"Like when your sock slips down the inside of your shoe and it feels like your entire nervous system becomes focused there. I doubt I could let my consciousness go blurry around her if I tried."

Summary
Sage's long-term boyfriend recently dumped her and got together with another woman in their tiny town of Spunes, OR. She is determined not to be the fool and sets her sights on winning the annual Spunes Festival games, but she needs a partner. The perfect candidate strolls into town (and her rented guest house) by the name of Fisher. He's a somewhat disgraced, Michelin Star-awarded chef relocating to Spunes for the summer to consult for a new restaurant, with his teenage niece in tow, of whom he just became legal guardian. The two agree to pretend to date in hopes of winning the Festival games and improving their respective images in the eyes of the public.

Why did I pick up this book?
I was graciously gifted an advanced copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This book will be published on May 21, 2024.

What did I enjoy about it?
The premise at face value. The setup in the description sounded right up my alley, and first few chapters started off as a great, but wildly felt short. I did like as per usual how the characters saw each other for their true and best selves, and helped each other heal. There were a few funny and cute moments/lines that made me smile. And I was glad that Fisher and Indy developed a deeper bond by the time the summer was over.

What did I not enjoy about it?
There were lots of missed opportunities and many elements were underdeveloped. The fake dating only lasted for 5 minutes, they spent all summer training for the festival for it to ultimately be brushed past, and the complex dynamic of Fisher having to uproot and raise Indy was not explored very much. Dewitt, why did you add these elements if you were only going to give them a fraction of your attention? If these were throwaway details I could overlook them, but they comprised the foundation of the story, so I was left disappointed.

In this sweet romance, Fisher and his orphaned niece arrive in the small town of Spunes. Fisher is a chef in New York but has taken a consulting job for the summer. He meets his temporary neighbor, Sage, and she shows him around town and tries to help with what locals will like to see in a restaurant. They begin to have feelings but both of them know that their relationship will only be for the summer.

This was such an adorable escape! I haven’t read any books by this author before but I will be adding some to my list soon. This book was full of heart and serious topics that were tackled in a sensitive and satisfying way. I love how Fisher discussed and treated therapy as a normal part of life and the grieving process. Sage’s animals were so much fun to read about and made her character so endearing. The small town was quirky and lovable. If you enjoy rom coms, you need to pick this one up!

(Actual: 4.5⭐, rounded up) This book was SO ADORABLE. I've never read anything by DeWitt previously, but have heard many great things regarding her backlist/work from fellow readers & reviewers. Both MCs - Sage and Fisher - were very easy to love, root for, and relate to, both individually and as a couple. Character development and depth is a big deal for me, especially when it comes to romance/drama novels, which is why I was very pleased to see/read/feel just how layered and multi-dimensional both Sage and Fisher are portrayed as. Tropes included in this book are [it being a] small town romance; opposites-attract & FWB with the [girl] neighbor-next-door; dual POVs (always a win!); and, of course, a fair amount of good ol' fashioned spice 😉 Overall I really enjoyed this book, it had a cute story that was compulsively readable and engaging, and am excited to read more of DeWitt's work now and in the future!

4 ⭐️ This was so stinking cute!!!!


"You once told me you thought you were a lot of nots. I want you to know that to me, you're everything."


WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ Pacific Northwest setting
✨ small town romance
✨ he’s a big city chef struggling with burnout
✨ she’s a small town teacher who finds happiness in the smallest things
✨ grumpy x sunshine
✨ instant attraction
✨ friends to lovers
✨ slow burn
✨ fake dating
✨ adorable banter
✨ 2/5 🌶️
✨ third act breakup (mutual and mature, but no less sad)
✨ HEA
✨ single parent (to orphaned niece)
✨ adorable farm animals
✨ Gilmore Girls / Stars Hollow small town vibes (nosey neighbors, town hall meetings)
✨ dual POV
✨ TW: grief, loss of loved one (past), career burnout, bodily injury (off-page)


My Thoughts:

This book has officially put me back in my small town romance era. 🫶 And if you love heartfelt stories with charming small towns, genuine characters, and a sweet and spicy summer romance, Savor It will be your latest obsession.

