Tarah DeWitt never misses! This is the best second chance romance book I’ve ever read. The characters were well developed and easy to root for. Experiencing the process of them reconnect was so heart warming and heart wrenching at the same time. I could really feel their emotions for one another as they worked through their past. I also really enjoyed the secret penpal format at the beginning and the little cameos of characters from her other books. Now I’m hoping there are more books about his other brothers coming in the future!

Tarah DeWitt became one of my favorite contemporary romance authors when I discovered her in 2024. The way she crafts her characters and exudes passion in the way she writes emotion and connection is hard to come by in the world of contemporary romance. Savor It, the first book in this series, was a 5 star read for me and made me sob ferociously when I was reading it. The characters were real and unfiltered. I fell in love with the little world that was created and nothing could dull my excitement when I found out that Wren and Ellis's story was coming next. However, unfortunately this one did not end up meeting my expectations, which deeply saddens me.

Firstly, I felt super frustrated even in the beginning of this story because the first 45-50% of this novel was almost wholly inner monologue. I felt like I was being suggested all the workings of how these characters felt about their circumstances, without any actual showing it in their interactions (with each other or other characters).... I wanted to bang my head against the wall by the 30% mark because I was already so exhausted being in their heads. Particularly though, it irked me how the reason for their divorce was nonchalantly sandwiched in between other history lessons of their relationship. It completely caught me off guard how something so deeply traumatic and complex was just spit onto the page as if a single paragraph or two could explain everything we needed to know about what went wrong. Everything about how it was executed completely missed the opportunity for an emotional depth.

While the letters at the beginning of the novel were cute and romantic, they felt more like a plot device for a third act breakup/miscommunication trope than an actual means of connecting the characters/deepening their relationship. It was wholesome in practice, but took away page space that could've better been used to dive into Wren and Ellis's reconciliation. Not to mention, we already had a "writing" component in the story with the journal.

Which brings me to the point that lost the plot the most - We only spent about 30% of the novel during the trip / reconnection journey, 25% of which was made up of spicy scene after spicy scene. There was quite literally no lead up or tension (outside of the physical kind), and no actual communication from the two about what really went wrong outside of one final scene in which Wren was the only adult in the room. It is actually quite ironic that they originally divorced because of lack of communication, and yet they never actually learned from that mistake because the 2nd try had the exact same issue.

MINOR SPOILER ***
I was INFURIATED when Wren was explaining to Ellis how terrified she was of their reconnection not being real because they hadn't actually done the work to get there, and Ellis's response was to begin bondage play............ WHAT the ACtual fuck??? That was the prime opportunity for Ellis to actually show some character growth and idk.. actually own up to the mistakes he made along the way??? Ugh. He never actually owned up to anything. Therapy doesn't make sunshine and rainbows and happily ever after's.

There were also some things that were mentioned in this that I've seen almost verbatim in other novels. I.e. the paper crane/birds left behind, the description of chin dimples, etc. In totality I guess they are romanticized descriptions that could be used broadly but it just felt eerie how similar they were to things I've read before.

This is not an interconnected standalone, in the sense that if you were to read this one first before Savor It, you would surely be lost as to who all of the side characters are, and why they matter. A lot of the family characters were mentioned in passing with no real refresher as to what happened and why they mattered in Savor It. This is not a criticism but rather just something a new Tarah DeWitt reader should be aware of before getting into this one.

All that being said, I still love Tarah DeWitt's writing and I know that she is able to put to page strong characters so this will definitely not be my last book by her. This one just didn't resonate with me.

Thank you to Net Galley and St. Martin’s Press for the arc of the book!

Usually I don’t love second chance romance, but this book was everything. When I book starts with a playlist with so many of my favourite songs (Taylor Swift, Noah Kahan, Fleetwood Mac) I knew it would be good.

At the core this book is a story of forgiveness and love. Not only does this apply to there journey as a couple, but as individuals

There is just so much depth to the characters, and there love. It was a second chance romance where you actually can tell both characters have but the work in on themselves and their self discovery as individuals. They just felt so raw and real.

10/10 recommend- don’t need to read the first one to understand but I will definitely be reading it now!

