Work in Progress

Definitely 5 star read!

I’m totally in love with the story created by Staci Hart! Work in Progress is a book which reading gives a lot of pleasure. It’s sweet, at times it’s funny and of course there were moments when the blush appeared on your cheeks. The trope is a fake marriage, which is supposed to bring profit to both of our heroes.

Amelia is a top book blogger who is socially awkward. She’s shy, quiet, withdrawn. However, under all this shyness hides a beautiful girl with a golden heart.

Tommy is a typical bad boy in combat boots. Long hair, swag and indescribable sexappeal are the showcase of this writer. Unfortunately Thomas is also a magnet for trouble so he must take drastic action to clean up his image and save his career, which hangs by a thread. And who would be a better help than a beautiful blogger, from whom kindness shines from all sides?

And what could go wrong when both of them will benefit from an arranged marriage?

Ah! I’m delighted with how the author has mated heroes in this story. Tommy and Amelia perfectly complement each other and the chemistry between them is electrifying. He helps her open up to people and gain self-confidence and she in return soften him and calms him down. They are what they need in life for each other. I don’t know how about you but I’m going to make up for the previous parts of this series because I am totally drawn into the Red Lipstick Coalition! And I can’t wait for Katherine’s story!

Work of Gold, that’s the real title because this book isn’t progress, it’s gold! Staci Hart brought the feels, the doubts, and the innocence. Once she had you hooked, she beat you over the head with a club. (Fine it was words and a carefully crafted plot twist, but it felt like a motherfluffing club.)

Work in Progress is a bloggers secret fairytale fantasy. One I’m sure most don’t realize they have this particular fantasy until they read the blurb. Let me tell you though, once I feasted my greedy eyes on the story line, there was no holding me back. It’s a modern fairytale, wishful thinking, and a happy dream all in one. It’s sexy, sweet, and 100% realist without jeopardizing a happy or changing the integrity of the story. So it’s a work of Gold!

Join the Red Lipstick Coalition. Raise your red. Be brave. Be you. Be everything you want to be… a Work in Progress.

Reviewed for Sweet Spot Sisterhood

*ARC Given to Blog for Honest Review*

4.5 “Yes.” “Ridiculous” “erotic elbow” “Trust me” “Loud and Clear” Kisses

I looooooove the feeling I have after I’ve finished a Staci Hart novel – it’s one of the best feelings ever. And the way I feel right now after Work In Progress…it’s simply fantastic. I’ve been hooked on the Red Lipstick Coalition (RLC) girls since the very beginning with Rin in Piece of Work …the love grew even stronger with Val in Player and now…Amelia has taken it to epic new levels. At this rate Katherine just might completely blow my mind to a new galaxy…and I’m quite looking forward to it. The combination of these girls with Staci’s incredible talent…it’s just a force that I cannot deny. That being said, all of these books can be read as complete standalone’s – there is overlap with the characters, but it doesn’t effect the individual storylines at all. So, when I read Amelia’s teaser for Work in Progress at the end of Player, I was soooooo ready for her because there is nothing I love more than a fellow book worm – and Amelia is one of the good ones. I adored falling in love with her and Thomas, and together, these two completely make me melt. I adored every second of their story, it was absolutely perfect.

Amelia Hall Bane…my lovely little bookworm. I really and truly want to pick her up and put her in my pocket because she’s like a little book pixie that I want to carry with me everywhere I go. She’s one of those characters that instantly puts me at ease…she’s loveable, kind and caring. She’s a little soft spoken, but she’s no pushover – she does have a mind to speak (obviously…book bloggers are known for being opinionated) but she is just shy, which I got. One of the parts I loved most about WiP was her growth – yes, obviously the main focus is her and Thomas, but a side effect of their relationship is the change that comes through in Amelia. Thomas helps her so much, not necessarily intentionally, but the resulting effect is insanely gratifying. Saying yes to Thomas Bane was definitely one of the best decisions Amelia ever made…and meeting Amelia may have been the luckiest thing that has ever happened to Thomas.

‘“I’m going to kiss you, Amelia Bane.” The possession, the raw heat in his voice as he said my name lit a simmering fire low in my belly.
My permission was given in an exhale, a shift into him, a parting of my lips as my body said yes before my brain could even consider his words.
He claimed my consent with his lips, the kiss as chaste as it was searing.’

