New York Times bestselling author of SHACKING UP and I FLIPPING LOVE YOU Helena Hunting mixes humor and heart in this scandal-filled romantic comedy.HE WANTS TO LOSE CONTROL.Between his parents’ messed up marriage and his narcissistic younger brother, Lincoln Moorehead has spent the majority of his life avoiding his family. After the death of his father, Lincoln finds himself in the middle of the … death of his father, Lincoln finds himself in the middle of the drama. To top it all off, he’s been named CEO of Moorehead Media, much to his brother’s chagrin. But Lincoln’s bad attitude softens when he meets the no-nonsense, gorgeous woman who has been given the task of transforming him from the gruff, wilderness guy to a suave businessman
SHE’S TRYING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER.
Wren Sterling has been working double time to keep the indiscretions at Moorehead Media at bay, so when she’s presented with a new contract, with new responsibilities and additional incentives, she agrees. Working with the reclusive oldest son of a ridiculously entitled family is worth the hassle if it means she’s that much closer to pursuing her own dreams. What Wren doesn’t expect is to find herself attracted to him, or for it to be mutual. And she certainly doesn’t expect to fall for Lincoln. But when a shocking new Moorehead scandal comes to light, she’s forced to choose between her own family and the broody, cynical CEO.
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FANTASTIC READ!
The ending was soooooooo good.
Lincoln and Wren were perfection. Their chemistry, sexual tension, witty banter..ughh..everything about them was delicious.
Highly recommend this one!
~BREAKDOWN OF RATINGS~
Plot~ 5/5
Main Characters (hero/heroine)~ 5/5
Secondary Characters~ 5/5 Armstrong sucked a$$. I hope he never gets his own book.
The Feels~ 5/5
Pacing~ 5/5
Addictiveness~5/5
Angst~ 5/5
Steam/Hotness/Chemisty ~ 5/5
Theme or Tone~ 5/5
Flow (Writing Style)~ 5/5
Backdrop (World Building)~ 5/5
Originality~ 5/5
Ending~ 5/5
Book Cover~ Romantic
Series~ Shacking Up #5
Source~ Kindle eBook – ARC for honest review
Would I read more from the author? Yes
Would I recommend this book? Hell Yes
C’est toujours un plaisir de replonger dans la saga Shacking Up d’Helena Hunting car j’adore cette saga et j’avais hâte d’en savoir plus sur le cousin de Griffin, Lincoln Moorehead . Je n’étais pas aussi impatiente de retrouver Armstrong qui n’a pas changé du tout et qui devient pire encore.
Lincoln Moorehead a toujours vécu le plus loin possible de sa famille et c’est simplement par obligation qu’il quitte son chantier à l’étranger pour revenir à New York pour enterrer Frederick, son père. Leurs relations ont toujours été tendues dans le sens où il détestait l’attitude de son père et ses frasques sentimentales. Il savait qu’il avait des maîtresses et donc il avait une image très particulière de lui. De plus sa mère Gwendolyn est loin d’être un modèle de chaleur humaine et d’amour maternel. Elle ne se préoccupe que de l’image de Moorehead Enterprises et elle doit donc étouffer tous les scandales engendrés par le frère de notre héros. Il est évident que Armstrong est toujours aussi tordu et sans la présence de Wren au sein de l’entreprise, les dégâts seraient phénoménaux. Il continue de n’en faire qu’à sa tête et il refera un caprice en apprenant que son frère va occuper le poste de PDG pour un certain temps. Je me demande si un jour Helena Hunting fera un tome particulier sur lui car cette bête de foire n’a pas fini de susciter en nous des sentiments très intenses. Heureusement , il y a Penelope , la grand-mère de Lincoln et qui sera la seule raison pour qu’il accepte de tenir le rôle qu’on exige de lui. Sa G Mom comme il aime la surnommer n’est que bienveillance et amour avec lui. Ils s’entendent à merveille et c’est vers elle qu’il peut se tourner en cas de doute. Elle est le seul maillon fiable de sa famille et il ne compte pas la décevoir.
