The CO-OP: Tarah DeWitt

The Co‑op by Tarah DeWitt is a beautifully crafted second‑chance, marriage‑of‑convenience romance brimming with humor, steam, and emotional depth. Reunited a decade after a brief teenage fling, LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds inherit a ramshackle beachfront building in Santa Cruz—and must marry (at least temporarily) to access her trust fund and fund the renovation with his construction skills. As they live and work in a house with no walls—both literally and emotionally—their deal forces them to confront lingering hurts and rediscover the connection they thought they’d lost . Told in dual timelines, the story skillfully weaves their past summer romance with the present-day slow burn, allowing both characters to grow and peel back emotional walls. With crackling banter, “intensely satisfying” emotional arcs, and a metaphor-rich backdrop of renovation mirroring their relationship’s restoration, The Co‑op is a heartfelt and smart romance that balances poignant vulnerability with playful chemistry.