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Bare Sophistication #5
Her Unexpected Valentine
His rules of engagement
Miami's steamy fashion and beauty scene is finally taking notice of Nicole LeBlanc. She's just landed a coveted gig as lead makeup artist and hairstylist on a series of Valentine's Day commercials being shot in Hollywood. And once she locks eyes with the seriously sexy creative director, she's certain he could fulfill her own secret romantic fantasies. Too bad Kendrick Burrstone doesn't do relationships, despite their over-the-top chemistry.
After being burned by love, Kendrick lives by two unbreakable rules: dodge Cupid's arrow and never mix business with pleasure. But both on and off the set, Nicole's fiery touch is tempting Kendrick to take another chance. Until a vindictive ex and a nasty extortion plot ignite a media frenzy that could end his rising career…and cost him the heart of the sweetest and most passionate woman he's ever met.
- GenresRomance
224 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 16, 2018
37 people are currently reading
49 people want to read
About the author
Sherelle Green
92 books524 followersUSA Today Bestselling Author Sherelle Green crafts brutal worlds where lust and danger collide. Known for her addictive, high-stakes mafia romances, she’s built an entire dark empire through her books—a place where ruthless antiheroes and complex heroines navigate twisted loyalties, betrayal, and forbidden passion.
With a deep fascination for the darker corners of love, she dives into themes of power, lust, vulnerability, and redemption, blending suspense and sensuality to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
From intricate family sagas and compelling love affairs, to thought-provoking fiction and romantic crime thrillers, her novels touch on how experiences & environment impact the way her beautifully flawed and relatable protagonists view life and love.
With a deep fascination for the darker corners of love, she dives into themes of power, lust, vulnerability, and redemption, blending suspense and sensuality to keep readers on the edge of their seats.
From intricate family sagas and compelling love affairs, to thought-provoking fiction and romantic crime thrillers, her novels touch on how experiences & environment impact the way her beautifully flawed and relatable protagonists view life and love.
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Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews
February 11, 2018
2.75 stars
This fairly classic category romance just wasn't for me; I wanted to care about the characters more than I actually did, and I struggled with how intense the cissexism was, and how the book constantly referred to rigid gender roles as the explanation for behavior. The meet cute was my favorite part.
Content Warnings
This fairly classic category romance just wasn't for me; I wanted to care about the characters more than I actually did, and I struggled with how intense the cissexism was, and how the book constantly referred to rigid gender roles as the explanation for behavior. The meet cute was my favorite part.
Content Warnings
April 4, 2019
This was good! There were a couple of word choices that pinged me as editing errors, and I could have done without the epilogue, but I accept that when reading categories, there's almost always going to be .
Good first installment for this book bundle!
Good first installment for this book bundle!
February 28, 2018
I really enjoyed this book. Nicole and Kendrick have a lot in common, have a zest for life and are down to earth. I love thst they were able to communicate so well with each other and talk about anything.
March 31, 2018
His rules of engagement. Miami’s steamy fashion and beauty scene is finally taking notice of (make-up artist) Nicole LeBlanc. She’s just landed a coveted gig as lead makeup artist and hairstylist on a series of Valentine’s Day commercials being shot in Hollywood. Out celebrating before her new job, she meets and makes a date with a hottie from the club. The next day she locks eyes with the seriously sexy creative director, she’s certain he could fulfill her own secret romantic fantasies. Too bad Kendrick Burrstone doesn’t do relationships with co-workers (twice burnt), despite their over-the-top chemistry. After being burned by love, Kendrick lives by two unbreakable rules: dodge Cupid’s arrow and never mix business with pleasure. But both on and off the set, Nicole’s fiery touch is tempting Kendrick to take another chance. Until a vindictive ex and a nasty extortion plot ignite a media frenzy that could end his rising career…and cost him the heart of the sweetest and most passionate woman he’s ever met.
April 9, 2018
Her Unexpected Valentine is the latest book in Sherelle Green’s Bare Sophistication series. The book centers around Nicole LeBlanc, a makeup artist and hairstylist and Kendrick Burrstone, Creative arts director.
Both characters have a great sense of humor and the chemistry is evident right away. Kendrick and Nicole quickly discover that they are working together temporarily. Kendrick has a rule that he doesn’t date someone he works with.
