Dating-ish, an all new standalone from the USA Today bestselling Knitting in the City romantic comedy series by Penny Reid is available now!

'Dating-ish' can be read as a standalone, is a full length 100k word novel, and is book #6 in the Knitting in the City Series.

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 and irritating first date in the history of humankind, 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 . . .

As everyone knows (or will soon come to realize), traditional relations between humans are a thing of the past. Robots are our future. And if robots are our future, then why do we need other people at all?

Excerpt:

He was quiet for bit, we both were, and I felt myself relax more and more. His palm took a detour every so often, dutifully skipping my hip and sliding along my side, and then back to my leg. Soon, I was so relaxed I felt drowsy. I felt fingers in my hair, moving the mass away from my neck with treasuring strokes just before Matt nuzzled the back of my neck, causing goosebumps to scatter over my skin. “Mmm.” I smiled. “Hey. Jared said no tickling.” My voice sounded sleepy. “Does this tickle?” Matt asked softly, nuzzling me again. I felt the brush of his lips—not a kiss, a brush—paired with hot breath against the bare skin of my neck and a zing shot straight down my spine, making my toes curl and a sudden hot ache twist in my lower belly. Oh no. I knew that ache. I hadn’t felt it because of another person’s touch in quite a long time. Nevertheless, no one ever forgets that ache. My back arched instinctively, my bottom pressing back against his crotch, and I stiffened. I felt my nipples harden, strain beneath the cotton of my bra. I was now fully awake. No longer drowsy. Nope. Not even a little. Matt stiffened, too. His movements abruptly ceasing. “Are you okay? What’s wrong?” he asked, alarm coating his words, and in the next moment his hand was suspended in the air above me. “Did I touch something I shouldn’t?” I exhaled a short, nervous laugh, gripped by the urge to sit up. “No. No. You didn’t.” I moved to the edge of the bed, righting myself, away from Matt, needing distance. “I’m good.” I gathered a silent breath and released it slowly because my pulse was racing. Crap, Marie. Get a grip. It’s Matt Simmons. Professor Matt. The big kid. Why are you reacting this way? “Did I . . .” These initial words were hesitant, and a moment of silence stretched before he continued, his tone comically teasing as he finished his thought. “Did I arouse you?” I snorted, shaking my head, laughing at his silly tone. Turning at the waist to peer at him over my shoulder, Matt was grinning at me, twisting a make-believe mustache between his thumb and forefinger. But then he stopped. “I did, didn’t I?” he pushed, his hand dropping. He looked pleased, if not a little amazed. I sighed, feeling a smidge embarrassed, and nodded. “Actually, yes. That’s a sensitive spot for most women.” “The back of your neck?” He lifted himself to one elbow, his eyes darting to my neck with keen interest. “My neck in general, actually.” “Huh.” Matt frowned thoughtfully. “Where else?” I pressed my lips together and gave him an incredulous look. “I’m not telling you that.” “Why not?” “Matt.” “What if I needed it for research reasons?” “Matt.” “What if I told you it was part of our questionnaire?” He tossed his legs over the side of the bed and stood, walking around to my side and offering me his hand. “You should give me a schematic of your body with the erogenous zones circled and rated.” “Let me guess, you want them rated on a ten-point scale,” I deadpanned as I accepted his hand, stood, and stepped away to gain some distance and straighten my shirt. He shrugged, crossing his arms, stalking after me. “Or exponential. I was going to say a Likert scale, but a logarithmic scale works, too.” Chuckling, appreciative of his attempt to diffuse my embarrassment and awkwardness with the joke, I realized Matt Simmons wasn’t a bad guy. He might even be a good guy, just a little . . . peculiar. And wants to replace romantic relationships with robots. Best not forget that detail. Yeah, he’d make an interesting friend. “Thanks.” I gave him a small smile. “For what?” His eyes moved between mine. “For the cuddle. Thanks for the cuddle, Matt.” “Anytime, Marie.” He grinned down at me, his eyes dancing as he leaned forward and whispered, “Anytime.” 18788947_1728815273814502_828187562_o

Read Today!

