Blog Tour Review with Excerpt: Handle With Care (Shacking Up #5) by Helena Hunting

“Lincoln and Wren had me flipping through the pages frantically, begging for more. Their chemistry was explosive, their love story both hilarious and tender.”- L.J. Shen, USA Today bestselling author

Handle With Care, an all-new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting is available now!

Book info:
Title:  Handle With Care
Author:  Helena Hunting
Series:  Shacking Up #5
Genre:  Adult romantic comedy
Release Date:  August 27th, 2019
Publisher:  St. Martin's Paperback
Source:  E-galley from Social Butterfly PR which did not influence my opinion
My rating:  5 stars

Synopsis:

HE WANTS TO LOSE CONTROL.

Between his parents’ messed up marriage and his narcissistic younger brother, Lincoln Moorehead has spent the majority of his life avoiding his family. After the death of his father, Lincoln finds himself in the middle of the drama. To top it all off, he’s been named CEO of Moorehead Media, much to his brother’s chagrin. But Lincoln’s bad attitude softens when he meets the no-nonsense, gorgeous woman who has been given the task of transforming him from the gruff, wilderness guy to a suave businessman.

SHE’S TRYING TO HOLD IT TOGETHER.

Wren Sterling has been working double time to keep the indiscretions at Moorehead Media at bay, so when she’s presented with a new contract, with new responsibilities and additional incentives, she agrees. Working with the reclusive oldest son of a ridiculously entitled family is worth the hassle if it means she’s that much closer to pursuing her own dreams. What Wren doesn’t expect is to find herself attracted to him, or for it to be mutual. And she certainly doesn’t expect to fall for Lincoln. But when a shocking new Moorehead scandal comes to light, she’s forced to choose between her own family and the broody, cynical CEO.

My Review:

Another perfect story from this author.  The hated Armstrong was back, and we got an even closer view at his horribleness, but it was more amusing this time as we weren't watching him actually ruin someone's life.  The romance between Lincoln and Wren was a really good one. And I liked a lot how the whole big issue at the end of the book was handled with honesty and just not letting the bad person get away with it.  With confronting them, with people not doubting the other's honesty.  I feel like this was such a realistic romance.  I liked how we got our glimpses into the other couples that we've met in the other books in the series.  And even though Armstrong still can't be redeemed, he just can't, we were able to laugh at him, and enjoy seeing him get what he deserved, but in a lesser way, just for the ridiculous comments he made.  It was great to see just how what someone did in the past, that may have made them look like bad people, could possibly have other origins that made them not quite the villain you may have thought.  Except Armstrong.  He's just a jerk.

Loved this one, and could barely put it down to do anything else!   

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2VGJ83p

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2VXTyvK

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HandleWithCare

Nook: http://bit.ly/2FmIv9x

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2M09aKC

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2RRkyh8

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2C9AeCB

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2FgCXxX

Excerpt:

“You have a suit fitting tomorrow morning.”  

“Tomorrow morning? I have lots of suits; I’ll make one of those work.”

“Are they like the ones you wore to the funeral?” I ask.  

“Yeah, why?”  

“Well, they may have fit you five years ago, but they certainly don’t fit you now. I’ll text you the details and add them to your personal calendar.”  

“You can’t do that without my cell number.” His smugness would be grating if I wasn’t two steps ahead of him.  

I flash a fake smile. “I already have all of your personal details, Lincoln. Right down to your shoe size. And you can’t be late like you were this morning, so it might be a good idea to avoid the scotch tonight so you’re less bear and more human. You’ll need to use these things called manners. I can email you a refresher on what those are, should you need it.”

“Sarcasm is a weapon of the weak.”

My ears are on fire as he heads for the door. Jerk. I was being witty, not sarcastic. “Thanks so much for offering to help clean up the mess you made.” I turn to address the crinkled papers scattered on the floor.  

It’s common courtesy to offer assistance if you’re the one who made the damn mess. Even Armstrong, who is the most epic of douches, has some manners. Usually he’ll try to look up a skirt or down a shirt while he’s being polite, but it’s better than this. I turn to retrieve the papers when two things happen, a power surge ramps up the box fans—it happens at least twice a day, and at the same time Lincoln pulls the door open again. The simultaneous actions create a vortex of air inside my office, and my skirt flutters into the air. Like I’m Marilyn Monroe and I’ve stepped onto one of those subway grates. The fabric rises quickly, and a breeze hits me right between the legs, which is the exact moment I remember that I’m not wearing panties. Because they were covered in the coffee Armstrong spilled in my lap.

