Omg I loved this book so much! It was so cute and swoony and funny! I had so much fun reading it and I had several laugh out loud moments! I hope we get the rest of the walker clan stories!
I really related to Annie as a character being shy and sweet and loved her journey of finding out who she really wants to be. Will was so perfect for her and got her out of her shell and she helped him be able to open up! Every shy girl needs a confident sexy bad boy who pretends to be the main character from her favorite pirate romance novel! And it was surprisingly steamy for being a fade to black romance. I would definitely recommend this book!

Sarah Adam’s can do no wrong. This is an excellent follow up to When in Rome. The dynamics was out of this world. Opposites attract. Bad Boy. Shy, introvert. Maybe I’m drawn to it because I am an introvert. But the story was so well done. The story is easy to get lost in and it is a world you won’t want to leave! I know it must sound redundant, but I LOVE THIS BOOK!

“It seems to me, Annie, that you are just waiting for someone to give you permission to be yourself out loud.”- Will

I love this series so much! This book was perfection and I’m so grateful that Sarah and Netgalley gave me the opportunity to read this in advance!
I loved When in Rome but I might have loved this one more. Maybe it’s because Annie is just the sweetest and cutest and gets to come out of her shell. Or maybe it’s Will who is a stern brunch daddy? Yeah it’s the stern brunch daddy.
Annie’s brother Noah (from the first book) is marrying Amelia (also from first book) and her bodyguard comes back to town to work until the wedding. And what a body this guard has! He and Annie start talking, he agrees to help Annie become more confident in dating but honestly how can she get around to dating when she can pretend date this gorgeous man? The answer, she can’t.

my heart is full. sarah adams has done it again, filled me with so many emotions, so much bliss and love. her stories do it for me every time! so good, so good. SO. GOOD.

3.5 ⭐️ This was a really cute and quick read!! I always have such a fun time reading Sarah Adams’ books and I’m always able to fly through them quickly. However I wish that with this book it was a little more of a slow burn. I felt like I wanted more from their connection before it became romantic. It felt a bit insta lovey for me because I just wanted more from the beginning of their relationship so that I could have gotten more attached to the characters. There were also parts of it that felt a tad repetitive to me. But I loved the small town vibe and seeing the characters from the previous book!! I love reading about all the Walker siblings interacting and the found family within the small town!!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for sending me an ARC!

Even though this book started off relatively slow, Annie and Will have my heart! I saw so many parts of myself in Annie and I felt such a connection. She offers such support to her family, but often is teased for her caring personality and it drives her nuts. I love that she has the bold more adventurous side while still being able to have so many cute moments. Will notices all of her personality and appreciates her whole self. The respect that he has for her is so well written, especially considering his backstory. The way these two characters intertwine so well and lean on each other, but also build each other up is all encompassing. Their love is so evident, and when it came to the spice, the fact that it was just all about the feelings, and not written as being graphic was beautiful. The banter between not only Will and Annie, but also the siblings, Amelia, and the townspeople was top notch! I was giggling throughout the entire book. I want more from these characters and their story! 4.75⭐️, 1.5🌶

Sarah Adams has done it again! Practice Makes Perfect is the perfect read to get you in the mood for summer reading this year.

The last person Annie Walker ever expected to practice dating with is Will Griffin, her brother's famous fiancée's tattooed and quiet bodyguard. But that's just who Annie finds herself with after said famous fiancée, Amelia sends him along with a handwritten note and an express plea to not say no. The pair have instant and undeniable chemistry, but can they both get out of their own heads to find their happiness? Annie has never showed her true self to her family and now realizes that no one knows the real her - maybe not even herself. Will grew up in a dysfunctional family and has vowed to never fall in love, but hearing his brother settle down, is it worth it to stay closed off forever?

I'm still fairly new to Sarah Adams' writing but this is hands down, by far, my favorite of hers. I was laughing, I was crying, I was crying from laughing, it was the total book. Loving her other books she's written, I knew I wanted to read this but when I found out it was a stand alone sequel to When In Rome it made me excited to get the rest of the Walker family stories and now I can't wait for what I think might come next based on the hints we get towards the end of this book. Definitely do not miss reading this one this year!

Absolute perfection! I loved everything about Annie and Will’s story! They are the perfect blend of stern brunch daddy and introverted florist. If you love Sarah Adams, and loved her first story in Rome, Kentucky, you will love this one even more!

