I wanted to badly to love this one but I honestly just had a really hard time getting into it. Its certainly possible it was a "me problem", others I spoke to about it seem to love it, and I can't really put my finger on what I didn't love. I was just very tepid about the entire experience. I did enjoy the ending, and even cried in the epilogue but it took me almost two weeks to wade through it.

The plot, the banter, the characters, the romance—all came pretty damn close to perfection. Though there were certain things I would change and/or leave out, I enjoyed this read a whole lot!
 
Deacon was a great hero, and I found myself attached to him from the get-go. He’s your typical misunderstood MMC, but I enjoyed his character nonetheless.
 
LaRynn, just like Deacon at times, could be annoying and stuck up, but overall she had admirable traits.
 
Together, Deacon and LaRynn had some of the best banter I’ve experienced and the HOTTEST tension!!! The closer they got, the better the character development, which is a big thing for me. I love when the hero and the heroine get that all-consuming, life-changing love that betters who you are as a person and a lover.
 
To sum it up, this was romantic, funny, and a very entertaining story! The hype is well deserved.

𝗧𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗸 𝘆𝗼𝘂, 𝗡𝗲𝘁𝗚𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝘆 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗽𝘂𝗯𝗹𝗶𝘀𝗵𝗲𝗿, 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗔𝗥𝗖!

Thank you to Netgalley, St. Martin's Press and Tarah DeWitt for providing me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts!


The story follows LaRynn and Deacon, who were first introduced by their grandmothers then they fell in love, and then again after the grandmothers had both passed away and left their grandchildren to co-own their home. LaRynn has money in her trust that she can use to renovate the home, but the condition on the trust requires her to be married in order to access the funds. So obviouslyyy, LaRynn and Deacon decided to get married in order for her to access it. The romance between LaRynn and Deacon was not my favorite if I am going to be honest. Their romantic evolution felt forced and while they did have some very cute and heartwarming moments, I just didn’t really feel their connection or spark, even despite them having history during their teenage years.


Overall, a good read but it was not my favorite :/

Tropes:
- marriage of convenience,
- slow burn
- dual timelines
- forced proximity
- black cat x golden retriever

As a girl in her late twenties, The Co-Op felt so relatable. Amidst the romance, Tarah Dewitt wrote a beautiful story about growing up and healing, which made LaRynn and Deacon’s relationship such an authentic portrayal of a second-chance romance. I judged, LaRynn especially, too harshly in the beginning as they each were the immature teenage versions of themselves. But with having to try to figure their adult problems out and building healthy communication skills, it was heartwarming to see them lay the foundation to their lives. I guess the actual romance was a bit of a slow burn, but the epilogue wrapped this up for me so wonderfully I could not imagine the story going any other way. It was all so sweet and felt incredibly real.

Posted to Goodreads:

Almost a decade ago, LaRynn and Deacon had a summer romance that ended badly. Now, they are sharing a property. They need money to fix up the apartment; the only way to get that is to get married and access LaRynn’s trust fund. As they spend time together, their fake romance begins to feel real.

I am usually a fan of fake relationship books, but this one didn’t work for me. The story felt slow, and the characters were underdeveloped. Deacon and LaRynn were unlikeable, and the romance was unbelievable. I had high expectations for this book, but, unfortunately, it didn’t live up to them.

4.25 ★

First of all, thank you to the publisher, Tarah DeWitt, and Netgalley for this advanced copy.

I read the original version of this book sometime last year, and I enjoyed it just as much the second time around! Deacon and LaRynn’s relationship felt very organic, and while it was definitely angsty, the way they came back together after so many years was believable. Although the miscommunication/lack of communication altogether was frustrating at times, it felt realistic to their characters, and while of course they weren’t perfect by the end, their character and relationship development was well done.

The organization of the “before” chapters occasionally felt a little bit sporadic, but not quite enough to take me out of the story. Overall, I thought the build-up made sense and while their eventual reconciliation felt somewhat sudden plot-order-wise, the slower burn through the entire novel made it more realistic and enjoyable to read.

I am always seated for Tarah’s romances and can’t wait to read her next one!!

Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for the eARC in exchange for an honest review. This was my second book by Tarah DeWitt and I really enjoyed this one. I enjoyed LaRynn and Deacon’s chemistry and their growth together. LaRynn was a well written, flawed character. If you are a fan of second chance romances and marriages of convenience, then I would recommend checking this one out.

✩4

✦What to Expect✦
•Enemies to friends to lovers
•Marriage of convenience
•Forced proximity
•Second chance
•Renovations
•He calls her Larry
 
✦Characters✦
•LaRynn Lavigne
•Deacon Leeds
 
✦Fav Quotes✦
“I don’t mind your mess”

“I want you for me”

 “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”

✦Thoughts✦
My second Tarah book and I’m a fan!!

These characters were so relatable and lovable because of their flaws and how they grow from their past. Their story had me feeling all the things.