I drop the papers and battle the fabric back down. It’s fruitless, though, the wind tunnel whirls through the room like Dorothy’s freaking tornado, and the back of my dress goes up. I meet Lincoln’s gaze from across the small room. All it takes is a second of eye contact before those ridiculously blue eyes pull me in, and weird, inappropriate things start happening to my body. It’s irritating as hell. I don’t even like this guy, but my body seems as if it hasn’t gotten the same memo as the rest of me. Even more aggravating is the realization that based on his expression, he totally caught an eyeful of cooch.  

Lincoln stands frozen at the door, eyes wide and fixed on my crotch, mouth hanging open.  

“Close the damn door!” My voice is siren high. And loud.  

“Right. Yes. I’m going. Now.” He steps out of my office, pulling the door closed behind him.  

My dress settles around my knees. “Dammit.” I drop into my chair, which is probably what I should’ve done as soon as the wind tunnel started, but clearly I’d been too panicked to think straight.  
On the upside, I went to see my waxer last week, so he’s seen my girl bits when they’re looking their finest.  

On the downside, my project for the next six months has seen my naked girl bits.

About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy. 

 

Connect with Helena:  

Instagram: http://instagram.com/helenahunting 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenaHunting  

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Zt1xm5  

Facebook Fan group: http://bit.ly/340v5tQ  

Website: http://www.helenahunting.com/  

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 http://bit.ly/2MlRKq6

Blog Tour Review: Making Up (Shacking Up #4) by Helena Hunting

"I LOVED both Cosy and Griffin! This story was ABSOLUTE PERFECTION!"- Kendall Ryan, New York Times bestselling author

Making Up, an all-new laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting is available now!

Book info:

Title: Making Up
Author:  Helena Hunting
Series:  Shacking Up #4
Genre:  Adult romantic comedy
Release Date:  July 16th, 2019
Publisher:  St. Martin's Press
Source:  E-galley received from Social Butterfly PR which did not influence my opinion
My rating:   5 stars

Synopsis:

Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list.

Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him.

As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world. 

My Review:

This book had me rolling from the first page!  It had a lot of ups and downs, sexy scenes and sweet scenes as well.  If you know me,  you know I am normally not a fan of the older man stories.  I personally prefer a younger man myself, so a lot of times I just can't enjoy the opposite.  However, when it is Helena Hunting, she can pretty much write any story and it seems I will be sucked in and love it.  There were so many issues that Cosy and Griffin had to overcome, some having to do with that very age difference, but then others having to do with Griffin's past dalliances, and even Cosy's own sister threw a wrench into their relationship!  But I like the way all of the obstacles were handled, realistically in my opinion, but with enough drama and even romance to make it worth reading.  I've only read one other in this series, but I seriously need to go back and read all the rest!

 

Download your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2GEt63s

AppleBooks:https://apple.co/2Xay1UJ

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/MakingUp

Nook: http://bit.ly/2IPLTvV

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ZIrFcH

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2GFTD0b

Amazon Print: https://amzn.to/2xNImqw

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/MakingUpHH

Excerpt:

We’re a couple of minutes away from my apartment, which also means we’re almost at the end of our date. End-of-date protocol often means a goodnight kiss.  

And I’ve eaten onions. Lots of them. What the hell was I thinking? I feel around in my shorts pocket, hoping I have a random stick of gum. I find a tiny square packet and pull it out, along with an old tissue. I shove that back in my pocket and sigh with relief as I carefully open the Listerine Pocketpak. There’s one strip left. I pop it in my mouth, wishing I had water since my mouth is dry and I’m suddenly super nervous.

Griffin pulls up in front of my apartment building. I swallow a bunch of times, trying to get the strip to dissolve on my tongue and glance out the tinted window, seeing it from his perspective. I don’t live in a bad part of town, but I sure as hell wouldn’t leave this car sitting out here for any length of time unless I wanted it keyed or stripped down.  

Griffin shifts into park and turns to me, one hand resting on the back of my seat near the headrest. “I had a great time, Cosy.”  

“Me too, thanks for dinner.” I tried to fork over my share, but he was quick on the credit card draw.  

