3.5☆

What I liked:
The writing style
The characters
Part of a series: Last Man Standing
Standalone
HEA

I look forward to reading the other books in this series.

Griff and Kinsey have amazing chemistry! I loved that he fell for her immediately, and it was because of her intelligence and personality. Throughout the book, there are many instances where they are so in tune, and so good at figuring things out, that they know what each other are trying to do. Kinsey is a somewhat stereotypical pretty Southern girl, and Griff is a strong silent nerdy boxer. At times, Kinsey seems a little immature or unsure of herself, but part of the storyline is that she went to college at 15, so she's been ahead of things for a long time. The two of them bring out the best in each other, and the story was fun to read. It does work on its own, but I enjoyed it so much after having read Mama's Boy, and the continuation of the bet is a big part of this book.

Griff is the strong and silent types, and it’s because of this very reason he is sure to win the Last Man Standing competition between the cousins, but it takes just hearing Kinsey speak in his gym to make him fall in love with her, sight unseen (sigh).
Kinsey is a scientist working in a male dominated industry, and she comes up with a fake fiancé story so that people look beyond her looks and accent, and she has never regretted that decision as much as she does now after meeting Griff.
In order to win the Last Man standing bet with his cousins, Griff needs to go on 6 dates with the first woman who answers his Bramble profile and Kinsey steps in to help out. Going out on dates and not giving in to their attraction is proving more difficult than they thought, will Kinsey come clean about her engagement ?
Neanderthal is a hot rom-com. Griff he doesn’t speak much, its mostly grunts and gruffs, but when he does, its Fireworks. And Kinsey was the perfect heroine for him. It is a pretty easy and smooth read with a touch of drama towards the end. The last man standing is proving to be a highly entertaing read and I can’t wait for Nash’s book, Mansplainer.

Ooh, Nelly! Griff and Kinsey had the perfect amount of chemistry and sizzle. The storyline was fun. I don't care for the way that the author essentially made fun of people from Virginia, though. Even growing up on a farm in rural Virginia, women do not talk and think like Kinsey was portrayed to be. It is insulting.

So we have Griff who is a supposedly very good looking nerd who grunts. He made a ridiculous bet with his cousins on who was the last man standing on falling in love and that guy would keep their grandmothers gift, he is pretty sure it would be him. His cousins on hounding him, and send him a crazy write up that they wrote for him to send to a dating website and the first person that answers it, he has to go on 6 dates with, and according to his aunt, he will fall in love with, but Griff is sure that will not happen. That is until his meets his sister's roommate Kinsey, that was literally love at first sight, that was something he never thought existed. Now he just has to convince her. Kinsey, was shocked to see her friend Morgan's brother, she would have never expected him to look the way he looks, but now he thinks that she has a fake fiance, and why would she lie to him when she is so attracted to him? And how to explain it to him? And to top it off, how to deal with the jerk with who she work with?

Yes, please!! Give me an intelligent man, an intelligent woman, lots of heat between them and issues to work out! That's what you get with Neanderthal by Avery Flynn. This book is fun and funny, lots of heat between Kinsey and Griff, great dialogue, and of course, the aforesaid issues..

Building on the first book in this series, we learn more about the cousins who are trying to 'win' the last present their grandmother left them. Their crazy way to decide which of the 3 of them get the present is funny and really just what guys would do!

Griff just hears Kinsey talking and knows she's the one for him. He's already put up his 'dating' profile and the first person to reply has to go on 6 dates. Kinsey works that around so she's the first to respond, as a favor, not that she thinks he's hot or anything...right...!! Their relationship blossoms and Griff wants forever. Kinsey does too, but, you know, issues.

Loved this book. I think this series needs to be read in order, so I can't wait for the last book!!

The second book in Flynn's Last Man Standing is an entertaining read... opposites attract in this one and I don't think I have read to more opposite opposites recently!

