This book was so delightful and touching and a really unique romance. I love that the story centers around this house that was so important to both of them and their families. I'm not usually one for second-chance romance but thankfully in this case it's not a dual timeline situation (just a few brief flashbacks) so it didn't bother me, and in fact, it really added to the story because they both had a lot of pain to work through. Honestly, my main complaint is that they really didn't need to be married....like I feel like that plot point was there just for the trope, because the story could have been almost essentially the same if they hadn't done the marriage of convenience thing. Didn't ruin the story, just seemed unnecessary. I'm not a fan of tropes just for trope's sake, it needs to have a real impact on the plot!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Co-Op by Tarah DeWitt, a heartwarming and witty romance that blends humor and depth beautifully. The story follows LaRynn and Deacon, two former childhood enemies turned reluctant co-owners of a dilapidated house they’ve both inherited. As they renovate the property, their bickering and differences evolve into a deep connection, revealing hidden layers of vulnerability and strength. DeWitt crafts a charming tale of second chances, self-discovery, and love, leaving readers with a satisfying mix of laughter and heartfelt moments.

What I loved:
🫶🏼 I never grew tired or annoyed of the banter and bicker! I grew to love the characters and could always empathize with both through their trials and tribulations!
🫶🏼 The spice was yummy… and you definitely had to wait for it. But the tension made it worth the wait! It wasn’t obnoxious and was the perfect amount of flavor to the storyline!
🫶🏼 The normal, down-to-earthedness that the characters evolved into. So many romance books are the escape you need, but out of reach in your own world… a fairytale… but the last few sentences in the “After” made me feel like it is something that I could have too!

Would have loved more of:
✨ Some of the flashbacks made it feel a little ya— or maybe I wished they we on a summer break from college and not so much high school.

Wholesome, compassionate, meaningful… a beautiful story with the perfect blend of laughs and love. Absolutely worth the read!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this digital ARC copy in exchange for my honest opinions of this read!

If you love Tarah DeWitt's prior romances, you'll likely love this one. Second-chance, personal development, no third-act breakup and an epilogue that makes the whole book worthwhile <3

Oooh the angst, the pining, the deeply rooted misunderstanding of the past! *chef's kiss* Tarah DeWitt does emotional romance with so much heart and LaRynn + Deacon's second chance brought back together by grandmothers meddling from beyond the grave (in a not paranormal way to be clear) really did it for me. I was rapt waiting for them to figure their shit out and I felt the way they loathed then loved each other so deeply.

This was not for me. I found LaRynn extremely rude and unlikeable. I also found the time jump confusing and took me out of the story. I also don’t really understand the animosity between these two especially LaRynn’s grudge with Deacon.

Give me every single thing Tarah DeWitt writes and direct it injectly into my brains, tattoo it on my eyelids, engrave it in my soul. The banter, the chemistry (between not just the main characters but the side characters as well), the writing, the pacing -- all flawless. Give me 100 more. And that cover re-design? STUNNING.

The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt is a spicy and sweet rom-com that brings together the beloved trope of home renovation with a marriage of convenience. It's a second-chance love story, and the chemistry between LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds sizzles.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for sharing this book with me.

. . . ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⭑ ⋆
There was something about this one that just hit right. Maybe it was timing, maybe it was the plot, maybe it was the writing, maybe it was allllll of the above - whatever way you look at it, I walked away from this one satisfied.

I loved the background story in this book - LaRynn and Deacon’s grandmothers finding love and a life together, which ultimately brought these two together. The dual POV as well as the alternating timelines worked well within this story, and having it be a coming-of-age AND enemies-to-lovers plot line just added to the tension. It was a slow burn, but also let loose in at the right moments. And for once, I actually loved the flash-forward in time ending - it just hit the spot.

