Lexington Mills was hot and even though he didn't get the girl at first, he certainly won her over in the end.

The start to this book totally hooked me and I was unable to stop from that point on.

Amalie gets the embarrassment of the year when her husband decides to get it on with someone else on her wedding day. It was broadcasted throughout the reception what he was doing behind closed doors and it wasn't with her because she was front and center listening to the whole ordeal.

When Amalie decides that she wants to die, she runs to her suite and jumps on the first man she see's who happens to be none other than, her husband's cousin. Lexington had the girl first but lost her pretty quickly to his conniving cousin. Lex and his cousin Armstrong hate each other and have always tried to one-up each other until Lex gets tired of him and let's him get his way, even the girl he wanted.

When Amalie runs off to her honeymoon destination to get away from the mess, she runs into Lex and they decide to hook up while on this vacation. And boy do they HOOK UP! The sex was freaking off the charts in this book, but then again, all of Helena's books have amazing sex involved.

Amalie and Lex decide to leave their rendezvous back in Bora Bora, but once they get back home, it's hard to let it go. They both have strong feelings for each other and even though Amalie technically is still married, they just can't seem to keep away from each other, no matter how hard they try.

This book was addictive!!

5 STARS!!

Hooking Up is is stand alone but I really recommend that you read Shacking Up first because some of the characters from that one show up in Hooking Up.

I read this book in one day because I just couldn't put it down at all. I love this sexy, hot and funny at times story. I love the 2 main characters together. Such chemistry going on in this book.

I am giving Hooking Up by Helena Hunting a 5 out of 5.

Hooking Up by Helena Hunting is the next book by this incredible talented author. Hooking Up can easily be read as a standalone.
Amelia Whitfield is freshly married- like 12hrs freshly- and is about to be humiliated beyond imagination.
To escape more drama she goes on her honeymoon- alone.
There she meets Lexington. Her husbands cousin. He likes her, like really, really likes her and wants to make it all better. Fate has a way to bring these twon together, again and again.
They have a crazy strong connection and can't stay away from each other.

This story has it all—tension, angst, suspense and heartbreak. I've smiled, laughed, cried and was angry at some point. It is not often I feel so connected to the characters, but Helena Hunting has accomplished just that. I love the story, the characters and the words. I read this book in one sitting, I couldn't put it down. I didn't wanted the book to end but I couldn't not know nwhat happens to the characters.
I highly recommend Hooking Up and give 5 stars. Thank you so much, Helena Hunting !

When Amalie Whitfield’s husband humiliates her on their wedding day, she grabs her suitcases and heads out on her honeymoon. Solo. Or so she thought. What are the chances that the bad boy she walked away from in the past is also heading to the same location? And this time...he’s not letting her walk away without a fight.

Our story opens to Amalie at her wedding reception, wondering where her groom has disappeared to. She soon discovers his whereabouts when the room’s PA system suddenly turns on and everyone hears her husband having sexual relations with someone besides her.

'Someone other than me is blowing my husband at my own wedding.'

Disgusted, humiliated, and angry, Amalie heads to the bridal suite to hide and plot her husband’s slow painful death only to discover the groom’s cousin, Lexington, has been hiding out there to escape his date. Her pride stinging, she propositions him only to have him turn her down. Two rejections in one day smarts so Amalie runs to her best friend and makes plans to annul her marriage while escaping to a small resort for some much needed R&R.

'Once I annul this farce of a marriage I’ll become a spinster. I should probably go ahead and adopt six or seven cats.'

Amalie can't contain her surprise when she discovers her seatmate is none other than ‘Sexy Lexy’ himself. He too is headed to overseas but for business. His family owns a chain of upscale hotels and he has been making a concentrated effort to become more involved in the business.

Though Amalie and Lex know nothing can become of them they can’t resist the chemistry that blazes between them and decide to indulge themselves. At least until their time on the island is over. But as the old saying goes, the road to hell is paved with good intentions.

