An emotional, spicy, second-chance romance from USA Today bestselling author Tarah DeWitt.
This time, they'll get it right.
Wren and Ellis Byrd fell in love as kids, had their son Sam when they were only teenagers, and built a life together in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon. They were made for one another…until they fell apart.
Now divorced and in their 30s, Wren runs the bakery in town, while Ellis works as a firefighter. They live separate lives, though they are hardly off each other’s minds.
When Sam gets accepted into college and the pair help him move in together, Ellis convinces Wren to take an extended road trip back to Spunes with him to see if they can give their relationship one last chance. Amid the gorgeous scenery of the California coastline, dreamy destinations, and a great deal of long-yearned-for proximity, Wren starts to think it just might be possible. But the two still have to contend with their tumultuous past in order to move forward. And when spoken words fail, sometimes the written word must bridge the gap.
Will they make the most of what’s left of forever? Or will they let each other go for good?
Brimming with big feelings and packed with steam, Left of Forever is bestseller Tarah DeWitt at the top of her game.
This time, they'll get it right.
Wren and Ellis Byrd fell in love as kids, had their son Sam when they were only teenagers, and built a life together in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon. They were made for one another…until they fell apart.
Now divorced and in their 30s, Wren runs the bakery in town, while Ellis works as a firefighter. They live separate lives, though they are hardly off each other’s minds.
When Sam gets accepted into college and the pair help him move in together, Ellis convinces Wren to take an extended road trip back to Spunes with him to see if they can give their relationship one last chance. Amid the gorgeous scenery of the California coastline, dreamy destinations, and a great deal of long-yearned-for proximity, Wren starts to think it just might be possible. But the two still have to contend with their tumultuous past in order to move forward. And when spoken words fail, sometimes the written word must bridge the gap.
Will they make the most of what’s left of forever? Or will they let each other go for good?
Brimming with big feelings and packed with steam, Left of Forever is bestseller Tarah DeWitt at the top of her game.
Title: Left of Forever (Spunes, OR #2)
Author: Tarah Dewitt
Publisher: St. Martin's Griffin
Expected Publication Date: May 20, 2025
Review:
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a copy of this book to read and give my honest review. The opinions expressed here are my own.
I have been craving second chance romances lately. Boy was I excited to see what Dewitt would give me with this trope. I was not disappointed in the least!
Wren and Ellis Byrd have been divorced for 5 years, going their separate ways after having gotten pregnant so young and then slowly growing apart. When their son is set graduate from high school and has been accepted to a school in California, a family road trip becomes inevitable. And Ellis finally sees a way to try and win back the love of his life. But Wren is skeptical at best and, while she still sees she has feelings for her ex, she's not sure the rift that infiltrated their family bubble is fixable. Can they reconnect driving the beautiful California lands?
I'm just going to say that this book really wrecked me. The way the story was told, the development of the characters, the slow burn, the hope for a second change. They were all done so well!
Wren was so wonderfully done. Her longing for connection, her heart wanting to open to love, her fear of things hurting all over again. Her journey, while not mine, was so relatable. Her loneliness was truly palpable. I was rooting for her the entire book. She made me see how love is love, even if it changes shape and form and grows. And people change and grow and sometimes need to reinvent themselves to become the person they were always meant to be.
But ELLIS! If I wanted a character to stick out for me in this book, it was him. DeWitt wrote him with so much vulnerability. I could feel in in my heart as it clenched in my chest on many occasions when Ellis was telling the story. He has so many facets. His inability to see his true worth. His selflessness, sometimes to his demise. His need to fix things. I don't often relate to the MMC, even if I love them. With Ellis I felt seen. This character will absolutely hold a special place in my heart for a very long time.
The yearning Dewitt creates is really top notch. She can't write anything I wouldn't want to read. And the family and friends who surround this couple, cheering them and helping to show them they truly can overcome their past gives that small town feel. I love found families with real families tied in.
Everything about this story was tangible. Dewitt managed to crawl into my chest and wrap around my heart with this story. The pacing was spectacular and the only thing that kept me from finishing this in one sitting was me having to get up early the next day so sleep was necessary.
The plot os one I often worry about. The story of a relationship in demiseWhat can a author do to take two estranged beings and make them love again that hasn't been done before? But the road trip was such a great way to move the plot along. It never felt stagnant since you were moving from town to town with Ellis and Rynn and doing new things with them. I was desperate for an HEA and I don't think I story has made me laugh and then break down crying like this one has.
And, that Santa Cruz connection with The Co-Op, I absolutely loved seeing the Deacon and Rynn cameo and glimpse into their HEA.
This is absolutely my favorite DeWitt book to date. The journey these characters took is raw and honest. I can't wait to read it again and again.
Author:
I LOVE second chances romances. Going to have to check this one out.
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