What I loved:

Tarah Dewitt did an amazing job creating the adorable PNW town of Spunes, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington lol). From my experience, most contemporary romances tend to select a setting that already exists or if it doesn't, one is created but only described in vague terms. But that's not the case here. From the descriptions of the buildings to the quirky townies to the rich history, it felt like an honest-to-god real town that I could one day visit.

It's apparent that this story was written from the heart because everything about it feels so real. Similar to how the town feels like it's a real place in the world, the characters also feel incredibly real. Fisher, Sage, and Indy have experienced so much loss and heartbreak, and the way they handle and work through it all is very realistic. Even the events that take place throughout the story seemed plausible. Nothing about Savor It felt contrived, and that was extremely refreshing. This is what I love most about Tarah Dewitt's writing, is that she has a way of bringing everything to life.

I appreciated the way grief was handled. Losing a loved one is never easy, no matter how long ago it happened. And while the story centers mostly on Fisher's (and Indy's) healing journey, we're also able to see what it looks like to have lived with loss for many years through Sage's POV. The way Sage is able to understand and support Fisher was beautiful. Everyone needs to have someone like Sage in their life to lighten up their life during a dark time.

The romance was slow growing but so sweet. From the moment they meet, there is an instant attraction, but due to Fisher's grief/messy life and Sage's wariness of a summer fling, they focus on developing a friendship based on vulnerability and reliability. Fisher finds someone who can relate his grief and helps him through it with unconditional understanding and love. While Sage finds someone who loves AND appreciates her for exactly who she is - quirks and all - especially those funky robes and punny tees.

Some other thoughts:

The pacing was a little off in the beginning and towards the end. The first 30% was slow moving, which I'm not too bothered by because the story was being set up. But the last 20% was a whirlwind with a few time jumps and many random moments that read like a montage. It felt a bit rushed because we spent the first 80% of the book really diving deep into these characters and their emotions with a few small subplots sprinkled in. But by the end, these subplots needed to get wrapped up, and they're all done at once and without spending much time on them. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if the race and the restaurant opening both played bigger roles at the end, considering the race is what brings Sage and Fisher to work together, and the restaurant is why Fisher is in Spunes in the first place. Every loose end was tied up but I think those two subplots could have had a bit more time dedicated to them.


Overall, Savor It is a wonderful rom-com and the perfect book for the summer. Tarah DeWitt has a way of creating stories with so much heart, you can’t help but fall in love as you read. You'll swoon and maybe even cry, but ultimately, you'll have a great time visiting the town of Spunes. There's also so much Sage advice that I truly feel I grew as a person while reading this book. 🤩

PS: I REALLY hope this gets turned into a series because I NEED Wren and Ellis to have a second chance romance, and I'd love to see all the brothers find love as well!!! 🫶

I love Tarah Dewitt’s books! Savor It was delightful. I loved the characters and the setting and their story. I love a slightly chaotic meddling small town setting. This had that but like not to an extreme level where it was annoying, just like the right amount of the small town charm shenanigans.

The couple were so great together. I loved them both and their love story. Tarah can do no wrong for me! She always makes me fall in love with both of them!

I loved this book. it was quirky, cute, reflective, and heartwarming. there are a few different relationships in here that enjoyed watching blossom. of course Fisher and Sage being our two mcs; i really enjoyed seeing their friendship grow into a relationship that had actual depth to it and as the reader, you could understand and feel their connection. Both sage and fisher are working through some emotional wounds and they definitely lean on each other to get to a better place. the tension between them was chefs kiss, and i thought the pace their relationship developed was perfect. i really loved the way that they both easily fit into each other's day to day to smoothly and came to understand each other in a short amount of time. things that like speak to a love story more to me, rather than a steamy/lusty interaction. another relationship that i feel is almost just as important in this storyline is Fisher's relationship with his niece Indy. he has a lot of guilt to work through regarding his sister and their relationship, along with his relationship/guardianship with Indy. the story starts off with them not being in the most ideal place, but as they come to understand each other better and open up more; you definitely see their relationship grow. and then with Sage also being a part of that, plus the animals... it is the cutest little family. the other relationships i loved were the animals and Sage, and then of course Fisher and the goats. this was such a cozy read that i can see myself revisiting again in the future and will definitely recommend to everyone.

