The story is chock full of Ruby’s hilarious antics and inner thoughts, but Bancroft’s pet ferret, Francesca, is also a real scene stealer. I loved their flirting, texting, and video chats. The fact that they are separated for five weeks allows their chemistry to grow at a steady pace without them jumping each other’s bones right away. Ruby pet sits for Bane while he’s away on business, and their mutually beneficial business arrangement turns into a friendship with a hefty side of sexual tension. His now lopsided grin is making my panties reevaluate their importance in my life. I’ll just go ahead and take one Bancroft to go, please. He’s extremely supportive of Ruby, gentle, non-judgmental, sexy, and… Oh hell. Bancroft (AKA Bane) also comes from money, but he doesn’t conform 100% either. Her rebelliousness against her upbringing and her father’s expectations makes her easy to relate to. She’s a breath of fresh air in a social circle filled with stuck-up aristocrats. I adored everything about Ruby, especially her bawdy sense of humor, feistiness, and independence. Shacking Up is the first book I’ve read by Helena Hunting, and I picked a good one to start of with.

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. 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. But when the newly-evicted Ruby arrives to meet her new employer, it turns out Bane is the same guy who got her sick. 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. All thanks to a mysterious, gorgeous guy who kissed-and then coughed on-her at a party the night before. But instead of getting her big break, she gets sick as a dog and completely bombs it in the most humiliating fashion. She has one chance to turn things around with a big audition. Ruby Scott is months behind on rent and can’t seem to land a steady job.

Shacking up by helena hunting