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maddybenes's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
kelseyychelsea's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars!!! I love Tarah’s writing it just truly works with my brain. Mean ass LaRynn wasn’t even that mean lolol maybe that says more about me
brewedupbooks's review against another edition
3.0
The Co-Op is a second chance romance, forced proximity, marriage of convenience, and frenemies to lovers novel. First, this book was extremely well written. I loved the grandmas so much. Dewitt knows how to build up background and character backstory. LaRynn showed me that I need a female main character that is a little bit softer and empathetic straight off the bat. Deacon being head over heels for LaRynn physically was endearing, but because LaRynn was so harsh at first it seemed to leave little room for emotional attraction which in turn made it a little difficult to fall for their relationship. LaRynn’s deeply tragic childhood of being isolated from anything outside of pride for her accomplishments truly allows for the reader to remain sympathetic to her struggles in life and in love. Deacon always being there to hold space and push back when necessary allows for the love and trust to blossom once again, 10 years later.
If you’re looking for a romance that is digs into deeper into the familial wounds that hurt us and how to learn to love and be loved in return, this one is for you!
Thank you to Tarah Dewitt & St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All views are mine.
If you’re looking for a romance that is digs into deeper into the familial wounds that hurt us and how to learn to love and be loved in return, this one is for you!
Thank you to Tarah Dewitt & St. Martin’s Press/St. Martin’s Griffin for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review. All views are mine.
madisonwilson's review against another edition
4.0
"Be my wife. Stay my wife."
Tarrah DeWitt, you dog! Loved this one. I am a sucker for a second chance romance, and this one did not disappoint. The tension between Deacon and LaRynn from the jump was insane. I couldn't wait for them to figure it out. I was super annoyed with Deacon at the beginning, but he grew on me as he gave into LaRynn.
This one made me SO excited for DeWitt's upcoming novel "Left of Forever." She seems to nail the second chance romance.
Tarrah DeWitt, you dog! Loved this one. I am a sucker for a second chance romance, and this one did not disappoint. The tension between Deacon and LaRynn from the jump was insane. I couldn't wait for them to figure it out. I was super annoyed with Deacon at the beginning, but he grew on me as he gave into LaRynn.
This one made me SO excited for DeWitt's upcoming novel "Left of Forever." She seems to nail the second chance romance.
lawfullygoodbooks's review against another edition
3.0
I am a huge Tarah DeWitt fan but this one just didn’t land as well with me as her others have. I liked the story and I thought the tropes, marriage of convenience and second chance, were well used. I liked the relationship between the main characters and it was interesting to see the way their relationship now was compared with their relationship in the past. The dual POVs and the differing timelines helped keep the story moving, though there were definitely pacing issues throughout the story. It felt like we lost the HGTV of it all for a bit, only really coming back around to the home reno part of it at the end, which was then rushed. Also not every chapter had a header telling you when it was so it was sometimes jarring to go back and forth in time but not realize that you had. This is also a me specific complaint - I absolutely hated the names of 90% of the characters in the book to the point of distraction. That being said, I’ll still read anything Tarah DeWitt writes because I love her!
bookishwith_dani's review
5.0
this is how you write a second chance romance. These are usually very hit or miss with me but I was struggling to put this down and kept telling myself “one more chapter” and then one more chapter turned into me staying up until 2 am.
I fell in love with both LaRynn and Deacon as their own character but also watching them try to work through the past that they had together is what made me love this book. They really tried to face the issues that happened when they were teenagers to have a better friendship that turned into lovers. There were so many cute and funny moments in this book that had me smiling while reading. Plus the tension and banter between these two that later turned into spice was just perfect.
I can’t wait to read all of books wrote by Tarah. I know that they will be an instant buy author for me from now on.
You’ll like this if you like:
Marriage of convenience
Dual POV
Second chance romance
Enemies to lovers (kind of friends at some points I guess you could say)
Forced proximity
I fell in love with both LaRynn and Deacon as their own character but also watching them try to work through the past that they had together is what made me love this book. They really tried to face the issues that happened when they were teenagers to have a better friendship that turned into lovers. There were so many cute and funny moments in this book that had me smiling while reading. Plus the tension and banter between these two that later turned into spice was just perfect.