I haven’t read Tarah DeWitt’s previous books (though I have bought them), and I’m not sure why, other than lack of time. After reading this one, I’m moving them all to the top of my TBR! Savor It was such a well written and enjoyable storyline that tugged on the heartstrings and filled all my needs for tropes and steam and romance in one place.

Fisher and Sage were excellent characters and I really loved his niece, Indy. Fisher took custody of her when his sister passed in an accident… though there’s a lot more to that story involving his parents and her living with them a while… Fisher is a Michelin-starred chef coming to the small town of Spunes, Oregon (not unlike Forks, Washington… you know, spoons? With the audio you couldn’t tell the difference until I grabbed the ebook again!), to oversee the finalizing and opening of the new location of his boss and partner’s latest restaurant location, which the town is causing roadblocks against.

Sage is a teacher and neighbors to Fisher and Indy. She’s there when they arrive and befriends them from the start. Helps them settle into the town and new beginning. Helps Fisher get in everyone’s good books. Become friends with her brothers after their terrible meet-cute (is it a meet cute with unromantic male friends?).

I loved the dynamics of this whole book! Every part of it came across perfectly - perfect chemistry between everyone, perfect teen drama, perfect romance, perfect town and all of the pushback surrounding the restaurant (gosh I loved the whole thing about the… observatory!). Sage and Fisher had a great slow burn and I loved it. Definitely recommend this one and I can’t wait to read her other books, soon, which are sitting in my audio library.

I received an advance copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press (St. Martin's Griffin), and this is my honest feedback.

I really loved the vibes in the book- summer, small town, farm with beautiful gardens and adorable animals, delicious food, slow burn romance- it had it all! This reminded me of Part of Your World by Jimenez! I really loved the backstories of both Sage and Fisher and the way they blended their very different lifestyles and learned lessons from one another. Their relationship was slow to build but once they embraced it, their chemistry was strong and I appreciated their communication and support for one another. If you’re looking for a sweet and sexy romance with depth- grab this book!

I had to sadly DNF ( at 29% ) I just couldn’t continue this.
Will I give it a second try some time? Definitely!!

Thanks to St. Martins and SMP Audio for an advanced copy of Savor It by Tarah DeWitt. I enjoy Tarah DeWitt books, especially on audio so I was looking forward to this small town romance. 

Sage loves her small town of Spunes, Washington but when her ex, the town golden boy gets engaged, everyone is pitying her. Fisher is a hotshot chef from NYC who was sent to Spunes to consult on a new restaurant but he clashes with the townspeople. Sage and Fisher decide to form an alliance to help her win the town's annual summer competition and improve his image, but their pact quickly turns romantic, but he's here just for the summer. 

This was a fun audiobook. I liked the characters and the fun small-town hijinks and traditions. While this is a fun rom-com with great banter, some more serious topics are written in a great way. I really like that we get the story from both Sage's and Fisher's perspectives. 
Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber do a wonderful job as narrators. It's just over 9 hours so it is a quick book to listen to.

The book is as beautiful as the cover! I just love Tarah's writing, it's so heartfelt and her characters are too. This was also so funny to me, the banter and thoughts from Sage and Fisher was the best (I love Tarah's humor). I loved the love between Sage and Fisher and following that love. All the emotions that came from these two for each other and what was going on in their own lives. The animals Sage had were so precious and I really appreciated Fisher's career and the conversations around the restaurant scene/being a chef. This book gives that small town giddy feeling that I love and the fact that it was in the PNW was everything! The audiobook??? A MUST.

Title: Savor It
Author: Tarah DeWitt
Publisher: St Martin's Press
Reviewed By: Arlena Dean
Rating: Five
Review:
"Savor It" by Tarah DeWitt

My Perception:

'Savor It' is a sweet small town of Spunes that gave us romance featuring Sage and Fisher. The story has lots of banter with some tears with loveable characters who work through many of their struggles as they grow together and, most importantly, learn how to talk to each other in such a positive way. It was fun as Sage and Fisher fell in love as they came out of their shell and finally solved their problems. Will they become that perfect pair? This town of Spunes had some charming people who offered depth and joy in the loveable romance story. To see how it all comes together, you must pick up this good read and see if it will all come together for these two.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press, NetGalley, and the author for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Sigh. I loved this book.

