Wren and Ellis found their great love as children. Then life gets in the way and they split. Years later, they take a road trip to see if they should rekindle their romance.

I remember reading “She’s still a Byrd” in Tarah’s other book, Savor It and thinking how I hoped that would be a story! I was late getting to Savor It, so when I did, this book was announced shortly after! So exciting!

I really enjoyed this story! I loved Wren and Ellis! I thought their chemistry was great. Since they have so much history, I loved their banter and how well they knew one another. I loved that he called her Byrd. I loved how Ellis was determined to get her back and put in the work. I love how they unpacked all their past hurts with one another and worked through everything together.

I’ve really been enjoying these books where the couple has already been together and they’re trying to hold onto their love or find it again. It just feels more realistic and these characters felt very real!

The narrators were amazing!

I read this eARC while listening to the ALC and it was a fantastic way to read! Thank you to Tarah DeWitt, St. Martin’s Press, MacMillan Audio, and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

SIX STARS FOR THE BYRDS
i am desperately not okay after just finishing this book😭😭😭 their love is everything!!!

i’m honestly a little speechless. i believe this is Tarah’s best work yet! i shouldn’t be surprised after loving all of her books, but she always has a way of making her characters feel so real and raw. i felt every emotion along with Wren + Ellis and they are going to stick with me for a long time.
the type of love that they have together makes me SOB for the simple fact that that type of love can even exist??😭 and even though they lost their way for a little while, their tentative but hard-won hope that they could work to get it back? i’m going to throw up (affectionate!!!)

don’t even get me started on the epilogue, i can’t talk about how perfect it was. the FAMILY that these characters have created together my god it just fills your heart with joy and hope and all the good things.

also!!! if you have a chance to get the audiobook DO NOT HESITATE!!! it was simply ✨phenomenal✨ the narrators did such a fantastic job! i will never be over having Ellis Byrd (the man that he is🧎🏼‍♀️🧎🏼‍♀️🧎🏼‍♀️) in my ears!!

read if you love:
+ second chance romance
+ roadtrips
+ sad girl playlists that make husbands crazy
+ mustaches😏
+ good spice!
+ crying!!
+ secret tattoos
+ found family
+ fictional men that make you realize actual men could never!!!🙂‍↔️

THANK YOU Macmillan Audio and Netgalley for this ALC! i will cherish it always😭

This was a very romantic and steamy second chance romance. It took me a little bit to get into the characters, but once they finally got on their road trip, I was invested. The two main characters were longing for each other and both written so romantically. Another good one from this author!

This was an incredible, heartwarming story about two divorced parents who decide to take one last chance to see if they can fix what went wrong.

Tarah DeWitt's writing style is beautiful and lyrical. The passion, longing, and love Wren and Ellis have for each other was mesmerizing. Their relationship was so natural and it progressed so beautifully. I loved Wren and Ellis's relationship with the Byrds siblings and how unique it was. I'm definitely buying a physical copy to highlight every single line lol.

I even teared up while listening to the ending. Silas's speech was perfect.

The narrators of the audiobook, Megan Wicks, and Connor Crais did an incredible job bringing Wren and Ellis to life, and all the emotions in this book. I highly recommend the audiobook.

Read this if you like:
- Second chance romance
- Road trip
- Small town
- Found family

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for giving me an ALC in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

4.5⭐️

Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and Macmillan Audio for sending me an E-ARC and an ALC. This is such a beautiful, real and raw story.

It made me reflect on my own marriage and how we were both young when we got married. I think it beautifully showcased how sometimes in marriage you can drift apart, but you can also find your way back to each other if you want too.

I loved the letters and the trip Ellis planned and how much effort he put into showing Wren how serious he was about trying again. They are so good together, I adore them.

The audiobook is incredible. The narrators have no business sounding so hot, lol

There was something so soul soothing about this novel that feels almost impossible to describe. There was so much depth; a deep beautiful dive into love and heartbreak. I’m going back now to read the first one (it’s the second in a series, but not knowing that took nothing away from the story for me.) because of how enraptured I was and feel like I need more.

