This is my second Sarah Adams book — I loved When In Rome, and this book focuses on Will’s sister so I thought I would love it. However, I’m not a huge fan of Annie & how focused she is on settling down and marriage. The innocence is cute but gets tiresome quickly. The pirates made me cringe and it was hard to redeem after that. As for Will, I love how he wanted to help her ‘practice’ dating. He’s a sweet guy, but I don’t particularly love the bodyguard/bad guy/doesn’t do relationships type. I loved the little town of Rome and Annie’s flower shop. I just don’t think these tropes are for me or I would’ve felt differently about this book.

Thank you Random Penguin House for the ARC via NetGalley.

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams is the 2nd in her Rome, KY series. In it, we meet the sister of the MC of the first book, Annie Walker. Annie is a quiet florist and the youngest of her siblings. Everyone assumes that she is a sweet, shy woman but she wants to do more with her life. Enter Will, the tattooed bodyguard for Amelia Rose. Annie decides she needs dating lessons to prepare her to meet the love of her life. Their friendship becomes blurred and they start to question if there is more to their relationship.

I am a fan of Sarah Adams and did enjoy this book. Is it my favorite of hers? No, but it is a sweet read. I love Annie and loved her in When In Rome. I am glad she got her own story. I do wonder who the next Rome book will be about. Will is a good MMC. He is genuine and his private turmoil about whether he really wants a serious relationship will resonate with people. This is a dual POV book which is always nice because you know what is happening on both sides. If you read the first book of the series, everyone in town is back and wacky as ever.

My issue with the book would have to be that there is really no mystery in how things will turn out. It is pretty much shown from the beginning how both main characters feel about the other. There is no major conflict which some people might really enjoy.

I would recommend this book to any fan of Sarah Adams as she is a fantastic author. If you are looking for closed-door read, she does a great job of providing steam and intimacy without going lewd.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House and Sarah Adams for the e-ARC of this book. This review is my own opinion.

I always get so excited when I see a new book from this author and this one did not disappoint. It is such a great, cozy novel! Fingers crossed there will be another book in this series! Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC!

Love love loved!! Everything Sarah Adams writes is pure perfection! The chemistry and flirting and banter, the relationships with and between all the characters in the book, the town and the flower shop, it was all so so good! I can not wait for more books in the series (there better be more! Haha)!

There’s something about it that should feel trite, that’s the nature of romances, but it’s executed so flawlessly and written with such skill that it reminds you why you love romance tropes and all that comes with them. Loved it. It all comes down to not wanting to change a thing. When I walk away from a book with “no notes”, then I know it’s a 5 star read… and also, that writing a review will be difficult and short. ‘Cause all I want to say is, read it.

If you haven’t read When in Rome, I recommend it first. This book, Practice Makes Perfect, can be read standalone BUT a lot of the town and townspeople get their setup in the first book and it’s just a richer experience when read in order.

It’s delightful! Swoony, cute, witty, funny, and emotional. And it’s a great example of, mostly, closed-door done right. You don’t feel like you’re missing out on smex because the connections are so real and fill the pages with deep feelings. There is still passion! The characters are well explored and the situations are numerous. Annie and Will are everything I wanted and needed… as well as all the wacky small-town people and charm.

Can’t wait for more.

Thank you Netgalley for a free copy of this book in exchange for a review!

4.5/5 (Will round up to 5 for Netgalley rating)
Very cute! Loved this one! Honestly, I wasn’t the biggest fan of the first book in the series, When in Rome. I had a lot of doubts, but they all were proved wrong! I’ve never related to a book character so much in my life. Annie is a 5’3” tall introvert who loves romance books. That totally describes me to a tee! Annie’s character growth was wonderful. Annie and Will while they were so different but were perfect together in the end.

Practice Makes Perfect is about Annie, who owns a flower shop in the small town of Rome, Kentucky. Annie has the reputation of a sweet angelic good girl. She has been perpetually single, but is now in her late 20s and desires to get married and start a family. Annie is embarrassed on a first date where the guy jumps ship early in the date because she is “too boring”. We meet Will, a muscular tattooed executive protective agent aka bodyguard to celebrity singer Amelia. He agrees to help Annie with her dating skills and they have have a fake dating relationship. The problem is Will is only in Rome temporarily and does not believe in love and romantic relationships due to his upbringing. Of course, real feelings develop along the way!

If you are in the mood for a light, cute romance then this is the book for you!

💐eARC Book Review💐

“I don’t know how to love—not even sure I’m capable of it. In fact, I don’t know that I believe in it.”

Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams
Pub Date: out now!
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟(4/5)
Spice: 🌶(1/5)

Review:

Annie is the youngest of 4. Her parents died when she was just 3. For years she has been the perfect little angel girl who wants to be married with a family but that all changes when she meets Will Griffin. He is the body guard for Annie’s soon to be sister in law Amelia. Will comes from a broken home and never wants to be married. That all changes when he falls for Annie. However, before crushes become love, Amelia asks Will to be Annie’s dating coach. All goes awry when they end up falling for each other.

I love the “When in Rome” series that Sarah Adams has built out in Rome Kentucky. The small town drama mixed in with the romance is so lovely. I love the nosy neighbor details and the community inclusion. I’m excited for our next journey with the Walkers


If you like:
- Split Perspectives
- Tattoos
- Fake Dating
- Flowers


Thank you to Net Galley and Dell/Penguin Random House for proving me with an eARC of this novel.


#bookstagram #instabook #igreads #bookish #booksta #bookworm #romance #romancebooks #ireadromance #romcomreads #romcombooks #bookreview #bookrecommendations #bookrecommendation #bookrec #netgalley

Why was I sleeping on Sarah Adams?
This book was everything that I wanted in a fun romance - cute but steamy, light but had depth at times, and it was set in a SMALL TOWN! Literally does not get better than this.
I haven't smiled so much while reading a book in a long time, but Will and Annie truly had me cheesing.
BRB while I go back and read When in Rome now...

