I wanted Ellis and Wren's story since they were introduced to us in Savor It. This more than delivered. Ellis and Wren were everything to each other until it just got too hard. They never stopped loving each other though. After avoiding each other when possible, they realized that they hadn't moved on at all. With misunderstandings and poor timing making things guy wrenching at times, they embark on a road trip to feel things out. They put in the work, opened their eyes and got their forever. Now we need everyone else's story, including Indy.

the 5 star streak for books about Byrds continues🌲🌊🐦‍⬛🥹!!! my expectations for this book were SO high from the snippets we got of them in Savor It and i’m so pleased to say that Tarah not only met my expectations but exceeded them in so many amazing ways!!! i love them so much🥰🥰🥹🥹🤭🤭

thank you SO much to the publisher & netgalley for the free e-arc in exchange for my honest thoughts!

context: i have only ever read funny feelings by tarah dewitt and not the first book in the series. they are standalone, but i prob missed some easter eggs. also, i was emailed the ARC. i liked funny feelings but am def a fan after this one 🫶🏻

synopsis:
a baker from oregon who has been divorced for 5 years from the love of her life and the father of her child decides to write to a random firefighter in colorado to see if two bonded horses were rescued. these letters allow her to have some level of "intimacy" (they just bonded, not romantic interactions - she poured her heart out on paper and romanticized their exchanges) since her separation. the anonymous firefighter turns out to be her ex - honestly, i don't know how she didn't think this was a possibility since he is always working away from home. he holds onto these exchanges until the horses are found (alive and together) because these are the only moments he can see into her mind. after cutting off their correspondence, he makes it his goal to get her back by learning how to ~express emotions~ because it is obvious she misses him just as much as he misses her. this leads him to devise to plan a trip to celebrate their child going off to college as "friends" and their story goes from there.

this was beautifully written and was the best second-chance i have read. i usually don't like them because they need a lot of depth for them to be believable or have you rooting for the characters to reunite. these characters were so believable and definitely had you rooting for them to end up together - their TENSION and their deeply, sentimental love for one another. the minor complaints are about the book's structure (i.e., the prologue felt out of place and would have been more impactful once it got to that point in the story), but it did not negatively impact the reading experience for me.

my detailed pros and cons list contains spoilers so it will be on my goodreads.

honorable mentions:
- pepper dick scene (YUP)
- silas, i love him and am his #1 fan
- their playlist was pretty good and did not make me cringe like some books' do
- if i had a nickel for every time a MMC gets a wren tattooed on him without her knowing because the FMC's name is wren, i would have two nickels (cannot remember the name of the other book atm)

This book is precious. The Byrd family is so full of wit, hope, and love that one can only truly ever wish to find something comparable. God bless Ellis Byrd’s mustache.

5⭐️
I wanted to read this as soon as I saw the gorgeous cover art. Then I found out it was a second chance romance with a couple that had been married. How can it work? I had to know.

I loved this book! Ugh, the feelings, the letters, the mutual pining, the family rooting for them. Swoony.

Wren and Ellis have been divorced for 5 years. Neither has moved on. They have coparented their son the best they could and stayed civil. Now their kid is off to college and both are wishing things were different between them.

Ellis is fighting a forest fire and happens to pick up a box donated by his ex wife with baked goods and a letter. He writes her back anonymously, and they start exchanging letters. They both confess somethings, and when Ellis writes “I still love my wife” it’s heart breaking.

Later Ellis suggests a road trip to drop off their son at college, and to spend time together with Wren. They are open with each other about hoping for more and actually talking about hard stuff. It’s romantic and sweet, sexy, and sad in some parts.

Can be read as a stand alone. We get a cameo of Deacon & Laryn from The Co-op, and lots of Fischer and Sage from Savor It.

Content Warnings for fertility issues, miscarriage, death of parents in the past.

4.5 🌟

i knew i wud love this and i.did.

obsessed with these two and the healing that they did UGH making me believe in love fr

*read as ARC from netgalley*

I love the way Tarah writes emotion. I can feel these characters hearts bleeding onto the page and fell in love with them immediately.

