If there is something sexier than a Tarah Dewitt novel, it is THIS Tarah Dewitt novel in audio. Damn.

This book started out so cute but sadly I couldn’t finish it. It just wasn’t for me. I hate to leave a negative review but have to be honest. Thank you NetGalley, the publisher and the author for allowing me early access in exchange for a review.

Sage Byrd has lived her whole life in the quaint coastal town of Spunes, Oregon. She loves her peaceful existence on a hobby farm with her misfit animals, but things take a turn when her long-term relationship ends, and her ex-boyfriend, Ian, swiftly gets engaged. Looking for a way to prove she’s moved on, Sage sets her sights on the town’s annual summer competition, the Festival of Spunes—but she needs a partner.

Fisher Lange, a former Michelin-star chef from New York City, is in Spunes on a summer sabbatical, recovering from the loss of his sister and grappling with the sudden responsibility of raising his teenage niece, Indy. His grief has dulled his passion for cooking, and the town’s resistance to his restaurant consulting isn’t helping. When Fisher meets Sage, the two strike a deal: she’ll help improve his reputation in town, and he’ll be her competition partner. But as their partnership develops into a romantic relationship, both must confront their personal grief and learn to savor the fleeting beauty of summer—and love.

Tropes
- Small-Town Romance
- Fake Relationship/Deal
- Emotional Healing
- Slow Burn with Steamy Moments

It is a delightful blend of spicy romance and heartfelt emotion, perfect for fans of small-town love stories. DeWitt's writing shines in her portrayal of two flawed yet lovable characters: Sage, who needs to prove to herself and her town that she’s fine after her breakup, and Fisher, who’s trying to rekindle his passion for life and cooking after personal tragedy.

The chemistry between Sage and Fisher is palpable, starting with playful banter and escalating into a slow-burn romance filled with heat. The summer festival competition acts as both a plot driver and a fun backdrop for their blossoming relationship. The small-town setting is brimming with charm, and the cast of eccentric townspeople adds a layer of humor and warmth to the story.

Fisher’s grief and responsibility for his niece, Indy, give the novel emotional weight, as does Sage’s struggle with self-worth after her breakup. The combination of witty dialogue, slow-burn romance, and personal growth make this a well-rounded read. Narrators Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber expertly capture the voices of Sage and Fisher, bringing authenticity and emotional resonance to the audiobook.

It is an irresistible romcom that hits all the right notes—humor, heat, and heart. With a charming small-town setting, relatable characters, and a romance that feels genuine, it’s a perfect summer read for anyone who enjoys stories about emotional healing and second chances. Tarah DeWitt’s delightful writing and engaging characters make this novel one to savor.

*Savor It* by Tarah DeWitt was an absolute joy from start to finish. The charming coastal town of Spunes, Oregon, immediately drew me in with its quirky characters and small-town charm. Sage Byrd's journey of reclaiming her confidence after a rough breakup felt genuine, and I couldn't help but root for her from the get-go. How she navigates the complexities of friendship, community expectations, and her desires makes her incredibly relatable.

With his brooding demeanour and wounded heart, Fisher Lange was the perfect counterbalance to Sage's fiery spirit. Their partnership, forged out of necessity but blossoming into something more, was a captivating journey. I was engrossed in watching their relationship evolve, filled with steamy moments and deep conversations that tugged at the heartstrings.

The Festival of Spunes was not just a backdrop, but a vibrant setting that added a layer of excitement and urgency to Sage and Fisher's story. DeWitt's writing beautifully captured the essence of summer—fleeting, intense, and full of possibilities. The chemistry between Sage and Fisher was electric, and their journey from strategic partners to something deeper was both believable and satisfying.

A special shout-out to Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber, who brought this story to life with their exceptional narration. Their voices perfectly embodied the characters, adding depth and emotion to a compelling story.

This book is filled with heart, humour, and heat, making it an unforgettable read that left me with a smile on my face long after I finished.

