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.

Kinsey and Griff. The perfectly unperfect couple. Opposite agendas, opposite personalities, but identical attraction. This book created situations the reader can identify with. Just enough steaminess, hesitation and angst and wondering of "will they or won't they" to keep one reading. Avery has done it again. Christmas is not far off, this would be a great stocking stuffer for your girlfriends!
Thank you NetGalley for this copy. This opinion is my own.

Another great book in this series! I adored both of these MC’s. Both quirky and slightly awkward, yet perfect for each other in every way. Griff’s reserved personality was so endearing, and the meet cute between him and Kinsey was perfection. I really related to Kinsey; I think a lot of people would. Its difficult to be put into a specific box because of your looks and/or sex. I also enjoyed her personality and drive to succeed. The chemistry between Griff and Kinsey was amazing, as were the spicy scenes. Where can I find someone to build me a lego room? *I received an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Griff Beckett is one of the most charming, grunting heroes I have read in a while. He may not speak much but when he does pay attention. (His dirty talking side rings loud and clear). Griff was the man who did not put value in relationships and because of how he was raised and who he is he never thought he would find that one true love. That is until Kinsey. Just her talking he was in love. She solved 3 problems in less than 5 mins. In in the moment, he knew Kinsey was the one for him.

Kinsey is smart, funny and a genuine person. She spoke her mind, even when she knew many people (men especially) wouldn’t take her seriously because of her looks and gender. Kinsey has some deep seeded trust issues and self-esteem issues. She is often judged on her looks alone. She wants the world to see more than a beautiful face. She wants them to respect her for her smarts and abilities.

Neanderthal will leave you laughing from the start. The shenanigans between the Beckett family are what will keep bring you back to the stories this author writes. This story has a great balance of steam and rom-com.
Griff can be a difficult character to stay connected with. In the beginning because he doesn’t say a lot. You desperately want to know his story; the connection to his character is a slower going than typical. I also struggled with the fake fiancé story line, and she agree to dates with out coming clean about it. It does resolves its self and the way it is done is a hoot.

Neanderthal will leave you laughing from the start. The shenanigans between the Beckett family are what will keep bring you back to the stories this author writes. This story has a great balance of steam and rom-com. These Beckett cousins are falling fast and hard. Griff might have fallen the hardest. Kinsely is the perfect counter to his gruffness. She makes him loosen up and look past his safe space. This is a fun and quirky read. If you love a pining dirty talking hero. You will want to pick up this book.

Can a bet bring two people together? When Grifd hear Kensey's voicw for the firts time he is knock out, literally. She is the one. But he is a man of few words, is he ready to win her love? An spicy and funny love story

I really enjoyed this book. Both the dialogue and the internal monologues were funny, and I don't find that in books very often. I highlighted half the book so I could go back and reread the funny parts. Kinsey was especially entertaining. I loved her big heart and her smarts. I was also glad that she was realistically Southern, and I absolutely want her cornbread recipe.
Griff and Kinsey have an intense connection from the moment they are in the same room, and that connection carries the plot. Even when I was mad at Kinsey (I was hollering at her until her Meemaw set her straight) or Griff (poor Neanderthal), that connection was still simmering and waiting to pull me back into the story. They made a lot of sense as a couple, and I was rooting for them the whole way.

This book was really cute. I really enjoyed Griff and Kinsey. They were the perfect match for each other.

Ther were some parts of the book that I felt went on and on, but those parts made more sense to me the further I got in to the story. It worked out perfectly once I finally understood where the story was going.

Now, I have to go back and read the first book in the series.

Neanderthal is an ok read. I liked the heat and chemistry between Griff and Kinsey. What I wasn’t crazy about was the overt sex scenes. I’m no prude, but I found some of them to be a bit too explicit. It was a distraction.

I honestly didn’t think I could love this book anymore than the 1st book in this series, Mamas Boy! Well I was wrong! I absolutely loved Griff. Kinsey was of course great but Griff and his grunting, growly self ... wow, just wow!

Griff and Kinsey are the same. Both crazy smart but also totally misunderstood with major self doubt. Everyone looks at Kinsey and her blonde bombshell appearance and assume she is dumb as a box of rocks. The same goes for Griff and his muscled, tatted up, doesn’t speak to anyone but a grunt and one word answer. However, when they meet because of Griffs sister being Kinsey’s best friend it’s like a fire works show: Griff sees her ... well hears her put several men in there place and he is a goner. For him, it was her sassy-brainiac dressing down of the 3 grown men. For her, it was the muscles, the tatts, gruffness and scowl that gave her the heart eyes.

I could not put this book down. For me it was seeing Griff and Kinsey step out their comfort zones for love, especially Griff. He might be quiet but he loves his family and is very protective of them. It beautiful to see him open up and show Kinsey his true self! Be ready to swoon and be mad when this book is over because you will want more Griff and Kinsey!

