Thank you so much to NetGalley, Piatkus and Tarah DeWitt for this eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Oh my goodness. This book was just heart meltingly romantic and off the scale spicy - which cooked up the perfect combination for this second chance romance journey.

I just adore Wren and Ellis and I LOVED the whole idea of the road trip. It worked so well and I enjoyed being there with them, whilst they re-explored each other’s thoughts and emotions. I actually felt like a fly on the wall…it was so real and I was so attached to these characters that I felt everything so deeply. Tarah’s writing is astonishingly beautiful, and I found myself glued to every page.

There’s so much depth to this story. It isn’t just a surface level romance. You can tell it’s really come from the heart. Women write men so well - I want an Ellis in my life!

Also, the book playlist is perfect…but I definitely think that Roslyn should have been added as a wink to the storyline!

Everything about this book was just wonderful…I knew from 20% in that this was going to be a 5 star read for me. Thank you Tarah for this ultimate romantic escapism!

Predicting ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I’m 80% through left of forever and although I can’t write a full review because of the last 20% (I fell asleep on the sofa trying to finish last night 😂🙈) I can tell you, I fell in love with this book at around page 2 😂 I think it helped going straight into this after loving Savour it. Nonetheless, I can’t take anything away from this books, it is beautiful and I couldn’t love Wren and Elis and their whole family anymore 💖

Updated on completion, oh this book will forever have a place in my heart 💖 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

This book was so raw and full of emotion, and really showed the imperfections of a relationship and having to work through the hard things. Ellis and Wren finding their way back and putting in the work for each other was so gentle yet so moving. Both characters grew individually as well as together, and I think the character development was beautifully done. I especially appreciate how they dug into every part of their relationship, even the rough past parts. Overall, this book made me so emotional and full of hope, I’m forever touched by this one!

Left of Forever was an excellent read, I enjoyed every single moment from the funny to the exchanges that broke my heart. It is the second book in the interconnected standalone series, Spunes, but can be read without reading Savor It first (but I would recommend you do, as it adds additional impact for this story).
Left of Forever is / has:
• Second chance romance (characters were previously married and now divorced)
• Epistolary element – letters and diary entries
• Road trip (forced proximity, one bed)
• Dual POV
There are many reasons why I loved this book so much.
1. The second chance romance plot. The MCs, Wren and Ellis, being divorced felt like a fresher take on this dynamic, it meant there was loads to unpack from their past and character development needed before they could reunite. But this also meant there was yearning, so much excellent and agonising yearning.
2. Part of the way Wren and Ellis unpack their past / reconnect is via letter and journal writing. I always delight in epistolary elements in books, so liking this element was no surprise. Their estrangement is captured in them not knowing the others handwriting, and sharing this eventually becomes a form of intimacy.
3. Wren and Ellis – characters I loved and was invested in from the opening pages (as well as from their appearances in Savor It). Both have so much room to grow in this story. They are loyal but discovering who they are in the roles they have been placed in. Plus, Ellis as our MMC, words cannot champion him enough…
4. It is spicy! The tension, chemistry, as well as the romantic and intimate moments worked collectively to make the relationship and romance feel believable and exciting. As a reader I longed for them to find their way back together – I was not disappointed.
5. Left of Forever has loads of tropes I enjoy; the road trip element was a fun scenario to have for this story. It also has one of my favourite micro-tropes which I’m not going to disclose here, it may ruin the surprise.
6. The cover. The cover is PERFECTION.
7. I am now desperate for the remaining Byrd brothers to get a book of their own and I need them immediately. The family dynamics within these books makes my heart happy.
In short, this is a great romance read, it left me feeling all the emotions, I gasped, laughed and even cried at parts whilst reading this one! Left of Forever is perfect for readers that enjoy second chance romances (or ‘marriage in crisis’ romances), but even if that isn’t your preferred romance plot, I would still recommend this one. I will be rereading it, and think it is not only the best romance I have read so far in 2025, but one of my all-time favourites.

For the first half of this book I was having a fun time and was actually enjoying it more than its predecessor, Savor It. But as the story progressed I was wanting more emotional depth.

I wanted them to really unpack what went wrong to cause the divorce. I wanted deep conversations where they got absolutely everything out in the open, not just them asking banal questions they found online. They should have been the jumping off point not the whole conversation.

