Thank you NetGalley for the ARC opportunity!

I want to start by saying that Tarah's writing always hits for me, and never fails. This is no exception to that. Its another hit in my eyes.

I love second chance romance when its done right. And this one was. It felt so realistic to situations that people find themselves in. It really sheds a light on the fact that love can be lost but not gone, and that's such a hopeful concept to me. I also really loved the characters. They felt real as well, like people I would know and root for.

They had obvious chemistry, and the anticipation and build up was so well done. And Ellis? I mean that guy is worth 5 stars on his own. What a guy.

Oh this one absolutely ATE, I fear.

I was so on the fence about grabbing this one when it was a read now option on Netgalley because I haven't loved Tarah Dewitt's last two releases. However, I decided to give her one more shot before I declared us done, and I am so happy that I did.

This story follows a divorced couple, Wren and Ellis, deciding to go on one last adventure after dropping off their only son at college in hopes of possibly rekindling their romance.
I've only read one book similar to this one before, so I decided to give Dewitt one last shot. Plus, that cover really drew me in.

Folks, this is how you do romance. This book was so painfully romantic, and I loved every second of it. The love notes and the declarations that were made in this book had me kicking my feet. One of Ellis's problems during the initial marriage was his lack of speaking his mind and telling Wren how he was feeling and boy did he blow that task out of the water here.

It was nice to be back in Spunes and see all of the old characters from Savor It and we even got a small cameo from Deacon and LaRynn from The Co-Op which was nice even though I didn't enjoy either book very much lol.

Tarah Dewitt has officially redeemed herself, so I'm pumped to maybe get the stories of Sage and Ellis's other brothers. I 100% recommend this one and I can't wait to purchase a copy for my shelf.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy for review. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I did not finish this story because it is a second chance romance and I don't enjoy those. I got about 30% in but it was feeling very predictable.

This book was a masterpiece.

I’m a sucker for a second chance romance and getting to follow Ellis and Wrens journey back to each other was a revelation. There was no doubt that these two were meant to be together. That they deserved each others love. Seeing how they grew separately, then together, was beautiful and emotional. To see the love they still had for each other, and for their past and everything they’d grown through. To see their support for each other, and how they learned to communicate.

Thank you to NetGalley, St Martins Press and Tarah for the opportunity to ARC read this stunning story

This book broke my heart and put it back together - Tarah DeWitt can do no wrong, I've been waiting for this book since she set it up in Savor It, and it did not disappoint. Wren and Ellis are so real, they jump off the page, and I loved seeing them find their way back to one another. And now we wait for Silas' book.....

I had the opportunity to listen to and read Left of Forever and I enjoyed both versions. I will definitely read more Tarah DeWitt in the future as it was the perfect balance between character development and spice. This book is the perfect second chance romance with lots of depth built into the plot and the characters so that you are rooting for them throughout the story.

The dual narration was perfect in this audiobook as the book changes from Wren to Ellis in each chapter. The narrators chosen were perfect for the characters as I have gotten to know them in the novel.

Thank you Net Galley, Tarah DeWitt and St. Martin's Press for the opportunity to preview this title. The opinions shared are my own.
Left of Forever is expected to be released May 20, 2025 just in time to add to your summer TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a digital ARC of Left of Forever.

Books like this are hard for me to review because while there's nothing wrong with it, it just wasn't my cup of tea and I know I'm in the minority. I gave it three stars because the writing was good and it wasn't a dumb book, but I want more from romance books.

Beautiful second-chance romance about two people who are CLEARLY in love with one another. A great sense of anticipation and chemistry and wow! I wish I had some of the pastry recipes! A great read and I loved every word!

I knew after the first chapter that this book was going to be incredible. I then knew even by 30% that this book was going to be 5 stars.

This book was incredible from start to finish. It drummed up so much emotion, from me AND the characters.

Ellis and Wren are written perfectly. Ellis, who’s hard exterior only goes so far when it comes to his feelings about his son and his ex wife. His longing and unwavering behavior to try and fix everything he thinks he broke. Wren, who is hesitant to fall back into love with the fear that she’ll shatter her heart again. She continues to try and build her walls to protect herself but she so badly wants Ellis to be the one to bring them down.

The side characters in this book provide fun dialogue along with the main characters! Tarah Dewitt perfectly writes a story so heavy with emotion but with well-timed comedic relief.

Left of Forever is going to be a reread in my future for SURE. I never want to leave the Ellis & Wren story. Wish I could read this for the first time again.

