Sad to say this was not for me.

I still think this story has a lot of potential, but the execution currently is not there for me. The Co-op is about LaRynn and Deacon, two people whose Grandmothers marry late in life when they are 19 and 20. The story starts 7 years in the future, where both Grandmothers pass away, leaving their coastal home in California to the two of them. However, as nice as it sounds, that home is falling apart. Despite her current hatred for Deacon, LaRynn finally comes to help Deacon renovate it entirely so they can sell it or rent it. The story flashes back and forth to what happened 7 years ago to make LaRynn and Deacon hate each other so much.

It has a lot of the notes that hit right now: second chance romance, forced proximity, one bedroom, former childhood lovers, renovation romance. However, there can be too much of a good thing if it’s not done properly.

A lot of this book felt like forced storytelling without the execution. Most of the story took place in one setting that was under described and difficult to actually try to imagine what was happening. All I could picture was sand, a volleyball net and a park bench. There was also shockingly very little dialogue. And when there was…. Kind of gave me the ick. Too many monologues and very little chemistry. Most of it, though, was thinking, which was infuriating because you just wanted them to actually grow up and talk to each other.

Separately, there were several other characters introduced who could have contributed greatly to the story. But they were practically non existent. There was no character development or interest. I particularly felt there should have been more development with LaRynn and her mom.

Overall I get the idea of the story, and hope some of these changes make the Final Cut of the book.

Thank you NetGalley for a chance to read the ARC!

I actually thought this book was really cute! I am a huge fan of the enemies to lovers troupe, along with the second chance troupe. The story was character forward and was well paced. I was super entertained!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. ☝🏻 forced proximity ✌🏻second chance romance. Deacon was 🤌🏻 I felt that Larynne really grew throughout the book. Also, I totally felt like me and Sal would be best friends.

*Thank you NetGalley for a copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.*

Can a book change you on a cellular level? Because this is it for me. When I first read the original Co-Op when first came out, it melted my heart. Being lucky enough to read it again with NEW scenes, it melted me entirely to my core. While I’ve been loving and harping on Savor It so much, I forgot how much I loved The Co-Op. LaRynn’s understanding of how in the past her stifling her emotions and her wants got her absolutely no where was PERFECT. Her growth was executed so well. Deacon, Deacon, Deacon, man of my dreams. Under his banter and quippy attitude, his emotions and insecurities made him so real. I love how they slowly got back to where they could be fully transparently themselves in love. As backwards as it was in the way they came back together, I think it made it so much sweeter. There was a point where Deacon is pouring out his soul and I just bawled. I’m not sure what Tarah puts in her books but she knows how to rock my soul totally. I am usually really hesitant in second chance stories because a lot can go wrong, but this is absolutely so right. It’s beautiful, sad, and just - can you give a book a million stars?

I like Tarah Dewitt but I think this is my least favorite of hers. It just happens to have the tropes I can't stand and I had a hard time relating or even liking the heroine of the story very much. I had a hard time understanding what the hero saw in her. She does grow up a good bit and you do see a bit of a growth arc there though so kudos for that.

I don't love second chance romances especially when they have to do a miscommunication of sorts.

I will say, though, I did adore the epilogue of this book. Still really like Tarah's work though despite this.

2.5/5 ⭐

I received this book for free for an honest review from netgalley. Thank you for the opportunity.

Never read a book about this sort of trope but I love the idea that and the force proximity.

This book was phenomenal, simple as that. Second chance, slow burn, living in the same house all tropes that I love. Also MARRIAGE OF CONVINENCE! Seriously this story was amazing. I loved LaRynn and Deacon, their slow burn back to each other was so wonderful to read about. I loved how Deacon just gets LaRynn and didn't need her to be anyone but herself. Omg, the Grands, I wished we could have seen more of them however the little bit that we did get was just so cute. Also I love stories that involve house renovations. It just always adds a certain chaos to the story that I enjoy reading. Overall this book was wonderful, I love the stories Tarah DeWitt writes and I can't wait to read everything she puts out.

