Ruby Scott is months behind on rent and can’t seem to land a steady job. She has one chance to turn things around with a big audition. But instead of getting her big break, she gets sick as a dog and completely bombs it in the most humiliating fashion. All thanks to a mysterious, gorgeous guy who kissed–and then coughed on–her at a party the night before.Luckily, her best friend might have … have found the perfect opportunity; a job staying at the lavish penthouse apartment of hotel magnate Bancroft Mills while he’s out of town, taking care of his exotic pets. But when the newly-evicted Ruby arrives to meet her new employer, it turns out Bane is the same guy who got her sick.
Seeing his role in Ruby’s dilemma, Bane offers her a permanent job as his live-in pet sitter until she can get back on her feet. Filled with hilariously awkward encounters and enough sexual tension to heat a New York City block, Shacking Up, from NYT and USA Today bestselling author Helena Hunting, is sure to keep you laughing and swooning all night long.
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Amazing book with so many hot and steamy scenes. The author had me hooked on the characters immediately; so easy to love. The story was fun, entertaining, and addictive.
Laugh out loud hilarious!
A retired rugby player and an unemployed actress work out a deal, while he’s out of the country. For five weeks, he gives her a place to stay in exchange for taking care of his pets, a tarantula named Tiny and a ferret named Franny. Purely platonic..right? If only the phone calls at night weren’t so provocative. Snappy dialogue and embarrassing situations keep the laughs coming. Totally entertaining.
I have only read Helena Hunting’s Pucked series so I was super excited to read something of hers that was going to be different and I was not disappointed, what a fantastic novel. I love the way Helena writes and really gets you engaged with the characters.
This had everything, I laughed I loved the banter between the two characters and all the sexual innuendoes, I loved how the characters first connected and how their relationship grew and it wasn’t wholly based on sex which I loved.
I loved Bancroft’s character I thought he was fun and not as stuck up like his circle of friends and he wasn’t all about the money and he just wanted to be successful, especially after living his dream of being a rugby player. He is determined, sex, dirty talking character and I loved him
For me Ruby was a cute, sassy and down on her luck character until Bancroft comes in and helps her out in a big way. The thing I love about Ruby is she doesn’t take the easy road like she could with family money; she wants to succeed in her own right even if that means pretty much living in the streets. I really admire this character for that.
Also who could forget to mention Francesca and Tiny they were some of the best characters I have read
This book had everything, I laughed out loud, it was fun and really refreshing, I couldn’t fault this book and I can’t wait for more from Helena
5 stars for this one
What to say that hasn’t been said? I loved this book, l loved the interactions between Ruby and Bane, I loved Francesca and Tiny. I loved the flirtiness, the boldness, the shyness, and the uncertainty that is the basis of the relationship between these two. I loved their friends and families, because even the crappy ones set the stage to bring these two together. I love that they are both so vulnerable, and yet so strong, and they are confident in who they are, and what they want. I loved the laughter they gave me, the sexiness they exuded, and the tears they brought to my eyes.
This story had me drawn in, invested in it, from the start, and I didn’t set it down until I was done, because, I loved everything about it!
Different than what I’ve read before from Helena Hunting but definitely another great story! Don’t think you could ever go wrong with any of her books 🙂 I absolutely loved the chemistry between Ruby and Bane. That really was one of the best things. A slow building romance story that will fill your heart will joy, laughter and love… There’s only one thing that I would never do in the story but you’ll have to read it to know what. *5 amazing stars*
Ruby can’t seem to catch a break. She gets really sick and is getting evicted from her place. Not wanting to admit to her father she can’t seem to get a decent part in a theater play and go back to work for his firm, her best friend sets her up to ‘pet sit’ for her friend Bane. The more Ruby and Bane get to know each other, the closer they seem to get. In the end the heart will always lead the way…
A great light, funny and sexy read. Highly recommend this and can’t wait for Hooking Up.
I absolutely loved this book… I didn’t think Ruby or Bane would turn out to be such freaks (in a good way).. In think these two are the perfect people for each other and I know they are in other books, but I kinda wish they had another book just about them!!
Sweet mother of vagina tingles.
This book is so hawwwwt, the anticipation is killing my Vagina!!