This was so so cute, I loved that it was a romcom about a romcom. Annie grew so much throughout the book and got her dream come true. The title matched this perfectly and I absolutely adored it. I wish it was a faster burn, but it was truly a perfect book.

Sarah Adams continues to prove she's the queen of small town romances! We get to return to Rome to discover Annie Walker's story. As the youngest Walker sister, she's been boxed into a "sweet, angelic, meek" personality her entire life. No one would ever expect she's been crushing on Amelia's ruthless, tattooed bodyguard, Will.

After a chance encounter at a restaurant, Will and Annie strike up a friendship/tutor situation to help Annie be brave enough to find the perfect man to settle down with. Unfortunately, despite Will's adamant refusal to ever be in a relationship, Annie longs for only him.

It was so endearing watching Annie break out of the shell she's been wrapped in and find courage to show off her true self. Plus, I adore the fact that Sarah wrote about someone so sweet and nice on the outside having much wilder desires!!

This is another must read!

Annie and Will started off with some mutual pining which I love! I enjoyed her other books and this one I did as well.
Will is helping Annie with dating but she's also trying not to fall for him. But he falls fast.
The vulnerability and sweetness of the bodyguard romance was sweet.

Annie Walker is on a quest to find her perfect match—someone who complements her happy, quiet life running the local flower shop in Rome, Kentucky. But finding her dream man may be harder than Annie imagined. Everyone knows everyone in her hometown, and the dating prospects are getting fewer by the day. After she overhears her latest date say she is “so unbelievably boring,” Annie starts to think the problem might be her. Is it too late to become flirtatious and fun like the leading ladies in her favorite romance movies? Maybe she only needs a little practice . . . and Annie has the perfect person in mind to be her tutor: Will Griffin.

Gosh this book was so cute

Annie wants to find her perfect match, and she’s worried this might be too far out of reach for her. So when Will Griffin comes into town for a job, Annie decides he will be the perfect person to help her, as he is flirtatious, tattooed and gorgeous. Although, Will and Annie have different life goals and perspectives on love, this pact they make bring them together. I freaking loved them, it was such an adorable read. The small town characters were funny and caring, and Annie and Will are just a perfect match.

Annie is fierce and adorable, and Will is the definition of an undercover sweetheart. I love them.

Well, folks. Sarah Adams has done it again!

This charming story makes you wonder if the relationship you’ve dreamed of is comparable to the love that completely enraptures you by surprise. Will and Annie have the best banter and their relationship’s progression as they become more comfortable with one another was a delight to read. Honestly, I think I need a stern brunch daddy in my life to help me practice some things 🥰😉

One of my favorite romcoms this year! I love going to Rome, Kentucky! And Annie and Will are the cutest!

This review is for Sarah Adams, and Sarah Adams only.

HOW DARE YOU. This book was so freaking perfect. I love it so dang much. This book was absolutely everything to me. It was set in a small town, grumpy x sunshine, strong family elements. ALSO, I felt so seen as a romance reader when Annie defended romance books, and the grand gesture!!!!!!!! UGH PERFECTION! Sarah Adams, I LOVE you.

I will NOT shut up about this book. It's perfection.

I so loved this small town romance! Annie and Will were the cutest couple. I loved watching Annie learn how to be herself while also learning how to be in a relationship. Will was a top notch book boyfriend, the man was incredible.
Maybe my favorite part of this series is the amazing town that it takes place in. The side characters really make the location come alive, they are so fleshed out and provide so much comic relief.
Sarah Adams is quickly becoming one of my tried and true, autobuy authors!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
🌶️🌶️ 2/5 (Closed door, but the tension is there!)

Let me just say, this romance was absolutely adorable! I read When in Rome last year, but I think Annie and Will’s story triumphs! I mean, they had me at fake dating, especially when he falls first!

I was yet again charmed by small town Rome, Kentucky. Our heroine, Annie runs a flower shop and is the absolute darling of this small town. The characters that make up the town are also so colorful, I really hope we get to see more of them in the future!

I absolutely loved Will because he encouraged Annie to be herself and not cave to the Angel Annie persona her siblings and the town have made her out to be. Slowly, with Will’s help, Annie begins to take risks, leaving the person she no longer wants to be behind. It is such a beautiful thing watching her come out of her shell throughout the story.

With every romance I read, I always get stressed when I reach the third act and feel a breakup imminently looming. But in Practice Makes Perfect we are not assaulted with the dreaded miscommunication trope tearing the couple apart! HALLELUJAH! Honestly, this made me far too happy! Here is my official ask for more authors to steer clear of this hated trope!

Overall, I cannot recommend this sweet romance enough! It’ll make your heart race and you smile from ear to ear!

Thank you to Sarah Adams, Random House - Ballentine, and NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This romance is so cozy I just want to curl up in it. Rome, Kentucky is a small town with lots of personalities that we get to know in addition to the main characters. Also, the amount of angst and tension Sarah was able to write in, while keeping it still PG-13, I didn't realize was possible.

I’ve never met a Sarah Adams book I haven’t loved and this one is no exception.

Sarah’s writing is always a hit for me - perfectly paced, cute banter, amazing connections and then tension that doesn’t even need an open door.

Things I loved about this one:
-sweet Annie with her secret urges to do things that would surprise people
-WILL ….everything about this guy. From the tattoos, to the charm, to the way he loves Annie
-the flower shop - dream job!
-teach me to date and oops we fell in love doing that trope
-the small town of Rome and all of its meddling inhabitants
-appearances form Amelia and Noah
-the sibling dynamics

4.5⭐️