Suzie Samuels is the only thing standing between Clifford and his life’s work. All he has to do is change everything about her. Perception creates reality and Clifford Rutledge needs the irascible stripper to prove it. Suzie Samuels is set to prove once and for all she’s more than Short Fuse Suze, stripper for the Black Demons and renowned motorcycle arsonist. If all it takes is hard work, then … then Suzie knows how to work it hard.
But Suzie’s scandalous spirit tests Clifford’s resolve. And Clifford’s buttoned-up bullying is driving Suzie bonkers.
Can Clifford move past their differences long enough to pull off the impossible task of changing the bare lady into a fair lady?
More importantly, as perceptions shift and priorities change, will he want to?
‘My Bare Lady’ is a full-length contemporary romantic comedy, can be read as a standalone, and is book#1 in the Scorned Women’s Society series, Green Valley World, Penny Reid Book Universe.
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My Bare Lady was a great read by Piper Sheldon. Suzie is a stripper for a renowned motorcycle arsonist. Unfortunately for Clifford, she is the thing in the way of his life’s work. They both drive each other crazy because they are opposites but they can’t deny their attraction to each other. I enjoyed reading Suzie and Clifford’s story and can’t wait to read more by Piper Sheldon.
I really enjoyed this book! It was a bit of a slow burn but it held my attention! I loved the chemistry between Susie and Ford! It’s a touch of My Fair Lady meets Pretty Woman! I love a book that can deliver humor and suspense and this book did both! This was my first Piper Sheldon book and it won’t be my last!
This modern take on Pygmalion/My Fair Lady was a hard book to rate. There were some parts of the romance I really liked. However because the villains in this book are members of a ruthless Motorcycle Club, there are major red flags for readers re: horrific and graphic violence and sexual assault described in detail on the page.
I would not consider this a Romantic Comedy. Ultimately it is a book that ends with the Heroine Suzie finding healing and a greater sense of Self. Both Hero and Heroine are working through emotional healing issues around being worthy of love, and letting love in.
What made the book for me was the character of Gretchen and the other women in the Scorned Women’s Society – they were kick-ass and supportive of each other, and I am looking forward to hearing more about these women who also deserve their H
THIS WAS SO GOOD!!! I love and admire Suzie so much. She‘s a strong female lead, I loved reading about her dealing with her past and how she grew into a better person. As for Ford, he also had some trauma from the past which explains his research and why he is so passionate about it.
I love their dynamic as a couple. Ford is so sweet to Suzie and he always showed her that she’s capable of so much despite her upbringing. The side characters were also so fun, I can’t wait for the other ladies in the SWS (or maybe even Jack perhaps?) to get their own book.
Also: that epilogue is the cherry on top <3
My Bare Lady is the first book in the Scorned Women Society and we are about to meet the women left a bit bitter by Jethro .
Suzie and Clifford aka Ford are thrown together out of necessity and it soon becomes apparent that they have quite an underlying attraction. Suzie has been working as a dancer/ stripper for the local MC club. Ford is a business man and quite pretentious, uptight and opinionated. He also has caring compassion and love but it may take the right person to lead him down the path to show it! He only sees black and white until Suzie falls into his world and paints it with color, pizazz and insight .
This is a classic tale of opposites attract . I love when you put two unlikely characters and they not only learn from one another but they actually become more aware of themselves and what they may really want and need . These characters were so interesting, had so many layers and I loved watching them blossom !
~~Michele McMullen ~~
I love the Smarypants Romance books and the Green Valley world, but this book just wasn’t my cup of tea, I guess.
Thank you Social Butterfly and the author for a complimentary copy. I voluntarily reviewed this book. All opinions expressed are my own.
