Read and Review #31 - Neanderthal Seeks Human: A Smart Romance (Penny Reid)

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

Author: Penny Reid

Publication date: 14 March 2013

Publisher: Caped Publishing

Get a copy! Amazon | Barnes & Noble

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- the focus of her slightly, albeit harmless, stalkerish tendencies- to make her an offer she can't refuse.

My rating:
4 / 5

My review:
By the mighty power of Thor!

I can relate to Janie badly because I love reading about random trivias and spewing them in awkward situations. I've been reading a bunch of books where the characters have "weird" habits but I really like Janie's weirdness the most. Maybe not so much weird than awkward. Janie is definitely awkward.

There's McDreamy and McSteamy. And then there's Quinn Sullivan a.k.a Sir Handsome McHotpants. I'm not one for silly nicknames but I don't know why I can tolerate this one. I even liked it!

When I started reading this book, I was terribly happy to read about the possibility of falling in love with a security guard. I mean, how often do you read about falling in love with someone whose occupation is not in the generic group of high-powered, influencal jobs (CEOs, lawyers, businessmen, musicians)? But my dream was soon crushed when I found out that Quinn was actually a CEO, CIO, CFO and COO. Oh yes, he's all that. 

Although I don't know how he did that AND manage have a social life at the same time without. And then I remember that this is not real and no one can possibly be all that and not go crazy. 

I don't find many office romances that doesn't immediately lead to hot sex and constant lusting over the boss. Although, I am still in search of an excellent romance book between co-workers who are not in a boss-employee relationship. That being said, this is still a really good book for those who likes office romances.

Putting that aside, the background of the story is quite mediocre. Jon's half-assed attempt to keep Janie by his side, Jem's involved with a gang (probably a drug lord) and then there's the thing with Quinn's parents that Janie eventually figured out but never told anyone (even us, the readers).

I wasn't disappointed when it comes to the smart part of this book. I would sometimes re-read the trivias that Janie referred to in almost every chapter of the book. However, the knitting part really threw me off because there's not much knitting done throughout the book. Janie didn't even knit!

It's a good book with intelligence and fluff. Not so much drama but then again, not so much drama. It's funny, light and smart albeit the lack in enthusiasm poured into the back story. Definitely continuing with the rest of the series.

Read and Review #23 - Eleanor and Park (Rainbow Rowell)

Title: Eleanor and Park

Author: Rainbow Rowell

Publication date: 26 February 2013

Publisher: St. Martin's Press

Get a copy! Amazon | Google Play Store | Barnes & Noble

Synopsis:

Set over the course of one school year in 1986, ELEANOR AND PARK is the story of two star-crossed misfits – smart enough to know that first love almost never lasts, but brave and desperate enough to try. When Eleanor meets Park, you’ll remember your own first love – and just how hard it pulled you under.

My rating:
5 / 5

My review:

The simplicity in which Eleanor and Park were written in is one of the things that drew me to the book in the first place. The whole thing about this book is simple. The words, the plot, the emotions. Eleanor. Park. 

This book makes me feel young which is weird because I just barely got out of my teen years and I wasn't even born yet in 1986. Walkman. Mix tapes. Talking on the phone. ACTUAL talking on the phone. Absence of cell phone and smart phones. Reading comics on the bus.

I instantly love Eleanor and Park because they are not your every day female and male lead of Young Adult books. Sure, they're both cute. But they're not attracted to each other because of their looks. If I have to call their attraction something, it would be like a slow, building one rather than an instant attraction. They're both so intrigued with one another that they were eventually drawn to each other. 

It's also not depressing in a sense that there are barely any tragic past involved. Eleanor may live an unfortunate life but at least she doesn't wallow in it and let it take over her mind most of the time. She is being a typical girl her age; thinking about that boy that she's interested in. Not distancing herself from everyone and try to appear deep by using irrelevant anecdotes to depict how she's coping with her life.

The thing about first love is that you're always thinking of that person, wondering what they're doing and if they're thinking of you. Going through every single thing that you said to him/her that day. These things are easily portrayed between Park and Eleanor, albeit a little fast. Once they're in, they're in it seriously.

It's a simple, fast read. Thrice the average number of chapters for a book. Minimal depth but there are still character development present. I don't know how, normally I would find books written like this mundane for my taste. But I was so intrigued, interested in Eleanor and Park's relationship. 

If anyone were to ask me to describe this book, it would be fluff. Nothing much going on, little drama, tons of Eleanor and Park. I was not happy about the ending but I think it is a good one. They're both happy, aren't they? If it has a sequel (which is highly unlikely), I would pick it up as soon as I can get my hands on it. Definitely recommended for anyone who likes fluff in their story. (psst, fluff as in cute stuff not marshallows or that thing about pornstars)