La tâche de Wren sera d’autant plus dure que Lincoln est quelqu’un qui n’aime pas qu’on lui dicte sa conduite . Plus à l’aise en creusant des puits au Honduras que derrière un bureau dans un tour de verre, il va devoir subir un relooking en profondeur. Il va devoir dégager une image parfaite et s’adapter à une vie urbaine qu’il déteste au plus profond de lui. Les scènes où il va devoir changer de look sont vraiment comiques car ce n’est pas lui et on pourra compter sur lui pour le faire comprendre à Wren. Il est plus intéressé par le fait de récolter de l’argent pour des causes qui en vaillent la peine que de pavaner dans des costumes dont le prix est très indécent. Heureusement la lueur d’espoir dans ce cauchemar sera Wren car même si les débuts sont tendus entre eux, on va vite sentir une complicité s’installer. Il est tellement habitué à vivre en solitaire depuis des années qu’il n’a pas compris certains signes. La tension va donc devenir très vite sensuelle et on attend avec impatience qu’ils craquent l’un comme l’autre. Cela pourrait être soit explosif soit salvateur. Mais quand le compte à rebours entre en compte, cette relation mérite t-elle qu’il prenne certains risques?
Wren Sterling est une héroïne comme je les aime. Elle est droite dans ses bottes et elle sait mener sa barque. La preuve est qu’elle parvient à gérer le capricieux Armstrong donc s’occuper de son frère ne devrait pas être une mission impossible. Lincoln va susciter en elle des émotions contradictoires mais surtout des sentiments qui devraient être interdits. Si le temps d’adaptation entre eux nous proposera des scènes comiques, il se pourrait que la sensualité soit aussi de la partie. Mélanger vie privée et vie professionnelle n’a jamais été au programme et un choix important devra donc s’opérer. J’ai aimé l’intégrité de cette jeune femme qui ne reculera devant rien pour faire éclater la vérité et qui va se retrouver dans une situation assez délicate. Elle saura utiliser son intelligence pour se tourner vers les bonnes personnes et espérons le prendre les bonnes décisions. Son implication réelle (et non mise en scène) dans les organisations caritatives pourrait être un premier commun entre nos deux héros. Quand les squelettes du passé vont resurgir, il sera temps de prendre LA décision de toute une vie.
Bref, une fois de plus je me suis régalée avec ce nouveau tome de la saga Shacking Up. Helena Hunting nous offre le cocktail parfait de scènes comiques, de joutes verbales et de sensualité ambiante. Ses héros sont forts , directs et ils nous proposent une intrigue intéressante et intrigante. L’amour sera t-il au rendez vous dans ce monde où les apparences sont tellement trompeuses ?
More of my favorite characters in the Shacking Up series. We were teased with Lincoln in the last book and man ol’ man he does NOT disappoint. He is like a rare breed of man even though he comes from an entirely selfish family. Wren is the woman brought in to manage the Moorehead brothers. Armstrong…well, you know how inappropriate he can be but Lincoln just needs a guiding hand or stroke to lead him in the right direction. I loved the feisty banter and the crazy attraction these two had for one another. They knew how to push each other’s buttons and that made it all the more fun. Lots of family secrets and manipulative maneuvers in this story. I loved how teamwork and good intentions win out in the end.
Another amazingly hysterical story from Helena Hunting!!
Helena Hunting is such an amazing author & this book is no exception. Lincoln comes home to his father’s funeral only to find out he’s been named CEO. Wren is hired to be his handler to get him situated for his new position. If you’ve read Helena’s other books, Lincoln is the older brother to Armstrong & yes he’s still a jerk, along with Gwendolyn, their manipulative mother. This book has humor, romance, emotion & wonderful characters including G-Mom, Lincoln’s grandmother. You will love their story & journey to their HEA!!
Wowzers! That was one heck of a read! Steamy, sweet, funny, and packed full of fabulous characters! I loved the story, loved getting to see some cameos/mentions of some fave characters from the previous books, and I absolutely loved getting to know Wren and Lincoln better! Both of them were fantastic characters, their chemistry was phenomenal, and they were absolutely amazing together! Loved this one so much!!!
I didn’t enjoy this book. Couldn’t stand Wren or really anyone except for Lincoln and G-mom. Wren was smart enough to know what she was getting into and did so anyway. Also, if any man did even a few of the invasive inappropriate things (touching, basically feeling Lincoln up, hands down his pants, walking into his apt having stolen the security code) she’d at the very least be fired if not sued or arrested. I found the entire story absurd, offensive and ridiculous. It wrapped up nicely, but getting there was a really painful journey that wasn’t worthy of my time.
This is only my second book in the series, but so far Lincoln and Wren are my favorite couple. I liked that Linc stepped in and accepted responsibility for the company, even when he didn’t want to be there. He was his own man, and was not intimidate by his mother or his brother.
I liked that Wren didn’t take crap from anyone, including Linc’s brother Armstrong and his mother Gwen. She was strong, intelligent, and confident. I also liked Lincoln’s best friend Griff.
