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Red Lipstick Coalition #3
Work in Progress
An alternative cover edition for this ISBN can be found here.
I never thought my first kiss would be on my wedding day.
But here I stand, clutching a bouquet of pale pink roses behind the doors of a Las Vegas chapel, and at the end of the aisle is the absolute last man I imagined would be waiting for me.
Thomas Bane.
Bestselling author. Notorious bad boy. Savagely handsome, dark as sin, chiseled as stone. And somehow, my soon-to-be husband.
Marry him, and I’ll land my dream job. Save him, and I’ll walk away with everything I’ve ever wanted. All I have to do is remember it’s all for show. None of it is real, no matter how real it feels.
But first, I have to survive the kiss.
And with lips like his, I don’t stand a chance.
I never thought my first kiss would be on my wedding day.
But here I stand, clutching a bouquet of pale pink roses behind the doors of a Las Vegas chapel, and at the end of the aisle is the absolute last man I imagined would be waiting for me.
Thomas Bane.
Bestselling author. Notorious bad boy. Savagely handsome, dark as sin, chiseled as stone. And somehow, my soon-to-be husband.
Marry him, and I’ll land my dream job. Save him, and I’ll walk away with everything I’ve ever wanted. All I have to do is remember it’s all for show. None of it is real, no matter how real it feels.
But first, I have to survive the kiss.
And with lips like his, I don’t stand a chance.
408 pages, Paperback
First published January 19, 2019
About the author
Staci Hart
62 books6,067 followersI was the kid who stayed inside to read.
As a four-eyed nerd with a bad perm, I was no one’s dodgeball pick, but I had a lot of friends. Frodo and Bilbo, for instance. Kristy, Stacey, Claudia and the gang (iykyk). Once, in the third grade, I wrote a teen murder mystery inspired by Christopher Pike. On solving my mystery in twelve pages, I decided I was a terrible writer and should never, ever do that again.
Fortunately, I didn’t take my own advice.
I write romance for that feeling you get at the end, like you’re standing on top of a mountain with a backpack full of hundred dollar bills. I write romcoms because is there anything better than banter and grand gestures? I write because I love to create and I love words. I love books, and I love stretching my imagination. I love love, and if you do too, bring your coffee and have a seat. I think we’re gonna be friends.
Stay connected!
Instagram: http://instagram.com/quirkybird
Facebook: http://facebook.com/stacihartnovels
Reader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/stacihart
As a four-eyed nerd with a bad perm, I was no one’s dodgeball pick, but I had a lot of friends. Frodo and Bilbo, for instance. Kristy, Stacey, Claudia and the gang (iykyk). Once, in the third grade, I wrote a teen murder mystery inspired by Christopher Pike. On solving my mystery in twelve pages, I decided I was a terrible writer and should never, ever do that again.
Fortunately, I didn’t take my own advice.
I write romance for that feeling you get at the end, like you’re standing on top of a mountain with a backpack full of hundred dollar bills. I write romcoms because is there anything better than banter and grand gestures? I write because I love to create and I love words. I love books, and I love stretching my imagination. I love love, and if you do too, bring your coffee and have a seat. I think we’re gonna be friends.
Stay connected!
Instagram: http://instagram.com/quirkybird
Facebook: http://facebook.com/stacihartnovels
Reader Group: http://facebook.com/groups/stacihart
Ratings & Reviews
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 806 reviews
March 21, 2019
5 stars!
Marriage of convenience troupes... oh how I love thee. A rom-com from Staci Hart with this troupe, it just made it all the better. After reading Player last year, I wasn't sure any of the other RLC books could top it, but I loved this one just as much. It was different, but just as wonderful. Tommy and Amelia were everything.
Amelia is the shy bookworm of her friends. She's a little backwards and socially awkward, but she's amazing. When she meets Thomas Bane at a book signing, she comes out of her shell some. Thomas brings that out of her at their first meeting. He's a best selling author who is having major writers block and needs someone willing to help him with his book. Someone who isn't afraid to be critical and tell him what's not working. That someone is Amelia. Amelia agrees, but this arrangement turns into so much more than either one of them ever expected.
Tommy's 'bad boy' behavior has him on the outs with his publisher. He needs something huge to get him out of the hole he's in with them. Something that will make him look different to the public. A marriage to a sweet girl could be just what he needs. It turns out, this arrangement works out perfectly for the both of them.
You will fall in love with both Tommy and Amelia, mark my words. Amelia is genuine, kind, shy, sweet, and pure. She's the best kind of person. Then there is Tommy. Tommy is so different than he appears. On the outside, he's a bad boy, he's a rouge. But Thomas Bane is hiding something. And that something is his humongous heart. Tommy is an amazing man. He's giving, loving, and has a heart of gold. There was absolutely nothing I didn't love about this couple or this book.
Work in Progress has romance, passion, steam, and laughs. It's a beautiful and fun story that is heartwarming and has no unnecessary drama or angst which I appreciated. Staci Hart really brings it with this one. Tommy and Amelia's story was amazing and I couldn't have loved it more. And that little sneak peak into Katherine's book... I am literally dying for it. DYING. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. I would recommend this one to all lovers of romance. I can't imagine anyone not loving this book!
I never thought my first kiss would be on my wedding day.
Marriage of convenience troupes... oh how I love thee. A rom-com from Staci Hart with this troupe, it just made it all the better. After reading Player last year, I wasn't sure any of the other RLC books could top it, but I loved this one just as much. It was different, but just as wonderful. Tommy and Amelia were everything.
Amelia is the shy bookworm of her friends. She's a little backwards and socially awkward, but she's amazing. When she meets Thomas Bane at a book signing, she comes out of her shell some. Thomas brings that out of her at their first meeting. He's a best selling author who is having major writers block and needs someone willing to help him with his book. Someone who isn't afraid to be critical and tell him what's not working. That someone is Amelia. Amelia agrees, but this arrangement turns into so much more than either one of them ever expected.
Tommy's 'bad boy' behavior has him on the outs with his publisher. He needs something huge to get him out of the hole he's in with them. Something that will make him look different to the public. A marriage to a sweet girl could be just what he needs. It turns out, this arrangement works out perfectly for the both of them.
“Admit it, Melia. We’re good together.”
“You are a mess.”
“I know I am. And you balance me.”
“Babysit you.” I shrugged.
“Same thing. And I make you brave.” She chuckled.
“That’s true.”
You will fall in love with both Tommy and Amelia, mark my words. Amelia is genuine, kind, shy, sweet, and pure. She's the best kind of person. Then there is Tommy. Tommy is so different than he appears. On the outside, he's a bad boy, he's a rouge. But Thomas Bane is hiding something. And that something is his humongous heart. Tommy is an amazing man. He's giving, loving, and has a heart of gold. There was absolutely nothing I didn't love about this couple or this book.
Work in Progress has romance, passion, steam, and laughs. It's a beautiful and fun story that is heartwarming and has no unnecessary drama or angst which I appreciated. Staci Hart really brings it with this one. Tommy and Amelia's story was amazing and I couldn't have loved it more. And that little sneak peak into Katherine's book... I am literally dying for it. DYING. Do yourself a favor and pick this one up. I would recommend this one to all lovers of romance. I can't imagine anyone not loving this book!
“You are everything.” The words were reverent, her eyes open and bright. “You’re everything I could ever want, all I could hope for."
February 15, 2021
Ohhh, yes, my favorite: the poor white man who's so clueless about why women and POC hate his work.
It's like looking at WELL, ACTUALLY answers on twitter and isn't it such a good feeling?? NOT.
I mean making fun of valid criticisms is so funny
"(...) Have you ever thought of writing a female lead? (...)
"Never" (...)
"Why not?" (...)
"Because I'm not a woman, and I don't want to offend them."
"That's like saying you can't write diversity because you're white."
One of my brows arched as I gave her a look.
"Tell me, has anyone ever reviewed your reviews? Because, when a white guy writes women and diversity, everyone who wanted it from them says, not like that."
Hahahaha right, everyone knows that white men are criticized just because they're white men ...
... and not at all when their representation sucks big time.
Never mind, it's just that Goodreads reviewers suck, yknow
Her brows drew together. "Well... no one has reviewed my reviews. Not exactly. But... I don't know if you've ever been to Goodbooks, but that place is a battlefield. (...)
... but the MC is special so that's okay, she's allowed to criticize
"You weren't posting reviews with Liz Lemon eye-rolling GIFs just to get a rise out of people."
LMAO of course dude, of course.
I just... I'm not saying that reviewers are perfect and never fuck up but I find it really disheartening to see authors simplifying issues like this. It reeks a little too much of "marginalized reviewers are mean for no reason, hahahaha, I am ignorant on that matter but I'm sure their criticism isn't valid" for me to feel an ounce of sympathy for Mister I Write Terrible Male Leads and his Special Girl.
DNF.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
It's like looking at WELL, ACTUALLY answers on twitter and isn't it such a good feeling?? NOT.
I mean making fun of valid criticisms is so funny
"(...) Have you ever thought of writing a female lead? (...)
"Never" (...)
"Why not?" (...)
"Because I'm not a woman, and I don't want to offend them."
"That's like saying you can't write diversity because you're white."
One of my brows arched as I gave her a look.
"Tell me, has anyone ever reviewed your reviews? Because, when a white guy writes women and diversity, everyone who wanted it from them says, not like that."
Hahahaha right, everyone knows that white men are criticized just because they're white men ...
... and not at all when their representation sucks big time.
Never mind, it's just that Goodreads reviewers suck, yknow
Her brows drew together. "Well... no one has reviewed my reviews. Not exactly. But... I don't know if you've ever been to Goodbooks, but that place is a battlefield. (...)
... but the MC is special so that's okay, she's allowed to criticize
"You weren't posting reviews with Liz Lemon eye-rolling GIFs just to get a rise out of people."
LMAO of course dude, of course.
I just... I'm not saying that reviewers are perfect and never fuck up but I find it really disheartening to see authors simplifying issues like this. It reeks a little too much of "marginalized reviewers are mean for no reason, hahahaha, I am ignorant on that matter but I'm sure their criticism isn't valid" for me to feel an ounce of sympathy for Mister I Write Terrible Male Leads and his Special Girl.
DNF.
For more of my reviews, please visit:
January 22, 2020
Do you remember what it felt like to build a fort with your best friends? Where you'd string up all your sheets and blankets over chairs and couches, and then pile in underneath the canopy, laughing and playing and talking for hours? Do you remember that joy, that incredible sense of warmth and comfort and love?
That's what reading this book felt like to me.
Work in Progress is my favorite Staci Hart novel to date, and there really isn't just one reason. There are so many, it's impossible to list them all. Between the phenomenal writing, the never-before-read characters, and the true, genuine romance that I've always dreamed of having in my own life, I was as smitten as a kitten with a ball of catnip. If there was a gold medal for romantic comedy of the year, Staci Hart would clench it with Work in Progress -- and no one else would even come close to dethroning her.
