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

Feb 10, 2015 Jenny Vee rated it really liked it

Shelves: hardcover-paperback, part-of-a-series, favorites, repeat-offenders, ebook, audiobook, favorite-author

4.5 stars story
4 stars narration

Smart ~ Amusing ~ Addictive

I have the distinct feeling that Penny Reid loves what she does. The stories she writes feel more like someone telling a personal story; situations are relatable, laughs come naturally, and dialogue is comfortably conversational. Reid’s humor often reminds me of Carol Burnett; the humor and jokes are smart, not dumbed-down and mindless. This helps make the stories stronger and humor more organic. And anyone who has ever watched Burnett p 4.5 stars story
4 stars narration

Smart ~ Amusing ~ Addictive

I have the distinct feeling that Penny Reid loves what she does. The stories she writes feel more like someone telling a personal story; situations are relatable, laughs come naturally, and dialogue is comfortably conversational. Reid’s humor often reminds me of Carol Burnett; the humor and jokes are smart, not dumbed-down and mindless. This helps make the stories stronger and humor more organic. And anyone who has ever watched Burnett perform can easily see how much she enjoys herself throughout the whole performance. I love this attribute in a person, in a story, in anything. Loving what you do is so important and it can be quite impactful. Reid’s enjoyment is infectious.

Janie is oblivious, and I mean completely oblivious, to all things related to the opposite sex. She has a “Natural propensity to observe life rather than live it.” Some readers may wonder if her level of obliviousness is realistic and let me tell you, it most certainly is. I am very observant in all things outside of how I’m viewed by others. Believe me when I say Janie’s limitation is very genuine. People who are acutely aware of themselves, such as Janie, often find it easy to assume how others are viewing them instead of reading the obvious social cues presented. This is problematic for Janie because she is “completely blind to the obvious.”

Neanderthal Seeks Human is full of life, humor, and excitement. This is a truly fun read not of the mindless variety. There is substance behind the humor, as well as strong characters and a well-planned plot. I really enjoyed this book and I’m excited to finish the entire Knitting in the City series but particularly Janie and Quinn’s story (and there's a new installment in their story coming down the line!).

Jennifer Grace is a solid narrator but wavered a little on occasion. Janie would become whiny at times, especially when talking to Quinn, and Quinn’s voice came across as a bit bland and flat. What I loved about her performance is how she really got into the characters. Each person has a strong and distinct personality that shines. The story plays like an old radio show or watching a movie with your eyes closed. There is passion, tension, angst, and so much more present. This really helped contribute to my obsession to finish this story quickly. I became wrapped up in the story because the image in my head was vivid and animated. I will seek this narrator out in the future.
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Mar 31, 2013 Jaime Fiction Fangirls rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, so-good-i-had-to-read-it-multiple-t, best-of-2013

There isn't anything about it this book that I didn't like. I mean seriously I have a girl crush on Janie and her quirkiness and of course I'm in love with everything about Quinn. He's totally alpha but not in an overbearing way. Even the secondary characters we're loveable and interesting. The knitting club is basically amazing and can kick ass too!! I want to be friends with everyone in this book. Okay maybe not Gem or Olivia but still. I can't wait to read the next book.in this series. I love ...more

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Jan 11, 2014 C.C. Wood rated it it was amazing

I seriously loved this book. I mean LOVED IT HARD.

Janie was one of the most interesting, original heroines I've read in a long time. She was funny, socially awkward, and her brain resembles a supercomputer. She is also beautiful, but her life experiences with her extremely dysfunctional family have left her with major self image issues. She even says, "I was the smart one, my older sister the pretty one, and my younger sister the crazy one." (I am paraphrasing, but I'm sure you get the gist.)

Qui ...more

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Jun 16, 2014 Ella Janine rated it really liked it

Shelves: book-boyfriend, favorites, alpha-male, geeky-weird-freaky-heroine, swoonfest, 2014-reads, squad-goals, rereadables, 2018-reads

If I knew earlier that this beautiful book will get me out of my reading slump, I would have read this sooner. I. LOVE. THIS. BOOK! Words might not even be enough to explain how good and fun this book was. So I am apologizing in advance for this review might turn out as paragraphs of gushes and swoon. And Amir, this is all your fault so thank you.

Read full review at The Filipina Booknote ...more

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Feb 17, 2014 Uniquely Jenn Life & Books rated it it was amazing

This book was a total surprise in the best possible way and now I must go buy book #2 because I have to read more from this amazing and talented author! Seriously this book was pure gold. It was smart and witty, something I love out of my reads.

I loved, absolutely loved Janie. She was quirky and knew it but accepted it and just was herself and said things that would have embarrassed me and so I might have cringed but she just went with it. She is intelligent, a math genius, knows her trivia and This book was a total surprise in the best possible way and now I must go buy book #2 because I have to read more from this amazing and talented author! Seriously this book was pure gold. It was smart and witty, something I love out of my reads.

I loved, absolutely loved Janie. She was quirky and knew it but accepted it and just was herself and said things that would have embarrassed me and so I might have cringed but she just went with it. She is intelligent, a math genius, knows her trivia and is so not absorbed in her looks. She says what it is on her mind and I love it! I love her intelligence and that she is not your typical woman. She is self deprecating at times, considering herself a neanderthal with her abundance of hair and what she considers and abnormally large head. It is the guidance of her knitting group that has to clue her in to the fact that men might be flirting with her or interested in her. This group of women is one you want to find yourself amongst.

Then there was Quinn, mysterious and hot Quinn who says little but does a lot and he might be a little dominating but he has this girl on his mind and is just perfectly sweet with her. I had never before heard the term used to describe him, Wendall, and found it absolutely refreshing to have some new terminology to read.

While this was a movie playing in my head all I know is I hope to someday see these characters play out on the big screen because this is a movie I would drag my husband to go see.

This book was such a fun, light hearted, hilarious read. I was smiling so much. The character of Janie was such a fresh idea, and so unique to me that her character alone made this book for me. There are moments of suspense woven in and mystery and a little intrigue. You don't want to put it down and you won't. This was the perfect book in every way and I am now in love with this author. I can't wait for more of her stories to come out and I can't wait to read more of her stories (which is almost the same but not and yeah, I just want MORE).
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Mar 29, 2015 TabReads rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, once-is-not-enough-re-reads

I loved this book! It is a silly, smart, fun, and easy read. It has some twists and unexpected turns (as well as some predictable ones). There were some unresolved issues, but that is what sequels are for, right? Reading the second book in the series tied up some of those loose ends. Overall it was a fun ride that I can't stop thinking about. ...more

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Sep 14, 2014 melissa rated it it was amazing

I am now officially a fan-girl of Penny Reid.

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Oct 12, 2013 Rebecca rated it it was amazing

Absolute gem of a book. Penny Reid creates such amazingly quirky heroines that readers just can't help but love. I listened to the audio for this one and the narrator absolutely nails Janie's idiosyncrasies and oddities. Fantastic job! ...more

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Jan 17, 2016 Abby rated it really liked it

Shelves: loved-it, would-read-again, favorite-author, enjoyable

I truly enjoyed this book. I could not put it down and read it in less than 24 hours. Janie, the main character is funny, awkward, intelligent, interesting, and fun to read about. I truly enjoyed her perspective on events and her random tidbits of trivia. I can't wait to start the next book! ...more

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