Despite his “rule”, Kendrick is drawn to Nicole. Several work related events give them the opportunity to get to know each other better. They have a lot in common, including past issues with relationships and their love for tattoos. I like how the author allows Kendrick and Nicole to be vulnerable. Even though things happen over a short period of time, the progression of Nicole and Kendrick’s feelings is realistic.
The secondary characters make an impact throughout. Monty and Angelica are true friends who always look out for Kendrick. They are also hit by the “Valentine” bug as well. It is also good to get brief updates from the Bare Sophistication crew. I especially enjoy the brief but important interaction with Mr. and Mrs. Saunders. They know what true love is all about and see it in Nicole and Kendrick. There is a bit of drama that derails things. You will have to read to see what happens.
This is a free-flowing story that I recommend. It’s not necessary to read the other books in the series, but it would help to provide background to the rest of the crew.
Both characters have a great sense of humor and the chemistry is evident right away. Kendrick and Nicole quickly discover that they are working together temporarily. Kendrick has a rule that he doesn’t date someone he works with.
Despite his “rule”, Kendrick is drawn to Nicole. Several work related events give them the opportunity to get to know each other better. They have a lot in common, including past issues with relationships and their love for tattoos. I like how the author allows Kendrick and Nicole to be vulnerable. Even though things happen over a short period of time, the progression of Nicole and Kendrick’s feelings is realistic.
The secondary characters make an impact throughout. Monty and Angelica are true friends who always look out for Kendrick. They are also hit by the “Valentine” bug as well. It is also good to get brief updates from the Bare Sophistication crew. I especially enjoy the brief but important interaction with Mr. and Mrs. Saunders. They know what true love is all about and see it in Nicole and Kendrick. There is a bit of drama that derails things. You will have to read to see what happens.
This is a free-flowing story that I recommend. It’s not necessary to read the other books in the series, but it would help to provide background to the rest of the crew.
January 25, 2018
Another awesome love story in the "Bare Sophistication" series! Both Nicole and Kendrick had to overcome fear and obstacles from their past in order to forge ahead in this unexpected journey of love. They were made for each other from the beginning starting with their meeting in the bar, to them working together, to their hot and steaming romance, to finally admitting their love for one another! I hope that both Aaliyah and Kyra's stories will be told as well in this series.
March 19, 2018
Two broken people struggling to build a friendship Kendrick "KD" Burrstone and Nicole LeBlance, deal with it all spilled drinks, secrets, an ex who is crazy. The backdrop stories for then was very touching, giving a true sense of why they were both so cautious. The Bare Sophistication series is worth the read.
August 22, 2018
True love conquers all
Kendrick and Nicole were made for each other! I hate that people try to ruin others and use them for their own gain, instead of working hard. Amanda needed rehab and therapy. She had a lot to heal. Nicole and Kendrick both grew so much and ended up with so much more than what was taken away from them.
Kendrick and Nicole were made for each other! I hate that people try to ruin others and use them for their own gain, instead of working hard. Amanda needed rehab and therapy. She had a lot to heal. Nicole and Kendrick both grew so much and ended up with so much more than what was taken away from them.
March 1, 2019
Very sweet little read just what I needed. This is my first sherelle green book to read and I will have to say I enjoyed her writing style.. so now I need to read the other books I have by her and see if I could fall for this author and she becomes an auto buy author for me!!!! Eek to be continued....
May 10, 2019
ButtercupG
Excellent story. Great details. Loved both main characters. I liked how the author developed the story between the two main characters. They had both come through bad relationships that helped them grow and the timing was just right for the two of them to come together.
Excellent story. Great details. Loved both main characters. I liked how the author developed the story between the two main characters. They had both come through bad relationships that helped them grow and the timing was just right for the two of them to come together.
July 30, 2019
Amazing!
This book was so good! I loved Kendrick and Nicole’s unexpected relationship. The way it developed and kept blossoming into something so amazing! They had a very bad past and it stopped them for going after what they really wanted until they couldn’t take it anymore! Great book!
This book was so good! I loved Kendrick and Nicole’s unexpected relationship. The way it developed and kept blossoming into something so amazing! They had a very bad past and it stopped them for going after what they really wanted until they couldn’t take it anymore! Great book!
February 8, 2018
This is the 5th book I read by Sherelle Green. This book's story line was really good. I really liked the chemistry in this story. I really liked the hot & steamy scenes. I really liked Nicole's character. I really liked Kendrick's character. I really liked the ending.
