Book Review: Meet Cute by Helena Hunting

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MEET CUTE
Author: Helena Hunting
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: April 9, 2019
Review Source: Netgalley

Talk about an embarrassing introduction. On her first day of law school, Kailyn ran - quite literally - into the actor she crushed on as a teenager, ending with him sprawled on top of her. Mortified to discover the Daxton Hughes was also a student in her class, her embarrassment over their meet-cute quickly turned into a friendship she never expected. Of course, she never saw his betrayal coming either...

Now, eight years later, Dax is in her office asking for legal advice. Despite her anger, Kailyn can't help feeling sorry for the devastated man who just became sole guardian to his thirteen-year-old sister. But when her boss gets wind of Kailyn's new celebrity client, there's even more at stake than Dax's custody issues: if she gets Dax to work at their firm, she'll be promoted to partner.

The more time Kailyn spends with Dax and his sister, the more she starts to feel like a family, and the more she realizes the chemistry they had all those years ago is as fresh as ever. But will they be able to forgive the mistakes of the past, or will one betrayal lead to another?

I am pretty much obsessed with Helena Hunting.  I have been her fan since she first came out and have never been disappointed.  I always go into every one of her books completely blind because it's just how I roll and I love the whole, "unwrapping it like a present" feel.  The main description I can give this book is "cute".  It's a really cute and light book.

While this book is "cute and light", it does cover a couple heavy topics, which I appreciated and brought some additional depth.  I did find this story to be a little predictable but that never ruins the overall  experience for me.  I really love that the heroine, Kailyn Flowers, is a UCLA Law School grad.  I can't say ENOUGH how much I love a strong independent female.  Helena Hunting always gives me female characters I love.  I can sooooo relate with Kailyn's initial fan-girl encounter with the hero.  It's completely understandable because Daxton effin Hughes is absolutely gorgeous.  Instead of arrogant, though, Dax is sweet and genuine which makes him that much more lovable. 

I am rating this book with 4 stars.  I recommend it if you want a quick, light read.  It isn't my number one, favorite Helena Hunting book but I really enjoyed reading it, and definitely had some heart flutters and butterflies while reading.  I was able to read it in one sitting. 

Book Review: Pucked Over by Helena Hunting

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Pucked Over
Pucked #3
Author: Helena Hunting
Reading Level: Adult
Genres: Contemporary Romance | Sports
Release Date: January 24th 2016
Review Source: Author

Lily LeBlanc isn’t versed in the art of casual sex, but after seven years in an on-again, off-again relationship, she’s definitely willing to give it a shot. And who better to try it with than her best friend’s boyfriend’s best friend? What could possibly go wrong? Nothing at all.

NHL player, Randy Ballistic, lives up to his last name on the ice and in the bedroom. His best friend and teammate has recently hung up his bunny skates, and traded them in for a real girlfriend. And she just happens to have a seriously feisty, extra-hot best friend on the rebound. Randy’s more than happy to be Lily’s spring board back into the dating scene.

This book may be unsuitable for people under 17 years of age due to its use of sexual content, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.

Pucked Over is the third book in the Pucked series by author Helena Hunting. This book follows teammate Randy “Balls” Ballistic, and Lily LeBlanc who is the best friend of Book Two’s Sunny Waters.

Randy is an all around decent guy but he definitely lives the famous hockey player, bachelor lifestyle. He doesn’t “do” relationships, he just indulges in the endless supply of “puck bunnies” who throw themselves at him and his teammates on a nightly basis. Then on one unsuspecting weekend away with his best friend and teammate, Buck, they go to visit Buck’s girlfriend Sunny, and Randy meets her feisty best friend Lily. To say the two hit it off from the get go would be far from the truth, but the attraction they both feel towards each other is undeniable. They spend a few lusty days together before a situation snaps Lily back to reality and she sees what she thinks is the ultimate player/man-whore in Randy that she wants nothing more to do with.

Fast forward a few months later and they run into each other again. Lily does all she can to avoid him (even though secretly she doesn’t really want to) but Randy is having none of it. He has thought about her constantly and when he finally seeks her out…BOOM…the chemistry is there and their story truly begins. But this isn’t like the relationships we see in the previous two books where the couples are trying to make a relationship work from the get go. Lily just got out of a relationship, Randy doesn’t do relationships, so they both decide that this will just be a casual and fun, no strings attached situation. Lily is able to keep this situation working since Randy lives in Chicago and travels all the time for hockey, and she lives in Canada, so they only see each other randomly, but even with the random times they get to see each other you can see through both their inner thoughts that they are feeling much more for each other, yet neither will admit it.

