2.5 ⭐️ rounded up

I enjoyed Savor It (book one in the series) & this one had so much potential in the early chapters ... while I've read a lot of second chance romances, this one just didn't live up to the hype or glowing reviews for me.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC of this book.

Thank you Macmillan Audio and Tarah Dewitt for this gifted audiobook of Left of Forever!

This story is a sweeping second chance romance for the ages. Ellis and Wren are perfectly imperfect and their story is the fairytale that everyone dreams of. It might have been a little rocky, and they lost their way for a bit, but in the end the love these two have for each other overcomes all. The descriptions of their journey and the inner workings of their minds, folded me up like an origami bird. One that was thankfully given life by the depth of emotions between these pages, and set free when they finally found their way back to each other.

Dear god, the love I have for these characters is rivaled only by my love for the narrators. Megan Wicks and Connor Crais made this story come alive. Their narration felt like I was being told a story by a best friend in on of those strangely deep and heartfelt conversations you have when sleepovers start to wind down and the lights are all out, but you’re both still too awake to sleep.

I was so scared this book would break me. I was scared the pain and the things they went through would feel too big to overcome. But after reading this book and getting to see these characters be raw and open with each other and watch as their story unfolds? The whole thing was written beautifully, her writing style made me feel like I was listening to a symphony. I felt like I could close my eyes and let her writing take me away, feeling every bit of it in my soul until it came to a beautiful end that had me rising to tearfully applaud the performance. With just this book, Tarah DeWitt has convinced me that her love stories deserve to be revered. The kind that are retold and shared, for the sheer amount of love and happiness they provide. I can already see her name up there with the other romance greats.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

My review was posted to Goodreads on 5/6/25
My Instagram review will be posted on 5/7/25.
My Amazon review will be posted on 5/20/25.

Left of Forever is a beautiful second-chance romance from beginning to end. Savor It was one of my favorite romances last year, and Left of Forever will probably be my favorite romance of this year. This story made me feel every emotion. Ellis and Wren's story is heartbreaking, and the author does a fantastic job of making the reader understand why they separated but also want to root for them as they try to find their way back to each other. There was so much emotional vulnerability between the couple as they worked together on their relationship that I was in complete tears by the end.

I cannot recommend this book enough. If you are a fan of second-chance romances with a decent amount of spice, you need to add this book to your TBR immediately.

Left of Forever is out May 20th.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the opportunity to review Left of Forever. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Overall, I found this to be a heartfelt and charming second chance romance with strong emotional depth and an authentic portrayal of adult relationships. The small-town setting, Twilight references, and found family dynamics made it feel warm, nostalgic, and engaging. I especially appreciated the nuanced exploration of love after marriage and the challenges of rediscovering connection after time apart—something that isn’t often shown in rom-coms and was really refreshing to see.

The narration was also very well done. The voice actors brought the characters to life with warmth, clarity, and great emotional timing. The pacing and tone matched the heart of the story and made it easy to stay immersed.

One area of feedback: while the story had many engaging moments, there were a few points where the pacing felt a bit slow, particularly in the middle of the book. A slightly tighter structure in those chapters could keep momentum flowing more consistently without sacrificing the emotional depth.

That said, I truly enjoyed the listen and will be enthusiastically recommending this title to romance readers who love heartfelt second chances, cozy small towns, and a bit of fire—literally and figuratively.

I have to write this review through the tears. 😭 This was the BEST second chance romance I’ve ever read, granted I don’t read a lot of them.. but damn. I love this series so much. The emotion that Tarah DeWitt conveys through her characters and writing is incredible. I felt everything. I laughed out loud, I swooned, I cried! The audiobook is just delightful. Read this.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the ALC of Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt. All opinions are my own.

Left of Forever is the second book in an interconnected standalone series. Book one was Savor It, which followed the sister to the main character of this book. While you don’t have to read them in order, there are a few minor spoilers from book one in this book. I really enjoyed Savor It, so I would recommend reading it too.

This romance was a lot spicier than I normally read or enjoy, but I still loved the story. I was able to skip over the explicit scenes pretty easily without missing out on much of the story.

The emotional intimacy in this book was so well done. I loved how Ellis and Wren gave each other a second chance after they gave up on their marriage the first time around.

I haven’t read many stories with the dynamics of this book. I think I really appreciated the romance and emotional aspects of this story even more because I could tell how much history these two characters had with each other. They knew each other so intimately, and it was beautiful to see them remember the things they loved about each other from before but also discover knew aspects they could appreciate about each other.