I think the thing about this book (and the previous) is you have these uber successful men making a bet just to see who wins the last Christmas present from their deceased Gran (without even knowing what the present is!)

Hopefully all will be revealed in the final book of the series

This story was the perfect mix of fun and sweet with a healthy dash of steamy!! Book two in the Last Man Standing series features Griff the tall, tattooed, behemoth of a man who seems to grunt more than talk. His goal is to not fall in love when of course he meets the larger than life Kinsey with her southern drawl, amazing brain, and girl next door vibes.

These two were a fun couple to read. I enjoyed the story and how much the family played into it and how the cousins showed their love through good natured ribbing. Kinsey is an awesome heroine who has to deal with some very frustrating and yet typical work place sexism on the regular. Reading how she tackles those situations was inspiring.

I highly recommend this book!! It goes a long way to break stereotypes and create space for authenticity and love. The romance is fast paced but it works well with the overall story and kept me turning the page to see what new antics they were going to get into. Also that lego scene... goodness.

I didn't love the title so I wasn't sure about this book, but I loved it! Kinsey is such a great character - smart, southern, and adorably awkward. Griff lives up to the Neanderthal title (it felt a little overdone if I'm totally honest, but it works). But their relationship is electric and captivating. I zipped through this book, I couldn't put it down! I can't wait to check out the rest of the series!

A smart, tatted, hot man who falls in insta-love with an equally brilliant woman by the sound of her arguments before he even sees her?!? Yes please! I loved this book! It is a reverse insta-love with Griff, the head of R&D at Beckett Cosmetics, falling head over heels in love with Kinsey, a new chemist at Beckett Cosmetics main rival, when she solves multiple problems in under a minute when she walks into his gym. I love that Griff was amazed by who Kinsey's brain worked and her looks were just a nice bonus. Kinsey was a great female character who has to deal with being a southern young woman in a male dominated field with an asshole boss. Griff rarely talks and Kinsey tends to word vomit. However, when Griff is with Kinsey he has no problem talking and the dirty talk is off the charts!

After reading Mama's Boy earlier this month, I was greedy to get my grubby digits on Neanderthal. I was already drawn to the big gruff scientist, Griff, and I knew the strong but silent hero would deliver in his book. Griff was my favorite out of the Last Man Standing trio and he brought a unique dynamic among his cousins. Our leading man was a fellow of few words, but he always made sure that whenever he did speak that those words meant something. It's only fair that his match came in the form of bright, bubbly Kinsey whose every word was delivered with a country twang.

Neanderthal featured the loveliest case of Opposites Attract that I couldn't help but get the honey glow. Kinsey understood every grunt and grumble from Griff and he was happy to listen to her Southern accent for hours on end. This book also featured the Love at First Sight trope maxed to 11 because Griff got socked in the face by another boxer when he first spied Kinsey at the gym. He was immediately besotted and wanted to marry her as soon as possible. That was a very extreme reaction for me, but I suppose I'll take a dude whose totally committed from the get-go rather than the usual lukewarm heroes peppered throughout Romancelandia. Get yourself a big, buff scientist who's all in from day one, right?

My only complaint was the amount of "cheese" served to me like it was an endless fondue of Gouda between the pages. Only a few elements of the story made me cringe while reading and it slightly detracted from the narrative. They went to a studio to learn Tik Tok dances, all of Griff's tattoos were science-related, and Kinsey used the most outlandish phrases that I've never heard in my own Southern family. I understand we're sticking to a theme, but I don't need her similes to be so southern-friend that they don't make sense. I like cheese as much as the next gal, but I don't want to be overwhelmed.

Neanderthal made me feel warm and cozy inside because I saw myself reflected in the characters. Griff shared my introverted nature and Kinsey was my mirror image as a busty, blonde, Southern okra pod. It was wonderful to witness their courtship, even if it took a while for Kinsey to catch up to Griff's utter adoration. I was rooting for these two from the very beginning and it was lovely for them to find true love in between those caveman grunts. It looks like everyone can find love in the end, even a Neanderthal.

