Marble isn’t the only thing that’s hard at this museum.His body is as chiseled as Adonis. His lips are as sculpted as David. And his ego is the size of the Guggenheim.You know the type—wolfish smile and the gravity of a black hole. The kind of man who sucks all the air from the room the second he enters it. My cocky boss thinks this internship was wasted on me, and he doesn’t hesitate to let me … hesitate to let me know.
But he’s wrong, and I’m going to prove it to him. If I can stay away from his devil lips, that is. Lips that cut me down and kiss me in the same breath, leaving me certain he’s on a mission to ruin my life.
And maybe my heart, too.
A brand new STANDALONE romantic comedy full of steam, laughs, and heart by bestselling author Staci Hart
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Rin, the heroine in “Piece of Work” (nook), found her confidence and blossomed. She was a caring and giving woman who helped her love, Court, find his way too. A heartwarming story with a HEA.
A great forbidden/romcom read. I loved how Rin is awkward and comes out of her shell and in doing so heals a broken heart. Can’t wait to read the rest of this series.
This book is a romance, but more than that is women empowerment book and a friendship book.
They are 4 friends who lives together and they all encourage, give it real, support each other. As they say “l hereby call the first meeting of the Red Lipstick Coalition to order. We do so solemnly swear to use this shiny little tube of power to inspire braveness, boldness, and courage. We promise to jump when it’s scary, to stand tall when we want to hide, to scream our truth instead of whisper our fears. May we be mistresses of our destinies, and to hell with anyone who tries to tell us otherwise.”
Rin and Court was as much expected with all romance and heartbreak that a good book needs. They develop not only physical attraction but they share their minds and knowledge.
It was sad when Court said that he couldn’t give his heart to her, mannn I know you were played back in the days (by his own father) and hurt by a lot of women, but that point his heart and love were already Rin’s. Poor guy couldn’t even tell the truth to himself.
I’m glad that by the end Rin and Court has their HEA and gave their piece of minds to his awful father and that crazy from hell lady Bianca.
I’m ready to read the other books from the series and in the comments I will post a very powerful thought taken from the book.
Staci Hart slayssss again, but when does she not?! Piece of Work had me on board right from page one and didn’t let me off again until the very end (and maybe even a while after that…) As someone who’s always lived life on the shy side, this was a truly inspirational story, and I loved how its message wasn’t to change who your are inside by changing your appearance, but rather to find the courage to let your appearance reflect the person you’ve always kept hidden inside. This book wasn’t about a woman getting a makeover and suddenly gaining the ability to take on the world; it was about a woman deciding to make some changes in her life because she already HAD the ability to take on the world and was finally ready to use it.
I found myself highlighting quote after quote, and many of them totally felt ‘frame it and put it on the wall’ worthy. Staci has such a gift for prose and crafting stories that really do take your breath away. I happened to end up reading this on my way to New York City for the first time ever, and seeing the Met after first getting to know it through Rin and Court was a truly special experience. Once again, I find myself in total awe of Staci’s work, and I can’t recommend it enough!
I really, *really* hope #3, Work in Progress and #4, Well Suited are better because it’s the only reason I’ve started this series. I already know #2, Player won’t work for me.
The heroine in this book is tall and no one couldn’t shut up about it (the first half of the book is only about her appearance). The next heroine is curvy. I said everything.
This was so freaking flat and just boring and meh. And very shallow. This book is the perfect example of why I don’t really like rom-com. Very few people can actually write them. You know what I mean.
It’s actually a pity. Had I liked it, I would’ve bought the paperback and taken a picture in front of ‘David’, lol.
Thank God for the freebie.
Now some WTF moments (for me):
No one uses “bona” to describe a woman in a professional context and it doesn’t mean “pretty”. It’s “hot” and/or “sexy” and sometimes it’s almost vulgar (e.g. cat calling). Definitely unprofessional. I understand the man was a pig, but still, he is the freaking president of the Accademia! It made me cringe so hard.
Plus, it’s an Italian word, okay, but mostly Roman and if he is a Florentine (we don’t know), I really can’t see him using it.
The second thing is just stupid. “Yes” in Italian has a freaking ACCENT. It’s SÌ. Just si is something else. Grammar people, grammar. It’s a thing.
Loved how she told him that he was an ‘a hole
I read Player fist, because I love music more than art, and understandably liked that one better. But Staci Hart’s books are all well-written and sexy and fun, and this was no exception.
So I love Staci’s books, but I’d have to say that this one wasn’t my fave. That’s ok though, cause the book was still a great rom-com for sure!! I still loved the storyline, and premise of the story, and what was trying to be conveyed through the pages.