It was obvious how much effort these characters were putting into their relationship, and I really appreciated that character growth. It was also nice to see how they worked through past problems with maturity and communication.

I also really liked getting to spend more time with the Byrd family because they were such a fun group of people. I hope to get to read more about them in future books.

Overall, I would say that if you are intimidated by the spiciness of this book, you should still give it a try because it’s such a beautiful story. If you enjoy spice, then I think you’ll love not only the physical intimacy but also the beautifully romantic story of reconciliation.

I listened to the audiobook version of this book, and I absolutely loved it! These narrators were amazing and conveyed emotions so naturally. I definitely recommend this format!

Five star listen for this audiobook. The narrators bring Ellis and Wren to life and pack emotional punches as the leads find their way back to each other. They also do a great job of bringing side characters to life, especially characters from Tarah's previous works.

Wren and Ellis grew up best friends, as they got older friendship changed and they fell in love. Then when they were just seventeen and eighteen they got pregnant and had their one and only son, Sam. Now Sam is headed off to college but their relationship has been over for five years. Wren thinks she might finally be ready to move on, and Ellis has realized he wants to win her back. His subtle actions quickly make her realize that she has a crush on her ex husband. Ellis suggests that, on their way home from getting Sam settled at school, he and Wren take roadtrip to celebrate together. He has everything planned out and is prepared to do everything in his power to win her back. Little does he know that she is already on the path back to living him. On the trip they talk openly about their relationship. They both are trying to learn, grow, and not make the same mistakes again, while finding their way back to each other.
If you like a steamy, flirty, slow-burn, second chance romance this one is for you! Funny and heartfelt mixed with longing and all the best tropes this story will capture your heart quickly and keep it for every word and then some. Connor Crais does a phenomenal job as Ellis Byrd. His voice is deep and smooth, everything you want in MMC. And Megan Wicks was great as Wren. Her voice is warm with a hint of rasp that I just adore. I read my first book by Tarah in late 2024 and now this, the third book I’ve read from her maintains her perfect 5 star rating from me.

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan audio for the advance audiobook of Left of Forever by Tarah Dewitt.

This was my first book by Tarah and I can officially say I’m a fan. I really enjoyed listening to the book. This was a second chance romance between two high school sweetheart’s who had a baby in high school. The book starts five years after their divorce, but they both never truly got over one another.

They drop their son off at college and take a road trip back home together. During the trip they talk about their relationship and things they didn’t like that each other did in order to try again and not make the same mistakes.

I love how they were both trying to fix their relationship and I really felt the tension between Wren and Ellis. I loved that he wrote emails to her 😊 I am a sucker for that. I gave the book 4 stars, because I just wanted a little more. I think I wanted a little more tension between them before they got back together.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book and would recommend if you love:

▪️second chance
▪️ High school sweethearts
▪️Duel pov
▪️Down bad MMC

Favorite quote:

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

I also really loved the audiobook and thought the narrators did an amazing job. I love that it was two narrators it made the book that much better.

The only way to describe this story is absolutely beautiful! This is my absolute favorite Tarah DeWitt book ever. There was so much emotion and so much heart in this story. Wren and Ellis had sizzling tension between them. They’d married young and essentially lost their way. I loved everything about this special story. The backstory. The conflict. The spicy scenes. The writing. The character growth. The journey back to each other. I loved the flash backs into their early relationship. It made me feel even closer to the characters. These two characters have been through a lot in their relationship. They essentially grew up together. Sometimes things get a little lost along the way.
The secondary characters are fun too! Who doesn’t love a fun and interesting family in their small town romance! The small town of Spunes is one of my favorites. I hope the author writes about more characters from this cute little small town.
Connor Crais and Megan Wicks rocked this audiobook! Their voices were dynamite! They brought these characters to life in the best way! I received this audiobook from MacMillan Audio and Netgalley. All opinions are my own!

Whew. When I say second chance rarely ever works for me, I really mean that. So believe me when I say this is one of the best books I’ve ever read. I cried. I giggled. Cried some more. Blushed because Ellis has a mouth on him beneath that mustache. And cried some more.

Ellis and Wren were probably always destined to split. Teen parents, married too young, Ellis’ dangerous job as a wilderness firefighter, both Wren and Ellis having to be pseudo parents to Ellis’ younger siblings, and a struggle with infertility that resulted in an ectopic pregnancy that nearly cost Wren her life. It was a perfect storm, really. When communication breaks down, so often do relationships.

