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Shacking Up #5.5
Dude in Distress
A short story from the NYT best-selling author of the Shacking Up series about a road trip that started with a broken-down car and ended with a questionable motel, an indoor campout, and a set of Kama Sutra sheets.
Nevah
I thought I was helping a damsel in distress.
Turns out my damsel was actually a hot guy with rock solid forearms, blue eyes reminiscent of an oasis in a desert, and some seriously bad luck.
Lawson
My day started with a bang.
The kind that left me stranded at the side of the road in the middle of the desert.
At least until a knight in shining armor shows up in a rusted-out convertible and saves the day. Said knight also happens to be a car savvy woman with legs for days, and a penchant for adventure.
Nevah
I thought I was helping a damsel in distress.
Turns out my damsel was actually a hot guy with rock solid forearms, blue eyes reminiscent of an oasis in a desert, and some seriously bad luck.
Lawson
My day started with a bang.
The kind that left me stranded at the side of the road in the middle of the desert.
At least until a knight in shining armor shows up in a rusted-out convertible and saves the day. Said knight also happens to be a car savvy woman with legs for days, and a penchant for adventure.
59 pages, ebook
First published March 9, 2021
19 people are currently reading
1203 people want to read
About the author
Helena Hunting
79 books26.4k followersHelena Hunting is the author of The USA Today and NYT bestselling PUCKED Series. She lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes everything from romantic sports comedy to new adult angst.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 340 reviews
January 27, 2023
Short and Sweet!
The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚🖤💙❤️💜
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: ☺️😮😍😀😘
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine: Nevah - she is an auto mechanic from New York who specializes in restoring classic cars. She is currently driving across the country for her boss in a recent purchase (an old Cadillac El Dorodo convertible) to see if it is worth restoring. On the trip, she is planning to stop off in Colorado for her sisters birthday.
The Hero: Lawson - He was in California for business (he works for his father’s doll company, his specialty is social media. He also does some real estate on the side. While in California he decided to purchase a classic Alfa Romeo Spider convertible and drive it across the country to Long Island when he breaks down in Nevada near the border of Utah.
The Story: Nevah sees Lawson on the side of the road and thinks she is seeing a damsel in distress and decides to stop to help since they are in the Nevada desert. After stopping she finds that it is a dude in distress, not a damsel. Though he is a nice guy so she helps him anyway.
This book was told in dual points of view via dual narration and was narrated by Rose Dioro and Jacob Morgan. They are both terrific narrators and I really like both their voices so this was a great listen. Rose has a voice that sounds feminine and age appropriate and she does a good male voice as well. I love Jacob’s deep gravely voice and he is great at letting emotions show through his voice.
This was a very short audiobook but the story was terrific and it seemed like it was much longer than it was. I was impressed with how much detail and story there were in such a short book. Lawson surprised me more than once and I really liked him and I loved that Nevah was such a strong independent woman. I don’t usually read or listen to such short stories, but lately I have been falling asleep easier while listening to audiobooks, so I put this one on as I went to sleep last night and was pleasantly surprised.
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The following ratings are out of 5:
Romance: 💚🖤💙❤️💜
Heat/Steam: 🔥🔥🔥
Story/Plot: 📕📗📘📙📔
World building: 🌏🌍🌎🌏🌍
Character development: ☺️😮😍😀😘
Narrator(s): 🎙🎙🎙🎙🎙
Narration Type: Dual Narration
The heroine: Nevah - she is an auto mechanic from New York who specializes in restoring classic cars. She is currently driving across the country for her boss in a recent purchase (an old Cadillac El Dorodo convertible) to see if it is worth restoring. On the trip, she is planning to stop off in Colorado for her sisters birthday.
The Hero: Lawson - He was in California for business (he works for his father’s doll company, his specialty is social media. He also does some real estate on the side. While in California he decided to purchase a classic Alfa Romeo Spider convertible and drive it across the country to Long Island when he breaks down in Nevada near the border of Utah.
The Story: Nevah sees Lawson on the side of the road and thinks she is seeing a damsel in distress and decides to stop to help since they are in the Nevada desert. After stopping she finds that it is a dude in distress, not a damsel. Though he is a nice guy so she helps him anyway.
