Small Town, Big Secrets

Sage Byrd, a high school teacher and lifelong Spunes, Oregon resident, is used to the rhythms of her quirky coastal town. But when a bizarre, phallic observatory structure appears atop a long-abandoned warehouse, speculation runs wild. Sage, still nursing wounds from a painful breakup, finds comfort in her routines, her animals, and her close-knit—if meddlesome—community. The town buzzes with rumors about the new building and its purpose, setting the stage for change and curiosity.

Burnout and New Beginnings

Fisher Lange, a once-celebrated Michelin-starred chef, arrives in Spunes with his teenage niece, Indy, after losing his job and his sense of self. Both are reeling from grief—Fisher from career burnout and the loss of his sister, Indy from her mother's death and feeling out of place. They're tasked with overseeing the new restaurant project, Starhopper, and forced to confront their own pain and each other's prickly defenses as they settle into the unfamiliar rhythms of small-town life.

The Midnight Vacuum Incident

On their first night, Fisher and Indy mistake a rogue robot vacuum for a home invader, summoning the entire local emergency crew. The incident, both mortifying and hilarious, introduces them to Sage and her boisterous brothers, as well as the town's penchant for over-involvement. This chaotic welcome sets the tone for Fisher's reluctant integration into Spunes and sparks the first flickers of chemistry—and mutual embarrassment—between him and Sage.

Unlikely Neighbors Collide

Sage and Fisher's paths cross repeatedly, from animal mishaps to garden emergencies. Sage's warmth and nosy curiosity clash with Fisher's guarded cynicism, but their banter and shared vulnerability begin to chip away at their defenses. As Sage helps Fisher navigate the town's quirks and Fisher offers her a taste of something new, their neighborly interactions deepen into a tentative friendship, complicated by mutual attraction and the baggage they both carry.

Spunes Gossip Mill

The town's grapevine is relentless, especially as Sage and Fisher's connection becomes fodder for speculation. Sage's ex, Ian, and his new fiancée, Cassidy, loom large in the social landscape, while Fisher's outsider status and mysterious past fuel curiosity. The community's meddling both frustrates and supports the protagonists, forcing them to confront their own reputations, insecurities, and the expectations of those around them.

Grief, Guilt, and Guardianship

Fisher struggles to parent Indy, haunted by guilt over his past failures and the loss of his sister. Sage, orphaned young and raised by her brothers, recognizes the ache of being left behind and offers empathy and practical support. Their shared experiences of grief and feeling "other" create a foundation of trust, even as they each resist being "rescued." Through small acts of kindness and honesty, they begin to heal and find purpose in caring for others.

Canoe Races and Second Chances

The annual Spunes festival, with its legendary canoe race and quirky contests, becomes a focal point for both Sage and Fisher. Sage, longing for a win of her own, asks Fisher to be her partner. Their training sessions—equal parts grueling and flirtatious—become a metaphor for learning to trust, synchronize, and let go of control. The festival's history of local winners and the town's resistance to outsiders add stakes and tension, but also a sense of belonging.

Gardens, Gophers, and Growth

Sage's beloved garden is ravaged by gophers, triggering a meltdown that Fisher helps her weather. Their teamwork in the face of literal and figurative messes deepens their bond. The garden becomes a symbol of resilience, nurturing, and the unpredictability of life. As they share stories of failure and hope, they learn to accept imperfection and savor small victories, both in the soil and in their hearts.

Menu of the Heart

Fisher rediscovers his passion for cooking through Sage's encouragement and the abundance of local ingredients. Their collaboration on the Starhopper menu is both professional and deeply personal, blending his highbrow skills with her down-to-earth sensibility. Meals become acts of intimacy, healing, and celebration. Through food, Fisher finds a way to express what words cannot, and Sage learns to value her own dreams and contributions.

Library Kisses and Old Wounds

A chance encounter with Sage's ex in the library leads to a bold, cathartic kiss between Sage and Fisher—ostensibly to make Ian jealous, but charged with real longing. The moment crystallizes their chemistry and the risks of vulnerability. It also exposes old wounds: Sage's fear of being "too much" or "not enough," Fisher's terror of failing again. Their relationship becomes a dance of daring and retreat, honesty and self-protection.

