This book was funny and it had its moments. However, I didn’t really like the main characters. They lack communication skills and often acted immature.

I'm a HGTV devotee, a TikTok before and after reno lover, and a girl who recently underwent some major home projects at the start of her marriage. While my marriage is intact, I know that construction does NOT evoke loving feelings, which is why The Co-Op's premise stood out to me. Could an enemies to lovers / fake marriage story exist in the mist of construction chaos? Well, call me a believer - because The Co-Op was sexy and sweet.

LaRynn and Deacon's relationship is as dilapidated as the building they're coming together to renovate. What started as a summer romance as teens ended with hurt feelings and sharp words. But, now that their beloved Grands have passed on and left them this space, they need to work together to rebuild their friendship and renovate their space to sell. The catch? Budget money hinges on them getting marriage. Can Year 1 Marriage + Renovation = anything but more heartache? Or will they build a foundation on which to grow.

It's not the perfect romance, but it's a good time. My primary hangup is just the existence of a lot of characters we never get to know or care about, or the introductions of things like the soundtrack that don't really pull through entirely in the book. Lots of great ideas, characters, and premises - but none of them are given their proper due. I wanted more detail on the house, I wanted more time with these peripheral friends and stories of these amazing Grands, I wanted more songs! But, does that really matter when the enemies are becoming lovers with extremely well written spice? Tarah DeWitt's novels always are a just right blend of character growth, fun, and female-centric spice and The Co-Op only maintains her place as an auto-buy author for me.

3.5 rounded down.

⭐️: 3.5/5

I’m kind of picky when it comes to second chance romances, because so often it either feels like they broke up for a reason and nothing has changed, or so much has changed it’s kind of weird that they’re still pining for each other. This felt like the appropriate amount of time and also the appropriate circumstances for a second chance romance to work though, since the initial encounter was a summer fling as teenagers, and now they’re adults and years have passed.

Although this made the premise feel promising, I kept feeling like I was waiting for the miscommunication shoe to drop, and once it did, another one of my least favorite tropes showed its face (I won’t say what it is to avoid spoilers). The romance itself was just kind of boring for me too, and I just didn’t feel like I was connecting with the characters, or that I was invested in them connecting with each other.

The saving grace was all the old lady characters, since sassy old ladies make everything better. I also liked that there was a dual timeline element to this one, which I think added a lot to the understanding of the characters. I liked the small town elements too. Overall, it was a cute story, just nothing special and kind of plain for me.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this free eARC for review!!

In The Co-op, DeWitt weaves a delightful tale that captures the complexity of love, partnership, and the often messy process of renovation—both in buildings and in relationships. Set against the backdrop of a dilapidated Santa Cruz property, the novel brings together LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds, two former lovers whose teenage fling ended in contention. Fast forward a decade, and fate forces them back together as co-owners of their grandmothers' estate, each carrying emotional baggage and unfinished business. Ultimately, The Co-op is a testament to the enduring power of love and the beauty of building something—whether a home or a relationship—together. For fans of second-chance romances, this book is a must-read that beautifully illustrates the transformative journey of restoration, both inside and out.

First off, thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Tarah DeWitt for this book. I absolutely loved it!

Fake dating/marriage of convenience is one of favorite romance tropes, but pair that with some forced proximity and that it’s a second chance romance, well now you’ve got magic. That is exactly what this books was, magic. From start to finish the book pulls you in to Deacon and LaRynn’s story and has you on the edge of your seat wondering if and when they’ll get together.

The flirtiness and banter was top notch and I loved that not only was it dual POV but Tarah also have a dual timeline with your teenage romance as well. What truly is the heart of the story is the vulnerability that both LaRynn and Deacon have with each other. The raw emotion from those two characters had me in tears.

This was my first Tarah DeWitt book, and it’s safe to say that I am a fan! I adored this story and these characters. Thank you again for the opportunity to read it.

