This was my first experience reading something by this author. I found it to be a heartwarming, slow-burn romance that blends the tension of a second-chance love story with the satisfying metaphor of renovation—both literal and emotional. LaRynn and Deacon are strong leads whose chemistry crackles from the very first page, despite their shared history and lingering resentment from a teenage fling gone wrong.

The forced proximity trope along with the added twist of a marriage of convenience paves the way for a story with high-stakes and one that is hilariously complicated. LaRynn’s sharp wit and determination clash perfectly with Deacon’s gruff charm and stubborn pride, making for dynamic, tension-filled interactions that had me smiling and swooning throughout the story.

As LaRynn and Deacon strip down layers of old plaster and patch up broken foundations, they’re also forced to confront their vulnerabilities, regrets, and most importantly, the possibility of real love. The story is both steamy and heartfelt, and genuinely funny in all the right places.

In conclusion, the story is about more than just fixing up a building; it’s about the messy, imperfect work of rebuilding trust, and facing your fears. A delightful, emotionally rich read that will leave you with a full heart and a warm feeling long after turning the last page.

I received a complimentary copy from NetGalley and St. Martin's Press and am voluntarily leaving my review.

3.5 stars rounded up to 4.

Overall, a cute book! Always a fan of pining and second chance romances. I feel like there wasn't as much of a spark between the characters as I would've liked. Honestly I liked the chemistry in the flashbacks more than in present time. The FMC, LaRynn, could be grating at times and I really wanted to shake her and yell, "Learn to communicate, darn you!"

I’m a new fan of Tara DeWitt, but am loving everything from her so far! I enjoyed the alternating timelines. Overall this book made me swoon a bit!

It wasn’t my all-time favorite, but it definitely kept me entertained and engaged! While I found the FMC frustrating at first, she grew on me by the end, and I appreciated her development. Once everything was laid out between her and the MMC, their relationship became genuinely sweet, and I couldn’t help but root for them. A solid, enjoyable read overall!

This book was unfortunately not for me. It was too slow of a start, and I didn't enjoy the past timeline. I wanted to be more settled in the present timeline before the past one started. I've enjoyed the other books I've read by Tarah DeWitt, so I'm still excited to read her next book.

[3.5 stars]

As I’ve come to expect from Tarah Dewitt’s books, this one was filled with a humorous, heart touching romance. But after Savor It, this one missed the mark for me though I still enjoyed it. The characters’ past failed relationship just didn’t hit as hard for me and neither did the reasoning for why it failed. It read like they’d been 16 year olds in high school when both were adults, though 19 and 20. Still. I thought there’d be this whole revelation of something big that happened their last night but there really isn’t. They basically just made assumptions and NEVER TALKED IT OUT. Weak plot point.

But the romance in the current timeline I highly enjoyed. Rynn and Deacon really don’t like each other and their forced proximity marriage of convenience led to some hilarious and gross situations 😂. Their banter and seduction games were entertaining but the underlying pining was the real star. They both have deep issues to work through and they dismantle them slowly and rebuild their love while they work on the house. Themes of grief, loss, and mental health were also prevalent.

Thanks to the publisher for the eARC.

Tarah is a new favorite of mine. Everything she writes, I devour. She does such a good job at writing REAL characters that have depth and make me want to care about them! Absolute banger!

Book Review: The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt

⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (3.5 stars)
Thank you Netgalley and the publishers for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
A marriage of convenience meets second-chance romance in this fun, steamy, and laugh-out-loud read from Tarah DeWitt.

Larynn and Deacon inherit a fixer-upper from their late grandmothers, but there’s a catch - Larynn can only access the trust fund needed for renovations if she’s married. Despite their complicated past, the two strike a deal and tie the knot, leading to a hilarious, tension-filled arrangement full of sarcastic pet names, unresolved feelings, and passive-aggressive antics (including switching the toilet paper orientation just to annoy each other).

DeWitt blends humor and chemistry effortlessly, with plenty of standout moments - from a sex shop fiasco to an unfortunate tennis accident that leaves Larynn with a bloody nose. Flashbacks to their first summer together add an extra layer of nostalgia, making their rekindled relationship even more entertaining. While both have complicated family dynamics, they bond over their shared desire to restore the house (which, like their relationship, is in serious need of work).

Fans of Codi Hall will love DeWitt’s clever character names, classic rock references, and the balance of romance, comedy, and just the right amount of steam. With major What Happens in Vegas and Sweet Home Alabama vibes, The Co-op is perfect for readers who enjoy playful banter, forced proximity, and a little chaos in their love stories. The epilogue, set years later, wraps things up in a satisfying and heartwarming way.

This was my first book by Tarah DeWitt, thanks to NetGalley, and I had a great time with it! If you’re looking for a lighthearted, trope-filled romance with humor and spice, this one’s worth picking up.

The Co-Op was a book I was looking forward to reading, as I loved the independent published version years ago. However; on my second read, I found the point of view switches confusing and wanted more clarity at the beginning of what happened to lead to miscommunication. Both main characters seemed to be in an emotional, petty fight that I had no interest of being involved in. Thus, I "did not finish" this at 30% however; I have enjoyed other Tarah DeWitt novels and will continue to read her works.

