This was a cute romance! I enjoyed the romance between the characters and the story was enjoyable with a fun premise. The miscommunication did annoy me at times but overall a fun romance that I recommend checking out!

"The Co-op" by Tarah DeWitt is a heartwarming contemporary romance that skillfully intertwines themes of love, renovation, and personal growth. The narrative centers on LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds, former summer flings who inherit joint ownership of a dilapidated building in Santa Cruz. To restore the property and access their respective resources—LaRynn's trust fund requiring marriage and Deacon's construction expertise—they agree to a marriage of convenience. This arrangement forces them to confront past misunderstandings and navigate their evolving relationship.

DeWitt's portrayal of LaRynn is particularly compelling; she emerges as a fierce and loyal protector of her loved ones, embodying strength and resilience. The dynamic between LaRynn and Deacon is enriched by witty banter and palpable chemistry, making their journey from reluctant partners to a cohesive team both believable and engaging.

The novel's setting in Santa Cruz adds a vibrant backdrop, almost becoming a character in its own right, enhancing the story's charm. The renovation project serves as a clever metaphor for the reconstruction of their relationship, with each repaired wall mirroring the mending of emotional barriers.

While the plot follows some familiar romance tropes, DeWitt's fresh approach and authentic character development keep the narrative engaging. The pacing is well-executed, with the progression from a staged relationship to genuine affection unfolding naturally. The inclusion of steamy scenes is handled with care, adding depth to the characters' connection without overshadowing the plot.

In conclusion, "The Co-op" is a delightful read that balances humor, romance, and emotional depth. Tarah DeWitt has crafted a story that is both entertaining and thought-provoking, making it a standout in contemporary romance. I would rate it four out of five stars.

This was a cute second chance romance. I loved these characters so much and loved their story. Highly recommend.

“I don’t mind your mess”

I loved this book with all of my heart. It had all the tropes I absolutely love: Marriage of convenience + forced proximity + second chance 🤩

The Co-Op follows Deacon and LaRynn who had a brief fling in their late teens that ended in heartbreak as they work to renovate a house they inherited from their grandmothers. In order to get the renovation done, LaRynn needs access to her trust fund which she can only access after marriage. In an attempt to get the house fixed and sold so they can go their separate ways they decided to get married even though they can’t stand each other.

This book honestly just hit all the right notes for me. LaRynn and Deacon feel so real as they reconnect while fixing up their grandmother’s house—it’s like they’re rebuilding themselves and their relationship at the same time. I loved that they had this past fling that adds tension but doesn’t overdo the drama. It’s emotional but funny, with plenty of heart and moments that feel genuinely relatable. LaRynn’s insecurities and Deacon’s steady, sweet love made them both characters I cared about so much. Overall, it’s just one of those stories that leaves you feeling happy 😍

Tarah Dewitt NEVER and i mean NEVER disappoints 🤍

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press and Tarah DeWitt for giving me the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

*The Co-op* is a steamy, witty, and heartfelt second-chance romance that perfectly blends tension with tenderness. LaRynn and Deacon's rekindled relationship, built on the ruins of their past fling and a shared inheritance, keeps the pages turning. Their deal to marry in order to renovate a building quickly becomes an emotional rollercoaster as they navigate their undeniable chemistry while trying to remain focused on the task at hand.

What I loved most was the banter and dynamic between LaRynn and Deacon. Their witty exchanges and simmering attraction make for a fun and irresistible read. The slow-burn romance is well done, and their growth—individually and as a couple—felt natural and earned.

The plot was engaging, though I would’ve liked a bit more character depth for the secondary characters. The pacing can feel a little slow in parts, but the charming setting and relationship tension more than make up for it. Overall, *The Co-op* is an enjoyable read with the perfect mix of romance and humor! Highly recommend for fans of steamy second-chance romances.

Second chance romance. Enemies to lovers. What could go wrong?! Unfortunately, unlikable characters can. I just could not deal with the constant negativity (and then feelings flip-flopping) from LaRynn. If you have patience, it gets better, But honestly, the beginning is hard to slog through.