✨✨✨ARC REVIEW✨✨✨
PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT by Sarah Adams
Pages:352
OUT TOMORROW May 2nd

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse for this ARC.

This is the second in the series. The books are interconnected so it would be a good idea to read When in Rome first.

I really liked Annie in the first book When In Rome so I am so happy that she got her own book! She is very funny and very sweet. I really thought that this was a good continuation of When in Rome even though it was with separate characters it still had that small-town Rome feeling. I loved the flower shop!!

Trope:
Fake Date/Dating Lessons
Small town
Opposites Attract
Closed door
Grumpy x sunshine
Friend to lover

Synopsis:

A small-town sweetheart and an emotionally unavailable bad boy try to find some common ground in this chemistry-filled romance from the author of The Cheat Sheet and When in Rome.

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.

Sarah Adams never fails to make my heart squeeze and burst out with glitter and rainbows and squealing into the pillow, wanting to frolic in a flower field because of how cute and fluffy and happy her books make me.

Sometimes you read books that you love, but then you find characters that you relate so deeply to that it does not leave your mind even after you finish the book, and this book was exactly that. At times I felt like Annie was written for me, because I have never related to a character more in so many things. This book feels like a love letter to the Romantics, the introverts, the ones that are too afraid yet are big dreamers, and just need that little push, the ones that are afraid to speak up, but have so much to say, and how deserving you are of your own love, and to be the main character.

I just loved the relationship between them. It felt so friends to lovers coded with slow burn because they got to know each other and slowly fall despite not wanting to. You could see how perfectly they balanced each other. Opposites but so perfect for each other. They gave and took from each other and gave that push that the other needed. It was just so sweet seeing the funny small town, side characters, just how cozy the small town is and yet annie getting her main character moments and pushing herself to finally do what makes her happy. This book felt like a love letter to the introverted romantics that are a little scared to take the leap but in the end everyone deserves the love you read about.

5 Stars

Tropes:
Opposites Attract
Small-Town

Dual POV

Book 2 in the When in Rome Series

"I am the quiet one in my family. The one with her nose always in a book because she prefers worlds where she doesn't have to interact with other humans. It's so much easier to read about relationships than to foster them. Less dangerous too. I can't offend anyone written into a book. I can't say the wrong thing. And book characters don't make judgments about me."

Same girl, same!

Annie is my new favorite book character! Oh my goodness, I love her so much!!! I know she wouldn't like hearing this, but she is so sweet, nice, and innocent. But she is so funny and she knows how to hold her own. Her banter with Will was amazing! I loved how she called him so many different versions of what she thought Will was short for. I laughed so hard. Wilbert, Willmont, William, and Willington, for example. I said this when I read When in Rome, I want to be best friends with Annie and I want that even more after reading this one!

"But the thing about quiet people is, we're only quiet because our brains are so busy overthinking everything."

And Will, he's a bodyguard..excuse me Executive Protection Agent, and he takes his job very seriously. He swears that he would never fall in love, but all small towns have that charm and mysterious power to bring 2 people together, whether they want it or not.

Once again, I loved Mable. I want her to be my Grandma. She loves Anna-Banana and her siblings like they are her own.

A big thank you to Sarah Adams, Dell, and NetGalley for this ARC.

4.5 Stars

I was so happy to be back in Rome, Kentucky. I love a good, meddling, small town full of people that care about each other.

Annie Walker. I adored her from the very first page. All she wanted was to be herself and not be forced in the box that she created but her family and the town have kept her in. Seeing her grow and feel more comfortable with herself, standing up for what she needs, was so wonderful to witness. If I ever catch someone on the streets of Rome calling her “Angel Annie,” it’s on sight 😤

Will William Wilbur Wilmington Griffin. One of the best book boyfriends. One of the best people, period. He was so sweet and kind and attentive. He wanted the best for Annie from the very beginning. He definitely has some work to do on himself, but there’s nothing I love more than seeing someone who doesn’t think they deserve love, finally let themselves be loved.

I wasn’t the biggest fan of Annie’s sisters. But I’m an only child and it’s sometimes hard for me to understand or relate to the way people let their siblings influence them so much. By the end, though, I was intrigued by what I hope will be the next story for one of them. I still adored Noah and Amelia. And Mabel, of course.

This was my third book by Sarah Adams and it’s been so wonderful to see her growth in her stories. This is by far my favorite of the three I’ve read so far and I’m excited to see more from her in the future. She’s definitely solidifying herself as a go-to comfort author for me.