I hadn't realized then that I had been very lonely. Not until I wasn't anymore. And it was all thanks to Tommy.
There was so much to love in this book. First of all, Amelia Hall is the heroine I didn't know I've been needing. Here's this shy, awkward, but potty-mouthed and feisty BOOKWORM trying to stumble through her first "relationship"... which is FAKE, by the way. She and her friends are so hilarious, and it felt just like sitting around with my OWN friends, gossiping and trying to figure out what to do when it comes to boys. I loved any scene with her and the girls, and any scene where her buttons got pushed and she came out of her shell a little. As a painfully awkward bookworm myself, it was so awesome to have my own feelings and anxieties reflected in a heroine. She was hilarious. And adorable. And strong. And loving. SIGH. I might have a crush on her more than Thomas Bane...
Okay, that's a lie.
Because THOMAS MOTHERF*CKIN BANE, Y'ALL. First of all, from all the descriptions Hart paints of Tommy, I just picture him as Jason Momoa -- built like a god, sexy from his eyes to his toes, long, thick head of hair, strong jaw, nose that somehow turns you on. SIGH. And as if the way he LOOKS isn't enough to drool over, Hart went ahead and painted him as the most amazing Hero I've ever read. He's a writer.... A WRITER, GUYS. He writes fantasy, but Amelia challenges him to write romance after ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARGUMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF BOOKS EVER. I seriously highlighted so much of it (maybe because it was sexy to see a guy put in his place with a woman defending romance books. Take that, Tommy!).
ANYWAY.
He's kind, he's protective, he's aware of those he loves and what they need and he'll do ANYTHING for them. He's also cocky, and playful, and he loves to make Amelia squirm. Think Han Solo with Leia... THE BEST KIND OF FLIRTY VIBES.
I was falling in love with my husband. And I had an undeniable feeling that he was falling in love with me, too.
These two characters together were absolutely explosive. There's so much tension, so much angst leading up to their first kiss that by the time I got it, I was a SQUIRMY MESS. And the first time it gets steamy between them? FAGEDDABOUTIT. She's a virgin, and he's a playboy, and the way he worships her body made me want to forego my life here on Earth and make a deal with the devil. GET ME INSIDE THIS BOOK, LUCIFER, AND INSIDE TOMMY'S ARMS. RIGHT MEOW.
Okay, I digress.
But what I love MOST about this book and, well, any Staci Hart book, really, is the out of this world writing. I read so much romance, and no one -- NO ONE -- does it like Hart does. Her writing is so poetic, so beautiful, it's like staring at a rare painting revered around the world that you somehow got to hold in your hands for a short while. She paints worlds like Van Gogh paints a starry night. She creates rich characters like Martha Stewart creates rich, decadent chocolate cakes. What I'm trying to say is that she is, quite simply, the most talented romance author I have the pleasure of reading. It's this that will always keep me coming back, always have me clamoring for more, and always have me wondering if I should quit writing, myself, because I'll never be able to do what she does.
I could go on and on about this book, the author, the writing, the CHARACTERS, the plot. But here's everything you need to know in a nutshell:
Work in Progress is undoubtedly the best romantic comedy to come from Staci Hart's brilliant mind, and if you've ever read her work before, you know this is a huge testament. This book will have you clutching your heart in swoon after swoon, sighing with reverence, and all this while fighting back laughter -- and that's a fight you'll lose, I promise. Work in Progress isn't just a romantic comedy for this generation, it's one for the ages, and if I could file it away next to my classics, I would. I am simply blown away and in absolute, dazzled awe. 5 stars just isn't enough. Every romance-loving bookworm MUST read this book!
Now... I'll try to patiently wait for Katherine's book. But after that epilogue, I don't know how I'll make it. This group of friends is by far my favorite in any book world, save for maybe the Harry Potter crew. I can't wait to get more of them!
Chop chop, Staci Hart. Your number one fan is waiting! ;)
That's what reading this book felt like to me.
Work in Progress is my favorite Staci Hart novel to date, and there really isn't just one reason. There are so many, it's impossible to list them all. Between the phenomenal writing, the never-before-read characters, and the true, genuine romance that I've always dreamed of having in my own life, I was as smitten as a kitten with a ball of catnip. If there was a gold medal for romantic comedy of the year, Staci Hart would clench it with Work in Progress -- and no one else would even come close to dethroning her.
I hadn't realized then that I had been very lonely. Not until I wasn't anymore. And it was all thanks to Tommy.
There was so much to love in this book. First of all, Amelia Hall is the heroine I didn't know I've been needing. Here's this shy, awkward, but potty-mouthed and feisty BOOKWORM trying to stumble through her first "relationship"... which is FAKE, by the way. She and her friends are so hilarious, and it felt just like sitting around with my OWN friends, gossiping and trying to figure out what to do when it comes to boys. I loved any scene with her and the girls, and any scene where her buttons got pushed and she came out of her shell a little. As a painfully awkward bookworm myself, it was so awesome to have my own feelings and anxieties reflected in a heroine. She was hilarious. And adorable. And strong. And loving. SIGH. I might have a crush on her more than Thomas Bane...
Okay, that's a lie.
Because THOMAS MOTHERF*CKIN BANE, Y'ALL. First of all, from all the descriptions Hart paints of Tommy, I just picture him as Jason Momoa -- built like a god, sexy from his eyes to his toes, long, thick head of hair, strong jaw, nose that somehow turns you on. SIGH. And as if the way he LOOKS isn't enough to drool over, Hart went ahead and painted him as the most amazing Hero I've ever read. He's a writer.... A WRITER, GUYS. He writes fantasy, but Amelia challenges him to write romance after ONE OF MY FAVORITE ARGUMENTS IN THE HISTORY OF BOOKS EVER. I seriously highlighted so much of it (maybe because it was sexy to see a guy put in his place with a woman defending romance books. Take that, Tommy!).
ANYWAY.
He's kind, he's protective, he's aware of those he loves and what they need and he'll do ANYTHING for them. He's also cocky, and playful, and he loves to make Amelia squirm. Think Han Solo with Leia... THE BEST KIND OF FLIRTY VIBES.
I was falling in love with my husband. And I had an undeniable feeling that he was falling in love with me, too.
These two characters together were absolutely explosive. There's so much tension, so much angst leading up to their first kiss that by the time I got it, I was a SQUIRMY MESS. And the first time it gets steamy between them? FAGEDDABOUTIT. She's a virgin, and he's a playboy, and the way he worships her body made me want to forego my life here on Earth and make a deal with the devil. GET ME INSIDE THIS BOOK, LUCIFER, AND INSIDE TOMMY'S ARMS. RIGHT MEOW.
Okay, I digress.
But what I love MOST about this book and, well, any Staci Hart book, really, is the out of this world writing. I read so much romance, and no one -- NO ONE -- does it like Hart does. Her writing is so poetic, so beautiful, it's like staring at a rare painting revered around the world that you somehow got to hold in your hands for a short while. She paints worlds like Van Gogh paints a starry night. She creates rich characters like Martha Stewart creates rich, decadent chocolate cakes. What I'm trying to say is that she is, quite simply, the most talented romance author I have the pleasure of reading. It's this that will always keep me coming back, always have me clamoring for more, and always have me wondering if I should quit writing, myself, because I'll never be able to do what she does.
I could go on and on about this book, the author, the writing, the CHARACTERS, the plot. But here's everything you need to know in a nutshell:
Work in Progress is undoubtedly the best romantic comedy to come from Staci Hart's brilliant mind, and if you've ever read her work before, you know this is a huge testament. This book will have you clutching your heart in swoon after swoon, sighing with reverence, and all this while fighting back laughter -- and that's a fight you'll lose, I promise. Work in Progress isn't just a romantic comedy for this generation, it's one for the ages, and if I could file it away next to my classics, I would. I am simply blown away and in absolute, dazzled awe. 5 stars just isn't enough. Every romance-loving bookworm MUST read this book!
Now... I'll try to patiently wait for Katherine's book. But after that epilogue, I don't know how I'll make it. This group of friends is by far my favorite in any book world, save for maybe the Harry Potter crew. I can't wait to get more of them!
Chop chop, Staci Hart. Your number one fan is waiting! ;)
Read
January 22, 2020
FREE FREE FREEEEE!
💋 Marriage of Convenience
💋 Bad Boy Author
💋 Shy Book Blogger
💋 The best group of BFFs
💋 RomCom swoons
💋 All the FEELS!
Work in Progress: https://amzn.to/2RSDn3F
January 24, 2019
LIVE https://amzn.to/2R7kqWo
5 STARS
I don't know were to start my review with Work In Progress, it was amazing.Staci Hart delivers a heartwarming,sweet and intense story.I adored Amelia and Thomas but mostly Amelia because I could see myself in her!
Amelia is shy,sweet and lovely.She is also passionate and kind.She is such a sweetheart.Thomas is sexy,charming and so swoon worthy!If you like slow burn in your romance this is what you are getting .The chemistry between them is someting else.I loved them, they have some sweet,funny, hot and flirty moments.
Staci Hart surprise me every time I start a new book from her.I love her stories and her heroines are so original!
5 STARS
I don't know were to start my review with Work In Progress, it was amazing.Staci Hart delivers a heartwarming,sweet and intense story.I adored Amelia and Thomas but mostly Amelia because I could see myself in her!
Amelia is shy,sweet and lovely.She is also passionate and kind.She is such a sweetheart.Thomas is sexy,charming and so swoon worthy!If you like slow burn in your romance this is what you are getting .The chemistry between them is someting else.I loved them, they have some sweet,funny, hot and flirty moments.
Staci Hart surprise me every time I start a new book from her.I love her stories and her heroines are so original!
February 1, 2019
✪✪
Although I am addicted to cheese, too much cheesy in my reads is not great.
💬
The synopsis and idea behind this novel were so promising, but oh boy, what a big disappointment this was. What started as unique, relatable and fun became boring, easy, cheesy as hell, and unnecessary.
I fell just a bit bad because I am becoming one of those negative reviewers portrayed in the book but hell not even the blogging aspect saved this one for me. The writing was good, no problem there, now the characters and plot is another story.
Do you know when authors create characters that have this one distinctive feature that identifies the main characters? Well, this is an example when the characters are nothing else but that. To make characters interesting they should not be predictable and hopefully had a complexity to them, but oh boy Thomas (I refuse to call him Tommy, iugh) was only loyal and dangerous, while Amelia was only naive and pure. I could literally predict everything that will happen and how the characters were going to react, it was so bland.
The book felt endless, so much of nothing, there was zero drama when needed and when it appeared it was completely absurd. There were some interesting backstories to Thomas and his brother and mom, but we had so little of scenes with them. A work in progress is the perfect example of how romance becomes the only focus of the main characters lives. It was like 2 weeks of only them, but how when his mom lived in the same property and was hella sick. I just feel that if added more scenes of this my liking for Thomas could have grown. The “huge break” though, wow my eyes rolled till Asia and beyond, so forced and fabricated. Also, our female character feels like crap for things that are not even her fault. If you hate miscommunication, you are warned.
