Renovating this book was such a good decision. This version truly feels like the story Deacon and LaRynn deserved.

LaRynn and Deacon spent a summer together when they were teenagers. Now they’re in their twenties and working to remodel the house their grandmas left them. They obviously don’t like each other anymore, but get married so LaRynn can collect her inheritance money. This way they can finish renovating the house and get away from each other.

LaRynn and Deacon have two different versions of what happened the summer they spent together. LaRynn was falling in love and thought Deacon was just keeping it casual. Deacon fell in love, but thought LaRynn was ashamed of him because they were a secret. As adults, they now have to confront all of these feelings because they’re forced together in order to fix the house. They bicker and try to get under each other’s skin, but you can tell it’s not from a place of hate, they just want each other’s attention. There’s still so much love between them, but neither wants to be the first to admit it.

I absolutely loved the flashback chapters. It’s one of the things I felt was missing from the original version. They really helped me connect more with Deacon and LaRynn and just really tied the story together.

It was definitely more lovey dovey than before. It still felt like a little too much of a slow burn for me. Deacon is such a golden retriever and LaRynn really wants to be soft and sweet with him so I think more scenes like that would have been nice. I still love them and definitely feel like this revamped version is the one that was always meant to be.

I definitely enjoyed The Co-Op and loved the character development. I feel they were complex characters with a lot of emotional depth and the tension between them was so much fun to devour. I will say, however, that J found the story lagged a bit at times for me. Overall, though, I’m a huge fan of Tara DeWitt!

I read The Co-Op as an ARC from Net Galley - thank you Net Galley.

Thanks to Netgallery and St Martin's Press for the e-ARC of The Co-Op.

Read if you like:
- Marriage of convenience
- Forced proximity
- Second chance

I need to be completely honest, I didn't enjoy this one bit. Sure, there are cute moments, and the mmc, Deacon was sweet at times, but trying to read a book where the fmc is not likable (IMO) was hard. The whole premise had potential, and had the opportunity to create tension that imo was severely lacking. IDK maybe it's a me problem but I just didn't feel the chemistry. and their immaturity made it hard for me to believe their relationship. WITH THAT BEING SAID, I had no problem with the writing, and I think it can be loved by many when it comes out!

LaRynn and Deacon are tasked with fixing up their recently deceased grandmother's run down house, that was left to both of them. The problem? LaRynn and Deacon have a bit of history. From childhood friends, to lovers, to strangers; now they have to see each other for the first time in a decade. Mix in the dilemma that they need funds in order to fix up the house which will only be possibly if LaRynn accesses her trust fund. But, in order to do so, she must be married. Deacon has the experience to fix up the house, but not the funds to do so. Together they come to agreement to get married so that LaRynn can access her trust fund and they can fix the property together. But, it quickly becomes much more than just that.
Review:
The Co-op was a super cute second chance and marriage of convenience romance. I loved the tension and angst between LaRynn and Deacon. Second chance romance is one of my favorite tropes so I always tend to love romances that include second chance and friends to lovers. The bickering and enemies vibes at the beginning helped to build that tension and banter between the characters. I loved their history and how they often talked about their grandmothers romance and their families histories.
Thank you to NetGalley, Tarah DeWitt, and St. Martins Press for this ARC of The Co-op in exchange for an honest review. The Co-op republishes on 11/12!

4.25
LaRynn and Deacon have a messy past, but when their grandmothers leave them their house in need of repairs, they
decide to pool their money and partner together to fix it up.
I really enjoyed both main characters. I loved the bits on their past, and their tension was excellent. And the epilogue was the cherry on top.
Aside from the lack of communication from these 2…This was exactly what I was hoping for when I read the synopsis.
The second chance romance trope is not typically my favorite, but I really enjoyed this one

Thank you to NetGalley and St.Martin's for the chance to read early!

