Member Reviews
This is my first Tarah DeWitt book and omg. It was so cute! Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC to read and review!
Sage is everyone’s favorite small town girl next door! She is the towns and the town is hers. She has the biggest heart, the most adorable tiny farm with rescue animals, and has made it her personal mission to make the newcomers next door feel happy and at home!
Fisher is a NYC Michelin starred chef who had everything he wanted, but then things start to unravel at work, his sister unexpectedly passes away, and he finds himself the guardian of his teenage niece, Indy. A new opportunity presents itself in a small town in Oregon, so Fisher and Indy pack up for the summer to live the small town life.
Favorite quote: “live by your own standards and no one else’s. Be happy by your own measure”
Genre: contemporary romance
Pages: 336
Read if you like: small town romance, found family
Pub date: 5/21/24
I feel so lucky to have been able to read such a beautiful book. Reading it took a little longer because I never wanted it to end. I have loved Tarah's writing from the moment I picked up Funny Feelings and was so excited for this book and it did not disappoint.
Sage Byrd has gone to the top of the list of my favorite heroines. She was so amazing. All I wanted to do was head up to Spunes and hang out with her and her animals. Fisher was equally amazing and I adored how much he took care of Sage and loved her for who she was. I really enjoyed reading his journey as he figured out what to do with his life after it had been turned upside down. They are the ultimate book duo.
Their love story felt real and they came together organically. Nothing seemed forced or over the top. They actually communicated their feelings, they treated each other with respect, and they worked on their issues together. I just can't explain how happy this story makes you feel. A friend of mine keeps saying it was like a warm hug, and it really was. There was magic in this book. That kind of book magic when your heart feels a bit lighter because the happiness from the book is somehow making its way into your heart. I was crying at 4 a.m. at one point ("It's been a privilege to fall in love with you."). I want to scream to everyone how much I love this book. I cannot wait for the paperback to grace my shelves.
Before I forget, the town of Spunes is a place I would love to move to, like yesterday. All of the town characters were great. I really hope we get more stories from there.
I can't believe I am saying this but this is my favorite Tarah book so far.
Thank you NetGalley and Tarah Dewitt for the ARC.
This was my first book I’ve read by this author and I loved it so much! It was a quick, swoony, comforting, perfectly paced and light-hearted read with a magical small town charm feel. I found it so hard to put down and fell in love with the characters and found myself rooting for them. It was written with dual POV which I absolutely love. I was drawn in immediately from the beautiful cover and kept in by the wonderfully written story with a happily ever after ending. I can’t wait to read more from this author and can’t wait to see what’s next!
Thank you so much to St. Martins Press and NetGalley for my early digital copy for my honest thoughts and review!
I was so delighted to receive an advanced copy of "Savor It" because of all the hype around it on social media. While it was a cute, quick read, I found that it dragged. Fisher and Sage are likeable enough, but Sage's personality wound up annoying me after a while. Overall, a pretty disappointing read considering it featured my favorite trope of all time.
Thank you to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin, and NetGalley for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest, unbiased review.
I love a book with a good small town and this didn’t disappoint! I loved the antics and the people who lived in it.
The main characters were also great. I thought their chemistry was really good and communication even better. Grumpy x sunshine is my favorite pairing!
If this was a series I would definitely read additional books!
My first Tara DeWitt romance and will not be my last!
Savor It takes places in the quirkiest of small towns on the Oregon coast, and has no shortage of quirky moments. 😆 In a dual POV style, we get both stories of Fisher & Sage living in the same town with completely different ways to look at life.
Their stories took awhile to develop in my opinion, with about 40% of the book prioritizing what life was like in their small town, but the remaining 60% really propels the story and leaves you with such emotional connection to the characters and the internal struggle of purpose amongst life’s struggles.
Do we live for accomplishment & accolades or character & kindness??
Not many books do this but the teary eyes that developed from the end of this book caught me completely off guard 🥺 the heartbreaking reality of life and the way love can help mend your brokenness was the nail in the coffin 😭 I was toast!
Quite possibly one of the most boring books I have ever read. It took more than 50% of the book for some sort of plot to form and it was not even that interesting.
The book was also not accessible. It uses language that is well above the vocabulary of the average reader. I am a college graduate and consider myself to have an extensive vocabulary and even I struggled with some of the words.
