Tarah can do no wrong and this book is no different. The tension, the banter, the romance. Daddy I love them. This book made me feel 1000 emotions all at once and I never wanted it to end. She crafts such relatable and believable characters who make you want to wish only the best for them even when they make mistakes. I loved it!

Thank you St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC!

Like every other Tarah DeWitt book, these characters are so lively and fun to get lost in. We meet Wren and Ellis in Savor It, and it felt comforting to be back in Spunes to continue with this group of family/friends.

I love a second chance trope, and this one felt special because the plot wasn't some huge miscommunication or weird act of fate. This was true life hitting them, then bringing them back together after staying connected through co-parenting for five years. They stayed civil and yerning for FIVE YEARS. The angst was just glorious.

After dropping their son off at college, they decide to take a road trip home and test the waters of getting back together. It had a 'People We Meet on Vacation' x 'Out of the Woods' vibe. The chapters of their trip were my favorites. I was actually crying laughing at one point. I pray this makes it to theatres one day becuase seeing the post-cooking class on screen would heal every bone in my body.

The writing in this was beautiful - the perfect mix of poetic longing and crafted humor.

5 ⭐

I just love Tarah Dewitt! She hasn’t missed for me yet! Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for the advanced copy of Left of Forever. If you love deep feelings and emotions in your romance, this one’s for you. Left of Forever is a second chance romance with elements of found family, pen pals, and a MMC who deeply yearns for his woman. Although this is considered a standalone, I think it would greatly benefit the reader to read Savor It first. The Byrd family plays a big role and you meet them in Sage and Fisher’s story first. Wren and Ellis were high school sweethearts who got pregnant at 17 and 18 but made it work. Years later they grew apart and divorced. The story starts as the two have been divorced for 5 years. When a crazy twist of fate allows Ellis back into Wren’s mind, he realizes he has never stopped loving her and needs her back. The two will later embark on a journey after dropping their son off at college that will one way or another change their relationship for what’s left of forever. Tarah does an incredible job of writing complex, messy, and very real characters. Just like in previous books, there is quite a bit of humor including one scene I won’t forget anytime soon (🌶️🍆 iykyk). This was a 4 star instead a 5 star like all of Tarah’s previous books for me probably just due to the second chance trope. When it comes to second chance with characters who have been married, I struggle sometimes. Clearly a me problem. I did also feel like there was a tiny bit of dragging in the middle of the book. All together though another strong effort from Tarah Dewitt and one I will definitely be recommending!

Absolutely loved this one. I always love Tarah’s writing and this book was perfect. Loved the characters and the storyline.

Alrightyyyyy, I just finished Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt, and I’m still reeling from it. It’s a gut-punch of a romance in the best way possible.

LoF centers on Wren and Ellis Byrd, childhood sweethearts who fell hard and fast, became teen parent, and built a life in this cozy coastal Oregon town. They were that couple you’d bet on, the Jenna Dewan and Channing Tatum of high school—until they weren’t. Nowadays they’re divorced and living separate lives. Wren’s running the town bakery, while Ellis is out there as a firefighter. They’ve been orbiting each other, co-parenting their son, Sam, but never quite letting go, even if they won’t admit it.

The real kicker starts when Sam heads off to college. Wren and Ellis drop him off together, and Ellis—bless this man—convinces Wren to take a road trip back home with him along the California coast.

🎶 California here we come, right back where we started from, Californiaaaaaaa Caaaaaliforrrrniaaaa! 🎶

Ahem.

He’s got this quiet desperation to see if they can fix what broke, and Wren, hesitant but curious, says yes. That’s where the magic happens. The trip is this mix of stunning views—think crashing waves and golden cliffs and the scenery into to The O.C.—and these little moments that crack your heart open. Like when they’re sharing a bed (yes, one bed!) and Ellis just watches her sleep, or when they stop at a diner and he remembers how she likes her coffee without even asking. It's the little things.

Wren’s a tough nut to crack at first. Our girl has moved on (or has she?), and has walls that rival The Great Wall of China. But Ellis? He’s all in. He’s spent years figuring out where it all went wrong (and holding himself accountable for his parts), and you can tell he’d move mountains for her.

The road trip’s not all swoony vibes, though. They hit some proverbial roadblocks, like why they fell apart, the resentment, the silences that grew too big. Wren admits she felt lost after Sam, like she didn’t know who she was without him or Ellis, and it’s such a gut-wrenching truth of motherhood and how women are expected to be the glue of the family and hold up the world like Atlas and often lose themselves along the way. I wanted to linger with them a bit longer at the end—see more of that hard-won happiness.

Left of Forever is about second chances, sure, but it’s deeper than that. It’s about choosing love when it’s not easy, about two people who’ve been bruised but still fit together. Wren and Ellis aren’t perfect—they’re real, and raw, and that’s why I couldn’t put it down.

i expected it to be more better. I felt the characters didn't have proper communication and I also wanted more character depth. no hate to the author but I guess this book wasn't for me.