I’ll be recommending this book to everyone

I am an absolute sucker for second chance romances and Wren and Ellis's story hit EVERY single mark. Their love story is raw and emotional and I felt fully drawn into both Wren and Ellis as people and was deeply invested in the two finding their way back to each other again. Reading their story made my heart palpate and break and simultaneously heal and this story is for everyone who loves romance.

Highly recommend.

Thanks to NetGalley and SMP for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

A beautiful story of finding your way back to one another.

When I started reading this book, I really loved it. I loved how these letters from Wren just found Ellis and it was fate. The longing, the angst was set up well to create this beautiful love story. I’m not usually a fan of second chance romance but thought I could love this one. I did until it lost me between the time hop and the miscommunications. I do not enjoy reading about that because I get beyond irritated that everything could have been either talked about and maybe never divorced if they would have just spoken their truths. I know it’s not the easiest thing for people to do but it definitely takes away from me enjoying a book.

The setting of the novel was beautiful. I enjoyed being in California for most of the book and seeing them go to places I’ve enjoyed going to as well. I love how the family is all up in their business and hoping for the best for them. The romance was cute and I’m glad Ellis put in effort to show Wren he loves her. And he’s in therapy! Yay! The spice was mildly okay, I give it 3 🌶️ out of 5.

Some cute moments: them going down the cable car to the fancy dinner, the cooking class 🤣, telling the family the good news.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the ARC in exchange of an honest review.

