4.5 stars

Ruby Scott is at the end of her rope. She is already struggling to get steady work and then she discovers she is months behind on her rent. Her father has cut her off because she won’t come home and work for the family business. Ruby has her hopes set on landing her next audition but this goes all wrong when she meets Bancroft.

Bancroft Mills has a dilemma. He is currently going out of town for several weeks and needs a pet sitter. He has asked Ruby’s bestie to take care of his ferret Francesca and his spider Tiny. After Bancroft sticks his tongue down Ruby’s throat at an event he leaves her sick with the flu; ruining her audition. Due to a little scheming by Ruby and her bestie she works her way into the pet sitting job. This gives her a place to live for six weeks and a chance to find a job.

I was really surprised at how much I liked this. It is perfect for people that love a little slow burn. Due to the separation Ruby and Bancroft’s friendship is built over video chat. Bancroft was a really great guy and was hooked by Ruby right away. He felt extremely guilty over Ruby getting sick. Ruby was a great character too. She didn’t make Bancroft suffer for getting her sick; she genuinely liked him and having a place to stay didn’t hurt either. She was comfortable in her own skin and I loved her banter with Bancroft. I also thought Francesca was adorable; I loved her secret resting nook on Bancroft. Smart girl.

My only complaint was the wrap up with her father was too perfect and clean. And the lack of communication towards the end between these too was silly. It was a bit predictable but I still really enjoyed the story. Well Done!

A fun, sweet, and sexy story with plenty of sexual tension, great chemistry, humor, steamy scenes, and a whole lot more.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced readers copy of this book.

As I have never read anything by this author before, I was pleasantly surprised by this book. I really liked the characters and fell in love with Francine. After kissing a man that she literally ran into in a dark hallway, Ruby becomes very sick and blows the opportunity of a lifetime in a very spectacular way. Now she is about to lose her apartment and hasn't got enough income to rent another. Her father has withdrawn his support because he thinks she needs to come home and work for him. Bancroft is the guy she ran into and when she sees him again, she makes sure he feels guilty about making her so sick. Bancroft is going out of town for a few weeks and needs someone to watch his pets. He is willing to pay handsomely for Ruby's help. Now Ruby has a place to live and some money, but she really wants to stand on her own two feet. Besides, she really wants to start something with Bancroft, but she doesn't want to be beholden to anyone, so she can't continue to live at his place. They need to come to some kind of understanding that will let them be together.

Very funny and quite entertaining! A great book when you're looking to escape reality and smile a lot!

Ruby Scott is not a stranger to the rich lifestyle. She grew up in a wealthy family but she tossed it away to pursue her dreams of the theatre. Her dreams are not going as planned. Her bank account is low and she is sneaking food from her best friend’s engagement party. Life couldn’t possibly get any worst but she finds herself tangled with a guy who is hands down one of the best kissers but he is drunk and on cold medicine.

Bane knows that he messed up the night of his cousin’s party but he never imagined that he would see the girl who his tongued mauled in a hallway again. He feels bad knowing that she caught the flu from him and blew her audition. To make matters worse, she is currently without a place to stay. He offers his place to her in exchange for her to watch his pets.

Ruby is quick to jump on this idea and I had to take a pause because it is an odd storyline. It works but it is a side-eye moment. Bane’s pets are very peculiar but of course Ruby volunteered with an animal shelter so she is all too equipped to know how to handle them.

The reason this couldn’t get a 5 star rating from me is the same reason I liked the book. The characters are separated for a good chunk of the book. The author does a good job of building the connection through video chat, text and phone calls. However, when Bane returns their schedules are at conflict and there is minor tension before they can connect face to face.

The sex is very explosive. How could it not when Ruby basically worships at The Church of Bane Cock. She literally says that after seeing his very very large cock. The rest of the story is full of humorous encounters and steamy sex scenes while Bane and Ruby try to navigate a relationship.

Overall, this is a fun and light read for fans of contemporary romance.

~ Samantha

Thank you for allowing me to receive an ARC of this book. I had some trouble staying connected to the characters and the plot in this story. I am choosing to not review it at this time as I don't want to deter any readers from purchasing the book and reading it. I completely understand that just because I didn't end up loving the book doesn't mean others won't. I am still more than happy to help promote it on my blog. Thank you again for the opportunity to read it.

