This was my first time listening to Conor Crais and wow—now I get why he has such a fanbase. His voice fit the emotional depth and intensity of the story perfectly. Megan Wicks (whose delivery was equally strong) nailed every emotional beat, from quiet heartbreak to playful banter. Their chemistry brought Tarah DeWitt’s words to life in a way that made the story even more immersive. The second-chance romance felt raw and real, with standout moments like the heartfelt letters, the therapy journey, and the deep, earned vulnerability. 5 star book and narration!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced listening copy of Left of Forever.

The narration in this audiobook was a standout—emotive, well-paced, and genuinely engaging. The voice actors brought Wren and Ellis to life with nuance and warmth, and I probably enjoyed the story more because of their performances.

That said, the plot didn’t fully land for me. While the premise of a second-chance romance after a shared life and a teenage son was compelling, I found myself losing interest at times and struggled to connect with some of the emotional beats. I never felt like I fully understood the divorce or what exactly drove them apart, which made their reconnection feel somewhat incomplete.

Still, Tarah DeWitt delivers poignant moments and beautiful prose, and fans of character-driven romance will likely find something to enjoy here—especially if you’re in it for the intimacy and reflective tone.

“Does any part of you think about us still?” 😭

I had NO DOUBT that I was going to love this book, ever since SHE’S STILL A BYRD happened in Savor It 🥹🥹
this was so beautiful

I totally sobbed again looking back over my highlights to share some quotes 😭
I’m glad I had both versions to be able to highlight, but I very much recommend the audio for this one - it’s incredible.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press & MacMillan Audio for the ARC & ALC. All opinions are my own.

✦ tropes & stuff:
✨ second chance (childhood friends >> divorced)
🚘 road trip
💌 letter writing
🥹 pining & angst
🔗 forced proximity
🛏️ only one bed
🔥 firefighter mmc x baker fmc
🌳 small town
🫶🏼 family + found family
💞 dual 1st person pov

📝 mini blurb:
After helping their son Sam move in as he heads to college, Ellis convinces his ex-wife Wren to take an extended road trip back to their hometown, and give their relationship another chance.

These two childhood friends fell in love as teenagers, had their son, and built their life - only for it to fall apart.
Ellis is desperate to get his wife back, and Wren is protecting her heart.

⭐️: ♾
🌶️: open door, several descriptive scenes

💭 what I loved about this one:
- the letters 🥹
- Ellis going to therapy & doing the work
- The angst & the pining 🥹
- the cooking class disaster 😅
- appreciating the little things in a relationship
- their two different perspectives - Ellis desperately wanting her back, but trying not to spook her; Wren trying to hold back but falling again so quickly without being able to control it

🎧 audiobook thoughts:
I HAVE FOUND MY FAV NARRATING DUO!
Seriously I can’t think of a better pair than Megan Wicks & Connor Crais, they were absolutely PERFECT for capturing Wren & Ellis 🥹

**I NEED a Silas & a Micah book as well, please and THANK YOU Tarah Dewitt! 💜

Yes. Just yes. Tarah is a queen and a hell of a writer. This book is perfect in so many ways. I did a dual reading of a physical copy and the audiobook, and I loved both.

Wren and Ellie's story was touching, real and sexy all at once. Their love is authentic and layered. When tested it bended but did not break permanently. I enjoyed listening to their alternating perspectives. Their families added depth to their story and their love. A great read.

Thank you to NetGalley and @StMartinsPress for this ALC in exchange for an honest review.

Left of Forever by Tarah Dewitt turned out to be such a nice surprise! It's a second-chance romance that I didn’t expect to love as much as I did. The story follows Wren and Ellis Byrd, former high school sweethearts who have had their fair share of life’s ups and downs. After becoming parents at a young age and going through a divorce, they’ve both moved on, with Wren running a bakery in their small Oregon town and Ellis working as a firefighter. But when their son heads off to college, Ellis persuades Wren to take a road trip with him down the California coast, and the journey opens the door to revisiting old feelings.