This is DeWitt’s best book yet. This is Second Chance at its finest. I love a man who knows what he wants and Ellis knows he wants Wren - he’s known it his whole life and now he’s ready to fight for it all back. Seeing Ellis take so many tangible steps to not only better him self but also his relationship with Wren and his siblings AND seeing Wren confronting her own part in their downfall just has you reading page after page as if your life depends on it. It’s so clear that they desperately love each other but also desperately need to make changes and have TOUGH conversations if it’s ever going to work. The scene where they are yelling at each other?? MY GOD. Another book that makes my chest heavy with emotion.

“His DNA altered mine, and our souls shaped themselves for each other.”

as much as I loved savor it…this book was everything I needed.
as soon as I picked it up, I knew it was going to be a new favorite. there were moments that had me crying, blushing & cheesing too dang hard. ugh this was sooo good.

I adored wren & ellis story. I love how it felt realistic. Seeing those raw emotions from them was so touching. I loved being able to see their povs on how they were both feeling. their chemistry is literally the best.

as someone who married & had my first kid at 18, this one hit home. I find myself relating to wren in so many ways.

I can’t wait for this book to hit stores so I can add it to my library at home.

thank you netgalley for the early copy. <3

Thank you to St. Martin & NetGalley for this e-ARC.

I’m a big fan of Tarah Dewitt’s work. This is my third novel by her and she just never fails. This story is about two high school sweethearts who divorced, but never fell out of love, find a way to rekindle their relationship after five years apart during a weeklong excursion in Northern California. It was an absolutely beautiful story.

The beginning of the novel was quite slow with how it was laid out. I almost wish it was interspersed throughout the roadtrip instead of plucked into the beginning of the story. It took me a bit to get into it, but the wait was worth it. Once they got on their trip together, my cheeks were hurting from smiling so much.

I will say that the writing style is a bit long winded. There are so many LONG paragraphs within the novel and just a ton of internal monologues that kind of dragged on a bit. I think a bit of editing to cut this down could have helped fine tune everything. I also wanted more banter between them!

Also, whoever the cover designer is for her books should get a raise. Another absolutely stunning cover.

infinite stars for Wrellis!!!

tropes: second chance, divorced couple, single parents, baker FMC x firefighter MMC, road trip, one bed, letters

I had been WAITING for this book ever since the iconic “she’s still a Byrd” moment in Savor It (the first Spunes book) and I was NOT disappointed. Tarah DeWitt was already a favorite author of mine but this book was on another level. I already know it’s in my top books of 2025 <3

The childhood friendship, the grief, the young love and pregnancy, the wreckage after their marriage, their relationship as parents, the growing, the heartache as they try to communicate, the letters(THE LETTERS), the connecting, and the loving each other… GOD. Frankly, I was in shambles on page one. The emotional rollercoaster Ellis & Wren’s story took me on was full of absolute devastation and maximum joy at every twist and turn. I quite seriously cannot stress enough how wonderfully this book broke me!!

Both Wren and Ellis are such relatable characters. They were raw, honest, and just a breath of fresh air. It was so easy to get lost in their story and their chemistry. The dynamics of not only their relationship as it moved through different stages of their lives- both together and apart- but their dynamics with the entire Byrd family. Those bonds are so important to me!!! Every single one of the Byrds had me in shambles!!! (be right back, crying again.)

There was just such a sense of both longing and belonging that choked me as I read. The immersion into both of their lives throughout!! that’s really what struck me so hard during their story. & the chemistry was TRULY undeniable. It was so natural— like, coming out of the book’s PORES.

I cannot recommend this book enough!! Beautifully written and truly remarkable. One of the best second chances out there and it's going to be in my heart for the rest of my life.

Alright ,I’m going to go scream into the abyss about them now. seriously. NEVER. GETTING. OVER. THEM.

Tarah does it again. I love every book she has written and I can’t wait to have this on my shelf! It made me cry, swoon, and just adore this couple and want them to get back together. They were so in love with each other still but needed to meet each other again.

This book had so much heart in it I made mine want to burst. The characters were so relatable, raw and real, dealing with real life things. Wren and Ellis’s one string that tied them together, their son Sam, was the only thing holding them together for so long after their divorce. With that string unraveling with Sam heading off to college, Wren and Ellis were finally caught in a crossroad that they were both scared to navigate. I really loved and reflected a lot from Ellis and his journey. I’ve never connected to a male main character in that way, but I understood where his hurt was coming from. I really connected to both Wren and Ellis and their want to be needed by others, to be the nurturer and give so much to others that sometimes you forget about yourself and your priorities along the way. Tarah’s writing is so poignant and real that I was so immersed in their journey I never wanted to leave.
I’ve always loved Tarah’s characters and the journeys that she takes them on. Wren and Ellis felt like they could be real characters with this very real issue at hand. The way that they found their way back to each other was not easy in the slightest; they had to go through some real shit to figure it out and actually come out better on the other side, regardless of if they were going to be together in the end. I think they healed their friendship first which in turn helped their romantic relationship.
Growing up in the area that Tarah writes Wren and Ellis’s road trip through is always a fun time. It brings a sense of pride in knowing that others will get to read about such an amazing area.