This book was told in dual points of view via dual narration and was narrated by Rose Dioro and Jacob Morgan. They are both terrific narrators and I really like both their voices so this was a great listen. Rose has a voice that sounds feminine and age appropriate and she does a good male voice as well. I love Jacob’s deep gravely voice and he is great at letting emotions show through his voice.
This was a very short audiobook but the story was terrific and it seemed like it was much longer than it was. I was impressed with how much detail and story there were in such a short book. Lawson surprised me more than once and I really liked him and I loved that Nevah was such a strong independent woman. I don’t usually read or listen to such short stories, but lately I have been falling asleep easier while listening to audiobooks, so I put this one on as I went to sleep last night and was pleasantly surprised.
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March 20, 2021
3.5 stars
If you’ve read some of Helena Hunting’s other books, you might recommend Nevah and Lawson. I thought the way this started was so fun and I always enjoy Helena Hunting’s stories. This one was just a little too short for me to get invested, but entertaining nonetheless.
If you’ve read some of Helena Hunting’s other books, you might recommend Nevah and Lawson. I thought the way this started was so fun and I always enjoy Helena Hunting’s stories. This one was just a little too short for me to get invested, but entertaining nonetheless.
Audio book source: Audible (Audible Plus subscription)
Story Rating: 3.5 stars
Narrators: Jacob Morgan and Rose Dioro
Narration Rating: 4 stars
Genre: Romance
Length: 1 hour and 21 minutes
July 20, 2020
3,5 estrellas. Relato corto, incluido en la antología Summer fling y relacionado con la serie Shacking up de la autora. Me ha hecho reír, así que voy a investigar el resto de libros de la serie.
July 19, 2020
Creo que este tercer tomo es mi preferido.
Es literalmente hilarante, lo empece riendo a carcajadas y lo termine de la misma forma.
Me encanto que los protagonistas no fueran tan tipicos, sino que sus papeles estuvieran un poco invertidos, lo unico malo es que me supo a poco, ojala en algun momento Helena Hunting vuelva a escribir algo mas sobre Lawson y Nevah.
3 Estrellas!
January 17, 2022
Dude in Distress is a cute story perfect for when you're looking for something super short and sweet, or you just need something quick to help reach your Goodreads goal. 😏
I listened to the audio and was able to finish the entire thing while cooking dinner. It's only 59 pages long, but there is still a little bit of steam and one scene that made me laugh out loud. It's Helena Hunting though, so I'm sure nobody is surprised!
Romantic comedy & short story fans, this one's for you!!
I listened to the audio and was able to finish the entire thing while cooking dinner. It's only 59 pages long, but there is still a little bit of steam and one scene that made me laugh out loud. It's Helena Hunting though, so I'm sure nobody is surprised!
Romantic comedy & short story fans, this one's for you!!
April 20, 2021
There's only one bed!
I enjoyed everything about this short, short story—other than the fact that it needed to be much longer! I wanted more of Nevah and Lawson's road trip, however, what we got was hilarious with a great meet-cute, a journey with loads of car trouble, and some sizzling chemistry between two characters who only vaguely knew of one another before randomly meeting on a desert highway.
Overall, it's an enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half, plus Nevah really redeems herself after her last appearance in Cosy's book.
I enjoyed everything about this short, short story—other than the fact that it needed to be much longer! I wanted more of Nevah and Lawson's road trip, however, what we got was hilarious with a great meet-cute, a journey with loads of car trouble, and some sizzling chemistry between two characters who only vaguely knew of one another before randomly meeting on a desert highway.
Overall, it's an enjoyable way to spend an hour and a half, plus Nevah really redeems herself after her last appearance in Cosy's book.
April 3, 2021
I enjoyed my favorite male narrator Jacob Morgan as Lawson the gorgeous blond and Nevah the beautiful heroine who rescues him!
This book is such a fast paced storyline that I couldn’t believe it! I love this author and I have not read too many of her books but I am going to start reading/listening to her books.
This book is such a fast paced storyline that I couldn’t believe it! I love this author and I have not read too many of her books but I am going to start reading/listening to her books.
April 24, 2021
A Hilarious Sexy short story that I DEVOURED in an hour, with a Twisty take of Damsel Dude in Distress!