Five years into their divorce, Wren and Ellis are just the biggest pining pine trees you’ve ever seen. Not for one second do you ever doubt that they still love each other. But what Tarah does so beautifully here is show us that love also takes work. When communication breaks down, when you don’t know how to work through the tough conversations, when you stop trying, it often doesn’t matter how much you love each other when life doesn’t take any prisoners.

And that’s what I loved so much about this. Too often, I feel like the second chance isn’t satisfying because we don’t get to see the MC’s actually work through it. But Tarah does this so beautifully and so painfully. Wren and Ellis do take the trip to see if they can get back to each other and they open up the messy parts, the parts that hurt and the parts that went wrong. But…my god do we get to see how they realize how determined they are to get things really, really rate. Not because of fate or destiny but because of work and therapy and breaking open the hurt to fix it.

I don’t even know what else to say besides if you’re going to give me a second chance, LoF is the blueprint for what I want.

Thank you to SMP and MacMillian audio for an e-arc and an ALC! Connor Crais and Megan Wicks were absolutely phenomenal. One of the best audiobooks I’ve ever listened to! You could just feel the emotion in their narration. Phenomenal!

Updated: 5/5/25
I just finished a reread (audiobook listen). The narrator’s that they chose for this book were absolutely perfection. The timing of some of the lines were exactly how I read them in my head. And…they. Brought. The. Tension. I’ll be re-listening to this one again for sure!

___________________________

Easily my top favorite Tarah DeWitt book she’s put out yet! She’s so good at writing flawed characters that are doing the work and taking steps to improve their mental health as well. All with a hefty side of humor. I laughed and I cried reading this truly sweet second chance at love for Wren and Ellis.

“She’s still a Byrd”

The line that Ellis said at a town meeting, that made all of us thirsty for their story in Tarah’s previous book, Savor It. High school sweethearts who had child too young and found themselves raising the rest of the Byrd sibling after losing both of their parents. They both took on a lot and lost each other in the process. Five years after their divorce, both are still missing and pining for each other, when Ellis gets a chance care package working a wild fire that is from Wren herself. Seeing her words in the letter and writing back anonymously wakes him up to the idea of asking for that second chance.

The chemistry and banter between these two is off the charts! Their roadtrip back to each other after dropping their son off at college is heartbreaking and at the same heartwarming as they work through their past. And, can we talk about the flirty dirty talk 🥵

I love the cameos of Deacon and LaRynn while visiting Santa Cruz. And, as always all the Twilight references. I agree Tarah, Rosyln is the song of our generation. I cannot tell you how many times I’ve listened to that soundtrack!

Thank you NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press and Tarah Dewitt for allowing me to read a complimentary advanced copy of this book. All opinions and thoughts expressed in this review are completely my own.

When I said I wanted to be crushed by a book, I didn't mean this devastated. Left of Forever has the most pining and yearning I've ever read, catastrophic levels. But oh my god, did it hurt so good. Divorced, high school sweethearts who are taking a trip after they drop their son off at college, and their whole entire family is in on sabotaging them into one bed? Yes please. I adore Wren and Ellis, you know from the get-go, they're meant to be together. It's the sweetest, decently spicy, and throw in some humor. I didn't realize this was the second in the series, and I haven't read the first, but I didn't feel too lost. If I had to do it again, I would have read Savor It first. Either way, buckle up, buttercup, you're in for a ride.

Connor Crais is one of the best male narrators out there, fight me. If he's narrating, I'm listening. All the stars for him. I've never heard anything by Megan Wicks before. Which, how? She's narrated for some of my favorite authors. All the stars for her, too. She absolutely did an amazing job bringing Wren to life. You can't go wrong no matter how you read this book, but if you want to have your heart ripped out and cry a little, definitely go with the audio.

Left of Forever is a second chance romance between a divorced couple, with lots of angst and yearning, forced proximity, and a road trip! Easily my favorite read I’ve read from this author, I knew I had to try this one after seeing it had a fav trope of mine!

Wren and Ellis fell in love as kids, had their son Sam when they were only teenagers, and got married too young. They made a life together in Oregon but are now divorced and in their 30s…and still think about one another all the time. She runs the bakery in the small town, he’s a firefighter. They go on a road trip adventure together to drop off their son at college and they finally share their feelings over everything together.