Blurb:
"Wren and Ellis’s story is the perfect blend of heartbreak, healing, and hope. They were each other’s first everything—a love that began in childhood, weathered teenage parenthood, and fractured somewhere along the way. Now, years after their divorce, a road trip along the California coast, taken after dropping their son Sam off at college, offers them a quiet, unexpected chance to find each other again."
~~~
Wren and Ellis were childhood sweethearts, teen parents, and eventually divorced co-parents but the love between them never truly disappeared.

Tarah DeWitt writes characters that feel like people you know. I loved that Wren and Ellis already had a full love story behind them and then reading how they navigated the messy and vulnerable work of reestablishing a relationship YEARS after it ended felt so real. Showing Ellis take real accountability and putting in the work without demanding anything in return in hopes of winning Wren back was what made their eventual reconnection feel earned.

The road trip locations from the letters with their emotional journey towards reconciliation absolutely WRECKED ME in the best way. The spice being built on years of tension and everything left unsaid was perfect.

I loved the Byrd family in Savor It, but getting to know them more in made me love them even more. I am really hoping Silas and Micah get books of their own!

Thank you NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book. YALL THIS BOOK. Where the heck do I even start 🥹😭

“My eyes immediately go to the bottom where it’s been signed; Salem Meridian—Wren’s middle and maiden name. A possessive urge tears through me. It’s the same spike of emotion that had me embarrassing us both at one of our town meetings last summer, when someone referred to her by her maiden name and I couldn’t stop myself from reminding them (and by extension the whole town) that she’s still a Byrd.”

Once that iconic like showed up in Savor It, I knew I wanted and NEEDED Wren and Ellis’ story immediately!!!! And Tarah absolutely delivered 😭 the yearning??? The spice??? The growth between these two?? The side characters?? Literally all so perfect. I love when books have letters in them and in this book the letters are almost like a secret? Just two “strangers” writing to each other. Ellis knows who he is writing to but Wren doesn’t know it’s him. They word vomit a bit and honestly it’s just what they needed. Wren and Ellis have been divorced for almost 5 years? (From what I remember) and they haven’t really been able to move on from each other. They dated other people but it never worked out. It didn’t work out because these two weren’t finished yet 🥹
Their journey back to each other is beautiful! So grateful for this early copy, thankyou thankyou thankyou!!!!

ℒℯ𝒻𝓉 ℴ𝒻 ℱℴ𝓇ℯ𝓋ℯ𝓇 by Tarah DeWitt
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you, Tarah DeWitt and NetGalley, for this ARC.

This is my second book by Tarah, and like the first, I fell in love with her storytelling and, of course, the characters. I haven't read Savor It, but I didn’t feel like I was missing too much; however, I will be adding it to my ever-growing TBR!

It took me a little while to get into the book, but once Ellis fully decided what he wanted, I was sold. It felt like a slow burn, but I never had the sensation of, “When is something going to happen?” Reading about the growth Ellis experiences throughout the book was amazing. You love him from the start, but as we move through the story, it evolves into something bigger.

Wren was fantastic on her own as well; she is witty and whimsical while being a wonderful support to those around her. Along with being a romantic book, it was also incredibly funny. The banter among the entire Byrd family had me laughing every time. I felt every emotion while reading it. A friendly reminder is to wear gloves while cutting capsicums. IYKYK

The relationship between Ellis and Wren was so raw and real that I felt like I was hurting alongside them. Reading about their reunion after five years of divorce was a great road trip to experience. One of my favorite things is that Ellis calls Wren “Byrd.” I initially thought it was because of their last name, but as we delve into Wren’s journals, we discover he’s been calling her “Bird” for years.

I’ll be recommending this book to romance readers in the future.

Quotes I LOVED;

“I had the day to dick around, and I overdicked it.”

“I’ve got the biggest, most devastating crush on my ex-husband, and I hope I don’t get absolutely flattened by it in the end.”

“She’s kissing me. I’m home.”

“…they’re heavier than butterflies, with different wingspans and speeds. More like birds”

“We have whatever’s left of forever, you and me.”

“Robbed of my moment to tell you all about my heroes, Wren and Ellis Byrd.” (sent me into immediate tears)

Left of Forever left me in a heap on the floor in the best way. It is a second chance romance with a bit of a twist, taking the reader on a bit of an emotional roller coaster. DeWitt takes care to share the story of Wren & Ellis in such a way that the reader can’t help but root for them, individually and as a couple.

firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc!

unfortunately, (soft?) dnf at 25%

i think perhaps i dnf’d was because despite being a standalone, this book is TECHNICALLY part of a series, and i haven’t read the first book that introduces all of our characters. typically, i prefer to read the first book in the series and go from there, so this is a soft dnf until i read the first book.

although, i do typically hate second chance romance, so we will see…

This book. This BOOK! I'm truly wowed by Tarah DeWitt's LEFT OF FOREVER, a second-chance romance with all the wit, yearning, and deep-feeling romance you can ask for. In Wren and Ellis, DeWitt has created a memorable, lovable couple that will stick with you for a long time after reading the story. Their complicated history feels as real as their reunion does earned, and I was so moved by how the characters wrestled with their past issues while falling in love all over again. Between all the fun inside jokes and the sexy banter, every bit of their love story is a joy to read. Bonus points for such immersive, nostalgic California settings and a secondary cast of characters that adds extra layers to the romance. This is Tarah DeWitt at her finest, and I can't wait to recommend LEFT OF FOREVER to any romance fan who will listen.

if you’re looking for a second chance, small-town romance, look no further because this is IT. it’s a beautiful, heartwarming, and emotional story about falling back in love, longing, and finding the best version of yourself. this book absolutely wrecked me, in the best possible way. i balled my eyes out because of how badly i loved ellis and wren!! this book is so deeply romantic, and it made my heart ache. the journey ellis and wren go on is so emotionally raw, honest, (spicy), and beautifully portrayed. i still can’t get over how perfect they were for each other. the way they’d do anything for each other, the way they knew each other on a whole other level. their relationship was so open and honest, so vulnerable, and filled with the purest of love. if i could sum up this book for you in just one word it would be beautiful. truly one of my new, all-time favorite romances.

“if you’re lost, i’ll find you. i’ll give you my body, my heart, and my soul. i’ll cherish every bit of yours in return. i’ll fight with you, i’ll fight for you.”

Oh my goodness, I LOVED this book! This is definitely my favorite Tarah DeWitt book that I’ve ever read and Ellis has officially ruined me for all other men. This is such a beautiful second chance romance, and of two people coming together after losing each other for a while. I loved both of them so much, but Ellis…whew! That man was so deliciously wonderful. And the way he loved Wren and Wren loved him and how they both loved the rest of the family was so so sweet. The chemistry was off the charts!! And no third act breakup!

4.75 ⭐️

Ellis Byrd… the man that you are 😭

This was so wholesome and just so good. Reading about Wren and Ellis finding their way back to each other after such a gut-wrenching, emotionally exhausting divorce gave me so much anxiety that I had to keep putting the book down because my heart literally couldn’t take it.

The YEARNING they had for each other was so painful, I was spiraling, terrified they wouldn’t find their way back (spoiler alert: it’s a HEA, thank god). The ending had me full-on sobbing. And as someone who isn’t typically a huge fan of second-chance romances, I think this story was done so beautifully.

The healing Wren and Ellis go through, both separately and together, is heartbreaking in the best way. It’s another perfect example of how love alone isn’t always enough to make a relationship work, and MY GOD DOES THAT FREAKING HURT.

Needless to say, I loved it. Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the advance copy. I'll simply read anything Tarah writes at this point.