☾ ⃰ Left For Forever | Tarah DeWitt ☾ ⃰
★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ④.⑦⑤ /𝟻 𝚜𝚝𝚊𝚛𝚜

ALC - Audiobook

Thank you partner MacMillian Audio and #Netgallery for the Advanced Listener Copy!

💭 𝚖𝚢 𝚝𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:

I finished this book over a week ago and I still think about it. This was my first read by Tarah DeWitt and she will be an Auto Buy for me going forward.

A small town of Spunes, second chance romance build around a couple, now divorced for 5 years bound together by their college bound son. Avoiding each other for years but realize both desperately want the same thing. Each Other.

I know Wren was in love with Ellis but I fell in love with him too. Ellis was charming, funny and visually handsome! Making sure he took his time to make this time right was everything!
I loved everything about Ellis.

I loved Wren!! She had a lot of things going for herself. As us all had issues in her dating era but a great mom above it all. Her true colors came out when she was around Ellis lol their chemistry was addictively seductive at the right time and the right place…look I’m very satisfied lol

The narrators, Connor Crais & Megan Wicks did an excellent job! They really brought this love story to life! They delivered phenomenally!
A heart wrenching, realistic friends to lovers, lovers to falling apart, back to intensively getting their groove back years later! This book had me BREATHLESS!

⁕ PUB DATE: May 19, 2025
Left For Forever is brought to you by Tarah DeWitt MacMillian Audio and St. Martin’s Press!

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and St. Martin’s Press for advance copies of the audiobook and the ebook to follow along. Connor Crais and Megan Wicks were lovely choices for the narrators on this one. They brought so much to the story.

These two never treated each other with anything other than tenderness and respect even in the divorced years which was really lovely of them. This was a nice second chance romance where the wrongs that they did way back when were understandable and grown. I appreciated that none of their issues were petty. These were full blown adults dealing with life and some parts of that are horrible. I also appreciated that when he decided to make a plan, it didn’t come together sloppily overnight. He worked for months to get this right.

This was my first Tarah DeWitt novel, and it certainly won't be my last. I was instantly drawn in—not just by her stunning storytelling but also by the powerhouse narration that brought her words to life. Let’s be honest, Connor Crais could read my tax return to me, and I’d still be captivated.

This story was heartbreakingly beautiful, weaving together love, loss, and the healing power of time in a way that left me breathless. It’s the kind of book that grips you by the soul, breaks you down, then gently pieces you back together—all while giving you hope. Hope for love, for friendship, and for the understanding that even when life feels impossibly messy, things have a way of working themselves out.

Tarah DeWitt’s prose is pure poetry. Her words flow with a rhythm so stunning that you want to reread passages just to soak in their beauty. And trust me—I will be buying a physical copy so I can annotate the ever-loving crap out of it.

Then there are the characters. Elias Bird is the definition of imperfectly perfect—layered, raw, and deeply human. And Wren? She is so fiercely relatable as a woman, a friend, and a wife that it’s almost unnerving. Their journey is heartbreakingly authentic, striking that rare balance between honesty and emotional depth that makes every single page feel like a revelation.

Simply put, Tarah DeWitt knocked it out of the park. This is, without question, the best second-chance romance I have ever read—unapologetically real, deeply moving, and utterly unforgettable.

OMG THE YEARNING!! (Thank you to SMP Romance & Macmillan Audio for the ARC/ALC.)

This is one of the best second chance romances that I’ve ever read. DeWitt masterfully balances the love these two characters have for each other with the ways that they hurt each other to create a love story I could not put down.

I love a down bad man, and Ellis is the down bad-est of them all. He’s gone to therapy, he’s done the work, and he’s ready to win back his (ex) wife’s heart.

🎧 This was absolutely incredible on audio. Each narrator (Connor Crais & Megan Wicks) was so well cast, and they gave such an emotional performance.

Tarah DeWitt does it again! I have read several books of hers now, and I have yet to be disappointed.