Unfortunately this just wasn’t for me. I loved Savor It so I was excited for more by DeWitt! But I just couldn’t buy into this romance. There wasn’t anything really wrong with it, but it was fine and forgettable and I didn’t look forward to reading it at any time

The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt is a delightful second-chance romance that combines steamy chemistry, humor, and heart. LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds, once teenage lovers who had a brief and fiery fling, are brought back together years later under the most unexpected of circumstances. After inheriting a dilapidated building in Santa Cruz from their grandmothers, the two must figure out how to fix it up and make a profit. The catch? They need each other in ways they hadn’t anticipated—LaRynn needs a husband to access her trust fund, and Deacon needs funds to fix the property.

The chemistry between LaRynn and Deacon is electric, but their marriage of convenience proves to be much more complicated than either expected. As they navigate renovations and a makeshift life together, their emotional walls begin to crack. Their interactions are laced with both tension and tenderness as they find themselves unexpectedly drawn to each other, despite their initial agreement to part ways once the project is complete.

DeWitt does a fantastic job of blending the grittiness of home renovation with the emotional and personal growth that comes with being forced into close quarters. The novel explores themes of vulnerability, trust, and the evolution of relationships in a way that's both lighthearted and touching.

The Co-op is a fun and steamy read, perfect for fans of second-chance romances with a healthy dose of humor and sizzling tension. It’s a story of personal growth, teamwork, and discovering that the best partnerships—whether in love or in life—are built on trust and compromise.

Thank you for the ARC.

Cute easy romance with some steam. The characters were likable and the plot was there. Cute concept which gave it a new take. I will check this author out again.

I love love love fake marriage tropes and this one lived up to the hype! I enjoyed this so much and can’t wait to recommend it to everyone!

Rivals to lovers... Marriage of convenience.... and forced proximity are all some of my favorite tropes. But when you put them TOGETHER?! I heard about Tarah DeWitt from a friend of mine and I was instantly hookeed. The witty writing and the comfort characters made me fall in love. AND CAN WE TALK ABOUT THE COVER?! Stunning. i can't wait to put a physical copy on my shelf.

The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt is a sweet, heartwarming romance that left me with a smile on my face. From the very first page, I was hooked by the charming, relatable characters and the witty, fun writing style. The book centers around two roommates, an unexpected partnership that quickly turns into something much more. It’s a story about love, personal growth, and learning to trust yourself and others.

The characters in this book were fantastic. I loved the main characters’ dynamic—they were both so real, with their own flaws, strengths, and vulnerabilities. Their relationship felt natural, and watching it unfold was incredibly enjoyable. There’s a perfect balance of humor, chemistry, and emotional depth that made me invested in their journey. I really appreciated how the author made their connection evolve at a believable pace, which kept the romance from feeling rushed or forced.

One of my favorite things about this book is how it handles the themes of friendship and personal growth. The setting in the co-op, with its tight-knit community and quirky personalities, added a lot of heart to the story. It wasn’t just about the romance; it was about learning to open up, finding support in unexpected places, and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

The pacing was spot-on, keeping me hooked without ever feeling too slow or too fast. The dialogue was funny and sharp, and there were plenty of moments that made me laugh out loud. The book had just the right balance of lightheartedness and emotional depth, making it a perfect feel-good read.

Overall, The Co-op is a delightful, feel-good romance that I highly recommend to anyone looking for a heartwarming story with great characters and plenty of humor. It’s a perfect mix of romance, friendship, and personal growth, and I can’t wait to read more from Tarah DeWitt!

This was SUCH a good read and so much more emotional than I was expecting.
Larynn and deacon were an absolute force together and in the beginning I wasn’t really sure if I was going to end up rooting for them or not. They had a lot of issues and miscommunications from the past, but I think Tarah did an amazing job making them work on their differences and really taking the reader alongside them as they restored the house and overcame obstacles.
I really liked that both characters, though they came from completely different backgrounds both had family issues to face and how their journey mirrored the other, albeit in different ways. Both of them just wanted to be chosen and valued and had a hard time communicating that,
This was my second Tarah book and another that I absolutely loved! I can’t wait to read more from her! The pacing was incredible, the tension, the chemistry, the romance. Such a heartfelt read.

The Co-Op by Tarah DeWitt is a delightful romance that really helps you understand and relate to the characters. I love a book that includes significant personal growth alongside the romance storyline and this book certainly delivered. I really felt for the struggles the characters were going through and enjoyed reading through the changes in their relationship. I definitely would recommend this book or read others by this author!

This love story was so raw and real. I loved how realistic their relationship was and how they fell apart and came back together in such a realistic way. It was beautiful to watch their relationship bloom while they also were bettering themselves individually. The peeks into their past were perfect as they helped the reader understand how deep their love for each other was. Absolute perfection. One of my favorite second chance romances, hands down! Thank you Tarah DeWitt, St Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for the ARC!

4/5 ⭐️

LaRynn and Deacon were a very cute, but frustrating couple. From lovers to enemies to fake marriage, I was excited to see where this story went. Their constant miscommunication was killing me, but their love for their grands really made me love this story even more.

Loved this one so much. This one was such a fun read. The characters were fun to meet. The beginning was a little slow but it did pick up. You get second chance romance (which I love), marriage of convenience, forced proximity, soulmates and HEA with this one. You meet LaRynn and Deacon who were together for one summer - but then fast forward - they meet again. This one hit perfectly. Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.