This book was fun & sexy, two words that don't always go together. I loved it! Ruby is down on her luck & trying to get the next big audition she has. Bancroft is sexy & looking for what his next steps after sports look like. Right now he's finding his spot in the family business. They have a chance "hook up" at a mutual friend's wedding (Bane is drunk & has had some cold medicine & mistakes Ruby for his date so he kisses her) that leads to Ruby being sick & totally hurling on her audition. This leads Bane to hire her to be his pet sitter. As one can imagine, sparks are flying & their relationship takes an interesting turn when he's travelling for work. Highly suggest reading this book to see what happens to these two. It's very much worth your time!

**4.5 Stars**

Oh man, this book. I loved every word Helena gave us for Bancroft and Ruby's story. I seriously couldn't get enough of it. From start to finish it was just what I needed. I was laughing out loud at times and completely swooning for Brancroft at others. This book is a standalone and you seriously won't be disappointed.

Ruby Scott is trying to make it on her own- without the help from her father, or without a lot of help from her father. When a situation arises and she finds out she is going to need a new place to live she isn't sure what she is going to do. As an up and coming actress in New York, a steady income isn't something that comes by regularly. What she didn't know was that one kiss from a sexy stranger was going to change her life- in more ways than one. The kiss left her with the plague and a ruined audition. Insert Bancroft Mills, the sexy stranger.

Bancroft is loving his life. He's single, sexy and a famous rugby star. He comes from a family of wealth and a ton of obligation. With his mother on a quest to find him a date, there comes a TON of obligation and misery. So when he finds himself at an engagement party with a date he doesn't want to be, sick of all things, he finds himself kissing a stranger and oh does she kiss. What he doesn't know is this stranger is going to soon be living in his house and making her place known in his life.

Bancroft and Ruby are two of my favorite Helena characters to date. Their connection is instant, completely unconventional but so completely perfect for them. They are completely lovable as characters and you can't help but loving everything about them and their story. They are flirty and seriously strong characters. The cheekiness that Helena gives her readers is so evident in this book and it's what makes it so amazing.

I can't wait to see what else we get in this new series by Helena.

This is no Pucked Series which makes me sad. I was hoping that the pace will be faster as it was with Pucked.
It's an alright standalone. I didn't feel that the main characters have much chemistry.

Unfortunately the book was not for me, no review was publicly posted on Amazon, B&N, Goodreads or Twitter etc, so no ratings were affected in relation to it.

Shacking up is a light hearted romance that will leave you giddy. The circumstances in which Ruby and Bancroft meet will have you chuckling. Throw in a spider and a ferret and what you have is recipe for a heart warming feel good romance.

Both come from wealth but Ruby was determined to pave her own way even if it meant struggling to survive. Bancroft is involved with his family's business but is definitely not the stuck up suit.

The banter back and forth between these two had me chuckling. Follow that up with some Awkward yet highly entertaining oops moments along with some chemistry that is undeniable and I found myself smiling non stop.

If you are a fan of light hearted romance mixed with some downright funny moments this is definitely a book that you should read.

Helen Hunt knows how to tell a tale. She has a way with setting up a situation and then carrying it through.
A cute smart romance with a possibility of a sequel :D

What an awesome book!! I loved it! All the banter between Ruby and Bancroft definitely left me with an hurt stomach from laughing so much. This was a really good book with a lot of humor thrown in and especially the hot sexy times, they were just plain HOT!! I can't wait for more.

Link will go live on 5/28

I am so happy I read this book. It was the perfect combination of humor, sex and romance. Bancroft and Ruby meet by accident at a engagement party with a mistaken identity kiss but fate steps in to bring them together. Bancroft, is leaving town on business and needs a pet sitter. Ruby is a aspiring off Broadway actress that is about to be homeless and needs a job. A match made is heaven.

Their adventure is full of sexual tension, cute long distance verbal exchanges and has an original story line that I really enjoyed reading. I 100% recommend this excellent book.

I voluntarily reviewed an advance reader copy provided by St. Martin Press/NetGalley.

Ruby and Bane meet in a pretty unconventional way. When they see each other for the second time neither can believe that they've actually crossed paths twice. Through a misunderstanding and the consequences that follow, a friendship develops and Bane and Ruby realize that they actually like each other.

I liked that Ruby was so relatable. I think we all have a little of her in us some where. Bane was endearing and charming and totally unexpected. He's full of swoon, for sure but, he's also sweet and has a giant heart.

Shacking Up is a sweet, entertaining read. It has a lot of laughs and some swoon worthy moments. It was a pretty quick read with lots of laughs and the typical Helena Hunting banter. I did think that it moved a little slow for my taste. I thought the build up was a little drawn out and I would have liked to see the story develop a little more. All in all, it's a fun rom com that would be great for a lazy Saturday afternoon.