This is the second story in this series about three cousins who spent summers together with their wonderful Grandma Betty. She recently died, and these cousins have a ridiculous bet going to see who the 'last man standing' will be, after going out on six dates with the first person who answers their dating app ad. They are doing this to earn the right to receive the final Christmas present that their grandmother ever wrapped. She told them it was for them, but she didn't specify which of the three cousins it was supposed to go to, so the guys came up with this challenge to determine the recipient. They don't care what is in it, only that it was from her and is a treasured memento from their summers spent with her. Griff Beckett is the focus of this story. His brain works in hyper drive most of the time, and his mouth has a hard time keeping up with his impressive brain, so he often grunts to communicate. Kinsey Dalton is also extremely intelligent; she graduated high school at 15 and entered college that year. She graduated with a Ph. D. in pharmaceutical sciences, and is extremely tired of being judged by her 'blonde bombshell' beauty, and summarily dismissed as an empty-headed bimbo because of the way she looks. She has even created a fake fiancé, just to keep things professional with colleagues who might see her as easy prey.

Griff is attracted to Kinsey from the start, but her 'fake' engagement ring keeps him in line. She decides to help him out with the bet, and signs up on the dating app to be his partner for those six dates to help him win the bet and get Grandma Betty's gift. She's pretty certain he will never fall in love with her, as she is so brainy that many men can't handle it. This leads to some interesting interactions. The conversations that happen between the protagonists in this book are fascinating. They talk about so many different things and it's fun to read these conversations. They both have some past issues to navigate, and they seem to do so more successfully with the help of the other rather than alone. There are a couple of mean-spirited characters that cause some conflict, but things do work out in the end. This is a worthwhile and fun read that is full of quirky and lovable characters.

Neanderthal is the 2nd book in the Last Man Standing Series and can be read as a complete standalone because I unfortunately did not read the first book in this series and it didn't diminish my enjoyment of this book in any way, shape or form! I adored Griff and Kinsey's journey throughout this read so very much. Kinsey has been judged by her looks her whole life so it was quite empowering to experience her coming into her own so to speak. And Griff! He was her perfect soulmate -- I loved Griff from the first moment he appears in this book. He may be the strong and silent type but he is absolute perfection for Kinsey. I would categorize this read as a rom-com but there's so much more to the storyline than just a contemporary romance. I highly recommend Neanderthal -- Ms. Flynn's writing is top notch, the secondary characters were well developed and the overall flow of this book is exceptionally good! 5-star read!

This was very fun and very sexy. I did read the first book of the series, but I don't feel like it's SUPER necessary to do so. The characters are super relatable and I love Kinsey and Griff. I read it in an afternoon and I wasn't mad about it. I am very excited to read the third installment!

Neanderthal is the second in a series about a group of cousins who make a bet that they will never fall in love. Griff is a man of few words but he's blindsided when he meets Kinsey and knows immediately he's met the woman he's going to marry. Kinsey is new to the big city and excited to start her first job as a research scientist at a cosmetics company (the biggest competitor to the company that Griff leads). Kinsey agrees to go on a handful of dates with Griff to help him win the bet with his cousins, and Griff knows he needs to use those dates to "fall out of love" with her. Good luck with that, G.

This was a fun, quick read with lots of steam. I haven't read the first in the series yet but plan to pick it up right away. My heart went out to both Kinsey and Griff as they both work through grief and parental abandonment issues. I would have liked to see more development of their relationship because the insta-love was a bit strong. I really enjoyed the supporting characters, including Morgan and Meemaw.

Thanks to Entangled Publishing and NetGalley for the early copy. All opinions are my own.

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

This book is fabulous. I was thinking I'd have a hard time connecting with it due to it being the second in a series. I had not read the first book in the series. I will definitely be backtracking to read the first one.

The characters were well developed. I despised Gavin from the get-go. Kinsey, a smart southern girl, was easily relatable. Being from the South automatically knocks you down a few IQ to some people. Griff was misunderstood by everyone but Kinsey. He reminds me of my own shy husband.

4.25⭐

Neanderthal is a delicious rom-com full of relatable situations, fun experiences, and steam. Not to mention a gruff, grunty hero and a heroine who is bright, super likable and funny. And I was genuinely entertained throughout so much so I went straight online and purchased Mama's Boy as well as pre-ordering Mansplainer. Would also happily recommend as I guarantee this story will make you smile.

What a cute, fun and intensely smexy read!

I absolutely adored Kinsey. Because she’s always been judged by her looks and accent, she’s learned ways to handle it in a way that I totally support and admire all while laughing myself silly. With her southern belle sweet to top off her stark rebuttals, I want to be her! The fact that she was so perfect for Griff due to her own nerdiness had me cheering her on all the way.

Griff is that amazing hero that rarely talks. When he does he tends to bumble what he’s trying to say so he tends to do a lot of grunting. While he wasn’t as neanderthal as I expected outside of the bedroom, once things heated up between Kinsey and him, he became one heck of a dirty talker. Oh lord, he was panty melting hot! Add in the fact that he first fell in love with Kinsey’s brain before he ever laid eyes on her, and I had reached my swoon level.