This story is much more about self discovery for both of them. Even though it still follows the comedic flow of the previous two books (especially in the scenes where Violet and Buck are in), I found it to be a little more personally in depth for each character as to why they are the way they are, the insecurities they both have, and the obstacles they both really need to overcome individually in order to make it finally work together. You’ll still get your ROFLAO moments, but you will also get a little more emotional in this book. What starts as a hot booty call develops into something much more, then of course crumbles because neither of them opens up about how their feelings are developing, and then they need to find their way through to the other side. So I highly recommend this third book in the series. Helena Hunting has truly developed this series into something so special. She isn’t using the same formula for each book with just different main characters. She is really giving us different situations that each couple have to go through in order to find their happily ever after and it is such a treat to meet each couple and go through their journey with them…while laughing along with them in between the sometimes tears. Five stars from me!

Book Review: Pucked Up by Helena Hunting

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Pucked Up
Pucked #2
Author: Helena Hunting
Reading Level: New Adult
Genres: Sports | Romantic Comedy
Released: April 28th 2015
Review Source: Purchased

Miller “Buck” Butterson has been banging his way through life ever since a puck to the face fixed his messed up front teeth. After five years in the NHL, deflecting goals on the ice and scoring them with puck bunnies, Miller has decided he’s ready for a girlfriend. A real, non-bunny girlfriend to take on dates, and not jump into bed with after five seconds of conversation. Miller thinks he’s found that woman in his teammate’s sister. Except, unlike team captain and all-around nice guy Alex Waters—who happens to date his stepsister, Miller’s media reputation as a manwhore is well earned. Beyond that minor detail, Miller doesn’t know the first thing about relationships or the time and effort they require. Miller learns—eventually—that if he wants to make Sunshine “Sunny” Waters fall for him, he's going to have to do a whole lot more than show her his stick skills in the bedroom.

Pucked Up is the second book of the series by author Helena Hunting. This book follows Miller “Buck” Butterson, who is the step brother of Violet Hall (from book #1 Pucked), and Sunny Waters, who is the sister of Alex Waters (also from book #1).

Buck has always been known as sort of a man-whore. He has a different Puck-Bunny every night and has never had a serious girlfriend. In book one of the series he initially hits on Sunny as a way to get back at Alex for dating his step sister Violet, but Sunny turns out to be way different than the normal girls he is used to. She didn’t give it up to him and they actually spent the night talking and getting to know each other. Sunny is also not your typical hoochie momma kind of girl with tight clothes and lots of makeup. She is more of a hippy type. So to say that she is everything that Buck typically doesn’t go for is an understatement. But I guess the old saying “opposites attract” is the theme of this book.

This book really focuses on how Buck changes his playboy ways and learns how to be in a relationship for the first time in his life. There are a lot of growing pains for Buck, but as we quickly see there are also things that Sunny needs to learn and grow from as well. She needs to learn to see past the fast paced, fast moving lifestyle of this reforming playboy. She has an ex-boyfriend in the picture who also threatens to cause some trouble for these two on their way to their happily ever after, but together they are learning and hopefully can make it work in the end.

Just like book #1, this book is hilarious. Even though Buck and Violet aren’t related by blood, the things that run through their heads and come out of their mouths will keep you rolling. This book has a different leading couple, a different set of problems and obstacles, but at the end of the day…if you are looking for a sweet romance that has lusty, sexy and hilarious times…this is the book and series for you.

Book Review: Pucked by Helena Hunting

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Pucked
Pucked #1
Author: Helena Hunting
Reading Level: New Adult
Genres: Sports | Romantic Comedy
Release Date: April 28th 2015
Review Source: Purchased

With a famous NHL player for a stepbrother, Violet Hall is well acquainted with the playboy reputation of many a hockey star. She isn’t interested in legendary team captain Alex Waters or his pretty, beat-up face and rock-hard six-pack abs. When Alex inadvertently obliterates Violet’s misapprehension regarding the inferior intellect of hockey players, he becomes much more than just a hot body with the face to match. Suffering from a complete lapse in judgment, Violet discovers just how good Alex is with the hockey stick in his pants. Violet believes her night of orgasmic magic with Alex is just that: one night. But Alex starts to call. And text. And email and send extravagant—and quirky—gifts. Suddenly, he's too difficult to ignore, and nearly impossible not to like. The problem is, the media portrays Alex as a total player, and Violet doesn’t want to be part of the game.

