The Co-op by Tara DeWitt
Contemporary romance.
LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds has one short and contentious summer fling when they were teens. Now, a decade later, they are co-owners of a dilapidated Santa Cruz home that needs to be totally rebuilt before they can sell it. LaRynn has a trust fund that can help fund the rebuilding project but needs to be married to access it. Deacon has the construction expertise. They agree to get married to reconstruct the building, sell it and split the profits and walk away. But no walks, only one bathroom, and constant construction noise and dirt on top of two people that already don’t like each other can be a stressful process. They have no other choices. They have to make it work. And the sliver of attraction they each feel will just have to be put aside.

I avoid arguments and conflicts at all costs. They are too stressful for me. This couple does nothing but argue and undermine each other. At least until they give in to the chemistry still sizzling in the background. I didn’t connect with LaRynn at all. She does and says some really nasty things. Some excusable, at least one unforgivable. My opinion.
The chemistry pulls them together and settles things down. The rebuild is completed and they have to confront their own feelings and future. Can their marriage work?

I’ve loved this author’s work in the past. I will look for new books in the future from her, but the arguments in this story were too mean for me.

I received a copy of this from NetGalley.

There are a few authors who can do little wrong in my eyes and Tarah DeWitt is near the top of the list. Just the same, I’m finding it nearly impossible to review this updated version of The Co-op.

Review for those who haven’t read the original: The updated edition is 4-stars, would recommend.

This is a second chance, forced proximity, marriage of convenience romance that largely hinges on miscommunication. Incorrect assumptions were made by both parties when they were younger, and there is a lot of lingering hurt and animosity at the beginning of the book. So if you don’t like miscommunication tropes and characters that starts out kind of prickly, steer clear. Personally, I loved the slow shift as LaRynn and Deacon moved from antagonizing one another to forming a deep, caring relationship built on mutual respect. There may be a fair amount of immaturity at the start of the story, but there is also a lot of heart as it builds.

For those who read the original version of the book:

Is the new version worth reading? Yes - while this is touted as having “expanded content and bonus scenes”, the new version is a significant reworking of the original. Timelines are changed, characters are merged, and a dual-timeline element is added.

What I liked: The new, dual-timeline element gives a much better picture of how Deacon felt when he was younger and makes him a much more sympathetic character. Elements of Elyse and June are merged, which I loved because I always found June to be a little flat. Some of Deacon and LaRynn’s more extreme antagonism has been toned down. LaRynn’s neurodivergence, and how it informs her motivations as a character, is explored more in-depth.

What didn’t work for me: I can understand, from an editorial standpoint, why most of the changes were made. Unfortunately, some of these changes cleaned things up a little too neatly, and the novel lost some of its (albeit angsty) heart. In the end, I guess I’m confused as to why Tarah Dewitt felt the need to significantly alter a finished work. I wonder if this is something she wanted to do for herself, or if her publisher asked her to make the changes.

All of that said, I look forward to comparing both versions in the future - what a fascinating insight into the writing and editorial process!

Thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press for providing an advanced copy of this book, in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

Unfortunately this book was just ok for me. This is my third of fourth book I’ve read by her and they’re just way too slow pace for me unfortunately, They take me such a long time to get through and I find myself so bored :( So bummed I had high hopes!

It was good, but definitely not Tarah’s best. Not a huge fan of the time jumps, felt like they didn’t add enough to the story. I also just didn’t really feel their chemistry as much as I had hoped. The ending felt rushed.

3.25/5 Stars ⭐️

Tarah DeWitt’s “The Co-Op” is a charming and heartwarming romance that features several beloved tropes like slow-burn, second-chance romance, and marriage of convenience. The dynamic between Deacon and LaRynn is engaging, and the story is sprinkled with moments of tension and humor that kept me invested.

One of the highlights was the use of flashbacks, which gave the reader a glimpse into their younger years. Seeing Deacon and LaRynn in their late teenage and early adult stages provided valuable context and depth to their relationship, making their second chance feel all the more satisfying.

However, I did feel that the book’s pacing was a little uneven. While I enjoyed the journey, the story took its time getting to the key developments, and by the time it reached the climax, the resolution felt a bit rushed. Despite this, the sweet and satisfying HEA left me smiling, and the overall read was a fun and cute experience.

If you’re a fan of slow-burn romances with a mix of emotional depth and playful banter, this one is definitely worth checking out!

A big thank you to NetGalley for this ARC!

If Tarah DeWitt writes it…I’m gonna read it. And love it. And read it again. Repeat.

This book was amazing the first time and the second time…magical. When Tarah told me it was upgraded I was not expecting it to be that much. I didn’t think it was possible to love a book I already loved more than I did and yet here we are.

This is the perfect book…marriage of convenience, second chance, forced proximity….good, good, good! Deacon and LaRynn were absolutely precious. Their banter absolutely killed me in the best way. This book was real and raw and just absolute perfection. I loved every second of it.