This book had a number of surprises, some pleasant and some not so pleasant. Parts of the book were fun, and there were a couple of humorous moments. Lincoln and Wren stood together and reached their HEA. I listened to the audiobook and thought the narration was well done.
While HANDLE WITH CARE is book 5 in the “Shacking Up” series, it can absolutely be read/listened to as a stand-alone.
I’ve been reading/listening to light and easy reads lately (after a heavy year, it is nice to feel light and happy) and this is one that fit perfectly into that category.
The female protagonist is a kick a$$ lady who is amazing at her job and her life, the male protagonist is sexy AF and a good good man.
There is romance, light angst, a little twist, and HEA.
I absolutely recommend this story.
4stars This is the first of the Shaking up series that I have read and now I want to go read the rest. Lincoln comes back to the family business to help run it after his dad dies. Wren has been hired to help his image and “handle” him. She has no idea what she is in for after being the one to clean up his brother, Armstrong’s, messes. Their attraction grows as they get to know each other . I enjoyed this book and some of the twists and turns it takes.
Helena Hunting is one of my favorite authors and Shacking Up is one of my favorite series that so happens to be written by her!
I am so glad that we hear the story of Lincoln Moorehead, the level-headed and reclusive oldest brother of Armstrong, the antagonist of the series.
Wren is a badass and the only one Armstrong is afraid of. Since she does a good job “taming” Armstrong, she was given the double job of being the ‘public relations agent’ for Lincoln to protect the Moorhead from devastating scandals. This is where the fun begins! The banter, the humor, and for course, the romance between Wren and Lincoln; it is a romantic comedy after all.
Handle With Care is the fifth book in the Shacking Up series and it was one of my favorites! Throughout the series we’ve heard of Lincoln here and there, but haven’t really had a chance to meet him yet. He does a lot of charity work in third world countries and doesn’t really want anything to do with his family for very good reason (you’ll get the pleasure of meeting his narcissistic brother Armstrong and ice queen mother Gwendolyn if you haven’t met them before). But after his father suffers a heart attack and passes away, Lincoln is now CEO of Moorhead Media and that comes with his very own “handler” in the form of one Wren Sterling.
Immediately from the beginning I loved the chemistry between Lincoln and Wren. The quips and witty banter between the two of them was so fun and sexy! Also – Lincoln walking around in his tighty whities all the time – HOT!!! The scenes where Lincoln is getting a makeover were some of my favorites (swoooon). The slow burn between Lincoln and Wren was so so good and I couldn’t wait until those two combusted!
What I loved the most was about Wren and Lincoln’s relationship was that it was built on trust and their communication with one another. They were always on the same page, and always thinking about one another.
Helena Hunting is so great at writing funny scenes that make you laugh, but also sweet scenes that make your heart break for these characters that you care so much about. These two people have such big hearts, but they are also holding on to so much baggage and hurt. I loved all the twists and turns and Handle With Care definitely had that “couldn’t put it down” quality that I love in a good book. Thank you HH, for giving me two new favorite characters and a story I loved so much!
** Thank you to SMP and Netgalley for my ARC in exchange for my honest review **
4.5 Stars!
This is the fifth book in the Shacking Up series and they all can be read as a standalone. Helena’s writing style is always fantastic and this book did not disappoint. Lincoln has always been a mystery. From the previous books we know he exist but we rarely see him. Lincoln previously wanted nothing to do with his family. He has been traveling the world and taking on projects that make the world a better place. The passing of his father brings him back to the family business and the jungle of New York. Wren is tasked with being the PR Consultant to Lincoln and Armstrong. Although Lincoln and Wren have undeniable chemistry and connection when they meet Lincoln is quite a jerk. Wren is a complete professional through all the jerkiness. Lincoln is dealing with not wanting to be back and being trapped to run a company he wanted nothing to do with. Through all the push and pulls of the relationship Lincoln and Wren develop a relationship. They learn that although they have preconceived perceptions of the others there is really more than meets the eye.
This book takes you through all the ups and downs. It takes you on the ride that is Lincoln and Wren and how they navigate through their complicated relationship. Helena has a great way with words and you feel all the love, frustrations, and challenges in the book. This is a great book and you will not regret diving in.
***I received an ebook copy from the author at no cost***
Helena has so many good series and, next to the Pucked novels, the Shacking Up ones are my favorite.
Handle with Care is the fifth book in the Shacking Up series. This tale focuses on Lincoln Moorehead. In lieu of working for the family business, and thus having to deal with their drama as well, he spends his time working on charitable causes in third world countries. This fills his cup and keeps him happy.