Have you ever wanted to read a really sexy book…but also ROFLAO at the same time? If so, then do I have a series for you. Pucked is the first book of this series by author Helena Hunting. There are two books out so far, with the third just around the corner for release. This book revolves around Violet Hall. She is the step sister of a famous Hockey player, Miller “Buck” Butterson. She has seen firsthand the behind the scenes shenanigans of all the girls who throw themselves at the players…better known to her as ‘Puck Bunnies’. She herself has decided to stay as far away from hockey players as possible due to what she has seen. She basically thinks they are just as slutty as the girls who throw themselves at them. She is a smart girl who has her priorities straight so this should be an easy feat. Right?

In walks Alex Waters. He is the hot teammate and captain of the team that Buck plays on. He also has the reputation for being quite the ladies man, which Violet adamantly wants to steer clear of. But as fate will demand there is no way that Violet can deny the attraction she has for Alex right off the bat. She tries to fight it but Alex is very persistent. During their journey from Point A to Point B…let the hilarity ensue. What I must punctuate are not only Violet’s inner thoughts and monologues, but what actually comes out of her mouth. I can’t tell you the amount of times when people would look at me weird because I would be laughing out loud as I read this book. As smart and intellectual as Violet is, the things that go through her brain and come out of her mouth are utterly ridiculous and hilarious. Even during their many sexy times together you can’t help but cover your mouth from wanting to laugh.

At the end of the day this is a very sweet love story, one that you will route for until the very end, but their journey to get to their happily ever after is different than just reading a dramatic romance. It will make you lusty, hot, happy and…hysterical. I highly recommend it for anyone who likes a good romance but who also loves a good laugh.

Book Review: Inked Armor by Helena Hunting

Inked Armour
Clipped Wings #2
Author: Helena Hunting
Reading Level: New Adult
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Released: May 13th 2014
Review Source: Gallery Books
 

In this follow-up to Clipped Wings, the emotional love story continues between Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

In the wake of losing Tenley Page, tattooist Hayden Stryker's tumultuous past is haunting him. Plagued by nightmares about the murder of his parents, Hayden reaches out again to Tenley. Having run from the man she doesn't believe she deserves, Tenley finally lays her guilt to rest. Despite their intense physical attraction, Hayden and Tenley struggle to repair their fragile emotional connection. As Hayden gets closer to the truth, he must find a way to reconcile his guilt over his parents' death in order to keep the woman who finally cracked his armor, and found her way into his heart.

I’m just going to start off saying that Tenley and Hayden’s story has been one of my favorites of this year. This book was more than just some hot relationship, everything went deeper, a little darker, but of course there were some pretty hot scenes we can enjoy as well. 

Inked Armor picked up just three months after Clipped Wings ends. So Tenley is still in Arden Hills trying to finish tying all the loose ends up. Hayden has been a complete mess since Tenley got up and left without a word, and still without a word to Hayden. Once Tenley arrives back to Chicago she has to win back the trust of Hayden and they both need to help each other with their relationship. As we came to see in Clipped Wings our past can’t always stay in the past and it helps shape our future and the person we’re going to become. Throughout this book we really get to see Tenley and Hayden work on their relationship and their ghosts that keep haunting them.

I absolutely loved this series so much; it seriously has been a top of this year and top for all New Adult books I’ve ever read. For me this book took a lot of time to dig deep into both their pasts which let loose a lot of ghosts that they need to work on together to get rid of. Hayden especially learns that you really do need a crutch, a voice, and time does not heal all wounds. While reading Inked Armour I wanted to reach in the book and shake them, while we’re in both their heads we get to see their inner battles that they’re fighting which could be fought together if they would just talk! A lot happens throughout this book which I definitely don’t want to get into and just ruin this beautiful story for you.

I completely loved and adored this series, especially Inked Armor. I really enjoyed reading these two characters and the struggle they have to go through and all the struggles they’ll have to endure together in the future. The only thing Tenley and Hayden need is each other and their love and be there for one another. So please go read this! If you haven’t read Clipped Wings go out there and get it, what are you waiting for?

• Check out previous reviews of Inked Armor and Clipped Wings here on OUaT.

