I have only ever read the Pucked series from Helena Hunting, so I wasn't sure what to expect from a stand-alone, pretty much sports-less book from her.

This book was really great. The characters are well developed and extremely likeable. It had the typical crass humor and dirty talk that Hunting is known for, in the Pucked series at least. Sometimes it bordered on too much, but not enough to make me cringe.

Ruby was a great h. Despite being born and raised in wealth, she was determined to make it on her own. I really admired that about her. I liked that she didn't try to take the easy way out and she wasn't a brat about it. She stuck to her guns and admitted when she was being a judgmental ass. She's a really great, well rounded character

Bancroft was also a great H. I think what I liked most about him was that he's not a manwhore. It was nice to see an Alpha male be just a good person. I liked the witty banter between him and Ruby and how much he liked to push her buttons. He wasn't overbearing and he wasn't overly jealous. He really seemed to care about her and their chemistry was off the charts. I also liked that they were awkward around each other when he first got back. It's a pretty realistic scenario when you consider the fact that they only knew each other for basically a day before he left.

Overall, I definitely recommend this book. It was just a fun, flirty, easy read. I'm hoping there will be a book about Amalie because she deserves a HEA that doesn't involve Armstrong. Here's to hoping! Pick up this book, you won't regret it!

ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This is the first book I've read by Ms. Hunting and I need to read more! This book is hilarious! What a breath of fresh air! I absolutely loved Ruby and her smart mouth.I was able to identify with her personality,as someone that has #nofilter.

What do you get when you cross Bancroft Mills, a Hot retired professional Rugby player turned successful businessman, and Ruby Scott, a very talented woman determined to do things on her own terms and whatever it takes to make her dreams happen? You get a great storyline that is fun, witty and sexy. You get well developed characters that make you laugh. You get exotic pets and pet stories that will give you the warm fuzzies. You get all of this and more.

Helena Hunting has written another entertaining book that will make you smile, laugh and swoon, and sometimes all at the same time. If you have never read Helena Hunting's work, you are truly missing out. This is a definite must read and a book I highly recommend.
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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.

I was honestly surprised how much I loved this book, the characters, the dialogue, and the writing style. Ruby Scott comes from a rich family but wants to be an actress. Her family wants her to give up this silly dream and come work for the family. She's hit a (plausible) series of bad luck events, but has a big audition that will turn things around. Heading home early from her bff's engagement party, she runs into a hot hunky someone who mistakes her for his date and gives a kiss worth remembering... unfortunately, he also gives her the horrendous cold he has, and thus sets the stage for the rest of this fun romp.

Because it's a small world, hot sick kisser was a guest at the engagement party with ties to Ruby's BFF's fiancee. Ruby needs somewhere to stay and hot sick kisser needs a pet sitter while he goes out of town... Win-win for both! The conflicts that arise in many rom-coms are often so contrived that you have to silence reality, but author Helena Hunting somehow managed to fill this with so many relate-able situations that I was able to just enjoy them. The awkwardness, the flirting and nuance, the connections that you make... all I can say is that I'd put up with all that Ruby went through if it meant I got a Bancroft (Bane) Mills out of it. "Shacking Up" managed to be funny, fun, and hot in all the right amounts and I can't wait for more.

You will turn pages and not put this book down until you can see how the author unravels the issues, the many issues that are hampering Bane & Ruby’s HEA. The sexual tension is off the charts but circumstances just keep ratcheting up the heat. Yes, this book kept me laughing and swooning all night long. If you are a fan of movie romantic comedies, as I am, then I guarantee you will love this book. The characters seemed like real people you might know. We have Bancroft, Bane, who is a born protector/caregiver/caretaker/hot-as-hell former pro athlete and Ruby, an aspiring actress with a serious cash flow problem. They meet in a rather awkward way but there is an instant attraction.

This is my first reading of a book by Ms. Hunting and I am so impressed with her wit and character development. This is going on my list of Best-of-2017. Terrific writing and dialog.

This is the first book outside of the Pucked series that I've read. And it was definitely a fun and sexy romcom. In fact there were parts that I giggled at and with her descriptive writing, it was almost like watching a movie. I loved Bane.....such a stand up kind of guy! And the heroine's friend Amie....I hope there is a book for her too! Now the heroine.....she definitely resembled Violet (from the Pucked series) in her antics. She was a bit of a contradiction. She wanted to stand on her own two feet, yet she had no problem accepting a lot of money and help from Bane. She acted as if the condo was her own....bringing in work friends to practice......she probably ruined the floors! She talked about her independence and wanting to be self-supporting.......yet accepting $2000/wk for pet sitting was ok? Also the whole sleeeping in his bed was a bit ridiculous. I did like her though and her interactions with Bane was fun, sexy, and sweet.
I felt the conflict at the end was a bit unbelievable......I didn't see where she made the connection between the money and sex. And her jumping to conclusions regarding the whole Brittany thing was not in character, especially since she had been dating Bane for 5+weeks. It was not a real conflict like the one in Pucked with Alex and Violet(where he did really hurt her).
All in alll, it was a fun breezy read!

