The perfect level of spice! It was a sweet story, and I loved seeing more of the Byrds in this companion book. The pining is everything!! Maybe it's because I'm slow but the timeline confused me a bit - I was confused on when certain things happened when they were divorced.

This was phenomenal! Loved every minute of it. So heart wrenching and full of love and happiness. This was such a great read. The characters were great, very fleshed out. Great story. Great plot. Loved it so much! 4.5 stars

5 ⭐️ 3🌶️
Contemporary Romance
Second in a series
Tropes: second chance, one bed, epistolary parts

Oh god, this book made me feel all of the feels. Not that I should be surprised coming from a Tarah DeWitt book. Pretty sure I cried multiple times.

I’m not normally a huge second chance romance fan but damn this book was good. You get duel POV and glimpses of their past. Some of it’s funny but it’s also so emotional. The characters are incredible. Both the main characters and the side characters. Can’t wait to read more about the Bryd family!

Oh my, I've been a long time Tarah fan with Rootbound being my favorite book, but Left of Forever has surpassed that for me and is cemented itself to my core being. I can't recall ever reading a second chance marriage - where they are divorced and find their way back to eachother. Marriages have so much history, especially one that goes back to falling in love at seventeen, that the second chance just hits differently that makes this story just achingly beautiful.

Ellis and Wren are in their 30's and have been divorced for five years, and now, their son who they had at age 17 is off to college out of state, Ellis suggests they move him in together, with road tripping it of just the two of them back home, where they reconnect along the way.

This story doesn't leave out anything and gets to the happy, hurtful, and healing parts of their relationship. I absolutely loved it and will be thinking about this for a long long time.

A very thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and You Had Me at HEA for an eARC of this amazing book!

What an epic love story. I’m so invested in this family. So real, so relatable.

I really liked Savor It and was immediately drawn to Ellis and Wren. I’m so happy to have gotten their story.

Ellis; our reserved… “Superman” eldest brother. Always taking care of everyone first. So much so that his marriage took a backseat until it’s over (for years). — 5 years later, a letter reminds him that his feelings haven’t gone anywhere for his ex-wife. He comes up with a plan to revive it.

Wren; our quirky baker and supportive best friend. Who not only played mother to many but got pregnant as a teenager with her first (and only) love. Now that their son is going off to college and their family has their own lives, maybe a road trip will bring them back together for good.

The ending had me in tears. Happy ones.

HANDS DOWN the BEST second chance romance I’ve ever read. This story was stamped onto my soul.

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

“I’ll save you a seat, Byrd.”

Thank you SO, SO, SO, SO much to St. Martin's Press for this e-ARC of Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt. My favorite romance book of this month, this year, potentially forever. I felt every wound I have ever had—emotional and physical—stitch myself together with each page I turned of this book. I am whole again. I am broken forever because this is over. I have never, in my life, been left so happy and so emotionally devastated all at once. Tarah DeWitt is a genius and I am absolutely devastated that I cannot read this book for the first time again.

I loved Wren and Ellis in Savor It, and Tarah's unique humor and heartwrenching turns of phrase caught me by complete surprise then, but it wasn't until this book that I realized her mind was absolutely heaven sent. This book is beautiful in so many ways. The small town of Spunes, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington of course) is its own sentient being, and it's like it is written in every single character, whether they are at the forefront of the story like Wren and Ellis and Sage and Fisher are, or if they are boisterous and hilarious side characters like Micah, Silas, Indy, and Sam are. Even Athena and Venus are characters I can picture so vividly, and that is just a testament to Tarah's writing. Small town romances are all the rage these days, but I don't think I understood what it truly meant for a small town romance book to feel like HOME until this one. What a glorious feat of a novel.

This story follows Wren and Ellis on a path of healing after a divorce, trying to salvage what's left of their forever. My God, Wren and Ellis. I will have to bury myself with a copy of Left of Forever so that my soul can be put at rest when I die, because Wren and Ellis's journey was so painfully honest and so ardently authentic that I think they may have ruined romance for me forever. The absolute devotion these two had for each other and Tarah used every single word to her advantage to encapsulate the love and commitment they felt for one another. I would not change a single thing about this book. Seldom do I say books are masterpieces, but I want this one etched into the wrinkles of my brain. I do not know what to do with myself. The plot was perfect, the pacing was perfect, the conflicts were perfect, the way Wren and Ellis never stopped loving each other but we saw them put the work to come back together was perfect. Second chance romances between divorced parents should be done more, but I do not know if they will do it as much of a justice as Tarah did.

