Knitting in the City

Neanderthal Seeks Human: Knitting in the City Book 1

Book Synopsis:

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 to make her an offer she can't refuse.

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.

My Review

Janie, Janie, Janie. I love Janie. She is weird, awkward, smart, and funny. I love her quirks, and the crazy situations she finds herself in. I want to be smart like Janie, and know all of the crazy trivial facts she knows. Quinn... Well, Quinn is a little hot and cold. knowing what I know now after reading the series and the spin off Winston Brothers series, I can understand him a little better. I like him more in this book than I do in Neanderthal Marries Human. 

There are a lot of plot twists in this book, and it comes from all angles. Janie's family, Quinn's past, and they all intertwine in an interesting way. I love the knitting group. The girls are THE BEST and they remind me a lot of my (much smaller) friend group. This was a perfect read to break up the crime and mystery books I read. It's lighthearted, mildly stressful, and a little spicy. A perfect distraction and mood stabilizer after reading something dark and intense. 

Friends Without Benefits: Knitting in the City Book 2

Book Synopsis:

There are three things you need to know about Elizabeth Finney:
1) She suffers from severe sarcastic syndrome, especially when she's unnerved,
2) No one unnerves her like Nico Manganiello, and
3) She knows how to knit.

Elizabeth Finney is almost always right about everything: the musical merits of boy bands are undervalued by society, “benefits” with human Ken dolls are better without friendship, and the sun has set on her once-in-a-lifetime chance for true love. But when Elizabeth’s plans for benefits without friendship are disarmed by the irritatingly charismatic and chauvinistic Nico Manganiello—her former nemesis—she finds herself struggling to maintain the electric fence around her heart while avoiding a Nico charisma-electrocution or, worse, falling in love.

My Review

Elizabeth is not quite as easy to love as Janie. Elizabeth is actually pretty prickly. Don't get me wrong. She is hilarious and had me laughing out loud several times, but if she was a real person then we probably wouldn't be friends. Nico however is a dream.

Fair warning, if you listen to the audio book the Italian accent is TERRIBLE, but if you can wrap your head around it just being a foreign accent then you will be much better off. They try to give Nico a bad boy past with his stalker. I understand the character feeling ashamed for what he did, but trying to gatekeep it into some huge scary secret was a little extreme. It was also a little crazy to have another big action scene going on at the end of the book just like they did in the first one. I didn't think it was bad, but definitely brings you to the "how many bad things can happen to these people?" mentality. Overall, I still loved the book, characters, and plot enough to continue with the series. 

Love Hacked: Knitting in the City Book 3

Book Synopsis:

There are three things you need to know about Sandra Fielding:
1) She makes all her first dates cry,
2) She hasn't been kissed in over two years, and
3) She knows how to knit.

Sandra has difficulty removing her psychotherapist hat. Of her last 30 dates, 29 have ended the same way: the man sobbing uncontrollably. After one such disaster, Sandra gives in to a seemingly harmless encounter with her hot waiter, Alex. Argumentative, secretive, and hostile Alex may be the opposite of everything Sandra knows is right for her. But now, the girl who has spent all her life helping others change for the better, must find a way to cope with falling for someone who refuses to change at all.

My Review

Sandra might be my favorite knitter. Not only does my Texas heart just love her,  but I feel a deep connection to her as a person. She is kind, fearless, and HILARIOUS. I laughed more during this book than any other book I have ever read. Alex.... God Alex.... Phew... Is it hot in here? 

At first I definitely though Alex was going to end up being the owner of the restaurant just like Quinn. I was pleasantly surprised when he in fact turned out to be a total bad boy with a heart of (mostly) gold. I also really liked that Sandra has a best friend outside of the knitters circle. It felt like we were growing this world we are in. A little bummed we once again are using Quinn to save the day and there is more "WTF else can happen to these people?"  Even with more of the same, I think this might be my favorite book of the series so far and I'm still intrigued to read more.

Beauty and the Mustache: Knitting in the City Book 4

Book Synopsis:

There are three things you need to know about Ashley Winston:
1) She has six brothers and they all have beards,
2) She is a reader, and
3) She knows how to knit.

Former beauty queen, Ashley Winston’s preferred coping strategy is escapism. She escaped her Tennessee small town, loathsome father, and six brothers eight years ago. Now she escapes life daily via her one-click addiction. However, when a family tragedy forces her to return home, Ashley can’t escape the notice of Drew Runous—local Game Warden, bear wrestler, philosopher, and everyone’s favorite guy. Drew’s irksome philosophizing in particular makes Ashley want to run for the skyscrapers, especially since he can’t seem to keep his exasperating opinions— or his soulful poetry, steadfast support, and delightful hands— to himself. Pretty soon the girl who wanted nothing more than the escape of the big city finds she’s lost her heart in small town Tennessee.

