Savor It was a truly enjoyable read that blended humor, heart, and a sprinkle of steam. While it doesn’t top my list of favorite fake-dating romances, it still delivered plenty of warm, fuzzy moments and had me laughing out loud more than once.

The small-town charm was strong in this one—from cozy community vibes to adorable animal side characters—and the overall cast was well-developed. The standout for me was absolutely Fisher. His POV was the highlight of the book; he’s the kind of book boyfriend that sets the bar high. Thoughtful, funny, and just emotionally in tune—if any guy wants to study up, this is your textbook.

Indy, surprisingly, was another favorite. Teen characters can sometimes be overly angsty or irritating, but she was such a well-balanced addition to the story. Her reactions felt real and grounded, and even her more "teenage" moments added depth rather than drama. I really appreciated the nuance in her character.

Sage was... fine. I didn’t dislike her, but I didn’t find myself especially drawn to her POV either. She had some tender, reflective moments, but whenever it was her chapter, I was low-key counting the pages until Fisher took the mic again.

The romance itself had a nice emotional foundation, and the spicy scenes were well-written, but I did feel like there was a bit of a lull in the middle where the chemistry lost some of its spark. The pacing dragged just a touch, and I wished for more romantic tension leading into the finale. That said, the ending wrapped things up beautifully—truly a “chef’s kiss” finish.

I also listened to this via audiobook, and while the narrators did a great job (especially with character voices), the audio production itself could’ve used a little more polish. There were some jarring scene transitions that made it hard to track time jumps or shifts, which pulled me out of the story occasionally.

All in all, Savor It is a heartfelt, charming romance with characters worth rooting for. It might not be a top-tier fake dating favorite for me, but it’s definitely worth the read (or listen, with a little patience for the audio quirks).

I really wish I had enjoyed this because I love small town romances, but it felt too cliche to me and the writing was difficult for me to retain interest! I found the characters a bit annoying and unable to really bond with.

Thank you NetGalley for sending me an arc and Tarah Dewitt for letting me read this!

EVERYONE NEEDS TO EEAD THIS IMMEDIATELY!!!


At first this was slow for me but I loved it so much! So many good quotes in this book
Sage is my favorite

Small town
Lost of animals
Friends to lovers
Fake dating
Slow burn
Grumpy x sunshine

The ending was so cute!!! I didn’t think we would get a happy ending but we did.
I loved seeing fisher and Indy relationship grow!

I appreciate how well they talked about grief in this book

I absolutely devoured this book! Sage and Wren are delightfully quirky, and their personalities add so much flavor to the story. Honestly, it’s my life goal to be like Sage—with her animals and her wonderfully chaotic energy. And don’t even get me started on the pirate fixation—I ate it up!
One of my favorite things about this book is how self-aware the characters are. Instead of ignoring their past hurts, they actually acknowledge and work through them, which is so refreshing. I especially loved that Fisher wasn’t afraid to go to therapy with Indy—it made his growth feel so real.
The humor and puns throughout the book were perfectly seasoned, but the goose and Indy? Absolutely iconic. And the scene where Sage shares the pure, unfiltered truth about herself with Indy was breathtaking—it felt like standing on the edge of a cliff, realizing you were about to fall because someone else was so unabashedly honest.

The romance itself was a slow burn, like a simmer pot. The time apart between them was heart-wrenching, and I barely survived it. But the library rescue? That had me ready to faint.

This book was a recipe for perfection and deserves all the Michelin stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC!

Some mild to moderate spice. Found family. Small town romance.

I loved the added background of the animals and farm.

I do wish there had been more of the festival and market and actual restaurant prep and cooking. It seemed like lots of things were teased on but could have added more depth to the story.

No miscommunication trope, just characters trying to find what brings them peace.

Overall a sweet love story.

I thoroughly enjoyed the love story of Sage and Fisher. They both have gone through major loss in their lives. Fisher is raising his niece after the loss of his sister. He has also had upheaval in his career as a chef. Sage just got out of a five year relationship and wants everyone in the town to stop pitying her.
The way they fall in love by helping each other and just getting to know each other without any expectations. They try for a Summer fling, but they end up actually falling in love. There goodbye at the end of the Summer is heartbreaking. I almost cried during Fisher’s chapter when he gets back to New York. The way he is with Indy is also an endearing relationship.
I thoroughly enjoyed listening to the audiobook. The narrators did a great job. I enjoyed having a female and male narrator.

It’s not very good is it? Two ppl raising thier never and nephew that have a summer fling? Atleast make it interesting

I was so scared to read this one because the hype for it is so real among my friends. They had me nervous as I went in with such high expectations. Nailed it. No need to worry because this book was giving!

Fisher and Sage's story was beautiful. I adored the location, animals, and side characters. It was a steady emotional ride. "I think your laugh could maybe defibrillate me"-swoon that might be the best line l've ever read.

Savor It | Tarah DeWitt
Grumpy big-city chef gets more than he bargained for from the small town and its resident free-spirited animal lover.

What do you expect from a penis-shaped observatory restaurant? People are gonna talk, especially in a small town, and they stick their noses right into Fisher’s business when he shows up for the summer to prepare for launch. Juggling his own grief and frustration and looking for inspiration, he struggles to find the balance between creativity, security and guardianship over his niece, Indy. Just across the meadow is Sage and her menagerie of quirky farm residents (devoted goose, dopey dog, cranky three-legged cat, etc.) and while she doesn’t set out to wreck his plans, maybe she is the perfect storm of chaos he’s been looking for. They start the summer with separate challenges to face, but how will it end?