I can’t wait to read all of books wrote by Tarah. I know that they will be an instant buy author for me from now on.
You’ll like this if you like:
Marriage of convenience
Dual POV
Second chance romance
Enemies to lovers (kind of friends at some points I guess you could say)
Forced proximity
kimberlyyyreads's review against another edition
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.5
This was super cute, Deacon and LaRynn's story is one worth checking out but I do have to note that it didn't really stand out to me given the plot or romance.
I enjoyed these characters and their relationship building but this isn't a book that I would categorize as a favorite. I don't know if it was just a me thing but I didn't feel like we got enough chemistry shown in order for me to fully be on the shipping boat with them.
I enjoyed getting to know LaRynn as a character, I came from an abusive household like her and had the one parent I categorized as safe leave me behind.
I loved how LaRynn learned to forgive her mom because I know that was big for her character, I would have loved for this book to have given us more of how LaRynn was impacted by her father. It was very briefly touched upon but in my head, it would've made sense if we'd gotten a scene in which she confided in Deacon and shared about her abuse from her father.
Fuck her dad though fr.
I truly do enjoy the way that Tarah writes second chance romances! Given that many enjoyed this book I think it's worth giving a chance despite my thoughts.
I enjoyed these characters and their relationship building but this isn't a book that I would categorize as a favorite. I don't know if it was just a me thing but I didn't feel like we got enough chemistry shown in order for me to fully be on the shipping boat with them.
I enjoyed getting to know LaRynn as a character, I came from an abusive household like her and had the one parent I categorized as safe leave me behind.
I loved how LaRynn learned to forgive her mom because I know that was big for her character, I would have loved for this book to have given us more of how LaRynn was impacted by her father. It was very briefly touched upon but in my head, it would've made sense if we'd gotten a scene in which she confided in Deacon and shared about her abuse from her father.
Fuck her dad though fr.
I truly do enjoy the way that Tarah writes second chance romances! Given that many enjoyed this book I think it's worth giving a chance despite my thoughts.
authorleighs's review against another edition
5.0
I already adored this book in its previous iteration. It's a soul book for me. This renovated version? Tarah DeWitt somehow made an already perfect book even more perfect. Everything that I loved about the previous version is there in full force: all of the iconic lines, music references, emotional beats, etc. The theme of music chronicling Deacon and LaRynn's relationship is even more present here, and I loved every bit. We get even more depth to these two. We see them during the summer they first get together and how their relationship developed then. We learn more of their backstories and why they are the way they are and react to each other the way they do.
Very rarely does a book resonate on a soul deep level for me the way this one does. I relate to LaRynn so much, from her insecurities and hang ups, to her French speaking, to the way she thinks and talks so beautifully about how healing and calming being connected to her grandmother and the beach is at this home she and Deacon are renovating right along side their relationship. Deacon is somehow even more endearing in this version, I loved getting more of his younger self so freaking much. This is a must read, especially if you love gorgeous and angsty second chances.
Very rarely does a book resonate on a soul deep level for me the way this one does. I relate to LaRynn so much, from her insecurities and hang ups, to her French speaking, to the way she thinks and talks so beautifully about how healing and calming being connected to her grandmother and the beach is at this home she and Deacon are renovating right along side their relationship. Deacon is somehow even more endearing in this version, I loved getting more of his younger self so freaking much. This is a must read, especially if you love gorgeous and angsty second chances.
rschwendau's review against another edition
3.0
2.5 rounded up.
I had a hard time throughout the book rooting for the couple. LaRynn seemed like a brat a majority of the time and Deacon was just...there. I didn't understand why they had to be together for a majority of it when there was already the forced proximity in renovating the house. It all just fell flat for me.
Redeeming quality was the ending, especially with Sal and the cafe. The epilogue was cute and made me a bit teary with the death but it was a good wrap up to their story.
I had a hard time throughout the book rooting for the couple. LaRynn seemed like a brat a majority of the time and Deacon was just...there. I didn't understand why they had to be together for a majority of it when there was already the forced proximity in renovating the house. It all just fell flat for me.
Redeeming quality was the ending, especially with Sal and the cafe. The epilogue was cute and made me a bit teary with the death but it was a good wrap up to their story.