4.5 stars!

From the moment I met Lincoln in the previous Shacking Up World books, I was intrigued by him. He spends his time in third world countries making life better for all who live there and is nothing like his brother or father, both who have questionable morals. After the passing of his father, Lincoln’s life is uprooted when he finds himself in NYC doing the last thing he wants his wants - running the family business.

Wren was brought in to handle Lincoln’s brother, Armstrong, who constantly gets into trouble and tarnishes the family name. She has done such an amazing job with him that she is kept on to help Lincoln transition. What follows is an entertaining and emotional romance between two wonderful characters who open their hearts to love, and I enjoyed every second of their journey!

Wren is strong, smart, and witty. She is a kickass heroine who hold holds her own and doesn’t let people push her around. She knows what she’s doing and she does it well!!

Lincoln is truly an amazing person. I loved where his heart is, and it’s endearing when he lets his insecurities shine through.

"Please, be someone I can count on, Wren. I need you to be that for me.” His thumb brushes along my knuckles, and his voice drops to a whisper. “Just please.”

He is real and relatable, and I fell a little harder each time he opened up. He is challenged in his new position and I loved his growth as he fully accepts everything thrown his way.

Wren and Lincoln start off on the wrong foot. The banter is fantastic and they give as good as they get as Wren tries to “handle” Lincoln. Even though they fight a lot in the beginning, it’s clear they are both good people and they end up working well together. A friendship slowly forms and then turns into more as the sexual tension becomes too hard to fight.

Lincoln and Wren are electric together and I believed their attraction. Their chemistry is palpable and their connection is real. They are a fantastic mix of sweet, swoony, and sexy, and I loved when they finally get together. They are a wonderfully functioning couple with full trust, acceptance, and a whole lot of love.

The storyline is well thought out and there were twists I didn’t see coming. They were shocking but worked well with the story. I loved the way the truth was revealed and I appreciated that the reactions were not over the top but rather mature and real.

The ending is everything I wanted and more. It ties everything together and gives us a future to believe in. I love that the characters are true to themselves as well as with each other. Relationships grow stronger and I enjoyed the new developments that fit well within the story.

Overall, I really enjoyed Handle with Care, and as I turned the last page, it was with a huge smile on my face and a new, sweet couple in my heart.

"You know, Wren, until you came along, I didn't think love like this was possible."
I smile up at him. "You just needed someone who could handle how amazing you are."

Anyone whose read Helena Hunting’s Shacking Up series knows just how much of a douchebag Armstrong Moorehead is; he’s a horrible human being and the fact that Wren Sterling had to spend the last eight months reshaping his less than stellar reputation had to have been an hellacious job because one can only ‘handle’ so much from a man like Armstrong. And I have to say, if I was Wren and asked to now ‘handle’ Armstrong’s allusive older brother, Lincoln, I would have probably ran like hell away from any further interactions with the Moorehead family. But Wren is unable to refuse her new handler position, and while it’s already not an ideal situation, it becomes even worse when their first interaction is in less than stellar circumstances.

First impressions definitely go a long way in both the professional and personal realms, and let’s just say that Wren is not that impressed with Linc and the feeling is absolutely mutual. But as much as they verbally spar with each other, what’s also clear is just how perfect they are for one another, which means that even though they start off as mostly enemies, when they finally figure out who each one is underneath the snark and control, they see the person who brings them everything they never knew they wanted and needed.

I can’t say I blame Lincoln for wanting no part in his family’s business. There’s a reason he hasn’t stepped foot in New York for quite some time or seen his parents and brother. Lincoln’s nothing like them, and he wants to keep it that way…too bad he doesn't seem to have a choice in the matter.

The drama created by almost every member of Linc’s family is crazy, and I’m not talking minor tantrums or simple lewd situations; I’m talking huge secrets and horrendous behavior that will categorically change a slew of situations and circumstances. And while I did feel like some of the details were a bit too over-the-top, the fact that the Moorehead family had unlimited cash to do with as they saw fit means that it’s feasible they thought they’d get away with whatever they chose to do.

Handle with Care is a fitting title for Linc and Wren’s story, not only because that’s what Wren has been tasked with, starting with Armstrong and now Lincoln as he figures out how to run a company he never wanted any part in. Like the other books in the series, there’s a great mix of steamy, hilarious, romantic, and dramatic scenes that will provide readers with hours of reading pleasure and the fact that every hero in the Shacking Up series is definite book boyfriend material only adds to the enjoyment.

