**”**Narrators Muffy Newtown and Jacob Morgan will make listeners blush and laugh their way through this Las Vegas-based romantic comedy in which the sin extends beyond the city…Newtown is great at emphasizing character individuality and sneaking humor into her delivery. Morgan, with his swoon-inducing, even-toned, perfectly paced voice, is everything listeners want in a hero.” — AudioFile Magazine
A new standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy by New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting.
Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list.
Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him.
As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world.
Griffin never expects that he will need to visit a sex shop for his friend’s bachelor party but what really surprises him is Cosy, the store associate that helps him with his shopping list. Cosy is a breath of fresh air, she knows what she wants and is going for it which includes college and random trips to go explore the country. She loves to travel without a plan and just experience life. For Griffin, this is a challenge while being invigorating. He loves her approach to life and openness that she shares with him. When he ventures back for a date, will Cosy break the rule of not dating customers? Cosy is attracted to Griffin, he is sexy and smooth yet a little unsure of himself. She never expects him to return so will she take a risk when he does? I had so much fun with this couple. Cosy keeps Griffin on his toes, well she kept me on my toes, I never knew what she was going to say next and her perspective on life is endearing. I voluntarily read an ARC of this book and this is my honest review.
5 Stars!
Cosy Felton is a 22 yr. old college student who works part time at an adult store in Las Vegas. She’s a free spirit who is about new experiences and finding her next adventure. Then a gorgeous suit walks in her store looking for gag gifts for a friend’s bachelor party. He’s hands down the hottest guy she’s ever laid eyes on. On top of that he’s adorably awkward and uncomfortable. She has some fun at his expense, but can’t deny their instant attraction and the flutter she feels when he looks at her.
Griffin Mills lives in New York, and his family is in the hotel industry. He recently went through a break up, and is now single. He’s just arrived in Las Vegas for business, and he has an encounter with a strikingly beautiful woman he can’t quit thinking about.
Cosy is nothing like any woman he’s ever been with, which is exactly why he wants to get to know her better. She’s carefree, and a refreshing surprise he didn’t expect. They are complete opposites in every way. He usually does relationships & commitments, and she doesn’t like to be tied down. Neither is looking for anything serious right now, and their lives are taking different directions soon. He’s only in Vegas for a few months, so they have an expiration date and are temporary. With no possible future together they plan to keep it casual and fun. Just living in the moment and enjoying each other, but soon neither is ready for things to end, and Griffin suddenly realizes she’s everything he didn’t know he wanted or needed. They are in over their heads with feelings, and wish it could be more. As Cosy figures out she’s falling for Griffin will she actually get the full on fairytale, or will what happens in Vegas stay in Vegas?
Making Up is book four in the Shacking Up world. It’s a fantastic new standalone romantic comedy by Helena Hunting. It’s a laugh out loud, fun, sexy story packed with drama, humor, love, and explosive chemistry. I adore this series and these yummy Mills men! One is as hot and swoony as the next, but Griffin is my new favorite. Loved this book from start to finish. It reminds me why I love reading!
NO SPOILERS!
Making Up was a fun, sexy, and entertaining standalone in the Shacking Up series, and I loved it so much! The storyline and characters were excellent, and I loved Helena Hunting’s writing style and sense of humor. Griffin and Cosy’s story was funny, sexy, and entertaining, with a lot of drama to go around. The plot was different than I expected, and there were a few surprises throughout, but there was never a dull moment, and I thoroughly enjoyed it from beginning to end. Griffin made me swoon so hard, and Cosy was his perfect match in every way. I loved the relationship they had together, and how it progressed throughout. There were plenty of trials and tribulations along the way, but I was very happy with the conclusion to Griffin and Cosy’s story. Making Up was another fantastic addition to the Shacking Up series, and I can’t wait to read the next one, Handle with Care!
I have to start by saying it’s great to be back in the Shacking Up world and once again Helena Hunting has given us an great entertaining read that I’m sure you will all love.
