Savor it is a really sweet small town summer romance with a Gilmore Girls-esque cast of hilarious characters, a grumpy three-legged cat and crazy, feathered robes! The characters in the book were really relatable, and the topic of grief was handled so brilliantly and not in a stereotypical way at all. I found it a little slow to begin with, and the ending was a little predictable, but overall it was a really cute romance read and I enjoyed it on the whole. I love the city boy meets small town girl trope so that aspect of it was great. Hopefully in the future there will be more books getting to know the rest of the town a bit more because I need to know what happens with so many other characters!

Thank you to Tarah Dewitt, Little, Brown Book Group and NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book.

Looooved this. A fun reverse on the hallmark 'out-of-towner' comes to stay trope, in Savor It we meet Fisher, an ambitious Michelin Starred chef from New York City, and Sage, a charismatic and caring small-town girl. I loved the dynamic, the secondary characters, the spice... This was a solid romcom that I'll definitely be recommending.

Sage Byrd has lived in the coastal town of Spunes, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington) her entire life. She's learned to love her small world, with the misfit animals on her hobby farm, and her friendships with the town's inhabitants. But when her 5-year relationship ends and her ex, town-golden-boy Ian, suddenly gets engaged, Sage needs a win - something that will convince everyone to stop pitying her all the time, and to put Ian in his place. The Festival of Spunes, the town's annual summer competition, would be the perfect opportunity. She just needs a partner.

Fisher Lange was a hotshot chef in New York City until the loss of his sister left him numb, grieving, and responsible for his teenage niece Indy. When Fisher loses his Michelin star along with his love of cooking, his boss sends him and Indy to Spunes on a much-needed summer sabbatical to consult on a restaurant opening. But when clashes with the townspeople threaten his last chance to redeem himself and a kiss with his new neighbour Sage leads to dating rumours, a strategic alliance might just be the best way to turn things around.

I am a big fan of Tarah DeWitt’s books and this one did not disappoint. Such a fun, beautiful and well written book. Love a good grumpy sunshine story with forced proximity. I also loved all the secondary characters. I cannot wait to read her next book!

Thank you to netgalley and the publishers for the ARC. Loved it!

I was completely swept away by this whirlwind romance and I fell in love with these characters. I wish I had savoured this beautiful story, but absolutely devoured it. I adored Sage and Fisher, and felt their relationship was incredibly believable.

Tara DeWitt reminded me why I love romance books and can’t wait to read more from this author. The depth created is genuinely impressive for such a short book. I would definitely recommend this for lovers of a good old fashioned small town romance - it’s a classic for a reason and this is a masterclass in the genre!

Savor It is a wonderful book to open the summer with. With moods of salt air, open farms, and sunshine it is the perfect summer read. Tara DeWitt creates the most emotional, humorous, and love filled novel. An absolute joy to read, I laughed through the first half at the antics of Sage and Fisher as they navigate through their emotional challenges. A stunning and comforting read.

3.5

I loved Tarah's writing style! The story was really cute, the small town was amazing! I loved it so much! And the chemistry between Sage and Fisher? INCREDIBLE!

However, I would have liked to see more depth into Fisher and Indy's relationship, that change felt a little strange and also, I never saw Fisher making the menu or working in the restaurant, there were a couple of times, I think, but I wish I could see more of that.

Overall, I really liked it, but I wish certain themes were developed better.

I struggling to put in to words my thoughts on this book, I think because it was meant to generate a heartwarming feeling that can’t be properly explained without saying just read it and see.

The small town setting definitely has Gilmore Girls vibes but not in an overpowering way. The secondary characters in it feature enough but not to the point of other books where you can see other characters getting their own books.

Thankfully the ex thing wasn’t a big deal and didn’t lead to any cliche conflicts. The story was really about the characters developing and overcoming some hurdles while also slowly developing a lasting relationship. There is a straight away interest and attraction but they don’t act on it for a while allowing for a stronger bond to form first.

I just wanted more I guess. More scenes with Indy (the niece) and more with Sage’s animals and with her friend Wren who also has a kid. I would have happily read a version with more pages if it meant getting to see more of that rather than a lot of character introspection. A lot of those internal moments didn’t feel balanced out with actual scenes. It did make me feel closer to the characters so I wouldn’t take any of that work away I just want more of the rest.

This was my first Tarah DeWitt book and I can’t wait to try another. Her style of writing really suits me, I always love when the character work feels completely fleshed out.

