“Courage is a muscle. You strengthen it with use.”

I don’t think I’ve ever come across such a perfect book, at precisely the right time it needed to be read… as much as Savor It.

As someone that was born and raised in the PNW, this story captures the Oregon coast beautifully. From the charming & quirky characters, delicious ingredients, passion, and natural beauty, I fell in love with my back yard all over again. Although Spunes, is a fictional town, it felt incredibly real. And I couldn’t help but imagine it as Pacific City or Cannon Beach.

The combination of stunning scenery, wonderfully ridiculous humor, and the realistic anxiety representation, and career burnout, really resonated with me. But throughout the story, the reminder to savor all of the little things, has become my new favorite motto.

“You decide that everything matters. All of it, all that little shit. Everything in the present and how it makes you feel in those tiny moments, because you can’t possibly know when it’ll all go away.”

Sage Byrd has to be one of my favorite female characters of all time. Although I haven’t experienced the loss and most of the challenges she’s faced, she feels like a kindred soul, and I connected on a deep level to her character. She’s probably a little too helpful, loves gardening, rescuing all kinds of sweet creatures, and cares maybe a little too much about everyone she meets…

“I’ve known plenty of people who wear their hearts on their sleeves, but a handful of interactions is all it’s taken for me to determine that this woman carries hers in her fist, ready to hand it off at any given time.”

And don’t even get me started on Fisher Lange, the newest chef in town…Honestly is there anything sexier than a man that cooks incredibly well and enjoys feeding you?!?! Their banter kept me up until 3am the first day I started this book. I just couldn’t stop thinking about the sizzling chemistry between Sage & Fisher.

“Fuck, he’s perfect. No, it’s worse because he’s imperfect and honest about it and he’s deserving of so much love.”

“Yes, Chef.”

Maybe it’s the effortless dynamic between these characters, maybe it’s all of the sweet animals, or maybe it’s that this story is set in one of my favorite places in the world… if I’m being honest, I think it’s just Tarah Dewitt’s incredible talent with words. This is simply one of the best romcoms I’ve ever read. She’s now an auto buy author for me, and I fully intend to read her entire back list. If you’ve already read Funny Feelings, watch for an easter egg in the first library scene!!!

“But you know what the bravest thing of all is? The most extraordinary thing? To live by your own standards and no one else’s. To be happy by your own measure.”

Considering I’ve already read this twice before it’s even been released, (can confirm the audiobook is DELICIOUS as well), and that I think about these characters daily… Please do yourself a favor, read this beautiful book, and remember to Savor It.

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

Thank you to Tarah Dewitt, and the publisher St Martin’s Press, for the opportunity to read this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

If you’re a fan of rom-coms, there’s so much to love about Savor It. The book features many beloved tropes: grumpy sunshine, dual POV, single dad adjacent, career stagnation, small-town romance, and limited time together. While it’s not entirely fake dating, Fisher does help Sage make her ex jealous.

I loved the food theme and the savory cuisine descriptions. However, I wanted more details about the dishes and the menu Fisher was creating.

Just a heads up: this book is SPICY! 🌶️ 🥵 While I don't mind some spice if it flows with the plot, there was so much that it started to detract from the storyline. If there had been a few fewer spicy chapters, I likely would have rated it 5 stars.

Thank you @macmillanaudio for the ALC. I loved the audio narration!

Published Date: May 21, 2024
Published by Griffin & Macmillian Audio
Pages 336 pages / Audio 9 hours
3.5 stars

I received this ARC via NetGalley & Macmillian Audio in exchange for my honest review.
This was my first book by author Tarah DeWitt., and it started off with a bang. The main characters Sage and Fisher were so fun and lovable. The fact that this book takes place in a small town where everyone is either related or grew up there. I wanted this book to give me all the feels of a romance novel; however it did not.. It kept me engaged the first couple of hours, but then it started to drag, and it became mundane in the middle. It does pick back up around 50%. DeWitt definitely does not skimp on the smut (lol), Both MC’s are dealing with grief and healing, and they are there when the other person is in need. I still enjoyed the book and this will not be my last book by this author.

