4-4.5
I received this book at the right time. I was in the mood for a RomCom and this one satisfied that need! This book was fun filled and equally sweet. I think one of my favorite things about their relationship was how long they went without seeing each other. The realness of their attitudes and feelings was also a little refreshing, and not to forget the animals ;) Before this I had only read two of Helena's books, one being Clipped Wings and Pucked, and both of those were amazing in their own way. Clipped Wings was emotional while Pucked was hilarious and this book was a mix of both! I know for sure I will want to read all of her books at some point in the future and am happy that I got Shacking Up when I did! If you like RomComs I highly recommend this one :)

This was cute. There was just something missing though. I don't know if it was that I found Ruby a bit immature, or that it moved too slowly, or what. I can't put my finger on it. Let's just say it kept me entertained while I read it and move on.

This was a funny, enjoyable romance with a romance that begins via the phone. Lots of great foreplay and tension before the romance really gets going.

Full disclosure: I am reading this series out of order. I started with book 3, then 5, and now 1. One is my favorite so far.

Ruby’s life is on a downward slope and then she gets kissed by a stranger. And that downward slope continues. Eventually things begin to look up, but of course there are still struggles. I love the banter between Ruby and Bancroft. And there is so much sexual tension. My favorite character is Francesca. The relationship between Ruby and Bancroft moves quickly, but it doesn’t feel rushed or like insta-love. The ending is perfect.

I loved Bane and Ruby! I wasn’t expecting this to be such a slow burn but I’m not mad about it. I do wish we got more of the couple actually together (like on the same continent), but I still really enjoyed their story. I also wish we got more of Bane’s POV, but what are you gonna do? I’m excited to continue with the series and see Amalie ditch Armstrong the Jerk...

Sweet, raunchy romance…

Ruby and Bane were the bomb! A hilarious, desire-filled, raunchy, all-the-feels amazing, reading bomb!

From their first meeting there was something delightfully off-kilter about their relationship. Traditional courtship was out the window and instead there was a fast-track where insta-roomies, explosive chemistry and adorable house pets were the norm. Well, one house pet was adorable...

Ruby found herself in a tough spot and Bane, whether through guilt or desire, or a combination of both, offered a solution. He was uber-sexy, successful, an ex-jock with more packs than should be legal (six, there were six). She was beautiful, independent, and a struggling, never give up, actress.

Despite their beyond awkward first meet up they fit just right. Whether sex-chatting or no-holds-barred video time, or snuggling on the sofa eating dinner out of containers, it felt natural and so, so good…

I caught myself snort-laughing, laughing out loud and yes, even spit/choking laughing – this was just so spectacularly f-u-n-n-y. The only type there was a pause was to make room for sweet, awkward, oh so human moments…

Delicious humour and at least a few sexy cartons of bags of chips meant this was a super read from start to finish. How it could be sweet and raunchy is a nod to the author because the sugar and spice were perfectly balanced. I am craving much more….

Awesome- I loved Helena Hunting's rom com, Shacking Up. I really enjoyed the dual POV in this story. This story follows Ruby Scott a down on her luck actress as she struggles to make ends, not allowing herself to ask her dad for help even though her dad has millions. She is 'accidentally' kissed by ex professional rugby player and hotel magnate Bancroft Mills who is high on a cocktail of cold meds and whiskey. Wouldn't you know, poor Ruby ends up with Bane's flu bug and since she's under the weather, she messes up an important audition and then finds out she's being evicted from her apartment. Her best friend helps her lands a pet sitting gig with her fiancée's cousin who, as it turns out is Bane. Feeling responsible for Ruby's predicament he is only too happy to have Ruby as his live in pet sitter whilst he is out of the country. Things are a little complicated when they become more intimate during their evening face time sessions. This is such a fun read. I enjoyed this book from start to finish. My reviews are listed on both the Us and Canadian sites as xo2read

Really sorry but this was a DNF for me. There were quite a few things that i didn’t like throughout what I read, and it didn’t pull me in at all, I skimmed a fair bit which I hate doing. Looking at other reviews for this book I’m definitely in the minority with my opinion and I won’t be posting my thoughts on my blog or Amazon.