I love Helena's books, so reading this Short freebie was no brainer. It's Apparently related to the "Shacking Up" Series that I haven't read yet, but hopefully will soon.
This is the story of Nevah—Cosy's elder sis who's smart, LOVES cars, & has questionable choices in Past Men + Lawson—Looks like a surfer, socially awkward, cute & Works Social-media for his fam's "Doll empire".
Nevah helping Lawson took them on quite the fun adventure! From her helping, their Apparent chemistry, Familar feel & unbeknownst Family connection, Twists, Talking for hours, Staying in a shitty Motel (so damn eventful!), dating talks, Laugh-out-Loud moments, Indoor camping & Kama Sutra Sheets, Giving eachother a chance & Steamy scenes... This Fast-paced story is of 1 day, showing us how these two meet & how their relationship starts!
The Blurb's awesome, I loved this story+Characters & Totally won't mind if Helena writes a longer version in future! The premise is so interesting😍.
I love Helena's books, so reading this Short freebie was no brainer. It's Apparently related to the "Shacking Up" Series that I haven't read yet, but hopefully will soon.
This is the story of Nevah—Cosy's elder sis who's smart, LOVES cars, & has questionable choices in Past Men + Lawson—Looks like a surfer, socially awkward, cute & Works Social-media for his fam's "Doll empire".
Nevah helping Lawson took them on quite the fun adventure! From her helping, their Apparent chemistry, Familar feel & unbeknownst Family connection, Twists, Talking for hours, Staying in a shitty Motel (so damn eventful!), dating talks, Laugh-out-Loud moments, Indoor camping & Kama Sutra Sheets, Giving eachother a chance & Steamy scenes... This Fast-paced story is of 1 day, showing us how these two meet & how their relationship starts!
The Blurb's awesome, I loved this story+Characters & Totally won't mind if Helena writes a longer version in future! The premise is so interesting😍.
March 18, 2021
Nevah rescues Lawson from the side of the road after his car breaks down. There is something familiar between them but neither of them can work it out. When they do they realise how much in common they have - this is all tied up with Griffin and Cosy's story in Making Up.
Fun and flirty audio novella to help me get through a day working on a spreadsheet at work :) I really hope we get more from this couple!
Fun and flirty audio novella to help me get through a day working on a spreadsheet at work :) I really hope we get more from this couple!
April 10, 2023
Audiobook Review
Overall 3.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 2.5 - 3 stars
Super quick novella that features some of the side characters from Helena Hunting's Shacking Up series. There isn't much to the plot, but it's a fun road trip, only one bed, just a fling HFN between Lawson and Nevah. I also enjoyed the little update/details about Cosy and Griffin. Jacob Morgan and Rose Dioro were definitely the highlight though.
Overall 3.5 stars
Performance 5 stars
Story 2.5 - 3 stars
Super quick novella that features some of the side characters from Helena Hunting's Shacking Up series. There isn't much to the plot, but it's a fun road trip, only one bed, just a fling HFN between Lawson and Nevah. I also enjoyed the little update/details about Cosy and Griffin. Jacob Morgan and Rose Dioro were definitely the highlight though.
March 13, 2021
3.5
This was short and sweet but I really wish it would've gone a bit longer, like when they got to Colorado.
This was short and sweet but I really wish it would've gone a bit longer, like when they got to Colorado.
May 1, 2025
Fun, quick listen. Oddly, I felt it closed out this series very nicely. As crazy as these two were in previous books, I like how they had grown and matured and found their own happily ever after.
January 1, 2022
Starting off the new year with a quick read from an awesome author.
July 5, 2021
This was a simple fast read with great chemistry and a cute story. I loved that we finally got a story for Lawson. Both Jacob Morgan and Rose Dioro were great in vocalizing this story making it more enjoyable. I love when a story and narration come together.
April 13, 2024
Just because it’s available on audible premium plus, doesn’t mean I should read it. - things I need to learn
July 1, 2025
This was a fun little novella that was Nevah who saves Lawson on the side of the road. I was listening to it in audiobook. It was just a cute romance that you wish it was more.
One bed in a hotel room and well I don't wanna give to too much away since it's a real story novella.
Sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶
Instalove
Praise kink
Force proximity
Hfn
One bed in a hotel room and well I don't wanna give to too much away since it's a real story novella.
Sexy times, no virgins
Recommend-yes
Cover-⭐️⭐️
Heat level-🌶🌶
Instalove
Praise kink
Force proximity
Hfn
March 17, 2021
A fun, funny, flirty quickie that’s a perfect palate cleanser after the angst-ridden book I read before this. Fantastic narration that made me wish it was longer.
April 22, 2021
4 stars
Oh I wish this had been a full book! I adore Nevah and Lawson together!! Great little addition to the series but I wanted MORE!!
Oh I wish this had been a full book! I adore Nevah and Lawson together!! Great little addition to the series but I wanted MORE!!
March 10, 2021
3.5 or 4 stars for me. This is a short story with narration of Rose Dioro & Jacob Morgan. I guess it suppose to be a short novella but it was too short! You just want to continue on with them in the journey. I thought it was quite cute and great listen! This was perhaps a test on the waters for me considering she is new author on my end. I am pretty glad I did this and know if I dig her writing style or not. I definitely do it and I truly do believe it's well-written! It's a good summer fling fun!
March 14, 2021
This is basically Shacking Up series book 4.5 which takes place a year after Making Up with Cosy's sister, Nevah, and her "dude in distress", Amalie's brother, Lawson.
Originally released as part of the Summer Fling anthology.
Originally released as part of the Summer Fling anthology.
December 12, 2021
This short story is not a part of the Shacking Up series per se, but you have met both characters before. Nevah is Cosi's (Making Up) sister and Lawson is Amalie's and Pierce's brother (from Hooking Up and I Flipping Love You). I strongly suggest listening to this one after you read the other books so that you can enjoy it better.
Nevah is driving to Colorado to attend her sister's birthday surprise party/concert when she sees what she believes is a "damsel in distress" on the road. She sees the long, blond locks peering under the hood of a broken down car and, since she restores cars, she decides to stop and help the poor woman. Well, this is no poor woman - it's Lawson, in his surfer dude glory. They have a feeling they've met before but until Cosi (who's on the the phone terrified that Nevah stopped in the middle of nowhere to help a stranger) puts two and two together and tell them they do know each other - Lawson is her sister-in-law's brother. (yeah, some convoluted family ties there! )
The story is your basic forced proximity trope with the one bed only and everything... They have what Lawson calls a speed dating situation, as they go through many things on their way to Colorado to attend the same party which they consider "dating milestones".
I loved it but I was really frustrated because this could have been a kick ass book, since these two are really interesting characters!
Narrated by Rose Dioro and Jacob Morgan, you know you will have fun listening to it. If you liked the Shacking Up series, take a listen!
Nevah is driving to Colorado to attend her sister's birthday surprise party/concert when she sees what she believes is a "damsel in distress" on the road. She sees the long, blond locks peering under the hood of a broken down car and, since she restores cars, she decides to stop and help the poor woman. Well, this is no poor woman - it's Lawson, in his surfer dude glory. They have a feeling they've met before but until Cosi (who's on the the phone terrified that Nevah stopped in the middle of nowhere to help a stranger) puts two and two together and tell them they do know each other - Lawson is her sister-in-law's brother. (yeah, some convoluted family ties there! )
The story is your basic forced proximity trope with the one bed only and everything... They have what Lawson calls a speed dating situation, as they go through many things on their way to Colorado to attend the same party which they consider "dating milestones".
I loved it but I was really frustrated because this could have been a kick ass book, since these two are really interesting characters!
Narrated by Rose Dioro and Jacob Morgan, you know you will have fun listening to it. If you liked the Shacking Up series, take a listen!
March 28, 2021
My Spoiler Free Review
Unabridged Audiobook via Audible membership loan
Narrated by: Rose Dioro and Jacob Morgan
Length: 1 hr and 21 mins
Release date: 03-09-21
Publisher: Audible Studios
Ratings:
Story - 5 stars! I'd already met Nevah and Lawson in another novel by this author, so I didn't have any problems slipping into their worlds finally colliding more directly than ever. I didn't envy them their overnight accommodations, but they sure made the best of it! ;*) Their short story reminded me that fate's engineering can be whacky but ultimately lead to very good results indeed.