Savor It by Tarah DeWitt is an absolute gem—a beautiful, hilarious, and quirky contemporary romance with just the right touch of spice. But beneath its charming surface lies a deeply moving story of love and loss, burnouts, and the journey to self-discovery and recovery. This is the first book I’ve read by DeWitt, and it has to be one of the best contemporary romances I’ve encountered in a while.
DeWitt’s writing is utterly charming; the warmth radiates from the pages, enveloping you in delightful and heartfelt moments that kept me thoroughly engaged. By the end, I found myself falling in love with the town right alongside the characters.
What really stood out to me was the maturity of Sage and Fisher, particularly in how DeWitt wrote these 30-something-year-olds. Their communication is refreshingly perfect. They take accountability when they’re distant or offhand, and they strive to communicate their feelings, even when it’s awkward or difficult. It’s a beautiful portrayal of how communication is key in any relationship.
On the surface, this is a hilarious, quirky small-town romance about a hot chef and a sunshine-y girl entering into a mutually beneficial summer arrangement. But underneath, it’s so much more. It’s about finding your home in the people you love rather than a place, rediscovering yourself after years of feeling lost, and being completely satisfied and confident with who you are and where you’re headed. It’s about savoring the good things in life, even if you can’t keep them forever.
From Sage and Fisher's delightful banter to the dual POV, the humor, Sage's brothers, Fisher's charm, and the small-town atmosphere reminiscent of Stars Hollow, every element is finely crafted. The ending is a beautiful conclusion that stays true to the characters and their journey. What a treat this book has been—a true feast for the eyes and food for the soul.

Tarah DeWitt books never fail to feel like a warm and cozy embrace. The charm, the wit, the effortless chemistry and the uniquely endearing characters, all work seamlessly to create a story that is both fun and flirty while also packing a wallop of emotions. Savor It is a tender and sweet but powerfully meaningful love story. It’s wonderfully adorable and swoony, and I fell madly in love with this world, these characters, and this town.

Savor It finds the deliciously grumpy and complicated Fisher Lange, big city, recently disgraced Michelin-star chef relocating to the endlessly idyllic Spunes, Washington…and next door the small town charmer Sage Byrd, the very manifestation of sunshine and warmth and welcoming spirit. She’s the antithesis of Fisher’s energy- as he struggles to not only pick up the pieces of his recent professional disaster but also is struggling to parent his teenage niece, grieving both personal and professional losses. But turns out his neighbor (and her endless parade of animal friends) is more than just a nuisance- she seems to hold not just the key to helping him connect with his niece but also can help him with his short-term project in town, a project that requires earning the town’s trust. Who better than town enthusiast and the beloved Pollyanna-esque Sage to help him? And Fisher might also be the man to help Sage win the much coveted title of victor in the festival competition.

Sage and Fisher both represent what I love most about Tarah’s writing- her deft capacity to create uniquely specific characters that are so dynamic and layered, flawed but beautiful, each at a true existential turning point. A turning point catalyzed by the dynamic they find in the other. Tarah truly is a gifted character writer- the details, the quirks, the dynamic emotions- I found myself so immersed in both Sage and Fisher. Sage is brightness and love- immediately lovable, deeply likable, and so charismatic she feels like magic. Her animal collection, her small town spirit, her compassion and optimism make her truly sparkle- I’m half in love with her myself. Fisher, on the other hand, has a melancholic heaviness to him at first. But Fisher is deeply struggling- not just with his professional path, but also in coming to terms with his own identity and ambitions. He's a man at a crossroads of versions of himself, all while trying to build stability for his niece. He's dreamy and swoony once he opens his heart, and I could not help but fall for him as we saw the depth of his emotions. There is a profound sadness and lostness to Fisher- his is a journey of healing and acceptance, the balm for which he finds with the person and in the place he least expects it.

