Tarah DeWitt has crafted something truly special with Savor It, the first installment in her Spunes, OR series. Following the success of her previous works Rootbound, The Co-op, and Funny Feelings, DeWitt demonstrates her mastery of small-town romance with a story that simmers with emotional depth and bubbles over with genuine charm. This novel serves as a perfect appetizer to what promises to be a delectable series, with Left of Forever following as the second course.
Set in the quirky coastal town of Spunes, Oregon (delightfully distinguished from Forks, Washington right from the welcome sign), DeWitt creates a world so vivid you can practically taste the salt air and hear the geese honking in the meadow. The town itself becomes a character—complete with its phallic-shaped observatory that has the whole community in stitches, its annual festival built on a foundation of charming historical fraud, and residents who embody both the best and most meddlesome aspects of small-town life.
Characters with Authentic Flavor
Sage Byrd: More Than Just the Town’s Sweetheart
Sage Byrd emerges as a protagonist who defies the typical small-town romance heroine archetype. DeWitt skillfully avoids the trap of making her either a bitter wallflower or an insufferably perky optimist. Instead, Sage is a woman who has consciously chosen to find meaning in the small moments—growing flowers not because she has to, but because beauty matters, rescuing animals not from a savior complex, but because love multiplies when shared.
Her character development throughout the novel is particularly compelling. When Fisher initially dismisses her as the “town golden girl” and “too nice,” Sage’s response is fierce and articulate: “I’m not weak for that.” This moment crystallizes her entire philosophy—that choosing to care deeply in a world that can be cruel isn’t naivety, it’s courage. DeWitt writes Sage with the kind of emotional intelligence that recognizes her flaws (the tendency to make herself small, the fear of abandonment) while celebrating her strengths (her capacity for joy, her fierce loyalty).
Fisher Lange: A Chef Who’s Lost His Appetite for Life
Fisher’s character arc represents one of the most nuanced portrayals of grief and professional burnout in contemporary romance. DeWitt doesn’t simply give us a grumpy chef who needs love to fix him; she presents a man grappling with the weight of expectations, the hollowness of achieved dreams, and the crushing responsibility of sudden guardianship.
The author’s background research into the culinary world shines through in Fisher’s characterization. His relationship with food—how he’s lost the joy in cooking, how he moves through a kitchen with muscle memory but no passion—feels authentic. When he finally begins to cook for Sage, the scenes crackle with sensuality not just because of their growing attraction, but because we’re witnessing Fisher rediscovering his love for his craft.
His dynamic with his niece Indy adds another layer of complexity. DeWitt avoids the trap of making their relationship an easy fix; instead, she shows the messy, uncomfortable reality of two people trying to heal together while carrying their own individual trauma.
The Supporting Cast: A Town Worth Saving
DeWitt’s supporting characters elevate this novel from good to exceptional. From Martha O’Doyle, the self-appointed town preservationist whose nitpicking masks genuine care for her community, to Silas and Ellis Byrd, whose brotherly protectiveness comes wrapped in firefighter pragmatism and endearing chaos, each character feels fully realized.
The relationship between Sage and Wren provides a particularly strong foundation of female friendship that doesn’t rely on dramatic conflicts or jealousy. Their easy banter and mutual support create a sense of community that makes the reader understand why Sage would never want to leave Spunes.
Plot and Pacing: Slow Burn Done Right
The central premise—Sage and Fisher entering a fake relationship to help each other achieve their goals—provides the perfect framework for their emotional journey. However, DeWitt’s execution transcends the typical fake-dating trope by grounding their alliance in genuine mutual respect and shared vulnerability.
The pacing deserves particular praise. DeWitt takes her time developing both the romance and the individual character growth, understanding that the best love stories aren’t just about two people falling for each other, but about two people becoming their best selves together. The training sequences for the canoe race serve as perfect metaphors for their relationship—learning to move in sync, trusting each other’s rhythm, and working toward a common goal.
The integration of the festival competition and the restaurant consultation storylines creates natural tension and stakes without feeling forced. When external obstacles arise (Silas’s accident, the permit delays), they feel organic to the story rather than manufactured drama.