'I’m so sick of polite sex. I want someone to pull my hair. I want my ass smacked. I want fuzzy handcuffs and maybe some wild restraints…'

Helena Hunting’s Hooking Up follows on the heels of her bestselling Shacking Up. Overflowing with Hunting’s trademark outrageous humor and madcap scenarios, fans get a brief recap while reintroducing our hero and heroine and moving forward with the ongoing storyline. Amalie (Amie) is Ruby’s best friend and Lexington (Lex) is Bane’s older brother. They first met at a party and clicked instantly. Lex’s cousin, Armstrong, also meets Amie at the same event but warns her away from Lex, claiming he is a player and has a left a trail of broken hearts in his wake. Amie has issues with bad boys and bad decisions so she opts for whom she feels is the safer bet and leaves with Armstrong

“I just wanted to make the right choice for once.”

Hunting dips deep into her emotional well and pulls out a romance that is bittersweet in its reveal. The humor can’t hide the pain that Amie feels and it flows off the pages in waves as you absorb everything that has happened. I loved meeting the real Amie. She is a fantastic heroine who has been dealt a bad hand. Creative, sexually mature, and a genuinely good person, her parents have never let her forget one mistake involving a bad boyfriend and a Mexican jail cell. A mistake that she struggled to overcome by becoming the perfect daughter and eventually landing the perfect husband.

“No relationship is perfect. [...] I thought I could make it work and it didn’t even last a night.”

A natural born protector, Lex steps up and does all he can to help Amie recover. He spends time with her helping to rebuild her self-esteem after Armstrong shredded it. Their chemistry blazes white hot but there is more to the attraction. They are two peas in a pod and watching them together is both sweet and funny.

“I think I cracked the nail.” She brings her knee to her chest so she can get a better look, giving me, once again, an excellent view of her panties.

“Amalie.” I close my eyes. Fuck. My dick is pretty goddamn desperate to get out of my pants right now and into what’s under that pale pink satin and lace.

“Oh yeah, the nail is definitely cracked. Ooooh. It’s pretty gross. Why’re your eyes closed? Are you afraid of blood?”

I motion to her with one lid half-open. “Your panties.”

“You're afraid of my panties?”

Lex doesn't want to be Amie’s rebound. He wants more but chooses to do what is best for her. Hunting not only focuses on the physical aspects of their relationship but softly develops the romance alongside. She takes it slow, allowing them to become friends while exploiting the sexual tension to max levels. Dual points of view allow readers an intimate view into their thoughts and feelings towards one another. Both of them have legitimate concerns about their future. Neither of them wants to lose the friendship they have built yet the attraction between them is impossible to ignore.

“I know what I want, and I know exactly how I feel about you. As soon as you figure it out, we can figure it out together.”

Helena Hunting continues to solidify her place in romantic comedies. I wholeheartedly recommend her stories to everyone who enjoys their romances hot, funny, and pure unadulterated fun.

I liked this one a lot... especially the dynamics between Lex and Bane. I haven't read Bane and Ruby's story yet, but I'm going to have to check that one out ASAP. I love a story that is set on the beach, and this one didn't disappoint. Also, it is one hot story! Enjoyed it from beginning to end!

Genre: Romance - Comedy
Stand Alone: Yes
Part of a Series: I not sure if it's part of a series, per se but Hooking Up features characters introduced in Shacking Up and we get to see more of Ruby and Bane (from Shacking Up) in this one. No need to read Shacking Up first but having read it makes Hooking Up more fun b/c you already know some of the personalities.
POV: Amelie and Lexington
Steam Level: Hot
4/5

If you're looking for a romantic comedy that's laugh out loud funny then Hooking Up is the book for you. Amelie or Anarchy Annie is unleashed into the world after her husband is caught cheating at their wedding with Lexington's date. To complicate matters, Lex and Armstrong have a long-standing rivalry which could make it appear as if Lex sabotaged the groom/wedding. Both need to get away from the fallout. Hilarity ensues with Annie's brother offering three options to get out of the marriage, the wrong bag checked at the airport, and socks - yes socks.