Amazon US: http://amzn.to/2mowgNq

Amazon UK: https://goo.gl/1pnSeh

iBooks: https://goo.gl/F3o9Qw

Nook: https://goo.gl/imzdIJ

Kobo: https://goo.gl/DPwGEb

Google Play: https://goo.gl/cWe2Uk

Amazon AU: http://amzn.to/2mG5GAc

Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/707692

Add to GoodReads: https://goo.gl/VW1TxJ

AMY'S 5 STAR REVIEW

Penny Reid has a way of drawing me into her books; the banter between her characters is witty, fun and sometimes just odd.....but it works so well for her.

Marie is one of the Knitting girls and we've gotten to know her little by little throughout the series. We know she's loyal, hardworking and maybe a bit down on her luck when it comes to romance. Marie is endearing in this book; I actually quite enjoyed her and her wit, and her belief that she deserved nothing less than everything she wanted when it came to her heart.

Professor Matt Simmons was introduced briefly during Greg and Fiona's story line. He happens to be their neighbor, and also was a boy Fiona babysat when she was younger. He's a bit of a quirky duck, but it works for him. He's passionate about his work and doesn't see himself needing any type of romantic involvement.

Marie and Matt meet on a blind date/dating site hookup. She's disappointed when the man who shows up doesn't match his profile, but carries on. There's a misunderstanding and Marie leaves. She tells the girls about her weird date, and then runs into Fiona and Greg's neighbor....who happens to be her weird date. After Matt explains the situation, Marie is even more upset, and rightfully so, but the situation eventually leads to them working together.

Both Marie and Matt believe the other has "friend-zoned" them, while secretly pining for each other. Their friendship to love match was fun to watch and the research they do together was fun and often left me laughing. I also loved that we get lots of glimpses of the Knitting girls and their significant others. Quinn is grumpy as ever, doting over Janie and her pregnancy; Greg and Fiona are their sweet couple selves that everyone strives to be; Alex and Sandra are still going strong; and Nico and Elizabeth, although separated due to their work, still find time for each other and are going strong as well. There were a couple of did-not-see-that-coming moments, but I think the set up towards Kat an Dan's book is great....now it's just a waiting game.

I loved that Penny Reid doesn't dumb down her books. I feel myself learning new things when I read her works and that makes me happy. Matt and Marie have definitely captured my heart and I absolutely enjoyed their story.

SHANDA'S 4 STAR REVIEW

Marie has been trying her hand at online dating for two years and she is over it. Her one last try ends in a disaster date with a guy that is just weird. He proceeds to ask her all kinds of strange questions and Marie basically runs screaming from the date. Fast forward to her usual knitting get to together with friends and guess who shows up? Disaster date guy!

Turns out Matt is her friends neighbor. Marie finds out that Matt was on a fact finding mission. He is interested in building a robot that can replace human affection and he was using the input from their “date” for his project. Even though Marie is irritated by Matt and the situation he starts to grow on her. Marie soon realizes he can also help her with an article she is writing. These two embark on a friendship and feelings soon take over. It’s not long before miscommunication gets in their way when they both believe they are friend zoning the other.

Marie and Matt were adorable together. Due to the friend zoning every time these two shared a look or a moment the tension was amazing. The slow burn and anticipation of them together are my favorite things in slow burn romance. When they do get together it is pretty damn hot!!! And Matt is a dirty talker. Yowza!

As always Penny Reid brings you smart romance that gives you the feels. Dating-Ish really focuses on intimacy and human connection. And as you can expect Ms. Reid gives you a unique and fascinating take on this subject. Well done and I can’t wait for the next book.

Meet Penny Reid:

Penny Reid is the USA Today Bestselling Author of the Winston Brothers and Knitting in the City series. When she’s not immersed in penning smart romances, Penny works in the biotech industry as a researcher. She’s also a full time mom to three diminutive adults, wife, daughter, knitter, crocheter, sewer, general crafter, and thought ninja.