Hi Tarah, we haven't met, and yet somehow you've been inside my head. I have never felt so seen. Wren said so many of the things that I have thought. And wow was that an unexpected surprise.

Left of Forever is an incredible read. It changed me & it's absolutely my favorite book I've read by Tarah - ALL OF THE 🌟

As someone who has loved the same man since she was 15, this felt so real and authentic. When you've been with someone for more than half your life, you've inevitably grown up and navigated life together. Relationships are hard sometimes. Hurt happens. And staying happy takes work. But when you're with your person it makes it all worthwhile.

So even though that person can make you more mad than anyone else, and even though there are days when everything they do will annoy you, even when you may not like them.. you still love them.

Wren and Ellis lost their way for 5 years.. and I get it. Sometimes the hurt is too much and the happy gets lost. Tarah navigated this story so well, and I am a sucker for second chances. I love watching two people that are meant for one another fall back in love. Reminiscing on the good times, and reflecting and learning from the bad.

I also love how she showed Wren and Ellis as parents because watching your partner become a parent is indescribable and yet Tarah captured it perfectly. The love exponentially grows and that new dynamic changes you forever.

Wren and Ellis had me laughing, swooning, tearing up, letting the tears fall.. and they also taught me. It made me sit down and talk to my husband.

Reading 🤝 Real life.

I really cannot say enough good things about this story. While it can be read as a standalone, I think you would get the best experience reading Savor It first.

✨ 𝘞𝘦’𝘳𝘦 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘨𝘳𝘢𝘮𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘮𝘦𝘮𝘣𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣𝘢𝘥 𝘴𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘸𝘦 𝘬𝘯𝘰𝘸 𝘸𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘺 𝘢𝘸𝘢𝘺 𝘧𝘳𝘰𝘮 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘰𝘸 𝘵𝘰 𝘬𝘦𝘦𝘱 𝘨𝘰𝘪𝘯𝘨. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘩𝘶𝘳𝘵𝘴 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘰𝘶𝘵 𝘪𝘯 𝘰𝘶𝘳 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘢𝘵’𝘴 𝘸𝘩𝘺 𝘩𝘰𝘭𝘥𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘰𝘯 𝘵𝘰 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘺 𝘵𝘢𝘬𝘦𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘬.

OBSESSED!!! This was absolutely beautiful and well written. I love when books show the messy side of relationships. They feel realistic and relatable. This gave me all the feels. The emotional connection I had with the characters were so strong that they made me both laugh and cry.

I am an absolute mess. I’ve laughed, cried, kicked my feet, and all of the things. I have absolutely no notes. This is Tarah’s best book yet, and I’m a sucker for a slutty mustache ❤️

“I’ve been living and loving in half-measures for years. Living my life in pencil, because I don’t think I can get shit right the first time. Maybe because I think it’ll save me some pain. So far, I’ve been wrong.”

“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.”

Woah, did I love this book. To be completely transparent, I am NOT a second chance romance trope fan whatsoever. I’m more of a long time lover of “it’s always been you.”That being said, I was very hesitant picking this ARC up because of the gigantic cynical chip living on my shoulder, but I knew if there was anyone that could change my mind, it would be Tarah DeWitt. And she did just that.

Ellis and Wren. Period. They are the standard for this trope and honestly a lot of others too. I fell in love with them separately, but together? They were next level couple goals. I really loved the vulnerability in Ellis’ POV and while there was a lot more of Wren’s POV, I found his so necessary for laying down the foundation of their history and love story. Then there was the mutual pining that had me OBSESSED with needing them to admit their feelings to each other. I also love that Ellis put in the work for himself before he even reached out to Wren to see if there was anything left there from their marriage. SO good and I definitely recommend this book!

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Tarah DeWitt for this advanced readers copy! ◡̈

There’s something that hits just right about a second chance romance for a marriage in crisis—and Tarah NAILED it.

Wren and Ellis have been through it… but despite their tumultuous relationship, their son, Sam, has always come first. But now he’s off to college, and Wren and Ellis are left struggling with the questions of what comes next…especially since they’re both secretly (or not-so-secretly pining for one another). Divorce may have been what they needed at the time…but is it still the right choice for them?