Sage is everything to everyone except herself. Full of doubt and insecurity, she opens her world wider and wider, truly showing up for everyone. She finds delight in almost everything – and it takes Fisher reflecting her joy for her to realize that this isn’t the weakness she perceives (thanks to a dropkick of an ex who could be related to Meredith in the Parent Trap, Lindsay Lohan edition). Fisher lacks focus and stability, though he is trying to prove and provide that to everyone else – especially Indy and his boss – but it is difficult to stand firm on a broken heart.

I love the way the heat cranks up in such a serene setting. The library?! Under a capsized boat?! The heat is hotting with these two and I am here for it. The pace was a little sluggish for me in the beginning of the story, but I loved the roller-coaster loops at the end (did you know geese bond for life?!) and felt so satisfied with the journey to the resolution. It was not a perfectly spaced staircase to the end, and I LOVED that.

4/5 stars!
Big thanks to St Martin’s Press, NetGalley and Tarah Dewitt for the ARC for review!

This was such a cute small town summer romance. I loved the growth both main characters went through and I loved watching Indy really grow into herself. It definitely made me smile and laugh a few times

This is a small town romance with Sage and Fisher. Fisher is trying to put his life back together after losing his job. He has been newly granted guardianship of his niece. His sister had passed away in an accident three years ago.

Sage takes in orphan animals on her farm. She has a big heart and can’t say no to anyone. She is getting over her last relationship with town golden boy.

This story you see how the couple come together and share their feelings for each other. They also have very deep conversations. I liked seeing how Fisher and Indy come together.

Thank you for this eARC in exchange for my honest review!

2.5 stars
The first time I tried reading this book, I made it through about 36% before getting too bored to continue. This time around I got through the beginning okay but about 50% was the turning point for me.
If you would have told me these MC's were 19 years old, I would've believed you. The way they talked and acted was not equal with an emotionally mature 30 year old. The actual teenagers in this book were more emotionally mature than them.
As for their "relationship," I just didn't think they had any chemistry, emotionally or sexually. They were okay separately but then they were just awkward and cringey when together. And the spice just seemed to come out of nowhere everytime. No build up or tension to be found.
The one good thing I liked about this book was Fisher's fatherly character arc. At the beginning he seemed like he had no idea what he was doing or how to feel about being his niece's guardian but by the end I could tell he was a lot more protective over her and more comfortable about their situation and his new role.

Thank you NetGalley for this review copy. I really loved this book and the cover art is divine. It really drew me in to want to read this book.

a sweet and steamy romance set in a charming coastal town, where second chances, healing, and unexpected love bloom under the summer sun. Sage Byrd, dealing with a recent breakup and desperate for a way to prove herself, teams up with Fisher Lange, a hotshot chef who’s come to Spunes to heal after personal loss. Their partnership begins as a strategic move to help both of them out of their respective jams, but it quickly evolves into something much more intense and heartfelt.

The chemistry between Sage and Fisher is undeniable, with their banter and emotional vulnerability making their relationship feel genuine. The small-town setting of Spunes, with its quirky characters and annual Festival, adds a cozy backdrop to the story, making it feel like the perfect escape. While the plot may follow a familiar "opposites attract" formula, the emotional depth of both characters—Sage’s journey of self-worth and Fisher’s healing process—gives it a unique and satisfying twist.

a perfect read for fans of small-town romance with a touch of heartache and lots of chemistry. It’s a quick, enjoyable escape that will leave you rooting for these two to get their happy ending before the summer ends.

3.5 ⭐️

this was an... interesting read for someone who unfortunately cannot handle cringe and has a deep unsettled fear of geese.
this is my second tarah dewitt book, and each time i'm left feeling dissatisfied. i hear such incredible things about her books, and the plot always has such potential, but then it just doesn't hold up to what it could be. the characters fall flat, the writing feels like it's trying to hard, and im disappointed. i really want to keep trying and working my way through her back list with hopes that something will hit the mark. i'm honestly so sad. i really feel like each book could be a favorite of mine, but for these reasons i just can't do it.

It was cute, but I feel like she lost the plot like maybe half way through. The competition was maybe for like less than a chapter honestly. Their chemistry was nice, but I feel like the book was going in circles and it was so slow. It was like at one point she forgot she was supposed to put in a competition and things containing that so it was soooo rushed. Like I was expecting this crazy competition, but it didn't hit. Love the characters though.

I fell in love with DeWitt's writing in this book! The setting and characters were near perfect for me. There were moments hard to read and you felt for the character! Immediately after finishing this, I picked up another one of DeWitt's backlist and I'm now reading everything by her! Can't wait for the newest release!

A Cozy, Slow-Burn Romance with a Dash of Sass

Tarah DeWitt delivers another charming, small-town romance with Savor It, perfect for fans of fake dating, witty banter, and food descriptions that will make you hungry. 🍽️

Sage and Fisher have an undeniable chemistry, and I loved how their relationship developed—from reluctant allies to something deeper. The small-town setting was adorable, the side characters (and animals!) added so much personality, and Fisher’s grumpy-chef energy? A whole mood. But the pacing felt a bit slow in places, and I wished for just a little more tension in the romance.

That said, if you love cozy, character-driven love stories with a hint of spice and a lot of heart, Savor It is definitely worth picking up! 💕

I loved the maturity in Sage and Fisher’s relationship—DeWitt’s approach to writing 30-somethings who actually communicate is so refreshing. They take accountability, express their feelings (even when it’s awkward), and avoid the usual grumpy-sunshine trope pitfalls. Fisher isn’t just broody for the sake of it; he’s reserved, and Sage’s warmth helps him grow. More authors should take this route!

The book also handles grief beautifully, from Fisher and Indy’s evolving dynamic after losing Freya to how Sage and her brothers process their own childhood loss. These moments felt authentic and deeply moving.

I only wish we saw more of Fisher rekindling his passion for cooking in his actual work environment.