This book is about a couple who have been together since kids, got pregnant/married at 17, then divorced in their late 20s, and are now mid-30s and just brought their son to college at UC Davis (my husband's and my alma mater!) and then go on a road trip back to their Oregon town. As someone who has been with her husband since we were 13 and we're now mid-40s, I connected soooooo much with the characters. This was unlike any romance I've read and I *felt* it, down to my marrow. Not just because of the UC Davis connection and the fact that they went to the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk and Monterey Aquarium, places my husband and I have been together a million times, but the feelings associated with knowing someone like that. I was rooting for these two from the first chapter.

Thank you, Netgalley, for the audiobook ARC. The narrators did an awesome job. I ended up buying the paperback. :-)

So good to be back in Spunes! I absolutely love Tarah’s style and this little world she’s created. Wren and Ellis’ story is raw, real, and emotional. This is a character driven story, and they were easy to relate to and root for. Tarah takes us up the California coastline with her descriptive and vivid writing, and I loved every second of it.

Connor Crais and Megan Wick’s voices came together to create the most incredible audiobook! Their performances are always the best, and they were all around perfection. I highly recommend!

𝗪𝗵𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝗲𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗰𝘁 ⇣
Small town
Second chance
Divorced
Parents to a teen
Firefighter MMC
Roadtrip
Only one bed
Found family
Dual POV
Spice

Thank you to Macmillan Audio, St. Martin’s Press, and the author for the ALC and ARC!

Me: Second chance isn’t really my favorite

Also me: Crying on the freeway listening to Wren and Ellis getting a second chance

I love the way this one is written. The marriage-in-trouble trope is one of my favorites a while this isn’t quite that, it still had that same feel. I think I could really connect to the feelings these two kept going back to: finding comfort and belonging in another person.

It was enjoyable to journey along the California coast and along the timeline of Wren & Ellis’s relationship.

The balance of humor and absolute ache in this one really had me toeing the line.

I would read 20 more books set in Spunes (Tarah please if you see this 🥺)

The narration was wonderfully done and suited the characters. Top quality audiobook for sure!

Rating; 4.25/5

Left of Forever is a spicy second chance romance that focuses on a divorced couple, Wren and Ellis Byrd. Wren and Ellis are in their 30s now and moving their son into college, but it feels like not so long ago that they were very young, pregnant, and stumbling into early parenthood.

With the forced proximity of this road trip, Wren and Ellis both quickly begin feeling attraction and conflicting emotions. This story unpacks some tough topics including secondary infertility. Wren and Ellis are both well developed characters who have worked hard to become better people as they've aged.

I enjoyed the realistic depth of this romance and it was mid level spicy, lots of intimate scenes that were generally vanilla. I thought some of the challenges between the couple resolved a little too quickly, but overall this was engaging, sweet, and a good read.

Oh my heart I loved this so much. A second chance to love. They thought each of them were done and withdrawn, but to their surprise the fire just needed to be rekindled. Immediately buying a physical copy.

Broken apart and stitched back together in the best way!

Second chance romances are kind of a hit or miss with me, but Tarah blew me out of the water with this masterpiece. The characters were so relatable and loveable that you just wanted to reach in and hug them. The tension! Oh my goodness the tension, the angst, the pining, the longing looks! To be completely honest, I had to take several mini breaks while reading because my emotions were an all time high. It also didn't help that I saw so much of Wren in myself, I was a wreck.

The story was so beautifully written I was instantly captivated. Tarah's writting will take you on a roller coaster of emitions. Wren is so whimsical and loving that seeing her try to figure out who she is if not a care giver was heart-wretcing. It broke me little. She gives so much to others that she forgets about herself, if thats not the most relatable thing on earth, I don't know what is.

Ellis you big softie! Seeing Ellis take the leap to work on himself and his relationships, chef's kiss. Learning to not be afraid of your feelings and to speak them into existence and continue to put in the effort with everyone in his life was just the icing on top. I loved seeing Wren and Ellis navigate the tough conversations with a clear head, being honest and raw about the mistakes and mishaps in their relationship. Actively trying to engage and dive into the murky waters and coming out stronger because of it.

