Really good summer book with some great tropes. Sarah Adam’s always makes you feel something special with her books! She is my auto buy author and I can’t wait to see her next book!!! The only reason this isn’t 5 stars is because it’s a generic romance book it has similar tropes we have seen before but not a lot of excitement. It’s a typical rom com romance with fade to black.

Practice Makes Perfect 💐🕶️

Pub Date: 02 May 2023
My Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

Annie Walker is the 'angel' of her town, always perfect without any flaw. But one thing Annie isn't good at is been on a first date, so she needs practice. Who could be better to teach her than her sister-in-law's bodyguard, fearful of commitment and experienced enough to show her the way.

If you want a book that will make you smile all the way through it, this is the one! This book was really lovely and sweet, easily becoming one of my comfort books. The main characters hit the spot: Annie was relatable and cute but with fire inside her and Will had a tough exterior but was so charming on the inside. They were the perfect couple. I loved their chemistry, jokes, nicknames, and how they couldn't stay away from each other. I also loved how neither of them was forcing the other to change and how they accepted each other for who they were.

And Mabel… what a cute character to bring everybody together. I loved her so much.

This is definitely a series you should read in order. This second book had so much of the first couple that you’re going to spoil the first story if your start with this one.

Read if you like:
Dual-POV
Bodyguard romance
Grumpy/sunshine
Small town
Friends to lovers
Caretaking
Guy falls first
Fake dating
Mutual pining

Thank you @netgalley, @randomhouse and @authorsarahadams for sending this ARC for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

#practicemakesperfect #sarahadams#Bodyguardromance #Grumpy sunshine
#Small town #Friends to lovers #Caretaking
#Guy falls first #Fake dating #Mutual pining

This opposites attract, closed door romance is book 2 in the Rome, Kentucky series but it can be read as a standalone. I loved this one even more than “When In Rome.” The banter between Annie & Will was super cute (all the names she called him 😂) and there were plenty of sweet & swoon-worthy moments. Also, Mabel and Will were precious. That hug! IYKYK. 🥺😍 I didn’t want this one to end, but I’m super excited to read the next one in the series! Crossing my fingers that it’s James & Maddie’s story next. 🤞🏼

Practice makes Perfect 💐

Super cute! I loved “When in Rome,” so I was so excited for Sarah Adams next in the spin-off. Annie (Noah’s sister) is a flower shop owner, lover of books and anything romance. Her shy, awkward personality threw me off a little, but I tried not to “find myself” while reading this one. Does that makes sense, like does anyone else always look for things they identify with for the main character?

Will, love interest, was passionate, adventurous and adorable. I really liked the communication between the two, especially after reading so many miscommunication tropes recently.

I just didn’t connect with the story the way I wanted to. I felt like the characters weren’t as dimensional as the first book. But I do love a great fluffy romance. They are so necessary and refreshing and serve as wonderful palate cleansers. She is an author that will continue to be on my radar. Also, this cover is just adorable.

Star Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️💫
Genre: Contemporary Romantic
Setting: Rome, Kentucky
Time: present day
Format: 📖
Release Date: May 2, 2023
Length: 338 pages

Annie Walker is missing one thing in her life, a man to share her quite uncomplicated life in Rome Kentucky but after a really bad date Annie feels she just might need dating lessons to help her. Soon to be sister-in-law Amelia Rose has the perfect person and he is back in town for Amelia’s upcoming nuptials to Annie’s brother Noah. Gorgeous, sexy and tattoo bodyguard Will Griffin is back on the scene. And for Amelia, Will is the perfect person to tutor Annie in art of dating .. the problem is Annie is a red flag for Will .. he must stay away from Annie Walker. Unable to say no to Annie he takes on the challenge to help her find the man of her dreams. As much as Annie and Will try, this so call friendship with practice dating lessons soon turns into more.

