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 … 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.
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This was a fun quick read. I liked all the characters and truly enjoyed this book.
A wonderfully entertaining read. An entertaining way to escape reality for a while.
Really enjoyed the book. Bought the whole series.
Work in Progress was a tremendously enjoyable read. The type of read that you cannot stop until the end.
Good job!
The book was a cute book. Just alittle on the predictable side.
An admirable story of mutual attraction and assistance end up in forever endearment! But Had to skip few pages because of repetition!
Loved the building relationship between Tommy and Amelia!! Pulled you into the storyline, almost wished we could have gone more into of getting the two people who were after Tommy and how both Tommy snd Amelia prevailed
I adored Work in Progress. Staci Hart is one of my all time favorite authors for witty, pick me up and make me laugh books.
Oh my gosh I found another Rom Com book I absolutely loved, I havent found one since reading the “Pucked Series, and I just love how out of nowhere I found Staci Hart and this book. Yes I realised after that it is part of a 4 part series, but I am now hooked, cant wait to go back and dive into book 1, but that is after I was told to make sure I read Bad Penny.
Shy little Amelia with her aversion to people, speaking anything out of her comfort zone that makes her revert into her own world, with the exception of her 3 roommates and her books.
Then out of nowhere she meets Thomas Bane, and before you know it she is marrying the man, and with Kissing still yet to be experienced let alone sex and with a man that is swoon worthy and “Sex on a Stick”
I just loved how there was this no nonsense ness (if that is even a word) about this story, the characters were honest and the emotion from both Thomas and Amelia in discovering their “Like” for each other and then the respect and falling in love.
I laughed at the little things in this story and just some of antics by both characters and their animals. Something as simple as a cat and dog that too me showed part of who the characters were and how they treated others.
I found the story simple but compelling, I loved the fact that Amelia’s father had invented these silly “items” that we see constantly see on the info channels of the next big thing. To me it was great to about how someone was financially well off due to something so random and not our usual “old money rich” Thomas himself came from nothing, and yet he had managed to ruin his reputation that he had worked so hard to build and keep from people. I loved the other characters in the book , Theo and their Mother , Amelia’s best friends and roomies, who I cant wait to read about in the rest of the series. Thank you Staci Hart, it was so refreshing and out of the blue to discover your writing, and I am so glad I did
Absolutely devoured this book. So cute, funny and amazing. Defo recommend x
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Staci Hart’s books make my heart smile. Work in Progress is no exception, and in fact, when I think she can’t make me smile bigger or sigh more, she absolutely did with this one! As a reader now familiar with book-blogging and reviewing, this story made me giddy. Staci knows this world through and through and bringing it to the forefront in a brilliantly written story about a famous bad-boy author seeking help from a quiet introverted blogger is just fantastic! Tommy is 100% book boyfriend material. He is chivalrous, direct, honest (in the ways that count!), and dedicated to his family. Once he realizes his “more than” feelings, he goes after Amelia confidently and it’s so, SO sexy! Amelia is like sunshine…with sass! Although she doesn’t quite realize that she IS all that and more, she’s smart and fiercely loyal. And let’s just collectively squeal that we get more of the RLC girls and their banter and friendship in this book! I love it! Work in Progress has the perfect amount of tension, sexiness, and humor. 5 stars for Amelia and Tommy!
I saw that an author I follow, recommended this. Boy, was I glad I picked this book up.
Thomas Bane is a famous “bad boy” author. He’s not only known for his writing but also for what else happens in his personal life.
Amelia Hall is a book blogger who never gives Thomas Bane a favorable review. With her new job at the USA times, she is tasked to get an inside scoop on Thomas.
Thomas wants Amelia to help him in his writing, Thomas has a bit of writers block and he also needs to clean up his persona. Which leads Amelia and Thomas to a fake marriage.
But what happens when it doesn’t feel so fake anymore? And what happens when you don’t want to give your job the inside scoop anymore?
Definitely one-click this one now, you won’t be disappointed.
This was another great book in this series. I enjoyed it. I definitely recommend this book, this author and this series.
This story was more than just about a marriage of convenience; there was so much more to it. It reminded me a little of “The Hooker and the Hermit.”
At first, I thought I would like it more than “Player,” because the first half was so exciting and different, but it bogged down a bit after that, so Val and Sam’s story is still my favorite. Looking forward to reading Katherine’s story, because she is an odd duck!!
With Well Suited comes an end of the Red Lipstick Coalition and what an end it is. We finally have Katherine (Kate) and …..drumroll (as if you’re even surprised)….Theo!! Surely you guys saw this coming, right? And surely you love it when friends fall in love with brothers which will make them connected forever, right? (Side note–my college bestie married my husband’s twin, making us sisters for liiiife and it’s the best!). So to recap for those who’ve forgotten–Theo is Tommy’s brother and Tommy married Amelia (from Work in Progress) and of course, Katherine is the fourth roommate and our final victim of Staci Hart’s romcom mind.
I’m gonna be real with you guys, Kate was not always easy. She’s so rigid and stubborn about her rules and her lists and her life but once you get to know her, you begin to understand why she functions the way she does and it all makes sense. It’s interesting because Staci Hart gives Kate a male suitor who is almost her mirror image in many many ways but he’s warmer, softer, more bendy in so many ways–and yet also rigid in ways too. I think it’s the first time in a while I’ve read two characters who are so alike and yet so not and work so well–even if one of them is a complete skeptic about anything that cannot be explained by facts and science. I really like the role reversal created with these two characters–he’s the big romantic softie and she’s the harder one to break (it’s actually, now that I’m thinking of it, very much like me and my husband…hmmm…excuse me as my brain processes all of this).
