Two divorced high school sweethearts take a road trip back home and try to figure out if they still have a shot at forever - and wow, I loved every second of it. This felt so real and believable, with moments that had me laughing, tearing up, and fully rooting for them the whole way. I’m now officially determined to read Tarah DeWitt’s entire backlog.

Thank you NetGalley for the ALC 💕

I'm in love!

This is THE second chance romance book of 2025! Wren and Ellis Byrd were in love, with a son and tight-knit community. Unfortunately, they grew apart and now they try to move on while they secretly pine for one another.

They are perfect or one another. The languish and pining and CHEMISTRY were perfection! The audiobook was wonderful and perfectly illustrated the characters! Tarah DeWitt might be one of my new favorite authors! There is not much more I can say about this book besides how perfect this is!

Thank you for this ARC!

I am impressed with the narrators! They really helped me visualize the characters and their story. Having two narrators for the dual POV was greatly done for this book- I don't think I'd have been as invested in the story otherwise. Both of the narrators have very raspy voices, and at first I didn't like it, but as I continued to read and know the characters, I realized this was perfect for them! The story gives hope and brings second chance romance to life. Spoiler- I SUPER appreciated that there wasn't a third act break-up. That would have taken from the way the story felt so real and relatable. The struggles that the characters had made sense as well as the timeline for them repairing their relationship. It didn't feel rushed. I will be listening to more by these narrators and author.

This is the second in the Spunes, OR Series. However, it is perfectly great as a stand alone novel. I have not read the first yet, but I didn’t feel like I was missing anything.

This is a sweet, but steamy second chance romance about childhood sweethearts who had to separate to find themselves and heal. Wren and Ellis fell in love as teenagers and got pregnant young. They did their best to raise him, while entirely unprepared, but eventually they ended up divorced and co-parenting. Now, as their son is moving away to college, they plan a trip to reconnect to possibly become friends again (or maybe more???).

This book deals with many real-life issues like kids parenting kids (Ellis taking care of his siblings at a young age, then adding a baby into the mix), workplace injury, miscarriage, and mental health crises. I love that it normalizes seeking professional help and talking about issues, rather than bottling them up and continuing unhealthy behaviors. It was also nice to not have a ton of flashbacks, instead they just talked or thought about the events of the past, keeping us in the present and explaining why the characters struggled with their marriage.

The audio was amazing! Both narrators did an excellent job with pacing and conveying their character’s thoughts and emotions. I would love to hear more of their work!

I loved LOVED DeWitt’s book Funny Feelings. But this book? Not so much.
I was excited to read a second chance romance about a married…errr formerly married couple. I was riding high on the idea as I’d just come off the tails of Out of the Woods by Hannah Bonam-Young, which was *CHEF’S KISS* buut this book…was not like that one.
I just…didn’t believe their romance.
In terms of the storytelling, I love the epistolary elements at the beginning (aka the letters and emails). I see lots of folks disliked it, but I* liked it. Go figure.
I also found the initial part of the narration to be confusing as it would go back and forth through time and kind of assumed you’d read the first Spunes book (Savor It), even though I *think* this book is supposed to be a stand-alone.
That BEING SAID. The story was infinitely better as an audiobook thanks to the GREAT narration by Connor Crais and Megan Wicks. They really salvaged the book for me during my second “read-through” of it with the audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley, Macmillan Audio, St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin, and Tarah DeWitt for this free, advance copy in exchange for an honest review.

First and foremost, I have to say that giving this book anything less 5 stars would be an absolute crime. The second is that I’m so glad I chose listen to this one on audio because it was absolutely phenomenal! Did I go back and check what other books on my tbr are narrated by Megan Wicks? Oh 100%. The two of them really did enhance my reading experience.

One thing about me is that if there is a book that includes a second chance romance I will absolutely devour it. After we were introduced to Ellis and Wren in Savor it, all I could think about was how much I needed more of their story. Definitely worth the wait.

This book was so emotional and so heartbreaking with the occasionally family shenanigans thrown in. I’m absolutely in love with the Byrd family and I loved seeing how much they loved and supported Wren even when her and Ellis were going through their separation. A new favourite book of the year!

I was given this ALC by NetGalley, all thoughts and opinions are my own.

Just like when I read Savor It, this one also brought on the water works. How DeWitt writes her characters is so encompassing, they are compelling and relatable. Just cannot help but fall in love with them and crave more of them once the book is complete.

Ellis and Wren were had a son in high school and were married soon after, high school sweethearts and arguably soulmates. But time and life got in the way, stressors created a divide…resulting in a divorce because they could not resolve their issues.

Fast forward 5 years and they still love each other despite denials and attempts to move on. When a chance exchange on letters leads Ellis to pursue the chance that they could work through their issues and get back together…things change. He seeks therapy to resolve his own demons and start to open up, Wren realizes after her doom spiral of dating others that Ellis is it for her.