The Co-Op (e-arc)
Special thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc!

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 2/5

“I want her here. I want her tied here somehow. I want her to have something she wants. I want to go visit her and sit at the counter and see that easy joy on her face. I want her latte art and I want to tease her about her tiny skirt.”

“What a gift it is to trust someone, I realize. To know that through every up and down, every unexpected break, they want the same thing as you in the end. Just to be together.”

Thoughts:
wowowow! This is my first ever Tarah Dewitt book and let’s say I’m in love! Her writing was beautiful. I love LaRynn and Deacon so much! They deserve the whole world. From how their grands fell in love and to how they fell in love! I don’t think I can get over it. I love LaRynn’s character so much!! Trying her best to be the good daughter so her parents didn’t have to worry about her only for her to struggle to live up to those expectations—I swear I’m not crying. And Deacon, I just had a crush on him lol but seriously, I love them together! The tension between them!! Also the banter and flirting! Ugh I love it! And I’m just a sucker for second chances! Also, I love the way their love story was told! Moving from the past to present! Lemme share a few favorite scenes! For sure it’s when Deacon finally snaps because he realizes how much he loves RaLynn and tells her to stop flirting and smiling at Oscar! And then they both end up spilling their emotions and becoming “friends”. Another favorite was the epilogue!! Them having kids and fixing their home to fit their new family—yes it got me emotional but I love it so much to see them get their happy ending! I seriously need to check out Tarah Dewitt’s other books! Once again, thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc!

This is a cute book. The blurb and hook are catchy and the cover is adorable. The marketing for this one is definitely on point and it's something I'd likely pick up in a bookstore. Plus, having lived thirty minutes from Santa Cruz my entire life, the location of this novel is near and dear to my heart. But, I think my knowledge of the area is part of what kept me from connecting with it as much as I would have liked. The characters didn't really have a lot of the Santa Cruz vibe in them and their dialogue was often stilted and even slightly southern (LaRynn and Deacon even sound like southern names). They said things I've never heard anyone in this area say ("Go inside and get settled.", "You did not specify...I will go right my wrongs immediately."). In addition to that, there's something unfinished with the story itself. It tries to do and be a lot of things, such as: enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, dual timeline, dual POV, but it does so with a jumpiness that makes it difficult to fully engage and buy in to any of it. Also, LaRynn is an odd character and not easy to connect with. This seems intentional, but as a reader, we have to connect with her enough to want things to work out for her and Deacon, which I honestly didn't. She seemed to need extensive therapy more than anything. She's unnecessarily mean and harsh and there doesn't seem to be a good enough reason for it. In contrast, Deacon's voice is much more natural and he's a lot more engaging as a character. I ended up feeling like Deacon deserved better. Overall, it's cute, and sometimes entertaining, but much like the story itself, this book still feels under construction.

"The Co-Op" by Tarah Devine has a cool idea at its core, diving into community and relationships. The characters are relatable and well-done, and Devine's writing really shines in those moments. That said, the pacing can be a bit off, with some parts dragging on while others feel rushed. It’s an enjoyable read with some great moments, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark overall.

I'm a sucker for a second chance romance lately, so yes please! Throw in small town and fall vibes. Marriage of convenience. This book was so good!! It felt so relatable. I definitely recommend!

The Co-Op is slow burn, second chance romance with fabulous character development. LaRynn and Deacon find themselves as co-owners of their grandmothers’ house. It’s in dire need of repair, and the two undertake the project while relearning about each other and themselves.

LaRynn is a strong female protagonist, however pain in her past keeps her from healthy communication. I loved this detail in the book. Too many contemporary romance characters are too perfect, finding strength when many of us would shy away. LaRynn feels real, with real fears and real shortcomings.

There’s no silly miscommunication, just real people with difficulty putting their feelings on the line.

My only negative comment is that this is a dual POV book and LaRynn and Deacon did not have distinct internal voices.

