Summer Won't Last Forever

I recently finished reading Savor It by Tarah DeWitt.

POSSIBLE SPOILER ALERT

  Rating: 4.25/5 stars

"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 neighbor Sage leads to dating rumors, a strategic alliance might just be the best way to turn things around.

A deal is struck. Sage will improve Fisher’s image in the eyes of the town and remove the roadblocks he is facing with the restaurant, and Fisher will be Sage’s partner for the competition. But as their pact quickly turns into steamy rendezvous, emotional wounds begin to heal, and the pair tries to savor every moment, they start to realize that summer is racing by much faster than they would like..."

This book has officially put me back in my small town romance era. And if you love heartfelt stories with charming small towns, genuine characters, and a sweet and spicy summer romance, Savor It will be your latest obsession.

Tarah Dewitt did an amazing job creating the adorable small town of Spoons, Oregon (not to be confused with Forks, Washington lol). From my experience, most contemporary romances tend to select a setting that already exists or if it doesn't, one is created but only described in vague terms. But that's not the case here. From the descriptions of the buildings to the quirky townies to the rich history, it felt like an honest-to-god real town that I could one day visit.

It's apparent that this story was written from the heart because everything about it feels so real. Similar to how the town feels like it's a real place in the world, the characters also feel incredibly real. Fisher, Sage, and Indy have experienced so much loss and heartbreak, and the way they handle and work through it all is very realistic. Even the events that take place throughout the story seemed plausible. Nothing about Savor It felt contrived, and that was extremely refreshing. This is what I love most about Tarah Dewitt's writing, is that she has a way of bringing everything to life.

I appreciated the way grief was handled. Losing a loved one is never easy, no matter how long ago it happened. And while the story centers mostly on Fisher's (and Indy's) healing journey, we're also able to see what it looks like to have lived with loss for many years through Sage's POV. The way Sage is able to understand and support Fisher was beautiful. Everyone needs to have someone like Sage in their life to lighten up their life during a dark time.

The romance was slow growing but so sweet. From the moment they meet, there is an instant attraction, but due to Fisher's grief/messy life and Sage's wariness of a summer fling, they focus on developing a friendship based on vulnerability and reliability. Fisher finds someone who can relate his grief and helps him through it with unconditional understanding and love. While Sage finds someone who loves AND appreciates her for exactly who she is - quirks and all - especially those funky robes and punny tees.

The pacing was a little off in the beginning and towards the end. The first 30% was slow moving, which I'm not too bothered by because the story was being set up. But the last 20% was a whirlwind with a few time jumps and many random moments that read like a montage. It felt a bit rushed because we spent the first 80% of the book really diving deep into these characters and their emotions with a few small subplots sprinkled in. But by the end, when these subplots needed to get wrapped up, they're all done at once and without spending much time on them. I think I would have enjoyed it even more if the race and the restaurant opening both played bigger roles at the end, considering the race is what brings Sage and Fisher to work together, and the restaurant is why Fisher is in Spoons in the first place. Every loose end was tied up but I think those two subplots could have had a bit more time dedicated to them.

Overall, Savor It is a wonderful rom-com and the perfect book for a vacation in Hawaii. Tarah DeWitt has a way of creating stories with so much heart, you can’t help but fall in love as you read. You'll swoon and maybe even cry, but ultimately, you'll have a great time visiting the town of Spoons. There's also so much Sage advice that I truly feel I grew as a person while reading this book.

PS: I really hope this gets turned into a series because I need Wren and Ellis to have a second chance romance, and I'd love to see all the brothers find love as well!!!

Check out Savor It, and discover what happens when you work towards forgiving your past.

Happy Reading :)