Neanderthal Seeks Human: A Smart Romance (Knitting in the City Book 1)

I couldn't even finish this book. Bad enough to have to slog through boring mental gymnastics detailing how all her friends swear she's attractive but really she's ordinary in all the hot, curvy ways and oh gosh will anyone want to bang her ever. But I draw the line at feeling insecure because a man didn't rape her.You read that right. This woman is drugged, moved to a second location, stripped of her clothing, and slept with, all without her consent or knowledge. And when she wakes up, she's not thinking about the trauma she's just been through or where her phone is so she can tell her friend she's OK or ask for a ride. No, she's concerned that the man who assures her nothing happened (by which, I assume he means that, in addition to being assaulted by a stranger and stripped by him, she wasn't also raped), apparently didn't find her hot enough to rape an unconscious woman.I immediately returned the book and can't say I'll be purchasing any more novels by this author.

I find some of the review here entertaining because there was (apparently) not enough graphic sex scenes for them, so the review is less than it should be.I, however, found this to be such a refreshing, witty story! Janie is such a wonderful, quirky character and Quinn was a bit of a stereotyped character, the author found ways to keep it fresh. Some parts of the story were predictable, but entertaining nonetheless. I even found myself laughing out loud at a few scenarios. Storyline is kind of a 50 shades/pretty woman/Cinderella mashup with a wonderful flow and full, funny, sometimes complex characters. I rarely get suckered into a series....but this one I will. And I won’t be embarassed if someone reads over my shoulder 😉

“Quinn, you need to be a good guy. I need you to be a good guy.”“I know. I want to be. I will be for you.”I’m no stranger to the magic that Penny Reid brings to the romance world. But I am a relative newbie to her Knitting in the City Series, having only read one before this. I’m not surprised that I was BLOWN AWAY by Reid’s brand of wit and slow burn romance. I’m not surprised that I fell HARD for both Janie Morris and Quinn Sullivan. I’m not surprised that I laughed, cried, and swooned after every turn of the page. I am surprised that I waited this long to dive into this AWESOMENESS. I can’t tell you the amount of giddiness and joy I experience when I read Reid’s stories. Her character development alone makes me want to experience the read all over again...meet these incredible characters all over again. I was ADDICTED before, having only read 2 other novels by this author, but now, there is no going back. I want more! No, that’s not right. I NEED MORE!

This is one of the best books I have ever read. I discovered Penny and her works less than a year ago and I have already read this book 4 times. I also gave away 4 copies to people over Christmas, and got 2 coworkers onto Penny's work by lending them my copy of this book. It is a great gateway drug into Penny's wonderful world.This book catches your attention right from the beginning with a toilet paper roll Stonehenge (which we all have experienced!) and Janie's weird facts. I love how open she is, but yet how closed off to really letting people in. I could see several of my own characteristics of myself in her. Quinn. He is the epitome of tall, dark, and handsome. Of course with those is the is brooding. You think he can't get better, but he does! He rides a motorcycle. I love how Penny reveals bits about Quinn by layers. At the beginning we aren't sure about him and how he goes with Janie, but by the end of the book we realize how perfect they are for each other.This is the start of a series, but has a HEA for the couple. This book has everything you need. Comedy, drama, action and knitting!

So, as we all very well know that Penny Reid is my all time favorite author, we’re going to gush a little, okay?I’m feeling all sorts of sentimental because this is the book that started it all, you know. Neanderthal Seeks Human is the first Penny Reid novel that I ever read and that was it. There was no turning back after that. I was hooked from the very first word I read. Of course I was, the way that Penny writes is absolutely beautiful. She makes me believe that love actually exists. Her stories are a huge reason as to why I have such high expectations when it comes to men.Quinn Sullivan, the hero, is security extraordinaire. He owns a high profile security firm and provides services to many well connected and important people. He’s strong, smart and attractive. He’s amazingly gorgeous and Janie calls him Sir McHotpants. Yeah, you get the picture, right? He has that aura of mystery around him and he doesn’t let people in easily. He’s the strong silent type of guy who believes that actions speak louder than words. But, he’s also surprisingly romantic. The way he loves Janie is so beautiful to read. He can move Heaven and Earth for her. She’s the most important person in his life and he’s extremely protective and possessive of her. It’s an absolute delight to see this man do things in love. Seriously.Janie, the heroine, is strong willed and independent. She’s just gotten out of an unhealthy relationship and is trying to move on when she first interacts with Quinn. They work in the same building and Janie’s seen Quinn around a lot. She also happens to have crush on him and calls him Sir McHotpants like we already know. She’s crazy smart and loves facts. She has the power to spew out random Wikipedia facts at any given time about the most obscure things. She’s an amazing friend and loves all her girlfriends. Her relationship with her sister and her father isn’t really good, but her girlfriends are all the family she needs. The inner musings of her mind are definitely quirky and witty and you’d love to read them. Being inside Janie Morris’ head is something that will definitely leave a deep impact on you.This story is absolutely beautiful. It’s funny, witty, sarcastic and romantic all at the same time. The characters are strong and have a very distinct voice which I like. The story is fast paced and keeps you interested till the last word. I finished it off in one sitting. It’s just absolutely beautiful and gorgeous and a definite must read!