What I loved about this audiobook is how real and grounded their relationship felt. I’m usually pretty particular about second-chance romances. I need to see growth in the characters, and I want to believe that this time, things will work out. Tarah Dewitt totally delivered on that. Both Wren and Ellis have grown since their breakup, and their chemistry is undeniable. Ellis in particular is determined to prove he’s not the same guy he was back then, and you can really see his effort to show Wren how much he’s changed.

The way their past was slowly revealed throughout the book was also a nice touch. It gave me the chance to understand their history and what led to their split in the first place, making the possibility of their reconciliation feel earned and heartfelt. Overall, Left of Forever was a beautifully layered, emotional read, and I found myself rooting for these two to find their way back to each other. Highly recommend if you're into stories of love, growth, and second chances! Can't forget the narrators. They were both fantastic!!! They truly brought to life the characters and their story.
4.5 Stars!
#NetGalley, #StMartinsPress, # LeftofForever, #SecondChanceRomance, #SpicyRomance, #Tarah Dewitt

What happens when you are divorced and you both want to take your son off to college together. Then your ex-husband wants to do a small trip with just the two of you at the end. This story of Wren and Ellis at this point in life is emotional and poignant. They start remembering their mistakes and decide to really give it a try to see what they can salvage from their divorce. The stories of their travels is so sweet to read and you really do find yourself rooting for them.

𝑺𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆. 𝑯𝒆𝒓 𝒍𝒊𝒑𝒔 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒏 𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆 𝒂𝒇𝒕𝒆𝒓 𝒇𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒈 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔. 𝑭𝒊𝒗𝒆 𝒉𝒖𝒏𝒅𝒓𝒆𝒅 𝒚𝒆𝒂𝒓𝒔. 𝑺𝒉𝒆’𝒔 𝒌𝒊𝒔𝒔𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒎𝒆. 𝑰’𝒎 𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒆.

I savored the story and even slowed down the amazing narrators at the end. This was my first book by this author and I may have to check into a few more. Thank you to the publisher and #NetGalley for the ARC of this book.

I listened to the audio version of this book narrated by Connor Crais and Megan Wicks. The narration was superb. The emotions were vividly portrayed and it was very easy to listen to.

This was an amazing second chance romance with mature characters that really cared about each other. Wren and Ellis are divorced and taking their only child to college. Ellis convinces Wren to take a short trip with him to try to discover if there is still something there for them.

There was humor, flirting, romantic gestures, hot times and just plain longing of the heart. Tarah DeWitt really hit all the right marks for me. Fantastic!

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the audio. All thoughts are my own.

2.5 stars for story / 4.5 stars for performance

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for this ALC - all opinions are my own

This was a nice, second chance romance between Wren and Ellis, who grew up together, married young and have been divorced for 5 years. There was potential for more angst with this one. I wish there was a bit more backstory highlighting their decision to divorce. It was talked about, but flashback scenes would have elevated the emotions and really helped provide a deeper understanding. I just never understood the divorce which was the whole basis of the storyline. I did love the characters and the family bonds were strong which is something I loved. Overall it was a nice story.

The narrators were amazing. Connor Crais is an instant listen for me and can do no wrong. Megan Wicks though, wow!! She was new to me and she has such a smooth, velvety tone that I loved listening to. I will definitely be on the lookout for more from her!

💥 Pub Date: 5/20/2025

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

• second chance romance
• road trip fun
• spicy!

Spunes, Oregon is such a quirky small town! Our two main characters are relatable, and I enjoyed their arc (and growth!). Their story wrapped up beautifully.

🗣 Thank you to macmillan.audio for the opportunity to read and review this book via gifted eARC audio! All opinions are honest and my own.

Left of Forever was everything that I’d hoped it would be. I’ve been waiting for Wren and Ellis’s story, and it did not disappoint. It was emotional, heartbreaking, romantic, and honest. And if you think you’ve experienced yearning before, you definitely haven’t. Ellis is the definition of the word. He pines, he longs, and he grovels. I could not get enough of the man.

