As a woman whom had multiple friends married and/or divorced, this is a realistic depiction I how hard a relationship can be and what drives us apart despite the best intentions. I enjoyed the evolution of the Core Four and would read more from this author.

I enjoyed this book a lot, just felt like it was a little underdeveloped in a few areas. While the book alternates between the perspectives of Jessica and Mitch, it's much easier to get a read on Mitch and have empathy for his character. I wasn't always clear what Jessica's motivations were. Kind of seemed a bit like she invented the challenge merely to justify cheating, which felt a little shitty to me.

There were some humorous bits in this book (I too make the gravely stupid choice to watch E.T. with my kid, scarring her for life) and some thought provoking things to say about the state of marriage when you're middle aged. Indeed, when all of your friends are getting divorces, it very much seems like the grass is greener for the newly single. However, this book (and first hand accounts I've gotten in real life) have given me a more well rounded perspective on the situation.

In some ways, this book has a tough job to tackle-balancing the tough topic of divorce and a marriage in crisis with some misadventures in dating that are sometimes played more broadly for laughs (the finale of the book resembles a traditional farce.) While I appreciate the author's deftness in striking that balance, at times the touch felt a little too light. At its core, this is a pretty sad story, so it didn't always feel good when it made you laugh.

Thanks to the author and NetGalley for granting me the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.

This was my first book by Matthew Norman. It was funny, perplexing & imaginative! (Note to self-don't fix what isn't broke......)
Being married 15 years has it's challenges. Imagine going to college with 3 other couples, watching them marry & then divorce. This scares Jessica & Mitch. Neither of them want to wind up like the other 3 couples, whose main problems were sex-they were mostly not having it or at least not with each other. So Jessica & Mitch try an experiment. to save their marriage.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Ballentine for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I honestly love Matthew Norman's writing style. Modern, quirky, funny, sarcastic and genuine. I fell in love with We're All Damaged and the affair continued with Domestic Violets. In his latest novel, Last Couple Standing, he is not quite on his game in some parts of the book but it does not take away from the story. The subject matter keeps it somewhat solemn and serious but there are brilliant hints and scenes of wit and sarcasm. It was not what I was expecting from Mr. Norman but nevertheless it still was a 5 star read for me. He does the regular guy so well. He always does "the Dad" characters spot on. I just could not put it down. The story is about the Core Four, four friends and their significant others, but centers around Mitch and Jessica. They are far from perfect and weirdly trying to survive the chaos in the midst of their best friend's relationship woes. Their decisions perplexed me in a way I could never relate to but the story was strong and entertaining. I wanted to reach in and knock some sense into some of these characters. But in the end, it all came together and it was a great read for me. Enjoy.

Lately I have been reading mostly historical fiction, so when #Netgalley had this #drc as one I could request, I gave it a shot. Romcom is not my normal go to genre, but you need to branch out every once in awhile. And I am so glad I did!

This is a book about 4 couples, friends since college. The couples do everything together. From vacations, to having babies, and even divorce as a group... Well almost. The storyline was good as far as this genre goes. It was laugh out loud funny in places. (driveway scene in last chapter) It was a little cringe worthy in places, and sometimes a little predictable...But that is what you need sometimes in a book. A book that lets you relax, enjoy and say to yourself "Damn, I'm glad that's not me!" I can honestly say that I am so glad I chose this book and that I am glad the publisher gave me a chance to read and review this! Such a fun, fast read!!

I give this book 3 1/2⭐. It made me laugh, and it was exactly what I needed!

Thank you @netgalley and #ballantinebooks for giving this ebook to me in exchange for my honest review.

Last Couple Standing by Matthew Norman will reach the heart of every middle aged married couple in today's world, answering the age old question of "Is the grass always greener?" This book is impossible to put down, and left me with a renewed and energized approached to my own marriage. Kudos Mr. Norman, in creating a true picture of what it is like to be married in this day and age.

This book was compelling, and also incredibly depressing. It's a book about the human condition, what it means to have and live through an adult relationship and it had many morose and dark moments. But that's life, and for that I actually really enjoyed it. The dynamics in the book are very real and relatable and the ending makes sense in the context, but I think that's the only part that felt forced. It was as if the author forgot the entirety of the book he had been writing up until then, or perhaps editor intervention and so the ending didn't quite fit to me. The characters were well developed, except I felt there was a clear villain and that kind of drove me crazy. A roaring this is all your fault, and you're terrible because it seemed it all stemmed not quite from passion but almost nonchalance and it seemed like this created this whole conflict and it could've been avoided. Overall, I enjoyed the book a lot, and having recently married gave me many moments to reflect upon life and the lives of those around me.

While the concept is a bit intriguing, I guess I don't buy into the core concept of the book ('all our friends are getting a divorce, so now we're going to try an open marriage to save ours?'). Additionally, this read a little too much 'white hetero-normative problems' to be much more than a surface level book. I would've loved just a bit of diversity. As other reviewers have mentioned, the characters are all somewhat one-dimensional and I don't particularly understand their motivations for behaving the way they do. I will say I did want to eat Golden Oreos after finishing this book.