Angst? ANGST? WHERE IS MY ANGST? A book with a fake-marriage and potential hate-to-love (because it wasn’t used) should have angst everywhere, right? The part where you develop feelings but is a fake thing so oh no, well I did not get that here. Everything was so easy and it felt almost instant. I just couldn’t buy the chemistry between both characters, perhaps is my bias on not liking this pure female characters. The progress of their sexual relationship was slow which I appreciated.
In conclusion to much unrealistic content and drama, I am out. I just didn’t connect.
💭Pre-reading thoughts:
Staci Hart's covers make me look like this: 😍
Buddy-read because with her my reading experience is 100 times better with.
Although I am addicted to cheese, too much cheesy in my reads is not great.
“Deep down, I’d always known our time together was temporary. Because life was fluid, ever changing, never the same for long. It was a string of seasons, good times and bad, happy and sad, one after the other. But above that deep-down knowledge was the naive hope that we’d somehow stay together forever.”
💬
The synopsis and idea behind this novel were so promising, but oh boy, what a big disappointment this was. What started as unique, relatable and fun became boring, easy, cheesy as hell, and unnecessary.
I fell just a bit bad because I am becoming one of those negative reviewers portrayed in the book but hell not even the blogging aspect saved this one for me. The writing was good, no problem there, now the characters and plot is another story.
Do you know when authors create characters that have this one distinctive feature that identifies the main characters? Well, this is an example when the characters are nothing else but that. To make characters interesting they should not be predictable and hopefully had a complexity to them, but oh boy Thomas (I refuse to call him Tommy, iugh) was only loyal and dangerous, while Amelia was only naive and pure. I could literally predict everything that will happen and how the characters were going to react, it was so bland.
The book felt endless, so much of nothing, there was zero drama when needed and when it appeared it was completely absurd. There were some interesting backstories to Thomas and his brother and mom, but we had so little of scenes with them. A work in progress is the perfect example of how romance becomes the only focus of the main characters lives. It was like 2 weeks of only them, but how when his mom lived in the same property and was hella sick. I just feel that if added more scenes of this my liking for Thomas could have grown. The “huge break” though, wow my eyes rolled till Asia and beyond, so forced and fabricated. Also, our female character feels like crap for things that are not even her fault. If you hate miscommunication, you are warned.
Angst? ANGST? WHERE IS MY ANGST? A book with a fake-marriage and potential hate-to-love (because it wasn’t used) should have angst everywhere, right? The part where you develop feelings but is a fake thing so oh no, well I did not get that here. Everything was so easy and it felt almost instant. I just couldn’t buy the chemistry between both characters, perhaps is my bias on not liking this pure female characters. The progress of their sexual relationship was slow which I appreciated.
In conclusion to much unrealistic content and drama, I am out. I just didn’t connect.
💭Pre-reading thoughts:
Staci Hart's covers make me look like this: 😍
Buddy-read because with her my reading experience is 100 times better with.
January 30, 2019
This was just alright. Enjoyable but nothing about it stood out and neither did I feel my heart cling to the story and characters.
—————————
Buddy-reading with my babes again! ❤️
This book is already off to a good start.
An arrogant author?
An introverted blogger?
Fake marriage?
Gonna eat this book up!
—————————
Buddy-reading with my babes again! ❤️
This book is already off to a good start.
An arrogant author?
An introverted blogger?
Fake marriage?
Gonna eat this book up!
February 5, 2019
3 Stars
Overall Opinion: I really enjoyed both of these characters! I was rooting for their HEA all the way and was happy with them getting it. It was actually a little too sweet for my liking with all the mushy stuff after they share their "ILYs", but I'm sure other reader will love that aspect of the book. It was also pretty low drama. So anyone looking for a super sweet, cute, low drama book to read in between some heavier ones -- this might be the book for you!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Amelia and Tommy's story. Amelia is stepping out of her shell to meet the famous bad-boy author, Tommy, after causing quite a stir writing reviews about his books. Tommy decides instantly that he needs Amelia's help to work through some writers block. After some unexpected drama that's taking his publisher's last straw, Tommy proposes a deal where they are married to clean up in his image in exchange for helping Amelia get her dream job. There are some sweet scenes, a few sexy times, and some drama...and they get a HEA ending.
POV: This alternated between Amelia and Tommy's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 4.5 stars. Tommy. I really liked him! He was super sweet and misunderstood. I appreciated how fiercely loyal he was for those he cared about.
h rating: 4 stars. Amelia. I liked her. She was quirky, sweet, and smart.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had a cute epilogue with what I would call a HEA ending . I did have an unanswered question in the end that bugged me a little.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
Overall Opinion: I really enjoyed both of these characters! I was rooting for their HEA all the way and was happy with them getting it. It was actually a little too sweet for my liking with all the mushy stuff after they share their "ILYs", but I'm sure other reader will love that aspect of the book. It was also pretty low drama. So anyone looking for a super sweet, cute, low drama book to read in between some heavier ones -- this might be the book for you!
Brief Summary of the Storyline: This is Amelia and Tommy's story. Amelia is stepping out of her shell to meet the famous bad-boy author, Tommy, after causing quite a stir writing reviews about his books. Tommy decides instantly that he needs Amelia's help to work through some writers block. After some unexpected drama that's taking his publisher's last straw, Tommy proposes a deal where they are married to clean up in his image in exchange for helping Amelia get her dream job. There are some sweet scenes, a few sexy times, and some drama...and they get a HEA ending.
POV: This alternated between Amelia and Tommy's POV.
Overall Pace of Story: Good. I never skimmed and I thought it flowed well.
Instalove: No, they take a while to develop stronger feelings.
H rating: 4.5 stars. Tommy. I really liked him! He was super sweet and misunderstood. I appreciated how fiercely loyal he was for those he cared about.
h rating: 4 stars. Amelia. I liked her. She was quirky, sweet, and smart.
Sadness level: Low, no tissues needed
Push/Pull: Yes
Heat level: Good. They have some good tension, chemistry, and scenes -- but not so much it takes away from the story.
Descriptive sex: Yes
OW/OM drama: Yes
Sex scene with OW or OM: No
Cheating: No
Separation: Yes
Possible Triggers: Yes
Closure: This had a cute epilogue with what I would call a HEA ending . I did have an unanswered question in the end that bugged me a little.
Safety: This one should be Safe for most safety gang readers
February 1, 2019
This book was not at all on my radar until early reviews starting coming in RAVING about the romance. When I finally read the synopsis and saw it was about a blogger and a writer getting married and THEN falling in love, I was definitely intrigued and had to read it.
Amelia has never been kissed and feels crippling anxiety in any social situation she finds herself in. She's trying to push past it, though, and decides to go to Thomas Bane's book signing on assignment from her boss. The next thing she knows, she's agreeing to help Thomas write his newest book and marry him to save his reputation. In return, Amelia will finally land the job of her dreams. Little does she know, Thomas is even more charming than he is in the media and quickly finds herself falling for the caring, gentle man who might be falling for her too.
When I first started reading this book, I definitely fell head over heels for Thomas's character. From the moment Amelia met him, I loved how honest and caring he was when it came to Amelia. And the fact that he's a writer!? SWOOOOOOOON. It was so fun watching Amelia help Tommy write and Tommy find so much inspiration from his relationship with Amelia. I loved how their relationship developed into something so much more as they started to get to know each other after their marriage of convenience.
I was absolutely obsessed with this story for about 85% of the way though until the conflict arose. To me, the conflict was pretty obvious from the start and I was just hoping that wasn't going to play out the way I thought it was. It was a trope that I'm not a fan of and Tommy ended up being super hypocritical. Ugh. Once that was over, I do think the ending went on for a little too long and could have wrapped up a bit sooner. Until that point, though, this romance was EVERYTHING and definitely on the track to being a five star read!
Overall, this was such fun book that I think every book lover will love. Who wouldn't want their own hot fantasy writer who is super caring and amazing?? Seriously, can Thomas Bane be a real person? Because I claim him as mine! I definitely recommend picking up this adorable romance!
Amelia has never been kissed and feels crippling anxiety in any social situation she finds herself in. She's trying to push past it, though, and decides to go to Thomas Bane's book signing on assignment from her boss. The next thing she knows, she's agreeing to help Thomas write his newest book and marry him to save his reputation. In return, Amelia will finally land the job of her dreams. Little does she know, Thomas is even more charming than he is in the media and quickly finds herself falling for the caring, gentle man who might be falling for her too.
When I first started reading this book, I definitely fell head over heels for Thomas's character. From the moment Amelia met him, I loved how honest and caring he was when it came to Amelia. And the fact that he's a writer!? SWOOOOOOOON. It was so fun watching Amelia help Tommy write and Tommy find so much inspiration from his relationship with Amelia. I loved how their relationship developed into something so much more as they started to get to know each other after their marriage of convenience.
I was absolutely obsessed with this story for about 85% of the way though until the conflict arose. To me, the conflict was pretty obvious from the start and I was just hoping that wasn't going to play out the way I thought it was. It was a trope that I'm not a fan of and Tommy ended up being super hypocritical. Ugh. Once that was over, I do think the ending went on for a little too long and could have wrapped up a bit sooner. Until that point, though, this romance was EVERYTHING and definitely on the track to being a five star read!
Overall, this was such fun book that I think every book lover will love. Who wouldn't want their own hot fantasy writer who is super caring and amazing?? Seriously, can Thomas Bane be a real person? Because I claim him as mine! I definitely recommend picking up this adorable romance!
January 21, 2019
⭐⭐⭐ ALL THE STARS! ⭐⭐⭐
I'M SPEECHLESS. I HAVE NO WORDS! But I will say this, Work in Progress is my favorite book by Staci Hart to date!!
Thomas Bane. Remember that name people! THOMAS BANE!! He's everything. Perfection. Bad boy extraordinaire. A scoundrel. Devil-maycare fantasy writer. He's got swag and sex appeal. I'd read and buy his books always! Behind this image he portrays to the world is a humble man. A good man with a heart of gold. A man who will do anything to care for and protect his family.
Then we have Amelia Hall. Sweet. Timid. Quirky and sassy af. She's my spirit animal. My best friend! I want to be her when I grow up. She is much like the ugly duckling who transforms into a beautiful swan.
Tommy and Amelia are complete opposites. A couple you don't see a lot in romance stories and that's what I loved the most. They're yin and yang, coming together perfectly. All their moments were tender and sweet. The intimacy was sexy and special. Even when they faked their relationship there was no hiding those feelings that slowly crept into their hearts.
I loved this book to pieces!! The perfect marriage of convenience romantic comedy. And that ending!? I'm shook. It's Katherine's turn people and she's going to take us all by storm. Mark my words #icantwait 💃🏼
*** Edits used in my review were taken from the author's Facebook page. ***
*AN ARC WAS KINDLY PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.*
I'M SPEECHLESS. I HAVE NO WORDS! But I will say this, Work in Progress is my favorite book by Staci Hart to date!!