Blog Tour: Inked Armor | Helena Hunting | Review | Excerpt

Inked Armor
Clipped Wings #2
Author: Helena Hunting

Reading Level: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: May 13, 2014

Review Source: Gallery Books
 

In this follow-up to Clipped Wings, the emotional love story continues between Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

In the wake of losing Tenley Page, tattooist Hayden Stryker's tumultuous past is haunting him. Plagued by nightmares about the murder of his parents, Hayden reaches out again to Tenley. Having run from the man she doesn't believe she deserves, Tenley finally lays her guilt to rest. Despite their intense physical attraction, Hayden and Tenley struggle to repair their fragile emotional connection. As Hayden gets closer to the truth, he must find a way to reconcile his guilt over his parents' death in order to keep the woman who finally cracked his armor, and found her way into his heart.

This is a continuation of the story of Hayden Stryker and Tenley Page. I can honestly say that this series is one of the best series out there today. I just can not get enough of this couple. They are wild, romantic, passionate, real and above all ... in love.

Tenley thought that she had escaped her past. The past which involved her fiance that perished in a plane crash, on their way to their destination wedding. His very selfish brother wants what Tenley has, and she is not about to give it up. Tenley thought that she could escape him by moving. The past came back to haunt her, which involved leaving the man that she now realizes is her one true love. Meanwhile, Hayden struggles with the death of his parents when he was younger. The nightmares continue and when he can no longer bare them anymore, he reaches out for Tenley in hopes of the love and support he once had. The terrible thing about these nightmares, is that they start off about his parents, and end with him losing Tenley. Those are what bothers him the most. The nightmares keep him up at night, giving him three, maybe four hours of sleep if he was lucky. Hayden knows that he can not continue this way. He needs Tee back in his life, she is the woman for him, she is his world. It is so painful for him to go on without her in his life.

Hayden and Tenley struggle to find their way back to one another, because in their heart of hearts, they know that they belong together. The passion in the bedroom however, is beyond recognition. A very unbridled passion for one another and one in which helps them with their grief. 

What I truly love about this story is the fact that there was real pain and tragedy involved for the both of them. It wasn't about her leaving and them reconciling as if nothing ever happened. When Tenley walked out of his life, Hayden had to endure that pain. He had to learn to trust again, which is not an easy feat. Hayden hurt in ways that you just wouldn't predict from such a hard exterior. The story shows us that life isn't always what we perceive it to be. We saw vulnerability. We saw pain, We also certainly saw how Hayden desperately tries to regain that trust from her. Life is not easy and Helena knows this, as it is expressed in her writing. I absolutely fell head over heels with this couple, and being pulled in to feel as though I personally know the characters is not an easy task. Once again, Helena Hunting created a masterpiece.  Make sure to pick up your copy of Inked Armor today, you will thank me! Happy Reading!!  
 

Check out our Clipped Wings (Clipped Wings #1) Book Review

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Excerpt:

Time went on and on. An endless cycle of sleep, wake, bear the agony, and repeat. I  hated time.

Tenley had been gone for three weeks. Every day without her was sensory deprivation, drawn out and torturous from beginning to end. The first week, I called her every day. Her phone always went to voice mail. She never called back. I stopped calling because it sucked to know I'd been discarded so easily. 

Memories of her were everywhere: home, work, Serendipity. I couldn't escape. So at least I understood why she came to Chicago in the first place: to get away from the ceaseless reminders. I couldn't figure out what compelled her to want to go back, though. She could run from me all she wanted, but returning to the place She'd fled from didn't make much sense. Unless she was looking to shackle herself to the guilt again. It was easy to deny the possibility of a future when she let the past drag her down. I knew. I'd done that for years until Tenley came along. 

There was a soft knock on the door to the tattoo room. Lisa was checking up on me again.

Inked Armor was closed, but for the past three weeks I'd spent most of my free time at the shop or at Tenley's empty apartment. Being alone in my condo was unbearable. At least in the shop I could pretend thing weren't so shitty. Hints of her presence still lurked like shadows, but not in the same way as her apartment or y condo. It was depressing as hell. Regardless, I went to her apartment every day, if only to briefly check on her things. On the worst days, I stayed for hours and steeped myself in the pain of being there without her.

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About the Author: Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s putting her degree in English Lit to good use by writing contemporary erotic romance. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.

Book Review: Clipped Wings by Helena Hunting

Clipped Wings
Author: Helena Hunting

Reading Level: New Adult

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Release Date: March 4, 2014

Review Source: Pocket Books

 

Their body art is hot. Their chemistry is even hotter.

From her dark hair sweeping below her waist to her soft, sexy curves, Tenley Page intrigues tattoo artist Hayden Stryker in a way no one else ever has…especially when she asks him to ink a gorgeous, intricate design on her back. Yet for all her beauty, there is something darkly tragic and damaged about Tenley that Hayden is everything.