Making Up is full of witty banter, sizzling chemistry and characters that you can’t help falling in love with. Cozy is the quirky fun loving sales assistant at the local Adults only shop and Griffin Mills is the eldest sibling of the Mills hotelier family who has been left in charge of picking up the gag gifts for his friends bachelor party and that’s where the fun begins …….this couple may be like chalk and cheese but opposites attract and the attraction between these two is instant, the chemistry sizzling and banter witty. As you would expect from this author the road to true love is never easy and there are a few twists and turns along the way which will leave you holding your breath as you try to work out what now !!! The laugh out loud moments mixed with just the right amount of love, passion and drama make this a great entertaining read that I highly recommend.
Cosy is as quirky as her name suggests. Griffin is looking for something different in life. This is a fun story of opposites who find that they are perfect for each other. The two have to spend real time together getting to know each other. They go through some hilarious scenes and some ups and downs before they realize how much their differences don’t matter. The author does a good job of bringing the characters to life, telling their stories, showing their pains and joy. You will enjoy turning the pages as you experience the highs and lows as the story unfolds.
MAKING UP by Helena Hunting is book 4 in the Shacking Up Series. This is the story of Griffin Mills and Cosy Felton. I haven’t yet read the previous books, so for me this is a standalone book.
Griffin is in Vegas for work but also has to buy gag gifts for a bachelor party. Cosy used to people coming into the shop for different reason some for bachelor / bachelorette parties but when Griffin walks in looking somewhat lost he brings out feeling in her. Griffin is immediately attracted to Cosy but she is somewhat hesitant to go out with him. There is a 10 year age difference with him being older, she goes to college and lives in Vegas where he is more established in addition to living away from Vegas. Of course there are always something else to make them doubt but love must win.
Enjoyed their story.
Helena does it again! Making Up is everything I love about her writing. It is sweet, charming, hilarious, quirky. I mean, who else would be able to start of a story in a sex toy shop?
Cosy is a free-spirited college student who is working in a sex toy shop in Vegas. Griffin, the oldest of the Mills brothers, is in Vegas for business and pleasure. There was instant attraction between the two of them and weeks after their first meeting, they are both still thinking about each other. Will Cosy be able to let down her guard and give in to Griffin?
I LOVE Cosy. She is awkward, she is gorgeous (both inside and out), she is smart and she is just an overall badass female who does what she wants. Griffin is out of a long term relationship and really isn’t looking for love after getting his heartbroken, but Cosy brings something out in him that brings out something new in him.
This is an age gap romance and I love that the characters casually bring this up throughout the story and can joke about it. Cosy and Griffin’s relationship is a slow burn but so so so so worth the wait! Their chemistry is great, I love that Cosy brings out a youthfulness to Griffin. Their relationship is a rocky road and Helena definitely threw a wrench in it, but whats a story without some drama?
Cosy’s sister, Nev, was a great secondary character and was protective of her sister. Of course, we got a little bit of the other Mills brothers, Bane and Lex, plus their cousin, Lincoln and everyone’s favorite Armstrong.
This is another MUST READ from Helena!
This book is pure joy.
Not all the time, mind. Helena Hunting does make her characters work for their happiness, but the book is joy nonetheless.
Cosy, a twenty-two-year-old college student and sex toy shop worker, is both guarded and hopeful as far as love is concerned. She believes in love, even if she isn’t so sure it’s something that will come to her. When she meets Griffin, the attraction is immediate. So is the evident age difference.
At thirty-three, Griffin is ready for … something. I always say that authors don’t age their characters thirty-three and then do nothing with it. Thirty-three is a symbolic age for rebirth (see: Jesus). You can’t be reborn without dying, though, so the question is which parts of himself does Griffin need to kill off?
These two are delightful. Cosy is whip smart and hilarious, as is Griffin. I loved how Helena Hunting drew their courtship. Griffin takes his time getting to know Cosy, making her comfortable with their prospective romance. He understands her skittishness, and he sees in her reasons for him to be persistent and attentive.