My Bare Lady
By: Piper Sheldon
*REVIEW*
Once again, we take a peek at life in Green Valley, Tennessee in the Pennyverse. My Bare Lady is a retelling of the classic, My Fair Lady, and is a different sort than the other stories I have read in this series. It is a darker, edgy raw story that presents thought provoking situations and ideas centered around women scorned, namely by Jethro Winston. The heroine, known as Short Fuse Suzy, is a stripper at a local club under the thumb of a MC. It is easy to dismiss a stripper as nothing but a trashy woman, but Suzy is much more substantial than that assumption. Circumstances and events bring Suzy and Clifford(Ford) together. The hero, Clifford, is the straight laced academic type. Through what is essentially an experiment, Clifford sets out to prove how access and privilege make, or break, a person. Someone with opportunities can do amazing things, but those without opportunities become the lowest rungs on the greatly unbalanced societal ladder. Suzy is the perfect example of a self fulfilling prophecy. She has constantly been told she is nothing but a pretty face/sexy body, so Suzy believes this lie. Clifford wants to show how Suzy, with the proper resources and access, can change. During this metamorphosis, both Clifford and Suzy show how the judgemental expectations of society mold and force people into unsuitable lives. Have you ever wondered how many amazing intelligent people are homeless, with unrealized potential? Suzy is like this. She wants to be a dancer but not a stripper. She is stuck in a seedy club surrounded by dangerous people, and circumstances give no opportunity for Suzy to escape this nightmare. Clifford is an academic, but there is more to him under the surface. He comes from a background that is surprising. I love this story because it is so compelling. This is not your typical romcom; there is depth here, and the characters are multifaceted with heart, hope and willing spirits. I wanted all good things for Suzy and Ford and for them to break the boxes society has placed them in so unfairly. It is cliche, but don’t judge a book by its cover. Read this book because it might surprise you.
My Rating:
3.5
Favorite Quotes:
Then his words registered. I was half tempted to chase after him just to smack him upside the head. “Ma’am?!” Me? I was equal parts confused and offended. My outfit hardly covered my nipples and he called me something we call ol’ Mrs. Albensi when we saw her at the Piggly Wiggly. I’m not a ma’am, I’m a miss. I’m still in my twenties! Technically.
Now wasn’t going to be the best time to talk to him but the words had tumbled out after days of preparing them. I guess that’s why everybody told me God used a teaspoon to pour my brains in and had shaking hands.
You clearly have not been burdened by an overabundance of education.
I started making banjo sounds from Deliverance. I was two seconds from lifting my skirt and slapping my knees like at a hoedown…
Don’t let small minds make yours up.
It looked junky and old. I couldn’t remember what color the carpet used to be. If cleanliness was godliness, no wonder I was labeled a fallen woman.
My Review:
I am rather conflicted with this one. While the lashings of humor and insights were often smirk-worthy and brilliantly clever; I struggled valiantly to get through large chunks of Suzie’s storyline as it was hitting some of my least favorite tropes and triggers. I was expecting a rom/com, and while there were witty and humorous elements, the overall tone leaned more heavily toward angst, and toss in the several perilous and dire situations that weren’t at all comical, well ~ sigh.
I was frequently grinding my teeth and despising Suzie’s idiocy and lifetime of poor choices – with little respite as the characters just kept screwing up and making it worse. However, I was also wickedly curious, deeply invested in the story and remaining series, and unable to stop reading. Funny how that happens.
This was my first Smartypants novel.
I had a few problems with this book, but on the whole it’s a great story. I love the intention of the storyline and I really enjoyed the middle of the book. Suzie wasn’t as crazy as others would have believed, she was actually quite smart and had a heart of gold. Her life’s circumstances made her feel she wasn’t worthy of anything greater. Ford was out to prove to her, that if she wanted more from life, she could achieve it. He may have been a nerd with all his credentials but deep down he still remembers where he came from. He was loyal to those that mattered, and Suzie made it to the top of his list.
I had trouble with the beginning, it took me till 30% or more to get invested in their plight. I didn’t fully accept the dilemma on both side as to why they were in the situation that bought them together. I also didn’t feel the need for the added drama near the end. Some of the plot just didn’t feel authentic. It doesn’t change the way I felt about these characters though. I also got a big kick out of how these books relate back to the Winston world. I am on to my next Smartypants installment.
I liked this, but also was hoping for something a tiny bit “more.” This was my first book by Piper and the writing was good!
I received this book at my request and have voluntarily left this unbiased review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.