Neanderthal Seeks Human (Knitting in the City, #1) in Sharks of Awesome

Jun 30, 2017 Linds rated it really liked it

Shelves: adorable

"But, how interested could he really be? By the mighty power of Thor - I threw myself at him!"

I thought this was super cute. I loved Janie and her quirkiness and her random trains of thought. She made me laugh often. I liked Quinn, although since this was told from Janie's POV, we didn't get inside his head toooo much. I liked his quietly strong personality.

I definitely preferred the first half adorableness to the 2nd half convolutedness (is that a word?). The first half was so cute - I love ...more

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Nov 24, 2016 Katy rated it liked it

UPDATE Re-read 2018 -

Still a little problematic in my opinion, but I just love Janie's heart, she is definitely one Penny's sweeter heroines.

I had a strange relationship with this book - I loved the writing and the banter but at times I would get super frustrated with both the main characters.

Quinn, while very much a hotty with a body had control and intimidation issues - he would say and do things that would unsettle me. The whole cell phone situation really annoyed me, Janie said she didn't ...more

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Apr 16, 2017 Ginny Deffendall rated it really liked it

I love every Penny Reid so much! I began reading romance to escape a few things I didn't want to think about. To shut my brain off. But Reid is such a smart writer she always gets me thinking anyway.

And she challenges me too. I always need to have a dictionary nearby. Words I leaned in Neanderthal seeks human? Tenebrous, oblectation, turpitude and sanguine. I love that Reid makes smart so sexy. And I can't wait to read everything she's written! ...more

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Aug 24, 2015 Briana rated it liked it

This is not your average bodice ripping insert tab a into slot b romance novel. In fact, none of that extraneous description is present if that's your intention picking up this novel. I absolutely adore Janie, probably b/c I captured the male version of her over a decade ago and haven't let go. However, I think the book should more appropriately be titled, "Human Seeks Neanderthal" since Quinn was on more than one occasion frustratingly annoying in his pushy, hostile, somewhat arrogant, and quie ...more

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Sep 29, 2015 K rated it liked it

I'm sorry to say that this is my least favorite Penny Reid book that I've read so far.
Maybe because it's not set in Green Valley, Tennessee? Maybe because it has not even one hint of a gaggle of beautiful bearded Winston brothers? Maybe because it's not quite as *ahem* sexy as her other books? Maybe because this was her first book and she was not yet as adept at writing romance yet? (*gasp!* Can you tell yet that I have not been reading her books in chronological order?!)

Well, aside from the ab ...more

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Jul 24, 2015 Tracy T. rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2015, 2018

I am going to keep this book at 3 stars. I love Penny, and I love the Winston Brothers, but truthfully, Janie just got on my nerves. She was too clueless and too insecure. If it was in small doses, I think I would have been easier to stomach. No one can possibly be that clueless when it comes to their entire life. Quinn has the patience of a saint.

I'm looking forward to the next one. I think Janie would be great as a supporting character. ...more

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Sep 26, 2017 Sarah rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contemporary-romance

I'd give this book 4.5 stars. I really enjoyed it, but I've read a couple other books by Penny Reid that I enjoyed better. But considering that this was her first, solo, full length novel, she knocked it out of the park!

I'm usually a stickler about reading book series' in order, even if the author says that they were written as a standalone. There's still overlapping characters and information, no matter how minor, from previous books that, as a reader, I don't want to miss! But despite that se I'd give this book 4.5 stars. I really enjoyed it, but I've read a couple other books by Penny Reid that I enjoyed better. But considering that this was her first, solo, full length novel, she knocked it out of the park!

I'm usually a stickler about reading book series' in order, even if the author says that they were written as a standalone. There's still overlapping characters and information, no matter how minor, from previous books that, as a reader, I don't want to miss! But despite that self imposed rule, I started this series with book 4 (Beauty and the Mustache). eBook 4 was on sale for .99 a few months back so I jumped on it. Then the spin off series of BatM, The Winston Brothers, all went up on Kindle Unlimited for a limited time. So I read those first, because I wanted to read them while they were free! But I was kicking myself for not reading the other Knitting In the City books first because Quinn and Jaine were in a couple of the Winston books AND the 4th Winston brother falls in love with Quinn's sister! I felt like I'd missed out on so much by not starting with Neanderthal Meets Human.

But that's over now, so moving on to an actual review! I really identified with Jaine. I don't have lots of ridiculous information stored in my head, nor do I like numbers, but I do happen to say ridiculous things when I'm nervous. She's also very tall, extra curvy, has a big head, crazy unmanageable hair, and loves to wear ridiculous high heeled stilettos. All things that I myself do or feel apply to my person! It was almost like Jaine was modeled after me. And then she behaved in a way, at least around Quinn, that I tend to behave around men that I like. She was a good heroine, despite a few annoyances with her commitment issues (which I'll touch on in a sec).

As for the hero, I really loved Quinn. Brooding, moody heroes aren't usually my thing. But Quinn was different because he was actively trying to change and be a better man for Jaine. He was moody and brooding with everyone but Jaine. When around her, he was sweet, affectionate, funny, and attentive. I actually got really frustrated with Jaine when she continued to question him and his desire to be with her when he'd been NOTHING but open and honest about his feelings. He literally said, "I want to date you exclusively," like three or four times and she still didn't believe him! It was annoying.

This book was pretty tame for a romance novel, and compared to some of Penny Reid's other books. There was practically no descriptive sex scenes. Don't get me wrong, Jaine and Quinn have sex, but it was always off page. The first time they did it, the scene was described by Jaine (being written from her POV) but it was all the emotion behind it and not the physical act. I wasn't actually sure they were doing it until she said something like, "I'm having mind blowing sex with my boss." And if I'm honest, I was a tiny bit disappointed that it wasn't a bit more descriptive. Usually, I prefer it when the love scenes are less descriptive, but there was so much build up to this sexual encounter, I felt like I was missing out by not getting any kind of description!

This book had virtually no foul language nor taking of the Lord's name in vain. I think there were maybe two or three F bombs in the whole book, which I really liked. I feel like a bunch of foul language takes away from the story itself, so I really appreciated Ms. Reid not using much of it.

The end had an exciting meet up between Quinn, Jaine, her knitting group, and a bunch of kidnapping skinheads, in which I will not go into detail about, because you should read it and find out for yourself! ...more

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Sep 10, 2015 Sandy Jones rated it it was amazing

I love, love, love Janie. She is one of my favorite fictional characters. I loved this book so much that I have re-read it. By chance I downloaded this book to my Nook (before it was dropped in the tub by my toddler) when the eBook was free. I read it and fell in love not only with Janie but with author, Penny Reid. Seriously, if you have not read anything by Penny Reid you are missing out. I cried with Janie during her worst day ever, I mean can it get much worse than loosing your job, your boy ...more

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Oct 16, 2015 Nicole Peterson rated it it was amazing

Oh Janie and Quinn...how do I love thee. Let me count the ways...

1) Medusa
2) Wait a turtle stole your glasses?
3) Moments of clarity in a bathroom stall
4) friends who knit are awesome
5) I actually got my non-reading friend to read you and she agreed that you're awesome
6) Sandra
7) Everything that leads to the Winston series
8) Shelly's weirdness ...more

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