4 Poison Apples

***4 Stars***

I wanted Lincoln and I got Lincoln ~ and dear lord was he all kinds of goodness

But…

I also got a whole lot more than I expected in Wren and I loved every moment of their journey!

I loved Lincoln and Wren. Lincoln is a lovable grump. He is the black sheep of the family, or at least his immediate family, and revels in it. He is comfortable in his own skin and has a genuinely good heart. Wren is a force to be reckoned with. She knows when to lay down the law and take crap from no one, but she also knows when to be gentle. That mix, combined with a quick wit and a good heart made her a lot of fun to get to know.

Wren and Lincoln’s journey definitely started off on an interesting foot and had it’s bumps in the road, but I loved watching them get to know each other and come to realize how much they truly liked who the other person was at their very core. Their bantering/snark/poking was a lot of fun and the smexy was HAWT and I loved where then found themselves in the end.

This was a fun read with a few twists and turns I definitely wasn’t expecting. I loved catching up with the Mills family and G-Mom was AMAZING! Armstrong...well, I definitely wanted to gut him with a spoon numerous times, but he definitely added some good ‘ole crazy to the story!

Wren is not all that thrilled to find that the man she's been tasked to babysit is drunk, and she's the one who has to get him up to the penthouse and into his bed. Lincoln isn't exactly what she had been expecting, but she's more than up to the challenge of babysitting him and shaping him up as he transitions into the CEO of Moorehead Media.

Lincoln will have a hell of a time as he takes over the running of his family's empire. He's been away from the city (and his family) for a decade, doing REAL things, humanitarian things, and really does not want to take over running the empire. But, when his Grandma commands him, he jumps. She's the only one he really loves, and he'd do anything for her. He has to say goodbye to his now deceased father, figure out how to get the empire up and running, then take off back to his life. But when Wren bulldozes her way into his life, he's flummoxed. He wasn't expecting her, but he sure as hell realizes how gorgeous she is (and how much easier she's making his life, even though he doesn't want to admit that at first). Can these two start something, maintain something, when he plans on leaving the city soon? She just may surprise him, just may turn out to be the rock he needs when long-held secrets concerning his family come to light.

"You know, Wren, until you came along, I didn't think love like this was possible."
"You just needed someone who could handle how amazing you are."

I've been dying for Lincoln's story forever, and I gotta say that Handle With Care more than lives up to my expectations. Like its most recent predecessor, Making Up, Handle With Care is fun and witty and sexy. I love how these seemingly opposite people fall for each other, even while not wanting to admit it at first. But most of all, I love that Lincoln is not the normal alphahole so prevalent in romance these days. Oh sure, he's confident, but he's not an ass, he's not a manwhore, he's sweet but strong, and unafraid to be vulnerable when he's feeling in need of some comfort. He's fabulous! And Wren is most definitely equally as fabulous - strong and tough with a huge heart. She's perfect for Lincoln. I hope there's more to come in the Shacking Up series, because it just keeps getting better with each couple.

This was a really fun romantic comedy that had me smiling until the end. It was full of witty bantering between the leads, an over the top family plot twist which in spite of it made it even more entertaining. Wren and Linc displayed great chemistry with each other which made for sizzling sexy scenes. It was a marvelous and entertaining page turner.

I have so much love for the entire Shacking Up series, every book has been incredible in their own way the couples and the stories just incredible!!

Handle With Care the newest release stars Lincoln (Armstrong’s brother, the Mills brothers cousin of which he is Griffin best friend) we met him in Making Up. I instantly liked him and his friendship with Griffin they banter a lot which was great!!

Lincoln is asked to take over running the family business after his Dad passes away, this is the last thing he wants but he will not let his G-Mom down. Wren has been with the company for a few months handling Armstrong and boy does she ever keep him in line. She was asked to stay on to assist Lincoln ease into running the company. These two banter and butt heads from the very beginning, along with some electric chemistry but I so loved them together. We see some huge tantrums from Armstrong and some bullying from their Mother Gwendolyn, she was a witch one way or another in all the books. The entire cast of characters in the story so deepen the story!! The was a new person introduced that I would love to see their story!! No spoiler 😊

This story was a fantastic ride from begging to the very end. And the epilogue perfection!!

I absolutely love this series and the characters. Each book is unique and so fun, full of laugh out loud moments and feels. I loved this work place romance.

Lincoln never wanted to work in the family business. He is not close with any of his family but when his father passes away he no choice to come home. Wren works for with Lincoln’s family and helps keep his brother in line. Now part of her job is to help Lincoln. Things get interesting, she has no clue what to expect.

