Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt is a wonderfully emotional read that blends humor and longing with an exploration of second chances. The dual POVs really elevate the experience, giving readers insight into both main characters’ perspectives as they navigate the tension and rekindled chemistry between them. The slow burn of their rediscovery of each other is done beautifully, with each moment feeling earned rather than rushed, allowing their connection to rebuild in a grounded way. The way DeWitt mixes humor into the moments both characters experience makes their individual journeys feel real, with moments of levity that keep the tone from becoming too heavy while still allowing the emotional depth to shine (capsaicin, anyone?).

My one wish is that the story had delved deeper into the reasons behind their divorce and provided more of the missing years between then and the present. It would’ve been great to understand more of what led them to separate in the first place and to get more context on how they evolved individually before reconnecting. Still, Left of Forever is a beautiful exploration of love, forgiveness, and the complexity of relationships, with well-crafted characters that feel authentic and relatable. It’s definitely a book that will leave you thinking long after you’ve finished reading.

Some books don’t just tell a story—they wreck you in the best way, leaving you sitting in the aftermath of their words, completely undone. Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt is exactly that kind of book. A second-chance romance that is raw, emotional, and deeply intimate, it follows Wren and Ellis as they navigate the messy, beautiful reality of love after loss, after distance, after everything.

The road trip setting adds so much to their journey—those quiet, in-between moments that feel like the heart of a relationship. The stolen glances, the shared laughter, the weight of unspoken words—it all felt so real. Tarah DeWitt’s writing is stunning, capturing both the tenderness and ache of loving someone through the highs and lows.

As someone who is married, this book hit hard. It made me pause and reflect on love, on the struggles and the effort it takes to choose each other every day. Wren and Ellis’s love story isn’t just about finding each other again—it’s about choosing each other again, and that distinction is what makes this book so incredibly special.

And let’s talk about the HEAT. Because yes, this book brings the emotional devastation, but it also delivers on the passion. The chemistry between Wren and Ellis is intense—a slow burn that simmers until it absolutely erupts.

This is, without a doubt, one of the best second-chance romances I’ve ever read. The way DeWitt handles the heavier themes with such care, the way every moment between Wren and Ellis feels earned—it’s just perfection. If you love emotional, beautifully written love stories that will stay with you long after the final page, Left of Forever is a must-read.

This was the most beautiful second chance romance I've ever read.

Ellis and Wren were childhood friends, turned lovers, turned early parents at 17/18. They got married young and eventually divorced 5 years ago as they started growing apart. Their son is headed off to college so Ellis proposes a road trip for himself and Wren to potentially reconcile.

The beauty in the growth of these characters is so incredible. They show that they have learned from their mistakes, communicate well and actually address difficulties head on. Ellis has been working hard on himself as he never gave up hope that he and Wren may get back to one another. Wren has been journaling and the letters they write to one another are so full of emotion it was one of my favourite parts of the story.

The heartbreak, the tension, the joy and the hope that Tarah wove throughout this novel is a work of art. I teared up multiple times due to the raw emotion that she evoked and was full on sobbing during the epilogue. It was perfection.

Thank you St. Martin's Press, Tarah DeWitt and Netgalley for the advanced copy.

second chance romance will forever be one of my favorites but unfortunately this one was a miss for me. there were some moments while reading that i was really liking this and then there were moments i was cringing and wanting it to be over. i feel like the dialogue and the writing threw me off a bit at times?! like it didn't fully flow to me. it just didn't feel believable and i wasn't connected to the characters at all. i did love the journal entries and the flashback moments from when they were younger tho!

thank you netgalley & st martins press for the arc!

~Thanks to NetGalley and Tarah Dewitt for the ARC!~

Why am I IMMEDIATELY obsessed with Wren and Ellis. I mean I know I already loved them from Savor It, but even when I was barely starting the book, I already loved their story and their chemistry 😭 By the end… I had cried SO many times. The emotions are flying off the page with every word I read.

This was a book I simply couldn’t put down. Read half of it late into the night, then woke up early to read the second half. Tarah Dewitt has became an “auto-buy author” for me. I will forever be chasing the high of reading her books. I’ve been recommending Savor It to everyone I know (literally…sorry, not sorry) and I’m happy to announce I will be recommending Left of Forever as well.

This book was so freaking emotional. And I don’t even have kids. Their son, Sam, turns 18 and is going off to college and that provides an (un)fortunate opportunity for his divorced parents, Wren (FMC) and Ellis (MMC), to spend some time together as they drive him on a roadtrip to get him settled for college. And as I’m sure you can guess, they may or may not rekindle some old feelings being alone on a roadtrip to head back home from dropping him off. Mind you they have been alone together for the last 5 years since they’ve been divorced. *wink wink*

Random musings…

I love that even though Wren is feeling lonely and missing Ellis she is Still being so body positivity and secure in herself. It’s so lovely and refreshing to read. She isn’t letting insecurity get to her despite feeling like she’s missing out on what their life could have been. A lot of people would fall into the insecurity of it and feeling like they aren’t enough but I’m not getting that from her.

