Was a great start, started to slow down around 30% through the book and I was struggling a bit to get to the finish line. I liked the characters and their backstories, but they needed more depth. I wasted more from Indy’s backstory and they’re need to go back to the city. I do appreciate the communication between characters, I just feel like the third act conflict was a little rushed. Could have used less of the boating storyline and gave the characters a little more time to build their bond, they felt a little Insta-lovey.

This is the first Tarah DeWitt novel that I've read and it was a nice surprise. I'll admit that it took me a few chapters to feel like I was really *in* the novel but once I warmed up to the small town romance and all of the characters in it, I enjoyed it. Sage and Fisher are new neighbors for the summer--she's a teacher who's from Spunes and takes care of the neighboring house that Fisher is renting for the summer. Fisher is a transplant for the summer; he and his niece (and now ward) are there to try to pick up the pieces of their lives and also to get his boss's new restaurant up and running.



Initially it seems like these two wouldn't fit. Sage is a brightsider and has a sunny disposition while Fisher seems like a gloom and doomer, a little lost, and a lot frowny. But Sage doesn't let that put her off and her sharp observations of what Fisher and his niece need helps her plow through the walls they both have up--they can't seem to resist her and she definitely uses that to her advantage. As they get to know each other, Sage agrees to help Fisher ingratiate himself into the town (and also help with his menu) and he agrees to help her win this town competition that's a main event to the summer. Through these endeavors they get to know each other and fall for each other. Their romance is sweet and steamy and one that you just hope endures.



This one will sneak up on you and before you know it, you're all up in your feelings and eager to see how the rest of the characters we meet will find love.

Tarah does it again! This is the perfect combo of small town grumpy sunshine with many deeper elements tied in. er writing style is absolutely beautiful. I did not want this book to end. Sage and Fisher truly are the most unlikely of couples yet fit together absolutely perfectly. Not to mention hot. This is right up there with funny feelings for me!

Fairly predictable rom com but it was still a good read that I enjoyed it. It was also a quick read.

Sounds is the cutest town and I hope she writes more with these characters! The characters were so lovable and even the animals.

3.5 stars rated up!

This was exactly what I needed it to be.
It’s was a cute small town romance
Strangers to lovers. It talks about heartbreak; in more ways than one. Community, teen pregnancy.

It’s a very cute, fluffy, easy story to read with a little bit of depth.
I enjoyed this read. Chef works a summer job In a small town with his kid (guardianship) and works together with this lovely lady Sage. As much as they try not to fall- because of course there is a deadline- he’s only there for the summer.

Obviously they fall head over heels for each other. And as they do end up regretting not being together. Happy ending, cute as pie. Easy easy read.

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to read this in exchange for my honest opinion!

Being a girl from the west coast that's lived on the east coast for the last 10 years, this was the small town romance I didn't know I desperately needed. It took me back home and I instantly fell in love with the FMC. She was fun and quirky and I loved that she didn't let her ex ruin the love she had for her small town. Then Asher swoops in and literally savors her and the beautiful mess she is. It'll give you hot farm girl, yes chef, single dad, and best of all was the spicy library scene. Plus this cover is absolutely gorgeous.

4.25 stars

“I…I think I keep my world small so I don’t feel insignificant in it.”


This was so freakin sweet. It got that warm cozy noisy small town charm and ahh I savored it!! I was so hesitant in the beginning because Tarah Dewitt is a new to me author, but her writing appeared to be so good. It’s fun, flirty, and warm.

Fisher and Sage were amazing together! I loved their banter and the way they communicate so much. Sage felt like a nice best friend who lights up every place she enters. She doesn’t always feel okay, but she’s still full of charm. Simply, your small town next door girl. Fisher was so sweet and charming. I loved being inside his head and seeing him struggle with being in a new town, struggle with dealing with his niece, with being without a job, and struggle with his feelings towards Sage. I loved them both so much.

I want this to become a series. I need a book about each one of her brothers. I see potential there!! This was lighthearted, emotional, and swoony. I loved it. I can’t wait to read more of her books.

Huge Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for providing this copy.

Give me ALLLLLL the small town vibes!!! I have been waiting for this release from Tarah and it did not disappoint. Her writing is so fun, so hilarious and I enjoy every page. Sage and Fisher were completely and totally swoon worthy and I pulled for their success from the very first chapter. This is definitely a win for me, but then again, I always love anything this author writes. 4.5/5 stars!

I was so excited to receive this ARC and immediately devoured Sage and Fisher's story.

I swear Tarah's books are just like one big, warm hug! They always feel so wholesome, relatable and have characters with the most endearing qualities. I really enjoyed how the fake dating trope came to fruition, as it felt unique but authentic. Sage was so ridiculously adorable and kind-hearted and I felt like I could be her best friend.

