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

Feb 23, 2014 MB (What she read) rated it it was amazing

Shelves: contains-humor, romance-contemporary-or-chick-lit, series-that-i-follow, favorites, 2014-re-read, 2014-read, 2017-re-read

1st read 2/23/14: Absolutely adorkable. Loved this! Started reading, couldn't stop, stayed up way too late to finish it. Now, off to get the next...

#3, please come soon.

6/8/14 Reread in prep for Neanderthal Marries Human ...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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Mar 11, 2014 Nancy Reads Romance rated it it was amazing

This is one of the best books I have ever read!! Ms. Reid really knows how to write! Great characters, super love story, couldn't put it down. Totally a smart read! ...more

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Feb 09, 2014 K rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, most-favorite-series

One of the very few books that I wish I could give 6 stars. Devoured it. Hilarious, totally relatable, and near close to perfection.

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Sep 10, 2014 Christy Wilson rated it really liked it

I actually read book #4, Beauty & the Mustache which I adored, first in this series. I loved it. So of course I must read the others!

This is the story of Janie, who has a bit of a photographic memory. She knows all kinds of facts about all kinds of subjects. As the story starts, Janie has broken up with her boyfriend after finding he admits to cheating on her, and by the end of the day, has been fired from her job. Enter Sir Handsome McHotpants, one of the security guards in the building where s ...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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Jan 21, 2015 Kal rated it it was amazing

A geek who is proud to be a geek and a sexy dominate man who is looking for a real woman. Loved this book!!

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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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