Left of Forever Summary, Characters and Themes
Left of Forever by Tarah DeWitt is an exploration of love, loss, and the complexity of rekindling a past relationship. The novel follows Wren, a woman grappling with the emotional aftermath of her divorce from Ellis Byrd.
Despite the years of separation, Wren’s unresolved feelings for Ellis linger, leaving her uncertain about moving on. As they reestablish contact through letters and occasional encounters, Wren and Ellis begin to confront their past, revisit old emotions, and question if there’s still hope for their relationship. Set against the backdrop of personal growth and the dynamics of co-parenting, Left of Forever navigates the intricate process of rediscovery and the challenge of closing emotional chapters that refuse to be sealed.
Summary
Wren’s life is defined by a past that refuses to let go. As she balances her present with the ghosts of her marriage to Ellis Byrd, she finds herself grappling with memories of love, loss, and unresolved emotions.
Ellis was not only her husband but her childhood companion, a bond that had once been marked by closeness, shared experiences, and the joy of raising their son, Sam. Yet, despite the depth of their relationship, their marriage fell apart due to unmet expectations, struggles with infertility, and emotional distance.
The novel begins on a typical morning for Wren, where the weight of her busy life leads her to wander through Athena’s Bookshop. It is here, amid the self-help books, that Wren experiences a surge of introspection.
She realizes that she is still searching for closure from her past with Ellis. The deep emotional ties that bind her to him remain unresolved, and she finds herself measuring new relationships against her failed marriage, unable to move forward fully.
Her relationship with Ellis, though cordial for the sake of their son Sam, remains strained. They have long since divorced, yet their interactions continue to be complicated by the emotional residue of their past.
Even as she tries to date other men, Wren can’t help but think back to Ellis, often finding the men she meets lacking in comparison to him. A particularly frustrating date only heightens her sense of dissatisfaction, leaving her reflecting on what went wrong in her marriage and why she hasn’t been able to fully let go.
Sam’s unexpected success provides a temporary shift in Wren’s emotional landscape. He has been accepted into a prestigious university, an achievement that draws Wren and Ellis together to celebrate their son’s triumph.
Their moment of joy, however, is quickly overshadowed by Sam’s suggestion that he might leave sooner than anticipated. This sparks tension between Wren and Ellis, both of whom are still emotionally tethered to one another, though neither is ready to confront this lingering connection directly.
Sam’s request for both of them to help him move to college forces them to spend time together, rekindling emotions they had long buried.
Meanwhile, Ellis is far away, working on a Colorado wildfire, where he is haunted by grief and guilt. The loss of his brother Silas weighs heavily on him, and the solitude of his work only deepens his internal struggle.
When Wren sends him a package of scones, a small but intimate gesture, Ellis is flooded with memories of their life together. Her letter, asking about the horses lost in the fire, sparks a longing in him, and he begins to reconsider the idea of reconnecting with her, though he struggles to make sense of his feelings.
As Ellis works through his grief and guilt, he finds himself sharing his emotional turmoil with a fellow firefighter, Lennon. Lennon encourages Ellis to reach out to Wren, suggesting that he respond to her letter, even if it’s just to maintain a civil conversation.
This advice leads to an exchange of letters between Ellis and Wren, initially about the horses but slowly evolving into deeper, more personal reflections. Wren opens up about her life since the divorce, sharing her dreams, fears, and the loneliness she feels.
Ellis, in turn, responds with his own candid thoughts, acknowledging his guilt and his ongoing attachment to her.
Their letter exchanges bring to light the complexities of their relationship. As they navigate their unresolved feelings, they are forced to confront the fact that their bond is still strong, despite the years of separation.
Both Wren and Ellis are struggling to move on, yet the connection they share continues to pull them together. The emotional distance between them is matched by the growing intimacy in their written words, as they rediscover parts of each other they thought were lost.
In a particularly significant moment, Wren and Ellis find themselves together at a vineyard, where they spend a day reconnecting in a playful and flirtatious manner. Their chemistry is undeniable, but both are cautious about diving back into old patterns.
Wren is hesitant to trust that things can be different this time, while Ellis is more open, revealing his desire to rebuild their relationship. However, their past still casts a shadow over their interactions, and they both grapple with the fear of repeating the mistakes that led to their divorce in the first place.
As their day at the vineyard continues, their interactions become more intimate, with playful teasing giving way to deeper conversations. Wren, still unsure about her feelings, struggles with the idea of rekindling their romance, while Ellis is more willing to take risks and face their past head-on.
They both share moments of vulnerability, revealing their fears and desires for the future. Yet, despite their emotional closeness, Wren remains reluctant to fully open her heart to Ellis again.
Throughout their journey, Wren and Ellis continue to confront the issues that tore them apart, including their differing desires for the future and their struggles with communication. Wren’s reflections on their past bring clarity, though it is unclear whether they will be able to move forward together or if the wounds of their past will prove too deep to heal.
Their ongoing exchanges, both verbal and written, slowly chip away at the walls they have built around their hearts, but the question of whether they can fully rebuild their relationship remains uncertain.