This book is sweet, cute, and heartfelt as well! When LaRynn’s grandmother passes away, she leaves half her ownership of a building to her. LaRynn’s grandmother was married to Helene, who left her half ownership of their building to her grandson, Deacon Leeds. Deacon and LaRynn had a summer fling when they were younger, but he broke her heart and they stopped liking each other. The co-op is in shambles and now Deacon needs LaRynn there to either pitch in and help, or sell it. She doesn’t have any money currently, but can get her trust fund… if she gets married. So they agree to get married for however long it takes to fix the building. But how is this going to work if they hate each other?

This was such a great read. I’ve read a few renovation romances but this has to be one of the better ones that I’ve read. I liked the characters; I thought that LaRynn’s change of being kind of grumpy to becoming more sunshine was great, but also well explained that it was easy to understand why she was grumpy. Deacon was really trying his best, and he was sweet. I recently read a book that I didn’t like, where everything felt forced, and this was quite the opposite. These two were perfect for each other. Nothing felt forced, and I was smiling along reading about these two.

I really loved the little stories of the grandmothers. There was a lot of sentimental moments in this book which really made the book special.

Romance lovers are going to love this book!!!

This rating is for the new renovated edition! ~
(Thank you to the author, NetGalley & St. Martins press for the ARC)

This was the first book by Tarah Dewitt I’ve read and I really enjoyed her writing style!

I thought the story was cute. But it was a bit slow pace at certain parts, especially with the romance. There’s also miscommunication between the two MC’s which was a bit frustrating at times.

Overall- I’d recommend this one, just wouldn’t say it’s my favorite.

Tarah DeWitt always makes me laugh and makes me cry. She writes moving and beautiful stories with imperfect characters. I loved this book so much. The pacing is the only thing that was hard for me. I loved the dual timelines and the dual POVs.

ARC REVIEW: The Co-Op by Tarah Dewitt

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Co-Op is a dual POV second chance romance between LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds, who meet in their teens when their grandmas get married. They spend a summer engaged in a steamy fling that ends abruptly right before LaRynn leaves for college. LaRynn and Deacon are forced to reunite years later, once their grandmas have both passed away - having left their home to the pair in their will. LaRynn and Deacon decide to work together to repair the aging home but their forced proximity brings up old wounds and white-hot sexual tension.

I loved this story! Tarah Dewitt has an uncanny ability to convey deep human emotions in her writing and at the same time, imbue humor and light into the plot. It’s realistic in the way that we often cope with humor despite the depth of circumstances we face in life. I related to both Deacon and LaRynn’s internal struggles with feeling like they aren’t good enough and parental trauma. Also the epilogue had no right to be so adorably perfect 🥹

The Co-Op releases November 12th 2024!

The Co-Op introduces us to Deacon and LaRynn, who find themselves unexpectedly thrown back into each other’s lives when they inherit their grandmothers’ home. Their grandmothers, who were married, often brought the two together as teens, leading to a brief romance between Deacon and LaRynn. Now, years later, they must not only renovate the house but also marry in order for LaRynn to claim her inheritance. As they tackle the renovation, they also rebuild their relationship, blending angst and romance in a memorable second-chance love story.

While the story may feel a bit slow in the middle and the time shift disrupts the flow at times, the journey to their happily-ever-after is both heartfelt and sizzling. Dewitt’s beautifully written scenes remind me of Kate Clayborn’s style, particularly in how the characters learn from past mistakes and develop open communication. This is a touching, layered romance that combines nostalgia, growth, and just the right amount of spice.

I desperately wanted to like this one more than I did! I adore Tarah and her other books, but something about this one just didn’t do it for me, The dual POVs on the dual timelines felt a little jarring at times. I felt like we got a lot of character development and redemption for Deacon, but that wasn’t as evident with LaRynn. The story felt somewhat disjointed, even though I LOVED their banter and the ending.

Thank you Tarah DeWitt and NetGalley for this eARC.

#marriageofconvenience
#enemiestolovers
#secondchanceromance

LaRynn and Deacon reconnect over rebuilding and remodelling 'the grands' home. I loved the banter between Deacon and 'Larry'. There were for sure swoon worthy moments that I will not spoil here :)
I am not the biggest fan of the 'this could all be solved in one short convo' troupe, and I felt that in this book.
3/5 Stars

Tarah is such a feel good author for me. Just like her past books I found myself kicking my feet and giggling. I’ve said it before and I’ll day it again marriage of convenience is always a yes for me. I am not a second chance person but it works in this one.