In fact, the little moments of Griffin’s awareness of Cosy are some of my favorites: he knows the different products she uses, he gets her favorite beverages and foods, he opens himself to road trips without pre-booking hotel rooms.
Yet you sense a foe brewing, someone who will try and knock Griffin and Cosy off their course. This is where Helena Hunting shows you the parts of Griffin that he needs to excise: his acceptance of the colorlessness of his life, his need to stick to the plan, his determination to seek what’s comfortable. When he allows himself to feel the heartbreak that comes with letting go of those elements, you will love him a little more.
The way Helena Hunting plays with the title is also a joy. Griffin and Cosy have some conflicts and obstacles, and to get through those, they need to make up. You find yourself almost looking forward to them making up, even though you know they will have to suffer beforehand.
The sexy times are delicious, as you would expect from Helena Hunting. Griffin and Cosy delight in each other, and you will delight in their delight.
The only reason this is not a five-star book for me is due to a plot point that leaves a lot more questions than it answers, to the point where it feels distracting. It’s a somewhat minor quibble, though, in an otherwise fantastic story.
Darling, I had heard so much of Helena Hunting and her books, but still, it took me ages to read one of hers.
I missed out on some magic in my life because I fell in love with Helena Hunting’s words the moment I read the first sentence.
Making Up was a romcom designed to sing to my soul. A book I devoured in one day because I couldn’t get enough.
Unique in her characters, a storyline that painted a smile on my lips and a love story that makes my heart beat faster. Making Up is a five star read worthy of your precious reading time.
The first thing that I associate with this story is the smile that coated my lips from the beginning on. How funny the introduction was between the two main characters. Can you only imagine meeting your possible life partner in an adult toy store? The store you work in. Right away it was clear to me how good Helena Hunting is in capturing the comedy side of the story. I laughed OUT LOUD. I rarely laugh during a book, but this one did it for me.
And I continued to laugh with every comical scene the author created in this story. Also, it matched the characters in one way or another. They were absolutely unique and so easy to love. I loved them that’s for sure.
Cosy, with her shorts always a bit too short and her job at the adult toy store, was an extremely intriguing character. A woman that had a dream and that was to travel the world. She never stayed too long in one place. After a while, she just felt these tingles that yelled at her to grab her bags and discover. But that might become a problem when Griffin Mills walks into that store.
“He says my name the way most people do slowly and with uncertainty like he’s unsure if it’s a porn store joke.”
A man she couldn’t take her eyes off and it only became better when he ended up being nice, funny and kind of awkward. And Griffin wasn’t the only one that felt the connection between the two. He was absolutely smitten by the much younger sales girl. But he too had an expiration date in Vegas.
But that didn’t stop the two. Oh no, their sexual chemistry was off the charts and they had to answer to it. You need to prepare yourself for this because it was downright fantastic. They truly did connect and it enhanced the greatness of this story even more. You’ll understand it when you end up reading it. It’s hot!
“Fall apart on me. Show me your weakness so I can give you my strength.”
But this story wasn’t only about the laughs and comedy. It was about so much more which made this story mature and a great addition to the romance genre. It dealt with acceptance, lies, and struggles from the past. The age gap between the two is another topic that gets a lot of spotlight and I love when they address things like that. It makes it more believable and real. And let’s not forgot the horrible people that are out there to ruin a growing relationship.
“You’re the only person I want to road trip through this life with.”
The romance side of the romcom gave me a smile on my lips as well. A smile because I couldn’t stand how cute they were. I couldn’t control the muscles of my face, they just had to visualize how much I loved this story. How much I adored these characters falling in love. It made me swoon and pure happiness was in my life for the entire time it took me to read Making Up. And Griffin was absolutely sexy.
