TLDR: Think BK Borison but with heavier Gilmore Girl town vibes.

Why did no one tell me that I would love Tarah DeWitt? I loved everything about this book. From the colors on the cover to the main characters to what the MCs had to go through for their HEA.

Fisher is so sad. Over his sister. Over his failures. But he is trying so hard to do better. In fact, one of Sage's thoughts really stuck with me about Fisher. "F*ck, he's perfect. No, it's worse because he's imperfect and honest about it and he's deserving of so much love." He wants to do right by Indy, and while I know he had to do what he did at the end of the book, it had me up sobbing in the middle of the night.

As for Sage, I love how comfortable she is with herself. How comfortable she is helping out Fisher and Indy, and having hard conversations with Fisher. I loved that this book really didn't let them get away with the miscommunication trope, because it would have been so easy to do. I also loved how honest she was with herself throughout her relationship with Fisher, especially toward the end.

This book is honestly so good. If you're a contemporary romance lover, this is one you have to pick up. And Ellis and Wren are getting their own book soon! Which I am so happy about!!

I somehow read these out of order, but no worries it didn’t spoil my love for the story. I was rooting for the characters the entire time and somehow want to move to Nunes.

And there I was thinking Funny Feelings was my very favourite book by Tarah DeWitt... but then Savor It came along and absolutely wrecked me (in the very best way) and took that top spot!

I was craving summer and longed for more of DeWitt's impeccable writing, only to pick this book up and become fully enveloped within the heat of this story.

What even was this book?

Longing and desperation.
Sunburned days and star gazing nights.
Lavish food, dreamy sex and languid days.

The tears that suddenly sprang to my eyes reading page 104 and the connection I instantly felt towards Sage with this "little things" reveal of hers.

Fisher's "no, sweetheart" making me instantly melt and swoon all over the place, causing me to call out "who is this man!?" Then those Byrd and Sagebyrd nicknames, happened!? Then he goes and says something like, "and I'm still hard for you." Are you kidding me? I was already in love with Fisher - how much deeper can my love go?

It's no surprise that I loved this audiobook when it's narrated by two of my very favourite narrators: Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber!!! (I listened to an advanced audiobook copy so I will say that there were some issues I hope were edited out before being released; mainly there were a few audible swallows, as well as issues when the chapters changed. But never did these occurrences detract from my listening experience!)

Simply put: I was a gonner for this book! Savor It gets all the stars in the summer sky!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and Macmillan Audio for the complimentary copies to read and review.

4.25/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨
2.5/5

Listen! I am not a romcom girlie but I did enjoy this story quite a bit. Fisher won me over, maybe not on his own but seeing him through Sage’s eyes really made me see his finer points more clearly. I liked Sage though. She was definitely a FMC that I’ll remember. Something about a woman who gardens is always one I’d befriend.

I chuckled a fair bit and it think that is definitely something worth mentioning. I needed that laugh and I’m happy I picked this one up again.

I found that the small town vibes were so present and that city boy x small town girl dynamic was fresh and comforting in this book. There were new elements and rich character with the town and the people. I would not be upset to see more about some of the side characters.

Overall, I’d definitely recommend this book to lovers of the romcom genre! Id you’ve enjoyed Emily Henry and Meghan Quinn, this feels like a blend of their two vibes. Thank you to the author and published for a copy of this book for review!

Savor It was a sweet and sultry small-town romance that didn’t need to sweep me off my feet to make me feel all kinds of things. It was heartfelt, and touching, and I love how much Sage and Fisher cared for each other.

I will say, the last 15% were a little too fast-paced for my liking. The festival competition, which has been the main plot driver for the majority of the book, gets one short chapter that only lasted a few pages. The issue with her brother was set up and resolved far too quickly for my taste. I also would have loved one more resolution chapter between the last chapter and the epilogue.

That being said, DeWitt’s writing is so beautiful. The pacing of the first ~80% matches with the slow-paced lifestyle of the town without feeling like it drags. The romance was also so sweet, and I love that there was no miscommunication, there were simply choices made by Sage and Fisher, and both of them agreed with the choices they made. This felt like a healthy relationship, and I appreciate that a lot. 3.75 stars!