Wow.
This is why I eat up second chance romance. Because it’s a romance book, they’re obviously going to end up together, but for me a good second chance romance means they work for it. And Wren and Ellis worked for it. They found the bravery it took to bare the hidden parts of their souls to each other and stood facing each other in the storms of honesty and did not look away. This was exactly what I wanted as soon as Ellis uttered “she’s still a Byrd.”

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the review copy in exchange for my honest opinion.

I wanted so badly to love this book more, but unfortunately it just wasn’t meant more me. I really did like her writing, however, the characters just didn’t click for me. I didn’t feel any attachment to either which made it difficult to fully immerse myself into their story.

♾️

I don’t know how to put my thoughts in to words at the moment, but let me just say wow. This has secured a spot in my top 5 books ever, and i will truly think about this book every single day. Wren and Ellis deserve all the happiness in the world, and I will support this fictional couple until the day that I die.

This was absolute perfection, and I am already considering reading again.

I honestly don’t have the words to say just how much I loved this book. Second chance romance and road trips are some of my favorite tropes and man oh man did Tarah just nail them both with this story. From the prologue to the epilogue, I was IN 👏🏼 VEST 👏🏼 ED 👏🏼 I can’t explain it but I was ready to cry at any moment (and somehow didn’t thank goodness), but Wren and Ellis have absolutely earned themselves a place amongst my all time fave couples. The letters, the horses, the family support? I’m so in love with the Byrd family and Spunes. I 1000000% will be rereading this book often because it’s truly just that special.

RATING: 4.25/5 STARS

Tarah DeWitt has never failed me... this book was exactly what I wanted from a second-chance romance. Loved the chemistry between Ellis and Wren, road trip vibes, small town setting, and family element to this story.

I read this in March but already think it’s going to be one of my top books of 2025 🥺

This book just felt REAL. I loved everything about it - the character development, the yearning, the road trip setting, the emotion. There are so many raw moments of heartbreak and connection, high tension, perfect banter.

Wren and Ellis are in their early 30s, dropping their son off at college. This is a beautiful story where we get to see them work on themselves individually and reconnect after their divorce. And guess what? They actually put in the work! They communicate their needs and genuinely listen to each other’s feelings.

I thought Tarah’s writing flowed wonderfully and every scene felt important. I don’t think there was a time where I wasn’t giggling, crying or had butterflies 🦋 SO MANY BUTTERFLIES!! Both from swoon worthy moments and the anticipation of what comes next. I was on the edge of my seat the entire time, rooting for Wren and Ellis.

Read if you like:
❤️‍🩹 second chance
🗺️ childhood friends to lovers
❤️‍🩹 small town
🗺️ road trip
❤️‍🩹 found family

Thank you to the publisher for the e-arc!

I received an ARC of this book. I really love reading anything by Tarah DeWitt and this was no exception. I love being in the world of Spunes and the depth of her writing. Second chance isn't my favorite trope but I found this one to still be a good, quality read. If you like her other books, you will feel warm and fuzzy reading this one, too!

Overall, I really enjoyed this book. It was engaging, unique, and tackled several heavy topics with care and ease.

Only a few things prevented this from being a five star read for me. (Spoilers ahead.) This was my first book by this author, and although this isn’t part of a series (as far as I know), it felt at times like I was missing backstory or details. My other main issue was the pacing. It felt very slow and drawn out at the beginning and then rushed toward the end. The reasons why they divorced were valid, and then the reunion seemed sudden. Five years apart and then a few days together fixed everything? It would have felt more realistic to me if they’d had more reconciliation moments before the road trip or after. Or if more moments from that five year gap were shown. I also thought it was odd how long it took Ellis to tell Wren about the letters. That was portrayed as the main reason he decided to plan the road trip, and he could have just told her that was the case from the start?

"Thank you for kissing me tonight."

"Thank god it wasn't rocky road or something, am I right?"

This is my second Tarah DeWitt book but easily my favorite of hers! I never had a moment where I felt like the book was dragging. I appreciate how realistic and relatable the characters are while the storyline is so unique. I'm not normally one for second chances but the way this was written has definitely made me change my mind!