Training, Trust, and Temptation

As festival preparations ramp up, Sage and Fisher negotiate the terms of their partnership—both in the canoe and in bed. Their attempts to set "rules" for a friends-with-benefits arrangement quickly unravel in the face of genuine emotion. Physical intimacy becomes a crucible for trust, communication, and the fear of loss. Both must confront what they truly want and whether they're brave enough to ask for it.

Festival Dreams and Setbacks

Just as Sage and Fisher are poised for triumph, a family emergency pulls Sage away: her brother is injured fighting a wildfire. They miss the festival's preliminary events, seemingly dashing their hopes. But the town rallies, delaying the race so they can compete. Their victory is hard-won, not just in the canoe but in the realization that success is measured by community, love, and the courage to keep showing up—win or lose.

Fire, Family, and Fragility

The aftermath of the fire brings Sage's family closer, highlighting the fragility of life and the importance of chosen family. Fisher, too, is forced to reckon with what matters most: not accolades or external validation, but the people who make life meaningful. The crisis strips away pretense and compels both protagonists to articulate their feelings, even as the prospect of separation looms.

Savoring the Present

With the end of summer approaching, Sage and Fisher face the inevitability of parting. They choose to fully inhabit their remaining days together, making memories and savoring each moment. Their love becomes an act of presence, gratitude, and acceptance of impermanence. The lessons of the labyrinth—enjoying the journey, not just the destination—echo in their hearts as they prepare to say goodbye.

Letting Go, Coming Home

Fisher and Indy return to New York, changed by their time in Spunes. Both struggle with the ache of absence and the challenge of building a life that feels authentic. Sage, too, grieves but grows, finally pursuing her dream of becoming a professional flower grower. Through journaling, therapy, and the support of friends and family, they each learn to honor their own needs and desires. Ultimately, Fisher realizes that home is not a place but a person—and returns to Spunes, ready to build a life with Sage.

Epilogue: Savor It All

A year later, Fisher, Sage, Indy, and their menagerie are thriving in Spunes. Starhopper is a success, Sage's flower business is blooming, and the family they've created is both unconventional and deeply fulfilling. The town's quirks, once obstacles, are now cherished. The story ends with a celebration of love, resilience, and the wisdom of savoring every messy, beautiful moment.

Characters

Sage Byrd

Sage is a lifelong Spunes resident, high school teacher, and accidental caretaker of a menagerie of animals. Orphaned young and raised by her brothers, she's learned to be self-sufficient, but craves recognition and a sense of being "chosen." Her warmth, humor, and vulnerability make her beloved in her community, but she struggles with feeling overlooked or "too much." Sage's journey is one of learning to value her own dreams, set boundaries, and accept love without shrinking herself. Her relationship with Fisher is both a catalyst for growth and a mirror for her deepest fears and hopes.

Fisher Lange

Once a rising star in the culinary world, Fisher is undone by burnout, grief, and a public professional failure. He's haunted by guilt over his sister's death and his perceived inadequacy as Indy's guardian. Fisher's initial cynicism and emotional guardedness mask a deep longing for connection and meaning. Through his relationship with Sage and the Spunes community, he rediscovers his passion, learns to accept imperfection, and finds the courage to prioritize love over ego. His arc is one of humility, healing, and the embrace of vulnerability.

Indy

Fisher's teenage niece, Indy, is reeling from her mother's death and years of feeling like an outsider. Her sarcasm and defiance are shields against further hurt. Over the course of the story, she slowly opens up—to Fisher, to Sage, and to the possibility of friendship and belonging. Indy's journey parallels the adults': learning to trust, to grieve, and to imagine a future that isn't defined by loss.

Wren

Sage's best friend and the town baker, Wren is a single mother navigating her own wounds from divorce. She's a source of humor, wisdom, and tough love for Sage, encouraging her to take risks and savor joy. Wren's presence underscores the importance of chosen family and the ways women support each other through life's messiness.

Silas Byrd

One of Sage's brothers, Silas is a firefighter whose bravado masks deep loyalty and vulnerability. His injury in the wildfire is a turning point for the family, reminding everyone of life's fragility and the power of showing up for each other.

