As the last romantically unattached Beckett cousin, Nash Beckett thinks he’ll win the bet with his cousins to be the last man blissfully not in love by Christmas in Avery Flynn’s Mansplainer, Last Man Standing #3. A marriage of convenience should seal the deal, and he believes he’s found his wife to be in Chelle Finch, who needs a temporary husband even more than he needs a wife.

I love how thirsty Nash and Chelle are for each other. Their interactions and banter are sexy, sweet, funny, steamy, and intense. Nash could care less about Chelle being older than him or plus size. He’s 100% into everything about her lush body, intelligent mind, and fiery spirit. You love to see that! It’s even cooler how comfortable Chelle is with herself. Because while it’s nice to have validation from Nash, she neither needs nor seeks it out. Nevertheless, she is human. So, despite her attraction to Nash, Chelle is determined to keep things simple in their marriage to avoid getting hurt.

Intelligent, independent, 42-year-old Chelle is the Executive Director of her family’s Finch Foundation, but her passion is writing fantasy novels. All her life, she’s been surrounded by misogynistic, critical, controlling men in her family, and her love life hasn’t been much better. But now, because of her father’s will, she must marry to stay in control of her foundation and keep it running. Even though he’s the last and only cousin uninvolved in a romantic relationship, Nash still must follow the bet’s rules and go on six dates with the same woman to win the bet with his cousins. However, Nash plans to win the bet by marrying—but not for love. To satisfy the archaic terms of her father’s will, Chelle Finch needs a temporary husband. So, the two agree to a six-month marriage of convenience, at the end of which they will divorce. However, dating Chelle makes Nash realize he wants her to be his forever wife. How can the mansplainer who can talk his way out of anything sweet talk his temporary wife into forever with him?

Chelle’s at a point in her life where she wants to be seen as capable, worthy, and an equal. She’s tired of men controlling her and telling her they know what’s best for her and that she’s not enough as she is. For Chelle, it’s not so easy to trust or open up to Nash after a lifetime of being controlled, judged, and dictated to by archaic, misogynistic men in her family who don’t respect her. Additionally, she’s had a string of jerk boyfriends who treated her the same way. She’s past the point of accepting that from any man anymore. Even though that’s not Nash, and she seems to know that, she takes some of her anger and frustration out on him, unfortunately. Not that Nash doesn’t deserve to be told to keep it to himself once in a while.

Whew! Nash is a hot mess! He cannot resist always offering unsolicited advice about everything. Mansplainer doesn’t quite cover it. As the oldest brother and cousin, Nash had to grow up too soon and shoulder adult responsibilities like making sure bills got paid and caring for his siblings because of his flighty parents. He also looked out for his younger cousin because of his absent parents. So, it became natural for Nash to value being in control, taking care of his family, and helping people. But over time, it became a way of life. Nash discovers he doesn’t know his identity without helping fix other people’s lives or solve their problems. He’s been taking care of his family for so long, filling in for the absentee parents, that he doesn’t know how to turn it off and live his own life. It’s fantastic for him professionally because he’s developed uncanny insight into how people think and react. But it’s an enormous problem for him in his personal life and his personal relationships. His family accepts that he’s that way and knows not to take his mansplaining personally. They’re comfortable telling him when to back off. I think it’s unfortunate that even knowing why Nash is how he is, Chelle’s unable to accept him as he is. At the same time, she is so hung up on being accepted for who she is, and Nash does without ever viewing her as being inferior to him.

Mansplainer is a sexy, funny, angsty, steamy, absorbing pretend relationship/marriage of convenience romance. Readers who like seriously steamy, age gap, marriages of convenience, and pretend relationship romances with plus-size heroines and heroes who are not what they seem at first- or second glance should give this one a read.


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

Advanced review copy provided by Entangled Publishing, LLC via Netgalley for review.

