LaRynn and Deacons second chance love story is so cute. Their grandmas were married and when both passed left them their house that needed updating. They had a brief romance during a summer in the past, leaving them with difficult feelings. Overall cute and I loved the supporting characters!

‘They say love and construction don't mix. By that logic, hate and construction may as well be condemned.’

Told from alternating 1st p/POV’s as well as alternating timelines, The Co-Op was dysfunctional as much it was enjoyable.

From teenage drama, falling in love which inevitably leads to heartache, Deacon & LaRynn come back together as adults when renovations on a family home beckon.

FMC is all over the place & tends to come off a little on the “poor-me” side. MMC is dreamy & hunkalicious of course.

They butt heads like a couple of rams. But when things start to slide into place (& you know they will), shiznat really heats up. I mean, they talk to each other like dirty little freaks🙌🏼😂 But alas, we get our HEA!

DeWitt’s always fun & I will always be a fan!

Big thanks to SMP & NetGalley for this complimentary e-book!

4.5 - Tarah's writing is cozy and a warm hug.

After having her heartbroken by Deacon one summer - LaRynn decides to leave town and never return. But, when her grandma leaves her a her house, LaRynn finds her self back home. With the stubborn intention to sell the home - LaRynn didn't realize that her grandma also left the home to Deacon. In effort to making the sell easier - the two get married and fix the home together.

This book has everything I love and more. Tattooed MMC (Hello an octopus, obsessed), forced proximity, marriage of convenience, second chance?

The growth and development between these two was so good and felt so natural. I loved seeing them get closer as the renovations were happening. There was tension and angst, but also banter and memories that made me laugh. I think of LaRynn and Deacon constantly, I love them so much.


Thank you Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Wow, The Co-op was not at all what I expected. I went in thinking it would be fluffy, but there is so much substance to this book. It was very emotional and the love story between Deacon and LaRynn was almost bittersweet. Ive never simultaneously wanted two people to get together, but also want them to stay far apart, as much as I did with this book. LaRynn was quite possibly one of the worst FMCs I’ve ever had the pleasure of reading. She was spoiled, bratty, manipulative, and just plain mean. I get that she had a terrible-ish childhood, but she doesn’t really redeem herself. We also don’t have much closure with her parents, so things felt unresolved. I thought Deacon was generally amazing, but basically a doormat.

I struggled a bit with the writing style at first, and almost DNF’ed the book because of it, but I ended up getting used to it. It felt a bit too flowy and lyrical for what the book was. I also had the hardest time with pronouncing LaRynn. Like, it messed with my reading flow the entire book. I couldn’t figure it out and it really bothered me. I think that if an author has a character with an odd or weirdly spelled or pronounced name, they should have to tell you how to pronounce it. Maybe that’s a quirk of mine, but it honestly affects my enjoyment of a story. Lastly, the epilogue felt forced and out of place to me. There was so much depth to our MCs that I think there could’ve been an entirely separate book after they get together. You can’t go from a closed-off, emotionally stunted person who has barely started to work on herself to the sunshine in her family’s life. I almost thought that that storyline should’ve been the bulk of the book, not the will-they, won’t-they.

I received a copy of The Co-op from NetGalley. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

Tarah DeWitt does a masterful job writing characters that are as flawed as all of us but good enough, deep down, that you can't help but root for them. If you enjoyed her other books, particularly Savor It, you'll love The Co-Op!

I'm partial because I live for a second chance romance and Deacon and LaRynn's story embodied the best of the trope-- nostalgia, with the searing pain that only first heartbreak can bring, and hope, with the enduring comfort that comes from someone knowing you (and loving you, even if unexpressed) through so many years. It's a true rivals-to-lovers journey of two people who are scared to get hurt again but can't stop themselves. If "It was always you," was a book, it would be this one.

Rounded out with lovely side characters, including Sal (my favorite, a sweet and salty older woman who shares the home the two MCs are renovating), DeWitt captures the type of friendships and relationships that we all aspire to have.

In summary? This story is a sweet and spicy journey as two people fix up a house, and themselves, to create a home for each other.