Thomas Bane. Remember that name people! THOMAS BANE!! He's everything. Perfection. Bad boy extraordinaire. A scoundrel. Devil-maycare fantasy writer. He's got swag and sex appeal. I'd read and buy his books always! Behind this image he portrays to the world is a humble man. A good man with a heart of gold. A man who will do anything to care for and protect his family.
Then we have Amelia Hall. Sweet. Timid. Quirky and sassy af. She's my spirit animal. My best friend! I want to be her when I grow up. She is much like the ugly duckling who transforms into a beautiful swan.
Tommy and Amelia are complete opposites. A couple you don't see a lot in romance stories and that's what I loved the most. They're yin and yang, coming together perfectly. All their moments were tender and sweet. The intimacy was sexy and special. Even when they faked their relationship there was no hiding those feelings that slowly crept into their hearts.
I loved this book to pieces!! The perfect marriage of convenience romantic comedy. And that ending!? I'm shook. It's Katherine's turn people and she's going to take us all by storm. Mark my words #icantwait 💃🏼
*** Edits used in my review were taken from the author's Facebook page. ***
*AN ARC WAS KINDLY PROVIDED IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW.*
April 24, 2019
A marriage of convenience.... oh you can be a good or you could be a bad trope.
BUT
If you have read Stacy Hart, you know it’s gonna be on the good side. This book was awesome. I couldn’t put it down to get anything done. Tommy & Amelia are so enjoyable and their love so undeniably perfect ♥️
BUT
If you have read Stacy Hart, you know it’s gonna be on the good side. This book was awesome. I couldn’t put it down to get anything done. Tommy & Amelia are so enjoyable and their love so undeniably perfect ♥️
March 3, 2019
4-4.5 ⭐'s
“She’s...she’s a wish I didn’t know I had.”
Yes, yes I know...I've read the third book first...again. And I have no excuse besides being too lazy to check the book on Goodreads. But in all fairness, sometimes a book calls to you and this one certainly did.
Thomas is an author and he meets Amelia at a book signing...she's a blogger. (Don't you love that?) He's attracted right from the get-go and so is she but she can hardly believe he would be interested in her at all. (She is very inexperienced in her social skills with the opposite sex.)
He wants her to help him with his book that he is allegedly writing and she agrees. Now they get to see each other almost every day.
However, Thomas has a reputation and he gets himself in a bit of a pickle trying to do the right thing. His contract with his publishing house is already hanging by a thread and this causes that thread to snap. Luckily, Thomas is a charmer and comes up with a plan.
I loved the push and pull between these two and I really loved the dynamic between them...His tall, dark and naughty to her petite, light and innocent. It was an amazing combination!
I also enjoyed getting to know the girls. There are four of them that met in college and have become the best of friends. They were challenged by a bartender friend to wear some red lipstick and be their bravest selves and that's just what Amelia does with the support of her besties, of course.
Getting to know Thomas (and Theo!) was very intriguing and it was wonderful when we got to know the real him and what makes him tick.
I was happy with the way things turned out. All I can say is that I really, really want to read that elf romance story! 😍
♦ BTW ~ I just have to add that I really love when authors title their chapters and Staci Hart does this amazingly!
“She’s...she’s a wish I didn’t know I had.”
Yes, yes I know...I've read the third book first...again. And I have no excuse besides being too lazy to check the book on Goodreads. But in all fairness, sometimes a book calls to you and this one certainly did.
Thomas is an author and he meets Amelia at a book signing...she's a blogger. (Don't you love that?) He's attracted right from the get-go and so is she but she can hardly believe he would be interested in her at all. (She is very inexperienced in her social skills with the opposite sex.)
He wants her to help him with his book that he is allegedly writing and she agrees. Now they get to see each other almost every day.
However, Thomas has a reputation and he gets himself in a bit of a pickle trying to do the right thing. His contract with his publishing house is already hanging by a thread and this causes that thread to snap. Luckily, Thomas is a charmer and comes up with a plan.
I loved the push and pull between these two and I really loved the dynamic between them...His tall, dark and naughty to her petite, light and innocent. It was an amazing combination!
I also enjoyed getting to know the girls. There are four of them that met in college and have become the best of friends. They were challenged by a bartender friend to wear some red lipstick and be their bravest selves and that's just what Amelia does with the support of her besties, of course.
Getting to know Thomas (and Theo!) was very intriguing and it was wonderful when we got to know the real him and what makes him tick.
I was happy with the way things turned out. All I can say is that I really, really want to read that elf romance story! 😍
♦ BTW ~ I just have to add that I really love when authors title their chapters and Staci Hart does this amazingly!
January 25, 2019
Damn, Staci Hart’s Red Lipstick Coalition series just keeps getting better and better! Work in Progress definitely made me fall further and deeper in love with this unique band of friends and their slowly (but surely) rising level of strength and bravery, but it also drove me ridiculously wild over Tommy and Melia. I couldn’t get enough. I wanted to devour and take everything in all at once, but their riveting story is one that needed to be relished. One that made you want to slow down, take your time, and have every moment sink into your soul. I just never wanted it to end.
Thomas Bane is an irresistibly charming, soul-searing, panty-melting, built-like-a-Greek-god bestselling author after every book lover’s heart. He might’ve had a bad boy, troublemaker reputation with the media and everyone else, but behind that carefully curated facade was truly a man with a tenderness and devotion unlike any other. The way he loved and protected those who matter the most to him brought me to my knees and knocked me on my ass. Tommy was just so breathtakingly dreamy and swoony that he slayed me more and more with every page I turned. And honestly, it truly felt like a privilege to get to know him and break down those walls.
Amelia Hall is an extremely shy and modest book blogger who’d rather hole up in her room, buried in stacks upon stacks of books than to brave the world outside. I loved how delicate and timid she was. How her innocence made her so pure and sweet. How she was just the perfect softness to Tommy’s every rough edge, and balanced him out in every way possible. She might even look small and fragile, but Amelia’s love and compassion were as immense as they were mighty. She’s absolutely awe-inspiring through and through, and she makes me want to strive to have a heart of gold just like hers.
Their marriage might’ve been abrupt and planned, created as a front to help save and clean up Tommy’s image and boost Amelia’s career, but with the kind of chemistry they had that sizzled and bloomed instantaneously, falling in love was just inevitable. With the depth and level of understanding that developed between them, no matter how different they were from the other, it really was only a matter of time before feelings got involved. And when you witness the kind of fireworks these two have when they’re together, swooning and fluttering feels deep in your gut are a hundred percent guaranteed.
An utterly striking, funny yet heart-melting and vastly relatable tale of loyalty and trust, forgiveness and hope, friendship and family, and passion and love, Work in Progress will undoubtedly leave you floating through cloud nine, engulfed with all the feels and sporting a wide, goofy grin on your face.
P.S. Thomas Bane’s fine ass (and erotic elbow) is MINE. I’m calling dibs. Kthxbye.
Follow me on: Instagram • Facebook • Twitter
He was my own personal magic feather, and I held on with all the faith and hope that I could fly if I believed hard enough.
Thomas Bane is an irresistibly charming, soul-searing, panty-melting, built-like-a-Greek-god bestselling author after every book lover’s heart. He might’ve had a bad boy, troublemaker reputation with the media and everyone else, but behind that carefully curated facade was truly a man with a tenderness and devotion unlike any other. The way he loved and protected those who matter the most to him brought me to my knees and knocked me on my ass. Tommy was just so breathtakingly dreamy and swoony that he slayed me more and more with every page I turned. And honestly, it truly felt like a privilege to get to know him and break down those walls.
The treasure of her body, the gift of her self, was one that I would forever hold sacred.
Amelia Hall is an extremely shy and modest book blogger who’d rather hole up in her room, buried in stacks upon stacks of books than to brave the world outside. I loved how delicate and timid she was. How her innocence made her so pure and sweet. How she was just the perfect softness to Tommy’s every rough edge, and balanced him out in every way possible. She might even look small and fragile, but Amelia’s love and compassion were as immense as they were mighty. She’s absolutely awe-inspiring through and through, and she makes me want to strive to have a heart of gold just like hers.
“How in the world did you choose me, Tommy?”
“There was no choice to be made. I knew the second the universe put you in my path that you would change everything, and you have. Ignoring that gift would have been a grave mistake, one I don’t think I could have made if I’d tried.”
Their marriage might’ve been abrupt and planned, created as a front to help save and clean up Tommy’s image and boost Amelia’s career, but with the kind of chemistry they had that sizzled and bloomed instantaneously, falling in love was just inevitable. With the depth and level of understanding that developed between them, no matter how different they were from the other, it really was only a matter of time before feelings got involved. And when you witness the kind of fireworks these two have when they’re together, swooning and fluttering feels deep in your gut are a hundred percent guaranteed.
“I will rewrite the stars. I will shake the heavens and mark them with your name. Because without you, I am lost.”
An utterly striking, funny yet heart-melting and vastly relatable tale of loyalty and trust, forgiveness and hope, friendship and family, and passion and love, Work in Progress will undoubtedly leave you floating through cloud nine, engulfed with all the feels and sporting a wide, goofy grin on your face.
P.S. Thomas Bane’s fine ass (and erotic elbow) is MINE. I’m calling dibs. Kthxbye.
Follow me on: Instagram • Facebook • Twitter
January 25, 2019
NOW LIVE!!
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2WfTCXG
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2SacSGO
3.5 Stars
Work in Progress brings fans of Staci Hart back the Red Lipstick Coalition and is Amelia's story. Being the shy one of the group she kind of hid into the background more often than not. But in this story we get to see her break out of her shell and show the world how sweet and caring she could be. I honestly loved that about her, how down to earth she was and was just a genuinely good person. She took the stereotype of typical rich heiress living in NYC and quashed it.
Tommy aka Thomas Bane, extraordinary writer and huge playboy, was seemingly the complete opposite of Amelia. Yet it's quickly revealed that he may have a larger than life personality when it comes to the tabloids, but there's a lot that he's hiding from the world. With Amelia, though, he was able to open up and share the secrets that have become a huge burden to him.
Overall, I really did enjoy this story and I thought it was a fun addition to the Red Lipstick Coalition books. It kept me intrigued from start to finish and had me very invested in finding out how Amelia and Tommy's story would end. The main reason for the 3.5 rating comes from the fact that I felt like there was a disconnect at times in how Amelia's character was described versus how she was portrayed. I really wanted to see her grow into her confidence that her inner thoughts had me thinking was pretty low, but instead it was like she already had all the confidence she needed.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
Amazon US: https://amzn.to/2WfTCXG
Amazon UK: https://amzn.to/2SacSGO
3.5 Stars
Work in Progress brings fans of Staci Hart back the Red Lipstick Coalition and is Amelia's story. Being the shy one of the group she kind of hid into the background more often than not. But in this story we get to see her break out of her shell and show the world how sweet and caring she could be. I honestly loved that about her, how down to earth she was and was just a genuinely good person. She took the stereotype of typical rich heiress living in NYC and quashed it.
