Unpolished Jewel: An Office Romance of Power, Trust, and Partnership

by Lucy Cipher

Maxwell Barrett built his empire on structure, responsibility, and control.
He doesn’t cross lines — he enforces them.

Vanessa Shebline was never meant to stand out. Quietly intelligent, meticulously prepared, and painfully underestimated, she enters his world carrying more weight than anyone ever bothered to notice.

What begins as a professional opportunity quickly exposes a deeper injustice — one that forces Maxwell to look closer. Instead of turning away, he intervenes. Not to save her, but to do what should have been done from the start.

As respect grows into something deeper, they choose each other early — and discover that love doesn’t erase problems. It brings them into sharper focus.

Unpolished Jewel is a contemporary office romance about power used responsibly, trust earned through action, and two people learning how to stand side by side against the forces that tried to break them apart.

This is not a story about crossing boundaries.
It’s a story about choosing the same side — together.

246 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 5, 2025

About the author

I am an author and world-creator. All my work will be linked to each other. From the contemporary romances to fantasy.
All books will stand alone, so there is no need to read them in chronological order.
Yet, in every book, readers will find the glimpse of a bigger picture.

Reviews

[Keri · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely love this book, even though its a slow burn it was also fast pasted but not in a bad way.
I absolutely loved the development between Maxwell and Vanessa ♥️
This is a amazing read, especially if you are a lover of a slow burn office romance. There is a little spice but it does not go into graphic detail so if you are someone that's not a big fan of spice this book is perfect 😊
It is a quick little, light hearted read and just what I needed after a few days of no reading.
Rating ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ spice🌶

[Avelynia Kersh · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.75-3⭐️s
1.5 🌶️

This story had great potential if we had more romance between the two main characters. The first 40% was very interesting because we have a struggling young woman who has a bad home life and a crappy boyfriend, she gets her dream job working for Max Barret as his translator. They seem to have a great work relationship but nothing really ever crosses the line. There’s some life flirting which included a dance but the next morning f they are having sex. I was hoping to see more from Mr Barret. After their second intimate session they are already exchanging “I love yous” and discussing marriage. It felt like I was missing chapters. I had to keep checking the page count to make sure I didn’t skip a chunk of the book.

[Harlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good and Fast Read!

I enjoyed this book, was a fast-paced read and able to finish it in about 2 hours!
Definitely kept me hooked in the beginning while seeing Vanessa's struggles in her home and relationship, but also seeing Maxwell's POV at the same time helped bring it together.
I do think when the boundaries between boss and employee crossed, it moved a bit faster than expected.
Still an overall good read!

[Alexander Semenyuk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Had a lot of fun. Not my typical read, but I’m glad that I did. I love the different POVs, big fan of that style. I although thought that the relationship building was realistic, and I prefer that it was mild in the sense of physical intimacy.

[Maya Reynolds · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book gave me everything I love in an office romance power struggles, simmering tension, and characters who feel real. Maxwell and Vanessa had me hooked from the very first page. The slow burn was perfection, and when the lines finally blurred, it was worth the wait. Highly recommend for anyone who loves intensity with a touch of vulnerability.

[Katarzyna Gajewska · Rating 5 out of 5]

Unpolished Jewel is a beautifully written office romance that keeps you hooked from the very first chapter. The chemistry between the characters grows with every interaction and finally ignites, blossoming into undeniable true love built on honesty and trust. Perfect for readers who love emotional depth, a Cinderella story, and *wait for it* healthy relationship goals.

[Zara Coleman · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this! The writing is sharp, the emotions are raw, and the chemistry between the characters is undeniable. That said, the pacing felt a little too slow for me at times. Still, when it hit, it hit hard. Solid romance with substance.

[Hannah Lawson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This wasn’t a bad book at all it’s well written and the characters are strong but I personally wanted more heart wrenching drama. The emotional stakes never quite hit that “gut punch” level for me. Fans of slow, subtle builds will probably enjoy it more than I did.

[Amelia Johnson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book knows how to work a slow burn. The stolen glances, the forbidden moments, the weight of all those rules Maxwell clings to it all builds so well. I docked one star only because I wanted a little more from the side characters, but otherwise it’s fantastic.

[Luna Nightshade · Rating 5 out of 5]

Office romances are hit or miss for me, but this one was a big hit. I stayed up until 2 AM finishing it because I had to know if Maxwell would let himself cross the line. If you love intensity without unnecessary drama, this is your book.

[Olivia Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

I can see why other readers might love this sharp writing, strong heroine, powerful hero but it just didn’t pull me in. The romance felt more calculated than emotional, and I never fully connected with Maxwell. Definitely not bad, just not my style.

[Charlotte Bennett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Maxwell and Vanessa’s chemistry is undeniable, and the emotional build up is wonderful. I only wish there had been one or two more explosive moments of passion or conflict. Still, a solid read I’d definitely recommend.