| Title | : | The Co-op |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 364 |
| Publication | : | First published October 20, 2022 |
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.
The Co-op Reviews
-
Oh I loved this book SO HARD! ❤️🔥
Marriage of convenience with forced proximity tossed in and a summer fling when they were 18 until things went to shit and they don’t reconnect until 8 years later, so a little bit of second chance romance — which happens to just be some of my favorite tropes 😅
I truly enjoyed this from start to finish and when I’m reading, i’m always thinking of my rating—depending on how the beginning feels along with the tone and pacing of the book, but without a doubt, 5 stars was stuck in my head the whole time
I was touched by so many parts of larynn and deacon, both apart and together as a couple. They start off not being able to stand each other and have to build this trust between them and along the way, things just start to click and they really clicked for me.
Do yourself a favor and read this when it comes out on October 25th 💕
the ending… the epilogue… *swoons* i just felt so content and happy at the end of it all. The best part is there is no third act breakup (yesss!!) <333
*thank you sm to Tarah for giving me an e-arc!! I‘ve wanted this book the moment it was announced. nevertheless, this review is completely my own 💕* -
imagine beach read meets you deserve each other and that’s the co-op!!!
this was such a fun read, i got through it so quickly. the characters have so much depth but it’s done in such a lighthearted way. the beginning was a little slow but once it picked up.. it really picked up!
tarah dewitt can do no wrong <3
“be my wife. stay my wife.” -
5✨
"I love you and I know I don't always…I've been trying to show you. I thought it was more important to show you, first, and I promise I'm going to keep doing that. But I also wanted to say it first." I feel raw when the words hang between us. Raw, and a little sick.
"I know you do," she says simply, smiling shyly. "You've been showing me. With your patience and your trying. Your partnership." She catches her breath and inches up to my face, kissing me sweetly. "And I love you. I plan to keep showing you, too."
This book made my heart so happy. The Co-Op is a book about a marriage of convenience, second chance (ish) between two people who have poor examples of love and family learning to love and become family. After a summer of firsts when they’re 18 leaves both LaRynn and Deacon in shambles, they don’t see each other again. Until both their grandmothers pass away… and they both co-own their old place. When the opportunity of an inheritance comes up, the decide to get married to access it and use the money to renovate and eventually sell.
Both these characters are flawed but so lovable. If you want a laugh-out-loud rom com with emotional depth, pick this up immediately. (Or Funny Feelings, because it was just as good.) Reading about the two of them not only falling in love but conquering their own insecurities was perfection.
Read this if you like
💍 marriage of convenience
💍 hate to love
💍 second chance -
first of all,
if beach read and you deserve each other had a love child it would be THIS book✨
second of all,He looks back up at me and shakes his head angrily. “Because it fucking hurts. It makes me feel like I’m in pain, like I’m being choked by my own goddamn fury. Please, LaRynn. Fuck my pride, I want you to stop because I want you for me, and even if I can’t have that I just...I'm flat out begging you...”
“Show me,” I say shakily, heart swelling. “Show me where it hurts.”
His head snaps up to mine and I step to him, to between his parted knees. He studies me for one more echoing beat before he exhales, lets his forehead fall against my lower stomach with a groan. Something like relief drops his shoulders. “Show me,” I repeat, my fingers knitting in his curls.”
LIKE-
THAT SCENE YALL. IT HAS ME BY THE FUCKING THROATS.
since i didn't love-love funny feelings i went into this one without any expectations or so but i was so pleasantly surprised, to say the least😩
brief summary of the book:
when both larynn and deacon's grandmas pass away, they are left with their now ruined house that they decide to inherit and co-own and the only way to gain access of it is to get married so they could sell it out after getting it all renovated. but the catch is, they had a summer fling and had each other's firsts a decade ago that left them heartbroken. and now they can't really stand each other.
it had:
➻fall vibes
➻small town vibes
➻enemies to friends to lovers
➻marriage of convenience
➻second chance romance
the giddiness i felt while reading it I TELL YOU and the little petty acts larynn was pulling out on deacon when he pissed her off?? iconic methinks bc miss ma’am really went on scrubbing the toilet using his toothbrush😭😭its giving old married couple for sure.
the characters were so flawed and felt so realistic and loveable. i loved how it focused so much on how they grew up to experiencing their family’s poor examples of love and bond and the way they internally struggled because of it so much. it was so well explored and i’ve always gravitated towards this kind of topics so you bet that really touched me deelpy. AND THE WRITING???!! it was so beautiful and felt so intimate.
now moving on to their romance, bitch PEAK ROMANCE IS WHEN they can’t stand each other to having small miscommunications with each other here and there to trusting each other enough to open up to each other and understanding one another to doing little things for each other to falling in love. URGH. although the only complaint i have is i wanted to see more of the romantic development to their relationship. but it was nonetheless a pretty feel good read."I love you and I know I don't always…I've been trying to show you. I thought it was more important to show you, first, and I promise I'm going to keep doing that. But I also wanted to say it first." I feel raw when the words hang between us. Raw, and a little sick.