For me, the sleeper gem in this book was actually the limelight on healing from neglect. In this case, the neglect ( both emotional and physical ) came from both Deacon and LaRynn’s parents. Neglect can be passive or active, and it can be internalized and processed in such a variety of ways, but this book did a good job of demonstrating how ( emotional ) distancing can be a primary coping mechanism for those who have experienced it. There were a couple lines in this book that struck a chord, with one of my favourites being: “𝘪𝘵’𝘴 𝘪𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘮𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘯 𝘐 𝘴𝘵𝘢𝘳𝘵 𝘵𝘰 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘭𝘪𝘻𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘩𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴𝘵 𝘧𝘦𝘦𝘭𝘴 𝘴𝘰 𝘮𝘶𝘤𝘩 𝘣𝘦𝘵𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘯 𝘣𝘦𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘺.” Like… damn. Romance is great, but loving yourself is way better.

This is the second book by this author that I’ve read, and I’ll tell ya, my lil’ bookish heart will keep reading what she puts out there. Have you read anything by this author?

‘The Co-Op’ recently hit shelves on Nov 12th, and is definitely worth a read.

~👩🏻‍🦰

⧞ Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for a digital advanced reader’s copy - we are so grateful.

3.5 stars ⭐️ I thought the plot was a little slow but I still enjoyed reading it!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I appreciate the opportunity to read this title and thank you to SMP Romance for providing me with an eARC, however, after hearing how amazing the audiobook is I want to experience the book in that format. I will amend my review with my thoughts once I finish!

Tarah DeWitt does it again! She's turning into an auto-buy author for me. The chemistry between our two MCs is electric and I loved the time jumps throughout the book. While it took me a while to get into it at first, the story quickly kept me coming back for more. I appreciate DeWitt's ability to add gravity and seriousness to a story. Romance books come in many shapes and sizes, with varying degrees of depth. So far I've enjoyed DeWitt's stories and I look forward to reading more!

5 ⭐️ I love this book with my entire heart!

*Reviewed on 11/12/24 Updated on 01/06/05*

"Be my wife. Stay my wife. Forever, LaRynn. I don't care where we end up or what we do as long as I have you."

WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ second chance romance
✨ first love to strangers to spouse to lover
✨ dislike to love
✨ marriage of convenience
✨ roommates
✨ forced proximity
✨ pranks
✨ pushing each other's buttons⁠
✨ insane tension & chemistry⁠
✨ "that’s my wife"
✨ 2.5/5 spice
✨ it’s always been you
✨ soulmates
✨ HEA
✨ the sweetest epilogue I’ve ever read
✨ Dual POV
✨ TW: grief, loss of family member


My Thoughts:

I first read the indie version of this book last year, and now, after reading the updated traditionally published edition, I can honestly say that while there are some differences between the two, my feelings remain exactly the same. This book is absolutely incredible. In both versions, I fell in love with Deacon and LaRynn, and their beautiful story will stay with me forever.

Both Deacon and LaRynn are wonderful main characters. While they are fictional characters, I found them to be incredibly relatable, realistic, and authentic. Honestly, I wish these two existed in the world.

LyRynn is an interesting and complex character. She comes from a tumultuous home where her only escape and sense of safety and security was with her grandmother in Santa Cruz.

"I always thought if I could do everything expected of me, if I was good, if I caused as little inconvenience as possible and needed as little as possible, then maybe I'd fit somewhere between them [her parents]. Instead, anger became my quiet companion, something I'd wear like a shroud. I'd take their love where I could get it, which usually came in the form of pride whenever I did manage to do something impressive."

When I first read this passage, I sobbed. You could have taken this right out of my diary. I've never related so much to a character or felt more seen in a book. LaRynn can come off prickly and stuck-up at first, but it's only because she's been hurt so much that she's grown used to having a hardened exterior in order to protect herself. After years of neglect and never feeling like she was enough from the people that were supposed to love her unconditionally, she started closing herself off from others. LaRynn needed someone to see her, flaws and all, and love her for exactly who she is. And that is exactly how Deacon loves her in the end.

"The trying was what it was really about. I'd begun to believe that trying was its own love language. Trying to understand a person, trying to make them happy, trying to make yourself happy, too. My relationship with him is what made me believe that."

