Overall this book was enjoyable, but I wanted to like this more than I did. I love Tarah Dewitt’s writing, but there was something missing from the book for me. Maybe my expectations were too high from how much I loved Funny Feelings and Savor It. Even still, her books are leagues above a lot of other romances in my opinion so this was still a 4 star read. There were a lot of great parts too. LaRynn and Deacon’s chemistry was off the charts. I really loved seeing the flashback scenes from when they were younger. I laughed out loud multiple times. I wish they had a little more time in the present where they were happy together and on the same page. Would recommend especially if someone is looking for a story with home renovation!

5 Stars! I have been wanting to read Tarah DeWitt and I'm so glad I was given this opportunity. I cannot wait to read more from her. The Co-Op was such a sweet book. I loved getting to see them fall in the past and realize they hadn't lost anything in the present. Deacon is such a swoony MMC.

I was *nearly* disappointed in the end. I was screaming at them in my head with the choice that they were making, but I'm so glad Sal came in like the Goddess she is and saved the book (for me). The epilogue was *chefs kiss* so good. One of the best I've read.

**Review of "The Co-Op" by Tarah Dewitt - ★★★½**

"The Co-Op" presents an intriguing theme that explores community and connection, but it often feels bogged down by an overload of tropes. While I appreciated the characters' history and the overall premise, I struggled to fully connect with the main characters. Their arcs were interesting, but the numerous plot elements made the narrative feel a bit scattered. Overall, it’s an enjoyable read, but it didn't leave a lasting impression—just a solid, if not extraordinary, experience.

So I read the previous edition of this book earlier in 2024. This might as well have been a new book altogether, because it told a clearer, more cohesive story. And while I gave the first iteration 4 stars, THIS version gets all 5 of them. 🥹 LaRynn and Deacon were deeply flawed and deeply human, and it was deeply moving to watch them struggle and grieve and love. Gah. DeWitt is truly a gifted author. And this also has one of my favorite descriptions in any book, ever. "I made a noise akin to a pirate suffering a surprise anal probe." 🤣🤣 Perfection. 💖

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | Spice: 🌶️

The Co-Op is my least favorite book that I have read this year. Unfortunately, I made it to 65% where I ultimately decided I had to DNF and put myself out of my misery. I know this is a re-release, I didn’t read the prior edition so I cannot speak to the changes made but unfortunately this book was just not it for me. The constant miscommunication in this book between the MCs was the break point for me. I also feel like the miscommunication between the two made the book much longer than it needed to be. But I could not just get myself to like the MCs and their drama and inability to just communicate like adults.

The Co-Op tropes include: friends to lovers, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, second chance romance. It is a slow burn, doesn’t pick until about half way through.

Thank you St Martins Press and author for a copy of The Co-Op in exchange for an honest review.

Deacon & LaRynn ❤️

🌊Deacon and LaRynn met as teens in Santa Cruz as young children when their grandmothers, who were apartment neighbours, married each other.

🔨They came from different backgrounds, LaRynn an only child of parents with money but an unhappy home, Deacon from a family where his father had passed away after cheating on his mom. They both have insecurities, and their personal demons to deal with. As young adults, their relationship changes, but at the end of the summer, it all goes horribly wrong.

☕️When they are brought together after their grandmothers’ deaths, the forced proximity, a difficult renovation, it’s not an easy time for either of them.

📚I read this story in January 2023, as an indie, published and available in Kindle Unlimited, before it was taken off to be traditionally published. It’s hard to say how much of the story was re-written for the re-release, I don’t know. It feels like there is a slow measure of restraint, invisible reins, holding both Deacon and LaRynn back through the story. Their mutual feelings are so strong, but they struggle to express them without getting the description wrong, and so they hold back, watching through the non-existent walls of the in progress renovation, waiting until their friendship is strong enough to allow them to be more. It’s a great story and lovely read.

Read an eARC copy courtesy of Netgalley and the publisher
My rating 4.5/5 - ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ ⭐️ 💫
Pub Date 12 Nov 2024

This was my first Tarah DeWitt book after hearing so much about her and it did not disappoint. Such an amazing ready. Funny, sweet and I can't wait to read more from her

I don’t know if it’s because this is one of the first books Tarah wrote, but I didn’t love it as much as I loved Savor It. It took me a long time to read because I just felt disconnected but from my friends who’ve read it, I’m definitely an outlier.

I also didn’t really love the dual timeline, and it does get abandoned about 70% through with no more flashbacks.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the E-copy of this title.

This book!!! It is a second chance, angsty romance between two teenage friends turned lovers turned enemies, who are forced back together when their married grandmothers pass away and leave them their delipidated home.
The home serves as a metaphor for both characters, shining bright the cracks in their facades. Both LaRynn and Deacon are broken, hanging on by their fingertips to save the memories of their youth and find common ground with one another.
The line between love and hate is murky as the two are forced into an arranged marriage to try to save their beloved home. As they are restoring the house they restore their faith in themselves and one another.
The banter between the two is nothing short of perfection and the chemistry between the two jumps off the page. This is the angstiest slow burn and absolutely delicious when the two characters finally realize the broken parts of their lives are put back together with one another.


Absolutely 100% recommend.

"The Co-op" had an intriguing premise, and I was initially drawn to the idea of a second-chance romance set against the backdrop of home renovation. However, the execution fell a bit flat for me and it was rather forgettable.

