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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Handle With Care is the 5th book in the Shacking Up Series, yet it can be read and enjoyed as a stand-alone novel. Handle With Care is a sexy and humorous office place romance. Lincoln & Wren’s story took me by surprise in the best possible way and I found myself unable to put their story down…
When we first meet up with Lincoln and Wren, I for one couldn’t wait to read more. Their chemistry was instant and just oozed off of the pages. I had a feeling the dynamic between these two would be complicated and they did not disappoint. You see, when Lincoln’s father passes away, the last place Lincoln wants to be is in New York running his father’s company. As if that wasn’t enough to frustrate him, he finds out that he’s been assigned a handler; someone to clean up his image and get him CEO ready. Lincoln, however, was no way prepared for Wren. Wren takes her job very seriously. She’s bossy and doesn’t take anything from anyone. Not only is she smart, but beautiful too and completely off-limits….
Overall, I thought this book was a really fun read. It has a bit of a different vibe from the other books in this series and I found that to be totally refreshing. Handle With Care has the humor that we have come to know and love from this author, but it isn’t over the top. It’s well placed, and I feel like this story had a bit more of a serious vibe to it. It had a great office place romance vibe to it. I loved the tension and banter between Lincoln and Wren. They totally butted heads in the beginning, but that led to the most delicious passion. These two characters just clicked and left me begging for more. I couldn’t think of a better match for Lincoln than someone who could take what he dished out and boss him right back around.
Handle With Care is fun, sexy and smartly written. It had sexy good times, fun characters and an air of mystery about it. There was some angst and drama, but like I said, nothing over the top. And of course, I can’t forget the fun twists at the end.
Handle With Care is a terrific addition to the Shacking Up Series and I had a terrific time getting swept up in Lincoln & Wren’s story.
Omg I absolutely in love with every book in the Shacking Up world. I’ve been so interested in Lincoln that I couldn’t wait too dive into his story. Lincoln and Wren are scorching hot together and their chemistry is off the charts. I loved every minute of their story, once you start reading you won’t want to stop. Another amazing read that everyone must read.
4.5 Stars!
First off I loved Wren ~ her take no nonsense attitude and the way she can handle even the most difficult men and toughest situations with ease. I loved Lincoln’s heart, the way he wanted to help those in need. I hated that he seemed so lonely and his family, ugh! I liked the fact that he did get to find out the truth, but hated that it happened when it did – vague, I know but I can’t give it away. This one made me laugh, made me angry and even got me teary-eyed…it was so worth it.
If you want to have a good reading experience, this is the book.
It’s fun, sexy, fun.
you will love its main characters, Lincoln and Wren distill chemistry on each page (you have to read it, trust me)
also as every good story has its villains, Gwendolyn and Armstrong seriously you will hate them.
I absolutely loved Handle With Care! Lincoln and Wren complement each other perfectly!
Wren works for Moorehead Media as a social media specialist/handler and is originally signed to help get Armstrong in control. When a tragedy brings Lincoln back her contract is extended to help him. Lincoln is an heir to Moorehead Media but wants nothing to do with the company or New York. He would rather be helping people in other countries.
Lincoln and Wren appear to be opposites. Wren is classy and professional, Lincoln is what you see is what you get. He doesn’t care about his appearance, and definitely doesn’t care what people think of him.
Lincoln and Wren grow close due to the fact they have to work so closely together. Although the attraction was there from the first moment they met. Everything about their relationship I loved. Lincoln’s possessiveness right from the start. I mean who doesn’t love a hot, possessive man?
Handle With Care my just be my favorite book in the Shacking Up series. Helena Hunting delivers a laugh out loud book, with characters you instantly love. Helena Hunting gives us a little bit of everything in this book, and it’s perfectly balanced.
I’ve been eager to read Lincoln’s book since he was introduced in the first of the Shacking Up series. I’m pleased to say Miss Hunting delivered and Handle with Care was everything I’d hoped for- funny , flirty, sexy, and oh so entertaining. While this is the fifth in the Shacking Up series and includes some cameos from past couples and characters, it can read stand on its own.
Each of the couples and books are so different in the Shacking Up series, but I think Handle with Care may be my new favorite. I really enjoyed getting to know Lincoln and was pleasantly surprised that he was pretty different and better than I anticipated. Furthermore, I loved that he was paired with a strong female lead who pulled no punches. I love when both main characters are strong enough to handle themselves and rather than one rescuing the other, they find they are unstoppable together.
Handle with Care was exactly what I hoped for and more when I started it. I’d definitely recommend this title to fans of romantic comedies, this author, or those looking for strong, poised heroines and heroes who embrace that strength.