Tommy aka Thomas Bane, extraordinary writer and huge playboy, was seemingly the complete opposite of Amelia. Yet it's quickly revealed that he may have a larger than life personality when it comes to the tabloids, but there's a lot that he's hiding from the world. With Amelia, though, he was able to open up and share the secrets that have become a huge burden to him.
Overall, I really did enjoy this story and I thought it was a fun addition to the Red Lipstick Coalition books. It kept me intrigued from start to finish and had me very invested in finding out how Amelia and Tommy's story would end. The main reason for the 3.5 rating comes from the fact that I felt like there was a disconnect at times in how Amelia's character was described versus how she was portrayed. I really wanted to see her grow into her confidence that her inner thoughts had me thinking was pretty low, but instead it was like she already had all the confidence she needed.
ARC kindly provided in exchange for an honest review.
January 22, 2019
Work in Progress is a sweet, swoony, smile-inducing escape from reality. I mean, a sudden marriage to a wealthy, infamous, sexy-as-sin writer who desperately needs you for his muse?? *Dies.* *Comes back to life with hand raised.* Yes, please! I give Tommy and Amelia five stars and all the red lipstick in the world!
April 28, 2019
4.5 Face Palming Stars
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
When Staci Hart decides to create something unique and fresh, yet also has all the elements Romance Readers love...She Knows Just How To Do It. Period. Ms. Hart took an idea of four women who each came from different ethnic, cultural, financial and personal backgrounds and had them become best of friends in college. Each of them felt at one time or another as "outsiders". Each had talents, capabilities, and life goals...And each of them had limited experience with men.
Now, these women are in New York City and are supporting the other through whatever challenges life and love throws at them. They even have their own personal tool to get them to be the bravest they can...and it all is due to a red lipstick of their choice...a type of armor to wear into battle.
Which brings me to Work in Progress. Imagine if you will what could be the most unrealistic coupling there could be...
We have Amelia, a book blogger who comes from a family which has unlimited wealth due to one of those crazy inventions like The Clapper or any other thing pitched on television late at night. When Amelia was a child she stuttered and this developed into her not wanting to speak and be teased by other kids. She realized books never laughed at you or made you personally feel bad. Talking was overrated. When she went to college, she lucked out by meeting her friends and all three of them are now living in her family's brownstone.
Amelia knows she has had anxiety issues with being around people in everyday life and her therapist has been guiding her to do more and get out of her comfort zone. With Amelia wishing to one day be an editor with one of the big publishing houses, she has taken on a huge challenge of working with a local newspaper of sorts doing whatever the managing editor wants her to do.
This is how Amelia finds herself in line to meet the hottest author at a book event. Thomas Bane is every woman's wet dream. He is handsome, charming and so Alpha it oozes off of him. He came on the scene overnight and ever since the world cannot get enough of him. His Instagram is off the charts, his fans adore him and are loving all the escapades he seems to get into. Amelia loves how he writes but also hates the way he writes his heroes. She is honest in her reviews and with every book that comes out, she calls him out on these flaws every time.
Now she is next in line and has been sent by her boss to actually have a conversation with this physical being. As Amelia chants her way through and tries to just breathe...her turn arrives.
Thomas Bane is a charismatic force. He is a twin and was always the one to push the boundaries. His mom loved her sons and she was left by the dad to raise them herself. He came from wealth didn't want to deal with a pregnant girlfriend. This left her to ridicule and lies by those in her neighborhood. But the mother stood strong and raised her sons well by working 2 and 3 jobs at a time. The boys grew to be men and Tommy took his keen mind and somehow came up with a book.
Tommy decided he was going to protect his family from any intrusion from outsiders. He and his brother created a persona, an armor of sorts to present to the world. His mother would be off limits, unknown. He and his brother would run the social media to present Tommy as the charming Bad Boy all the fans and women would want. It was working for years but lately, things have been off and the dreaded writer's block has hit him hard.
So when Amelia steps up to meet Tommy, she is her usual awkward self. But when he recognizes who she is...meaning the blogger known for bashing his books, Amelia shows all her strength and passion in defending her reasons for hating his heroes. This causes Tommy to realize Amelia is just who he needs to help him with his writing. He needs her to tell him no...to guide him to find the right focus to write the book due to the publishers. He pitches the idea to Amelia and she is stunned...yet at the same excited about the idea of working with him. It would be the perfect way to get one step closer to becoming an editor with a publishing house.
They reach an agreement and she will start helping him the next day.
Hart gives us this perfect set up. Because then this book takes off at breakneck speed down a raceway of fun, nervous moments for both, and of course, love. There is so much more than the surface stories because these characters are pushed to handle things they never intended. The big joy is how they both come together fully embracing their love for one another.
We also get all of Amelia's best friends together supporting each other, Tommy's twin and their amazing mother. This had it all.
Staci Hart is on to something special with these books and I know the next one will be a doozy.
Piece of Work
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Player
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Work in Progress
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Well Suited
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
So Excited this landed on my Kindle-
Yum, Yum!
❤️💕❤️💕❤️❤️💕❤️💕❤️❤️💕❤️💕❤️
Oh how wishes can come true...
Well, sort of...
Handsome Manly Man standing at the altar...Check
Baby Pink Roses in my hand...Check
A True Love till the End of Time...
NOT CHECK...
What?
Nope, here I am ready to marry this man offering everything...
A Brillant Career I always wanted...
A way to do something good...
Just a Huge Hiccup...
It was supposed to be all for show
But now it feels more like a Loving ...
Work In Progress- January 24th, 2019
For more Reviews, Free E-books and Giveaways
* * * * 1/2 Spoiler Free
When Staci Hart decides to create something unique and fresh, yet also has all the elements Romance Readers love...She Knows Just How To Do It. Period. Ms. Hart took an idea of four women who each came from different ethnic, cultural, financial and personal backgrounds and had them become best of friends in college. Each of them felt at one time or another as "outsiders". Each had talents, capabilities, and life goals...And each of them had limited experience with men.
Now, these women are in New York City and are supporting the other through whatever challenges life and love throws at them. They even have their own personal tool to get them to be the bravest they can...and it all is due to a red lipstick of their choice...a type of armor to wear into battle.
Which brings me to Work in Progress. Imagine if you will what could be the most unrealistic coupling there could be...
We have Amelia, a book blogger who comes from a family which has unlimited wealth due to one of those crazy inventions like The Clapper or any other thing pitched on television late at night. When Amelia was a child she stuttered and this developed into her not wanting to speak and be teased by other kids. She realized books never laughed at you or made you personally feel bad. Talking was overrated. When she went to college, she lucked out by meeting her friends and all three of them are now living in her family's brownstone.
Amelia knows she has had anxiety issues with being around people in everyday life and her therapist has been guiding her to do more and get out of her comfort zone. With Amelia wishing to one day be an editor with one of the big publishing houses, she has taken on a huge challenge of working with a local newspaper of sorts doing whatever the managing editor wants her to do.
This is how Amelia finds herself in line to meet the hottest author at a book event. Thomas Bane is every woman's wet dream. He is handsome, charming and so Alpha it oozes off of him. He came on the scene overnight and ever since the world cannot get enough of him. His Instagram is off the charts, his fans adore him and are loving all the escapades he seems to get into. Amelia loves how he writes but also hates the way he writes his heroes. She is honest in her reviews and with every book that comes out, she calls him out on these flaws every time.
Now she is next in line and has been sent by her boss to actually have a conversation with this physical being. As Amelia chants her way through and tries to just breathe...her turn arrives.
Thomas Bane is a charismatic force. He is a twin and was always the one to push the boundaries. His mom loved her sons and she was left by the dad to raise them herself. He came from wealth didn't want to deal with a pregnant girlfriend. This left her to ridicule and lies by those in her neighborhood. But the mother stood strong and raised her sons well by working 2 and 3 jobs at a time. The boys grew to be men and Tommy took his keen mind and somehow came up with a book.
Tommy decided he was going to protect his family from any intrusion from outsiders. He and his brother created a persona, an armor of sorts to present to the world. His mother would be off limits, unknown. He and his brother would run the social media to present Tommy as the charming Bad Boy all the fans and women would want. It was working for years but lately, things have been off and the dreaded writer's block has hit him hard.
So when Amelia steps up to meet Tommy, she is her usual awkward self. But when he recognizes who she is...meaning the blogger known for bashing his books, Amelia shows all her strength and passion in defending her reasons for hating his heroes. This causes Tommy to realize Amelia is just who he needs to help him with his writing. He needs her to tell him no...to guide him to find the right focus to write the book due to the publishers. He pitches the idea to Amelia and she is stunned...yet at the same excited about the idea of working with him. It would be the perfect way to get one step closer to becoming an editor with a publishing house.
They reach an agreement and she will start helping him the next day.
Hart gives us this perfect set up. Because then this book takes off at breakneck speed down a raceway of fun, nervous moments for both, and of course, love. There is so much more than the surface stories because these characters are pushed to handle things they never intended. The big joy is how they both come together fully embracing their love for one another.
We also get all of Amelia's best friends together supporting each other, Tommy's twin and their amazing mother. This had it all.
Staci Hart is on to something special with these books and I know the next one will be a doozy.
Piece of Workhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Playerhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Work in Progresshttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
Well Suitedhttps://www.goodreads.com/review/show...
~~~~~ Before Reading ~~~~~
So Excited this landed on my Kindle-
Yum, Yum!
❤️💕❤️💕❤️❤️💕❤️💕❤️❤️💕❤️💕❤️
Oh how wishes can come true...
Well, sort of...
Handsome Manly Man standing at the altar...Check
Baby Pink Roses in my hand...Check
A True Love till the End of Time...
NOT CHECK...
What?
Nope, here I am ready to marry this man offering everything...
A Brillant Career I always wanted...
A way to do something good...
Just a Huge Hiccup...
It was supposed to be all for show
But now it feels more like a Loving ...
Work In Progress- January 24th, 2019
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January 27, 2019
“I was falling in love with my husband. And I had the undeniable feeling that he was falling in love with me too.”
If there is one author I will always go out of my way to read and one I rate so highly it would be Staci Hart. Her stories always appear to be so thoroughly and carefully thought out, with impeccable writing that always captures me from the go and characters that are as much different as they are relatable, intriguing, engaging and appealing. Staci’s talent astounds and inspires me in a way very few authors have the ability to do. Staci Hart’s newest release Work in Progress is an alluring, heart-warming and intense marriage of convenience story that was positively un-put-downable.
Amelia is a shy and slightly awkward book blogger who is so incredibly sweet, but who also has the ability to speak her mind once she comes out of her shell. She is the kind of heroine you have no option but to fall in love with, and relate to her in the most powerful way possible. I wanted nothing but the absolute best for her.
