I really loved this book! Tarah did a fantastic job making the characters feel like real people and I felt convinced of their past love for one another even though we don’t actually see the past timeline. Another great book by Tarah, I can’t wait for what she writes next!

Tarah DeWitt is my rom com queen and no one can convince me otherwise. I have no words—truly. I’ve been sitting with this book for days, trying to figure out how to express how much it meant to me, and still I don’t think anything I say will do it justice. All I know is: I loved it. I felt it. Deeply. This is the kind of story that crawls under your skin and settles right into your heart, and refuses to let go.

After Savor It, I already knew Tarah DeWitt had a gift for writing characters that feel achingly real, but this book? This book wrecked me in the most beautiful way. I am fully convinced she’s magic. Her words are stunning—poetic in places, cutting in others, always intentional. She writes with a kind of emotional clarity that just knocks the breath out of you.

Wren and Ellis completely undid me. I adored them in Savor It, and this book only deepened that connection. The second chance romance between them was everything I wanted—tender, raw, bursting with longing and growth and that kind of once-in-a-lifetime love that never really dies. They weren’t perfect, and that’s what made them perfect. Watching them find their way back to each other, piece by piece, with patience and vulnerability and honesty, was just… unforgettable. I cried more than once. Okay, maybe the whole way through.

Their history, the pain and love layered between them, made their reconnection feel so earned. There was such believable, quiet effort in how they chose each other again—not out of convenience or nostalgia, but because they still saw each other, completely. They showed up for one another, even when it was hard. Especially then.

And can we talk about the Byrds? That found family warmth added so much to the story, and if you’ve read Savor It, you’ll love the way this book ties everything together. Their connection to Wren felt personal, grounding, and reminded me that love doesn’t just come from one person—it’s the people who surround you and lift you up, too.

This was one of those rare books that made me laugh and sob and swoon all within the span of a few pages. If you love second chance romances that are full of longing, soft touches, heartache, healing, and hope—stories that make you feel—then this book will completely undo you in the best way. Absolutely perfect.

“This time, they'll get it right.”

Look. I’m just going to say it. If Tarah DeWitt writes it I’m going to read it. If Tarah DeWitt has the book made into an audio book, I’m going to listen to it. If Tarah DeWitt wants to draw me a cave drawing, I will marvel at it.

If you read Savor It and absolutely loved it (like I did) and needed 1000% more of Spunes, OR (like I did) run, don’t walk to your nearest book retailer to get the physical or audio copy of Left of Forever. In this story we get Wren and Ellis’s story: how they met, how they fell in love, and ultimately how they fell apart.

This book hit me in all the emotions. I laughed. I cried. I cried some more. I had a few giggles. And then I ugly cried for the last few chapters. And that epilogue. WHAT AN EPILOGUE. This book is filled with so much love (and pain) and emotion that it’s hard to even put into words what I loved about this book. Essentially, it was everything. Hard stop.

Definitely read this one for:
🥐Small town romance
🥐Second chance romance
🥐Childhood love
🥐Roadtrip
🥐He wants her back and will stop at nothing

This book does deal with some heavier topics so please, please, please read and research any trigger warnings beforehand.
While this book is not a sequel, per se, it doesn’t help to have read Savor It first in order to get to meet the side characters and the small town where they live.

I was lucky enough to score an eARC and an ALC and I traded back and forth between the two. The audio is great as well and I loved the dual narration.

Both are out on May 20th! A special thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and also Macmillan Audio for advanced copies in exchange for an honest review.

AHHH! I loved the book Savor It by this author, and I knew I was going to love this just as much. This book was everything I wanted from Wren. She was my favorite character from Savor It while Sage was going through her stuff. I just loved her vibe. Elliot was also a fantastic MMC. He was dependable, and I like that he eventually gave into his vulnerability. I do like that his siblings also acknowledge how he took on all the roles in their childhood and he had to learn if people wanted advice, help, or just wanted to vent which was a super relatable message I think to a lot of older siblings that probably take on too much! I really loved the pacing, and thought that it really fit the story. I did cry when they got to California for the drop off to kick start their trip. I think a week seems like a good enough timeline considering they spent years together, and already know each other, so having a week to fully discuss everything was amazing. The setting was so cozy but I may be bias as someone from the PNW. I hope we get a million more books from Spunes, OR!

Due out May 20

I've been thinking on this one since finishing it a few days ago, and though I really wanted it to go better, it just didn't work for me.

I was on board for the let's bury the hatchet trip for Wren and Ellis. Thinking there would be some bridging of their communication gaps, as had begun in their letters, since this was the issue that caused their divorce.