Infinite thanks for the early copy!

A heartfelt second-chance romance with smooth, engaging writing. LaRynn and Deacon, shaped by difficult childhoods, find acceptance in each other. Their communication is refreshingly open, avoiding common romance clichés. The home renovation they undertake mirrors their emotional journey, as they rebuild both the house and their relationship. Watching LaRynn blossom and Deacon find love again is truly rewarding. This story beautifully captures growth, love, and healing.

"I don't mind your mess"

*dreamy sighhh*
5 BEAUTIFUL, GLORIOUS, STARS

I have not been able to get Deacon and LaRynn out of my head since . I’m literally smiling as I type this , GAH where do I even start? . From the prologue , I knew that The Co-op was a book that I , for lack of a better word , f*cked with. Big BIG thanks to the publisher for the e-ARC! (please don't deny my request on netgalley when the audio comes out PLEASE)

I love DeWitt’s writing style and how she manages to be effortlessly funny yet still pack an emotional punch and fully flesh out her characters.

Deacon and LaRynn are hot-tempered , they clash and are oftentimes petty (in a fun way) but they also deeply understand each other . This book was a journey and the payoff of seeing them reconcile those wounded 19-20 year olds to the (slightly less) wounded adults in the present was exquisite…also they are so . SO. hot . I swear I’ve been having flashbacks 💀

I’m still processing this book which is why this review is shorter than usual . I’ll probably write a more thought out one later. The playlist (which is so good) has been on repeat and I’m contemplating listening to the original version because I miss them . I’m also really looking forward to reno version audiobook !

ILOVETHEMILOVETHEMILOVETHEM

This book! The Co-op is beautifully real and raw and funny and I love it so much. I can't recommend it enough!

LaRynn and Deacon fell for each other during a summer as teens, and now years later their grandmothers have left them with shared ownership of a Santa Cruz home that's falling apart at the seams. Their reunion gets off to a bumpy start, but the chemistry these two share is undeniable.

The tension between our MCs during their initial conversations is spot on for people with unfinished business. That unnerving feeling of "how can they still read me so well" was captured perfectly in their frustrated (and hilariously petty) communication.

This book had me laughing through the whole thing. And of course with all the humor came countless heartwarming moments. LaRynn and Deacon are both healing and growing individually, but also together.

And that epilogue?? The last sentence - tears!

What to know:
Santa Cruz setting
Second chance
Banter!
Marriage of convenience
Home renovation
Forced proximity
Family dysfunction
Our MMC has a hand tattoo

Endless thanks to Sr. Martin's Press for the eARC! I enjoyed every bit of it!

I loved this book so much!

It had so much heart to it. The writing was so easy to fall into and get connected to the characters. You feel for them throughout the years and are watching them grow, make mistakes, and take chances!

I really enjoyed the pacing of this book and I don’t always love duel timelines but this one felt well done. We don’t spend a lot of time in the past but just enough to understand where our characters are at which I really enjoyed!

This was my first Tarah DeWitt book and I’m so excited to pick up more!!

This book is for the second chance, marriage of connivence, and forced proximity romance lovers! I’ve read most of Tarah’s work, and this was by far my favorite of hers, and it was easily a 5 star read.

I related to LaRynn in so many ways and saw myself in her and the struggles she went through. I related deeper to her than I expected, and not only are we similar but I also want to be best friends with her! I felt empathy towards a lot of what she was going through; she was a STRONG woman and grew a lot.

Deacon was protective, sweet, and had a lot to work through like LaRynn, but was always so supportive and put her first. I just adore them both separately, and together, which made the book that much better.

Watching them go from not being able to stand each other to trusting each other more than anything in the world was so special.

No third act breakup, a swoon worthy epilogue, and steamy scenes!!! I loved this book so so much.

Tarah Dewitt is a romance game-changer; her books are spicy, relatable, and so fun! I’m excited for everyone to get to read this book.

Thank you so much to St Martins Press, Netgalley, and Tarah Dewitt for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed the plot and characters of the book. The flow of the book didn’t work well for me though. I felt like it jumped around a lot from scene to scene.

This book was a captivating read with engaging characters and a well-paced story. It’s a charming blend of romance and personal growth, making it a delightful escape.

I absolutely loved this book! Larynn and Deacon were so perfect together. I loved they already had a past with each other when entering the marriage of convenience. It added a whole new layer to them faking being a couple. There was so much additional drama! I loved getting to read their feelings towards each other slowly start to change. This one was sweet, spicy, cute and funny.

I love a marriage of convenience and a second chance romance. The beginning of the story hooked me, but I think I got lost in the execution.

A dual timeline in a second chance romance can add so much tension, and make the book a page turner, but honestly the conflicts both past and present did not warrant an entire book. At the end, I kept just thinking “that’s it?!” I feel like the past chapters also didn’t really add much to the book, or give us that different of a perspective into their relationship, and lives as teens.

