Wren & Ellis have my heart.

As someone who has been with their spouse since they were 18 and currently having difficulty getting pregnant, this book touched me in more ways than one. It made think about what I could appreciate more in my relationship and not focus on the negative.

Ellis worked to make himself better for Wren. He acknowledged where it went wrong and how they weren’t open and honest with each other.

I felt less growth from Wren, but it seemed she suffered in silence more than opening up. But I did love how open and receptive she was to Ellis, instead of shutting him down.

Oh and the spice was great. I mean 0 complaints, it wasn’t too little and it wasn’t too much. It’s a slow burn that doesn’t make you go, “can they kiss already?!”

I loved this book and I’m looking forward to future books from this author!

Tarah does it again!!! Thank you for the advanced copy of Left of Forever! It was so wonderful being back in Spunes. The heartfelt second chance romance where they never stopped loving each other was everything I needed and more. The letters at the beginning where they could be open, honest, and free with their thoughts. The road trip that Ellis put SO MUCH thought and planning into. Although this book was hot and spicy, just having Ellis show he was listening to Wren and trying to give her what she wanted was maybe the hottest part of the book. Also where Ellis goes to therapy to help work on how to fix things and find out his part in what went wrong in their relationship the first time. The family aspect of it all where the Byrds still included and loved Wren even after the divorce was wonderful. As a married woman with kids, this book was so great in showing that marriage is not all butterflies and rainbows, it can be really hard. There are struggles and hardships that can take a toll, but to see the work being put in and that there’s still love on both sides, how struggles and hardships don’t have to be the defining moment or break a relationship. I loved this book. I love every book that Tarah writes. Thank you again NetGalley for the ARC of Left of Forever!

This was super cute! I was really excited to have a chance to have an ARC of this one, and it didn't disappoint. Even though I did not read Savor It, I had no problem reading this book as a stand alone.

Wren and Ellis Byrd grew up as childhood friends and then fell in love, had their son Sam as teenagers, and built a life together. They were meant to be… until they weren’t.

What I really loved about this one was the crazy Byrd family. I can see how each one will get their own story and I am here for it! Huge plus here, the 3rd act "break-up" was super short and not too messy. This one gets spicy, but not overly so. There is a content warning in the beginning for readers who may need it.

Read if you love:
second chance romance
marriage in crisis
road trip adventure
one bed

A huge thank-you to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review. Left of Forever will be published on May 20, 2025.

This book made my heart ache in all the best ways. I adored Ellis and Wren and how their journey went from years apart divorced and only coparenting to back together again! Second chance romance and childhood best friend to lovers that was executed so beautifully. I feel like sometimes second chance romance falls a little flat to me but oh my god this just felt so good. From the first pastry box they had me hooked. The letters were incredible and the way they grew and developed to be even stronger together saved me. Mothers and people who have been with significant others for a long time will loveeee this book. At some point I felt like it would be a devastating ending if they didn’t end up together but I’m so glad that didn’t happen. Their journey and emotions throughout just felt like it was healing me. I cannot speak highly enough of this book everyone needs to read.

I was so extremely blessed to get an earc on netgalley so thank you for the opportunity to read this ahead of time. I have already preordered many copies in expectation of sharing it around and having my personal one. Thank you to Tarah DeWitt and St. Martins Publishing for allowing me to read this beautiful book.

Set in the small coastal town of Spunes, Oregon, Wren and Ellis are childhood friends to lovers who got pregnant as teenagers and married short after. Present day both are in their 30s; Wren runs the town bakery meanwhile Ellis is a firefighter, yet the fire between them refuses to burn out, despite five years after their divorce. With their son Sam’s college move in approaching, Ellis suggests that he and Wren make a roadtrip out their drive back from California as a last attempt at their romantic relationship. With so much withheld yearning for one another and unspoken truths about what broke their relationship before, this trip might just be their last chance at forever together.

