This book was very fun to read and I enjoyed the setting so much, it was cozy and comforting and I really loved how it took place in a small, sort of weird town in the middle of no where. The romance was very sweet and wholesome, and I think this book is great for anyone looking for a new contemporary romance that is equally yearnful and entertaining.

I loved this book! It was so sweet and heartwarming. I loved Sage and Fisher. The small town charm and quirky characters (even the town meeting) reminded me of Gilmore Girls. The farm, the animals, the library. I just loved it all.

Fisher, as a character grappling with grief was so well done and I loved the (Yes, Chef) food and restaurant aspect of the story.

Sage, I related to her in so many ways, and I loved her personality and the way she loved and serviced everyone around her.

Overall, I loved this!

Savor It by Tarah Dewitt

Sweet, swoony, sexy and full of small town charm!

4.5/5⭐️

•My Thoughts•
I loved this one! Our MMC, Fisher had such depth and I loved his growth through out the book. He was the typical grumpy, career focused chef and life kept throwing him curve balls. I enjoyed his relationship with his niece and actually wished for a bit more of that dynamic. Sage! I loved Sage - she was quirky and kind but definitely not a push over. The banter was fabulous, the small town vibes were immaculate (complete with a grumpy busy body and nosy neighbors), and the overall message of not letting others define your success was beautiful. I loved how honest our MCs were with each other and how there wasn’t a single miscommunication insight. There was plenty of burn and tension and these characters just felt so real! Definitely recommend this one and now I need to go read more of Tarah’s backlist!

Thank you to @netgalley and Tarah Dewitt for the advanced copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was my first Tarah DeWitt book and it was an ARC!!!! I see why people love her books so much because I fell in loveeee with Sage & Fisher, their backstories, the storyline, just about everything honestly. I gave this a 4.5!

If you love romances with chefs or teachers, this is for you!

Sage is a small town teacher, the sweetest soul, lover of animals, adventurous, funny, witty, overall a beautiful person. She is an overthinker, she needs to be comforted and reassured when things feel out of control or pressuring. Even while dealing with grief and the bumps in life, she rises above and doesn’t falter in doing what she wants and knows is best for her.

Fisher is a big city chef, dealing with his own grief while also feeling the pressure from work and raising his pre-teen/teen niece. Handsome, tall, a bit broody but still funny and thoughtful. He is the rule follower. Staying true to his chef ways, he needs something to follow and sometimes needs to loosen up. Fisher uses up his time in this small town—Spunes, Oregon—to find himself, his passion, his patience once again.

Sage & Fisher are two individuals that on the outside don’t fit together. They’re pretty much opposites in so many senses yet their time as neighbors, friends (with benefits 😜), fake boyfriend/girlfriend, etc bring them together so beautifully. She is the fun-spirited but anxious piece while he is the rule-following, perfectionist. They balance each other, bringing out the best in one another. In my opinion this is a story of opposites attract so well written!

These two characters, although literally fictional, are so real. They are dealing with challenges just like us, which is something to keep in mind. If you want to read something really fictional and nowhere near relatable then this is not for you. But if you love this, like I do, you’ll love Sage & Fisher and Tarah DeWitt for this beautiful book.

One of my fave quotes: “Nothing’s for certain, except that I certainly fucking love you.”

Thank you for allowing me to read this ARC!!! <3

This was... lovely. The Tarah DeWitt I know and love, truly. The chemistry, the banter, the pain, the longing, the teenage angst-- I was into all of it. I really felt relationship development between Fisher and Sage processed so naturally and the slow burn didn't feel slow at all, it felt RIGHT! I loved that when feelings started to change and evolve, they communicated and stayed on the same page. We may not have enjoyed the page while it was happening, but it resolved itself quickly and was so satisfying, imo. I really want to see more from this universe! Cant wait to read what else DeWitt has in store for us.

*Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review

I loved this book! I fell in love from the first page of Sage and her best friend Wren talking. I couldn’t put it down. Then you add in Fisher and Indy, an uncle/niece situation, with Fisher being the guardian. Of course we add in all the animals, the small town, the food, puns, and just all around love. I loved Fisher and Sage together from the start. I was rooting for them. I cried when they told deep stories, I laughed along with them too. They had a bond that couldn’t be broken. They all have went through hard times. Both losing people close to them. They both deserved happiness and I’m so glad they found it with each other.

This was a fun quirky read. It has a great summer fling element to it that I loved! I found that the relationship and character development wasn't quite enough for me to feel attached to the characters enough to cheer them on through the relationship progression. Because of this, the spicy scenes felt more cringy to my instead of swoon worthy. It felt more like I was being told a story instead of invited along for the experience, if that makes sense?

You'll like this book if you like:
Small Town Romance
Summer Flings
Lighthearted Stories
Quirky Characters

Thank you to Netgalley and St Martin's Press for an e-arc in exchange for my honest opinion.