But that's not what this was.

They did end up having a come to Jesus moment about their main topic of miscommunication, but it really soured me on the story probably because it was massive red flags to me (please excuse the paraphrasing here):
<spoiler> </spoiler>

This was more or less two people who once had chemistry, who divorced because they couldn't communicate, who didn't find anyone else in 5 years, took a road trip to say some things had gone badly while expecting no resolution of those feelings, and then decided to settle for having chemistry again.

one media form of this wasn't enough and when i had the opportunity to grab the audio you know i snatched it up immediately. I LOVE THIS BOOK. the audio really only solidified that. Ellis and Wren are some of my favorite fake people and their story just make me heart ache. i love them. i love their story. i love this audio. I have not a single critique except that I dont have the physical copy in my hands yet. read this book. please.

This audiobook wow, beautiful amazing! 100 stars the narrator truly brought this story to life!!! I am in awe!
Wren & Ellis is a beautiful heart wrenching story of two people trying to find each other again. I loved every piece of this story from Beginning to end. The tone was perfect! They captured their essence perfectly!

Wren and Ellis Byrd have loved each other since they were kids and had their son, Sam, together when they were only teenagers. Five years ago, they called it quits, but neither of them has been able to fully move on. When Sam gets accepted into college and the couple decides to help him move, Ellis convinces Wren to road trip home with him so they can give their relationship another shot.

I have no words. Hands down this has been my absolute favorite romance of the year! This book had me literally laughing out loud and crying fat, ugly tears of joy.

I'm a huge sucker for a solid second chance romance, and this book delivered everything I long for. Wren and Ellis have been friends since they were young, and their relationship developed slowly, not culminating until their high school years. We get to see glimpses of their past as they reminisce together and through Wren's journaling, and I loved the slow burn aspect of it all.

While their road trip together is lots of fun (and plenty spicy!), the two also use the time to talk about what went wrong in their relationship. I love how raw and honest this all felt, and it made everything about them and their relationship feel more real and relatable.

And of course, Ellis was the perfect MMC. He's a hot firefighter who would do just about anything for the people he loves. He's willing to admit his faults, and fight for what's really important to him.

I listened to this one on audio, narrated by Connor Crais and Megan Wicks in dual narration. Although the narrators both did a wonderful job, I do wish this one had been done fully in duet. When they're reading each other's letter and when Ellis is reading Wren's journal, it's done in duet, but the rest of the book is dual narration.

Read if you like:
Second chance romance
30s MCs
Divorced couple
Letters/journal
Firefighter MMC
Cinnamon roll MMC
Dual-POV

Savor It was my first book by Tarah Dewitt and I have to say Left of Forever blew it out of the water for me 👀

Tropes: Forced Proximity, Second Chance, One Bed, Friends to Enemies to Lovers, Found Family, Childhood Sweethearts, Roadtrip
I am a sucker for a second chance romance and this one had so much love, tension, family, and banter that I was instantly in love with Wren and Ellis!

If anything, this is a story of how important it is to communicate with the ones you love. Communication is always the key to any relationship - lovers, work, family. So, seeing how they grow and learn and lean on the other throughout this book makes my little romantic heart SO happy!

They fell in love young and it burned hot and bright for a long time. Their son, Sam, is a testament to that passion. But when they stop communicating, their heat dims and cools until they feel like nothing remains but ice. 5 years and a college bound son later, everything turns again. But is it for the best? Or will they fully implode?

Fair warning - this book goes into themes of pregnancy loss, fertility issues, and divorce.

Finally, the narrators: Connor Crais
And Megan Wicks were the perfect voices for Ellis and Wren. I loved how perfectly they portrayed them and I couldn’t have imagined anything better!

I’m so thankful to Tarah, @netgalley , and @macmillan.audio for this ARC 🫶🏼 I truly enjoyed it!

I cannot wait to meet Tarah at @eagleeyebooks later this month!

oh my GOD TARAH DEWITT, I OWE YOU MY LIFE!! I cried reading the ending and this is no doubt going into my second chance romance royalty. I absolutely ADORED everything about this book - it was so earnest while being laugh out loud funny. I was rooting for Wren and Ellis's relationship, as they had grown so much over the years and the YEARNING WAS STILL THEREEE OH THE YEARNING. This checked off all the boxes I look for when I read second chance (my favorite trope), and I loved how their co-parenting techniques shone within the book. The narrators were PERFECT for this audiobook! I am officially such a big fan of DeWitt and look forward to catching up with her backlog!

