Published by St. Martin's Griffin on August 4, 2026
Age/Genres: Adult, Contemporary, Romance
Rating:
Goodreads
A stunning novel of romance and redemption set in the Spunes, OR world, filled with heartbreak and hope from "master of emotion" (Rachel Lynn Solomon) USA Today bestselling author Tarah DeWitt.
Bea always wanted to be a mom. But she never expected she’d have to lose her best friend to do it. Armed with nothing but her best friend’s eggs and a bucket list to complete, Bea’s world is a sea of changes.
When she needs a place to stay, her longtime friend Silas steps in to help. A firefighter grappling with the aftermath of an accident, Silas has his own challenges to work through that have left him cautious and vulnerable.
At first, they expect nothing. But as these two former sunshines knit together in a love that has been unfulfilled until now, a new beginning comes out of the ashes of the past—one that will lead to a love that can withstand all the slings and arrows, joys and triumphs, that life can throw.
Bea had pulled herself out of a deep depression following the death of her best friend, Merritt. After learning that she inherited Merritt's frozen eggs, Bea embarks on a journey to become a mother while also trying to experience some things Merritt missed out on. Luckily, Bea was able to reconnect with Silas, with whom she had previously shared a friendship and some other feeling with in the past. Together, they embark on a journey that results in healing for them both.
My emotions! My emotions! Seriously, Bea's pain broke my heart. When she talked about Merritt and all the years of friendship they shared, I was so sad for her. Though, I also thought how lucky she was to have had a friend like that. There was this line, "we were girls together", and it was something they would say to each other when they were being naughty or experiencing something big, and you could tell how special their bond was. That line lives rent free in my head while making me simultaneously laugh and cry.
But Bea also shared a past with Silas Byrd. Unfortunately, Bea believed in sisters before misters and kept her feelings for Silas at bay. But once they were back in each other's lives, it was obvious they shared something special.
Silas was the perfect person for Bea to embark on this adventure with. He was grieving some losses himself. He lost both his parents at a rather young age, and recently, he suffered burns in a fire that left him with a lot of scarring and damage to his confidence. Bea and Silas seemed to bring out the best in each other, so I had no problem cheering them on.
I loved returning to Spunes and catching up with the Byrd clan. It has been such a treat seeing the family grow, and of course, they were super welcoming to Bea. They may not have filled her Merritt-shaped hole, but it was wonderful to have their friendship and support. At first, I thought DeWitt was setting up a story for the youngest Byrd, then I cried as I read the lovely epilogue, and it seemed like an ending. Not sure, but I do hope we get to visit Spunes and the Byrds again.
Overall: A beautiful and touching story of grief, loss, friendship, and love.
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on August 4, 2026
Age/Genres: Adult, Fiction
Rating:
Goodreads
TO THE BEST FRIEND WHO EVER THIS IS YOUR GUIDE TO LIVING WITHOUT ME
STEP Always make time for yourself.
Chrissie Thomas has always done what's expected of her. A struggling single mom with a mountain of guilt and very little time for herself, she's spent her life putting others first—until her lifelong best friend, Scarlett Sanderson, insists it's finally time for the cross-country road trip they've dreamed about since childhood.
STEP Never turn down a chance for adventure.
From the moment they set out, Chrissie and Scarlett are determined to chase quirky roadside attractions, hot springs, and maybe even an unexpected flirtation or two. But as miles turn to memories, Chrissie begins to sense that this trip isn't just about escape—it's about a goodbye Scarlett hasn't yet found the courage to admit is coming.
STEP Live like every day is your last.
Scarlett has always been the fearless one—the spark in every moment, the laughter in every heartbreak. But hidden beneath her boundless joy is a truth she's kept from the person who knows her best. This trip isn't just a reunion—it's a farewell. And as they draw closer to their journey's end, Scarlett will have to do the hardest thing she's ever teach the best friend who's always been by her side how to live—to thrive—without her.
FINAL When it's finally time to say goodbye…do it with your whole heart, and leave behind a love big enough to last a lifetime.
In the 27 years of their friendship, Scarlet and Chrissie had experienced many ups and downs. Now, they were making a cross-country trip as Scarlet prepareed to say goodbye.
Not gonna lie. I could see where this was going very early in the story, but I still had to take some headache medicine because of the amount of sobbing I did towards the end of this roadtrip that was filled with hijinks, oddities, heartache, and lots of love.
I love a story that focuses on female friendship, and these two had been each other's person for decades. I will admit that Scarlet at times came across as selfish, but she also gave a lot to Chrissie in other ways. There was one thing that really surprised me and showed the strength of their bond as it did not break them.
Important moments in their history were visited via flashbacks as Chrissie and Scarlet made their way from Oregon to Vermont. This was a roadtrip filled with lots of quirks which took me through Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, and New York. Along the way, Scarlet pushed Chrissie to acknowledge parts of her life, seek more fun, be more free. Sometimes she may have seemed a bit annoying, but she was trying to prepare Chrissie for the future without her.
From the very beginning, found family had a spotlight. Chrissie's brother spent his short life in and out of hospitals, and her parents were never really a big presence in her life, but she was so lucky that seven-year-old Scarlet summoned her into her hospital room. She took Chrissie under her wing, and Scarlet's grandmother claimed Chrissie as her own giving her a nurturing environment to grow in. And that family grew to include more people during their roadtrip which was lovely to see.
Overall: This was a beautiful story of friendship and loss that touched my heart.
*ARCS PROVIDED BY THE PUBLISHER
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