Rin meets Court while she’s at her internship at the MET. Yes, at that MET! Court is the bosses son, and he runs the department that Rin is doing her internship in. Along with Bianca.
Rin is not your typical Korean girl. She’s super tall, light skin, and dark hair. She gets stares wherever she goes. She doesn’t like the attention, so that’s why she wears clothes that don’t make her stand out any more than what she does.
She meets Court after her first run in with Bianca, who I don’t like AT ALL!
Court can’t stop making eyes at Rin, and soon things start to heat up. Like really heat up right in front of Jesus!! Jesus has seen it all!
One thing leads to another and Rin and Court are keeping what they have going on pretty quiet and away from the prying eyes and ears of Courts dad and Bianca. Bianca and Court were supposed to go Florence to try to secure David for the MET, but instead Rin has to go! By this point she wants NOTHING to do with Court, but court talks her around to see how things will go for them in Italy and then figure it out from there.
When they get back home, things really start to fall apart for them, and oh man! I wish I could have reached through the pages and slapped Court so many times, and even some times strangle the guy!
I won’t ruin it with spoilers for those that haven’t read it, but it’s a funny rom-com, with some twists and turns, and some hatin’ on Court LOL!
I did think this book started out just a little slow, with the backstory, but once it got going in like chapter 2 it was great. I did feel as though Courts side of the story was a bit blah and boring, when it was his chapter, but maybe it was just me. I really enjoyed Rin’s side of the story, and her friends cracked me up! I can’t wait to read about them. I love the empowerment they give Rin and the confidence they give her!
My fave quotes from the book
1. “I love you Rin. Now, you get out there and slay your day like the boss bitch you are.” – I love her friends!!!
2. I didn’t think I wanted to hide anymore. I wanted to be seen. – BE SEEN RIN! BE SEEN!
3. “He will never touch you.” I said against her lips. Because you’re mine. – Court being super sweet…..in his head! I wish he would have told her out loud.
4. And I had a new plan: enjoy every single moment of Rin that I could while I could. – Oh Court, don’t be a douche!
5. “Come find me when you’re ready to be a fucking adult.” – GO RIN!!! Love that she stood up for herself!
6. “The man is a red flag with legs.” “Long, tree-trunk legs.” “Don’t remind me.” – Rin and her friends knows what’s up with Court and his body!
7. “Now kiss me in front of Jesus, Dr. Lyons, before I die.” – Back to where it all started!
It was just average. It didn’t hold anything special for me. The characters were ok. The plot was ok. The heat level was ok. This was the first book that I have read by this author since I don’t want to judge her on one book I will be reading more books. Until next time y’all happy reading.
Though this was not a comedy in my mind, it was a pretty good read. Some scenes were pretty erotic and descriptive. I felt lots of dramatics in the book. Didn’t find myself laughing at all.
This was my first read of this authors and I thoroughly enjoyed the story. The details she included about the art, the museum, Florence and the characters were spectacular. The story was well developed with characters that were easy to love.
Loved the whole art history aspect that was explored and the details of the art explained.
Not sure how I felt about their relationship. He had some serious father issues. She was studious and intelligent and unaware of her beauty until the red lipstick?
I liked how they met on an intellectual level.
Piece of Work is a beautiful story of two people finding love amongst the land of art. A love of art may have brought them together but their love of each other will make them fight for forever.
This story is a workplace romance full of sweet, swoon-worthy love, and panty melting hotness. Staci spins words into magnificent love stories like a BOSS! She’s definitely a one-click author for me!
“The line between love and hate was as thin as people said, and I’d learned the intimate truth of it. Because, incomprehensibly, I wanted him, and I never wanted to see him again. I wanted to kiss him, and I wanted to kill him. I wanted him to apologize, and I never wanted to hear the sound of his voice as long as I lived.”
I am smitten with Staci Hart’s Red Lipstick Coalition series! I read them out of order, starting with book #2 when it was release and then book #3 when it was release before going back for book #1. A little wonky but it goes to show that the books work just as well as stand-alones as they do together. So read them, no matter what order you start in!
Piece of Work will entrance you. I adore Rin and her transformation and am inspired by her boldness and courage to go after what she wants and become who she wants to be – no one will keep her from her dreams. Court is the quintessential man of power and confidence that you have to work at to uncover the charm and heart of.
Witty, fresh, playful, steamy. Piece of Work has the perfect amount of heart, heat, humor and tension, and a fantastic group of best friends.
