Tarah is one of my favorite authors. I love the pacing of her stories and how deep they can get. Savor it was no different.
I really enjoyed it and loved the growth of their relationship.

Tarah Dewitt can write about grass growing and I’ll read it! Savor It was such a great story. Small town romance, neighbors, dual POV (a personal favorite), and perfect banter!

Highly recommend if you’re into small town romances. Tarah nailed it.

Thank you so much to St Martin's Griffin for the advance copy!

This is my second book by Tarah DeWitt and after falling in love with her characters in Funny Feelings, I knew I would enjoy her other books!
Did this one hit the same way - not right away but in the second half it really took off!

"It's been a privilege to fall in love with you, Sage."

Tarah made me want to visit Spunes, OR and go to the restaurant that Fisher helped set up.

I absolutely loved Sage!! She has been one of my favorite female characters that I have read recently. I just love her resourcefulness, her strong will and especially her relationship to those in the community. Her and her brothers crack me up and felt so believable. I also love how she took in Indy and was able to relate to her as they both lost their mother at a young age.

Fisher Lange was such a fish out of water (no pun intended) and she made him feel comfortable in the town. And I love how he came to her rescue when she was faced to face with her former long time boyfriend. It also was beautiful to see how Fisher's relationship with his niece Indy grew from the start of the book to the end.

I am not a fan of slow burns but I know that we have to have slow burns in romances. I think where I struggled is I accidentally read two slow burns in a row so I think that was part of my issue. Comparing though to the book prior to this, the relationship between Sage & Fisher was so much stronger and playful. They just seemed like they just had such fun time together and were just so attractive to each other. They both knew each were it for them but it was too late and Fisher had to go back to his life on the East Coast.

I love that this was a dual POV so we did get to see both sides!

If you are looking for a chef from the city & a teacher from a small town entangled in a summer fling - check this out!

4.25

I will not be giving feedback on this title due to the continued media boycott of St. Martin's Press and its imprints. Once the boycott demands are met, I will post my full review of the title on social media and Goodreads.

Every book by Tarah DeWitt has been amazing! The characters, place, and storyline were so good, and I didn't want to stop reading.

5/5 stars!!!
This book was absolutely perfect. First of all, this book started off so strong with how our main characters Sage and Fisher meet. It was so funny and throughout the entire book I was laughing so much and had the biggest smile on my face. Everything about the small town was done so well, from the side characters to the animals I was invested!!! A romance book is great when I feel the connection between the characters but it’s even BETTER when I’m also invested in the story as a whole and their lives individually. Tarah Dewitt just knows how to make characters feel so real!

The growth that Fisher and his niece go through in this book was so beautiful to read about and watch unfold. When you first meet him, he’s so unsure of himself and battling the mindset he used to have on life to now. Especially with the added expectation to be a good guardian to his niece and wanting what’s best for HER. Then we have Sage who is going through her own silent battle of having to hear and see her ex of 5 years get engaged to someone so suddenly. When they both come together, it is such a perfect build up of friendship to something more. The tension between them guys… I was screaming into my pillow!!!! They really bring out the best in one another and help each other see things through a different perspective. I think what I loved most about them is they helped one another grow individually so that later they could also grow together. Sage and Fisher have the most unselfish kind of love I’ve ever seen and it makes my heart ACHE to think about it. It just made it that much more sweet when they finally come together. They also just know one another SO WELL, from tiniest things to the big. It just made me so feral and want a love like theirs so bad.

In all, I could rave about these characters forever and all the themes Tarah Dewitt touches on throughout this book that I thought was done exceptionally well but I don’t want to spoil anything. Please go and read this book when it comes out, I beg of you. These characters mean the absolute world to me and really made me look at the perspective I have on life and reflect on it. Thank you Tarah Dewitt for writing these characters, it has been an honor to be able to love them:’)

I tried my best to savor it (pun intended) but trust me when I tell you, you’re going to want to devour this one.