Shacking Up was my first Helena Hunting novel, and unfortunately I really struggled to get into her writing. The rom-com genre can be difficult to capture well and I don't think she was my kind of author for this genre, if that makes sense--her humor not matching mine. Sometimes that happens and it's pretty sad, especially with how many readers love her works, but I certainly wouldn't be against trying her again in the future.

So I finally got a chance to read this book after seeing such positive reviews from book friends. I do have to say I liked how the story started and the premise but the delivery didn’t work for me if I’m being honest.

Ruby meets Bane at a party. Bane is sick and on lots of medication. Bane kisses her by accident and then coughs in her face. Gross. Who doesn’t cover their cough? So Ruby ends up getting sick and blows her audition. She needed this audition as she doesn’t want to have to admit to her father that he was right and work for the family. Bane and Ruby meet up again with mutual friends and they work out a deal where she will pet sit while he’s away.

So here’s the thing. I love me a good slow burn. Those are my favorites but this book was slower than ever and it was SO frustrating. I couldn’t feel their connection and as the story went on I really didn’t like Ruby. At times she could come off very judgmental and I didn’t like that at all. Bane was the only saving grace for me when it came to this book. And the pet animals. This isn’t the first book by Helena Hunting that I have read so I will be reading her future books. I just think it’s a case of me and not the author.

I enjoyed this book. It pulled you right in and kept you turning the pages. This book was well written and I had no issues following the story.

Helena did it again! Another amazing Rom-Com that you don't want to end!

What a fast paced, witty book! I loved it. I'll definitely be reading more from this author. The characters were amazing and it kept my interest throughout the entire book!

I adored Ruby and Bane! Their chemistry was off the charts and the banter was gold. I love great banter! The situation was unique and I loved how the relationship developed through their talks. You couldn't wait for them to be back together. I love Helena Hunting and this book proves why I go back again and again.

I am a longtime fan of Helena Hunting and her puck series! I always get a little sad when saying bye to one series and going into another, but in her true nature Shacking up was all I expected and more! I laughed, I got mad, I yelled at the characters, and I fell in love!
Helena Hunting really knows how to do a good steamy romcom!

Ruby’s dream is to be on Broadway and she is a determined to get there, but the reality right now is a bit different-she’s jobless and soon to be homeless, if she doesn’t find a solution soon. Her best friend Amalie helps her out by getting Ruby a house/pet sitting job. To Ruby’s surprise the owner of the house is the same guy who kissed her at Amalie’s party. Bancroft is Amalie’s fiance’s cousin and he’s working in his family’s business. Bancroft has to leave for several weeks and needs someone to take care of his exotic pets.

I really liked the idea of the book, but for some reason I didn’t hit the spot for me and I didn’t really believe in the main character’s love story. I really liked Bancroft, but struggled with Ruby as she seemed immature and bratty at times. All in all it was a decent read, but I waited more from it. I am going to read the next book in the series and hope I’ll like that one more.

*I was provided an ARC by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review*

Bane and Ruby, the hero and heroine of Shacking Up, were such fun characters to get to know. What I really enjoyed about this book was how much time was spent having the characters getting to know each other, through FaceTiming while Bane was on work trips and Ruby was pet-sitting. While I do not normally enjoy first-person narratives, the fact that we get to alternate between characters helped me get past that obstacle.

I highly recommend this book, and cannot wait to read the next in the series!

Im pretty sure Bancroft is my new book boyfriend. Im mildly in love with him. I love a book with a good build of of sexual tension and relatable main characters. This was not over the top cheesy and i loved it

Shacking Up by Helena Hunting is a contemporary romance. 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.

Shacking Up is a romance that made me laugh and cringe in all the right places. There were funny, awkward, and endearing moments through the book. I loved Ruby's character, she wants to be able to prove herself and stand on her own two feet. I can understand her need, as can most adults that might still feel like they are faking it until they make it. I like that while eager to stand on her own feet, is willing and able to laugh at herself along the way. Bancroft is another character doing the best he can in a situation that is not exactly what he was hoping for, and working to make it better. I loved the banter between the two, and the conflicts that they have. I think the larger conflicts about dealing with the expectations of society in general, and parents in particular, made the story more engaging. I found myself smiling or cringing, depending on the action, as I read the book- completely into the story and empathizing with Ruby as she worked through the story.

Shacking Up is a fun romance with plenty or gloriously awkward moments, and characters that are realistic and engaging. I will be reading more from Hunting.