The setting is perfect, the characters show awesome growth throughout the book and the rest of the Byrd family quickly stole my heart! The writing style adds so much more depth as it goes from past to present. It makes the story flow seamlessly as you're getting to know and understand the characters. While it talks about heavy topics at times, I still had a ton of moments laughing out loud and swooning (some at the same time!)

Wren has dynamic character traits and is an amazing mom and friend. Ellis' emotional growth and openness throughout the book made him the ideal MMC. The romantic lines and thoughts would have any girl swooning!

Overall, if you like relatable characters and storylines and want to witness two of the most ideal MCs fall in love again (while falling in love with the Byrd family) you HAVE to give this book a try! And did I mention, he's a firefighter?

"We have whatever's left of forever, you and me."

A huge thank you to Tara and NetGalley for letting me read Left of Forever with an ARC. Left of Forever comes out May 20, 2025!

This one was such a beautiful second chance romance. I love Tarah DeWitt's characters and this one was so refreshing to read. It is obvious from the start that both Ellis and Wren have love for one another and have never been able to move on. Ellis decides he wants to earn Wren's love back with one final chance as they move their son into college.

The trip they take is full of heart, love, and reconnection while also battling the anxiety of "what if we fail". I felt that this was handled very well and it was such an enjoyable thing to read. Looking forward to the next, whatever DeWitt decides that will be!

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

♾️/⭐️

ARC review

I’m a big fan of Tarah Dewitt and a lover second chance romances so it is an understatement to say I was excited and nervous to read Left of Forever. From that moment in Savor It when Ellis said “she’s still a Byrd” I was done for, my heart was robbed.

This has everything you could possibly want in a second chance romance. The pining, the suffering, the heart throbbing angst. Beautifully well written- my chest ached. Ellis- dear god- yes.

Usually if I were head over heels for a mmc I’d say I want the MMC or that they’re my dream man but to be honest saying that feels wrong. Ellis could belong to no one other than Wren. They are truly the most perfect example of meant to be together, If-it’s-not-you-then-I-don’t-want-it type of love.

My heart is full and unbelievably happy. To be loved the way Ellis and Wren love one another is something I aspire to.

Thank you to Netgalley, Tarah Dewitt and St. Martin’s Press for the arc!

In this book a divorced couple gets a second chance at love, and wow I don’t think I’ve ever read a more beautifully hopeful piece of work.

Wren and Ellis are two authentically flawed but perfect for each other people who reconnect with each other in a realistic and healthy way. The communication in this book is such a good example of effective communication in a relationship. Even through those rocky moments they held space for each other and respected each other when the time came for it.

The pacing of it was also great, I would have loved to see more of their time when they were younger but I loved how the vignettes of them originally falling in love were sprinkled throughout the book in unique ways.

Tarah DeWitt is a master in writing both main and side characters you can’t help but fall in love with. I really loved every second of this book and I had a lot of fun reading it. I recommend this to anyone looking for a meaningful romance read.

I can’t stop crying. I loved this book with every fibre of my being.

We met them in Savor It and I immediately needed their story. And Tarah executed it so so perfectly.

Wren and Ellis undoubtedly have the most beautiful love. It’s real and raw and emotional, but it also healing and overwhelmingly incredible. So much is just so relatable. And it made my heart sing having them find their way back to each other.

The chemistry between them is absolutely insane. You can literally feel it coming off the page. And then Ellis and the mouth on him! 😮‍💨😮‍💨😮‍💨

I was just extremely addicted the entire time I read. I could not put this one down. Tears leaked out of my eyes constantly and as well as the occasional vocal sob. I will never get over this book. I will in fact be rereading it as soon as I get my hands on the audiobook.

4.5 stars rounded down.

I loved this book soooooo damn much. I am a sucker for second chance romance! The ONLY reason I'm not giving it a full 5 star rating is because I think second chance romances are best with dual timelines. That way, the reader gets to experience the downfall of the relationship and not just hear recaps of what happened. Regardless, this was incredible.

ELLIS ORION BYRD THE MAN THAT YOU ARE!!!!! Hooooly moly when I tell you I'm obsessed.... the words that came out of this man's mouth in just a conversation had me giggling and sweating more than any smut scene I've read recently. WHEW!!!

I had only ever read Tarah DeWitt's novel "Funny Feelings" and liked it okay, so I wasn't sure what to expect going into this. Needless to say, I just found a new second chance romance favorite.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.