The slow burn of it all and build up to them reconnecting had me squealing!

Thank you Netgalley for giving me the opportunity to read and review this book. These opinions are completely my own.

I for the most part I found the story entertaining. I dislike flashbacks in most books, and this one was no exception. That being written, I managed to finish this book in a weekend while reading 3 other books so the romance and misunderstandings of Rynn and Deacon deserve 4 stars.

This heartwarming second-chance romance between Deacon and LaRynn is filled with great chemistry and emotional tension. Watching them navigate their past struggles and work through their issues to finally find their way back to each other is both satisfying and touching. Their journey of reconciliation makes for an engaging and sweet read.

This book was an absolute delight. LaRynn is a spunky, strong, heartfelt, sincere, and independent woman with a take-charge attitude. Deacon is a sarcastic, innovative, strong-willed, intelligent, loyal-to-a-fault man. This isn't just a second-chance romance story but also a beautiful story of grief, resiliency, forgiveness, healing, self-love, and the true meaning of home. Tarah DeWitt is the QUEEN of writing a love story that's not just between two characters but also includes those characters falling in love with themselves and learning to heal and grow with one another. These characters have given so much of themselves, and my heart was SO full watching them turn that compassion towards each other and themselves. I loved reading about LaRynn and Deacons' love story and watching them both heal their inner children, exercise emotional intelligence, and strengthen their self-identities. The depth of this book is so profound. Tarah broaches elements of emotional abuse and neglect, broken families, self-worth, loss, and grief with such tender poise. This book is a MUST READ!!!

I enjoyed this love story! It was a bit slow to start, but the last 20% was very good. I got bored with the flashbacks, but the current time parts were much better…and steamier. After all the squabbling and worrying about money I was relieved to read about how it all worked out in the end. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to read this book.

Thank you Netgalley and ST. Martin´s Griffin, New York, and thank you Tarah DeWitt for this ARC.
When I read this book last summer (the 2023 edition) it immediately became one of my favorite reads of 2023. First of all, it contains the tropes that I love the most:
-Reverse grumpy/sunshine.
-Second chance romance.
-Marriage of convenience.
-Forced proximity.
-Witty banter.
I fell in love with Deacon and LaRynn, flaws and all. And this time? This new edition? My queen Tarah DeWitt did it again! I enjoyed this story so much more tan the first time.
All the changes she made to the story have made this book even better.
In this version, Deacon and LaRynn have more depth and we can better understand them with all the glimpses of the past that are now included. I loved the complex relationship they have. Deacon is the most patient and caring guy despite of LaRynn´s complicated personality Also, I find their personal stories very real and challenging, that made me empathize for them.
This is the bok I cherish the most of the autor.
Five stars is too Little, I give it a constellation.

I absolutely LOVE Tarah's books and this one is no different.
The main characters are LaRynn and Deacon and they both come from family's where there parents weren't exactly the best examples for love and caring. They were brought together by their grandmothers who fell in love. Then, again, when they passed away--and left them to co-own their disasterous home. Struggling for funds to make the place liveable, they come up with a scheme to get LaRynn's inheritance and YUP they get married!
Both the characters in this book are flawed but man, I adored their growth throughout the book. Their trust for one another grew stronger with every page and it was GAH so cute. I love a good rom-com and this def did not leave me disappointed.
I highly recommend this if you enjoy any of these tropes:
-Marriage of convenience
-Second chance
-Forced Proximity

Tarah's books are always the best! LaRyann and Deacon's chemistry was so good especially with the forced proximity of fixing the house and having to get married so LaRyann could access her trust funds. I love the way the book explores the topic of grief for both of the main characters and the complex and messy feelings and reactions it can cause. I really enjoyed how in LaRyann's POVs she incorporates music to help almost set a soundtrack to the book. I loved watching both Deacon and LaRyann open up to each other about their experiences and learning how to communicate their often messy emotions to each other. I thought getting snippets of their summer fling in short flashbacks throughout the book helped me to better understand their reactions to each other as adults! As always, Tarah excellently balances the funny banter and romantic moments with her deeper more thought provoking lines and character inner monologues.

Tropes:
-marriage of convenience,
-forced proximity
-dual timelines
-black cat x golden retriever
-second chance (summer fling)
-dual pov
-slow burn

‘The Co-Op’ by Tarah DeWitt falls under one of my most favorite categories of romance books: just a couple of idiots in love. And I mean that in the most loving & respectful way ha. The core of this book centers on the many second chances of LaRynn & Deacon who are thrown back together by the (literal) will of their meddling grandmothers who passed & left them as co-owners of a house in Santa Cruz. For Deacon, SC is his hometown & he’s never left. For LaRynn, it was the one place growing up that felt like a true escape from her regular life. And one summer many years ago, they took a chance on each other…& promptly ruined it like dumb young adults do. So they get a second chance at friendship & maybe a second chance at love. And LaRynn is also seeking a second chance at life, defining it for herself & not by her horribly distant & narcissistic parents.

