Thank you, Net Galley, for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. I kept seeing people say that this reminded them of Beach Read (which I adored), so I was very excited to pick this one up! This was such a quick read for me. I enjoy how light hearted the book was, and the banter between the characters. The beginning started slow for me, but picked up and I flew through it. This is a great choice for a light hearted, romance read.

Has a blast reading this story - small town vibes, with fun, animals and characters that are evolving of who they are with each other and on their own - is a fantastic read! Tarah does an amazing job with her two main characters and the small town that they live in. Another wonderful read with comic relief & romance !

I was initially drawn to The Co-Op because of its intriguing premise and the promise of some of my favorite tropes like enemies to lovers, forced proximity, second chances, and marriage of convenience. However, my feelings about the story ended up being quite mixed.
What I enjoyed most about this book were the emotionally charged moments when the characters allowed themselves to be vulnerable. These scenes felt genuine, and I appreciated how raw and real the emotions were when Deacon and LaRynne let down their walls, especially when they finally confessed their feelings for one another. The banter between them was also entertaining at times, bringing a playful energy to their interactions. These elements kept me engaged and made certain parts of the book a pleasure to read.
However, I found the execution of the story to be uneven. While the concept was strong, the pacing was a challenge for me. The beginning and ending felt rushed, while the middle dragged, with little development pushing the story forward. The back-and-forth between past and present, while giving valuable insight into their history, felt disjointed and often a little random and disrupted the flow, making it difficult for me to stay fully invested. It took more than half the book to reveal the true reason behind LaRynne’s initial dislike of Deacon, and that lack of clarity made it hard to connect with them early on.
The main source of conflict—a misunderstanding—felt unnecessarily prolonged. I struggled with the fact that so much could have been resolved through a simple, honest conversation. The characters' backstory, revealed in flashbacks, sometimes felt disconnected and random, which impacted my ability to relate to them deeply.
That said, there are heartfelt and memorable moments in The Co-Op, especially when Deacon and LaRynne start to break down their walls. This book is perfect for fans of slow-burn romance, particularly if they appreciate characters who grapple with deep-seated insecurities and a difficult past. While the story didn’t fully hit the mark for me, I think it will resonate with readers who love a good slow burn and don’t mind a bit of miscommunication, and are willing to wait for characters to find their way back to each other.

I absolutely loved this book. Tarah Dewitt can do no wrong. I enjoyed the characters and the emotional depth they carried both together and independently. The story was engaging even when it wasn’t on the romance.

This was a slow start for me, but once Deacon and LaRynn got married, it started to pick up for me. I normally hate flashbacks that happen through the book, but these flashbacks made sense. It made me really wonder what happened Between Deacon and LaRynn, and made it even more devastating when Deacon said to LaRynn that it wasn't anything serious when she confessed her feelings for him. Everything clicked then for me, and I too would have been going scorched earth.

The love story between Deacon and LaRynn was great to watch unfold. From extreme contempt to being caught in the act in the laundry room to them both dealing with the loss of their grandmas.

As for side characters, I think it showed a realistic side to how messed up parents can make you and how you should hold them accountable. It was nice seeing LaRynn stand up to her mom, and keep her boundaries with her dad to keep her distance. There is nothing wrong with cutting off a toxic family member, you don't have to forgive anyone just because they're family. I've read enough Reddit Am I the Asshole posts to understand that.

Tarah always writes such rich and stories filled with depth and nuance, and this did not disappoint.

I really loved reading The Co-Op! This author writes the absolute best perfectly imperfect characters! This story was so heartwarming and had a great balance of angst, humor, and a little spice.

LaRynn and Deacon had a teenage romance that ended poorly. After not speaking for years, they co-inherit a beach house that belonged to their grandmothers. With their funds for the renovations diminishing, they decide to enter a marriage of convenience to access LaRynn’s trust fund.