This is actually my first (gasp) introduction to Tarah Dewitt. You’d think I’d have read her other books given how popular they are but apparently I like to exclude myself from good things.

All that being said, I absolutely loved this book. Sage was a breath of fresh air. Positive despite losing her parents at a young age and incredibly selfless. I love how when fisher is Moody, she doesn’t let that stop her from trying to be there for him.

Speaking of FISHER. I LOVED him and wanted to give him a big ol hug. Trying to grieve and also become the legal guardian for his niece while faced with a struggling career.. you just really feel for him. I’m so glad we got chapters from his perspective because getting to know him and not only how he feels about Sage, but also how he is just trying to do his best with Indy despite not knowing how to care for a teenager, you grow to care for him so deeply!!! He was a lot lost and a little anxious but he just needed a couple goats and a three legged cat to help him along the way.

5 easy ⭐️’s from me!

3.5 stars.

Sage has lived in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon for her entire life. She's learned to love her small world with her misfit animals on her hobby farm and the friendships she's built with the town's inhabitants. Sage's ex-boyfriend is newly engaged and Sage needs a win to convince the town to stop pitying her, as well as put her ex in his place. The Festival of Spunes, the town's annual summer competition, sounds like the perfect opportunity. Now Sage needs to find a partner. Fisher is a hotshot chef in NYC until the loss of his sister leaves him numb with grief and responsible for his teenage niece, Indy. When Fisher loses his Michelin star along with his love of cooking, his boss sends him to Spunes on a summer sabbatical to consult on a restaurant opening. Clashes with the townspeople threaten his chance at redeeming himself, leading him to develop a strategic alliance with Sage in hopes of turning things around.

SAVOR IT is a cute small town romance, told in dual POV: Sage's and Fisher's. I adored both main characters, as well as the small town setting of Spunes, Oregon and prevalent small town vibes with everyone knowing everyone else's business. I thought it was funny how quickly Fisher got the small town welcome from the women of Spunes and his reaction to these welcomes.

I enjoyed the dynamic shared between Fisher and Sage, as well as the realness of their thoughts and feelings on their deepest, secret part of themselves. I liked that their relationship seemed to progress in a natural and genuine way and I loved seeing them share their inner selves together. They were both so kind, caring, and understanding towards one another.

While I enjoyed the romance between Fisher and Sage, I felt like there was a spark missing for me to really want them to BE together. I was ambivalent about their connection and would have been happy with their story ending either way.

Be warned, Fisher is a chef and there is a focus on his work and creation of his meals which sound LIT. So my message to you, is to have a snack on the side while you read, you'll need it!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the publisher, St. Martin's Press, of this advanced digital copy for the opportunity to read this novel in exchange for an honest review! All opinions shared are my own.

A big thank you to @netgalley @stmartinspress for the ARC & @macmillianaudio for the ALC of this book!

Pretty sure the queen of the slow burn just took it up a notch & earned every jewel in said queen’s crown! 👑

The small town setting of Spunes Oregon has the perfect backdrop for Sage & Fisher’s story. The townies in this book truly cracked me up & reminded me a lot of small towns near where I live - which added a even more to my enjoyment of the witty banter, unique personalities and small town dynamics.

I appreciated the way in which I could see what I know of Tarah’s humor from following her on Instagram, across the pages of this book. Hilarious, witty & smart-ass — and I love it!

All of the characters (including the precious animals) were so fun to get to know, navigate their various dynamics and root for them along the way!

The audiobook is so well done & the narration is spot on! It gave such life to the characters & immersed me in their story - which I loved.