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for the ARC! Out now wherever books are sold!

A chef and his niece move from NYC to a small town along the Oregon coast for a much needed summer reset and to assist with opening a restaurant. Fisher enlists the help of his next door neighbor, Sage, when trouble with the restaurant results a schedule delay. In return, Sage asks Fisher to be her partner in the canoe race for the town’s annual festival at the end of summer. Sparks fly as Fisher and Sage get to know one other. They both know their fling will conclude at the end of the summer when Fisher and his niece, Indy, moved home to NYC. Sage and Fisher choose to live in the moment and savor it until the end.

This small town romance has a full cast of characters complete with a girl next door, an unwelcome outsider, a sassy teen, a golden boy ex-boyfriend, meddling townspeople, and heartwarming quirky animals. Tarah has a way of making an impact with the small details that immerse the reader into a scene. She adds depth by describing something so ordinary in a beautiful way that is true and honest. She continues to bring laugh out loud wit and charm to the story, as she has in previous novels. The last 20% of the book totally consumed me.

This book is special because the world is so much more than the FMC and MMC relationship. It’s also about the depth of the relationships each have/had with family, and following a journey of self-discovery and healing. I recommend this book to anyone who is looking for a romance read.

I have never been a western girl, east cost girl for life, but Tarah DeWitts writing makes me want to go live on a farm or at least visit areas like Washington or Oregon. Her characters are breathtakingly honest and refreshing. Sage is complicated in the best ways. She is honest and such a great friend. Fisher is put in a complex situation dealing with the death of his sister and now have to take care of his teenage niece, not an easy thing. This story talks about grief and moving on in such a moving way. Honestly this would be the perfect movie or Netflix show.

Idk what kind of magic Tarah weaves into her words but she does it ever time. Never a miss. I love Sage and Fisher with my whole heart.

Honestly this was going to be a 5 star read until the last 10% when the girl was crying because of geese and mad at the guy because he once had geese while he was in France. I'm not kidding that it ruined how much I liked this book. Overall it was okay and I was having lovely time.

Dewitt's writing is some of my favorite. This book was witty, tender, and introspective; it made the MCs' relationship even more enjoyable to see develop.

Thank you NetGalley for the eARC!

Reading a Tarah Dewitt book again felt so good! Her books are always heartfelt, emotional yet funny! This one was no different and I LOVED it! Strangers to friends to lovers who are also neighbours? And he is the guardian to his teenage niece? And a fun small town?! Chef’s kiss! (Which is perfect cause the MMC is a chef!) can’t wait to read the sequel (leggy of forever) and ready to get my heart wrecked again!

Overall, my experience with this new Spunes novel was a total delight. It's the kind of book that leaves you with a warm and fuzzy feeling long after you turn the final page. If you're looking for a charming small-town romance with engaging characters, witty dialogue, and a satisfying blend of humor and heart, then you absolutely need to add this one to your TBR pile. Trust me, you won't be disappointed!

I knew from pretty early on that I was going to love this book- there isn't anything about it that I didn't like- Fisher's relationship with his neice and how that develops, Sage & Wren's friendship and even Indy and the goose!!!! Especially Sage & Fisher though were just exactly what eachother needed and the ending destroyed me

I had heard good things about this book and was looking forward to it after enjoying Funny Feelings, but I couldn't get into this one. There was too much backstory in the first few chapters and I really didn't care about the characters enough yet.

4.5 🌟

I loved this small-town romance filled with heart, humor, and heat. I related to Sage so much - including her puns and quirks as well as her soft girl soul - and found both her and Ellis to be such lovable characters. I appreciated how real they felt, the ways in which they supported each other, and their commitment to staying true to themselves.

This is my second book by Tarah and her writing has only gotten better. The prose was beautiful at times and the banter was well-written. I'm SO excited to read Left of Forever and return to this world!