Spoiler Free Arc Review: 5 ⭐️

Michelin star chef, Fisher, is in trouble with his career. His mentor relocates him from NYC to small town Oregon to craft the menu for her new restaurant. The house he’s renting shares a field with friendly neighbor Sage. The unlikely pair become friends and help each other grow into the best versions of themselves.

Wow. Although this book started out slow, it really picked up. The characters were beautifully written and deep. The last 20% of the book was so emotional, I was incredibly invested. Outside of Fisher and Sage, all of the side characters were intriguing as well. I would love to see a follow up second chance romance for Wren and Ellis.

Actually such a beautiful book about two broken people finding peace and love in their imperfections. A lot more emotional and moving than I was expecting, but would absolutely recommend to anyone looking for a rom com with a deeper meaning!!

This was such a wholesome, sweet and heartwarming story.

This was such a wholesome, sweet and heartwarming story.

I think Sage is one of my favorite main characters I’ve ever read about. She’s so authentic and her personality is magnetic. I love how she’s living her best life. Shes a literal plant and animal mom just being the best version of herself. Along comes Fisher with his niece both in an era of healing and self re-discovery. I LOVE that she’s not trying to fix him or Indy but simply allows them into the little life she’s created and lets them just BE.

The development of their relationship was organic and wholesome, from neighbors to friends to lovers. It starts off slow but once it gets to those sweet, intimate scenes, it’s so worth it!

I had so much fun reading about all the crazy, sweet animals alongside with the cute small town and people.

Overall, I thought this was a very sweet, cozy and laid back summer read, perfect to take on a relaxing summer vacation.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Griffin for the ARC!

Beautiful, hilarious, quirky, slightly spicy yet balanced with very moving moments, Savor It is a story of love and loss, burnouts and the journey to self-discovery and recovery. And oh my, what a treat this was! A feast for the eyes and food for the soul. I will be savoring this book for a long time to come. Of course, you can see what I did there – and if you are a lover of puns both silly and witty, you will love this book as much as I have because this is full of them!

This is the first book I’ve read by Tarah DeWitt and it has to be the best contemporary romance I’ve read in a while. DeWitt’s writing is so charming, and much like the way she describes hugs “It’s agony. It’s bliss” – the book’s warmth radiated and its pages enfolded me through the delightful and heartfelt moments. It kept me thoroughly engaged, so much so that by the end of this book even I fell in love with the town! The story had a good structure, decent pacing, and I loved that there was an Epilogue as some books leave this out and I live for it – yes please tell me what happens next!

The amount of humour got me grinning ear-to-ear, particularly the circumstances in which Sage and Fisher meet.
There are the endless jokes and puns to be found. I also greatly appreciated the film and tv show references, the best of all being LOTR – naming her three-legged cat Legoless and the description of Sage crawling around like Gollum? Genius! My favourite trilogy mentioned in a book? As if I couldn’t love it even more!

I love Sage. Her kindness, wisdom, optimism but also her self-consciousness make her a very realistic person. "All heart, full force, and making every moment matter." I love all her animal friends too, if I had the room and my asthma wouldn’t affect me, I would also be taking in animals who do not have a home.
Fisher is chef’s kiss. Literally! He is the greenest of green flags. Bonus that he cooks, of course. Always an attractive trait. I love how in tune he is with his feelings and when he finally opens up to people it makes it all the more worthwhile. He is so observant, noticing every little thing about Sage, and I love the way he looks out for and looks after her.

Indeed, I like the mature approach the DeWitt has to writing Sage and Fisher, aka 30-something-year-olds: their communication is perfect! The way they take accountability if they are ever being distant or offhand towards the other is admirable. Communication is key in any relationship and they are always trying to communicate their feelings despite how awkward it may sound or how rejected it may be. Personally, I absolutely loved the approach here and I beg more authors to do this!
Some really serious moments are handled realistically and exceptionally well. There is the loss of Freya for Fisher and Indy, and Sage and her brothers lose their parents at a young age, and this book explores how loss affects them differently.

The only thing I was hoping to see more of Fisher cooking in his actual working environment, seeing him properly find his passion again.

Savor It by Tarah DeWitt immerses readers in the enchanting small-town world of Spunes, Oregon, where the delightful romance between Fisher and Sage unfolds amidst quirky characters and heartwarming moments. Fisher's grumpy yet endearing demeanor perfectly complements Sage's vibrant outlook on life, creating a dynamic duo that readers can't help but root for. Their slow-burn love story is beautifully woven with themes of grief, healing, and the importance of communication, making for a captivating and emotionally resonant read. DeWitt's writing shines as she brings the charming town and its inhabitants to life, crafting a narrative that is both whimsical and heartfelt. From the delightful banter between Fisher and Sage to the genuine connections they form with the supporting cast, Savor It is a book that leaves a lasting impression, reminding readers to savor life's simple pleasures and cherish the moments that matter most.