"I know you do," she says simply, smiling shyly. "You've been showing me. With your patience and your trying. Your partnership." She catches her breath and inches up to my face, kissing me sweetly. "And I love you. I plan to keep showing you, too." -
Aww I needed this book today 🥰 No drama, no third act break up, just a perfect steamy romance for a rainy weekend!
Deacon and LaRynn spent a summer together eight years ago but never really sorted out things between them and haven’t seen each other since. Now they end up in a marriage of convenience to get money from her trust fund and renovate the house their grandmothers left them.
What is it with marriage of convenience stories that they always work for me? Maybe it’s because I’ve always found being married more romantic than getting married?
There are a lot of things these two had to work through. Like trying to be civil despite old wounds and grudges, but also learning to live with another person. On a construction site at that! I loved how they were gradually warming up to each other and carefully allowing themselves to open up. The slow burn was so well done!
There was one plot twist that surprised me a little. At some point they were almost getting down to business in some storage closet, but then they got caught and later on very maturely decided to ‘be friends’. Where is all the lust gone? You were both ready to jump each other’s bones and now you don’t pick up as soon as you are able to??? Huh
But this is actually a minor thing. It’s just me being a nitpicking bitch, don’t mind me, I loved this book 😍
I upped my rating from four to five stars because I checked what else I had rated four stars and decided that this one deserves five after all.
Thanks Monica and marwah for making me read it! 💗 -
[ 4 stars ]
“I’ll see you at home,” she says. Home. Home. Home. Three months together in a ripped up building and nothing’s ever felt more like it. “I’ll see you at home.”
my meltdown is overnot really. okay hi. um. I love this book
I wish I could write a proper review but my brain is literally mush rn and it's also scientifically proven I can't write reviews for books Idie forlove 😀
I have no words. Tarah's writing style is sensational, her writing just makes me go: HFGJHGHJFEWVFVGF. I could feel the words as I read. does that make sense?
in conclusion: the Emily Henry itch was scratched. (credit to whoever said this first love the idea <3) also the similarities to beach read ohmygod I CANT.
As I said the writing is phenomenal. every single description, conversation, physical touch, TENSION and tiny details:“Hey love,” I say, before I lean over the counter and kiss her cheek. Soft, smells like coffee and burnt sugar. Maybe something coconut today, too. “Just go with it. It’ll make him stop bugging you,” I whisper, full of hope. I clock the goosebumps on her arms, and slide my hand along her wrist, note the way her frown whisks into a stiff smile. She chuckles breathily, the tiny sound like lightning in my veins. “He looks like he’s seen a ghost,” she says. “I love it when you scare people.”
something about this kind of writing makes me go insane. It feels so intimate and real, laRynn and deacon were also very flawed and realistic and so fucking loveable all their issues were relatable on a whole new level and I love that. down to earth characters own my entire heart and are exactly what I look for when asking for a perfect romance book. talking about romance larrydeacons love story couldn't be any more perfect <3
➣ short recap: when both larynn and deacon's grandmas pass away, they are left with their now ruined house that they decide to inherit and co-own and the only way to gain access is to get married so they could sell it out after getting it all renovated. The problem is that they previously had a summer fling and experienced each other's firsts, which left them both heartbroken, and never thought they'd see each other again. So they obviously can't stand each other.
➣ their relationship is just so fucking perfect. THEY ARE SO FUCKING PERFECT. everything. their development, their banter, their tiny gestures, the tension, the hurt/comfort scenes-
I FUCKING DIED.
“Let me be your friend?” I ask, gently. “Let me get to know you again, and you me? I think we’re both self-aware enough to know we’re worthy of that for one another. Can you try to trust me? At least enough to believe that I want to make this house project work for us both. Let me show you I want to be your friend, too.” Her teeth saw into her lip. “You still want that? With me?” “I basically made you marry me, Larry. I’d really like for something good to come of this. I’d like to be your friend even . . . after. I think our grandmothers would’ve liked that, too.”
I'm going to cry all over again shut up.His eyes shut in relief. “Thank you.” And he wraps me in a hug so abruptly my chin glides against the crook of his neck, the tip of my nose behind it.
“You broke my heart,” she says. And it’s worse that it comes out as a whisper. I’d rather her scream it at me. “I know,” I croak. “And I mean it. I’m sorry. I’m so, so sorry, but you . . . ” She looks up at me through angry red eyes and I pause. “LaRynn, you bled mine out in pieces that summer, too. You didn’t want anyone to know about me, about us. You were the one who insisted there were no feelings, that it was just about sex. That was never my idea. You made me think you were ashamed of me.”
nvm i am crying.
but this had me dead. like rolling in my grave dead.“Because it fucking hurts. It makes me feel like I’m in pain, like I’m being choked by my own goddamn fury. Please, LaRynn. Fuck my pride, I want you to stop because I want you for me, and even if I can’t have that I just—need to be able to make it through the rest of this without wanting to put my head through the floor, alright?! I’m flat out begging you, just, please don’t—not in front of me anymore..."
