I cannot get enough of this book. I loved the audiobook as much as the original written copy. The wit and humour shines through in the audiobook and the characters completely come alive. This story is a heartbreaker of a different kind with modern day issues and complications the friends have to see through. Definitely worth a read and a listen! One of my favourites of the year.

I’ve seen so many things about this book over the past few months. So, of course I wanted to see what I thought. Not only that, but I’ve heard incredible things about her debut novel which made me want to read this one even more. I throughly enjoyed Lucie Yi is Not a Romantic and loved listening to it as an audiobook.

After she decides she is tired of waiting for ‘Mr. Right’ in order to have the baby she has always dreamed of, Lucie Yi decides to find a potential baby father on a new co-parenting website. Soon after signing up, she is getting to know Collin Read who seems to be the perfect parental relationship match. However, once she is pregnant, Lucie’s ex-fiancé Mark Thum decides he wants her back, plus the baby as well. We follow Lucie as she struggles with pregnancy, her growing feelings and the choice of who she wants to spend her future with.

I adore the characters in this book and their character development. We follow Lucie on her journey of struggling to become a mother. It is quite an inspirational journey. I loved her sense of humour which we get to see a lot throughout the book and her frequent use of puns as well. Also, I enjoyed getting to know the supporting characters. Collin is so sweet as are Lucie’s best friends. Mark has his moments I suppose! The author definitely does an excellent job of contrasting and comparing Lucie’s love interests and I definitely had a favourite throughout.

I don’t always enjoy the love triangle trope because I feel like it causes unnecessary drama and isn’t the most fun trop for me. In Lucie Yi is Not Romantic though I actually quite enjoy the trope. It didn’t cause too much drama and it helped make me root for one of the characters in the triangle more than the other.

This book comes with trigger warnings for infertility and miscarriage. These are discussed throughout the book so please bear this in mind before reading. Lauren Ho discusses these topics in a sensitive way but without hiding how much these topics can affect those dealing with it.

Cindy Kay narrates the audiobook beautifully. Cindy’s narration brings Lucie’s character to life and I feel brings a lot of emotion to the telling of the story. I will certainly be listening to more audiobooks narrated by Cindy Kay in the future.

I’m so glad I already of a copy of Last Tang Standing, Lauren Ho’s debut novel because I want to read it as soon as possible. Her writing is hilarious and I found myself laughing out loud more than once. Her mix of the romance genre leading into women’s fiction was the perfect blend for me and I want more books like this.

Overall, I would highly recommend Lucie Yi is Not a Romantic if you are looking for a romance novel with some serious topics, this is the one for you. It is a feel-good book which will make you laugh out loud at points all whilst warming your heart.

Lucie Yi is a successful independent woman on a secondment in New York after suffering her fair share of heartbreak. Realising that time isn’t in her side and that her biological clock is ticking she takes things into her own hands down some not so conventional paths. This leads her to Colin and eventually back to Singapore.

I really enjoyed this book! I love how it explores the different life paths women take and also an unconventional way to becoming a parent when it’s what you really want. I learned so much about the culture in Singapore too which was fascinating. Having said, I just didn’t connect to the characters!

I would recommend this book as its a great romcom exploring things outside of the social norms.

**please note this version of my review is for publishers and not my public review. Public review will not include narrator as alot of people in my book group only use audiobooks**

Narrated by Cindy Kay 1 star
I absolutely can not tell you enough how much I HATE HATE HATE this narrator for this book!!!
If I had purchased this on Audible I would have returned it after an hour due to the narrator.
Cindy Kay has a great voice and would be fantastic for a Thriller but definitely not this book! This book would have been absolutely elevated by someone who wasn't so a killer is going to jump out of a cupboard dramatic!

Story 4 stars
OK... Now on to the book. This is my first time trying/hearing of Lauren Ho and I loved her writing!! I really enjoyed her characters and going on this adventure and real life issues with the ladies. I decided to buy Last Tang Standing from Kindle. Lauren Ho is definitely an author I want to read more from.

Saying this is a disappointment is an understatement but I'm currenlty operating with half a brain cell so forgive me for being clichéd.

I DNF'D at 83% because I just couldn't with this trash anymore.

This book is not a romance, it is women's fiction and anyone who wants to have any shot at enjoying it needs to view it as such.

Lucy doesn't and will never( seeing how far I gave up into the book) deserve Colin. He deserves to be with someone who's much better and will value everything he brings to the table. I wish her and Mark a long and miserable life together because that's the only way it's going to end unless she goes to ACTUAL therapy and realises her worth but I'm not holding my breath for that outcome.

The fact that her ex , who's not the love interest, got more page time with her even though it's not suppose to be their romance makes my blood boil. Colin was given scraps even though it was suppose to be his moment to shine. And then she had the nerve to give Mark more access to her and Colin's child ( she's pregnant) I'm screaming with rage.

