DNF at 40%. This book was just not great in my opinion. The characters were boring, the plot felt forced like it was trying to be more substantial than it was and the FMC was just immature and not relatable at all. It was just really cringey in parts and I just couldn’t do it. I mean they got in a fight over her buying expensive pillows and then mid fight he mentions her “thonged a*s” and some flashback scene to the FMC in an adult store? it was just so cringey to me and i couldn’t do it

I would rate this story a 3.5 ⭐️ if I could. The plot was cute, had a good and safe amount of spicy but didn’t wow me. I had a hard time enjoying the main character for the first half of the book but I feel like she improved by the end. I struggled with following along at points but overall it was a cute marriage of convenience/enemies to lovers/miscommunication book. Would read more by the author:)

2.75 — idk what it was but this one did not work for me. I just didn’t buy the second chance romance. That they held onto that love (and dislike) for 8 years. I also didn’t quite feel like the characters had chemistry things felt a little forced. The romance happened so late in the story, and the pacing of the book overall just didn’t flow well. Ugh. I wanted to like this but I was just meh.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.
I enjoyed reading this book and would give it 3 stars. I will be reading other titles by this author, but I personally didn’t feel a connection between the characters. I liked the writing and thought the story was really sweet.

I wasn’t sure what to expect from The Co-op since second chance love isn’t my favorite trope but this was done so well! I have always had Tarah’s books on my tbr but I haven’t jumped in until now. And I’m sad I’ve waiting so long!! I loved this book! The emotion and pain from LaRynn was so heartbreaking and I felt so connected to her. Her issues with her dyslexia and unable to communicate her feelings resonated with me deeply. But she has Deacon, who is really a ball of sunshine. He understood LaRynn so well and even though it was rough in the beginning, he really worked to make her happy. I loved this book so much!

4.5 Stars!

If “Say Don’t Go” (Taylor’s Version) was a book!

Spicy Hallmark meets HGTV! A charming second chance romance with "it's always been you" vibes! Deacon is a sweet, honest and hardworking man. A golden retriever in its truest form! I LOVE that he calls LaRynn, Larry. Their love story, set in dual timelines, is so pure. They begin as two young adults trying to find their way in the world and later become adults who find their true happiness in life through challenging circumstances. Also, this epilogue is the standard for all book epilogues! Top tier! The Co-Op is a great read! Would definitely recommend! 

Thank you to Tarah DeWitt, St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own. 

Tropes:
⁃ Marriage of Convenience
⁃ Dual Timeline
⁃ Second Chance
⁃ Forced Proximity
⁃ Black Cat x Golden Retriever
⁃ SLOW Burn

rating: 4.5/5 stars
Tarah DeWitt absolutely hooks you in with her characters and storytelling.

The Co-Op is funny and witty and emotional. I absolutely loved this marriage of convenience x second-chance romance. In this story, we follow Deacon and LaRynn who meet as young adults over a summer and spend it together. Fast forward to seven years later, the two hate each other but have inherited a property that they must now work together to fix to do right by their respective grandmothers.

There is miscommunication in this novel which doesn’t tend to be my favorite however I truly felt as though Deacon and LaRynn’s past warranted the miscommunication. LaRynn grew up with dysfunctional parents and therefore tried her best in not being “too much” or needing “too much,” from anyone. Deacon, aware of infidelity in his parent’s marriage, knew what he did and didn’t want from love and therefore became guarded. The two had their own reasons for keeping their feeling close to their chest, so it made the circumstances believable in my opinion.

I have to praise Tarah DeWitt’s humor, there were moments where this book literally had me laughing out loud. I also need to praise the way in which she builds up to the “steamy” scenes, Tarah DeWitt the woman that you are!

This book was a lot of fun to read with a lot of heart behind its characters—something I can always count on when picking up a book by Tarah. I absolutely loved this and I can’t wait to read whatever she writes next!

Tarah DeWitt is undoubtably one of my favorite authors of all time. I fell in love from her very first book, Rootbound, and have been emotionally attached ever since. I read the OG version of The Co-op and fell head over heels in love with this book and with LaRynn and Deacon. So when she announced that she was releasing a renovated version??? I actually screamed. Definitely freaked a couple people out by the way they looked at me. But I couldn’t care less because it meant I’d have 2 versions/editions of an incredible, life changing book. So yes, that scream was warranted.

This renovated edition??? Just shut me up because I could talk about this all day every day. Tarah is a literary master and I will consume any and everything she writes. Her message she released with her announcement of the newly released edition made me fall in love with her writing all over again because you can genuinely feel her heart bleeding on the page. It is so incredibly moving and makes me emotional because I get to be alive in a time where Tarah DeWitt is an author and I get to read everything she writes. I will still always and forever love the OG edition, however this renovated edition is just something so incredibly special. It makes me feel things no other author has done before and I just can’t contain my love and excitement whenever I get to tell people about Tarah’s books. She is such an incredibly special author and a national treasure that deserves all the good things in the world because of everything she pours into her writing.