ARC Review. 3.5 stars! I really enjoy The Co-op. Tarah DeWitt's writing is immersive and the Santa Cruz setting made this read incredibly atmospheric. I could pretty much smell the sea salt! I really liked to the sex scenes; I felt like they were well done. I do think the plot felt formulaic and didn't do anything new for the genre, which is totally okay!

This was a great romantic comedy with those touches of deeper storylines in it. I really enjoyed both LaRynn and Deacon as characters. They felt real in the sense that they had flaws and you didn't always like them but you were always rooting for them. The concept of the story was interesting too. I do love a fake marriage turned real trope and add in the enemies to lovers, forced proximity and second chance tropes. Boy howdy do you have a great story. Stylistically there were certain phrases and word choices that I didn't really enjoy and would take me out of the story, like "pawed at the air" instead of just waving a hand in the air to change the subject, along with topics that seemed to never come up again really like Deacon's issue's with blood and LaRynn's motion sickness, but overall I read this book in a matter of two days and was invested in the ending.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing the ebook in exchange for an honest review.

I usually stick to murder/thriller books but throw in a palate cleanser once in awhile to restart my frozen heart.

This one definitely did the trick and I'm on my way to find more Tarah DeWitt books

The opening started off in just the right direction with a playlist and some horrifying moments in LaRynn's life. Starting a book off with the absolutely mortifying dress tucked in a thong at a dance, or dad catching you post coital. I was hooked. Deacon is a perfectly imperfect male lead to yearn for. I found there was the perfect amount of spice and hidden feelings. Satisfying ending.

This was a masterpiece. I loved it from the first page and could not wait to unravel how this second chance romance, forced proximity, not so fake marriage, home renovation romance was going to work out. The jumping timeline is well done and drives the plot forward as well as the character development. The dual POV also makes the pining and attraction between LaRynn and Deacon very believable. There is a slight miscommunication theme but it's not so overdone that I wanted to beat my head against a wall so I call that a win! The spice is well written & I love the sex-positive nature on which Dewitt writes her character interactions.

If you're a Northern Californian or Santa Cruz lover, this will be an especially fun literary trip. I loved the references to everything from Hwy 17 to the cliffs to the marine layer rolling in. All of the shops and beach town vibes are so well done, I felt completely transported and was picturing all of the places I've been in the area.

Thank you to #NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the advanced egalley in exchange for my honest feedback. The Co-Op has been updated by author Tarah Dewitt and is set for re-release on November 12th!

I will be circling back to post on Instagram as pub day gets closer.

4.5 stars - Another Dewitt romance that crawls its way into my heart. It's snuggled up right next to Funny Feelings and being held in a big bear hug by Savor it!

Where do I even begin with Deacon and LaRynn!? The absolute LOVE I developed for these characters is wild to me.
Deacon & LaRynn -or 'Larry' as Deacon calls her- spend an incredible summer of first's together when they are 18. As the summer filled with sneaking away to rip each other's clothes off was coming to an end, their last night together couldn't have ended in a more heartbreaking way. "It was just sex." he said.

8 years later after the death of her grans, LaRynn is reluctantly back to do what she can to help Deacon with the house they both inherited from them. They find themselves in a marriage of convenience situation in order for LaRynn to get her hands on her inheritance to fund their home renovation.

The absolute hate and tension between our MCs after their reunion is absolute GOLD! With a lack of better words, they are complete and utter dicks to each other, and I ate up every little bit. Tarah Dewitt is the absolute QUEEN of tension and banter writing between characters- and the slowwww burrrnnn. oh man. It was one of the best slow burns I've experienced in a long time. I screamed out "OMMMMGGG YOU CHICKEN SHIT- DO IT ALREADY" at least twice. It was tortuous!

Both our MCs have a lot to work through- an unresolved past that needed healing. And somehow, against all odds, they find themselves opening up to each other as the walls around them come down.
This laugh out loud, rom com will bring you so much joy. The character development and emotional depth throughout the whole story will keep you engaged from beginning to end.

I love a romance book with good banter. Throw in some pranks and pining, I’m sold!