Tommy is a bestselling author with a major bad boy persona and his behaviours have gotten him into some hot water. He realises he needs to produce something astounding in order to get him out of the trouble he’s in. He needs to invest in the help of someone who will be honest and who will be always willing to give criticism when it’s needed. Perhaps marrying a sweet and kind girl will give him the public image to help his career.
“Amelia touched my greatest fear. She was everything I’d been running from, and I’d welcomed her into heart without hesitation.”
I loved both Tommy and Amelia and their whole relationship from start to finish. The absolutely lovely and shy bookworm and the bad boy author, who under his rough exterior lies the most beautiful man who cares more than he ever shows to the outside world.
Work in Progress was a beautiful and heart-warming romance that was so much fun to read and captured my attention and kept me fully engaged until the last word was read. I categorically and unconditionally loved this story and urge everyone to one click Work in Progress and fall madly in love with Tommy and Amelia.
January 20, 2019
“𝙸 𝚋𝚎𝚐𝚐𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚝𝚘 𝚕𝚎𝚝 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚑𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚕𝚎 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚊𝚛𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚐𝚎𝚖𝚎𝚗𝚝. 𝙼𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚋𝚞𝚒𝚕𝚍 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚏𝚎𝚗𝚌𝚎𝚜, 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚋𝚘𝚞𝚗𝚍𝚊𝚛𝚒𝚎𝚜. 𝙸𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚖𝚊𝚒𝚗𝚝𝚊𝚒𝚗 𝚝𝚑𝚎 𝚜𝚎𝚙𝚊𝚛𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚘𝚗. 𝙸 𝚘𝚗𝚕𝚢 𝚑𝚘𝚙𝚎𝚍 𝚖𝚢 𝚑𝚎𝚊𝚛𝚝 𝚠𝚘𝚞𝚕𝚍 𝚕𝚒𝚜𝚝𝚎𝚗."
Have you ever wanted to grab onto certain characters and never let go? Have you ever wanted to immerse yourself so deep into an author’s world that you never wanted to come back to reality? My answer to both questions is 𝗛𝗘𝗟𝗟 𝗬𝗘𝗦 when it comes to Staci Hart’s work. In her latest UNPUTDOWNABLE standalone romantic comedy, 𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐤 𝐈𝐧 𝐏𝐫𝐨𝐠𝐫𝐞𝐬𝐬, you get to fall HEAD OVER HEELS in love with Amelia and Tommy. These two, you guys…FREAKING EPIC chemistry, undeniable connection, and amazing banter that will have you reading pages over and over again!
Once again, Ms. Hart pulls together the Red Lipstick Coalition and reminds us the importance of friendship, courage, and self-worth. Trust, love, and loyalty is the name of the game in this fabulous rom-com and Staci Hart delivers absolute GREATNESS with every turn of the page! It’s no surprise that Staci’s first release of the year ended up on my TOP FAVORITES list. I have a feeling that it won’t be the only one by her.
🅖🅡🅐🅑 🅘🅣 🅗🅔🅡🅔
>⃣ https://amzn.to/2RYNB2l
January 31, 2019
Uf...
What to say here?
A marriage of convenience....you know what that entails, dont ya?
Well, this story contained all the right ingredients to make one hell of a angsty pent up romance thrill...and sure, on more than one level, this story was exactly that....
BUT
sometimes in eagerness to achieve the pent up angst, the reasons characters try to portray as the 'right' ones often turn out to be made in pure rashness for a better word than stupidity...*sigh*
The interaction between these two was admirably almost unreal in beauty and compassion, passion and loving...but what they purely lack in was 'reason and sense'...well damn, the lack of communication always irks me the wrong way and I just can't help it but roll my eyes and sigh in annoyment
Sure, we are not perfect...but dammit, we are adults and rashness and heisty abrupt actions made in pure affect are really not the admirable virtue to possess, now is it?
And I guess, I really feel too old to be dealing with that cause well, just think how much time is wasted by these immature actions...so, it's a 3.75 stars for me 😉
What to say here?
A marriage of convenience....you know what that entails, dont ya?
Well, this story contained all the right ingredients to make one hell of a angsty pent up romance thrill...and sure, on more than one level, this story was exactly that....
BUT
sometimes in eagerness to achieve the pent up angst, the reasons characters try to portray as the 'right' ones often turn out to be made in pure rashness for a better word than stupidity...*sigh*
The interaction between these two was admirably almost unreal in beauty and compassion, passion and loving...but what they purely lack in was 'reason and sense'...well damn, the lack of communication always irks me the wrong way and I just can't help it but roll my eyes and sigh in annoyment
Sure, we are not perfect...but dammit, we are adults and rashness and heisty abrupt actions made in pure affect are really not the admirable virtue to possess, now is it?
And I guess, I really feel too old to be dealing with that cause well, just think how much time is wasted by these immature actions...so, it's a 3.75 stars for me 😉
December 16, 2019
I have a hit and miss with Miss Hart books. Sometimes I like it, sometimes I like it luke warm. I do not have big expectation when I pick up Work in Progess.
At the end, i end up liking it very much. The story is marriage of convinience. In Miss Hart hands, it has this slow developing romance. Not a bad thing. It is not slow burn since the sex is not much. The story is sweet, especially Thomas. Such a private Hero with a big heart. He is very protective of Amelia and his family. He done what he needs to be done in order to protect his family and love one.
His sweetness makes me swoon with goofy smile on my work desk. And for Amelia, she is damsel in distress. Usually I do not like a heroine who cries a lot. Somehow in this story, Amelia tearing character matches Thomas protective character.
What i do not understand is why Miss Hart building a character where Amelia and Thomas clearly so in love with each other and inject a twist where they both doubting each other? The last twist is not necessary in my opinion. I guess the twist is there as a closing climax.
Overall I do enjoy this book very much.
4 stars
At the end, i end up liking it very much. The story is marriage of convinience. In Miss Hart hands, it has this slow developing romance. Not a bad thing. It is not slow burn since the sex is not much. The story is sweet, especially Thomas. Such a private Hero with a big heart. He is very protective of Amelia and his family. He done what he needs to be done in order to protect his family and love one.
His sweetness makes me swoon with goofy smile on my work desk. And for Amelia, she is damsel in distress. Usually I do not like a heroine who cries a lot. Somehow in this story, Amelia tearing character matches Thomas protective character.
What i do not understand is why Miss Hart building a character where Amelia and Thomas clearly so in love with each other and inject a twist where they both doubting each other? The last twist is not necessary in my opinion. I guess the twist is there as a closing climax.
Overall I do enjoy this book very much.
4 stars
February 19, 2019
First, let's all acknowledge this beautiful cover, please and thank you.
I admit the first thing that caught my attention and the desire to read this book was the cover. It's so colorful and beautiful that it got me curious to know about the characters.
This was my first read by Staci Hart, even though I have other books by her on my Kindle (go figure why I didn't read them yet. 🤷🏻♀️)
After I started this book, I saw that it belonged in a standalone series that is focused on the girls, the four best friends. I regretted a little for not starting from the first book because from the little a saw about Val and Rin, I kept wondering how they ended up with Sam and Court. But, these are already on my (ever-growing) tbr and I can't wait to read about them.
Anyway, about this story...
Amelia was really fun to read. She was real, funny and innocent. Since she was a kid, she had a problem speaking and that made her suffer during her childhood, making her become lonely. Her only best friends were her books. Until she meets a group of friends on college that would stay with her for the rest of her life. Amelia is shy and does everything to keep away from crowds and conversation with strangers, she always has a buffer to help her out. Until the bad-boy bestseller, Thomas Bane makes her an offer that she can't really refuse.
Tommy was extremely loyal to the ones he loves, especially with his family. He does everything in his power to protect them and to keep them away from the media. He was a fierce sense of right and wrong and acts on it without a second thought. He is always ready to protect the ones that need protection, in every situation and that's what happens when he meets the petite Amelia. She is the one that always reviews his books with less than 3 stars, saying exactly what she thinks of his characters and what's wrong with them. When he meets her, he can't stop proposing her a business partnership, in order to help him develop his characters in a better way.
After they start working together, they develop a cute and light friendship.
Amelia is trying her best to help him in his books and Tommy is trying to figure out why he can't stop thinking about her.
Because of his bad-boy reputation, Tommy is now under restricting 'orders' that he has to keep his nose clean and can't get into any trouble. Problem is, trouble seems to be his middle name and always finds him. No matter what.
So, after another crisis in his image, Tommy needs saving. And not any saving, he needs to aim high if he wants to keep publishing books. In comes Amelia. The savior.
In less than 24h, Amelia's life turns upside down and she sees herself now married to the untamed bad-boy Thomas Bane.
Their marriage will save Tommy and help him keep his head above water. Everything is working okay, they are focusing on his new book and everything is great until they aren't. Once the snowball begins to descend, everything standing in the way is crushed.
After a big revelation, their relationship, that had started growing into something real, was crushed with fake news and lies from the media.
And, after getting everything fixed, they started to realize how much they meant to each other. Something that started fake, was quickly becoming the most real relationship they ever had.
This book was so beautiful. I spend the most part getting glimpses of The Beauty and The Beast. This book resembles so much that story. Tommy was the untamed Beast, and Amelia was the Beauty that arrived to change him forever.
It's so cute, I loved every second of it. It made me smile and fell in love with the characters.
I loved Staci's writing and I'll be sure to read more by her. Loved it! Well-deserved 5 star book.
I admit the first thing that caught my attention and the desire to read this book was the cover. It's so colorful and beautiful that it got me curious to know about the characters.
This was my first read by Staci Hart, even though I have other books by her on my Kindle (go figure why I didn't read them yet. 🤷🏻♀️)
After I started this book, I saw that it belonged in a standalone series that is focused on the girls, the four best friends. I regretted a little for not starting from the first book because from the little a saw about Val and Rin, I kept wondering how they ended up with Sam and Court. But, these are already on my (ever-growing) tbr and I can't wait to read about them.
Anyway, about this story...
Amelia was really fun to read. She was real, funny and innocent. Since she was a kid, she had a problem speaking and that made her suffer during her childhood, making her become lonely. Her only best friends were her books. Until she meets a group of friends on college that would stay with her for the rest of her life. Amelia is shy and does everything to keep away from crowds and conversation with strangers, she always has a buffer to help her out. Until the bad-boy bestseller, Thomas Bane makes her an offer that she can't really refuse.
"“Are you interested in being my no?”
I blinked at him. “What a strange question.”
A chuckle rumbled through a closed, sideways smile. His eyes had to be black, black as sin."
Tommy was extremely loyal to the ones he loves, especially with his family. He does everything in his power to protect them and to keep them away from the media. He was a fierce sense of right and wrong and acts on it without a second thought. He is always ready to protect the ones that need protection, in every situation and that's what happens when he meets the petite Amelia. She is the one that always reviews his books with less than 3 stars, saying exactly what she thinks of his characters and what's wrong with them. When he meets her, he can't stop proposing her a business partnership, in order to help him develop his characters in a better way.
"I’d never had a muse, but I’d always wanted one. And today, with Amelia Hall shooting down my heroes like tin cans, I felt like she might become mine."
