As their son is heading off to college, divorced couple Wren and Ellis realize that where their future lies may be with each other.

This was a good second chance romance, here's what I liked:

Wren and Ellis: I liked how the narration goes back and forth with them. This really helped give a fleshed out story. You can see quickly how they should really be with each other, but how they drifted apart. Seeing them come back together was really nice.

The family: I loved all of the side characters in this. They all worked really well together and helped push Wren and Ellis together.

The road trip: I love books that have the characters traveling around. The different places they go really help push them together. It was all really well thought out.

The narration: Megan Wicks and Connor Crais do a great job with this one. I loved both of their voices for the characters. Wicks gives Wren a great gravely voice that really got me into her character.

All in all, this was a great emotional romance.

Thank you to the author and publisher for the gifted copy!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advanced audiobook.

The idea of this second chance romance--of divorced exes trying to stay cordial in order to co-parent, who have to do a road trip to take their son to college and figure out whether they should give it one more shot on the drive back--was interesting enough for me to request this book. Unfortunately, there was something about the book that just didn't work for me. The female narrator was fine, but the male narrator's tone was irksome and didn't do much to spark energy into the narrative. Perhaps I'm just not the reader for this one.

Good lord Tarah… this was an amazing return to Spunes. I am a sucker for second chance romance and she delivered such a beautiful, emotional, and at times hilarious (ice cream scene, I’m looking at you) story. I really enjoyed Savor It but it bore the weight of world building for this adorable small town and Left of Forever didn’t have that responsibility. We went into the world already knowing at least some of their baggage and then we didn’t have to wait forever and a day for the remainder of their baggage to be unearthed. Wren and Ellis go on this almost gut wrenching journey and the pacing for it was simply perfect. Even though I was sad to reach the end I also felt satisfied like there was just enough story and resolution to keep me happy. I hope she continues working through the brothers next and giving them their HEA.

The audio on this book was perfect too, for Ellis you needed that strong masculinity and just enough vulnerability to feel for him especially during some of the flash back when he was getting in his own way. Wren needed a balance between heartbreak and strength and the female lead accomplished that too. Only thing I could nitpick on in the audio is the written Ellis in Wren’s chapters and vice versa were true duet but the spoken dialogue was not. I feel like they needed to commit one way or another, the inconsistency did take me out of the story a bit.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for providing this audiobook for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

Such a satisfying romance. I loved getting to revisit Spunes, OR and the whole Byrd family. This is a second chance romance, but the author doesn’t make it easy. Wren and Ellis have to really put in the work to bring themselves together again. The narration is smooth and easy and somehow comforting, like I want them both to take turns reading me a bedtime story. Thanks to Macmillan Audio for the advanced copy.

Absolutely love the newest title in the Spunes series. It was a beautiful story of first love finding each other again after years apart. DeWitt managed to execute weaving in the past to the present plot/story. The MCs are loveable and left me giddy at their angst and longing for each other.

I enjoyed this book so much! I think this is my favorite book by Tarah! The story follows Wren and Ellis, who fell in love when they were young, got married and started a family, but ultimately ended up growing apart. I loved the characters and they are so lovable and relatable yet very flawed. Both Wren and Ellis grew so much throughout the book, both individually and together. This is such an emotional book and Tarah’s writing is so raw and beautiful! There’s some heavy themes covered which the author handled with care and was balanced nicely with romance and tender moments. The narrators both did a fantastic job and brought the story to life.

Read if you like:
🪵second chance romance
🪵road trip
🪵dual POV
🪵small town vibes

5 Stars

High school sweethearts, teenage parents, exes who never stopped loving each other.

With humor, heat, and so much heart, Tarah DeWitt shines in a story about healing old wounds, finding your way back, and choosing love - again.

Left of Forever is the kind of book that grabs you by the heart on the very first page and doesn’t let go.