I loved watching these two fall- how they built empathy as friends, leaned into everything that makes the town magic, and not only found love with each other but also found better and more true versions of themselves. Their love story is fun and flirty- vibrant and page turning. But it’s also substantive, tender and gentle at times and life changing in others- there's a love story that is more than just romance, it’s about self-discovery and forgiveness. And that’s where this story really shines- Tarah’s keen ability to balance a light, bright, and heartwarming summer romance with character arcs that are hard fought, full of loss and insecurities and challenge. It's wonderfully balanced in tone and impact- the feelings hit, but it doesn’t drown you in them. It’s the perfect saturation of depth and fun.

I loved all the juxtapositions of Savor It. The big city noise and the small town charisma. The grumpy sunshine contrasts. The warmth and brightness of life paired with the cold fissures of grief. Savor It is as much about the jagged and soft edges of living as it is about the romance we find in the journey. Fisher in particular struck a deep chord with me- he wasn’t instantly likable like Sage, but I felt his buried pain and stoic coping deep in my soul. I loved seeing this man come to terms with his heartache, his doubts, and finding the right path for himself. And I loved how Sage brought that to life in him- how they both became the safe space for the other to land, even if they started off riotously at odds.

This quickly became my favorite Tarah DeWitt story to date- and the audio is so fantastic. The narrators brought such depth to their performances and captures the wit and charm of Tarah’s prose with authenticity and character. Zachary Webber is a favorite, and his stoic but vulnerable depiction of Fisher is pitch perfect, but Karrisa Vacker’s depiction of Sage really stood out. Sage’s energy was beautifully captured, and I couldn’t stop listening to this story.

I adored this story- it’s why Tarah DeWitt is my go-to for feel-good, cozy romance that packs a ton of depth into the most charming and heartfelt story.

If you like:
-City Boy x Small Town Lady
-Summer Vibes
-Small town shenanigans/antics
-Opposites attract
-single guardian
-forced proximity/neighbors
-scene stealing animals
-frenemies to friends with benefits
-making the ex jealous
-he’s a chef

This was such a sweet small town/big city mashup read. I loved the characters, and the charm. I loved that the male main character was a chef, and the family dynamic he had with his niece. I definitely will be checking out more by DeWitt. Loved the narrator's as well!

Rounded up from 3.5
Sage loves her small town and the tight knit community. She is now looking to prove herself during the Festival of Spines. Fisher is in town for the summer with his niece, Indy, who he is now parenting. They form a partnership for the competition.
This is a single parent, small town romance. It wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst either. I'm not a fan of moody teenage girls, so Indy was kind of annoying. And we get it, Sage is quirky. I felt like the author was trying too hard to convince us that she was "different from all the other women". I also thought there was a lot of filler and not enough interactions between the two MCs. I mostly didn't vibe with the writing, but the narrators did a great job and the story was fun.
I received an advance review copy of this book for free and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I really liked this and I’m excited to see where this series goes.

I’m super excited about Wren and Ellis’ story!

Special thanks to @macmillian.audio #MacAudio2024 for my advanced listening copy‼️

This book was so cute and romantic and the title fit perfectly because I wanted to savor every moment of it. I’ve really fallen in love with small town romances this year. It’s just something about the way authors have characters fall so deeply in love within a matter of days feel so authentic.

Sage and Fisher started off a little rocky but once they connect their chemistry and banter was unmatched. All of the characters were loveable in this one. I really adored the relationship Fisher had with his niece Indy.

Highlight moments for me:

🩷Fisher being Indy’s legal guardian after losing his sister.
💜Fisher calling the police the first night in town was funny.
🩷Sage, Fisher, and Indy all experiencing some form of loss or trauma and creating a close knit bond because of it.
💜The way Fisher swooped in to show up Sage’s ex when he tried to downplay her in public.
🩷Sage and Fisher agreeing to a summer fling knowing it would be hard to walk away in the end. I knew after they had sex it was gonna get serious.
💜Fisher and his niece returning home and breaking down after reading the journal Sage gave them. The crying was so intense and sweet like yaaaaas go get your woman Fisher‼️

Overall, I loved this and highly recommend.

