Good gravy. What a charming and sexy rom-com! I've discovered yet another delightful author. I'm on a roll with the strong silent types and the women that love them.

Kinsey is a child prodigy skincare scientist trying to prove herself in the cosmetics business, but she has the cards stacked against her. She's younger than most scientists in the business, she is judged by her looks and her Southern accent, her immediate boss is a dickhead, and she's falling for the head of R&D of her company's biggest competitor.

Griff thinks talking is overrated. He feels you can solve more problems if you just keep quiet and focus on the solutions. So why did he agree with his cousin's Last Man Standing bet? Because he loved his Grandma Betty who left a gift for the oldest cousins without putting a name on it before she died. So to win the gift, each of them had to go out on six online dates, and the last man still single at the end of the year won. It might be easy for most guys, but Griff isn't a people person until he meets Kinsey and falls in love with her sexy brain first before he even sees her. He goes through with the bet knowing he will lose because he wants to make Kinsey fall in love with him.

I am blown away by Griff and Kinsey. They get each other. They have so much in common like their nerdiness, their messed up family lives, and their need to protect their loved ones. Kinsey is so strong and feisty with her lovely Southern charm. Griff is that amazing hero who is a natural protector as he endures his loathsome controlling father's insults and criticisms to shield his sister. It's Kinsey that clears his mind and soothes his soul and though he talks very little he becomes one heck of a dirty talker around her! Yum! Watching the chemistry between these two is awesome as they break down their defenses and accept each other as they are.

Griff's family is hilarious as they push each other's buttons in a loving way. Kinsey's Meemaw is also a treat with her loving wisdom and love for her granddaughter.

I highly recommend this delectable rom-com with loveable characters who are fighting for their dreams and the people they love.

Thank you to Ms. Flynn for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

There was just something about this book. A delightful little spark of pure incandescence that brought so much brightness and joy into my day and my heart. Griff and Kinsey will give you a wonderful case of the feels, while making you laugh and giggle. These two area fabulously flirty blend of sweetness, cuteness and nerdiness. For myself personally, this was an irresistible combo. The sparks and steam are abundant, so expected your temperature to be on the rise! As a whole this book was just awesome! It has lovable characters, a fun storyline, well done writing and a romance that offers heart and heat and to me that was perfection.

I am really enjoying this series by Avery Flynn. The first book, Mama’s Boy was good, but this book….wooeeee..I love Griff and Kinsey. Griff is the silent type, using grunts instead of words much of the time, but only because he has so much going on in his head, it is hard for him to process enough, until he meets Kinsey who has as much going on in her head as Griff, but she verbalizes everything! He falls for her instantly, but of course nothing is ever easy in an Avery Flynn romance. The dialog is so good, funny, and heartfelt that this story was so much fun to read. What an enjoyable story and I can’t wait for the third book.

Neanderthal is a very light and fast read between Kinsey and Griff. Right off the beginning I enjoyed both characters. I adored Kinsey's southern charm and also being a PhD in STEM, while Griff was the silent gruff type that I also enjoy. I didn't even mind the instalove on Griff's part because the book length was short and I was eager to get started. Also I trusted Avery to deliver :)

Some weird things however started happening. I get that Kinsey was tried of men not taking her seriously because of how she looked but I felt that that also didn't mean she had to be an expert in ALL science things. Also for such a super smart woman, she knew what was going on at work and she didn't have a fail safe? Or a trap set? And was just prepared to throw in the towel at the end? Didn't feel right.

And then Griff! Same thing but to a greater degree. For someone so smart, he was very dumb towards the end and that took me out. I honestly lost a lot of goodwill for him then which didn't come back and that's not a good place to be for a romance. I mean, I am used to Noble Idiocy - where one person leaves the other person for their own "good" (as a kdrama lover), but this was a lot. Even when told she was hurting, he didn't think to change?

Anyway, tldr, okay beginning, hot and lovely middle, annoying end.

Thank you so much to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the ARC.

Is there anything sexier then when the growly ones fall?

Griff is a man of few words and even more grunts. His mind is always working ten steps ahead. So when the pragmatic and logical Kinsey puts Griff’s gym mates in their place then he knows he’s found his match.

