The Co-Op

LaRynn and Deacon had a summer fling when they were younger. Years later, they had to work together to retire their late grandmothers’ building.

I love enemies to lovers and marriage of convenience, so put them together, and it’s even better.

It took me a while to get into this, because I didn’t like Deacon or LaRynn. But as the story went on, i didn’t dislike them as much. They were messy, just as people are in everyday life.

The two of them had so much chemistry, and I loved seeing them reconnect and get closer as they worked together to fix the building. And there was a lot of angst and emotion.

Just wrapped up The Co-op and I’m officially obsessed. Forced proximity + enemies-ish to lovers = nonstop banter and undeniable tension. If you love second chances, renovation chaos, and romance with heart and humor, this one's for you!

Honestly, this one took a minute to get going, but once it did, I was into it. I love a good second chance romance, and the whole building and romance combo was pretty fun.

Rating: 3.75 ⭐️

Nothing says romance like renovating a crumbling house with your ex. This one is equal parts banter, drywall dust and unresolved feeling. It was fun but the MCs were a little too stubborn for me at times.

This is the second Tarah DeWitt story that I've read, and since I enjoyed the first one, I had high expectations for this.

I love me a good second-chance romance that is set in a small town, and while the overall premise of the story was catchy and interesting, it didn't flow well enough to keep me fully engaged.

3 ⭐️

3 ⭐️
this is the second book i've read of tarah's and while i loved it and enjoyed reading this, i can't say its my favorite, unfortunately. at times i did find myself wanting to put it down and pick something else up, especially in the first part of the book. but i am glad i finished this book. i found parts of this book unnecessarily repetitive and annoying, but when the main characters got there, boy did they get there haha. okay, enough of the negatives. lets talk the positives! i loved the flashbacks into when they were younger! i know dual timelines arent a fav for all readers, but i sure do love them! the renovation aspect of this book was so much fun to read! it forced deacon and larynn to work together and helped them get along better. not my favorite book by tarah, but will still read her work!
THANK YOU TO NET GALLEY, ST MARTINS PRESS AND THE AUTHOR FOR AN E-ARC. all opinions are my own! <3

LaRynn and Deacon share more than grandmothers who are married to each other, they now both own the converted triplex they used to live in. Neither having the money to get it back up to code to sell have to work together a tricky feat after almost a decade apart.

I found Tarah's writing really enjoyable, and definitely could empathize with her talk of feeling alone and the longing for somewhere to truly belong. Don't go into this hoping for twists and turns, as it's just what you can expect from an easy romance read.

A steamy second-chance romance just hits different when the two yearn for each other as much as these two characters. Love that the entire family was in on the rekindling action too!

Spice was like 3-3.5/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️

(Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.)

The Co-op is a contemporary romance with a charming small-town setting and a premise that has potential for both humor and heart. Tarah DeWitt’s writing is approachable and engaging, and the interactions between the main characters provide some enjoyable, lighthearted moments. The story is easy to read and has a cozy, feel-good vibe.

That said, the plot can feel predictable at times, and some characters lack depth, making it harder to fully invest in their relationships and choices. While entertaining, the story leans heavily on familiar romance tropes and doesn’t offer many surprises or standout moments.

Overall, The Co-op is a pleasant, casual romance—perfect for a cozy read, though it doesn’t leave a lasting impression.

The Co-Op is a slow-burn, second-chance romance that hits all the right emotional notes. LaRynn and Deacon are thrown back together by a shared inheritance and a marriage of convenience, but what unfolds is a deeply satisfying story about rebuilding—both a home and a relationship. Tarah DeWitt balances humor, tension, and vulnerability with sharp dialogue and dual timelines that add real depth. The chemistry is undeniable, the emotional payoff is earned, and the setting feels lived-in and real. If you like your romance with grit, heart, and a little renovation dust, this one delivers.

ARC provided by NetGalley.

3.5 ⭐️ Forced Proximity, Fake Marriage, Second Chance Romance. I love Tarah DeWitt’s writing and really enjoyed the banter between LaRynn and Deacon. This has all the elements I love in the romance genre and gives “Sweet Home Alabama” vibes mixed with a home renovation project.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin’s Publishing Group for the eARC of The Co-Op by Tarah DeWitt in exchange for my honest review.

4

Tarah DeWitt's The Co-op is a second-chance romance that makes you feel things with slow-burning, mutual pining and fun banter. Our two main characters, LaRynn and Deacon, met as teens when they visited their grandmothers (who were a couple). They spent a summer as teens falling in love, but all summers come to an end, and theirs ended in heartbreak. Now, the two are forced back together to renovate their grandmothers' home to sell. Throughout their cohabitation/renovation, the two let their insecurities get in the way, and a good amount of miscommunication occurs. However, I think DeWitt blends this perfectly with a slow-burning/mutual pining.