"Jesus, I’m so sorry, I can’t believe I’m acting like this. I know I should just be happy to be your friend, and I am, okay? I get that we weren’t good to each other before and I took this off the table, but I can’t do it anymore, I’m sorry I don’t think I can stand it, I—”
“Show me,” I say shakily, heart swelling. “Show me where it hurts.” His head snaps up to mine and I step to him, to between his parted knees.”
sick.
I SIMPLY HAVE NO FUCKING WORDS. NO WORDS. PEOPLE DIEDIM PEOPLE
➣ the love confession had me full on sobbing. and this as well:“And you won’t hate me again someday?” He frowns as he looks at my lips, my nose, my eyes. “Hate you? LaRynn I never hated you. I don’t think I could have.
....
“I hate that I did that to you when we were younger. I hate that we wasted any time not loving one another. Hate that you thought I was anything less than gone for you. Because I’m so fucking gone for you, LaRynn. I’m so stupidly in love with you.”
“And I’m so stupidly in love with you, too.” I cradle his face in my hands and kiss him. “I’m so gone for you that sometimes I want to tear this place apart just so we can do this all over again.” We laugh inside another kiss, our teeth bumping. “And even though I know you’d be devastating in a suit, I don’t care about a wedding. I’d rather have a kitchen floor.” “I can do that,”
no comment. just know I cried a lot. and even more while reading about Larynns "problems"the number of times I said 'she just like me fr' is unrealand the epilogue.😀
yeah. this is basically me screaming and crying over a bunch of quotes and calling it a "review". if you find me rereading this in a few weeks just know I missed my babies and I will be probably rereading beach read as well I don't know if I mentioned this is got MAJOR januarygus vibes from larrydeacon 😭💗
Emily Henry and Tarah Dewitt collab when????
I got really carried away damn- but is me showing how much I love this book honestly. ok bye <3
no one asked but the song I listened to on repeat while writing this is
would've could've should've don't ask me why it just heavily reminded me larrydeacon idk what it is -
Time of death: 33%
I like the author’s writing style and the hero, but I can't stand the heroine and can't see what Deacon (H) sees in her. I understand she’s not as bad inside as she seems when she opens her mouth but I have to endure enough spoiled brats in real life to not appreciate reading about them in my free time. I like reading about heroines I can relate to, sympathize with or look up to, not a girl who show she cares by buying several 100$ pillows (each, in case you are wondering) when she was supposed to be saving money for the renovation they were doing. When the hero was angry? I would have been furious.
Anyway, the reason why I’m doing this review is to talk about the fact that this is a marriage of convenience book when there was zero necessity to be. The whole point of marriage of convenience is to create force proximity. LaRynn and Deacon were already going to live together while renovating the house their grandmothers left them-the MCs are not related by blood, in case you are wondering. I don’t mind as much doing the old ‘i need to marry to access the fund my [insert relative] left me’ if you need the marriage of convenience for something, but just to tick a box? Have we reached the point where authors just insert tropes to have one more thing to be recommended? I’m starting to understand why lately more and more romances taste the same: some authors are trying to maximize the number of popular tropes they can insert in their story, it doesn’t matter anymore if they fit or not. -
4.5 stars
This book is everything I could’ve wanted and more. I love it so much, I love the development of the relationship, I love how you can tell when they started to really trust each other, I love the push and pull. I love the slow burn! I just really enjoyed this book, I’m definitely going to be read some of my favorite chapters. My heart swells thinking about it, I love Deacon and Larynn so much they are everything -
✧˚ ༘ ⋆｡˚ this marriage of convenience romance is ready to make you fall madly in loveee!
tarah dewitt NEVER and i mean NEVER disappoints. as u know, funny feelings is one of my favorite books, so i was very excited to read tarah's newest book, the co-op, which is a marriage of convenience romance between people who hate each other because once upon a time they loved one another.
it is also a second-chance romance because of this and oh my god THERE IS SO MUCH TENSION BETWEEN THEM??? they have so many regrets but also a lot of miscommunication at the beginning, because of what happened one night years ago when they were 18 years old. but these two have great chemistry and it's obvious they can be perfect together, so it's only a matter of time before they speak it all out and fall madly in love u know.
and tarah does it wonderfully. the way the small moments give so much impact into their love journey. doing little deeds, helping out, smiling when they're not looking, holding their hand, washing their hair, you know... this is romance. CHEF KISS! larynn and deacon reminded me a bit of naomi and nicholas from you deserve each other. two people living under the same roof who have a very rocky relationship and tried to co-exist together inside four walls. they bicker around A LOT and they even do small pranks to each other lmao they're so funny and petty i love them so much. deacon and larynn are meant to be and that is jut facts!!!
PS. THERE IS A SLOW-DANCING IN THE KITCHEN WHILE NO ONE IS THERE SCENE JUST SAYING. -
I loved this book with all of my heart. Marriage of convenience plus forced proximity with the second chance romance trope??? Immaculate.
