This was an entertaining read. Parts of it were cute and it had some good banter. While this wasn't my favorite, overall it was a good read.

this book was so lovely!!! I love when two characters can come together and talk about their issues and why they didn’t work initially 🥹 is this… maturity?!

friends to lovers usually isn’t my jam, but second chance romance always is - and it was so sweet! ryan and deacon were the cutest (and hottest) couple - their tension was bouncing off the walls the entire book and I wanted so badly to shove them together to work out their emotions

and I think what I liked most about THE CO OP was the real and raw emotions behind it all… both deacon and ryan are saddled with grief while trying to figure out their own lives, and it reflects heavily on a few years where I couldn’t figure it out either 🥲

the ending was a bit rushed after the slow burn romance throughout the entire novel, but I love a good HEA I didn’t mind 🥹 the miscommunication, however, was a bit annoying, especially since if they were simply honest about their feelings from the start, everything would have been fine!!!! I’m not bitter!!!

all of that to say, I’m glad I took my time with this one 🩷 thank you st martins press for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review!

rating: 4 stars
wine pairing: burgundy red blend

This was a very enjoyable read. I loved the dual timelines and dual POV. I did think the first breakup was a little rushed and didn’t make sense based on the characters, but as the book went on, it fleshed that out a little more clearly. The spice was just right. enjoyed how the characters grew over the arc.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the digital arc.

I really enjoyed The Co-Op by Tarah DeWitt. I was interested in the premise and wasn't dissapointed.

this was even better than the first edition. one thing larynn and deacon knows how to do it’s giving me a seggsy time. I loved this so very much. tarah the woman that you are

This book had me crying more tears than I care to admit, but Tarah you’ve done it again! I absolutely adore this authors writing. It’s just a real feel good type, where the emotions are realistic.

This second chance romance/marriage of convenience was too good. While the beginning started off slow,the flash backs were super important and fundamental to the storyline. I kept trying to figure out why it fell apart for them back then, and my heart wasn’t ready when the truth came out.

There is a bit of a miscommunication trope here, which is not my favorite. But it was done very well and in a way that kept me wanting to read, because I felt the emotions of these characters in my soul.

Deacon is a people pleaser but feels unworthy. LaRynn is so bitchy and misunderstood.

Ugh. The two of them worked so perfectly together once they got past their shit. Childhood sweetheart type of love. Adults who finally decided to get past their traumas and break some generational barriers.

Thank you for the advanced copy! Though this was very much delayed.

I thoroughly enjoy reading Tarah DeWitt. This is my second book by the author and it did not dissapoint. This second chance romance had a great storyline pace and the plot to steam ratio was done wonderfully.

I loved the author's previous title "Savor It" and was excited to give this one a read. I'm a sucker for second chance romance, and I definitely enjoyed this one. I loved the flashbacks that laid out their backstory as things moved along. It was so enjoyable to watch the two fall for each other again and I thought the author did a great job of navigating tough conversations while making them confront their past. The banter was top notch and the MC's were flawed but likable. I thought the plot was cute with the marriage of convenience element. Overall this was a super fun read that had a good amount of substance to it. I would recommend this title to fans of Christina Lauren and Jessica Joyce.

Oh, I absolutely adored this book! ❤️‍🔥

It's the perfect blend of a marriage of convenience with forced proximity, and a touch of second-chance romance. The characters, Larynn and Deacon, share a summer fling when they were 18, which ends in heartbreak, only to reconnect eight years later. This combination of tropes is just my absolute favorite! 😅

From the very first page, I was hooked, and as I read, I couldn’t help but think of my rating. The pacing, tone, and emotional depth of the story had 5 stars on my mind from the start.

Larynn and Deacon’s journey was so touching. Watching them go from not being able to stand each other to slowly building trust and developing a deep connection really resonated with me. Their growth, both as individuals and as a couple, was truly beautiful, and by the end, they had completely won my heart.

I was surprised by how much I enjoyed this book. It was great in a lot of ways. The development between LaRynn and Deacon over time was quite amazing. I really enjoyed them together. I also liked that we were able to glimpse flashbacks of their earlier years. The ending and epilogue were really excellent, and I really like how the story ended. From start to finish, this was a very great book. Anyone searching for a touching story about friendship and discovering a home in unexpected places will love it.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press & Netgalley for e-arc.

My Rating:
5 ⭐️
3 🌶️

“You’re a fine friend and everything, but I can’t take having less than all of it with you.”

