Neanderthal Seeks Human

A Smart Romance, Knitting in the City, Volume 1

By: Penny Reid

Narrated by: Jennifer Grace

Length: 14 hrs and 48 mins

Publisher's summary

This is a full-length, 115,000-word novel and is the first book in the Knitting in the City series.

There are three things you need to know about Janie Morris:

1. She is incapable of engaging in a conversation without volunteering TMTI (too much trivial information), especially when she is unnerved;
2. No one unnerves her more than Quinn Sullivan; and
3. She doesn't know how to knit.

After losing her boyfriend, apartment, and job in the same day, Janie Morris can't help wondering what new torment fate has in store. To her utter mortification, Quinn Sullivan—a.k.a. Sir McHotpants—witnesses it all then keeps turning up like a pair of shoes you lust after but can't afford. The last thing she expects is for Quinn—the focus of her slightly, albeit harmless, stalkerish tendencies—to make her an offer she can't refuse.

©2013, 2014 Cipher-Naught (P)2023 Cipher-Naught

This story is just Fun

I loved this book, I am new to Penny Reid and I found this book to be just fun. Classic millionaire falls for common girl. The fact that the common girl doesn't realize he is her boss, and constantly saying and doing embarrassing things is so much fun. But she is also so smart. It was just fun.

Funny, cute

I would absolutely check out more of both this author and narrator. I loved the humor, the weird female lead. I didn't feel like we got to know McHotPants very well but the story is told from Janie's POV so that can be a limitation.

The narrator enhanced this book so I liked it more

ON REREAD:
3.5 stars — So I think listening to the audiobook helped me put Janie’s quirks and thoughts into a better context. The narrator just had a way of making me understand how flustered Janie was in some points, so the parts that I previously thought were clinical were more just endearing or sexy…if that makes any sense. So on one hand, I definitely enjoyed this book more on reread, which I think is 100% thanks to the narration by Ms. Grace.

On the other hand, I’m a different reader than I was previously, and there was something that bothered me more this second time around. I’ve become more sensitive about noticing slut-shaming in books, and I’m really not a fan. And I’m not sure if it was because I was listening to it, but the number of times Janie says slamps just started to grate on me. I totally, 100% get that Janie is mostly using it just as a way to group people and give them a label…and she wasn’t only calling women slamps. But am I wrong in interpreting that slamp is a merging of slut and tramp?? If it’s something else, I really feel like she should have explained the meaning (I even tried googling it, but came up empty). It’s just…those words have very different connotations for women than manwh*** does for men for example. Unfortunately. Now, again, I can honestly say that I don’t think Janie was making judgements about the slamps, so that was kind of the saving grace.

One other note about the narration — there seemed to be some technical issues in the chapter where they’re in Las Vegas. There were really long pauses where I worried it had stopped, or I was missing words. But it honestly only happened in one tiny section, so no idea what happened there. Otherwise Ms. Grace’s performance was fantastic, and obviously just enhanced the book for me! Great pacing, great emotion, great different voices.

So yeah, enjoyed it more than the first time around. Round up.

Witty, Charming, Romantic

What did you love best about Neanderthal Seeks Human?

Any additional comments?

I didn't have high hopes for this book, but it far exceeded my expectations. I loved the story and the characters. Although the story line is a little far fetched, it was sweet and romantic. I did not want the book to end. I'm so glad there is a sequel - I can't wait to start it!

Teasing, Bad Audio Quality

Good story, good characters, want to read the next one. However, the audio skips and repeats a few times, annoying, and you're teased with sexiness that doesn't deliver. Worth a read, but the "Hot Damn" rating is incorrect, just saying.

Perfect book for me

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, if they love romantic comedies! I love that this book didn't get into the nitty gritty details of the sex act. I'm no prude, I just don't care about reading about...the details.

What did you like best about this story?

I laughed out loud several times, smiled others, and fell in love with Quinn. Janie reminded me of myself (except I'm not so smart or pretty). All the self-doubt, the clumsiness, etc. I really related to the character.

Have you listened to any of Jennifer Grace’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

No, but she was great.

If you could take any character from Neanderthal Seeks Human out to dinner, who would it be and why?

Quinn, because...duh.

A witty romance with endearing characters.

I rode the waves of emotions, from frustration to passion, with the characters and loved every minute of it!

Best book ever

It was witty and engaging very sexy funny didn't want to put her down for a second

Adorable and intelligent!

Thoughtful characters, and a well paced slow burn. Going to look for book 2 right away!

loved it!!

Just what I was looking for - humor, good characters, a bit of romance, but mostly humor within a bit of romance.