Overall, I’m in love with this book somehow even more. But that’s not a real shock to anyone. I’ll continue to rave about Tarah’s writing until the end of time.

*Thank you St. Martin’s publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Tarah DeWitt is undoubtably one of my favorite authors of all time. I fell in love from her very first book, Rootbound, and have been emotionally attached ever since. I read the OG version of The Co-op and fell head over heels in love with this book and with LaRynn and Deacon. So when she announced that she was releasing a renovated version??? I actually screamed. Definitely freaked a couple people out by the way they looked at me. But I couldn’t care less because it meant I’d have 2 versions/editions of an incredible, life changing book. So yes, that scream was warranted.

This renovated edition??? Just shut me up because I could talk about this all day every day. Tarah is a literary master and I will consume any and everything she writes. Her message she released with her announcement of the newly released edition made me fall in love with her writing all over again because you can genuinely feel her heart bleeding on the page. It is so incredibly moving and makes me emotional because I get to be alive in a time where Tarah DeWitt is an author and I get to read everything she writes. I will still always and forever love the OG edition, however this renovated edition is just something so incredibly special. It makes me feel things no other author has done before and I just can’t contain my love and excitement whenever I get to tell people about Tarah’s books. She is such an incredibly special author and a national treasure that deserves all the good things in the world because of everything she pours into her writing.

Overall, I’m in love with this book somehow even more. But that’s not a real shock to anyone. I’ll continue to rave about Tarah’s writing until the end of time.

*Thank you St. Martin’s publishing and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Tarah DeWitt is an auto-buy author for me, and for a good reason. She has this ability of being able to write deep, flawed yet lovable characters. Second chance romance, marriage of convenience, pranks and troubled family relationships. Yet Deacon and LaRynn are deep and vulnerable, funny yet tender. They have to learn to express their vulnerabilities to move on (or reignite their flame?), co-habitate the house the inherited from their grandmothers, and heal. So funny, and sweet and spicy. I love Tarah's writing, and I would read her grocery list if she published that.

I’m truly obsessed with everything about this book. Deacon and LaRynn’s story was everything I needed and so much more!!! This book made me laugh. Like out loud!!’ It made me cry. It made me swoon. It gave me butterflies. I really love that we got to see how these two met and how their relationship first formed. I really appreciate second chance romance books that do that. It adds more layers to the story and the characters. These two were down bad for each other from the very beginning and even all of those years later they were STILL DOWN BAD.

This book was funny and it had its moments. However, I didn’t really like the main characters. They lack communication skills and often acted immature.

I'm a HGTV devotee, a TikTok before and after reno lover, and a girl who recently underwent some major home projects at the start of her marriage. While my marriage is intact, I know that construction does NOT evoke loving feelings, which is why The Co-Op's premise stood out to me. Could an enemies to lovers / fake marriage story exist in the mist of construction chaos? Well, call me a believer - because The Co-Op was sexy and sweet.

LaRynn and Deacon's relationship is as dilapidated as the building they're coming together to renovate. What started as a summer romance as teens ended with hurt feelings and sharp words. But, now that their beloved Grands have passed on and left them this space, they need to work together to rebuild their friendship and renovate their space to sell. The catch? Budget money hinges on them getting marriage. Can Year 1 Marriage + Renovation = anything but more heartache? Or will they build a foundation on which to grow.

It's not the perfect romance, but it's a good time. My primary hangup is just the existence of a lot of characters we never get to know or care about, or the introductions of things like the soundtrack that don't really pull through entirely in the book. Lots of great ideas, characters, and premises - but none of them are given their proper due. I wanted more detail on the house, I wanted more time with these peripheral friends and stories of these amazing Grands, I wanted more songs! But, does that really matter when the enemies are becoming lovers with extremely well written spice? Tarah DeWitt's novels always are a just right blend of character growth, fun, and female-centric spice and The Co-Op only maintains her place as an auto-buy author for me.

3.5 rounded down.

⭐️: 3.5/5

I’m kind of picky when it comes to second chance romances, because so often it either feels like they broke up for a reason and nothing has changed, or so much has changed it’s kind of weird that they’re still pining for each other. This felt like the appropriate amount of time and also the appropriate circumstances for a second chance romance to work though, since the initial encounter was a summer fling as teenagers, and now they’re adults and years have passed.

Although this made the premise feel promising, I kept feeling like I was waiting for the miscommunication shoe to drop, and once it did, another one of my least favorite tropes showed its face (I won’t say what it is to avoid spoilers). The romance itself was just kind of boring for me too, and I just didn’t feel like I was connecting with the characters, or that I was invested in them connecting with each other.

The saving grace was all the old lady characters, since sassy old ladies make everything better. I also liked that there was a dual timeline element to this one, which I think added a lot to the understanding of the characters. I liked the small town elements too. Overall, it was a cute story, just nothing special and kind of plain for me.