Tarah DeWitt is an auto-buy author for me after reading her exquisite story, Savor It and The Co-Op did NOT MISS! WOW!

This story is an absolutely beautiful portrayal of finding yourself in the midst of grief. The love story is a second chance romance, which I do not always love, but in this book, it is done so well! The main characters first meet when they are very young and their grandmothers fall in love, yes, you read that right, go grannies! With youth comes emotional immaturity and a lack of communication and coping skills. Into adulthood, LaRynn and Deacon are forced together in the wake of losing their grandmothers after inheriting their home in Santa Cruz.

This story has major fixer upper vibes regarding not only the building they inherited, but their friendship, and themselves. LaRynn shows major growth throughout the story and Deacon is such a kind and very attractive love interest.

The Co-Op does a wonderful job at making you believe in second chances and that there is life and love to be had even when you can't see it for yourself.

a cute read!! I love when a book allows you to just turn your brain off and enjoy the story. Likable characters and a well written story!

3.5 ⭐️ (Rounded down) This is a re-release with a new publisher. I was told there are some rewrites to the story to make it even better but having not read it before I can’t validate what the changes are and how it changed the story. I also think it got new cover art. I wanted to LOVE this book but the fmc was really hard to like, she has so much built up childhood trauma that makes her very harsh and her actions drove me bonkers so that alone made me take off 1/2 a star. Otherwise it is a pretty cute book about LaRynn and Deacon, who had a Summer love at 19 years old but it ended with broken hearts. They come together almost a decade later after their grandmothers (who were married) passed away and left them shared ownership of their dilapidated Santa Cruz beach house. The two must come together to restore the home so they have a chance at selling it for large life changing profits for the both of them.

The story has its emotionally charged moments but overall I found it hard to connect to these two characters since they had so many flaws. The story of how quickly these two have to enter into a marriage of convenience is pretty laughable and we are just supposed to just go with it. It felt super clunky. I did love their banter and flirty hijinks and I loved their neighbor Sally. Dual POV is also always a plus for me too, I love knowing what each person is thinking. Overall I enjoyed the book I just wanted more and wished I liked our main characters just a tad bit more.

Main Book Themes:
* Second chance love
* Home renovations
* Marriage of convenience
* Miscommunication trope
* Slow burn
* Childhood trauma (emotional parental abuse)
* Grief and death of a loved one (grandparent)

Thank you to Netgalley, Tara DeWitt and St. Martin’s Press for the advanced readers copy in exchange for my honest review. This re-release will be out November 12th, 2024.

5 stars!!
The banter. The banter. The banter!!!
I absolutely devoured The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt! Marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes and this specific spin on it was so creative! The dual POV helped me relate to both characters and their personal struggles.
I loved LaRynn with my whole heart. She is a character of depth and she'd worked so hard to hide her vulnerability through a cold exterior. Deacon is a character with his own battles and life struggles he needs to overcome. Throughout the story we see two messy people with messy pasts working together while falling in love. I believed in their love and their growth as individuals and as a couple.
Tarah DeWitt knows how to make you laugh, feel 20 emotions all at the same time, make you want to shake the characters and demand "why" but she always wraps up her stories with a nice bow and a happy ending. Her love stories are of realistic humans battling realistic issues. She writes in a way that keeps readers begging for more from the characters long after the story is over.
Please pick up this book if you love romance books with banter, tension, second chances, and a beautiful HEA! <3

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martins Griffin for the eARC!
I have attached a link to my Goodreads review and will do the same for Amazon when the title becomes eligible to review on its release date of November 12th.

Sweet story of second chances and growing up together. I appreciated the dynamics of what a real relationship in these circumstances might be. Quick read. Lovely couple.