Thank you to netgalley for giving me the ARC in exchange for an honest review 💗

This is a newer auto buy author for me and she does not disappoint. i tell everyone i can get to listen to me to read these stories!
this was a phenomenal story that hit home in some ways for me and i loved it

I absolutely savored reading this book. I absolutely fell in love with Sage and Fisher ( and the animals and Indy, okay I love every character).

Tara Dewitt’s writing is almost lyrical. Her words capture you and weave themselves in to your heart. It starts slow as they develop their friendship but once they’re open about their feelings it’s full throttle which I definitely didn’t expect to love so much.

Can’t wait to read more of Dewitt’s books.

4.5 ⭐️

Sage and Fisher have my whole heart! Not that I didn’t already know I’d love this book, because honestly I love anything Tarah writes, but this book was a warm hug from start to finish!

Fisher and Sage were just so special. They were both on journeys to finding out who they truly were and what they wanted out of life. The way Tarah was able to write their journeys was just so beautiful. They were both dealing with grief in their own ways and watching them come together was literal magic. It was heartbreakingly beautiful, romantic, and funny. They didn’t try to change each other. They just met each other exactly where they were, and accepted exactly who the other one was. And honestly it can’t get much more beautiful than that. The growth of these 2 throughout this book was perfect.

I couldn’t ask for more in a small town romance. I not only fell in love with Sage, Fisher & Indy (Gary too), but every other character as well! I can’t wait to see what’s next!

♾️♾️♾️/5⭐️
Oh wow.
Laughed, cried, got excited, heartbroken and healed all within this book.

I think I might love this one a little bit more than Funny Feelings (and that's a lot).

Tarah's writing is absolutely amazing and the whole book feels like a warm hug to my soul. Everything from the little animals, to the nyc chefs is so so so well constructed and it all just fits and makes sense.
She brings important messages and special moments in such light, but meaningful ways, I absolutely love.

I feel like I kinda am Sage in some ways but wanna be like her when I grow up (idk how to make it make sense). She's so strong, so sweet, so honest and so unapologetically her. She still has wounds and insecurities but is trying her best to live everyday with her head up and her priorities straight. Underneath it all, just wants to be happy and loved. For me at least she was so relatable and I just wanted to hug her.

Fisher. Oh my. So lost in life, but so emotionally available and open my heart hurt for him and his uncertainties. Such an awesome man, trying to navigate life with the cards he's been dealt. Losing his job, gaining a niece to look after, moving from the biggest city in the world, to nowhere, oregon. Is so lovely to witness his growth, right along with Indy, and to see them finally finding their people.

Sage and Fisher's love story was so refreshing to read. Just two people, coming together by fate (?) and trying to navigate adulthood, new feelings and past wounds while helping each other grow, and just being there for each other day in, and day out, in the biggest or smallest ways.

As always, Tarah crushed it! And I feel so honored to have been able to get an ARC of this book!

Thank you so much NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A really lovely, tension-filled rom-com with realistic, complex characters and a dreamy setting in small-town Pacific Northwest.

I looooovveeed Sage and Fisher's love story—it had delicious tension from the first interaction, a fake dating trope, overprotective brothers, a farm setting, a steamy scene in a library—I mean, what more can you ask for?

I appreciated how much attention and care Tarah Dewitt put into creating full-formed characters grappling with grief, chasing dreams, and figuring out how to live in the moment.

PHENOMENAL!!! Thank you NetGalley, Tarah Dewitt and St. Martin's Press for granting me access to this book in exchange for an honest review.

OH MY HEART!! This book is absolutely amazing! Words cannot express how much I adored it! What a sweet, heartwarming and beautifully written contemporary romance that will truly touch your soul. Be sure to keep your tissues close by because you will definitely need them🤧. I found myself shedding tears of both sadness and joy, but it was also incredibly swoon-worthy, keeping me laughing and smiling throughout. "Savor It" delves into the intricacies of love, exploring the profound impact of losing a loved one, facing career burnout, and the unpredictable nature of life. It sheds light on how life often disrupts our plans, reminding us to cherish the moments of joy amidst the challenges we encounter. The author has masterfully crafted a touching story with rich depth, portraying characters grappling with real life struggles and raw emotions. Dewitt's handling of these themes showcases precision, respect, and compassion. While this is my first read by Tarah Dewitt, I am already a huge fan! I savored every moment of this book, and it will linger in my thoughts for a long while.