Another hit for Tarah DeWitt! This is the perfect summer read. Sweet and heartwarming with a very cozy vibe

Sage and Fisher are at very different points in their lives. Sage is in the small town she grew up in, but with her relationship ending and her ex moving on incredibly quickly, she decides that she will win the town's summer competition, but she can't do it alone. Enter Fisher, who was a Michelin starred chef in New York City, until his sister's death affects his life enough where his boss makes him take a break. Ending up in Spunes with his niece, Sage takes him under her arm to benefit the both of them - Sage so the town can see her in a different light, and for Fisher to discover his focus and purpose again. While it evolves into more, will the end of the summer be the end of whatever Sage and Fisher have going?

This was an easy read. I dove into it, and it fulfilled the lighthearted criteria in my opinion! While it does have the death of a sibling off page (and in the past), that theme does drive a decent amount of the book (as it significantly impacts Fisher's life as well as his niece's). I think I would have liked to learn a little bit more about Fisher and Sage, as they took some time to learn about and get to know each other, and I think I would have been curious to learn more about them together.

This is a light chick lit book that will be great summer reading. Sage lives in Spunes, Oregon and works as a teacher, but is very active with her garden, rescued animals, and community events. Her neighbors rented out their house for the summer, and Sage soon finds herself meeting Fisher, a chef from NYC, and his niece Indy. The two adults are facing their own challenges and perhaps can relate to and support each other through the steamy summer months.

Thank you NetGalley and the author for this ARC. I attempted for the third time to get through this book. The first time I barely got 20% of the way through. This time I got about 40% of the way and DNF again.

I just am confused about the whole plot line and story. I have no idea about any of the characters, what they do, what the premise is… nothing.

It’s hard for me to DNF books but when I tried to go back to reading then DNF again I just know it’s not for me. 2 stars for a great cover and since I did read almost half.

This woman can write nuance like nobody’s business. Messy, imperfect characters that walk right off the page into your heart.
Neither MC is having the life they’d hoped for. Complications, roadblocks, and pitfalls have them both spinning their wheels. Until they end up next door to one another and meet someone who doesn’t see fault but sees value.
I have loved all of her books and this is no different. Beautiful, funny, and deeply sexy, this book was exactly what I wanted.

If you love your small towns in a story, this one captures all of the elements of small town life. Sage Byrd has a bit of a savior complex with some abandonment issues. Orphaned at a young age, she takes in all kinds of animals that need a home. She knows that Spunes is a place where everyone will always know her business, but no other place could be called home.

Fisher Lange, on the other hand, loathes small towns. He’s in Spunes because he has to develop a menu for a restaurant and is trying to build a better relationship with his niece Indy, but settling in Spunes is not a long term plan. With Sage as his neighbor, Fisher slowly starts to see the charm of his surroundings. I liked the vibe of this story, how Fisher is very male in his behavior and tendencies, but he’s also not too proud to share emotion and vulnerability. Sage is the right balance of compassionate and unassuming, yet also a little sassy and very good natured. Together, their relationship is a dynamic of slow burn and sparking chemistry but with an expiration date.

All the small town parts come into play. Everyone gets involved and meddles, but these same local people also rally for both Sage and Fisher when support is needed. I also enjoyed how Fisher was carefully navigating custodial care of his niece and aiming to do better for her, which means prioritizing her. Tarah Dewitt manages to creatively balance the character relationships and conflicts without overdoing any aspect of it. And the main characters manage to effectively communicate without resorting to immature antics. This book is like curling up with a soft blanket and favorite drink. I would actually love the story about Ellis and Wren if that were ever in the works.

Thank you to the publisher for providing me with a digital review copy of this book via NetGalley!

I've read and loved Tarah DeWitt's Funny Feelings, and was so excited for an early copy of her newest book, Savor It. DeWitt does a great job with writing chemistry between 2 people - the story really hones in on their relationship. I felt this in Funny Feelings, and I feel it here! Of course, there are other characters (especially a kid - like Fisher's niece Indy (and Hazel from Funny Feelings)), but the love story of the couple is the focus.

Savor It is a small-town, steamy, summery romance filled with sunshine, nature, and tenderness. A lovely read!

In this story, both of the characters are on their separate healing journeys. Sage, the FMC, is on the mend from the loss of a 5-year relationship. Meanwhile, Fisher, the MMC, is recovering from the loss of his sister while taking on the responsibility of his teenage niece. The two MCs meet when Fisher rents the house next to Sage's for the summer.

I loved the quirky townsfolk and pets. Sage and Fisher were so sweet. There was just enough angst to satisfy my needs. I was really intrigued by Wren and Ellis. I hope we get their story.

Overall, I enjoyed this read and would recommend it to anyone looking for a cozy rom-com type of read.

This quickly became one of my favorite small town romance books! The chemistry between the two characters was absolutely perfect. The character development was something that stood out to me the most. There were several parts that made me emotional and cry, and other that made me laugh. Loved their banter throughout the story! Would love to see more stories involving the other characters in the book, such as the brothers. Would definitely recommend this book!