I really enjoyed how patient Theo was–he really knows how to play the long game and he was so attuned and attentive to Kate that I had high hopes that he’d break through all of her rules and perceptions. And I really liked Kate’s honesty and her self-awareness and her willingness to listen and open up to things that were really hard for her; I admired her confidence and her awareness about what she wanted and needed. These two worked well–from their first night together to the countdown of the end of the 40 weeks–I enjoyed their story…their entire concept and how their feelings were conceived (so punny, aren’t I), grew, stumbled, and grew bigger and stronger.
And of course I loved seeing all of the members of the Red Lipstick Coalition together again. They were all as funny and sweet as always and seeing what they were up to and their lives were going was the perfect ending to this series.
Staci is a QUEEN when it comes to these RLC (Red Lipstick Coalition) novels. This is definitely her best to date!! This book only confirmed my love for this pack of friends that she has uniquely created and brought to life! Everyone needs some friends like this pack of ladies! They are fearless and there for each other NO MATTER WHAT!
Tommy and Amelia are two stunning characters who embrace each other exactly for who they are.
Tommy aka Thomas Bane is the sexiest best selling author who has the charm for the ladies and can’t help but churn out best sellers along the way. He has the body of a Greek God with golden fingers that flow with words that captivate every reader that his books touch. But he doesn’t have that one book that he has to get out soon. He has a huge block and can’t help but wonder what has caused it. Then he sees his one harshest critic at a book signing and knows she is the one perfect for the job of helping him with his next book.
Amelia is a book blogger who is shy to the max but when she writes on her blog she is by default the most honest. She goes to a book signing for Thomas Bane and can’t help but realize what a hunk he is. Then he asks her to help him with his next novel. When she goes to help him with his next novel he has a proposition for her. Marry him to help him clean up his image and help him write this book to help boost Amelia’s career.
These two when united are pure magic! There is nothing but amazing chemistry between the two and it works so well for them. They know something is there and can’t deny their feelings once they surface.
These two were some of the best characters I have read and I absolutely had so many feels that I can’t help but want so many more when it comes to these two!
Thank you so much to Staci for the free review copy in exchange for my honest opinion!
Work in Progress has all the very best ingredients to leave you begging for more! A sweet, swoony escape into every single ladies fantasy.
What girl wouldn’t want to be their favorite authors next big muse? Not to mention that said author is sexy as sin Thomas Bane, notorious bad boy. Swoon. Red lipstick and a marriage, albeit fake, to a wealthy, infamous man? Um, sign me up please! Highly recommend!!!!
There’s a few things that could’ve made this a tricky read for me. First of all, I have a finely tuned bullshit meter, and my bullshit meter is somewhat tripped by the idea of a fantasy author who looks like a rock star and dates models and actresses. I mean, in the real world, fantasy authors look like George RR Martin. (No offense George. Love ya!)
The second thing that could’ve gone horribly awry for me is the presence of a virgin heroine. In case I haven’t made it clear, I’m not usually a fan of virgin heroines. But, fortunately, this book had enough going for it that I overlooked the improbable rockstar-looking fantasy author and virgin heroine and ended up really enjoying the ride. Who knew?
Here’s what I loved:
The heroine:
Amelia isn’t your typical New York heiress heroine. She’s shy and awkward and uncomfortable around people. But she’s also wicked-smart and doesn’t let her shyness stop her from going after what she wants. I admired her for having the strength to overcome her fears and go after the job and the life she wanted.
Now, I will admit that I got irritated with Amelia’s early assertions that she wasn’t attractive enough for someone like Thomas, even though everyone around her assured her how gorgeous she was. I call this Bella Swan syndrome. The old “oh, I’m so plain and ordinary…I have no idea why everyone always wants me” thing really irks the crap out of me. But, fortunately for Amelia, she was a pretty good heroine in every OTHER way, so I was able to let this minor case of Bella Swan syndrome go fairly easily.
The hero:
Despite all outward appearances, Thomas is a genuinely good guy. He never fails to protect the people he loves, sometimes even when that protection comes at a great cost to his own lifestyle/reputation/publishing contract. There was never a point that he failed to treat Amelia with anything but the utmost respect, and y’all know how much I ADORE nice guy heroes in my romance novels.
This was also a slow-burn, friends-to-lovers romance featuring a fake marriage. In other words, it was like the author asked me what all my favorite tropes were before writing the book and tried to hit all the high notes just for me. And if that was the case…thanks!!
So, why not a 5-star rating, you ask? There was one point in the book when Amelia was quick to believe something horrible about Thomas, and since he’d done absolutely nothing to make her think he’d ever disrespect her in that manner, I was momentarily irritated with her. But I quickly got over it. Mostly because Thomas is so awesome and if he wants to forgive Amelia, who am I to argue?
Long-story-short, this was a great read that’s highly worth a 1-click, in my opinion.
And don’t forget to check out the Romance Rehab blog for more rants, raves, book lists, and other fun romance-y stuff: http://www.romancerehab.com/
Gah, these roommates all falling in love is killing me, but I’m a good way! I can’t wait for Katherine, omg!
But this is about Amelia and Tommy and wow. Staci always has this way of making me see through their eyes and feel what they’re feeling. Staci is an extraordinary author. One who I one click no matter what. I’ve been with the since the goddesses and I’ve grown to love her more every book.
Of course it’s not all rainbows and butterflies, I mean why would Thomas Bane want little ol Amelia? He’s a literary genius and she can’t speak but to her friends. But when she starts to blossom, it’s magic. And when she finally understands his feelings are real will she admit how much she feels for him.
This was another fantastic read by Staci, you better pick it up! You’ll regret it if you don’t!
Free copy given for an honest review