Thanks to the publisher for the gifted e-copy.

Another cute romcom by Sarah Adams. I didn't realize this was a follow up to When In Rome, and I was so excited to discover that! (Maybe I should have read the synopsis) This is the story of Noah's sister, Annie, and Will, Amelia's bodyguard.

Annie is such a fun character. She's categorized by the entire town as the sweet, angelic one out of the sisters, and feels like she has to live up to that reputation. She has a lot of anxiety, which adds to that personality. Of course, as she matures, she's realizing she has some hidden personality traits that might be fun to let out. But can she actually do that?

Annie also decides that she wants to get married and settle down, but dating is a huge struggle for her. She never knows what to say or how to act on dates. She enlists Will (actually it was Amelia's idea) to help her learn how to date, but of course that doesn't go as planned once they can't deny the chemistry between them. Will has no desire to be in a serious relationship or get married, so he thinks he's the perfect person to teach Annie how to date. And of course, the more he gets to know her, the more he realizes he's in trouble.

This was a cute read, and for me, the only thing I wish was different was that it wasn't "fade to black"/closed door when it comes to the steamy bits. That's typical for this author, so I wasn't surprised, I just like more steam in my books. I loved the plot and the characters, and will definitely jump to read her next book! I hope she continues to write about the sisters and Rome!

Sarah Adams does it again. Being back in Rome, Kentucky was better than expected. Annie is so funny! Will knows exactly what he wants - and he communicates that! I just love them. Sarah writes amazing characters - and her wit pops out of every single page. I can’t wait to read more!

Although I haven’t read the first book I throughly enjoyed Practice Makes Perfect. It’s a cute fake dating, friends to lovers, that will have you with all the feels.

REVIEW FOR PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT

5 stars

Thank you to Netgalley, Random House- Ballantine, and Sarah Adams for the gifted copy!

Okay, so I was NOT a huge fan of When in Rome. I loved Amelia and Noah as characters, but I didn't buy their chemistry and I didn't feel connected to anything in the story. Ultimately it didn't make sense to me. But I understand now, that When in Rome walked so that Practice Makes Perfect could run, but I loved this book so much.

I haven't read a ton of Sarah Adam's books (really only 3 at this point), but all of her books tend to be more tame. I won't say "clean" as there are definitely inferences to intimacy and fade to black scenes, but there is always an underlaying of purity with them. I thought this would annoy me - but this was so well done that it's hard to get upset by it. And for the record just because I enjoy smut doesn't mean a cleaner romance doesn't hit the spot- and I'm not shaming anyone either. I'm simply pointing out that Sarah Adams has the ability to draw you in to her stories that you don't even realize something is "missing."

I loved getting to learn more about Annie. She was positioned in WIR as the sweet, angel baby, but there is so much more to her. Additionally, Will was always painted as the bad boy, and really he was just misunderstood. I think these two "opposites" attract were so cute together, and I loved their banter and all the things they found out about themselves during this story.

I wasn't super excited to return to Rome, Kentucky but now I can't wait for the next one!

This is going with Happy Place and the Deja Glitch as one of my favorite romances of 2023. I found the characters so charming and endearing. They are passionate, kind, a little confused, struggling through their feelings, but so genuine. In Practice Makes Perfect, a famous (for being hot) bodyguard agrees to be a dating coach for a slightly awkward, sexual novice, local florist. Our leading lady loves to read romance books, she believes the beginning of the love story has to be epic, and meeting guys on dating apps just……isn’t. But she keeps trying because getting married is the last piece of the puzzle for her to finally feel like her life is squared away. She has a job she likes and would have made her mother proud. She loves her small town and her family is close by. She has curated the perfect, angel of a little sister image to ensure she never causes her siblings grief. All she needs is her happily ever after. So why is she so attracted to the bodyguard in town to protect her future sister-in-law when she knows he’ll be leaving town after? As for our bodyguard: he’s never needed love, doesn’t particularly want it, so why is he agreeing to coach the one girl he knows he might find a reason to plant roots to be with in the dating game?
As you can imagine, sparks fly and quickly. Our introvert leading lady, who previously has had no romantic interest in the men in the book, has absolutely no problem flirting with our bodyguard. And our bodyguard who never catches feelings sure seems to spend a lot of time thinking about our sweet small town florists laugh (and sneaking candid pictures of her on his phone). Can the two figure out what they really want in time to get their happily ever after? Can our leading lady learn to just be herself? And maybe come to see that the beginning shouldn’t be the best part after all?
I love this. I love all the tropes: fake dating, small town romance, meddling friends, youngest sibling, family baggage, sunshine/grump. It’s dual POV so we get to the inner workings of both leads’ minds, which is my favorite. And all the major players in the story just come off so genuinely lovely and caring and fun. I just wanted to dive in to the story.