I love the acknowledgement that marriage is hard at times. That growing as an individual simultaneously beside and with another person is incredibly difficult to align. And for Wren and Ellis, it just didn’t line up the way they’d hoped. More than that, they were also struggling with infertility when trying for their second child.

But now? Now they have another chance, and Ellis isn’t ready to give up on it—so he tries. He works on communicating—something he’s notoriously struggled with—and does his best to share, listen, and respond in hopes of growing with Wren this time around. And what better time to do all of this than on an isolated road trip together after dropping their son off at college?

I love Tarah’s writing and how she poetically weaves these two together through not only their words but also their actions.

I’ve seen so many people rave about this one, so it’s no surprise that you should go pick up a copy for yourself by now—but let me just say that I highly recommend it as a story of hope and self-growth, because not many authors can capture this as beautifully as Tarah has and package it up so beautifully for us to enjoy.

Read if you like:
- Marriage in crisis
- Second chance romance
- Found family
- Small town
- Road trip
- Forced proximity
- Childhood friends to lovers

I loved everything about this book. It's a second chance/marriage in crisis combo. The dynamics of the Byrd family make it really special. They are all wonderfully charming. The small town/ road trip setting is adorable. Ellis is a sensitive and dreamy hunk of a man. I loved how he pinned. Wren is a hot mom. The discussions of where they went wrong and past trauma was so real and raw. The spice was perfection. Highly recommend!
Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for this eARC!

Left of Forever takes us back to Spunes, however this time the plot focuses on second chance romance. This book is about Wren and Ellis' story. Wren and Ellis fell in love young, had a baby young and ended up growing apart/divorcing. The story follows them as they take a round trip back from dropping their son off at college. More importantly, it follows them as they find their way back to one another. One of the things I like most about Tarah DeWitt's books is that they are so realistic. Yes it is contemporary romance, but the relationship development and personal growth of the characters happens in a way that is plausible and relatable. Tarah is able to really relay the full gambit of human emotions so that you are can connect with the characters and the story. This is an emotional and heartfelt book!

Thank you Tarah DeWitt and St. Martin's Griffin for letting me read this ARC via NetGalley.

Genre: Contemporary Romance
Vibes: 🔥🚒💔📝🚗🌲🥵🌶️💦💞
Rating: 3.75⭐
Tropes: second chance / divorced couple / childhood friends-to-lovers / road trip / forced proximity / love letters / reflection and rediscovery

I was obsessed with the hype around this book before I even really read the description on NetGalley, and then realized that there might be a chance I don't like this title with all the tropes but I'm glad I gave it a chance because I enjoyed it. A little more spicier than my usual picks, but thank goodness I don't have nosey coworkers when I'm reading.

I love Ellis and Wren, the end.

Thank you netgalley, St. Martin’s, and the author for my #gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own.

I really enjoyed the journey of Wren and Ellis. I loved the way these two found their way back to each other and really never stopped loving one another. When they went through what these two do, it can be so hard to find yourself and they really needed that time apart. And their family pulling so hard for them?🥹

🎧 Megan Wicks and Connor Crais were the PERFECT Wren and Ellis. We’ve all been waiting for their story and these two really brought them to life.

This one is already out and if you haven’t read Savor It, I recommend it but it’s not necessary!

ARC Review: Left of Forever by Tarah Dewitt ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin’s Griffin for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is Dewitt’s second novel set in the charming small town of Spunes. Ellis Byrd realizes after 5 long painful years, he wants a reunion with his ex-wife Wren. After dropping their son off at college, the pair embark on a trial reunion roadtrip, to discuss the harsh truths of the past and see if there is a way forward together. I feel like this should be the template that all second chance romances need to follow. It was truly fantastic, and I usually don’t pick up second chance romances (I don’t give out second chances 🤷🏻‍♀️). I loved that despite Ellis’s burly exterior, he was genuinely very soft and open with Wren, even a little goofy. Their dynamic and sexual energy was 10/10, they are such a perfect couple. There are a few triggers, please check them out and take care of yourself while reading.