Sarah Adams writes a cute, sweet rom com with laugh out loud moment that take place in this small community of Rome, Kentucky. The town people are just as entertaining as Annie and Will. I felt the first book in this series was much more enjoyable and for me for Annie and Will chemistry does not show up until close to the end. The whole practice dating was a little too long so a solid 3 ½ stars from me

“She’s quickly becoming special to me—like something rare and precious you want to put in a safe place so you never lose it.”

Annie and Will. She’s the town’s sweet, golden, quiet florist. He’s the confident, flirtatious, tattooed bodyguard. Annie wants to find a husband, but she’s bad at dating so Will becomes her dating coach. She’s been harboring a secret crush over him, but he’s made it loud and clear that a relationship isn’t for him.

THIS BOOK!! It’s so tender, wholesome, romantic and charming! The whole “I’m not gonna have feelings for you” to “some part of me has always known I would love you” will always be the best and make my heart instantly melt!

🌷READ IF YOU LIKE🌷:
- dual POV
- florist & bodyguard
- strangers to friends to lovers
- opposites attract
- dating coach & practice kissing
- butterfly tattoos
- bad boy tutoring the good girl
- small town
- historical romance with pirates
- banana-themed pajamas

cw: social anxiety, death of loved ones, mention of cheating & emotional abuse, divorce, Alzheimer’s, toxic relationship

Thank you to @netgalley for the advanced copy! Pratice Makes Perfect is now available!

Sarah Adams's romances are sunshine happiness in word form. "Practice Makes Perfect" is set in Rome, Kentucky following the little sister of the MMC from Adams's previous book, "When in Rome." This time it's hometown golden girl, Annie, and bad boy bodyguard (sorry, executive protection agent), Will falling in love and figuring out their lives. For tropes, we're talking, love tutor, fake dating, nosy small-town, and romance book re-enactments. If it's not already obvious, Will is the book boyfriend we're all dying for. Sexy, flirty, tattooed, and a low-key brunch daddy. If your heart needs a little hug, READ THIS BOOK.

Annie Walker, known to many in the town of Rome as Angel Annie, has one goal - she wants to settle down and get married. Unfortunately, when it comes to romance Annie is all nerves and awkwardness. Enter hot, broody, and tatted Will Griffin. He’s been around the block a few times, and he offers to help Annie practice dating - as long as neither of them catch feelings. Will doesn’t do relationships. Annie doesn’t do casual.

I’m sure you can see where this is going. This is basically an entire book of Annie and Will denying their feelings for each other while simultaneously falling for each other more and more. There is nothing inherently wrong with this book, but I still really struggled to get through it. Different tropes for different folks, and this one just didn’t do it for me. However, while the love story in this book wasn’t for me, I did fall in love with the small town of Rome and its colorful (and VERY involved) residents.

This was such a feel-good love story. I received this ARC and quickly realized it was #2 in the series! I cannot read book out of order, so I read When In Rome first and fell in love with this quiet little town and all the characters in it! I knew that continuing the series would be the perfect spring read! And boy was I correct.

This book is about two complete opposites who fall in love with who they become when they are together. Annie is the good girl in town the little sister to our main character in When In Rome. Throughout the book she learns to discover herself and what she really wants out of life and not what she is "supposed to be." I always love a good self-discovery book. Not to mention the tension between her and bad-boy bodyguard Will. Will oh Will. Tattooed, amazing body and easy on the eyes is a much more diverse character. Mr. I don't do love falls and falls hard for Annie.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Dell for the digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I loved this second book set in Rome, Kentucky! A sibling series is one of my favorite things - it's fun to revisit the couples you've gotten to know in previous books. And Annie... well, I love her. She reminded me of my daughter, in the best way, and I hope my girl can be as brave as Annie.

A great follow-up to When in Rome! Loved returning to Rome, Kentucky and seeing Annie get her love story with a bad boy.

One thing Sarah Adams does best is small town romances, I loved Annie and Will's story, it was so cute. 4 stars because I was slow until the ending everything happened to quickly.

