Hooking Up by Helena Hunting is a standalone romantic comedy that brings back characters from her previous novel, Shacking Up.

Starring Amalie Whitfield, best friend of Ruby Scott (heroine from book one Shacking Up), has just had the most horrific wedding day when her husband Armstrong, the cousin of Bancroft and Lexington Mills, is caught cheating on her with Brittany Thornton, Lexington's date for the wedding.

Lexington unimpressed with the annoying date his mother foisted upon him, he tries to hide in the bathroom where he finds the humiliated and devastated Amalie trying to get out of her wedding dress. One thing leads to another and soon he finds himself with his arms full of Amie, but he has to turn her down no matter how much he doesn't want to.

Completely embarrassed Amie goes on her honeymoon to Bora Bora alone and is surprised to find a familiar face on the way to the small island, Lex. What follows is a fun romantic comedy with side of forbidden love as Amie and Lex try to keep their relationship strictly on the island especially with all the drama awaiting them back home in New York with Armstrong and their families.. However, that is easier said than done when love gets in the way.

Overall I recommend Hooking Up by Helena Hunting, the Lex and Amie were great and the classic theme of two people trying so hard to keep things only friendly while the universe pushes them together is fun and well done.

(I voluntarily reviewed an ARC of this book I received for free from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for my open and honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.)

​**5 Stars**
Oh man, when I found out this was Amie's story I was so excited. Amie is Ruby's best friend and she's engaged to Armstrong who is a cousin to Bane and Lex. This book can be read as a standalone, but you first meet all the characters in Shacking Up, which is Ruby and Bane's story.

When you first meet Amie in Shacking Up, it sort of feels like her romance with Armstrong isn't really there, but I thought hey, maybe it's legit... and then you read Hooking Up. The entire time you read Shacking Up you could feel something between Amie and Lex, but because it's Lex's cousin nothing happens. Oh, did my heart hurt for this dear sweet girl. Amie wasn't really sure of the romance/marriage herself, but she was thinking positive and hoping things would improve once they said "I do"... that right there should have been a sign! The whole wedding was a fiasco that involved Armstrong, Amie, Bane, Ruby and Lex! It was hilarious and makes your heart hurt all at the same time. So where does she go home here? Well the obvious option was her honeymoon, alone, on Armstrong's dime.

This is where the story gets good. Little Lex and Amie know they would both end up at the honeymoon spot for different reasons. The chemistry between these two is unreal. They were everything I needed them to be. Lex was everything Amie needed and still need. They couldn't stay away from each other, they brought out a side to each other that made you love them even more. Will their connection stay in Bora Bora or will it travel with them back home? What happens with the Armstrong?

I didn't want this book to end. I wanted more Lex and Amie, more Ruby and Bane because these two couples are everything. I seriously couldn't get enough of the romance, the tension, the heartache and the love you feel when reading this book.

4 - 4.5 Stars

I was so looking forward to Amie's book after Shacking Up and Helena Hunting so delivered! I absolutely loved Amie's sassy personality and wanted her freaking far away from Armstrong. That guy makes me want to do some serious junk kicking! But then you add in Lexington and I get all swoony! I love this group and their fun, sexy journeys to find love.

Lex and Amie certainly don't get off to the best start, but man that was a start, but they are so great together! Sure, they shouldn't be together given all of the family craziness that is happening around them but their chemistry is off the charts and then some. Amie finally gets to be herself around Lex and Lex is finally getting what he's always wanted - Amie. These two don't have it easy though, between Armstrong and his competitive craziness with Lex, their families and the fact that no one even knows they hooked up, making a real romance out of anything seems impossible.

I love Helena Hunting and her ability to make me laugh and swoon and fall crazy in love! This book really does have it all and I loved Lex and Amie. These two bring out the best in each other, they really are themselves together and I loved watching that happen, especially for Amie. They are fun and sexy and an absolute must read!

I think I need a fan to cool off after reading this book!

Amalie finds herself hours into her wedding, listening to her husband getting serviced by someone other than herself. While her husband tries to tell her "this is just how it is" she doesn't agree and runs off. Who can blame her?

