Helena Hunting does it again! If it's irreverent and uber sexy, chances are Helena Hunting had a hand in it… and wrote the $h*t out of it! Shacking Up is bawdy and brash and romantic and oh so sexy. The characters practically leap off the page. They completely draw you into the story and you just can't help but become invested in their lives. At that point, rooting for their happy ending just becomes second nature. This is a book that is intriguing and insightful, engaging and impassioned, enchanting and provocative. You will be hooked from the beginning and will remain riveted to the very last page. I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for an engrossing and utterly compelling read.

Ruby grew up rich. But she's not rich anymore. Her family still is, but she's trying to make it on her own. She needs to get the theater job she's auditioning for in the morning, or she might just starve to death!
That's also why she's now stealing crab cakes at her best friend's engagement party.
And being at that party is also the reason she'll screw up tomorrow's audition.
She doesn't know it yet, but she'll be sick as a dog come morning.
And only because a high-on-scotch-and-cold-medicine Bancroft kissed the hell out of her - thinking - in the dark hallway - that she's his supermodel date! And if that wasn't enough to transfer all of his germs over to her - he then goes ahead and coughs into her face!!! LOL!
But Bane is a good guy and when he finds out that he's kinda responsible for Ruby being job and homeless, he's offering her a live-in pet-sitter position while he's on a business trip for five weeks!
Thus begins a 5-week-long courtship via videochat!
Those pets, btw., are not two little cats or dogs .... not even a hamster or a bowl of goldfish. ☺☺☺

WHAT WILL HAPPEN WITH RUBY & BANE?
WILL THERE BE A HAPPILY EVER AFTER?
READ THE BOOK TO FIND OUT! ☺

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Oy!!! This book was sooo adorable!
And sexy and funny! Jeeeeez - I loved it!
Ruby reminds us a lot of our favorite Pucked-lady with all her talk about female parts!!! LOL!
And Bancroft! Grrrrr - former rugby pro!

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You start reading this book and you immediately feel good. It's like you're relaxing in a bathtub with a glass of wine or some ice cream and you watch this amazingly funny and sexy romantic comedy happening!
I laughed so much - might have fallen off the couch a few times!
But it's not all funny and ridiculous. We have some very serious moments - both Ruby and Bane have lots of family pressure and problems. And of course we also have those adorable moments with Bane and the pets and how he's so sweet with Ruby. And of course that sweetness is not all he has for Ruby!!! Those two are mega attracted to each other. PHEW!!!

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The only tiiiiny little thing I didn't love about the book was one of Bane's pets! I'm sure she's a nice 'person' but I don't want her anywhere near me!!!! But we don't get to see her all that often ☺☺☺
Also, I expected a tiny little bit more sex! There's some sexy mega flirting and video-chatting going on, but the first actual sexy time doesn't happen until towards the end of the book :/ BUT - I still loved the story soo much!

SHACKING UP was the most adorable Romantic Comedy!!!! Hilarious, sweet, sexy! Run to your nearest amazon for your own Bancroft - this one is MINE!!!!

4.5 stars

Shacking Up is the first book I’ve read by Helena Hunting, and I picked a good one to start off with.

I adored everything about Ruby, especially her bawdy sense of humor, feistiness, and independence. She’s a breath of fresh air in a social circle filled with stuck-up aristocrats. Her rebelliousness against her upbringing and her father’s expectations makes her easy to relate to. Bancroft (AKA Bane) also comes from money, but he doesn’t conform 100% either. It’s easy to fall in love with Bane. He’s extremely supportive of Ruby, gentle, non-judgmental, sexy, and… Oh hell. I’ll just go ahead and take one Bancroft to go, please. Clothing optional.

His now lopsided grin is making my panties reevaluate their importance in my life.

Ruby pet sits for Bane while he’s away on business, and their mutually beneficial business arrangement turns into a friendship with a hefty side of sexual tension. The fact that they are separated for five weeks allows their chemistry to grow at a steady pace without them jumping each other’s bones right away. I loved their flirting, texting, and video chats.

The story is chock full of Ruby’s hilarious antics and inner thoughts, but Bancroft’s pet ferret, Francesca, is also a real scene stealer. The later half of the book contains plenty of sexy times and shows off Bancroft’s fluency in dirty talking.

This heated romantic comedy is saucy and sweet. If you want laughter, a heroine you can root for, and a hero you can swoon over, Shacking Up has you covered.

I’m hoping we get to learn the full story behind Ruby’s best friend, Amie’s, and Amie’s fiancé next. Until then, I’ll be looking for more Helena Hunting books to read.