Wren and Ellis Byrd are two people who clearly never stopped loving each other, even after life pulled them apart. Watching them navigate old wounds, co-parenting, and the ache of "what could have been" was deeply emotional. (like, i cried ... a lot.) Every stolen glance, every word left unsaid (until it wasn’t) ... I felt it all.

If you love second-chance romances (or even if you don't usually), Left of Forever will absolutely wreck you in the best way. It's not just about falling back in love - it's about growing, forgiving, and learning to choose each other all over again.

I switched between the e-galley and audiobook & the audio just made me love this book even more!

Thank you to the powers that be for allowing me to be approved for an ALC of this book.

Tarah gets better and better with each release. She writes realistic characters and tackles heavy topics without the book feeling too heavy it’s no long enjoyable. I love a second chance romance, especially featuring a divorced couple..

The things I liked were the characters, the way they reconnected and going through the naming things that bothered them during the marriage so they wouldn’t repeat the same mistakes, the humor, and the setting. I loved that the letter reveal didn’t go the obvious route so wonderful wonderful decision made there..

Things that slightly took away.

The pacing. Although the letters and the setup at the beginning were enjoyable, I don’t know that they were needed/ or at least not for the length. I think it took a while to get to the road trip part and I’d rather it gotten there sooner so there could be more time dedicated to them after they decided to get back together (that part seemed a bit rushed to me) These things didn’t take away from my experience though, that’s just small things that would’ve bumped it up to a five star read for me.


Narrators did a spectacular job with this one. I adored their performance.

I would definitely recommend this one. It’s my favorite book from this author thus far.

Wow wow wow!! This book was incredible! Oof... everything about this just felt so real... the characters are relatable, the big family dynamics, how they interact, communicate, & and love each other... *ALL* the feels!
There are definitely heavy topics discussed in this book (CW: infertility, ectopic pregnancy), and even though they're prominent throughout, I felt like it was handled with care.

I've loved every Tarah DeWitt book I've read, but I think this one just took the top spot! It's the perfect read if you like small town, second chance, marriage in crisis, and forced proximity.

The audio was absolutely amazing! Megan Wicks & Connor Crais captured Wren & Ellis perfectly. They did a great job creating unique voices for each character, conveying emotion, and really had making you feel like you were in the story right along with the characters!
This is definitely an audiobook you don't want to miss!
Pub date: May 20, 2025
Thank you Macmillan Audio via NetGalley for the ALC 🫶🏻

It was so wonderful to be back in Spoons. Tarah DeWitt has given us another gem with Left of Forever, featuring Wren and Ellis Byrd. They divorced five years ago and co-parented their son, Sam, the best they could. But now's he's graduating high school and headed to college. They were teens when they got pregnant with him, and their entire adult lives have been about being his parents while also raising and looking after Ellis's siblings after the death of his parents. Now, they finally have the space and the time to examine what went wrong and if there's still enough love between them to try to salvage.

This was so real and so beautifully crafted. Ellis convinces Wren that after they drop Sam off at college, they should take a road trip, just the two of them. Separate room but plenty of time to talk and reconnect. The progression of their relationship from skepticism and distrust to cautious optimism to rekindled love was achingly realistic. They handled it like actual grown-ups, communicating even when it was hard or the truth hurt.

Connor Crais and Megan Wicks were perfectly cast as Ellis and Wren. I love Connor's deep timbre, with just the perfect amount of rasp, and Megan has a maturity to her voice that makes her FEEL like she's in her thirties. Their performances were *chefs kiss* perfection.

Plot, steam, narrators? All 10/10. No notes.

A massive thanks to MacMillan Audio for my ALC.

Soooooo good. I devoured this book and already want to reread it just to spend more time with these characters.

The dual narration absolutely made this story come alive—both voices were fantastic, but Duval’s point of view? Obsessed. There’s something about the way his chapters were written that hit deeper every time. Vulnerable, raw, and completely magnetic. I felt everything with him.

The emotional depth in this story was stunning. It had the perfect mix of heartache, healing, and hope, and the writing was so immersive I didn’t want to come up for air. The pacing was tight, the chemistry undeniable, and the character growth? Chef’s kiss.

