This was a fun take on the forced proximity trope and had a great enemies to lovers vibe to it as well. This was the first time I have read something by this author and I am definitely going to check out more of their books in the future. This is a bit of a slow burn, but well worth it. Would highly recommend.

So this one took me a MINUTE I’m not going to lie. I felt like it was a touch too long? Once the slow burn stopped I feel like it really picked up and the pace was wayyyyy better.

LaRynn felt really relatable - stubborn and angry with the world and unwilling to let others in. Deacon is a total babe and I mean, how could you not fall in love with him? Seeing their present predicament having to flips the grand house and maneuver each other in the process was funny at times and also painful.

Their POVs got harder to read as their story was just so sad sometimes. Two ships passing in the night? Or just kids who didn’t know what love looked like or how to share it? Either way, beautiful to read.

All in all, sign me up! They get freaky and I loved it.

A marriage of convenience with forced-proximity romcom that has a fun twist to it! This was a good read! This book will just give you all of the feels and you'll close the last page of the book with big smiles. I really liked our main characters and their relationships together, but also their relationship apart as individuals. I think that's so important for a healthy relationship. I think this is a perfect fall read and anyone who just wants to kick their feet and giggle!

This is the story of LaRynn and Deacon. It is a second chance romance, which i normally do not enjoy, that was absolute gold.
The CO-OP is a mix between the present and the past. In the past, LaRynn and Deacon hooked up for a summer, and LaRynn got her heart broken. Since then, she has stayed away from her beloved grandmother's seaside home where Deacon also lives. In the present, both of their grandmother's passed away within months of each other. The house that they lovingly shared was bequeathed to both LaRynn and Deacon equally. What ensues is a rebuilding and reshaping of a home, two hearts, and maturing.
I really enjoyed this book. I gave four stars because in the beginning, it took me a little bit to get into it. If it is the same for you, I definitely recommend continuing to read, as I couldn't put it down once it got going. I definitely recommend it.

This book is about two people that inherit a house from their grandmothers. The main characters were in a relationship when they were younger. Now they own a house together. There is banter and forced proximity. This book was okay. It didn’t pull me in right away like other books.

I like this authors writing style. She pulls you in to the characters minds and grips you with emotion. It was sweet and swoony!

I enjoyed this book, though I found the pacing confusing at several points throughout the story. There were details that didn't feel fully explained or jumps in time that were hard to follow. However, I still enjoyed reading the book and I'm sure other fans of Tarah DeWitt will find it to be a really fun read.

This was a great comfort read however I liked funny feelings a lot more. Despite that i was very invested in the characters arc. This is the dumbest gripe but i hated the name larynn

I’m torn about my feelings for this book. While I definitely enjoyed it, I loved Savor It and Funny Feelings way more. For the most part this book just felt very drawn out. The renovations take up a lot of the plot, which made me upset when they said they couldn’t totally finish it and would need to sell (I know they ultimately didn’t but whatever). The flashbacks were neat to get more of their history, but they weren’t always well placed and stopped at some point in the book—should be more consistent. Finally, the miscommunication was a little too much for me. They were so antagonistic to each other and then when they finally had a talk about their past, it was easily resolved. Why did they not have it SOONER???

✨ARC Book Review✨

🏠 The Co-Op - Tarah Dewitt 🏠
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️.5

“I don’t mind your mess”

I was so thrilled to receive the ARC for The Co-Op! This book actually underwent a renovation of its own by the author and I’m so excited to share my thoughts with you!

First of all, I totally vibed with LaRynn’s character. She has a “zero F’s given” attitude with a bit of a hard exterior. Deacon on the other hand really gives off a genuinely good guy vibe and you can’t help but love him from the start. The banter between them both was SO ON POINT, I’m talking laugh out loud moments. This was definitely a bit of a slow burn, but the tension and angst was GOOD. And the spice was done perfectly in my opinion.

Aside from all of the chemistry and tension between them both, I also really enjoyed the story behind why they were renovating this house. The flashbacks to the time with their Grands (Grandmas) was really special to read as well as all the shenanigans they got into as young adults. I really got a small town feel from the story as they’re surrounded by their favorite local hangouts and the kids they grew up with on their summer breaks.