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

I really enjoyed this book. Honestly, there hasn't been one by Tarah DeWitt that I haven't enjoyed! An interesting plot, wonderful character development, and romance, what more could I ask for?

The Co-op centers on the tumultuous reunion of two former lovers, Andrea and Deacon, who are thrown together by unexpected circumstances. Tasked with restoring a neglected farmhouse—symbolic of their fractured past—the two must navigate the unspoken tensions and unresolved feelings lingering between them. The dual timelines of the story—past and present—deftly unravel the depth of their connection and the reasons for their initial separation.

DeWitt excels in blending humor with raw emotional depth. Andrea’s sharp wit and Deacon’s steady demeanor create a dynamic that keeps the reader engaged, alternating between moments of lighthearted banter and profound vulnerability. As they tackle physical repairs, they also confront the emotional damage from their shared history.

The Co-op is a second chance romance with a lot of heart especially as it relates to the grandmas who have passed. I liked the book but did not love it. I think I would have preferred the book edited into two sections- backstory and then what happens next. The back and forth just felt off to me and it took me forever to figure out why she was so mad at him, so then I just ended up being annoyed at LaRynn. I would have liked some resolution or understanding of why her father is the way he is or even her mother as well. Deacon is a model book boyfriend for the most part.

This was my first Tarah DeWitt story and I enjoyed it! I thought it was a cute second chance romance and that is exactly what I was looking for going into it. I loved all the tropes and am a sucker for a marriage of convenience plot and think this was done well in this story. I also think the ending was perfect!

I originally read the Co-Op back in 2022 when it was first published, and I was excited to re-read it again in 2024. The new content added just adds to LaRynn and Deacon’s love story.

Tarah Dewitt writes some of the best banter out there - literal laugh out loud moments. When the story begins, Deacon and LaRynn are just so short with each other. But bit by bit, their walls start to come down, they realize that their feelings from years ago are still there and decide to give it another chance. Once they get past the enemies phase, they truly do bring out the best in each other. These characters are flawed and sometimes difficult but they also feel like real people.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for giving me an ARC copy of the book. All opinions are my own.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (3.5)
🌶️🌶️🌶️ (3.5)

I love Tarah DeWitt! Savor It is one of my all time favorites, and I loved Funny Feelings as well. I enjoyed the Co-op, though it didn't live up to my love of the other books I've read by Tarah DeWitt. It did make me cry though 🥹

You might love this book if you're a fan of:
Second Chance Romance
Forced Proximity
Marriage of Convenience
Dual POV & Dual Timeline
Open door spice but not super smutty
Hate-to-love

Thank you Tarah DeWitt, NetGalley, and St. Martin's Press for a free copy of The Co-Op in exchange for an honest review.



For 2024, I’ll be using this rating scale:
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ I mourned the ending of this journey 🥹
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ really enjoyed and would recommend
⭐️⭐️⭐️ it was fine
⭐️⭐️ I didn’t enjoy this journey
⭐️ I dnf’d or wish I’d dnf’d
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ this is smutty smutty erotica 🥵
🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️ a lot of spice
🌶️🌶️🌶️ some spice
🌶️🌶️ romantic b plot / closed door / YA romance
🌶️ no romance / nonfiction

This is my 2nd book by Tarah and again she did not disappoint. She definitely has a special gift when it comes to writing the fake dating/friends-to-lovers/forced proximity trope. In this instance it was a marriage of convenience between two people who had feelings for each other in the past yet blame one another for their broken hearts. LaRynn and Deacon were loveable characters more so Deacon but LaRynn grew on me. I found it quite funny the more they argued the deeper they fell in love with each other. There were many instances where their playful banter turned into heated arguments. But I liked how they’d always circle back and discuss their differences. And even with the back and forth there was a lot of chemistry between the two especially when things got spicy. Overall, it was another great read can’t wait to read more by Tarah.