Being with Deacon was healing for LaRynn, and vice versa. Deacon and LaRynn both have major insecurities that were unfortunately heightened when they dated years ago. But throughout this story, they both put away their anger and resentment from the past and start to learn about the adult versions of themselves and see each other in a new light. Yes, the insecurities and flaws are still there, but now they have the emotional intelligence to offer compassion and understanding to one another. And this understanding and acceptance for the ugliest parts of themselves only makes LaRynn and Deacon truly fall in love with each other. Their journey together really was so beautiful and realistic.

"I don't mind your mess." 💕

For all the women out there who have been told you're too much, too needy, or have too much baggage, this line is for you. Find someone like Deacon who loves you, mess and all.


On a lighter note, the banter and spice were incredible! It's clear from the beginning that Deacon and LaRynn are insanely attracted to each other. Pair that with hatred and sharp tongues and you get hilarious quips and delicious tension.

"You don't throw away towels, LaRynn. You keep them for things. Like car-washing rags or - I don't know, but you keep them."

"Where?! Where was I supposed to store your beloved towels? I had no idea that they were so cherished. Was it the holes or the frayed edges that made them the ideal jerk off-off rags?"


Deacon and LaRynn kept doing these things to intentionally and unintentionally piss each other off, and omg it worked. 😂 This cat-and-mouse dynamic was entertaining as hell.


The actual spice was so hot it made me horny. While these scenes are explicit and written incredibly well, I think it's the pent up tension from the banter and playful mind games as well as their deep emotional connection that really made the smut so satisfying.


The epilogue is the sweetest thing ever! It takes place 10 years later and gives us a glimpse into the wonderful Deacon and LaRynn have created. My heart soared while reading this chapter, and ended up finishing this book with the biggest smile on my face.


I'll leave you with this . . .

Tarah Dewitt is a phenomenal writer. Full stop. Her stories are filled with deeply authentic, wonderfully flawed characters that feel so real, you can't help but connect with them on a personal level. Every book is created with such careful attention and love, it’s as if she’s sharing a piece of her heart with her readers. That kind of authenticity is rare, and it's something I truly treasure. So, first and foremost, thank you, Tarah, for gifting us with these beautiful, soul-stirring stories. Your work is a gift I will never take for granted.

This book was cute, but it didn't totally rope me in. Honestly not sure why. I think it just felt like not a ton was happening.

I just cried my way through the end of this book. As in, had to set it aside I was crying so hard and needed a minute to breathe. I connect a lot with these bitchy women who spend their lives listening to the people who should love them the most, tell them they should feel less and be less. Love to see them get a happy story.

This was a book I chose simply because of the title, didn’t even read the description and boy did it pay off! This was an emotional but also fun book to read! I spent my summers at a beach resort community and it brought me back. There is great character development and growth throughout this book. Add this book to your 2025 summer reads, you won’t regret it!

I enjoyed the story, but the plot was a little slow for my taste. I didn’t feel very invested in the characters, which was disappointing because I have loved other Tarah DeWitt books.

I wanted to love this book. I really did. But I couldn’t stand the FMC and the inability of these characters to communicate. And I expected more from them as grown adults. The conflict in the book could have been resolved with a 5 min conversation.

Having said that, I did like the writing style and would pick up other books by the author.

I did not finish this one. I was disappointed in this read. I loved Funny Feelings but this one just missed the mark. Maybe I’ll give it another try down the road

What a sassy and steamy romance. I loved the main characters and their banter. Arranged inheritance marriage is one of my favorite tropes, and this was well done. The ending was perfection as well.

This story was really layered and that was my favorite part. Each of the main characters' struggles and challenges felt realistic and made them each interesting individually. I wanted to see them do well and heal even if they didn't end together... but together of course they did end up and it felt right and natural and beautiful.
The use of timing also was well done. Although they had history (second chance romance) the author still gave it the right room and time to reconnect and fall back in love. That was refreshing. I could see this becoming a movie.