Genuinely one of my favorite romances ever. I was lucky enough to get to read a copy of this back in February and was so instantly hooked and in love with the story and these characters. I could not have imagined possibly loving this story more, but this audio truly brought the story to life incredibly. A book and audio that I will be revisiting for years to come.

This is a beautiful second chance romance. It is a heartbreaking one but it will also put you back together. The story between these characters is absolutely beautiful. The secondary characters also shine in this book. It was just overall such a fantastic read.

Utter perfection. I have no notes. This book is beyond amazing! I knew I wanted to listen to it, and I also knew I’d want to highlight as I went... I’m honestly shocked I didn’t highlight the entire thing. I love a second chance romance, and this one is done so well. As someone who’s been through a divorce, I worried it might hit too close to home, but it didn’t. My story was different, and Ellis and Wren’s love story is absolutely worth rooting for.

The pining and angst are beautifully done, even when it’s clear how much it hurts both of them. The letters were such a thoughtful touch, and I loved how they slowly rekindled their connection, even when Wren didn’t know who was writing them.

The road trip Ellis plans to reconnect and celebrate raising their son together is the sweetest thing. I won’t spoil the details, but prepare to swoon. The little moments he creates had my heart melting. Wren’s vulnerability, especially through her journal entries, was so moving and real.

Connor Crais and Megan Wicks were Ellis and Wren. The way Connor says “Byrd,” Ellis’s nickname for Wren? I cannot. And Megan brought all of Wren’s strength and softness to life with such care.
This book is pure magic and will forever be a favorite.

This was such an emotional roller coaster since I very closely relate to the story. Wren and Ellis are memorable, impressive characters. So much angst, but they just needed to grow separately as individuals and come back together with their strong bond back in place. All the characters had a role. Every dialogue was meaningful. Every touch, every look was full of depth. I really loved this book.

#netgalley #LeftofForever

I loved Savor It so MUCH! So I had to read this as soon as it came out! It did not disappoint! These two characters had me at the edge of my seat! I love Tarah Dewitt’s writing. I will be reading everything she writes. Thank you to the publisher and to NetGalley for the opportunity to listen in exchange for a review!

Divorced couple who still love each other take their son to college and then agree to a road trip together after they drop him off.

What worked for me:
- main characters I loved and related to
- fantastic side characters
- a small-town setting and a close-knit group of people
- outdoorsy road trip
- therapy positive vibes
- honest although often painful open conversations between loving adults

What didn't work for me
- nothing

Not sure how you recover from a book like this. I am still speechless about this one.

Like I just have no words, Tarah's writing is breathtaking.

I am laaaaate to reviewing this ALC and I am sorry but it is also because it took me forever to get through it, through no fault of its excellent narration. Both narrators did a beautiful job voicing their characters and bringing them to life, despite the fact that I could not STAND either character.

I am a tough critic on most romance so please know MANY wonderful people I know and love have enjoyed this book, but it was not for me. The lack of communication (communication breakdown??) between Wren and Ellis was making me pull my hair out, and then once they reconciled we quite literally lost the plot in exchange for um…adult activities. And like, good for them, but also even for a romance I feel like we got a little carried away, ya know??

Anyway this was not my fave but I do appreciate the characters being brought to life by the narrators, and also appreciate Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review!

"Dear Stranger. I guess that must be what we really are to each other now." 😭

I haven't had a book make me laugh and ugly cry like this since The Notebook.

If you’re a fan of second chance romances that tug at your heartstrings, this book is an absolute must-read/listen! The emotional rollercoaster of Ellis and Wren’s journey isn’t just a romance; it’s a story about growth, self-discovery, and the possibility of second chances. This is goes down as one of my favorite reads of all time and I will be forever touched by the Bryds beautiful story.

I'm so lucky to have received this audible from netgalley and the author Tarah. Thank you so much for sharing this personal heartfelt story with us and for being vulnerable. This story makes me feel less alone and grateful for what I have and it's an exciting feeling.

Thank you to Netgalley and Macmillan Audio for my audiobook copy of Left Of Forever by Tara DeWitt ❤️. Somehow this book slipped my radar and I apologize for the delayed review!
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This is the perfect second chance romance. We have Wren and Ellis who were high school sweetheart that grew apart and divorced. A chance letter would bring Wren back to the forefront of Ellis' mind and he decides to propose an extended road trip with his ex-wife when they drop their son off to college. Can they rekindle what they lost?
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I loved the family in this one. They were sweet and supportive!! Even though Wren and Ellis are divorced, they're still respectful and can even attend events together! I loved that!! I also loved how interfering they were while they were on their road trip 😂.
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This is a spicy 5 star read! Ellis is an absolute sweetheart and I love him so much. I loved how Wren got some insight into their relationship as well. This is overall just a PERFECT read!

This will be posted on Instagram on June 30, 2025 at 6am Pacific Time.

I received an ALC/ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This author has been on my radar for quite some time now and after reading Savor It, I knew it would not be my last. My, my, my. This book was EVERYTHING and then some! I absolutely adore and love this story and these characters. Wren and Ellis had me from the moment I started reading this story. It was a raw, heartbreaking, and unbelievably touching story about two people who get a second chance that is so deserved! It had me giggling, blushing, kicking my feet in the air, swooning and melting like no tomorrow.