*eARC received via Netgalley. The author and publisher had no influence over this review*
5 Stars!
Lincoln Moorehead is the reclusive eldest son and the heir to the Moorehead Media fortune, but he could care less about status or wealth. He has nothing in common with his entitled family, and has tried over the years to put as much distance between them as possible. He would rather be off helping others in developing countries, but is forced to return home to New York after the death of his father. He plans to hop back on the next plane out as soon as possible, because being in the city makes him miserable, but soon gets sucked into the family drama when he’s appointed CEO of Moorehead Media. He has no interest in the company, but his family’s legacy can’t be left in his brother’s hands. They ask him to do the one thing he desperately doesn’t want to do, which is stay and help manage things. He just needs to try to survive his new reality while temporarily running the company. Then things get interesting when he meets his new “handler”. The woman in charge of helping him transition into his new role at Moorehead Media.
Wren Starling is an independent PR consultant who began working for the Moorehead’s about eight months ago when they needed someone to clean up their younger son’s messes. She is the best at reshaping reputations, and cleaning up scandals. Now that the older Moorehead son has returned, she’s been asked to stay on and work to overhaul his public image. As the new face of Moorehead he has to dress and act the part. She will be his shadow for the next several months while she cleans up his appearance and gets him ready for interviews. When they meet she quickly learns he’s his brother’s opposite in every way. He looks like a rugged, bearded mountain man, but is generous and kind. He also can be quite difficult and challenging in his own way. Then he has a make over, and she can hardly contain her desire for Lincoln Moorehead clean shaved and in a suit. He’s absolutely gorgeous! Doing her job becomes more difficult as the sexual tension builds. Soon they both have trouble fighting their attraction and the growing feelings between them.
Handle With Care (Shacking Up #5) by Helena Hunting was fabulous! I love this entire series, and have been looking forward to Lincoln’s book. The man is sexy, genuine, and swoony to the extreme! I couldn’t put this book down, and loved it from start to finish. It’s a fun, flirty, slightly forbidden office romance full of fantastic banter, emotion and love. Everything I love about a Helena Hunting story!
This was a fantastic story. It was so highly entertaining, sweet, filled with humor, love, emotions and sizzling heat. I just couldn’t put this story down. The characters are fantastic. The writing was phenomenal. Great flow to the storyline. I loved the humor, that was so rich with snarky, witty, laugh out loud moments, as well as all the emotions. Loved, loved that it was written in dual POV, giving me every last detail they were thinking.
From the moment that Wren and Lincoln meet I was all in. It was so much fun watching the antagonism between them as well as their attraction. I loved their chemistry and the sexual tension that made my heart swoon.
I loved Wren and how tough she was and how she didn’t put up with anything. At first Lincoln is quite the gruff guy not wanting to be there at all, let alone have a babysitter. But it doesn’t take long for his feelings for Wren to alter his gruff ways especially when he knows she feels the same way about him.
This was my favorite story of this series!! It was Freaking Fantastic from start to finish! I hate to see this series come to an end!!
I was gifted an early copy in exchange for an honest opinion.
Loved the interplay between these two.
Although several books of this series are on my TBR list – this is the first one I’ve read and oh boy – have I been missing a great series. I absolutely loved Wren and Lincoln. Wren was smart, witty, independent, and had it all together and Lincoln was just wow!!! Conservation minded, intelligent, and swoony!
This book was so fun to read and I just kept turning the page to get to more. This has some unexpected parts and depth to it as well to make it extra interesting.
Can’t wait to catch up on the previous books.
I voluntarily requested and read an advance reader copy.
Helena Hunting brings us back into the Moorehead Family and the man of hour Is the one who doesn’t want to be. Lincoln Moorehead is the reclusive brother who wants nothing to do with his “crazy” family but when he’s thrown into a situation that he has no choice, but when Wren Sterling is given the role of getting him put together things become very interesting.
The relationship between the two of them is just fun to watch with every turn of the page, and we see how they evolve not only when it comes to the family business but when it comes to each other.
Handle with Care by Helena Hunting is a fun and flirty office romance that will leave you with a huge smile on your face. The bantering and sexual tension between Lincoln and Wren, the bickering between Lincoln and Armstrong, and the manhandling of the both of them by Wren made this an outrageously fun, laugh out loud rom com.
Thanks to SMP and NetGalley for receiving an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was super excited when I found out that Lincoln was getting a book. If you have read any of the previous Shaking Up series books there was mention of him throughout, but he was always a bit of a mystery. I mean, who wouldn’t be curious about Armstrong’s brother?
I loved loved loved Wren. How can you not love a woman who is willing to put Armstrong in his place. She is a genius when it comes to PR. So when Lincoln returns to town and has to take over as CEO for Moorehead Media she is hired to help his image and help him with the PR side of things, as Lincoln likes to call her, his babysister. Lincoln was a mystery but the more and more we got to know about him the more I LOVED him. He is selfless, he is the complete opposite of anyone in his family. I loved the relationship he has with Griffin. Despite being cousins, they are more brothers.
