I loved this second chance romance, I knew very early on into the book that this book was going to give me all the right feels.

Left of Forever is the second book in an interconnected standalone series and while you can read them seperately, I highly recommend reading them in order to get the best experience.

This book follows Ellis and Wren, now in their 30s and 5 years post divorce. They were childhood sweethearts and teen parents, their son is on his way to college soon. The pair intend to road trip him to college, settle him in and make their way back together. Along the way old feelings and memories back their way back into the forefront of their minds and so the re-kindling begins 😍

This two were honestly made for each other, their story made me so happy. I felt all their emotions, this book is beautifully written.

Honestly I loved this book so much, being able to follow Wren and Ellis throughout this story was so fun and I loved every moment, seeing the love between these two rekindle in a way was so sweet

Left of Forever is the second book in an interconnected standalone series by Tarah DeWitt. The first book is Savour It. I have not read Savour It. I jumped straight into this book.
Firstly, let’s start off with the rating. I gave this 3.5 stars and 2 chilly peppers for spice. It was a heartwarming and beautiful second chance romance.
The book follows our MMC Ellis and our FMC Wren. They were childhood sweethearts and fell pregnant when they were 17. Something traumatic happened in their marriage that ultimately pushed them towards a divorce. Left of Forever picks up 5 years post divorce and we follow them on their journey of understanding and navigating their feelings for each other.
It’s a truly beautiful second chance romance, I’d highly recommend. I will say that I think I’d have more of an emotional connection to the characters if I’d have read the first book in the series. However it’s not detrimental to your reading experience.

This was a sweet second chance romance book. I adored how realistic and believable their romance was made to be as we got glimpses both into the past and the present of their relationship. To be seen as clearly as Ellis sees Wren is the dream.

I don’t think I can put into words how much I loved this book. It just had everything I wanted. I honestly couldn’t see a time where Ellis and Wren just weren’t still in love and pining. I absolutely adored everything about this book. From the letters at the start to the whole Byrd family to the road trip they took. And the cooking class and chilli scenes were some of the funniest I’ve read. I absolutely adore this couple!! Everything fell into place for them but that’s exactly how I felt it should have been. I am absolutely devastated that this book had to end because I could read them forever!!

This was the perfect second-chance small-town romance! Though they can be read separately, I would defiantly recommend reading the first book in this series as it beautifully sets up the town and characters, making this read all the more anticipated.

The reader follows Wren and Ellis around four years after the their divorce on a week-long road trip home from dropping their son off at college. I loved the set up of this book, which I was surprised at as I've never considered myself a fan of second-chance romances but this book strayed from the usual ones. Neither party was too vehemently in the wrong that they couldn't be forgiven and more than anything this book showed how we can get in the way of our own happiness and how it is all too easy to let the good things in our life go. The breakdown of their relationship was really accurately shown and I felt so much sympathy for both characters, so desperate to be with each other again but scared they would be heartbroken all over again.

I loved their relationship together and the respect and patience they each had for the other. It really was beautiful to read both point of views and experience the yearning in what felt like real time. I was genuinely so obsessed with how Ellis saw Wren and I was rooting for them so much. Such a great, thoughtful and sincere summer romance!

4.5 stars

This may be one of my favourite second chance romance reads, it was just done perfectly. It’s always been a hit or miss trope for me, but this was definitely a hit.

It follows Ellis & Wren, who were once high school sweethearts in love and had a baby in their teenagers, they got married and then unfortunately divorced. Five years post divorce, they are now in their 30s, living in the same small town with the same friends & family. They know how to co-parent but thats as far their relationship goes. Both of them have never really moved on or settled down with anyone else & it’s obvious they still have a connection even if they don’t know it yet. Their now teenage son is moving away for College & Ellis suggests that on way back from moving him in they take a little road trip. Old feelings and memories resurface, deep discussions about their marriage take place, and the re-kindling begins…

Ellis & Wren deserve each other and are compatible in every way. The way they re-kindle their love was written beautifully, it wasn’t just about loving each other again, it was about remembering the love they had but also diving into the hurt and bad times they experienced the first time around.