And then when they finally did open up it would be a few sentences and then they’d just get distracted and have sex instead. I don’t mind steamy scenes but it bothers me when they get in the way of the story that’s being told and for me, that’s what happened here.

I really loved the concept and I thought Wren and Ellis had great chemistry and had a lovely back story but in the end this didn’t quite land for me unfortunately.

Thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for providing me with an ARC.

Thank you for this early copy. I really enjoyed the story line and how everyone in their life agreed they should get back together. The road trip was a fun way to show their relationship and how they still felt towards eachother. The only parts I didn’t enjoy that much was the rush into marriage at the end, I found this a little far fetched as that is a huge life decision to make again & the miscommunication trope isn’t my fave. But over all it was so easy to read, flew through it <3

This was so sad and sweet.
Fuller review to come ASAP,
Both characters were relatable in their own way, and I loved well fleshed out they were. Marriage in crisis (second chance technically here) is always really hard for me to read, but I'm so glad I did. It's really hopeful. Even if I did cry a lot.

** Thank you to Net Galley, Tarah DeWitt & Piatkus for allowing me an ARC copy of this book **

4.5⭐️

This has got to be hands down my favourite second chance romance book I’ve ever read.

In a community where book tropes can sometimes feel very repetitive, Tarah always manages to come up with a new fresh story.

This book was the cutest, most heart warming, funny story with amazing elements of spice, family, small town community, healing and forgiveness.

There was banter, angst, laugh out loud moments, good spicy scenes and I couldn’t stop reading! I love how Tarah continued the story of Fisher & Sage into this one as side characters. And I especially loved seeing the brothers characters develop more. Excited to see where this little Spunes Universe goes.

2.5 stars

Left of Forever is a quirky, small-town second-chance romance where Wren and Ellis's marriage is in crisis. I liked the idea of Wren and Ellis reconnecting through letters and Ellis’s secret identity to start—it was an interesting touch that had real potential.

That said, the miscommunication trope was raising all its flags throughout their on off on relationship, and it lacked the emotional depth I was hoping for. I really wanted more insight into the lead-up to their divorce and how their love unraveled—something to ground their reconnection in real emotion. Without that, it was hard to buy into the idea that they suddenly realized they made the wrong decision of seperating after just a handful of conversations. It didn’t feel authentic.

The road trip brought some fun moments and a bit of steam, but overall, it didn’t fully hold my interest. This had potential, but it didn’t quite deliver what I was looking for.

OH MY GOSH WHERE DO I EVEN START?! This book was everything I didn’t even know I needed.

I spent the entire time reading laughing, crying and swooning over them. The way these two belonged together, despite everything life had thrown at them, from finding each other at a young age to getting divorced and everything in between. Their souls were intertwined in a way you would only understand from reading the book.
They were magical.

Yes this was a second chance romance but it was so much more and so different from any other second chance I’ve read.

I would like to say a huge thank you to the little brown book group and Tarah herself for letting this wonderful book

i cant tell you how excited i was when i found out i got the arc honestly i was over excited jumping up and down like a mad woman ,
i have read every book of Tarahs and i fell in love with all her stories , and my gosh she only went and smashed it again . I can't tell you just how much i love this story a wonderful second romance the story pulled on every heart string .

the setting is the same as the last book savor it a cosy small town where everyone looks after each other perfect might move there myself .

The characters i thought were both were wonderful such strong characters .

Ellis and wren back stories i wanted to give them both great big hugs .they fell in love when they were in their teens got married and had a little one but in their 30s no longer together and figuring life out with wren running her own bakery and Ellis fireman .they are trying to do their best with what life has dealt them .

Tarah writing is always so wonderful She is so Clever at making you feel like your in the story . thank you Tarah for bringing this wonderful book to life it is now forever ingrained in my brain and my heart .

I am giving the book 5 heart beating stars

The epitome of second chance romance will grace our bookshelves tomorrow
The pure and RAW emotions I experienced while reading this book need to be studied because I reached points crying my eyes off and questioning life choices.
And this book really is the perfect example of life sometimes has other plans for you and you never know what might happen, so be grateful for everything you have and the circle you have created around you.
Wren and Ellis ?? The way you could see from miles that they love each other even after 5 years separated….. and the yearning they delivered throughout this whole book???? And they way they describe their love is something poets write about.