From the very beginning I knew I was going to fall head over heels for this story and characters. Not only did I love Larynn and Deacon together but I adored getting to know them as individuals too. The love between these two made me have butterflies and I was so giddy with all of their interactions.
This book was SO good and when I reached the end I was very upset because I wanted more of this amazing couple. One thing about Tarah is she is an amazing story teller and her writing just feels so comforting that you never want the story to end. If you haven’t read this book I HIGHLY recommend dropping everything and making this a priority. Also the cover is so freaking cute!
“Be my wife. Stay my wife. Forever, LaRynn. I don’t care where we end up or what we do as long as I have you.” 💛 -
“he looks back up at me and shakes his head angrily. “because it fucking hurts. it makes me feel like i’m in pain, like i’m being choked by my own goddamn fury. please, larynn. fuck my pride, i want you to stop because i want you for me, and even if i can’t have that i just—”
“show me,” i say shakily, heart swelling. “show me where it hurts.”
his head snaps up to mine and i step to him, to between his parted knees.
he studies me for one more echoing beat before he exhales, lets his forehead fall against my lower stomach with a groan. something like relief drops his shoulders. “show me,” i repeat, my fingers knitting in his curls.”
they are midnight rain by taylor swift <3 -
Loved it! The beginning is a masterclass on petty and was so funny, but also the development of the characters and them working out their self-awareness and relationship was excellent. The epilogue gave me everything ❤️
-
Empty head. Full heart. I’d kill for Deacon. Tarah’s best work yet.
-
Does anyone else have this weird thing happen where you’ll start reading a book at night and you’ll be loving it, but then once you put it down to go to sleep, in the morning you just have no interest? Idk why, but last night I thought this was gonna be a 4-star read for me but then when I picked it back up this morning, I just started skimming.
I’ll just say that I liked it but didn’t love it. Also, I feel like it definitely dragged after the MCs got together, from about 60% right up to the end. -
dnf @ 52%
-
ˏˋ°•* ➸ ★★★★¾ ⋆. ࿔*: ･
~ spice rating: 2/5 !
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈┈“i’ll see you at home," she says. home. home. home. three months together in a ripped-up building and nothing's ever felt more like it.”
╰┈➤ i love this book with my whole heart! the marriage of convenience, forced proximity, enemies to friends to lovers, AND second chance romance trope!? yes please.”be my wife. stay my wife. forever, larynn. i don’t care where we end up or what we do as long as i have you.”
from the very beginning i knew i was going to fall in love with this story and it’s characters. the relationship development between larynn and deacon warmed my heart. i adored their communication once they started to opened up and trust each other. and of course you can’t forget about the banter and flirting between them, it had me laughing out loud numerous times throughout the book.“what if i told you i was scared i’d get lost in myself again? that i'm scared of changing, too. what would you say?” my brows pinch together. "i'd find you," i tell him, firmly. "and i don't think there's a version of you i couldn't love."
this was everything i could have wanted in a romance novel and more, i absolutely loved it. -
you know how sometimes you see a baby or a puppy that’s so cute and squishy that you just want to squeeze it?? that’s how i feel about tarah’s books.
i wish i had a more eloquent explanation for the butterflies and giddiness and the just chest achingly sweet satisfaction i feel rn upon finishing this book, but unfortunately it’s 6 am and i haven’t slept bc i’ve been up all night finishing said book. she writes books that make you want to take the risk of falling in love in real life too, and that’s pretty fcking special. i am SICK over this book in the best possible way.
if you are reading this and wondering “logan, what the actual fck are you on rn?” i’m going to assume it’s bc you haven’t read this book (or funny feelings) bc if you’ve had the pleasure of experiencing tarah’s writing, then everything i’ve just said will make perfect sense (probably. idk. i haven’t slept). nobody will have you laughing harder and punching your pillow screaming ‘that should be me’ more than tarah. god dammit i love this book -
Summary: When their short, teenage summer fling ends badly, LaRynn Lavigne and Deacon Leeds cut off all communication. That is until their married grandma’s pass away, leaving their dilapidated home to both LaRynn and Deacon. The only problem is, they have no money to put into it.
Soon a plan is agreed upon - they will get married in order to access LaRynn’s trust, to then use those funds on the house. Living together while they rebuild the property, they are forced to confront their feelings about what happened between them in the past and what is happening in the present.
Thoughts: Tarah DeWitt has done it again! There is just something about her writing, the mix of small town charm, with these lovable flawed characters, that creates the most endearing rom-com. Add in second chance love, which has easily become my favorite romance trope, along with slight enemies to lovers vibes and you have the story of Deacon and LaRynn in all its fiesty glory.
The added backdrop of the home renovation project they were forced to work on together and the differing ways they approached it, made for some hysterical scenes. I am pretty sure LaRynn and I share the same love for candles and baskets. I absolutely loved the parallel between the rebuilding of their relationship against the rebuilding of their mutually inherited home.