As a teenager, LaRynn spent her summer visiting her grandmother’s place in Santa Cruz. It was here she met Deacon and a summer fling was formed. But as most do, their fling comes to a crashing end, resulting in these two not seeing or speaking to each other for ten years. Now they find themselves co-workers of the multi-family home that belonged to both of their grandmothers. LaRynn and Deacon strike a deal that involves getting married, sharing money, fixing up the home and then selling it so they can dissolve their marriage and go their separate ways for good. But this crumbling down building isn’t the only thing they need to repair.

This book had so many great tropes. Enemies to lovers, marriage of convenience, forced proximity, and second change romance. It’s filled with witty banter that soon turns into something deeper and meaningful for both of them. I also appreciated the slow burn because it gave them a chance to get to know each other again and the character development stood out to me. Although hurt by the past, they both took accountability for what happened between them and then moved forward (maturity!!). This was by first book by Tarah DeWitt but it won't be my last.

*will add to Goodreads on publishing date.

Another banger from DeWitt! The writing is passionate and engaging, drawing you into the complex dynamics of the characters’ rekindled relationship. Their journey from past heartbreak to rediscovered love is beautifully portrayed, making every moment feel both powerful and intimate. A perfect read for those who crave a love story that’s as hot as it is heartfelt.

Thank you Netgalley and st martins press for allowing me to read this in advance and providing my honest opinion

Second chance romance
Heat
Banter
Learning loving

I really enjoyed this book. Deacon and Larynn story was about learning and growing... HEA

Something about the way Tarah writes just feels like home to me. I love Deacon and LaRynn and their story of loving and learning.

The Co-OP was a fun second chance enemies to lovers style romance great for fans of Carly Fortune and Abby Jimenez. LaRynn and Deacon's journey through out the book to over come struggles rooted in the past experiences was a fun ride. Getting to see then not only grow as individuals but also as a couple made the book enjoyable. I loved flashing back to their first whirlwind romance and would have loved to see even more moments ts from their past. I especially loved experiencing LaRynn grow more confident and comfortable in herself through out the book. While, the story dragged in a few points or I lost focus of who and where we were, i couldn't help but be drawn back in by the banter between the characters and the desire to see.if they could.truly work things out and move forward with the own HEA.

Deacon and LaRynn’s story was beautiful. I loved seeing the growth from hate to love but I also enjoyed reading about their past. You can never go wrong with an enemies to lovers book!

Cute book about childhood friends reconnecting and falling in love. Found family. Death of a loved one. Home ownership. Remodeling a house. Epilogue 10 years later.

Thank you NetGalley for the arc

I loveddddd this. It was such a great romance story and fun read. If you love second chance romances, forced proximity, and marriage of convenience with spice sprinkled on top, this is for you. I instantly connected to LaRynn from the beginning of the story. Her and Deacon are honestly one of my new favorite book couples. LIKEEEE I’m literally obsessed with them and their story. All the characters throughout the book felt relatable and were so easy to connect with. The flow of the story was great. I loved the flashes back to their past as they reconnected. It made the story engaging and interesting to read. Yesss most of their issue could be avoided if they were just honest and talked to one another in the past and present but the miscommunication and slow rebuild of trust honestly fit the story development so well.

I highly recommend and look forward to reading more books from Tarah DeWitt.

Review can be found on Goodreads and will be added via Instagram @celinesshelves 7/23/24

Tarah Dewitt literally NEVER FAILS ME!! Deacon and Laraynn were everything and I cannot stress enough how much I loved this book. Loves to enemies to lovers? Arranged?? Like HELLOO?? It was so perfect. Angsty, heartfelt- definitely sobbed a bunch of times like I don’t know how the tears kept going down, and a romance that is unforgettable. Dewitt always creates a story unexpected. Unique. And true to the heart. I NEED THIS IN MY HANDS PHYSICALLY NOW!!!

I am so glad this author decided to rewrite this book and republish it or else I may have missed reading it. I loved this second chance friends to lovers romance that also involved grieving loved ones and rehabbing a home. I was so glad the MCs found each other again and this time around, they really opened up to each other with all of the complicated and messy parts of their lives. I appreciated the spiciness and also loved the sweet parts especially the beautiful epilogue. I definitely recommend checking this book out again or for the first time. I will be reading more of this author’s books!