~ Kimberly Anne

This is my first read by this author and it took me a bit to finish it. It took them forever to finally get together. I mean an accidental sick kiss and I say sick kiss because the hero Bancroft was sick while attending his cousin and her best friend's engagement party. He mistakes her for someone else while sick, tipsy and on cough meds and kisses her. Ruby ends up really sick the next morning and bombs her audition. After this point they do encounter each other again and Bane feels so bad that he asks her to pet sit for him while he is away for 5 weeks. During these 5 weeks there is so much flirtation and sexual innuendo between the two and that's it for a total of almost 5 weeks. Even when he gets back they are still awkward around each other. Finally after watching her perform at a burlesque show they get together around 3/4's of the book later. Then another misunderstanding occurs and she ends up leaving him. Eventually the misunderstanding is cleared up but it was just too much for me. I give it 3 stars for the funny banter and laugh out loud moments. The sex scenes were hot once they finally got around to it.

Hilarious book! Good banter, a little predictable but overall very good book. The characters are solid and well written. Now to see if there are others in the series...

This was a fun contemporary romance that provided me with all the hilarity and sizzle I expect from Ms. Hunting. The characters are easy to love and the storyline is just right if you’re looking for romance and sexy times with not too much angst. Unlike many books I’ve read lately, this was actually more of a slow burn, in part because of the circumstances that the characters found themselves in, but also because each of them wasn’t quite ready for what was coming their way. I really liked that they weren’t able to jump right into the deep end right away. The fact that communication was key at the beginning of their relationship, and that their banter was funny, sweet, and sexy, made this book all that much more enjoyable.

Bancroft and Ruby both come from privilege. However, they’re both down-to-earth characters who understand their wealthy world and yet are able to reject its constraints. Both of these characters showed strength in wanting to make it on their own and wanting to live out their dreams…and it made them perfect for each other. From strange pets, to demanding parents, to wannabe girlfriends, this book had lots of twists and turns that could have jeopardized this relationship. Thankfully, both Bane and Ruby discovered early on that they only had eyes for each other. Once they managed to get through some misunderstandings, the HEA prevailed…and as a lover of love, I couldn’t be happier. There was plenty of sexual tension here and, at times, neither could stop thinking about what they’d like to do to the other…and when they finally had the opportunity, there was smoke coming out of my kindle (not really, but it sure felt like it)! 🙂

So, if you’re looking for an enjoyable, quick read with a sexy dirty-talking guy and a smart sassy girl who have a steamy hot romance, look no further. This book will entertain you in all ways…you’ll laugh, you’ll swoon, you’ll sigh…and you’ll likely have to fan yourself now and again. It won’t change your life, but it sure is a great way to spend a few hours. Enjoy!

Ohhh, I loved this book!
I had a great time reading about Bane and Ruby.
First of all, the idea at the base of this book was awesome! It immediately picked my interest, and if you add the witty narrating style of Helena Hunting, you have a winner book!

From the first chapter I was captured by Ruby, such a funny character, but with a deep personality that made me love her.
And Bane, well, he's everyone's dream man! He's a great guy. hardworking, generous <3 <3

One of my favourite part was the period when Bane was away, how they get to know each other, their great banter, the spark flying between them even if on the phone. They immediately feel comfortable with each other, familiar we can say (see the first night at Bane's home).

Another thing that I appreciated was the drama free atmosphere: even after a difficult time, they manage to overcome it by talking with each other (even if a little late, better than nothing!)

I'm actually quite interested in Ruby's friend's story. We get to know her a little bit in Shaking up, and also her relationship with her fiancé. Well, let's say that I really hope she will dumb that prick and find her happily ever after too!

Helena Hunting's novels always have the perfect combination of humor, heart and heat. I absolutely love getting lost in all the laughs, swoony moments and chemistry between the characters. This light-hearted tells the story of Ruby Scott and Bancroft "Bane" Mills.  This is a slow-burn romance with quite a few laughs that hit the spot at the perfect time. I could not get enough. 

Ruby Scott has hit a low point in her life. After kind of kissing a guy the night before who inadvertently got her sick before a job interview, she is now on the verge of homelessness and being forced to run back and beg daddy to save her. But when a blessing in the form of a job petsitting a rich guy's pets while he's away turns up, who is she to complain. But what happens when said rich guy is the HOT interview saboteur she kissed. Enter: Bane Mills.

I absolutely loved this novel and felt their banter and chemistry was amazing. I loved that Ruby was independent and strong and wanted to succeed on her own. Bane was just as amazing and an all-around great guy. This was a fantastic read and I cant wait for more from this author in the future.

I would like to thank NetGalley and SMP romance for an advanced copy of this book for review.