I was a young mom/wife and related so much to the ups and downs of forming a relationship while also trying to figure out who you are and how to raise a child.

I was fully invested in watching Wren and Ellis fall back in love, their growth and communication was beautiful.

One thing I love about second chance are the small but significant things that pop up in the story that are only important and sentimental to them because of their history. This story was full of these moments and I loved every one.

I highlighted so much of this book because Tarah is a master at how she captures emotions and translates them on page.

This book is very spicy so I wouldn’t recommend to everyone but overall I loved the story and the characters so much and nothing felt forced or cringe worthy.

Every word of this book was perfect, when the title came into play I had goosebumps. I am a stickler for a good ending. The last chapter of a book can really affect how I feel overall. The last two sentences of this story perfectly wrapped it all up and made me cry. This a beautiful story about second chances, hope, and fighting for your love.

Favorite Quotes:

“[we] let life chip and file away at us until our edges were too dull to catch on each other and keep hold”

“Time does that, I suppose. When you spend so much of it looking forward to the next thing, it can easily slip out from under you.”

“I’ll beg you every day if I need to. I’m begging you to fight with me, do anything with me. Just be with me.”

CW: explicit language, multiple open door

I gotta be completely honest Tarah Dewitt books have been hits or misses for me. I wasn’t the biggest fan of Funny Feelings and I found Savor It to be cute, but just ok. But y’all Left of Forever is by far the best book Tarah has ever written. And I’m saying that as someone who isn’t the biggest fan of second chance romance novels. But Ellis and Wrens story was so heartbreakingly beautiful that I know it will leave a lasting impression on me for years to come.

Slight disclaimer this book is a spin off. I don’t believe Goodreads has it listed as a series. But Left of Forever picks up immediately after the events of Savor It. Please read Savor It before reading Left of Forever. I promise you’ll be thanking me later.

Left of Forever follows Wren & Ellis childhood sweethearts who got married young due to a teen pregnancy. Flash forward to today they are divorced for 5 years and sending their baby boy Sam off to college. After dropping him off, Wren & Ellis decide to go on a roadtrip to see if they can rekindle and repair their relationship. Even if they cannot they are both hopeful for some closure on past hurts.

Like I mentioned I am not normally a second chance romance girlie. Especially if they are previously divorced. However, after I was introduced to them in Savor It. I knew there was something special about them and I just wanted to know more. Tarah did not disappoint. Reading Ellis & Wrens story was everything I wanted it to be and more. Tarah left me hanging onto every word. I could feel every hurt and longing that Wren & Ellis endured. Those two have been through so much, and watching them build back to each other is inspiring and earth shattering.

I seriously cannot recommend this book enough. Please check out this book when it releases May 2025. Lastly big Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Press for an earc in exchange for an honest review.

Tarah writes such soulfully touching, deeply connected characters. You cannot help but fall in love with them every single time.
Wren and Ellis were a testament that the saying 'if you love something let it go, if it's meant to be it'll come back' and back did it come.

It was exploring the difficulties that happen AFTER the blissful romances, and fighting to make your way out of the monotony of life and find your way back to that love.

Their story was beautiful.

I would be remiss in admitting, that their story gave me hope but did not make me cry as all her others have - however I DID cry. The true stars to me in this story, are (unshocking to anyone who knows me) Major and Kelpie and the surprise of Hope. Soon as I saw Major and Kelpie on page in part 3 I cried the entire rest of the book. Thank you to Tarah for the TW months ago that they are in this book but are not harmed or im not entirely sure I could have read this in peace.

Anyway, I can't recommend Tarah's books more - I can't wait for more to read, and thank you for letting and trusting me to read this early copy. <3

This was such a beautiful emotional journey of forgiveness, love, acceptance and letting go. I sobbed as I read, feeling everything those two beautiful broken people felt. I can’t imagine meeting your soulmate so young, having baby at 18, building a life and then lose the connection and separate. My heart was aching. When they decided to go on trip, after dropping their son to college, I was rooting for them. I loved the part when they talked about things they didn’t like about each other and finally tackled the hard issues. Communication at its best! Highly recommend this book to anyone, but friendly warning: have tissues ready!