Sage Byrd, a lifelong resident of Spunes, Oregon, finds solace in her coastal town's simplicity, her quirky hobby farm animals, and the tight knit community. However, after a five year relationship ends and her ex, Ian, swiftly moves on, Sage seeks redemption and a chance to prove herself at the town's annual Festival of Spines. Enter Fisher Lange, a former acclaimed chef from New York City struggling with loss and a dwindling passion for cooking. Sent on a summer sabbatical to Spunes with his niece Indy, Fisher's clashes with the locals threaten his chance for renewal. A strategic pact with Sage emerges: she'll bolster Fisher's image while he becomes her competition partner. As their partnership blossoms into something more, Sage and Fisher navigate emotional healing, unexpected romance, and the fleeting nature of summer.

In summary, I was completely captivated from beginning to end! I wholeheartedly recommend this book without any reservations, and it unquestionably merits infinite stars!!!♾️💫💫💫💫💫

What a delightful small-town romance! “Savor It" by Tarah DeWitt transported me to the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon. Full of charming characters, mouthwatering food, and heartwarming moments, this novel is a perfect summer read.

Meet Sage Byrd. She’s a local high school teacher, has spent her entire life in Spunes. She loves her small world, complete with misfit animals on her hobby farm and close friendships with fellow townspeople. But when her long-term relationship ends and her ex, the town golden boy Ian, gets engaged, Sage needs a win. The Festival of Spunes, the town’s annual summer competition, presents the perfect opportunity. All she needs is a partner.

Meet Fisher Lange. He is a former hotshot chef from New York City. Fisher's life takes a drastic turn when he loses his Michelin star and his love for cooking. Grieving the loss of his sister, he finds himself responsible for his teenage niece, Indy. Sent to Spunes on a summer sabbatical to consult on a restaurant opening, Fisher clashes with the townspeople. His last chance at redemption lies in improving his image and overcoming obstacles with the restaurant.

A strategic alliance is formed: Sage will help Fisher navigate the town, and Fisher will be Sage’s partner for the competition. As they work together, their pact evolves into steamy rendezvous. Emotional wounds begin to heal, and they savour every moment. Summer races by faster than they'd like, and they must confront their feelings before it slips away.

DeWitt weaves a captivating tale of love, growth, and second chances. Her writing captures the essence of small-town life, where quirky characters and picturesque landscapes come alive. Sage and Fisher's chemistry is palpable, and their banter is both witty and endearing. DeWitt skillfully balances romance with deeper themes of healing and self-discovery.

The coastal setting adds to the book's allure. Spunes, with its rugged cliffs, crashing waves, and salty sea breeze, becomes a character in itself. Readers will yearn for lazy afternoons by the shore, sipping lemonade and watching the sun dip below the horizon.

The culinary aspect of “Savor It” is a treat and I’ll admit to eating a lot while reading this. Fisher's culinary expertise shines through, and DeWitt tantalizes our taste buds with descriptions of mouthwatering dishes. From fresh seafood to decadent desserts, the food becomes a metaphor for life's flavours: sometimes bitter, sometimes sweet, but always worth savouring.

The supporting cast adds depth to the story. With vulnerability and resilience, they tug at the heartstrings. The townspeople have wonderful quirks and idiosyncrasies, which create a sense of community that enveloped me.

This is a slow-burn romance which builds gradually, but this allowed me to savour each moment. The pacing is well-balanced, and the tension between our protagonists keeps the pages turning. DeWitt's prose is evocative, painting vivid scenes that transported me straight to Spunes.