This is one of those stories that lingers long after the final page. Highly recommend if you're craving something tender, unforgettable, and beautifully told.

🎧🎧🎧🎧/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️/5
♥️ Second Chance
♥️ Childhood sweethearts
♥️ secret letters
Ellis is on a mission to get his wife back! After a 4-year split, Wren writes an anonymous letter to the fire department where Ellis happens to be stationed. He finds her letter, which gives him hope that maybe they aren’t over!

Wren, on the other hand, just wants to start over and forget about the past.

I truly loved this one. I received this book as an audiobook, read by Connor Crais and Megan Wicks. It was the chemistry between the readers that brought the characters to life; they worked so well together. It gave me butterflies to hear how much Ellis still loves Wren through Connor’s narration. I truly appreciated the playlist listed at the beginning of the audiobook; it helped set the tone.

4.25⭐️
I received this ARC as an audiobook, and the narrators brought this story to life! I loved Connor Crais and Megan Wicks as Ellis and Wren.

This was a solid romance read. The chemistry between the characters was written so well. The spicy scenes were spicy and emotional. You could feel the history of love and care between MMC and FMC. It was beautiful to see them find their way back to each other. I also loved the Bay Area references - especially the Shadowbrook restaurant in Capitola, CA. That cable car is real, and I loved that the author included real places.

That said, the conflict seemed nearly non-existent, and it didn't take Ellis that much to convince Wren to be with him again. You could tell she was already on her path back to him. I wish it had been more of a struggle so the payoff would have been sweeter. I also thought the flashback to firefighting was a random flashback. Maybe if it had been at the very beginning, it would have worked better than 2-3 chapters in.

Spicy rating: 3.5/5 🌶️ multiple open door scenes

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

ARC/ALC REVIEW

Left of Forever by Tarah Dewitt
5 STARS

Thank you St Martin’s Press for the free eARC of this book and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary audiobook!

SYNOPSIS: Wren and Ellis Byrd fell in love as kids, had their son Sam when they were only teenagers, and built a life together in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon. They were made for one another…until they fell apart. Now in their 30s and divorced, they reunite for a road trip after helping their son move into college. As they drive the California coast, old feelings resurface amid scenic stops and shared memories. But to rediscover what they once had, they must face their complicated past—and find the courage to say what matters most.

REVIEW: Summary: I LOVED it. There is just something about a second chance in a marriage that I just adore. Lovers finding each other again after the push and pull of life, kids, jobs? GIVE IT TO ME.

As soon as I read the line, “She’s still a Byrd” in Savor It, I KNEW I needed Wren and Ellis’s story. And, dear reader, I was not disappointed. Wren and Ellis are equally sweet/tender and steamy/spicy. Setting this “reunion” during a road trip was the perfect choice. Well done, Tarah!

Personally, I love a road trip story, because I feel like I’m tagging along with the characters as they explore new places. Another fun part was getting to know the other Bryd siblings. I’m very excited for their stories as well.

Connor Crais and Megan Wicks were so PERFECT for this audiobook. If you’re an audiobook lover like me, consider listening to this one!

I definitely recommend this book to my fellow romance readers. Left of Forever has solidified Tarah’s status as an auto-buy author for me.

Publisher: SMP, Macmillan Audio
Pub date: 5/20/25

4.5⭐

when i tell you i am weak in the knees for a second chance romance, i mean it. left of forever was the epitome of what a perfect second chance romance should be. i was giggling over their chemistry, the banter, and the spice! throw in some forced proximity and i'm a goner. i absolutely adored this book so so much! i will be thinking about ellis and wren for a long time 🤭

when wren and ellis bird's son, sam, gets accepted into a college out in california, they set on a mini trip of their own to see if they can re-kindle their marriage and romance. i loved that the santa cruz setting, it was so fun & romantic! i adored all of their heartfelt moments and all the in-betweens. their love just felt so realistic and i felt their connection right off the bat. for a couple who really wanted to work on their communication, i really thought they shined in that department, especially with being co-parents; the letters were so sweet and i loved how that wrapped up in the end.

