Savor It was fine but nothing outstanding. Left of Forever on the other hand?!!?! FREAKING SUPERB!!!

Ellis Byrd is everything, that's all you need to know.

Five years after their divorce, Ellis and Wren embark on a days long roadtrip after dropping their son off at college. Never having truly fallen out of love with one another, they take the opportunity to learn who one another is in the present, while reflecting on where they went wrong in the past.

Readers who love the following will enjoy this gem from Tarah DeWitt:
🪶 Second Chance Romance
🔥 Small Town
🪶 Forced Proximity
🔥 Spice
🪶 Humor
🔥 Angst and Longing
🪶 Found Family

This was my first read by Tarah DeWitt and it definitely will not be my last! Second chance romance is my favorite trope and this one was exceptionally done! Their initial separation is understandable considering all the trials they had to endure at very young ages. It's not hard to loose oneself and not be able to keep the one you love the most when life hits hard and fast as it did for these two. Ellis and Wren’s story shows that sometimes the only option is to let go and grow on your own so that eventually, you can give one another what is left of forever.

I was given the opportunity to listen to an ALC of this story by Macmillan Audio. Letters within the story are narrated in the voice of character that wrote them which was a nice to hear but otherwise, this is dual narration. Connor Crais gives a stellar performance as Ellis and I absolutely loved the narration by Megan Wicks for Wren, who was a new-to-me narrator. They both have this maturity and sexy raspiness to their voices that was just perfect for these characters! Some heavy emotion but bits of humor laced through to provide some respite. This was a beautiful love story made even better with the fantastic narration!

Thank you to the author, NetGalley, and Macmillan Audio for the ALC!

Thank you, Tarah DeWitt and Macmillan Audio, for this ALC of 𝘓𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳! (Spunes book 2)

Narrators:
🎤 Megan Wicks
🎤 Connor Crais

This book was amazing 👏 It was funny, emotional, and romantic. I love Ellis and Wren's story and their journey to find their love for each other again. This was just a special book all around.

I'll be surprised if there are very many reviews that don't mention the peppers and ice cream. 😬 😂

Also, I love the Byrd siblings! I want more of these books.

𝘓𝘦𝘧𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘳 will be released May 20th on Amazon, Kindle, and Audible. As always, I definitely recommend the audiobook! 🎧

Wren and Ellis Byrd are introduced in Savor It, but are a couple that the reader cannot help but be curious about. Wren and Ellis got pregnant in high school and spent a decade-plus married before divorcing, but neither of them is fully over the other. When they drive their son to college, Ellis asks Wren to give him a chance to get her to fall back in love through a trip together to rekindle their romance.

This is a beautiful love story. It is perfect for married women. I like to think that if my husband and I were to get divorced, he would work as hard as Ellis to get me back. Filled with nostalgia, it shows how love evolves over time and that a healthy relationship requires work, work together, and for each person to work on themselves.

Tarah DeWitt writes an excellent spicy scene and does a great job of balancing that with the characters' need to take it slow.

Both narrators are excellent. I really enjoyed their voices, even when they were talking for each other.

Thank you to MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

One of my favorite books I've read of the year. This is the second in the series but can absolutely be read as a standalone. I know, because I realized this was book 2 after I got about halfway through and thought it seemed like this could be a series. I'll now read book 1 and expect it to be no less amazing.

This book has everything from two adults learning to communicate with one another, reconciliation, the spice! It's a scorcher. The way Tarah writes is brilliant. Like a painter, she includes every detail to immerse you into the story.

The narrators are fantastic as well. I love the smokiness of Wren's narrator and the deep tenor of Ellis' narrator. The only thing that would have made it any better is if it was true duet narration. The narrators did fine with the accents of the other characters but duet would have made it feel even more emersive.

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
🌶️🌶️🌶️🔥

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt is out May 20, 2025. You can read book one now in advance of the release. It's called Savor It.

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and Macmillan Audio for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

Thanks to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for early access to the audiobook.

I didn’t realize that this was a companion to Savor It. That might’ve helped me care about the characters a whole lot more than I did.

The premise sounded promising: a road trip, a small town romance, and a second chance at love after some personal growth. Unfortunately, the road trip wasn’t fun and didn’t add anything to the otherwise boring story about two people who didn’t know how to talk to each other. They seemed to be rekindling their relationship out of convenience and familiarity rather than out of any genuine connection. There was also a lot of info dumping about their pasts, which didn’t weave into the narrative in any compelling way. This just wasn’t for me.

I cried when I saw someone have a physical arc a few months ago so I was really excited to get approved for this.

It was everything I could have wanted and more. “My DNA is embedded in you” now lives rent free in my head.

Tarah Dewitt could write a phone book, and I would devour it. The pining, the humor, the romance, the town, the characters- all of it feeds my soul.
I loved returning to Spunes and diving into Wren and Ellis’ story. The amount of love these two have for each other through all seasons of life is beautiful. I love dual POV for second chance romance, and the audiobook was perfectly performed.