She did more nonsensical things that I don't care to talk about but this book was so not it.

I hated Lucy and Mark and this will be the first and last book that I read by this author because no, thank you.

If I finished this it would be one star.

Thank you HarperCollins and NetGalley for this audiobook in return for an honest review.

This story surrounds Lucie’s decision to have a baby despite being single. It follows her relationships and the subsequent events in her life after she meets Collin on a co-parenting app (similar to dating apps but for people who want to have a baby rather than a relationship) Overall I enjoyed this book by Lauren Ho. It was interesting an interesting and different premise to anything I have read recently. I really like the relationship between Collin and Lucie and the extended friendship group in this book. I have to admit I’m not the biggest fan of love triangles and I found myself being frustrated with some of Lucie’s decisions and actions but that said I enjoyed the story.
I really enjoyed the audio version of this, which was easy to follow along with and held my attention.

Well who knew I would enjoy a book about wanting and having a baby? Yeah, me neither, but enjoy it I did!
Lucie has been out of a relationship a while, but that doesn't stop her from wanting a baby. Cue Co-parenting, (a new to me concept which is kind of like a dating site but for matching prospective parents) and Collin, loved him!
I listened to the audio of this one with thanks to the publishers, but I did have it on preorder after reading Last Tang Standing a while a go.
This was a really good deep dive into how parenting is changing, how the community/family would treat someone who decided to do this as well as friendship groups.
Lucie was a great character, with a high power job and the work dynamic and how the decisions she made affected that too, were really well done.
Overall am interesting and fun read that I would recommend.

I adored the premise of this going in. I'm very skeptical of romance much like Lucie, so loved the idea of her finding a platonic match on a coparenting website to have a baby with, no romance involved (although we ALL know where this is heading, right)? She meets Colin, and voila... baby time! (Well, it's a bit more complicated than that but...)

I also loved that it was set mostly in Singapore rather than New York because there are such different family values and societal beliefs about "single mums", and having children outside of marriage. It explores this really well during the beginning/middle of the book when Lucie and her partner Colin move back to Singapore and meet with her extended family.

I really loved both Lucie and Susie (excuse me of I spelt it wrong, audiobook!)'s characters although I found it difficult to watch Lucie make a few mistakes that I wish she hadn't have concerning her romantic or otherwise partners.

What made it less than 5 stars for me, were just a couple of really minor details in the plot, there felt like a lot of emotion dumping at the end of the book, and i felt the conversations there could maybe have taken place at a different time than when she was giving labour (since she was told the baby was in danger and still asks for a private word before the emergency c section...), but I'm just being picky. (Oh and is the author a fan of BTS by any chance?? 🤔😂)

I don't feel like I can say much more without giving much of the plot away but if you like romance novels with a little twist, this is for you❤️

After CoHo I wasn't sure romance was the right genre for me (sorry CoHo), but I feel like this rekindled my love for them somewhat! I will definitely be reading more by this author in the future!

*thanks Netgalley for the audiobook!💗*

Lucie Yi, wants a baby, but not being in a relationship means having a baby is hard, until she comes across a site for co-parenting dating. Chose a partner to have a baby and co-parent with sounds like a great idea, until she falls in love.

I struggled with this book in places because I did not like the characters. I found the main character was selfish, wanting to be in a love triangle; and enjoying the teasing between the biological father of her child and her ex-fiance who cheated on her.

The only character I liked was Collin, but I found him too forgiving, although he had a child involved he always seemed to play second best and not know his worth.

I understand this novel shows growth with all the characters and being from an Asian background I understood the cultural differences and stigmas and felt for the main character wanting to break from the norm and not wanting to lose her family; this was also shown at the end of the novel when the friction had not been resolved and I liked that this was consistent throughout the novel.

Overall this was an okay novel but not one I feel to recommend

Straight up this is not my usual genre, but I was looking for a light, humorous holiday read book. This book is definitely that! I enjoyed the book, although (maybe a guy thing) I just wish Lucie Yi could have made up her mind a bit sooner. However, I was quite engaged in the story as Lucie tries to have a baby, with help from supportive friends, and her feelings about her male relationships meaning she is pulled in many directions by her personal history and family relationships. I was shaking my head and giving her advice as I listened to the developing story, and I think the ending is just right. Thank you to Harper Collins UK Audio and NetGalley for the audio Arc. The views expressed are all mine, freely given

Love love love love this one!
The narrator takes the novel like a movie, I really felt like there was a movie playing inside my head.
Absolutely a fun ride.

