I used to keep a mental tally of the laugh lines that’d deepened around his eyes, secretly excited each time a new one would appear. I don’t think he’s gained anything new over the last few years, and it makes me unbearably sad.”

“I miss you, too sounds glib. You have been missing from me is more accurate. There’s a void where you lived in me.”

There’s even more that I highlighted in my own copy but this review is only enough, I’ll set you free now :)

Disclaimer: I received this copy via NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for a fair review. This did not impact my feelings in regard to the book.

Oh, my heart! ❤️ This book put me through it! At first, I was nervous—I wasn’t sure I’d connect. It started slow, and I braced myself for disappointment. But then bam—Part 2 hit, and suddenly, I was obsessed!

The way the MMC and FMC’s love story unfolds—from childhood to teens to adulthood—is nothing short of breathtaking. The loss, the fear, the longing, the true undying love… gasp—my heart couldn’t take it! 💔✨ Tarah Dewitt crafted something so painfully beautiful, so deeply emotional, that I felt every moment.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: 🌶🌶🌶
Quotes:
"I miss you, too sounds glib. You have been missing from me is more accurate. There's a void where you lived in me."

"I'm begging you to fight with me, do anything with me. Just be with me."

Thank you, NetGalley and Tarah Dewitt, for breaking my heart in the best way possible! 🥹💖

I really loved this book. It was perfectly angsty and realistic, and the way Wren and Ellis came back together was really beautiful. I only have one gripe with the book. The cooking scene was over the top gross out weird. I think the capsaicin burn can be achieved without people needing to be black out vomiting drunk. It read like a grasping attempt at base humor to break up the angst of the book, but it just felt out of place to me. I was also very confused about the cooking class at a winery being Indian food. As an Indian person that lives near wine country, I have never ever seen Indian food paired with a wine tasting. Indian food cooking is wayyyyy too complicated for a winery cooking class? It felt culturally incorrect to be making that kind of food in a winery kitchen. Like Samosas require a deep fryer? It pulled me so far out of the book that I don't think the romance afterward was as enjoyable as it should have been.

AHHHHHHHHHHHH! INFINITY STARS!
I think this is my favorite second chance romance of all time. This was pure perfection. I will come back with more thoughts later.