My Review

I thought Sandra was great, but I love Ashley Winston something FIERCE!!! I love how the vibe of this series changed with moving the setting to backwoods Tennessee. I also thought Alex was making me sweat, but Drew is so bold, brawny, and bearded! I take it all back. THIS is my favorite book of the series. On top of the lovable characters, seriously the brothers are my entire heart, I love that Quinn doesn't do anything crazy in this book. There is a little bit of wild action, but its at least a little bit on the small town side of action. 

This book is the perfect set up for the Winston Brothers series. It made the cross stitch book patterns of the Winston Brothers make sense, and I really can't wait to get to know the brothers more. 

Happily Ever Ninja: Knitting in the City Book 5

There are three things you need to know about Fiona Archer… I would tell you what they are, but then I’d have to kill you.

But I can tell you that Fiona’s husband, the always irrepressible and often cantankerous Greg Archer, is desperately in love with his wife. Yet as the years pass, Greg has begun to suspect that Fiona is a ninja. A ninja mom. A ninja wife. A ninja friend. After fourteen years of marriage, Greg is trying not to panic. Because Fiona’s talent for blending in is starting to resemble fading away. However, when unexpected events mean Fiona must take center stage to keep her family safe, her response stuns everyone—Greg most of all. It seems like Greg’s wish has come true. Except… not.

My Review

I both loved and hated this book Fiona is great. Greg. ugh. I love his humor, but I hate how he treats Fi and how much he disregards her and her needs. I  don't like how he treats the kids and tries to force them to do things they don't to do just because it breaks the typical gender norm. This was by far the hardest book to get through and I am really glad I read 4.5  (Ninja at First Sight) first. I am pretty sure that's the only reason I finished this book. Things once again circle back to Quinn and his connections,  as well as grow to exponential new heights of WTAF. It was a bit of a weird dynamic to have a love story for a couple that has already been married a long time. It was kind of nice to see a semi relatable married couple that still has to WORK to keep their marriage alive and loves each other enough to put forth the effort and try to put their spouses needs at the front of their minds. 

Dating-ish: Knitting in the City Book 6

There are three things you need to know about Marie Harris:
1) She’s fed up with online dating,
2) She’s so fed up, she’s willing to forego the annoyance and consider more creative alternatives, and
3) She knows how to knit.

After the most bizarre first date in the history of dating, Marie is looking for an alternative to men. With the help of her friends, she quickly identifies a few possibilities: Need a cuddle? Use a professional cuddler. Need affirmation? Get yourself a life coach. Need an orgasm? Try orgasm meditation! Why does she need the hassle of a romantic partner when she can meet all her needs with paid services? But then her irritating date resurfaces. And he’s not at all the person she thought he was. And he suggests a different—and crazier—solution to her dilemma...

My Review

Marie is so cute! and I kind of love the professor. I feel a little lack luster about this book because I honestly don't remember much. I remember the "first date" was embarrassing, the professional cuddling session was kinda hot, and I remember they flew someplace far and ended up taking care of a sick guy. Despite the professor also being mentioned in Fiona's book I still don't remember his name... Was it Matt? I feel like that's right but I can't be sure. I still remember being fond of the book and being glad I read it, but definitely not memorable. 

Marriage of Inconvenience: Knitting in the City Book 7

There are three things you need to know about Kat Tanner (aka Kathleen Tyson. . . and yes, she is *that* Kathleen Tyson):
1) She’s determined to make good decisions,
2) She must get married ASAP, and
3) She knows how to knit.

Being a billionaire heiress isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Determined to live a quiet life, Kat Tanner changed her identity years ago and eschewed her family’s legacy. But now, Kat’s silver spoon past has finally caught up with her, and so have her youthful mistakes. To avoid imminent disaster, she must marry immediately; it is essential that the person she chooses have no romantic feelings for her whatsoever and be completely trustworthy. Fortunately, she knows exactly who to ask. Dan O’Malley checks all the boxes: single, romantically indifferent to her, completely trustworthy. Sure, she might have a wee little crush on Dan the Security Man, but with clear rules, expectations, and a legally binding contract, Kat is certain she can make it through this debacle with her sanity—and heart—all in one piece. Except, what happens when Dan O’Malley isn’t as indifferent—or as trustworthy—as she thought?

My Review

Kat and Dan are a 10/10 couple. If only they could be honest with themselves and each other, but then we wouldn't have a book. Dan is the kind of hot I love. The super secret soft boy. He looks and sounds scary, but is the sweetest teddy bear. I feel a little sad that Kat has had such a hard time in life despite coming from a "good family". She deserves to have had at least one consistent friend in life, and she sounds awesome. I'm glad she has the girls and Dan to boost her confidence and support her through her struggles. This book again has Quinn and his agency coming to the rescue, but at this point it is to be expected. This was a great end to the series and I am really glad I powered through Fiona and Greg to get here. 

Overall Thoughts on the Series

This is a really cute, low stakes series. It has some twists and turns but is definitely worth reading. It has some adult content, but I found most of it tasteful.