Overall, I really enjoyed this one and would definitely recommend if you like:

🔨 Marriage of Convenience
🔨 Dual POV
🔨 Second Chance Romance
🔨 Dual Timeline

Then Co-Op comes out 11.12.24 so be sure to mark your calendars.

A big Thank You to @net and @publish and of course @ta for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review

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Tarah DeWitt’s *The Co-op* is a delightful blend of romance, humor, and emotional depth, wrapped in the framework of a second-chance love story. With its unique premise of renovation and partnership, DeWitt skillfully explores not only the rebuilding of a dilapidated Santa Cruz property but also the complex reconstruction of a once-abandoned relationship. This steamy, tension-filled romance is about much more than just fixing walls—it's about emotional growth, cooperation, and the slow, often painful process of mending what’s broken, both within a home and between two hearts.

The story kicks off with LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds, two former lovers whose short-lived summer fling in their teens ended in frustration and resentment. Their paths cross again a decade later when they find themselves joint inheritors of a run-down building in Santa Cruz, left to them by their grandmothers. The setup is ripe with tension, as LaRynn and Deacon's personalities clash from the get-go. LaRynn, a savvy businesswoman with the financial means to fix the property, can only access her trust if she's married. Deacon, a skilled contractor, has the expertise to restore the building but lacks the funds. A convenient marriage of necessity is proposed—just long enough to fix up the building, sell it for a profit, and then walk away.

DeWitt builds a palpable sense of tension between the two from the moment they’re forced to cooperate. LaRynn and Deacon’s chemistry is undeniable, but so is their tendency to clash. Their banter is sharp, full of sparks that make you both laugh and feel the frustration bubbling beneath the surface. Yet it’s clear early on that the underlying issues between them go deeper than their failed teenage fling. Both characters have emotional walls they’ve built over the years—walls that prove to be much harder to tear down than the literal ones in their shared property.

The physical setting of a run-down building in desperate need of restoration serves as a perfect metaphor for LaRynn and Deacon’s relationship. As they strip away the layers of old plaster and decaying wood, they’re also peeling back the emotional layers they’ve kept hidden for years. The renovation project is not just about the property, but about learning to work together, trust each other, and uncover the vulnerabilities they’ve buried deep inside.

One of the strengths of *The Co-op* is how DeWitt navigates the fine balance between the humor and the heart of the story. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, particularly as LaRynn and Deacon grapple with the realities of living together in a house that’s quite literally falling apart. Their growing mutual frustration, as they attempt to navigate the pitfalls of living with someone without the traditional "perks" of a relationship, adds levity to the otherwise intense emotional dynamics. The book is filled with steamy moments too, with the slow-burning tension between LaRynn and Deacon crackling off the page as they try (and fail) to keep their marriage strictly business.

But underneath the lighthearted and sensual elements, DeWitt also digs into deeper themes. *The Co-op* is as much about personal growth as it is about romance. Both LaRynn and Deacon are dealing with the baggage of their past, and their journey isn’t just about falling in love again, but about learning to be vulnerable and open in ways they haven’t allowed themselves to be before. The story emphasizes that true partnership—whether in life, love, or a business deal—requires patience, understanding, and a willingness to do the hard work of emotional renovation.

DeWitt also beautifully portrays the idea that relationships, like the house LaRynn and Deacon are renovating, are never truly "finished." Just as the characters discover that even once the major repairs are done, there are always little tweaks and improvements to be made, their relationship is revealed to be a continual work in progress. The journey itself—the messy, chaotic process of learning to trust and love again—is what makes their story so satisfying.

Overall, *The Co-op* is a captivating second-chance romance filled with sizzling chemistry, witty dialogue, and heartfelt moments. Tarah DeWitt expertly weaves together themes of restoration, vulnerability, and emotional growth, all while delivering a love story that feels both fresh and familiar. For fans of romances that blend humor with emotional depth, and for anyone who loves the idea of relationships as lifelong renovation projects, *The Co-op* is a must-read.