I loved the dual POVs and I feel like in most second chance romances, you’ll get dual timeline with flashbacks but that was not the case in this book and honestly it felt right. Of course they talk about events that happened in the past but it was really about the want and hope they have for one another right now. If angst, pining, soul mates finding one another again is your jam, this book is a must read!

The audiobook narrators were perfection, I loved the dual POV and how it brought the story and characters to life. I received an audio ALC from the publisher, all thoughts in this review are my own!

CW: ectopic pregnancy (occurs off page), conversations referencing infertility in the past

Unpopular opinion, but this book just felt forced and unrealistic. I found that the main characters, despite being adults, behaved like toddlers throughout the book. I felt like their story was not believable - despite 5 years apart and a son together, they still both had feelings for one another. It took a road trip to take their son to college for them to realize they still were in love. The issues and bumps in the road felt very forced and not natural. To the reader their love was very obvious, but for some reason they continued to find reasons that it was not really there. I loved the setting and never considered making this a DNF, I just found myself frustrated through the majority of the book. Maybe you enjoy the slow pacing and incredibly slow burn romance more than I do and will love this?! I would love to know how you felt about this one (if you read it!

Thank you netgalley for my advanced reader and audio copies!

TARAH! DEWITT! This is hands down her best book. The yearning. The spice. The complex emotions I don't think that my review can even do this book justice.

Here's what you need to know: this is a second chance romance!!!!!!!!! I am such a sucker for this trope and this is definitely one of the best books I've read with second chance romance as the main plot.

Ellis is literally everything. He is man. A MAN. He is so emotionally intelligent and the the narrator is *chef's kiss*. Wren is so relatable and dynamic. Both of these characters have been through real life shit. I love reading stories where the main characters have had some sense of life happen before.

While this is the second book in a series, there are interconnected standalones. You don't have to have read Savor It in order to get the plot, however it does help! This book also features a cameo from the couple in DeWitt's book, The Co-Op. Honestly I love the Tarah DeWitt-iverse.

Thank you so so much to Netgalley and Macmillan audio for this audiobook arc.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio for an early copy of an audiobook of Left of Forever! 💖
Left of Forever is an interconnected standalone to Savor It and it has some of the same small town romance vibes that I think we all know and love! Also, if you loved Savor It like I did, you get to see more Sage and Fisher in Left of Forever and it's so fun to see them again! 🥹 This story is so fun and is a unique and interesting twist on a second chance romance!!!! Sometimes, I'm not a big second chance romance girlie BUT this interesting twist, where the main characters were actually married before, divorced, and are now exploring a relationship again, made this a very intriguing listen for me! At first, it can be kind of confusing because it feels like the main characters never really fell out of love but just had some miscommunication and marriage problems... 👀
The narrators of this audiobook made this a very entertaining and fun listen and I'm so glad that I got to listen to this story early!!

If you like Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez then you will love this book. Second chance romance of a young couple who are trying to reconcile their love after dropping their son off at college. This book takes on a lot of hard topics including teen pregnancy, infertility, and the pressure it can put on a relationship.

Second Chance Romance (divorced and with a college age son), high school sweehearts, Small Town, Road Trip, Forced Proximity, AudioBook

Warning: mentions miscarriage

Love the pen pal idea but who writes that to a stranger? but this is fiction so I liked it lol. It got super spicy in an early chapter and I was like woa, was not expecting that. I think that showed the pacing of the book, something was usually happening. I did not read the first book in the series but was still able to follow the family easily. Overall really liked all the family dynamics and the over the top romance and burn. The audio narrators were really good and helped me really get into the book. I was really rooting for them and it was so good to see the emotional growth and commitment. The writing flows well and it was easy to keep picking up the book.

"I bore the mental load of making sure we were on track for so long, that moment I couldn't anymore we drifted off."

Thank you Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this advanced copy.

Tarah DeWitt’s ‘Left of Forever’ is a delightful tale of second chances in love. Wren and Ellis, childhood pals, navigate the ups and downs of dating, parenthood, marriage, and divorce. Despite their complicated history, they never truly let go of each other. When their child needs to drop off for college, they decide to embark on a road trip to rekindle their lost love. It’s a heartwarming story that reminds us of the power of giving ourselves a second chance. The audiobook narration is incredible, with Megan Wicks as Wren and Connor Crais as Ellis. Their voices perfectly match the characters.