LOVE the mental health representation. MEN TAKE NOTES. You want to be a better person for the loved ones in your life and for YOURSELF??

👏🏻GO👏🏻TO👏🏻THERAPY👏🏻

Without giving anything away, I do wish we could learn a little more about what happened with one of the characters that’s come back to Spunes. What happened? It’s not explained just almost a throw away line about them being hurt and drinking and then later asking someone to hide his stuff so he doesn’t obsess about not being able to do something he loves. I wish there was just a little bit more about the WHY. I’m assuming it’s setting up for future books but I feel a little unsatisfied with that minor story line.

Psst - if you like playlists while you read…this one was PERFECT.

⚠️⚠️⚠️SPOILER ALERT⚠️⚠️⚠️
- some fave quotes (I will need to confirm when the final copy comes out, but please I hope these all stay in there cus I LOVE)



“My problem is that I’ve never been able to stop measuring every prospective romance I might have against what I once had with Ellis.”

“I’ll save you a seat, Byrd” 💞

Honorable mention:
“Got a case of the streptoCOCKus?”

“Been nice motorboating you!”

I truly don’t know how to adequately share how much I loved this book. Left of Forever had me feeling ALL of the feelings. I laughed out loud, I teared up, my heart broke and my heart healed. I love Wren and Ellis so much, and getting to know their story in this book - the good and the bad - was so special. Relationships are so complex; and sometimes they don’t work out for no one reason, and by no fault of one person. While this book was fiction, Wren’s and Ellis’s story and their feelings felt so real, and being able to go on this journey with them while they work through their past and try to find their way back to each other was beautiful. I will think about these characters for a very long time.

A complicatedly beautiful story about 2 people who fell in love young and lost themselves & each other along the way. I love the way this author writes characters.
I learned things about capsaicin that I didn’t know.

It’s taken longer than I expected to write this review. I needed extra time to digest the emotional roller coaster that was Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt. The realism of infertility, pregnancy loss, and the struggles faced by couples going through these journeys was near and dear to my heart. I make it a point to NOT read books with pregnancy loss and infertility because it’s very heart heavy for me but I am so glad I stuck this out. The experiences that Wren and Ellis experienced along with their unyielding love for one another, despite divorce, was enriching. The fact that Tarah can write stories with so much passion and heartache, makes readers feel all the love and emotion of each character. I have read multiple books by Tarah and each one more captivating than the last. I can’t wait to see where we go next in the town of Spunes!

Wow. Blown away by this STUNNING work of art. Second chance love stories have always had a soft spot in my heart but this one felt extra special.

These characters are so rich, watching them grow and communicate and be so HEALTHY ! Amazing! I loved the character arcs, the growth from their marriage to their reflecting on it.

I’ve loved all of Tarah’s books but this one is my new favorite. The writing is spectacular, the characters are so dynamic, and we love a roadtrip book!

The letter writing trope turned emails turned handwritten vows is just *perfection*.

A story of real love, the nitty gritty real stuff.

i have been searching for a book that will change me on a fundamental level for some time now and keep coming up short. however, after reading left of forever i think i've found it tenfold. this book is so beautifully written. their love story brought me to what can only be described as scary sobs. there is something so captivating about a second chance romance. watching two people find and choose each other not only once but twice is something i don’t quite have the words for but i know is so special. wren and ellis are simply perfect and their love for each other has altered my brain chemistry in ways that are probably unknown to me currently. watching these two overcome every hardship and find their way back to this love was breathtaking. i love the byrds!


this review is available now on goodreads and will be available on instagram @kays.reads_ by 3/6 at the latest.

This is probably my favorite Tarah book so far, i think the second chance and divorced couple plot was done well and i was rooting for them. The main characters have been divorced for a while and they have a kid together. We see them reunite and try to get that spark back on a trip. The tension and chemistry was so good and so were the steamy scenes. I think the reasons for the divorce were impactful in the overall story and it was a good read. Thanks to smp for the arc!

Ok loved this. Ellis and Wren are so lovely together. It’s obvious from the get go why they work and will work it out. The way they longed for each other was just so well done. I mean, Ellis couldn’t have yearned for her more. It was funny, it had emotional depth, it had spice. Such a lovely read. One of her best. Right up there behind Funny Feelings.

Wow! I loved this book! A heartfelt story of a couple who grew apart in their marriage and divorced. Years later, through a twist of fate and a trip to drop off their son in college, they decide to take a road trip together to see if they can rekindle their love. If you love a second chance romance with relatable and endearing characters, this is a must-read!

I fell in love with Tarah DeWitt’s voice with Savor It, but immediately scrambled to find out whether Wren and Ellis would get their happily ever after, so I’ve been waiting for this book for a bit. It was worth it. These characters our real and raw and vulnerable. Tarah writes with so much emotional honesty that the payoff is always satisfying. I devoured the book, but tried to restrain myself to take in the prose—feverishly highlighted passages that spoke to me. I cannot wait for her next book.