Kinsey is used to being underestimated and judged for her blonde hair and southern drawl. What people don’t know is that she went to college at 16, and is finally getting her dream job as a scientist. She’s used to misogyny at her work, but she’s ready to prove herself.

Griff is still in need of winning his family bet to be the last man standing by not falling in love, but meeting Kinsey makes him willing to lose. Kinsey finds a way to help him win.

They weren’t expecting how much of a match they really were, and when Kinsey finds herself in some company espionage games she needs Griff on her side.

I loved seeing the men of this family fall. I’m also looking forward to Nate’s story since he seems to be hiding something and for the last gift secret to be revealed!

Thank you to @entangled_publishing for the arc for review. All reviews are my own, and given freely.

The Becket cousins are still competing for the last gift from their much loved departed grandmother by each dating a girl 6 times before Christmas and the one not in love by then wins… too bad Griff looses his turn before it even starts!!!

Kinsley walks into his gym and knocks him over with her competency! Uber smart + gets things done = very hot! For Griff it’s love at first sight… which is well and good, but now he needs to convince Kinsley, whom happens to be starting a new job in the lab at his companies rival! Lucky for Griff she takes pity on him and answers his dating profile, thus helping him win in her mind and gaining him 6 dates to win her over in Griff’s mind!

I’m not usually a fan of insta love, but this instance of love at first sight from smart and quite Griff felt genuine. I loved him trying to give his feelings voice (without scaring Kinsley away) and all of the little actions that represented his love language! These two had such chemistry and came together in such fun and playful ways.

I thought Dixon was my favourite Becket cousin, but Griff has inched out the competition! I can’t wait to see what hot and steamy antics Nash will get up in his story!

Neanderthal by Avery Flynn is scheduled to release October 25th, 2021.

I received a complimentary copy of this ebook from Entangled Publishing through NetGalley. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

#Neanderthal #AveryFlynn #NetGalley #pinkcowlandreads

I loved this book! I could not put it down once I started to read it. I am sad I missed the first book in the series but you don't have to necessarily have to have read the first book in order to thoroughly enjoy this one. Can't wait for the next book.

This might be my favorite Last Man Standing book so far. Griff and Kinsley took my heart. It's funny, sweet, and don't even get me started on the steam. Fire! I loved that Griff knew from the beginning he already wanted Kinsley and it just took some help to get her on board. I loved his grunting and how he tried to do more for her. Loved loved loved!

Neanderthal was another fun read from Avery Flynn. It has her signature mix of humor, heart, and heat. She is one of my go to authors when I want a book that will make me laugh one moment and swoon the next.

From what I knew about Griff from the first book and the very beginning of this one, I was surprised by the path it took. It was interesting seeing him fall so quickly and try to work out how to communicate it.

Kinsey was a great heroine. She was smart, thoughtful, and kind. She also has a fake fiance that puts a wrench in things when she starts to connect with Griff.

There's some insta-love which I normally don't like in a book, but it worked here. It threw off Griff and made him have to grow and figure out what to do. He and Kinsey had great chemistry and I liked seeing how their relationship developed.

I really enjoyed this second book in the series and can't wait to see how it all wraps up!

Avery Flynn books really are the best of the best, and this one was so great! I could not put it down. This series is so much fun!! I think Griff is one of my favorite heroes ever. I love how perfectly imperfect he is. Imperfect characters make reading so much fun. I love that Griff fell first in this book. I did love Kinsley, too! She was smart, blunt and funny. This book was very well written with great conflict and a very likable cast of characters. I had all the feels. I'd highly recommend this quick, enjoyable read. Huge thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review this book.

Neanderthal is a funny, steamy, heartwarming romance and I enjoyed it immensely. Kinsey and Griff are likable, believable characters who each have issues they must deal with. For her, it's always having her intelligence underestimated because of her looks and her accent. For him, it's the cold and disparaging treatment from his narcissistic father. I love that Griff is swept of his feet by Kinsey's intelligence and self assurance BEFORE he even lays eyes on her; and I love that she can see beyond the grunts and one word sentences to the man inside that has trouble communicating. Griff thinks they are forever but can he convince Kinsey of that? The writing is great in this entertaining story and I cared about these characters. I loved it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

After meeting with Griff in the previous book, I knew he would become a favorite. A growly nerd covered in tattoos and muscles with Einstein’s brain: sign me in. I wasn’t disappointed.