4.5 Stars

I love when Helena Hunting writes rom/com. Poor Ruby can't catch a break! Starving actress (literally) is at her BFF's engagement party and after stumbling out of the ladies room, play tongue hockey with a hot stranger. The hot stranger is Bancroft who is suffering from a bout with the flu and after said kiss proceeds to cough all over Ruby. The turns of events that happen to poor Ruby are both funny and awful lol.

Bancroft needs a pet sitter for his ferret and tarantula while he's away for five weeks, so the only way to make up for Ruby's mishaps, he will let her pet sit. There was some serious flirting going between these two while he was away. Ruby, almost running out of time, decides to audition for a burlesque show until she gets the part she really needs, plus a new place to live. When Bane comes back, all bets are off and the sexy times commences.

There was a serious misunderstanding between Ruby and Bane, but overall, they made up in a spectacular way.

I hope there are more characters to write about.

*An ARC was provided via Net Galley for an honest review.

Ruby goes to her best friends sorta engagement party. She goes to the restroom and when she comes out she is kissed by Mr. Hot himself. She finds herself sorta kissing him back. Quit judging the girl. She had some alcohol. His date at the time..Whoreface is all ticked off because she was sure she was going to be hooking up with him. The thing is..he was sick and all doped up on some flu meds.

Ruby gets sick from kissing Mr. Awesome Kisser and ends up upchucking all over the director at her audition. So now she is faced with a few choices. She is losing her apartment so she can be homeless, go running back to her rich daddy, or try and snab a job at her besties fiance's buddy's house, house-sitting his pets.
You know who that is don't you? Yep, and he is a former Rugby playing rich kid too. BUT I will give these few characters something. They are pretty likeable. Ruby doesn't want to go to Daddy and will almost starve herself to keep from doing so and the hottie himself. (His name is Bancroft) is a pretty decent guy too. I likey.
Now I will admit..some of these characters, including the guy that her bestie is marrying are total douche heads.
I wanted to punch his face.

But I digress. Ruby gets the job of taking care of Bane's animals. Now I have the major wants of a new pet..thanks Ms. Author. My husband hates you now.
Ruby and Bane don't get the insta-love because he is leaving the country for five weeks and they do some video chatting that kinda had me wanting to mash their body parts together.
But noooo this sucker is a slow burn. They don't make the sexy time for a long time. BUT when it finally does happen...
So..I'm starring this one a four. That's pretty good in sexy time book. It had some funny parts (always a win) and two characters that I actually really liked.

I may actually start a new religion. The Church of Bane Cock.

This was a quick read, but not the most interesting romance.

ARC provided through NetGalley for review.

4.75 Tongue Stars

Ruby is from a wealthy family. Though she grew up that way, she's rebelled a bit. She can't stand the way the wealthy need to stick within their circles and marry each other, and put on airs. She's in New York to become a theater actress, against her father's wishes. And he's shown his support by cutting her off financially. But she's determined to prove she doesn't need daddy's money... Which is why she's stashing hors d'oeuvres into a baggie in her purse at her friends engagement party, so she has food to eat. But on the way out she's thoroughly kissed by one Bancroft "Bane" Mills, of the hotelier Mills.

It seems Bane has had the flu, and though he probably should be at home resting, he's taken out a family friend, to his cousin's engagement party, who sent him suggestive photos taken while in the ladies room. Since too much cold medicine and alcohol don't mix, he mistakes Ruby for his date. Once he realizes his mistake, he can't get her out of his head.

When their paths cross again, Ruby who's become sick due to the passing of his germs from the kiss, which ruined a much needed audition, they strike a bargain. Ruby needs a place to stay and Bane needs pet sitting services while he goes away on business for the next 5 weeks. They agree she will stay in his penthouse condo take care of Francesca (Franny) and Tiny, which will give him peace of mind with his pets her Ruby a place to live while looking for a job and a new apartment she can afford.

During those 5 weeks, Ruby shows herself to be a breath of fresh air for Bane. Though she comes from his circles, she doesn't act like the other women he knows or is mother is trying to set him up with. Choosing to make her own path and struggle financially to do it. Ruby likes Bane as well. He took a different path by playing professional rugby, before joining the family business. He chased his dream, was successful at it, and is now a grown-up who doesn't judge her for what her dreams are.

Though Bane has never wanted a long distance relationship, he seems to be in one with Ruby, and doesn't mind at all. Though frustrated to the point of wanting to be physically near her. If he can just convince his father to let him work on the New York hotels and not the chain overseas.

These two can't seem to get enough of each other, but with their competing schedules they can't or don't take time to get on the same page by discussing what they are to each other. So when miscommunication causes distrust, emotions and assumptions spiral out of control.

I really liked this book. it's the first book I've read of this author away from the Pucked series, which I love. So I was pleasantly surprised, because these characters were very different. I've read other authors who basically follow a formula no matter what their series are and I find it hard to keep reading them. This wasn't the case. How they meet, how they get together, all very uniquely different from the sports series.