Wow. Just wow. That was phenomenal. I’ve been hearing incredible things but actually reading this story was magical.

I fell in love with Ellis and Wren in Savor It. I remember being so sad because Tarah only wrote standalones…. But guess what? She wrote the book! She wrote a story for, “she’s still a Byrd.” And it’s everything I could have wanted and so much more.

Expect 👉🏼 Second Chance, Small Town, Road Trip, Forced Proximity, Epic Family, Mutual Pining, Meddling Family, Healing, Spice, Anonymous letters, Journals

Wren and Ellis have loved one another their entire lives. But 5 years ago they called it quits and have been doing a delicate dance of politeness to not affect their son or family while pretending to be okay apart. As their son graduated high school, Ellis suggests a trip for just the two of them. One last chance to see if they could still be together.

This book was a beautiful journey. It was hard fought. It was love as it evolves. It was growing apart and growing up. It was being brave and being vulnerable. It was being honest. It was learning to try again and learning to trust. It was relatable. It was incredible. I had a hard time putting it down.

With literally any other book, I would have said it was too spicy. But Ellis and Wren EARNED their spice. And it was SPICY my friends. More spice than I am used to from Tarah but it fit this couple perfectly.

I read this one with my eyes (a rarity for me these days) and I cannot wait for the audio to do a reread and spend some more time with The Byrds!

Thank you SMP for this arc!

♾️🌟 I'll never be the same after this one

You know those books that you read and know they'll leave an indelible mark on you? Authors that seems to just know who you are down to your very core? Tarah DeWitt is one of those for me.

Savor It was my favorite read of 2024 and Left of Forever has now slated itself as one of my favorite books of all time. The yearninggggg. The raw, honest, and real conversations. The tension. This book was simply about two imperfect people owning up to their shit and getting it right, this time forever.

So many pieces of this book burrowed their way into my heart. I lost count of how many times I teared up. The first time happened somewhere around 3% and then I sobbed happy tears through the end. I loved this book with my entire heart and soul–I can't wait to read it again when the audiobook comes out. Please, do yourself a favor and add this to the top of your TBR.

Thank you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Without a doubt, my favorite Tarah Dewitt book to date (previously was the Co-op so I LOVED the cameo). The angst in this book! Wow. I was choked up more times than I can count while reading, especially the letters ugh! I love the dual POV because this was definitely a love story that I felt was important to see from both sides. This was one of the best second chance romances I have had the pleasure of reading. Good open door spice! Love that we had characters that are 30+ years old. They just felt so “real” to me. I may not have married my childhood sweetheart but I could relate to the love, the sadness, the regret, and the hope found on these pages. I honestly wouldn’t change a thing about this story and I hope that we see more books from the Byrd’s and Spunes.

Idk how each new Tarah Dewitt becomes my favorite, but somehow she never misses.

This one feels so personal. Like Tarah took a peek into my soul and left it on display for everyone.

So much heart with characters that feel so real. I forget I’m reading and wish I knew them in real life they feel like real people. People I want to be around forever and forever. They’re just tragic enough to be hilarious with believable plot points. Her declarations of love are next level swoony and heartbreaking. Punches in the gut that force you to feel something.

She takes these typical romance tropes and archetypes and makes them so much more.

I feel bad for the rest of my 2025 reading because I fear I’ve peeked and it’s only February.

Read if you like:
💍Marriage in crisis
🚗Road trip
✌️2nd chance love
🫂Found family
🏡Small town
😤Steady grown antisocial mmc
🍰Baking
🤭Meddling shenanigans
👯Matching tattoos

Left of Forever was absolutely amazing and I am currently sobbing as I’m writing this!! I think this might actually be one of my favorite books of all time. Wren and Ellis will live deep in my soul forever, I will never be over them. Tarah Dewitt really ripped my heart out and shove it back in. I laughed, cried, and felt so much love & hope. There are so many things I want to say, but I don’t want to spoil anything! But I will say that the growth Wren and Ellis make, both individually and as a couple, is so inspiring. Anytime Wren talked about her body image, it made me emotional! And that’s something else I loved about Left of Forever; it was just so relatable in many different ways. There were a lot of similarities between Wren & Ellis and me & my own husband, which made their story extra special to me. I loved it so much and I can’t wait for it to be out into the world for everyone to read. You could read Left of Forever on its own, but reading Savor It first makes it even more meaningful. I love the town of Spunes and every single person in it. Just knowing that we’ll get more stories to come from this quirky town keeps me going. Left of Forever comes out May 20 and it is a MUST read!!!

As someone who has been married for 10 years, this book got to me. It shows how communication can make or break even the strongest of couples. I loved how relatable the characters are. I saw myself in Wren. I saw my husband in Ellis. The Pepper scene had me laughing out loud because that’s something my husband would do. I hope we get more books on the other Byrd siblings.