Falling in love the first time he heard her voice?

I loved Neanderthal because grumpy Griff Beckett the head of R&D for Beckett Cosmetics fell in love with Kinsey Dalton the first time he heard her voice. Problem is that she has an engagement ring on her finger and she’s the best friend of his sister! Could Griff fall out of love with Kinsey after she volunteered to help him with his cousin’s competition for their grandmother’s last Christmas gift (read Mama’s Boy, Last Man Standing #1) even though she worked for the competition.

Neanderthal has the usual Avery Flynn moments where there are funny romantics times that make you laugh with a lot of romance that make you fall in love with Griff and Kinsey.

Now I want to read Mansplainer!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Second book in the series.
We meet Griff in previous book, when he and his cousins made a bet "Last Single Man Standing"., where they have to go on six dates and not fall in love.
The moment he hear Kinsey, he knows, he lost.
I adored this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled Publishing for an ARC of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

I knew I was going to love Griff. When reading Mama's Boy and Dixon was the star, I still kept being drawn to Griff. Don't get me wrong - I love Dixon, he's amazing, but I was just waiting for the day I could read Griff's story. And let me tell you, IT DID NOT DISAPPOINT! Reading chapters from Griff's POV was just icing on the cake of the delicious story that is this bet for Grandma Betty's last present.

This story follows Griff & Kinsey, and these two are the ultimate examples of not judging a book by their cover. The brilliance these two have - if I could have a 10th of their brains I would be set for the rest of all of my graduate school work. While sometimes it feels unrealistic when you read about incredibly intelligent people, Avery does an amazing job making them not only believable, but loveable. I mean, who doesn't love a brick wall of a man who adores Lego sets? Sometimes when books change the POV between the two main characters I want it to flip back to the other character because I prefer one over the other. Not this book! I couldn't decide who I wanted to read more of, because both of them were such great characters! Avery, if you wanted to release more books about Griff and Kinsey I would gladly read them.

This is book 2 in the Last Man Standing series, and the final(?) book is about Nash. If book one and book two are anything to go by (as well as the little teaser we got at the end of this book), I am 1) excited for more Griff/Kinsey interactions when dealing with Nash, but 2) I cannot wait to see what Avery has in store for that Mansplainer! Get it? Because that is the name of the next book. I'll see myself out.

This is book two of the Last Man Standing series that centers around three cousins, Dixon, Griff and Nash Beckett. The cousin’s beloved grandmother recently died leaving one unopened gift with no tag. The cousins devise a bet to see who will get to claim the gift. All of them will join Bramble, a dating website where you commit to six dates with the first woman to answer the ad, and the last single man standing wins the gift. Of course, the other cousins get to plan the dates, so all’s fair in love and war. Dixon lost the bet in book one of the series. Griff is up next, and is the “Neanderthal” of the books title. Initially, I was wary because I don’t typically love the Insta-love trope. So many times with this trope, the protagonists see each other and instantly fall in love and the frequent and graphic physical activities begin. You don’t get to find out why, other than physical attraction, they love each other. That is not the case with this book. Griff works in the family cosmetics business in the R&D department. He gets by through life with grunts and one word answers. When Kinsey walks into his gym, he hears her and realizes that she is the one. Eventually Kinsey agrees to help him out with the bet and answers his ad. Griff uses these dates to try to woo Kinsey. Griff was my favorite part of this book. Normally when you call a man a Neanderthal, he is rude, crude and treats women poorly. Griff is none of those things. He is just painfully shy, and a great guy. I cannot wait for Nash’s book, and I hope the author has another series in mind for Griff’s sister Morgan and Nash’s siblings. I received an advanced reader copy of this book from NetGalley and the author for my honest review.

Whoa. Neanderthal by Avery Flynn was everything I didn't know I needed. Fun, entertaining reading with a sassy, intelligent heroine and a quiet, growly hero.

