Christie's review: Ninja at First Sight by Penny Reid

Title: Ninja at First Sight

Series: Knitting in the City #4.75

Author: Penny Reid

Release Date: November 11, 2014

Rating: 5 stars

Cliffhanger: No

Synopsis:

'Ninja at First Sight' is a prequel standalone novella for Knitting in the City book 5, 'Happily Ever Ninja'.

'Ninja at First Sight' is 40k words.

This novalla is the expanded origin story for Greg and Fiona. The first 16k words of this novella are from the short scenes included in 'Scenes from the City', which is no longer for sale.

REVIEW

I am an unashamed die hard fan of Penny Reid. I'll read anything she releases: standalones, trilogies, novellas, factoids on the mating habits of sharks...whatever. I'm first in line. Fiona and Greg stole a little piece of me when I was introduced to them in Scenes from the City, a compilation of short stories starring each one of her couples from the Knitting in the City series. This is the lengthened version of that short story, and gives us the background of how Greg and Fiona met, fell in love, and started their journey in matrimony.

Fiona is a young woman who is an overachiever in some areas in her life, but in other aspects, is more of an observer rather than a participant. She has discipline, intelligence, and an ability to see things in ways that others don't. Her pragmatic mind is something I could dive into and swim around in for days. Penny gives us (yet again) a heroine with intellect and independence that I can really admire.

He's chased my melancholy away with his kisses and touches, and of course I'd enjoyed every minute of it. But reason told me it would be a mistake to allow anyone-even Greg-to be the master of my happiness.

Fiona gives it to Greg straight-no apologies or intimidation. His brusque and biting attitude is enough to make anyone pause. But Fiona sees through his rigidness, she's strangely drawn to it in fact. She's sees something in him that she identifies and connects with.

In the beginning stages, we get plenty of longing and suppressed heat that was absolutely delicious to observe. Greg's broodiness and apparent silent craving grew more intense and irrepressible. It threatened to rupture his resolve to keep his distance at any moment. At first, they seem a somewhat mismatched pair, but his cynicism was an unexpected foil to her innocence. Her complete lack of experience with boys was as shocking to him as it was enticing. And it made me want to see how he would handle her-delicately or fiercely. And it was a perfect mixture of both.

"Shouldn't you be playing up your good points? Isn't that what guys do when they're interested in a girl?"
"But you've never been kissed, he responded, his tone still flat but his eyes dancing with mischief, "and you've never dated. This is my chance to ruin you for anyone else."
There's a respect that you feel between the two. A sense that they value each other and hold their opinions dear and precious. I loved that about them. To feel genuinely valued for who you are is the basis of every strong relationship. Too many times a couple start a life together purely based on attraction and those are doomed to crash and burn. With this couple, I envision tough times ahead, but the faith that they can weather any storm together.


To find a love that endures time, the complications of life, and the stresses that strain every relationship and wear them down slowly is something that people don't see as exciting or romantic in this genre. Maybe it's too real and too close to home. But Penny manages to take a concept that many would find disinteresting and breathes life into it with her humor and a genuineness. It will make you beg for just a little more time to spend with Greg and Fiona. Penny Reid took on a difficult subject and owned it in a way only she can do. I'll be Impatiently waiting for Happily Ever Ninja with bated breath and twitching fingers.

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