These two don’t get a long. The banter between these two had me laughing a times. When they finally give in to the attraction they are the perfect couple. I loved this series and sad its over. If your looking for a fun, fast read you need these books. They can be read as a standalone but you don’t want to miss all these fun characters. Must Read!

Wow- I couldn't get enough of Wren and Lincoln. This book had me hooked from the first chapter and I didn't want to see it end. I loved these characters. Wren is strong, smart and professional, but the sexual tension and chemistry with Lincoln had me turning the pages for more. She is hired by his dad to help with his brother's antics - which are something else. But when his dad passes away, she is asked to stay on to help prepare Lincoln to lead the company for the next few months. This book had me laughing out loud between the first meeting of Wren and Lincoln, the brother's antics and Lincoln and his G-mom. There is also some surprises and secrets. This is definitely a new favorite of mine!!!

UGH! This book is just perfect! The right amount of push-pull, give-take, and steamy office romance all wrapped up in a great cover! The Shacking Up Series all can be read as a standalone, but why would you want to!!! This is a total one-sitter for me, could not put it down!

I think this one is my favorite yet, I love Linc and his backwoods, beard, non-hair cutting ways. And poor Wren has to conform him into a corporate man. He fights every step of the way, wanting to leave the family business and go back to his charity work in the poor countries of the world! Until Grandma steps in and convinces him to just try!

What happens in the worlds of Helena Hunting are certainly the most funny, entertaining, and one-clickers ever.

Another fabulous book by Helena hunting I couldn't put down it was so good I really enjoyed characters and everything about this book loved every second. I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.

I've enjoyed each book in this series of standalones, but Handle with Care is my absolute favorite. Lincoln and Wren are so much fun! If you look up book boyfriend in the dictionary, I'm pretty sure you'll find Lincoln Moorehead's picture. He's a little grumpy, a lot sexy, and everything that his lech of a brother is not. The brothers are complete opposites, and our heroine, Wren, is charged with handling them both. And handle them, she does. In Wren, Helena Hunting has given us a leading lady who is strong enough to take care of herself while still projecting femininity. She knows how to get the job done and doesn't care to get her hands dirty to accomplish her goals. The story is high on wit and humor and low on angst, making it perfect for a relaxing weekend read provided anyone around doesn't mind the many times you burst out laughing. It's loaded with terrific characters that keep the pages turning. Even the ones you really want to punch in the mouth - Ahem, Armstrong! I love that we see a couple of past favorites from the series, yet the book still stands on its own. All of that makes for a great story, but the best thing about this one is our romantic couple. Even before they seal the deal, Lincoln and Wren are two of best characters I've come across in romantic comedy. Both are likable, they have great chemistry, and they just mesh. Even when they're butting heads over everything from haircuts to tuxedos, these two just work. I don't know if the author has another book planned for this series, but I hope to see our bad boy, Armstrong meet his match. Whatever she does next, Hunting has set the bar high with this one.

As posted on Momma Says: To Read or Not to Read blog, scheduled to go live at 10am EST on 8/29/2019

You can never go wrong with a Helena Hunting book. I was in a bit of a book funk coming off of a heavy emotional romance, and this RomCom was exactly what I needed! The characters are fresh, flirty and fun; the corporate setting and wealthy family drama are addictive; and the chemistry between Lincoln & Wren is HOT from the start!

I loved the transformation in Lincoln throughout this book. He started off as the bitter and broody son who wanted nothing to do with his family's multi-million dollar business, and everything to do with service projects in third world countries. Although he was a complete A$$ in the beginning of this book, I fell for him. I felt his anger and annoyance with his family coming off of the pages. But there was also something else there - pain. This man was just plain hurting and Wren was the perfect girl to throw him off of his axis and turn his world right again.

Wren was amazing. I love a strong and smart heroine and Wren was this in spades. Not only was she brilliant, but she was sassy and took no S**T from either Lincoln or his horribly obnoxious brother, Armstrong. Wren has some tricks up her sleeve that will surprise you and I loved that she kept Lincoln on his toes and could literally put Armstrong in his place.

This book is witty, sexy and has some twists and turns to it. Lincoln & Wren's relationship is swoon-worthy and you'll fall in love with these characters and their story. Well done once again H. Hunting!!

Ms Hunting is an author that I have heard about for a long time and probably even have some of her books on my TBR, but until Handle with Care, I had not read her work. If her other books are as witty and well written, then I will be thrilled to dive into them.

