Last Tang Standing had some funny moments that I enjoyed reading aloud to my partner, but the heroine never figures her shit out, the fat shaming is gross, and the love triangle dragged on without enough emotional payoff to meet my romance-loving needs. If you miss Bridget Jones’s Diary, and wish it was set in a world with only people of color (God, yes) this book is similar enough in tone that you might want to give it a try. I appreciated having a woman of color depicted as a high-powered lawyer, and the neurotic lawyer archetype might be attractive to some readers. But the book just wasn’t funny enough to make me want to spend several hours in Andrea’s negative mindset. Despite the very wealthy characters, this didn’t provide an enjoyable fantasy of financial security and luxury unless you care about designer bags more than I do. Instead, Andrea and her circle felt dysfunctional and depressing. I usually adore difficult heroines, but Andrea is frustrating because she can’t decide whether to take care of herself or wait in a state of not-taking-care-of-herself for someone else to show up and manage her life for her. Her story failed to provide either escapism, or give me realistically well-rounded characters worth rooting for.

Full review: https://smartbitchestrashybooks.com/reviews/last-tang-standing-by-lauren-ho/

Last Tang Standing is Malaysian author Lauren Ho’s debut book. It is an absolutely fabulous story set in Singapore. I loved every bit of it — for the world Ho brought to life and the people whose story she tells. 

While Last Tang Standing has been touted as a cross between Bridget Jones’s Diary by Helen Fielding and Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan, I posit that it is neither. Ho’s book doesn’t exist in the rarified circles of Kwan’s book, nor does it exist in the irreverent circles of Fielding’s book. Ho has carved out a niche for herself by positioning her book in the hyper-competitive and commonplace sphere of legal eagles and the pressure Singaporean society exerts on its young to be successful. 

Full Review: https://frolic.media/book-of-the-week-last-tang-standing-by-lauren-ho/

Fans of Crazy Rich Asians will find some similarities in themes of family pressure on the young, beautiful and single, but be assured that Andrea Tang is her own person. The story follows Andrea's quest for what she thinks she wants in life-a big promotion and a romance that gets her family off her back. It just didn't prove to be a simple task. Well done and set in the spectacular city of Singapore, I highly recommend this one!

I wanted to like this, but the story just seemed like it was trying too hard to be another Crazy Rich Asians.  I wasn't able to finish the book.

Was really looking forward to reading this book based on the reviews.   Crazy Rich Asians meets Bridget Jones?  Sign me up!   But was sadly disappointed and DNF.   Might try again later.

Here we have a shallow woman's search for love and acceptance but not on her terms but rather on everyone else's opinions.
This also has several issues with portrayal of characters, sexual orientation and tensions, inappropriate actions as well as infidelity and or cheating.
However, you want to paint it you can do so as I'm just the reviewer but this book will divide depending on one's beliefs, morals, values, and opinions.
We are all entitled to them as freedom of speech is assured however, I wouldn't wish to go into this more than that for my own sanity and peace of mind.
As for the writing it was good however, the ending wasn't for me, and the idea that an intelligent lawyer is having these types of issues in regards to her personal life is surprising at best.
Ladies, a hint of advice -charmers-swooners- Jekyll and Hydes are out there and will sell you a shiny idea but leave you with fool's gold. So please be careful in the selection process -Eric - you hear me?
Ok, I'm off but hope you find this helpful in determining your next selection.
Thank you to Bibliotheca and Netgalley for this e-read in exchange for this honest review.

I think this book had a lot of potential but it was way toooo long. It felt like I had a hard time getting into the book and then once I did it kind of drug on. I also wasn't super invested in any of the characters. Although much different reads I preferred Crazy Rich Asians.

Last Tang Standing is quite the slow burn, and it takes a lil time to get into the story, but once you do you’re sucked in. Andrea, the protagonist is so relatable with her struggles and you can see how one’s culture, family, and society affects the decisions you make. Andrea questions her career choice and her views on family compared to what is excepted of her. This book shows the pressure of society and familial expectations, specifically Andrea’s Chinese-Malaysian culture. I really loved reading about Andrea’s culture, and it definitely reminded me at times of my own family and life! This is a great book, it was well written and features great characters. I’m also glad to see more Asian representation as well! There was also some great humor throughout.