I liked Ruby a lot, though she let pride got in the way sometimes, this was something I completely understood with her drive to prove she could take care of herself. I loved Bane as well. He had done it all, seen it all, and was now ready to fit into the mold that was set for him in his family. He had a different relationship with his family. They had supported him in his endeavors to be different and follow his dream until he couldn't do it anymore. He was respectful to Ruby, but still sexy and dirty when he needed to be.

One of my favorite scenes in the book is the orange juice scene. Read it and you will know. I fell out laughing. There are other moments. I love Ruby's nickname for her stepmother who's only four years older than she is. She has some of the best words for things, like her superhero name after she's keeps getting sick, or the name of the business (Douchebags & Douchenozzles) she gives to the guy Armstrong is trying to set her up with.

The one thing that keeps me from giving it a full 5 stars is I'm still a little concerned about her friend Amie's relationship with Armstrong. And I don't really think it was resolved. Since it was given so much airtime in this book, with Ruby's concerns about how Amie had changed from the free spirited girl she loved to the woman who seemed to be dieting based on Armstrong's comments. I would have hoped that either they would have broken up or Amie would have addressed her changed behavior at some point. But maybe that means a sequel...?

Cute story, great sex, but predictable. I skimmed the last 1/3 of the book and just read the dialogue. To many mis-understandings and "angst" with the heroine.

I want a Bane even if he doesn't look like Tim Hardy!
I can't tell you how many times I laughed during this book. Helena's writing is always top notch and nothing but amazing! Shacking Up is another hit she can add to all her others!

This is a slow burn book which is either a hit or miss!
Shacking Up is a hit! I love that you get to take a ride on Ruby and Bane's relationship train and see how a relationship forms from friendship to more. Was it conventional? Heck no! But everything in life happens for a reason lol.

Ruby and Bane are two different characters but complement each other perfectly! Ruby is out spoken and crass while Bane is... well Bane. I'm not sure how he is so patient and understanding. He'd make one great boyfriend in real life. You always know the writing is great when you can picture the characters being real in life. Like dating a Bane and being best friends with a Ruby!

The supporting characters in this book were great and I hope to see some of them (can we ditch Armstrong because he sucks) in the next book maybe????

Shin socks are not sexy but a treasure trail is 😘

*ARC provided for an honest review*

This was the first time Ive read this author. I enjoyed the book and really loved the female lead. I liked that she was a strong female intent on following her dreams despite her problems. Was sexy without being overly raunchy.

Will follow this author for future reads!!

Loved this book..... I could not put it down. The characters were so entertaining and I was engrossed thoroughout
the entire book. I was finished before I knew it and I can't wait for the next one!

Shacking Up had me cracking up. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter between Ruby and Bane. I'm glad that this book did not do the insta-love thing between the characters, as I prefer a buildup before the hero and heroine are a couple. The addition of non-traditional pets was great. BTW...I hated Armstrong's character and hope to see another book that has Amie coming to her senses.

"I really need to get a handle on myself. And I plan to. Later. When I'm alone in this room and she's locked away in hers".

REALLY CUTE! My husband and I started our relationship long distance and there is a level of intimacy and friendship that can only come from having to make an effort to talk. This book captures that so well!

This book is so awesome! It is so well written and the characters are amazing. There are truly not enough adjectives to describe how fabulous the writing in this book is. This book is a clear your schedule and read it all in one sitting because you will not be able to put it down. So, grab a drink, get comfy on the sofa, make sure your battery is fully charged because this book is one you will not be able to put down.
I am having a book hangover today. I was so intoxicated by this book, the characters and especially the overall writing of the story. I read it all in one night and was up until 2am trying to finish because there was no way I could put this book down to sleep. I love Ruby and how she wanted to do things on her own, she was fiercely independent and trying to be herself despite all the pressures from friends and her father. I loved all the video chatting and text messages between Bane and Ruby while he was away for 5 weeks. I felt like it gave them a chance to get to know each other and flirt endlessly so when he got back to NY they had chance to have a relationship. There are so many good parts to this book, my favorite was when the girls were rehearsing in the apartment and Bane walks in with his friends and brother and catches them dancing. Oh snap, he finally gets a clear idea as to what she is doing at night. When the ex starts running his mouth and how she stands up for her self it is Awesome!! I mean she shut him down in like two witty sentences and Bane wanted to chrush him. Ah the start of Bane realizing his feelings for Ruby are really strong. Then, Bane comes to the club that night and I thought it was going to be the end of them but I really enjoyed the journey the author took these characters on from that point on. I loved how they broke her old recliner at the end of the book, it was so fitting and the perfect way to get rid if that old chair! Loved it!! I really didn't want this book to end, just a few more pages another chapter or three about what was going to happen to Ruby and Bane. I could go on and on about how much I loved this book and the creative writing, I just want more! I really hope that Amie gets a book, I'll just leave it at that.