Blog Tour, Review & Excerpt: 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!

Title: Making Up

Series: Shacking Up #4

Author: Helena Hunting

Publication Date: July 16, 2019

Genre: Contemporary Romance

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.

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Disclaimer: This review MAY contain spoilers. I received an Advance Reader Copy at no cost from the publisher/author. All opinions in my review are my own. 

Helena Harper posted the first chapter of this book before the release and I devoured it! I loved every second and I laughed my bum off. I knew from that moment that this was a book that I HAD to read. 

This story really drew me in. The plot is fun and well balanced. The story has the perfect combination of humor, emotion, passion, and drama. It really does round out all the bases. The plot is so compelling that you won't want to put the book down on your lunch break so you can head back to work. (Or at least I didn't, ha!) I liked the unexpected twists in the story and the overall way that things landed by the end. 

I instantly felt a connection to these characters. Both main characters, Cosy and Griffin, were awesome. I loved how Cosy was always unapologetically herself. She didn't let Griffin's money intimidate her into being someone different. She still clung to her goals and beliefs even when things didn't go as planned. I liked Griffin's growth in the story. It was easy to sympathize with Griffin once all of the facts are presented. 

The romance was hot. There was an eleven-year age gap between them which caused them both to be hesitant. But what starts off as a casual arrangement soon turns into much more between them. I actually liked that it was the guy and not the girl that was so adamant about cementing something more serious and permanent in their relationship. I loved Griffin's commitment and devotion to Cosy. Though sometimes Griffin had a possessive vibe going on, it was never aggressive. They really had incredible chemistry and the love scenes were sweltering. 

Overall, I was locked onto this book from beginning to end. I loved every moment of this story. These characters are ones that I won't soon forget. This is my first book in the Shacking Up series, but I can't wait to read the others! I have a feeling that these Mills boys are going to get my blood pumping. I definitely recommend this book!

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.”

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.

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