This book, oh my goodness! I was completely hooked right off the bat! I absolutely loved this one. Super cute!

Sarah Adams is one of my favorite auto-buy authors. Her romances are the perfect balance of sweet and sexy. Practice Makes Perfect takes us back to Rome, Kentucky. Annie Walker is the sweet younger sister of Noah (from When in Rome), owner of the local flower shop, and avid romance reader (she especially loves pirates). Unfortunately, her quiet nature and her awkwardness make dating difficult. Enter Will Griffin--bodyguard to her famous almost sister-in-law Amelia. He's the quintessential tattooed bad boy, and Annie has decided he'll make the perfect romantic tutor.

They embark on a series of practice dates, and even though she knows it's just practice, it starts to feel all too real. For both of them. But her family, her business, and her life are here in Rome, he doesn't want to settle down in a town...could a real relationship between them work?

Sarah's writing is so genuinely delightful. Her characters are full of life, and I absolutely love all the quirky small-town side characters. Small town romance is one of my favorite tropes. I grew up in a small town, and Rome, Kentucky feels a little bit like home.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for my advance review copy.

“Fan blowing slow burn”

If you love a touch of steamy but not overly graphic Sarah achieved it perfectly in Practice Makes Perfect! LOVED this book and the small town. Mabel was by FAR my absolute fave. If you like polar opposite, angst, banter, and hilarious siblings then you will love this story!

I have thoroughly enjoyed all of the Sarah Adams books I have read, and I have been looking forward to Practice Makes Perfect. Unfortunately, it fell a little short for me. While I liked both of the main characters, something was missing. I had a hard time believing Annie was almost 30 years old, as she seemed much younger. And while I adored Will, I didn’t pick up on the bad-boy bodyguard vibes. Is this because he had a sleeve tattoo? I have no idea.

Was this a bad book? No, it’s perfectly average. Would I recommend it? Sure, to people who enjoy the genre or who have read the previous book, When In Rome.

Despite not loving it, I am looking forward to the next book, which I hope is James and Maddie’s story.

This was an amazing read about a woman who wants to find a man to marry quickly but is not good at dating and a bodyguard decides to become her tutor. I have wanted to read this book for a while now and let me tell you that I very much enjoyed it. The story was so cute and I loved so many things. Adams is a great writer with a fantastic storyline and amazing characters. I loved how majority of this book took place in a small town in Kentucky where everyone knows everyone. This is the second book in the series but Adams made sure to include information about the previous characters is no one is confused. Readers will be spoiled for the first book though. I enjoyed the conflicts thrown at the characters and the pacing was perfect. This book is written in dual perspectives which many readers will enjoy.

Annie is the most sweetest person ever but has a hard time getting a man that is perfect for her. I do have to say that there wasn't much development with her. Though she is the kindest person, I would be her friend. Will is the bodyguard with tattoos but is also a cinnamon roll. He's a broody, softy who has a crush on Annie but doesn't want to be married. I didn't see much of a development for him either was I was disappointed. Though both characters were very well written. There were many side characters and some very involved with the story to keep things interesting. This is a clean romance so there's kissing and closed-door sex. As the story was great, I didn't mind that this book wasn't spicy for an adult book. The tropes were small-town romance, friends to lovers, and teacher/student dating.

The ending was well done and I enjoyed how the story ended with this couple. I would totally read the other books in the series and Adams's upcoming books. I do wish that the characters had more development or a powerful moment where readers feel connected with them. This was a well-written book and I would recommend that you check this out, especially for fans of Sophie Sullivan and Lynn Painter.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝘼 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡-𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙖𝙣 𝙚𝙢𝙤𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣𝙖𝙡𝙡𝙮 𝙪𝙣𝙖𝙫𝙖𝙞𝙡𝙖𝙗𝙡𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙙 𝙗𝙤𝙮 𝙩𝙧𝙮 𝙩𝙤 𝙛𝙞𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙢𝙢𝙤𝙣 𝙜𝙧𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙢𝙞𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙮-𝙛𝙞𝙡𝙡𝙚𝙙 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚.

