Quick Breakdown

Small Town
Neighbors
Single Guardian
Chef Hero
Grumpy x Sunshine
Fake Dating
Friends w/ Benefits
Just For the Summer
Dual POV
Open Door - Mild Details

Thank you to @smpromance for the eARC & @macmillan.audio for the ALC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Fisher is floundering. Freshly fired & finally stepping into his role as guardian to his 15 year old niece, he’s given an opportunity to step back into his role as head chef in his Michelin star kitchen. He’s tasked with overseeing construction & helping to craft a menu for the owner’s new restaurant in the Pacific Northwest. It’s there he meets the charming folks of Spunes Oregon & Sage, his new sunshine neighbor.

⭐️ ALL THE STARS ⭐️

Buckle up, booknerds & prepare yourselves for some word salad because I fluffing LOVE this book.

I’ve always connected with Tarah’s writing. It’s romantic & soft, practically poetic & Savor It is her best work to date. The romance was everything I look for with mutual pining despite their circumstances, so much tension, banter & shared vulnerability. Their connection is palpable. The pacing from strangers to friends to more felt so realistic that I couldn’t help be feel invested. And title perfectly captured the “just for the summer” aspect of the romance. Helplessly falling in love & choosing to fall deeper, savoring every last minute. Knowing it would be worth the inevitable hurt absolutely wrecked me.

Outside of the romance, the characters held so much depth. I loved watching them grow through their grief, difficult break ups & career changes. There were also so many hilarious moments that had me full on cackling like a fool. The people of Spunes were a character themselves & I can’t wait for more to come from this world.

This was SO CUTE!!

* small town romance
* grumpy / sunshine
* single parent (to an orphaned niece)
* great banter and chemistry
* dual POV

There is so much to enjoy in Tarah DeWitt's newest release! Grumpy Fisher (a chef from NYC who is burnt out and down on his luck) arrives in Spoons to help his boss get her new restaurant up and going, when he meets the girl next door - Sage, high school teacher who is a ball of sunshine! They are attracted immediately to each other but it takes some time before they cross the line from friends to more!

This just felt like a very realistic romance - ups, downs, and all the in-betweens - with a beautiful HEA (duh!)!

Small town romance at it’s best. Sage lives in the town of Spunes, Oregon, which she loves, what she doesn’t love is the pity from the rest of the town after her relationship ends. She decides that the Festival of Spunes is what she needs to end the pity party. Now she needs a partner. Fisher is the new guy in town with his niece scoping out the possibility of opening a restaurant. He runs into problems with the townspeople and he makes a deal with Sage to improve her image and her remove the obstacles to the restaurant. Said deal leads to more than they bargained for. Will the end of summer come to soon?

I’m definitely in the minority of not liking this one 🫣 and I’m patiently awaiting the pitchforks

… but y’all I’m starting to think cheesy small town romcoms aren’t for me … I do love me an emo romance more as always but sometimes I crave a light and fluffy romance too!!! just not this time 😩

for me, the story was too drawn out and slow burn with not much really happening. I loved the chemistry between MCs sage and fisher - between the fake dating, the pining, the “do they actually like me or is it the moment” but it didn’t do anything to further the overall plot

the town of spunes was lovely and fun to meet all of the characters, but I almost wanted the town to take on its own life instead of being a backdrop. the side characters definitely deserve their own spin offs though 😮‍💨 they were the best part of the story by far

I just wanted more out of sage and fisher other than their obvious chemistry. yes, it was clear the universe was pushing them together, but in their lives, they didn’t seem to make an effort to make each other work together I don’t know I just felt like it was a slow burn for no reason 🤷🏼‍♀️ I wanted the satisfying pay off!!!!!

a huge thank you to netgalley and st martin’s for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review! this one’s out today!

rating: 2.5 stars
wine pairing: willamette valley pinot noir

This book made me hungry. Hungry for food, hungry for more, just plain hungry. I absolutely devoured this with my eyeballs when I read it last year and again when I reread it this month for its release. And I know I will devour it with my ears when I finally listen to the audiobook.

Tarah always has a way of getting me emotionally invested from the very beginning of her books. I feel like I’m living in them and become apart of their families or friend groups. Savor It was no different. Sage and Fisher will forever have my heart and I feel like I’ll be looking for them in my daily activities forevermore.

This book was like a warm hug. It filled me to the brim and I will be impatiently waiting to get more from Spunes!

I had super high hopes for this book. How could I not when the cover is that beautiful? I mean, come on! The cover artist knocked it out of the park. Alas, it wasn’t meant to be. The writing just wasn’t working for me. I never felt connected to the characters or invested in their story. I didn’t feel any chemistry between the main characters. I don’t know how else to put it. If you’re interested in the book, you should give it a chance! This feels like a “it’s me, not you” situation.