Read if you like:
• second chance love
• forced proximity
• home renovation projects
• marriage of convenience
• open door romance
4.5★ rounded up for Goodreads.
On a side note - Tarah is one of the sweetest people you will ever meet. Not only does she engage with her readers on a day to day basis, she goes out of her way to check on them. She deserves all the success I know she will have with this book and am so excited to see all of the amazing opportunities sure to come her way.
Thank you Tarah DeWitt for the ARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.
Available now! -
2✨
Honestly, I am glad to be done with this book. I almost DNF’d so many times, but if I DNF I won’t review and I wanted to review.
LaRynn was one of the most unlikable female mcs I have read this year. Considering I have read 400 books, that means she is basically unbearable. She is extremely entitled and self centered. She grew up rich and felt entitled to remain that way even though her parents cut her off. So what does she do? Goes and stomps all over the male mcs house and life. He stayed there close to their grandmother’s - he deserved the house entirely. She failed to even be there for her grandma after the grandma’s wife died bc she was “too busy at law school”. Yet she shows up there to take it all over? Give me a break. He should’ve never had any interest in her she was a terribly written character.
In addition to this the it is supposed to be a marriage of convenience book. But there was no point for the marriage. They already lived together while she tried to take over his house. The point of marriage of convenience is to force them into living like a married couple. Nothing changed for them besides a piece of paper lol so this does not qualify for that trope.
The plot actually would’ve been good if it weren’t ruined by the characters. 2 high school sweet hearts turned enemies inherit a house and fix it up together, sounds cute right? Too bad lanky larynn ruined it. -
This is literally “this should be a movie” type of book. They are so cute, their banter is just top notch and it’s just wholesome. This two are somehow perfect for each other, some kind of soulmate thing. And I just love that types of couples! 🥺🧡
-
♾️⭐️
I’m pretty sure Tarah has ruined me for all future novels. I’ve been sitting on this review for a while, even read my ARC copy twice, because I don’t know if I could find the right words to give this beautiful story the justice it deserves.
A heartfelt (and witty) story of two people learning to love each other, sharp edges and all, while forgiving themselves (and each other) for their past along the way. DeWitt’s voice is so unique, distinct, and unlike any other in the contemporary romance space. The metaphors and descriptors she uses are so unique they have the ability to plop me right into the center of the story. I can see exactly what she’s describing, and I feel each and every emotion she conveys along the way. I found myself highlighting full pages throughout the book
I related to LaRynn in a soul deep way and I’m not sure I’ve ever related to another character like this before. Not only were these characters intensely relatable, but my goodness was this the swooniest book. I’m pretty sure I ended up highlighting entire pages because DeWitt’s words were just that good. You could tell the care she took with each and every aspect of this story. Not to mention the subtle nods to Funny Feelings throughout were just right.
Not only is DeWitt’s voice unique, but so is each and every story she puts into the world. Each one providing trope combinations I never knew I needed. I devoured Rootbound in 24 hours and it became an instant favorite, then I read Funny Feelings and didn’t think anything could top that experience, but both have since been blown out of the water by The Co-Op.
TCO is a story about finding someone that loves you, sharp edges and all, without the need to sand you down to make you more palatable. Loving you anyway and that love in turn makes you want to try to be a better version of yourself, for them and for yourself. Meeting each other in the trying and not expecting perfection.
I could never put into words to explain how truly heartfelt this story is - my only sentiment is that everyone needs to read it. I already want to erase the story from my memory so I can immediately turn back to page one and experience it for the first time again. This one is going to stay with me for a lifetime and I truly cannot wait to see what DeWitt comes up with next.
Thank you Tarah for an early copy in exchange for this honest review. Beyond lucky to call you a friend and beyond proud of you putting this beautiful story about two people learning to try out into the world.
And if this rambling hasn’t convinced you to read The Co-Op yet, read if you like:
💍 marriage of convenience
❤️🔥 enemies to friends to lovers
🔨 diy/home reno
💥 forced proximity
❤️🩹 second chance
🏐 beach volleyball
💗 cotton candy
🔥 exquisite tension
🌊 beach towns
🐶 wiener dogs
🎵 perfect playlists
🙅🏽♀️ no third act breakup
2️⃣ dual pov
*edited to add that it has been months since I started beta reading and a full week since I finished my arc copy (for the second time) and I still find myself thinking of this story 🫠🫠🫠 just go pick it up already!!
*edited to add after the third time through that man this book has drugs or something in it. It’s better every time. The little details, the small moments, the back and forth. It all works. LaRynn and Deacon went through some STUFF and they earned every bit of the happy ending they got. I love them with my entire being and will fight anyone who comes for them. Deacon and LaRynn are the end all be all. Period. -
the most absolutely perfect grumpy heroine, marriage of convenience, second chance book ever😭🤍. i am seriously in love with this book. it had me crying of laughter, swooning, and feeling all of the emotions. LaRynn was so freaking grumpy and i just loved her so much for it. an iconic queen, you deserve all the happiness & support. and Deacon, the most sweet man. i love these two much, i can’t believe i have to say bye to them.