I did an immersive reading experience with this book and I'm so glad I did. The voice cast is spot on. The vulnerability and rasp in Wren captured her character perfectly. When switching to kindle reading I still had the tone set perfectly in my mind. The casting of Ellis was perfect as well, sexy and strong but so emotional. This audio book was a hit. The story alone is fantastic brought to life beautifully with this cast.

HANDS DONE, my favorite Tarah book! I’m not sure what she put in this book, but once i hit play on the audiobook I COULD NOT BE INTERRUPTED.

First of all, second chance romance that involves a divorce and remarriage/rekindling is a trope i’ve read and it be done REALLY bad. I think it has to be done in a way that’s so careful and that the reader WANTS them to end up back together & Tarah did that.

I was immediately rooting for our MCs to get back together and I felt the angst, tension and build up through every single page. I loved how she organized the book as well. It was fast paced and addictive.

The narration was SO well done. I absolutely loved it. I followed along in the digital copy, but the narrator did an outstanding job and keeping me engaged and entertained. She will absolutely be added to my must listen list!

You’ll find:
-Second Chance Romance
-Roadtrip Rekindling

Overall, this just felt like such a well done romance. You truly fall in love with every character and are rooting for our MCs! I absolutely recommend and would def recommend the audio!

I absolutely loved this. You’re already so in love with all of the characters from the first book, that this one just makes you love them even more! They’re so fully fleshed out, so human, that even her minor characters stand out and stick with you.

I especially love how DeWitt explores the idea that you can't go back and fix something without first doing the work on yourself and acknowledging what went wrong the first time. Wren and Ellis are both so fierce in their love, for each other and for the people around them. You can feel how deeply they want it to work, how much they're willing to fight for it. Watching them slowly peel back the layers of themselves, each other, and their relationship tugged on all my heartstrings.

I went into this with high hopes because I adored Savor It and it did not disappoint!!! I need more of this world and more of these characters desperately.

5⭐️ & mark my words, this will be one of my favorite romance books of the entire year 😭 !!!

THIS is why I love second chance romance!!!! The yearning, pining, tension, & LOVE is unmatched. No man has ever loved a woman like Ellis loves Wren. The trauma & pain they’ve gone through together, raising Sam, & fighting their way back together. They are soulmates in every sense of the word 💗

“All I know is that if I found out heaven was real and got there first? I’d hang back in the waiting room and save you a seat.”

I had CHILLS at so many points in the book. I truly was crying at the end, not only because it was so incredibly beautiful, but also because I was so sad it had to end.

I LOVED the Sage, Fisher & Indy cameos, learning more about Silas, & HOPEFULLY getting a Micah book (next!!?). I love the Byrd family so much my heart hurts 😭💗

I really enjoyed the audiobook for this one. The narrator’s fit Ellis & Wren perfectly and really helped me feel the emotion of these moments.

A HUGEEEE thank you to St. Martin’s Press, Macmillan audio, Tarah DeWitt & NetGalley for the early copy. I will cherish this story forever 🥹

I absolutely loved Left of Forever. The storyline is so wonderful and the characters are top notch. I really connected with them and was rooting for them from the beginning. I loved the underlying message of hope. I am so so glad I read Savor It (Spunes, Book 1) first due to all the tie ins. I wouldn’t have felt all the feelings I did without reading it. If I could move to that small town - I would!! I can’t wait to read more from Tara DeWitt and to continue the series, once it’s available. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators did a fantastic job. 🍦🥵

I would like to thank Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for giving me an ARC (which did not sway my opinions or review).

This was an engaging read, that was definitely entertaining. I loved seeing the familiar characters. And I appreciated the attention to fertility, My biggest struggle with this book was that I really didn’t care for Wren. I wanted so badly to like her! Something just really rubbed me the wrong way with how she treated Ellis. But I did have fun listening to this one, and the narration was great. I liked the dual POV and how we learned more about their past as the book continued on, and I thought each narrator did a great job of portraying their characters.

Longing to the extreme! They lonnnnnged for each other and I. Ate. It. Up.
I love this Spunes family and *fingerscrossed* Silas is next! Alllll the stars
Connor Crais and Megan Wicks nailed the yearning.

4.5 stars⭐️ rounded up.

“If you're lost, I'll find you. I'll give you my body, my heart, and my soul. I'll cherish every bit of yours in return. I'll fight with you. I'll fight for you. I'll love you for everything left of forever, in every lifetime we get.”

