Shacking Up (Shacking Up, #1)

by Helena Hunting

[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.