Thank you to @netgalley and @stmartinspress for this free eARC for review!!

In The Co-op, DeWitt weaves a delightful tale that captures the complexity of love, partnership, and the often messy process of renovation—both in buildings and in relationships. Set against the backdrop of a dilapidated Santa Cruz property, the novel brings together LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds, two former lovers whose teenage fling ended in contention. Fast forward a decade, and fate forces them back together as co-owners of their grandmothers' estate, each carrying emotional baggage and unfinished business. Ultimately, The Co-op is a testament to the enduring power of love and the beauty of building something—whether a home or a relationship—together. For fans of second-chance romances, this book is a must-read that beautifully illustrates the transformative journey of restoration, both inside and out.

First off, thank you NetGalley, St. Martin’s Press, and Tarah DeWitt for this book. I absolutely loved it!

Fake dating/marriage of convenience is one of favorite romance tropes, but pair that with some forced proximity and that it’s a second chance romance, well now you’ve got magic. That is exactly what this books was, magic. From start to finish the book pulls you in to Deacon and LaRynn’s story and has you on the edge of your seat wondering if and when they’ll get together.

The flirtiness and banter was top notch and I loved that not only was it dual POV but Tarah also have a dual timeline with your teenage romance as well. What truly is the heart of the story is the vulnerability that both LaRynn and Deacon have with each other. The raw emotion from those two characters had me in tears.

This was my first Tarah DeWitt book, and it’s safe to say that I am a fan! I adored this story and these characters. Thank you again for the opportunity to read it.

The Co-Op (e-arc)
Special thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc!

Rating: 5/5
Spice: 2/5

“I want her here. I want her tied here somehow. I want her to have something she wants. I want to go visit her and sit at the counter and see that easy joy on her face. I want her latte art and I want to tease her about her tiny skirt.”

“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.”

Thoughts:
wowowow! This is my first ever Tarah Dewitt book and let’s say I’m in love! Her writing was beautiful. I love LaRynn and Deacon so much! They deserve the whole world. From how their grands fell in love and to how they fell in love! I don’t think I can get over it. I love LaRynn’s character so much!! Trying her best to be the good daughter so her parents didn’t have to worry about her only for her to struggle to live up to those expectations—I swear I’m not crying. And Deacon, I just had a crush on him lol but seriously, I love them together! The tension between them!! Also the banter and flirting! Ugh I love it! And I’m just a sucker for second chances! Also, I love the way their love story was told! Moving from the past to present! Lemme share a few favorite scenes! For sure it’s when Deacon finally snaps because he realizes how much he loves RaLynn and tells her to stop flirting and smiling at Oscar! And then they both end up spilling their emotions and becoming “friends”. Another favorite was the epilogue!! Them having kids and fixing their home to fit their new family—yes it got me emotional but I love it so much to see them get their happy ending! I seriously need to check out Tarah Dewitt’s other books! Once again, thanks to NetGalley for the e-arc!

This is a cute book. The blurb and hook are catchy and the cover is adorable. The marketing for this one is definitely on point and it's something I'd likely pick up in a bookstore. Plus, having lived thirty minutes from Santa Cruz my entire life, the location of this novel is near and dear to my heart. But, I think my knowledge of the area is part of what kept me from connecting with it as much as I would have liked. The characters didn't really have a lot of the Santa Cruz vibe in them and their dialogue was often stilted and even slightly southern (LaRynn and Deacon even sound like southern names). They said things I've never heard anyone in this area say ("Go inside and get settled.", "You did not specify...I will go right my wrongs immediately."). In addition to that, there's something unfinished with the story itself. It tries to do and be a lot of things, such as: enemies to lovers, friends to lovers, dual timeline, dual POV, but it does so with a jumpiness that makes it difficult to fully engage and buy in to any of it. Also, LaRynn is an odd character and not easy to connect with. This seems intentional, but as a reader, we have to connect with her enough to want things to work out for her and Deacon, which I honestly didn't. She seemed to need extensive therapy more than anything. She's unnecessarily mean and harsh and there doesn't seem to be a good enough reason for it. In contrast, Deacon's voice is much more natural and he's a lot more engaging as a character. I ended up feeling like Deacon deserved better. Overall, it's cute, and sometimes entertaining, but much like the story itself, this book still feels under construction.

"The Co-Op" by Tarah Devine has a cool idea at its core, diving into community and relationships. The characters are relatable and well-done, and Devine's writing really shines in those moments. That said, the pacing can be a bit off, with some parts dragging on while others feel rushed. It’s an enjoyable read with some great moments, but it doesn’t quite hit the mark overall.

I'm a sucker for a second chance romance lately, so yes please! Throw in small town and fall vibes. Marriage of convenience. This book was so good!! It felt so relatable. I definitely recommend!