Thank you to the publisher for the book

An emotional, sweet and funny second chance romance

I love a second chance romance, and this one did it really well. Tarah DeWitt is one of my favourite romance authors, I recommend all of her books, and this one is connected to Savor It. Set in the same town , it focuses on a different couple, who had a kid and married young but have been divorced for five years.
Featuring a road trip, steamy scenes, lots of friendship, family and reconnection, this is a raw look at what went wrong,what went right and navigating a way forward.
The yearning and the angst had me in a chokehold!

4.5 stars!! I loved Wren and Ellis so much. Second-chance romance can be hit or miss with me but this is done perfectly. It had angst and bitter regret, YEARNING and love in all its many forms and stages. A truly tender, realistic, but romantic story about long-term love and life. I also couldn't wait to be back in Spunes for the same charming small-town, found family that I loved in Savor It, and Left of Forever did not disappoint. So good to see snippets of Sage and Fisher living out some of their HEA too. I'll probably add to this review when I've had time to sit with the story for longer, because i've *just* finished it, and had to scream about it right now!

"I was starving to be near you again.”

I adored this from the 1st page, full on yearning and open communication. I love the family meddling in a healthy way too. I didn't realise and requested this arc before reading Savour it, but I will be heading that way asap.
Also... there was only one bed 🖤

Thanks little brown book group for the opportunity to read and review this e-arc!

I enjoyed reading Left of Forever, the second book in a series of interconnected standalone contemporary romances.

Our MC' Wren and Ellis have been divorced for 5 years after having a child and marrying young. With their son about to start college in another state, Ellis proposes a 7 day trip to see if they can make a go of a second chance romance.

I loved that the main characters in this book were in their 30s, it made it feel relatable for me as the reader and was quite refreshing.

The book was funny and witty throughout, but also dealt with some heavy topics along the way such as mental health, child loss and fertility struggles. I thought these topics were handled well by the author and added depth to the story.

I didn't feel as though I needed to have read the first book in the series, until I reached the end of this book - we switched from reading about the MCs story, to another set of characters, which I think probably would have had a better impact if I'd read book 1.

Overall I enjoyed this read as a nice palette cleanser. This would be a great book for those looking for a short, easy to read steamy story of two people finding themselves and their love for each other again 💕

“This time, they’ll get it right.”

Left of Forever follows Ellis and Wren, characters we met in Savor it. They fell in love when they were kids, had their son Sam when they were teens and had a life together - until it fell apart. Now they’re in their 30s and divorced, living not so separate lives. When they go on a trip with Sam to help him move into college, Ellis convinces Wren to extend their vacation and give their love one last chance. Can they resolve the issues of their past and move forward together? “Will they make the most of what’s left of forever? Or will they let each other go for good?”

An honourable mention needs to be made for the playlist - which slaps, and I’ve had it on repeat since reading this.

I was obsessed with Ellis and Wren from book one - so clear he wasn’t over her! When he corrected O’Doyle that Wren is still a ‘Byrd’ in the town meeting. So I LOVE the fact we get a second chance romance with them.

Really enjoyed the letters and journaling elements! Such an interesting way to give us their backstory without the typical flashback scenes.

“We belong to each other in ways no one else ever will.”

Ellis was such an interesting MMC, since he was the oldest when his parents died he took on a father figure role for his siblings. From this he feels responsible for everyone - that guy has the weight of the world on his shoulders and he’s terrified of letting anyone down. I loved how he found himself throughout this book, going to therapy and trying to win back the love of his life.

I loved Wren - the fact that she had the strength to leave her marriage when it was no longer making her happy, to then succeed as a single mom and running her bakery business. But she also allowed herself the possibility of letting Ellis back in - took a leap of faith when the chance of getting hurt again was so high. She’s just such a strong, amazing FMC.

The small town vibes are so cute! Make me want to sell my house and move to a cosy small town where they’re like one big family.

I really hope we get more books in this series!

Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt is a soul-deep, slow-burning second-chance romance that gripped me from the very first page and refused to let go. Wren and Ellis’s story is a masterclass in emotional tension—layered with past heartbreak, lingering love, and the quiet ache of what could have been. From the start, you can feel the weight of their shared history in every stolen glance and avoided conversation. Their pain is palpable, and the pining is devastating in the most compelling way. It's the kind of story you fall into and feel your heart pulled apart by—because the love is still there, simmering beneath years of silence and sorrow.

Ellis, in particular, completely won me over. His growth throughout the book is so satisfying to witness—not just because he says he’s changed, but because we actually see the work he’s put in. He’s gone to therapy, he’s faced his flaws, and he’s trying—truly trying—to be someone worthy of Wren again. His vulnerability, especially in the letters they write to each other, is honest and moving. The letters were one of my favorite parts of the book: filled with hesitation, bashful flirtation, and a deep desire to reconnect. They serve as this beautiful reminder of how tender and messy love can be, especially when it’s rooted in such a profound shared past.

Wren, for her part, is guarded and understandably cautious. She’s not quick to forgive, but she is open to honesty, and that openness gives the story so much room to breathe. When she and Ellis finally have their reckoning—when all the grief, anger, and longing comes pouring out—it feels so earned. There’s no easy fix or perfect resolution, just two people trying to find their way back to one another through vulnerability and truth. And when they do, it’s breathtaking.

The final act left me in tears—in the best possible way. Their rewritten vows, the way they choose each other with clear eyes and open hearts, was everything I hoped for. This wasn’t just a love story about getting back together; it was a story about becoming better for each other, about growth, grief, and the slow rebuilding of trust.

Tarah DeWitt writes with such care and compassion for her characters. The supporting cast, especially the Byrd family, adds warmth and richness that balances the emotional intensity between Wren and Ellis. Left of Forever is a deeply moving, beautifully written reminder that love, when it’s real and rooted in something true, can survive even the most painful endings—and come back stronger.

Five stars, without hesitation.

★★★★★

𝙧𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙗𝙤𝙤𝙠 𝙛𝙤𝙧…
🌲 second chance romance
🧡 road trip to reconciliation
🌲 forced proximity
🧡 childhood sweethearts
🌲 he YEARNS
🧡 soulmates

𝙨𝙮𝙣𝙤𝙥𝙨𝙞𝙨…
Wren & Ellis were childhood sweethearts, but after falling pregnant as teenagers, and then years of infertility, they divorced & parted ways 💔 Five years later neither one has fully moved on - and they take a road trip to see if they should give their relationship another go 🥹

𝙢𝙮 𝙩𝙝𝙤𝙪𝙜𝙝𝙩𝙨…
I’ve been obsessed with these two since Ellis’s “she’s still a Byrd” line in Savor It 🤭 and them finding their way back to one another absolutely did not disappoint 🥹

Wren & Ellis are everything, and their second chance love story is one of my favourites ever - they are absolutely meant to grow old together 😭 I really loved how Tarah showed us how sometimes things can go wrong even for soulmates 💔

Ellis yearns SO hard, and seeing how desperate he is to have Wren back in his life made heart hurt so much 🥺 Tarah’s writing is emotional and beautiful, and my heart was in a vice for 300 pages. Ellis is true book husband material, he loves Wren SO much 😭🫶🏼

The road trip setting is perfect, and made me wish I was driving up the west coast back to Oregon 🌲(and as soon as we learned the significance of the stops? I was a goner 😭)

I did find the format a little chaotic early on - you jump between letters, journal entries, past/present - but stick with it, and once you get to the road trip it’s perfect 🥲

This is hands down my favourite of Tarah’s books, I loved everything about Wren & Ellis finding their way back to one another. By the end I had tears streaming and my heart was so full 🥹🫶🏼 (the epilogue… the last line..?! 😭)

I love the Byrd family, and cannot wait for Micah & Silas’s books!

Left of forever, is a beautiful second chance romance story. While this isn’t normally my favourite romance trope, I really enjoyed this. This contemporary romance story is well crafted and their are lines in this story that will make your heart break. The characters felt so real and relatable and you go on this relationship journey with them through out the story. I rated this book 4 stars and defiantly would read more from this author.

I will publish this on my Goodreads and fable account.