I liked this. It reminded me of Crazy Rich Asians. The book is written in Andrea’s diary entries. Andrea Tang is the last single woman in her family or the last single Tang standing (hence the title). She’s 33, a lawyer, and possibly a borderline alcoholic. Andrea catalogs her adventures with a much younger man and a much older man, fighting with the lawyer (and competition for partner) who shares her office, and hanging out with her fabulous friends. It was a quick read! I liked it.

Gosh this book is so funny. Why don't I read chick lit again? Oh right, that's because they're usually about white characters (not that it is a bad thing), and I can't relate. Last Tang Standing is a rom com novel written by an Asian author for an Asian audience. The struggles and family expectations are all too real. 

Andrea is our 33 year old protagonist, who has hit all of the Asian parental expectations, except for one thing. She's still single. Single at over 30 in traditional Asian households is a serious misdemeanour. It might be more relaxed for the Asian diaspora living abroad, but this story is set in Singapore. If not her parents, her extended family and friends are also all up in her dating business. She meets a few eligible men, but who will she choose? I won't continue, lest I spoil it. 

I absolutely loved this book and finished it in one sitting. It's a traditional rom com narrative, and it doesn't try to be anything else. It can be enjoyed by everyone for an incredibly cute and hilarious read. For Asian readers, particularly those from Singapore and Malaysia, this will be extra special, because all the little details in which this story has been put together scream Asian culture. Like how the Asian aunties are always up in your business. The need to compete for career and financial status. The prejudices between different ethnic backgrounds, religions, and careers. All that to say is that this is a really funny rom com for all, but for the Asian reader, the characters feel like our family members and friends.

Andrea Tang is smart and successful. Her career is really taking off, and she enjoys a great social life. Unfortunately, her very traditional, wealthy Asian family gives her no credit for any of this, because Andrea is not yet married. The pressure is on -- constantly! She does find romance, but the way is not smooth or straightforward. Andrea is a very appealing and relatable main character, and we care about her and her happiness. There's lots of humor in this story, which makes it even more fun. I look forward to recommending this to readers who enjoy the Crazy Rich Asian series or Helen Hoang's books.

Last Tang Standing by Lauren Ho⁣
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⁣
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Thank you @putnambooks for a #gifted copy in exchange for my honest review! ⁣
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I saw a lot of comparisons for this book to Crazy Rich Asians, but I found that the writing & actual storyline were quite different. ⁣
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Last Tang Standing follows 33-year-old Andrea Tang, a successful lawyer trying to make partner before the year ends. She lives comfortably in her posh condo, but there’s just one thing missing: a husband. She is the last one in her family to get married, a fact she is very often reminded of by her Chinese-Malaysian family.⁣
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This book is written like a diary — Andrea pours her heart (and drunken, late night thoughts) into this diary, and while at first I felt it was all over the place, I really enjoyed it at the end! Andrea was also, for lack of a better word, a hot mess 😂 I did get frustrated with her stubbornness (and slight drinking problem?), but I grew to love her & her character development.⁣
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When the time comes and she has to choose between Eric Deng, a perfect match in her family’s eyes, and Suresh Aditparan, her office rival that her mother would NOT approve of, who will Andrea choose? ⁣
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Another thing I appreciated was Andrea’s relationship with her mom — she had a tense relationship with her, but towards the end of the book, Andrea realizes why her mother acts the way she does, and that it’s always out of love. I think lots of people tend to view Asian parents as relentless, nagging, shallow, and even borderline racist (which is addressed in this book through Andrea’s sister’s fiancé, a Malay-Muslim man) so I’m glad we got to get more in-depth with her mom 💛⁣

This book is pitched as a blend of Crazy Rich Asians and Bridget Jones’ Diary and delivers on those promises. I loved Andrea Tang; she’s ambitious, funny, and has her soft spots. It was definitely a predictable plot, but a fun one to watch unfold nonetheless. We also get a great rivals-to-lovers storyline in here. I was so afraid there was gonna be a major cheating plot line (which I really don’t like) but there was only really explicit cheating done by background characters. Overall, this book was witty, fun, and quick.