I enjoy romantic comedies that are funny, emotional and poignant. I enjoy bad boys who are sweet and heroines who are sassy, mouthy, and can hold their own. Hooking Up combines all of these characteristics with many more. Once I started it, I could not put it down. I hope to see more of these characters in the future.

I received an advanced copy of this book for free from NetGalley. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I was excited and wondered about Amalie after the Halloween novella and Shacking Up. You have a fair idea who the guy might be really. I didn't like Armstrong to start with so I'm pretty happy to see he isn't. There is do unknown about mystery guy, we have had glimpses of him yes. Amalie maybe a reformed wild child I like this side of her that was true to herself more. Hooking Up has a forbidden appeal and irresistible story that you just want more of.

We know that Amalie is about to marry Armstrong. But wait, not so fast after a crazy and embarrassing turn of events there is no wedding. It's a mess basically and you have to feel for Amie. Armstrong's true colors show he is just awful. The wedding disaster makes Amalie flustered, throwing herself at Lexington, Bane's brother, in all the ruckus. Being the awesome guy he is a comfort and does things right even if he becomes a casualty. I really liked him he's a great combo of easygoing and gentleman. Even before Lex and Amelie had a connection that was interrupted, they definitely have something.

What happens next on her trip though is a uncoventional situation, many changes happen.Thing is despite it all it's not so favorable for a new attraction that formed. What a complicated situation really. It's one of those pretty undeniable still. So many goods things possible. Of course if anything there weren't any hurdles and it wouldn't be simple to go through as expected. It was better than I hoped for the follow up story, Amalie came into her own here.

I love how Helena Hunting injects humor at the right moments balancing things out with serious and funny. Keeping it all entertaining all the way. The writing is engaging and keeps you invested, a page turner for sure. I like how she built this relationship from book one too, though this can be stand alone I think it's much better after reading the first book to get a better sense of things. The characters are just great and likable. This was such a delightful read, it was sweet, sexy, funny and romantic. Plus second chances at love topping it off. I'm looking forward to a possible next book from a side character!

I absolutely loved this book! It was sweet, sassy and hysterical. It was such a breath of fresh air from books out there today and I can't wait to read more from Helena in the future!

I would like to thank Netgalley and the SMP team for an advanced copy of this book for an honest review.

Reviews by the Wicked Reads Review Team

Sarah – ☆☆☆☆
This is an incredibly entertaining romantic comedy. For Amalie, being jilted at the altar would have been bad – but being cheated on at her own reception is much worse. In a flash, the docile society bride we came to dislike in the first book becomes Anarchy Amie – a woman who flies solo on her honeymoon with a suitcase full of sex toys.

Amalie’s broken heart doesn’t last long and fate quickly throws her together with the handsome Lexington (Bane’s brother from the first book – and her cheating husband’s first cousin).

There is a whole lot of sex in this story. Amalie has a bag full of toys and she is making up for a whole lot of unsatisfying sex with her ex. I did find myself skimming the sex by the midpoint of the book – but there are a few delightfully imaginative scenes.

I much preferred this story to the first in the series. Amalie is a more independent character than Ruby and while she is just as privileged, she works and she is self-supporting. She is also funny and fierce, and she confronts her wedding day humiliation with grace, champagne, and a pair of garden shears.

Despite really enjoying this book, I hate it when homophobic language is used to insult men. It’s disappointing from an author I usually respect and I’m sure she could have had her characters use other terms to describe Amalie’s cheating husband. I can certainly think of a few vivid descriptions!


Avid Reader – ☆☆☆☆
M/F Romance
Triggers: Click HERE to see Avid Reader’s review on Goodreads for trigger warnings.

Amalie is trying to be the embodiment of what she believes Armstrong wants. But when she's jilted on her wedding day, in a very public manner, she uses her friend Ruby to help get her out of the horrible situation.