It’s truly difficult to summarize all the elements that I love about this book. Deacon & LaRynn are one of my favorite book couples ever - their chemistry & history are just SO good. I even see myself in LaRynn with her independence, hard shell, & bluntness she makes me feel like I too can be loved & accepted as I am. And their story is like a trope feast of teenage love, second chances, enemies to lovers, slow burn, forced proximity, & a marriage of convenience. (Though, I can’t image they’d describe it as convenient at the start.) And when you add in all the flashbacks to their first summer together, combined with the beautiful setting of Santa Cruz & a gaggle of side-characters who all love both Deacon & LaRynn & are forever meddling (some from beyond the grave)? And sprinkle it with healthy communication & emotional intelligence? You get a combination that is truly *chef’s kiss*.

Also, just noting that this version, releasing in November 2024, is a “renovated” version of the original book published in 2022. While I hadn’t read the original before, I decided to read the original & this new renovated version back-to-back because it felt like a unique opportunity. For me, the original was a 4-star read but this new version is easily a 5-star. The heart of the story remains - there are very few changes (more like some shifting around), & plenty of extra added into this new version. I absolutely loved it all & feel like it has only been enhanced & is a rare chance of getting more from a story that I already loved.

This is a perfect book to cozy up with, wrapped in a blanket on a fall or winter night with a big glass of wine (or the beverage of your choice). This might have been my first Tarah DeWitt book, but it certainly won’t be my last - there is something truly magical about her storytelling.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin & NetGalley for providing a digital advanced copy of this book for review. All thoughts & opinions expressed are my own.

4.5 - This was SO cute!! I love the way tarah writes such complex, heartfelt, real characters. The angst in this second-chances, friends to lover romance actually had my heart aching. I desperately wanted to read this one because I know how many friends LOVED the self published version of The Co-Op, and this did not let me down.

The Co-Op follows LaRynn and Deacon, who are forced to put their differences aside to renovate their grandmothers house to sell. LaRynn has money in her trust that she can use to properly re-do the house, but the condition on the trust requires her to be married to access the funds. So LaRynn and Deacon get married...which isn't the brightest move when they both have hurt feelings and scorn towards each other after a break up in their teens.

I really enjoy Tarah's writing because I always feel connected to both the female and male main characters. The Co-Op was not different. Both LaRynn and Deacon had the most wonderful personalities. This book deals with some serious topics, especially with grief, and family issues, both somehow Tarah had me laughing at multiple scenes. The thing that I loved the most was how sex positive this book was!! Tarah did such a great job at showing two young teens learning about sex and maturing together in a safe way and exploring their bodies and relationships with sex. As they got older, the tension and smut between LaRynn and Deacon was STEAMY. Another thing I loved was that this was a true SLOW BURN, which really kept my attention throughout the book. I honestly was constantly wondering what had happened that caused them to "hate" each other, and I liked how Tarah dragged that out and really gave us the opportunity to learn more about where each character came from.

Overall, this was a super cute and STEAMY romance that I really enjoyed! Thanks to St Martin's Press for the free early copy!!

I LOVED this dang story. Deacon and LaRynn had summer fling as teenagers, 10 years later they are forced together to fix and sell a home they inherited.

What a good combination of all my favorite tropes pushed together in this sweet little novel. This book was definitely a slowest burn! But the tension and banter between the two really helped build up the flame!

I freakin Deacon! Where’s the Deacon stan fan club??

My biggest complaint is the pacing of the story. I beginning felt like it dragged on a bit longer. I had to set it down and come back. Next thing you know, they’re married and months of home renovations have gone by in 2 pages.

Let’s just face it, Tarah could publish her shopping list and it would be in instant best seller. I highly recommend this book.

As if I needed more proof that Tarah DeWitt is one of the best romance writers out there! The Co-Op is an absolute 5-stars.

I really loved everything about this book, but some of the aspects loved the most:

A marriage of convenience that is also a second chance romance! The entire premise was so creative and original
*NO* break-ups!
Affectionate, fun, and intimate sex
Deacon, the golden retriever (he can't sit still and is all about making everyone happy)
LaRynn, the doberman (threaten anyone she loves and she will end you)
Sally
The grands (even from the other side)
The epilogue made me swoon

NO NOTES. *Chef's kiss.* I can't wait to buy a physical copy for my shelves of fame!

As per usual, Tarah DeWitt delivers nuanced characters, banter and the best romance. Tarah delivers on all my favorite tropes; marriage of convenience, second chance romance, fake dating, summer fling. Could Deacon and LaRynn both use some lessons on communication? absolutely. But that's some of the fun of reading these two stumble through a relationship and realize that they both have things to work on. Also, the marriage claus to get her inheritance? Diabolical. lmao.