“It was my pleasure.” He leans in the tiniest bit, a nonverbal cue that he’s going in for a kiss.

I mirror the movement, giving him the go ahead. My stomach flutters in anticipation. I exhale slowly through my nose. Even though the Listerine strip should be doing its job to mask the onions, I don’t want to ruin the moment by breathing that in his face.

His fingertips skim my jaw, and I close my eyes. And then his lips brush my cheek. I wait for them to move a couple of inches to the right, but after what feels like a lot of seconds—and is probably only a few—I crack a lid.  

Griffin is still close, a wry smile on his lips and a smolder in his eyes.  

“Seriously, that’s it? A kiss on the cheek?”  

His smile widens, making his eyes crinkle at the corners. He’s nothing like the guys I usually end up on dates with. College boys don’t take things slow. If I were out with one of the guys from school, I’d be sitting in a beat-up Civic with some stupid music playing, and he’d be all over me with his tongue halfway down my throat, copping a feel.  

“I thought all the onions you ate were the equivalent to garlic for vampires.” Griffin fingers my hair near my shoulder. I’d really like him to finger something else. Wait. I mean I’d like to feel his hands on me. Not in my pants. Okay, maybe I’d like them in my pants, but not after date number one.  

“I wasn’t thinking, and I really like onions. A lot. In hindsight, it’s not a great date food. I feel kinda dumb. And I guess at first I wasn’t so sure about you. How was I supposed to know you’d actually be kind of normalish?”

“Normalish?”  

“Well, you drink club soda on purpose, so you can’t be all there.” I tap his temple.

Griffin circles my wrist with his fingers and drops his head, lips brushing over my knuckle. “We can’t all be perfect, now, can we?”  

“I suppose not, and perfect is boring.”  

“That it is.” He hums against my skin, and I feel it through my entire body. “I would like to try that kiss again, if you’re still interested.”

About Helena

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.

Connect with Helena

Instagram: http://instagram.com/helenahunting 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenaHunting  

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Zt1xm5  

Facebook Fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/385795934890523/  

Website: http://www.helenahunting.com/  

Never miss an update! 

Subscribe to Helena's mailing list: http://bit.ly/2MlRKq6

Chapter Reveal: Making Up (Shacking Up #4) by Helena Hunting

Making Up, an all-new laugh-out-loud romantic comedy standalone from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting is coming July 16th and we have a sneak peek!

Cosy Felton is great at her job—she knows just how to handle the awkwardness that comes with working at an adult toy store. So when the hottest guy she’s ever seen walks into the shop looking completely overwhelmed, she’s more than happy to turn on the charm and help him purchase all of the items on his list.

Griffin Mills is using his business trip in Las Vegas as a chance to escape the broken pieces of his life in New York City. The last thing he wants is to be put in charge of buying gag gifts for his friend’s bachelor party. Despite being totally out of his element, and mortified by the whole experience, Griffin is pleasantly surprised when he finds himself attracted to the sales girl that helped him.

As skeptical as Cosy may be of Griffin’s motivations, there’s something about him that intrigues her. But sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn’t always stay in Vegas and when real life gets in the way, all bets are off. Filled with hilariously awkward situations and enough sexual chemistry to power Sin City, Making Up is the next standalone in the Shacking Up world. 

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2GEt63s

AppleBooks: Coming Soon!

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/MakingUp

Nook: http://bit.ly/2IPLTvV

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2ZIrFcH

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2GFTD0b

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/MakingUpHH

Excerpt from Chapter One

 

Sexy Suit

Cosy

Working in an adult toy store is the opposite of glamorous. Sure, I get a fifty-percent discount, which is a real perk, but it doesn’t offset some of the weirdness I have to deal with. Such as Eugene, one of the locals who frequents the shop on a regular basis. He came in this morning and handled all the display toys. He’s mostly harmless, but the silicone fondling is pretty high on the creepy factor. Eventually I told him I had to close up for a few minutes so I could grab lunch. The deli across the street has the best daily specials.    

While I wait for my chicken shawarma, I make a mental list of all the things I need to do this afternoon: check the magazines to make sure the pages aren’t stuck together, restock the flavored lube, and wipe down everything Eugene molested with toy cleaner. Once I’ve tackled those less-than-fun chores, I can work on my assignment for my hospitality class, provided I don’t have real customers.    

