The Co-op is about LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds. They had a summer fling in their teens and broke each other’s hearts. Now years later, their grandmothers have left them shared ownership of a home that is literally falling apart. They need money for repairs and LaRynn technically has it in a trust but needs to get married to access it. So they make a deal to get married to access the money just until the project is done….

This second chance romance has flawed characters that you will root for from the beginning. Both have had poor examples of love and family in their own lives, so you can imagine how things go when they move into a home without walls. Personally, LaRynn drove me crazy at first but as the book plays out, her behavior makes sense. And Deacon is just so swoony. Read this one if you love:

-second chance romance
-enemies to lovers
-marriage of convenience
-forced proximity
-lots of LOL moments
-no 3rd act breakup
-spice
-HEA

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the opportunity to read this ARC of The Co-op in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for this book!

I really enjoyed this book. Such a cute quick and easy read. I loved the storyline and the characters. Great writing style. Perfect summer read.

This is the second book I have read by this author and I'm mad I didn't pick it up sooner. This is a second chance romance with marriage of convenience and I loved it. The character development these characters went through was amazing to read, it made them feel real. I enjoyed the banter between the characters and the angst. My only complaint would be that I wanted more flashbacks about their relationship. Otherwise this book was great and I might have finished it under 24 hours .l will definitely be checking out other books by Tarah DeWitt.

Honestly, this was your standard rom com. It was cute, a little steamy, and had a very happy ending. As far as books go this was good. I look forward to similar books like this from the author.

Thank you netgalley for the arc in exchange for my review.

Picked this one up on a whim and I'm SO glad I did? Second chance romance (the main couple had a bit of a summer fling when they were in their twenties) + marriage of convenience (they tie the knot in order to renovate their grandmothers' old beach house and flip it). Lots of angst, lots of pining, lots of falling in love with my spouse after previously finding them super infuriating. There's also dual timeline in this, following LaRynn and Deacon during both their first summer romance and in the present day, and it's so impressive how Dewitt builds the same throughline of emotion while also adding the weight of history through the years that have passed. Plus I'm never going to be mad about "that's my wife" moments, in any way, shape or form.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this edition from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I read this book last year and it was such a unique read. I loved everything about it.

LaRynn and Deacon are such incredible characters. You see their flaws, you see them make mistakes and grow. I love reading about characters growth in books, and this one was so perfect.

I loved the fake marriage, second chance romance trope. I can’t wait to read more of this author’s writing.

This book was great! I love romance books, and this one was no exception! The characters were wonderful and realistic, the plot was well written, and the setting was gorgeous. I cannot wait until this is published so everyone can read it!

Super cute and so much fun! The construction site was really unique, but so good! This was a quick read too!

It was a cute book that was a very quick read. The story line was predictable but laid out well and I think it developed at just the right speed to keep you wanting to read. LaRynn left law school and was cut off of her trust fund money and made her way back to her grandmother's home that was left to her and Deacon. The problem is the home is in shambles and it will take a lot of money to get it back up to snuff.

Things I loved about this book: The quick wit of LaRynn and the banter that her and Deacon had together. The sexual tension that you sensed the moment they laid eyes on each other again. The story line was good and had didn't get over developed. The characters were well written and also developed nicely throughout the story.

Things that I wasn't a huge fan of with this book: The marriage thing just popped up and didn't really have any back story. The money started to come in but you didn't get any details on how much or when it would be cut off. The story flopped between thinking they were going to do okay to they still were poor. The mom reunion at the end was kind of a huge build up but seemed kind of underdeveloped and flat.

Over all it was a good story and it kept my interest. I would read more from this author for sure.

What an incredible read! I know this was an arc for a re-release but I haven't read the first version so I can only judge the new one and it was a masterpiece of a romance.
This was more than a small town second chance romance. This was about two people who were hurt but found happiness and healing thanks to each other. Is about family and grief and love in every shape and form.
I am not good enough with words to express how wonderful this book was. Just know that it's now an all time favorite and I need you all to pick it up!

*arc kindly provided by the publisher via Netgalley for an honest review

I loved the heat, the banter, and all the emotions. I loved the house flip setting and reading about the remodeling. So fun!

LaRynn was not an easy character to love, but she did grow on me by the end. Deacon was just the sweetest. And I loved that they both didn’t let each other get away with anything that needed to be discussed. I loved their communication.

I can’t wait to read more from this author.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc in exchange for my honest review.

If you are looking for a book that mixes the drama of an HGTV show, the angst of a second chance romance, Tarah DeWitt’s signature brand of humor, and a sprinkle of spice, look no further than The Co-Op!

