Tarah expertly manages to convey achingly tender emotion in her books and Left of Forever is her best work yet. The beauty of love, heartbreak and loss are so seamlessly blended into this story and makes readers feel like they're a part of Ellis and Wren's journey to find each other again. Tarah writes a beautiful symphony of these two characters and their complexity. The way the flashbacks of their younger years connect to and influence their present selves is vividly clear on the page. Tarah manages to show how Wren and Ellis grew up while falling in love and even while apart, they never grew away from each other. The invisible string connecting them both is apparent on every page of their story. Readers will gravitate to this story for the swoon-worthy characters that we fell in love with in the first book, Savor It, but they'll remember this story for the crack-your-heart-open-and-stomp-on-it emotions that it elicits from the first chapter to the epilogue.

I loved this second chance romance book so much! This was my first book by this author and I will definitely be picking up more!

First off, thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on May 20, 2025.

This book follows Wren, a baker, and Ellis, a firefighter in Spunes, Washington. They met when they were children, had a son (Sam) at a very young age and divorced around 5 years ago. This story follows their way back to each other after their son goes off to college and forces them to confront their past (while on a trip together through California).

I will start by saying, I didn't expect to like this book as much as I did. I am newly married and the thought of being divorced is not top of mind for me and I thought it would be hard to relate. However, Tarah has a way with her words! I came to love the second chance romance, as well as the Byrd family.

The pepper situation had me giggling and the origami birds made me swoon. Also, the whole written letter situation while trying to save the horses... AMAZING!

My only question/complaint for the editors.. It says Wren got pregnant at 17, but mentions about half way through the book that she is currently 33. That would make Sam 16... There is no way this boy is going away to college at 16. Am I the only one who caught this? I even went back through the book to double check. Anyways... this didn't take away from the book, but the math was not mathing. LOL

Overall, a super cute book that I would recommend to friends. The spice level is medium, but the emotional feelings and connections were strong! 4/5 stars for me!

Thank you, Tarah DeWitt.

This book was so beautifully written. We were introduced to Wren and Ellis and Sam in Savor It, but we really got to know both Wren and Ellis in this emotionally charged story.
I was prepared for a lot of heartbreak and while it's still a big part of the story, DeWitt's writing was so focused on the healing that the fractures that I was afraid would be all consuming were brought in with care and some humor and a lot of therapy.
These two truly deserve each other and the world, I'm so thankful that Tarah took our obsession from nearly one line in Savor It to give us this book so we, too, can love them with everything left of forever.

All the thanks to St Martin's Press for and ARC of this book!

Coming May 20, 2025!

Wren and Ellis Byrd first fell in love as children. Life came for them and the responsibilities and heartbreaks of life slowly pulled them apart. Five years after their divorce, Ellis pitches a road trip to Wren to explore if they can open up their hearts and find each other once again. Can they find what's left of forever?

This spicy, delight of a story was everything Ellis and Wren deserve. It was funny, heart wrenching, and and intimate. And it was an absolute joy to return to the town of Spunes and reconnect with the Byrd family.

🐦‍⬛ Second-Chance Romance
🐦‍⬛ Life After Divorce
🐦‍⬛ Slow-Burn
🐦‍⬛ Road Trip
🐦‍⬛ Meddling Family

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC. I love this series! If you haven't already read Savor It, I would definitely encourage you to check it out!

I have to admit that second chance romances, particularly ones in which the main couple has been married and then divorced, scare me a bit but I love them.

Wren and Ellis were childhood best friends turned high school sweethearts turned teenage parents. They married young, raised their son, Sam and ultimately fell apart. Five years after their divorce and attempts to move on, they are still very obviously in love.

When Ellis and Wren help move Sam into college, Ellis convinces Wren to take an extended road trip back home with him. Ellis believes they are meant to be and wants Wren to give their relationship one last chance, away from the expectations of their family and pressures of their small town. It’s an opportunity to speak honestly about the things that drove them apart and about the ways they still love one another.

Left of Forever was everything I hoped for and more; I cried and I sighed and I rejoiced at Ellis and Wren finally getting their happy ending.

4.25

This was such a realistic second chance and it completely had me in my feels. Coming off of Savor It, then this, I now need MORE BYRDS!! I didn't expect to get teary eyed (I did three times), nor did I think I'd be sobbing reading that last page, yet I did. I swear, the next time someone has any unsavory opinions on romance books, I may end up throwing this in their face. It was a truly beautiful story and this cured me of my book funk, only to put me right back into one.

Absolutely loved it and can't wait to see what's ahead -- HOPEFULLY MORE SILAS!!!!!!! I'll start a petition if needed.

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.