When I saw this book available to read early I knew I had to jump on it! I was a huge fan of the original book and finding out that a newly updated version was being released was super exciting.

Fair warning, this book has a very Hallmark-esque plot. For someone like me who loves those kinds of stories it was perfect but I can see how someone who likes their books to be more on the realistic side of life would have a hard time enjoying it. Anyway! God this book! One of my favorite things about the original and the new book is the alternating timelines. It felt a lot easier to get to know the characters and know what their struggles were as I read along. The relationship between LaRynn and Deacon was another thing I absolutely loved. The banter, the romance, the relationship both characters had with their grandmothers, all of it! I can’t believe men like Deacon don’t exist in real life. Absolutely heartbreaking.

It was such a fun and heartwarming read both times. I can’t wait to get my hands on a physical copy!

P.S. there might also be a little Easter egg from Tarah’s previous book ‘Funny Feelings’ so look out for that

The story offers a fun enemies-to-lovers setup with a quirky premise: LaRynn and Deacon, once high school rivals, must team up to renovate a property they co-own. The chemistry is there, and their back-and-forth brings some lighthearted moments, but the story misses out by skimming over the renovation drama that could’ve really spiced things up. The focus stays mostly on the romance, so if you’re hoping for more on the DIY disasters or renovation chaos, you might be left wanting. Overall, it’s an enjoyable, light read with charming moments—3.5 stars.

The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt is an easy light second-chance romance with some good moments, though it didn’t quite grab me. LaRynn and Deacon inherit an old building they have to fix up together, which creates some nice tension and potential. But I felt the story was a bit uneven. Their early pranks and arguments came off as a little too immature and the constant miscommunication made it hard to feel real depth in their relationship.

One part I did appreciate was the lack of a third-act breakup which was refreshing for a romance novel. However, the “second chance” element felt underdeveloped—we don’t see much about their past relationship, so it’s tough to feel that reconnection. I also didn’t sense a ton of growth from either character. I wish we had gotten a little more depth in their relationship, their growth and even their grief. If you’re in the mood for a low-stakes cozy read though this would be an enjoyable pick.

this book was actually a reread for me but since tarah got picked up by trad publishing she rewrote this book and so when i saw it was on read now on netgalley i had to jump on it and see if i would love it asmuch as the original book. and i did. i loved even more actually. this book was beautiful. larynn and deacons story is so special to me and i'm just so in love with them and how they love each other. i also loved how much this book talks about self discovery and overcoming past traumas. i just loved this, so when this comes out definitely try to read this. 10/10.

read this if you love:
❤ second chance romance
❤ grumpy x grumpy
❤ "my wife"
❤ no third act breakup

this book will be available on November 12th wherever you buy your books:)

I loved this book! Tarah DeWitt is looking to be an auto buy author from me for now on. It did take just a bit to get going, but soon enough, I was hooked.

I LOVE Tarah Dewitt. After savor it I read her entire back catalog. Savor it remains my fave with funny feelings second. I don’t think this would be my third, although great writing and she’s a master of the romance novel, I just didn’t connect with the characters as much. However I know her readers will love it. I had a bit of trouble with the jumping in time chapters, I don’t know why it just took awhile. Overall a great book.

I found myself both laughing and cringing at different points of this book. Part of it was because I couldn’t figure out how to pronounce LaRynn (even the nickname Larry didn’t help me). But a lot of it was because LaRynn has so much baggage and angst and she’s so angry - I get it, but it makes her difficult to like. But the renovations were fun, and the secondary characters were fun, and the pranks were fun, and the spice was fuuuuuun.

The Co-op is the perfect second-chance romance with marriage of convenience and forced proximity vibes. I devoured this book from start to finish and it makes me so happy to have gotten to read LaRynn and Deacon's story.

I loved getting to see the flashbacks to the beginning of their relationship as much as I loved getting to see LaRynn and Deacon reconnect as they restore their grandmothers' house. What started out as just another project, turned into a partnership filled with love and passion (read: some of the steamiest scenes I've read in a while) for one another. And thank you, Tarah, for giving us the most heartwarming epilogue. LaRynn and Deacon are the epitome of true love and I definitely found myself tearing up at times as I read the love they have for one another in the pages before me.

Run to the bookstore on November 12th and pick up a copy for yourself!

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the e-ARC copy!

The Co-Op was so good!! It really touched me and the angst was top notch! Looking forward to more from DeWitt.

Thanks to @stmartinspress for an advance copy of The Co-Op by Tarah DeWitt, out November 12th!

It seems that much like the house in the story, the book itself got a facelift when it was acquired by her publisher, getting a new cover and updated storyline. Not having read the original, I didn’t have anything to compare it to, but I enjoyed it all the same!

The Co-Op has a Hallmark movie plot — LaRynn and Deacon’s “grands” bequeath them a dilapidated house that they need to fix up to sell — but with a realistic twist, because for most people being asked to renovate a house with their ex while living in said house together would be a literal nightmare, and it is!

This story has major forced proximity, a marriage of convenience, and vibes that capture that transition from summer to fall. If you’re someone who hates miscommunication, this one’s for you. While I don’t think this has replaced Savor It as my favorite DeWitt novel, LaRynn and Deacon are so sweet and I loved seeing them work through their trauma and figure out how to be together.

Tarah DeWitt has done it again.

I was really impressed with the character development both LaRynn and Deacon go through in this book. This is second chance (which I usually DESPISE yet I loved this) and marriage of convenience, which forced LaRynn and Deacon to examine where they each went wrong as young adults.