Tarah Fucking Dewitt. Absolutely LOVED this one and it just might be my favorite. Amazing character development. Incredible story telling. Just perfect book all around. The audio of this book was stunning.

I switched back and forth between audio and ebook and I absolutely loved the audio! It was so fun and I laughed out loud many times but it was also so emotional. I adore Sage & Fisher.

Savor It is a heartwarming story that delivers all the cozy, small-town vibes you could hope for without feeling contrived. Set in a charming and authentic rural setting, the book pulls you in with its inviting atmosphere and keeps you hooked with strong character dynamics.

The grumpy/sunshine relationship between the main characters is a particular highlight, adding a delightful tension to the story as their contrasting personalities clash and complement each other in equal measure. Watching their relationship develop is a real treat, and DeWitt skillfully avoids the clichés that often plague romance novels, keeping the writing fresh and far from cheesy.

The chemistry between the characters feels genuine, making it easy to invest in their journey. DeWitt strikes a perfect balance between heartwarming moments and witty banter, creating a romance that is both fun and emotionally satisfying.

I loved that this was dual narration. I thought both narrators did a great job bringing their characters to life. I do wish the narrator doing Fisher's voice could have represented the male dialogue in Sage's chapters, and vice versa. Sometimes the change in the narrator's voice took me out of the story.

Thank you Macmillan Audio for the copy through NetGalley in exchange for a review.

Fisher and his teenage niece, Indy move to Spoons, Oregon after he loses his big time Chef job in NYC. Thankful for his boss still having faith in him, Fisher agrees to head to this small town to oversee a new restaurant build for her. After an extensive and exhaustingly long road trip, Fisher and Indy arrive at their summer rental. They pass out only to be awoken by someone or something intruding on their home! The town's fire and police department show up as well as their neighbor, Sage. Sage runs the farm of rescue animals next door - she's fun and quirky and loves her small town. After a couple more run-ins with each other, Sage and Fisher come to an agreement about their "relationship" for the summer. Fisher will help get the town off Sage's back about her love life, and Sage will offer her "sage" advice on how to fit in and help move the restaurant project along. Little do they know that their fast friendship is about to end up as so much more...

Savor It was my first title by Tara DeWitt and I have to say I'm pretty impressed! I'm looking forward to getting into her backlog of books!

I will say that I felt like it took this book a little bit to pick up, but once you got into it, you were into it. I loved Sage so much and Fisher was so grumpy and sweet. He's a wonderful addition to my ever growing list of book boyfriends! The banter in this was great too! I also loved that the author made you really care about the side characters too... I mean, it takes a lot to make me worry about a Goose's wellbeing.

The audio of this was great too! I loved the dual narration! I could really see this turning into a series since Sage has a couple brothers...

Thank you to NetGalley, Tarah DeWitt and MacMillian Audio for this ALC in exchange for my honest review.

"Savor It" is a very good "grumpy meets sunshine" romance set in a small town out in the middle of nowhere. It features hometown-girl Sage Byrd and her grumpy new neighbor (and chef in hiding) Fisher Lange, who is raising his orphaned niece while coming to terms with some major upheaval in his life.

For Fisher and his niece, Spunes, Oregon, is just a temporary stop on the way back to NYC. It's the penance that Fisher has to do to get back into the good graces of his boss and culinary society. It's also the opportunity for him to see if he can reclaim the passion he's lost for cooking.

For Sage, Spunes is home and there's no place that's better. Sure, her social life is a bit stale. But she loves her town and all of its quirky residents. And she's got her hands full with all the rescued animals she has adopted.

So, when Sage and Fisher meet, it seems they don't have anything in common. But one things leads to another, and in finding their way to each other, they each find their way back to themselves as well.

