3.5 stars! I thought this was such a cute and easy listen. I don't usually enjoy audiobooks, but this one was so easy to keep up with no matter where I was or what I was doing. After reading a heavier, more emotional book, this was a good "cleanser". This small town, opposite attracts, dual POV was just what I need. She is a kooky small-town teacher, and he is a NYC chef. I really enjoyed the setting being in the Pacific Northwest. I loved the characters' names, Fisher is certainly my favorite. The author did such a good job with the heavier elements within the story. The slow burn wasn't too slow and didn't take away from the plot. It was a good foundation of their relationship to build up to, given both of their pasts. There is nothing better than a HEA especially with a little bit of steam! Another reviewer had suggested a sequel with Ellis and Wren, which I highly agree! I am grateful for the ability to read and review this novel.

I just reviewed Savor It by Tarah DeWitt. #NetGalley
This book was so good! City chef in a small town trying to rebuild himself and repair relationships. Deals with grief. Unexpected parenting, while developing a romance that is only for the summer. Steamy and funny make this a perfect beach read this summer.

'Savor It' is such a good book! There are so many gems packed into Fisher and Sage's story. It is fitting that the main female character's name is Sage, as she is certainly wise. This is my first read by Tarah Dewitt, and it won't be the last.

This story's characters are well-developed, believable, and incredibly relatable. Both Fisher and Sage have emotional wounds and baggage to work through. Fisher has suffered a great loss, making him incapable of moving forward and deciding what he wants for his life. He struggles with grief and finding what makes him happy again while trying to navigate a new life with his teenage niece, Indy. Sage is dealing with heartbreak but does everything possible to enjoy life as best she can. She pours love into the Spunes community and her animals but sometimes fails to give that same love to herself.

Fisher and Sage were perfect together. Their chemistry was amazing, and I loved their banter. They developed a deep and emotional connection that was beautiful to witness. They became each other's comfort zone, helping each other heal while becoming better versions of themselves. Their love story elicits so many emotions. There were happy moments that made me swoon, moments that made me laugh out loud, and moments that made me cry.

'Savor It' is beautifully written. It reminds us to savor everything in life and make the most of each day. I thoroughly enjoyed this phenomenal story and can't wait to read more from Tarah Dewitt.

NARRATION:
I cannot express how much I enjoyed the narration. Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber did a fantastic job with this story and these characters. These narrators are new to me, and this was one of the best audiobooks I've ever listened to. Karissa and Zachary gave so much personality to the characters and brought them to life. Their highly entertaining performance made it impossible for me to stop listening to this story.

Thanks to Tarah Dewitt, SMP Romance, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for the #gifted advanced digital copy and audiobook.

Read Completed 5/20/24 | 3 stars
Thank you to Macmillan Audio for the audiobook review copy! Receiving this book from the publisher has not affected my review in any way.

I was on a romance high after finishing a good romcom read and was excited to pick up SAVOR IT. This was my first Tarah Dewitt book and it has some fairly consistent high ratings, but I still wasn't sure to expect. This one didn't do it for me, unfortunately, but I'm glad I picked it up to try it.

SAVOR IT is a small town romance with some opposites attract vibes and a touch of grumpy x sunshine. It felt like the author was trying a little too hard to make it be Stars Hollow meets Emily Henry meets Abby Jimenez. I felt like the writing was constantly trying to BE something and it just really didn't flow at all for me. Romances don't have to have plots, but when they're beautifully character-driven, I don't even notice. I struggled with these characters and they just felt pretty flat for me, so sadly, it was noticeable that not a lot happened here and those little moments where the characters are connecting were lost on me.

I'd say this is a little less rom-com than my normal preferences. It's not overly serious or full of grief despite it definitely being present. MMC Fisher has custody of his teenage niece after her mother died, but that happened three years ago, and FMC Sage's parents both died, but that was also a while ago. I was hoping for just a touch more banter, but what was there, I didn't really feel. The characters did have some good chemistry here and there, but it wasn't until later in the book that I started to feel it.

I just wanted a little more growth and a little more purpose. Obviously, the goal here is that they fall in love and Fisher & his niece end up moving to be with Sage or vice versa, but who really leaves the small town in these books? So we know that's really the end game. I just wanted a few other plot points to stand out, some more growth from other characters.... there were some good supporting characters with potential, but they all faded in the background when they really could have helped this small town charm shine. Everything really ended up falling a little flat.

The author also used the word "savor" WAY too much. It's cute to use it once, maybe twice, since it's in the title of the book, but when it's used like 8-10 times, it gets annoying and forced.

I don't know if I'd try another Tarah Dewitt book. I actually would have DNFed this one, but it was a review copy from the publisher and I had already DNFed a couple other review books and didn't want to do that to so many. It wasn't a BAD read, but I knew I wasn't going to click with it when I hadn't gotten there at 25-30%.