While Left of Forever can technically be read as a standalone, I would HIGHLY recommend reading Savor It first. In that book, you really are introduced to the beautiful town of Spunes and all it's lovely residents, and more specifically, Wren, Ellis, and the entire Byrd family. I am not always a fan of the second-chance trope, but after reading Savor It, I was already rooting for these two, and they were just background characters at that point. I think this book perfectly explores how sometimes, two people really can take the space they need to grow, reflect, and re-discover themselves individually to come back together stronger than ever.

At the risk of literally copying and pasting their entire timeline to sing my praises, I will just say that Tarah DeWitt has made a fan out of me with her wonderful writing, beautiful scene-building, and loveable as hell characters. I cannot recommend this book enough.

TYSM St. Martins and Macmillan Audio for this diamond of a book. I freaking loved it. Infinity stars.

TL;DR:

Left of Forever is a dual POV, character-driven second chance romance that will make you laugh until you cry and then sob because you feel so many feelings. It’s one of the sweetest stories I’ve ever read, but it’s not at all cheesy. The characters are strong and vulnerable and I dare you not to fall in love with them. The pacing is spot on, the dialogue is exquisite, and the spice is perfectly placed to complement up the emotional tension.

While I have your attention, let me add that all of Tarah’s books are great so please read Savor It, The Co-op, Funny Feelings, and Rootbound too.

Full review:

I remember exactly where I was when I first heard Ellis Byrd gruff, “She’s still a Byrd” — and I’ve been waiting on this book ever since.

Friends, it delivered. Left of Forever is a stunning love story from beginning to end. It’s packed with pining and angst, but balanced with just the right amount of sweetness to keep it from veering into heartbreak territory.

Second chance romances are tough — the couple has to break up for a real reason, but their reunion also needs to feel earned. Tarah threads that needle perfectly with Wren and Ellis, both in the story and the way it unfolds. The pacing is spot on and I guarantee you won’t be able to put it down.

As with all of Tarah’s characters, Wren and Ellis are strong, funny, and full of heart — but they’re also willing to be vulnerable and fight for what they want. Ellis is the ultimate book husband. He worships Wren and it . Wren might be the strongest heroine I’ve ever read. She’s been through so much and still dares to hope. It’s beautiful.

The roadtrip setting is really fun. Wren and Ellis get up to a lot of hijinks along the way, with a few especially hilarious scenes that were reminiscent of Abby Jimenez type malarky. I laughed so hard at the cooking class scene and the ~situation~ it causes (IYKYK). Oh and the cable car scene SENT me.

After the roadtrip, we’re treated to a few scenes back in Spunes. Seeing the Byrds together with their pranks and jokes, their deep love for one another, the family they’ve built together — it’s heartwarming and just what this Fisher/Sage stan needed to read.

OH! I almost forgot to mention, there’s a little tiny You’ve Got Mail element that culminates in someone saying “I wanted it to be you.” SWOON

Audio
The audiobook is INCREDIBLE. The narrators have these gravelly voices that are hot rather than annoying. In the story, Ellis talks about altering Wren’s DNA, and yeah, I think that’s what this audiobook did to me. It’s the peak of perfection and I don’t know how anything else will ever compare… until Spunes book 3!

I enjoyed this so much! The narrators were amazing
I loved the second chance theme and how mature they handled their situation
The spice was perfect imo. Not too much but just right 🙌🏻
I loved the ending and hope there will be a 3rd book in this series since I miss the characters already 🥹
I loved the ending and look forward to reading more by this author!
Huge thanks to the author and netgalley for this arc!

There is something about a second chance that I just eat up every single time. The level of mature, honest communication between these two MCs is breathtaking and refreshing. The audio is done spectacularly in a duet format. I laugh-cried, grinned like a kid and also teared up at the end. Idk what else to tell you guys, except TARAH KNOCKED IT OUTTA THE PARK with this one.

Another beautiful story set against the backdrop of Spunes, Oregon. The first visit there brought the story of Sage and Fischer, both of who show up again in this one, but it also introduced us to Wren and Ellis, divorced but clearly still pining for each other.