I received an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Savor it is the latest romance from Tara DeWitt and it is also my first time reading one of her books, although I have copies of all of them! This is a small town romance which is one of my favourite tropes/settings and it has a mix of humour, crazy animals and funny locals. It was really lovely to read.
Sage Byrd is a Spunes native. She grew up in the small town under the care of her three brothers after losing both of her parents. She is a high school teacher. Sage is just a delight. She cares so much for everyone else. After her ex, Ian, broke up with her and quickly got engaged to one of her high-school friends (perks of small town living!), Sage is moving onwards and upwards.
Fisher is a chef, used to intense pressure and working hard. After the death of his sister, Fisher is now guardian to his niece Indy and is forced to move to Spunes after he had an explosive moment at work when a food critic had some bad things to say. His boss Carlie sends the pair down to Spunes to take care of a new food establishment being built, making him responsible for getting the menu and all things food related set up.
Fisher and Sage meet one another for the first time in the middle of the night when the police are called for a suspected burglary and I think everyone gets more than they bargained for. Turns out a rogue hoover (or vacuum for the Americans) was reeking havoc in the kitchen. Sage bursts in in her cow print robe, shocked to see her police officer brothers interrogating Fisher like he’s some crazy city dwelling criminal. From there, Sage is making an effort to make them feel welcome. Next door, Sage has quite the collection of rescue animals and she loves tending to her garden. Unfortunately, her new neighbours are not adjusting to their new town so Sage recruits her nephew Sam to show the new teen around.
Fisher and Sage begin a fun and light-hearted friendship that soon develops into more but overall, the pair know their time together is temporary as Fisher is returning to New York at the end of the summer.
I loved this book! The romance felt realistic, and the pair had a great base of a friendship before they got together romantically. The antics of all the side characters and animals made it feel so heartwarming.
I think I’ll definitely move her other books up my TBR list as I loves Savor It so much.
Thank you for the eARC!

Unfortunately, I DNF'd this book. I think it was a partly a case of wrong book, wrong time so I guess that is more to do with me. But the predominant reason is that I just couldn't connect to the characters. I understood that individually they had been through a lot of grief and trauma, and were dealing with the aftermath of that. But I also think there wasn't much development of the characters outside of their trauma. I was about halfway through the book and I still didn't feel the connection between Sage and Fisher. I also didn't get the cozy, gossip-y small-town vibes that I wanted and that I think the author was trying to convey. It really was a case of my preferences not meshing with the author, rather than any particular fault in any way, because at the end of the day, I do think it was a really well-written story. I just wasn't connecting with it and so I put it down.

I was very excited to read this arc and it didn’t disappoint. The small town romance is funny with a bit of spice. A dual pov. Sage had a pretty public break up and Fisher a chef has just moved to town. I really enjoyed this book and will definitely check out more of the authors books. Thank you to Net Galley and the publisher for allowing me to read this in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really enjoyable read. The characters were light and well developed, the plot was well paced, and the overall story had me hooked.

Thank you to NetGalley UK and the publisher for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for a review.

I really love a Tarah Dewitt romcom!! I love a small town, dual POV, grumpy-sunshine romance. In Savor It, TD's writing is witty, cosy, lighthearted-and-serious all in one ball and of course, full of sexual tension. Fisher and Sage's relationship happens slowly then all at once, until there are bigger feelings whirling around them than they expected. My heart broke when Fisher's time in Spunes comes to a close, but I loved the way everything was resolved in the end. I couldn't help but root for all the side characters in this book too! I would love more books in this world - a second chance for Ellis and Wren? Silas and someone? I would eat it all up in an instant!

5 stars
TW; mentioning of and trauma from the death of family members (off page), moderate burns from a fire to side character
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a digital copy to review. All thoughts are my own.

I absolutely adore when romances are well-balanced with lighthearted moments, emotional baggage to unpack, and believable physical chemistry to build upon, and once again, Tarah DeWitt delivered the whole package.

Sage loves her small town of Spunes, but she isn't having the easiest of times since breaking up with her partner, especially since he's about to remarry a friend and is the golden boy in town. Small-town downsides mean everyone gets up in everyone's business, and the reader gets to see how she struggles and thrives in this environment. I adored Sage's fun personality, how she lives by her "Sage Advice", and tries to navigate her vulnerable feelings by being useful to others. She's a do-gooder by nature, and this rankles newcomer Fisher, at first, until he too finds himself captivated by her view on life. I appreciated how Sage never gives up on doing what she sees as the best path for her, even when she's unsure how it will play out. Her emotions and character choices were very relatable, and I was rooting for her to get everything she deserved.

Fisher, arriving only for the summer with his estranged teenage niece Indy, and with goals to revive his culinary career, was equally an interesting character to dive into. I enjoyed his emotional storyline more than Sage's, especially when you get to see signs of him coming alive again. His excitement when his ideas start turning, when he's eager to be around Sage, and when he starts to see what a positive impact he can have on Indy, was rewarding to experience alongside him. I also appreciated his vulnerable honesty, and how often he realised that savouring his time and his efforts with certain people and situations was more satisfying than racing through life - no pun on the title intended.