I really loved these characters. I had so many big feelings while reading about their individual journeys as well as their romantic relationship together. LaRynn’s petty and vengeful gestures had me cracking up, but her heart was so full of love. Deacon never felt like he deserved LaRynn, but I was rooting him the whole time.I loved how Deacon was such a simp for her internally. He always loved her no matter how chaotic or messy things got. There was so much push and pull between them before they decided to really go for it.

I’m really excited to read more by this author in the future.
4.5/5 stars

I received this ARC from Netgalley
to review. This was really cute! I appreciated the second-chance romance and the marriage of convenience. I also loved their petty banter and the beginning and of course, when both their walls came down so they could build something together (literally and metaphorically). Overall
a very sweet seasonal romance with heart to it. 3.5/5 stars.

A completely enjoyable read especially for those who love a second chance romance! LaRynn and Deacon are totally fleshed out characters who I loved to root for and their chemistry is so steamy.... Tarah DeWitt nails it again!

While this wasn't my favorite romance read it kept me engaged and entertained throughout most of the book. The beginning was a little slower than I usually like but the second-chance romance trope kept me hanging on. The character development is on point in this book but I just couldn't connect to any of them and the first half of the book I found the MFC rather annoying but she got better in the last half. Overall this was a fast easy romance read and I'm sure many will love it.

Overall this book was enjoyable, but I wanted to like this more than I did. I love Tarah Dewitt’s writing, but there was something missing from the book for me. Maybe my expectations were too high from how much I loved Funny Feelings and Savor It. Even still, her books are leagues above a lot of other romances in my opinion so this was still a 4 star read. There were a lot of great parts too. LaRynn and Deacon’s chemistry was off the charts. I really loved seeing the flashback scenes from when they were younger. I laughed out loud multiple times. I wish they had a little more time in the present where they were happy together and on the same page. Would recommend especially if someone is looking for a story with home renovation!

5 Stars! I have been wanting to read Tarah DeWitt and I'm so glad I was given this opportunity. I cannot wait to read more from her. The Co-Op was such a sweet book. I loved getting to see them fall in the past and realize they hadn't lost anything in the present. Deacon is such a swoony MMC.

I was *nearly* disappointed in the end. I was screaming at them in my head with the choice that they were making, but I'm so glad Sal came in like the Goddess she is and saved the book (for me). The epilogue was *chefs kiss* so good. One of the best I've read.

**Review of "The Co-Op" by Tarah Dewitt - ★★★½**

"The Co-Op" presents an intriguing theme that explores community and connection, but it often feels bogged down by an overload of tropes. While I appreciated the characters' history and the overall premise, I struggled to fully connect with the main characters. Their arcs were interesting, but the numerous plot elements made the narrative feel a bit scattered. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read, but it didn't leave a lasting impression—just a solid, if not extraordinary, experience.

So I read the previous edition of this book earlier in 2024. This might as well have been a new book altogether, because it told a clearer, more cohesive story. And while I gave the first iteration 4 stars, THIS version gets all 5 of them. 🥹 LaRynn and Deacon were deeply flawed and deeply human, and it was deeply moving to watch them struggle and grieve and love. Gah. DeWitt is truly a gifted author. And this also has one of my favorite descriptions in any book, ever. "I made a noise akin to a pirate suffering a surprise anal probe." 🤣🤣 Perfection. 💖

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Spice: 🌶️

The Co-Op is my least favorite book that I have read this year. Unfortunately, I made it to 65% where I ultimately decided I had to DNF and put myself out of my misery. I know this is a re-release, I didn’t read the prior edition so I cannot speak to the changes made but unfortunately this book was just not it for me. The constant miscommunication in this book between the MCs was the break point for me. I also feel like the miscommunication between the two made the book much longer than it needed to be. But I could not just get myself to like the MCs and their drama and inability to just communicate like adults.

The Co-Op tropes include: friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, second chance romance. It is a slow burn, doesn’t pick until about half way through.

Thank you St Martins Press and author for a copy of The Co-Op in exchange for an honest review.

Deacon & LaRynn ❤️

🌊Deacon and LaRynn met as teens in Santa Cruz as young children when their grandmothers, who were apartment neighbours, married each other.