-
This was a cute and fun reading experience. Unfortunately, writing this review few weeks after reading it (my mistake) I'm finding it hard to remember specifics of what I enjoyed and didn't enjoy so I don't think this is an overly memorable or "outside of the box" romantic novel.
-
•*⁀➷ the co-op ! ༉‧₊˚
— by tarah dewitt
— 4.75 stars out of 5 ☆
— MINOR spoilers so
beware while reading !!“but someone loves me at home. someone who loves my sharp edges as much as all my softer ones too, and even the ones i haven’t quite got figured out yet. and i’m no longer afraid.”
man, this was the perfect palate cleanser. after reading a thousand boy kisses and still not fully recovering from the emotional toll that book took on me– the co-op was exactly what i needed to fix a potential book hangover (and reduce the amount of times i stare at the wall thinking about the damage poppyrune did to my heart.)
although there are a couple of ‘heavier’ topics brought up in this book like toxic relationships, emotional abuse, harmful parental relationships, and grief– this book delivered on being a happy, well-written marriage of convenience and second chance romance. (i would check the trigger warnings in the beginning of the book though, just in case !!)
to be completely honest, i adored this book. it takes a talented writer to truly elicit emotions while i’m reading something– laughter, sadness, anger, etc. and tarah dewitt wrote exceedingly well. i was laughing, giggling, sighing, cheering, and everything in between. this book reminded me of you deserve each other (but significantly better in the beginning and without the lack of communication, and adulting.)
the relationship between larynn and deacon was so special to me. even while they were ‘enemies’ or ‘rivals’ they had me continuously laughing and sensing the obvious tension.
i absolutely loved the way they both kept actively trying to talk to one another, they obviously knew that miscommunication was only going to make things worse between the two of them. i also absolutely loved how they were able to notice when it was not the right time to talk to one another (i.e. they’re still trying to gather their thoughts and understand them, they’re trying to understand the other person, or they need some time to think, etc.) their willingness to not pursue anything romantic or even sexual before they had talked to one another was perfect. they recognized the moment they could potentially make a mistake they’d regret or that would ruin their relationship. their vulnerability with each other was astonishing– i cherish and adore the way deacon and larynn were gradually able to open themselves back up to one another, good and bad things combined, after truly apologising and talking with each other. it was so shockingly clear they cared for each other so deeply and so richly that i ate it right up.
both deacon leeds and larynn lavigne have my whole entire heart. i fucking loved their characters, even in the beginning when they got on my nerves individually. there’s so many complex and unique qualities about them displayed through the pages and it made me fall in love completely.“i scramble to say more. ‘i love you and i know i don’t always…’ i falted through an inhale, frustrated with how difficult it is to find the right words, my mind blanking with emotion. ‘i’ve been trying to show you. i thought it was more important to show you, first, and i promise i’m going to keep doing that. but i also wanted to say it first.’”
“‘i know you do,’ she says simply, smiling shyly. ‘you’ve been showing me. with your patience and your trying. your partnership.’ she catches her breath and inches up to my face, kissing me sweetly. ‘and i love you. i plan to keep showing you, too.’”
larynn was remarkable. in the beginning, her brattiness, spoiled exterior, and constant nagging were rather annoying but as the story progressed you could see it was only how she acted in ‘self-defence.’ you could see that persona was to protect herself from getting hurt because she believed deacon would hurt her again– she was preparing to safe herself from spiralling. her backstory also explains a hefty amount about larynn and after learning her story, it only makes her more inspiring. larynn found herself what her mother and father never could– despite the fact that her examples of love were never the best, she still found somebody who completed her entirely. i adore larynn’s ability to love herself and advocate for herself and even from the beginning she displayed that quality. said quality only blossomed after reintroducing herself to deacon and finding herself again. larynn is bright, intelligent, driven, and confident. those qualities were shining even from the very beginning but as the story progress you can only see them develop and mature– it’s downright beautiful. deacon and larynn both individually grew within this book, however i believe larynn had grown the most and her journey was by far my favourite.“having deacon on my side has made me feel invincible, which has made me feel brave enough to be vulnerable, too. to other relationships in my life, and to betting on myself.”