OMG! I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. It was so good in so many ways. A summer fling (in their younger years) turned heartbreak turned forced proximity/ marriage of convenience due to their grandma’s passing and leaving them a home that they decide to renovate and live in together while doing so. The hate for each other in the beginning was so real but at the same time I could still see the effect they had on each other. The back and forth banter was so good. As time went on the growth between LaRynn and Deacon was absolutely amazing. I truly enjoyed them together. The banter! The little moments like dancing and her wearing his clothes. Everything! Was so good about this book. I also enjoyed that we got flash backs to see moments from their past. I always enjoy a book with grief, it helps me realize that I’m not alone in my pain so I enjoy that part of this story as well. Such a great read. The ending and epilogue were also so good and I love the way the story ends. This was truly a great read from beginning to end.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

I loved this book start to finish!!

LaRynn and Deacon haven’t seen each other since they were 18, when everything went wrong. They don't see each other again until both their grandmothers pass away, and they both co-own their old place. When the opportunity of an inheritance comes up, the decide to get married to access it and use the money to renovate and eventually sell.

The chemistry these two had was great! You can’t help but fall for them and root for them. This was a quick and fun read and had some of my favorite tropes and they were written so perfectly!
✅ second chance romance
✅ marriage of convenience
✅ forced proximity
I just adored this book and look forward to reading it again!

📘: the Co-Op by Tarah Dewitt
🗓️: November 12, 2024

Thank you to NetGalley, Tarah Dewitt, and St. Martin’s Press for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I really tried to enjoy this but I just didn't vibe with the story. DeWitts writing is great, I just couldn't connect with the plot or the characters enough to finish the book. I decided to dnf at 80%.

lesbian grandmas left their house to both of their grandchildren, Deacon & LaRynn. who were "a thing but not a thing" back in high school. that house is falling apart, the value would drop a lot if they sell it in that state. so the alternative is to renovate it at first, to make it at least decently habitable. problem is, Deacon didn’t have enough budget to renovate it alone, and LaRynn is broke and didn’t have her access to the trust fund anymore since she dropped out of law school. the only way to access it again is if she get married, so that’s exactly what LaRynn & Deacon did.

see the plot was okay. the conflict was there and didn't seem forced. but still it really didn’t do much for me. just lack of charm.

The novel follows a group of friends navigating the ups and downs of life while living together in a cooperative house. DeWitt’s writing is both humorous and poignant, capturing the essence of friendship beautifully.

I really enjoyed the strong character dynamics, with each member bringing their own quirks and challenges to the mix. The humor added a nice lightness to some heavier themes. However, there were moments when the plot felt a bit predictable, which took away some of the suspense.

Overall, The Co-op is an uplifting exploration of community and the bonds we create. It’s perfect for anyone looking for a feel-good story about friendship and finding home in unexpected places.

Very much enjoyed taking my time reading this one. I would read and pause on this one because it wasn’t fully catching my attention but I did want to know how the story ends. I loved this epilogue so much, their happy ending was so cute.

The main reason why I gave this a 3 was because it didn’t hook me in. I felt like I had to get myself to really push through the first half, I think it might be because it took the female MC a bit long to open up and for me to connect with her.

This fresh take on a marriage of convivence combined with the house flip setting was a needed change. LaRynn and Deacon, former friends, are brought back together when they inherit a dilapidated property. In order to obtain this property, they enter a contract marriage.

The overall writing was a great combo of humor and heartstring tugging. The two of them have a chance to work through their feelings for each other, although there are some moments of miscommunication. Overall, I would say this heartwarming and intriguing story of finding yourself and your love is great for those who love a second-chance romance with added personality.

Thank you NetGalley for this eARC!

The Co-op has a lot to love. Second chances, enemies to lovers, forced proximity and marriage of convenience - all tied together with this innately heartfelt core.

The book’s strength is creating the chemistry between the main characters, LaRynn and Deacon, whose history is as strained as it is magnetic.

Ultimately, the Co-op is an addictive read that combines heart, humor, spice and drama. If you’re looking for a romance that balances emotional depth with playful romantic tension, this one is for you.

I don’t typically read romance novels, but I really enjoyed this one! I laughed out loud during some scenes and loved all the tropes in here: forced proximity, marriage of convenience, and second chances. It was spicy, it was steamy, and a slow burn. I loved the scenery as well (I may be biased as I’m a Northern California native who loves Santa Cruz!). If you’re in the mood for romance, give The Co-Op a try!

Thank you to the publisher, author, and Net Galley for a copy of this novel.

The Co-op

“I like being a good part of someone’s day.”

Oh my heart this book. It was absolutely a good part of my day. I absolutely adored the funny, heartwarming and spicy story.

Check this one out if you’re looking for:
🏠 Renovation romance
🏠 Enemies to lovers / second chance
🏠 Forced proximity
🏠 Modern day marriage of convenience
🏠 He spins his hat backwards 😏

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for this ARC! My opinions are my own.