Sensuality and Steam: Chemistry That Sizzles
DeWitt writes intimate scenes with remarkable skill, balancing heat with emotional intimacy. The progression from their first kiss in the library (a scene that perfectly captures the thrill of unexpected attraction) to their more passionate encounters feels natural and earned. The author’s use of food metaphors and cooking imagery in these scenes creates a unique sensuality that ties directly to Fisher’s character and profession.
Particularly effective is how DeWitt uses their physical relationship to show emotional growth. Fisher’s patient attention to Sage’s pleasure reflects his growing ability to be present and generous, while Sage’s increasing confidence mirrors her journey toward valuing herself as she deserves.
Small-Town Romance Tropes: Elevated and Subverted
While Savor It embraces many beloved small-town romance elements, Tarah DeWitt elevates them through authentic execution and genuine affection for her setting. The meddling townspeople aren’t cartoonish obstacles but real people with understandable motivations. The annual festival isn’t just a convenient plot device but a celebration of community tradition and connection.
The author particularly excels at subverting the “outsider vs. local” dynamic. Fisher’s initial prejudices against small towns stem from real trauma and disappointment, while the townspeople’s wariness of outsiders has legitimate basis in past experience. When understanding finally develops, it feels earned rather than forced.
Emotional Depth: Beyond the Romance
What sets this novel apart is DeWitt’s unflinching examination of grief, family trauma, and the courage required to build new traditions while honoring the past. The themes of chosen family, finding home, and learning to accept impermanence weave throughout the narrative without overwhelming the romantic plot.
The handling of Indy’s character deserves special mention. Too often in romance novels, the hero’s dependent becomes either an obstacle to be overcome or a plot device to demonstrate the heroine’s nurturing nature. DeWitt treats Indy as a fully realized person with her own goals, fears, and agency. Her relationship with Sam, her friendship with Sage, and her eventual acceptance of their move all feel authentic to a teenager’s experience.
Areas for Improvement
While Savor It by Tarah DeWitt succeeds brilliantly overall, a few elements could have been strengthened. The resolution feels slightly rushed—Fisher’s decision to uproot his entire life happens quite quickly, and while emotionally satisfying, could have benefited from more exploration of the practical implications. Additionally, some secondary plotlines (particularly involving Sage’s ex-boyfriend Ian) feel underdeveloped, though they serve their purpose in the larger narrative.
The novel’s 4-star average rating likely reflects these minor pacing issues and the fact that some readers may find the small-town setting too insular for their tastes.
Writing Style: A Voice Worth Savoring
DeWitt’s prose strikes the perfect balance between literary merit and accessibility. Her dialogue sparkles with wit and authenticity—the banter between characters feels natural and unforced, while her descriptive passages paint vivid pictures without becoming overwrought. She has a particular gift for capturing the sensory details that make a setting come alive: the smell of salt air, the texture of wet suits, the taste of fresh-caught fish.
Her ability to weave humor throughout even the most emotional scenes prevents the novel from becoming too heavy while never undermining the genuine feelings at stake. The running jokes about the observatory’s phallic appearance and the townspeople’s reactions provide levity without feeling juvenile.
Series Potential and Final Verdict
As the first book in the Spunes, OR series, Savor It by Tarah DeWitt establishes a rich world with ample opportunities for future stories. The town’s quirky residents, the ongoing development of Starhopper restaurant, and the hint of Ellis and Wren’s complicated history all promise compelling future narratives.
Savor It represents contemporary romance at its finest—a story that uses familiar tropes as a foundation for deeper exploration of love, loss, and belonging. DeWitt has created characters worth rooting for in a setting worth visiting again and again. While not without minor flaws, this novel succeeds in its most important mission: making readers believe in the transformative power of love and the beauty of choosing to bloom where you’re planted.
For fans of small-town romance, this book offers everything the genre promises—community, chemistry, and heart. For readers new to the genre, it provides an excellent introduction that showcases the depth and sophistication contemporary romance can achieve. Like the best summer meals, Savor It by Tarah DeWitt satisfies completely while leaving you eager for the next course.
- Perfect for readers who enjoyed Beach Read by Emily Henry, The Unhoneymooners by Christina Lauren, or anyone seeking a romance that celebrates both grand gestures and quiet moments of grace.