Right from the prologue I could feel the simmering long withheld tension between Ellis and Wren. It was very clear that they were tiptoeing around their true feelings which immediately hooked me, I had to know everything about their relationship. I also loved that this book was dual pov because my stomach was constantly doing tricks whenever we got Ellis’s pov. It became very clear in part one of the book that he has been in love with Wren for years and still holding a candle for her even though she appears to be moving on and starting to date again. Ellis was a strong multi-layered character and it was clear to see how much he has really focused on growing as a person and devoted himself to earning Wren back. Most contemporary romances we rarely see this kind of raw honesty and vulnerability from the mmc like we did with Ellis. Wren’s dialogue and inner monologue made me laugh right from the prologue and I could tell that I was going to enjoy her character a lot. Wren’s character felt very unique. She is such a caring and loving person to everyone around her in Spunes, yet whenever she is with Ellis we got to see her more fun-loving, spontaneous, bold side. Meanwhile on the inside, Wren was a bit of an over-thinker who found solace through writing. Wren was so unapologetically herself that I instantly loved her and it was nice to see her learn that it's worth taking a risk because there can benefits to change and starting over.

I thought the story structure and the way the plot progressed was perfect for this story. I can’t remember the last time I read a contemporary romance that had alternating timelines-then and now, or past and present. I had forgotten how much I enjoy this structure, especially in second-chance romances, because t allows us to piece together the ‘mystery’ of a love story that did not work out. I also loved how this structure allowed Tarah DeWitt to sprinkle glimpses of Ellis and Wren’s past-their childhood friendship, eventual high school romance, and becoming young parents-throughout the book. This really emphasized just how much history these two characters share and how deep and unbreakable their connection is. Ellis and Wren throughout this story felt like magnets to me; no matter how much they changed over the years or how hard they tried to forced themselves apart, they were still opposing poles. And when close enough, they couldn’t resist the magnetic pull drawing them back to each other.

A big selling point for me with this book was Tarah DeWitt’s writing, I am a sucker for a good metaphor, and god, this book have plenty that left me mind blown! I love when authors are able to take a mundane, universal feeling and/or experience and describe it in a way that suddenly feels profoundly unique. That is what the majority of the writing in Left of Forever felt like to me. It felt like a breath of fresh air-or really, a breeze of nostalgia-reminding me of the books that made me fall back in love with reading and the ones that made me love second-chance romance. Tarah DeWitt’s writing, and this book, are now a part of that experience for me.
Thank you so much St. Martin's Griffin, Tarah DeWitt, and NetGalley for this e-arc!!!

Okay, I love a second-chance romance, but these two drove me a little nuts. How can you not recognize your spouse's or former spouse's handwriting? This read was really emotional and I get it, but it fell a little flat for me sadly.

I thought I knew what yearning was before I read this masterpiece but I was mistaken. Tarah DeWitt, herself, invented yearning. Sorry Jane Austen and Brontë sisters, but facts are facts.

I knew I was going to love this book, there was so much build up, so much anticipation for it since I read Savor it, almost a year ago. To say my expectations were high would be an understatement. To say those same expectations were blown out of the water would also be an understatement.

Tarah really went all out with this one. It’s been over a month and I still can’t really put into words how this book made me feel. There was so much intention behind every. single. word. Even the setting descriptions had me in my feelings.
Just everything about this was absolutely perfect. The longing on both sides, the small touches, the heartache over little things, the way Ellis and Wren described each other. The determination and openness to make it work 😭

The mutual accountably, respect, and understanding they had for one another was my absolute favorite part of this. I loved that it wasn’t just a one sided thing that went wrong in their marriage and that they both recognized that. The character development was so well done, I can't get over it. As much as I hated their time apart, I truly believe they needed it in order to make it to “forever.”

Also, I love the whole Byrd family so much. Seeing Sage and Fisher again made me so happy and Silas!! I can’t wait for his book, I'm already obsessed with him.