And then he’s called back home in the wake of his father’s death. Afraid that the younger generation might bring some negative attention to the family, Lincoln’s mom hires a publicist, Wren, to ensure that the Moorehead name stays relatively untarnished.
As it turns out, Wren and Lincoln get along well … VERY well. The two click, sparks fly, and there’s a nice slow-burn filled with so much UST it’s not even funny. Their banter is fun and flirty and, the more they get to know one another, the more each realizes just how amazing they could be if they were with one another.
Fear not, there’s more to this story than just romantic comedy. Hunting weaves a bit of thrill and mystery into the pages, which leaves readers craving to learn more and guessing what could be going on along the way.
Hunting’s writing is good, the characters are well-developed and relatable, and the story reads easily. If you’re a fan of the other books in this series, then you definitely need to grab this book and give it a read.
If you haven’t discovered the genius that is Helena Hunting yet, then please grab any one of her books and give it a go.
Five stars to this novel!
Helena Hunting can’t fail with her writing for me and in Handle With Care she does not disappoint! The meeting and the build up through humor, scandal and sweetness between Wren and Lincoln left me finding my new favorite couple. Through the hills and valleys of their first meetings to the establishment of their feeling’s readers will be wanting nothing more than to see what happens next in this latest book in her Shacking Up series.
Cousins to the infamous (and not to mention incredibly HOT Mills brothers) Lincoln Moorehead takes this book to another level with sincerity and humor when he steps in to run Moorehead Media after being called upon by his “G-Mom” to help the business to continue to run after his father dies. Unfortunately, his brother, Armstrong, who is true to only himself, is not exactly happy to be passed over even on a temporary basis to his older brother. Armstrong’s selfish behavior as seen earlier in the Shacking Up series continues to get worse requiring him to have a “handler” named Wren who seems to be the only woman that can keep him in his place while trying to fight her feelings as she works to help groom Lincoln to take on the CEO role. Watching their stories unfold and scandals looming overhead, Wren and Lincoln will take you on an adventure that you will not seeing coming.
Helena Hunting is one of my favorite contemporary romance authors because she is thoroughly adept at creating characters and worlds that feel real and engaging. Plus, the dialogue in her books is always on point. So many quotable lines that I wish I was witty enough to come up with in real life. ‘Handle With Care’ is yet another success in Hunting’s very impressive arsenal, and it might be my most favorite of the “Shacking Up” series. (Although picking a favorite in this series is kind of really impossible, because they’re all really good.)
The chemistry between Wren and Lincoln is sizzling, and the plot is interesting without being too formulaic/trope-y. See also: hilarious and witty dialogue that has me simultaneously laughing out and wishing that I could be friends with fictional characters. (Except for Armstrong, because he’s obviously the worst.) I love the resilience of Wren’s character, and the genuineness of Lincoln’s, and how complimentary they are of each other.
And now, I’ll probably go ahead and give the whole series a re-read, because I like it that much.
I love Lincoln and Wren. This book was just such a fun easy read. Wren was tasked with reforming the reclusive heir Lincoln but gets a whole lot more than she bargained for when she falls in love with the wounded man. The banter between Wren and Lincoln is great.
Lincoln comes home for his father’s funeral and wants out of NYC as fast as he can. Wren has been handling the PR mess that is Linc’s younger brother and now has a new contract to make Linc look like a CEO. Secrets come to light that might destroy any chance that they have at happiness.
This was my first Helena Hunting book and I can’t wait to read more. Handle with Care starts out with some humor, definitely has some hot and steaminess, scandal and suspense. Helena has created some amazing characters and I just want to meet G-Mom for myself! She kept me turning the pages trying to figure out where the story was going next.
This book is my favorite in this series. By far. Even though there were a couple characters I didn’t care for, Lincoln and Wren are definitely my favorite. They were cute together and I love their relationship. The dynamic between Wren and Lincoln and their comical sarcasm made this book so enjoyable. Great read.
I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving a free copy.
HE WANTS TO LOSE CONTROL.
Between his parents’ messed up marriage and his narcissistic younger brother, Lincoln Moorehead has spent the majority of his life avoiding his family. After the death of his father, Lincoln finds himself in the middle of the drama. To top it all off, he’s been named CEO of Moorehead Media, much to his brother’s chagrin. But Lincoln’s bad attitude softens when he meets the no-nonsense, gorgeous woman who has been given the task of transforming him from the gruff, wilderness guy to a suave businessman. This was a really good read completely different to what I expected, the story line was tragically interesting, I loved the chemistry between the characters, although I thought the drastic change of Lincoln’s gruff and unhappy personality to a love sick puppy seemed pretty fast. Overall this was a great read.