📍 Read if you like:
• Small Town
• Fake Dating
• Opposites Attract
• Dual POV
• Good Girl x Bad Boy

I absolutely loved this book so much. After reading When In Rome earlier this year, I knew I immediately wanted to pick this book up when it was released.

I fell in love with the small town setting of Rome, Kentucky. In this one, we follow Noah’s sister, Annie, and Amelia’s bodyguard (sorry, I mean executive protection agent), Will.

I loved Annie and Will’s relationship throughout the book. There’s fake dating and opposites attract tropes with them and it was so heartwarming.

Annie is a florist so I loved reading about her love for flowers. Also, the way Will was so understanding was adorable. I loved his character so much.

We also get a dual pov, which I always love in a romance. Will is your classic bad boy, but when it comes to Annie he is the absolute sweetest.

If you have yet to pick any of these books up by this author, I would highly recommend checking them out. They’re super quick reads and are such delightful romances with lovable characters.

I can’t choose a favorite between both of these books in the series. Both were so meaningful and adorable. I resonated so much with them and I’m dying to see who’s getting their story next in this small town.

Thank you so much NetGalley and Dell for the review copy in exchange for my honest review!

•𝗧𝗪/𝗖𝗪: Death of parent, grief, bullying, child abuse, emotional abuse, infidelity

Sarah Adams has done it again!! I’ve never read a bad book by this women and I doubt I never will! Im so happy to be back in the town of Rome kentucky, and i’m so glad we got a book about Annie! Annie is no doubt my favorite sister and Will is such a swing character.
This book was easy to read but also deep and complex. There’s so much more to the two main characters than you’d think, and I loved getting to read about them. It was very cute and so funny, but also very real. I loved how the writer wrote about Annie and Wills vulnerabilities, because it made me feel less alone. The writing style is one of my favorites, it’s fast paced but not too fast to where you’re missing information. This book had some of my favorite tropes (Fake dating, grumpy x sunshine, and small town) and it made the book 10x better. If you’re looking for a book that’s the definition of true love, this is the book for you!

Sarah Adams returns once again with her trademark banter and wit!! “Practice Makes Perfect” was the perfect blend of swoony moments and fun times mixed with some deep themes and heartfelt moments❤️ This book is perfect for readers who want a fade-to-black romcom with TONS of tension and sizzle🔥

First, I loved Annie’s character SO much and found her super relatable🥹(well, maybe except for her steamy reading preferences👀🤣) And Will, the bodyguard *whoops I mean Executive Protection Agent* with a sleeve of floral tattoos and a cinnamon roll center??? SIGN ME UP👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼 The good girl/bad boy dynamic between these two was just so much FUN!! And the DATING LESSONS🔥 Wowza!!😍

What I loved most about this novel was getting to revisit the townspeople of Rome, Kentucky. The AUDACITY of some of these folks had me shamelessly CACKLING😂 The rivalry between Mabel and Harriet was alive and well, and Phil’s hardware sales were truly hilarious!! I also loved getting to see the continuation of Amelia & Noah’s romance❤️ Noah’s grumpiness always makes me laugh🤣 And don’t even get me started on the stunt Amelia pulled at the baseball game☠️😂😂 #iykyk

Lastly, I did want to note that this book contained a bit more mild language than Sarah’s prior works, but given Will’s whole “bad boy” persona I did understand why she amped up the language a little. The FMC also reads *spicy* books which played a small role in the story.

Overall, I adored this small town, fake dating, grumpy/sunshine romance!! I eagerly anticipate reading Maddie & Emily’s stories in the future😍

🚨TW: mentions of deceased parents, toxic upbringings, grief
🚨CW: fade-to-black romance with frequent mild language