LaRynn Lavigne has had a tough go at life. When her grandmother passes away (and her grandmother’s wife, Helena, a few months after), she finds herself the co-inheritor of a duplex with her least favorite person: Deacon Leeds, Helena’s grandson and LaRynn’s teenage “summer fling”. The problem, aside from Deacon? The duplex is falling apart and the two need funds to fix it up. Deacon and LaRynn hatch a plan to marry and access LaRynn’s trust fund to help pay for the project. But as the two work together to fix up the property and find a way to work through old feelings, they realize that some walls may need to come down.

I really enjoyed this book! I loved the flashback chapters to Deacon and LaRynn’s teenage years. I felt like they really gave depth to the story and helped me better understand their feelings towards one another. I also really loved the banter! The two had me in stitches with some of their conversations.

I do wish we got to see more of the side characters, particularly Elyse and Jensen. I would have loved to read more about their backstory and relationship!

While this was not my favorite book from Tarah (that honor still belongs to Savor It), I still very much enjoyed The Co-Op! If you love books with second chance romance, forced proximity, and a marriage of convenience, I highly recommend preordering or requesting The Co-Op from your library!

So many thanks to Netgalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC!

I really liked Savor It by Tarah DeWitt, so I was excited to read this re-release of one of her earlier titles. Some of it worked - I like a marriage of convenience where the couple can't really stand each other. I like home renovation shows, and I felt the details on that front here were really enjoyable. And I like a second chance romance where the miscommunication from the first time around is the only miscommuncation we get - they are both so much more mature and communicative as adults.

That said, it definitely feels like an earlier work from the author. The flashbacks to their first "relationship" were hard to track and didn't feel different enough to present day. And our FMC was, to put it bluntly, a little annoying.

But overall, it's a fun sweet story, that moves along at a quick pace! I enjoyed it, even if it wasn't my favorite by the author.

3.5 stars, thanks to NetGalley and St. Martins Press for the ARC.

I really enjoyed reading funny feelings and when I saw this on netgalley I knew I wanted to read another book for Tarah DeWitt! And it sure did not disappoint. This is a second chance romance and marriage of convenience. Tarah had written it so beautifully. It takes place in a small town where LaRynn and Deacon shared ownership of a building that their grandmother left them and they had to work together to renovate the place despite their history and family issues. Both characters had their own flaws and problems which they struggle internally and they did not want to show their vulnerabilities to each other which causes a lot of the miscommunications in the past and present. The chemistry and connection between LaRynn and Deacon are amazing and that made me fall in love with them right away. I love seeing how they earn each other’s trust and open up to each other which helps clear away the misunderstandings. Their love is so real and relatable that it made me want to cry and keep rooting for their happy ending. I love it!

“Dream and fight with me, let me dream and fight with you, too.”


““Would you punch a shark for me?” he asks.
“I’d bite a shark for you,” I say. I’m a little scared of how much I mean it.
He snorts . “Thank the grands you’re on my side these days, Larry.”
Always, my heart says.”



ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW


larynndeacon came home to me again!!!

I'm so so so happy I got to read this arc, it reminded me of the excitement I had the first time I welcomed them to the world. I loved them instantly and this time it was no exception.

to me, when tarah decided to republish them, it was like when taylor announces a re-recording and the new parts of the book we won were the vault tracks

this time around we have more about that special summer larynndeacon got together and how the bases of their love came to be, and that also gave us a little bit more of the characters heads during those moments so we got more sweetness and tenderness and it made the present much more special by adding a special layer into their story.

everyone that loved their past version will adore and love this one even more.

thank you again tarah, for more magic!!!!!!


now more of my favorite quotes from them, and trust me, I highlighted a lot!!

(beware some might be spoilery but not actually spoilers)



“People talk about falling in love like it’s some comfortable, easy thing. Maybe it is sometimes, or maybe it is in steps, but it’s also overwhelming and scary. It’s giving yourself over to this thing you can’t see the bottom of, and then trying not to struggle against it so that it drags you down too fast.”



“What a fucking treasure he is, to want all the pieces of the people he cares for, the inconvenient and painful parts, too.”



“He does have the best hands, and yeah—that, as well . . . but he’s also got the best mind and spirit. He works harder than anyone I’ve ever met. He can look at anything and find a way to figure it out or tackle it with enough time. He can dance and isn’t one of those men who will stand off on the sidelines. He’s playful. He makes mundane things fun and indulges me in my silly games.”