Cute and great quick read. Love the to main characters and the plot. So much fun tension and important things they work though. I definitely enjoyed the book and will be reading more from this author

*SWOOON*

What an expert writing of a forced-proximity / second-chance / friends to lovers / marriage of convenience (and yay for ALL the tropes!). Bravo Tarah! This story has LaRynn (aka Larry) and Deacon coming together to fix an ancestral home, even if it's "just" the top floor of a duplex by the beach. This duo has history and their own personal arcs that they wrestle with throughout the entire novel, DeWitt really keeps us waiting but then doesn't torment us with that dreaded third act break up so I guess we're even?

LaRynn and Deacon must fix up and sell the flat to accomplish their other dreams and move on, BUT the plan changes when they give in to the feelings and desire that's pulled tight between them. A great story.

Thank you Tarah DeWitt and St. Martin's Press for an ARC of this book via NetGalley!

LaRynn and Deacon. It's been a while but I know that when I read the original version of their story, I thoroughly enjoyed it. But now? NOW?! I am absolutely IN LOVE with this renovated version. So if you've read this when it was indie published, you *still* have to read this new version bc there is a newfound depth that will have LaRynn and Deacon seeping deeper into your heart.

THE BEFORE CHAPTERS. I loved the addition of this dual timeline!!! I loved seeing their young selves and getting the story of how their relationship ended up the way we find them at the beginning of their reunion. We got their highs, their lows, their smiles, and their bruises. It showed us the insecurities that would ultimately lead them to part ways bc sometimes being young makes everything hurt that much more. And then to see these same issues crop up in their present? It meant we had context for and a deeper understanding of their actions. It also offered opportunities for these two to address and overcome those roadblocks. And it's the interplay of all these parts that made those vulnerable moments between them so much more intimate and emotional.

THESE TWO. Watching these two wade through their shit was HARD. LaRynn, who has always been scared that giving more of herself will burden and be too much for someone to love. Deacon, who gives and gives and gives but doesn't seem to be enough for anyone to keep. See??? DO YOU SEE??? 💔 So this second chance? It was a second chance at finding their joys. It was a second chance at making a home in each other. It was a second chance at nurturing the love that never left. I LOVE THEM SO MUCH.

CN: open-door romance, parental abandonment, emotional abuse, past deaths of family members, infidelity (side characters)

The Co-op takes a unique approach to love and construction, intertwining romance with the challenges of renovation. While I appreciated the premise and the chemistry between LaRynn and Deacon, I felt the book was a bit too long. The pacing often dragged, especially with the miscommunication between the characters lasting longer than it needed to, which detracted from the overall flow of the story.

However, there were definitely some highlights! The internal monologue was rich and engaging, offering a deep dive into the characters’ thoughts. I also loved the witty banter between LaRynn and Deacon; their exchanges often brought a smile to my face and even led to a few laugh-out-loud moments.

Overall, The Co-op is a charming story about restoration—not just of a building, but of relationships as well. While it has its pacing issues, the engaging dialogue and heartfelt moments make it worth a read.

**Thank you to the author and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review an advanced copy. All opinions are my own.

Thank you NetGalley and St Martins Press for this copy in exchange for an honest review!

After only a few minutes I feel her eyes on my back: another one of those wonders of marriage---the way you start to become so accustomed to the other's presence that you recognize the way spaces shift when they walk into a room. A personal source of gravity.

4.25 stars

This was a really fun read. The dynamic between these two was pretty great, and the constant attempts to get under the other's skin for the fun of it made me laugh constantly.

I had some small issues in the beginning. LaRynn took some getting used to, but getting to see more and more of her past and her internal thought processes helped me to understand why she was the she was, and she developed fairly well over the course of the book.

Deacon was pretty fabulous most of the time, though I don't really understand why he responded to her the way he did at the end of their relationship the first time. The thought process there didn't make much sense to me, so I feel his part in their breakup seemed heavier, more unnecessary than what she admitted to being responsible for.

But all that aside, they really seemed to develop their relationship and themselves well and I liked the pacing of it all. And for those who enjoy this just as much as me, NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP 🔥