Shacking Up (Shacking Up, #1)

by Helena Hunting

Ruby Scott is months behind on rent and can't seem to land a steady job. She has one chance to turn things around with a big audition. But instead of getting her big break, she gets sick as a dog and completely bombs it in the most humiliating fashion. All thanks to a mysterious, gorgeous guy who kissed - and then coughed on - her at a party the night before.

Luckily, her best friend might have found the perfect opportunity; a job staying at the lavish penthouse apartment of hotel magnate Bancroft Mills while he's out of town, taking care of his exotic pets. But when the newly-evicted Ruby arrives to meet her new employer, it turns out Bane is the same guy who got her sick.

Seeing his role in Ruby's dilemma, Bane offers her a permanent job as his live-in pet sitter until she can get back on her feet. Filled with hilariously awkward encounters and enough sexual tension to heat a New York City block, Shacking Up, from NYT and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting, is sure to keep you laughing and swooning all night long.

• ISBN10: 1250133327
• ISBN13: 9781250133328
• Publish Date: 30 May 2017
• Publish Status: Active
• Imprint: Swerve
• Format: eBook
• Pages: 304
• Language: English

Reviews

[stacey_is_sassy]

***3.5 Stars***

I'm showing my age...AGAIN!

Recently, I saw a post on Facebook where an author was questioning why readers hate the heroines so much. For me, there are a few reasons. First off, they're not me and I'm so bloody awesome there's no way the heroine would be as smart, beautiful or witty as me (fluttering my lashes coyly). Secondly, I'm old (42) and I've been there done that. A lot of the heroines I read in my books are just babies. They're still at the learning from their mistakes stage. There is usually some sort of alcohol involved, which results in bad decisions -or- a lack of money which leaves the heroine in dire straits and a touch of desperation.

I WANT TO SHAKE THEM!!

Well, Shacking Up wasn't bad but there were more than a few times that I was gritting my teeth and shaking my head. The heroine is stubborn, spoilt and silly. We have the old...I'm going to hit Broadway and be a superstar...storyline. Lucky for this little chickadee, she seems to just magically have all her problems fixed and everything fall into place. I mean, one minute she's homeless and destitute and the next she's living in a penthouse with an envelope full of money. But, who am I to complain? Obviously, I'm just plain old JEALOUS!! Why wasn't I that lucky when I was poor, young and silly?

Anyways...holy shamoly, I liked the hero...like, really like the hero. Hot, smart and successful. He was sweet and very swoon worthy. Look, if I was to find any fault with him, I'd probably say it was his blind obedience towards his family. I know there was a lot of guilt involved, but geez, there is no way I would obey just to keep the peace. I also thought his Dad was a bit of a jerk...and maybe even his brother too...and Mum too for that matter. People with money seem very self-absorbed and I can't say I liked them.

Oh well, I liked Shacking Up but there were times that I was feeling my age and VERY glad that I'm way past the stresses of career choices, budgets and balances and learning to be independent. While the sexy times were towards the end of the story, there was definitely a buzz of sexual tension flowing from the beginning to the end.

While not my favourite story by Helena Hunting it still made me laugh, blush and squirm so not a complete loss.

[leelu92]

4.5 stars!

Okay, so it’s been a while since I’ve been inspired enough to write a review that consisted of more than a few sentences. Shacking Up totally broke the seal for me! There are a gazillion releases this week (yes, that is a technical term) and I promise you, you need to buy this book. I enjoyed every single bit of it- so much that I didn’t want it to end! I wanted more Bane and Ruby immediately, it was that good.

I’m a bit wary of the rom-com subgenre because they tend to bend over into too over the top and too crass. When that happens, it overshadows the characters and the development of the relationship instead of accenting it.

The bar for this subgenre is set very high for me by authors like Daisy Prescott and the writing team of Sarina Bowen and Elle Kennedy. I LOVE literally laughing out loud one moment and swooning the next. Shacking Up hit every single one of my buttons as far what I enjoy in a well-written rom-com! Ruby is such a lovable character and Bane is 110% book boyfriend material. He is such a great guy, he’s alpha in his own way without being a jerk and his love for his non-traditional animals is hard to resist. Bane has so many chances to be a jerk, with the way women throw themselves at him and he is just not that guy. I’ll admit that there was one lack of communication plot point that I was not a fan of, but while it rankled me, it really did not take away from my overall enjoyment of the book. Remember the part where I mentioned Bane was alpha without being a jerk? Well, that alpha shows itself in the bedroom and whoo wheeee, it’s so stinkin’ hot, I was sweating. For real.

Back to the part about not wanting it to end…I loved the ending and I hope we see more of Ruby and Bane in subsequent books in this series. Which apparently, I have to wait until approximately November to get Ruby’s BFF’s book, so, y’all pray for me… I may not make it that long.

Shacking Up was rom-com sexy perfection, and I didn’t want it to end!! It’s a perfect summer by the pool read, just make sure that you have a cold beverage on hand or a bucket of ice, you get the picture. 😉

Author Q and A: http://bit.ly/Hunting_ShackingUp

[Eve1972]

This is one of those times that I look around at all these glowing 4 & 5 Star reviews and wonder to myself...



This book was SO slow (one accidental kiss at the beginning then NOTHING until 80% into the book) and SO boring I am pretty sure watching paint dry would have excited me more. The first 50% of this book covers TWO days...that's right people only TWO days. Then the hero has to leave the country for five weeks and isn't back until 75% into the book. Which wouldn't have been bad if I felt even a flicker of sexual tension between these characters. Alas "I" did not. We get A LOT of inner dialogue about how hot and sexy they think each other is. We get A LOT of talk about his damn pets. Ugh..ya..I am going to stop because I am clearly in the minority with my feelings so keep that in mind when making your decision on this one.