Lexington is a character that I have enjoyed in the previous books. He also is a lovely main character in this story. He sees how Amalie is handling being jilted and offers her a shoulder to cry on and anything else she needs.

There are several hilarious scenes in this book that had me laughing out loud. But there was also a hint of seriousness too, which just added to the development and depth of the story.

I really enjoyed watching this relationship develop. It was a great story and I really enjoyed the characters. Their ability to banter, but be serious and loving just added to their charm.


Ruthie – ☆☆☆☆
This book follows on from Shacking Up, and the short story in the Halloween anthology Eye Candy. I enjoyed both of them and am delighted to say that this is another great story. It could be read as a standalone, but Shacking Up is so much fun that I do recommend it to you.

We have met Amalie (Amie to her real friends) in Ruby's story, as they are best friends. We find out that she is engaged to Ruby's boyfriend's cousin, Armstrong, and that Ruby is not happy with the changes Amie is making to make him happy. In this story we find out how they first meet, and then skip forward to the wedding. So we know what an idiot he is in advance, and can only be delighted at his fall from grace.

Whilst parts of the story are not new, there are some great twists and turns which ramp up the drama, without being too extreme. I did laugh at some of the crazy, and was totally invested in Amie and her future with Lexington – especially after the story in Eye Candy.

I love this gang of people and their crazy lives. I do hope that we get more from them in the future.

4
Watching these two is like watching a fire burn! This book was intense. There was a ton of fun and emotion, the perfect mix of it. I loved these two together, and absolutely feel like this guy could be my spirit animal with his socks, lol.
The only issue I had was that I felt the conflict resolution with the couple felt way too easy. There was drama throughout the book, but this was supposed to be the main climax and it fell a little for me, which surprised me, as I’m a huge fan of this author. I felt like I just hit a nail with my tire and although it’s not flat, I can hear the hiss of air trying to escape, and then all of a sudden I have fix-a-flat. Although it works, I felt like there could have been more work put into the issue.
It was a little predictable, for me but in all I enjoyed this adventure and highly recommend this author and Hooking Up!
*ARC provided by Netgalley for honest review*

4.5 stars

I have been DYING to find out Amelie's book for a while! This book did not disappoint. We went on the emotional roller coaster that is Amelie's life..... and I LOVED IT!! It was loud out loud funny and at the same time, an emotionally charged read, because after all Amelie's husband is a class A jerk!

Loved every second of this book!!

Storyline: 5
Angst: 3
Tissue: 0
Value: 5
Panty Scorching: 5
Over All Rating: 5 Stars
Kindle eArc provided by Netgalley

Amalie Whitfield went through with her insane wedding that her mother-in-law orchestrated but when everyone at the reception can hear Armstrong getting off with someone over the speakers, she’s had enough. Deciding to go on her honeymoon to escape, she had no idea Lexington, Armstrong’s cousin, would be visiting his family’s hotels at the same time. Lex agrees to watch over Amie but when he hears that she just wants to have some meaningless hook ups, he figures why not him? Will what happens on the island really stay on the island or will Lexington and Amalie find that this attraction runs deeper than just hooking up?

“I inhale slowly, breathing him in and turn to meet his gaze. God, those eyes. They’re stunning. A gorgeous shade of blue I want to dive into. And that jaw. I want to bite my way across it. He drags his tongue across his bottom lip. I’ve bitten that tongue. Sucked on it. Stroked it with my own.

Sweet lord, I forced myself on this man and I’m thinking about doing it again. Maybe I really have kept my rebellious side tamped down for too long. Maybe this is what happens when I try to be something I’m not. As much as I rebelled as a way to get my parents’ attention when I was younger, I also reveled in the thrill of being a little bad.”

