Hilarious book! Good banter, a little predictable but overall very good book. The characters are solid and well written. Now to see if there are others in the series...

This was a fun contemporary romance that provided me with all the hilarity and sizzle I expect from Ms. Hunting. The characters are easy to love and the storyline is just right if you’re looking for romance and sexy times with not too much angst. Unlike many books I’ve read lately, this was actually more of a slow burn, in part because of the circumstances that the characters found themselves in, but also because each of them wasn’t quite ready for what was coming their way. I really liked that they weren’t able to jump right into the deep end right away. The fact that communication was key at the beginning of their relationship, and that their banter was funny, sweet, and sexy, made this book all that much more enjoyable.

Bancroft and Ruby both come from privilege. However, they’re both down-to-earth characters who understand their wealthy world and yet are able to reject its constraints. Both of these characters showed strength in wanting to make it on their own and wanting to live out their dreams…and it made them perfect for each other. From strange pets, to demanding parents, to wannabe girlfriends, this book had lots of twists and turns that could have jeopardized this relationship. Thankfully, both Bane and Ruby discovered early on that they only had eyes for each other. Once they managed to get through some misunderstandings, the HEA prevailed…and as a lover of love, I couldn’t be happier. There was plenty of sexual tension here and, at times, neither could stop thinking about what they’d like to do to the other…and when they finally had the opportunity, there was smoke coming out of my kindle (not really, but it sure felt like it)! 🙂

So, if you’re looking for an enjoyable, quick read with a sexy dirty-talking guy and a smart sassy girl who have a steamy hot romance, look no further. This book will entertain you in all ways…you’ll laugh, you’ll swoon, you’ll sigh…and you’ll likely have to fan yourself now and again. It won’t change your life, but it sure is a great way to spend a few hours. Enjoy!

Ohhh, I loved this book!
I had a great time reading about Bane and Ruby.
First of all, the idea at the base of this book was awesome! It immediately picked my interest, and if you add the witty narrating style of Helena Hunting, you have a winner book!

From the first chapter I was captured by Ruby, such a funny character, but with a deep personality that made me love her.
And Bane, well, he's everyone's dream man! He's a great guy. hardworking, generous <3 <3

One of my favourite part was the period when Bane was away, how they get to know each other, their great banter, the spark flying between them even if on the phone. They immediately feel comfortable with each other, familiar we can say (see the first night at Bane's home).

Another thing that I appreciated was the drama free atmosphere: even after a difficult time, they manage to overcome it by talking with each other (even if a little late, better than nothing!)

I'm actually quite interested in Ruby's friend's story. We get to know her a little bit in Shaking up, and also her relationship with her fiancé. Well, let's say that I really hope she will dumb that prick and find her happily ever after too!

Helena Hunting's novels always have the perfect combination of humor, heart and heat. I absolutely love getting lost in all the laughs, swoony moments and chemistry between the characters. This light-hearted tells the story of Ruby Scott and Bancroft "Bane" Mills.  This is a slow-burn romance with quite a few laughs that hit the spot at the perfect time. I could not get enough. 

Ruby Scott has hit a low point in her life. After kind of kissing a guy the night before who inadvertently got her sick before a job interview, she is now on the verge of homelessness and being forced to run back and beg daddy to save her. But when a blessing in the form of a job petsitting a rich guy's pets while he's away turns up, who is she to complain. But what happens when said rich guy is the HOT interview saboteur she kissed. Enter: Bane Mills.

I absolutely loved this novel and felt their banter and chemistry was amazing. I loved that Ruby was independent and strong and wanted to succeed on her own. Bane was just as amazing and an all-around great guy. This was a fantastic read and I cant wait for more from this author in the future.

I would like to thank NetGalley and SMP romance for an advanced copy of this book for review.

I am a complete die-hard Hunting fan. This book was so genuinely unique and fun; her characters were fresh, genuine, and likable. I loved so much how this story had the signature fun aspects Hunting's writing (a little snark, a lot comedy, and even more HOT), but was a completely new line of imagination for her.

And let's talk about names - Bancroft (Bane), Lexington, and Griffen. Drool...seriously, drool. I love how she names her men, how she makes them a perfect blend of sweet, perv, and assertive. And Bancroft with his love of animals, socks, and sleeping naked? Yeah, I love him. A lot.

Ruby was a wonderful character. She was a little reckless, truly driven to achieve her dreams, and just a plain awesome girl. Come on, her decision of where to sleep showed she has lady balls.

I devoured this book in under 12 hours because I just couldn't put it down. It's an EXTREME hit in my book and I hope she writes about Bane's brothers because I know I would inhale them, too!