I enjoyed every minute of this story and look forward to reading more books from this author in the future!

Thank you to Tarah DeWitt, Macmillan Audio, and NetGalley for an advance review copy.

Incredible audiobook! This was a reread for me, and the audiobook experience made it even better.

Great narrators that brought Sage & Fisher to life!

This is a perfect beach read! It is a fun small town romance set in the Pacific Northwest that involves fake dating and a little grumpy sunshine. I really enjoyed the story, especially the fact that these were two grown adults who had baggage but who had learned to live with grief. It made it seem more realistic than some romance novels. I really enjoyed the dual point of view in this story. I think both narrators really brought the characters of Sage and Fisher alive. The steamy scenes were definitely steamy too. This was a fun listen and I look forward to reading more by this author.

Thanks to NetGalley and Macmillan Audio for an advanced audio copy of this book. All opinions within this review are my own.

4.25 ⭐

"Savor It" by Tarah DeWitt is a delightful and heartwarming read that captures the essence of love in the most charming way. DeWitt's writing is engaging and relatable, making it easy to connect with the characters as they navigate their personal challenges. The playful banter and chemistry between Fischer & Sage add a fun dynamic that keeps you rooting for their relationship to blossom.

What really stands out in "Savor It" is how it emphasizes the importance of savoring life's moments, both big and small. Overall, Tarah DeWitt serves up a sweet and savory story that’s perfect for anyone looking for a cozy, healthy relationship with a dash of swoony romance.

Thank you so much to @macmillan.audio @stmartinspress @netgalley for the ALC/ARC! #MacAudio2024

💜 𝙈𝙮 𝙏𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨 💜
This is such a sweet summery read that will really urge you to enjoy life and be in the moment! It features Sage, local small town teacher in Spunes, Oregon and Fisher, visiting out of town chef who needs a reset on life. Along with Fisher, is his niece Indy, who he is now parenting.

Sage and Fisher are neighbors for the summer, and when it seems Fisher and his business are not exactly welcomed to small town life, Sage volunteers to help him win over the townspeople and he wants to help her in return. The two start forming an easy bond, and the chemistry is sizzling and something they can’t resist.

I love the challenges that Fisher faces in this book and how much he seems to learn from Sage on making the most of the moment and of each day. Fisher seems to not know what makes him happy anymore, and Sage knows how to guide him naturally.

I also love how Fisher makes Sage loosen up a bit, and savor the moments they have together. Sage is not a fling type of a person, but both of them can’t resist one another and are drawn to living in the moment.

The small town atmosphere and warmth seems really present in this story as well. It literally made me feel like I wanted to adopt a herd of unwanted animals and go lay down in a field of flowers. It paints a simplistic life view, that not everything that makes us happy has to be super wild and adventurous, but can be lived daily and with the small things.

I highly recommend this sweet love story!

🎧 𝙉𝙖𝙧𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 🎧
Karissa Vacker and Zachary Webber were great narrators for Sage and Fisher. I have listened to both before and am always excited to start and audio with narrators I really enjoy! Vacker brings a cheery vulnerability to the role of Sage; you can feel it in her voice when she narrates. Webber sounds like I’d imagine Fisher to be; he is a little tightly wound and in his head, and that comes through in Webber’s narration. I highly recommend this audiobook!!

💜 𝙔𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙞𝙡𝙡 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙞𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚:
🩷 Small Town Romance
💜 Professional Chef/Teacher
🩷 Single Dad
💜 Summer Fling
🩷 Grumpy Sunshine
💜 Nosy Neighbors

This book gave me all of the warm fuzzy feelings you would expect from a small town romance!! The banter between the characters was something I lived for with every page turn!! Think quirky, small town farm girl meets slightly uptight, small town hating, overwhelmed guy! The book was packed with romance, tension, witty, banter, love and so much more!! Absolutely loved it!