I even was pleasantly surprised. Griff was introduced as someone who doesn’t do feelings. Ever. Even with his cousins, or his sister, he isn’t exactly effusive. But that isn’t because he’s cold hearted–he has feelings, a lot of them actually, he’s just learned to hide them well. But his feelings for Kinsey? They hit him like a train, and he never questions them. That was something I found compelling. As for Kinsey, she was a fascinating character–an extremely intelligent woman who looks like a Barbie doll and speaks like a bumpkin.

Prejudices were at the heart of the story. It was a romance between two unexpected geniuses, one that looks like a bad boy, the other like a young Dolly Parton, the message being that only love and care helped with looking beyond the appearances.

They each had their own voice, so each chapter was colored with their unique point of view and way of thinking, and it was delightful. The writing was that good. There could have been fewer repetitions though–no need to write another paragraph explaining Kinsey’s need for Todd, or Griff’s protectiveness with his sister.

Of course, I’m curious about how Nash will end the bet, but I think I already found my favorite Beckett cousin, and his love story with Kinsey was both cute and hot. A lovely steamy romcom that I highly recommend.

Quickie

- Series: Last man standing #2 (can be read as a standalone)
- Hashtags: #romcom #love at first sight #best friend’s brother
- Triggers: past suicide, psychological abuse, misoginy
- Main couple: Kinsey Dalton & Griff Beckett
- Hotness: 4/5
- Romance: 5/5
- + the way Kinsey’s mind was displayed on the page, with the colorful images and metaphors
- – a little bit on the nose with all the misoginy floating around except with the Beckett cousins, and especially Griff

I was really looking forward to Griff's book as I'm all about the family grump meeting their sunshine! This was like the meeting of two highly functioning, over-achieving nerds and I just luuuuurved it!

Griff is a machine when it comes to problem-solving and he could probably run the world if he could be bothered. But that doesn't mean he doesn't have deep-seated issues and a need to prove his odious father wrong. Kinsey is used to being written off solely based on her looks - either she's too young, too pretty, too southern. Sometimes it works to her benefit and she takes people unaware when she hits them upside the head with her intelligence. But she also has issues that have taken over her adult life, all stemming from her childhood and her neglectful mother.

Kinsey is a total smart missile - she sees the problem, solves the issue and BLAMMO. Whether that problem is science-based or human-based makes no difference to her. I loved her verbal takedowns - she does not miss her targets - ever! Griff, oh my wordy, for a man who doesn't talk much he sure knows what to say when the moment is right. Who knew that under all that silent, gruffness beat the heart and mouth of - well, you'll find out for yourself! He just totally went with his initial gut feelings of Kinsey before he even knew what she looked like, then he just had to go along with the ride to get her to see the same solution he did!

This family just goes from strength to strength! And Nash - oh that low-down dirty cheat! I can't wait till he gets his HEA. I hope he's led a merry dance!

Griff, an R&D executive from the families internationally acclaimed cosmetic company, is a man of few words until he meets a women of intellectual sustance and beauty. This sexy, brooding, tattooed goddess is single and content with his master builder LEGO room.

Unfortunately, there is this whole business of the Last Man Standing, a competition with his cousins to see who remains single by Christmas to inherit the lone gift left my their grandmother, after her passing.

Griff and Kinsey's insta-love story is incredibly smart, fun and an oh so steamy affair. The chemistry is off the charts, and once he finds his voice your reading room is going to become incredibly warm. Neanderthal is book #2 of the Last Man Standing series, and can be read as a stand alone. Both, Griff and Kinsey, tell the story from their points of view.

Neanderthal by @averyflynn is available October 25!

Books in the series:
Momma’s Boy
Neanderthal
Mansplainer - coming November 29!

Thank you @entangled_publishing for the complimentary copy.

I had a hard time getting into this book but once I did the humor and banter was awesome! I really enjoyed the storyline and plot, the one downside was the ending which wasn't my favorite since it ended in a HFN yet I am hoping to get some type of update on their hopefully HEA with the next book in the series. Griff and Kinsley had some amazing hot chemistry which only added to the storyline and loved the fact Griff wasn't tongue tied around Kinsley and sometimes spoke in more than grunts even though Kinsley loved the grunts as much as his words. All in, this was a great book I would definitely recommend! Avery Flynn has awesome plot lines and develops the characters great and the dual POVs is only icing on the cake! Don't think you should miss Neanderthal by Avery Flynn!
Even though I did receive an advanced review copy of this book, I am voluntarily leaving my own unsolicited, voluntary opinion with this review.