Bane and Ruby have quite the first meeting. He kisses her at her best friend's engagement party, but he believes she is someone else. Ruby doesn't quite know what to do with Bane, especially since he was an amazing kisser and she is unsure of who he is or how he is connected to the wedding.

Ruby was flighty and a struggling actress who was hoping to land a role on Broadway. She has hit some hard financial times and refuses to ask her father for help. Although she grew up wealthy, she and her father do not see eye to eye on her career choice. He wants her to join his pharmaceutical company and stop chasing a "pipe dream" as he calls it. Ruby is behind on her rent, maxed out on her credit cards and now finds she is going to be homeless.

Bane goes to dinner with Amie and Armstrong and finds Ruby there. She has a fit and gives him quite the guilt trip in order to press her case that he should let her "pet" sit at his apartment while he is out of country for work for 5 weeks. Bane is a good guy and gives into Ruby's and Amie's attempts to get him to let her stay. Although attracted to her, he knows that they can't act on either one of their feelings of attraction while she is committed to watching his pets.

They form a bond and video chat a lot while he is gone. They get to know each other and form a friendship. They both wish for more. When Bane returns home, he is confused as to why Ruby is acting distant. Little does he know that she has been keeping a secret from everyone in her life. When the truth comes out, she does not react well at all. She projects her thoughts about herself onto Bane and he calls her on it. The suffer from a lack of communication a lot in this book and Ruby is even worse at Bane at expressing herself. She was quick to jump to conclusions and didn't stop and think before she acted. It caused several problems throughout this book. I liked how Bane went after what he wanted several times and didn't hesitate.

Overall a good read and I was grateful to receive an ARC from NetGalley for my honest review.

Helena Hunting can write some books ya’ll. I am an avid reader of hers and I LOVE LOVE LOVE the Pucked Series. I was a little scared going into this one because well, it’s not a Pucked book. However, I absolutely fell in love with Bane and Ruby!!
Pucked Boys be damned, there’s a new hottie in town and he’s got one hell of a dirty mouth!
Ruby has no idea what she is in for while attending her best friend’s engagement party. A run in with an incredibly hot guy in the hallway by the restroom leads to a heavy make out session which leads to all sorts of trouble for Ruby. See, the hot guy is sick with the flu, which he passes along to Ruby…disaster in the making.
Now looking for a job and an apartment, Ruby’s best friend sets her up with a job apartment/pet sitting for a friend, Bane, who just so happens to be the guy who kissed her and started this whole mess to begin with!
“You know, you can call me Bane.” “Like the bane of my existence?”
I thoroughly enjoyed Ruby! She is a woman who lives in the moment, a starving Broadway actress who is trying to make ends meet. Ruby has no qualms about saying what she means, like it or leave it. She is hilarious and I like how she knows what she wants. And that, my friends, is Bane.
Bancroft “Bane” was refreshing. He was so much more than the typical rich guy. He spent a good part of his life doing what he wanted to do, which was rugby, but now is following in the family business. Having to travel for work, he has Ruby stay at his apartment to watch his unusual house pets. And his attentional to detail and organizational skills had me drooling like a baby. I mean, come on! Who doesn’t like a hot, sexy rugby player turned business man who has his shit together??!
“Bancroft is stretched out on the couch watching sports with Francesca curled up in his lap. Right on top of his penis. What a whore. I wish I was her.”
Bane and Ruby’s friendship was fun and lighthearted until it turned into something so much more. These two had unbelievable chemistry and great banter, and were so very attracted to each other, you’d have thought they would have jumped each other immediately. But no, you really get the build up with this one…. more than halfway through the book before any sexy times happen. Get yourself a fan, lock yourself if your room, grab a change of panties, whatever you have to do because when it does go down? HOLY SHIT. If you’ve read any of Helena’s books, you know her men have some dirty mouths. Bane is no different and it is UNREAL. The mouth on that man, I’ve got some ideas on what I’d like it to do 😉
Shacking Up was an enjoyable story that had a little bit of everything in it. A whole lot of sexiness, lighthearted fun, sexual tension that is off the charts, cute animals, sexy men, one HELL of a douchebag guy who you will love to hate…. all of which you will absolutely fall in love with!

What an extremely fun book! I really had no idea what to expect when I signed up to read Hunting's newest release. Having been an avid fan of her Pucked series, I knew I loved her writing style, but I'm always apprehensive when trying something different.