I glance out the window, checking to make sure Eugene isn’t loitering around in front of the store, waiting to be let back in. Sometimes he’ll stop by more than once during my shift. He’s not there—thank God—but there’s a black sports car parked in the lot. It looks nice and possibly expensive, which might mean an actual customer who will spend money.  

 Loki, the cashier at the deli, hands me my drinks and shawarma.    

“Thanks! Have a great day!”  

“You too,” Loki says to my chest.    

As I leave the store, I see a man in a suit reading the sign I taped to the door. I don’t want to miss a potential customer, so I take a deep breath and mentally shift gears, putting on my best sales-person mask. I have to pretend to be a completely different person when I deal with customers, so I can get through what would otherwise be a fairly embarrassing event. Discussing the ins and outs of sex toys with strangers is not something I particularly enjoy, but it’s a paycheck, so I’ve learned to roll with it.    
My root beer foams and drips down the straw while my coffee sloshes onto my hand—the lids never fit right—and my chicken shawarma dangles perilously between my pinkie and ring finger as I cross the street.    

The suit doesn’t look creepy like Eugene, but then, suits can be deceiving. Half the time they think they can proposition me like a sex worker. Or they pretend the weird stuff they’re buying is a gift and not for them. Pfft. I know better.    

Suit turns and heads for his car, so I call out, “Hey! You in the suit, hold on!”    

His shoulders hunch, as if he’s trying to be smaller, which is physically impossible. Based on the size of him, he probably played college football. Or he has Marvel comic hero blood relatives. Either way, he’s a big dude.    

He stops walking, though, which is good. I could use some sales today. The commission boost is always a plus to the shitty minimum wage. Rent is due next week, and judging by his car, he has money to burn.    

My heels are skyscrapers, and everything I’m wearing is either too short or too tight to facilitate running—the Sex Toy Warehouse uniform is supposed to be sexy, aka revealing—so I awkwardly jog the rest of the way while trying to get the key to the shop out of my pocket and not drop my shawarma. The manager gave me my own set since I frequently open the store.    

“Sorry to keep you waiting; plastic dicks don’t quite cut it for lunch.” Inwardly I cringe, because seriously, why did I say that?    

“I would imagine they’re not all that satisfying,” he replies in a deep voice that would probably sound good whispering naughty things in my ear.  

I’m not sure if he meant that suggestively or not. Regardless, I walked right into that one.    

I finally look up. Dear sweet Jesus on a cloud of marshmallows, this is my lucky day. The suit is gorgeous. Like the kind of hotness that sucks the breath right out of your lungs and sends all the blood in your body rushing between your legs. It’s a good thing clits don’t react like penises, otherwise mine would be hanging out of the bottom of my shorts with excitement. I’m thankful my physical reaction is limited to damp underwear and tingles.    

His dark hair is straight and cut short, parted at the side and neatly styled. He’s a cross between a mobster, and a fifties movie star. Capone and Ward Cleaver rolled together and dipped in lust. His nose is straight, lips are full, and he’s got a chin that looks like it could cut glass. His features are strong, but he somehow manages to be boyish even though everything about him screams pure, undiluted masculinity.    

His tongue drags across his pillowy bottom lip and his throat bobs. I lift my gaze and meet his eyes. They’re a strange color. Not brown, not green, but some kind of honey-lemon color, ringed in emerald. Like a cat maybe.  

Read the rest of Chapter One: http://bit.ly/2KO3Mf6

 

About the Author

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy. 
 

Connect with Helena

Instagram: http://instagram.com/helenahunting 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenaHunting  

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Zt1xm5  

Facebook Fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/385795934890523/  

Website: http://www.helenahunting.com/  

Never miss an update! 

Subscribe to Helena's mailing list: http://bit.ly/2MlRKq6

 

Suprise Cover Reveal: Handle With Care (Shacking Up Series) by Helena Hunting

 

Handle With Care, an all-new romantic comedy from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting is coming August 27th, and we have the fantastic new cover and your first sneak peek!

 

Pre-order your copy today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/2VGJ83p

AppleBooks: https://apple.co/2VXTyvK

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/HandleWithCare

Nook: http://bit.ly/2FmIv9x

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2M09aKC

Google Play: http://bit.ly/2RRkyh8

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/2C9AeCB

Add to GoodReads: http://bit.ly/2FgCXxX

 

Keep reading for a sneak peek of Handle With Care! 