As always, I’ll read whatever Tarah writes & I hope you do as well! 🤍

Savor It is a sweet love story set in a small town, featuring two contrasting characters—the optimistic and vibrant Sage, and the more reserved and burnt-out Fisher. Together, they help each other grow and find happiness, as all the best books do. :)

I really liked Sage's personality; her love for life and appreciation of simple things made me smile. Fisher's character evolves throughout the story, and their romance is a slow but realistic portrayal of a healthy relationship with excellent communication. The communication aspect was a highlight for me, even though the romance could have been more exciting.

Overall, Savor It is a nice and easy read with a heartwarming story that will make you smile. Huge thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

As someone whose been a fan of Tarah DeWitts since the very early days of who is she, lemme just say I am incredibly proud of her and how far she has come. Tarah writes with such heart and humor and creates books that will have you laughing your ass off, crying the next and swooning and feeling seen. And this book was no exception.

Fisher Lange is the blue print. He was a man in need of a fresh start. I loved how him and Sage started off as friends and his relationship with his niece. He didn't want to step in as a dad but wanted Indy to know she was seen and heard and I think as a teenager whose gone through the unimaginable that's all she can really ask for. And it was absolutely beautiful how he met her where she was at. Grief can do funny things to a person and going to Spunes was just what he needed. Sage helped Fisher to heal and it was beautiful.

Our precious girl Sage...she is so much more than the towns golden girl. I love how she is always there for everyone while remains true to herself. She gives everything her absolute all but I love how in the end Fisher does that in turn for her. I adored Sage and all her family nights and how she is always there for them. Her animals and plants and how she cares for lost things and sees such beauty in the simple things was so refreshing.

Now respectfully, I need more. I need more of this small town. I need more of Wren and Ellis because "she's still a Byrd" call me Gary because this book is my Indy and I have imprinted on these people and need more.

Perfect summer romance!

I was in the mood for something sweet & steamy and this fit the bill. I thought both characters added a lot of heart to the story and I enjoyed their romance. There are small town shenanigans, steamy nights and a fun grumpy x sunshine dynamic. This is low angst so not much drama wise happens but I didn't mind that. This felt like watching a feel-good romcom.

Would definitely recommend if you're in the mood for small town, opposites attract/grumpy x sunshine trope, friends with benefits to more, low angst and feel good romance.

The relationship between Sage and Fisher was so beautifully built.

Fisher was a renowned chef out in NYC until his sister passes and he blows up his career. When he takes in his niece, Indy, his prior boss gives him an opportunity— move to a small town called Spunes, OR for the summer and help set up her newest restaurant. By the end of the summer, he can move back to NYC and take his spot back in her kitchen. Fisher and his niece need a reset and this will give them a chance to reconnect. Unfortunately, Fisher begins to hit major roadblocks when it comes to opening the new restaurant.

Sage has lived her whole life in Spunes and loves her small coastal town. But after her five year relationship ends and her ex is engaged with the year, Sage feels like everyone is walking on egg shells around her.

Fisher and Sage become friends and soon strike up a mutually beneficial deal. Sage will help Fisher get the restaurant opened before the festival and in turn, Fisher will be Sage’s partner for the annual Spunes competition. The pact quickly turns heated and the two are unable to fight their connection. They realize that anything they start has an end date to it, so they decide to savor every moment. Will they both heal or will this end in heartbreak?

Read if you like:
• small town romance
• slow burn romance
• friends to lovers
• single parent (of his niece)
• animals

Michelin-starred chef Fisher Lange relocates to a small, Oregon town with his niece after he blows up his career and desperately needs a new start. His goal is to get through the summer so that he can once again prove himself and return to his life in NYC. However, he does not count on meeting Sage Byrd, a small-town teacher who loves to garden and watch over a small petting zoo of farm animals.

Was this the best romance I ever read? No. Was it the worst? Also no. Overall, it was pretty average, but sometimes you just need a romance like this. There were quite a few aspects that just felt silly to me (the name Spunes, the cooking competition that the a renowned chef never gets to cook in) and some aspects that felt deeply underdeveloped (the “fake” dating lasted for literally one scene, and Wren and Ellis??? are we setting up for a sequel???). If you are looking to escape in nice, fluffy romance that has a moderate level of spice though, this book can definitely fit that need.

Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest thoughts. All opinions are my own.