Thomas Bane…the bad boy author…he’s all long hair, sideways smirk and endless charm – there is no way to deny him. But don’t worry, I didn’t even bother trying. Thomas is a million different kinds of wonderful…he’s deep and alluring and you just want to be around him and know more about him. Maybe it’s the element of the unknown, because he lets so few people truly know him…maybe it’s the persona…whatever it is, it works for him. Honestly, I guess because we know from the start that all of the rumors are just for show, it makes it easier to know and understand him – once we know that its not who he really is, it makes me want to truly get and understand him. The talented author who came from nothing and has made something for himself. The guy from the Bronx who is so insanely protective of his family. The man who has never really been vulnerable…shown his true self…been in love. All of it pulled me in so effortlessly…I loved getting to know Tommy and I loved even more how being with Amelia changed him as much, if not more than, it changed her.

‘“Tommy,” I whispered, and the word was a plea.
He met my eyes, leaned over me, capturing me in his arms, clutching me to his chest. “Yes?” he answered, close enough for his word to brush my lips.
“I… I don’t know how to… how to tell you what… how to say that…”
“Just tell me. Just say it. The answer is yes.”
Relief and courage rose in my chest. I drew a painful breath against tight ribs and let it out. “I want you to touch me. Really touch me. I want you to kiss me. Kiss me everywhere.”
Everything about him darkened, heated up until he was crackling, his hand gripping my hip. “Melia…” The way he said my name, like I’d be his deliverance and his undoing.’

It’s interesting because you might think that a book blogger and an author would be a match made in heaven…but it could quickly go the other way – I was open for both options when it came to Melia and Tommy because…I mean, come on, who doesn’t love to have a little angry-angst thrown in every now and then. But I digress – either way…I loved the way Amelia and Thomas came together – loved their first meeting…looooved the premise – I will say I wish they had had at least two or three other interactions before the shoe dropped…just to kind of develop more of a rapport and it would have felt a little less like she was marrying a complete stranger. It wasn’t completely jarring, it actually was written very smoothly, but it was in the back of my mind that they didn’t really know anything about each other. It was too easy to forget that though because when it came down to it, their chemistry was completely effortless – it was like they had known each other forever and the bond they built while going through the whole experience and simultaneously getting to know each other was pure bliss. I think that was one of the reasons I fell for them so deeply was because they developed such a strong bond, they were friends and the romantic feelings came naturally, and I looooove it when that happens.

“How in the world did you choose me, Tommy?” I said half to myself.
“There was no choice to be made.” His big hand held my face, his own soft and searching. “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.”

I am always endlessly happy when I read a Staci Hart novel. Like seriously always happy – every single time…she has rarely let me down and it’s one of the 8,652,940,294+ reasons why I love her and her books. It’s another reason why she is on my must read list and why I get insanely giddy the moment her books hit my kindle. My only teeny-tiny, itty-bitty criticism was the occasional overuse of the word “chuffed” – repetitiveness is one of my extreme pet peeves, so I’m sensitive to it – but it was definitely not something that took away from my enjoyment of Melia and Tommy. I cannot deny Staci’s talent…she creates characters I’m addicted to, her way with words never ceases to amaze me and her novels have everything that I love about romance. The way she makes me feel is like second nature…I’m a puppet to her puppeteer and I’m all about it because the way she crafts her stories is undeniable…she writes emotion so clearly, I can’t help but fall head over heels into the story and what is happening. They’re not perfect stories, I may not always understand everything or like what is happening with the characters, but that’s not the point – everything she does has a reason and a purpose behind it and I love that by the time I’m finished with the story I am…endlessly happy.

‘“You are everything.” The words were reverent, her eyes open and bright. “You’re everything I could ever want, all I could hope for. Thank you for loving me, Tommy.”
“How could I not, Melia? Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done,” I said simply, brushing my knuckles across her cheek before opening my hand, cupping the curve with my palm.’

The ending was…fantastic…perfectly timed, I loved everything that happened and the way that it fell into place. The grand gestures made me swoon harder than I thought possible and holy hold-onto-your-hats that epilogue was beyond anything. The teases that were dropped….just YAAAAAS! And also…I have seven words for how I am feeling after I finished the tease at the end of Work in Progress…Give. Me. Well Suited. Right. Freaking. Now!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I had a feeling when I read the tease in the Epilogue – a strong gut feeling…and I hoped and prayed to any book god that might be listening that it would be true and with that last sentence in the tease of Well Suited all my wishes were granted and it was majestic! But…now I need Katherine’s book right now. Like…this very second, because I am D-Y-I-N-G!!!!!!!!! I’ve been excited for all of my RLC girls books…but Katherine is a certain kind of special and I’m super pumped to see how her guy handles her! #RedLipstickCoalitionLover

Amelia Hall is a book blogger, like me. She’s shy and a little bit awkward with everyone but her friends. She’s behind a successful named Hall of Books, and through her journey she became acquaintance with Thomas Bane’s books. Maybe they aren’t the book with the highest rating in Amelia’s pile, but she insists she doesn’t hate them. Amelia is a good girl. She’s sweet and kind, she loves her family, her friends and her cat, and she lives and breathes books, and her goal is to become an editor for a publishing house.