Ruby scott runs into ” The Awesome Kisser ” aka the retired Rugby Player, built like a linebacker , Bancroft and he sucks her tonsils out. And gives her flu in return!
A couple of days later she lands in his apartment as his pet sitter. The sexual chemistry between them is boiling lava hot. Scalding her panties and singing her vagina.
All of Helena’ s books have sexy hot alphas and smart, sassy mouthed girls. Very kick ass, hilarious and refreshing The innuendo-laden banter is so scintillating, build up is huge. The sex , when it happens, is off the charts. You could literally build a The Church Of Bane Cock to his Erectiontopia
Helena specialises in slick humour, witty one liners and naming the sexy parts with so much hilarity , it’s a racy, joyous , laugh-a-minute riot of a book
4.5 Sweet Button of Lust In My Panties stars
This was fun and cute but there’s also a slow burn. Like, really slow burn. They spent 60% of the book apart because he was out of town. Now I’m typically am not a huge fan of the burn that is slow, but if you like it slow, check this one out. I still liked the story despite that and I was really digging Bancroft and Ruby. The chapter titles were great, some made me chuckle.
Helena hits this rugby story out of the park. I love her hockey stories and the description of this rugby guy hits all the feels like her hockey boys do.
Ruby is a trust fund girl who doesn’t want her trust fund. She wants to prove she is more than her Dad’s job offer. As a struggling actress she is almost forced to call in and admit defeat. But when her best friend Amie has a solution things aren’t so dire.
Bancroft is harboring an illegal pet and can’t trust just anyone to pet sit for him while he travels for work. He asks his bud’s new fiancé to do it but she’s not to keen on the idea. As a retired rugby player but also a trust fund kid that didn’t follow in his father’s company. But now that he’s retired he his finding his way in the corporate world which has him traveling for the next month.
I loved that Ruby and Bancroft built a friendship (lustship) over video chat. That bonding time was great and made an easy transition once Bancroft is back in the US. Their chemistry is great. Their sexual chemistry was even better and great to read.
My only hope is that Amie will come to her senses and quickly. Let this be another book for her.
Bane obviously approves of Ruby’s assets, “…half of her left *** cheek is on display. It’s a very nice *** cheek. I’d like to get my hands on it or sink my teeth into it.” Ruby sometimes confuses Ban, “he gives me a look. “You’ve already had three orgasms and you’re worried about my socks?” I really loved this book.
Ruby and Bane were great characters. She was committed to not be reliant on her father’s wealth, or to have to live by the high society standards. She wanted to be in music and theater. He was an ex-rugby player, injured and had to give it up..Bane was also from a wealthy family, and hoped to be able to contribute to the family company. He also wanted to take care of Ruby, which she fought against. Their passion was like fireworks. He was so patient with her. It was obvious he was crazy about her. She had to accept the fact that she was inwardly ashamed of her burlesque dancing as a way of digging herself out of debt. The animals were also funny to read about. The book was enjoyable from beginning to end. I have become a fan of Helena Hunting. My biggest disappointment is that I want to read the story of Bane’s brother, Lex. But my eyesight is bad due to a condition I have. I can only read on my iPad, so I can enlarge the print. But “Hooking Up”, is only available as a book! That upsets me that I can’t read it!
5 The Church of Bane Cock Stars
Leave it to Helena Hunting to give me laugh out loud comedy while forcing me to look for a fan–and not for my face. Bancroft. Shit. What that man does with his mouth and his hands and…well, you get the idea. I want to throw myself at the feet of this man. Wish I was kidding.
Bancroft and Ruby are absolutely perfect. Accidental make-out session notwithstanding, these two have all the chemistry and witty banter to keep you up late into the night. You’ll be laughing and you’ll be angry, but mostly you’ll be happy. And maybe a bit turned on.
Okay, a lot turned on. Whatever. Bancroft has a dirty mouth–and we all know that’s my weakness.
“I’m going to tongue fuck your pretty pussy until you come all over my face.”
Ummmmm….well, okay. If you insist, Bancroft. Who am I to tell you no? No one. Exactly. So, yeah, you go ahead and do whatever you want. My body is yours. And if you’d read this book, you’d throw yourself at the man too.
Like on a scale of one to ten he’s a seven million.