The basic premise of this book is that Griff and his 2 cousins have made a bet about love. They each have to set up a dating profile, go out with the first woman who responds, and NOT fall in love with her. If they do fall in love, they lose the bet. In the first book, the first cousin happily lost the bet when he fell in love. As this book opens, Griff is up next and he's pretty sure he's going to win as he won't be falling in love, no way, no how. He can barely talk to anyone, let alone women and after being raised with a narcissist father who emotionally abused him, he thinks no one would want him so he figures the bet is in the bag. Well, this is a romance, after all so you can guess how well that goes for him.

Griff boxes to let off steam. One day at the gym, his sister shows up with Kinsey, a sweet, brilliant, blond, scientist friend who has just moved to town and that's all it takes for Griff to go down for the count. He falls in love immediately with just her voice and her words, then spends the rest of the book trying to figure out how to talk to her and get her to love him back. When she learns about the bet, she volunteers to "fake" date him, not realizing he already has feelings for her, but it doesn't take long for her to also catch feelings for him.

This book was pretty low angst and low conflict. Griff and Kinsey made a perfect couple, opposites on the surface, with him grunting his way through most conversations while she never met a fact she didn't want to repeat, but somehow they made a great pair together. Needless to say, Griff loses the bet, but since he wins Kinsey as a result, I don't think he minds.

**I received a copy of this book from Entangled Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a voluntary and honest review. My opinions are my own and not solicited in any way.**

Neanderthal by Avery Flynn
This is the second book in the authors Last Man Standing series which is funny with a snarky heroine and Lego Loving hero who is in a competition with his cousins to be the Last Man Standing.
Oh and did I mention the best friend ever to Kinsey? She's just like my BFF that is so fun to be around even though her brother protects her from their father plus she runs a bookstore how much fun is that? But you had me at Kinsey telling the guys in the boxing gym about carbs and the Great British Bake Off, How to proper wring out a mop and stopping Cigar Man in his tracks with the cooked meat and a fork comment.

Kinsey Dalton was raised with her siblings by her Meemaw who encouraged her to go for her dreams for being a scientist who wants to be the head of research at Archambeau Cosmetics. But having a supervisor who will throw anyone under the bus to get what he wants. But when inst-attraction with Griff Beckett is off the charts with six dates that are planned by his cousins when both of them know that what they feel for each other could be forever.

I loved this book and look forward to Mansplainer when it comes out.

Quick disclaimer that I haven't read the first book, but this one can be read as a standalone just fine! I wasn't confused or anything since it was well explained in this book.

I loved the female protagonist, Kinsey in this book! She is a powerhouse, a boss, and super empowering. She hasn't been treated fairly throughout her career and she stands tall and strong above those who think she's just a "dumb blonde" and I love that about her! That's something Griff loves about her too! I like how the author represented the stereotypes around women in a male-dominated workplace and how they are taken advantage of and blamed for no reasons, I'm glad it's something that's talked about in this book thoroughly and acknowledged.

Can't wait for Nash's story! And to see what the mystery present is!

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled publishing for the earc and this is my honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an e-ARC!

This was so great and I realize I read the second book before reading the first one but I totally enjoyed Griff and Kinsey's story. The contrast between introvert and extrovert was so exciting and I thought they worked really well because of this difference. Neanderthal was so fun and so steamy oh my goodness. I'm always here for the romance and the steam and let me tell you this delivered on full force. I also liked Griff's relationship with his cousins and his sister and I really thought he grew from beginning to end of the story. Kinsey was such a fun character and I feel like we would vibe really well I'm so excited to go back and read Dixon's story and I'm greatly looking forward to the next installment which will be Nash. Overall, a lovely and cutesy story that was the perfect mood booster.

I was so excited to read this one after reading Mama's Boy and this one was just as good if not better! I love starting a series and they just keep getting better and better. I adored Kinsey and Griff, their characters were just the perfect match with that insta-love goodness! She speaks her mind and I admire her for it and Griff loves it too which makes me fall for him even harder.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.