Savor It follows Sage and Fisher in the small town of Spunes, Oregon. Both Fisher and Sage felt like very distinct and well flesh out characters. I really enjoyed seeing Sage come into more of herself whilst staying and being happy in her small town and Fisher learn so much about what he needs out of life and relationship following such tense issues with his work. Sage and Fisher team up following Sage’s long term ex boyfriend abruptly getting engaged and Fisher needing to increase his town public image.

I felt like this book was extremely character driven and I feel like I knew both Fisher and Sage deeply. Their motivations, insecurities, and desires all became apparent in a really well paced manner over the course of the book. I also do feel like they had a decent amount of romantic chemistry especially in the first half of this book!

I felt the pacing of the romance start to fall off a little bit for personally in the second half of the book. There wasn’t a ton of dialogue or emotional build, which are both very key components to me in believing romantic connections in books. It felt a bit like the author was telling me about this deep connection versus showing it. Which leads me into my next gripe where I felt like the overall writing style at times felt like it was “trying” really hard to poetic and prose-y where I think I would have preferred a little less flowery writing and something a little more direct.

Overall, not my favorite but I would still recommend especially for something Spring into Summer! The imagery and setting of this book was everything.

Savor It is full of warmth, love, and all the small-town charm. With an incredible cast of characters to sweet romance and unexpected surprises, this new read is perfect for summer.

When a couple of outsiders rent a home in the small town of Spunes, Oregon for the summer, they are instantly the talk of the town. Rumor has it, that the handsome new neighbor is a hotshot chef, but Fisher is struggling with a lot more than inspiration and revitalizing his passion for food. And local Sage can’t help being drawn to him and his grumpy demeanor.

This was a cute rom-com with tons of quirk and fun. I loved the complexity of the different dynamics, from the town’s many friendships and connections to Fisher and Indy’s estranged relationship to the romance—it all created this buzz and excitement that captured the essence of this small town. The pacing of the book was a bit on the slower side with a simmering slow burn.

If you love grumpy and sunshine romances, small-town summery vibes, and a heartfelt story, keep this one in mind.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.*

I was have highly anticipated Savor It since I read Funny Feelings and loved it. I’m so thankful I got to read it early.

Sage and Fisher work so well together. Also, I’m obsessed with the fact that there is no miscommunication between them. This is the perfect small town, grumpy/sunshine, fwb read. You’ll get a little emo but also feel the love, which I feel like is the norm for a Tarah Dewitt book!

Thank you to NetGalley and SMP for the ARC!

This is my first Tarah DeWitt book, and it will NOT be my last! I loved everything about this story. Fisher and Sage are perfect for each other and I loved the progression of their relationship throughout the book. It had me laughing out loud and tearing up, which makes it a five star read for me! I would definitely recommend it for anyone looking for a cute romantic comedy set in a small town with a ton of chemistry and swoon-worthy moments.

[3.5 Stars😊] I fell in love with Tarah Dewitt's writing when I read Funny Feelings last year (and re-read it in March), and I squealed when I got the approval for Savor It because I was ready for another book to come my way! I expected Savor It to have (what I consider) Tarah's balance of light-hearted humor with dynamic characters and a heart-melting and emotional storyline, and I was not disappointed! The life lessons and values that Savor It includes made this book a charming, enjoyable, any-time read, and I'm hoping for more books set in Spunes, Oregon!

I thought Tarah Dewitt wrote two wonderful characters--especially Fisher at his crossroads of career burnout/newfound guardianship/grieving brother, just trying to find his way to a new normal for himself and his niece. I liked how Sage's sunshiney outlook on life and Indy's teenage angst and grief challenged him to change his perspective and priorities. His character growth through Savor It was steady yet tender, and I wanted to reach through the pages to hug him so many times. Sage was quirky yet empathetic to their grief, and she was the perfect counterpoint to help pull Fisher and Indy through some of their hard times. I loved her values and how she channeled her compassion for the unwanted/orphaned into her animal rescue (Gary the Goose deserves a shoutout here!) and flower-growing hobby farm.

However, while I enjoyed the romance between Fisher and Sage, I thought it was lackluster. I was more engaged by Fisher and Indy's relationship and Fisher's character growth than I was by Sage and Fisher together. They had great communication and tension, but the plot that brought them together faded into the background because the competition they entered didn't even happen until late in the book. Additionally, I thought the pacing left this book without a foundation and their characters a bit directionless, but the implication that life doesn't always go as planned and to enjoy every moment because what we work for doesn't always play out how we expect helped to keep my read of Savor It in perspective.