As a fan of the forced proximity trope, I have to say I loved this book. It was so charming read, and I didn't want it to end. It is such a quick read, and I finished it in one sitting. I saw another reviewer describe this as "if beach read and you deserve each other had a love child" and that's truly the best way anyone COULD describe it. The characters were sweet and I loved them all. This was a five star read. It was my first by Tarah DeWitt, but I will be looking forward to more in the future.

I really loved this book. The banter was adorable and Deacon was such a refreshing character. LaRynn was a certified badass and I love that they were able to work through their trauma together. It was a fun read for sure, and I’m super thankful for NetGalley for the Arc!

I liked this book, but didn't love it. It did keep me entertained throughout most of the book. A fun second chance romance with a marriage of convenience.
I didn't like the fact that they had such a hard time communicating their feelings in the beginning, but when they were finally honest with each other I really started to enjoy their characters and appreciate their growth.
While I did grow to like both of their characters more, Larynn was not my favorite. Who spends that much on a pillow?! I understand she grew up with money and didn't have to think of the price of items, but she's in her 30's now and has been struggling financially for sometime. I feel like she should have been more financially literate than she was. Her character was honestly so frustrating sometimes. I did enjoy Deacon's character for the most part and LOVED when he called her "Lar."
I thought the ending was sweet though and overall I had a nice time reading this.
Thank you NetGalley for this arc.

This book. I am unwell.

“I want it all, LaRynn. You’re a fine friend and everything, but I can’t take having less than all of it with you,” he says, and I feel every word thump under my skin.

I urge you to give this book a chance. LaRynn is prickly and it may take you a while to get it but wow, l loved them.

Thank you to NetGalley and the author Tarah DeWitt for the advanced reading copy, all my opinions are my own.

The Co-Op was my third book by Tarah DeWitt this year and I can emphatically say that she is now an auto-buy author for me. This story was a bright spot in a dark time for me. Deacon and LaRynn made me laugh and cry in equal measure, but most of all they gave me hope. 

These two broken-hearted kids were able to find their way back to each other as adults in the midst of a home renovation. It was the perfect backdrop for Deacon and LaRynn to work out their past issues and the close proximity created a level of tension that I could not get enough of. I am a big fan of the marriage of convenience trope and I loved how this one played out.

These characters are flawed and relatable in a way that had me fully invested in them as individuals and as a couple. The conflict happens earlier in the story and paves the way for Deaon and LaRynn to overcome their insecurities together in an extremely satisfying way. 

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the publisher for an early copy of this book.

This was cute. I liked the young adult lovers, turned enemies, turned friends and lovers again. I thought it was well done. I really liked the two points of view - today and in the past. It made you feel as if you really got to know the characters. The chemistry and banter was incredibly well done. My only complaint was that it was way too slow of a burn. I felt like the book dragged on way too much. I am all for a slow burn, but this was just too slow. I struggled to pick-up the book for the first half, even though I wanted to know what happened with the characters, I was just kind of bored. The second half I read in an afternoon though. LaRynn and Deacon inherited their grandmothers' dilapidated building. In order to rehab it, they get married to access LaRynn's trust fund. They quickly learn that they have to move on from the past in order to find a future. Overall a cute read!
Thank you Netgalley for my advanced reader copy.

Marriage of convenience, forced proximity, AND second chance romance??

This book was very good! The characters were very lovable and had so much depth to them!

I didn't love the dual timelines because those are sometimes hard for me to follow and I'll forget if I'm reading the past or present, but that is completely a me problem. The other thing that I didn't love was, the beginning of the book felt slow and I feel like the story didn't start to really pick up until about 40% into it.

Overall, a very good story and pretty easy read! If you enjoy Emily Henry books, you'll enjoy this one! This book is getting traditionally published and rereleasing under St. Martin's Press on November 12th, 2024!

Thank you netgalley and St. Martin's press for gifting me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.