Sarah Adams is quickly becoming an autobuy author for me - after The Cheat Sheat and When in Rome - I was dying to read Practice Makes Perfect. While I enjoyed her other books, I absolutely ADORED Practice Makes Perfect - it's among my favorites of the year, so far.   
   
I really loved Annie as a leading lady - she was navigating the waters of dating in a small town, familial pressures, and the over involved townspeoples' preconceived notions of her (she was also one of my favorite portrayals of a romance reader I've ever read). She was clearly under a lot of pressure - but was still a hopeless romantic nonetheless. Her inner monologue was so intricate and easy to relate to - she was trying to find her place in the world and while also trying to reconcile with who she was and who she wanted to be (and how everyones perception of her was impacting her mental health).    
   
This was one of those books that thrives from having dual POV - it showed how much both characters were pining for each other (and, boy, was there a lot of pining). Reading about how Will wrestled with his feelings and tried to convince himself that he wasn't relationship material was cute as hell - I like that he was so infatuated with Annie, but wasn't about to admit his feelings to himself or Annie without a fight.  
   
Characters that grow together are my favorite kind of couples - and Annie and Will definitely helped each other grow emotionally. Not only did they have excellent chemistry (even just during their dating practice) - they also had great tension. They were also great at communicating with each other - which was such a breath of fresh air. Honestly, they might be one of my new favorite book couples - they were cavity inducingly sweet together. 
   
Practice Makes Perfect was sweet, sincere, and rendered me to a ball of goo. Annie and Will were perfect together - this will definitely be a reread later this year for me for sure! I can't wait to revisit Rome and it's residents with the next When in Rome book!

I absolutely devoured this book.

Small Town? Shy introverted girl? Bad Bodyguard Boy? Dating Lessons? Say less. I was all in right away.

I don’t think I have ever really related to a character more until I read Annie’s story, she’s shy, introverted, awkward and is just looking to find herself and where she fits. She wants a family and marriage and the whole nine yards and thinks that will fill the void she feels. Will is Amelia’s bodyguard and is back in their small town of Rome. He’s a bit closed off and always moving and has a past he doesn’t talk about. So when Amelia’s suggest Will be Annie’s dating coach it seems like a no brainer, she’s looking for forever and he’s looking for never. Simple enough? So when things get blurry and lines and feelings cross and maybe a few town meetings, whose to know what will happen. This was all of the small town feel goodness, along with laughs and swoon worthy feels that I needed. Definitely one of my favorite reads this year!

Thank you NetGalley & Author Sarah Adams for the copy.

I loved everything about this! Definitely will be a summer hit. Annie and Will are goals!! Annie is the sweetest and kindest person and Will with his quiet brooding nature. They compliment each other perfectly.


Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest review!

I absolutely loved this book.

I am a huge fan of Sarah Adam's work! I had the pleasure of reading an arc of When In Rome last year and I couldn't wait to get back in the city of Rome, Kentucky.

This book is just a warm hug. It's the perfect small town romance with the sweetest love story, the quirkiest neighbors, and great character development. I thought that both Annie and Will were extremely realistic and relatable characters. I loved their arcs throughout the book and their growth from their respective parental trauma. I really loved how they brought out the best in each other and genuinely wanted each other to succeed in life.

I thought that this story was perfect! It had such a great balance of lust, comedic timing, and realism. The tension was fantastic and had me on my toes the entire book.