This book is a perfect read for summertime and anyone looking for a lighter read that will sweep you off your feet.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

loved loved LOVED this one!

I am usually not a fan of second chance romances, yet this one stole my entire heart. Perfection from beginning to end. Wren and Ellis are newly divorced, yet they're still so in love with each other it's heartbreaking. They were childhood friends to lovers, and started a family really young, so from a young age their identity was wrapped heavily in one another. My favorite thing about this one was the use of mixed media (writing letters, journals, emails, etc.) because it just screams romantic.

The audiobook was perfection as well; the narrators voices fit the characters so well. I love me a good dual POV story when it's done right, and they did it justice.

TW: ectopic pregnancy, mentions of cancer, divorce, death of a parent

HIGHLY recommend.

Thanks St. Martins Press and netgalley for an e-ARC copy; and MacMillan audio for an e-ALC copy in exchange for an honest review!

🍦 🍓 The Ripped Bodice's 9th Annual Summer Romance Bingo 🕶️ 🏄🏼

/ Happily Ever After

I read SAVOR IT for a The Ripped Bodice book club that no longer exists (RIP), and found it fine, but was interested in Wren and Ellis. For someone that supposedly hates second chance romance, I sure am reading a lot of it (and I didn't hate this one).

Comments from non-friends remain off, because we can't have nice things, but three stars means I liked it. Move your cursor over the text. It's there. I'm not gaslighting you.

What we know from the previous installment: Wren and Ellis were together as kids, had a kid, and then fell apart. They were too young, yada yada yada. When their son goes to college and the duo come to move him in, sparks fly.

This book is steamy. I loved those parts. I loved the letters. I even loved the miscommunication (a trope I usually hate) and them coming back together. Have I been converted to this trope? No way?

tw: infertility

🎧 Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio

I devoured Left of Forever! I am such a sucker for second chance marriage and Tarah Dewitt wrote it spectacularly

Perfect second chance romance.

Wren and Ellis were highschool sweethearts, turned Mom & Dad quite early. The marriage ended and now their son Sam is about to graduate highschool. To say feelings are still there is an *understatement* but both sides had to do a lot of work on themselves. They drive Sam to college and do a little road trip on the way home - for a check in more or less, a dare to one another - can YOU handle it? Is a spark still there?

The question is can WE HANDLE it and yes we most certainly can.

<i>Left of Forever</i> is a sweet story about making your way back to your first love. As the book started, I had images of Escape (The Piña Colada Song). There was a penpal situation where the two writing didn't use their real names and could speak their minds freely without having to edit their thoughts. But this story completely changed trajectory from there and I feel in love with the rekindling of a love story.
Tarah DeWitt has this way of writing characters that sucks me in and makes me want to know everything about them. The Byrd family is so easy to fall in love with. All of the characters have such big hearts and only want the best for each other. I really hope that this series continues with the remaining siblings. There are so many more stories to tell and I am ready to read them.
Even the title had more meaning once it was mentioned in the book. It is not a direction but a sentiment and it made me stop and ponder it's meaning once I got to that part in the book.
The audiobook was split between two narrators and it really helps to get involved deeper in the story when the male and female points of view are each represented by the male and female narrators.
I've said it before and I'll say it again, DeWitt is on my must read list and will continue to be after this one.

ALC Review
Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt
Spunes, OR - Book Two

Dual Narration by: Megan Wicks & Connor Crais

This book was absolute perfection. I generally do not enjoy 'marriage in crisis' type books, but I got a glimpse of this couple in book one and knew I needed their story. There was so much emotion, but minimal true angst.

Pick this one up if you enjoy:
* Small town
* Divorced couple
* Second chance
* Road trip romance
* Firefighter MMC x Baker FMC
* Love letters

Tried to Love It, But Couldn’t Connect

It took me several months to get through this book, but no matter how many times I started, my mind kept wandering. The writing is excellent, and I’m sure there are readers who will absolutely love it but it just wasn’t for me. The author did a great job with both the prose and the story. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t get into it. That said, the cover is absolutely beautiful and I have to rate it fairly.

3.5 out of 5 stars (rounded up) | This was a beautiful depiction of a second-chance romance. Tarah DeWitt truly wrote these characters so that you could feel their emotions and you are rooting for them every step of the way.

I received this as an ALC in exchange for my honest review and the audiobook made this such an easy read. It was dual narration and they narrators did a great job portraying the emotion as well.

Unfortunately, I read this book before I realized that it was the second in the series. I do feel like I was missing out on back story and likely aspects of found family because I had not read the first book yet. Had I read the first book first, my rating may have been higher because I think it would have eliminated some of my confusion.

I do plan to go back and read the first book and when I do, I may change my rating!

Romantic and steamy, this second-chance romance had me kicking my feet the whole way through! The narrators played off each other beautifully and really captured the characters of Wren and Ellis!
I’ll be coming back for more Tarah DeWitt!