Kinsey was wonderful. I loved how intelligent she was, how she laid out her logic, how she was sweet and sassy all at once.

Griff was one sexy guy: quiet and grumbly on the surface, but always thinking and working towards multiple end goals and solutions in his head. Add in his tattoos, muscles and Legos hobby, and the swoon factor for Griff was sky high.

Then you put the two together, and it gets even better. Griff and Kinsey complemented each other so well. They innately understood one another, and they just fit. Also, the physical chemistry between them was 🔥 🔥🔥.

I'll definitely need to go back and read Mama's Boy and then wait in anticipation for Mansplainer.

***I voluntarily read and reviewed an Advance Reader Copy generously provided by the publisher via NetGalley.***

I cannot get enough of this series! Neanderthal is all about Griff and how it’s his turn at the bet he and his cousins made on who will fall in love first and who will be the last man standing.
I love how Griff has many layers to him. You fall in love with him more page after page. I love how he has unique hobbies like his lego building and his love for creating barbecue sauces. He may have a lack for words but he makes up in the bedroom!
Damn how the steamy scenes were so sexy! I have a new appreciation for dirty talk!
I also need to mention how I love Kinsey and how she isn’t afraid to speak her mind. I love and I applaud her for standing up to aggressive and rude men!
Love a good fun read that has depth characters! Definitely recommend reading this!

A wonderful and funny story. The inner monologues of Griff and Kinsey are a work of art. Griff is a silent hunk of man candy. He is not big on conversations and prefers grunts and one word answers. Kinsey is a blonde bombshell with a PhD. She has looks and brains and can use her words to make any argument successfully. There relationship is hot and heavy as they try to settle the bet. Turning the pages will be done eagerly to see how they resolve all the problems and get to their happy ending.

I wasn't aware this was book 2 in the Last Man Standing Series, and I was pretty unsure about the title of this one - Neanderthal (whoah). Firstly, the face it was book 2 made no difference as I will definitely go back and read book 1 even though I know the outcome.

Griff Beckett is a grunty, non-social, difficult and stubborn man who encounters Kinsey when she visits his gym with his sister Morgan and gives a few of his gym mates a run for their money with her caustic tongue. Kinsey looks like q beauty queen but she doesn't want looks to be the focus - especially in her new job at Griff Beckett's competitor. So she invents a fake fiancee as cover so her work colleagues take her seriously. Kinsey doesn't expect trouble until she finds out about a bet the Beckett cousins have - last one in love wins a prize from their dead Grandma Betty. None of the boys know what the prize is, but they all want it. When his cousins challenge him to find a date, Kinsey offers herself because there's no chance either of them are going to be interested in one another. Right?

This is a a twist on the fake-fiancee and fake relationship tropes you often see in romances. The characters are heaps of fun and whilst there's a little too much effort in making Kinsey seem so intelligent to make up for all her beauty, it didn't take away from the strong sense of family in this book, firm friendships, and chemistry between Griff and Kinsey. The romance is off the charts and Griff finding his voice is one of the best parts of this book.

Thank to netgalley for the eARC of this book. It's a good one.

This book was such a surprising delight! I’ve never read a book from this author and going in to start with the second in a series, I wasn’t sure what to expect but I was blown away. It’s such a unique book and both main characters are complex.

I love the instalove for grumpy Griff because it’s such a rare trope and even more rare to be done right. Griff’s ability to dirty talk even though he’s not a talker?!? 12/10.

I also love that while it’s best friend’s brother, Kinsey and Griff’s sister haven’t been friends for long so there is no drama or pretend betrayal from the family when they figure out Kinsey and Griff are dating.

Kinsey is smart, confident a hardworker. She’s a female in a male dominated field and fights constantly to prove her worth is more than what one can discern from a glance.

The spice scenes in this book are super steamy. A solid 4/5.

If you like Love Hypothesis, I think you’ll love Griff and Kinsey.

Now, I’m going to go back and read the first book and wait patiently for the final book to come out in November.