This is a great read if you like second chance romances and small-town settings. It's cozy, humorous, and with a dash of angst. Ultimately, the writing wasn't my jam, but I can see a large audience for this book.

I loved this just as much as I loved Savor It. I will read everything this woman writes. I love her prose, the steam, the character development. I love it all. Spectacular give me 14 of them.

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt is an emotionally charged, beautifully written second chance romance that tugs at every heartstring. Wren and Ellis’s journey is messy, deeply felt, and achingly realistic, making it impossible not to root for them as they navigate love, heartbreak, and the possibility of starting over.

From the start, DeWitt crafts an intimate and poignant love story between two people who were meant to be—but life, youth, and circumstance got in the way. Wren, now a bakery owner, and Ellis, a dedicated firefighter, have built lives apart after their teenage love led to marriage, parenthood, and eventually, divorce. Yet, despite years of separation, their connection remains undeniable, simmering beneath every glance, every shared moment, and every lingering regret.

What sets this book apart is how real it feels. DeWitt doesn’t shy away from the complexities of love and healing. There’s angst, nostalgia, and unresolved tension, but also humor and warmth. The road trip element adds a layer of forced proximity that makes their slow-burning reconnection even more delicious. And when I say steam, I mean steam! The chemistry between Wren and Ellis is undeniable, and DeWitt balances it perfectly with raw, emotional depth.

At its core, Left of Forever is about learning to communicate, confronting the past, and deciding if love is worth the risk one more time. The addition of heartfelt letters woven into the story only deepens the emotional impact, making this a must read for anyone who loves romance with both spice and substance.

If you love second chance romances that are as sweet and swoony as they are soul stirring, this one belongs on your shelf. Highly recommend!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tarah DeWitt, and St. Martin's Press for the eARC of this book.

Stunning second-chance romance. So much history and angst. I loved the main character’s families. I really appreciated the MMC realizing what he wanted and going for it and actually communicating! Absolutely loved this.

I enjoyed Tarah’s first novel set in Spunes, “Savor It”, but this one? “Left of Forever” has stolen my heart. I loved this!

Perfect for fans of:
*** Second chance romance
*** High school love
*** Dual POV
*** Romantic steamy chemistry
*** Strong Family bonds
*** Joint parenting after divorce

Wren and Ellis married and had their son Sam at a young age. Despite all the love they had, they called it quits after 10 years. We catch up with them 5 years later, where its clear that each of them is still holding onto the once in a lifetime love they had. Will they be able to find their way back to each other, or realize they need to move on?

The pure and unfiltered romance of this story was beautiful. Their chemistry was undeniable, and I loved how realistic their journey was. This might be one of my favorite second chance romance novels. I can’t wait to order a copy of my own.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

last year i was lucky enough to receive the arc for savor it and i am not exaggerating when i say i have been AGONIZING over wanting and needing wren and ellis’ book. i was immediately obsessed with them and their story, in a letter from tarah before the start of this book she says “wren and ellis jumped out at me so viscerally” and that is exactly how i felt about them during my time reading sage and fishers story, while i was obsessed with them and had the best time reading their book i was yearning for these Byrds.

i am to my core a massive slut for second chance romances ESPECIALLY when they are already divorced or its a marriage in crisis, so i think it was pretty safe to assume i was going to devour this (which i did). this book will without a doubt be a top 3 read for me this year (it would solidly be #1 right this moment if i hadn’t read ATYD a few weeks ago… so #2 by just a smidge it is).

this book had me in a chokehold from start to finish, the way you could just feel the yearning and how much the wanted/needed each other like no other it felt so ridiculously palpable to me 😩

there is quite literally so much i want to squeal and yap about but i am going to force myself to shut up right now because everyone deserves to read this with the experience of not knowing what youre gonna get. its hot, its passionate, its emotionally painful, its P E R F E C T

This book is a like a gospel to young, everlasting love. There’s something so unique about loving someone like this (speaking from experience), while you grow up beside them. TD captures it beautifully, allowing the reader to feel the tender connection between Wren and Ellis in soooo many ways. I enjoyed the author’s choice of reliving our character’s memories through letters and journaling instead of going the traditional flashback route. I didn’t need to read through that much of Wren and Ellis’ past to feel how interwoven they were in the present, and that’s a true testament to the author for her character development and beautiful writing. This book made me fall deeper in love with the Byrds (the whole fam!) I hope we get to see more of them soon!!!