Savor It by Tarah DeWitt
Contemporary romance, romantic comedy. Fake relationship.
Sage Byrd has lived in Spunes, Oregon her entire life. She knows everyone and loves that, but it also means that everyone knows about her breakup with a long time boyfriend and the fact that he’s already engaged to someone else. Sage needs a way to distract everyone from feeling sorry for her.
Fisher Lange is burned out after the emotional toll of losing his sister. He’s lost his enthusiasm for cooking with results in the loss of a Michelin Star. His friend and boss sends Fisher to Spunes to consult on a new restaurant. But small town is not necessarily ready for New York dining experiences and Fisher finds himself turning to Sage for help. Together, they will face the annual summer competition, pretending to be dating, while Sage teaches him about small town preferences. That their relationship becomes steamy is fine with both of them. It’s temporary and they went into it with eyes wide open.

🎧 I alternated between an ebook and audiobook. The narration is done by Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber in alternating chapters based on POV by either Sage or Fisher. They both have distinct voices for Sage and Fisher and the performances are delightful and occasionally steamy. I love dual narration. It absolutely helps with alternating POV but more, it adds to the romance and knowing how each of the main characters feel. Yes, the ebook has chapter titles so you know whose POV it is, but since both are in first person, it can be easy to forget until content places you back in the right person’s head. Plus, these two do such a great job on the opposite sex that it almost feels like both of them in many of the conversations.

Fake relationships that turn to mutual attraction that can’t be ignored is such a fun troupe. Surprise passion is hot! Their missteps aren’t surprising, but we get a bit of humor from the small town inhabitants and Sage’s menagerie of animals. And of course, an hea that will make you sigh in contentment.
Endearing and charming.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley and publisher

his book is so incredibly beautiful! Sage and Fischer are both people who have experienced a lot of loss. It means that they appreciate how precious each second with each other is. I loved watching them find joy in being together even when they knew it was only for a short time.

Sage is the person I wish I was. She is so kind and giving even when life has been hard on her. She appreciates life and her town even in the moments that she doesn't feel appreciated in return. Even reading about her, I could perfectly picture her. I hope next time something bad happens I can take a deep breath and think what would Sage do?

If I haven't already convinced you to read this book there is a grumpy cat, an affectionate goose, and more furry friends that will steal your heart. There are also homegrown flowers, a man who cooks and a roomba that starts trouble. This was my first Tarah Dewitt book but I will be running to read the others as soon as I emotionally recover from this one!

🌶️🌶️ - There are some open door scenes here but a lot of them are somewhat poetic and not too detailed. However, there is enough detail that this is an adult book.

🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 - Another thing that was really special about this book is how amazing the audio is! Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber are both fantastic! You may know him from Just for the Summer and her from When in Rome. I definitely recommend the audio!

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the ALC.

Savor It
By Tarah DeWitt

Narrated by Karissa Vacker & Zachary Webber

Story Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️✨ (0-5)
Narration: 🎧🎧🎧🎧🎧 (0-5)
Overall: 4.75/5

What I’m Starry-Eyed Over:
🤩 The meet sweet/cute!! Oh my gosh! I’m smitten, in love, and so very gone for Fisher and Sage.
🤩 This beautiful book reminds me that Fake dating trope is my all-time favorite. Especially when it involves a let’s make a deal.
🤩 I’m a sucker for gorgeous descriptions where I feel like I’m there, right in the story.
🤩 These two sweetie MCs are fun and good, and I love their friendship with a hint of more plus loads of desire and tension.
🤩 The narrators do them (the MCs) oh so well! Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber are fabulous entertainers, and I couldn’t stop listening.
🤩 Let’s kiss to make them jealous! Yes, please!!
🤩 So punny & laugh-out-loud funny!
🤩 Lessons for the canoeing competition.
🤩 “I might love the library.” Yep, the library.
🤩 Beautiful trauma therapy representation.

