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booksbystephanie's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Practice Makes Perfect, a novel by Sarah Adams, available May 2, 2023!
First, this is an interconnected series with When in Rome, which follows Amelia and Noah’s story. I started reading Practice Makes Perfect before reading When in Rome (which was perfectly fine), but I wanted to go back and read WIR first to better grasp the whole town’s relationship and history with the characters. And I’m glad I did! But there is no reason you cannot read this book on its own. Sarah Adams does a great job recounting features from the first book, so you could read this as a standalone. However, you will find that this whole universe is so sweet that you will want to get lost in it as much as possible!
Practice Makes Perfect follows the story of Noah’s sister, Annie Walker, and Amelia’s bodyguard (errr…executive protection agent) and commitment-phobe, Will Griffin, as they fall in love under the guise of Annie needing dating practice to secure a husband. Annie and Will learn that there’s more to discover about themselves in the process, including realizing that what they actually want may be different than what they thought they always wanted.
Like WIR, this book was fast-paced, super sweet, had several laugh-out-loud moments, and made me swoon over their interactions. I loved Annie’s introverted personality, but she had this secret sizzle-ly side as a closeted romance reader. Will was a softy-at-heart (stern brunch daddy!) with a jealous, protective streak and several touch-her-and-you-die moments. As in WIR, I’m willing to overlook the fade-to-blacks. I would have taken on a different angle if there was more detail, so I respect that decision. Regardless, I loved this story, and their relationship woes and grows.
Don’t go into this book thinking you are getting a deep, pining, prophetic love story. It is just what anyone would need if they’re looking for a good, quick read – potentially a great palette cleanser in a book slump! I was grinning ear-to-ear reading this and cannot WAIT for James and Maddie’s story (which, I am proud to say I predicted even while reading WIR!).
Thank you so much to Dell (Penguin Random House) and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced (e-)reader copy and a chance to rate and review this book!
4 ⭐️ 0
First, this is an interconnected series with When in Rome, which follows Amelia and Noah’s story. I started reading Practice Makes Perfect before reading When in Rome (which was perfectly fine), but I wanted to go back and read WIR first to better grasp the whole town’s relationship and history with the characters. And I’m glad I did! But there is no reason you cannot read this book on its own. Sarah Adams does a great job recounting features from the first book, so you could read this as a standalone. However, you will find that this whole universe is so sweet that you will want to get lost in it as much as possible!
Practice Makes Perfect follows the story of Noah’s sister, Annie Walker, and Amelia’s bodyguard (errr…executive protection agent) and commitment-phobe, Will Griffin, as they fall in love under the guise of Annie needing dating practice to secure a husband. Annie and Will learn that there’s more to discover about themselves in the process, including realizing that what they actually want may be different than what they thought they always wanted.
Like WIR, this book was fast-paced, super sweet, had several laugh-out-loud moments, and made me swoon over their interactions. I loved Annie’s introverted personality, but she had this secret sizzle-ly side as a closeted romance reader. Will was a softy-at-heart (stern brunch daddy!) with a jealous, protective streak and several touch-her-and-you-die moments. As in WIR, I’m willing to overlook the fade-to-blacks. I would have taken on a different angle if there was more detail, so I respect that decision. Regardless, I loved this story, and their relationship woes and grows.
Don’t go into this book thinking you are getting a deep, pining, prophetic love story. It is just what anyone would need if they’re looking for a good, quick read – potentially a great palette cleanser in a book slump! I was grinning ear-to-ear reading this and cannot WAIT for James and Maddie’s story (which, I am proud to say I predicted even while reading WIR!).
Thank you so much to Dell (Penguin Random House) and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an advanced (e-)reader copy and a chance to rate and review this book!
4 ⭐️ 0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Dementia, Grief, and Bullying
Minor: Medical content, Alcohol, Chronic illness, and Terminal illness
rickireadss's review against another edition
4.5
thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for sending me an arc!!