After they start working together, they develop a cute and light friendship.
Amelia is trying her best to help him in his books and Tommy is trying to figure out why he can't stop thinking about her.
"If I’d ever passed Amelia Hall on the street, she wouldn’t have caught my attention. But that was the thing about girls like her. Once you saw them, there was no unseeing them."
Because of his bad-boy reputation, Tommy is now under restricting 'orders' that he has to keep his nose clean and can't get into any trouble. Problem is, trouble seems to be his middle name and always finds him. No matter what.
So, after another crisis in his image, Tommy needs saving. And not any saving, he needs to aim high if he wants to keep publishing books. In comes Amelia. The savior.
“No model can save me. I need an angel. I need you.”
In less than 24h, Amelia's life turns upside down and she sees herself now married to the untamed bad-boy Thomas Bane.
Their marriage will save Tommy and help him keep his head above water. Everything is working okay, they are focusing on his new book and everything is great until they aren't. Once the snowball begins to descend, everything standing in the way is crushed.
After a big revelation, their relationship, that had started growing into something real, was crushed with fake news and lies from the media.
"I was falling in love with my husband. And I had the undeniable feeling that he was falling in love with me, too."
And, after getting everything fixed, they started to realize how much they meant to each other. Something that started fake, was quickly becoming the most real relationship they ever had.
“Thomas Bane, Tamed.”
I giggled. “Amelia Bane, Beast Tamer.”
This book was so beautiful. I spend the most part getting glimpses of The Beauty and The Beast. This book resembles so much that story. Tommy was the untamed Beast, and Amelia was the Beauty that arrived to change him forever.
It's so cute, I loved every second of it. It made me smile and fell in love with the characters.
I loved Staci's writing and I'll be sure to read more by her. Loved it! Well-deserved 5 star book.
January 24, 2019
*I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC of this book*
5 “Can I have you?” Stars
I AM A MESS AND ITS ALL BECAUSE OF STACI AND HER BRILLIANCE! I’m giddy af and the cheesiest and goofiest smile is plastered on my face. My heart is filled with all the ooey-gooey feel good feelings I get when reading one of Staci’s rom-coms. I’m swooning like crazy and I can’t stop. UGH, this book. This. Book. It was so freaking good. Is it too early for a re-read?
THOMAS. TOMMY. BANE. Where the hell did you come from? Gahhhh, I can’t, I absolutely cant! I am so gone for this out-of-this-world fantasy author. He makes my heart go pitter patter. There is so much to him than what he lets others see. He doesn’t give his trust freely, but that comes with being famous and knowing there are those few who want to expose him. This bad boy is so much more than meets the eye. He has the biggest heart of gold. My gosh, Tommy is kind, funny, caring and loving and just an all-around good person. Seriously, he’s everything!
AMELIA!!!! OMFG SHE IS MY SPIRIT ANIMAL! Honestly, we are the same person. She is real and had me living. She’s so pure and innocent and I just loved her quirkiness. Her inner monologue was A+ and she had me laughing nonstop. And when she started coming out of her shell little by little was fan-freakin-tastic. I love her, I love her so much!
Tommy and Amelia, oh boy, from their first encounter, it was the start of something so good. Not knowing it at the time that they were both going to need each other in a big way. These two were the freaking cutest. Thomas and his protectiveness over Amelia had me swooning. I couldn’t get enough of these two to save my life. I desperately wanted and needed more, more, more.
Work in Progress was poetic and beautiful. It was funny, heartfelt and sexy. Everything that Staci is known for. How? How Staci does it I have no idea. Every book in this series just gets better and better. And it’s getting harder and harder to pick a favorite.
I am so head over everything in love with this series! This group of women that make up the RLC are AH-MAZ-ING! I feel as though I can be friends with all of them. I see myself in each and every one of them. They feel so real to me and I just adore them. I don’t even want to think about the end and having to say goodbye.
STACI, WHAT EVEN WITH THAT TEASE!!! That sneak peek of Katherine’s book just has me jumping off the walls. I NEED, I NEED, I NEED!!!
5 “Can I have you?” Stars
I AM A MESS AND ITS ALL BECAUSE OF STACI AND HER BRILLIANCE! I’m giddy af and the cheesiest and goofiest smile is plastered on my face. My heart is filled with all the ooey-gooey feel good feelings I get when reading one of Staci’s rom-coms. I’m swooning like crazy and I can’t stop. UGH, this book. This. Book. It was so freaking good. Is it too early for a re-read?
THOMAS. TOMMY. BANE. Where the hell did you come from? Gahhhh, I can’t, I absolutely cant! I am so gone for this out-of-this-world fantasy author. He makes my heart go pitter patter. There is so much to him than what he lets others see. He doesn’t give his trust freely, but that comes with being famous and knowing there are those few who want to expose him. This bad boy is so much more than meets the eye. He has the biggest heart of gold. My gosh, Tommy is kind, funny, caring and loving and just an all-around good person. Seriously, he’s everything!
AMELIA!!!! OMFG SHE IS MY SPIRIT ANIMAL! Honestly, we are the same person. She is real and had me living. She’s so pure and innocent and I just loved her quirkiness. Her inner monologue was A+ and she had me laughing nonstop. And when she started coming out of her shell little by little was fan-freakin-tastic. I love her, I love her so much!
Tommy and Amelia, oh boy, from their first encounter, it was the start of something so good. Not knowing it at the time that they were both going to need each other in a big way. These two were the freaking cutest. Thomas and his protectiveness over Amelia had me swooning. I couldn’t get enough of these two to save my life. I desperately wanted and needed more, more, more.
Work in Progress was poetic and beautiful. It was funny, heartfelt and sexy. Everything that Staci is known for. How? How Staci does it I have no idea. Every book in this series just gets better and better. And it’s getting harder and harder to pick a favorite.
I am so head over everything in love with this series! This group of women that make up the RLC are AH-MAZ-ING! I feel as though I can be friends with all of them. I see myself in each and every one of them. They feel so real to me and I just adore them. I don’t even want to think about the end and having to say goodbye.
STACI, WHAT EVEN WITH THAT TEASE!!! That sneak peek of Katherine’s book just has me jumping off the walls. I NEED, I NEED, I NEED!!!
May 21, 2022
4 💖📚💖📚💖📚💖 🌟🌟🌟🌟s
Sweet, funny, sexy and beautifully written❣️❣️❣️
Sweet, funny, sexy and beautifully written❣️❣️❣️
January 25, 2019
“Can I have you?” Four devastating words, and my will crumbled into dust.
“Only if I can have you, too.”
This was so freakin’ good. Easily my favorite in this series of standalones so far. A book blogger and an author falling in love? SOLD! I adored Amelia and Tommy and I’m pretty sure that everyone who reads this will too. When I read that Amelia was married in the last chapter of Player I knew that I had to know every detail on that one.
Amelia was such a quiet person. She didn’t interact with others if she didn’t have to. If she did, her friends had to be around as a buffer. After having a terrible speech impediment when she younger and all the bullying she endured, she just stopped talking if she didn’t absolutely have to. Even after completing speech therapy she still didn’t want to talk unless necessary. She was super shy but she had feelings and opinions.
Thomas Bane was a famous fantasy author who let the world think whatever they wanted of him as long as his family and his true self was out of the media. I adored him, I swoon over him, and I fell hard for him. Reading about the way he treated his mom and Amelia was gold. Even though he was written to be a big strong guy, he was a softie at heart.
The CHEMISTRY you guys. THE CHEMISTRY! I was obsessed after the first meeting. Hearing Amelia tell him what she thought of his writing was amazing and I loved how he wanted more of her. Also, a marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes. Even though I’m screaming at you about the chemistry, the best part of their relationship was the friendship that they had. They had so much in common and it honestly felt like they knew each other forever. Their dialogue and just the way that they were around each other felt easy and effortless.
As much as I loved it, I sadly couldn’t give it 5 stars. There was just something about it that I couldn’t. Maybe because it was over 400 pages. I don’t really see a need for a contemporary romance to be that long, but that’s just me. Also, I can get the reason for the drama but I can’t stand it when it’s on the fence of unnecessary.
Overall, this was the best one yet of this series. The romance and the character were so good! The next one is about Katherine and all I can’t wait till April!
Blog | Instagram | Twitter
“Only if I can have you, too.”
This was so freakin’ good. Easily my favorite in this series of standalones so far. A book blogger and an author falling in love? SOLD! I adored Amelia and Tommy and I’m pretty sure that everyone who reads this will too. When I read that Amelia was married in the last chapter of Player I knew that I had to know every detail on that one.
Amelia was such a quiet person. She didn’t interact with others if she didn’t have to. If she did, her friends had to be around as a buffer. After having a terrible speech impediment when she younger and all the bullying she endured, she just stopped talking if she didn’t absolutely have to. Even after completing speech therapy she still didn’t want to talk unless necessary. She was super shy but she had feelings and opinions.
Thomas Bane was a famous fantasy author who let the world think whatever they wanted of him as long as his family and his true self was out of the media. I adored him, I swoon over him, and I fell hard for him. Reading about the way he treated his mom and Amelia was gold. Even though he was written to be a big strong guy, he was a softie at heart.
The CHEMISTRY you guys. THE CHEMISTRY! I was obsessed after the first meeting. Hearing Amelia tell him what she thought of his writing was amazing and I loved how he wanted more of her. Also, a marriage of convenience is one of my favorite tropes. Even though I’m screaming at you about the chemistry, the best part of their relationship was the friendship that they had. They had so much in common and it honestly felt like they knew each other forever. Their dialogue and just the way that they were around each other felt easy and effortless.
As much as I loved it, I sadly couldn’t give it 5 stars. There was just something about it that I couldn’t. Maybe because it was over 400 pages. I don’t really see a need for a contemporary romance to be that long, but that’s just me. Also, I can get the reason for the drama but I can’t stand it when it’s on the fence of unnecessary.
Overall, this was the best one yet of this series. The romance and the character were so good! The next one is about Katherine and all I can’t wait till April!
Blog | Instagram | Twitter
February 7, 2019
I am enjoying the Red Lipstick Coalition series more and more with each new story. Amelia and Tommy's story is my favorite so far. Tommy is hiding in plain sight. His public persona is a construct to keep people out of his true personal life. Amelia appears painfully shy, but as you get to know her, you realize that she is not so much shy as uncomfortable in crowds. A speech impediment that she had as a child also contributes to her aversion to people. When these two cross paths, sparks fly!
For the full review see the blog:
bookcravers.blogspot.com
For the full review see the blog:
bookcravers.blogspot.com
November 18, 2019
4.5 well deserved stars
Amelia is a nerdy clever speech impaired girl
Thomas is sex on legs cocky author
Add a fake marriage (one of my addiction)
Add Gus ❤️🐶add Claudius 💙🐱add a pack of bff
A red lipstick and there is the recipe of this really cute and funny rom com
Well written with a good comedy pace
Amelia is a nerdy clever speech impaired girl
Thomas is sex on legs cocky author
Add a fake marriage (one of my addiction)
Add Gus ❤️🐶add Claudius 💙🐱add a pack of bff
A red lipstick and there is the recipe of this really cute and funny rom com
Well written with a good comedy pace
February 3, 2019
3,7. Previsível! Quase não consegui acabar...