I would not recommend this book. There are certainly more interesting and better written small-town, single parent romances out there.
This book was super sweet. It was the perfect "grumpy guy sunshine girl" trope, which I love. I almost wish the author made him even more grumpy, but I think it wouldn't have been as good in the long run. There was good character development, and I really enjoyed the writing style. Overall, this was a really sweet, fun book that I enjoyed quite a bit! Thank you NetGalley for sending me an ARC.
Thank you to Netgally, the publisher and Tarah Dewitt for the advanced reader copy. I adored this book. It felt so raw and real. Fisher and Sage were the most honest characters I have read in a while. Tarah depicted them dealing with real issues so well. The writing was spectacular. Tarah has such a way with words to describe and convey the emotions of the characters within the story. I loved the setting, I loved Fisher and Sage, I loved the side characters and I loved everything in between. Amazing book!!
🌟 4.75/5
ℙ𝕆𝕍: first person, dual perspectives
𝕊𝕦𝕞𝕞𝕒𝕣𝕪:
Sage Byrd has lived in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon, her entire life. She's learned to love her small world. But when her 5-year relationship ends and her ex, town-golden-boy Ian, suddenly gets engaged, Sage needs a win—something that will convince everyone to stop pitying her all the time. The Festival of Spunes, the town’s annual summer competition, would be the perfect opportunity. She just needs a partner.
Fisher Lange was a hotshot chef in New York City until the loss of his sister left him numb, grieving, and responsible for his teenage niece Indy. When Fisher loses his Michelin star along with his love of cooking, his boss sends him and Indy to Spunes on a much-needed summer sabbatical to consult on a restaurant opening. But when clashes with the townspeople threaten his last chance to redeem himself and a kiss with his new neighbor Sage leads to dating rumors, a strategic alliance might just be the best way to turn things around.
A deal is struck. Sage will improve Fisher’s image in the eyes of the town and remove the roadblocks he is facing with the restaurant, and Fisher will be Sage’s partner for the competition. But as their pact quickly turns into steamy rendezvous, emotional wounds begin to heal, and the pair tries to savor every moment, they start to realize that summer is racing by much faster than they would like...
𝕄𝕪 𝕋𝕙𝕠𝕦𝕘𝕙𝕥𝕤:
I'm in my NetGalley era right now and came across this wonderful book. The cover caught my attention, and before I knew it, I requested an ARC and shortly had it in my hands.😍
I can't express enough how much I love the friendship Sage and Fisher had before deciding to make it more intimate. It was quirky and heartwarming. When they pursued a more romantic path, my heart did a little flip for them! ❤️
Indy and her goose friend made it all the better! Add in the gopher scene, and I was done for! I swear I'd be content to read more of Sage running around and freaking out!🤣😆
As of right now, this book is the only one, and I hope Tarah decides to make it into a series. Our Wren and Ellis need a second chance! Even Silas and Micah need their very own books! 🫠🫶
The delightful dance between grumpiness and sunshine, the art of fake dating, the charm of small-town romance, and the heartfelt journey of a single dad/guardian—these cherished tropes have always held a special place in my literary heart. I'm thrilled to share that my expectations were not only met but exceeded!
"Savor It" proved to be a rollercoaster of emotions, seamlessly blending laughter, heartwarming smiles, and poignant reflections on profound themes such as grief and the shadowy nuances that can accompany life in close-knit communities.
While the initial chapters presented some challenges, the evolving relationship between the central characters, Sage and Fisher, captivated me entirely. Witnessing the construction of a genuine foundation between them, the narrative became a compelling force. As summer neared its end, the palpable desperation to cling to their connection resonated deeply, tugging at my heartstrings.
The novel also shone with beautiful messages, encouraging readers to explore the concepts of home, self-discovery, and the courage required to forge a new path. "Savor It" not only entertained but also left me contemplating the profound aspects of finding oneself and the bravery it takes to embrace change.
my favorite tarah dewitt book yet!
1. i love ellis and wren and please tarah write a book for them i was LIVING off of their crumbs
2. also tarah dewitt KNOWS how to write endings and she always gets me with them
3. i am a sucker for small towns and spunes is adorable and i loved the cast of characters
4. definitely the best tarah dewitt book so far, in my opinion. 4.75 stars!!