After dropping off their son at university they take an extended road trip back home to see if they can get past their problems and ultimately come back to one another.

This approach the author took was emotional, raw, and engrossing. You couldn’t help but root for them, feel the feels, and ultimately be committed to their journey.

Another excellent book for DeWitt, I cannot wait for the next one.

Thank you MacMillan Audio and NetGalley for the ARC!

I was delighted to be approved for Tarah DeWitt's latest novel - I am a huge fan of hers and could not wait to dive into this one! As always, this book was a complete home run. I absolutely adored the characters, the way they found their way back to each other, and the care in which DeWitt takes to write such a beautiful story.

The narration was great too! I am definitely going to be purchasing this book for my shelf.

Thank you again for the ARC!

Did not finish. I made it probably 30% of the way through, but I honestly just got bored. It went too slow, and at the same time, their second chance seemed too straightforward. I also didn't buy the letter-writing aspect at the beginning.

I really enjoyed this story of second chance romance. I listened to it via audiobook, the narrators did a great job on this one! I had no idea this was book two in a series. 😅 I'll have to definitely pick the first book up soon because this one was so good! We follow Wren and Ellis, they used to be married and are now 5 years divorced but they decide to go on a road trip together to see if they still feel a spark.

I've never been too interested in the second chance romance trope, but this one may have made me a convert. The idea that these people still knew each other so well and then also were able to realize what their past hangups were in order to come back to each other was so charming. If you're looking for that kind of a romance read, I highly recommend this one! 💕



Thank you to NetGalley and MacMillan Audio for this audiobook ARC in return for an honest review. ✨

Ok, listen. I FELT this! As someone who's been with their partner for 10+ years, this is so touching. To grow apart, struggle and find each other still as in love but willing to change to be better, WOW. Chefs kiss. I was so invested in this story. The love, the longing, it was so great. I DO wish the penpal aspect continued a bit more, that would have been a really sweet way to get more into each character. I was a tad confused at their clearing of consciousnesses at the very end, but overall I just wanted them to be happy.

This book was absolutely incredible. I am a hugeeeee sucker for a second chance romance and this one ticked off all my boxes. The setting is perfect, the characters were fully fleshed-out and relatable, and at times I kind of wanted to jump right into the book. I am officially in love with the big boisterous Byrd family!

Wren is such a dynamic character; her fun loving, whimsical nature is perfectly juxtaposed by her deep emotional connections and desire to be a part of something bigger than herself. She is an amazing mom, sister and friend and often some aspect of these characteristics jump off the page every scene she is in. I absolutely adored her. Also, Wren Byrd makes me laugh every time I think about or say it. Poor lady.

Ellis has quite the growth arc in this. He starts out insanely lovable, but he does feel more emotionally stilted at the start. The therapy positivity, especially as it relates to men, is really special here. I loved how much it helps him to understand his own contributions to what went awry in their marriage. He was already the ideal MMC, but his emotional growth took it to a whole other level. I would also say, he more than Wren, had the most romantic lines of the book.

This story immediately gripped me from the very beginning. It was so emotionally beautiful in a way I can’t even describe. this is one of the best second chance romance i’ve ever read. Ellis and Wren will forever have a place in my heart. I love angst and yearning in a book, and this one DELIVERED. The amount of pining and yearning oh god it was too good! The emotion paired with amazing humor and a beautiful atmospheric setting made me feel like I was transported into this story! The romance between Wren and Ellis was so utterly beautiful and oh was the tension hot and through the freaking roof!! Every time Ellis said “baby” I literally freaked out, screamed, giggled and kicked my feet… screamed some more… (!!!!!!)

Will be highly recommending this book to my audience and anyone that ever asks for a romance rec.

This was promoted as a stand alone novel with the same setting and characters as a previous novel. Unfortunately, I did not read the first in this series. I felt lost for many of the points and felt like I missed a lot of the backstory due to this. The story had too many facets for the short book that it was. That said, I liked the characters and their story, though I just didn’t buy the initial breakup or the getting back together. Very unrealistic.

absolutely stunning. the production was top notch. the narrators were absolutely amazing. one of the best stories and audiobooks I’ve listened to. Such a beautiful and unique story about growing in a relationship and finding your way back to your person.

1.5⭐️. This book was not for me. I only rate 1⭐️ for books I DNF and considering I wanted to DNF this book so many times, but only didn’t because it was an ARC. Thank you for NetGalley and St. Martin Publishing for this 🎧 advanced readers copy. I appreciate you trusting me to give it a shot.

The amount of spice to just have spice was just far too much for me. I don’t mind spice, but I want some plot with my spice, and I like to feel like I truly like the characters and believe in their love which was not the case at all. I didn’t like either of these characters and the FMC I found very annoying. I guess it was because of the cover, but I kept imagining them being in their 60s and that kind of grossed me out too - like imagining my parents. 🤢🤮

I know this book has some big fans and amazing reviews. Like I said, it was just not for me. I just severely disliked this book.