Loved this! I read the original version a while ago, and liked it but there was just something missing. I had a hard time seeing the love from Deacon’s side in the past or the present. The revised version fixed everything I initially had issues with. I devoured it from start to finish! I can’t wait for the new audio to come out with it 😍

“I don’t think there’s a version of you I couldn’t love.” - one character to another or me to this book? Might be (*is) both.

There are a lot of jokes in the book community about immediately forgetting everything about a book as soon as you finish it. I’m often guilty of that, but I’m here to say it can be a blessing. I got to experience this book all over again, *almost* feeling like it was the first time but also with the feeling of “oh, yes, I know you. I understand you. I love you even more because I know and understand you.” I know this is the ‘renovated’ version and there were differences, but thanks to my brain, I can’t say exactly where they were. I can just say that I loved THIS version even more. Be it because of changes/edits/rewrites/etc or because I’d already connected to it previously, either way one thing is clear — Tarah Dewitt knows how to write a book.

This book made me FEEL so many feelings. The pain of loss, misunderstanding, disappointment, feeling inadequate, grief. The joy and warmth of finding your place, friendship, growth, acceptance, mutual vulnerability, and love among the mess.

There are always mixed feelings on dual timelines but I felt it was so necessary here. Deacon and LaRynn faced so many challenges in both their past and present that when they finally got it right, it felt all that much more rewarding to have been along for the ride. Nothing about finding their happily ever after was easy or tidy, but it was hard fought and earned.

I can’t wait to add this version and its gorgeous cover to my collection. Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

🔎 ARC Review

The Co-op


@authortarahdewitt
@stmartinspress
@netgalley

Publication Date: November 12th, 2024

My Rating:
🌟 4/5

👀Read if you like
Marriage of Convenience
Dual POV
Second Chance Romance

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

LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds had one short and contentious summer fling when they were teens.
Certainly nothing to build a foundation on.
But a decade later, when their grandmothers have left them with shared ownership of their dilapidated Santa Cruz building, they're thrust back together and have to figure out how to brace up the pieces.
LaRynn has the money, but to access her trust, she has to be married.
Deacon has the construction expertise, but lacks the funds.
A deal is struck: Marry for however long it takes to fix up the property, collect a profit, and cut ties.
Thrust into a home without walls, they quickly learn that it's easy to hide behind emotional ones, even in a marriage. But, with all the exposure and pitfalls that come with living with the opposite sex (and none of the perks) they'll also have to learn what it means to truly co-operate as a team.

The Co-op is a steamy story about restoration and renovation, and uncovering all the things that build character within ourselves. It's about the never-ending construction project that partnership is, and finding enjoyment at every stage.

🔎 My review
This was such a fun read! The beginning was a little slow, but once it picked up, it was on point! The MCs LaRynn and Deacon have so many flaws that make them relatable and lovable. I just wish we could have seen a little more of their romantic relationship. The epilouge was everything I could have asked for! Definitely recommend.

Thank you @netgalley @authortarahdewitt @stmartinspress for the ARC!

#books #bookreviews #bookstagrammer #bookworm #bookstagram #bookobsessed #romance #romancebooks #tarahdewitt #stmartinspress #spicyromance #NetGalley #TheCoOp

Want to start this off by saying thank you to SMP for the arc!

The Co-Op is a second-chance romance and marriage of convenience. What more could you ask for? I loved the premise and thought the idea of working on a home renovation together was unique. Unfortunately, I just had a harder time getting attached to these characters and their love story. They were adults but acted more like teenagers, which is always a pet peeve of mine. They were constantly arguing, and as much as I love a good enemies to lovers with a lot of tension, this was just a little too much for me. I did enjoy that they were both real, flawed humans, though. It's refreshing to read characters that have depth and trauma (although sometimes it was a lot).

Deacon and LaRynn had a secret summer fling as teenagers that ended badly and left both with broken hearts. Ten years later they are reunited when they inherit a (falling apart) house from their grandmothers.