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

this might be my favourite book of all time?!

i LOVED the crumbs we got of these two in savour it. i was hoping and praying tarah would give them their own book and im SO glad she did!

i am not a fan of second chance romance, but these two made me reconsider ALL of that. they are soulmates. they have INSANE chemistry that is incredibly realistic and believable. there’s longing, yearning and SO MUCH pinning!

this made me laugh. it made me cry. it was just SO beautiful.

tarah’s writing is beautiful. it’s clever and captivating. i could read ANYTHING she puts out but this tops the cake. i can’t wait for the world to have this one!

If you love second chance romance, open door romance, and lovely secondary characters this book is for you!

Wren and Ellis have known each other since they were children. Have loved each other since they were teenagers. Left of Forever begins with a 4 year separation (post-divorce) for these two. There's a chance encounter that leads to both rediscovering their love for one another. Following their son, Sam's graduation the couple go on a celebratory trip to reconnect.

Several things work in the first part. The Byrd siblings are really fun! I found it unbelievable that the couple have known each other for ~30 years and didnt recognize each other's hand-writing. The second part with the trip unraveled. It needed more editing. The second stop to the vineyard was enough to encompass the whole trip. It was overwhelming for me. I lost interest and had to push to continue. The ending was only so worth it.

Thank you Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC!

The way Tarah DeWitt writes romance is so beautiful. Wren and Ellis's story was so different from the traditional romances we read, and it was perfectly done. As someone who has been with my husband for almost 2 decades, the way she explained their relationship felt so real. It's hard to grow up together and learn about who you are as a person too, and this narrative was reflected throughout the entire book. I did read Savor It before reading this book but I don't think you need to in order to fully appreciate Left of Forever.

Enjoyed! I was really rooting for the characters but the pacing was slower than I would have liked. Some of the steamy scenes were not my fav. The romance was good though and the characters were so cute together!

Tarah is queen and can do no wrong. A worthy follow up to the incredible Savor It, I’m so glad we got to see this story play out. 5 stars for longing and 2nd chance romance and working through your relationship by road-tripping with your ex-husband.

DeWitt does it again! I really have enjoyed all Tarah DeWitt books, but this one now has a special place among my romance favorites. There is something so special about finding characters in another book that feels like their story needs to be finished. There is also something so special about people who were meant to be together, divorcing, and then finding their way back to each other. I really appreciated all the therapy and self-work the main male character did as well. I think I always get mad when stories of re-ignition the guy is still the same/same problems, but this one felt like they both worked through their issues separately and together. I found it so beautiful and special that they were able to talk through their problems and work through their issues. Overall, super romantic and one of the best romances of the year.

"I'll save you a seat." GOT ME!! This book was beautiful!
I thought this book was lyrical and truly dove deep into Wren and Silas's history. It's funny, clever, heartbreaking, and soul-healing.

I do love a good second chance romance, and boy does Tarah Dewitt deliver! Ellis and Wren had me entranced quickly.

What a heart-wrenching and life-giving book! My heart was bursting with love and adoration for Wren and Ellis and their story. The rekindling of their relationship and "home-ness" with each other was so special and wonderful to read about. Tarah DeWitt is truly the queen for writing these lovely stories about lovely people. Even though I couldn't personally relate to Wren or Ellis, DeWitt writes so stunningly and relationally that it transports you into the mind of these characters. I felt like I was a friend of the Byrd's and getting to be a witness to a grand love story that ignited more love for them. The way that DeWitt incorporated the rest of the beloved characters of Spunes and the Byrds was so sweet! Reading about Sage and FIsher's continuing love story, Sam's new adventure into college, and Silas and Micah's bickering was just an added bonus to an already lovely story. I loved getting to bear witness to Wren and Ellis rediscover their love for each other and also discover new ways and reasons to love each other. This story was raw, real, and inspiring. Thank you Tarah!! && congrats on another home run <3

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ahead of publication in exchange for an honest review! 4.5⭐️ YEARNING is SO back! Wow… I’m not usually one for second chance but this was done very well! 💚

