Book Review — Hooking Up by Helena Hunting

“You know what I’d want?” I step closer, until our bodies are almost touching. “You. Not just for a couple of stolen weeks.”

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Woohoooo!!! This romantic comedy was well balanced between funny antics, awkward mishaps, super sexy hotness, and a fair bit of angst! The hero was ultra swoony and he swooped into the heroine’s life when her wedding turns to complete disaster, stood by her side when her world fell apart, and showed her what it was like to be loved the way she deserved. If you’re looking for a hot, light-hearted romance to read, this is definitely a book to check out!

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…

Not gonna lie, my heart really went out to Lexington. This poor guy had been moments away from wooing Amalie off her feet when a twist of fate had her leaving the party with his outwardly-charming, but inwardly-slimy cousin and nemisis Armstrong. After years of bad blood between them, he wasn’t looking for another fight and just figured she’d be the one who got away. But years later, after her hours-old marriage to Armstrong ended in pure disaster, they accidentally crossed paths once again. She was just as alluring to him as she’d been the night he’d first met her but he wasn’t about to take advantage of her situation. So he did the one thing he could — he helped her get away.

His voice is in my ear, deep, mollifying. “Come on, sweetheart, you gotta let go now.”
He’s right, but I’m so embarrassed. Not only has my husband humiliated me in front of everyone we know, and about three hundred people I don’t, I’ve thrown myself at Lex and eh turned me down, and now I’ve cried all over him. This is the worst night of my entire life…
He strokes my hair again, then gently unhooks my legs from his waist. “It’s okay, baby, I get it. I know I’m irresistible.” My laugh comes out as a sob. His lips touch my cheek. “No was the very last thing I wanted to say to you.”

But to both of their amazement, they ended up on the same island together after the wedding fiasco and, away from all the drama and judgment of their situation, they were finally able to give in to the attraction they’d felt on the night they first met.

After her world fell apart, he held her together. I loved how much he respected her and how kindly he cared for her… all the while giving her a glimpse into what her life might have been like if she’d have chosen to take him up on his drink offer before meeting Armstrong.

His thumb traces my bottom lip. It’s the gentlest, barely there touch. I almost think I imagine it. “Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Let him make you feel like you’re anything less than perfect. He has no idea what he’s given up. That he had you at all is a travesty. He doesn’t deserve any part of you, least of all your heart.” He searches my face, eyes warm and honest.

And speaking of that royal asshole. This guy. Armstrong. He was the dick of all dicks. You might want to read this book with some alcohol on hand because he was downright infuriating!! That’s not even strong enough a statement. The good news is that, once she found out what a lowlife he was, Amie stood up to him strongly — and even threw in a well aimed dick punch or two. But still. GRRRRRR.

“We have a couple of options.”
“Whatever is easiest and quickest. I want this over with as soon as possible.”
“Divorce could be quick.”
I flinch — divorce is such an ugly word in our world. “He cheated on me less than twelve hours into our marriage. It hasn’t and won’t ever be consummated.”
He clears his throat and taps his pen on the table. “Right. Okay. So we’ll proceed with the annulment, which is option two. We’ll cite it as fraudulent, since he entered the marriage without the intention of upholding fidelity.”
I snort. “That’s a nice way of putting it. Is there an option three?”
“Hire a hitman and dump the body in the river, but there’s a lot of loose ends there and it’s sort of a legal nightmare.”
I smile at his horrible attempt at legal humor.
“Let’s go with option two, shall we?”

I will say that I totally do blame her for getting herself into that whole situation in the first place and I have no idea how she could have lasted even one date with him to begin with given the way he behaved. And I did find it annoying the way she kept second guessing everything that was happening between her and Lex but I guess she just wasn’t the best judge of men it seems. And hey… not my circus, not my monkeys. I was just happy that she fought back against Armstrong and did eventually come around to understanding that Lex was completely different.

“Tell me you don’t feel this pull.”
Her gaze stays fixed on my chest. “I can’t.”
“You can’t tell me or you can’t feel it.” … I lift her chin up, forcing her to meet my gaze. “If Armstrong wasn’t in the way, what would you want?”
She tips her cheek into my palm.
“You know what I’d want?” I step closer, until our bodies are almost touching. “You. Not just for a couple of stolen weeks.”
“I don’t trust my feelings right now.”
“That’s okay. Just trust mine.” I close the distance and kiss her.

Lex really was just the perfect book hero. Sexy, swoony, caring, thoughtful, considerate. He was even scarred and had a bit of a bad boy past. Like really, he just checked all the boxes so I promise he’ll make your heart melt!

And oh myyyyy is this book ever hot!!! For anyone looking for a super steamy read, this one is sure to satisfy!

This book can be read as a complete standalone. Technically, it’s slightly interconnected with Shacking Up because the heroes are brothers but honestly, you do not need to read either one with, before, or after the other unless you want. I did however enjoy both of them as fun light-hearted romantic comedies though. And if you’ve already read and loved Shacking Up, then you’re sure to love this book too!

Rating: 4 stars! Contemporary Adult Romance, can standalone

• Buy HOOKING UP (Kindle)
• Buy HOOKING UP (Paperback)
• Buy HOOKING UP (iBooks)

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Series of standalones.