I loved Savor It! This is a lovely story of two people figuring out what they want in life and from each other. DeWitt's prose was beautiful and pacing was wonderful. I am looking forward to more by her!

Wow! I absolutely adored this book - and I don't know what I thought I was going to get going into it, but I loved it so much more than I anticipated. This book is just so magical.
The story surrounds Sage & Fisher - Sage is a bubbly and adorable teacher, living in a coastal town in Oregon - a very small town that she's lived in her entire life and adores. She has a farm, with lots of misfit animals, gardens, and is super happy to live her life, even despite her boyfriend of five years breaking up with her and getting engaged quickly with someone else.

Fisher is just about the opposite. He's a big wig chef from NYC, until the death of his sister sends him into a dark place. In her absence he gains guardianship of his teenage niece, Indy. When Fisher loses a Michelin star he is sent for the summer with Indy to Sage's small town to help open a restaurant and create a menu there. Things aren't super easy when he gets there - so Sage and Fisher decide to make a pact. Sage will help Fisher's image in the town if he partners with her in the town yearly competition they have. In order to do that though, they end up needing to spend a lot of time together, which ends up being exactly what they both need.

Okay so here's why I loved this book - THE CHARACTERS - main and supportive characters. A swoony AND real romance. The town - which I just want to get lost in.

Here's the thing - I don't love a grumpy man in a book -it's just not something I love to read. So initially when I picked up the book I was a little hesitant. Fisher was just completely unhappy and there didn't seem to be a ton of things redeeming about him, but the way that DeWitt crafted him, his pain, and what he was going through, it felt so real. And Sage was just pure magic. She was smiles and rainbows, and tears when tears were called for. She was so full of life itself that it was fun to "be around her". This is a couple that I don't think anyone could root against.

I think it's a true talent to be able to create a world in a book that you don't want to leave. And that's how I felt when I read this book. I wanted to be pals with Sage, have a meal with Fisher and Indy (his niece), and live on her wild and adorable little farm.

Big, big thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for this ARC. This is such a treasure!

Savor It is a beautifully written romance with a very apt name - I wanted to savor every minute of reading it. This story focuses on our small town heroine, Sage, with a heart of gold as she navigates a friendship and more with a disgraced chef, Fisher, who moves to town temporarily with his niece. The sexual chemistry kept me turning the pages deep into the night. I just loved every part of it - it was like reading my first five star romance. Sigh. I would also be thrilled to return to the small town of Spunes and read romances featuring Sage’s brothers. Hint, hint, hint. Thank you #Netgally and #Macmillianusa for the ARC. The opinions are all mine.

I really enjoyed the story of Sage and Fisher. All my favorite tropes. Small town romance, just for the summer, descriptions of delicious food and finding yourself.

Sage- a small, coastal town, native meets Fisher, the summer renter next-door, who is there to help establish the new restaurant in town ( and some bonding with his niece, who he is now the sole guardian of ) they get more than they bargain for than just being neighborly and teammates for the end of summer canoe race.

There is good character development, great witty banter, and I was very pleased with many of the topics that the author addressed with great honesty. The only reason I gave this four stars instead of five was the pacing of the book. It was a bit all over the place. It was a bit hurried in some places, and then very in detailed and in depth in others - it didn’t feel cohesive throughout. Other than that, I really enjoyed it.

4-4.5 stars

"It's bee a privilege to fall in love with you Sage"

Sage (fmc)
Fisher (mmc)

My second book by Tarah and honestly, I need to keep on reading her books. Her books are well written and so touching as well. I really did love Sage and Fisher and this book. I hope you savor it as much as I did.

Sage has lived in a small town in Oregon (Spunes) her whole life, and from page one we are welcomed into her world. Enter Fisher, a handsome chef from New York City who is going to be living in Spunes for the summer. Fisher is Sage's neighbor for the summer, and so unforgettable summer adventure begins. I really liked Fisher and Sage's relationship and from their beginning their first encounter gave some sparks. Yes, this story is filled with love (summer love) , but I also loved that Fisher was able to find himself again. I liked getting into Sage's head, I really did like learning the depth of her thinking and I was happy that she found her HEA. I loved her heart and her animals were everything!! Towards the end I felt that it was a little rushed but overall I did really enjoyed this book.

I loved the side characters too! Indy was interesting, and I would love to read about her in the future if Tarah ever has plans. Oh my don't get me started on Ellis and Wren! I would love to one day read their story, I'm so intrigued. I feel that Tarah might give us something about them. I don't know why but I have a feeling and I hope so.

Solid 3.5 ⭐️ This is my first book by this author, and tbh it was really hard for me to get into the characters minds. I struggled quite a bit and even 50% of the way through I was wanting some more connection between the two main characters. At 75% of the way through is when they finallyyyy had a real connection imo.

