I know I thoroughly loved a book when even when I'm done reading it, I wish I could continue to have a glimpse into the characters lives. The main character, Annie, always put others and their emotions before her own which made it easy to connect to her . She was a relatable, small town girl who was just dying for her big adventure even though she didn't know it. Insert the supposed "bad boy" character, Will, and I was sold.

How the author told their stories and brought their truths to the surface not just to themselves but gave Will and Annie the courage to take their truths to others was really special. I loved the family/friend dynamics and support throughout the story and thought it really added to the depth and richness of the main character's development.

I'm already looking forward to reading Sarah Adams' other works and anything she publishes in the future!

This might have just replaced The Cheat Sheet as my favorite Sarah Adams book!! I’m not sure how she does it, but Adams has become the master at creating a steamy book that has no spice/is closed door. I can’t say enough positive things about Practice Makes Perfect! Rome, Kentucky is such a cute small town with (in Gilmore Girls fashion) a ton of entertaining townies. Adams does a great job giving Annie dimension—she’s complicated and has pretty well developed dreams and fears. Will was great—I was crushing hard on him. The way that Adams wrote certain passages like a steamy pirate novel was super clever and added a fun element to the storytelling. Plus there was the added bonus of getting to see Amelia and Noah from When in Rome prep for their wedding (we love). I feel like Adams has left the door open to write about Annie and Noah’s sisters and I’m personally crossing my fingers that we get a Maddie story soon!

-closed door romance
-small town romance
-opposites attract
-grumpy x sunshine
-fake dating
-friends to lovers

I love Rome, Kentucky. I would love to live in Rome, Kentucky. Do we think there are towns that exist that are like Rome, Kentucky???

Annie is a sweet girl who wants desperately to be seen by the people she loves. To be seen for who she actually is and not for they think she is. Will is an executive protection agent who's way too ready to get out of Rome, Kentucky. He's in town protecting Annie's soon-to-be sister-in-law, and on his time off, he's providing sweet Annie dating lessons.

Dating lessons, kissing lessons, plenty of confusion and more passion than Annie's ever known in her life. That's what Will Griffin is providing while he's in town. But he's chomping at the bit to get out, and Annie needs dating lessons so that she can settle down and get hitched. So she can have what she's always wanted. The husband and the family and the being settled.

Except the more she learns from Will, the more she realizes that settling down is maybe not exactly what she wants. Because she's quite enjoying the passion. And she might be more adventurous than she realizes.

This is a fade to black, pirate-adjacent, small-town romance. It has all of the heart-swelling that you could possibly want. Well, all that I could want. The character growth is profound and very satisfying. I cried, but in a good way. A few times. And I'm very much looking forward to seeing how Madison and Emily, the two remaining Walker siblings, get their happily ever afters.

First. Thank you @netgalley & @penguinrandomhouse for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

OKAYYY SARAH, thank you for allowing me back to visit Rome.

@authorsarahadams it's now going to be an auto buy author for me. I throughly enjoyed a second visit to Rome, Kentucky with this book. The character development here is absolutely phenomenal. I enjoyed the banter, chemistry and seeing all the familiar characters in this book. I don't normally like closed door romances but this one was just perfect.

Easily a bingeable book and LOL funny. The communication in this book was superior! We love a book with no miscommunication trope. This can be read as a stand-alone but I highly encourage you to read When in Rome to get to know the backstory of many of the characters.

I'm counting down to the next book !!

This was so cute! I love the characters and the small town feel! I didn’t read the first book before this, so it’s not really necessary to read it before this. I loved how the relationship felt real and loved the communication throughout!

There are several standard romance tropes here - the hero who is scarred emotionally and thinks he can never truly love a woman plus dating practice that soon becomes real. Neither of those tropes are among my favorites. I did like the twist that the heroine seems so impossibly sweet, but she’s sick of everyone in their incredibly idyllic small town thinking of her that way. She was more interesting than it first seemed when we’re introduced to her. It was more understandable that the hero would fall for her beyond the idea that she’s pretty and pure. And he’s more than a sexy, tattooed tough guy.

I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book that I received from Netgalley; however, the opinions are my own and I did not receive any compensation for my review.

OKAAAAYYY Sarah Adams!! I see you. Sarah Adams is an automatic read for me. So when I found out I got accepted for this Advanced Reader Copy - I was basically jumping up and down. I was so excited to read more about Rome in Annie's story. Annie and Will (apart and) together made me swoon. Like her other books, I loved it. We get to see more of all the beloved Rome characters while focusing on Annie and Will. It was a fun, romantic read. I enjoyed the character development of both MCs. Unlike her other books, this one is not as sweet and innocent as you have grown to love Sarah for. Don't get me wrong though - it was perfect given Will and his reputation. This book is still closed door but definitely flirts the line. This book was so well done staying true to Sarah's closed door roots but also pushing the envelope - something that is definitely new for her. I fell in love with Rome (again) and can't wait for more.