Wren and Ellis fell in love as kids and got pregnant as teenagers. They were each other’s soul mates, until life ripped them apart. Now, they live in the same small town, co-parent their son together, lead separate lives, and secretly pine for each other. When their son leaves for college, Ellis convinces Wren to take a road trip with him to confront their past and see if they could have a future together. It was intimate and personal, and so raw that my heart physically ached. But it also left me feeling deeply seen and believing in true love. It perfectly captured the ups and downs of marriage, and how hard it can be.

I listened to the audiobook which was narrated by Megan Wicks and Connor Crais and I absolutely adored it. They did a great job voicing the characters of Wren and Ellis and listening to them confront their past and fall in love again made the story even more emotional. I can’t recommend this book enough. I laughed, I cried, I longed, and I fell in love.

Thank you to You Had Me At HEA, St Martin’s Press, Macmillan, Macmillan Audio, Tarah DeWitt, and NetGalley for the ARC and ALC.

📔Left of Forever
✏️ Tarah DeWitt
📆 May 20, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

READ IF YOU LIKE:
🐦‍⬛small town
🐦‍⬛second chance
🐦‍⬛ divorced couple
🐦‍⬛they have a grown son together
🐦‍⬛firefighter
🐦‍⬛secret pen pals
🐦‍⬛mutual pining
🐦‍⬛it’s always been you
🐦‍⬛dual POV

When I think of a second chance romance, this story is it. It was flawless, perfectly executed angst, personal introspection, raw emotion and open communication. It had painful regret, hindsight clarity, and love. Just all around love. This story is the depiction of, “When you know, you know.”

I also loved how relatable the marriage in crisis was, as a married woman, it’s easy to delineate yourself from your long-term partner.

Wren and Ellis’s story is tragic and the way they lost one another, you almost feel like shaking them because of the lack of communication they seem to have had - but their journey to find each other again was so heartwarming. From the letters in the beginning, to their road trip, and how Ellis planned it all out – wow. I was crying at the end. Their love story was so beautiful, and all of the metaphors sewn in between. This is my first Tarah DeWitt book and it won’t be my last.

The audio narrators were fantastic. I LOVED Wren’s voice and the angst and brooding. You can feel the emotions through their range. I would absolutely recommend the audio version of this book because the production was perfect.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, NetGalley and Tarah DeWitt for an Advanced Listening Copy of this audiobook in exchange for an honest review.

First things first the way Tarah crafts her stories is incredible. The narrators did a phenomenal job bring this story to life. I could feel the emotion of the story through their performance and would 100% recommend experiencing this book by audio.

Wren and Ellis fell in love at a young age and had Sam, their son when Wren was 18 years old. They get married and journey through life with it’s ups and downs and through it all, ended their marriage. 5 years after their divorce, their son, Sam is ready to be dropped off at his new college in California. Ellis proposes a road trip for all three of them to journey from Spunes, Oregon to Northern California.

Tropes: Teen pregnancy, miscommunication, grumpy sunshine, dual timeline, dual POV, found family

An emotional love story of two people who fell in love at a young age and get pregnant and deal with the responsibilities that come with having a baby. Their love for each other never fully dissipates but to keep their little family together, Wren and Ellis decide to keep things civil, for Sam. Their love story is a bit tragic due to their miscommunication mostly Ellis’ unwilling to share how he really felt about Wren. The longing, yearning and the slow burn really kept me turning the pages (in this case, want to keep listening to the audiobook).

Tara Dewitt really knows how to pull at your heartstrings with her profound and beautiful writing. The narrators really did an awesome job conveying the heartbreak and love, Wren and Ellis, felt for each other. I loved every minute of it!

Thanks to Netgalley and MacMillan Audio for a copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Thanks to netgalley and the publisher for the arc and alc

I didn’t love this book as much as Tarah’s last. It was cute but I was slightly disappointed. I did enjoy the narrator.