the audiobook was INCREDIBLE. the narrators were phenomenal - it made listening to the book more enjoyable. the way they inflicted their emotions was just so perfect. i felt so connected to both of them. i highly recommend this audiobook!

thank you to macmillan audio for the ALC!

i’ve honestly been putting off writing this review because i know i’m not going to say everything as eloquently and put together as this book deserves but we’re gonna try

wren and ellis have embedded themselves in a small piece of my heart forever. their story is so raw and beautiful and full of HOPE and all consuming love. a story about two people who are so resilient in their love for each other despite the time they spent apart and watching them reconnect and work through their past was honestly a privilege to witness

NOW FOR THE STAR OF THE SHOW ellis mf byrd and his slutty mf mustache. THAT MAN!! I AM TRULY WEAK IN THE KNEES!! miss tarah knew what she was doing when she wrote him and for that i owe her my life 🙂‍↕️

i cannot wait for this book to be out in the world and for everyone to be able to experience it. i’ve truly found my new favorite romance and i’ll keep this story close to my heart for whatever’s left of forever ((I HAD TO IM SORRY OK IM DONE))

thank you netgalley and macmillen audio for the arc/alc!!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ !!!!
♾️

I love Tarah DeWitt, the way she writes romances and feeling is truly so unique. I’ve loved everything I’ve read by her, but this may take the cake for my favorite one (so far) by her and my favorite second-chance romance. This made me tear up SO much, at one or three times I was actually sobbing.

“You’re still a Byrd.”
“I am.” 😭

✨ Second chance
✨ Road trip
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Childhood friends to lovers - divorce - to together again 😭

*when I get more of my thoughts together I’ll most likely write a much longer review*

Thank you SO much St Martin’s Press for a eArc and Macmillan Audio for an ALC

I’ll read everything she writes forever and I want to live in Spunes Oregon, not to be confused with Forks Washington. I typically don’t like second chance romance cause they never seem realistic but this one was amazing and perfect and I appreciated the lack of unnecessary conflict. The meddling of all the side characters was top tier.

Left of Forever was my first Tarah DeWitt book, and I'm not very interested in reading anymore of her catalogue. The writing itself is decent. However, the main leads read very immature. I had to do a double take on their ages because they were supposed to be mid 30s, but read like moody teenagers who couldn't communicate with each other. I also found it a stretch that the two exchange letters with each other, and don't recognize each other's handwriting...weren't they together for years? Really. There really wasn't any tension in the relationship. They were in love with each other the entire time, and weren't together only because they couldn't communicate. Meh. I was glad just to finish it. The audio was okay, not my favorite.

thank you netgalley and Macmillan Audio for this arc <3
nothing says 'we might still be in love' like a road trip with your hot firefighter ex husband who still thinks you hung the moon and the stars lol
so this was surpringly tender? and emotionally satisfying i'm not into second romances I tend to steer away from the trope but i'm so glad I was able to pick this up bc there's nothing I love more then fresh healthy takes on common book tropes.
wren and el felt so entwined throughout the entire story I was rooting for them so hard. their issues weren't spiteful they were genuinely and actively trying their best and putting everyone first. it was so nice to see them talk thru their mistakes and make progress on getting a fresh start. like every little bit felt so earned and i'm so glad it didn't pull any cliched breakup drama near the end.
butalsocanwetalkaboutthesmutbcholyshit they're both so
lucky idk who to be jealous of more Imao
and as always a million extra points for a fun and loving supportive ensemble cast aka the byrd family and friends. if there's one thing that's gonna hook me every time it's found family and considering the tears I shed towards the end this book delivers.
hoping we get more entwined stories with the rest of the crew <333
my fave little snippet • "all I know is that if I found out heaven was real and got there first id hang back in the waiting room and save you a seat" WHO SAID ROMANCE WAS DEAD