I loved the banter and chemistry between Lincoln and Wren. It was instant and truly got better throughout the story. I loved how caring Lincoln could be and possessive, especially when it came to keeping Armstrong away from Wren. The pop ups from all the previous characters was great and I’d love to have seen a girls night with Ruby, Amalie and Wren. Armstrong, he is a man I love to hate. Compared to the other books, we got the most of him in this one. The man is a complete train wreck. Am I the only one hoping that Helena writes him a book?!
For any fans of the Shaking Up series this a MUST READ or really anyone looking for a laugh out loud romance.
If like me you are a fan of Helena Hunting then book will be right up your street. I devoured this in one afternoon in the garden enjoying the sunshine with a few drinks. The characters and banter had me engaged from beginning to end.
Wren has been hired as a handler for Armstrong Moorehead as his behaviour is not good for the public image of the company. When his father dies his older brother Lincoln returns for the funeral and gets guilted into staying to head up the company as the CEO. Wren ends up having her contract extended so she can help Lincolns image transform from hot mountain man to hot CEO.
The chemistry between Wren and Lincoln is OFF THE CHARTS hot from the minute they meet. The more they deny and ignore their feelings the hotter it gets. Wren makes it almost bearable for Lincoln to be in the city.
With visits from some old friends from previous books it was lovely to see them and catch up.
Am I the only one that wants Armstrong’s book? The way Wren handles him is simply brilliant so I realy want him to meet someone else that can do that. That will knock him on his ass. I do love a good redemption story.
I really enjoyed this book the storyline was quirky and was fun to read. Lincoln is my new man crush, he’s one surly sexy beast of a man. It was refreshing to read an alpha man who wasn’t sleazy . He was charming funny supportive, just an all round good guy.
Wren was awesome, strong confident and takes no nonsense from anyone. I want to be her friend so bad. The characterisation of both Lincoln and Wren was perfect. I really felt like I knew what made them tick. Their relationship wasn’t all sex although they have super hot chemistry. The mutual respect they had for each other really came through in the writing.
The drama was minimal which allowed me to focus on the characters and their unfolding love story.
Reviewed by United Indie Book Blog
4.5 stars
Let’s face it, dear readers. The world in which we live is chaotic, nonsensical, unsettling, and even terrifying.
Thank goodness, then, for Helena Hunting. Her books are balms for our troubled times. They make us laugh, cry, feel all warm and tingly, and they also make us feel more than a little aroused. These are all very nice things, non?
In Handle with Care, Hunting turns her focus on Lincoln Moorehead, the largely absent scion of the family that spawned the awful Armstrong, he of the very brief marriage thanks to him getting caught on the PA system getting orally serviced by one of the guests. Armstrong is about as delightful as an unlanced boil, maybe even less so, which helps explain why Lincoln has chosen to eschew the family magazine business for charitable outreach in Guatemala, amongst other third world locations.
With the death of Daddy Moorehead, however, Lincoln has been beckoned home. His Botoxed and preserved mother hired Wren, a public relations specialist, to be Lincoln and Armstrong’s handler, ensuring that any press about them is good press. This is an easy feat where Lincoln is concerned; for Armstrong, not so much.
The minute Wren and Lincoln meet, sparks fly. His initial wariness of her dissipates as he gets to know her, as does hers of him. Helena Hunting holds your anticipation tightly, building and building and building on Wren and Lincoln’s attraction until they (FINALLY! MERCIFULLY!) act on it.
My favorite thing about this book is the way Hunting shows you how tight Wren and Lincoln are. When conflict comes their way, their first reaction is to wonder how the other person will feel. Helena Hunting doesn’t engage in artificiality as she portrays these two. There is no forced, histrionic break-up. What transpires between Wren and Lincoln feels organic to who they are.
As much as you may loathe Armstrong, he is hilarious to keep around. His complete lack of self-awareness made me laugh out loud on more than one occasion. Yes, he’s gross, but you can’t help but enjoy him when he’s on the page.
There is a mystery in this book that will keep you guessing. Elements of it are a bit poignant and even heartbreaking, but Hunting doesn’t overplay her hand or manipulate you. She uses this mystery to both further develop Lincoln and Wren and to further solidify them as a couple.
With each installment of the Shacking Up series, I fall in love with Helena Hunting’s Hot Heroes, and I fool myself into thinking she can’t top herself. She can. Lincoln Moorehead, I’m looking at you.
I have been patiently awaiting Lincoln’s story in this series and I fell in love with him at the start of his book! I loved all his interactions with Wren and at times found them to be LOL funny. The chemistry between the pair was off the charts. Their story moved along well and I was hooked on it from the first chapter. I enjoyed the return of Griffin and Cosy from the previous book in this series as well as the mention of the other characters from the previous books in this series. There were a few twists in their story that I did not see coming but overall, their story was amazing and I would recommend reading this book to others.
