COPY RECEIVED THROUGH NETGALLEY FOR REVIEW
I have heard a lot about this author but never had a chance to read any of her books. I am now a fan. this book was sexy and fun. The characters were well defined and complimented each other. There was plenty of good internal and external dialogue that made you smile. Ruby is independent and wanted to make it on her own. Her father tried to corner her into coming to work for the family business. She wants to make it on Broadway. Bane is an retire rugby player who has to now follow the family business.He is sweet and funny with a penchant for strange pets. The circumstances of their first meeting and the the developed relationship that follows is sure to keep you up reading and giggling. The may be a blush or two that follows. Great book, Great writing!

Shacking Up is the perfect book to make people laugh. The banter between the characters was top notch quality. Ruby is quirky, funny, and down to earth, while Bancroft is strong, funny, and protective. I loved the way Ruby and Bancroft relationship grew and the fact that they had a solid friendship foundation then romantic relationship. The sexual tension and chemistry has the right amount of build-up. I can’t wait to read more for this series because I truly enjoyed reading this novel. It was a 5 star read! Plus, any book with a ferret is bound to be a winner.

I have been a big fan of Helena Hunting since I first listened to Pucked on audio couple of years ago. I was excited to be able to read the first book of this new series. And, it’s everything I was hoping for. Shacking Up is a flirty, funny, fun, fantastic rom-com that will have you laughing out loud and feeling happy. And couldn’t we all use a little more happy?

What begins with an accidental but passionate kiss becomes a fun, sweet and modern romantic journey between two people who are perfect for each other. Ruby is charming and funny. She’s also hard-working and honest. Bancroft is smart, loyal, driven and sinfully sexy!

The audio version of Shacking Up is fantastic too. I really liked Jacob Morgan narrating the Male POV. Rose Dioro was fine narrating the Female POV, though I did speed up the audio as it seemed to drag just a little. The audiobook is both enjoyable and addictive!

Shacking Up is another fantastic rom-com read delivered by one of the best authors in the genre. Helena Hunting never disappoints!

An advance copy of this book was received. The reviewer purchased the audiobook copy. Receipt of the advance copy did not impact the content or independence of this review. BFF Book Blog also uses a set of icon ratings. This book received additional icons for: butterflies, funny, romance, steamy and sweet.

3.5 stars
This was my first Helena Hunting books. Everyone has always been raving about how awesome and funny her books are. I dove in with high hopes...

I am not sure what to say. This was a very slow read for me. I struggled through most of it. I can recognize why people love her books. However, for me, I need more to keep my interest. I only giggled a few times. Maybe my humor button was broken when I read this?

I didn't particularly care for the characters. They didn't catch me in the way I like characters to. I found them lacking, forced.

The plot was unique enough. Like I said before though. It went too slow for me. It just didn't keep my attention. I wouldn't say this is a bad book, but I am definitely not over the moon about it. Will I read others of Helena's books in the future? Most likely. I am not counting her out.

This is steamy without sacrificing plot! Well plotted and relatable characters.

I am just here for the ferret jokes and one hot ass guy. This romance is full of humor, sass, and whew a retired RUGBY player who happens to be a good guy. I loved this book, where the heroine falls her dreams and heart, and it pays off big time!

This was a cute, fun, sweet, sexy read. I really enjoyed the slow buildup between Bane and Ruby and the banter and flirting. It was such an entraining read and I highly recommend it.

I want a ferret!!!!!

5 Scrum Me Stars! Shacking Up by Helena Hunting

Holy Hot Rugby player!
Shacking Up is Helena Hunting's newest book and first traditional published novel since the Clipped Wings series. There's no need to worry that the traditional element has toned the funny, the sexy or the outright bizarre. This book is Hunting at her best. Between the random animals, the hot rugby player and the cute but weird female protagonist, this book has every corner covered.

I loved the fact that even though this book had everything from the sublime to the ridiculous she still managed to have me in tears from both laughter and all the feels.

Bancroft is our leading man and what a leading man! A former rugby player you can imagine the body he has on him. On top of that he's a genuine great guy and you just can't help but fall for him yourself. The premise of the book is slightly different than the norm, which is fabulous, you feel like you're reading something brand new and fresh. There's a lot of playful banter between the characters and the sexual tension is through the roof. I read this book in one sitting because I just simply couldn't put it down. Anticipation is everything and Hunting most definitely delivers on all fronts. I can't wait to see what else she writes with these characters. I have to remind myself that waiting will make it all the sweeter because I want the next book now!

This was a blast to read. A lot more low key than the Pucked series, which I was glad of. Ruby, the heroine, actually sounded like someone I might know. I appreciated that she wanted to make it on her own, but also acknowledged she was lucky to have a safety net if she needed it. Her dedication to theater and trying to make it on Broadway was interesting.
Bane was an awesome hero. His possessiveness wasn't overdone, just natural male jealousy--and I loved seeing it.

The slow build of the relationship was great, with the hero and heroine actually getting to know each other before they hit the sack through daily video chats and phone calls. But when they do--it's fabulous.