I was so excited for Amalie’s story and my god! She really can be a filthy, sexy rebel when she wants. Everything leading to her wedding had my alarm bells going bezerk and I wanted to throw her over my shoulder like a runaway bride. It doesn’t take Armstrong long before the wedding turns to chaos and that’s when the fun begins. Lexington and Amie have been fighting their attraction and when Amie lets her inner bad girl out…I was so happy. I felt so bad for what Armstrong puts her through. Her life is a roller coaster of emotions and a lot of it she has to keep hidden from her best friend and the public in general. Lex…he really is the perfect savior. I loved how he tried to be honorable as much as he could. He has so many facets to his character that make him a perfect book boyfriend. He’s hot, tattooed, funny, fun, chivalrous, flirtatious, seductive and a sex god. That’s not even all his parts. But most of all he’s devoted to Amie. Another perfect romantic comedy.

I pretty much love anything Helena Hunting writes because she’s a romantic comedy goddess. Her characters are sexy, flirty and fun as hell. I can’t wait for what she has planned for next time. I know I won’t be able to put it down!

Sexy Lexy and Anarchy Amie have definitely met their match in each other. Hooking Up is a fun read, there is plenty of drama and laughs. 5 Hooking Up ⭐️ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

NO SPOILERS!

Hooking Up was a sexy and extremely entertaining romantic comedy, and a TOP FAVORITE read of 2017! I absolutely loved Helena Hunting's writing style and the storyline and characters she created. I loved this book so much and it truly exceeded my expectations.

I completely fell head over heels in love with Lexington and Amalie, and I was immediately drawn to them and their story from page one. I loved Lexington and Amalie's personalities and red HOT chemistry together, and how their story and relationship progressed throughout. I loved reading it from both Lexington and Amalie's perspectives, and I immensely enjoyed their banter and interactions with each other. I also loved that so many characters from Shacking Up made appearances throughout, and I loved getting to see more of Bane and Ruby. There were a few characters that I absolutely loathed, namely one, but you'll see who they are when you read the book. There were some parts that I loved more than others, but overall it was amazing and I thoroughly enjoyed reading every single page. I would have loved something more at the end, but I was happy and satisfied with the conclusion to Lexington and Amalie's story.

Hooking Up was another sexy and addicting romantic comedy by Helena Hunting, and one of my favorite reads of the year. I honestly loved and adored Lexington and Amalie, and I was pleased with the outcome to their story. I am definitely looking forward to Helena Hunting's next standalone romantic comedy, I Flipping Love You!

ARC received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Amelia and Armstrong might be one of my favorite couples this year. They have undeniable chemistry. I love the idea behind this story. I love that Armstrong was there for Amelia in her time of need. She needed him more than he might ever know. After Amelia and all her wedding guest hear her new husband having fun with another, Amelia needs a way to escape. The one thing she didn't plan on was Armstrong being in her suite.

Deciding to leave and not look back Amelia goes away on her honeymoon, only she changes everything and goes to the resort she wanted to. Armstrong and his family just happen to own this location. Deciding he needs to take a more active role in his future, Armstrong heads out to check on the resorts in the area.

I'm not telling you anymore. What I will say is that this story is hot. In the end, Armstrong ends up being just the man Amelia needs. Like all of Helena's books, I was sucked in from the beginning. I could not put this book down. I loved this story. I loved the characters, and I loved falling in love with Armstrong. I know you will as well.

OMG...OMG Y'all I was not prepared for the amazingness that was Hooking Up! The follow up novel to Hunting's Shacking Up is the perfect rollercoaster companion to her new romance series.

Where Ruby and Bane were fun times and cuteness overload, Anarchy Amie and her beau are sex on crack filled with drama, intrigue, and such a huge range of emotions. With a cluster of a wedding Anarchy Amie comes to life. Betrayed and enraged, she starts down a path that readers have been BEGGING FOR. As she escapes her world to find some peace she finally begins to let loose and remember how she used to have fun. But even a week in paradise can't help her escape reality for long.

With the help of her friends and family that's always had her back Amie has to piece together the life she thought she had with the life she's always wanted. But having the one man she's always wanted could also spell more disaster for Amie. How can she choose? Hunting doesn't make it easy for our hero or heroine in this love story. There's no quick fix to a tough situation. I loved EVERY second, even the tough ones that left my turning pages in anger.