Meghan Wicks and Connor Crais did a fabulous job narrating.

I loved this book so much! I finished it last week and have not stopped thinking about it. Definitely a must read ASAP!

Left of Forever was my first book by Sarah DeWitt, and even though it’s part of a series, I never once felt lost. The story stands on its own, and the characters felt like familiar.

The narrator’s performance made the experience even more intimate. Their voice matched the emotional tone so freakin well. You can really hear the vulnerability in their voices. They were also subtle and tender. Listening to it felt personal, like someone was talking straight to me.

This is a book about loss, love, and the courage it takes to start again. The romance isn’t flashy but is soft and slow. If you love character driven stories that let emotions breathe, this one is for you.

Having already read the ebook for Left of Forever and loved it I knew the story was going to be great but to listen to it in audio was a whole other experience!! the voice actors were incredible and HOT I must say. They were both able to capture the raw feelings of the characters and getting immersed in the book was incredibly easy.
Even tho I wasn't new to the plot, I found the pace of it fantastic to listen to, it never got boring, I giggled and found myself smiling SO MANY TIMES.
Super recommend for fans of audiobooks and to those who usually prefers to read ebooks like me too.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the advance copy of Left of Forever by Tarah Dewitt. I enjoyed her first book Savor It and was excited to read this to learn about Wren and Ellis’ story. This is an emotional second-chance romance about Wren and Ellis, former childhood sweethearts who reconnect years after their divorce.
Wren and Ellis were childhood sweethearts who got married young, raised a son and Ellis’ brothers, and then quietly drifted apart. Now that their son is grown and heading off to college, life throws them together on a road trip where old feelings resurface and they’re faced with everything that’s been left unsaid. What follows is a mix of awkwardness, nostalgia, buried emotions, and slow realizations about what they lost and maybe still have.
I liked that this book felt realistic. It’s about very normal, human emotions: the kind of regrets you carry around, and the soft what-ifs that sneak up on you years later. The writing flows easily, with bits of humor and tenderness woven throughout. I appreciated how the story didn't rush. The tension builds gently and the quieter moments between the characters say a lot.
That said, for some reason I didn’t feel completely pulled in emotionally. I liked the concept and the characters enough to keep reading, but I never felt super invested in the outcome and it bugs me that I cannot pinpoint why. Maybe I just wanted more depth in certain moments, or a bit more spark to their reconnection. Still, it’s a sweet story that looks at love from a more mature, reflective place than a lot of romances, and that felt refreshing. (3.5 stars)

😭😭😭 don’t mind me just sobbing over here.

First off, thank you Macmillan Audio & NetGalley for the eARC/early access to the audiobook.

I have no words. Tarah truly set a new refreshing take on second chance especially with Wren & Ellis Byrd’s story. It was beautiful seeing their relationship re-develop again after some time apart. The reason why it was such a refreshing take is because they were childhood lovers to lovers than became divorcees and exploring why their love is meant to be forever.

Also the sexual tension & slow burn was BURNING! There were so many scenes where I was sweating, pause, and had to take a moment to breathe. For any audiobook listeners, you know what I’m talking about especially during a spice scene.

I enjoyed the perfect placement of all the memories of Wren & Ellis’s past from their childhood, their relationship, them as parents, and their marriage. Some second chance romances add a little too much information of the past or barely none at all. Tarah wrote it perfect as if we were with Wren or Ellis just looking at the past with nostalgia.

Also the Byrd siblings and their antics had me cackling. I can’t wait to read more about Silas & Micah. For Fischer & Sage fans, you definitely won’t be disappointed especially with their multiple appearances here.

I know I will be re-reading this again once I get my hands on a physical book. Because there were SO many parts I wanted to highlight, underline, and just forever remind. However it’s a little hard to do that with an audiobook. Megan & Connor once again did a fabulous job as the audio narrators. Audio voice narrators do not get enough credit and they really conveyed all the emotions and moments of Wren & Ellis.