This book really surprised me, it had me laughing, giggling but also quite emotional at times, I would definitely recommend

Thank you Little Brown Group & Netgalley for the arc to review

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

⭐️ 4.5 stars ⭐️

I was not expecting to love this as much as I did! Second chance romance hasn’t usually been my go-to, but this book might have just changed that. The pacing was spot on, and the slow burn was so well done—you could feel the tension and chemistry between Ellis and Wren from the very first page.

One of my favorite elements was the use of letters. Getting a glimpse into Ellis’s emotions before anyone else added such depth, and when it’s revealed that he has a tattoo of a wren? My heart. It’s clear he never stopped loving her.

While I really enjoyed Savour It, this one has officially become my favorite in the Spunes series. Tara has seriously raised the bar, but I’ve no doubt she’ll continue to deliver in the rest of the series. Fingers crossed the next installment is Micha and Kirby’s story 👀

This is officially my fav Tarah Dewitt novel EVER! She writes the most sweetest and swoon worthy small town romances.

What I adored about this what the fact that Ellis x Wren get to explore themselves, each other after being parents since there were teenagers and being divorced for 5 years. They got to be childhood friends again, and get to know each other. That is why I loved the pace of this, it wasn't rushed, and yet it didn't feel slow.

Ellis is utter perfection. He is quiet, broody and pining for the woman he has loved since forever. The yearning is *chef's kiss*.

🕊 She's still a Byrd <<< this is gonna destroy me 😭

Wren is a wonderful and realistic character. Wanting to move on, find some sort of happiness out of her comfort with Ellis. She is very self-aware and the writing is at times on the nose. I loved her unapologetic humor and the rapid-fire stream of consciousness unraveling.

I need more books where MCs are in their 30s. I feel like these kind of characters get overlooked, but there is always a story to tell.

Second chance romances are one of my (if not my top favorite!!) tropes and Tarah wrote one of the best second chances ever. we get the angst and delicious tension that left me sat! and the epilogue made me weep it was so good. AND thank you Tarah for the no third act break up (I know you hate those 🤭)

T R O P E S
💕second chance
💕divorced MCs
💕road trip / forced proximity
💕one bed
💕meddlesome siblings
💕found family💕

Thank you to Netgalley and the UK publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I hadn't realised this was the second book in a series when I first requested it, so I went back and read the first book before trying this one. I definitely preferred the story in this installment.

If you're a fan of second chance romance and mixed media, you will love this. My favourite part was the first half where the majority of letters, journal entries, and emails were sent. It really got me in the feels.

The second part of the book is very cute too, but there were a couple of moments where I felt it went a bit too weird. Chilli scene anyone?

But I would still recommend this one with chest!

There are no words to accurately describe how much I loved this book. As someone who is not usually a fan of second chance romances, I was unexpectedly excited for the sequel to this series. Tarah did such a great job showcasing Wren and Ellis' story as a sub-plot in book one that I could not wait book two. It far exceeded my expectations and might be her best work to date! I've also read Funny Feelings and Savor It by this author, and this was my favorite one of them all (and I loved the other two)! Could not recommend enough. Will be sharing my full review on my IG stories on June 1st. Nothing but five stars from this satisfied reader, makes me secretly wish for a book 3 to Spunes!

This was my first Tarah DeWitt book, and certainly won't be my last (Savor It, I'm looking at you first!). She had me feeling all the feels, and has created such magic between Ellis and Wren.
I started by listening to the book playlist and knew I was going to be in for a bumpy ride. Following Ellis and Wren's story of heartbreak, hope and honesty as they rediscovered their relationship was beautiful. I adored how we saw glimpses of them in letters, flashbacks and journal entries, in addition to their conversations and actions.
I have rarely felt such warmth whilst reading - this book has melted my soul, and I hope everyone gets to experience this special kind of love at least once in their life, even if it is just reading Left of Forever.