This has been a great series filled with the misadventures of three cousins not looking for love in order to win a bet. Sound strange? Well, the prize was the last gift from a beloved family member that is no longer with them, and that, if anything, goes to show how important family is to this trio. Anywho, I read the first book (Neanderthal), skipped the second (Mama's Boy), and arrived at this one, the third and final installment. Was it worth the wait? Yes indeed! Beckett knows everything, and explains EVERYTHING (hence the title!), but actually has good intentions...he just can't seem to see how all the free advice is perceived by the recipient...again, hence the title. Chelle is just the woman to give him a makeover, of sorts, and in return, she'll get the help she needs to break out of the skeazy patriarchal tripwire in her father's will. Honestly, trying to "put her in her place" from the grave? How low CAN you go? But, she's a woman not to be toyed with, and she'll get what she desires...and then some because she SO doesn't see Beckett coming! Let's just say this one is a bit hotter than a few of the others, I've mentioned, so beyond blush worthy a time or two, but the story is not to be missed!

Mansplainer is the third in the series about the Beckett cousins and their bet to be the last man standing and win their late Grandma's prize. This one was focused on Nash and his marriage of convenience with Chelle who they tell you is older and plus sized several times. I liked both the characters, especially Chelle although I would have loved even more if she was allowed to take charge and really be the boss. She does still take a back seat more to Nash than I would wish and that guy definitely needs to be put in his place. He is the titular mansplainer and there was some character growth but maybe not enough for me. Still it was a fun read and a nice finish to the series.

The third book in this series follows Nash and Chelle in a romcom favorite, marriage of convenience. I feel like this trope is done a lot but is often hard to write really well, especially as a romcom and not a more dark romance. This didn’t venture into that territory. It was great, fun, and sexy all at once.

There were a lot of things I liked about this book, but I’ll highlight just a few of them. First, this is a standalone. Sure, it has other characters from the series making appearances, but it does a good job explaining who they are and the whole point of the bet (Nash’s reason for offering the marriage). Second, I loved that Chelle was older than him. It’s usually the opposite where the men are older that you find in almost EVERY romance book, so it was a breath of fresh air. Not only that, but Nash couldn’t get enough of her. Third, Chelle is plus sized. Again, plus sized heroines still aren’t written as much as their counterparts. I liked that Chelle was. However, some of the descriptions of her in terms of her size and weight were cliche. It’s hard to root for a character who is supposed to be strong and all of these things be described in certain ways (sometimes by the character herself).

All in all, the book was great and I would definitely read something by the author again. I’m actually very tempted to go back and read the first two books now.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Disclaimer: I received this book at no cost from the publisher/author. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. I am leaving a voluntary review and all opinions are my own.

I really wanted to like this one but in the end, it just wasn't for me. I love this author so I was a little surprised when I finished reading the book. There were certainly things that I enjoyed about the book but the overall wow factor was nonexistent for me.

Flynn is great with her storytelling. I always love her writing voice because her books always feel like they were written just for me. The premise for this book was great but I think that it lacked in execution. There were just some parts of the book that felt disjointed. I loved the overall world-building and the connection to the other books in the series.

Chelle and Nash were characters that had a lot of potential but fell flat for me. They both certainly had some great character growth but I was left wanting more. I did love seeing all of the other characters from the rest of the series.

The romance was not as convincing as I would have liked for it to be. Chelle and Nash both enjoyed each other's company and had great chemistry but most of their interactions felt very surface level most of the time. There were exceptions in some scenes but as a whole, I wasn't totally convinced by their love.

Overall, this is a story with a lot of potential but wasn't entirely convincing for me. There are definitely enjoyable moments in the book and I would definitely recommend this author but this book just doesn't feel memorable to me. While this book didn't work out for me I am still eager to read the next book from Avery Flynn!

Mansplainer is a fun, high heat rom-com from a master of the genre. I have already got the other books in the series and I am so ready!

This is a good book. The two main characters are Chelle and Nash. Chelle has to marry according to her father’s will. Nash has to go on six dates and not fall in love, but he is ok to marry. They form a marriage of convenience. There is an instant attraction. They each have issues but together they work them out and fall in love.

