A second chance romance, miscommunication, fake marriage romance with a bit of steam. LaRynn and Deacon had a thing when they were teens and then they didn't. Now, years later, they've been pushed into a corner over the house they inherited from their scheming grandmothers. She needs to be married to get the money they need to renovate, which Deacon can do but again he needs money too. Naturally, this leads to a fake marriage and eventually to.....For some reason these two keep talking past one another and avoiding talking about their history (that of course is part of the trope but I found it more annoying than usual). Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. Over to others.

💍𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐫𝐢𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐞
🩵𝐒𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐜𝐞
🔨𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐯𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧

✨Thoughts✨
𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 novel had a hint of nostalgia and many hilarious moments. LaRynn and Deacon started off as friends when they were younger, but through the years, their relationship turned into a fleeting summer romance. As teenagers, they struggled to communicate effectively, resulting in misunderstandings and shattered hearts. The story alternated between their past and present, where they made the decision to marry in order to save and renovate a shared building that they inherited from their grandmothers.

𝐖𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐞 renovating, they began to question if there was still a spark between them, causing old wounds to resurface. Living in close quarters forced them to break down walls, both figuratively and literally, leading to a rediscovery of themselves and their love for each other.

𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐚𝐡 𝐃𝐞𝐖𝐢𝐭𝐭 skillfully crafted the characters, making them imperfect but fun. Their arguments drove me crazy sometimes, but their witty banter made me laugh. This novel was a joy to read. It is a must-read for anyone seeking a heartwarming and entertaining love story.

𝐓𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐤 you to Tarah DeWitt and St. Martin's Press for this ARC. All opinions expressed here reflect my genuine experience reading this book.

𝐑𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐧𝐠: 𝟒.𝟓⭐️
𝐒𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐞: 𝟑/𝟓🔥

The Co-Op is a marriage of convenience, second-chance romance with a slow burn. Here’s why I ended up giving it three stars: the pacing felt a bit slow. Just when I thought the characters were finally going to stop bickering and admit their feelings, they’d go back to fighting, not communicating, and starting over from square one. At the 50% mark, I thought, “Okay, this is when they’ll finally talk,” but no.

I did shed a few tears, as the pain and grief they experienced felt relatable, but without the epilogue, there wouldn’t be any real character or relationship development between them. The story also alternates between the main characters’ teenage years and the present, in their late twenties. I would have loved more scenes of them working together on the renovations and especially more about Elyse’s coffee shop expansion.

I know readers who enjoy a slow burn, marriage of convenience, and enemies-to-lovers tropes would appreciate this book. Overall, while I think it’s enjoyable for others, it just wasn’t for me. I felt like I was stuck in time with this one, unable to see the relationship truly blossom until the last 15% of the book and the epilogue.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

*second chance romance
*marriage of convenience
*enemies to lovers
*forced proximity

The adult MC’s are painfully childish, the FMC is the worst and this was so full of a giant lack of communication that I couldn’t move past it.

I didn’t enjoy this one.



Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the DRC

DNF'ed at 20%
I did not like the FMC. She seemed so hateful.
This story was more haters than lovers, it did not interest me.
Yes, I DNF'ed a book that has my fave trope.

I enjoyed this book a lot!! I went into it after hearing mixed reviews, and I was pleasantly surprised. I thought the general premise of the book was interesting and really stayed consistent throughout. I am such a sucker for second chance romances, so this absolutely checked all the boxes on that front. I also felt like the dynamic between LaRynn and Deacon was realistic? Nothing was super overstated in terms of their day to day life and how they were around each other. And I found their banter so entertaining! All in all this was a fun read and one I definitely recommend! This was my first book by Tarah DeWitt too and I can't wait to give her other books a read :)

"The Co-Op" follows LaRynn 'Larry' and Deacon, who meet one summer as teens when their grandmothers fall in love. It's a summer that starts off with a rough game of volleyball and ends even worse between the two characters. Years later, LaRynn and Deacon have no choice but to reconnect after being left their grandmother's old residence, a place left in near shambles. Without much choice the two have to work together to restore this place that bears so much meaning. The journey is wrought with arguments, disagreements and a lot of will they, won't they, predicaments. If you like marriage of convenience, enemies to lovers, and found family tropes this book is for you!
Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin, and NetGalley for an early review copy of this book!
“The Co-op” is out November 12th 2024. Go check it out!
*Posted to GoodReads on 11/1/2024

This is a witty, steamy second-chance romance with a unique renovation twist. LaRynn and Deacon inherit a crumbling Santa Cruz property and must enter a marriage of convenience to access her funds and his construction skills. The only problem is they cannot stand each other. Their relationship rebuilds alongside the property, blending humor, tension, and genuine emotion. Tarah writes THE perfect couples and I continue to fall in love with her writing with each release. This book is the perfect read for fans of enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and marriage of convenience. Thank you to the publisher, author, and NetGalley for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Instagram review will be live on 11-Nov-2024.

