Last Tang Standing

By: Lauren Ho

Narrated by: Catherine Ho

Length: 12 hrs and 38 mins

Publisher's summary

Crazy Rich Asians meets Bridget Jones's Diary in this funny and irresistible debut novel about the pursuit of happiness, surviving one's 30s intact, and opening oneself up to love.

At 33, Andrea Tang is living the dream: She has a successful career as a lawyer, a posh condo, and a clutch of fun-loving friends who are always in the know about Singapore's hottest clubs. All she has to do is make law partner, and her life will be perfect. And if she's about to become the lone unmarried member of her generation in the Tang clan - a disappointment her meddling Chinese Malaysian family won't let her forget - well, she doesn't need a man to complete her. Yet when a chance encounter with charming, wealthy entrepreneur Eric Deng offers her a glimpse of an exciting, limitless future, Andrea decides to give Mr. Right-for-her-family a chance. Too bad Suresh Aditparan, her office rival and the last man her family would approve of, keeps throwing a wrench in her plans. Now, Andrea can't help but wonder: In the endless tug-of-war between pleasing others and pleasing herself, is there room for everyone to win?

©2020 Lauren Ho (P)2020 Penguin Audio

Last Tang Standing is Outrageously Funny!

Last Tang Standing is so beautifully written by Lauren Ho that after I finish listening to the audiobook version I ended up wishing for
a sequel or see this in a big screen. It’s so funny that this book has entertained me on my drive to work. I love all of the characters in the story, and I applaud Lauren’s idea of bringing in multicultural representation in her Rom-Com Novel. The cover was also pretty that it was my deciding factor why I purchase it first in Audible and I’m so glad I did! After that I also bought the paperback version as keeping a physical copy is definitely worth it!

Entertaining but juvenile

I feel like I can't be too harsh with this review despite my overall rating. For what it was, the book was alright just not my cup of tea. It's a lighthearted, semi-comedic love story that fulfills its purpose. I also enjoyed that it was a cast and setting that aren't often given the spotlight in a majority of popular fiction. My main issue is that I did not really feel a connection to the main character in most respects, despite being 33 and fairly accomplished she was pretty immature and childish. These qualities were only exacerbated by the audio. The performance and tone are quite consistent and dedicated, but somewhat over the top with the already limited substance of the book.

If you're a hopeless romantic looking for a romance book that you don't really have to think about and only flirts with the more risque aspects of other adult romance novels than this could be the quick entertaining read for you.

Loved this book

I do not usually like books about lives of 30 somethings but this book was fabulous. SO SO FUNNY. Narrator was perfect.

Probably better read in hard copy

It was a fine story, fairly predictable though. I think I would have liked it better perhaps if I read it on paper, as I think some of the humor and diary-ness of it didn’t come through quite the same as an audiobook.

Overall an easy, not complex read. Something to get through on the beach or if you’re looking for something super light for a vacation or something.

Exhausting

I really wanted to like this book. I found myself really getting into the plot at times, but the story moved way way too slow. And the main character was exhausting.

Far from foreign

This book was so boring. It felt like a messy mock up of sex in the city and crazy rich Asians smashed together. But none of the fun parts only naming Singapore etc... and avoiding aunties and grandmas from asking who they’re dating, why aren’t they married? Not even exposing their rich cultures or Singaporean landscapes. Nothing humorous. Or attention grabbing. They go to grandma. Grandma ask why no boyfriend. They go tinder. Lots of messy boring dates. Unnecessary dates. Etc...boring....blan story & no climax.

A delightful debut novel

I was so impressed with this book. It was such a nice escape from the real world. I couldn't stop listening. It is a good length..neither too short or too long. The story is complete at the end so could be stand alone but also I would be happy with a sequel. It is the perfect "beach read," Even if in 2020 nobody is going to the beach.

juvenile and predictable

I struggled to finish and skipped over some parts and in the end I was disappointed

Not Bridget Jones

I couldn’t finish this book-very over simplification of Bridget Jones concept-over done repetitive theme. I couldn’t find any of the characters to be compelling enough to finish the story.

A bit juvenile

I think this book wanted to be like "Crazy Rich Asians" but didn't quite get there. It's a cute light read. I don't know if it was the narrator or the writing or perhaps both that made this book somewhat juvenile. Not a book I would recommend.