The novel culminates in a bittersweet moment of clarity, as Wren and Ellis acknowledge the depth of their feelings for one another. Though their relationship is fraught with complications, there is a shared understanding that their love is not easily extinguished.
The possibility of rekindling their romance looms, but they are both aware of the risks involved. They are no longer the same people they were when they first fell in love, and the future remains uncertain.
However, they find comfort in knowing that, despite the challenges, they are willing to try again, taking it one step at a time. Left of Forever ends on a note of hope, suggesting that, while the past can never be fully erased, there is always room for healing and growth in the present.
Characters
Wren
Wren, the protagonist of Left of Forever, is a complex character caught between the past and the present. She carries the weight of her previous relationship with Ellis, her ex-husband, and the emotional scars from their failed marriage.
Although separated for years, Wren is unable to move on completely, constantly comparing new relationships to the one she had with Ellis. Her struggle to find closure is evident as she reflects on the intimacy they once shared and the love they built together.
Her emotional journey is deeply intertwined with her role as a mother to Sam, their son, and her desire for self-fulfillment and healing. Throughout the story, Wren navigates the tension of wanting to rebuild her life while still being haunted by the unresolved feelings for Ellis.
Despite her attempts to forge new connections, there’s an underlying reluctance to fully let go of her past love. Her introspective nature leads her to explore personal growth, though her emotional attachment to Ellis remains a significant part of her journey.
Ellis
Ellis is a character marked by internal conflict, especially in his feelings toward Wren and the aftermath of their separation. Working as a firefighter in a remote area, Ellis’s life is shaped by guilt, grief, and the loss of his brother Silas, which compounds the unresolved emotions he has about his past marriage.
Despite his tough exterior, Ellis struggles with vulnerability, particularly when it comes to his complicated relationship with Wren. His deep-seated love for her never fully disappears, and he finds himself reflecting on their time together while also grappling with the fact that their marriage fell apart due to unmet expectations and emotional distance.
As he writes letters to Wren, he slowly opens up, revealing his desire to reconnect, but he is also cautious, aware of the emotional risks involved. Ellis’s internal dialogue about love, guilt, and fear of repeating past mistakes showcases his growth as he learns to confront his feelings and his role in their troubled relationship.
His journey is one of self-discovery, as he navigates the space between healing and the hope of rekindling a love that was once lost.
Sam
Sam, Wren and Ellis’s son, plays a pivotal role in reconnecting his parents, though his presence in the narrative is more of a catalyst than a primary focus. His achievements, like getting accepted into a prestigious university, bring Wren and Ellis together, forcing them to confront their shared past while navigating the complexities of their current relationship.
Sam’s request for both parents to accompany him to college highlights the still-present bond between his mother and father, though it also introduces the undercurrent of tension and unresolved feelings. While Sam’s emotional journey is not as explored as Wren’s or Ellis’s, his role as the child of divorced parents gives the narrative a sense of family dynamics and unspoken emotions that influence the decisions of both Wren and Ellis.
Silas
Silas, Ellis’s brother, is an important secondary character whose death serves as a catalyst for much of Ellis’s emotional reflection. His illness and eventual passing cause Ellis to face not only his personal grief but also his unresolved feelings toward his relationship with Wren.
Silas’s condition also sparks conversations between Ellis and his crew, leading Ellis to confide in others about his struggles with Wren. While Silas’s direct impact on Wren is minimal, his death is deeply tied to Ellis’s emotional state and influences the way he views his past marriage, setting the stage for his eventual willingness to open up to Wren once more.
Serena
Serena, Ellis’s first love, acts as a subtle yet significant presence in the story. While she isn’t directly involved in the events between Wren and Ellis, her memory and the emotional ties that Ellis has to her evoke jealousy and insecurity in Wren.
Serena represents a part of Ellis’s past that Wren must come to terms with as she processes her own feelings of attachment and loss. Her role, though not large, underscores the emotional complexity that both Wren and Ellis experience as they navigate the difficult terrain of their divorce and the possibility of rekindling their relationship.
Lennon
Lennon, a rookie firefighter in Ellis’s crew, serves as a sounding board for Ellis, offering him perspective and advice on his relationship with Wren. Through their conversations, Lennon pushes Ellis to confront his feelings for Wren and take small steps toward reconnecting with her.
Lennon represents the more pragmatic voice in Ellis’s emotional journey, suggesting that he reach out to Wren even if he’s unsure about reopening old wounds. His influence encourages Ellis to take tentative steps toward healing and reconciliation, acting as a catalyst for the emotional exchange of letters between Ellis and Wren.
Themes
Unresolved Love and Emotional Attachment
In Left of Forever, the theme of unresolved love is a central aspect that profoundly influences the characters’ emotional journeys. Wren’s inability to completely let go of her past with Ellis is palpable throughout the narrative.
Their history, filled with both tender moments and deep emotional wounds, continues to hold sway over her thoughts and actions. Even as time passes and both have separate lives, Wren finds herself constantly measuring new relationships against the bond she once shared with Ellis.