AUDIOBOOK THOUGHTS: This was narrated by two of my absolute favorites, Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber in a dual narration. I really liked their narration, but the story didn't really help their voices shine and bring this book to life. I adore Zachary Webber but sadly, I felt like his narration was a little dull here, probably because I felt like Fisher was a little dull. There just wasn't enough range emotion to pull from and things ended up being cheesy instead of romantic. Karissa Vacker also did a nice job, but like with Zachary Webber, it was just a little boring due to the characters not being as interesting as I wanted them to be. I would still recommend them as narrators, though, and if it had been narrators that I DIDN'T love, I really would have probably DNFed.

This was such a sweet romance story. Sage is such a fun character, and her banter with Fisher was great. They were so cute together and I thought that they balanced each other perfectly. While there is a third act breakup, the characters had great communication throughout. The characters were so refreshing, and handled the situation maturely.

The narrators were great and kept my interest throughout. Their voices brought the characters to life, and I would recommend the audio for this one.

Read if you enjoy:
✔️Dual POV
✔️Forced proximity
✔️Small town
✔️Single guardian
✔️Fake dating
✔️Summer romance

Thank you @macmillan.audio for my ALC!

INCREDIBLE. the audio was 10/10 I loved this story so so much. The romance was perfect and I loved the small town setting. I shed a few tears with this one and I related so much to sage. The author did so great with the characters and the overall feeling of the book. Please write more. I need them all.

"You're all the shapes made perfectly to hold me, and you're all my favorite colors."

Sage Byrd is a loving, quirky ray of sunshine. She brings joy to whomever she encounters. I'm not surprised that Fisher and Indy were attracted to her. She was the balm that Indy needed in a world that has been full of ups and downs, a calm in the storm called teenaged life. If not for Sage, Fisher may have not figured out what Indy really needed or wanted. But more than that, Fisher and Sage were complete opposites who balanced each other out. Fisher's had this standard he's had to live up to. Those Michelin stars aren't given without merit, and he did want to return to the culinary world he temporarily left behind, but at what cost? Is it worth the notoriety if you aren't truly happy?

Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber brought this book to life. The characters, their quirks, their personalities.....everything! Karissa is a new to me narrator and I look forward to listening to more of her work. Zachary is like an old friend, breathing life into characters and their stories.

I received an advance copy of this book at my request and voluntarily left this review.

Damn Tarah DeWitt knows how to write them. The chemistry between Sage and Fisher is both exciting and heartwarming--a classic romance Black CatxGolden Retriever. While the small-town, opposites-attract theme is familiar, DeWitt brings a fresh perspective, blending humor and emotion effortlessly. I most enjoyed how well-thought out all characters were. It had so much personality. Sage was quick, sweet and hilarious. Fisher was broody, thoughtful and so swoony. The banter!

"Savor It" felt so genuine because it realistically portrays the cause and effect of grief and loss for both main characters. It made beautiful sense how they come together, drift apart, and find their way back to each other again.

If you want to read a small-town, grumpyxsunshine, laugh-out loud book that may make you cry a little, you'll really enjoy this!

Loved, loved, loved the narrations by Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber as they brought Sage, Indy and Fischer alive. Great emotional depth, seriousness when needed but also light during the down times. I thought Karissa nailed it when Sage started blurting embarrassing things about herself, I was rolling.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the gifted ALC!

I have never read a book that has perfectly embodied my brain before - and then I met Sage and Fisher. Savor It is a remarkable story - with an overarching love tale between two unsuspecting main characters tying in all the subplots of a teenager in grief, finding self worth, and the struggles of work burnout. This story is so beautifully woven together I want to wipe it from my brain and reread it again for the first time just so I can….savor it.

Tarah sets the bar high with Fisher - who’s caring for his niece after his sisters sudden death, struggling with his own depressions and work stress, and trying to just make the best of it. He’s dynamic and deep, with an incredibly dirty mouth and a hilarious wit that made me love him instantly.

Sage is a wholesome and wonderful human - from her pure heart and rag tag band of misfit animals, to her deep understanding of love in all forms. She’s someone who I inspire to be.

The audiobook also balances two amazing narrators who bring this story fresh off the page. I loved both of their voices, they nail the line delivery and inflections at different points of the plot, and are easy to listen to on higher speeds.

Overall this book is incredible and readers should be required to read it.

I'm all melty inside after reading this book! What a great romance! I really enjoyed the small town and Sage was just a great character. The audiobook was so great too, with having a narrator for Sage and Fisher; loved it!!