„You and me? We were an inevitability. Sooner or later, one of us was going to cave.”
I’m such a sucker for a good office romance and Helena brought her best in this one! Handle With Care is adorably sweet and hilarious read, filled with pent-up desire and sexual tension. Forbidden note only spiced up this delicious story and fueled my excitement. Wren and Lincoln are such an amazing characters that I fell in love with both of them! They made me swoon, they cracked me up and they made me blush. I couldn’t ask for more- this book is just perfect!
I adored Lincoln’s unkempt look, selflessness, his altruistic nature. How he didn’t care about appearances and superficial things, but really cared about his loved ones. He had his share of awkward moments, but was awfully adorable at the same time. When he let go of his brooding self he was insanely loveable and charming. Wren stole my heart with her down-to-earth attitude, competenty, self-esteem and determination. She wasn’t intimidated with Lincoln’s status and she didn’t hold back in her actions to polish this rough diamond. And that’s exactly why they worked so good together and why the sparks were constantly flying. Reliability and honesty are rare in the world they’re living and they found these traits in each other. Although their acquaintance started as a constant banter, with sizzling chemistry and intense infatuation they became impassioned lovers. Can I point out once again how good is Helena with intimate scenes? Because my gawwwwd… Those between Wren and Lincoln were insanely HOT! You can expect a little plot twist in this book, but believe me, it only spices up the storyline.
Handle With Care became my favorite book in Shacking Up series. And that should tell you a lot, because every single book in this series is simply phenomenal. I loved how Helena filled this story with the perfect amount of cuteness, steam and humour, without unecessary drama. Even with a little complication the whole story is kept with lightness and familiar for Hunting’s books playfulness. I loved every second of this story and I highly recommend it!
Loved this so much! Handle With Care was such a fantastic story filled with humor and love, heat, and so much emotion. It’s one of those stories I couldn’t put down because I was so in love with the characters and couldn’t wait for them to get to their HEA. It was a fantastic ride!
Handle With Care by Helena Hunting
Shacking Up #5
Couldn’t put it down…nope…no way…no how!
Wren Sterling is a “handler” of people and situations they create. Her job is to keep the PR positive even when the person responsible for messes deserves to take a hit. Having worked for awhile to clean up Armstrong Moorehead’s messes and try to control his antics she is asked to take on the other brother – Lexington. With the goal of starting her own business and the job lucrative enough to perhaps do so…she signs on the dotted line.
Lexington is NOT like his brother and has managed to distance himself from the dysfunctional family he was born into…until his father dies suddenly and the will is read. With a plea from G-Mom to help run the media company and no way to say no he settles in to see what has happened and needs to happen to keep the company going and perhaps thrive again.
Wren’s meet-cute with Lexington was…interesting and the hook that started the book. The next one had to do with an interesting situation involving a breeze and a skirt flying up and from there on this book had me smiling and caring and laughing and sometimes wanting to pound on a few of the family members Lexington had to contend with. And, that secret apartment that is found and the mystery that unearths is…VERY interesting. I am now wondering if perhaps a person introduced near the end of the book will get a story of her own – I do Hope so 😉 As for Armstrong…I have no idea if there is ANY hope for him but perhaps there is a woman somewhere in the world that can redeem him…or perhaps not.
The chemistry between Wren and Lexington was definitely there and when they acted upon it…oh my! I so enjoyed reading their scenes together. I found them both intelligent, warm, caring and just the sort of people I would like to be friends with.
Did I enjoy this book? Definitely!
Would I like to read more in this series? Without a doubt
Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Paperbacks – This is my honest review.
5 Stars
4.5 Stars
Handle With Care is the fifth title in the Shaking Up series, but can easily be read as a standalone. It’s a fast paced, sexy contemporary office romance, with a pair of incredibly endearing characters and a plot with a few unexpected surprises and twists and turns.
Lincoln Morehead is a philanthropist, and a duck out of water when he takes the reigns of Morehead Media. The last place Lincoln wants to be is in New York City, but there’s a bright spot in his life, his PR handler Wren, and he knows he can’t leave this disaster that is Armstrong in charge. Lincoln is a sweet, kind, compassionate and incredibly driven, dedicated and hardworking man. He’s quite charming and has a fabulous relationship with his Grandmother.
Wren Starling is a PR consultant who is fabulous at her job. She has to be in order to not only keep Armstrong in line, but to transform his online persona. She’s no wilting wall flower, with a feisty, fierce and sassy persona.
Wren and Lincoln have an undeniable and instant chemistry and their shared banter is fun and flirtatious. Their story is full of the heat, heart and humor I’ve come to expect from Helena Hunting’s work and a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I’ve quite enjoyed the previous books in this series and it was wonderful to see some of the previous hero and heroines make cameo appearances within this title.