There isn’t a lot of drama to this story. Just a touch towards the end. However, it’s filled with the decisions, actions, and reactions of this couple as they wade through a fake dating situation and find themselves falling (or in Griff’s position - having already fallen) in love.
I didn’t read the first book and I was never lost or confused, although I’d like to go back and read it just to get more of the Becketts. This family is hilarious. Their interactions had me grinning as they antagonized one another - much like my own family does!

Highly recommend this delicious rom-com that not only has lots of heat but plenty of heart as well!

Neanderthal by Avery Flynn a five-star read that is a grunt worthy story. I didn’t realise this was number two in the Last Man Standing series, but I didn’t feel like I missed anything. This was a great story and had me laughing so hard. It also had me daydreaming about what would happen. It got it all if you like an insta romance then you wont go wrong with this one, Griff is so much deeper than you think, and I love how much him and Kinsey have such beautiful brains. I for one can’t wait to find out what happens in number three and also what is in that box?

I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Thank you to NetGalley and Entangled publishing for letting me read this.
Griff and Kinsey are a fun couple and pretty well matched. I enjoyed their dialogue and their make-out scenes together were steamy.
Love that Griff had a Lego room and that Kinsey was into him as much as he was her.
An amusing and entertaining read.

Neanderthal is already my favorite book in Avery Flynn's 'Last Man Standing Series'. Once I started it, I could not put down this sweet and steamy read.

If you haven't read the first book in the series yet, this is a series about three cousins trying to win a bet. The bet is to be the last man standing when it comes to love and relationships. Each cousin has to go on 6 dates with the first person to respond to their online dating profile and not fall in love. All to receive the last present left by their grandmother.

This book focuses on Griff. He is reserved, damaged, and loves his LEGOs. He thinks this will be a walk in the park because he has never gotten attached or really been in any long-lasting relationships. But right before the bet technically started he fell in love when he saw a woman putting his cousins and friends in place. He needed to know this woman and it turns out he would get the chance to.

Kinsey is a beautiful and intelligent woman who has worked hard for her career. Being an attractive woman in the science field makes it harder for her to get hired. So, she comes up with the idea to create a fake fiance so the men at her new job won't feel threatened. And it works. She wants to keep her focus on work but when she meets her best friend's brother she can't help but lick her lips with attraction.

Griff and Kinsey instantly have chemistry. He is already in love with her and wants her to fall in love with him. But because he is used to grunting in conversations using words is something new for him. lol. He will do whatever it takes and that is just adorable. Kinsey is feeling mixed emotions. Yes, she is attracted to him but she doesn't want any distractions. But when she learns about the last man standing bet she decides to step in and help Griff. She clicks on his dating profile and sends him a message; making her the woman who will be going on those 6 dates with him.

When Griff's sister Morgan and the rest of the cousins find out, they know this is going to be good. Griff is pretty upfront with them about his feelings so they make it their mission to help Kinsey fall in love with him. I am proud to say that he does get better with using his words but he does not need help with his skills in the bedroom. Those he has down pat.

This is my favorite in the series because their chemistry is amazing and their shared moments are so swoon-worthy. Griff becomes so vocal (especially in the bedroom) with Kinsey and it's so delicious to read. Kinsey is so sweet and gentle with him that she helps him and herself open up so much.

I give Neanderthal 5 stars. It's a sweet and spicy read that will leave readers swooning over the sexy/damaged hero, Griff. His protective yet restrained nature will pull readers in and make you fall in love with him one chapter at a time. And Kinsey's light-hearted personality just solidifies her as his perfect match. The book is so worth the read!

‘Neanderthal’ is a very breezy, light-hearted instalove type of story where a man not known for his words suddenly finds himself struck by lightning and discovering the woman he knows just *is* the one for him. The problem is? She’s not single (at least it’s what she says) and looks at him like dirt on her shoes because the first words out of his mouth upon meeting her come out as an insult.

Griff Beckett knows he’s screwed himself royally and the road to get into Kinsey’s good books—the woman of his dreams, who just doesn’t know it yet—is one that’s less rocky than it looks to be. Both Kinsey and Griff are in some ways, socially awkward geeks in their own right, and with the twist coming in the form of Kinsey agreeing to go on dates with Griff after finding out about the pact he’d had with his family…it’s where things start taking off.

‘Neanderthal’ has that nice reverse (but somewhat bewildering) instalove where the male protagonist tries any means to get the woman to fall hard for him, almost akin to what certain male species in nature are designed to have—colourful plumage, prettier calls, etc, and that was something that I found myself wryly smiling at as Griff got into overdrive for that mission. Still, there is little diversion from the hallmarks of a rom-com and Griff/Kinsey’s story ends on a note that is happy but predictable.

*This happens rarely, but I had major formatting issues with the ARC I’d been given—the pages read from right to left, in that bizarre-ancient-writing way of reading and it took me a while to even get the flow, let alone rewire my brain to think that way. Needless to say, it wasn’t e-reader compatible and I ended up reading this on my laptop, which unfortunately, spoiled the whole experience. It’s normally an issue that I can ignore if the errors are minor, but this seemed significant to comment on it, which I did to the publishing representative, but didn’t receive a reply or a reformatted version in return.