There was no reason to worry. Shacking Up started out with a bang and never let up. I was hooked from chapter one. The dynamic between Bane and Ruby was immensely entertaining. Both from the same upper-tier world but Ruby is "new" money, and not willing to rely on her father to fund her life. So, she's doing her own thing, and while not exactly successful at it (yet), she is living her life on her own terms. I really admired that about Ruby. It didn't what it took, she was grabbing life by the horns and doing it her way. She wasn't going to be persuaded into crawling back home and admitting failure. Bane was the opposite. He already lived his dream, and it was now time to come home, and be the man his father expects him to be. Bane promised his family once his rugby career is done he would come home and work for the family business, no matter how boring that might be. On two different paths, you would think there is no way for Bane and Ruby to connect, but they do, in a seriously hot way!

Shacking up is a light-reading, fairly predictable rom-com. There wasn't a lot of angst, nor any jaw dropping moments. What it is, is a sweet, love story with a great meet cute, and two characters who spent a lot of time cultivating their relationship over the phone. I loved how Ruby and Bane constantly challenged each other. They each had their own unique brand of crazy, that only a writer like Hunting could take farther than you expected. You are in for a laugh-out-loud good time with Shacking Up.

I received one ARC in exchange for a honest opinion
5 delicious stars !!!
I loved it, I just love Helena's writing, all her books make me laugh and sigh and cry, and this was no exception. Helena is a master in romantic comedies. It was expressed in Pucked, but now she continues to show it.
This story made me sigh and laugh out loud. A light romantic comedy and also with tooooo much tension, that is cooked to simmer. I do not know how Helena does it, but every time she makes me fall in love with her characters and her stories.
In it we know Ruby and Bancroft, (aka Bane, he's a lovely hot).
Ruby is a beautiful, independent, brave girl, who prefers to try to make her way on her own to depend on her father and his money. She goes to an audition, but the day before she encounters a stranger and kisses her but coughs her on. As a result, she becomes ill and in the audition she have a terrible result ...
Then Bane (who is a friend of Ruby's best friend's fiancé) feels responsible for what happened to her and employs her as his pet sitter while he is on a trip for 5 weeks. You will not believe the pets that he have, jejejeje made me much grace because in the books of Helena there are always sexual jokes about animals and genitals.
I love Ruby's bravery, she's a strong character, who faces situations with strength, and without drama.
And Bane !!!!! O God that boy so sexy, sweet, hot, my new literary boyfriend, and that perverted talk over the phone, plus I loved how cute he was with Ruby and how he treated his pets literally melted me.
While he's on the trip, they talk on the phone and make video calls and the attraction between them grows, I love Helena's ability to create chat between characters, the tension is almost palpable and those conversations are soooo hot, it cook slowly, and when they to see again after the trip, wow, those scenes, are too hot, spontaneous combustion.
Of course I love Amie, and I can not wait for her book ... The secondary characters complement the story too much. And about Francesca, jejejejej I love books with pets.
A highly recommended this book, with lots of laughter, lots of sexual tension and a light plot. If do you like stories that are simmered, you can not miss this, it's perfect for you.

4☆
I loved the slow and fun burn of Bancroft and Ruby! Their story was a lot of fun and their first meeting is hilarious. I really enjoyed their build up and all the fun to their relationship. That build up lead to a very hot explosion that was oh so nice. I really enjoyed Bancroft, he is wonderfully swoony and a great hero. Ruby is quite fun and I loved her story. Shacking Up was funny, hot, and sweet; and I loved it!

Oh my goodness what a tale! Ferrets and spiders and a roommate situation like no other! The banter between the characters is classic Helena Hunting with great wit! I found this book hilarious and scorching at the same time! The whole concept is a unique spin on roommates to lovers! I am in love with this book!

This is the first book by Helena Hunting I have read, and I've got to say I loved it! Such great characters and a laugh out loud entertaining story! I will certainly read more from this author.

Ruby Scott is having a hard time making it on her own as an actress and dancer but the last thing she wants to do is leave New York City and go back home to Connecticut to work for daddy at his pharmaceutical company. Ruby is hoping for her big break at her audition the next day because she really needs the money. For now, Ruby is at her best friend, Amalie "Amie", engagement party and at least is getting to eat some real food instead of the ramen noodles she has been living on. Ruby decides to head home, stopping at the restroom first. On her way out, she runs into a nicely dressed, huge, sexy guy and almost falls over. He thinks she is his date coming on to him and starts kissing her and Ruby ends up kissing him right back. When said date shows up things go to hell. Ruby finally leaves, gets home and falls asleep thinking of Awesome Kisser. The next day Ruby wakes up not feeling too well....and tanks the audition in a unique way! She also finds out she is being evicted from her apartment because daddy stopped paying the rent! Amie stops by after Ruby is feeling better and convinces her to come to dinner with her. She is meeting her fiance, Armstrong and his cousin, Bane. Amie explains that Bane is leaving the country for a few weeks and needs someone to help take care of his two pets and that maybe Ruby can just stay at his place while he is gone. Imagine Ruby's surprise when Bane is actually Awesome Kisser!