What I’m Wishing/Dizzy About:
💫 Did she/he say that or just think that? I don’t have the ebook for this one, so I wondered this a few times.
💫 I like a little steam after the time apart. I’m greedy and prefer to end knowing they’ve still got it in all the ways!!

tarah’s writing feels like coming home and visiting with friends that have been in your life forever. savor it, a small town romance, was simply perfect form start to finish and will be without a doubt one of my favorite reads of 2024.

what i love about tarah’s writing is that it feels so genuine and so authentic. i’ve never connected to writing the way i do hers. she knows how to make you laugh and make you feel very big things and just makes you feral for her characters. in savor it she took all these big feelings around grief and love and just gut punch you in the best way. tarah has a way of making you feel seen and connected with the characters. i thought i was a sage going into this but i am most definitely a fisher.

a few little things: i love that the town of spunes was not perfect nor quaint. it was rough of around the edges and shady - i LOVED it. the connections to tarah’s other books made me so happy is testament to how amazing her whole universe is. and lastly the spice in this…we love a man who pleads.

I went into this one completely blind and it blew beyond my expectations. This was exactly looking for. It had me laughing out loud, just enough angst to keep it interesting (but not too heavy) and just enough spice to keep it steamy!

Fisher and his niece are spending the summer in Spunes, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington) to get his boss' new restaurant up and running, and to give them both a break from their current life struggles. When Sage storms into their rental, cow robe and all, it's not long before Fisher is finding any excuse to see the quirky local, who breathes fresh life into him and his niece. What's the worst that can happen in letting himself get caught up in the bright light that is Sage?

I truly enjoyed this one. The sense of humour was right up my alley, Fisher inner monologues had me cackling. Sage was such a delight, she was quirky and sweet, and you just never knew what was going to happen next with her. And the animals...stop! Their chemistry was delightful and I just fell for these two. It was definitely more character driven, and some of the plot points felt either a little rushed or forgotten, but overall still really enjoyed this one.

The audio for this one was fantastic, the narrators really captured the spirit of the characters and they just blended so well together. Karissa was a new listen for me, and I really enjoyed her narration, her tone was so joyful. Zachary is one of my favourite male narrators, his voice is just like butter and he does different male and female voices so well in his narration. The audio is really well done and would highly recommend!

𝗥𝗲𝗮𝗱 𝗶𝗳 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲:
💜small town
💜neighbours to lovers
💜single guardian
💜fake dating
💜rom com

𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐬: Karissa Vacker & Zachary Webber
𝐍𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐭𝐲𝐩𝐞: Dual

Thank you NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for the advance copy to listen to and review.

**Thank you to Macmillan for sending me an ARC in exchange for an honest review**

Savor It is the perfect small town, grumpy/sunshine romance! This book follows Phisher, a Michelin star chef from NYC, and Sage, a local high school teacher from Spunes, OR. Phisher and his niece Indie (whom he has custody of) move to Spunes for the summer when he is offered the opportunity to win back his job by helping consult on a new restaurant opening there. Sage is a kind, sort of eccentric woman who lives in her mother's farmhouse home after she died. There, she has a little farm with a gaggle of rescue animals and a flower garden. Initially Phisher hates small towns, but Sage is determined to change his mind. They become friends and she ends up helping him with his relationship with Indie. Sage is recently out of a relationship with her fiance Ian, and he is already engaged to another woman. Phisher and Sage develop a plan - in exchange for her helping him develop locally appropriate recipes, Phisher will be her partner for the big end of summer competition and they will pretend to be dating in order to help him get an "in" with the local community. Of course, they end up developing feelings for each other, but it was honestly refreshing how up front they were about it - there wasn't the usual long drawn out miscommunication trope. The love these two develop for each other is so beautiful and they really relate to each other on a deep level because they have both lost important people in their family.

This book will make you laugh, cry, and SMILE throughout the whole book! It is refreshing, beautiful, and honest. There are SO many beautiful quotes in this book - the writing is phenomenal!

Here is my favorite:
"Whenever you think too little of the world, try to remember somewhere, somethings, or someone is out there waiting to be known."

Overall, 5 stars for me!