deacon was lovely. i honestly adored him. his attitude in the beginning was aggravating– he was closed-off, hot-headed, short-tempered, and undoubtedly rude. however, much like larynn, he was only using this to defend himself again getting hurt again. the thing about deacon is that he truly never got over larynn and he fully knows he messed up with her. the fact that he has genuine remorse about that and knows how to come to terms with it is riveting. deacon’s story, again much like larynn’s, truly makes you understand his character (having never had a true male role model to show him what love is supposed to be like, always being the second place sibling, fixing up problems he honestly didn’t need to, etc.) and makes it even more beautiful when he finally finds that happiness within larynn. his sheer and utter dedication to larynn was absolutely adorable. deacon is a determined, helpful, loyal, light-hearted man and i feel he works perfectly with his wife’s clean-cut, professional, driven, and loving personality.“he frowns as he look at my lips, my nose, my eyes. ‘hate you? larynn i never hated you. i don’t think i could have. you want to know what i hate?’ he wipes more of my tears. ‘i hate that i married you on some nothing wednesday, in a short sleeved shirt and jeans. you deserve a saturday, rynn. you deserve the friday night that leads into the entire saturday and the whole sunday in bed after.’ he sighs. ‘i hate that i’ve never danced with you on a proper dance floor.’ at that i smile. ‘i wish i could say i hated that you wore black to our wedding but the truth is, you ripped the air out of my lungs in that dress, too.’ i breathe a laugh at his face and he sobers. ‘i hate that i did that to you when we were younger. i hate that we wasted any time not loving one another. hate that you thought i was anything less than gone for you. because i’m so fucking gone for you larynn. i’m so stupidly in love with you.’”
their relationship was by far one of my favourites i’ve read about this year so far. i give props to tarah dewitt for portraying such a strong, sensitive, and healthy adult relationship in her books. deacon and larynn didn’t have me pulling my hair out in frustration or cursing under my breath due to a useless third-act breakup. these characters had mounds of depths and so much so that i would read an entire series about deac and rynn.
everything about the romantic relationship between deacon and larynn has my heart. the way deacon was still in love with larynn deep-down after their falling out, the way he never really truly hated her, the way larynn was willing to be authentic around deacon, the endless sexual tension, how kind and caring they both were, THE PROPOSAL ON LARYNN’S BIRTHDAY WHEN THEY WERE DRESSED UP AS MORTICIA AND GOMEZ ADDAMS, the love confession on both behalfs, the “THAT’S MY WIFE” “THAT’S MY HUSBAND” scenes, the good vibrations scene if you catch my drift… everything, absolutely everything. they were so ‘afterglow’ coded it had my entire heart– i truly adored this couple and i cannot stress it enough.“it occurs to me that larynn and i keep wading through the ugly. between revealing all these less-desirable parts of ourselves, and constantly falling back to the uglier versions with one another in that torn-apart house, we still keep going. me with my phony charm and bad temper and her with her worse temper and cruel-toned apathy. i wonder if there’s some comfort to be had in being able to show those sides to someone and have them still stick around the way that we are, even if it’s out of obligation.”
the way this book had me laughing and cackling at god knows when in the evening is absurd (but in a good way.) miss tarah dewitt really knows how to write funny characters– deacon and sal were genuinely the stars of the show when it came to adding levity to darker and deeper situations.
aunt sally was my favourite character by far. she was absolutely hilarious– her comments about deacon and larynn’s relationship made the book even better than it already was. she was witty, she was quick, she was snappy. “eat glass” is definitely something i will be deadpanning if anybody even slightly upsets me (or at any minor inconvenience, thank you.) the best part of aunt sal though, was she deeply cared about both larynn and deacon. she was the perfect addition to the story and i don’t think it would have been the same without her. i want an aunt sally for myself, we’d be best friends and i’d take her to bingo every night she wanted instead of being lugged around by deacon.
and speaking of deacon, the knack for humour must be genetic because there is no way in hell that man should have been as funny as he was. deacon was hilariously charming– his boyish humour while still being able to remain serious is the perfect balance. deacon’s dirty humour had me laughing significantly more than i’d like to admit. but honestly, his ability to whip out a funny joke in the moment it’s needed most is downright admirable. between sal and deacon, the humour added the perfect charm.
another thing about this book that truly added the perfect charm was the seamless integration of music– there was a reason for the vinyls on the cover and a reason for the vinyls on the hardcover. larynn and deacon’s relationship and moments in larynn’s life were encapsulated by specific songs. much like most people do, she associates specific songs with specific times in her life, specific people, specific feelings, etc. the way music was mentioned here and there to signify a specific time in each of the characters’ lives was really sweet given how much music means to me and many, many other people. the crooning of elvis presley, the vivacious energy of harry belafonte’s jump in the line, and the perfect karaoke qualities of redbone’s come and get your love were endearing additions to weave through the story. a book with a playlist written into it automatically has my heart. i don’t make the rules, i just abide by them.“and this is how we spend it. we blast our music— all the songs we’ve added to our life’s soundtrack so far— and we dance in our home. in our kitchen and in our beautiful kids’ rooms, on our patio and our balcony. down the halls that are lined with photographs and memories, in our bedroom, and in all the places where we’ll keep making more.”
this book felt so real– it felt raw and genuine, while still having a story that swept up your heart and did not give it back. these characters felt human– they had their flaws, made their mistakes, had some downfalls, but they ultimately were willing to fix themselves to better their relationships (family, friends, partners, etc.) deacon and larynn were originally insufferable during the beginning of this novel and in the beginning this book was slow as i’ll get out, but as it progresses and the growth really begins to happen– it gets rolling.
this is as close to a five stars as you can possible get. the only reason i didn’t rate it a full five stars was because the characters still technically got on my nerves during the beginning and it took a bit to kickstart the plot. other than that, i truly enjoyed this book. it was absolutely wonderful. i definitely hope i’ll remember this book months or even years after reading it, i hope to remember these characters for a good amount of time after. and since it was a library book i will be definitely getting a personal copy to display on my bookshelf. this was my first impression of tarah dewitt books and i am without a doubt absolutely thrilled to pick up her other books, too.“i don’t know if we’ll always get what we wish for. i know that life is going to come with its battles. i know that love will, too. but i’m starting to think that’s the whole point— finding the person or people who’ll fight and dream with you.”