Overall, I wanted a more dynamic storyline for two (three, really) lovely and nuanced characters, but Tarah Dewitt's writing style shines, and I will continue to pick up her books!
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Details:
💘Contemporary romance
🎈Romantic comedy
🏡Small town romance
👀Dual, first-person POV
⛈️Darker themes and elements
🥀Third Act Breakup
🙌🏻Would re-read

Tropes:
🌪Broody MMC
📍Forced proximity
🤑Friends-with-benefits
🌤Grumpy/sunshine
💙He falls first
🤐Secrets
👩‍🎤Single parent/guardian
🧨Slow burn

Spice:
🔥Explicit content (hot)
____________________________________
Emoji Ranking System:
🤩Fantastic (4.75-5.00)
😍Great (4.25-4.75)
😊Good, but not great (3.50-4.25)
😒Just OK (2.75-3.50)
😑It's A No (1.00-2.75)
🚫DNF

Savor It was a grumpy sunshine, small town romance that had so much heart! With a cast of characters and animals that you can’t help but love, and a storyline that will have you rooting for their happily ever after, this book was a lot of fun! If you adore adult romance, or loved how you felt reading In the Weeds by BK Borison, then definitely add this one to your list!

Fisher seemed to have the weight of the world on his shoulders. With his sister passing, he was now taking care of his teenage niece, Indy. And for both of them to catch their breaths, they traveled from New York to a tiny little quaint town on the Oregon coast. They both needed a reset. Fisher from losing his job. And Indy and her change of life. They were both grappling with where their lives were supposed to go from here.

Their next door neighbor, Sage, was an absolute delight! I loved that she talked to her animals,and found solace in her garden. The way that Fisher and Sage met was adorable! Plus Sage had a thing for pirates…..and Fisher had that vibe haha. Even if he was grumpy, he had so many moments of showing that he was kind and thoughtful. And then there was Sage who was a ray of sunshine, even if she was trying to find her new normal after her 5 year relationship went up in smoke. I loved her calm, soothing manner with how she approached life. And that was what both Fisher and Indy desperately needed right now.

With goose antics, animals galore, and a garden that inspired those to quiet their thoughts, this story slowly unwound. It’s definitely at a slower pace then other novels I’m used to, but it worked perfectly for this story. As Sage and Fisher were drawn to one another, and Indy was finding her place in the world, I loved that we got to watch each of them form a bond and friendship with each other. And they all learned to grow and heal in their own ways. It was emotional, and I even shed a few tears.

With small town charm, heartwarming characters, some steamy moments, and an ending that will leave you smiling, I adored this book! The library scene was probably one of my favorite moments, and the race too. And the ending haha. If you love books that slowly unfold like honey trickling off of a spoon, then this is your book! I’ll definitely be picking up other books by this author in the future!

PS Will her brothers each get their own books? I have my fingers crossed!

PPS I loved her best friend Wren. I’m hoping for her HEA!

My hopes were really high for Savor It because I have heard GREAT things about TD books. Unfortunately this wasn't my favorite. There were many moments where I felt like I was taken out of the story while I was reading. For instance, when MMC Fisher referenced Gossip Girl.

I did really like Sage as a character and her sunshine-y personality. Hearing about her farm and floral operation was my favorite part. 🥰 There was some beautiful imagery for her farm.

My biggest critique is the lack of emphasis on the subplot. Obviously in a romance book the Romance should be the main plot but I felt pretty bored multiple times.

I definitely want to read Funny Feelings by TD at some point! I appreciate the ARC, it just wasn't for me I think.

This was such a cute and heartfelt book!

I LOVED the setting and the author's beautiful descriptions of the small town, I really felt like I was there! Reading this book felt like a summer day spent outside.

Sage and Fisher deserved everything! I was really rooting for them from the beginning! Both characters had gone through some tough losses in their past and I liked how the grief was handled! I also loved Indy, she was such a great secondary character!

This book had me at the tropes, honestly, there's some great ones in there, such as: fake dating (my fave), single guardian, forced proximity and neighbors! I also loved the colorful cast of characters from the town!

I feel like the beginning was a bit too slow, not much happening romance-wise for the first 30-40% of the book. The last 20% also felt a bit rushed, all these subplots being wrapped up really quickly!

I really recommend this book, a definite beach read!

This book is absolutely delightful. It is a hilarious, quirky, and beautiful character driven story about reinventing yourself and realizing what really matters. Sage unapologetically jumps in with both feet and loves with her whole heart. She is sweet and cares deeply. Fisher is the ideal man. He cooks, he’s the guardian for his niece, he’s in tune with his feelings, he’s observant, and he is absolutely FERAL for Sage. The pining and longing is top notch. Both characters are mature, excellent at communicating, and aren’t afraid to talk about hard/scary things. I loved it. This book made me want to reread it immediately.
🛶
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice level: 🌶️🌶️
🛶
Read if you like:
▫️chef romance
▫️small town
▫️neighbors
▫️fake dating
▫️dual POV
🛶
Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin, NetGalley, and Tarah DeWitt for the ARC. I received an advanced copy for free, and am leaving this review voluntarily.