I’m startled out of my thoughts when my brother jumps up and shouts a bunch of profane nonsense, hands flailing like he’s trying to swim on land, or approximate the chicken dance while on an LSD trip.  

“You can’t do this! It’s absolute bullshit!” Armstrong yells.  

I look around the table, trying to piece together what I missed.

“I’m sorry, Armstrong. I know this is a shock, but we feel it’s in the company’s best interest to put Lincoln at the helm during this transitional stage,” G-mom says firmly.  

At the helm? I look to G-mom who’s busy not looking at me.  

Armstrong jabs at finger at himself. “But I’m the one who’s put in all the time here! I deserve to run the company! Lincoln doesn’t know the first thing about Moorehead. All he knows how to do is dig wells and forage for food in the wilderness. How are those valuable assets here?” He turns his attention to our mother. “Did you know about this? How can you let this happen? Look at him. How can that be the face of our company? He looks like he crawled out of a gutter and mugged a twenty-year-old college kid on a bender. How is this better for our bottom line?”  

My mother clasps her hands in front of her. “I’m sorry, Armstrong, but this decision wasn’t mine to make. I know this is hard for you, but your grandmother and fath—”  

Armstrong stomps his foot, exactly as a toddler would. “The company is mine! Lincoln can’t have it!”  

I raise a hand, half to quiet my brother and also to find out what the freaking deal is. “Whoa, let’s back this bus up.  Can someone explain what’s going on?”

“You’ve been appointed as the CEO of Moorehead Media, according to the will,” Christophe—no R, because that would make it far too pedestrian a name—my father’s lawyer says.  

I’m working on trying to remain calm as I address my grandmother. “You didn’t say anything about me being CEO. You said you needed my help.”  

“Running the company, yes,” she says through a practiced, stiff smile.  

It’s her warning face, but seriously, when she said she needed my help for a few months I figured it meant I’d be keeping Armstrong in line while she sorted out who was going to take over the company, which I realize now was a stupid assumption.  

“I didn’t think that meant CEO. How am I going to run a company with this dickhead on staff?” I motion to my brother.  

“The name calling is unnecessary,” G-mom replies.  

“Lincoln’s not even part of this family! He hasn’t attended one event in the past five years except for Dad’s funeral. He didn’t bother coming to my wedding and now he’s going to run the company? How is that fair?”  

I snort. “Your wedding was an expensive joke.”  

He crosses his arms over his chest. “I was set up. Amalie had cold feet and made me out to look like the bad guy.”  

The woman beside him shoots him disgusted look.  

Armstrong clears his throat and tugs at his collar. “My wedding is not the real issue. The point is that you’ve never involved yourself in any part of this family and now you think you can come in and take over. I will not stand by and let this happen!” He keeps jabbing his finger at me, as if he’s engaged in a finger sword fight.  

I lean back in my chair and lace my fingers behind my neck. Armstrong has always been reactive. And self-absorbed. For a while it seemed like he finally had it together—back when he was engaged. But ever since that fiasco of a wedding he seems to have come completely unglued. Again. But worse this time. “Someone needs a timeout.”  

 ***Please note this is an unedited excerpt and is subject to change.***   

 About the Author:

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy. 
 

Connect with Helena: 

Instagram: http://instagram.com/helenahunting 

Twitter: https://twitter.com/HelenaHunting  

Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Zt1xm5  

Facebook Fan group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/385795934890523/  

Website: http://www.helenahunting.com/  

Never miss an update! Subscribe to Helena's mailing list: http://bit.ly/2MlRKq6

 

L-L-L-Little Reviews: Four Adult/New Adult Contemporary Romance Audiobooks

No ideas for a better title for my mini-reviews, so still going with the L-L-L-Little Reviews for now.  Didn't really post any reviews in November that weren't part of a blog tour, or that I actually wrote the post ahead of time, because of NaNoWriMo.  Didn't win that either, but that's another story for another post, another day.  I've got four audiobook reviews to share with you to get caught up from last month. 

