Tarah Dewitt

This is a classic contemporary romance, balancing moments of stress with heartwarming sweetness, and mixing steam with adorable charm. It started slow for me, and LaRynn, the main character, wasn’t initially likable. She felt too messy, impulsive, and over-the-top in a way that didn’t seem real. As the story progressed, she grew on me. The alternating perspectives between her and the male lead helped me appreciate her more, especially as a character who doesn’t fit the mold of someone who has it all together except for the perfect man. Instead, she’s got baggage, and the story takes the time to unpack it, making their relationship feel more believable. I loved that it wasn’t a whirlwind romance. They don’t fall in love in a weekend, it’s a gradual build of trust. Overall, it’s a relaxing read, with just the right amount of drama.

Thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Griffin for early access to the paperback version.… (more)

My sincere thanks to St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read The CO-OP by Tarah DeWitt. I give my unbiased opinion of it in the following review.

LaRynn and Deacon have inherited a home in Santa Cruz from their grandmothers. They need to work together to renovate it in order to sell. They also need to navigate some serious feelings stemming from a pretty serious relationship that they had seven years earlier where they broke each other's heart. In order to have the funds to do the renovation, they enter into a marriage of convenience to access LaRynn's trust fund. Circumstances also require that they live together in the home while they work on it. Their chemistry is intense, and they don't always handle it well. They know how to jab each other in their vulnerable places. They agree to be friends, but can either one of them be satisfied with that?

I really liked this book. There are a lot of feelings to unpack and watching the characters come to terms with them little by little was so interesting to read. It is definitely not smooth sailing. We are given both LaRynn and Deacon's points of view from the past when they first became involved and the present. It is easy to see their connection and wonder how the author is going to bring them together in the end. I appreciated the slow burn. They had far too much to deal with and having them succumb to their attraction too early would not have been realistic to me. I loved how everything played out.

This is my second Tarah Dewitt book this year. While I enjoyed Savor It just a little more, I am excited to keep up with what Tarah comes up with next.… (more)