Handle with Care is definitely a character driven story. When and Lincoln are both so much fun. They are great characters on their own, but even better together. Ms Hunting even makes the despicable Armstrong an amusing character that you can’t help but love to hate.

Faced with a truly unique situation, I appreciated the way both Wren and Lincoln navigated rough waters and potential dilemmas. The emotional growth both experienced together and separately showed what a great team they could potentially be.

This was a book that once I started, I didn’t want to stop. Part of the secondary cast includes Lincoln’s cousins. From the Armstrong related drama mentioned, I have to wonder if they have books. If they do - I need to go find them. Ms Hunting is definitely an author I will be reading more of.

I can’t tell you how much I LOVE this series. Since book one I knew that there was no way that I could be disappointed in Helena. Each book took on a new life of it’s own. This is the only series to date that, with my knowledge that I have given five stars to each book. That is a great feat for an author but The Shacking Up Series did it!

So of course I am going to recommend this book and entire series.

Handle With Care is the newest edition. And I was so glad to get an ARC of this book! It surpassed what I expected. And Lincoln Morehead might just be King of the series. I knew from the first chapter of his POV that I would fall for him and I did! His attitude was exactly what I like in a hero. Especially regarding his own brother. Despite him being a recluse and a little rough around the edges, he has a good heart. He never wanted to return to help with his family business but at the behest of his G-mom ( who is amazing, I love her) he’s home.

We can’t say the same for his douche bag brother. Although, in a recent comment made by Helena, Armstrong might just get his own book. Well, her words were never say never.

I also find it rare for me to love both, the heroine and hero equally, but I did. Wren is not a woman you want to cross and she’s got the moves to back it up! I will just say that she scared Armstrong that he hid behind chairs! ( just a spoiler snippet) She doesn’t let anyone run over her for any reason. I love a tough, conservative heroine.

As far as Wren and Lincoln go together, at first they know exactly what buttons to push to annoy each other. I love a little enemies-to-lovers trope, it is after all, my favorite.

God, she pisses me off and makes me hot at the same time. I’ve never encountered a woman who I simultaneously want to screw and tell to screw off.

Both are driven as individuals and just as much as a couple, they challenged each other in ways they both needed. They are a perfect match, their chemistry in both outside and inside the bedroom is executed in spades. What these two didn’t have (thank go-er Helena) is drama, once they decided to be together, there wasn’t anything getting in their way, especially one extremely immature problem! They created an amazing team, handling issues by communicating without all bluster and dramatics.

This is might just take #1 spot in the series. I can’t decide honestly. This is a perfect read for anyone who loves a couple that is perfect combination to keep you glued to the pages until the very last one, I can’t recommend this book and series enough!

“You know, Wren, until you came along, I didn’t think love like this was possible.” I smile up at him. “You just needed someone who could handle how amazing you are.”

Thank you to Helena Hunting and the team at SocialButterflyPR for the review copy of Handle with Care.

I cannot believe that we are already on the fifth book of the Shacking Up series! Helena is such an awesome writer and this series of interconnected standalones is phenomenal.

Characters: Lincoln and Wren are the lead characters in this latest installment. Lincoln is Armstrong’s brother, you may remember Armstrong as the asshole who cheated on his wife at their wedding back in Hooking Up (if you haven’t read any of the other books I highly recommend running to your local bookstore or preferred e-book retailer and starting at the beginning with Shacking Up). Trust me Lincoln is the complete opposite of his jerk of a brother. Wren is one of Helena’s strongest heroines yet.
Setting: The story takes place in New York City, reluctantly so for Linc (haha).
Pacing: Great pacing which allowed for plot twists and turns to unfold smoothly.
Romance: This is the type of relationship that grows from having trust and confidence in one other. Linc and Wren really only have each other as their confidants in the story, against Armstrong, Linc’s mother, and the rest of the world that tries really hard to drive a wedge through what they have. Every couple in this series has been great, Helena kills it every time.

Oh. My. Gosh. Helena Hunting always, ALWAYS makes me swoon with her characters, wow.

Wren is awesome and badass and won’t take s**t from anyone, she can bring a person down to their knees within seconds. She has her goals in life and works hard to reach it. She works for the rich but isn’t after what they have, she’s determined to start up her own, she’s so admirable, she’s a truly amazing heroine and I just love her a lot.

Lincoln, this guy has had so much stuff to deal with. Having lived the life he had it’s no wonder he is the way he is around family but even after everything he’s still amazing. He’s passionate about what he does and you can’t help but fall for him.