When Bane hears the story about how he ruined Ruby's audition, he agrees to let her stay at his place while he is gone since he feels guilty. Two days later Ruby packs up her apartment and moves in....now the fun can begin! These two are still very attracted to each other but since Bane is leaving, they don't act on it....but the verbal sparring is great!

Bane leaves the country and these two continue their sparring through texting. This quickly changes to phone calls and then video chatting. Over the course of next 5 weeks these two spend most of their free time talking and getting to know each other. As the days go by, their feelings are becoming more intense. I just adored the relationship these two were forming just based on phone calls. It was fun watching their feelings change. The way Ruby was with Francesca and Tiny was great! I loved how fun it all was. Bane is getting anxious to get back home to spend some quality time with Ruby, while Ruby knows she needs to find some type of job so she can move out of Bane's place by the time he gets back. Ruby finds a job, but doesn't admit to Bane what type of job it really is. By the time Bane gets back, the sexual tension between these two is about to explode. I really liked these two together. I loved the part where Bane found out where Ruby was actually working! It was great watching these two slowly build up being a real couple, and having to deal with some real issues and I just loved how their happy ending came to be.

Fun and Flirty

I love romantic comedies and yet I’m always a bit apprehensive when I start one because comedy is so dependent on the individual reader’s taste and even current mood. When I started Shacking Up, I was in need of something a bit lighter. This ended up being just what I was looking for at the time. There’s some silliness, a trademark of this author’s style, but it never crossed into the ridiculous realm.

The characters were both fantastic. Ruby was a vibrant and independent heroine throughout the book, no doormat or princess in need of rescuing here. She had just the right amount of spunk to keep things upbeat, yet her struggles and worries made her relatable too. Bancroft complimented Ruby very well and was equally likable. Typical heroes being what they are in contemporary romances, I always enjoy when the main character is simply a nice guy. Bancroft was exactly that, he was sweet and caring with just enough edge to make things interesting. Factor in that he’s an animal lover (even if his choices are a tad exotic) and a skilled dirty taker, and I couldn’t help but like him.

The initial meeting and set-up that brings these two together was fun. Though it followed a fairly predictable pattern, it was enjoyable. I liked how the distance and time apart while Bancroft traveled and Ruby housesat allowed their chemistry and emotions the space a chance to develop. There is some angst surrounding the relationship, but it was fairly mild and not drawn out into a lengthy back and forth. The writing and tone was fun and flirty throughout, with a good dose of heat to counter the lighter mood. I think fans of this author and readers looking for a romantic comedy with good, sassy characters will enjoy Shacking Up.

I absolutely loved this book. It’s been so long since I read any of Helena’s books — don’t ask me why, because I don’t have a good excuse — and I forgot just how much I love the combination of great characters, literally laugh out loud humor and sexy AF romance. Now that I’ve been reminded, I kinda want to binge every single one of her books that I’ve missed.

Ruby was a great heroine. I found her easy to identify with and I loved being in her head. Her inner dialogue was hilarious and had me chuckling quite a bit. Her first scene with Bancroft had me literally laughing out loud. What a meet cute! I was a little uncertain about Bancroft at first, however. While their meet cute was amusing, it didn’t exactly showcase him in the best light. But it didn’t take long for him to start growing on me, either. I especially loved that we got to spend time in both Ruby’s and Bancroft’s heads. Dual POV is my favorite when it’s done well because it gives me the chance to really get to know both characters. I’m a big fan of friends to lovers, so I really enjoyed watching them build a friendship, knowing that it was likely to lead to more in the future. Their story gave me a *delicious* slow burn that had me burning through the pages because I just couldn’t get enough — and I couldn’t wait to see if they would be as explosive together as I expected. Spoiler alert: they were. Also, I’m giving bonus points to this book for the inclusion of adorable animals. Francesca the ferret was amazing and I kinda loved her.

I’m already itching to get my hands on Hooking Up, which appears to be about Ruby’s best friend Amie. I thought she was a great character and deserving of so much more than what she was getting from her (IMHO crappy) fiancé Armstrong, so I’m thrilled she’s getting a book. I hoped that she would, but since Shacking Up didn’t seem to be part of a series, I was worried I wouldn’t get her story. I’m really glad that’s not the case. She deserves a good HEA… plus it’ll be fun to read more about her.