A well written second chance romance is a guarantee of tears for me. This was no exception.

She writes with a lot of heart and emotion and this one got me.

I’ve read most of her books now and I think she’s become a must-read author for me. Hard to put down, funny, heart warming and excellent tension. All the things I need from my CR.

I absolutely adore this book. Tarah manages to hit it out of the park once more! She truly captures emotions like no one else I've read before. This story has so many layers and WrenEllis have my entire heart.

4⭐️ loved this book!!
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, Savour It (if you’ve not read it definitely go back and read) and was so excited to read this second instalment.
I loved the quiet broody Ellis and was so happy for his second chance with Wren.
I really hope we get more book in the series and find out about the rest of the Byrd brothers!!

Thank you LittleBrownBookGroup and Netgalley for the eArc of this book.

Left of Forever is a second chance romance book in the Spunes, OR series. Although they are technically interconnected standalones, I would recommend reading the first book Savor It before this one to get to know the characters and small town setting. Sadly, I struggled to connect to this book in the way I did with Savor It. I think it would have benefited from showing us more of Ellis and Wren’s history and struggles before their divorce as well as more of their interactions since they split to understand the current state of their relationship because they seemed to get back together quickly after only one/two conversations. I also would have preferred some alternation of their povs in the middle of the book as there were some back to back chapters focused solely on Wren or Ellis - this would have helped gain both their perspectives on certain situations. I enjoyed the road trip aspect of the story (and especially the winery cooking class!) but it felt a bit all over the place pacing wise. Wren and Ellis were likeable MCs but I think I am more intrigued by Silas (and hopefully Micah’s) stories. Fingers crossed we get them as I’ve grown fond of the Byrd family!

I'm not even doubting the rating because this book was so perfect! Everything I've ever wanted from a second chance was in this book. The story itself was so captivating — I couldn't put it down, not even for a bit, because I was completely consumed by the narration. It's my first book by Tarah DeWitt — and I know I should've read "Savor It" first. I realized it while reading this one, and I will definitely go back to it because I've fallen in love with the writing and the compelling narration.

Ellis and Wren's first introduction was so well-executed, and somehow they felt so familiar — like I'd met them before and was now getting to know them all over again. That exact feeling worked perfectly with the story, since the whole point was for Ellis and Wren to get to know the new versions of each other. And that worked for me too, as I was doing the same thing alongside them. It was very easy to get into this book, as the story gradually developed — focusing on each character separately at first. Then, when Wren and Ellis started working toward rekindling their bond, the focus shifted to them as a couple. But their individual growth was never sidelined. That’s such a tremendous achievement for the author — maintaining those separate storylines while allowing the characters to grow back together.

I'm a sucker for second chances, but lately I've realized I'm also a sucker for the marriage-in-crisis trope. Even though this book starts with the main characters already divorced, that theme works beautifully here too. This story is about communication and trust — about rebuilding something precious while also creating a new bond, a new connection, and laying the foundation for a healthy relationship, brick by brick.

The characters and their dynamic were so electrifying — even in those first awkward encounters between Wren and Ellis. I don't know how Tarah DeWitt did it, but the chemistry felt so familiar, like I already knew these characters. Wren's personality especially drew me into the story even more. She's so perfect and yet imperfect at the same time — she feels like a real human, not a fictional one. She's not flawless, she makes mistakes and takes responsibility for them. I love when authors create tangible, real characters — not perfect ones — because those imperfections make them feel truly human.

Wren’s journey of finding herself, of overcoming her desire to be everything for everyone, was deeply moving. She became a mother at seventeen and, since then, took responsibility not just for her son but for the entire Byrd family. Her journey in this book — a journey of finding her own voice — was so perfectly crafted and explored. Bravo!