Ian Carver

Sage's ex-boyfriend and the town's favored son, Ian represents both what Sage has lost and what she no longer wants. His new relationship with Cassidy is a source of pain but also a catalyst for Sage's growth. Ian's presence forces Sage to confront her own worth and the difference between being chosen and being cherished.

Martha O'Doyle

The self-appointed guardian of Spunes's traditions, Martha is both an antagonist and an unlikely ally. Her resistance to change masks a deep love for her community. Through her, the story explores the tension between preservation and progress, and the ways even the most rigid people can surprise us.

Starhopper (the restaurant)

More than a setting, Starhopper represents the possibility of new beginnings—for Fisher, for Sage, and for the town. Its construction and the drama surrounding it mirror the characters' internal struggles: the fear of failure, the challenge of collaboration, and the courage to dream.

The Animals (Sable, Legoless, Gary, etc.)

Sage's animals are more than pets—they're extensions of her nurturing spirit and symbols of the story's themes. Their quirks and needs provide both humor and opportunities for connection, especially between Sage, Fisher, and Indy.

The Town of Spunes

Spunes is both a haven and a crucible, its eccentricities shaping and challenging everyone who lives there. The town's collective memory, gossip, and rituals force the characters to confront themselves, but also offer the possibility of true belonging.

Plot Devices

Dual POV Structure

The novel alternates between Sage and Fisher's points of view, allowing readers to inhabit both characters' inner worlds. This structure heightens dramatic irony, reveals misunderstandings, and underscores the theme that everyone is fighting unseen battles. It also allows for a nuanced exploration of gendered expectations, grief, and the different ways people process love and loss.

Small-Town Microcosm

Spunes functions as a pressure cooker, amplifying every triumph and failure. The town's insularity, gossip, and traditions create external conflict, but also provide the safety net that enables healing. The festival, the gossip mill, and the communal response to crisis all serve as plot engines and metaphors for the characters' journeys.

Food as Metaphor

Fisher's relationship to food—once a source of pride, then of shame, and finally of joy—parallels his emotional arc. Cooking becomes a language of love, a way to process grief, and a means of connecting with others. Meals shared between characters are moments of vulnerability, celebration, and transformation.

The Festival and Canoe Race

The annual festival and its contests provide structure, stakes, and opportunities for character development. Training for the race becomes a metaphor for partnership, trust, and the willingness to risk failure. The festival's history and rules also explore themes of tradition, exclusion, and the possibility of rewriting old narratives.

Symbolic Motifs: Gardens, Animals, Labyrinths

Sage's garden, the recurring gopher battles, and the labyrinths drawn on the beach all symbolize the messiness of growth, the necessity of patience, and the beauty of impermanence. The animals' quirks and needs mirror the characters' own woundedness and capacity for joy. The labyrinth, in particular, becomes a metaphor for embracing the journey, not just the destination.

Letters, Journals, and Advice

Sage's mother's advice journal, and later Sage's own additions, serve as touchstones for wisdom, comfort, and continuity. These written artifacts bridge past and present, offering guidance and solace when spoken words fail. They also underscore the theme that meaning is made in the small, everyday choices we make.

Foreshadowing and Circularity

The story is rich with foreshadowing—early jokes, motifs, and conflicts that pay off in later chapters. The circular structure (beginning and ending with arrivals, departures, and homecomings) reinforces the idea that life is a series of loops, and that savoring the present is the only way to make peace with impermanence.

Analysis

Savor It is a warm, witty, and emotionally resonant exploration of love, loss, and the courage to begin again. Through the intertwined journeys of Sage and Fisher, Tarah DeWitt examines how grief and burnout can hollow us out, but also how community, creativity, and vulnerability can fill us back up. The novel's small-town setting is both a source of friction and a crucible for growth, challenging characters to confront their own stories and rewrite them with intention. Food, gardens, and animals are not just background details but living metaphors for the messy, beautiful work of healing and connection. Ultimately, the book argues that happiness is not found in grand achievements or perfect plans, but in the willingness to savor the small, fleeting joys of the present—even when life is uncertain, even when the future is unknown. The lesson is clear: let go of perfection, embrace the mess, and choose to savor it all.

Last updated: May 10, 2025