this was such a fun read, i couldnt put it down once i started! I love how it was light hearted but we also got these amazing in depth characters. marriage of convenience is one of my favorites and this one was done so well! the second chance aspect of this one was done so well and i just love these two's story! this was my first book by tarah but i will definitely be reading more in the future

LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds had difficult family lives growing up. They were often dropped at their grandmother’s in Santa Cruz, CA for summers. Their individual grandmothers found each other later in life and were married. After both of them pass a few months apart, Larynn and Deacon find themselves joint owners of their rundown building. They both bring a lot of personal baggage to their current situation including as teens being romantically involved. Deacon has construction skills but no money to fix up the property. She has a trust fund that can help but she can’t access it till she is married. A bargain is struck to get married, renovate, sell and split the proceeds.

Her characters are a little broken and I connected emotionally to them. I got my typical annoyance at his childish nickname for her. But I love that every chapter is important. I like that instead of telling about their relationship over summers there are flashback chapters showing how they came together. One small criticism I had of a previous book by the author was that too much was going on. In this book almost every chapter is focused on them. Them as teens, the current renovation, them discussing their family situations and relationships. And I love that there wasn’t a last act breakup. I don’t always need an epilogue a decade out but here it fits perfectly.

This seemingly was published previously in 2022 and I am happy to see it getting a new release. Read this If you enjoy second chance romances, with messy family situations, mixed with some spice (on page, not overly descriptive).

I absolutely loved "The Co-op" by Tarah DeWitt! The story of LaRynn and Deacon is beautifully written, filled with emotional depth and engaging characters. The unique marriage-of-convenience plot kept me hooked from start to finish. Watching them navigate their past and rebuild not only the house but also their relationship was so fun and sweet. Tarah DeWitt's writing, as always, is both heartfelt and steamy, making this a perfect blend of romance and redemption. We are so lucky to be alive at the same time as her!! Highly recommend!

So, I thought this book was cute, the chemistry between the characters wasn't bad, but I couldn't staaand the fmc. The mmc also wasn't that great. I love an enemies-to-lovers trope, but they just seemed to completely hate each other for a good chunk of the book. I'm also already not a fan of the miscommunication trope and this just proved it for me. They don't know how to communicate and they act like kids, which honestly didn't make it too enjoyable. They're constantly picking fights with each other instead of talking.

The story was also just okay imo - it's a second-chance romance with forced proximity and a marriage of convenience trope, and it seemed the author was just doing a lot all at once.

Thank you to NetGalley for this arc.

I don't know what I expected to get into with this book but I was stunned and hooked from the beginning.

The Co-Op is a gripping tale of two teens who fell out of love and then topple right back into it as adults. The baggage and trauma they were handed that ruined them years ago follows them into adulthood, but when they finally start sharing some of the weight, they become more entwined with one another than before.

If you're looking for a book that's light and funny, this one probably isn't for you. While there is levity between the pages, I was left feeling wrecked at some points and then completely patched together by the end. The Co-Op is a definite must-read.

I love a forced proximity situation and this one was pretty fun. The addition of the marriage of convenience and their past was also good. I enjoyed the characters and their relationship.

5 STARS!

"The Co-op" by Tarah DeWitt is one of my favorite books. I didn't think it could get any better, but it did! I loved being back with LaRynn and Deacon again, falling in love with their romance and their story for a second time just like they did. Their disdain for one another based on their complicated past morphs into something accepting, gentle, and lovely by the book's end. These are two of my favorite characters ever written. They are not perfect. They are messy, complicated, and engaging, but they are willing to work on their problems. This book is in-depth, intimate, realistic, raw, sexy, spicy, filled with banter, filled with grief and grieving, full of laughter and tears. DeWitt is one of my favorite authors, and she really digs deep at the core of grief, love, living, and acceptance over a methodically paced period of time. I am still in love with this book and this story. I highly recommend reading it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tarah DeWitt, St. Martin's Press, and St. Martin's Griffin for the complimentary ARC of this book. All opinions are my own. I was not compensated for this review.