Ruby comes from a wealthy family but her outlook on life is fundamentally different than her family members. She shuns the snobbery and plastic facades in favor of down to earth people and earning her own way. Unfortunately that stance has led to her currently being jobless and potentially homeless too.

Bancroft aka Bane is also from a high society family but he was able to escape and enjoy making a living playing rugby until a knee injury ended his career. His mother's simultaneous health scare was enough to bring him home to New York permanently where he reluctantly joined the family business and is now enduring his mother's constant matchmaking attempts. After a fiasco at his cousin's engagement party, Bane wants nothing more than to go home and sleep to try to get rid of this awful plague he can't seem to shake and to try to forget the sparks that flew during one accidental kiss.

Neither one ever expected to see the other sitting across a dining table from them a few days later, but of course they both know engaged couple Amie (Ruby's best friend) and Armstrong (Bane's cousin)! One side note about them: I feel horrible for Amie and wanted to kick Armstrong in the jewels more than a few times in this book so I certainly hope there is some good news for Amie in a future story! But back to Ruby and Bancroft. Conveniently he needs a pet sitter while he is out of town for the next month, and since he feels bad for putting Ruby in her current predicament after making her sick and causing her to bomb her audition in cringeworthy fashion this is the perfect solution.

Rom-coms can be a bit hit or miss for me but when it comes to this author, I had to 1-click and read it! Shacking Up was a great mix of lighthearted fun and romance without the over the top ridiculous moments that have made me cringe in other books in the past. This story was definitely a slow burn situation. With Bancroft overseas on a business trip, they got to know each other via video chats primarily for the first half of the book. Then when he returned things were not all sunshine and roses either, but don't worry, there is definitely a hotness factor here! I loved Bane's unusual choice of pets, particularly his ferret Francesca who was just as much a main character as her humans. All in all, this was a highly enjoyable read for me and I am definitely looking forward to the next book in series- did I mention I hope it Amie's turn to find some happiness? :-)

Shacking Up was a heck of a lot of fun to read! Helena Hunting always makes me laugh, and this book was no exception. A great slow burn romance that was funny, swoony, and sexy!

Ruby is an actress. She comes from a family with money, but unless she works at the family business (which she has no interest in doing) she’s basically cut off financially. She’s in a bit of a pickle right now, not knowing when her next job will come and being behind on her bills… her friend may have an opportunity for her. A pet/house sitting gig that could give her time to find a job and a place to live.

The way Ruby and Bancroft meet was nothing short of hilarious. When she officially ‘meets’ Bane, and realizes he is the guy from the party who kissed her (and got her sick) things become interesting.


Bane is out of the country for five weeks, but trusts Ruby to take care of his most precious pets. They have five weeks of fun and flirting over the phone and video chat. Five weeks that make you fall in love with this couple! Ruby was such a fun heroine. I loved how determined she was to make it on her own. And Bancroft. Oh Bane… he was pretty darn perfect.

I loved how this story came together at the end, I only wish we got more time with the couple as an actual couple. Overall, Shacking Up is a seriously entertaining, light-hearted romance I devoured. I definitely recommend for anyone looking for a fresh and fun read!

This might be my favorite Helena Hunting book that I've read so far!

I thoroughly enjoyed the slow burn progression of Bancroft and Ruby's relationship from strangers to friends and finally to something more. I sort of wish we had seen more of their conversations while he was away on business and she was house sitting for hi, but I was still able to feel the connection between them, so it wasn't something that took away from the story in any way.

Full of sexual innuendos, off the chart chemistry and fun, flirty banter this book had me smiling from start to finish. It's a well-written, sexy, sweet and fun romance that I highly recommend to fans of Helena's and/or people who are looking to read her for the first time!

I received a copy of this book from the publisher for an honest review.

This is the first Helena Hunting book I've read. In Shacking Up we meet a wealthy set of characters who are used to the high life. However, Ruby Scott wants to prove her way. She's never had the desire to follow in her fathers footsteps. Acting is where her heart lies and trying to make it in New York is proving to be quite trying.

Her best friend lends a helping hand introducing Ruby to Bancroft "Bane" Mills. He needs a pet sitter while he's out of town on business. Ruby needs a roof over hear head. Couldn't be more perfect right?

Only when you meet these characters you can tell there's something more for them in store. Ruby is one stubborn woman. Though I totally agree with her wanting to be independent and prove she's able to stand on her own two feet. There's a couple of instances in the book where I just wanted to knock her upside her head and say "are you for real?" LOL Of course she's not but really...smh.

Bane is a gentleman throughout the story. You'd think he would be pretentious like his cousin, who also appears in this story, but he's pretty down to earth. His character is definitely not one you'd associate with a lot of wealth. I think this helps him with his friendship with Ruby.

This story does have a HEA. If you're looking for a contemporary romance with a bit of humor Shacking Up will hit the spot. I enjoyed reading this book.

I’m a big fan of Helena Hunting’s Pucked series ,so whatever she writes I'm going to read it!I enjoyed this story so much.It was fun and sexy and the romance was my favorite way,slow burn.

