REVIEW: Shacking Up by Helena Hunting

OUR REVIEW:

Shel: Honestly, we're really late to the Helena Hunting party. Like really late. I don't exactly know why-- though the answer probably comes in the form of an algebra problem that involves things like timing + work + fear of the unknown..or something like that. So when we had an opportunity to try her latest, Shacking Up, we decided to go for it; I'm glad we did. I'll be honest, I wasn't sure at first--it was a lot of humor, some physical--kinda slapstick-ish--and I didn't know if it was a ploy and something that would be more of the story than the actual story, if that makes sense? Don't get me wrong, I like a good comedy but I wanted there to be more depth and once I got past the initial introduction, there was. The humor was balanced out with character development and conflict and before I knew it I was over half way through the novel and really enjoying the dynamic between Bane and Ruby and by the time it was over, I was sad to see them go (is it too much to hope that we see them again soon?!).  It was neat to see both Ruby and Bane's perspective about the lives of the elite and the pressures and privileges that come with that lifestyle. It was interesting to see how they worked through their individual conflicts and I liked that Hunting added an extra layer of conflict by having Ruby be an out of work theater actress. Now that I've broken the ice with this first Helena Hunting read, I know I'll start exploring her earlier works, all the while hoping that we see more of the characters we met in this one.

Court: I'd like to think we're only fashionably late, right? Right? *crickets* Okay, so Shacking Up was quite a surprise. I liked the cover, had always heard wonderful things about the author and the characters we met were zany and crazy and I liked that. I liked our opening scene, and knew that I wouldn't be able to figure out exactly how every part of this story would go down and I realllllly liked that. Ruby and Bane are in a strangers to friends to hopefully more dynamic, and add in Amie and Armstrong (there's more going on there, right?) and Francesca and Tiny...and the depth of the plot, the strength in the dialogue and it was a really enjoyable story that had a little (or a lot) of our heroine learning a lot about herself and this incredibly put together man helping her do it. Like I said though...things don't go at all as I expected, and it just ended up being a wonderful story with comedy and some feels and hits your heart in all the right places and I'm rambling! Try this book, asap, you won't regret it and I'm going to start going to look and see if this world continues because I reallllly hope it does. 

SYNOPSIS:

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 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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Find Helena Hunting: http://helenahunting.com/