Making Up is a five-star read that will make smile. I guarantee it. It’s a beautiful book filled with romance and comedy and characters to fall in love with. Making Up is unique, loveable and downright hilarious. Helena Hunting’s words will grab you and suck you into her story. A story that is meant to be read by any romance lover that wants to have a great time while reading.
*ARC kindly provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.*
** Quotes are from the ARC and might differ in the published version.**
Linda’s Book Obsession Reviews ” Making Up” by Helena Hunting, MacMillan, July 16, 2019
Helena Hunting, Author of “Making Up” has written a Contemporary Romance with some Humor, and lots of steamy sex. The timeline for this story is in mostly in the present and goes to the past or future when it pertains to the events or characters in the story. The premise of the story is boy meets girl, girl meets boy in the sex store where she works selling sex toys. There is a discrepancy between the ages, experience and wealth. The author describes the characters as fun-loving, quirky, and flawed. Most are very likable characters.
Cosy is working in a sex store, while she goes to school, and travels. Griffin is an extremely wealthy businessman who works in the family business. Chosen by his friends to get favors for a bachelor party he happens to go to the store where Cosy works. Of course, there is off the chart chemistry and difficult situations that make the reader wonder if this is a relationship that could work out. Is their chemistry enough? There are some witty situations that cause more problems. Is it true that one can make up after a difficult time??
This is a cute and entertaining read that I recommend for those readers who enjoy a steamy story.
Making Up is all kinds of sassy sweetness. Cosy (I am still adjusting to her unique name) is a quirky woman who definitely owns her name. Sassy and very headstrong, Cosy is going to make a great addition to the Mills wives’ club…if she get through this book!
Its titled Making Up for a reason and it’s a doozy! Griffin is very much a Mills man. Not the Armstrong kind, the Lexington, Bancroft, and Lincoln kind. He’s grade A man. Highly recommended with no additives and no preservatives- just fantastic genetics!
I had a blast getting uncomfortable with Griffin. I feel he should avoid terrible themed bachelor parties in the future though because…complicated.
These two are all kinds of awkward, gameless sweetness. (Its totally a thing!) They will make beautiful world traveling, yet homebodies babies and live happily ever after out of their cars… of course it won’t be a Tesla.
Enjoy the fourth installment of the highly entertaining Shacking Up series. I can’t imagine that you find it anything less than an absolute blast!
Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood
I devoured this 5 star story by a camp fire on a nice summer night. This captivating story was amazing.
Griffin meets Cosy in a sex store where she works. He’s the guy with an expensive suit and she’s the girl who’s putting herself through college by working there. They say opposites attract.
I just enjoyed this funny, refreshing story. These characters were perfectly created to fit this storyline. The bantering between these 2 was comical. It’s an highly entertaining and addicting story. Bottomline this is a must read.
Standalone told in a dual POV with an HEA. I strongly recommend this story.
MAKING UP is the fourth instalment in Helena Hunting’s contemporary, adult SHACKING UP erotic, romance series focusing on the Mills siblings and extended family. This is twenty-two year old, college student Cosy Felton, and thirty-three year old, billionaire hotelier Griffin Mills’ story line. MAKING UP can be read as a stand alone without any difficulty. Any important information from the previous instalments is revealed where necessary.
Told from dual first person perspectives (Cosy and Griffin) MAKING UP follows the building relationship between is twenty-two year old, college student Cosy Felton, and thirty-three year old, billionaire hotelier Griffin Mills. To put herself through college, our heroine Cosy Felton, works as a retail clerk in a local Vegas ‘adult’ shop, where she will come face to face with her future in guise of Griffin Mills, a man who has been relegated to buying ‘trinkets’ for a friend’s bachelor party. From the outset their attraction to one another is immediate and palpable but Cosy struggles with their age difference, a struggle that persists through most of the story. What ensues is the building relationship between Griffin and Cosy, and the potential fall-out as not once but twice issues of trust push Cosy out of Griffin’s life.