While the plot follows familiar romance tropes, DeWitt infuses it with freshness and authenticity. The Festival of Spunes serves as a backdrop for Sage and Fisher's journey, and its competitive spirit adds excitement. As the stakes rise, so do the emotions.

I found this story to be a delightful escape. It’s a sun-kissed romance that warmed my heart. Whether you're lounging on the beach or curled up on your couch, this book invites you to savour life's simple pleasures. DeWitt left this reader totally craving more.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a temporary e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book totally took me by surprise! I absolutely loved it. It gave me a Gilmore girls small town feel while also being so poignant and romantic. Absolutely will recommend!

This is the third book by this author that I’ve read (the other two are Funny Feelings and The Co-Op) and this is the third book that I’ve absolutely loved by her. This book was wonderfully written with a beautiful setting and characters that were fantastic. Fisher is a perfectly imperfect MMC and Sage gave me the same strong, beautiful and funny vibes as Dewitt’s other FMCs. This is a beautiful love story and I’m hoping the author does more books set in this world (cough, cough Wren and Ellis please😉).

With a title like Savor It, this book practically demands to be relished, and it’s easy to why so many readers are doing just that. Though both sweet and steamy, the romance is at all times tender, and I have a soft spot for tender relationship stories, ones that don’t start with instant fireworks, but build naturally as characters support one another and help each other identify the things that truly make them happy while they sort through life’s dilemmas. This one delivers in spades, while also exploring deeper themes about the transitory nature of joy, the complex relationship between taking care of and being cared for, and how sometimes what we want most in life changes over time, so letting go can be the best gift we give ourselves. It’s a rich, layered story, one that also happens to take place in a small coastal Oregon town, so of course I was hooked by the setting, too, and DeWitt made me care deeply for her characters, even the four-legged ones. A joyful and thoughtful love story, and one crafted with obvious care.

Tarah Dewitt's novels have been on my radar for a while and when I was given the opportunity to receive an arc in exchange for an honest review, I jumped at the chance! Unfortunately, "Savor It" was not all I had hoped it would be. In this story, we follow Sage Byrd, our animal-loving and endearingly quirky female lead, and Fisher Lange, our surly and down-on-his-luck chef with a bruised ego and the new guardian to his niece, Indy.

"Savor It" takes place in the small town of Spunes, Oregon. Sage is a teacher and her home is basically an animal sanctuary. One of my favorite parts of this was reading about Sage's animals and her love for them. Fisher temporarily moves with his niece, Indy, to Spunes to spearhead a new restaurant his boss is opening. He is a world-renowned chef but he's lost his love of cooking after going through a rut and losing one of his Michelin stars. He's hoping Spunes will give him some inspiration while he oversees the opening of the restaurant. And guess what? His rental house is right next door to Sage and you know what they say ... the rest is history.

It definitely was not a bad book by any means and did not do anything "wrong," I just found it very mundane. I didn't feel the chemistry between Sage and Fisher and found myself counting down the pages until it was over. I will definitely check out more books from Tarah Dewitt as I did enjoy her writing style but sadly, this one was not for me.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press/St. Martin's Griffin and Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

⭐️4/5
🌶️3/5

If you love small-town romances, Tarah DeWitt's 'Savor It' will certainly scratch that itch. Witty banter, whimsical characters, and a lot of heart make for a fantastic summer small-town story!

Sometimes you just need a quick pallet cleansing easy read that means what it says and says what it means but in a way that still leaves you satisfied. For me this did that. Personally I like when a story is written in a way that doesn't shy away from using words beyond the capabilities of a third grader. So much of mainstream romance reads are written in a way that feels like you just read a teenager's journal and this story does the opposite. I'm not talking about nuanced rarely used words like "insouciant", but rather words like "emblazoned", and I appreciate that this was not "watered down". I will be looking forward to and picking up Tarah DeWitt's next book as a direct result of how I enjoyed this one.

Thank you!

Light and rom-com with likable characters in a fun small town setting. Perfect summer steamy read with spice and a good story. This is my first book from DeWitt and will for sure read more from her. I want to thank Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for an honest review.