🔨They came from different backgrounds, LaRynn an only child of parents with money but an unhappy home, Deacon from a family where his father had passed away after cheating on his mom. They both have insecurities, and their personal demons to deal with. As young adults, their relationship changes, but at the end of the summer, it all goes horribly wrong.

☕️When they are brought together after their grandmothers’ deaths, the forced proximity, a difficult renovation, it’s not an easy time for either of them.

📚I read this story in January 2023, as an indie, published and available in Kindle Unlimited, before it was taken off to be traditionally published. It’s hard to say how much of the story was re-written for the re-release, I don’t know. It feels like there is a slow measure of restraint, invisible reins, holding both Deacon and LaRynn back through the story. Their mutual feelings are so strong, but they struggle to express them without getting the description wrong, and so they hold back, watching through the non-existent walls of the in progress renovation, waiting until their friendship is strong enough to allow them to be more. It’s a great story and lovely read.

Read an eARC copy courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher
My rating 4.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫
Pub Date 12 Nov 2024

This was my first Tarah DeWitt book after hearing so much about her and it did not disappoint. Such an amazing ready. Funny, sweet and I can't wait to read more from her

I don’t know if it’s because this is one of the first books Tarah wrote, but I didn’t love it as much as I loved Savor It. It took me a long time to read because I just felt disconnected but from my friends who’ve read it, I’m definitely an outlier.

I also didn’t really love the dual timeline, and it does get abandoned about 70% through with no more flashbacks.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-copy of this title.

This book!!! It is a second chance, angsty romance between two teenage friends turned lovers turned enemies, who are forced back together when their married grandmothers pass away and leave them their delipidated home.
The home serves as a metaphor for both characters, shining bright the cracks in their facades. Both LaRynn and Deacon are broken, hanging on by their fingertips to save the memories of their youth and find common ground with one another.
The line between love and hate is murky as the two are forced into an arranged marriage to try to save their beloved home. As they are restoring the house they restore their faith in themselves and one another.
The banter between the two is nothing short of perfection and the chemistry between the two jumps off the page. This is the angstiest slow burn and absolutely delicious when the two characters finally realize the broken parts of their lives are put back together with one another.


Absolutely 100% recommend.

"The Co-op" had an intriguing premise, and I was initially drawn to the idea of a second-chance romance set against the backdrop of home renovation. However, the execution fell a bit flat for me and it was rather forgettable.

The slow-burn romance between LaRynn and Deacon had potential, but it felt like it took too long to develop. There were moments of chemistry, but the overall pacing was too deliberate, leaving me wanting more. The characters themselves were likable enough, but they lacked depth and complexity.

While the renovation aspect was interesting, it didn't quite integrate seamlessly with the romance plot. It felt like two separate stories running parallel rather than intertwining. Plus, the occasional switches between past and current events added an additional level of confusion.

Overall, "The Co-op" is a decent read with a promising premise, but it falls short of being truly captivating. It may appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn romances and home renovation stories, but it's not likely to leave a lasting impression.

Wow, does Tarah DeWitt know how to write a book or what? This book was a beautiful addition to her catalog. The characters and story lines were so captivating I couldn’t put it down.

The “grands” were so fun, the best friends who fall in love because of the main couple were adorable but LaRynn and Deacon were just perfection. I usually don’t like second chance, miscommunication or books that jump back and forth between timelines, but this was done so perfectly. The timeline jumping is sparse and done in a way that really adds to the story and doesn’t feel like you’re being dragged back-and-forth.

The characters felt so authentic. Even though it’s nothing similar to my own love story I could absolutely feel how their thoughts and actions that had been shaped by their parents actions in their youth caused them to fall apart. I appreciated the beauty of them working together to not only fix the house but have real tough discussions about their feelings and fears to fix their own past and futures.

The spice was also 💯😉 (About a 3/5 🌶️ for me).

I wish I was more eloquently explaining the beauty of this book but know, I will be recommending this book for years to come.