Whilst a lot of the book can be lighthearted and sweet, Tarah handles the sensitive topics with a lot of respect and it also created a lot more depth to the story and our characters. Being a wife of a chef I obviously swooned hard over Fisher and now have a thing for gold earrings👀

That ending had me massively tearing up and whilst both our MC's knew it was coming, it didn't help soften the blow any less. This story has my whole heart and need more ASAP!!

𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐫𝐞: contemporary romance
𝐓𝐫𝐨𝐩𝐞𝐬: small town, fake dating, single guardian, dual pov
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 🌶️

DeWitt has penned some of my favourite books that I read in 2023 so when I saw this on netgalley you better believe I ran. I am a sucker for a dual pov and then you throw in a small town setting… it’s already on to be a winner.

Sage was a great FMC- we live a strong queen who exhibits kindness and sass. Fisher- all hail a man written by a woman. Open communication and emotional intelligence all day long.
We have third act drama but the way DeWitt writes, I was here for it. Loved this book (and I love the cover too!)

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for a copy of the book in exchange for a voluntary review

Wasn’t my favorite… had very dull moments and lacked the ability to grab my attention. It had a lot of potential at the beginning but fell flat to me.

Absolute perfection from Tarah Dewitt once again! This story is heartwarming, comforting, and has become my new obsession.

This book started out really strong and I was getting the warm, fuzzy feeling of finding a new favorite. Then close to half way through I had to put it down for a few days and it felt as if I picked up a new book. Interesting characters and a lot was set up in the beginning but it all sort of fizzled out from Sage’s ex to Fisher’s career struggles. I am still hoping that this is the start of series because there are side characters I would love to see get their own book.

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Tarah and it was amazing. It had me laughing from the very beginning and then crying by the end. I love that Fisher was in therapy, though I wish it was a little more on page. Sage was amazing and reminded me a bit of myself.

I love that this didn't technically have a third act breakup. But really enjoyed how it all came together. Plus the setting.... my dream place, honestly.

Thanks so much to netgalley and the publisher for the e-arc!

I had a bit of a hard time being grabbed by this at first, despite the funny dialogue that started on page one. But after the first couple of chapters, something clicked, and I couldn’t put it down. I loved that the author had the two main characters lean into their emotions without making it overwhelming or too cheesy. It struck the balance of heartfelt and funny really well. I also loved the character development of the teen niece in this book, and I wish we had gotten to see her a bit more than we did. This was a really sweet book, and I hope this gets turned into a small-town romance series!

I enjoyed this book! Savor it was my first Tarah DeWitt and came highly recommended to me by a friend from bookstagram. I loved the quirky personality of the FMC Sage paired with the broody chef MMC FIsher. I will say that it felt like they fell in love fast and hard, which isn't my favorite trope because I tend not to find it super believable. I would have loved some more buildup in this book, but I enjoyed it overall. I loved that the focus was not only the romance between the MCs, but subplots also included the dynamics of the town, Fisher's emotional growth as well as his transition to being a father figure in his relationship with his niece, and the desire of Sage to do something just for herself for once. As a healthcare provider, I related with the latter on a deep level and found so much joy in watching Sage achieve her goals with Fisher's help as a main plot of the book unrelated to their romance. There were moments that I thought were too on the nose, but overall I enjoyed it. So much so that I even downloaded DeWitt's other book Funny Feelings to read shortly after! I would definitely recommend to friends.

This is a sweet, cozy, small town romance that ended up being a perfect read when I needed it. Fisher moves to a small Oregon town for the summer with his niece, to center himself and find a way to refresh his life. Sage has grown up in the small town and is learning how to accept herself after an emotionally exhausting relationship. There is not a lot of unnecessary angst in this book, which I appreciate. Instead this is a comforting and kind romance with just enough steaminess and drama to keep it interesting.

Beautiful story!! The small town, the characters, and that library!!! I live in a small town, but I didn't grow up here, or grow up in a small town. I love the feel. All of Sage's animals, and her garden. She is just a delightful character. I feel her so much. This story is definitely one to savor and let simmer in your soul!!

I was excited for this because I've seen so much praise for the author but I'm not sure what's going on here. I haven't read anything else by the author, so maybe her other books are similar and people don't care? But I had a lot of problems with this---primarily, the writing. This read to me like an early draft. The dialogue is stilted and there were so many unnecessary scene breaks that it was very disorienting. I felt no push forward or urgency to continue. I feel like this would be fine if I felt any chemistry between the main couple, but I didn't see it at all. I still think what bothered me most was how unreadable this was--I had to make myself go back to it---so really hoping there will be a revision before publication.