I'm not going to spoil anything but let me take you on the rollercoaster that was my brain as I stayed up all one night to read Amie's story: finally, UGH he's such a DICK, OMG HE'S SUCH A DICK, YES girl get it, GAH such a sweetie, oh this place is lovely, AND paradise RUINED, YES PERFECT SHOT (I literally shot up in bed and was silently fist pumping the air), oh my this is hot, OH MY this is HOT, OH MY GOD I NEED A MINUTE, you guys can DO THIS, *pushing the two of them together* just BE TOGETHER DAMMIT, YES pay for your sins, AW YEAH, oh my...sexy times!

Such a great read from start to finish that I couldn't put it down and had be flipping pages faster and faster. Automatic 5 star and top read for this year!

Oh so sexy and oh so sweet! I loved Lex and Amali. Their chemistry, their banter, the situations they find themselves in. I had so much fun reading their story. What happens in Bora Bora...

I think Lex is definitely one of my favorite characters written by Helena. He is so sweet and I love that he knows what he wants and he goes for it, yet he also knows the appropriate times times to pursue. I absolutely enjoyed this story. I loved seeing them find their way to eachother and loved seeing Amalie learn and grow and find what is best for her.

This series has been great so far and I can't wait to read more!

Ms. Hunting writes characters in such a way that I can see myself becoming fast friends with them. Hooking Up is fun, witty and downright sexy, fans of straight contemporary romances will enjoy this one!

Amelie is prepared to spend the rest of her life with Mr. Not-So-Right. Fate has other plans for her as she and the rest of her wedding guest hear her new husband in a romantic entanglement at her wedding reception. She is mortified and angry that Armstrong would do something like that to her. She goes into full blown panic in her bridal suite and throws herself at his cousin, Lexington.

The whole ordeal gets worst as scandal and propriety is questioned by both of their families. Lexington sends him off to Bora Bora to work on a new project at one of their properties. Amelie is horrified and plans to escape to her honeymoon. You can pretty much guess where she lands.

After reading Shacking Up, I pretty much knew Amelie needed her own story. Armstrong was stuffy and felt wrong. Lexington and Amelie have a pretty interesting past as they were both intensely drawn to each other. Amelie has always found herself attracted to the bad boy and Lex screams it. When he walks off to get a drink, Armstrong rushes him to warn her of him. That was the first entry way into how she wound up with Armstrong which said a lot. I had to wonder why she would listen to him and start something with him. I guess that is just plot motivation on the author’s part.

Lex and Amelie stay in two separate parts of the island but they are conveniently places together when Armstrong shows up to wreck havoc for Amelie. The two start to bond and have the most steamiest and intense sex of their lives. The chemistry is off the charts in this book.

When the two arrive back in New York, Lex wants to continue but there is the issue of Armstrong. Ugh! He started to annoy me so bad in this book. I don’t know how he continued to behave and act like a spoil child the entire story. He caused so much agony and I saw plenty of opportunities to set him straight.

To be honest this is almost perfect except that Amelie is too confused and scared the entire book for my taste. Even on the last few pages, she is still scared of her love for Lex. Honestly, hands down Lex makes this story. He is patient and willing to subject himself to whatever she wants to ensure she is happy. All women need a Lexington. I just wished the author would have shown more of their emotional connection than the physical.

Overall, this is a hot and steamy light read that is easy to devour. This is a standalone but you do get a glimpse of what happens to the characters from Shacking Up.

~ Samantha

Hunting never fails to give us a story full of romance, passion, mixed in with a a fair amount of hilarity that will have you swooning and laughing out loud at the same time.
I fell in love with Amalie and Lexington from the very beginning. They are the perfect balance for each other and have so much chemistry I worried the pages of my kindle may catch fire.
With Hooking Up, Hunting has proved, yet again, why she is an automatic one click author for me. I can never get enough!