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annabananadel's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
"I’d say that I regret the things I never said way more than the things I have said. If you love him – be honest. With yourself and with him."
I saw sooooooooooooo many good reviews regarding this book and after researching on it, I realized it was the second book of a series so I had to read the first book just so I could read this~! And I'm so happy that I was able to read this because it's such a good read, although, I wasn't able to read this continuously like how I read When In Rome because life became hectic, meaning, I wasn't on vacation anymore.
This book is for the introverted girls out there who are scared of being themselves when you go out on a date with guys (or simply just talking to guys). I resonated with Annie on a different level and not just because we have the same nickname, Anna Banana, but because she's the youngest child in the family and everyone just thinks of you as such - the youngest. Although to be honest, mine is also connected to my height, that's why people think of me as a child, sadly. This book simply tells girls out there that you don't need to be somebody else for you to find your significant other because your significant other would love you just the way you are - however cliché this is.
Annie is a small town girl who just wants simple things - a family like what her parents had. She simply just wanted a husband who wants children and would stay in their little hometown. But how could this be achieved if she doesn't even talk to boys, much less, date them? Then comes in Will, Amelia's bodyguard - oops, executive protective agent, who was somehow fell into Amelia's trap to help Annie be a datable girl. It's another cliché story about a ladies' man together with a virgin girl but that's what makes it very exciting. Getting into Will's head is the cherry on top. You can see him fighting with himself to get as far away from slipping into having a romantic relationship with Annie. This is why I love dual perspective, you can see both sides of the character and can judge them more based on what comes into their minds.
Their relationship somehow started from being friends to lover because they definitely had friendship vibes at the start! They were helping each other out, even subconsciously. I also love the little hint about Madison and James' relationship which might be the next and third book of the series. Overall, it's such a cute book and definitely a good way to pass time!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting, Grief, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
theespressoedition's review against another edition
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Grief
Minor: Sexual content and Cursing
yvo_about_books's review against another edition
4.5
Finished reading: July 12th 2023
“It seems to me, Annie, that you are just waiting for someone to give you permission to be yourself out loud.”
There is no secret that Sarah Adams is one of my favorite romance authors, and I've been waiting impatiently for Practice Makes Perfect to be published ever since I first heard about it. I loved the first book When In Rome last year, and I've looking forward to Annie and Will's story. I have to say that it didn't disappoint! Rome, Kentucky, makes for the perfect small town setting, and I loved being able to return and spend more time with its cast of characters. Annie and Will are both such great characters, and their story is basically your typical opposites attract romance. As usual, the romance itself is on the sweet side, although there is some sexy time involved as well. Somehow I didn't mind those scenes though, because I was too busy rooting for them by that time. There were some moments in the plot that were a tad frustrating, but as a whole I liked what Practice Makes Perfect brings to the table and the elements it offered besides the romance angle. I definitely can't wait to see what the next book set in this small town is going to be about! I'm keeping my fingers crossed it will involve James.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Bullying, Abandonment, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Death of parent, and Domestic abuse
Moderate: Infidelity, Dementia, Stalking, Injury/Injury detail, and Cursing
annahamburger's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
medium-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
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child abuse, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Bullying, Domestic abuse, Mental illness, and Grief
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Infidelity, Stalking, Terminal illness, and Violence
Minor: Car accident, Misogyny, Sexual harassment, Gun violence, Injury/Injury detail, and Medical content
infjkiki's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Grief, Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Death of parent and Sexual content
Minor: Dementia
bringmybooks's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This one gets bumped from “borrow” to “bring” (/buy) because this cover is just too stinkin' cute and I’m fine with that
✨ 𝗕𝗥𝗜𝗡𝗚 ✨ B̷O̷R̷R̷O̷W̷ B̷Y̷P̷A̷S̷S̷
Look if they didn’t want us to judge books by their covers then WHY HAVE SUCH CUTE COVERS
But anyways - I liked this one a lot (the banter was *chef’s kiss*), but there was a little tiny something missing that moved it down from a 5 star read to a 4. I thought that Adams did a really good job giving both Annie and Will a lot of backstory and making their relationship seem really plausible, and I absolutely loved the communication. Loved it.
Also worth noting that I’ve seen this author recommended as a closed door author, and while that is still true here, it veers a little towards slightly open door? I’m not sure exactly how to describe it, but it’s not a full fade to black - didn’t bother me, but worth noting if you’re going into it not expecting that.
ANYWHO. Still love Rome, Kentucky, still love these wacky neighbors, still love the Walker family and will definitely be continuing with the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Grief
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, and Dementia
Minor: Sexual content, Cursing, Alcohol, Domestic abuse, Bullying, Abandonment, Stalking, and Toxic relationship
thebookpaiges's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-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
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent and Toxic relationship
Moderate: Infidelity and Violence
Minor: Dementia
nikkisbooknook's review against another edition
emotional
funny
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Annie is the picture perfect, good-girl next door. But she's been so concerned about being good, that she's afraid she's become boring and sets out to learn the basics of seduction. And who better to teach her than her friends former bodyguard, internet hottie and all around gruff bad-boy, Will.
Will is the ex-military, tattooed, bada$$ bodyguard. He's the love 'em and leave 'em type. But there is something about Annie that draws him in. So much so he agrees to her mad plan, he's sure that there is no way his relationship-averse self will ever catch feelings! Famous last words!!
These two are adorable. They each have boundaries they won't cross as they don't want to hurt the other. Annie's naivety breaks Will's defences though. Will is perfect in that he didn't want Annie to change a thing about herself, just be more confident in herself. Will is a man who understands that communication is key! He's a cinnamon roll with a bada$$ alpha shell!
There are laughs, tears and giggles to be had in this story. The townsfolk are a scream and I loved one particular town meeting scene at the end! And when Annie finally broke her shell and let all her annoyances at her siblings, the town, and even herself, out brought a tear to my eye.
Will is the ex-military, tattooed, bada$$ bodyguard. He's the love 'em and leave 'em type. But there is something about Annie that draws him in. So much so he agrees to her mad plan, he's sure that there is no way his relationship-averse self will ever catch feelings! Famous last words!!
These two are adorable. They each have boundaries they won't cross as they don't want to hurt the other. Annie's naivety breaks Will's defences though. Will is perfect in that he didn't want Annie to change a thing about herself, just be more confident in herself. Will is a man who understands that communication is key! He's a cinnamon roll with a bada$$ alpha shell!
There are laughs, tears and giggles to be had in this story. The townsfolk are a scream and I loved one particular town meeting scene at the end! And when Annie finally broke her shell and let all her annoyances at her siblings, the town, and even herself, out brought a tear to my eye.
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent and Toxic relationship
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
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