I was given an Advanced Reader Copy by NetGalley for an honest review.

Thanks to Dell @randomhouse for sending me an advance copy of Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams, out 5/02!

If you love:

-The scene in The Wedding Date where he seduces her against the car without touching her
-The hand flex from the 2005 Pride and Prejudice
-The town meeting where everyone discusses whether Luke and Lorelei should be in a relationship

then you need to read this book!!! Will and Annie bring us back to Rome, Kentucky in book two of the series, and it was so much fun to watch them embark on a fake dating/real feelings disaster together.

Practice Makes Perfect is a love letter to introverts and to historical romance readers, two clubs I am proud to be a part of, so this book holds an especially lovely place in my heart (there’s even a little shoutout to bookstagram!)

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

A total binge read for me. I enjoyed heading back to Rome, Kentucky. I liked it even better than When in Rome. I loved getting to know "Angel Annie" and Will Griffin - executive protection agent. These characters sucked me right in. I felt a connection with Annie and Will was the best! I'm already looking forward to the next book.

So adorable! Sarah Adams writes such great, feel-good stories that area always perfect for getting me out of a reading slump.

The relationship between Annie and Will was so cute. The "changing oneself for a relationship" trope is silly at best and toxic at worst, but I loved how neither Annie nor Will really change themselves here. Rather, their friendship just helps them become more of who they really were all along. It was so sweet and wholesome.

I didn't realize this was a companion to When in Rome when I started reading it, but it was a nice surprise to see some familiar characters. It could definitely be read as a standalone, but knowing more about Amelia / Noah adds a lot to this story, so I'd recommend reading it first if you can.

Content: mild swearing (but there's the equivalent of a swear jar! 🤣) and mostly closed door, though this is definitely more PG-13 than some of Sarah Adams other books

I absolutely loved this take on an “innocent” female protagonist and the “bad boy” male protagonist. The way family dynamics were explored and the way Annie was able to grow is something I wish to see more of in romance. It was a spectacular showing of what a fake dating small town romance can be. The development by both characters is what really made this book 10/10 neither stayed stagnant or over controlling. They communicated like real people do and it was refreshing to see. adding an emphasis on THEY COMMUNICATED!

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

This was the perfect book to cozy up with during this rainy weekend! It was super sweet with a lot of funny banter and the small town feel I love! The female protagonist, Annie reminded me of a mix between GiGi from the movie He’s Just Not That Into You and Mandi Moore’s character in the movie A Walk to Remember. She is flawed and so relatable and really trying to break out of the sweet girl box everyone including her family has placed her in. I also loved the little town of Rome, Kentucky and it reminded me so much of the little town of Bluebell Alabama in the show the Hart of Dixie! I definitely could see this book series being adapted into a tv show!
If you haven’t read When in Rome I highly suggest you do,as there is a lot of character development and backstory you’ll miss and love to know before reading this one. I love @authorsarahadams writing and I can’t wait to read the next book in the series!

Thank you @netgalley and @penguinerandomhouse for the early copy

4.5 stars!

Grab your copy out Tuesday!

This was such a cute and fun story. I loved Annie! I enjoyed it being told in dual POVs, and the banter was so fun. I’m not usually a big fan of “fake dating/dating lessons” but this was done so well, and not other books with those tropes.

I will say, I HIGHLY recommend reading When In Rome first. It would be extremely confusing without. I Can’t WAIT for the third book!!! These might be close door romances, but that definitely doesn’t mean they’re clean romances. So much spice in the perfect amount and done so so well.

I also love that cover!!! Best romance series I’ve read in a long time.

pecial thank you to Dell Paperback and NetGalley for an ARC of this book in exchange for my honest opinion. I must say this was probably my most exciting advance copy of a book I’ve ever gotten, because I just love Sarah Adams!

Another book set in the sunny and southern town of Rome, Kentucky. The small town atmosphere and friendships is enough to have me packing my bags and heading down there!

This story is about Annie (Noah’s sister, whom is engaged to Amelia from When in Rome) and her journey to find herself. She’s a true introvert, who spends her time at her flower shop or lost in a good book (pirate romances only). After going out on a limb and accepting a date with a local named John, she ends up devastated after she hears him on the phone during their date describing her as “boring”. But as her date ends in disappointment she runs into Will, who is Amelia’s body guard. They get to talking and can’t seem to shake the interaction they’ve had together off, and they soon strike a deal. Will is going to tutor Annie as a dating coach and help her become more confident, and less boring so that she can find someone to help her reach her lifelong goal; getting married and settling down with a family. But we all know this won’t be an easy road to navigate… Will either of them catch feelings? Will Annie be able to successfully find her person?

This story was full of emotion, laughter, love, and a deep sense of looking inwards to figuring out who you really are. I enjoyed watching Annie and Will grow as individuals, as well as together. And the group of friends and family in the story are so tender hearted and sweet.