In "The Co-op" by Tarah DeWitt, the struggle between love and construction creates a fascinating backdrop for a story about personal growth and teamwork. LaRynn and Deacon, who used to be high school sweethearts, have to face their past when they inherit an old, rundown building. Their plan to marry for financial reasons brings up deeper emotional issues that they’ve both been hiding for years. This story shows that whether it’s in love or in business, partnerships need hard work, good communication, and being open with each other.

As they tackle the challenges of renovating the property, it’s clear that the effort they put into fixing the building reflects what they need to do to heal their relationship. It’s not just about restoring the building; it’s also about mending their hearts and discovering the joy of working together. The themes of second chances and the complexities of human connections make "The Co-op" an engaging read for anyone who gets that love, like construction, can be messy and unpredictable.

Four and a half stars!

I love books that have dual timelines, I like getting to know the characters at different stages in life. It was amazing to get to see how they both grew and changed.

Deacon and LaRynn have a very complicated relationship. They meet when their grandmothers get married. They end up having a summer fling and part on bad terms. Years later the grands have left them their house together and they have a lot of work to do to get it fixed up.

I really enjoyed this book! It is definitely one I would re-read.

While dealing with the internal gutting and renovation of a house that has sentimental value for both of them, LaRynn and Deacon begin to break down the emotional walls built in their pasts.

LaRynn has very little experience receiving and giving affection, let alone love. This leads her to come across as very confrontational most of the time. Deacon has his issues as well, but he is one of the few people who can see and chip away at the walls around LaRynn’s heart and help her learn to open up.

•Second Chance
•Flashback Chapters
•Forced Proximity
•Marriage of Convenience
•"That’s My Wife"
•Open Door Spice
•Dual POV (1st Person)

Thank you NetGalley for giving me access to an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my second book by Tarah DeWitt and I can honestly say her books just keep getting better and better. This story was so heartbreakingly beautiful about how sometimes the fates can bring you back together. LaRynn feels a bit lost in the world since being cut off by her father and the loss of her grandmother when she find herself thrown together with her high school flame to fix up her grandmother’s old house after her partner passes away and happens to be her ex situation-ship’s gran as well. Deacon has been holding things together after the passing of his gran and her and her parented house of falling apart. This books of primarily told via LaRynn’s past and current experiences but I love when the author also tells us Deacon’s perspective as well. This book was such an enjoyable read and kept me wanting more and more of their story!

I absolutely flew through this book, I was so immersed in LaRynn and Deacon. As I was reading, I found myself continuously surprised by how many pages I had read, which caused me to feel anxious towards the end because I wasn’t ready for it to be over.

I think Tarah did such an incredible job balancing grief and regret within the romance of the story, and I have a feeling so many will be able to relate to the way LaRynn and Deacon both experience these emotions throughout the book.

I typically love books that jump between past and present, particularly when it comes to second-chance love stories, but I don’t think the ‘before’ chapters were necessary with this one; as there were so few of them, i didn’t feel like the ‘before’ chapters added much depth to the characters’ relationship, and a lot of what those chapters covered probably could have been weaved into the rest of the story.

The development of LaRynn and Deacon’s relationship was really enjoyable to read, and the tropes involved were executed well without feeling over the top or clichéd. I also appreciated the fact that these characters made an effort to communicate with each other about their feelings and pasts most of the time because nothing frustrates me more than miscommunication, so it felt like a breath of fresh air to see characters actually pushing past their pride and simply talking to each other.

Thank you, netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for this arc. All
opinions are my own.

The was a cute and easy read. If you are looking for a palate cleanser ink between the darker or heavier books, this is for you. I enjoyed the development and reconnection of the main characters. The epilogue was my favorite part of the whole story. I loved that we got a glimpse of what happens to LaRyan and Deacon 10 years later. Thank you Netgalley for the e-book in exchange for an honest review.

3.5/5

This was a cute read, but it wasn't like that amazing. LaRynn and Deacon have some MAJOR communication issues, and quite frankly I'm not sure they are meant to be together. The entire story felt like trying to shove a round peg through a square hole. Is love really supposed to be that difficult??