She decides to take some much needed time away, she has her honeymoon tickets anyway, why let them go to waste. If she happens to hook-up while she is in the gorgeous location of Bora Bora, who could blame her right? Well the man that warms her sheets isn't willing to let her run, from him or what they have together.

Chemistry is what they have, and a treasure suitcase of toys, all of which the hero is willing to try out on her.

I received a free copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Hooking Up is a funny, sweet, sexy and all around entertaining read.

I really enjoyed getting Amie’s story after meeting her in Shacking Up and knowing something definitely wasn’t right in her relationship with Armstrong.

Amie should be experiencing the best day of her life at her wedding reception but instead she is completely humiliated when her new husband is heard over the loud speaker and caught with his pants down with another woman, Brittany who we also met in Shacking Up. Amie flees to hide in her bridal suite and comes across someone else who wants to be far away from Armstrong and Brittany but for very different reasons.

Amie decides to go on her honeymoon alone while her lawyer works on having her marriage annulled. She runs into that same someone again at the airport and finds out they’re going to the same place but again for different reasons. But … what happens in Bora Bora doesn’t always stay in Bora Bora. I was really happy though since he is definitely the right man for Amie.

Many laugh out loud moments and so much fun! I really enjoyed catching up with Ruby and Bancroft too. If there’s a book for the 3rd brother, I’ll definitely be picking that up too.

ARC provided by NetGalley and St. Martin's Press in exchange for an honest review.

Amie was the best part of the previous book, so I was pretty excited to get to this one.

Hottie-Hook Up is charming and a genuinely nice guy. The chemistry between them is ridiculous, but not only that, they actually talk to each other. And it was amusing to see Ruby again.

Plot wise, it was exactly what I expected. There was a bit of drama and some avoidance, but nothing too horrible.

Overall, it was a quick read with a set of characters I really enjoyed. If this becomes an actual series, I might read another one.

**Huge thanks to SMP Swerve for providing the arc free of charge**

4.5 stars!

I fell in love with Shacking Up, the first book in this series and as soon as I finished it, I wanted the next book, Amie's immediately.

I knew there was so much more to Amie but I couldn't figure out why she was with dirtbag, Armstrong. Fortunately (or somewhat unfortunately for Amie) it's brought to everyone's attention at her wedding reception, the depths of Armstrong's dirt bagginess.

As a reader, I rejoiced. YES! Now, she could move on from the dirtbag and see that Lex was her destiny.

Lex is the ultimate Book Boyfriend. Let's just get that out of the way. Lex was exactly the kind of MAN that Amie deserved. He's such a good guy and he's sexy as all get out. Once they were able to spend time together when they both end up at the same resort. Amie is there to get away from the scandal that was caused by DIRTBAG and Lex is there to do work on his family resorts. It's the perfect time and place for them to...do what they do.

What do they do? Well, Amie needs time to herself to recover from the last few...years and what the dirtbag has done. Luckily, Lexis there to be her friend and more.

After finally giving in to their feelings and physical needs, it really complicates things. It's obvious that they feel a great deal for each other and Amie doesn't want to make any more huge mistakes where men are concerned. How do they go back to the "real world" with what happened in paradise?

I rooted for Lex so hard throughout this book. Lex and his cousin, Armstrong have engaged a long rivalry and it has wreaked havoc on many aspects of both of their lives. (But let's face it, it's difficult to give dirt bag any sympathy)
And of course, I rooted for Amie, she deserved a happy ending, for herself and her relationship.

Like Shacking Up, this book was hilarious, sexy as hell and heartfelt and it's totally going on my re-read shelf.

*Copy for review provided by the publisher

I’m always excited to read a new Helena Hunting book because I love everything she writes. I couldn’t wait to start this one and I am happy to say, it's another winner. This is an enchanting, fast paced, witty story with characters that are easy to relate to and like. The characters have a great connection both sexually and mentally. There is a lot of dirty talking and the sex is incredible between them. There are also fun secondary characters.

Lexington and Amalie start a relationship while Amalie is going through a divorce with Lexington’s cousin, Armstrong. Lexington and Amalie can’t resist each other and keep their relationship a secret. They care about each other unfortunately, the timing is bad.