A funny sexy book.... I would totally read this book again lol.... A curvy older woman and a younger sexy man.... What can go wrong with that? Loved all three books...

Mansplainer is the latest romance by Avery Flynn. Mansplainer is the third book in the last man standing series. It is Nash and Chelle’s story. Chelle and Nash agree to a marriage of convenience in order to help each other get what they want, which is to win a bet for one and to keep running a charity for the other.
I have read several books by this author and this was my least favorite. I just couldn’t get past all the mansplaining and the negativity about Chelle’s age and weight, especially by her horrible family. I did love that the main characters were pet lovers and that the heroine is a full figure curvy lady.

Thank you Avery Flynn and NetGalley . I will start by saying I haven’t read any of the other books in this series with that said , I loved Nash and Chelle. Chelle needs to get married so her father will let her run her families foundation. This is a fun and funny, a sweet, heartwarming with some steam mixed in . I think this was the perfect story and I’m looking forward to going back and reading the others in this series !

This was probably my least favorite book of this trilogy. I guess I didn’t see the character as that much of a mansplainer. I also just didn’t find these two leads as compelling as others on the storyline.

Mansplainer by Avery Flynn is book 3 in the Last Man Standing series. This series started out super cute and it's only getting better. I always love reading stories with a plus size older woman and this story hit it for me. Nash and Chelle did not hit it off at all. I love that Chelle was able to stand up to Nash's annoying mansplaining ways.

This was such a great ending to this series.

I enjoyed this first time read for me by Ms. Flynn. This is the third installment of the The Last Man Standing series, and after reading this, I really want to go back and catch up on the first two. It was a well-written and entertaining story with a heroine you typically don't find in romance books, and it was quite refreshing. Chelle was an amazing character. A curvy, older woman with insecurities, being looked down upon by her family because of her gender and physical appearance. She is trying to protect her father's charity, but the only way to do that is to be married. Nash is the only one of his cousins still unattached. In order to win a bet with his cousins, he has come up with a plan to get married, not for love, but just to buy him enough time so he can win the bet. Chelle and Nash come to a mutual decision that a marriage of convenience will benefit them both. But aside from that, they soon discover that their marriage of convenience is not so fake anymore and it's turning into something more, and real feelings are developing between them.
An enjoyable and entertaining story that held my attention all the way through. I enjoyed the dynamics between Chelle and Nash and the humor throughout kept me smiling. This was a great introduction for me to this author, and I would definitely like to read more of her work.
I received a complimentary copy from Entangled Publishing via Netgalley and am voluntarily leaving my review.

We finally have Nash, and he is the Last Man Standing. In a funny out of the ordinary bet that was started by a gift from his late grandmother Nash needs a few fake dates to be the big winner of the last gift grandma is giving. Michelle aka Chelle is a woman not interested in being at the beck and call of a husband. She is more than satisfied caring for her furry animals, writing fiction that no one will read and running the charity of her late father. In a strange twist her rotten uncle plans to make her fulfill the requirements of her fathers will. She must find a husband remain at the helm of the charity. What happens when a meddling mother, realizes that she may have the answer and the woman to take down the last man in the crazy bet. We have the fake wedding of Nash and Chelle. He is about to be broken of need to mansplain you till you want to cry, and Chelle is about to see what it is like to have a man around the house that wants to take care of her. This couple is cute, funny, sassy and have wonderful chemistry.
~~Michele McMullen~~

Any book from Avery Flynn is a must for me. I enjoy all of her stories and this was a good one. Who doesn't love a good push pull kind of thing. I liked it all.

Yay! After finally receiving an arc from Avery Flynn : Neanderthal, I was very excited to also receive the arc for Mansplainer.

Mansplainer is the last of the Last Man Standing series. The three stories about the Beckett cousins can be read as a standalone, but it is much more fun to read them all.