Practice Makes Perfect is the perfect mix of hallmark movie with a touch of Gilmore Girls.

I can't wait for two more trips to Rome, Kentucky!

Thank you, Sarah Adams, Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my honest review.

Thank you so much @RandomHouse for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest and unbiased review (Release Date | 02 May 2023)

SYNOPSIS | Annie is an introverted flower shop owner who feels like she is largely to blame for the lacklustre dates she has been on but still hopes to find her forever someone. On one of her failed dates she bumps into Will (Amelia's bodyguard) & she immediately feels an attraction, but he doesn't believe in relationships & lasting love. Will agrees to help her improve her dating game by being her "practice person".

WHAT I LIKED:
- the fact that the male love interest can actually communicate!!
- small town vibes were immaculate
- that Amelia & Noah (from When in Rome) were integral to the story & didn't just make a cameo
- social anxiety rep was highly relatable

WHAT I DIDN'T LIKE:
- a smidge too insta-love
- I felt like the 'tap in' & 'tap out' practice session verbiage was unnecessary

This book! Sarah Adams does it again with her incredible writing to bring me a book that I’m absolutely obsessed with. Annie and Will, ugh, Annie and Will, I love them, I love them so much. I honestly am struggling to decide if I love this book or The Cheat Sheet more (and that is a top book for me).

Annie is the sweet little sister that everyone sees as perfect and angelic and Will is the bad boy bodygaurd with tattoos. They could not be more opposite, at least on the surface. But then fake dating each other is divine, especially as all those fake lines start to blur and shift.

I love the way Sarah Adams writes steamy closed door romances, and that’s coming from a woman who loves spicy open door romances too. This one is a little heavier on the steam than her previous books and I was here for it. This one is definitely a little more descriptive and sexy and the inuendo is more on the nose. I’d say it’s like open door to a point and then it fades to black, but you aren’t getting all the nitty gritty, down and dirty details. There’s also more language in this book, because you know it’s hard to have a bad boy bodyguard and not expect him to curse 🤣

All in all, I’m in love with this book and can’t wait to reread it eventually!

ahhh! im so in love with this book it was just the right amount of spice and romance!

will and anna have got to be the cutest people ive ever read about. will is definitely such an undercover sweetheart, he is very misunderstood due to his looks and bad boy aura but he is just a sweetheart!!

anna is also such a sweetheart! she is so unapologetically herself. she is fierce, adorable and a great match for will.

truly enjoyed the plot and all the characters, highly recommend

I finished this book and immediately wanted to turn back to page one and read it all over again. I was absolutely MELTING for both mcs, and i loved how open their communication was. I was also so invested in all the side characters, the town members were so endearing, and i can’t wait to read the rest of the siblings stories. I 100% recommend this book
Also this book is great if you’re looking for closed door. No explicit spice but ALL the tension

Thank you netgalley for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Adams never disappoints when it comes to a sweet romance, and this one has as no different.

4/5 ⭐

Let’s just say that this was beyond adorable and so enjoyable! The chemistry between our MCs was hot. The sparks were flying. I love what they brought out in one another and oh wow that first kiss… toe curling! Sarah has proved yet again why she is the queen of closed door rom coms.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

It was okay, not the Absolute Best, but enjoyable.

It was a little bit predictable at times, but the characters were adorable, and it made me lol quite a few times. Definitely give this one a try if you're looking for a cozy small town romance.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House for allowing me to read an ARC of this book!

It's always a beautiful day when the world gains another Sarah Adams book, and I just know that this story of love and growth and self-discovery and healing and knee-weakening kisses is going to take the world by storm!

I’ve already read Practice Makes Perfect twice, and will definitely be coming back to it again and again just like I do with all of Sarah’s books. This book is filled with Sarah’s characteristic and masterful combination of humor, emotion, and chemistry with a unique and heartfelt cast that makes you want to crawl into the book and live there.

Annie Walker is one of the most tender, lovely, strong romance protagonists I've ever read about. Her struggles with her reputation and the way those around her perceive her as well as her perfectionism and tendency to put other’s needs before her own are ones that I relate to on a very personal level, and made me feel seen in a way no other character has. I absolutely adored watching her come into her own throughout the story, recognizing that she doesn’t have to stay in the box she’s placed herself in.