-
Here’s to my first 5 star read of 2023. LaRynn and Deacons story is one of the most amazing love stories I have read in a while. Their gentle love, had me swooning and borderline crying, because I will never find a love like this.
Thank you Tarah Dewitt for my new book boyfriend. I think I’ll keep this one for a while <3 -
I feel like a big old ball of mush because this BOOK WAS AMAZING 😭😭😭❤️❤️
I am so in love with Tarah’s books I can’t even choose a favorite. But this one really hit me in the heart. I love a good second chance romance AND A “my wife” moment oh my god. Deacon & LaRynn are so perfect for each other they just don’t know it until they are forced to revisit the past and forced to come together to renovate a building that their grandmas left each other. I am so happy this was dual POV because Deacons POV made me extremely giddy. And I loved him.
We get some amazing characters. Feel all the emotions. Anddddd no THIRD ACT BREAK UP!!!!!!! It’s like I’m hitting the jackpot with this one!
A fantastic audio that I highly recommend for you audio girlies (and boyies)
Spice: 🌶️
Tropes:
Marriage of convenience
Forced proximity
Second chance
Opposites attract -
5 stars. thats all i have to say. 5. stars.
-
Soundtracks. Summers. Second Chances.
There’s nothing like a book set in a place you’re familiar with. I literally visualized the sounds and smell of a perfect day at Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk reading this. Cotton candy, fried foods, rides, a variation of mixed voices waiting in line, and floating serotonin everywhere.
LaRynn and Deacon are a clear juxtaposing pair – angry spoiled rich girl meets charming new boy on the boardwalk. Finding every reason to hate one another, they end up discovering physical comfort and an unexplainable companionship as teens.. blurring all the lines of how they want to feel versus how they truly do.
9 years later, Rynn and Deacon are bound by a marriage of convenience and living in the same home they must redo together in order to meet the same end goal — sell and get on with their separate lives. But with spending every waking moment with each other, those memories of every touch down to heartbreak spill out piece by piece.
Now this. This is how you write a second chance romance. The plot line progresses productively with the couple seeking growth & closure, being vulnerable, and validating each other’s experiences & past/present emotions without placing all the blame onto one person.
Personally relating to their past, I felt comfort in the maturity of their conversations, mutual respect, and the way they build up to wearing their hearts on their sleeves when realizing what they always wanted. Each other.
The definition of a perfectly imperfect connection and when who you want, flaws & all, is always worth fighting for. -
“I kiss the worried crease between her brows. “Thank you for telling me that, but you don’t need to worry about me, love. You do what you gotta do, tell her whatever you need to. And I’ll be here for you when you get home.” At that, she starts crying in earnest.”
Brb. 🥹🤧 okay, but in all seriousness. Read ALL of Tarah’s books. Kthanksloveyoubye.
✨ THINGS AND STUFF ✨
-dual pov
-second chance romance
-childhood crush
-forced proximity
-marriage of convenience
-construction
-reverse grumpy sunshine
-family dynamics
-old records
-team building
-slow dancing
-cactus garden
-#IsThisAKissingBook: open door. “And then she leans over and kisses my shoulder through my shirt, in such a soft and familiar way that something splinters inside me at it.”
Thank you Tarah for an advanced copy! The Co-op is on shelves now!
🎶 Song: Come And Get Your Love by Redbone 🎶 -
“I hate that I did that to you when we were younger. I hate that we wasted any time not loving one another. Hate that you thought I was anything less than gone for you. Because I’m so fucking gone for you, LaRynn. I’m so stupidly in love with you.”
Loooved being in Deacon and LaRynn’s home renovation world! They felt like real people, with real issues. This was a second chance romance, from true enemies to lovers, with an arranged marriage. Like how fun is that?! Tarah really knows how to tell a story and develop characters. And I think this is her best work yet! I just love a second chance romance. Deacon was so playful and I saw a lot of myself in LaRynn, she’s the anti-hero. They gave each other a chance and I’m so glad I did too. Their emotional growth? 👌🏾
And yes I’m NOT sorry but I read this with Taylor Swift’s Midnights release and the songs I’d select for these two are definitely: Anti-Hero and Sweet Nothings. I loved the Santa Cruz setting, where forest meets the sea. My ABSOLUTE favorite.
“We had to fall back in love while tackling a renovation and some demons.”