Content Warnings: explicit sexual content, loss of a child, atopic pregnancy, grief, divorce
Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️+++
Tropes: romance, second chance romance, lovers to enemies to lovers, divorce to lovers again

5⭐️
3🔥

Quick Breakdown

Second Chance
Childhood Friends to Lovers
Marriage in Crisis
Yearning & Pining
Road Trip
Small Town
Dual POV
Open Door - Moderate

Wren & Ellis have been divorced for the past 5 years, but haven’t moved on. They’re soulmates who lost their way during a difficult time & lack of communication. But, with a little help from our pal therapy & determination, Ellis is ready to shoot his shot again. He & Wren decide to use their road trip to drop their son at college as an opportunity to deep dive into their past & what could still be there.

I keep trying to put into words why this book hit me so hard & I think it’s the HOPE. The hope & potential. That’s where the romance lies.

Marital problems are not special. They’re universal, & I think that’s what makes this book such a novelty. We celebrate the journey to finding a HEA but rarely talk about what comes next. Wren & Ellis WORKED 👏🏻 for it. Granted, it was on a five year delay but it is HARD to think clearly when you are bogged down with life & grieving what once was. Good communication is not intrinsic. You have to want to learn. It’s HARD to fight for your partner, when you’re barely keeping your head above water fighting for yourself.

I loved how Tarah handled the past / present aspects. It shows the self growth that needed to happen in order to accept the possibility of finding each other again - especially for Ellis. The epistolary / pen pal portion of the book tied everything together in the most romantic way.

PLEASE read this. Whether you’re in a committed relationship or ever think you might be, it’s simply beautiful. THIS will be the book I cycle back to when marriage gets hard & I need to find my hope & potential again.

Let me start by saying I am clearly in the minority here with this review, as many people loved this book. I thought the writing/prose was beautiful, and packed so much emotion.

I struggled with the pining and longing happening so quickly out of the gate without much of a backstory. I feel like this book could’ve benefitted from a dual timeline so that we knew why they fell apart and why they couldn’t just fall back together, given that their emotions were clear from the beginning of the book. If you get frustrated by miscommunication, or lack thereof, I wouldn’t recommend this book. I’m usually ok with it, but it didn’t work at all for me here.

I really wanted to like this book, I love second chance romance and the premise sounded so good. I picked it back up twice because I wondered if it was just bad timing on my part, and unfortunately just couldn’t get through it.

All the stars for this book!!✨️ I absolutely fell in love with Wren and Ellis and their second chance love story! The pangs of longing and heartache and the way they found their way back to each other made my heart fully swoon!

I don't know if I've ever rooted more for two characters to get back together! I just so appreciated the mature approach they had at working their way back to each other. I think that's one of the beautiful things about the MCs being in their 30s.

You will absolutely fall in love with this book if you like:
🌲Second chance romance
⛺️Road trip
🌲Forced proximity
⛺️Small town
🌲Angst & yearning
⛺️Dual pov

This is maybe my favourite romance of 2025! I will definitely be revisiting this book in the future. Highly recommend!!

ALC Review: Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt
Pub Date: May 20th
Narrators: Connor Crais & Megan Wicks

Thank you MacMillan Audio for the ALC! All thoughts and opinions are my own and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I mean truly what can I say about this book that hasn't already been said?? It's become quite the bookstagram darling and it is so well deserved. Honestly I was a little scared to start this one because I was pretty sure it was going to wreck me emotionally. And it did, but it also put me back together and made my little heart soar.

This is the type of second chance that I absolutely gravitate towards - there wasn't some big miscommunication or fight that broke them up originally - it was slowly growing apart as happens in life. And the coming back together in this case was oh so sweet. It's so clear throughout the whole book how much love both characters have for each other. And it's clear that they had to go through the tough times to come out of the other side even stronger.

Anyways - I could go on and on. But just trust me that it's so worth it - and the audio is fabulous!! Both narrators really brought this story to life for me and I'm so glad I was able to listen to the audio and would highly recommend a listen.

*Thank you to St. Martin's Griffin, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

Tarah DeWitt never fails to write captivating stories, full stop.

But this one was certainly something. High school sweethearts turned divorcées suddenly getting their second chance at love? Yes please. And then adding in all of my favorite tropes like a small town atmosphere, epistolary elements, and road tripping? Sold. It certainly didn't hurt that the plot and writing were great though.

The dual narration was impeccable, especially with Connor Crais's deep timbre. It really felt like he was Ellis with his gruff mannerisms and ooey gooey center. And the way that everyone was pulling for Wren and Ellis to get back together? My heart. I hope that every brother gets a book because I am dying to see Silas and Micah get their happily every afters.