Left of Forever explores the connection that still exists between Wren and Ellis as they go on a trip together after dropping their son off at school. The two of them work to open themselves up and share feelings and resentments that they harbored from their marriage in the hopes of arriving back home with an answer to the question of whether they will spend what's left of forever together.

I have to say that my favorite part of the book was realizing what the title was actually referring to! Looking forward to book three - will Kirby really show up as was foreshadowed?

Audio ARC 🎧
Went in blind without any expectations and Ate this up!! I haven’t read anything by Tara Dewitt and now I want to read everything!

Small town , 2nd chance romance , 1st responders.

Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Narration : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ duel narrated, adds to the story and characters 🥵
Spice: 🌶️🌶️ 🌶️

Vibes : 🥰🙌🥺💕🥲💕💕💕

I did not have falling in love with a man with a mustache in my bingo card for this year!! This is how you do a second chance romance right! Admittedly, second chance is probably my least favorite genre because it have a hard time getting over the reason they were not together in the first place. I loved reading about two very emotionally available people rekindling their relationship! Neither of them ever truly moved on but they did find their happiness again. This is the type of romance book that gets me giddy and has me grinning ear to ear! Their love for their son was so heartwarming!
My only complaint is how easily that both agreed to this trip and feel back into it. That one part really didn’t seem realistic since they spent 5 years avoiding the other and rarely talking.

“Left of Forever “
by Tarah DeWitt

4⭐️
2🌶️
🎧ALC/Audiobook
🎤Duet narration:
Conor Crais
Megan Wicks

This was a beautifully written emotionally charged, soul mates, second -chance romance 💕
And the narrators of this book did beautiful job , I did get a little teary eyed 🥹 during certain moments.
The story follows Wren & Ellis who are high school sweethearts , they get married young , have a child young , life happens, they soon drift apart and end up divorced.
Their now grown Son is off to college, they decide to take a trip to drop him off. And then take a road trip back together to reconnect and to see if the spark is still there!
And omg yes 🙌🏻 the spark is there! The sexual tension and yearning between these two was so strong! And I rooted for them to get back together and finally come to realize that they belong together!

I did enjoy most aspects of this story, but I didn’t feel a connection with the situation the characters were in. But it did reminded me of my own Mother who missed out on certain parts of life because of marriage and children. So in some aspect I could relate but not through me personally. 🩷


Otherwise this was a beautiful and emotional 🥹 love story , and I really enjoyed listening to this audiobook!
I would highly recommend if you’re a fan of second chance romance and high tension/ angst.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an (ALC) of this audiobook.

• when their son announces he wants to move away for college a couple months ahead of schedule, exes & co-parents wren & ellis decide to take a road trip back home together to give their relationship one last chance. against the stunning california coastline, the forced proximity of the trip makes them think rekindling their relationship might be possible. but can their desire for each other outweigh all the reasons they broke up in the first place?
• much like ‘savor it,’ this book was so good, and i could argue it was even better than the other book in this universe. the forced proximity trope blended with the small-town romance vibe was really well done.
• also the spice??? excellent. this one is definitely not one to miss!

Left of Forever is the 2nd book by Tarah DeWitt in her Spunes, OR series. The series involves a family of four siblings. Each of them is hilarious with plenty of laugh-out-loud comments & they're each going through life on their own paths.
Ellis, the oldest Bryd sibling & his ex-wife Wren were married after becoming parents at a young age. As they raised their son, their relationship began to fall apart & they divorced. Five years after their divorce, they realize they're both missing something in their lives & a road trip after dropping their son off at college brings them back into proximity of each other.
Left of Forever has lots of spice & evokes quite a few emotions that make it a truly well-written novel. Thank you, #NetGalley & #MacMillanAudio! I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book with all thoughts and opinions being my own. If you enjoy romance that'll make you swoon, a roller coaster of emotions, & plenty of passion then you'll enjoy #LeftofForever, by Tarah DeWitt.