Hooking Up (Shacking Up #2) by Helena Hunting:

Release Date: November 7th, 2017
Genre:  Adult contemporary romance
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com 
My rating:  5 stars

As Helena Hunting's books tend to do, I was hooked within the first 10% of the book, so that I wanted to drive out of the way, take the long way to places, just to listen to a bit more before I had to get out of the car to go into work.  This was such a hilarious story!  The suitcase Amalie packed with her "toys" for their honeymoon, and when she accidentally tried to take it on carry-on instead of checking it?  First off, I would be too embarrassed to even check my luggage with one of those in it, let alone the huge collection she was taking.  And then there was Lexington, and how he saved the day that time, along with the other times he helped her out.  Of course when she kind of threw herself at him the day of the wedding after cutting herself out of her wedding dress, that was hilarious.  Her almost husband Armstrong was ridiculous, I couldn't even figure out why in the world he wouldn't give her up.  Although we did get the clue on that later on in the story.  So ridiculous how he expected her to be all pure and sweet because she was going to be his wife, instead of letting her enjoy sex the way he seemed to want to with all the women outside of his relationship.  I totally loved Ami and Lex together.  And it was great meeting the characters from the first book, which I'll now need to go back and read, since I do own it.  The nice thing about Hunting's series is that you don't necessarily have to read them in order, although some things will be given away, like obviously that certain couples do end up together, if you read later books first.  But since you know that is kind of a given in a romance, that's not that big of a deal in my book.  Definitely another great series by this author!  Although, as hot as the cover is, the guy needs some tattoos to be Lexington.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
Filled with hilariously scandalous situations and enough sexual chemistry to power an airplane from New York City to the South Pacific, Hooking Up is the next standalone, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy from Helena Hunting, the New York Times bestselling author of the Pucked series and Shacking Up. 

Amalie Whitfield is the picture of a blushing bride during her wedding reception–but for all the wrong reasons. Instead of proclaiming his undying love, her husband can be heard, by Amalie and their guests, getting off with someone else. She has every reason to freak out, and in a moment of insanity, she throws herself at the first hot-blooded male she sees. But he’s not interested in becoming her revenge screw. 

Mortified and desperate to escape the post-wedding drama, Amalie decides to go on her honeymoon alone, only to find the man who rejected her also heading to the same tiny island for work. But this time he isn’t holding back. She should know better than to sleep with someone she knows, but she can’t seem to resist him. 

They might agree that what happens on the island should stay on the island, but neither one can deny that their attraction is more than just physical.  

Come As You Are by Lauren Blakely:

Release Date: April 16th, 2018
Genre:  Adult contemporary romance
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com 
My rating:  5 stars

This one took a bit for me to get into. And that's saying a lot, because it was narrated by two of my favorites, Sebastian York and Andi Arndt.  But once the story picked up, I really got into it and as you can tell from my rating, I loved it.  This had the whole Cinderella leaving her shoe behind at midnight, but it wasn't her shoe this time.  I did really like though, the way the author had the two meet up after they found out who the other was.  I like that he didn't automatically assume she'd played him to get her story.  I like that honestly they were realistic about how it had all happened, no one accusing the other unrealistically.  I like that what so often becomes an insurmountable obstacle for the two doesn't do that, because they are honest with each other, instead of keeping things to themselves, hoping not to have to share them in order not to hurt them, or whatever dumb reasons characters usually keep for not telling something.  Like the last problem, the mom, I like that it wasn't automatically assumed the other one had been lying and actually sent her for money.  I like that he knew her well enough to know the mother was acting on her own greediness.

There were so many other good things, the grammar jokes were hilarious.  And all the things in NYC that I now want to go back and try to see, like the abandoned subway stations for one!   While all the sex was steamy, one scene I listed to on my way to work in the morning, and thought maybe I should have listened to the night before when I was in bed, because yeah...definitely had to fan myself before going into work.  

The big surprise with this one was that there was an extra novella audio added at the end of the one I'd purchased, so that will be the next review.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:

I couldn’t have scripted a more perfect night.

For one fantastic evening, at a masquerade party in the heart of Manhattan, I’m not the millionaire everyone wants a piece of. Fine—multimillionaire. But who’s counting all those commas? Not me, and not the most intriguing woman I've ever met, who happens to like dancing, witty banter, and hot, passionate up-against-the-wall sex as much as I do.

There's no need for names or business cards. And that’s why I’m eager to get to know her more, since my mystery woman seems to like me for me, rather than for my huge…bank account.