I expected (and got!) a really satisfying romance read and thoroughly enjoyed Lucy Yi’s story. I loved the exploration of co-parenting and Singaporean culture which made the novel really stand out. A special shout out to Suzy too, a side character going through a situation which I’m sure many women will relate to. I didn’t think anything was missing and, although fairly predictable, it seems like an impossibility that readers wouldn’t fall for Colin or not be moved by Lucy’s understandable need for her parents’ approval. I loved the setting which I haven’t read many romance novels in before and the well rounded characters, so I’d definitely recommend it to any romance fan. The narrator, Cindy Kay, did an excellent job varying the character’s voices and was a pleasure to listen to. Huge thanks to the author, Lauren Ho, and publisher, HarperCollins, for this advance review copy. Views my own. 4*

This is a perfect, relaxing read. Lucie wants a baby but she’s single and scarred from her previous relationship. One of her best friends provides her with the solution. Online dating for co-parents where she meets Colin. This is a messy and charming will-they-won’t-they. It’s funny and full of joy and chaos. It also reflects the cultural pressures of family who expect certain things from their children. It made me want to call my best friend and hug my partner.

Lucie Yi Is Not a Romantic... but she ends up being one!

The concept of this book was so unique, I was drawn in instantly! With themes of both romantic and platonic relationships, Lauren doesn't fail to include the realities of pending parenthood.

I LOLed several times, the humour and comedic timing in this book is perfect.

I really liked this book and listening to the audiobook alongside it really did make me LOL on several occasions- haven’t listened to anything from this narrator before but really liked her style.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me access to this eARC of this book I am so grateful as I have now found a new fav.

I think that this book gives a lot of information about relationships and about children but also covers parental pressures and ethnical customs. The main relationship in this book was beautiful I was screaming at the book about the love triangle and was happy she got with the right person in the end. The main female lead and her progression arc was amazing and realistic and the main male lead was respectful, loving and realistic. This felt like the book was a snippet of there life and there friends were very loving and I loved all the friends in the friend group. I have not read from this author before but I will defiantly look out for more of her books and read her previously released book as I loved her realistic but romantic books that are very relatable. the narrator was spot on in this book too not too high pitch but fit the characters well in the novel.

I listened to the audiobook ARC. I have never read Lauren Ho before and decided to after seeing an interview with Ho and Lindsey Kelk.

This book, I think is trying to be a romcom or chick lit but to me it doesn’t fit into that genre.

Firstly I didn’t really like or care about any of the characters which made this book drag. It was annoying reading about Lucie dating someone whilst she knew everything he did irritated her. The only bit I really felt any passion for was a certain character demanding he was Lucie’s power of attorney and just being a controlling egotistical man.

I am afraid I won’t be in a rush to read this author again. I am around the same age as the character but I do not have children or wish to, so maybe I just didn’t get on with the subject matter.

Such a heartwarming story that filled me with happiness.
I loved watching Lucie and Colin’s relationship develop and was rooting for them from the beginning.

I also loved how mark was the villain but was also so willing to stop up to the plate. A villain with a heart.

Such a true view on navigating pregnancy and friendships. I loved it

Andrea Tang lived in my head for a week as if she were a part of my friendship group. This was a fun, fast page turning read that was humorous and relatable. Thoroughly enjoyable

Actual rating 3.5.

Here’s a super cute, laugh-out-loud romcom which would make the perfect addition to your summer holiday!

Lucie Yi is a successful, hardworking woman who knows her mind - and what she wants now is a baby. But having had a devastating breakup and no romantic interest since then, she decides to find a co-parent online who will help raise a child with her without any of the romantic stuff. Except of course when she actually meets and gets to know Collin, sparks fly. With a baby on the way, her ex Mark back in the picture and her family pressuring her to settle down properly, will Lucie take her usual sensible route, or follow her heart?

So I can pretty much guarantee you’ll love Lucie - whilst she can be a bit type A sometimes, she’s also clearly got a heart of gold and she’s absolutely hilarious, especially when it comes to all those joyful pregnancy side effects (fanny farts anyone?! 😂). I loved how totally open and honest this novel was about pregnancy, and there were so many moments that I found myself guffawing (awkward as I mostly listened to this in the gym 🤣).

Collin was also such a refreshing male lead - super hot but also kinda nerdy and deep. I love a good love triangle and the Mark angle definitely kept things interesting! I also just loved the setting of Singapore, and the food, OMG THE FOOD 🤤 Not to mention the cultural differences with Lucie’s family and their expectations of her, which really made me feel for her - I loved how fierce she was about having a baby however she needed to, although the ease with which she and Collin conceive might make some people roll their eyes. But hey, it’s meant to be a mostly light read so just enjoy the ride!

I listen to a lot of audiobooks so I know an engaging and engrossing one when I hear it, unfortunately, this was not one of those. I almost DNF’d at ~20% but soldiered on and it got better but was still very flat.

I enjoyed the premise and wonder if I’d have enjoyed it more as a physical or ebook.