Small-town romance fans, this one is for you! Superstar chef, Fisher, is in the small town of Spunes for the summer as he attempts to rebuild his image and help his teenage niece recover after the loss of her parents. He meets the delightfully quirky, Sage, in one of the best meet-cutes I have read. This is pure grumpy sunshine with chemistry flying off the page. I loved Fisher's grumpy, don't talk to me attitude as it butts up against Sage's nothing can ruin my day perspective. The setting is divine with cats and goats and wild berries. I devoured the descriptions of food and meals that Fisher described. I loved that these two couldn't help falling in love despite Fisher's being short-term and Sage's just coming off of a long-term relationship. The banter makes the pages turn quickly. This is a dual POV (which I love) that is performed flawlessly by Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber. These two bring you straight to Oregon, making the whole story come to life. I inhaled the audio version! I highly recommend this book for fans of BK Borison or Chloe Liese. I cannot wait to read more from this talented author.

i love this book i love this book i love this book!!! i read it for the first time in november and was so excited to get my hands on the audio and it truly delivered everything and more!!
karissa vacker does the most amazing job at bringing sage and this whole book to life!! this audio really locked her in on my top 3 female narrators!! and of course zachary webber will just ALWAYS deliver!!
this book hit so much harder and felt so much more special as a reread and as a listen and i truly think it’s going to become a comfort listen for me that i will turn to time and time again.
so much love for this one!!

A Delightful Blend of Flavor and Love

Narrated by Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber, Tara DeWitt's "Savor It" is a beautiful, hilarious, and quirky small-town romance that balances spicy moments with deeply moving ones. This story of love and loss, burnouts, and the journey to self-discovery and recovery is a true treat for the senses. It’s a feast for the eyes and food for the soul, and I will be savoring this book for a long time to come.
THe narration was perfection. Zachary Webber can deliver a joke like no other romance narrator. Karissa Vacker had a strength to her voice that matched Sage's character to a T. I was so enthralled with this narration I could not put it down!

If you appreciate puns, both silly and witty, you'll love this book as much as I did because it is full of them! "Savor It" is my first book by Tara DeWitt, and it has quickly become the best contemporary romance I've read in a while. DeWitt’s charming writing, much like her description of hugs—"It's agony. It's bliss"—radiates warmth and enfolds you in its delightful and heartfelt moments. The story kept me thoroughly engaged, and by the end, I fell in love with the town of Spunes!

The story's structure and pacing are well-crafted. The humor in the book had me grinning from ear to ear, especially the circumstances in which Sage and Fisher meet. The endless jokes and puns—whether it’s the town name Spunes, not to be mistaken for Forks, Washington, or the “sage advice” from Sage Byrd—added to the book's charm. I also appreciated the film and TV show references, from Gossip Girl and Bridgerton to Twilight and Lord of the Rings. Naming a three-legged cat Legoless and describing Sage crawling around like Gollum? Genius!

"Savor It" is a delightful read that will leave you feeling warm and satisfied, much like a perfect meal. Tara DeWitt has created a captivating story that blends humor, heart, and hope in a way that is sure to resonate with readers. If you're looking for a contemporary romance that will make you laugh, cry, and fall in love, this book is a must-read.

Someone liked Twilight😂
Super cute small town found family, my heart is full💗

Publisher's summary
"An absolutely delightful treat to savor! Relatable, sexy, and beautiful."—Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception
Summer won't last forever.
Sage Byrd has lived in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington) her entire life. She's learned to love her small world, with the misfit animals on her hobby farm, and her friendships with the town’s inhabitants. 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, and to put Ian in his place. 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...