Can I just say that the points system is perfect for this couple? Ruby is freaking hilarious. She is a no holding back kind of girl. She says what’s on her mind–on purpose AND on accident–and she’s great for a laugh. She’s also a feelings kind of girl. She isn’t just out to hit it and quit it. So, the feelings she has are real. The way she wants this man is real. The way she plays with this man–and not in a bad way–is real. No games, that’s Ruby’s way.
And it’s so much fun.
“I can be a white knight with a dirty mind, can’t I?”
Yes, yes you can. In fact, this is exactly how I prefer my men. And he has one hell of a dirty mind. One I wouldn’t mind diving in head first.
I love it when she says my name.
Shacking up is a really cute, sexy, and funny read. I love Helena Hunting and reading her books are so easy and fun to engross yourself in. I finished this book in no time. I liked Bane and Ruby, they are very much alike and come similar backgrounds. I enjoyed their burning romance. This was a really cute book. Its not my favorite book by Helena, but still enjoyable. I was expecting a lot more than a rich girl trying to make it on her own and literally shacking up with a hot ex Rugby player who is now working for his rich father.
Loved this book , great characters and funny ive reread this book so many times love it
This was the first book from this author for me…..and I can’t wait to read more! It was a fun and quirky romance that I could not get enough of. Loved Ruby and Bane, as well as all the other secondary characters. I highly recommend this story – you won’t be disappointed!!
Fast and smexy read –totally hawt! – that has great characters. Ruby Scott is the heroine and Bancroft (Bane) Mills is the hero. Both are a bit…flawed however they really do fit together. Of course they each have very big issues to work through on their own but it’s only when they figure out that they are better together does the story write its’ HEA. There are some funny parts that will make you laugh out loud and parts that will make you sniffle. Bane’s friends and the reactions to Ruby’s new friends will crack you up. Good read. I received an ARC through NetGalley and have freely given an honest opinion and review. #SMPRomance
Fantastic!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Narration:
Romance:
Heat/Steam:
Story/Plot:
World building:
Character development:
The heroine: Ruby – comes from a wealthy family but is bucking the system of children of wealthy families going into their parents business after college. Ruby went to college and studied drama and is a triple threat. She can sing, dance and act. She is trying to make a career in New York though her father thinks she should stop the play acting and start to work for his company.
The Hero(es): Bancroft – also from a wealthy family, he played professional rugby for years until he had a knee injury and now works for his father’s lucrative Hotel business. He is different than a lot of his peers in that he doesn’t care about status. He drives a truck and has scars on his hands and knees from a life of playing ball.
The Story: Ruby wants nothing less than a wealthy guy like the ones she grew up with. Men of that world, like her father, think it is ok to get married and either cheat on the wife, or trade her in for a newer model once something better comes along, or both.
However, when Ruby is at her best friend’s engagement party after getting a bit tipsy, she is kissed thoroughly by a very hot but also very drunk guest whom she refer’s to as awesome kisser. Though after Bancroft kisses her he accidentally cough’s in her face as he has been sick for the past week and had to come to the party since he is a cousin to the groom and will be in the wedding.
Ruby who is out of work and behind on most of her bills is not happy to find out she will soon be kicked out of her apartment and gets deathly ill after awesome kisser coughed on her and then ran after his date whom he had thought he was kissing when he kissed Ruby.
This was another terrific example of Helena Hunting’s work. She has a great sense of humor and her books have a ton of steamy goodness as well. I have read a lot of her books this year and want to read (or listen to) everything she has written and all her new work as well.
Rose Dioro and Jacob Morgan do a terrific job with the narration. Jacob has the perfect voice for a romantic Hero and Rose is just awesome all around. She does great with the dirty thoughts that go through Ruby’s mind and just has a voice that is nice to listen to. I loved the abundance of dirty thoughts and dirty talk this couple have. This was an all around terrific experience and I wish more audiobooks would have as good narration as this one.
Hilarious, sexy and romantic. What more could you ask for? The first meeting was freaking GREAT! projectile vomiting, not so much, but hilarious.
Audio Review from 2018
From Strangers To Forever
I really enjoyed these two and their banter!
And then once they finally get together everything explodes!! Their relationship is absolutely adorable and sweet!