Recommended for fans of:
Unconventional pets
Banter
Struggling artists
Romantic comedy

Ruby and Bancroft meet when he goes rogue and mistakenly kisses her and ends up passing on his flu symptoms to her. Bancroft makes it up to Ruby by letting her stay in his condo and babysit his pets while he's out of the country for work. For a bit there Ruby seemed to be the worst actress possible, screwing up every audition, even I was thinking she should be in a different career. Ruby's best friend Amie and her fiance Armstrong have zero connection so let's hope that wedding doesn't happen. Best interaction is probably when Bancroft comes home to Ruby and her friends practicing their burlesque show in his living room. This is a slow burn because Bancroft and Ruby spend a lot of the book apart only communicating through video chats and phone calls but there's several scenes throughout that will have you laughing and praying for the moment they finally get together. 3.5/5

4.5 stars

Ruby Scott is at the end of her rope. She is already struggling to get steady work and then she discovers she is months behind on her rent. Her father has cut her off because she won’t come home and work for the family business. Ruby has her hopes set on landing her next audition but this goes all wrong when she meets Bancroft.

Bancroft Mills has a dilemma. He is currently going out of town for several weeks and needs a pet sitter. He has asked Ruby’s bestie to take care of his ferret Francesca and his spider Tiny. After Bancroft sticks his tongue down Ruby’s throat at an event he leaves her sick with the flu; ruining her audition. Due to a little scheming by Ruby and her bestie she works her way into the pet sitting job. This gives her a place to live for six weeks and a chance to find a job.

I was really surprised at how much I liked this. It is perfect for people that love a little slow burn. Due to the separation Ruby and Bancroft’s friendship is built over video chat. Bancroft was a really great guy and was hooked by Ruby right away. He felt extremely guilty over Ruby getting sick. Ruby was a great character too. She didn’t make Bancroft suffer for getting her sick; she genuinely liked him and having a place to stay didn’t hurt either. She was comfortable in her own skin and I loved her banter with Bancroft. I also thought Francesca was adorable; I loved her secret resting nook on Bancroft. Smart girl.

My only complaint was the wrap up with her father was too perfect and clean. And the lack of communication towards the end between these too was silly. It was a bit predictable but I still really enjoyed the story. Well Done!

A fun, sweet, and sexy story with plenty of sexual tension, great chemistry, humor, steamy scenes, and a whole lot more.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

As I have never read anything by this author before, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I really liked the characters and fell in love with Francine. After kissing a man that she literally ran into in a dark hallway, Ruby becomes very sick and blows the opportunity of a lifetime in a very spectacular way. Now she is about to lose her apartment and hasn't got enough income to rent another. Her father has withdrawn his support because he thinks she needs to come home and work for him. Bancroft is the guy she ran into and when she sees him again, she makes sure he feels guilty about making her so sick. Bancroft is going out of town for a few weeks and needs someone to watch his pets. He is willing to pay handsomely for Ruby's help. Now Ruby has a place to live and some money, but she really wants to stand on her own two feet. Besides, she really wants to start something with Bancroft, but she doesn't want to be beholden to anyone, so she can't continue to live at his place. They need to come to some kind of understanding that will let them be together.

Very funny and quite entertaining! A great book when you're looking to escape reality and smile a lot!

Ruby Scott is not a stranger to the rich lifestyle. She grew up in a wealthy family but she tossed it away to pursue her dreams of the theatre. Her dreams are not going as planned. Her bank account is low and she is sneaking food from her best friend’s engagement party. Life couldn’t possibly get any worst but she finds herself tangled with a guy who is hands down one of the best kissers but he is drunk and on cold medicine.

Bane knows that he messed up the night of his cousin’s party but he never imagined that he would see the girl who his tongued mauled in a hallway again. He feels bad knowing that she caught the flu from him and blew her audition. To make matters worse, she is currently without a place to stay. He offers his place to her in exchange for her to watch his pets.

Ruby is quick to jump on this idea and I had to take a pause because it is an odd storyline. It works but it is a side-eye moment. Bane’s pets are very peculiar but of course Ruby volunteered with an animal shelter so she is all too equipped to know how to handle them.

The reason this couldn’t get a 5 star rating from me is the same reason I liked the book. The characters are separated for a good chunk of the book. The author does a good job of building the connection through video chat, text and phone calls. However, when Bane returns their schedules are at conflict and there is minor tension before they can connect face to face.

The sex is very explosive. How could it not when Ruby basically worships at The Church of Bane Cock. She literally says that after seeing his very very large cock. The rest of the story is full of humorous encounters and steamy sex scenes while Bane and Ruby try to navigate a relationship.

Overall, this is a fun and light read for fans of contemporary romance.

~ Samantha

Thank you for allowing me to receive an ARC of this book. I had some trouble staying connected to the characters and the plot in this story. I am choosing to not review it at this time as I don't want to deter any readers from purchasing the book and reading it. I completely understand that just because I didn't end up loving the book doesn't mean others won't. I am still more than happy to help promote it on my blog. Thank you again for the opportunity to read it.

This book was fun & sexy, two words that don't always go together. I loved it! Ruby is down on her luck & trying to get the next big audition she has. Bancroft is sexy & looking for what his next steps after sports look like. Right now he's finding his spot in the family business. They have a chance "hook up" at a mutual friend's wedding (Bane is drunk & has had some cold medicine & mistakes Ruby for his date so he kisses her) that leads to Ruby being sick & totally hurling on her audition. This leads Bane to hire her to be his pet sitter. As one can imagine, sparks are flying & their relationship takes an interesting turn when he's travelling for work. Highly suggest reading this book to see what happens to these two. It's very much worth your time!