The slow-burn romance between LaRynn and Deacon had potential, but it felt like it took too long to develop. There were moments of chemistry, but the overall pacing was too deliberate, leaving me wanting more. The characters themselves were likable enough, but they lacked depth and complexity.

While the renovation aspect was interesting, it didn't quite integrate seamlessly with the romance plot. It felt like two separate stories running parallel rather than intertwining. Plus, the occasional switches between past and current events added an additional level of confusion.

Overall, "The Co-op" is a decent read with a promising premise, but it falls short of being truly captivating. It may appeal to readers who enjoy slow-burn romances and home renovation stories, but it's not likely to leave a lasting impression.

Wow, does Tarah DeWitt know how to write a book or what? This book was a beautiful addition to her catalog. The characters and story lines were so captivating I couldn’t put it down.

The “grands” were so fun, the best friends who fall in love because of the main couple were adorable but LaRynn and Deacon were just perfection. I usually don’t like second chance, miscommunication or books that jump back and forth between timelines, but this was done so perfectly. The timeline jumping is sparse and done in a way that really adds to the story and doesn’t feel like you’re being dragged back-and-forth.

The characters felt so authentic. Even though it’s nothing similar to my own love story I could absolutely feel how their thoughts and actions that had been shaped by their parents actions in their youth caused them to fall apart. I appreciated the beauty of them working together to not only fix the house but have real tough discussions about their feelings and fears to fix their own past and futures.

The spice was also 💯😉 (About a 3/5 🌶️ for me).

I wish I was more eloquently explaining the beauty of this book but know, I will be recommending this book for years to come.

I think this book was good but for me it was not outstanding. I enjoyed reading it and it was entertaining and sweet/steamy but I have a feeling I will remember exactly 0% of what happened in a week from now. I guess if you are looking for a palate cleanser book, this one would do the trick.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press | St. Martin's Griffin for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a story of second chances, but also of building and renovating relationships with others and ourselves. I loved LaRynn and Deacons story! I loved how relatable it was to real life and that it takes work in all our mess to make something new or better. It was steamy, passionate, tender and fun.
Thank you so NetGalley, publishes and author for this Arc!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book in exchange for honest feedback.

This was not my favorite book by DeWitt. There is so much angst in this book and very few light moments that by the time I reached the middle of the book I was emotionally exhausted myself. I have no problem with a little drama but these 2 didn’t even seem to like one another so it was hard to believe the ending.

If you enjoy angsty drama filled romances this is for you, otherwise I’d look at the other titles in her catalog.

I really did not enjoy this one. The female lead was not my favorite and I was not intrigued by the romance through out.

Perfect beach read! This was my first book written by Tarah DeWitt and I loved it! Can't wait to read more by her. This was such a fun story, i finished it so quickly, and I didn't want it to end. The characters have so much depth that you feel like they are your friends. The beginning was a little slow but once it picked up, I couldn't stop!

I’m a sucker for well-drawn characters with messy pasts, complicated families, and realistic insecurities, creating nuanced conflict in the relationships they develop, and DeWitt fully delivers on this front. Her heroine is guarded and sometimes outright mean. Her hero relies on getting a laugh during stressful situations, or tries to fix things, even when they’re not the sort of things that can be fixed. As the pair renovates the house they inherited together, they work through a history that drove them apart and learn to recognize what brings them together again. There’s plenty of steam for avid erotica readers, though DeWitt makes her characters really earn it, building the tension between them until it simply has to burst. The metaphor of the house and its renovation is lovely, and it was a joy to read another work from DeWitt with its brilliant blend of complex emotional depth and sizzling, trope-embracing fun.

Im not normally a second chance romance type of girl, but I loved LaRynn and Deacons story. I loved how imperfect they both were, how much they challenged each other, how much they grew together. Falling in love in the same place their grands fell in love was so beautiful. I laughed out loud, I teared up, I felt their love. Thank you so much netgalley for letting me read this book, it was a joy to have!

larynn and deacon, they’re so relatable it’s concerning ! they know each other since they were teenagers and had a summer fling after high school but for some reason, things didn’t work out but a few years later they have to reunite and they decide to get married?? you’ll have to read and find out !

i really had fun with this one especially when deacon flirted with larynn and she replied back but he didn’t expect it to happen. the grieving ruined me, cece and helena hadn’t been together for long but also deacon’s dad had already passed which brought a lot to surface :(

something about me is that i looooveee a good book with past x present so i really enjoyed the co-op !!! tarah was able to work with this dynamic so it made the book a thousand times worth it. AND THE EPILOGUE??? IM OBSESSED !!!!! being for real, this one is my favorite but “left of forever” might steal the podium

thank you to netgalley, st. martin’s griffin and tarah dewitt for the arc !!!

Declan and LaRynn had a fling as teenagers - it was hot and messy. Made more do by the fact that when it ended, they were still stuck together. Why? Their grandmothers are married.

Fast forward years later. The two have tried to avoid one another, until they can’t anymore.

With the death of both of their grandmothers, the two end up co-owners of the ladies’ house, which is in a shambles. It’s gonna need work.

And do the two are forced to live and work together; not just on the house but also on their relationship.

I loved Funny Feelings. It was such a surprising delight. Unfortunately I didn’t feel the same about this one.

From the start, the plot felt so convoluted. Too many characters, too many time jumps, too much background dumped without a decent amount of explanation. And the mean girl/mean guy thing just doesn’t work for me. I need someone to care about, someone to root for.

I had high hopes but in the end I just didn’t love this one.