In "The Co-op" by Tarah DeWitt, the struggle between love and construction creates a fascinating backdrop for a story about personal growth and teamwork. LaRynn and Deacon, who used to be high school sweethearts, have to face their past when they inherit an old, rundown building. Their plan to marry for financial reasons brings up deeper emotional issues that they’ve both been hiding for years. This story shows that whether it’s in love or in business, partnerships need hard work, good communication, and being open with each other.

As they tackle the challenges of renovating the property, it’s clear that the effort they put into fixing the building reflects what they need to do to heal their relationship. It’s not just about restoring the building; it’s also about mending their hearts and discovering the joy of working together. The themes of second chances and the complexities of human connections make "The Co-op" an engaging read for anyone who gets that love, like construction, can be messy and unpredictable.

Four and a half stars!

I love books that have dual timelines, I like getting to know the characters at different stages in life. It was amazing to get to see how they both grew and changed.

Deacon and LaRynn have a very complicated relationship. They meet when their grandmothers get married. They end up having a summer fling and part on bad terms. Years later the grands have left them their house together and they have a lot of work to do to get it fixed up.

I really enjoyed this book! It is definitely one I would re-read.

While dealing with the internal gutting and renovation of a house that has sentimental value for both of them, LaRynn and Deacon begin to break down the emotional walls built in their pasts.

LaRynn has very little experience receiving and giving affection, let alone love. This leads her to come across as very confrontational most of the time. Deacon has his issues as well, but he is one of the few people who can see and chip away at the walls around LaRynn’s heart and help her learn to open up.

•Second Chance
•Flashback Chapters
•Forced Proximity
•Marriage of Convenience
•"That’s My Wife"
•Open Door Spice
•Dual POV (1st Person)

Thank you NetGalley for giving me access to an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second book by Tarah DeWitt and I can honestly say her books just keep getting better and better. This story was so heartbreakingly beautiful about how sometimes the fates can bring you back together. LaRynn feels a bit lost in the world since being cut off by her father and the loss of her grandmother when she find herself thrown together with her high school flame to fix up her grandmother’s old house after her partner passes away and happens to be her ex situation-ship’s gran as well. Deacon has been holding things together after the passing of his gran and her and her parented house of falling apart. This books of primarily told via LaRynn’s past and current experiences but I love when the author also tells us Deacon’s perspective as well. This book was such an enjoyable read and kept me wanting more and more of their story!

I absolutely flew through this book, I was so immersed in LaRynn and Deacon. As I was reading, I found myself continuously surprised by how many pages I had read, which caused me to feel anxious towards the end because I wasn’t ready for it to be over.

I think Tarah did such an incredible job balancing grief and regret within the romance of the story, and I have a feeling so many will be able to relate to the way LaRynn and Deacon both experience these emotions throughout the book.

I typically love books that jump between past and present, particularly when it comes to second-chance love stories, but I don’t think the ‘before’ chapters were necessary with this one; as there were so few of them, i didn’t feel like the ‘before’ chapters added much depth to the characters’ relationship, and a lot of what those chapters covered probably could have been weaved into the rest of the story.

The development of LaRynn and Deacon’s relationship was really enjoyable to read, and the tropes involved were executed well without feeling over the top or clichéd. I also appreciated the fact that these characters made an effort to communicate with each other about their feelings and pasts most of the time because nothing frustrates me more than miscommunication, so it felt like a breath of fresh air to see characters actually pushing past their pride and simply talking to each other.

Thank you, netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this arc. All
opinions are my own.

The was a cute and easy read. If you are looking for a palate cleanser ink between the darker or heavier books, this is for you. I enjoyed the development and reconnection of the main characters. The epilogue was my favorite part of the whole story. I loved that we got a glimpse of what happens to LaRyan and Deacon 10 years later. Thank you Netgalley for the e-book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5

This was a cute read, but it wasn't like that amazing. LaRynn and Deacon have some MAJOR communication issues, and quite frankly I'm not sure they are meant to be together. The entire story felt like trying to shove a round peg through a square hole. Is love really supposed to be that difficult??

Prefacing this with the fact that Savor It by Tarah is one of my ALL TIME favorite books, so it breaks my heart to say that this story felt disjointed & underwhelming.

I would have DNF’d due to complete lack of connection to the characters & story had it not been for this being an ARC. I wanted to give my full, honest review.

It could have been a me thing because I couldn’t connect to the story or characters. The marriage of convenience trope is crying at the hands of this book. It was the main trope & so under done? They hardly bothered with pretending to be married at all.