Left of Forever releases May 20th 2025!

Love, joy, hilarious moments, and hope
Left or Forever is finally out in the world and I KNOW yall have been waiting for this one!!

It’s a story filled with love, joy, hilarious moments, and arguably most importantly, hope. It shows the importance of self-work, and work in relationships. That it’s never too late to go after what you want. Life is too short to let love slip past you. You have to grip it with both hands, be brave, and never let to.

I loved this story, and these two MCs. Second Chance Romance and Found Family were the two big tropes in this one 🫶🏼

I love a second-chance romance, and this one? This one is pretty special.

Technically the second book in a series of interconnected stand-alones, "Left of Forever" follows Wren and Ellis Byrd—a divorced couple who got pregnant in high school, got married young, and ultimately broke up, years later. Now in their early 30s, their son is about to head to college, leaving them both grappling with the fact that 1) they're parents of an adult, 2) they both still have so much life left, and 3) they're both lonely. When it's time to move their son to his new home, Ellis suggests he and Wren roadtrip there and back together—and though she is hesitant, she agrees.

From there, we go on a journey through their past along with the present, learning about their childhood friendship, their teenaged love affair, their less-than-rosy marriage, and the family they created together. It's a lovely, nuanced look at a relationship that has never gone in the direction anyone expected and all the ways life can surprise you.

And the yearning? THERE IS SO MUCH YEARNING. FROM A MAN! A MAN WHO YEARNS!

It's a beautiful, sexy, and emotional book about love, life, and second chances—and it's one that's going to stick with me for a long time.

4.5🌟

This book had me in a total and complete chokehold. I loved how emotional and how deep it was, and I’m a sucker for a second chance romance!

After Savor It, I was so excited when I saw we would be getting a book for Wren and Ellis! As someone who loves second-chance romance, I was really looking forward to reading this, but unfortunately I don't think this book was for me. For some reason, the romance between Wren and Ellis wasn't very believable to me. For a couple that's been divorced for years and who've known each other since childhood, it felt like them wanting to rekindle their marriage came out of nowhere. As the story progressed, I felt kind of detached from the romance and it was getting very lust-centered. I would've liked more intimacy and communication, feeling like they're gradually reconnecting and falling back in love, but instead it felt like everything happened very fast and after having a few conversations they resolved all of their issues. Despite this, there were many sweet moments and I really appreciate the heavier topics Tarah included in this book. I also loved getting glimpses of Sage and Fisher and highly recommend reading Savor It before this! I expected a second-chance romance would make me feel more emotionally but I still had fun reading and I think a lot of people would enjoy this book!
～Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Thank you to the publisher for the eArc.

I just wasn’t connecting with this one like I had hoped I would. It may be a case where I come back to it another day but there’s too many communication issues that don’t feel grounded to be believable for me to continue with it at the moment.

This book was second chance perfection. The emotions between these characters were developed so well in this book. They're a divorced couple, who are far out from their doomed relationship, so the pieces of it that we see in the beginning of this book are full of reluctance and bitter sadness. Wren and Ellis have learned to exist in the world without one another, but they've never actually learned to thrive on their own.

In this book, a unique set of circumstances has thrust them back together. Ellis's yearning for Wren was key in pulling me in right away. I felt that man's heart bleed out on the page, in the most subtle ways, and knew that this story would bring on a tidal wave of emotions. Wren I think was the most reluctant out of the two because of how she internalized a lot of what happened between them around the time they split. Can she trust herself in a relationship again? Can she trust Ellis?

As we go through this book, we get to experience all the raw, nervous emotions that they feel. They've never truly fallen out of love with one another, so the tender way that their hearts find each other once again was so, so beautiful to read. I love that we get to see them put it all on the line. I love that the couple is a "grown" couple, living normal lives. I also love that this author took her time to tell the story the right way.

If you're a sucker for a second chance romance, you won't regret picking this book up. Now I'm off to explore more of her backlist!

A sweet, touching second chance romance that’s will have you smiling, laughing, and swooning. It can be read alone, but best read after Savor It. I can’t wait to see what Byrd will fall in love next.


I voluntarily read an early copy.