I’ve officially entered my second chance romance era, and I have no plans of leaving. This book tugged at my heartstrings in all the best (and slightly painful) ways.

The love between these two? Ughhhhh. Had me emotionally compromised. Even after all that time apart, their connection felt so real and raw, I couldn’t help but root for them.

Safe to say this author just skyrocketed to auto-buy status. Consider me obsessed.

(Was that a lil Co-Op cameo? I’m starting it next 👀)

3.5?? I was super excited about this one and it sadly fell flat for me. I did read the first book (Savor It) and really enjoyed that one, so I had high hopes for this one. Honestly, I really feel like you have to read the first one to get ANY information on any of the background characters as there was absolutely zero info on them here.

This was my first time reading a second chance romance and I just don’t think that’s a trope I really care for, this book was heavy on the miscommunication or just lack of communication and that bugged me.

I am a sucker for the whole writing letters but only one person knows trope (looking at you She Loves Me) so I ADORED that part, but then the middle back of the book lost me. I felt like they were too quick to bang and rushed through conversations just so they could smash.

Things I did like:
-the writing style. I really like how Tarah DeWitt brings humor into her books and how she can handle heavy topics in a way that feels really grounded
-the ending, it was so perfect and I did cry at how tender it was
-getting to hear more about Wrens mom and her background
-the parts (although brief) when they did have heart to hearts were really well written and I was emotionally invested I just wanted MORE
-the narrators were great! And really brought the story to life
-I love a man obsessed with his wife

Things I had minor beef with:
-how often they got handsy in public or outside (lol)


Overall, I had a good time and I look forward to (hopefully) reading more books about the Byrds and the wonderful town of Spunes, Oregon. (Which by the way is pronounced SPOONS which I’d didn’t realize until I listened to the audio lmao it makes the whole forks thing funnier which is the intent obviously I just struggle to pronounce words that I’ve only read lol). Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this advanced audio copy, all opinions are my own :)

This was a sweet romance about a divorced couple that finds their way back together. It wasn't bad, I just didnt find myself attached to any of the characters. I DNFed the first book after about 100 pages, so that might be part of it. Not sure if it's the writing style or what but I just wasn't a huge fan. Definitely see why other people would love it! Just wasn't for me.

Hands down will be one of my favorite books of this year and top romance books ever. The audiobook was wonderful: Megan and Connor embodied Wren and Ellis so well. I laughed, cried, and got hot and bothered. It's just a wonderfully deep and loving story.

WOW. I absolutely loved this book!
From the very first page, I was completely drawn into this family’s story. The writing was beautiful—raw, heartfelt, and full of hope (okay, maybe a little unrealistic—who communicates this well? Kidding… but also, seriously!). The characters were so lovable, and I especially enjoyed the family dynamics. This wasn’t just a romance—it was a story about healing, forgiveness, and finding your way back to what truly matters. I couldn’t put it down and didn’t want it to end. Highly recommend to anyone who loves a second-chance love story done right.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

"A beautifully written, emotionally charged second-chance romance that will tug at your heartstrings."

Tarah DeWitt has truly outdone herself with Left of Forever. This emotional, second-chance romance took me on a rollercoaster of feelings from start to finish. Wren and Ellis are a couple you can’t help but root for, even as they navigate the messiness of their past. Their story of love lost and potentially found again is poignant, raw, and full of that aching longing that makes second-chance romances so irresistible.

Wren and Ellis’ dynamic is filled with so much history, heartache, and undeniable chemistry. Watching them navigate their new relationship after years of separation felt incredibly real and relatable. Their road trip through the stunning California coast provided the perfect backdrop for their healing journey, and DeWitt’s descriptive writing made me feel like I was right there with them, soaking in the beauty and the tension.

The emotional depth in this book is what really stood out for me. Wren and Ellis are both flawed and broken, but their growth—individually and as a couple—was so rewarding to witness. The tension between them, both the push and pull of their past and the sparks that never quite faded, had me hooked. The steaminess between them was chef’s kiss—deliciously intense, but it was the emotional connection that truly made this romance shine.

I also really enjoyed consuming this as an audiobook—the narrators did a fantastic job bringing Wren and Ellis’ emotions to life. Their performances added so much depth to the story, making the already poignant moments even more impactful.

The only reason I’m not giving this a full five stars is that there were moments when the pacing felt a little slower than I would’ve liked. The buildup was slow, but given how emotionally charged the climax and resolution were, I can understand the intentional pacing.

All in all, Left of Forever is a heartfelt, steamy, and beautifully crafted story about love, forgiveness, and the possibility of finding forever when you least expect it. If you’re a fan of second-chance romance that’s filled with big emotions and sizzling chemistry, this one is absolutely for you!

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.