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Neanderthal Seeks Human: A Smart Romance (Knitting in the City) Paperback – March 13, 2013
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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- aka 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.
Debut novel by New York Times Bestselling Author Penny Reid!
★ AAR top 100 romances of all time ★
Neanderthal Seeks Human is book #1 in the Knitting in the City series. Each book is a standalone, full length (110k words), contemporary romantic comedy novel, and follows the misadventures and exploits of seven friends in Chicago, all members of the same knitting group.
- Print length402 pages
- LanguageEnglish
- Publication dateMarch 13, 2013
- Dimensions6 x 0.91 x 9 inches
- ISBN-100989281000
- ISBN-13978-0989281003
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Editorial Reviews
Review
"This book was incredibly well-written, intelligent, funny, and just GOOD. I've gifted this book to a handful of my personal friends."
-Amy Harmon, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
"Extremely funny, witty, and masterfully written (romantic comedy)! If you are looking fora smart, intelligently worded love story, pick this one up. It was a"couldn't put it down" read for me."
-Tina Reber, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
"From page 1 I was hooked by a thoroughly unique heroine. I could not put this book down and finished it sometime around 2am. I plan on reading it again."
-Carey Heywood, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
"I loved this book so hard! I was in such a big reading funk before I started this. This is a smart, laugh out loud, warm and fuzzy to the tips of my toes romance. I haven't enjoyed a book like this is a LONG time."
-A. Meredith Walters, New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author
"Love Love LOVED this book! I will re-read it. Can't wait to get onto the next one!"
-Belle Aurora, USA Today Bestselling Author
"Yes it is a "smart"romance but so much more than that. It's smart (for so many reasons, aside from the highly intelligent, yet totally goofy heroine). The writing is delightfully witty, the characters are silly-sweet, the life they lead, quirky yet believable (well... except for *that* crazy thing that happened, but I totally loved it, and how it was described. LOL!!!), and you'll be grinning the whole way through."
-Maryse's Book Blog
"Best contemporary romance of the year!!"
-Smexy Books
About the Author
You can find out more about Penny and sign up to receive exclusive books, stories, and excerpts of upcoming novels here: pennyreid.ninja
Product details
- Publisher : cipher-naught; 1st edition (March 13, 2013)
- Language : English
- Paperback : 402 pages
- ISBN-10 : 0989281000
- ISBN-13 : 978-0989281003
- Item Weight : 15.3 ounces
- Dimensions : 6 x 0.91 x 9 inches
- Best Sellers Rank: #612,936 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
- #28,994 in Romantic Comedy (Books)
- #74,084 in Contemporary Romance (Books)
- Customer Reviews:
About the author

Sign up for the newsletter of awesome: www.pennyreid.ninja/newsletter
Penny Reid is the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. She used to spend her days writing federal grant proposals as a biomedical researcher, but now she writes kissing books. Penny is an obsessive knitter and manages the #OwnVoices-focused mentorship incubator / publishing imprint, Smartypants Romance. She lives in Seattle Washington with her husband, three kids, and dog named Hazel.
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Just Released:
October 20th, 2022: Folk Around and Find Out, Good Folk: Modern Folktales, Book 2
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Currently Working On:
2023: Pride and Dad Jokes, Ideal Man, Book 1
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Why?!?!?! Why did I wait so long to read this book!?!?!? I could kick myself! I should know by now that when it comes to the genius of Penny Reid, I just need to shut up and read the damn book…ASAP. While Neanderthal Seeks Human was Penny’s first book, it was not the first book by her that I read – I popped my Penny-cherry with Truth or Beard, the first book in the Winston Brothers Series, and it was both a joy and a pleasure. But I digress…not reading NSH was my error…and one I’m so glad I remedied. Neanderthal Seeks Human was an unexpected delight and just reaffirmed why I love Penny Reid books as much as I do.
Janie Morris…oh my awkward, fact vomiting, little genius, how do I love thee? I say this with love and pride…but Janie is an odd duck and I adored every odd thing about her. She is unique with a capital “U” and she owned it. I’ll be honest, in the very beginning it was hard for me to get an initial read on Janie…she’s different, she thinks different, she processes things differently and it took me a minute to get used to…but once I had a grasp on her, it was nothing but love. She is off the charts, genius level, blown your mind smart…she can do complex math in her head and her abundant knowledge of facts was both interesting and overwhelming. She can tell you the defining characteristics of mammals, the origin of the idiom ‘waiting for the other shoe to drop’ and what a group of rhinoceroses is called and yet I can barely remember what I did four days ago. Like I said…crazy smart. But I loved her for it…it made her endearing and quirky and it was all part of her personality. Luckily, I’m not the only one who was completely enamored with the lovely Miss. Morris.