FAVORITE QUOTES

This man is like a nuclear bomb of sexy, just waiting to go off. I’m honestly surprised women aren’t super-gluing themselves to his body like in one of those men’s spray deodorant commercials.

“I can be a white knight with a dirty mind, can’t I?”

Bancroft is stretched out on the couch watching sports with Francesca curled up in his lap. Right on top of his penis. What a whore. I wish I was her.

On a scale of one to ten, with one being desperately inadequate and ten being deity inspiring, his dick is so beautiful it would make angels weep and virgins offer themselves up for sacrifice. Okay, maybe not that last part. But it’s a gorgeous penis and I’m really, really turned on.

Every kiss is an echo of the first time. Accidental or not, some part of me recognized her as my future and now she’s mine to love.

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.

A new standalone from one of my favourite authors, once again Helena Hunting has proved she is the queen of rom-com. I love a book that makes me laugh and Shacking Up is hilarious.
Ruby is having a hard time and needs to find a new place to live so her best friend suggests she pet sits for Bancroft who happens to have a couple of very unusual pets that need special attention. Bancroft is an ex rugby player who is now trying to prove himself in his fathers company that means a lot of traveling and no time for romance well that was until he literary bumped into Ruby at his best mates sort of engagement party and a case of mistaken identity had him pushing his tongue down to Ruby's tonsils.
This book has it all, characters you can relate too,banter that will have you laughing out loud and some pretty hot faceTiming but most of all this author has a way with her tongue in cheek writing that will have you coming back for more. Looking forward to the next book from her.

This was a sweet, nice book, with a slow burn.....but once the burn got started, the sex was hot with lots of dirty talk!

Ruby is a rich girl who is out to prove to her father that she can make it on her own. She wants to follow her dreams of being on stage, while her father wants her to join the family business (erectile dysfunction pharmaceuticals).

While completely down on her luck.....no job, about to lose her apartment, no money, and absolutely no desire to ask daddy for help, she comes across a perfect situation. House siting and pet sitting for her friend's fiancé's friend, Bancroft, who will be out of the country for 5 weeks. Little does she know, they've had a run-in before their initial meeting so imagine their surprise. But this works, Ruby needs a temporary place to stay and Bancroft needs someone to watch his pets (Francesca the ferret and Tiny the tarantula!!).

There was some obvious sexual tension before he even left the country, but how it plays out with video chats and text messages while he is away had me grinning like crazy! I loved their banter.

This was a low-angst story and just really nicely done. Ruby is one crazy biatch and I loved her inner thoughts and characterizations (reminded me of some of my online book friends)! And her best friend was awesome (she just needs to ditch her fiancé and find someone worthwhile so hoping that's the next book)!

If you are looking for just a nice sweet story, this would do it!

A stand alone novel from the very talented Helena Hunting. Shacking Up had me laughing so much it hurt.

The chemistry between down on her luck Ruby Scott and the super rich hotel magnate Bancroft (Bane) Mills had my temperature on the rise; they simply sizzled together.

Romantic comedy is fast becoming my go to genre to read. Shacking Up was one of those books that had me laughing, smiling and generally feeling great.

I love Ms. Hunting's style of writing, she ensures that her characters are not “perfect”. Ruby is an extremely relatable and likeable character and whilst Bane is so far out of her (and my) league, he was also down to earth,, Helena Hunting told a story that had me entertained and captivated from the start. Bane really did swoop in to save the day, a modern day knight in shining armor.

If you want a fun, not too long romantic comedy to read, then I highly recommend Shacking Up, you won't be disappointed.

I was received an ARC of this book through the publisher and Netgalley

I thought Shacking Up was a funny Cinderella story. Despite Ruby's affluent family and upbringing she didn't have it easy. Her father made it clear that she had to join him or support herself.
Down on her luck, she meets Banecroft. he's sweet, charming and determined to get his way.
The pair had a rather unconventional courtship. The pair had some funny moments via online chats and Skype.
They were a little slow overcoming their obstacles. I liked that both Ruby and Bane needed to to find their own footing before finally becoming a couple. I was definitely routing for them from the start.
I also liked the secondary characters in this book. Francesca, Amie and Alex added to the enjoyment of the book. I'm hoping a few of the characters we met will get their own story

Sadly, I had to mark this as a DNF. I have enjoyed Huntings Pucked series, but this book felt like Pucked with a different setting. The heroine was just like Violet. I liked Violet. But, in a whole new series, it just felt trite.