*Disclaimer: I received this audiobook through NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for free and voluntary leaving this review on my accord. All thoughts & opinions are my own.

I didn’t realize this was connected to the Savor It world—what a fun surprise to be back in Spunes! The small-town setting and the fact that he’s a firefighter gave me total Virgin River vibes in the best way. (Now I need more firefighter romance recs ASAP!) This second-chance romance was super romantic without being overly heavy or emotional, and the road trip element so fun. The audiobook narrators were great!

Thank you to NetGalley, St.Martins Press, and Macmillan for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Omg! This one was soo good! I think this might be my favorite from this author! I really liked the letter exchanging in the beginning, always a gamble when one person knows the other and the other thinks it’s a stranger, but I like how Ellis used the letters to reconnect with Wren. Really good pacing with the storyline and really good character growth. I really liked that they rehashed things from their past and delved deeper into that. They had really good communication and where in other books there would’ve been a third act break up these characters actually communicated with each other and worked things out! I will be thinking about this one for a while! Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC/audio file for this one!

I really enjoyed the audio production/performance as well. I listen to my audio books sped up pretty fast and I didn't lose any of the story or find it difficult to follow.

This book was surprisingly funny. The narrator's pacing and intonations were great. It was a story that I enjoyed. It was like Before I Let Go in a lot of ways

This is definitely my favorite romance of the year. It has one of my most favorite and one of my most hated tropes: second chance love and miscommunication. But the miscommunication is a lot less cheesy and so much more subtle than it normally is. It wasn’t in your face front and center.

Wren and Ellis seem so good together that I wondered why they were ever apart. I loved hearing their story. How they got together and what split them apart. And how they were working their way back to each other.

I usually choose rom coms over full on romance but DeWitt’s angsty and emotional books really connect with my heart. I loved Savor It and adored Left of Forever.

Their chemistry jumps off the page and those steamy scenes are a chef’s kiss.

I connected and rooted for them from start to finish. They were relatable and flawed and that is the heart of a good romance. And Ellis being a hot firefighter, I’ll dream of him for weeks. 💕

Connor Crais and Megan Wicks were great choices for narrators. Megan nailed Wren’s indecision and Connor’s deep voice fit perfectly with Connor’s protection gene. Their two voices meshed perfectly with the characters the author wrote. It was a complete package.

I’m sure this second chance romance will be the talk of the summer.

I loooooooved this audiobook so much. Ellis and Ren are just chef's kiss and I can't wait to hear/read the rest of the stories about the Byrd family. So good!

Wren and Wllis Byrd are childhood friends to lovers who have drifted apart due to pregnancy loss. They had to grow up early after having a son at the age of 17. They separated for about 5 years. But neither of them were able to move on from each other and secretly pined for the other. Finally, Ellis decides he wants to get his wife back, so they embark on one last trip to see if there’s anything left between them. This is a second chance, friends to lovers, found family novel. Loved this emotional journey the Byrda took us in and can’t wait to read more by Tara!

5⭐️ So far, my favourite book of the year!

Where do I start?! You know that moment when you’re in the middle of a really good book, and you just know it’s going to be a 5 star read? Well, for me it was pretty instantaneous. A book the second I finished it, I wanted to reread immediately. Left of Forever left me yearning for more Wren and Ellis Byrd, and I’m forever smitten with them. I absolutely devoured this audiobook!

The desire, burning passion and lust so deep it had roots had me giddy and smiling simply at the thought of getting to continue this read every night. This book really is pure magic and I can’t wait to read Savour It by Tarah DeWitt next!

I highly recommend listening to the audiobook, the narrating by Megan Wicks and Connor Crais is phenomenal and captured Wren and Ellis perfectly.

I am in awe of Tarah DeWitt and her genuinely hilarious writing, she had me laughing out loud a lot throughout this book. This book stole my heart and I’ll read anything Tarah Dewitt writes. I’m so excited to see where her writing career goes, she’s made a forever fan of me.