3.5 stars
I loved this book Staci has a way with words when I saw the Red Lipstick Coalition I knew I had to read this! This is my first book from her but I need to read the next two stat.
Rin is tall exotic and super smart but she wants to be a wall flower. Her new position at the Met requires her to look like more than a college student. A little red lipstick some cloths that fit give her crazy confidence to match her brains. This girl has it all and more.
Cort is the sexy smart boss who is also a mega jerk. He can cut you down with a look. He has one thing on his mind his career and no one will change his mind.
This super sexy office romance is hard to put down. Two very strong personalities collide. I love how this story sucks you in with a few ups and downs and a little drama it will change your mind about a good red lip stick.
This book! I’m not sure I have the words to tell you how much I loved this book. It grabbed me by the heart and didn’t let go. From start to the end, I devoured Staci Hart’s words with an enthusiasm that I haven’t had for a book in a long time.
Thomas Bane is the man that dreams are made of. Bad boy, protector, and author all wrapped in a hot package. From his modest beginnings, Tommy fought his way to the top of the literary world. Along the way he made some decisions that some might find questionable.
Amelia is such an innocent until she has to be more. Reading her story and watching her progression towards the woman she wants to be just made my heart soar.
Together, Tommy and Melia are extraordinary. From their first meeting you could feel the chemistry. As their relationship progress, you get to follow along with the highs and lows of their incredible journey. You will have all the feels.
Ms. Hart’s writing is once again brilliant and the characters are amazing. I will say there is one character that I was hoping would get hit by a NYC bus, but that’s just me.
The title alone got my attention, the tag lines were even better.
One geeky smart doctorate student lands a job at the museum library to finish her doctorate. One intimidating museum director has her all tied up in knots, until the day she puts on red lipstick,new clothes and an attitude that rocks his world.
Laugh out loud, slap his face and then cry your eyes out.
Who knew a tube of lipstick could turn your whole life around? Not Rin & her friends, who chicken out after a shopping trip to Sephora and hide all their new treasures away. But once Rin finally decides to put on that red lipstick, she awakens something inside herself & decides to rewrite her own story.
Rin might be one of my favorite characters written! She is the perfect example of “don’t judge a book by it’s cover” and doesn’t get pushed around. She lives her life for herself, not for others, and once she finds her confidence there is no stopping her. And she has the best group of friends who are by her side no matter what.
Court is powerful, demanding and a workaholic. He doesn’t allow anyone to get close, and enjoys his life of solitude. But once he sets his eyes on something, there’s no stopping him. He gets what he wants at any cost, not caring how his actions effect others.
I really enjoyed this book! The art & history were amazing, the settings incredible. I loved how this wasn’t just a romance, it was a book on self discovery and carving your own path. I adored Rin, wanted to strangle Court, and wanted a girls night with Val, Amelia & Katherine. I admit there were a few points where I was so angry & almost put the book down, but Staci Hart worked her magic and pulled me right back in! If you’re looking for a rom com with a dose of self love, this is definitely it!
Piece of Work by Staci Hart is a fun, sexy, workplace romantic comedy told in dual POV. The story follows Rin, awkward art history PhD student and intern at The Met, and her boss, Court, curator of the European Paintings department and son of the museum’s president, as their relationship develops.
I liked Rin right away and enjoyed seeing her character grow and gain confidence. Court was another story. He came across as abrasive, arrogant, and selfish. Eventually, after gaining some insight into his past, he did win me over.
As an art lover, I enjoyed the setting of this story even though some errors were made when referencing the art itself. Even so, I had fun reading this story and rooting for everything to work out between Rin and Court. This is my first Staci Hart book and it definitely will not be my last.
‘Piece of Work’ is another fantastic read by Staci Hart. Hart really captivates you with her unique choice in characters and their fun-loving friends.
Rin is shy, quiet and vulnerable and accepts an internship at the Met for one of the most notorious curators Court Lyons. What Rin does not embark upon, is how a small tube of lipstick can change the way she is not only viewed, but how she feels about herself.
I really loved Rin as a character, she is beautiful, smart and as I reader I felt like i connected with her and her group of friends straight away.
Court is stern, and after a troublesome past with love is determined not to allow history to repeat itself. He is strong-willed, confident and at times forceful in ensuring he gets what he wants. He’s very career orientated and art is his true passion.
I love how gradually Rin gets under his skin and I love how she is not a pushover despite his stubbornness. Their romance is pure, and the story is honest about how we all make mistakes in love and relationships.
It was well written and addictive and I can’t wait to see what Hart writes next.