**3-Star Review of *Savor It* (A Spunes Novel) by Tarah DeWitt**

*Savor It* by Tarah DeWitt is a lighthearted and sweet romance that centers around food, relationships, and finding love when you least expect it. The story follows the protagonist, who is navigating her career, family expectations, and romantic interests, all while trying to make a name for herself in the food industry. The premise is enjoyable, and the setting—focused on food—adds a flavorful charm to the narrative.

DeWitt’s writing is engaging and filled with warmth, and the romance is cute, though a bit predictable. The chemistry between the characters is palpable, but at times, the story feels a little too familiar, following many of the typical beats found in romance novels. The pacing is generally smooth, but there are moments where the plot slows down, leaving the story feeling a bit repetitive.

While the main characters are likable, some of the secondary characters and plotlines feel underdeveloped, and the emotional stakes never quite reach the depth that would make the story more impactful. The focus on food adds a unique touch, but it could have been explored in more creative or meaningful ways.

Overall, *Savor It* is a fun, easy read for fans of sweet romances with a food-centric twist. It’s not particularly groundbreaking, but it offers enough charm and warmth to keep readers entertained. It’s a perfect choice for those looking for a cozy, feel-good romance, but it lacks the depth and originality to make it stand out in the genre.

"Savor It" follows Sage Byrd, a small-town local whose ex's sudden engagement makes her the target of Spunes, Oregon's pity. When former NYC chef Fisher Lange arrives with his teenage niece to open a restaurant, the unlikely neighbors strike a deal: she'll help him win over the town, and he'll be her competition partner. What begins as a strategic alliance quickly simmers into something deeper as summer races by.

Sage is an animal lover with a big heart, that has recently been broken. Fisher is a Michelin-starred chef learning how to balance his new responsibilities as guardian of his teenage niece with his career. When Fisher is sent to the small town of Spunes to support a new restaurant opening, he ends up living next door to Sage—and I bet you won't guess what happens next. ;)

This was such a quick read for me. Though the romance leans toward insta-love, which isn't typically my favorite trope, I still enjoyed the storyline and the charming small-town atmosphere. The characters were fun and engaging, and it's clear this will likely become a series, or at least have a sequel, based on some of the side storylines that were developed.

I'd recommend "Savor It" as a cute beach read for fans of the Lovelight series by B.K. Borison and anyone who enjoys small-town romances with a dash of cooking, competition, and healing hearts.

4.5 stars!🌟

Reading this book felt like glittery sunset magic.
Tarah DeWitt’s writing manages to capture the heartwarming coziness of a hallmark movie, but adds in authenticity, vulnerability, and humor.
This book pulled on my heartstrings, made me laugh, and made me SWOON. I love a book with no miscommunication in it. Thank you SO much for that!

If you’re not already enticed enough, here’s some quotes:
“You’re all my favorite colors…”
“It’s been a privilege to fall in love with you…”
“I think your laugh could maybe defibrillate me.”

This book was one of my first reads of 2025. The characters arcs in this book were masterfully done. Sage and Fischer were complicated people trying to overcome life’s difficulties . She does a wonderful job of weaving their journey of resilience into the plot of her books. I am looking forward to her follow up books in this series.

For a lot of this book, I was reading and thinking to myself "okay, it's enjoyable but I don't get why people are raving about it." The last 80 pages or so had me, though, and while I still wouldn't say I love it as much as others, I definitely fell for Sage and Fisher in that end as they fell deeply in love and worked together and cared for one another all while dreading the end date. I do love a small town and the characters in Spunes make it loveable. Fisher dealing with burnout and anxiety in his career, and learning how to parent his niece while they're both grieving. Sage learning to trust her talents while teaching him to enjoy the now. Gary the goose imprinting on Indy. A three legged cat named Legoless. So many quirky little details I really did enjoy when I'm thinking back. I'm not sure I would necessarily want to reread this one, but if we someday get a second chance romance for Wren and Ellis, I certainly would to prepare for a return to Spunes because I want their story.