Last Couple Standing by new to me author Matthew Norman had me wondering is divorce contagious? As part of a group of four couples, three of which have systematically split up, Mitch and Jessica Butler are wondering if they are next. This is probably a common thought amongst couples whose friends are splitting up. As depressing as the subject may be, this book addresses this issue with open honesty and a lot of humor.

Mitch and Jessica decide to try an experiment by introducing a relaxed marriage. This wasn’t a free for all, have sex with anyone you want, but more of an opportunity to try some things differently, with rules and communication to see if their marriage is worth fighting for. What ensues was very entertaining as well as surprising.

I really liked both Mitch and Jessica and thought they were taking a huge risk by going in this direction and I was worried for them, to be honest. I absolutely did not want to see them end up the way of their friends. Personally, I didn’t think their marriage was on the rocks to begin with, but hey, sometimes we have to mix things up a bit and make some radical choices.

The supporting characters were all interesting and added to the entertainment of the story too. I found the writing to be clear, concise, and flowed very smoothly. The dialogue was relevant and drove the scenes and the story so the reader doesn’t feel bogged down in a lot of monotonous discussion.

My Final Verdict: It seems like we live in a throw away society these days where it is much easier to toss relationships aside when things get tough or boring. I highly recommend Last Couple Standing to remind us the important things in life, like love, are worth fighting for.

Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of Last Couple Standing from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Very unique read with interesting story line, especially for someone in a stagnate marriage. Enjoyed this one. Would recommend.

A couple determined not to end up like their divorced friends try a radical experiment—and get in way over their heads—in this hilarious, heartfelt novel from the author of We’re All Damaged.

The Core Four have been friends since college: four men, four women, four couples. They got married around the same time, had kids around the same time, and now, fifteen years later, they’ve started getting divorced around the same time, too. With three of the Core Four unions crumbling to dust around them, Jessica and Mitch Butler take a long, hard look at their own marriage. Can it be saved? Or is divorce, like some fortysomething zombie virus, simply inescapable?

My thoughts:
I really enjoyed this book. I loved the Core Four and everything it brought to the table. The characters and writing were great. I'd definitely recommend.

Thanks to Netgalley and the the publisher for this book in exchange for my honest review

This was funnier than I thought. I literally laughed out loud at times. Marriage is a serious subject, and the premise was interesting.

Jessica and Mitch met in college and married—along with three other sets of friends called the “Core Four.” Of the married couples, Mitch and Jessica are the only ones still married. Jessica has a case of FOMO with what her now single girlfriends are experiencing. After all, she and Mitch have been married for fifteen years with two children.
I didn’t truly understand why they decided they needed to sleep with other people. They seemed like a happily married couple that were just afraid of ending up like their friends. It was more Jessica than Mitch who wanted to experiment. She noticed a young waiter/bartender and wanted the option to flirt and see where it went. Poor Mitch. He is home taking care of their young children while she is out sleeping with someone else. I loved Mitch. He is awesome...loved his character and his dilemma with E.T. and his children. The ending was hilarious—like laugh out loud-did-that-really-happen funny.
I’m giving it 3.5 stars, because while I liked it and the author’s writing style was an easy read, I just couldn’t connect or really like Jessica.

This was a fun humerus read by a new to me author. Marriage has its ups and downs, you have to figure how to work through anything. This couple decides to have an open relationship. It can’t be with anyone they know and no repeats. Is this something that can save their marriage or destroy it. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

I loved the idea of this book - four couples that have been friends for ages and how their lives change as they age and grow apart. Mitch and Jessica - the 'last couple' decide to introduce some new rules to their relationship to see if they will truly last. I will say that I liked Mitch's character so much more than Jessica. She was not likable at all! Definitely a fast paced read

In this story, one wife goes to meet up with the husband and he texts her something like “Woman. Where are you? I’m miserable in here.” As he is waiting for her to meet him at a restaurant. She gets there and says she got his texts and that she loves to be called woman. Ew. No. Then she tells her husband that she and 3 of her friends (that are women) are going to go out and have a girls night and he says “that’s so sex and the city of you” and the author writes in the woman’s point of view that he was right. It was so very sex and the city of them. I just can’t read that kind of stuff. Ew. I DNF at 5% and probably won’t find myself reading another book by this author.