Covered in ink and steel, Hayden is everything Tenley has never dared to want, awakening a desire to explore more than the art adorning his stunning body. Trapped by a past that leaves her screaming from nightmares, Tenley sees Hayden as the perfect escape. Although he has secrets too, if they both keep themselves guarded perhaps their intense physical connection will remain only that.

But nothing, not even passion, can keep them safe from their pasts…

I love a good story that encompasses real life circumstances and true to life feelings. I gave this book five trees because it was well deserved. If you are a sucker for an amazing read and being able to connect with book characters, this is for you.

Hayden and Tenley have both unfortunately lived through hard times and tragedy.What they don't know is that they can help each other through the good and the bad. Neither one of them want to open up and tell their life story, as it pains them so. Hayden has never had a serious relationship; he never thought that he wanted one. Until now. Tenley was the one that he has been waiting for.

Hayden owns and operates a tattoo shop called Inked Armor. Tenley works across the street at his Aunt's book store and cafe, Serendipity. Before long, Hayden finds himself making excuses to see Tenley by saying he is going on a coffee run. He almost always finds himself in the store, to catch a glimpse of Tenley. Tenley is intrigued, although she is afraid of getting close. She doesn't want the pain that love sometimes brings. She doesn't deserve love ... at least that is what she tells herself. She blames herself for the tragedy that occurred just 10 short months earlier.

Tenley decides that she would like a tattoo that would represent her life and her tragic loss. Already being possessive, Hayden decides that he will put the ink on her, and no one else. Hayden struggles with this idea. He made a rule at Inked Armor. Never, ever date clients. He didn't want the tension and chaos that may come with dating a client, it just doesn't work. As Hayden and Tenley get closer, they find that there is no way that they can abide by this rule. Brilliantly, Tenley finds a loop hole in this agreement, and this is where the love story begins.

Excerpt:

     It was on the tip of my tongue to ask how exactly she felt about me. But it wasn't a good time, not with her so emotional. If she asked me that question I would have no clue what to say because the truth was too much, even for me.

     "Just so we're on the same page, what Sarah told me last night in no way changes how I see you, Okay?"

     "Okay."

     She seemed to relax a little. I left it at that. I hoped she would still feel the same after I dropped my bomb on her. Although what Sienna and I had was never something I would classify as a relationship, no matter what Jamie had tried to imply.


I hope that you enjoy Clipped Wings as much as I do. I can't wait to read the next in the series, called Inked Armor. I know it will be just as captivating as ever. I would love to hear your thoughts and opinions on Clipped Wings. Happy reading!!!

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About the Author: Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She’s putting her degree in English Lit to good use by writing contemporary erotic romance. She is the author of Clipped Wings, her debut novel, and Inked Armor.

Cover Reveal: Clipped Wings and Inked Armor by Helena Hunting

We are thrilled to take part in the cover reveal for not one book but two books written by Helena Hunting. Gallery Books and Helena Hunting share with us the covers to CLIPPED WINGS and sequel INKED ARMOR.

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CLIPPED WINGS

By: Helena Hunting

Publication Date: March 2014

An emotional love story that follows the touch-and-go relationship of Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

As Hayden and Tenley navigate their newfound but slightly unstable relationship, they want to trust each other, but Hayden is hiding a dark and shameful past that he doesn’t ever want Tenley to find out about. And Tenley has secrets of her own that could make Hayden run away forever. When Tenley asks Hayden to put a beautifully elaborate tattoo across her back, the two form what they thought was an unshakeable bond. But when Tenley’s past shows up on her doorstep, will Hayden stand by her side...or run?

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INKED ARMOR

By: Helena Hunting

Publication Date: May 2014

In this follow-up to Clipped Wings, the emotional love story continues between Hayden and Tenley; two young people who desperately want to love and be loved but are afraid to completely let go of their pasts.

In the wake of losing Tenley Page, tattooist Hayden Stryker's tumultuous past is haunting him. Plagued by nightmares about the murder of his parents, Hayden reaches out again to Tenley. Having run from the man she doesn't believe she deserves, Tenley finally lays her guilt to rest. Despite their intense physical attraction, Hayden and Tenley struggle to repair their fragile emotional connection. As Hayden gets closer to the truth, he must find a way to reconcile his guilt over his parents' death in order to keep the woman who finally cracked his armor, and found her way into his heart.