First reaction. 
Last Tang Standing is absorbing and addictive. Comps that name check  Bridget Jones Diary rarely work.  That’s doubly true of descriptions  like Crazy Rich Asians meets Bridget Jones. They’re never accurate. This time, however, the comparison totally nails it. I love that this is a sharply drawn portrait of a particular segment of a particular culture as much as it’s romance. The social observation is smart and funny, spot on and original, the voice perfectly imperfect and totally relatable. It’s all very specific, and a wonderful surprise. 

 Being accurate and sharply observed of course means that there’s a fair amount of ugliness on the page: racism, body shaming, sexism. It’s worth it.  

Full review to come.

Lauren Ho’s Last Tang Standing is probably one of my favourite reads of the year. Her novel has been labelled a combination of Crazy Rich Asians and Bridget Jones’s Diary, and while this is technically accurate considering the style and genre, I believe Ho charts a path all her own. In Last Tang Standing we are introduced to Andrea Tang, a senior associate at a successful law firm who is looking to make partner. She is also looking for the man to spend the rest of her life with; making partner seems an easier task than this tall order.

The novel begins with Andrea and her best friend/cousin Linda attending a lavish luncheon hosted by their Auntie Wei Wei on the second day of Chinese New Year, preparing for the dreaded confrontation of their singleton status. My Chinese single friends have described such occasions to me before, the onslaught of aunties asking them if they are attached, the judging eyes and matchmaking efforts that ensue when the answer is no. Ho’s writing style is effortlessly funny, with spot-on social commentary and superb crafting of Andrea’s narrative voice. I don’t need to read the footnotes since I live in Singapore and understand most of the references, but Ho makes me want to devour all of it because her humour is laced into everything. I raced through the book and only had to take a break because my eyes were getting droopy even though my mind was still invested.

In Andrea’s challenges we see the challenge of being a woman. No matter how successful you are in your career, you are still found wanting if that life doesn’t come with a husband and family. Being married is still a huge part of our social worth, and Andrea finds herself worried about it constantly because she is told that she should be married and churning out kids at her age. So Andrea throws herself into the dating world, be it through dating apps, high society book clubs and even enduring a blind date, all in an attempt to find someone suitable enough. The One is a fantasy, maybe someone good enough will do.

And along comes Eric Deng, a multi-millionaire, older and matured enough to know what he wants, eager to introduce Andrea into his life. Rich, good looking and very successful – isn’t that what we are told to look for in a man? But we can’t help but feel that Andrea isn’t convinced, even as she loudly remarks on the the eligibility of Eric, and pragmatically, she can’t go wrong if she chooses to marry him. On the other side of things is colleague Suresh, her competition for partner, and despite her attempts to villainise him, we sense a camaraderie and kinship between the two.

Much like Andrea, Suresh doesn’t have it all figured out too. He has a fiance who wants a life in London while he doesn’t, he has a passion for his graphic novel The Last True Self, which he posts snippets of on an IG page. But the life of an artist is a pipe dream, and being a lawyer isn’t. Andrea has worked hard to achieve her goal of being made partner, but she never stopped to ask herself if this is what she truly wants. We are taught from young that there are certain careers and paths that we should strive for, all in an attempt to elevate our social worth. However, all this is based on capitalist notions – we chase money and not our dreams.

There is also the added hurdle of race, given that Suresh is Indian and Andrea is Chinese, becoming an issue because of cultural expectations and traditions. But Ho makes it clear that this remains an issue only if you allow yourself to accept the status quo. You need to be brave and exercise your own sense of agency, and that will effect change for the next generation. Ho also belabours that we cannot expect love to conquer all. We can marry for love, however, this doesn’t guarantee a happily-ever-after. All we can do is make the leap, and hope that the other person is waiting to catch us.

Last Tang Standing is the rom-com genre at its best, mainly because Ho focuses on the development of her protagonist, which comes way before any romantic prospect. Things come together romantically for Andrea when she has figured herself out, just the way it should be.

4.5 Stars, HJ Recommended Read!!

Andrea has nearly achieved everything that she has wanted in her life, at thirty three she is loving her best life; a thriving career as a lawyer on her way to making partner, s group of supportive fun loving friends and a snazzy apartment. One would think she is a success, but in the eyes of her traditional Asian mother she has failed at one major milestone; she is thirty three and unmarried. Adding to this already stressful pressure Andrea is the last remaining singleton from the Tang family. Completely happy with her life the way it is and content without having a man in her life, but also being the dutiful Chinese-Malaysian daughter that she is Andrea finally relents to the constant pressure from her meddling relatives, her only problem now being that her romantic prospects are not looking very fruitful.