There were some parts that were really sweet between Fisher and Sage and I loved Sage’s quirkiness and “Sage Advice” she was constantly giving Fisher about how to win over the small town.

I did love the character development between Fisher and his niece, Indy, and loved seeing them go to therapy and talk through their trauma of losing his sister and her mom.

Some quotes I enjoyed:

“The kid is as tall as I am but looks like he’s been put through a pasta maker to get that way.” Had me chuckling 🤣🤣

“To live by your own standards, and no one else’s. To be happy by your own measure.”

You’ll like this book if you like:
Close proximity
Friends to lovers
Summer romance
Trauma
Slow burn

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an ARC. When I say that I absolutely devoured this book, I 100% mean it. I probably finished this book start to finish within four hours because I could not wait to see how it ended! The book focuses on our small town girl, Sage, and our newcomer from the big city, Fisher. Each of them have their own interesting backstory as to how they got to this place and their lives, and they spend one fantastical summer together before they think that everything is going to end. Trust me when I say this is a must read!!

This book was cute and I enjoyed reading about Fisher’s growth and anxiety but ultimately didn’t get that 4+ star feeling. It took me a bit too long to get into the story and I didn’t feel enough chemistry between Sage and Fisher. I wasn’t overly fond of quirky and free-spirited Sage and felt more drawn to Fisher’s story. I really liked Wren in the first chapter and wish we could’ve gotten more of her but I feel this was her intro for her own book. Overall, it was a decent alright read.

This was a really fun and sweet romance! I loved the setting of Spunes and loved the way our two lovebirds came together in an unlikely duo I was rooting for!

This was well written and descriptive in a way that was so beautiful.

I really enjoyed Savor It! I love Dual POV and fake dating tropes. The setting in small town Spunes, Oregon where everyone knows everybody was spot on. I loved Sage’s hobby farm and how the two main characters were able to connect through similar loss of loved ones in their past. This was a great read.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this story!

tarah's books always feel like a simultaneous punch to the gut and best hug you've ever received. this story is so cozy yet never shies away from the hard stuff. the town is magical, the characters (even the side ones!) will pull you in so quickly. they are so real and raw and so dang lovable. you will laugh and cry and probably (definitely) feel hot and bothered. i just love love stories written by tarah dewitt 😭

5/5 🌟
2/5 🌶

I am a huge fan of Tarah Dewitt’s work and when I saw this available on NetGalley, I HAD to snag it! Tarah is an auto buy author for me at this point!

Savor It makes you want to do just that! The characters are imperfect and quirky, which makes them so likable and relatable! Within their banter and communication, you are left wanting more.

Savor It felt like a warm hug on the most perfect summer day. Even though you know what’s coming, i was not expecting the end 😭

I am so excited for Savor It to release in May and for everything else Tarah has planned.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC 🥰

Lush, and emblematic of the way we slowly give ourselves away, and then all at once, our hearts and dreams to the one person who tends to them in the best way. A swoon worthy read.

Tarah DeWitt has always held a special place in my heart. She is able to world build better than most fantasy authors. Every town she has written has made me want to uproot my entire life and move there with the characters that feel like friends. The same can be said for Savor It. I was so emotionally invested in the world that I was transported in to by words on a page.

5 stars! This book is every small town romance readers dream. It was very easy to get into the story and immediately fall in love with the characters. I kept finding myself giggling throughout the book, I was super giddy the entire time. I loved every moment and can’t wait to buy a physical copy!

SAVOR IT by Tarah DeWitt follows Fisher Lange, a Michelin starred chef who's on a journey of self-discovery and growth after his career begins to plummet. To get a fresh start, he and his niece, Indy, move to the small town of Spunes, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington) for the summer. Fisher intends to spend his summer resetting and consulting on a new restaurant. But then he meets Sage Byrd, his neighbor and the beating heart of Spunes. Sage is willing to help Fisher get the rest of the town on board with the new restaurant, but it isn't long until their relationship becomes more than either of them expected.

This book has everything I wanted in a small-town romance. Quirky and somewhat overbearing neighbors? Check. A farm full of fun animals with hilarious personalities? Check. Twilight and Taylor Swift references? Check! I honestly had a blast reading SAVOR IT. I think I was a little thrown off by how many characters there were at the beginning; between Sage's family, her ex and his new fiancee, the various women smitten with Fisher, and the other players about town, I had a bit of trouble keeping track of who was who and figuring out who was the most important. But as Sage introduced us to Spunes, I feel in love with the town and its citizens just as much as I loved her and Fisher.