‘Men in general unsettled me; this one in particular turned my insides into a brouhaha of chaos simply by glancing in my direction.’
Quinn Sullivan…aka Sir Handome McHotpants…and oh boy, does he ever live up to that name. Let me just start by saying the second I read that Quinn was 6’3”, I was a lost cause. I am a sucker for a tall man and da-yum…Quinn was a pretty close to perfection for me. He has a very mysterious air about him…he comes across very guarded and aside from his small smiles and his gorgeous and expressive eyes, it’s kind of hard to get a read on him. Given his history and his profession…it all makes sense but regardless of his mystery, there was no denying his captivating power. He’s alluring and it felt like every fact or detail that I learned about him had me feeling like a million bucks and then dying for the next piece of Quinn-formation :-) (I just pulled a Janie and I may or may not be patting myself on the back right now!)
‘I loved that when I looked at him, I didn’t see the blinding McHotpants façade of perfection any more. I saw a frustratingly bossy, hilariously funny, irritatingly teasing, captivatingly intelligent, seriously sexy good guy.’
Quinn and Janie…oh good gravy I was beside myself with these two, they just stole my heart without even trying. They’re so different and yet…they just work. I can’t even tell you any momentous thing that won me over with them…it was just all of the little things that combined to make them perfect. Like how he loved her facts and random bouts of word vomit…I loved that he always wanted to touch her, especially her hair…he admired her for her intelligence…and he was exceedingly patient and sweet to her. And Quinn open Janie up so much…she had lived her life for so long compartmentalizing and keeping her emotions in neat tidy little boxes in a closet, locked away safe and sound…and he blew that closet to bits – but it was the best thing for her. She blossomed like a flower and experiencing those emotions with her was fan-freaking-tastic…I can’t even properly convey how extraordinary it was. He challenged her and she was more than willing to accept the challenge because what he made her feel was worth it.
‘He ignored me. “Well, I have to admit that I can totally see the similarities between you and an ostrich.”
This surprised me; I thought he would try to defend me against my own insults.
“I… uh… you can?” It was my turn to slow-blink.
“Yes.” The slow sexy grin gradually claimed his features.
“Is it because I’m a strange bird who buries my head in the sand?”
He laughed as he rubbed his chin lightly. “No, it’s because you have long legs, large eyes, and—” his eyes moved over my hair, “a lot of plumage.”’
”By the mighty power of Thor” Penny Reid just freaking gets me. Like really, truly, deep down in a part of my heart/soul/brain trifecta that I never knew existed - she just understands all of the things that I like, love, want, need, etc. (sometimes she even gives me things that I didn’t know that I things that I liked, loved, wanted, needed, etc.) and Penny just automatically delivers them to me in the best way possibly. Penny’s style is indescribably amazing…her characters are complex and dynamic, she weaves just the right amount of humor into the story – infusing dry sarcasm and clever whit with perfect timing, the dialogue and banter feels totally natural and just adds to the dynamic of the book – I mean I could go on and on for ages! I also love that Penny writes romance with intellect. Janie is clearly beyond intelligent…mind blowingly smart if you will, and I loved that even though I may not have had a single clue about what she was talking about…it didn’t bother me. If anything, it pulled me in more because it felt like I was learning something as I was enjoying the story – it all flowed together so well and I loved that it made me love Janie and the story more. But achieving an emotionally compelling, angst romance that also talks about international date standards and makes it all incredibly entertaining…that takes freaking skill. She engrosses you in the world of her characters and it’s an all-encompassing experience that I love. The pacing and flow is perfection…it’s a slow and gradual immersion into the wonderful world of Janie and her knitting group and her sexy McHotpants…but that’s what I loved about it. Not one ounce of this felt rushed, every scene was purposeful and critical in the execution of not only the relationship blooming between Janie and Quinn and also Janie’s own personal growth, but also the underlying drama. There is some amazing suspense towards the end that knocked me off my butt and had me on the edge of my seat and gripping my kindle for dear life – it was the best!
“Why are you so afraid?”
“Because I’m not thinking about the fiber content in stain-resistant carpet.” My eyes remained stubbornly shut.
“What does that mean?”
“It means…” I lifted my lids and found him surveying me with simple curiosity. I swallowed a new thickness in my throat, knowing that I needed to tell him the truth. “It means my brain finds you more interesting than all the really interesting trivial facts I could be contemplating or researching at present.”
His answering smile was leisurely and measured. “I think that’s the nicest thing anyone has ever said to me.”