Naturally, both characters built up a beautiful romantic tale, with a lot of steamy action that fit the storyline perfectly. I loved the emotional connection that was woven into the passion, and how the idea of focusing on doing things in the present, really showcased the time limit of the summer and the heat of impermanence. Whilst the angst was expected, I enjoyed that it didn't drag out for too long and helped some characters find clarity of what they wanted with their lives - something that they didn't possess at the beginning of the novel.

I was delighted by the world-building, the togetherness of the community when celebrating one another's wins, and the wholesome farm environment of Sage's property. I also appreciated the side characters and what they delivered to the storyline, as well as have hope the author will return to Spunes as I'd love to read more about Ellis and Wren.

Another fabulous novel by this author, further cementing my need to read more of their backlog as I am obsessed with the balance between funny, emotional, and steamy. If you love small-town romances, you won't regret picking this one up.

This is my first book by Tarah DeWitt and I really enjoyed it, I look forward to reading more of her work in the future. Savor It follows Fisher as he moves to a small town with his niece for the summer as both are going though some difficult times. Here the meet animal loving Sage who is trying to move on from a long term relationship. I really enjoyed the dynamic between the characters and the development of their relationship. This book has brilliant small town romance vibes and I highly recommend it for an easy summer read. I hope we get to revisit this town in the future and get to see some more stories from Sage's brothers.

What I Liked:
The Setting—I have yet to visit the PNW in my life and yet I feel like I was made for it. I loved this setting so much. I loved the small town aspect and all the animals. It was so charming.

The Banter—I think the banter is the best part of this book. It was next level good. I found myself smirking and snorting and could hear the characters’ voices so clearly in my head. I look forward to more in this universe!

The Chemistry—Ohhhh I sure did love the chemistry between these characters. Fisher and Sage were adorable and I really loved their connection.

What Didn’t Work:
First Act Pacing—It took me a little bit to get into this book. I think the first act was a little slow but I’m glad I stuck through it because the end had me in a puddle.

Character Authenticity: 4/5 Spice Rating: 2/5 Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Content Warnings:
death of a parent/sibling, grief, fire/fire accident

Thank you Netgalley for this arc. All thoughts are my own.

This was my first Tarah DeWitt novel, and it will not be the last.
A friend suggested I read her book Funny Feelings, and when I saw this up I took my shot. I was not disappointed.

Sage loves her small town. She loves her home, her animals, her little farm and she's just content. Having lost both parents at a young age, along with her brothers, her friends and neighbors are just like family.
After losing his job and his passion for his craft, Chef Fisher takes a job in the small town of Spunes to help his old boss out and take some time away from New York. Driving across the country with his niece, Indy, they rock up in Spunes, both skeptical of what this small town can offer them.
Fisher and Sage fall into a fake dating situation, and Fisher begins to open up to the friendship and advice she offers. Their attraction grows and blossoms into a beautifully intimate connection. But Fisher is due to leave at the end of the summer. They decide to enjoy it for what it is and however long they have, but find out in the end how hard it is to say goodbye.

This story had me on a rollercoaster of feels, I laughed. I cried. I also enjoyed the spice and the dual POV. It all added to their journeys, as well as their relationship together.

I 100% recommend reading this, and I'm going to read everything I can get my hands on.

I received this arc in exchange for an honest review. 🤍

i absolutely loved this book! it was a perfect small town romance with witty side characters and a charming plot. i loved the dynamics between all of the characters and felt as though the book flowed really nicely. i cried so many times throughout this book and i feel like that encapsulates how easy it was to connect to the various characters. the development of the relationship between sage and fisher was so smooth, i really enjoyed it!

however, if we don’t get a book about ellis and wren i will be very upset !!

*4 stars*

I have been in a bit of a slump recently and a small town romance usually does the trick and this one did not dissapoint. It started off a bit slow for me, but by the second half I was invested.

If you are feeling like a summer romance, this is one to put on your TBR. Sage & Fisher's romance was sweet and spicy and the last 10% had my heart breaking for them, but it had a HEA in the end!

And although this is a sweet summer romance, it deals with some heavy topics such as grief and the loss of a loved one so check your TWs.

Pick this up if you like:
* Small town romance
* Slow burn
* Fake dating
* Single dad vibes (he is the gaurdian of his niece)
* you love weird pets (like geese and goats haha)

Big thank you to Netgalley and Little Brown Book Group UK for sending me an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Beyond adorable, a cute and cozy and funny and romantic summer read. No miscommunication trope to be found here either. Some of the “Sage advice” was also remarkably apt - as these things often are.

This was so wholesome and cute and exactly everything you’d expect from a small town romance. I really loved the backdrop and setting of this book and all the animals and town characters were adorable. Personally I had some issues with the main characters though in the sense that I just didn’t vibe with either of them. I found them too snappy with one another and they just rubbed me up the wrong way. It’s absolutely a me problem, we are often told we can’t like everyone and unfortunately these two weren’t my type of people and that’s ok! I still enjoyed the story and would def recommend for a quick, sweet and comfortable read