With all of the pressure from her family not to dishonour their ancestors, the last thing that Andrea needed is for things between her work rival Suresh to heat up. To add to her growing confusion life throws another romantic prospect into the mix, this time in the form of the charming Chinese businessman Eric, exactly the type of guy her mother would love for to settle down with. Faced with dealing with being torn between these two men, pleasing her family and what she wants, Andrea begins to fear there is no real win at the end of the day.
When the blurb described this novel as Crazy Rich Asian meets Bridget Jones’s Diary, I had no idea how spot on that description would be. I was a huge fan of Crazy Rich Asian and Last Tang Standing has only added to my love of the Asian literature genre. This novel gives a very good depiction of the cultural norms and societal ways found in the Asian culture. Andrea has to be one of the most relatable characters I have read thus far, from her career struggles to the pressure that she feels from her family. What I really enjoyed was that we got to see bits of Andrea’s diary, which really helped me get a true feel of what she was going through. In saying this I liked that for a change the lead female was not some wilting flower, Lauren portrayed Andrea as a strong, ambitious and hardworking, all while still giving her a softer side, showing her doubts and fears.

I loved the flow of the narrative, it started out a little on the slower side but once you got into it, the pace picked up nicely. I liked that even though there were a lot and I mean a lot of different characters involved in Andrea’s story Lauren has done well in introducing each character so that we do not get confused or overwhelmed.

In saying all of this I think as much as I found references and similarities to Crazy Rich Asians, I found that instead of only looking at the family influence on romantic prospects, Last Tang Standing touched on not only the pressure females face to get settled down by a certain age but also how that impacts your professional life. This is definitely a book I would recommend reading, this slow burn will have you reflecting on your own life.

I received a free ebook copy through Netgalley.

I enjoyed reading the book. It was an easy read and perfect to get through COVID-19 reading slump. It was interesting to read about Singapore’s culture and about Andrea’s dilemma of being the last Tang without a partner. The plot was difficult to follow at times due to the diary/journal format and attention to too many details (her work and other characters) that didn’t necessarily apply to the story. Enjoyed Andrea and Suresh’s interactions but was left wanting more. It would have been more interesting if their relationship had been explored further.

A delicious read Lauren Ho is an authorI will  be following.Andrea Tang auk trained attorney a Singapore  girl shares with us her life her horrible dates.Her very entertaining families pressure for her to get married told in diary form I was completely charmed by Andrea her family her law partner overall fun involving read.#netgalley #penguin

The last Tang standing had me laughing out loud. In my opinion, this was a way better version of Kevin Kwan's Crazy Rich Asians. These characters had heart and oh so many hangovers. I loved the family relationships and the  snags that seemed to follow Andrea around. Having to dig deep to follow her heart took a long time, but it's so easy to get lost and not be able to see the forest through the trees.

The brand name dropping was excessive, but not nearly as bad as others in this same Asian rom-com.

Links to follow!

This novel has been hailed as Bridget Jones's Diary meets Crazy Rich Asians and it is exactly that...with some surprises thrown in.

Last Tang Standing is a cute story overall. There were a lot of great moments and I enjoyed the way the characters interacted. Andrea had a strong voice and it was fun getting to know her. I liked the descriptions as they made everything easy to visualize and didn't weigh down the story. I liked all the cultural aspects, as well.

I wasn't on board with this novel being in diary format, since most of the story was told with dialogue. It has always been a pet peeve of mine to see dialogue in someone's diary. I also would have liked if the dates corresponded to the past or current year a bit more. I kept wondering what year it was. I didn't understand most of the law terminology, so it would have been nice to have footnotes or something along those lines.

This was an enjoyable chick lit read for the summer and it kept me entertained throughout.

Movie casting suggestions:
Andrea: Vanessa Matsui
Suresh: Nikesh Patel
Linda: Brenda Song
Valerie: Sandra Oh
Eric: Will Yun Lee
Orson: Ryan Potter
Anousha: Richa Moorjani