And Will Griffin! 😍😍 Beneath his cocky, aloof, closed-off exterior hides a soft, sweet, affectionate, center that I could not get enough of! I’m an absolute sucker for heroes who don’t believe they’re capable or deserving of love and who are completely thrown for a loop at the hands of their girl. His growth and healing from his past was beautiful to witness.

I think the mark of a truly great romance couple is when they bring out the best in each other, and Annie and Will absolutely did! Will was so kind and gentle as he urged Annie to break out of her shell and become the adventurous, passionate person she'd been all along, and Annie was patient but firm in not accepting Will's preconceived notions. Add that with the crackling chemistry that veritably leaped off the page, and you have the recipe for perfection. Sarah is a master at balancing emotional connection with physical chemistry, and it worked SO WELL in this book!

Rome, Kentucky has got to be one of my favorite fictional towns of all time! I will never ever get tired of reading these wonderful stories set in such a tight-knit, wacky, fantastic town!

This book was saccharine sweet and laugh-out-loud funny and deeply moving and so much freaking fun. Practice dates? Practice KISSING? Late-night rendezvouses? Audrey Hepburn movies? Complex sibling relationships? Meddling old ladies and small towns up in everybody's business and beautiful character growth and pirate fantasies and kisses that will make knees weak? This book has it ALL! AND if you're anything like me and are desperate to see a little more of our favorite pop star and pie shop owner, have no fear! You get that too and it's wonderful!

I am and will be a Sarah Adams girly till I die, and I'm so beyond excited for the world to meet Will and Annie and this beautiful story. Practice Makes Perfect is AVAILABLE NOW!!

I think I officially liked this more than When in Rome - you still get the small town feel, in some ways even more so, heavy Stars Hollow vibes with the town meetings and gossip about their relationship, and constant eyes on them! Will was super sexy with his tattoos and overall broodiness. I loved how Annie came out of herself and who people expected her to be to find herself and stand up for herself. I loved that all the sisters ended up being romance readers but with different passions. I feel like you start to get to know the relationships between the siblings more which I loved. I think the biggest thing that bothered me was Will not showing up at the wedding at the end, i feel like the ending could have had the same feel while still allowing him to be present at that event. But I loved the moments between Amelia and Noah we got to see at the wedding. Another slam dunk by Sarah!

Absolutely incredible book. I loved that character development and story of Annie and Will. The author did a great job making the story relatable and captivating, without making it feel entirely predictable. I will definitely be recommending this book to others!

Practice Makes Perfect- 3.25⭐️ 2.5🌶️ (closed door)

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.

Will—the sexy , tattooed, and absolutely gorgeous bodyguard—is temporarily back in Rome, providing security for Amelia Rose as excitement builds for her upcoming marriage to Noah Walker, Annie’s brother. He has one personal objective while on the job: stay away from Annie Walker and any other possible attachments to this sleepy town. But no sooner than he gets settled, Will finds himself tasked with helping Annie find the love of her life by becoming the next leading lady of Rome, Kentucky. Will wants no part in changing the sweet and lovely Annie. He knows for a fact that some stuffy, straitlaced guy won’t make her happy, but he doesn’t have the heart to say no.

Amid steamy practice dates and strictly “educational” tutoring lessons, Annie discovers there are more layers to Will’s usual stoic attitude. As the lines of their friendship become dangerously blurred, Annie reconsiders her dream guy. Maybe her love life doesn’t need to be perfect—it just needs to be real


✨My Opinion✨

This was such a cute “fade to black” rom-com!!! It is a part of a series, but I read it as a stand-alone and it was great!

Small town
Grumpy/sunshine
Bad boy/good girl
Fake dating/dating lessons
Close family
Grand gesture

I loved the FMC and her character arc! It was great to see her communicate with her family and grow as an individual. The MMC was fun to watch as he let go of family trauma and lets himself be present.

The ending was not what I expected, maybe a little out of character, but a grand gesture. It set it up to see snippets of their relationship in following books.

Thank you Random House and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review!