The recurring theme is the bet the three cousins made: six dates with the same girl, without falling in love. The one who can do this, will receive grandma Betty’s last gift. It is the last gift she wrapped for Christmas, before she died. In Mama’s Boy you can read how Dixon is the first to lose the bet. In Neanderthal it’s Griff who bites the dust.

And in Mansplainer, we see how Nash is trying to win the bet. He tries his way by cheating. He will marry Chelle and take her out six times. After six months they will get a divorce and he will win the bet. Easy peasy, right? Chelle needs a husband and fast. Because if she doesn’t marry, her uncle will take away the charity foundation she has inherited from her father. So the deal with Nash is almost too good to be true: marry, go out six times, divorce and done.

But when her uncle threatens to take her to court, because he believes the marriage is a fraud (which it technically is), Chelle turns to Nash to help her out. So, instead of six dates, Nash suddenly has his wife living in with him. That way they can hopefully convince the judge that their marriage is legit. But what happens when Nash realizes that he doesn’t want Chelle to move out after everything is said and done? Who will win the bet now?

As always: grandma Betty will have the last laugh. Funny, sassy and cute. Absolutely wonderful! Five out of five stars from me and a special thank you to Netgalley for providing the arc.

Finally, the outcome we've all been waiting for. Crazy, competitive cousins who love each other fiercely. Great characters and a fun story line make a perfect ending to the series.

Another hit by Avery Flynn! I loved everything about this book. I would definitely recommend this and all of her books.

Fake Marriage Until It Isn’t

Nash and Chelle find mutual benefits in a marriage of convenience; then things heat up.

Elements I enjoyed:
The Fake Marriage trope is always fun, and I enjoyed the humor throughout most of the novel. Some of the descriptions had me laughing out loud. For example: “He set to work cracking eggs, pouring in some heavy cream, and adding a few seasonings...then beating the mixture like it had insulted his mother.”

Elements that didn’t work for me:
The way the first steamy scene played out made me uncomfortable. Without giving anything away, I feel trust has to be built before something like this happens. That scene was just weird to me.

Avery Flynn is a talented writer and although this one wasn’t always my cup of tea, I’ll still be checking out her books.

Thank you Avery Flynn and Netgalley for the gifted e-book.

Mansplainer is the third and final book in The Last Man Standing Series. Nash is the final cousin left standing in the bet of being the last to not fall in love by Christmas. His plan to not fall in love is a marriage of convenience. Nash is going to marry Chelle Finch and in 6 weeks they are going to divorce and both go on their happy ways. Of course, as per the rules, he has to go on 6 dates with Chelle, all arranged by his cousins. Except now that Nash is dating his wife he's realizing that divorce may be the last thing that he actually wants.

I was so excited for the last book in this series. One, for Nash's story and two, to find out what was in Grandma Betty's present that the Last Man Standing gets to win. Again, like the second book, I'm left with mixed feelings. Chelle and Nash are the perfect couple for each other. I really enjoyed reading about and seeing their relationship develop. I also love the addition of Groucho Barks and Mary Puppins, Chelle's dogs, and how they played such a big part in the book. This is an age gap romance, so it does touch on some of the stereotypes that typically occur when you see an older woman with a younger man. I did find how Chelle was described a bit off-putting. Chelle is only 42, but constantly described as having grey streaks in her hair and deep wrinkles. To me this sounds like a much older woman, maybe late 50's or 60's. I'm 41 and have no grey streaks in my hair and maybe some fine lines, but no wrinkles. Come on, now. Let's be more realistic when aging our characters. I also found the gift from Grandma Betty very anticlimactic. We spent 3 books building up to this 1 gift these cousins were trying to win and the gift just wasn't that impressive. I was underwhelmed, too say the least. Was the last book of the series good, yes. Was it great, no. The series was all tied up, but I was hoping for so much more.

Favorite Quote: "Letting someone else in doesn't mean shutting yourself out."