Thank you so much to Macmillan Audio and NetGalley for the ALC in exchange for my honest review. I’m so grateful.

I don’t normally like a second chance romance but I really liked this one! When I received this galley I knew I had read another Tarah DeWitt book before but I did not realize it was in the same universe as Savor It. When they mentioned Spunes, OR I thought - oh no I read this before.. But I hadn’t!

This book follows two childhood sweethearts post-divorce and it’s a lot of fun! Forced proximity, small town vibes, firefighters and more! And just look at the cover?! Doesn’t Ellis look like a babe?? I liked both main characters and the communication between them was really lovely.

A big thank you to @netgalley and @macmillan.audio for the advanced audiobook! I really enjoyed it !!

I would recommend this if you like::

❤️‍🩹Second Chance Romance
🧯Firefighters with mustaches
🏡Small town settings

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (and then some)

From the very first chapter of Left of Forever, I knew I was in trouble—in the best way. I was already crying before chapter two. Tarah DeWitt has done it again, crafting a second chance romance that absolutely shredded my heart and stitched it back together with origami birds and tattooed vows.

Wren and Ellis are two characters I immediately fell for, and their journey—filled with pining, yearning, and beautifully messy emotion—left me breathless. This book captures all the aching magic of love that refuses to fade, even when everything else feels lost.

The audio performance? Top-tier. Truly immaculate. The narration brought every feeling to life with such intimacy and nuance that I felt like I was there, crying and laughing and falling in love right alongside them. Megan Wicks and Connor Crais absolutely nailed Wren and Ellis—if you're an audiobook listener, this one is essential.

The last few chapters had me full-on sobbing (Silas’ speech!!! Ellis calling Wren “baby”!!! the vows!!!), and chapter 24? It’s going straight into the “Best Romance Chapters of All Time” hall of fame.

This is the kind of book that becomes your Roman Empire—the one you think about forever. An easy favorite of the year. An all-time favorite, period.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.5 stars)

Tarah DeWitt delivered another gorgeous, emotionally rich read with *Left of Forever*, the second installment in her charming "Spunes" series. I adored the way DeWitt captured Wren and Ellis's deeply connected but complicated relationship. Their second-chance romance was beautifully rendered, and by the end, I was left feeling emotionally fulfilled in the most satisfying, cathartic way.

The chemistry between Wren and Ellis felt both soulful and sizzling. Their dynamic was nuanced enough to clearly show how much they truly belonged together, making their journey toward reconciliation even more impactful. The spice wasn't just hot—it was profoundly moving, bringing genuine intimacy and vulnerability to the forefront.

The road-trip backdrop added a wonderful layer of fun and freshness as Wren and Ellis rediscovered each other amid the scenic California coastline. It was both delightful and meaningful to watch them navigate old and new feelings in unfamiliar places.

I also greatly appreciated the positive representation of therapy through Ellis's storyline. His decision to seek therapy after the divorce, and the growth it facilitated, added a realistic and hopeful dimension that underscored his readiness for a true second chance with Wren.

The audiobook narration is absolutely top-notch. Connor Crais brilliantly captured Ellis's stoic grit and his growing emotional vulnerability. Megan Wicks was equally fantastic as Wren, delivering a heartfelt, emotionally rich performance that made each moment genuinely resonate. The vocal chemistry between these two narrators? Chef's kiss!

On the downside, I did feel that the specifics around the original reasons for Wren and Ellis’s divorce were somewhat glossed over. A deeper exploration beyond "poor communication" would have given their reunion even more depth. Additionally, while this book is definitely a top-tier second-chance romance, a few others have resonated more deeply with me recently—though that may partly be due to my own immersion in writing a novel within this trope.

Overall, *Left of Forever* is a beautifully written, emotionally powerful romance filled with big feelings, believable characters, and compelling storytelling. If you're a fan of second-chance romance, it's definitely one to savor.

Thank you to Macmillan Audio and Tarah Dewitt for the opportunity to listen to this ALC!