Prefacing this with the fact that Savor It by Tarah is one of my ALL TIME favorite books, so it breaks my heart to say that this story felt disjointed & underwhelming.

I would have DNF’d due to complete lack of connection to the characters & story had it not been for this being an ARC. I wanted to give my full, honest review.

It could have been a me thing because I couldn’t connect to the story or characters. The marriage of convenience trope is crying at the hands of this book. It was the main trope & so under done? They hardly bothered with pretending to be married at all.

The relationships with the parents was…. Weird? The conversation with Rynn’s mom at the restaurant was so rushed & unrealistic for me.

I thought it was strange that the dual timeline dropped off with no rhyme or reason.

Overall, it was a boring read with a severe lack of emotion & a poor use of the miscommunication trope.

Second-chance love stories captivate with their inherent hope, a quality "The Co-op" delivers abundantly, intertwined with profound emotional turmoil. LaRynn, facing adversity, responds to Deacon's call about their shared property. Their reunion ignites a flood of memories from their summer romance, along with lingering resentments.

The narrative pulsates with tension, born from unspoken words and misunderstandings. The author skillfully unveils the past, revealing the layers of that pivotal summer when both hearts shattered. This retrospective journey illuminates the characters' present struggles, their misconceptions about past actions, and their ongoing internal conflicts. The question of whether they'll finally open up to each other drives the story forward.

LaRynn's initial brusqueness contrasts sharply with Deacon's demeanor, creating an intriguing dynamic. While potentially off-putting at first, this contrast compels readers to delve deeper into their personalities. As the story unfolds, both characters become increasingly relatable, reflecting the real-world challenges of expressing emotions.

The author crafts a nuanced exploration of human connection, showcasing how past wounds can shape present interactions. LaRynn and Deacon's journey resonates with readers who understand the complexities of reopening old emotional wounds. Their growth throughout the narrative adds depth to the classic second-chance trope.

"The Co-op" offers a rich emotional landscape, balancing the turmoil of unresolved feelings with the promise of redemption. The epilogue provides a satisfying conclusion, rewarding readers who have invested in LaRynn and Deacon's tumultuous journey.

Thank you, NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin, for my free E-book for review.

💍 Marriage of convenience and forced proximity? Sign me up! Add in a summer fling when they were 18, only for things to crash and burn before they could fully connect… then fast-forward 8 years to a second chance at love. It’s like this book was written with all my favorite tropes in mind! 😅

From page one, I was hooked. As I read, I kept thinking about my rating—evaluating how the tone and pacing flowed. And let me tell you, 5 stars was calling my name the whole time. This story just felt right from start to finish, delivering everything I love in romance!
The connection between Larynn and Deacon was so touching. We get to see them both as individuals and as a couple, growing and evolving in ways that felt so genuine. They start off at odds, not able to stand each other, yet they’re forced to build trust and open up. Watching them go from irritation to understanding, and finally to love? Chef’s kiss! 👩‍🍳💋 It was emotional and beautiful, and I felt like I was right there with them, rooting for every single moment. 💖

✨ November 12th can’t come soon enough! Seriously, do yourself a favor and pick this one up the moment it hits shelves. This story is romance done right, and I’m here for it! 💕

And can we talk about that ending? The epilogue had me absolutely swooning! 😍 There’s something so satisfying about a love story where you just feel content and happy at the end. And the best part? NO third-act breakup (yesss!!) 🙌 It’s pure, heartfelt romance with zero unnecessary drama—just what I wanted. <333

Adorable! I enjoyed it so much and devoured it so much faster than I thought I would! The writing is amazing and something you can binge without even realizing! Def. Recommend!

Exhausted and grief-stricken LaRynn has just run out of options and must return to the scene of her greatest romantic disaster in order to settle the terms of her grandmother’s estate. Reluctant to see the man who spurned a much younger LaRynn when they were barely legal, she nevertheless has to figure a way forward to improve upon and sell the ramshackle property, which is metaphorical to her rocky relationship with Deacon.

Having failed to get any response from LaRynn regarding the repairs needed to bring the property he inherited with her up to code, Deacon resorts to threatening a civil suit to flush her out from her exile. As they continuously clash with each other, lines blur between loathing and lust.

What will become of them when the dust settles?

I love a difficult female lead, and LaRynn is certainly that, but Deacon isn’t blameless in all of what transpired which led to her trying to get as far away from him as possible. The chemistry between them is incendiary and I’m here for it.

I was fortunate to have received an advance reader copy from the author and NetGalley, and I’m sharing my honest thoughts.