If you love black cat gf x golden retriever bf, small coastal towns, and idiots in love -- this is the book for you :)

The Co-op was an enjoyable read that brought the warm and fuzzies to my heart and it was just what I needed during these cold fall days. This story is about two people, LaRynn and Deacon, who come together to renovate their late grandmothers’ apartment and have to navigate their rocky past. For my marriage of convenience lovers out there this book should be on your list, because in order for LaRynn to unlock her inheritance she has to get married. As they navigate their situation, Deacon is such a caring, sweet caring guy that has qualities that you might just need in your book boyfriend club.

A few of the things that I very much enjoyed about this book:
🤍Alternating timelines, it felt like I was growing up with the characters.
🤍The banter between LaRynn and Deacon was top notch.
🤍The relationships that both characters had with their grandmothers.
I also personally adored Dewitt's note about how this book in itself was like a renovation and a labour of love. And I felt like she did!

Add this one to your list and pick up a copy on November 12, 2024! Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Press for giving me the opportunity to share my thoughts on this book.

Tarah Dewitt's books never fail to make me laugh, cry, and root for the couple as if we're actually friends. This book was beautifully written and expertly paced.

"What a gift it is to trust someone, I realize. To know that through every up and down, every unexpected break, they want the same thing as you in the end. Just to be together."

OH THIS BOOK!!!! Oh this wonderful story. A story filled with so much angst, healing, love, second chances, and growth for both of our main characters.

LaRynn is truly one of those fmcs who you will find yourself rooting for, My little black cat girl who went through so much growing up. I love seeing her let herself feel and find her people. People who love her, even through what she considers to be her own mess, people who root for her, and people who accept her sharp edges no questions asked. I saw so many parts of myself in her. Her grief journey, her journey to self acceptance, and how she never backed down and protected the people she loves. I love how she found her joy and was unapologetic about what she wanted.

DEACON LEEDS! MY MAN MY MAN MY MAN. Through messes and all, Deacon was such an incredible mmc. Strong, resilient, protective, and a rock for LaRynn and everyone around him. I love his quiet vulnerability, his confidence, and how he learned to ask for what he wanted.

It was a joy to see them fix the house, and heal so many parts of themselves while doing so. My favorite black cats, my heart is bursting with love for them. They will always be famous to me.

Such a fun friends to lovers to enemies back to lovers. I adored the complex family relationships and interwoven French. I wish there was a little more of larynn dealing with her father and deacon dealing with his brother. But otherwise the steam and pace was spot on. I think Elyse deserves to be a sequel.

Ahh I wanted so badly to like this --I've loved her other books! The second-chance romance plus the setting (home renovation) just wasn't doing it for me. Cute characters and great writing! I loved the playlist at the beginning and I'll still read your next book :)

This book is human - petty, full of heart, second chances, and hope.

Literally, SO GOOD. The pettiness was a little more toned down from the original publication and LaRynn, while still abrasive, had a new depth to her that had me understanding her fully from the get-go and I instantly understood why she's one of DeWitt's favorite heroines. I'm glad I've gotten to read both editions, but trust me when I say that this is The One.

Compared to DeWitt's other novels, The Co-op starts a little slower and a lot more Enemies. LaRynn is a tough woman and is sure that fiercely protecting herself is the only way to stay unharmed. After all, you can't break the heart of someone who won't let someone love her. But as LaRynn started to open up and grow, I found that I did love her regardless. The moments of honesty between the characters were the best, and the last 25% of the book was worth every rough patch along the way. (Seem familiar?) It also has, hands down, one of my favorite epilogues ever, and that alone gets 5 stars.


P.S. I absolutely LOVED the Easter egg from Funny Feelings and it has me wanting to go back and re-read immediately.

Marriage of convenience, second chance romance, dual timeline... there's not much more I want in a book, and I ate this one up! I loved seeing how Deacon and LaRynn's relationship evolved from when they were young to reconnecting as adults. There was a lot of ground to cover there, and DeWitt did it so well. She has such a fabulous way of imbuing her novels with so much emotion and heart while exploring tough, real life topics, like grief. At the same time, this book is so funny and swoony! Loved!

I love a good marriage of convenience trope! And this one has the added bonus of also being a grumpy/sunshine, second chance, AND enemies to lovers romance. So basically all my favorite tropes in one. Add in lots of pining and wanting and almost doing it and then some extremely steamy spicy scenes and you have the perfect romance!

I loved how complex the main characters were. They both had trauma to work through. And they both experienced personal growth. Their shared history was part of that trauma, and I loved seeing them open up to each other.

The plot was interesting, with the two of them inheriting and renovating their grandmothers’ house. The stress of home renovations is real, especially when you DIY. It was the perfect plot device to either rip them apart or bring them together.

I thought this was a great romance with an excellent storyline and characters. Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this copy to review.

When I started this book, I honestly thought I might not be able to finish. I was so frustrated with LaRynn that I just didn't want to read anymore. She wasn't nice especially to Deacon. I can understand why she was at moments but sometimes it was uncalled for. Deacon did have his moments as well but nothing like LaRynn. These two really needed to work on communication. I think that could have solved so many issues with them. Deacon and LaRynn inherited their grands old place which started to fall apart. They needed to get married in order to access LaRynn's trust fund so they could keep working on the house and sell it. After months they finally communicate with each other and share past hurts. That is when their relationship grows. This is when I started really liking LaRynn and knew that these two belonged together. I loved the side characters especially Sally. And the ending was perfect and made up for beginning.

Thank You for St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for the arc!