Lexington is a flirty, fun loving, sweet talking guy and I immediately fell in love with him. He’s a bad boy but a good guy and he gets along with everyone. For years, Lexington and his cousin Armstrong have had a competitive relationship and it has always caused problems.

Amalie has a knack for choosing the wrong guy and getting into trouble. She has always been rebellious but she is trying to mend her ways. Amalie marries Armstrong for all the wrong reasons. I enjoyed Amalie. She has a snarky attitude and is feisty and sweet. You don’t want to miss reading this one.

What is supposed to be a wonderful her wedding, Amalie Whitfield is wondering where her husband is so the toasts and dancing can commence. That is when she and everyone else in the room hears a mic come and the sounds from it are two people in the throes of sex. Panic sets and all she wants to do is leave. When she is back in her bridal suite she finds a pair of shears and cuts herself out of her dress and then is shocked to discover that a man Lexington who she met before her husband is in the room. Being rushed away by her bridesmaid she decides to take herself on the honeymoon and give herself the vacation she needs. While there she again runs into Lexington. She also is getting herself into different situations along the way. Along with the fact that her husband does not want to give her an annulment, he thinks it is okay to have mistress or two and does not understand what her problem is. He also thinks that this is just another game between him and Lexington since it has been going on since childhood. Lexington does not think and now must prove to her his true feelings. A good fun story.

Amalie Whitfield just went thru the worst experience any bride never wants to go thru. Her new husband was heard thru the loud speakers at the wedding reception having sex with a female guest. As she runs into her bridal suite, Lexington, her husbands cousin is in it lounging and trying to get drunk. Needing some revenge sex, she cuts her wedding dress with scissors and throws herself at Lexington. When he refuses her advances, Amalie is beyond humiliated, deciding to go on her honeymoon by herself. Sitting in first class by herself is really depressing Amalie, that is until her seat mate shows up and it’s no other than Lexington. However, this time he’s not holding back since he’s wanted her for years. So they decide to have some hot sex and what happens in the island stays there. Right? As Amalie tries to get her marriage annulled, Lexington and Amalie continue to see each other in secret, because now they both realize that this is more than sex.
I laughed and swooned reading this fabulous book! I highly recommend it.

This is the second book in this series by this author. This is definitely one hot and steamy read, which will set the pages alight as you read. This is a fantastic emotional and fun read. This book can be read as a stand alone read or as part of the series. I can't wait to read more in this series by this author in the future.
Highly recommended
I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy of this book

4.5☆ Hooking Up was a wonderful book! I loved the storyline and the characters, well most of them. Armstrong is a terrible and ridiculous man. How he can think what he did was ok is just insane! He's messed up in the head to say the least! I had an idea of where this book was going in Shaking Up and then I read Eye Candy and was almost certain of where this was going to go. I am happy to say I was correct and I am very happy that Lex was the hero. I absolutely loved him in Hooking Up. He's such a good guy, especially with Amy. He helps her in a lot of ways, but I love how he help to show her that she can be her true self and people will still love her. They have a lot of obstacles in the way of their relationship, but they were meant to be together and they just make it work. Being in Lex and Amie's heads was definitely a hoot and they kept me entertained. I feel like there were multiple options for future books in the story and I hope that becomes true. I know for sure one is and I am very happy about that! I really enjoy this group of characters and I hope they continue on for a while.

I enjoyed this read, though the middle dragged on for longer than I thought necessary. When the story begins, Amalie is at her wedding reception, what should be the happiest day of her life. The worst sort of soundtrack begins to play and sh*t starts hitting the fan.

What follows is a non-traditional honeymoon, wicked good sexy times and family drama. In the end, Amalie finally gets her HEA and it couldn’t have happened to a cooler chick.

I received an ARC of this book, from the publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for a fair and honest review.

A really enjoyable gripping read. I couldn't put it down

Another fun rom/com from Ms. Hunting. Poor Amalie to discover her groom getting it on with someone else during their wedding reception, well that wasn't fun for sure. Enter Lex, the man she should have been with from the get, he's the cousin of the idiot groom. A good way to get over the heartache over your marriage is to get under another man, and that man happens to be Lex.