Performance by Rose Dioro - 5 stars! She's one of the best female narrators, and I'm so glad I still enjoyed her vocal instincts on this novella.
Performance by Jacob Morgan - 5 stars! He's my top favorite male narrator, so I wasn't surprised to enjoy his interpretation of both Lawson and Nevah.
Overall - 5 stars! If you enjoy quickies, then dive right in!
Check out Rian and Sutter's full length romance for more goodness:
I Flipping Love You
Unabridged Audiobook via Audible membership loan
Narrated by: Rose Dioro and Jacob Morgan
Length: 1 hr and 21 mins
Release date: 03-09-21
Publisher: Audible Studios
Ratings:
Story - 5 stars! I'd already met Nevah and Lawson in another novel by this author, so I didn't have any problems slipping into their worlds finally colliding more directly than ever. I didn't envy them their overnight accommodations, but they sure made the best of it! ;*) Their short story reminded me that fate's engineering can be whacky but ultimately lead to very good results indeed.
Performance by Rose Dioro - 5 stars! She's one of the best female narrators, and I'm so glad I still enjoyed her vocal instincts on this novella.
Performance by Jacob Morgan - 5 stars! He's my top favorite male narrator, so I wasn't surprised to enjoy his interpretation of both Lawson and Nevah.
Overall - 5 stars! If you enjoy quickies, then dive right in!
Check out Rian and Sutter's full length romance for more goodness:
I Flipping Love You
March 20, 2021
What happens when a female mechanic, on a road trip, sees another female stranded with a broken down car? She stops and helps out. What happens when the said female turns out to be a man? Nevah helps Lawson with his car and arranges a tow truck. Discovering that the know each other via family they decide to continue the road trip together. Their chemistry is hot and the journey more fun by being together. This was a great little slice of fun that left me hoping for more from these two
February 3, 2023
Dude in Distress is a short novella from the Shaking Up series. It is book 5.5. While it is true that the book can be read as a standalone, I think it would have been more interesting to me if I knew the characters already or had some experience with the series, which I didn’t. This is a quick listen. The audiobook is 1 hour and 21 minutes in duration. It was free as part of the audible plus catalog. Overall, I rate this book as 2.5 stars. It is not something I will listen to again. It wasn’t all that exciting and it seemed like nothing really happened until an hour into the book.
July 2, 2025
REVIEW POST - Book 41 of 2025
Dude in Distress by Helena Hunting
A short and sweet one, only an hour on audible for me. So this was great as a little palette cleanser and something to occupy me while I was packing for RARE this weekend.
Did it break the mould? No. Would I read more by this author? Yes.
Also, only found out later that this is essentially a little filler story novella between other main character stories in a series.
Dude in Distress by Helena Hunting
A short and sweet one, only an hour on audible for me. So this was great as a little palette cleanser and something to occupy me while I was packing for RARE this weekend.
Did it break the mould? No. Would I read more by this author? Yes.
Also, only found out later that this is essentially a little filler story novella between other main character stories in a series.
March 20, 2021
I'm just going to put this out there.. I need more!!
This was a great short and I'm hoping it's just at teaser!!
and please please please use Rose and Jacob for the rest of their story because I've already imprinted on them.
Nevah is so bad ass and Lawson owns his masculinity and lack of auto mechanics 101!
This was a great short and I'm hoping it's just at teaser!!
and please please please use Rose and Jacob for the rest of their story because I've already imprinted on them.
Nevah is so bad ass and Lawson owns his masculinity and lack of auto mechanics 101!
May 25, 2021
I was so excited to listen to Nevah and Lawson's story. It was funny and hot. My only complaint is that I'm left wanting more! I would not be opposed to a full length book for this couple. It was such a fun short story.
June 23, 2021
I loved this, but, it was so short!!!! I feel like we have all this time with the build up, and then it’s just over. I just wanted more. But, for what it was, it was funny and the perfect way to spend an hour.
April 13, 2022
3.5 Really short and quick read. It was fun and an adorable meet cute. Good way to get a quick introduction to an author, Helena Hunting is definitely a great contemporary romance author to explore her backlist if this is your first introduction to her.
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