Tarah Dewitt has blessed me with another 5 star read!
Sage has lived in the hilariously named small town of Spunes, Oregon for her entire life, and she loves it. Fisher grew up hating small towns and moved out of his as quickly as he could. He became a Michelin Starred chef in New York. After a work disaster, Fisher’s boss gives him a chance to get his job back if he can lead the opening of her new restaurant in Spunes over the summer. He and his teenage niece rent the house next to Sage’s, and the romance begins from there, but with the summer passing quickly, there is a time limit on their relationship.
The book is such a perfect blend of humor and romance. Tarah Dewitt’s writing is so well-crafted. The story is so funny and smart, but also really sells romance.
I loved our two lead characters. Sage comes across as a typical quirky/sunshine-y character, but her personality has depth. I loved all her cute pet animals too! Fisher is a kind person, but he has a bit of trouble adjusting to Spunes. He doesn’t subscribe to the idea of small-town charm.
The romance in this book feels so real and powerful to me. The leads feel attracted to each other from the moment they meet, but the author allows the romance to progress naturally as they get to know each other. Through their friendship they reveal their deepest truths and insecurities, and they really understand each other. The chemistry is authentic, and the resulting romance feels the way that real, true love feels to me.
Fisher’s relationship with his teenage niece was interesting to read. He has a hard time “parenting” her and feels like he is always doing the wrong thing. This is an instance where two characters parallel each other and it’s fun to watch their characters evolve. I found myself wanting to see more of this development on page, but it would have either made the story too long or have cut out from the romance.
I was surprised to read about the character’s opposite experiences growing up in a small town. Sage grew up really enjoying the sense of community in her town. On the other hand, Fisher’s immigrant family experienced discrimination in their town. Most small-town stories seem to really romanticize the lifestyle. While Savor It shows a lot of charm of the lifestyle, I appreciated seeing another perspective and a reason for the character to prefer the city, other than what you usually read.

This is going to be a great summertime read when it comes out! To me, this is the correct way to do the small-town girl/city guy trope. I absolutely adore this and cannot wait to finish Tarah Dewitt’s backlist.

Omgggg I loved this book.
I mean can anyone live up to Meyer Fucking Harrigan? Probably not. BUT!
Sage and Fisher. Omg swoon. I absolutely loved their chemistry and quirks and all their shitty puns. It was so fun to see them try to not fall head over heels but doing it anyway.
So many warm lovely feelings with this one.

Thanks to NetGalley and St Martins Press for an eARC.

This was such a heartwarming and heart wrenching surprise! I loved Savor Me and was completely invested from the moment I found out the FMC had a three legged cat named Legoless. The small town vibes really hit home with this one and the dual POV was exceptionally well done. I loved that it was a big city guy that fell for the small town girl and I was every bit as invested in their love story as any nosy neighbor would be. The way that they would “savor” each other as one would a favorite dish should have been cheesy, but was delightful. Also, the “Sage” advice sprinkled throughout was excellent and added so much depth to the story. I’m not at all ashamed to admit that I shed my share of tears at the end and I rarely ever cry while I’m reading. This book just hit home in a whole new way and I can’t wait until it releases and I can have a physical copy on my shelf. Thank you so much, NetGalley for the ARC!

Undoubtedly Tarah's best yet.

Heroine and hobby farm owner Sage Byrd needs a win and she's decided that winning her town festival's annual games will be exactly what it takes for the town to stop pitying her. Town newcomer and scorned professional chef Fisher Lange seems like exactly the partner Sage needs to take the prize.

A lovely story in which Tarah creates a perfect balance of humanity and depth for these characters. She portrays Sage as someone who struggles with her identity and the fact that she's nice to everyone to a fault despite getting ridiculed for it, and she describes Fisher as the conflicted hero struggling with grief as be becomes the sole guardian to his niece in the aftermath of his sister's death. In a beautiful progression of strangers to friends to more, they grow close to one another, caring for each other as they deal with their own versions of grief. It was refreshing to have characters that acted their age and communicated well as they confided in one another. It was easy to fall in love with the feelings of this book, the depth of the characters, all of the hobby farm animals including a lonely Clydesdale and an affectionate goose named Gary, and the hilarity that ensues as Sage and Fisher train for the games together.

I love how Tarah doesn't always use on-page dialogue to show us relationship growth. She has a lovely way of setting a scene and painting that picture for us without always relying on conversations. While she does this very well, I still would have loved a little more relationship depth for these main characters. I felt like the last quarter of the book was a little bit rushed in a sense.

I also would have loved some more context on another prominent couple in the Byrd family, although, it seems like the lack of context may have been intentional as there seems to be some speculation that they may become the focus of Tarah's next book from some of the other reviews on Goodreads 🤞🏻

All in all, what a fun read. Tarah has been auto-buy for me since I discovered her last year, and she still absolutely excels at creating a perfect balance of feeling and hilarity.

4.25/5⭐