Watching these two go from sniping at each other to friends is so refreshing. I absolutely loved this book so much! Their chemistry is off the charts hot and their banter is so damn perfect you’ll just fall completely for them.

My love for these two is beyond everything I ever expected.

Helena is one of a few authors that has me instantly clicking her new releases. Her writing gets better with every new release and always blows my mind. She always delivers and never fails to impress with her writing and Handle With Care Just goes to show just how amazing her writing is.

I can’t wait to see if this series gets more books, I never want them to end.

Handle With Care is a slow burn office romance full of steamy encounters, cute interactions and heart melting moments.

This is the fifth book in this series but it can be read as a complete standalone. I have not read the entire series and I did not feel like I was missing anything. If you like a grumpy male, a strong and capable female, funny, flirty banter, and great chemistry then this is the book for you. On top of that, there is a dysfunctional family and some family drama that will have you on the edge of your seat to see what happens next.

Wren and Lincoln are perfect together. From their first rough meeting through the end their chemistry just leaps off the page. Lincoln is one of those alpha male that all hard on the outside, but once you break that shell it’s just soft, sweet, and sexy on the inside. Wren is a strong, take-charge woman. The way she handles both Moorehead brothers is both entertaining and empowering.

This book is a quick read with a lot of humor, heart, and sexiness. It’s definitely worth checking out.

Received in exchange for a honest review.

This was great. I was sad to see the man bun go though. Lincoln when this starts off doesn’t come off well at least towards Wren. He let all his anger for his dad take over and he became someone I wanted to smack. Lincoln overall I love just didn’t like his attitude to Wren at the beginning. I gave him leeway because of his brother and the situation but still that only lasts so long. What I love about Lincoln was he was down to earth and smart. He didn’t let money or position get to him. He also appreciated Wren and all she did over time. His attraction to her is through the roof and the snarky banter is awesome. Wren truly held her own with him. I did truly feel for Lincoln in the end with all he discovered. I even felt for his douchecanoe brother.

Wren is smart and sarcastic. She deserves more than she made to deal with all she had to with that family. Heck Lincoln’s mom alone is a nightmare and then add his brother and all he does and there isn’t enough money out there for compensation. I love her dealings with Lincoln and how she gets him to see things differently. Watching them interact and fall in love was fun and great. Seeing her stand up to Lincoln when necessary, his mom and his brother was great. She truly held her own.

The story was fun, sarcastic, entertaining and sexy. We get some reveals and twists and turns. Gut wrenching moments and some that have you laugh hard. All the while you just root for these two to end up together. A story of finding forgiveness. Of love and family and happiness. A wonderful story that you don’t want to end.

The only person that Lincoln is close to in his family is his grandmother so when she asks him to come home and help out at the family business as it transitions after the death of his father, he can’t say no. Especially when he knows that if it was left in the hands of his irresponsible younger brother chaos would reign. This is the last thing he wants to do as he is more comfortable helping others than entering the business world.

It was groomed into Wren as a child that appearances are everything and she has made that her career. It has been a full-time job handling Lincoln’s brother so she can only imagine the stress of handling both of them as she helps him adjust to his new life. The only reason she is doing it is the side deal she arranged so that when her assignment is completed, she can follow her own dreams for the future.

Their first meeting didn’t go as well as planned but Wren soon realizes he is nothing like his family and he realizes what an asset she is even if he doesn’t want to be there. It is only a matter of time before the chemistry between them ignites and although their journey wasn’t without its obstacles and drama watching their relationship unfold was fun to watch.

Yay, my reader brain is a happy and satisfied place.  Handle With Care has the perfect combination of romance, angst, family drama, humour and sexy.

I felt drawn to the story right from the start and at no point did my interest diminish.  The plot had plenty going on and there are an abundance of interesting characters. 

Lincoln is an intelligent, sexy, strong dream who has distanced himself away from the majority of his hugely wealthy, mostly unlikable successful family.  Upon the death of his father he returns for the funeral and meets his 'handler' Wren, who is tasked with making Lincoln a fitting front-man for the family business.

I adored Wren. She is  strong, likeable, tough when she needs to be, yet gentle and loving. The chemistry between Lincoln and Wren leaps of the page and their relationships development feels natural.

There is plenty of humour and a great story-line that had plenty of surprises. I really couldn't stop reading until the end and look forward to reading the previous standalone's in this series.

(I should add that I also listened to the audiobook version of Handle With Care today and it is a great listen. Andi Arndt is a long term favourite narrator of mine and she and Jacob Morgan really did this story justice.)