The way LaRynn and Deacon's flaws were written makes them more relatable- because although the flaws created the story conflict, it also made them feel real.

I enjoyed this read. It took me a little while to really get into it, but in the second half, I devoured it quickly.

Tropes:
Second Chance Romance
Marriage of Convenience
Slow burn
Forced Proximity
Grumpy FMC/ Sunshine MMC

The Co-op has a lot going for it—small-town charm, a nostalgic second-chance romance, and witty banter that makes the pages fly. Tarah DeWitt has a fun, engaging writing style, and I appreciated the emotional depth she gave the characters, especially as they navigated old wounds and new beginnings.

I really enjoyed the concept of exes being thrown back together to renovate a property—plenty of opportunity for tension and sparks! There were definitely moments that made me smile and even a few that tugged at my heart.

That said, while I liked the story, I didn’t fully love it. Some parts felt a bit slow or overly familiar, and I struggled to connect with the romance at times. Still, fans of second-chance tropes and small-town settings will likely find a lot to enjoy here.

Overall, a solid and sweet read—it just didn’t leave a lasting impression for me personally.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for my DRC!

⭐️: 5
🌶️: 4

🏡 second chance
🛠️ forced proximity
🏡 marriage of convenience
🛠️ dual timelines and POV
🏡 banter

Tarah is an auto-buy author for me, so I honestly don’t know what took me so long to crack this one open. What I do know is that I certainly should have read it sooner, because it was an easy 5 star read for me. Savor It was my favorite book of 2023 and this right here just might be my favorite book of 2025.

This dual-POV story follows LaRynn and Deacon as they navigate first love in their youth and come to terms with past mistakes as adults. Their playful banter and grumpy/sunshine dynamic create sparkling chemistry—both inside and outside the bedroom. If you love second-chance romances with plenty of spice, this one’s a must-read!

🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️= open door, multiple scenes, descriptive

♥︎ Thank you NetGalley, St Martin’s Press and Tarah DeWitt for the ARC of The Co-Op!

The Co-op was my first attempt of reading a Tarah Dewitt novel. I struggled to get started on multiple occasions. After ready the Spunes novels, I came back to this one. Her storylines tend to be similar and her writing has improved. This was not my favorite, but I’m happy I gave it a chance.

This book is definitely for fans of second chance romance.

LaRynn and Deacon have a history…and neither of them are interested in going back. Circumstances bring them back together and they must work together and through their shared history to complete the renovation of a newly, inherited house.

While I thought the story was cute, it didn't resonate with me as much as Tarah DeWitt's other books. I still enjoyed it nonetheless.

Thank you St. Martin's Press for selecting me for this ARC.

I love Tarah DeWitts writing! So much so I got myself a physical copy and another of her books! Great romance book. Definitely check it out!

This book is a charming, slow-burn romance with plenty of humor, heart, and emotional depth. Two exes are forced to renovate a property together to claim their inheritance and what starts as tension-fueled banter gradually unfolds into vulnerability, growth, and rekindled connection.

DeWitt's dialogue sparkles with wit, and her characters are layered and endearing, even in their flaws. The setting—equal parts cozy and chaotic—adds to the book’s warm, small-town feel. While I think the plot leans into classic rom-com tropes, the author's fresh voice and emotionally grounded storytelling make The Co-op feel both familiar and new to me.

Overall, it's a heartfelt and entertaining read perfect for fans of contemporary romance.

The Co‑op is a beautifully messy, heartfelt second‑chance romance that had me hooked from the first page. LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds are the kind of characters who feel so real that you can almost hear their banter in the room. Years after a teenage fling ended badly, fate—and a joint inheritance—forces them back into each other’s orbit. What starts as a begrudging partnership to renovate a rundown property quickly turns into something more complicated, especially when a marriage of convenience is added to the mix.

What I loved most was how Tarah DeWitt balanced humor, vulnerability, and slow‑burn tension. The chemistry between LaRynn and Deacon is electric, but it’s their emotional journey—learning to communicate, confronting old wounds, and letting go of resentment—that makes their romance feel so satisfying. The dual timelines were done beautifully, giving just enough past to make the present hit harder.

The pacing is smooth, the writing sharp and witty, and there’s no forced third‑act breakup, which I appreciated. The heat level is definitely there, but it’s matched by genuine tenderness and moments that made me laugh out loud. The renovation backdrop was more than just a setting—it mirrored the rebuilding of trust and love between them.

This is one of those romances that leaves you smiling long after you turn the last page. It’s charming, steamy, and emotionally resonant, and it reminded me why I love a good second‑chance story.

Rating: ★★★★★

One of the best contemporary writers out there! The story had such great pacing & kept me turning the pages!