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A review by katemc7
The Co-op by Tarah DeWitt
emotional
funny
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I absolutely LOVED this book! Tarah is becoming a go to author for me as both this and Savor It were five star reads for me. There is just something about the way she develops her characters. They are all going through intense situations which is life. But Tarah has such a beautiful way of following that grief and helping these characters recognize that they are in fact grieving and how to help them heal largely by opening up and letting people in. These two characters were no different. Deacon is going on my book boyfriend list because OMG. The way that this man thinks about Larry AKA LaRynn. The way that he recognizes how amazing she is. The way that he isn't afraid of her strength but instead likes to poke at her. It was fascinating to watch these two fall back in love and HARD. Larry was a such an intense character. She was so strong and fiercely protective of the people she let in but she didn't let anybody in. She has only known love as the broken relationship that was her parents. So reading about her and Deacon when they were 18 and 20 was so relatable- trying to be too cool and act like she didn't care when it reality she cared too much. The way that Tarah had these two characters evolve together through a home renovation was EVERYTHING! I mean I don't know about you guys but I know that a home reno is stressful as all get out and yet somehow it brought these two together.
LaRynn is finally acknowledging that she needs to do the right thing. She has been ignoring his calls. Him being Deacon the man who broke her back in the day. The man who she hasn't spoken to really since then. But the one who keeps calling about the house that is now theirs. Yes that's right- since their grandmas were married they both deeded the house to them. And it apparently is falling apart. She hasn't seen the man in forever but she knows she can handle it until she really really can't. I mean how can he look better now than he did. And then when they realize how much money things will be- they do the unthinkable. They get married because that's how LaRynn gains access to her trust. And so here she finds herself married to the man that broke her heart all those years ago. How does he seem so ingratiated into this small town where everyone seems to know him. And here is LaRynn the woman who didn't even come back when her grandma died. The one who has been running because she knows that acknowledging those feelings will just break her. But OMG this house that is now hers and Deacon's is a trainwreck. I mean there aren't even doors. There are notes reminding her of when she can and can't use things at the same time. And during all of this there is this energy between them. She can't help but love the way he refers to her as his wife. She can't help but think that maybe she misinterpreted what happened between them all those years ago. But she is leaving after all of this- right? But then they come clean about how they felt and what actually happened and it's like this weight has been lifted. They are going to be friends and work through this. They are going to get it all done. But who are they kidding there is no way this energy between them is just friends. And when they finally figure it out- it's explosive and unstoppable.
Deacon can't believe he has had to resolve to threatening to sure LaRynn in order to get her attention. What happened to them? How did they go from being what they were to where they are now which is not exactly enemies but almost like they just never were. And yet Deacon can't seem to shake her. So when she finally shows up and they come up with the idea of marriage to gain access to her trust he says yes. Partly because of the money but also because part of him likes this idea of them working out. But now they have to live together in this hellhole all while faking a relationship. They get into a rhythm and it's like the chemistry they used to have has been amplified. The way she looks at him makes him feel things. The way he has to work for a smile makes him feel accomplished. But there is this underlying current of what transpired. How they broke each other. When they finally get it out in the open it is a relief. They are going to be friends. Deacon is terrified to give her his heart again even though he knows she already has it. But who was he kidding- he can't let her go. He can't let her be with someone else. Not when she is already his. They may have had a rocky start but now he knows that she is his endgame. He just has to get her caught up.
This was just such a wonderful read! I felt the angst tenfold. Their banter was amazing. The mutual pining but being terrified of letting the other in. I was on the edge of my seat wondering when they were finally going to give in while also wondering what had happened between them. Reading about both of their heartbreaks and how they both seen love play out helped me understand where they were at mentally. The chemistry between these two was off the charts! I HATED waiting until like 75% before things really happened but don't you worry Tarah gave us some breadcrumbs. I can't recommend this one enough!!
I want to thank NetGalley and Tarah for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
LaRynn is finally acknowledging that she needs to do the right thing. She has been ignoring his calls. Him being Deacon the man who broke her back in the day. The man who she hasn't spoken to really since then. But the one who keeps calling about the house that is now theirs. Yes that's right- since their grandmas were married they both deeded the house to them. And it apparently is falling apart. She hasn't seen the man in forever but she knows she can handle it until she really really can't. I mean how can he look better now than he did. And then when they realize how much money things will be- they do the unthinkable. They get married because that's how LaRynn gains access to her trust. And so here she finds herself married to the man that broke her heart all those years ago. How does he seem so ingratiated into this small town where everyone seems to know him. And here is LaRynn the woman who didn't even come back when her grandma died. The one who has been running because she knows that acknowledging those feelings will just break her. But OMG this house that is now hers and Deacon's is a trainwreck. I mean there aren't even doors. There are notes reminding her of when she can and can't use things at the same time. And during all of this there is this energy between them. She can't help but love the way he refers to her as his wife. She can't help but think that maybe she misinterpreted what happened between them all those years ago. But she is leaving after all of this- right? But then they come clean about how they felt and what actually happened and it's like this weight has been lifted. They are going to be friends and work through this. They are going to get it all done. But who are they kidding there is no way this energy between them is just friends. And when they finally figure it out- it's explosive and unstoppable.
Deacon can't believe he has had to resolve to threatening to sure LaRynn in order to get her attention. What happened to them? How did they go from being what they were to where they are now which is not exactly enemies but almost like they just never were. And yet Deacon can't seem to shake her. So when she finally shows up and they come up with the idea of marriage to gain access to her trust he says yes. Partly because of the money but also because part of him likes this idea of them working out. But now they have to live together in this hellhole all while faking a relationship. They get into a rhythm and it's like the chemistry they used to have has been amplified. The way she looks at him makes him feel things. The way he has to work for a smile makes him feel accomplished. But there is this underlying current of what transpired. How they broke each other. When they finally get it out in the open it is a relief. They are going to be friends. Deacon is terrified to give her his heart again even though he knows she already has it. But who was he kidding- he can't let her go. He can't let her be with someone else. Not when she is already his. They may have had a rocky start but now he knows that she is his endgame. He just has to get her caught up.
This was just such a wonderful read! I felt the angst tenfold. Their banter was amazing. The mutual pining but being terrified of letting the other in. I was on the edge of my seat wondering when they were finally going to give in while also wondering what had happened between them. Reading about both of their heartbreaks and how they both seen love play out helped me understand where they were at mentally. The chemistry between these two was off the charts! I HATED waiting until like 75% before things really happened but don't you worry Tarah gave us some breadcrumbs. I can't recommend this one enough!!
I want to thank NetGalley and Tarah for a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!