Deacon and LaRynn reluctantly agree to work together to fix up and sell the house before they go their separate ways. Desperate to get started and low on funds they enter into a marriage of convenience in order to gain access to LaRynn’s trust and fund the renovations.

Forced to live and work together, Deacon and LaRynn must confront past hurt feelings, their still very real attraction, and a crumbling house. A lot of push and pull and frustrating decisions later, they agree to be just ‘friends.’ Once they’re no longer trying to get a rise out of each other, they are free to have honest conversations and open up themselves to the possibility of more than friendship.

The Co-op was a delightful second chance romance. I loved Deacon and LaRynn’s story; their banter, their charm, and their happy ending.

This was a quick and easy read, and enjoyable! The characters are young, so of course the book is rife with miscommunication, but it was exactly as I expected it to be (not a knock at all). I always enjoy reading a marriage of convenience so this was right up my alley. Would read more by this author for sure.

This book is very tropey, and that's not always a bad thing, and maybe isn't necessarily bad here. It has tropes I tend to love, like second chance romance and enemies to lovers. However, the miscommunication was very prevalent in this story. In some ways, it's understandable when you're navigating trauma, but it still felt way too heavy handed.
That being said, it is still an enjoyable read that I think will appeal to many romance readers.
My favorite part of this story is the lesbian grandmas! Can we get their romance novel?

I really enjoy Tarah Dewitt’s writing. This was a very cute and fun second chance romance.
Overall, it was an enjoyable read. I highly recommend checking it out!
Thank You Netgalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of this book. I didn’t love it right off the bat… they’re both so angry and petty but as you start to understand what happened in the past, I started rooting for them. The slow burn almost killed me in a good way. It’s beachy and heartwarming and would recommend.

I love everything Tarah has ever come out with. She’s got such a way of writing that you see parts of yourself in every character. I listened to this original book and was SO excited to see an updated version it’s so so so good. I just want you all to read it.

This is my second read from Tarah DeWitt and she's very quickly becoming a fave of mine! I absolutely loved this book. The push and pull, banter, and HEAT between LaRynn and Deacon was everything, and I adored being along for the ride as they navigated their relationship and past. The setting was perfect and I loved getting to see the messy relationship mishaps happen alongside a messy renovation. I adored everything about this book and can't wait for more.

I first read The Co-Op two years ago after its initial release - I was unable to put this book down and devoured it in one sitting. Since then, Deacon and LaRynn have lived in my brain and I think of them (and all of Tarah’s stories) often. Tarah’s books have become comfort reads and I love revisiting these stories and I swear they get better with every reread.

I didn’t think it was possible to love this story more, but gosh, I adored every moment of this renovated edition and all of the updates fit so perfectly. Adding the ‘before’ timeline was brilliant and I loved getting to witness the early stages of Deacon and LaRynn’s relationship and get to see their love evolve. As with every reread, my heart ached for Deacon and LaRynn as shared their hearts and vulnerabilities with each other - not holding back in sharing their desires and past pain - and then put in the work to build a home where they belonged and a future where their hearts were safe and cherished.

I am absolutely ecstatic that The Co-Op is being rereleased and more readers will fall in love with Deacon and LaRynn and get swept away by Tarah’s writing.

I really enjoyed this book! This was my first by the author and it definitely will not be my last.

This was the perfect length, had no third act breakup, and had some of my favorite tropes! It had second chance love, forced proximity and marriage of convenience. The misunderstandings of their past were not resolved quickly but they did make sense in the timeline.

The renovation on the house was a great tool for conflict and “team building” haha. I also appreciated how funny this was. The characters had great banter and chemistry and I laughed out loud a few times. There was even a FRIENDS reference that cracked me up.

I wish we had seen a bit more of the side characters; but I liked that the conflict the mom was solved. However, we didn’t see any resolution with her dad.

Overall, loved this and had a great time!