The emotional weight of their past relationship doesn’t just fade with distance or time, and she struggles with guilt and confusion, particularly regarding her inability to fully close that chapter. This lingering attachment is a reflection of how deeply intertwined their lives were, and how difficult it is for her to sever those emotional ties.
Even moments of detachment and independence, such as dating other people or seeking closure from books at the bookstore, can’t seem to fully help her move on. Ellis, too, experiences the gravitational pull of their past.
His attempts to reconnect through letters to Wren reveal an internal conflict as he battles feelings of regret, nostalgia, and longing. The emotional complexity of their bond highlights how unresolved love can remain a powerful force, quietly influencing their present actions and future decisions.
Personal Growth and Healing
The narrative emphasizes the transformative power of personal growth and healing, particularly through the characters’ efforts to confront and understand their past traumas and mistakes. For Wren, healing begins with self-reflection, as she reevaluates her life and relationships.
Her internal journey, which unfolds in the form of letters and moments of introspection, underscores the importance of taking ownership of one’s emotional struggles. This process is deeply intertwined with the idea that emotional wounds, such as the trauma of infertility and divorce, can take time to heal.
For Ellis, growth is more externalized, particularly through his work as a firefighter and his participation in therapy. His vulnerability emerges slowly, as he grapples with his past decisions and the long-held guilt associated with the breakdown of his marriage.
Through conversations with his crew and his attempts to reconnect with Wren, Ellis begins to understand his own emotional barriers and struggles. Both characters are engaged in a process of becoming better versions of themselves, albeit at different paces.
The story shows that healing is not always linear or straightforward. It’s a continual process that requires emotional honesty, vulnerability, and the courage to confront painful aspects of the past, even when those issues remain unresolved.
The Impact of Shared History
The theme of shared history explores the undeniable influence that a shared past can have on the present. Wren and Ellis’s past is not just a backdrop to their current lives; it shapes and dictates much of their emotional responses to each other.
Their memories, both good and bad, color their interactions and decisions in subtle yet powerful ways. Even when they attempt to move on—through dating others or forging separate lives—the weight of their shared history lingers in the background.
Their relationship with each other, though strained and complicated by years of separation and emotional distance, still carries a depth that newer connections cannot replicate. The joy, love, pain, and grief they once shared as partners continue to resonate, and every moment spent together, whether casual or serious, seems to stir up those old emotions.
Their shared history also impacts their perceptions of each other. Wren, for example, is unable to fully dismiss Ellis’s impact on her life, even as she tries to explore new relationships.
Ellis, on the other hand, is reminded of the tenderness and warmth of their time together, despite his guilt and confusion. The story suggests that our pasts, especially those shared with others, cannot be easily erased and are powerful forces in shaping future relationships.
It also emphasizes that the emotional residue of history remains even as time moves forward.
The Complexity of Family Dynamics
Family dynamics are a crucial aspect of Left of Forever, particularly in the way they influence both Wren and Ellis’s emotional states and decisions. The relationship between Wren and Ellis is not solely defined by their past marriage; their role as co-parents to Sam and their complex familial relationships shape much of their interactions.
The shared responsibility for their son continues to bring them together, even as their personal feelings and unresolved issues complicate their interactions. Their bond as parents offers moments of emotional intimacy, especially when they celebrate Sam’s academic achievements, but it also reveals the strain between them.
Wren’s internal conflict about Sam’s impending departure for college is compounded by the unresolved feelings she has for Ellis. The tension between them is magnified by the unspoken emotions surrounding their past and their current roles as co-parents.
Additionally, Ellis’s relationship with his brother Silas adds another layer to the complexity of familial connections. Silas’s illness and Ellis’s guilt over their strained relationship with Wren reveal how family can be a source of both support and tension.
Ultimately, the theme of family dynamics underscores how familial ties—whether biological or emotional—can simultaneously bind and complicate relationships, sometimes offering both comfort and unresolved conflict.
Fear of Moving On
The fear of moving on is a pervasive theme that affects both Wren and Ellis as they navigate the possibility of rekindling their relationship. For Wren, the fear is deeply rooted in her past experiences with Ellis and the emotional fallout from their divorce.
She struggles with the possibility of falling back into old patterns, where her emotional needs were unfulfilled. The memories of their earlier struggles—infertility issues, emotional distance, and unmet expectations—remain at the forefront of her mind, making her hesitant to fully open her heart to him again.
She is also haunted by the fear that their relationship could repeat its previous mistakes, leaving her heartbroken once more. Ellis shares similar fears, particularly regarding his emotional vulnerability and the risks involved in trying to rebuild a relationship that once ended in pain.
His caution is reflected in his initial hesitance to fully pursue Wren again, despite the undeniable attraction and emotional connection between them. Both characters are wary of the possibility of disappointment, and their shared fear of moving on is a significant obstacle that they must confront.
This fear, however, is not just about their relationship but about their ability to confront their own unresolved emotional wounds and decide whether they are capable of healing together or separately. It’s a journey of discovering whether moving on means letting go or embracing the possibility of a renewed connection.