I’m obsessed with this author and thought he had amazing insights into marriage and parenthood. So relatable even with the slightly out there plot

I really enjoyed this one. The concept was unique, although a little outside the box. It was fast-paced, funny, and raw. The characters were relatable and enjoyable while the story was definitely different for a rom-com. I loved that it was something new.

So entertaining and well narrated (ended up listening on audio). About the last couple in a group of friends who isn't divorced and the lengths they go to to save their marriage. Surprisingly lighthearted & hilarious. Perfect for summer!

Such a fun book. I really enjoyed the concept of this story. Four couples have done everything together, college, dating, marriage, kids, and now divorce. That is all but for one couple. Jessica and Mitch are still happily married and they want to keep it that way. They put their marriage through an experiment to make sure they can make it through. Misunderstandings, awkward situations, and some heartfelt introspection happen. This book was hilarious. I found myself laughing out loud at parts. I will definitely be looking into more books by Matthew Norman. So much fun! 5 stars. Thank you, NetGalley for this eARC. I loved it!

This book was just an okay read. Although there were a few twists in it the story overall was quite predictable and did not keep me interested.

I'm sad to report that this book was a waste of a few hours. Nope. Not for me. This book reminded me of why I don't tend to read books by (cis-het-white) men.

Great book. This was a fun read. I liked the general premise, and the author did a great job on developing the characters.

Following one couple of a group of couple-friends called "The Core Four", Last Couple Standing gives us a tour de marriage through the lens of Jessica and Mitch - the last couple standing from their group of best college friends. One by one, they've watched the relationships of their friends disintegrate - and finally, decide that they're not going to let it happen to them. And so begins the hunt for the secret to a long lasting marriage. Is it communication? Loose rules? An open marriage? Realizing that it was the sex that drove most of the now-dead marriages into the ground, they decide to try on new partners in bed - with a very strict set of rules. But what they quickly realize, is that when it comes to matters of the heart - rules don't always play along.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for advanced access to this title!

I wasn't sure what to expect when I picked up this book, but I can guarantee I would not have guessed the direction it would go in. A tale of self discovery, while also taking a deeper look into what it means to be part of a couple after years was not something I even thought I would read, much less enjoy. There was vulnerability and I guess hope in the stort that made me keep reading.

It was somewhat startling to read a book about a couple trying to save their marriage within the first month of my own marriage, but I thoroughly enjoyed this! A couple trying to ensure they don't end up divorced like all their friends seems like a cliched storyline, but the characters were witty and loveable, and the story itself was a page-turner - I was desperate to know what happens to them!

Thank you to Netgalley and Matthew Norman for my copy of Last Couple Standing for an honest review. The Core Four have been all together since high school. All married now and getting divorced one couple at a time, Jessica and Mitch Butler find themselves the last married couple. With all the stories from their friends of why they got divorced Jessica and Mitch look long and hard at their marriage and propose something pretty crazy, to stay together. It mostly comes down to sex, not having it or not wanting to have it with their partner. Jessica and Mitch’s plan, in their opinion, will keep them from divorce. As their experiment drags on, things seem to be going very wrong. Why did they even mess with their marriage? Can they get back to the old them? Where will they land when this experiment is done. This book was a four star read for me. It was a a different story line for me. It was pretty engaging and interesting. There were funny parts and some sad parts. But overall it was a good read. I have recommended this to friends and family. I have also recommended it on my Instagram page. Please see my reviews on Amazon and Barnes & Noble.

Awhh, I really loved this book. I am bummed to be done with it. I laughed, I reflected, I laughed some more and really found myself enjoying the characters. Life is hard, marriage is hard, having children is hard, complacency is hard, being single is hard - you just have to pick your hard. I loved that the author is male but he did a great job depicting female thoughts and situations. Wonderful book for when you need a laugh and some reflection.