Thank you St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the ARC!

Fair warning, this book made me want to get pregnant at 17 and married and divorced by 33 just to reconnect with my ex-husband. I don’t know what Tarah puts in her books, but holy hell was this good! I was hooked from the prologue and deeply attached to Wren and Ellis 5 minutes after starting their story.

I’m always hesitant to read a second chance romance because I hate conflict and only want the cute falling in love story, but I loved the way Wren and Ellis reconnected and did the work. There was no argument or miscommunication for the sake of it, it was just a masterclass in communication and unconditional love.

💕Second chance
❤️‍🩹Divorced couple
🚗Forced proximity (roadtrip)
💘Childhood friends to lovers to divorced to lovers

Tarah DeWitt does it again, folks. Left of Forever is everything I wanted—a stunning, emotional, second-chance romance that hurts in the best way before putting your heart back together. If you love childhood-friends-to-lovers, exes who never stopped loving each other, and a good ol’ messy, angsty road to reconciliation, then this book is for you.

Let’s talk about Wren and Ellis Byrd. These two have been through everything together—first loves, marriage, heartbreak, divorce—but no matter how many years pass, it’s never really over between them. Their love has always been deep, raw, and real, but life (and circumstances) tore them apart. After five years of keeping things civil for their son Sam, Ellis finally decides it’s time to do something. His idea? One last road trip together as they send Sam off to college. And let me tell you—this road trip is a journey in every possible way.

This book is packed with so much emotion. The regret. The longing. The love that never really faded. Seeing Wren and Ellis navigate their history, their heartbreak, and the years of feelings buried between them? I FELT EVERYTHING. There’s mutual respect, there’s messy communication, there’s yearning (oh my god, the yearning), and there are moments so full of love it actually hurts. And when all those unspoken words and unresolved feelings finally boil over? Yeah. I was a goner.

And let’s not even get started on the spice because whew. Tarah said let’s make this the hottest one yet, and she did not lie. The intimacy between Wren and Ellis? Mental, emotional, spiritual, chemical. Ellis’ POV during those moments? Yeah, I was gnawing on my Kindle. (Pleasure dom king, hello???)

Beyond the romance, Tarah does what she does best—building a world so rich and real you don’t want to leave. The Byrd family, the small-town charm of Spunes, the friendships and relationships that feel so lived-in—I was envious knowing these characters aren’t real.

The pacing? Perfect. The writing? Breathtaking. The emotional depth? Gut-wrenching in the best way. I laughed, I cried, I sweated (👀), and I fell in love with Wren and Ellis over and over again. This is second-chance romance done right.

Honestly? I already want to re-read it. And when the audiobook drops? Prepare to be sick of me.

✨ What to Expect:
💍 Marriage Reconciliation
💔 Divorced Couple
📖 Childhood Friends to Lovers to Strangers to Lovers
🚗 Chaotic Road Trip
👨‍👩‍👦 Co-Parenting + They Have a Teenager
🌲 Small Town Romance
🔥 Angsty, Emotional, and Ridiculously Sexy

A once-in-a-lifetime love, rediscovered. Don’t miss this one.

I was very hesitant to read this second chance romance, but I ate this book up. I read it in less than a day and I felt all of the emotions. This is second chance romance done so well. I loved how we got both POVs and the mutual pining was perfect. I normally cannot stand the miscommunication trope but all I felt was sadness that it took these two so long to figure it out.

This is one of my top 2025 books for sure.