I’ll be honest—Tarah Dewitt never misses!! Every book she writes completely pulls me in, and this one was no exception. The moment Wren and Ellis were introduced, I knew I needed their story, and it delivered in every possible way.

This book is everything I could’ve hoped for and more. It’s raw, real, and incredibly relatable. The emotions hit hard, and yes, I definitely cried! The maturity in Wren and Ellis’s relationship and the way they love each other is so beautiful.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for this incredible story- I’ll take 123442 more. I’ve left my heart in Spunes, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

I’m not sure there are words to describe how much I loved this book.

Tarah Dewitt is an absolute master at making me feel every emotion. LoF was no exception. The characters were so open and raw, it felt like living the journey with them.

I will be recommending this right along side Savor It for the foreseeable future.

10/10. No notes. Perfection.

I knew as soon as I read the infamous “She’s still a Byrd” line in Savor It in early 2024 that I needed a book on Wren and Ellis. I am here to tell you that Left of Forever is everything you could ever want in a reunion book, and so much more.

Wren and Ellis Byrd have been divorced for five years, moving through life interacting with each other as little as possible, but missing each other fiercely. When their son, Sam, is accepted to his dream university, Ellis decides to use this opportunity to plan a “not-so-romantic” roadtrip home with Wren. As the two journey up the California coast on their way back home to Oregon, they find that their feelings for each other haven’t quite faded like they thought, and their journey back to each other might be a lot closer than either of them expected.

I have always been a fan of second chance romances, but there was something truly special about Wren and Ellis’ story. The desperation, tension, angst, and hope between the two characters leapt off the page. I went into this already rooting for their happily ever after, but while reading this book, I found myself rooting even harder for them with tears in my eyes (happy tears, I promise)!

I loved seeing the small glimpses of their past through Wren’s journal entries, and Ellis’ love letters were so, so beautiful. The love between Wren and Ellis felt so tangible and I did not want their story to end.

Because of Tarah DeWitt, I now have an even higher standard for second chance romances. Even so, this book felt like more than just a second chance for the Byrds to get it right. It felt like a love letter to romance, to love, and to hope.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC!

3.5 ★ : Sadly, I think I will be in the minority on this one 😭 It pains me because I really wanted to love this and Left of Forever was one of my most anticipated reads of 2025.

The first 50% had me locked in but as Ellis and Wren got closer to reconciling I found the plot to be lacking in substance and quite rushed. I did appreciate the heavier topics the book touched on and the snippets of Fisher and Sage as well as the rest of the Byrd crew.

I won’t be saying farewell to Spunes, Oregon just yet though, since Tarah has managed to create quite a bit of intrigue around Silas and possibly Micah? 👀

Thank you to NetGalley for the e-ARC!

This was by far the most compelling and moving second chance romance I’ve read in a very long time.

“I’ll love you for everything left of forever, in every lifetime we get.”

Ellis and Wren have been divorced for five years when fate intervenes: Ellis accidentally receives Wren’s letters inquiring about a pair of missing horses. With their son is about to head off to college, Ellis takes advantage of the situation and decides to plan a road trip, for a chance to see if there is anything left for another shot at a relationship.

Their dynamic is a perfect blend of playful banter, shy flirtation, and heartfelt charm. Though both in their thirties and bonded by a lifetime of shared history since childhood, their five-year separation reignites the giddy, awkward spark of teenage romance. I adored how their interactions oscillated between tender vulnerability and lighthearted humor—yes, this story will make you laugh, too!

What truly gripped me were the raw, vulnerable moments as they confront their painful past. Ellis, despite his emotionally reserved nature, shows unwavering determination to rebuild their relationship. The way they navigate their struggles while cherishing the good memories creates an emotional rollercoaster—That right there… that broke me as a reader in the best way.

“I’m begging you to fight with me, do anything with me. Just be with me.”

A beautifully crafted tale of love, growth, and second chances, this book is a must-read for anyone who believes in the power of rekindled flames.

Thank you so much for this gifted copy in exchange for an honest review. Holy cow this is my new favorite Tara Dewitt. I love a second chance storyline and this was top tier. The entire storyline was amazing. I loved it so much! Can not reccomend this one enough

Left of Forever was a pull-on-your-heartstrings kind of read where my heart shattered for the pieces of Wren and Ellis's relationship as they struggled in the beginning and yet, fate (and Tarah!) gives them a second chance. Seeing the people they grew to become and then watching their new relationship grow and change with them (and work out more existing issues because let's be real, every relationship has twists and turns), was a real treat. Thank you for bringing these characters to life, Tarah!

5 stars. It has been a minute since a book has made sob. I was weeping on my couch. The love, the pain, the regret, the hope... all written so perfectly and painfully. Everything about this was honest, from the brutal truths of heart break to the joys of love. I don't know how I am supposed to go on with life without Ellis and Wren. I swear I will carry them, and their love with me for what's left of forever.