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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
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
booksalacarte's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
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
3.25
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!
Content Warnings
Minor: Gaslighting, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Abandonment, and Domestic abuse
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