Thank you @macmillan.audio and @SMPRomance for the #gifted copy of SAVOR IT!

SAVOIR IT is such a flirty and charming book. I flew through the audio. The narrators were great and I just couldn’t stop listening. The narrator for Fisher had the gravelliest voice and something about that man calling Sage “sweetheart”... sigh…

Sage is such a delight and you really can’t help but love her sunshine-y character. And while Fisher is definitely grumpy, the more you understand his backstory, the more that makes sense. And he’s really not grumpy with Sage or his niece Indy. Watching Fisher struggle to parent his teen niece was so endearing. And the reasons behind the third-act break up just made me love these characters even more, which is a weird thing to say.

Check this one out for:
*Fake dating
*Grumpy x sunshine
*Friends to lovers
*Quirky small town
*Witty banter
*All the puns
*Beautiful discussions of grief and loss
*Girl next door
*Rescue animals galore
*Open door steam

SAVOR IT is out 5/21!

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6505003605
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/p/C7PFWmtxR1V/

💖

Savor It // Tarah DeWitt

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
💣💣

MCs: Sage Byrd and Fisher Lange
1st Person Dual POV

• single guardian
• small town
• fake dating
• neighbors

ARC + ALC REVIEW - HAPPY RELEASE DAY 🫶🏼

Tarah’s books always feel equally like a warm hug and a punch to the gut, and I mean this in the best way possible. Her ability to write and weave such painstakingly sensitive and raw topics into magical love stories where I’m smiling and laughing with my chin wobbling never ceases to amaze me. I feel like I know Tarah when I read her books. Savor It is one of those books that you can easily dive into and get swept away. I had the privilege of reading and listening to advanced copies of Sage + Fisher’s story, and cannot recommend it enough. When Fisher loses his beloved job in New York along side his sister and a Michelin star, he is sent to Spunes to assist with the opening of a new restaurant with his surly teenage niece Indy. Sage is left reeling in her small town after her ex gets engaged and Fisher is in need of help to sway the locals of Spunes to co-sign this new restaurant, they form an alliance. I adored Indy’s relationship with Sage + how it ultimately allowed her to let down her walls and in turn pave the way for her relationship to grow with Fisher. Sage + Fisher felt inevitable, like they were both woven of the same fibers just eventually lost to life and its ups and downs, two halves of a whole. I could go on and on about how I devoured this book, but I’ll leave you with this, there’s a gaggle of farm animals, lots of laughs, tears shed, and a whole lot of love. Tarah, you absolutely nailed this story, and I hope we get to see more of Spunes and its folk in the future 😘

ps: the narrators for the audiobook completely brought this story to life, I am already a Zachary Webber stan, but this was the first time listening to a book narrated by Karissa Vacker, truly a remarkable listening experience with these two!

*This book is not included in Kindle Unlimited.

xo,
booklover

HOLLLLYY YESSS.

I loved everything about this book, the way he knew to take care of her feelings the entire book, and the seriously wonderful advice Sage gives. I am obsessed with this book, and I SOOO hope there is more based in Spunes. Thank you so much for this ARC.

so i've been trying to read this book for about two moths now and i just can't get into it. i'm almost halfway through and nothing has really happened. this isn't a book that i want to completely write off, i want to maybe pick it up in the future but sadly i'm bored to death trying to get through this book. i've heard great things about this authors work but this is boring and funny feelings was very unfunny so maybe we just don't vibe and i need to know that.

Another wonderful book by Tarah DeWitt. The setting is utterly delightful- a small coastal town, that is both quaint and proud with a great cast of quirky town folk. The characters are beautifully written. Sage and Fisher are complete opposites, but both going through their own grief journeys. Sage loves her town and her family’s house that she now calls her own. She is just out of a long term relationship with the town’s golden boy, who is already engaged to someone else. She’s a bright and sparkly human. A teacher, off for the summer and busy with her veggie garden, flower patch and collection of mismatched rescue farm animals. Fisher is a Michelin star chef who is the new guardian of his niece Indy. He’s been sent to this small town to lay low for the summer, and help set up a new restaurant. He’s renting the house across the meadow (yes, a charming meadow) from Sage.

I was in love from the very first chapter. It’s a close proximity, fake dating, small town romance. There is humour and tenderness. The chemistry is explosive, the burn enjoyably slow, and the banter top notch. Gary the goose and his love sick ways will forever have my heart.