Janie isn't your standard heroine but she is just wonderful. Being a repository of mainly useless facts myself I loved this quirk in Janie, although she does seem to spurt them out at the most awkward moments as a distraction from having to deal with difficult situations. Quinn was a typical alpha male, he's definitely interested in Janie although she finds this hard to believe. The supporting characters were all good and I loved the knitting circle, which was a bit like my wine sodden book club but with needles instead of pages.Penny Reid writes with wit and humour and there are some genuine laugh out loud moments. It is pretty predictable but it is still a sweet story.There is a 1.5 book  Neanderthal Marries Human: A Smarter Romance (Knitting in the City)  which covers the next stages of their relationship. I don't want to put the spoilers in here, but I have reviewed it as well if you want to click on it. It's also a good read, maybe not quite as good as this first book, but still really good. I liked Quinn in the first book, but I really warmed to him in the second book. He's a bit of a superhero on the quiet and his love of Janie and her facts makes him really endearing. They are the perfect match.After downloading this book and the sequel as detailed in the paragraph above, I immediately got Book 2 in the Knitting in the City series "Real Friends Without Benefits! - Elizabeth and Nico's story but even though it is overpriced for what it is, about 25 pages from the end I got so fed up with it I deleted it. I just couldn't stomach it any more. However, this first book is great and well worth reading, and if you don't mind paying a whopping £5.48 for a bit more of Quinn and Janie's story, Book 1.5 it's almost as good. I'm not sure if I will read any more Penny Reid books myself, but I certainly recommend this one. Neanderthal Marries Human: A Smarter Romance (Knitting in the City)

I'm doing this all back to front. Having already read book four in the same series, I did a search of my kindle and found that I've had this first story sat there unloved and unread for many many months. "Why?" I ask the world. Why have I not read this book sooner? I am the biggest idiot and I don't deserve nice things.I love Janie and Quinn together. I relate to Janie. Not physically, I don't look like her. And I haven't got her genius (although I did get into Mensa). But I so get her obsession with trivial facts.Quinn is a complex character and we don't get fully to the bottom of all his foibles, but he is so hot and so in love with Janie, that he can do no wrong for me.I love that there is an indirect quote from Star Wars and nobody even references that in the book. You'll either get it or you won't.And I cried at the end. Last time I did that was Lord of the Rings when Frodo sails away with the elves.

No! Penny Reid I LOVE YOU but no.Okay, let me start with some positives1- Janie is unique and I really liked her prespective of life2 - Quinn sounds hot!!3 - Janie's friends are funny and feisty!4 - There is a bit of drama that keeps you wanting to read more!Negatives (I am sorry for being harsh!)1- The storyline dragged! 60% into the book and nothing really happens. Janie gets left go from work and starts "something" with Quinn. The last 40% gets the 3stars.2 - Quinn maybe hot but he is WAY to controlling! He doesn't support her ideas or beliefs. (The mobile phone)3 - Janie is a strong independant character, however she is attracted to these overpowering men!! Her ex and now Quinn. Doesn't make sense at all.I love Penny Reid! The Winston brothers series are hands down one of my favourite series!!This book is another "50 shades of Grey".I will not be re-reading or purchasing the next book within this series.Sorry Penny Reid.

I absolutely loved this book! I loved Janie, Quinn, her office co workers and her knitting club members.Janie loses her job, house and boyfriend in the same day! She is offered a job by Quinn Sullivan who is a security guard in her office building and a random guy she stalked during her lunch and off office hours. She is a nerd who loves stating weird facts as gets nervous or around Quinn. I liked that Quinn was genuinely interested in her random facts and didn't patronize her.I liked the way romance progresses in the book! I approved of the fact that Janie doesn't make excuses for her sisters' criminal activities and has cut them off...I liked Janie's honesty, naivete (though sometimes it got on my nerves), her easy likable character, her personality and her shoes <3.I disliked her categorization of people in general in labels and her preconceived prejudice against many people she met. Also I didn't like her theory of good and bad guys! It isn't always white and black. Also she fell in love with the same sort of guy as her ex; Jon. She also was never decided why she left him because it wasn't only for cheating, though he deserved to be left and Quinn deserved a chance at HEA.I loved Quinn besides his faults, macho tendency, secrets and chauvinism.About Quinn I hated when he ordered things for Janie without asking her what she wants, he did it twice and I hated it on Janie's behalf.I just am in love with Janie's knitting club! They are so nice... And Elizabeth is wonderful BFF for Janie.I love me some nerds!

4.5/5I know I say this every time I read a book by Penny Reid but she really does create the most fantastic quirky characters, so utterly adorkable you can't help but become fully invested in them. Janie is no different, from her Wonder Woman good looks to her ability to spew random facts with no notice. I adore her so much.Everything happens for a reason and Janie's worst day ever, losing her job, boyfriend and apartment may seem like a disaster but it sets her directly in the path of Quinn 'McHotPants' Sullivan. The object of her daily fantasies and part of the security team at her former office. Dazzling Quinn with her genius ability with numbers leads to a new job opportunity, however, Quinn's secrecy and Janie's obliviousness create an odd situation.Quinn's fascination with Janie is obvious to the outside observer, although her own oblivious nature and lack of self-belief lead to a number of humorous encounters between the pair. although the passion between them cannot be denied, I loved seeing Janie struggle to understand her emotions when she always tried to remain detached in all situations. Janie's need for control and detachment are explained by her family situation and childhood. With her family situation encroaching on her relationship with Quinn.Neanderthal Seeks Human is told purely in Janie's point of view, emphasizing Quinn's secretive nature and creating suspicion with regards to a lot of areas in his life. I am desperate to read the sequel, Neanderthal Marries Human, in order to gain his perspective and hopefully see Janie get the happily ever after she deserves.The peripheral characters within Neanderthal Seeks Human especially those in Janie's knitting group are fabulous and intriguing, I love the way they care and support each other.One last point, Neanderthal Seeks Human is absolutely hysterically funny, I found myself uncontrollably giggling at midnight at a particular scene involving a knitted hat.