did not realize this book is part of SMP when requesting. This book was great. It would’ve even better if SMP would follow the demands of the boycott and do the right thing.

a new all time fav!!! tarah can do no wrong. the ultimate black cat x golden retriever that had be not being able to put my kindle down. this was unreal and i couldn’t get enough. i want to pick up my kindle and reread it all over again.

this book was everything my black cat x golden retriever lover heart wanted/needed and more so! there wasn’t a single thing i’d change about this story. i wish i could go back and erase my brain so that i could read this for the first time all over again. tarah dewitt is easily one of my go-to and all time fav authors. she never fails me. i will read any and everything she writes. this book had so much depth, tension, and unforgettable moments that left me gasping and SWOONING.

The characters have depth, and their journey from animosity to cooperation is engaging. However, the pacing of the book is uneven. The beginning is a bit slow. The alternating timelines add an interesting layer to the narrative, but the abrupt stop of the alternate timeline in the last 30% of the book feels jarring. One of the main issues with the book is the lack of communication between the main characters. Their inability to express their feelings and have a meaningful conversation about their past makes the story feel dragged out. Overall, The Co-op has potential, but it falls flat in execution.

4.5 stars // this is my 3rd Tarah Dewitt book - and I’ve enjoyed them all, but this is her best imo. It’s sweet and sexy and endearing. It’s split pov and dual timeline. We got a second chance romance, marriage of convenience, forced proximity… and tension for miles.

Thanks to NetGalley for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.

3.7 stars - I really enjoyed this book! I thought the chemistry between the two main characters was on point and loved all the side characters (especially their neighbor). I am normally not a big fan of lack of communication between the main characters and books, but I feel like they did this well and they didn’t push it too far. Super cute and definitely worth a read.

Maybe there will come a day where I read a marriage of convenience and don't love it, but today was NOT that day!! This book was so good! LaRynn and Deacon were first brought together when staying with their grandmothers over the summer, they have a summer fling which ends in a disaster. After the passing of both of their grandmothers, they inherit the home which is in desperate need of renovation to be worth anything. And these two are desperate to sell it. LaRynn luckily was left an inheritance which would help them to fund this renovation, but with a stipulation that she must be married before she can access it. The rest as they say is history. It was so good! So much funny banter, sweet moments, and one of my most favorite love confessions I have ever read! Also as I am an overly emotional person, and this also has one of my most favorite epilogues, I wept. Read this, everyone.

What a phenomenal book by Tarah. I was taken away at how much this hit home for me. This revamp did her major favors!

The Co-op is a story about healing, reconciliation, and building from the ground up. LaRynn and Deacon felt like such tangible characters. Outside from dealing with their relationship and learning how to re-communicate with each other, they are fighting battles on other fronts as well. Its no wonder that it takes them some time to figure things out and find common ground. Its because of this that their relationship building and connection felt realistic and genuine. I felt very connected to LaRynn and how she felt at certain times when she was learning to become comfortable with Deacon again. It’s tough and sometimes embarrassing, to be vulnerable the way LaRynn was. The way she voiced her concerns and the way Deacon learns to listens to her made me feel so emotional. Tarah’s writing here was amazing.

This book is so special. Second chance romances are hard to do right, but this is done beautifully.

The Co-Op was such a wonderful story. An old summer fling, then being forced to roommate. I thought the main characters were believable and realistic. I also enjoyed the few side characters. This story went back and forth between views and also time but it wasn’t bothersome. There was more sexual tension than spice, but still described well. This is the second book by Tarah Dewitt I’ve read this month, and I am hooked. I experienced a nice roller coaster of emotions while reading this. If I didn’t start it so late at night, I would have finished it in one sitting.

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the early review. All the above opinions are my own.

While I did enjoy the story, I think Tara’s chemistry is a little too spicy and lusty for my taste. I’m not sure I would continue to read her work. But the jury is still out

Thank you so much for this arc!
Note: this review is about the new and updated version of the book. Since I haven't read the original one, I can't tell you the exact differences, but I've heard that there's more to the characters' backstories, more angst and more spice now.

The Co-op perfectly balances humour, romance, and those heartfelt moments that make you want to keep reading late into the night. If you’re like me and you're also into second chance and slow-burn love stories with plenty of banter and small-town charm, this one’s for you.