Overall, I was underwhelmed with this one.

This was a really fun, sweet and compelling romance. I love a golden retriever MMC, and Deacon delivered. Their relationship trajectory felt believable, their challenges realistic given their history and current circumstances, and I appreciated that there weren't any "cheap" major miscommunications that romance novels often rely on.

My one critique, which is more of a personal preference, is that I found LaRynn's personality to be a little abrasive (bordering on mean), but it did lead to funny moments and banter between her and Deacon.

I would definitely read another book by this author. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley; this was my first e-ARC read!

When both their grandmothers pass away within months of each other, LaRynn and Deacon inherit their dilapidated beachfront apartment building. LaRynn and Deacon have history, a summer fling ended badly kinda history, but they now must try and work together to salvage that apartment building and fix it up before they can sell it to make a profit. One big snag? Deacon is barely getting by with his job alone and LaRynn cannot access her trust fund until she gets married. Simple solution, they get married to get the money to fix it up. As they both live and work on the money pit, they confront their past decisions and feelings and attempt to find a balance of not trying not to kill each other and also trying not to fall back in love.

The tension in this book! They hated each other but the chemistry was leaping off the page. Her almost cruel lack of care for anyone but herself and his faux charm and sharp comebacks both paired with their bad tempers let you believe that these two were never going to come to an understanding. LaRynn seemed to be an ice queen but she had her reasons and Deacon was a charming jerk sometimes but it's because he had preconceived notions of her and she didn't let him in.

I enjoyed each of their inner dialogue working out how to respond in certain situations and how the other person might be feeling. Gave some depth to each character and really made you understand their struggles and wanting to change for the better. When “tensions” are finally released is when the real fun in this book happens. They have a mutual understanding and are able to get the bulk of the reno done in a book montage that is worthy or a movie scene set to upbeat music. It's only then we see the real personalities of both characters come out. The understanding man and the misunderstood women.

I also loved the “before” flashbacks that showed their young relationship and how things you perceive at 19 years old can be seen through a completely different lens even just 5 years in the future.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for sharing this book’s digital advanced review copy with me in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book through a digital ARC from NetGalley
Author: Tarah Dewitt
Genre: Romance, historical fiction, mystery
Troupe: Forced Proximity, Enemies to Lovers, Marriage of Convenience

Home renovations can strain even the strongest marriages, but what if the marriage was only for convenience and you cannot stand each other?

Crackling with tension, The Co-op is a slow-burn, second-chance romance about two people renovating a house and their broken relationship after a teenage summer fling went sour over misunderstandings seven years previously. LaRynn and Deacon’s chemistry shines as they grow from hurt to true partners who have each other’s backs. DeWitt flips the 'grumpy/sunshine' trope, making LaRynn the prickly one, shaped by parental neglect and her father’s emotional abuse, plus grief. Deacon is the steady force, also nursing his own grief over his father's infidelities and death which, along with his and LaRynn's soured fling, shaped his views on relationships. Though the added flashbacks felt unnecessary, this updated version from the original 2022 is still a beautiful, swoony read.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the ARC.

Every single time I read a Tarah DeWitt book, I am blown away. Literally nobody is doing it like her. The humor! The emotion! The heavier topics! The banter! The character development! The romance! The way she makes me cry and feel SEEN!!!

The Co-Op has everything you could want in a cozy romance - picturesque setting, lovable side characters, flashbacks, iconic banter, healthy communication between the main characters, quick witted humor, and so much heart all while balancing topics of grief and the angst that comes with a second chance romance.

Deacon and Larynn are one of my favorite Tarah DeWitt couples (behind Sage and Fisher!) I stand 10 toes down behind my girl, Larry!!!!!! She is everything to me and is ME!!!!! I love how Deacon loves her the way she is. Also I just love Deacon.

I read the original of this book back in March of last year after reading Rootbound and Funny Feelings and I just want to live inside all of her books. 1000% percent my favorite author.

✨Read if you love
- second chance
- beach setting
- black cat fmcs
- marriage of convenience
- my wife
- forced proximity
- home renovations
- bickering and banter
- he has a hand tattoo
- dancing in the kitchen
- a spicy mirror scene
- good boy
- no third act breakup
- iconic playlists
- dual pov and multiple timelines

What I loved most about LaRynn and Deacon was their complicated, messy and difficult relationship. I enjoyed watching their relationship unfold backwards as they fell in love, to fall out and then find each other again. This book showed the reality of life, its messiness with families, with grief and finding the person who loves you despite it all. In the Acknowledgements Dewitt said she wanted to know what it would look like to make two people fall in love while undergoing a house project and wrecking out their previous history. It was chaos, angst, and ugliness but it was also beautiful, tender and sweet. It was perfect!