WILL AND ANNIE >>>> i loved their little "practice" arrangement - this quite literally is one of my favorite tropes EVER. talk about butterflies, whew ;) also the meddling small town is one of my favorite aspects of this series.
watching will grow throughout the book was such a great time, as i was not liking him in his first pov chapter when he was talking about how he hates love and how he treated his brother?? made me want to punch him through the dang screen.
i found myself relating to annie wayyy too much. her thoughts, feelings, and just overall how she acted in certain situations felt like sarah interviewed for me for the character lmao. i had a great time reading this, and i HIGHLY recommend! this is a closed door, fade-to-black book (meaning no on-page, detailed sex scenes) - which typically i stay away from because i love sex scenes ;) - but sarah does SUCH a good job at still making you feel that tension and ooey-gooey feelings for the mcs that i didn't feel like i was missing a bunch without the on-page action, if that makes sense.
⚠️: grief, death of parent (off page, past), bullying, child abuse, emotional abuse, domestic abuse, infidelity (not mcs), dementia (side character)
WILL AND ANNIE >>>> i loved their little "practice" arrangement - this quite literally is one of my favorite tropes EVER. talk about butterflies, whew ;) also the meddling small town is one of my favorite aspects of this series.
watching will grow throughout the book was such a great time, as i was not liking him in his first pov chapter when he was talking about how he hates love and how he treated his brother?? made me want to punch him through the dang screen.
i found myself relating to annie wayyy too much. her thoughts, feelings, and just overall how she acted in certain situations felt like sarah interviewed for me for the character lmao. i had a great time reading this, and i HIGHLY recommend! this is a closed door, fade-to-black book (meaning no on-page, detailed sex scenes) - which typically i stay away from because i love sex scenes ;) - but sarah does SUCH a good job at still making you feel that tension and ooey-gooey feelings for the mcs that i didn't feel like i was missing a bunch without the on-page action, if that makes sense.
⚠️: grief, death of parent (off page, past), bullying, child abuse, emotional abuse, domestic abuse, infidelity (not mcs), dementia (side character)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death of parent, Bullying, Child abuse, Grief, Infidelity, Emotional abuse, and Domestic abuse
Minor: Dementia
dianaschmidty's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
“It seems to me, Annie, that you are just waiting for someone to give you permission to be yourself out loud.”
There’s just something about Rome, Kentucky that I adore! This book was so sweet and funny! I was laughing on just about every page! I absolutely love Will and Annie! I think it’s cool that the characters have the stereotypes that wouldn’t make them right for each other, which is exactly what makes them right for each other! Both characters’ stories about trying to find out how to be themselves in the face of their trauma was really heartbreaking, yet heartwarming to watch.
I can relate to Annie a lot, especially with Will’s assessment that she’s waiting for someone to give her permission to be the person she wants to be. It felt almost too relatable, like the book was calling me out 😂! I think Will is one of the most supportive MMC’s I’ve ever read!
Anyone who loves fake dating where the couple basically already know they aren’t faking anything should read this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dell, and Sarah Adams for providing me access to this book.
There’s just something about Rome, Kentucky that I adore! This book was so sweet and funny! I was laughing on just about every page! I absolutely love Will and Annie! I think it’s cool that the characters have the stereotypes that wouldn’t make them right for each other, which is exactly what makes them right for each other! Both characters’ stories about trying to find out how to be themselves in the face of their trauma was really heartbreaking, yet heartwarming to watch.
I can relate to Annie a lot, especially with Will’s assessment that she’s waiting for someone to give her permission to be the person she wants to be. It felt almost too relatable, like the book was calling me out 😂! I think Will is one of the most supportive MMC’s I’ve ever read!
Anyone who loves fake dating where the couple basically already know they aren’t faking anything should read this book!
Thank you to NetGalley, Dell, and Sarah Adams for providing me access to this book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Bullying, and Grief
Moderate: Emotional abuse and Child abuse
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