*Thank you partner @stmartinspress and @macmillanaudio for the #gifted e-galley and audiobook in exchange for an honest review.*

This book just made me ugly cry 😭😭

Thoughts💡
This story feels real, raw, and authentic. It’s filled with beautiful quotes and pulse pounding spice. There’s this goose and this teen that are funny and annoying but shouldn’t have the ability to make the profound emotional impact that they did! Gah! I just loved all of it.
The town the story was set in had a quaint Stars Hallow feel, but the author also pointed out some of the negatives that happen when you live in a narrow minded small town. And through it all she dropped pun after pun that made me laugh then had the audacity to make me cry! Several times!
When you add in Karissa Vacker’s impressive storytelling abilities with Zachary Webber’s deep timber 🤤 It’s all whole ass experience. I may have chosen this book because of my girl crush on Ms. Vacker, but she is in good company on this project. So just do yourself a favor and go get a copy of this. You can thank me later.

Stats 📊
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️🌟 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Characters 💙💙💙💙💙
Audio & Narrators 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧
Romance: Small Town, Single Dad (Uncle), Summer Fling, Small Town Competition, Hurt & Comfort, Neighbors 📕
First Person, Present Tense, Dual POV

This made me giddy and giggly in all the best ways. Tara's romances are the sunshine and perfection--a perfect read any time of the year.

- forced proximity
- one a time limit
- small town
- single guardian
- steamy times in a library

Audio review: Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber did an absolutely phenomenal job bringing the characters to life and I couldn't pick a more perfect pair to narrate this book.

Thank you, Macmillan Audio

This book was a sweet listen! It had all the basic small town tropes - looove. I was glad that although there was the dealing with death of a loved one the romcom element reigned supreme.

I think I liked this book because the characters felt real and weren’t cookie cutter personalities with one thing being their whole personality. The MMc goes to therapy and knows he has a lot of work to do on himself, he’s honest about that but also doesn’t use it negatively. The FMC is caring and helpful but isn’t naive. I just really appreciated the depth in the characters even if the story wasn’t action packed or set in the most exciting place.

Thank you to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for giving me an ALC of this title.

"Spunes, Oregon (Not to be confused with Forks, Washington.)"

I loved this book with my whole heart. From the small ocean town vibes, the Twilight references sprinkled in, the mismatched farm pets (I'm looking at you Gary), to the fake dating turned real dating trope. I loved that each character was going through their own internal struggle, whether that was the loss of a loved one or learning to be okay with ones self and ones place in life.

We all need someone like Fisher in our lives that feels for us the way he feels for Sage.

"It's misery. It's agony. It's bliss. Why is it that someone hugging you and holding you together can make you feel like you're about to shatter?"

One of the parts that resonated with me was Fisher's talk with Indy about not feeling stuck even if you end up in the same town that you were born in.

"To live by your own standards and no one else's. To be happy by your own measure. You want your own flock of geese and a garden in Spunes? You want to make the same people you've known your entire life a little happier just by being in it? By doing the small things? So what if you happen to meet the love of your life in some tiny town, and so what if you get stuck there? It's a life that's filled with joy, by your standards? I can't imagine a bigger, more fulfilling felling."

I believe we find the books we need to read when we need them most, and I needed this one right now, if only for the Sage advice. This author will definitely be a repeat author for me.

"Whenever you think too little of the world, try to remember that somewhere, something or someone is always waiting to be known."

This is the perfect summer read! Sage and Fisher’s romance was so swoony without any needless drama or miscommunications and I loved it so much! The spice level and character development were perfect and I found myself crying at the end (in the best way)! I loved everything about this book and the audiobook narration was absolutely perfect!

By far one of the best and sweetest audiobooks of the year I was lucky enough to read an advanced copy from the author last year. Listening to it was a true delight. So easy to listen to, such a great story. Just 5 stars all around.

This is a fun romcom that manages to touch on some heavy topics. The overall vibe made me think of Sweet Magnolias, but set in the Pacific Northwest and with some spice thrown in. I liked Sage and Fisher. Sage’s animals are great. I tried to choose a favorite, but I just couldn’t. Fisher’s struggles to connect with his niece were a little heartbreaking but felt very true to life.

The audiobook is narrated by Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber. I enjoyed the way they brought Sage and Fisher’s story to life.

Thank you MacMillan for the audio review copy of Savor it. I liked this book but it was a slow start for me, the narration was strong and honored the complexity of the backstory for the male main character (who was struggling with grief and complex transitions in a few ways) and for me the farm/animal setting did not land (but it seems to be a big win for many others). Once the plot moved into a kind of small town fake dating but more them I was all in, it's sweet but also sexy story, a plot that finds its own pace and I do appreciate the focus of a male character learning to parent a teenage niece, coping with loss, and offering emotional vulnerability.