Ruby and Bancroft are interesting characters.They have an amazing combination and they are full of sexual tension!I could easily put them as one of my favorite couples from Helena's stories.

If you are looking for a fun story this is perfect!Helena did it again with two fantastic characters and a romance to make you ach for more.

Shacking Up
Helena Hunting
4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Cute read! Super sexy ex rugby player meets struggling actress when he attacks her mouth as she comes out of the bathroom. But since he was such an amazing kisser and scorching hot ass guy she lets him basically fuck her mouth with his tongue at an engagement party.
Who wouldn't want that as a first encounter 😍
Ms. Hunting continues to tease her readers till halfway through the book before some real action starts. And of course once it does she goes all out to entertain her readers.

I really enjoyed reading this one. I loved the back and forth banter and the sexual tension between Bancroft and Ruby. You knew if was gonna be smoking hot between them.

I'm looking forward to her next book, Hooking Up. Thanks NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

Shacking Up is a cute, steamy story with a slow burn romance.
There is definitely chemistry between Ruby and Bancroft but I would have liked it much more if he weren't away for a majority of the book. Although the amount of snark and witty banter somewhat makes up for the distance and lack of physical interaction.

Overall, an enjoyable rom-com that I'd recommend for someone looking for a slow burn romance with minimal angst.

Thoroughly enjoyed reading this! Another fabulous book from Helena that had me giggling one minute and swooning the next! Full review on blog asap.

Woohoo! Shacking Up is a light and fun, super angsty read! This slow burn story will have you laughing out loud and burning up from all the heat between the characters. Bane and Ruby are perfect together! Bane is the book boyfriend we all love. With his athletes body, mussed hair, and dirty mouth, he will have you drooling all over yourself. You will adore Ruby too. She's smart, sassy, and full of attitude! I adored their story, and I think you will too! I'm hoping for Amie's story next. I would LOVE to see Lex steal her away from that douche bag Armstrong! If you haven't had a chance to read Shacking Up yet, what are you waiting for?! Meet Bane and Ruby today!

♥ Review by Lys

Genre: Romance - Comedy, sports
Stand Alone: Yes
Part of a Series: I don't think so
POV: Ruby and Banecroft
Steam-level: Steadily rising throughout the book
5/5

Although I've heard of Helena Hunting before i've never actually read her books. Now that I've read Shacking Up I'm sad that i haven't read her sooner. Shacking Up was tongue-in-cheek (and mouth) funny that had me laughing out loud throughout the book. Ruby was funny, sassy and independent (I related to her A LOT) trying to make it on her own and avoiding the upper-crust corporate world that her father has waiting for her when she fails with a vengeance. Banecroft, just retiring from rugby after an injury, is forced to join the corporate world in his father's company. The push and pull between these characters, jobs you love versus familiar obligations, the lengths you'll go to remain independent, and the power of friendship was present throughout. I truly enjoyed this book and look forward to reading more of Helena Hunting.

I received an advanced copy of this book for free from the author/publisher via NetGalley. I'm voluntarily giving my honest review.

There’s no two ways about it, Helena Hunting cracks me up! Shacking Up is fun entertainment wrapped up in a sexy package.

Ruby Scott doesn’t care about her father’s money. All she wants is a shot on Broadway and be able to pay the rent… and buy food. All she needs to do is get a stable paying job which she’s hopeful she’ll soon. But as luck would have it her audition goes disastrously wrong after waking up with the worst case of flu ever, and she knows exactly who’s to blame. The ridiculously gorgeous drunk stranger who coughed on her after kissing her silly the prior night.

She’s not looking up cardboard boxes to live in yet as her best friend hatches a plan to get her a pet sitting job with ex-rugby player now hotelier mogul Bancroft Mills while he’s overseas on business. And the fact that he feel bad because he cost her the acting gig may even get her room and board until she’s able to afford her own place. When Bane comes back, can they figure out a way to co-exist after the heavy flirting and friendship they’ve developed while he was away?

This was a great read. I became a fan of Helena Hunting when she touched my heart with Clipped Wings and she solidified my fandom making my stomach hurt from laughing with Pucked. She’s mastered the art of combining hilarity with sexy romance and charming characters that make Shacking Up a story you’ll enjoy from start to finish.

I loved both Ruby and Bane. Even though her life is in shambles I could only respect her for wanting to stand on her own two feet and succeed at what she loves. After his rugby career is over due to injury he accepts his role in his family’s business with great responsibility, but what I liked most about his is that he’s just a nice guy with very exotic pets.

The relationship between Ruby and Bane is a fun slow burn. Their banter is witty, the chemistry is hot and I loved that they started out becoming friends through sexy video chats, phone calls and text. And the cherry on top was Francesca, the illegal in NY ferret, who kind of stole the show at times with her adorableness.

Shacking Up is a standalone romantic comedy by Helena Hunting. It is lighthearted, full of humor and fun with a great mix of sexual tension that is sure to make you laugh and smile. Another great addition to her book collection. Told from both points of view with a happy ending.