I am totally hooked on this series now…after the introduction I just got to these characters I am over the moon excited about the rest of the books in the Knitting in the City series. Just from NSH I’m in awe of these amazing women and given Penny Reid’s incredible knack for creating magic, I have no doubt their stories are going to be just as captivating as Janie’s was. But before I move on…up next in the series is Neanderthal Marries Human …and after the epilogue in Neanderthal Seeks Human (from Quinn’s POV might I add!!!), I am so freaking ready to read this book. Beyond excited! I’m ready for round two, Sir Handsome McHotpants!
From finding out her boyfriend cheated on her, to losing her job, Janie's day couldn't get any worse until the sexy security guard she affectionately calls "Sir Handsome McHotPants" has to escort her out of her office building. His piercing blue gaze and subtle smiles make her forget everything else, but he's way out of her league.
How can you not enjoy the odd and verbose Janie Morris with her brilliant mind, her beautiful nature, her unwarranted insecurities, and her practical, if not insightful, outlook on life? I was blown away by the fun facts and knowledge that Janie spills at inopportune times and it kept me laughing and chomping at the bit to learn more. Her awkwardness is endearing as she tries to understand her growing feelings for Quinn. Janie puts the very sexy and mysterious Quinn Sullivan in the friend zone because he's a Wendell (a new one for me from the urban dictionary) and he doesn't date. I love how Quinn watches Janie and encourages her to elaborate on her intelligent sagacities. At first, I thought he was making fun, but he truly loves her knowledge and idiosyncratic singularity. Quinn is such a mystery and I was captivated by how his personality and his intentions are slowly unwrapped. He's very protective of Janie wanting to buy her a cell phone which she does not believe in. It's funny and sweet as she reluctantly gives in to his demands when he promises to text her jokes every day. When they finally realize their true feelings, it's very rewarding. After all, he makes her fearless and she makes him a good guy. However, not everything is revealed about their pasts with Janie's crazy criminal family and Quinn's estranged family. I can't wait to read more in the sequel Neanderthal Marries Human.
Janie's crazy friends in her knitting group (Janie doesn't knit) are her biggest supporters. They love to talk about fashion, fun, and men. I can't wait to read their stories.
Pick up this heartwarming romantic comedy with endearing and quirky characters who are easy to relate to. It will not disappoint.
Top reviews from other countries
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.
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!
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.
Okay, let me start with some positives
1- Janie is unique and I really liked her prespective of life
2 - 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.
This is not a sex driven book at all. While attraction &kissing is described in detail, all further intimacies are skimmed over or alluded to, but never covered. Doesn't really matter to be honest- you know what you need to and gives more time for the characters to actually get to know one another.
I do feel as if some elements were lacking, so I couldn't go to 4 stars, despite enjoying the book:
Quinn, the hero, remains to much of a mystery. We don't see anything from his POV and because Janie is stunted when it comes to clear communication, his character is hard to get a full read on. You want to like him, you know enough about his history to know he is on the darker side, but his actions are well intentioned and appealing. And yet, to the very end, he remains unclear in my mind both physically and mentally.
There are some odd drop ins that make no sense. I expect they are supposed to be funny, but they just across as weird and poorly thought out. Janie's glasses are bitten in two by an escaped turtle at an airport we are told. We never find out how, she doesn't say. Her friend has an incident where a date wearing a live ferret destroys a bed. No idea how, again, it's a story told when she's zoned out so we come in at the punchline. Punchlines lack comedy when all that's all you have of the joke. I just feel like if you are writing a full length book and you want to add weirdness, add weirdness. The reader isn't in it for a 'you had to be there' fob off. That's what real life is for.
The 'group' is interchangeable, except for Elizabeth. She's clearly being set up for a sequel, but I couldn't tell you ANYTHING about her apart from the fact she makes the right noises about loyalty, has dodgy taste in music (we assume this is to be her oh so unique 'quirk' to make her more likeable) and she's beautiful and a doctor. Do we like her? How could be possibly know? She's only half way to being one dimensional. We know and like Janie's metrosexual work friend much better. As a rule my favourite heroines have good friends. You learn about them and knowing them reassures you that you do like the heroine, because they like the heroine. When the supporting cast lacks development it makes the heroine seem very self involved, because she's not asking about them and they aren't bothering to tell her anything. Suspicious.
*Mild spoiler* The climax of this story is a let down. The low grade threat that has been justifying body guards is rushed, confused and illogical - not enough time has been given for that element of the story to grow. A security expert is there, but the bodyguards are not (despite being on her, apparently - we never see/hear them) and it's the knitting group who do the work. Don't get me wrong - I love a woman taking care of herself, it's all to rare in these stories, but because we know next to NOTHING about these women, it seems screamingly out of place. It really put me off buying the next in the series.
Did I enjoy reading it? Yes, until about 80% of the way through - then the rush to the end began to irritate and the inconsistencies jarred. I'm going to stick with the author for one more book though, because over all I liked the writing style.