As a fan of second chance romances, this book was a winner! Wren and Ellis had unbelievable chemistry mixed in with their palpable heartbreak. I loved how the two of them worked as co-parents even amidst their differences. I also appreciated that both Wren and Ellis approached their reconciliation knowing they both made mistakes and willing to fix them.

The road trip aspect was also fantastic! I found it a creative way to put the characters into both romantic and non-romantic situations and see how they handled it. My one complaint is their reconciliation felt a little too easy. Of course I wanted it to work, but rebuilding after a failed marriage should have had a few more bumps.

Even still, I thoroughly enjoyed the whole book!

🎧5⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐🎧
Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for allowing me to listen and review.

Connor Crais and Megan Wicks are a hit in this audiobook; they truly feel like the characters to me. The emotions and the tone just hit so right with this one.

I am a sucker for a second chance so when Wren and Ellis said they were going to go on an extended road trip back to Spunes after they mover their son into college I was so hoping they would rekindle their love and boy howdy did they. But it was more than finding their way back to each other. It was about making them stronger in the meantime. Learning what went wrong and not having hurt feelings about it, and finding out a way to make it work this time around when it didn’t the first time.
They both have a lot of hurt they are carrying around, but if they can work through it and come out the other side better for it, well, it can only make them better lovers, friends and parents in the end, right?

Left of Forever
By: Tarah DeWitt

The vibes:
- second chance romance
- first loves
- baker + firefighter
- co-parenting
- road trip adventures
- “You’ve Got Mail” moment

5 stars!! I could not get enough of this book!! Ellis and Wren are childhood sweethearts that got pregnant with their son as teenagers, got married, and then divorced after struggling with infertility and lack of communication. But neither of them ever fell out of love or stopped pining for the other. While Ellis and Wren are preparing to drop Sam off at college for the first time out of state, Ellis proposes that he and Wren go on a road trip after in order to give their relationship a second chance. Will the road trip allow them to reconnect or drive them apart?

The narrators of the audiobook were fantastic and added so much to the story!!

Content warnings: teenage pregnancy, infertility, divorce, grief, wildfires/firefighter

Thank you to NetGalley & the author for access to this ARC in return for my honest review!

I have always been a second chance romance hater, but this book may have fully changed my mind!

Left of Forever is swoony and romantic and sexy in spades. Wren and Ellis Byrd got married way too young when they got pregnant as teenagers. Now, in their thirties, they’re divorced and co-parenting smoothly, but secretly, each is pining to get back together. When their son decides to go to UC Davis, Ellis plans a road trip to woo Wren back through a series of romantic stops along the way back to their hometown in Oregon.

This book is just lovely and so full of tropes. It’s set in a small town, featuring a beautiful (and meddling) found/given family, a sexy wildfire fighter, and childhood friends-to-lovers, culminating in a second chance romance that fully and completely convinced me that the characters are right for each other and the time is finally right for them to be together.

This is my first read by Tarah DeWitt but I will definitely go back to read the first book in the series!

Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, and St. Martin’s Press for a free advanced listener copy in exchange for an honest review.

oh what Tarah Dewitt can do to me…I hope she never stops 😭 I’ve been invested in these two since the first “she’s still a Byrd” in Savor It and oh my gosh did I fall so madly in love with these two 🙌😭

Wren and Ellis have the perfect kind of love story— the imperfect, authentic, blazing hot, deeply rooted, always devoted kind that is the happily ever after we all dream of. seeing them reconnect in a way that honors their deep history and their matured expectations was so beautiful. they are so madly in love with each other they needed the right way to fight for each other and they get it, they finally get it 😭

I was an absolute mess reading this book. there were so many laughs and tears from star to finish and I swear I could feel the love radiating from this story. I loved the pacing of this story, the different parts and timeframes, they really helped the authenticity of the story. and the audiobook just amplified all of these feelings!!! the narration and production was so freaking good I felt like I was walking through this story as it played out 🥹

a truly, deeply lovely story that will make you believe in love again. 😭🙌🫶