(please tarah i am begging you to write wren and ellis’s book i need it yesterday)
This book is like a warm hug 🤗 I thought Sage and Fisher’s story was so beautiful. Every main character was relatable and loveable. My only criticism is that I felt like the beginning was drawn out and it took a while to get into to grit of the story - like the stuff that was going down at 60% in should have been happening at 30%. Still though, the ending didn’t feel rushed. It was wholesome and hilarious and made me tear up.
Tarah Dewitt has done it again. truly. her brain is so powerful. there has not been one tarah book that I have not enjoyed!!! I laughed, I cried, I had a great time!
read if you like:
- single dad/guardian
- fake dating
-grumpy/sunshine
thank you to Tarah Dewitt / netgalley for this arc!
Thank you to Netgalley for proving the arc for an honest review.
I unfortunately had a really hard time with this book. I found myself bored while reading and kept taking breaks. It would usually take me a day or two to read a book, and this one took me a few weeks.
I did like the main characters, but I didn't really like the plot. I also felt there was a ton of inner dialogue and timing issues in the story at certain parts.
This is the first book I have read by this author.
4.5/5 stars, rounded to 5!!!
I am definitely one to judge a book by it's cover... and this one lived up to the beautiful purple-pink hues. I didn't even read the description before requesting. I saw "Tarah Dewitt" and knew it would be an immediate win. Tarah DeWitt has never let me down with her books! As an avid romance reader reader, it can be such a challenging genre to read when so many of them have the same resolution and same version of a HEA, but DeWitt is the reason I love romance. Her books are so cozy and romantic, yet they touch on more challenging topics in the most beautiful way. This book was very slow, but in a good way! Dewitt took her time, dare I say *savored it*, to allow the reader to fall in love with Sprunes and it's characters. A great setup for a possible series (we can only hope).
Grumpy/sunshine is my favorite trope, and Sage and Fisher were EVERYTHING. Their romance was intense and relatable, the kind that makes you laugh, cry, and tugs at your heart strings. This was the story of two broken people who didn't fix or heal one another, but loved each other wholly. I *savored* every moment I got to spend in this small town with it's gorgeous characters. It was a fictional masterpiece.
Thank you netaglley for the arc!
Fell into a food coma reading about Sage and Fisher! This was a pleasant slow-burn small town romance that just got better and better as the pages flew by. The food descriptions were on point and Sage was wonderfully upbeat and stood out amongs other heroines I've read lately. I'm a forever-fan of plucky leads who rescue animals and work to bring out the best in others. Fisher was also extremely likeable and relatable. Their flirtation was a fun journey to go on and their chemistry was delightful. I'll be looking up the rest of the author's book list just based off how much I loved Savor It.
If I could rate this 10 stars, I would. I was already a big fan of Tarah Dewitt's books, but this one is just impeccable! Tarah's writing is beautiful and addictive and I just can't get enough.
Sage was so relatable to me. Her world in Spunes, Oregon was as close to (real life) perfect as life can get. If I could book a ticket to this town today, I would! She had a plethora of animals, a wonderful best friend, loving brothers, a small town community which included some fancy scones, hobbies and a career. She was filled to the brim with happiness, even though life had not always been fair or easy for her. I absolutely loved how she always figured things out....even the things that seemed impossible.
Fisher.....oh, Fisher! How I love a man who can communicate. And he cooks, too? Perfection!
Some of my favourite things in this book:
- Gary and his love for Indy
- Sage's late mother's journal of 'sage advice' (I absolutely cried when Fisher realized what she gave him at the end)
- Indy's feelings for small town life
- the library!!!
- the perfectly imperfect realness of the main characters
All in all, the story was amazing but it's the writing that made this an all time favourite of mine.
This was a cute read.
I loved the banter and dialogue between the MC’s. They were very honest and realistic with each other which I liked. Unfortunately I didn’t feel as invested in the characters as much as I wish I would have. If you like small town romance, with dual POV and a lot of cute animals.. this book is for you!
Thank you SMP and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for an honest review.
Truly beautiful book .,
This story is beautifully written, it has some tides to grief, AND finding your self again , farm animals that do silly things like the goose with indy ! I died. Overall such great characters
Fisher and sages relation ship was truly adorable, good rebutle, good chemistry HOWEVER i need an ellis and wren book !