The relationships with the parents was…. Weird? The conversation with Rynn’s mom at the restaurant was so rushed & unrealistic for me.

I thought it was strange that the dual timeline dropped off with no rhyme or reason.

Overall, it was a boring read with a severe lack of emotion & a poor use of the miscommunication trope.

Second-chance love stories captivate with their inherent hope, a quality "The Co-op" delivers abundantly, intertwined with profound emotional turmoil. LaRynn, facing adversity, responds to Deacon's call about their shared property. Their reunion ignites a flood of memories from their summer romance, along with lingering resentments.

The narrative pulsates with tension, born from unspoken words and misunderstandings. The author skillfully unveils the past, revealing the layers of that pivotal summer when both hearts shattered. This retrospective journey illuminates the characters' present struggles, their misconceptions about past actions, and their ongoing internal conflicts. The question of whether they'll finally open up to each other drives the story forward.

LaRynn's initial brusqueness contrasts sharply with Deacon's demeanor, creating an intriguing dynamic. While potentially off-putting at first, this contrast compels readers to delve deeper into their personalities. As the story unfolds, both characters become increasingly relatable, reflecting the real-world challenges of expressing emotions.

The author crafts a nuanced exploration of human connection, showcasing how past wounds can shape present interactions. LaRynn and Deacon's journey resonates with readers who understand the complexities of reopening old emotional wounds. Their growth throughout the narrative adds depth to the classic second-chance trope.

"The Co-op" offers a rich emotional landscape, balancing the turmoil of unresolved feelings with the promise of redemption. The epilogue provides a satisfying conclusion, rewarding readers who have invested in LaRynn and Deacon's tumultuous journey.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin, for my free E-book for review.

💍 Marriage of convenience and forced proximity? Sign me up! Add in a summer fling when they were 18, only for things to crash and burn before they could fully connect… then fast-forward 8 years to a second chance at love. It’s like this book was written with all my favorite tropes in mind! 😅

From page one, I was hooked. As I read, I kept thinking about my rating—evaluating how the tone and pacing flowed. And let me tell you, 5 stars was calling my name the whole time. This story just felt right from start to finish, delivering everything I love in romance!
The connection between Larynn and Deacon was so touching. We get to see them both as individuals and as a couple, growing and evolving in ways that felt so genuine. They start off at odds, not able to stand each other, yet they’re forced to build trust and open up. Watching them go from irritation to understanding, and finally to love? Chef’s kiss! 👩‍🍳💋 It was emotional and beautiful, and I felt like I was right there with them, rooting for every single moment. 💖

✨ November 12th can’t come soon enough! Seriously, do yourself a favor and pick this one up the moment it hits shelves. This story is romance done right, and I’m here for it! 💕

And can we talk about that ending? The epilogue had me absolutely swooning! 😍 There’s something so satisfying about a love story where you just feel content and happy at the end. And the best part? NO third-act breakup (yesss!!) 🙌 It’s pure, heartfelt romance with zero unnecessary drama—just what I wanted. <333

Adorable! I enjoyed it so much and devoured it so much faster than I thought I would! The writing is amazing and something you can binge without even realizing! Def. Recommend!

Exhausted and grief-stricken LaRynn has just run out of options and must return to the scene of her greatest romantic disaster in order to settle the terms of her grandmother’s estate. Reluctant to see the man who spurned a much younger LaRynn when they were barely legal, she nevertheless has to figure a way forward to improve upon and sell the ramshackle property, which is metaphorical to her rocky relationship with Deacon.

Having failed to get any response from LaRynn regarding the repairs needed to bring the property he inherited with her up to code, Deacon resorts to threatening a civil suit to flush her out from her exile. As they continuously clash with each other, lines blur between loathing and lust.

What will become of them when the dust settles?

I love a difficult female lead, and LaRynn is certainly that, but Deacon isn’t blameless in all of what transpired which led to her trying to get as far away from him as possible. The chemistry between them is incendiary and I’m here for it.

I was fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from the author and NetGalley, and I’m sharing my honest thoughts.

4.25 ⭐️
I absolutely loved this! It has some of my favorite tropes from marriage of convenience, second chance romance, and forced proximity and it was SO well done. I think I highlighted ever other sentence in this book and I loved Deacon🤭 Watch them get to come back together and relearn each other was really touching and it felt like you could feel the war of emotions going on off the page.

Thank you so much to St. Martin’s Press for this arc!