**4.5 Stars**

Oh man, this book. I loved every word Helena gave us for Bancroft and Ruby's story. I seriously couldn't get enough of it. From start to finish it was just what I needed. I was laughing out loud at times and completely swooning for Brancroft at others. This book is a standalone and you seriously won't be disappointed.

Ruby Scott is trying to make it on her own- without the help from her father, or without a lot of help from her father. When a situation arises and she finds out she is going to need a new place to live she isn't sure what she is going to do. As an up and coming actress in New York, a steady income isn't something that comes by regularly. What she didn't know was that one kiss from a sexy stranger was going to change her life- in more ways than one. The kiss left her with the plague and a ruined audition. Insert Bancroft Mills, the sexy stranger.

Bancroft is loving his life. He's single, sexy and a famous rugby star. He comes from a family of wealth and a ton of obligation. With his mother on a quest to find him a date, there comes a TON of obligation and misery. So when he finds himself at an engagement party with a date he doesn't want to be, sick of all things, he finds himself kissing a stranger and oh does she kiss. What he doesn't know is this stranger is going to soon be living in his house and making her place known in his life.

Bancroft and Ruby are two of my favorite Helena characters to date. Their connection is instant, completely unconventional but so completely perfect for them. They are completely lovable as characters and you can't help but loving everything about them and their story. They are flirty and seriously strong characters. The cheekiness that Helena gives her readers is so evident in this book and it's what makes it so amazing.

I can't wait to see what else we get in this new series by Helena.

This is no Pucked Series which makes me sad. I was hoping that the pace will be faster as it was with Pucked.
It's an alright standalone. I didn't feel that the main characters have much chemistry.

Unfortunately the book was not for me, no review was publicly posted on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads or Twitter etc, so no ratings were affected in relation to it.

Shacking up is a light hearted romance that will leave you giddy. The circumstances in which Ruby and Bancroft meet will have you chuckling. Throw in a spider and a ferret and what you have is recipe for a heart warming feel good romance.

Both come from wealth but Ruby was determined to pave her own way even if it meant struggling to survive. Bancroft is involved with his family's business but is definitely not the stuck up suit.

The banter back and forth between these two had me chuckling. Follow that up with some Awkward yet highly entertaining oops moments along with some chemistry that is undeniable and I found myself smiling non stop.

If you are a fan of light hearted romance mixed with some downright funny moments this is definitely a book that you should read.

Helen Hunt knows how to tell a tale. She has a way with setting up a situation and then carrying it through.
A cute smart romance with a possibility of a sequel :D

What an awesome book!! I loved it! All the banter between Ruby and Bancroft definitely left me with an hurt stomach from laughing so much. This was a really good book with a lot of humor thrown in and especially the hot sexy times, they were just plain HOT!! I can't wait for more.

Link will go live on 5/28

I am so happy I read this book. It was the perfect combination of humor, sex and romance. Bancroft and Ruby meet by accident at a engagement party with a mistaken identity kiss but fate steps in to bring them together. Bancroft, is leaving town on business and needs a pet sitter. Ruby is a aspiring off Broadway actress that is about to be homeless and needs a job. A match made is heaven.

Their adventure is full of sexual tension, cute long distance verbal exchanges and has an original story line that I really enjoyed reading. I 100% recommend this excellent book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy provided by St. Martin Press/NetGalley.

Ruby and Bane meet in a pretty unconventional way. When they see each other for the second time neither can believe that they've actually crossed paths twice. Through a misunderstanding and the consequences that follow, a friendship develops and Bane and Ruby realize that they actually like each other.

I liked that Ruby was so relatable. I think we all have a little of her in us some where. Bane was endearing and charming and totally unexpected. He's full of swoon, for sure but, he's also sweet and has a giant heart.

Shacking Up is a sweet, entertaining read. It has a lot of laughs and some swoon worthy moments. It was a pretty quick read with lots of laughs and the typical Helena Hunting banter. I did think that it moved a little slow for my taste. I thought the build up was a little drawn out and I would have liked to see the story develop a little more. All in all, it's a fun rom com that would be great for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

~ Kimberly Anne

This is my first read by this author and it took me a bit to finish it. It took them forever to finally get together. I mean an accidental sick kiss and I say sick kiss because the hero Bancroft was sick while attending his cousin and her best friend's engagement party. He mistakes her for someone else while sick, tipsy and on cough meds and kisses her. Ruby ends up really sick the next morning and bombs her audition. After this point they do encounter each other again and Bane feels so bad that he asks her to pet sit for him while he is away for 5 weeks. During these 5 weeks there is so much flirtation and sexual innuendo between the two and that's it for a total of almost 5 weeks. Even when he gets back they are still awkward around each other. Finally after watching her perform at a burlesque show they get together around 3/4's of the book later. Then another misunderstanding occurs and she ends up leaving him. Eventually the misunderstanding is cleared up but it was just too much for me. I give it 3 stars for the funny banter and laugh out loud moments. The sex scenes were hot once they finally got around to it.