Left of Forever was emotional, tender, and beautifully written. I loved watching Wren and Ellis find their way back to each other after five years apart, it felt so real and earned. There’s something powerful about watching a previously married couple that were together for so much of their lives, rebuild from the ruins of what once was, especially when the love never really left. Tara DeWitt does such a great job showing their pain, growth, and the quiet hope that maybe this time, they’ll get it right. I’m personally not the biggest fan of the miscommunication trope, especially when it’s clear both characters are still deeply in love and want the same things. That slow-burn pining (while well done) made me want to shake them a few times! But even so, their journey was worth every page. If you love second chances, heartfelt moments, and love that refuses to give up, this one will hit you right in the feels.

Also it starts out with an absolutely BANGING playlist feat. lots of Taylor Swift and I loved that little detail.

A huge thank you to Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for the advance listening copy in exchange for my thoughts. I may have just found one of my new favorite authors! This novel publishes May 20, 2025.

Wren and Ellis Byrd fell in love more than half a lifetime ago. Their son was born when they were teenagers, and somehow life started getting in the way. They've been divorced for four years now, and Wren is trying desperately to find new happiness while Ellis works to understand what happiness even looks like. Ellis is a firefighter, working out-of-town on a fire and rescue mission. Not knowing Ellis is on the receiving end of these letters, Wren reaches out to make sure two horses made it out alive, and strikes up a penpal conversation. Ellis knows it's her, and for him its the defining moment where he realizes he's still deeply in love with his ex-wife. When their son Sam gets into college, Ellis invites Wren on a trip to drop him off at school, and take their time on a road trip home, to try to win back her heart.

Things I normally don't love: second chance in contemporary romance and first person dual POV.
Things I thought Tarah DeWitt did incredibly well: a second chance romance and first person dual POV.

I'm always skeptical of second chance romances, especially in contemporary romance, because I need the reason for separation to make sense that they'd split and to make sense that they'd be able to get back together. The gradual falling out of love because they grew up together with the incredible pressures of life as teen parents and raising Ellis's younger siblings, too, feels deeply realistic. Their journey to get back together is hard fought because of the emotional rawness and the hard work of truly opening to someone who you think you know better than anyone and yet who you never learned how to fight (and resolve) a fight with.

The fist person POV works well here because we do get a deep dive into each perspective. We read Ellis's longing, and Wren's questioning. We read the what-ifs and the emotional rollercoasters of real adulthood, and the simple joys of a lifelong romance. It's both challenging and comforting at the same time. The road trip works really well for pacing - though for those wondering it's only about half the book (I was expecting it to be more of the book based on the blurb!) - because each stop on the trip reveals more about where their relationship was successful in the past, and where it failed.

The audio for this is excellent. Connor Crais and Megan Wicks nail it at every chapter (ok, but especially Connor Crais.) I also don't typically listen to contemporary romance, preferring to read it with my eyes, but I do highly recommend the audiobook for Left of Forever.

This is the second book in a series, but you don't have to read book one first (just know that you'll be a little confused by all the Byrd siblings - I was and I did read book 1!)

"She's still a Byrd." has been living rent-free in my head ever since I finished Savor It, and I am so happy we got Ellis and Wren's story. Left of Forever is an epic second chance romance between a divorced couple who grew up together as children and had a baby together when they were teenagers. They broke up 5 years ago, but they've been co-parenting nevertheless. Now, their son Sam, is going off to college, and Ellis asks Wren to go on a road trip with him to see if they can make things right.

This book consumed me. Ellis and Wren consumed me. I think that's the best way to describe how I felt reading their romance. The angst. The mutual yearning. I was a mess. I know second chance romance is not something most people enjoy, but oooh this one...this one is a must read. And it might just change your mind about this trope. I finished the book yesterday and I haven't been able to stop thinking about Ellis and Wren. I am literally obsessed with them. I love them SO MUCH 😭 I know this isn't much of a review, but I honestly don't have words that will do this story justice. But what I will say is that I love how this book is fully focused on Ellis and Wren. Yes, we get snippets from Sage and Fisher, and the rest of the Byrds. But they're not a big part of this book like they were in Savor It, which makes sense because we've got a relationship to fix here.

I listened to this book on audio, and I don't know how this is my first time listening to Connor Crais and Megan Wicks?? They did such an incredible job bringing Ellis and Wren to life. Their voices are a perfect match for these characters. I rewound and listened to my favourite parts so many times and my notes app is filled with quotes. This is one of the most quotable romance novels I've ever had the pleasure of reading. I hope the rest of the Byrds will get their HEA because I'm so invested in all of them. But Micah, Silas, and maybe Sam, will need to work extra hard to top Left of Forever.

"All I know is that if I found out heaven was real and got there first? I'd hang back in the waiting room and save you a seat."