An enjoyable and satisfying read! I loved to read about our heroine and hero together. These characters’ love story was truly special.

This is a shout about it from the rooftops, book. I am in LOVE. I couldn't read it fast enough and my heart felt like it was going to slam out of my chest. I love these two and their love so much. It's so gripping and raw and intense in all the best ways. If I thought about it hard enough, I'm sure there's something that makes this book imperfect, but honestly who cares. We're all imperfect and that's sometimes the best part. This book reminds me to love the imperfect and all the tiny things that make us who we are.

This was a cute story. It’s a small town second chance romance. It started extremely slow but was still a cute read.

After their brief teenage romance ends on a sour note, LaRynn and Deacon sever all ties. Years later, when their married grandmothers pass away and leave their run-down home to both of them, they’re forced back together. The big problem though? They lack the funds to restore the house. They eventually come up with a plan to get married so LaRynn can access her trust fund to finance the renovations. As they live together to fix up the house, they must grapple with their unresolved feelings from the past and their evolving relationship in the present.

What’s not to enjoy about an endearing second chance love story that takes place in an adorable small town!? The Co-Op is such a cute rom-com! I loved LaRynn’s feisty personality, and the fact that both MC’s grew so much throughout the story. The character development was literally top notch! Being self-aware enough to admit your faults and move on from past hurt is not as easy task, but watching these two find their way back to each was so enjoyable! Their tumultuous relationship led to hilarious banter which helped keep me engaged throughout the slow burn pacing storyline.

You’ll love this book if you enjoy:
• second chance love
• forced proximity
• lovers to enemies to lovers
• marriage of convenience
• open door romance

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this digital ARC. All opinions expressed are my own.

Although I enjoyed Savor It by this author The Co-op fell a little short for me. The FMC felt too weak to me. Like she just wasn’t self-respecting enough. The other characters were okay. The smalltown aspect also did not shine through. It wasn’t the worst book ever but nothing memorable either.

I will continue to read other books from this author.

This book would be 5 stars if the couple knew how to communicate, I saw potential in them from the beginning but I felt that the development of their relationship was not done in the right way. Despite this, it was a book that entertained me and I enjoyed it but definitely should have fewer pages and more communication.

Thank you, St Martin’s Press, for the gifted copy of The Co-Op {partner}

Genre: Romance
Trope: Second Chance
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date: 10.20.2022
Pages: 352
Star Rating: ☆☆☆

“Because when I’m not what works for people at that time in their lives, when I’m not a convenient version of me, I always manage to lose them.”

While this slow-burn romance was not for me, I will instead focus on what did👇🏼

I love LaRynn’s character and related to all of her internal battles on so many levels. She desperately wants to be loved and accepted for who she is but has been left disappointed by so many people in her past when she finally lets the walls down on who she is. It’s always nice to find characters in books that you relate to on a personal level and I’ve found that in Dewitt’s last two novels.

Also, as someone who has experienced the grief that comes with losing a grandmother and then losing her grandmother’s home - I was brought to tears as LaRynn recalled hearing her grandmothers voice or seeing her standing at the garden gate when she came to visit. Those are memories that you hope to hold onto for forever.

Read if you enjoy:
💍 Marriage of convenience
🏠 Forced proximity
🫶🏼 Navigating grief
🌊 Small, costal town
😄 Fun banter

While The Co-Op was not the romance I had hoped to experience (like in Savor it). There were still some really good takeaways from the story and, without a doubt, I will continue to read whatever Tarah DeWitt writes.

If you are looking for a fun, sexy, love story, this is it! Wow! I can not get over how wonderful this read was. I devoured it. It was just fantastic! I loved it! It was such a good story.

I loved this story!! I am a sucker for a good second chance romance and this one was SO good!! Deacon and LaRynn are such good people who want to do right by everyone. I loved their dynamic and rediscovering their love and passion for each other.

I loved Tarah DeWitt's storytelling in Savor It and this one was no different!

If you enjoy second chance romance, enemies to lovers to enemies, marriage of conveniece, this is your book!

Thank you NeGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing this digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.