This is my second read by Tarah Dewitt and I am so happy I decided to give it another try (I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first one I read). This story had be HOOKED from the beginning and kept me invested the whole way through. The emotions were high in this one, and even though I couldn’t exactly relate to a majority of the experiences of the characters, I still felt the feelings deeply - Which reflects amazing writing and portrayal capabilities. The chapter lengths were on the shorter side which made it easy to fly through, and of course I loved that it’s dual POV! And obviouslyyyy we LOVE when there’s yearning and grovelling, and there’s BOTH in this 🤭

The only thing I could say that would have made it better was if it was more of a slow burn, to really build up the tension. But honestly the way it played out was more so realistic so can’t argue with that lol. I do find it a little funny how the FMC and MMC who have been together since their teens don’t recognize each other’s handwriting (I’ve seen a few similar comments about that)… But maybe that reflects the character’s detachment from each other in some way.

Overall, I really enjoyed this read! I think for people who have struggled with communication in relationships (romantic and/or platonic), this read will hit 🧡

—

Overall Ratings ↴
Star: 4.5⭐️/5
Spice: 1-1.5🌶️/5
Emotion: 2-2.5💧/5

Tropes ↴
💚 Second Chance
🧡 Divorced Couple
💚 Road Trip (is that a trope? idk)
🧡 Grovelling
💚 Yearning / Longing
🧡 Dual POV
💚 Childhood Friends to Lovers to Divorced to Lovers (lol)
🧡 Found Family
💚 Small Town
🧡 One Bed
💚 Firefighter MMC

Quotes I loved ↴
🧡 “All I know is that if I found out Heaven was real and got there first, I’d hang back in the waiting room and save you a seat.”
💚 “If you won’t have me back anymore, then I’ll find you in the next life. You are the only thing that makes me believe in that. In something bigger than myself.”
🧡 “If he can carry all of them, I can carry him.”

What a wonderful new story from an author whose writing I cannot get enough of because it’s so delightfully emotional and equally lighthearted.

Following ‘Savor It’ I truly wanted to see how Wren and Ellis would navigate their divorce and the seemingly unspoken emotions that lay between them.

‘Left of Forever’ is the pinnacle of second chance romances. Acknowledgment of what was done and the sheer determination and hope of two people who are desperately attempting to save their own hearts while forging a new bond with the each other.

I adored the letter writing, the road trip, and all the heartfelt conversations. Wren and Ellis are relationship goals.

Many thanks to NetGalley, the publisher, and Tarah DeWitt for the chance to read this phenomenal new romance.

I always forget how much I love Tarah's writing style. This is a book that HURTS but in the best way. I loved watching how Wren and Ellis found their way back to each other again and how hard they fought for each other. I absolutely loved the side characters (please tell me that there will be a story for Micah and Lennon!!) Hands down her best book yet.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for letting some of us snag this eARC for a short little while! And if you missed that 24hr window, you should ABSOLUTELY get your hands on this when it is released May 20.

This is my first Tarah DeWitt book (how?!?!), and now I will be spending the rest of the year making it through her back catalogue. And looking forward to the rest of this little interconnected series that I am sure is to come.

I had low expectations going in because I have been burned by popular Booksta romance authors lately. But wowie I loved this book SO much. For me, this was a new trope, but so many aspects felt real and relatable. Her representations of parenthood, marriage, and how the two impact you for better and for worse are spot on. All of that hit me right in the gut. It helps that Wren and Ellis are great characters, and I loved watching them rediscover themselves and each other. Plus give me all the small towns and found families.

My only real complaint is the letters. I felt like that was kind of an unnecessary plot point and that the same outcome could have been achieved with something much less coincidental and far fetched. But this is me nitpicking.

Anywho. If you’re looking for sweet and spicy and well written and developed romances, I can’t speak for the rest of DeWitt’s books yet, but I can say this one is definitely worth reading. Now to get my hands on Sage and Fisher’s story! And if Silas and Kirby aren’t the leads of her next one, I’ll be very sad.