I’m already counting down to the next book in this series!! 😉

Genre: romance
Series: When in Rome # 2
Setting: small town Kentucky
POV: dual, 1st person, present tense
Tropes: good girl/bad boy, dating lessons, reformed rake/virgin, bodyguard, sick/comfort 
Spice Level: 2/5🌶, steamy, fade to black

What I Liked: I really enjoyed the chemistry and communication between the main characters! The FMC is super relatable and bookish and I loved how the MMC opened up throughout the story. This is a pretty light, fluffy read that does make me want to check out Sarah’s other books!

What I Disliked: The cover of the book did not let me know that this was the second in a series, so I definitely felt like I was missing a bit of the backstory of the side characters and small town. I also prefer open door romances, so I felt a little unsatisfied by the steamy, fade to black scene.

Read This Book If…you enjoy sweet romances with a little bit of steam!

Memorable Quote: “You’d do that for me?” “I’m quickly learning I’d do anything for you.”

This book was so cute! I loved learning more about Rome and the characters from the past novel! Annie’s character is adorable, and I love how much substance was added to her character as the book went on. I think that a lot of people can identify with her character and her feelings! Will is the perfect book boyfriend, and I was so happy with the ending!
I’m looking forward to the next book in the Rome series :)

Oh my heart…it hasn’t stopped fluttering once since finishing this sweet, sweet, gem of a book!
I enjoyed When In Rome, but I will remember and hold onto Practice Makes Perfect. Will and Annie’s story completely captivated me. I was hesitant to read this second in the series, since I liked, but didn’t love Noah and Amelia’s story. Oh was I wrong. This second in the Rome, Kentucky series is a work of art!

Annie, sweet Angel Annie, is awkward, embarrassingly so even for this reader on her first date with the hot bank teller John. So awkward, he has a friend phone in an SOS and she overhears it all. Will is the quintessential tattooed bad boy, on bodyguard duty for pop-star Amelia. These two can’t possibly have anything in common, right?

The incredibly real connection and depth that Adams wrote in this book made it feel like I was at the diner, listening to my friends talk about their lives. I want to visit Rome, KY and hang out with the crew. I want to shop in Annie’s flower shop and see Will lurking around the corner keeping everyone safe. I absolutely adored this book and love, love, LOVE a romance author can make romance books more than sappy covers and predictable story lines. Well done, Sarah Adams! Thank you Random House and Netgalley for this advance copy!

Thanks to this book for giving me a new favorite couple in Annie and Will.

"Tell you what, Annie. We'll get you your committed relationship and your white picket fence, and if for some reason it doesn't feel right and you want that adventure after all-" He looks at me. "Call me and I'll come hold your hand on the flight."


Annie is so painfully awkward and relatable from chapter one when she's having a horrible first date with a man who calls her boring and fakes an emergency to get out of the date. She runs into Will on her way out, her best friend's hot tattooed body guard, and from there they end up practicing dating together so Annie can get over her dating anxiety and find a husband. Obviously they fall in love with each other and it's such a beautiful friends to lovers story. They just get each other and I was rooting for them so hard. This would seriously make such a cute movie.

This is also set in one of those gossipy small towns and honestly I'm still iffy about whether these townspeople were endearing or downright annoying but they grew on me by the end of the book. This was my first book by this author and I didn't realize it was the second book in a companion series but I'm glad I started here and I'm excited to go read the rest of her books now.

I enjoyed Practice Makes Perfect for the most part. This was definitely a slow burn with little spice. I did have a difficult time connecting with Annie, the MFC. I was rooting for Annie and Will the entire book though. I didn't find Annie to be the type of FMC that draws me into books. I would not say she was a strong heroine until towards the end of the book and when she did develop into a stronger character, it was Will that really caused the development. I personally have a hard time relating to FMC that doubt themselves as much as Annie did. She repeatedly talked about she loved her sisters and felt close to them yet never was honest with them about how at times they made her feel. At that point, I couldn't really relate because she's almost 30 and has yet to have a serious conversation with her siblings. Despite this, it was an easy and quick ready.

I received a copy of Practice Makes Perfect in exchange for a review from NetGalley.com

I had been in need of a feel good book and when I received an early copy of this book it was exactly what I needed. A light hearted novel that follows someone who has fears of showing their true self (I high key relate) and not only finding romance, but also feeling comfortable with themself. The tension between Annie and Will had me giggling with such joy, I couldn’t put the book down at times because I just had so much fun reading about their time together. Definitely recommend if you’re looking for something light and fun, and I will for sure be reading more of Sarah Adams’ books and looking forward to more stories out of Rome, Kentucky.

Thank you Random House Publishing and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book before its publication on May 2, 2023. It was a joy to read!

Instagram post/review will be posted to @reading.with.rachel_ on or before May 2nd (publication day).