At thirty-three years old Griffin Mills has a past, a past that he is reluctant to speak of, including his families billion dollar hotel business but Griffin’s need keep secrets is about to implode when the woman with whom he is falling in love feels betrayed when the truths are finally revealed. Cosy Felton is a bit of a free spirit who refuses to remain in one place very long. Meeting Griffin Mills finds our heroine instantly intrigued but her obsession with their differences in age forces Griffin to work that much harder to seduce the woman with whom he is falling in love.
The relationship between Griffin and Cosy is an older man, younger woman that struggles in the face of past sins, and lies of omission. Cosy has spent most of her life free of commitment but meeting Griffin is something Cosy is willing to explore. The $ex scenes are intimate, erotic and seductive without the use of over the top,sexually graphic language and text.
We are reintroduced to Griffin’s brothers: Bancroft and Lexington, and their father Mr. Mills as well as their cousins Lincoln and Armstrong Moorehead; Griffin’s ex-fiancee Imogen; Cosy’s wild-child sister Nevah; and co-worker Helun Alix.
MAKING UP is a story of family, friendships, betrayal and love; a story of past indiscretions, new beginnings, secrets and revelations. The premise is engaging and captivating; the romance is sexy and hot; the characters are colorful and energetic but Cosy’s obsession about their age difference became repetitive and long. MAKING UP is a fun, heart breaking and emotional roller coaster of romance and love.
Quirky Heroine + Emotionally Bruised Hero = Awkward Perfection!
Cosy works in an adult toy store and doesn’t date customers…until Griffin asks her out in the most awkward way. They quickly realize that not only do they have some pretty serious chemistry, they also have an age gap that might be too much.
Watching these two navigate the age gap, different life experiences, and unexpected obstacles was in turns funny, sexy (I mean her first time at his penthouse ), frustrating, heartbreaking, and ridiculously sweet and happy…in other words everything I most desire in a contemporary romance, or really any romance.
In addition to the fabulously crafted banter, hot sexy times, and over the top romantic gestures there were so many wonderful moments about the importance of consent, fashion as a choice and not an invitation or enticement, personal limitations, overstepping in the name of love, and self reflection.
Making Up is book 4 in Helena Hunting’s Shaking Up series but I’ve previously only read book 3, which I didn’t see a connection to here but I’m guessing connects to one or more of the others. However, the couples from books 1 and 2, Shaking Up and Hooking Up respectively, do have some mentions in Making Up; they weren’t deal breakers for me but that’s something to keep in mind if it could be for you. I will, however, be getting my hands on books 1 and 2 ASAP and can’t wait for book 5, Handle with Care, next month!
I received a complimentary review copy of this book but all opinions are my own.
Cosy Felton is a free spirit, never staying in one place too long, always on the hunt for a new adventure. She is months away from graduating and is itching for the day she can tuck her diploma in her bag and let her new journey begin. With her nomadic lifestyle she tends to keep her relationships with men string free, she doesn’t want feelings or love tying her down and trying to keep her in one place for too long.
But little does she know she is about to meet a man that is going to change her way of thinking when it comes to love… Griffin Mills is about to give her a reason to stay and put down roots.
Within the pages of Making Up you will meet a unique pairing that will have you falling head over heels for them within minutes of meeting them. These two are about as opposites as two people could be, and their differences put them at odds a few times. But they soon learned that the few things they had in common were the most important, the things they should hold onto. I loved watching them fight commitment every step of the way, and conquer all the things that tried to keep them apart, their love for one another lit up the pages and warmed my heart! There is a lot to love about this one, it has moments that will make you laugh, moments that’ll have your heart in your throat, and moments that’ll curl the toes… it’s the perfect romantic reading escape! Highly recommend!
I requested an advanced copy of this title from NetGalley, and I am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.
Perfect addition to the Shacking Up series. I was smiling and laughing from start to finish. I adored Cosy and Griffin together. Their chemistry and banter had me had me hooked. The epilogue was the perfect ending.
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC.