While enemies to lovers is generally one of my favorites , something just did not hit right with me on this one! I found the characters harder to connect with and not as lovable! I do think there was chemistry and it sizzled!

These two did not have a relationship arc, they had a relationship rollercoaster. Between their history, their hurts, their intense attraction to each other, and the renovation, they EARNED their very sweet HEA! I enjoyed it and it felt different than books I’ve read recently which I appreciated. I loved the dual POV and being in both of their thoughts. LaRynn and Deacon were developed and likable characters and had so many relatable moments.

🛠️ Dual POV
🛠️ Second chance
🛠️ Marriage of convenience
🛠️ Bickering but make it flirty
🛠️ He’s grumpy but she’s grumpier (and mostly only to each other)

6 stars! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

You may THINK you know this book, but you DON'T, unless you've read this RENOVATED version!

I just had my socks knocked off by this book!!! It was my first Tarah Dewitt, but she's already become an auto-buy author for me. I listened to the audio for the first version of this while I was physically reading the ARC, then realized very quickly that the way this novel has been re-worked has made it FAR superior than the original. We get far more vulnerability, insights, and depth from the earlier timeline when they're first together.

LaRynne and Deacon are forced together after a contentious parting nearly a decade earlier. Their grandmothers have left them a house, and it has fallen on them to pick up the pieces. To make matters worse, the only way they can scrounge up the cash is a marriage of convenience so that LaRynne can have access to her trust. There's so much toxicity between them, so much bad blood, but the craving they have for one another seeps into every crack in their carefully laid facades. They'll need to learn to work together, play nice, when all they want to do is rip each other apart and jump into bed together, in either order. Happily (for a romantic like me), their are feelings humming beneath the surface that make everything worth it.

The way DeWitt unravels this story is absolutely breath taking. We meet two people who are stubborn and closed off, and get a ringside seat to their slow decent into vulnerability. This is a master class in slow burn. The tension ratcheted up at a PERFECT pace. The characters were all so richly developed, messy, and real. I was rooting for them and grew to really respect and care for them individually and as a couple. I loved the setting, which acts as a third main character.

Just do yourself a favor and run, don't walk, to this book! It's going to absolutely be one of my favorite reads of the entire year!!!

Trigger warnings: dysfunctional family dynamics/neglectful parents, cheating (by parent before story begins), death of father, death of grandmother(s), father grappling with cancer

I really enjoyed this book!! The character development and the pacing was great. I will definitely be reading it again

5 Stars

This was amazing!!! This book was so tender and beautiful, all while being a hilarious rom-com. This book was the song august by Taylor Swift, but with a happy ending.

They say love and construction don’t mix... well, buckle up, because The Co-Op has the perfect recipe for all the angsty tension and steamy romance you didn’t know you needed in a reno project! 🛠️💍

LaRynn and Deacon are back in each other’s lives—and it’s messy. A decade after a hot-and-cold summer fling, they’re forced to team up to restore a crumbling Santa Cruz property left to them by their grandmothers. There’s only one catch: LaRynn has to be married to unlock her trust fund. And Deacon, with his construction skills but empty pockets, needs her cash flow just as badly. Enter: a marriage of convenience with all the emotional walls intact. But between tearing down the literal walls and sharing a roof, these two are about to learn just how hard it is to keep their hearts locked up.

If you’re into second-chance romance with sizzling chemistry, laugh-out-loud moments, and that perfect enemies-to-lovers vibe, The Co-Op delivers. Every moment drips with witty banter, angsty feels, and slow-burn tension as LaRynn and Deacon work on fixing a house while (unintentionally) renovating their feelings. It’s as spicy as it is heartwarming, and it’ll have you rooting for them with every chapter.

🛠️ For fans of romantic comedies with a home-improvement twist, or if you’ve ever wondered what would happen if HGTV were high-stakes and high-heartbreak. 💘 Packed with humor, swoon-worthy moments, and two lovable characters learning to break down walls—inside and out!

This one’s ready for your TBR!

Thank you to NetGalley, Tarah DeWitt, and St. Martin's Press for the ARC of this amazing book.

Oh my goodness. This book was like settling into a warm bath after a long day. I love second chance romance mostly because you can feel the yearning, the baggage and the anticipation of hoping their relationship will work for a second time because the first time around didn’t go so hot. I loved reading Deacon and LaRynn’s story. I felt so seen by LaRynn’s character and related to her in the way of feeling as if you have to be perfect and can’t share parts of yourself. Ugh this was just such a delightful read.