“You’re a dreamer and a fighter, LaRynn Cecelia. I know you can do it. Let yourself dream a bit and at least ask.” A dreamer and a fighter. I want to be just that . He does make me feel that way, like I could dream and then fight for those dreams to come true. Like I could belong to whatever home and whatever life I want to make.”



““What if I told you I was scared I’d get lost in myself again? That I’m scared of changing, too. What would you say?”My brows pinch together. “I’d find you,”I tell him, firmly. “And I don’t think there’s a version of you I couldn’t love.”He lets out a wet laugh, shakes his head with a smile. “See?””

This is my favorite book by Tarah DeWitt. The FMC LaRynn and the MMC Deacon have a summer fling that ends in the most embarrassingly spectacular way causing LaRynn to hate Deacon. Fast forward to present the two of them are thrown together and in order to gain access to LaRynn's trust, she proposes a marriage of convenience and to use the trust fund to rebuild and then sell the house they inherited in Santa Cruz. Tarah takes us on an emotional journey of not only remodeling and rebuilding a home but also a relationship. Second change romance at it's best when Deacon and LaRynn have to fight to show up for not only each other but themselves each day. The story delves into the trauma that has made LaRynn the way she is and Deacon the way he is it is easy to relate to both their experiences because of the realness. The ending of this book wraps up the emotional growth and reconnection in the perfect way.

Overall I did enjoy this book and like the relationship dynamics between LaRynn and Deacon. The enemies to lover/second chance romance/marriage of convenience was a nice mix of several tropes and it was nice to see LaRynn take on the grumpy character while I wouldn't necessarily call Deacon sunshine. I enjoyed the bickering between the two and how they eventually come together. The story as a whole was interesting.

While the plot was good I felt that the story did drag on and the flashbacks did not not always move the story along but muddy it more. I was hoping for more character development for both LaRynn and Deacon regarding their past and family relationships. In addition I sensed that there was a lack of information regarding their summer together which was really needed to bring the story full circle for me. It was also odd to the me that the character enter a marriage of convenience in order for LaRynn to get access to trust but that is hardly even mentioned throughout the rest of story. There was also too much miscommunication between the two main characters that could have easily been resolved if they just talked.

Ooph. But Daddy I love them.

Anyone who loves home reno shows and a lot of good, flirty banter will be obsessed with this. Tarah describes scenes and places with such good detail I actually felt like I could envision their little home.

Deacon Leeds could lead (😉) me into a pit of fire and I would say “yes sir”. This man is like a Lindt chocolate ball, hard shell but gooey sweet on the inside. I love him so much. He’s so incredibly caring and giving(in all the best ways)

LaRynn is the black cats of all black cats. She a whole lot of bark AND bite. But god is she fierce. She would not let anyone hurt the ones she loves and would stick up for them without a second thought. But that’s not the case for herself. She is hard on herself and would rather lash out than have to say “that actually hurt me” and I love that she had that growth through the book to be able to stand up for herself.

My favourite part of the whole book is how they actually helped each other become their best versions. They worked on the foundation of their relationship, starting fresh and strong compared to their past versions.

The second chance and dual timeline was done so well. I didn’t feel like I was missing something between the past and present.

And of course it can’t be a Tarah book without making me cry a little.

This is my favorite Tarah DeWitt book yet! This is a dual-timeline, dual pov, second-chance romance story about Deacon and LaRynn. Deacon and LaRynn met when and dated when they were teenagers-with it ending badly. Years later they are left a house by their grandmothers. In order to renovate, they agree to a marriage of convenience. The book follows their renovation journey-for both the house and their relationship.

I loved this book! I really enjoy Tarah Dewitt's writing style. It is easy to follow yet she delivers some beautifully poignant lines about life, love, and growing up. Besides her writing style, one of my favorite things about Tarah's books is the way she makes the characters so normal and relatable. I related to aspects of Deacon and LaRynn's childhoods as well as their struggles later on. The banter and dialogue between them was fun, hot, and real. The slowburn to spice fit in perfectly with their timeline and dynamic.

This was a great summer read with the beach/coastal setting. I felt like I was part of the small town and friend group. I smiled, I laughed, and I teared up. I definitely recommend this read!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

I was so certain I was going to love it. I liked it, I didn’t love it, and that was for one reason only, LaRynn the FMC. I could not relate to her up until 70-80ish%. This is absolutely only a personal opinion and I would absolutely still recommend this book, for sure.

Deacon was amazing, such patient upbeat vibes from him. There were so many parts where I would read out loud to my husband and tell him, “this is you, you do/say this”. The plot was interesting and unique and I really liked the side characters so much. This was a slow burn, but when we got to the spice, it was good.

The writing was beautiful and I will definitely be reading more books by the author.