OMG… This book, so funny, hear warming and just wonderful. Read it in one sitting… could not stop if I wanted to. The hilarity that Helena Hunting puts in her books is just off the charts. Who would guess that putting your main character as a sales person in an adult toy store would make such a great romance book!
This is book 4, you do not need to read the others to get all the funny business and romance, but really, why wouldn’t you. They are all just as great as this one!
What a great story!!! The thing I love about this author is her incredible writing style. You feel like you’re just sitting down having this great conversation with characters that grab you from word one, leaving you wanting more in the end. Cosy and Griffin are probably two of my favorite characters I’ve read this year, just loved them. Cosy, a sex store salesperson, is just a down to earth kinda gal, living her life under her terms and trying to get through college so she can move on to her next chapter. In walks Griffin, a billionaire (unbeknownst to her) who draws the short straw and has to shop at an adult sex shop for an upcoming bachelor party. That’s where these two meet each other, and the story takes off from there. I found these two hysterical, loved the way Cosy made Griffin work to get her to go out with him, loved Cosy’s sassiness and wit, the chemistry between these two is off the charts, and with all of the obstacles (and there are alot of them) that the two had to overcome, it just made for a great well written story, the ending was perfect. I found this book to be a cross between Pretty Woman and Fifty Shades, both of which I loved. Would highly recommend this to everyone!
I voluntarily reviewed an ARC copy of this book.
“Show me your weakness, so I can give you my strength.”
Oh my gawwwd! I’m so freaking in love with this book! Helena Hunting created perfectly balanced doses of funny, steamy and angsty moments and tied them with the ribbon! Making Up is another story, that will make you swoon, laugh out loud and blush. And the characters? They’re so magnificent, that you want to crawl inside this book and just exist among them!
Cosy is a young woman with a free spirit. She doesn’t care what the others think about her, she’s open, confident, funny, vibrant and spontaneous. At a young age she’s really smart and she knows exactly how she wants to live her life. And to this moment she didn’t want to be tied down. Until she met insanely hot Griffin, who’s pretty determined to show Cosy that commitment is not a bad thing.
Griffin Mills… where should I start? His complexity totally stole my heart. On the one hand he showed his vulnerability and on the other you could see his possesive streak. His lame pick-up lines made him adorably awkward, but at the same time he was this incredibly sexy mature man in a suit. Griffin is completely irresistible and I’m swooning just from thinking about him!
The level of chemistry between Cosy and Griffin is off the charts! I loved that their sexy times weren’t rushed and that this couple enjoyed fooling around so much. Although they’re complete opposites, they’re perfectly matched. Despite being from two different worlds it just worked for them and it was really amusing to watch how they navigated in certain moments. And although life throw at them some mean curveballs, they managed to get over them and form a great relationship.
Making Up shows us that fate knows best what we need. And it isn’t always what we would reach for in ordinary circumstances. Sometimes you just have to put your faith in the kismet and give yourself a chance at happiness. Cosy and Griffin’s story was one of the very best I’ve read this year and I’m happy that Helena Hunting decided to make me fall in love with another Mills brother. This read was hilarious, swoon-worthy and totally delicious!
P.S. If you haven’t read any book in Shaking Up series, you’re really missing out!
I have a new couple I adore and cannot get their world out of my head! I have loved the Shacking Up series! Cosy is a favorite heroine and I love her way of life. Her philosophy makes me rethink my bucket list and when I want to get it completed. Sooner rather than later that is for sure. She has a confidence level that outshines most. She also has an old soul who wears short shorts lol.
Griffin became my man once her had a blush creeping up when he first meets Cosy. I loved it! It made him human. He was not a cocky alpha that made the heroine work for it. Actually that happens in reverse.
There is a wrench that gets thrown towards this duo and it almost breaks my heart. Making Up will give you the giggles and the sniffles. You will fall in love with this story and beg for so much more. I am not ready to give up on this crew and am excited for more to come!!!!