Os personagens são fofinhos demais para meu gosto e tudo muito insta! Af...
Os personagens são fofinhos demais para meu gosto e tudo muito insta! Af...
January 26, 2019
5+ 'My ridiculous husband' Stars!
Ladies and gents, I just finished my first 5+ star of 2019. I knew when I started reading Staci's books last year that I would enjoy her stories a whole lot and I am so glad I wasn't wrong. I fell in love with all the characters in the Red Lipstick Coalition in Piece of Work and I just knew Amelia's story would be special. So special that has left me as a puddle of melted happiness after finishing this outstanding love story.
So, Work in Progress takes us back to the Red Lipstick Coalition world and now it's time for the nerdy and shy bibliophile in the crew to find her match. And this romantic comedy that is also in the marriage of convenience troupe was the most perfect way for Amelia to find her soulmate. She meets Thomas Bane, sexy bad boy and bestselling author, and he peels of every layer surrounding her. How does the marriage of convenience thing happens? Well, Tommy is having a writers block, his behaviour is putting his career in danger and he needs a guardian angel to save him: sweet, innocent Amelia. That is the start of this flawless love story.
“You’re unconventional, Amelia Hall.” I angled closer. “And I like it.”
Work in Progress is my favorite book to date by Staci Hart. Yes, I have only read the other two stories about the RLC crew (and they are SO good), but this is definitely my favorite. Any shy bookworm out there can see herself in Amelia, and that is what happened to me. I AM exactly like Amelia and I loved every second of reading how she comes out of her shell and becomes even more amazing than she already is. And Tommy.. *sigh* I am IN LOVE. Can I have him for my birthday? Because he completely stole my heart. He is not the bad boy you imagine he is, he simply is a stunning man, inside and out. He is sweet, funny, humble, sexy and completely devoted to the people he loves. Can't you tell how much I loved him?
“Can I have you?”
Four devastating words, and my will crumbled into dust. “Only if I can have you, too.”
“How in the world did you choose me, Tommy?”
“There was no choice to be made.”
This couple was simply everything. Everything was perfect. They work so well together, they have a beautiful connection and a chemistry that happens to be mindblowing and explosive. They are so smitten with each other that I melted all over. Gah, this book! Who does not love a bookworm finding the love of her life in a hot and captivating man, am I right? I just loved Tommy and Amelia together SO much. They were adorable and heartwarming, their relationship is so special and unique and the chemistry is off-the-charts HAWT! I loved every moment of Work in Progress, including that touching and happy ending.
“I will rewrite the stars. I will shake the heavens and mark them with your name. Because without you, I am lost.”
So, of course, I am rating Work in Progress with my special 5+ STARS because there was nothing I did not love about the feelings I felt while reading this wonderful piece of writing. This novel is heartwarming, funny, charming, steamy and emotional. I couldn't find a single flaw in this book and that is why I have to give this rating. I love Staci Hart so hard for writing this story because I believe any booklover like myself will find herself 100% identified and compelled by these characters and their epic romance. Highly, HIGHLY recommend reading it!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
Ladies and gents, I just finished my first 5+ star of 2019. I knew when I started reading Staci's books last year that I would enjoy her stories a whole lot and I am so glad I wasn't wrong. I fell in love with all the characters in the Red Lipstick Coalition in Piece of Work and I just knew Amelia's story would be special. So special that has left me as a puddle of melted happiness after finishing this outstanding love story.
So, Work in Progress takes us back to the Red Lipstick Coalition world and now it's time for the nerdy and shy bibliophile in the crew to find her match. And this romantic comedy that is also in the marriage of convenience troupe was the most perfect way for Amelia to find her soulmate. She meets Thomas Bane, sexy bad boy and bestselling author, and he peels of every layer surrounding her. How does the marriage of convenience thing happens? Well, Tommy is having a writers block, his behaviour is putting his career in danger and he needs a guardian angel to save him: sweet, innocent Amelia. That is the start of this flawless love story.
“You’re unconventional, Amelia Hall.” I angled closer. “And I like it.”
Work in Progress is my favorite book to date by Staci Hart. Yes, I have only read the other two stories about the RLC crew (and they are SO good), but this is definitely my favorite. Any shy bookworm out there can see herself in Amelia, and that is what happened to me. I AM exactly like Amelia and I loved every second of reading how she comes out of her shell and becomes even more amazing than she already is. And Tommy.. *sigh* I am IN LOVE. Can I have him for my birthday? Because he completely stole my heart. He is not the bad boy you imagine he is, he simply is a stunning man, inside and out. He is sweet, funny, humble, sexy and completely devoted to the people he loves. Can't you tell how much I loved him?
“Can I have you?”
Four devastating words, and my will crumbled into dust. “Only if I can have you, too.”
“How in the world did you choose me, Tommy?”
“There was no choice to be made.”
This couple was simply everything. Everything was perfect. They work so well together, they have a beautiful connection and a chemistry that happens to be mindblowing and explosive. They are so smitten with each other that I melted all over. Gah, this book! Who does not love a bookworm finding the love of her life in a hot and captivating man, am I right? I just loved Tommy and Amelia together SO much. They were adorable and heartwarming, their relationship is so special and unique and the chemistry is off-the-charts HAWT! I loved every moment of Work in Progress, including that touching and happy ending.
“I will rewrite the stars. I will shake the heavens and mark them with your name. Because without you, I am lost.”
So, of course, I am rating Work in Progress with my special 5+ STARS because there was nothing I did not love about the feelings I felt while reading this wonderful piece of writing. This novel is heartwarming, funny, charming, steamy and emotional. I couldn't find a single flaw in this book and that is why I have to give this rating. I love Staci Hart so hard for writing this story because I believe any booklover like myself will find herself 100% identified and compelled by these characters and their epic romance. Highly, HIGHLY recommend reading it!
CHECK OUT MY BLOG HERE:
January 30, 2019
Find this review and others at Carlene Inspired.
Amelia Hall is afraid of everything, she has no desire to leave her home, the comfort of her books, or the companionship of her friends. She does not do well in public, requiring her friends to be a buffer while she stands back in silence. She has a goal though, a dream job that requires her to be comfortable among her peers, comfortable enough to speak up. Her first requirement in her new role blogging for the Times is to speak with Thomas Bane at his signing. She doesn't expect to spill all her thoughts about the novel out to him and she certainly doesn't expect his plea for help. Save him, marry him, and she'll get her dream job in the end for her efforts. Who could say no? Except Amelia is as innocent as they come and the kiss at the end of the aisle is just the beginning.
"I've got to admit, I'm usually asking for a yes, especially where women are concerned.
Oh my word, Staci Hart you made me cry. With love, my fellow readers, not in anguish, but the sort of tears that comes with smiles and butterflies. Thomas Bane is the hero you dream about when you think of love, he romances Amelia, wines and dines her, falls for her even when he's best known for thinking romance is fake. Amelia might just be my favorite RLC girl, though I wouldn't have said that before I got to know her in Work in Progress. She's a shy bookworm that sometimes has over-the-top, naive reactions to situations. She is incredibly socially awkward, but Thomas (Tommy) brings out a side of her that was unexpected. For all her awkwardness, her reading has made her incredibly aware, she handles herself with smart comments, giggling, and a brave face when she must. Plus, it helps that she secretly harbored some like for Tommy even when she was tearing his novels to shreds on her blog. He's the bad boy, known best for his romps with socialites and good looks, but inside he's a sweetheart and he reveals that to Amelia. She saves him from destruction, but he saves her just as much.
"Something in me had come unfettered. And damn him for letting it loose. I wasn't sure how I'd ever bottle it back up."
If I could give Work in Progress more stars, I would. It's the best RLC novel, Tommy and Amelia are a couple you can't help but love, and the story is, in my opinion, perfect. The characters are fleshed out, the pacing is just right, and the drama fits the story line rather than being 100% angst driven. It was one amazing break from reality for me, one I was sad to walk away from, because I will admit I am so invested in Tommy and Amelia and the life they created. What started based on a lie out of necessity became a love affair that makes you believe in true, off-the-deep-end romance.
"I wore my lipstick in solidarity, and I liked to think they would have been proud."
ARC provided.
p.s. I loved my review before this one and I tried so hard to replicate it. Darn Goodreads and it's magically deleted reviews.
Amelia Hall is afraid of everything, she has no desire to leave her home, the comfort of her books, or the companionship of her friends. She does not do well in public, requiring her friends to be a buffer while she stands back in silence. She has a goal though, a dream job that requires her to be comfortable among her peers, comfortable enough to speak up. Her first requirement in her new role blogging for the Times is to speak with Thomas Bane at his signing. She doesn't expect to spill all her thoughts about the novel out to him and she certainly doesn't expect his plea for help. Save him, marry him, and she'll get her dream job in the end for her efforts. Who could say no? Except Amelia is as innocent as they come and the kiss at the end of the aisle is just the beginning.
"I've got to admit, I'm usually asking for a yes, especially where women are concerned.
Oh my word, Staci Hart you made me cry. With love, my fellow readers, not in anguish, but the sort of tears that comes with smiles and butterflies. Thomas Bane is the hero you dream about when you think of love, he romances Amelia, wines and dines her, falls for her even when he's best known for thinking romance is fake. Amelia might just be my favorite RLC girl, though I wouldn't have said that before I got to know her in Work in Progress. She's a shy bookworm that sometimes has over-the-top, naive reactions to situations. She is incredibly socially awkward, but Thomas (Tommy) brings out a side of her that was unexpected. For all her awkwardness, her reading has made her incredibly aware, she handles herself with smart comments, giggling, and a brave face when she must. Plus, it helps that she secretly harbored some like for Tommy even when she was tearing his novels to shreds on her blog. He's the bad boy, known best for his romps with socialites and good looks, but inside he's a sweetheart and he reveals that to Amelia. She saves him from destruction, but he saves her just as much.
"Something in me had come unfettered. And damn him for letting it loose. I wasn't sure how I'd ever bottle it back up."
If I could give Work in Progress more stars, I would. It's the best RLC novel, Tommy and Amelia are a couple you can't help but love, and the story is, in my opinion, perfect. The characters are fleshed out, the pacing is just right, and the drama fits the story line rather than being 100% angst driven. It was one amazing break from reality for me, one I was sad to walk away from, because I will admit I am so invested in Tommy and Amelia and the life they created. What started based on a lie out of necessity became a love affair that makes you believe in true, off-the-deep-end romance.
"I wore my lipstick in solidarity, and I liked to think they would have been proud."
ARC provided.
p.s. I loved my review before this one and I tried so hard to replicate it. Darn Goodreads and it's magically deleted reviews.
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