Amalie decides to take her honeymoon alone and lo and behold who does she bump into on her plane ride, but Lex himself. Let's say lots of sexy times in this romantic setting while in Bora Bora.

Amalie has to deal with getting her idiot husband to sign off on the annulment, while she's having feelings for Lex.

A fun and funny story.

**An ARC was provided via Net Galley for an honest review.

4.25 "And you're gonna like it" Stars!
Well, I more than liked it. Hooking up was an amazing steamy romance with some serious laugh-out-loud moments.

This was my very first Helen Hunting book, and I really don't know what has taken me so long! Because this women knows how to write a sizzling rom-com! Boy, oh boy...this book was SEXY!

Amalie finds herself in a real life nightmare. On what is supposed to be the happiest day of her life; she's humiliated and devastated to discover her not-so-devoted husband getting, umm...serviced by someone who definitely isn't her, over the sound system at her reception. Yes, you've read that right. Ugh! I wanted to strangle that useless waste of space!

Overwhelmed with anger and humiliation, she seeks revenge by throwing herself that the first gorgeous specimen she sees.

"Dear sweet lord of all things panty melting, this has to be the sexiest man to ever walk the planet."

Enter our sexy hero!
Being the gentleman that he is, he refuses to take advantage of her in the devastated state that she's in. Though, it was very hard to do. (Sorry, I had to! Lol)

As luck would have it, these two end up in each other's path again on what was supposed to be Amie's honeymoon in Bora Bora.
This time they both give into their off-the-charts chemistry.

"I surrender to the control he seems to have over my body, aware that if he keeps this up, he’s going to have the same control over my heart."

But, what seems as only a distraction from the revelations she's had over the reasons she got married in the first place, start to develop into something much more.

"I surrender to the control he seems to have over my body, aware that if he keeps this up, he’s going to have the same control over my heart."

Our sexy hero, is the right kinda dirty and sweet and swoony. I loved his character. He was a safe place to let Anarchy Amie out to play. And he was so understanding when she was going through the most frustrating and confusing of times. He was there for her.

But, are these feeling real, or just side affect of this bubble in paradise?

“I don’t trust my feelings right now, ***.”
“That’s okay. Just trust mine.”
Again...SWOONY!

I did feel like there were some parts that were a little rushed towards the end. And I would've liked to see more of their time together while sneaking around. Overall, it was a entertaining read!

“Up for a little anarchy, are we?” “With you? Always.”

The author cooked up a perfect combination of heat, humor and heartfelt emotions in Hooking up! Can't wait to read more from this author!

This story is sweet, sexy, hot, funny, has depth, has characters that are like your best friends. The writing is moving. Amalie is humiliated and humiliated again. Her day, her wedding day, it is supposed to be perfect, her time to shine, instead her husband makes it so very imperfect. I could not put this book down. Amalie knew inside that Armstrong, the safe one, the best choice at the time, was going to change when they got married, it was going to be better, be right, be alright. Amalie who may not have always made the best choices, chooses to take her honeymoon alone. Boy, are we all glad she did! Ms. Hunting's writing is absolutely some of the best I've ever read.

Hooking Up is a fun, laugh out loud, sexy romance story featuring Amie and Lex who we met in Shaking Up. She is Ruby's bestie and Lex is Bane's brother. The storyline sucked me in from the very first page. The characters were amazing. Great Read!

Wow..where to begin. First thanks for the opportunity to read and review this title. I loved it. Lex and Amie just blew me away. Ugh I absolutely loathe Armstrong. He was an epic douche!! He didn’t own up to anything, kept making excuses and in generally was just prissy inset bad word here!! I felt for Amie. Every emotion she went through I could feel it in the words. This was Helena’s best book yet. It had all the feels. And Lex, my goodness, the man had his soft spots for her and I adored how he felt about Amie. You could feel all his love and admiration for her. She was a strong heroine too especially when she fought back. She went back and forth with her emotions about Armstrong but when she finally decided he wasn’t going to win, boy did she show him. And of course I loved catching up with Ruby and Bane. Ruby is still as funny. I’ve been waiting on this installment since the sneak peak in EyeCandy anthology and it was totally worth it. Thanks again.