March 25, 2018
Highly recommended!
What's next? I love Kendrick and Nicole story. The attraction was off the charts. The heat was captivating. Learning their past hurts, made you actually feel the pain they had to endure. Wonderful story!
What's next? I love Kendrick and Nicole story. The attraction was off the charts. The heat was captivating. Learning their past hurts, made you actually feel the pain they had to endure. Wonderful story!
March 21, 2023
Of the 5 books in the series, this one was my least favorite. This book was all over the place and didn't flow as well as the other 4 books. There were parts that I feel didn't make sense and wasn't needed in Nicole and Kendrick's story. Most of the story felt like filler pages.
December 26, 2017
Loved this story! Can’t wait to see who’s next to find their mate in the next book.
February 2, 2018
Inspirational!
February 9, 2018
This was not my favorite in the series...really it was just ok, my true rating would be 2.75 stars; still can not wait for the next one!
February 26, 2018
I love how K.D. and Nicole were flawed. They both had to take a self journey of redemption to realize that they were worthy of real love. Another great read by Sherelle Green!
February 19, 2019
Good story with interesting characters.
May 31, 2022
A great story
February 2, 2023
very insightful
If I could have I’d have highlighted the entire story! Written with lessons learned gained only from experience and heartbreak and new love.
If I could have I’d have highlighted the entire story! Written with lessons learned gained only from experience and heartbreak and new love.
February 18, 2019
Nicole, a hair and makeup artist, arrives in Los Angeles eager to work on her very first commercial, it’s a big opportunity and she intends for that to be her sole focus until she meets Kendrick. Their attraction isn’t any more convenient for Kendrick, when he asked out Nicole he hadn’t realized they’d be working together, and he has a strict policy against that kind of romance, so he’s determined to let go of whatever he felt for Nicole. But letting go doesn’t prove all that easy.
I liked Nicole, how she’s confident and willing to listen and talk things through, she feels like a mature person you’d want to be around. I wasn’t quite as fond of Kendrick, it’s not that he’s horrible or anything, I think it’s just more of a personal preference thing, he has such a smooth way about him and I guess I tend to prefer some awkwardness.
The dialogue didn’t always flow as naturally as maybe it could have, yet at the same time, I liked how much these two talk, you had the sense that they were genuinely getting to know one another which I appreciate, you want to feel like the romance is based on more than just lust.
As far as the plot goes, it felt like there just wasn’t enough going on, especially not enough conflict to sustain the full length of the book, perhaps as evidenced by a scandal suddenly tossed into the mix. Maybe if there had been more scenes of Kendrick and Nicole forced to work together, disagreeing over the look of the shoot or perhaps their relationship interfering in some way with the work, then maybe his fears about a work romance, and her ambitions might have been tested more and led to higher stakes, tension, etc.. There ultimately wasn’t much emphasis on the careers that initially they both valued so much, and as a result it seemed like the story relied on some filler such as their friends’ relationship and the tattooing, which while a unique element to include in a romance, wasn’t as page-turning as I’d hoped for from this novel.
I liked Nicole, how she’s confident and willing to listen and talk things through, she feels like a mature person you’d want to be around. I wasn’t quite as fond of Kendrick, it’s not that he’s horrible or anything, I think it’s just more of a personal preference thing, he has such a smooth way about him and I guess I tend to prefer some awkwardness.
The dialogue didn’t always flow as naturally as maybe it could have, yet at the same time, I liked how much these two talk, you had the sense that they were genuinely getting to know one another which I appreciate, you want to feel like the romance is based on more than just lust.
As far as the plot goes, it felt like there just wasn’t enough going on, especially not enough conflict to sustain the full length of the book, perhaps as evidenced by a scandal suddenly tossed into the mix. Maybe if there had been more scenes of Kendrick and Nicole forced to work together, disagreeing over the look of the shoot or perhaps their relationship interfering in some way with the work, then maybe his fears about a work romance, and her ambitions might have been tested more and led to higher stakes, tension, etc.. There ultimately wasn’t much emphasis on the careers that initially they both valued so much, and as a result it seemed like the story relied on some filler such as their friends’ relationship and the tattooing, which while a unique element to include in a romance, wasn’t as page-turning as I’d hoped for from this novel.
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February 1, 2018Miniseries: Bare Sophistication
Displaying 1 - 23 of 23 reviews