If you love small towns and tattooed men who would do anything for the women they love, then this is for you. It’s closed door, but the tension. PHEW. You don’t feel like you’re missing anything. It’s so good. Also, if you love a good sick / comfort moment this has a Good one. I’m a sucker for those.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Ready to go back to Rome? Rome, Kentucky that is! Practice Makes Perfect is a follow up to “When In Rome.” I adore Annie so much! She’s this “innocent girl” who reads a lot of smut and needs someone to teach her a thing to two! She has social anxiety, is an introvert, and would rather read a book than be on a date (SAME). Insert Will…her dating coach aka the body guard of her SIL!

Annie and Will have instant chemistry but it’s obvious from the beginning they want two different things. Annie wants a committed relationship and Will wants the complete opposite. I love both of their growth throughout the book and how Annie really stands for herself against her family!

Sarah Adams books are really just feel good books! If you’re needing a pick-me-up you’ve got to grab this one!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the gifted arc in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Adams did it again, I absolutely adored Annie and Will. A bodyguard with full sleeve of tattoos who is afraid to love? SIGN ME UP.

Sarah wrote a tender, emotional, witty love story that I could not put down. The growth these two go through is so amazing, I could not stop smiling the whole time. I am so lucky to have receive an early copy of this book. I cannot recommended this book enough, EVERYONE needs to get their hands in this book!

If you need me I’ll be sitting in a flower shop in Rome!

Give me a Sarah Adams book and I will devour it SO QUICKLY!! I loved everything about When in Rome, so I knew I would love this one. More of Noah and Amelia? YES. More Audrey Hepburn? HELL YES. Annie's favorite AH movie being Funny Face? GO. OFF.

Annie being "Angel Annie" to her sister and the town of Rome makes her skin crawl. She's ready to step out of her shell and date. Her first date with Hot Bank Teller doesn't go so well, and then she sees Will. Will, Amelia's body guard. Her HOT body guard. He saves the day and Annie realizes he's back to be Amelia's EPA for the upcoming wedding. Amelia tries to "Funny Face" Annie by having Will be her teacher, and teach her how to date.

Will always thought Annie was cute, but he doesn't date, nor will he ever get married. Annie has only ever wanted to get married. So nothing will go wrong with this teacher agreement, right?

I loved it and I cannot wait for another book set in Rome!! I'm sure I can figure out who it will involve. Adams' writes fun romances that are a tad spicy, but not at the same time. I love how her characters grow and develop in her stories. They understand how their pasts can affect their present self and learn from it.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Ballentine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Really adorable romcom. Was super sweet with just the tiniest smattering of spice in there. I really enjoyed the banter and chemistry between will and Annie and all of the hilarious side characters. And let’s not forget the absolute best secondary character in the book, which is of course, the town of Rome itself. Plot and pacing were perfect and I really enjoyed the small town love. It doesn’t hurt that it All takes place in my home state. Excellent cozy or beach read. Absolute chef’s kiss!

Practice Makes Perfect is a page-turner that keeps the reader engaged from beginning to end. Sarah Adams has once again delivered a winner with this delightful rom-com. The characters are lovable, the humor is spot-on, and the romance is swoon-worthy. It's a book that readers won't want to put down until they reach the satisfying conclusion. Overall, Practice Makes Perfect is a highly recommended read and a great addition to any rom-com lover's bookshelf.

Holy heck. This book was so good. Every once in a while I find a book that I just can’t put down and this was one of them. It ends exactly how you think it will but so worth the read. It was also funny throughout! I fell in love with the characters and was so sad when it ended. Highly recommend this book if you’re into straight forward romance

Practice Makes Perfect is Sarah Adams second book taking place in Rome, Kentucky with characters from the first book, When in Rome. I am overjoyed to be back in Rome, Kentucky with these wonderful characters. This book focuses mainly on Annie Walker and her quest to find a husband while being socially awkward on dates. Annie is 30 and wants nothing more than to settle down, have kids, work at her flower shop, and enjoy her friends and family in Rome, Kentucky. The only problem is she can't relax on dates and ends up saying the wrong things.