LaRynn and Deacon's chemistry was spot-on and I loved watching their relationship unfold. The flashbacks into the summers of their teenage years were great and kept me reading because I was curious about what happened to them. I loved that the renovation project was at the heart of the story. It showed that the book isn’t just about fixing up a building, it’s about the characters rebuilding their lives and relationships. This rebuilding was written beautifully and I liked how well the characters communicated and opened up about the past once they were ready.

I also really enjoyed the small-town setting—it felt cosy and familiar, like you’re part of the community too (I'm a sucker for small-town romance if you can't tell 😂). The friendships and family dynamics added so much depth to the story, making it more than just a romance.

Overall, The Co-op is a feel-good and heartwarming read that left me smiling. Tarah Dewitt has done an amazing job with this book, and I highly recommend it if you’re looking for a well-rounded romance with a lot of heart.

Thank you NetGalley and Tarah for the ARC opportunity!

Honestly, the first half of this book didnt have my attention. I felt like the characters didnt make sense together and the conflict felt so forced.

But the second half redeemed it for me. Once they got over themselves and started working together, it was very good. I felt like the chemistry came in and really turned it around.

I did feel like we didn’t really get enough of the characters back story. I wouldve loved more details from when they were kids, like flashbacks, or even more of their grandmas connections, etc.

When I saw that the great Tarah was rereleasing The Co-Op, I knew this was my moment to dive innnnnn!

This was peak enemies to lovers lol and with the added complexity of making it second chance had me coming back and back again.

LaRynn and Deacon have known each other for a long time when their grandmas got together. LaRynn would spend her summers with them and one of those summers, these two crazy teens have a summer fling 👀 that doesn’t end in the best way.

Fast forward some years and their grandmas have left them both their ‘in need of some love’ building.

The best part? In order for LaRynn to get her trust fund to repair this building that means so much to her? She has to be marrriieddddd 🙌🏻 one of my favourite tropes!

Add in some amazing tension and added layers for complex family dynamics and you’ve got such a great read.

Keep your eye on the shops for November when this hits the shelves 🤍

If Tarah DeWitt has no fans, it means I am dead. I had a chance to read this when it was indie published and really enjoyed it then, but the additions to this release have blossomed me enjoying it, to me loving it. The different take on a second chance romance had me screaming so many times (in excitement and giddiness) and then near sobbing at the flashbacks and heartache.
The flawed characters were such a great balance of needing to work through the trauma and personalities, but then with their blatant attraction to one another and actually (eventually) willing to work together (and falling back in love) was sheer chefs kiss.

i enjoyed this! the book was a very cute romance and i had fun reading! this is my first book by the author and i will be back to check out some more!

A marriage of construction💍🔨

This is a second-chance romance about LaRynn and Deacon, who once had a flirty fling that ended poorly. Now, they're forced to confront the literal walls of the property and the emotional ones they've built over the years. What starts as a reluctant partnership (marriage) of convenience to secure the funds and expertise needed—turns into a slow exploration of love, trust, and teamwork. It's the perfect blend of humor and heart that makes The Co-op a cute read!

So good! I love the banter between Deacon and LaRynn. Watching their love story unfold was amazing.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I was a little skeptical when I saw this was a rewrite, but then I read some original reviews that were good- so I guess the rewrite only could have made it better, right? I never read the original, so I can’t comment on that, but I did love this version!

Second chance romance is also not usually my favourite as I am a petty queen who holds grudges like nobody’s business- it’s just not relatable to me. Yet, this story worked for me. I loved the black cat/golden retriever energy, the marriage of convenience, the home renos. It’s like if Love It or List It also had sexual tension and spicy scenes (maybe it does and I’m watching the wrong one).

This book also deals with grief, the death of family members (off page) and shitty parents. Thank you for the opportunity to read!

I LOVE Tarah Dewitt’s writing but this particular book wasn’t my favorite. The plot was very much based upon miscommunication which I can only handle in very small doses or not at all. It just felt like the two main characters could have handled things with more maturity and a conversation. I also don’t love the “hate to love you” kind of base for a love story as it can feel a little toxic for me. I love a good slow burn, but this one took way too long for them to get together even for me! Overall, I was happy with how she wrapped up the story but not my favorite.

This was such a cute fun romcom type novel! I thought the setting was interesting and the characters were funny and had great banter. It was a pretty easy read and I enjoyed it a lot. Will be adding to our library and recommending 100%!