I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

The novel is an easy read. There is a core group of four couples who have been friends for twenty years, fast forward to present day and three of the couples have split. The Last Couple Standing, Jessica and Mitch, decide to have an "open marriage" in the hopes of keeping their marriage intact. The novel does not break any new ground on the subject of marriage and infidelity.. I would have liked the author to develop the characters more. The ending, to me, was rushed.

Thank you to Net Galley for a copy of an ARC of this novel in return for an unbiased review.

This was my first book by Matthew Norman and it has been a pleasure to read. He has an amazing ability to create a world where you feel at home, that the characters are your own friends and you are just on the sidelines watching it all play out. I felt connected to the story, as many married individuals may, because at one time or another you may have had the same feelings and thoughts as those characters. I thought I had the story line pegged from the beginning, but I was completely wrong (and I love that).

*I received the ARC for this book from netgalley. All thoughts and comments are my own. *

An interesting read, not sure I loved it but it was definitely an interesting take on the romance genre.

Loved this book. Every character was relatable and believable. I'll be honest after reading the first two pages I was sure it wasn't for me but I ended up being pleasantly surprised. Already ordered two more books by this author.

3.5 ⭐️ Thank you NetGalley and publisher for an ARC. This was a fun read. Pretty hilarious, and definitely a bit of a farce toward the end. I didn’t necessarily love the topic. The wife in the lone surviving married couple among a group of friends suggest an open marriage might help keep them married. But the book as well as the main characters were entertaining. Of course, as I’m sure the author (a male) intended, I was team Mitch (husband) more than Jessica (wife.)

Gorgeous writing draws you right into this story of couples who have been friends together, got married together, moved to the suburbs together, and are now struggling to survive in these marriages. I loved the writing and absolutely all of the characters. A fantastic story that I didn't want to end.

I received this book complimentary from NetGalley however all opinions are my own. It just wasn’t my taste. It was fairly well-written but I just hate people who play at open marriages and polyamory. It’s just mocking a true and real relationship type. I didn’t feel attached to any of the characters and felt frustrated by the storyline. It just didn’t stick for me. I don’t think it was bad per se but just not a dream.

I had high hopes for the Last Couple Standing but it ended up just being an okay read for me. It is definitely a rom-com but the premise just fell flat for me. There was some laugh out loud moments but I felt that it just was a little too "out there" for me when main characters felt so flat.

I did enjoy the commentary on marriage and kids but some it is was just too cringe-worthy and a little juvenile. The characters were very one dimensional which made it hard to really connect with the storyline. Some readers may really love this, it just wasn't for me.

This one did not hit for me. Confusing at the outset. The plot was campy in parts and outright cringeworthy in others.

I struggled with a rating for this book. Although it kept my interest, some parts were not lacking substance to me.
I give this book 3.75 stars.

The Last Couple standing is about Jessica and Mitch who decide to loosen their marriage in order to remain alive and save their marriage. They are the only couple of their closest friends who are not divorced.

Part One: The Divorces was very confusing to me. This is the part of the book where the author introduces the characters and explains how they met and how their marriages ended. With four couples, I found it hard to keep up with who was married to who. I think the author could have separated the introductions better to lessen the confusion.

After the introductions are made, the plot does evolve and keep the readers' interest! There are parts of the book that are definitely page turners where you are eager to see how things unfold.

However, the ending of the book was a little rushed to me. I think there should have be more dialogue with Jessica and Mitch when her love lover was exposed.

While reading this book, the old saying " the grass may look greener on the other side" is definitely displayed.

It is a good story that explains " the grass may look greener on the other side but it isn't"

Oh, this was lots of fun. I really enjoyed the relationships between all the various characters--Norman has done an excellent job of giving each of the Core Four distinct personalities, and while I still couldn't remember their names, it was fun to match. Even a scene involving four younger girls felt well thought out due to the traits that each character had previously displayed.

I'm a proponent of the importance this book placed communication. Though unconventional, Norma examined marriage, what it really takes to make one successful, and what successful even means in a deft and thoughtful fashion, though the book was still lots of fun and lighthearted all the way through.

And ET!!! ET was such a delightful recurring theme.

I found the premise of this book to be both different and interesting.
This story begins with a group of friend who pair into couples and call themselves the "Core Four". Four couples, friends since college, who have all divorced save one.
Jessica and Mitch, who are the last couple standing, watch as their friends marriages fall apart and decide to do something drastic to make sure that it doesn't happen to them. The path they choose is not a choice that I would make, and in the long run, after some unfortunate choices, they realize it's not the correct path for them either.
Follow Jessica and Mitch as they start their journey into saving a marriage before it needs saving.
I laughed, I cried, I loved it!
I would recommend this book for anyone looking for a story that explores alternative viewpoints and choices.