Thanks to NetGalley & Macmillan Audio for this ALC

Savor It
By: Tarah DeWitt
Narrated by: Karissa Vacker, Zachary Webber
Length: 9 hrs and 5 mins
Release date: 05-21-24
Publisher: Macmillan Audio

I literally ate this up, pun intended.
I haven’t had a romance book hook so quickly like this one did, I didn’t want it to end.
The whole small town and him acknowledging that this was truly a small town was so perfect.
Him being not the typical “single dad” like most other tropes made me really intrigued as well. It made this story something new and not what I have read.
The side characters really were kept as side characters but she did a beautiful job making you care about them.
The pets, the slow burn, the niece, the finding yourself again, the knowing who you are and don’t want to change, the leaving and coming back, the geese mating for life, everything about this book was *chefs kiss*. I absolutely loved this

“it’s been a privilege to fall in love with you” 💕 
🎧 
Thank you so much to MacMillan audio! 
📖 
If you’re like me and have a TBR full of lighter, summer reads, be sure and put Savor It on the top of your list. ☺️ You’ll be treated to a perfect little summer romance that has both heart and depth. 💕 
Sage Byrd is a small-town girl living with her rescued animals, three firemen brothers, and best friend Wren. She gets a new neighbor- Fisher Langue, former Michelin star chef now fired and caring for his 15-year-old niece, Indy. Reassigned to the country to set up a new restaurant with a second chance, Fisher lacks the passion he used to have for cooking and strives to find it again.
💕
Sage’s ex, Ian gets engaged and that makes her pitied by just about everybody in town. She teams up with Fisher for a deal and they become what is thought to be a couple. Enter fake-dating trope. Summer fun with some spice! ☀️ 
💕

Super cute romance between a chef at a crossroads in his career and a sweet, small town girl who needs someone to share her world with. There were plenty of tender moments, some steamy ones, and tons of times where I laughed out loud. I loved getting to know Sage, Fisher, and Indy, following along as they found their place in the world, dealt with their grief, and fell in love. Recommended for a great beach read, rainy afternoon, or for any pleasant distraction.

This was SO CUTE!!

* small town romance
* grumpy / sunshine
* single parent (to an orphaned niece)
* great banter and chemistry
* dual POV

There is so much to enjoy in Tarah DeWitt's newest release! Grumpy Fisher (a chef from NYC who is burnt out and down on his luck) arrives in Spoons to help his boss get her new restaurant up and going, when he meets the girl next door - Sage, high school teacher who is a ball of sunshine! They are attracted immediately to each other but it takes some time before they cross the line from friends to more!

This just felt like a very realistic romance - ups, downs, and all the in-betweens - with a beautiful HEA (duh!)!

I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed it - both narrators did great!

This book was so beautifully written and had me falling in love with Sage and Fisher. This book featured a engaging journey of self discovery and taking care of one's mental health. This summer romance was sweet and spicy all wrapped together in a beautiful love story.

I listened to the audiobook and thoroughly enjoyed the performances by Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber. This book was read in dual narration and the chapters flowed nicely together.

Savor It has all of our favorite romance tropes: small town, grumpy sunshine, fake dating, single guardian, cute animals. I thought it was a fun, sweet story with good characters, and I really liked the summer vibes.

For me, I had a bit of a hard time connecting to the romance. I didn't feel the tension between the characters. It seemed like the fake dating part of the story went by really quickly, and I would have liked a little more build up in their attraction to each other.

Overall, I did enjoy the story, and the narration was great. Karissa Vacker is a favorite narrator of mine, so that was a plus. I just didn't feel very swoony over it. It has great reviews on Goodreads, though, so I think a lot of readers didn't have the same problem I did with connecting to the romance.

I do recommend adding this one to your summer TBR. It's out as of today!

𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥 𝗜𝗧 𝗯𝘆 𝗧𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗵 𝗗𝗲𝘄𝗶𝘁𝘁 is a lovely small-town romance that warms the heart and tickles the senses. Set in the picturesque coastal town of Spunes, Oregon, the novel follows Sage Byrd and Fisher Lange as they navigate unexpected love and second chances. Dewitt successfully crafts a charming tale filled with sweet and cozy vibes, drawing readers into Sage and Fisher's world of farm animals, summer festivals, and budding romance. The dynamic between the opposites-attract protagonists is irresistibly charming, and their journey from neighbors to partners is a joy to witness. With its endearing characters, heartfelt moments, and steamy romance, 𝗦𝗔𝗩𝗢𝗥 𝗜𝗧 is a feel-good read that leaves you smiling from ear to ear. Dewitt's storytelling skills shine through, making this a perfect choice for fans of small-town love stories.