As for Ellis — honestly, I cannot shut up about this man! He was just so utterly perfect. Ellis Byrd is the definition of “down bad” because he was really, really down bad for Wren throughout the whole book. He’s his own person, but at the same time, Wren and Sam are his world — they are what make him happy, what keep him moving forward. Watching Ellis rediscover himself, admit his mistakes, and try to correct them was powerful. He wanted to be the man Wren needed, and his growth in this book showed that anyone can change for the better.

The bond between Ellis and Wren was something else. I was drawn to them immediately, and there was never a moment when I couldn’t see them rekindling their relationship — they were just made for each other. They grew up together, they grew apart together, and seeing them work on growing back together? Such a full-circle moment.

The chemistry between them, like I said, was electrifying — but more than that, their story felt raw and real. Their imperfect bond overcame so many obstacles, and where others might have given up, Ellis and Wren fought for each other. They got to know each other again. They fell in love again. And at the same time, they never really stopped loving each other. Is that possible? You tell me after reading this book.

This book was so, so, so good, and I won’t stop talking about it anytime soon. I love books that explore imperfections, and this one presented such a real story between two people who love each other infinitely. It’s a story about soulmates — about people who want to be together and are ready to fight for each other and for their happiness. I would recommend this book to everyone — it’s now one of my favorite reads of the year!

Like Ellis altered Wren’s, this book altered my DNA. What a stunning second chance. The slow burn was delicious, the hurt palpable, and the reconciliation was worth every second of pain. This book just became a favourite.

I have to say I'm not usually the biggest supporter or second chance romance but this book was so good.
There is lots of delicate topics here including miscarriage and infertility, I think they were dealt with with sensitivity and care.
Lots of male yearning in his pov, he's doing the work, going to therapy and takes on board things and changes.
Definitely shed a tear at the end of this.

Tarah DeWitt's Left of Forever is a masterfully crafted second-chance romance that perfectly balances emotional depth with sizzling chemistry. The story follows Wren and Ellis Byrd, childhood sweethearts who fell in love young, had their son as teenagers, but drifted apart in their twenties. Now divorced and in their thirties, their paths converge again when their son gets accepted to college.

The reconnection begins six months before the main story, when Wren, fascinated by a story about horses in a California wildfire, writes to a firefighter seeking information. By chance, Ellis receives her letter, leading to a secret correspondence where she unknowingly falls for her ex-husband all over again through their written words.

Ellis is the kind of hero that makes readers melt. His devotion to Wren shows in countless ways: from stopping eating her baked goods during their separation (then intentionally starting again when he wants her back), to leaving origami birds in her pockets, to planning their entire road trip around her dream destinations. When he says things like "My DNA mixed with yours, and it altered your very bones, Byrd... We belong to each other in ways no one else ever will," it's impossible not to swoon.

The tension in this book is exquisite. Every scene crackles with unresolved emotions, from playful banter about their shared past to charged moments of physical proximity. Their first on-page kiss, coming after 60% of delicious anticipation, perfectly captures their dynamic. When Wren finally kisses him and Ellis whispers "I'm home," it's a moment of pure romance.

The story thoughtfully incorporates mental health representation, showing Ellis dealing with PTSD from his firefighting career and actively participating in therapy, while Wren embarks on her own journey of self-discovery. The dual timeline effectively shows both their past and present, creating a rich tapestry of their relationship.

What makes this romance feel especially authentic is how it handles conflict. Instead of relying on dramatic third-act breakups, the story presents realistic arguments that get resolved through actual communication. The characters bicker and have mini fall-outs like real couples do, making their journey back to each other feel genuine and earned.

Surprisingly spicy scenes add another layer to their reconnection. While never intensely raunchy, the book features some unexpectedly steamy moments that perfectly balance the emotional depth of their relationship.

Left of Forever is the kind of romance that makes you want to cry happy tears, watching these characters support and pine for each other as they grow together. It's a testament to why second chance romances can be so powerful - when it's the right person, and all the elements are executed perfectly, with immaculate tension, it's an immediate five-star read.