Everything’s coming up aces. Until the next day when things get a little complicated. (Newsflash — a lot complicated.)

***

He's charming, brilliant, an incredible lover, and right now I want to stab fate in the eyeballs.

I've had one goal I've been working toward, and lo and behold, my mystery man is the very person who stands between me and my dream job. A job I desperately need since my hard-knock life has nothing in common with his star-kissed one.

But it’s time to put that fairytale night behind me, and focus on learning what makes him tick. Too bad it turns out his quirks are my quirks, and his love affair with New York matches mine.

And as we spend our days together, I discover something else that feels like a cruel twist of fate — I’m falling for this naughty prince charming, and that’s not an ending I can write to our story.


Most Irresistible Guy (Most Valuable Playboy #0.5) by Lauren Blakely:

Release Date: January 11th, 2018
Genre:  Adult contemporary romance
Source:  Purchased from Audible.com 
My rating:  5 stars

This is a very mini-review.  It was a novella, but an awesome prequel to a series I now need to go on and read.  I loved getting Violet's take on her crush on Cooper, and how she'd just given up, knowing he probably wasn't interested, even though at times he might be a bit more flirty than seemed just a friendly thing.  The way the ending went though, leading right up to where book one will start?  Perfect way to get me hooked to read that book!

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
When he wrapped his arms around me and pulled me close at my brother’s wedding, my heart beat faster. When we danced into the night, my mind raced far ahead, entertaining all the possibilities I’d longed for. And later, when Cooper told me he’d won the starting quarterback job before he shared the news with anyone else, I started to believe we could be more.

But I didn’t want to lose him as a friend, so I chose to focus on him solely as my buddy. That worked well enough for a while.

Until that night, in front of everyone, when he shocked my world to its core.

Most Irresistible Guy is a prequel novella to Most Valuable Playboy! 
   

#Selfie (Hashtag Series #4) by Cambria Hebert:

Release Date: September 24th, 2015
Genre:  New Adult contemporary romance
Source:  Digital Download from Public Library 
My rating:  5 stars

Okay, other than the male narrator's voice, I pretty much loved this book, as usual with this author.  I had always adored Braeden as Rimmel's BBFL - Big Brother For Life.  And then of course gotta love Ivy as Rimmel's roommate.  I think I loved that Ivy ended up with a puppy, an adorable chihuahua puppy, and I had to go look up videos of chihuahua puppies on YouTube to see what they looked like walking.  I'm very familiar with dachshund puppies, so wanted to see the difference.  And of course, it was just as adorable as the book made it sound!  While I'd normally be offended by someone calling the little dog, Prada, a rat like Braeden does, as I've had people in my life do that, you get used to it I guess.  This book had so many adorably cute moments like that.  And then sexy moments between Braeden and Ivy.  Funny, snarky moments when the two of them would be arguing, and then some really emotional times, like Ivy's car accident, and also the Buzz Boss's dirty tricks in this one.  We find out some things about the Buzz Boss in this book that make it look as if there was more going on than what we thought in how Ivy betrayed Rimmel unknowingly with Zach.  I wonder if there is more background story between the Buzz Boss and Zach in the past that we might find out in the next book?  That whole story line really kept my attention and had me at the edge of my seat guessing who it could be and why they were doing what they did.  Even though Braeden did do the stupid thing of calling Ivy the name the others were implying, I knew that was a stupid boy thing.  He figured out where he'd gone wrong, and figured out he needed a big act to get her back.  And I liked how all that went.  I'm looking forward to the next book in the series, although I think he is wrong to keep the pictures he saw from Ivy, she really should know what happened, it's only fair, and would ease some of her guilt.  Oh yeah, I definitely liked how the title totally played into the story, and how there was the parallel between the selfies that were used to both shame Ivy, and also used by Braeden to remember her and the good night they'd had.

Here is the blurb from Goodreads:
It’s all about the #Selfie.

She was the one girl I never wanted.

Until I had her.

One night.

One mistake.

Something we both wanted to forget.

I got rid of the proof. The one piece of evidence that could remind us both.

At least, I thought I did.

When it shows up on the school Buzzfeed, rumors fly. Friendships are tested and the feels get real.

I don’t do relationships. I don’t open my heart.

Especially for a girl everyone knows I hate.

What happens during spring break, stays in spring break.

Until it follows you home.