The first date Annie goes on she ends up spilling the man's beer on him, talking all about the reproduction of flowers (yawn), and utterly boring the man to death. When she returns to the table from the restroom, she overhears her date telling someone on the phone to call him in 5 minutes with an emergency because the woman he's on a date with is so boring! His friend calls him back and he excuses himself from the table to take the call. The date is over due to an emergency John must deal with. Before she leaves she orders the brownie to go, It's fantastic! As her date is ending, Will comes into the restaurant. He takes a seat at the bar with a beautiful woman. Will is Amelia's bodyguard and he is beyond gorgeous! Amelia is the country singer who ended up in Noah's yard when her car broke down last year. She's now engaged to Noah who happens to be Annie's older brother.

Annie has always been attracted to Will, but he's never really noticed her she thinks. Annie has 2 sisters who are very attractive and outgoing so she's usually the third wheel in the group or so she thinks. Annie is shocked when Will comes over to the table to greet her. She can't take her eyes off him and his tattoos that run along his beautifully muscled arm. Will tells Annie that he's back in Rome to protect Amelia from any paparazzi and crazy fans leading up to her wedding. Amelia is getting married to Noah in a month. Annie likes the idea of having Will around again. John puts some money on the table and runs out of the restaurant. Will is confused as to why John just bailed. Annie gets her brownie and starts to leave. Will says he'll walk her to her truck and signals his date that he'll be right back.

Annie and Will chat and it's easy. Annie feels so comfortable talking to Will and he's at ease too. She tells Will that he doesn't have to walk her to her truck, but he says he wants to. It turns out Will has a thing for Annie, too. Will has sworn off serious relationships his entire life because of his upbringing. Will and his brother were raised by parents that fought constantly and cheated on each other too many times to count. They blamed Will and his brother for everything that went bad and Will decided early on that he never wanted a relationship like that. Therefore, Will goes on lots of first dates or meets girls when he's in their area as he travels a lot for work. He wants no emotional involvement, he just wants a nice time and sex. As they reach Annie's truck, Will grabs a book on the seat. It's a romance novel that Annie is currently reading. No one knows she reads romance novels, not even her sisters. She's embarrassed by it and doesn't want anyone to know.

As Annie and Will are saying goodbye to each other, the hair on Annie's arm stands up as Will touches her arm to help her in her truck. Electricity goes through Will, too. Will heads back to his date in the restaurant and Annie drives away. Will can't stop thinking about Annie and thinks John is a total loser for leaving early on their date. Will Annie and Will find a way to fit into each other's lives? Will they have a connection? Will Annie get nervous and awkward? Will Will disappear after one date? Amelia decides that Will would be perfect for Annie as her practice date! Will will teach Annie what to do on dates so that she doesn't give off that awkward vibe and ruin the date before it's started. Everything goes smoothly and is easy until they kiss.

Will Annie and Will find a way to be together even though they both want different things? Will he help Annie how to land a good man only to leave Rome after Amelia's wedding? Will has already asked for a transfer to DC after the wedding as he thinks Rome is boring. There aren't enough things to distract Will from his feelings for Annie. He can't stop thinking about her and Annie can't stop thinking about Will. Will someone change their mind about what they want? Annie and Will will keep you flipping the pages much too quickly. Practice Makes Perfect will have you laughing, crying, and cheering as you read it. I loved my second time in Rome, Kentucky and I'm hoping there will be more visits very soon! I rate Practice Makes Perfect 5 stars and give it my highest recommendation. I'd like to thank NetGalley and Penguin/Random House Publishing group for an advanced copy of Practice Makes Perfect in exchange for a fair review! #PracticeMakesPerfect

I ADORED this book! I am a sucker for the fake dating trope, and practice dating (sub-trope??) is usually right up my alley as well! Sarah Adams did a fantastic job with both, in this delightful book. It was really fun to revisit Rome, Kentucky and check in with characters we met in her previous book, When in Rome. In real life I am a city girl, but I love a good small-town romance, and Sarah Adams has almost convinced me I want to give up my big city ways and move to Rome, Kentucky. I said ALMOST ; )
I had so much fun hanging out with Annie and Will; getting to know them as they got to know each other. Their relationship --- from acquaintances to colleagues (of a sort) to friends...and beyond --- was such a joy to witness. I also really related to Annie in so many regards and it was incredibly satisfying to watch her come into her own and it inspired me to take some chances of my own. And on a more superficial note, the cover is gorgeous!! Amelia and Noah. Annie and Will. Not trying to rush you, Sarah, because I know writing takes time, but I can't wait to see what happens next in Rome!
Huge thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.