Thomas Bane, in the other hand, is the ultimate bad boy of the book world. He’s sexy and mysterious, with this rebel vibe going on, long hair and leather jacket included. His name is synonymous of trouble and, according to the story, even his hair has an IG account. Thomas fame started with a very public relationship, and ever since his journey as author started he’s graced every gossip site, magazine or TV show known by the man.

But in this land of liars and pretenders, what’s real and what’s not? Well, my friends, you’ll have to read to discover it.

I have no words to explain how much I loved this book. It was sweet, romantic, and oh, so much fun! The RLC is one of my favorite discoveries, and I’ve started to wear red lipstick myself in honor to the wonderful ladies leading these books. My first read by Staci Hart was Piece of Work, and I was blown away by her writing. This time wasn’t different.

Amelia is such a wonderful character, passionate about the written word, caring and beautiful inside and out. Tommy is the perfect opposite with his bad boy attitude and his cynic way of seeing life. Every time they were in the same room, since the first chapter, there were sparks flying around. So sexy!!

You’ll love Thomas. He’s the ultimate book boyfriend. And not to read this story, quoting my favorite (and fictional) book blogger, is an unforgivable sin. So grab your copy and enjoy the ride. Can’t wait to know what you think.

Solid four stars for the blood thirsty jealous reporters but five stars for the love and triumph of Tommy and Amelia Bane.

This story by Staci was sweet and encouraging. So many truths about fame and how some things are made up for appearance purposes only. How love and trust is earned and boy did they work for both.

The cheerleading on both ends was what drew me in from the beginning. No false pretenses just full on comfortability and a helping hand. It’s just the blind truths that played a part that provided bumps and “I knew its.” A development of finding your fine medium and owning it with no regrets. Breaking shells that were visible and imaginary. In reality showing that two work in progresses can become a magnificent finished product.

This book…I can’t even put into words how much I loved Tommy & Amelia. I am a huge fan of Staci’s books and this one is definitely a must-read. Amelia is a shy, introverted bookworm, while Tommy is an attention-seeking bestselling author with bad boy tendencies. The way he was with her though? All the swoons. These two just had such perfect chemistry between them and I didn’t want the book to end.

Funny and sweet. Easy read, great for a summer beach day. Needed tissues for a few parts. Steamy scenes aren’t overly graphic.

Amelia Hall, is a book blogger that is an extremely shy introvert who’s trying to come out of her shell with the help of her therapist.
She has just gotten a brand new gig blogging for the USA Times’ book division, and has been tasked with the job of getting some signatures on books at a book signing from Thomas Bane, who just so happens to be someone she hasn’t given good reviews to in the past.

Thomas Bane, was an instant sensation over night thanks to his twin brother and him coming up with the idea to link him up with a socialite and then releasing his first fantasy book at the same time. He is on the cover of People’s Sexiest Man Alive, but he keeps his personal life personal and everyone is looking to find out who exactly is this notorious bad-boy, who has no shortage of finding himself in trouble everywhere he seems to goes, Thomas Bane.

When they meet at the book signing, Amelia doesn’t have any problem letting him know what is wrong with his books.
What she says isn’t wrong and he enlists her help to get him out of the funk he’s in.
Then the fun begins.

This is such a great book with all the feels.
I’m looking forward to the last book in this series.

Loved this book. I love anything and everything written by Staci Hart. Though this was not my favorite in the series, the characters are adorable. A little predictable at times, but the book was well written, descriptive and full of witty characters. I must admit that the surrounding characters were intriguing than the main ones. I cant wait to read the follow-up to this book featuring two of my favorite characters from this novel!

I think I enjoyed this book enough to read it over and over! The characters are wonderful, and I wish I could sit down with them and have them tell me their story even though I have read it all before! Thank you for bringing a smile to my face and warm fuzzies to my heart! <3