While the premise is cute and the banter is sometimes genuinely charming, this was not the book for me. I found the tension lacking, and the inner monologue almost crushingly obvious. I think this could be a very, cheesy fun summer read for someone with fewer pet peeves than I have, as the writing and plot themselves are a cut above many other novels of its ilk.

This was my most anticipated release of 2023 and it did not disappoint! This book had all my favorite tropes and it pulled me in from the first page. Small-town romance, tatted bodyguard x flower shop owner, fake dating, books about pirate smut... perfection. I absolutely loved the chemistry between Annie and Will. Both were so sweet, and I am obsessed with their banter. I got so emotional throughout the story. My self-love journey is so similar and challenging just like Annie's and I found myself in tears because she deserved so much more than she allowed herself to have. Will's traumatic childhood was heartbreaking and seeing how he constantly pushed people away for the sake of protecting himself destroyed me. Both characters made me want to protect them at all costs. The only reason I ended up rating it four stars was because I was hoping for wedding festivities and bodyguard action. I would have liked a little more tension/build-up before Will and Annie started to get physical and I wish we could have seen Annie and her family interact more as well as Will and his brother. But besides that, this story was so heartfelt and relatable. This small town quickly captured my heart and I wish I could just pack up and move there. I look forward to reading more from this author. This was the perfect warm and cozy romance.

Love! Sarah Adams always gets five stars from me! Fingers crossed we get to stay in Rome a little longer and hear some more stories from there.

No matter what - can't wait to devour the next one!

If you want something that makes your heart swell, look no further than Practice Makes Perfect. What a joy of a read this was. I've read a bunch modern romance novels and this one hit all the points I want a romance to hit. If you like:

- Grump vs sunshine
- Broody MMC
- FMC grappling with what she really wants and being more assertive
- MMC who reads bodice-ripping romances (yes please)
- the opposite of miscommunication

Then you'll love this book. I especially appreciate the NON-miscommunication trope. Words can't describe how much I despise miscommunication so I love it when a novel does the opposite and immediately has the characters clearing things up. The author did a splendid job with this.

I thought the plot was great and not too unbelievable (unlike many modern romances I've read recently). I felt for Annie so much during the story and wanted her to get her happy ever after. The tension between Will and Annie was so magnificently done and there was just enough slow burn that when it finally happened, it felt so satisfying. I would happily read another novel by Sarah Adams any day! What a wonderfully-written, fun, and heartwarming read.

I was lucky enough to get an ARC for Practice Makes Perfect, the sequel to When In Rome, (which I also received an ARC for last year!) This book had a high standard to live up to and it more than fulfilled my expectations! The romance was sweet and a little cheesy, but in a self-aware way that made it so adorable. The banter was great, and Adams somehow managed to make a goody-two-shoes protagonist who doesn't swear into a character I rallied behind instead of rolled my eyes over. Overall it was a fast and enjoyable read, and I laughed out loud more than once. It's clear to see which characters the third book in the series will follow, and I will definitely have it in my TBR as soon as it's announced.

I loved returning to Rome, Kentucky with Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams. Annie and Will complimented each other perfectly. I found myself giddy laughing out loud during many scenes. It gave me all the feels. I highly recommend this book because it will be living in my brain for the foreseeable future. Thank you, Sarah!

Omg omg omg. I absolutely loved this book! Sarah Adams does it again. This was truly the sweetest, cutest, and sexiest book I’ve read in a while. Annie is just the best. I loved getting to know her.

I loved this book set in small town with a dynamic of the florist Annie, timid and always protected by her siblings, and the gruff Will.

Sarah Adams writes about Rome in a way that makes you feel like you're there. It was my first read by her and definitely not the last!

Thank you to Random House-Ballantine and Netgalley for the ARC.

So cute! I loved each of the scenes between Will and Annie which built their characters so well and had you rooting for them. I appreciated how while there was some spice, it wasn't what the character development relied on.

Overall, I give this a solid 4 out of 5 stars. A lovely book that I'm sure I'll come back to (after I tackle more of my TBR list).

When I started reading this, I didn't actually know it was a sequel. However, reading this before its' predecessor "When in Rome" does not take away from enjoying this book.

This novel follows our main characters, Annie and Will, as they navigate their time in Rome, Kentucky, pretending they're not smitten with each other. Annie, the local florist, wants to find The One, and Will, returning to Rome for a job as an "Executive Protection Agent" for pop sensation Amelia Rose, truly believes he's allergic to all things monogamous. However, when the idea of Will becoming Annie's dating coach is floated to the duo, Will decides to try and help out the "hopeless" Annie. However, being a dating coach for a girl you already have a crush on is easier said than done. Will Will (heh) catch feelings, or will he be able to get out of this arrangement with his heart - and his dignity - unscathed?

Okay, so this is a cute one. I'm a sucker for a good "fake dating" trope, and this one managed to make it work with a special kind of sweetness. I always love when characters deny their feelings with such indignation, like there's no possible way they can fall in love, because they've never done it before and besides, I already told myself I wasn't going to fall for the sweet, adorable, kind, loving Annie Walker who smells like a bouquet of flowers and has managed to wriggle her way into my heart so I guess I'll just accept the fact that I'm in love with - hey! Wait a second...!

I don't want to give away too much, because this is a pretty new title. (Just released May 2nd!) But I do want to say how much I enjoyed the progression with Annie's character. She's known for being the baby of the family. She's sweet, kind, innocent, an "angel" if you will. However, over time she's grown to hate these comparisons. She wants to be less innocent and more daring. This could be one of the big reasons why she was drawn to "bad boy" Will, but I don't believe it's the reason why she stuck around. I liked seeing how Will helped her along with opening up and transforming into a beautiful butterfly - one that stands up for herself, kicks ass and takes names. While it was done while spending time with Will, I'd like to believe she always had that in herself, she just needed a little push.

Thanks again to NetGallley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the ARC.

𝚁𝚊𝚝𝚒𝚗𝚐: 4.5⭐️
𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚛𝚎: Contemporary romance 📚

𝙼𝚢 𝚃𝚑𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚑𝚝𝚜:
Such a cute and sweet romance.

𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍 𝚒𝚏 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎:
Bodyguard romance
Flower shops
Great chemistry
Witty banter
He’s her dating coach/ fake dating
Opposites attract
Small town setting
Friends to lovers
Grand gestures
Closed door

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚕𝚒𝚔𝚎𝚍:
The healthy communication
Pirate smut lol
Dual POV

𝚃𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚐𝚜 𝙸 𝚍𝚒𝚍𝚗’𝚝 𝚌𝚊𝚛𝚎 𝚏𝚘𝚛:
Was a little cheesy but lets be real I loved it

Sarah Adams is an auto-read author for me. Her books are cute and fun. This book comes after When in Rome. An opposite attracts romance between Noah's sister and Ameila's bodyguard. I enjoyed Annie finding herself and realizing she can be herself and not be who everyone else thinks she should be.
I look forward to more from Sarah Adams. Thanks for the advance copy.

This book is PERFECT. Seriously. Five stars. ALLLLL the stars.

I suppose you could say, for Sarah Adams as well as FMC Annie, Practice Makes Perfect. Each new book of Sarah's becomes my favorite and her writing gets stronger every time.

There were SO MANY THINGS I LOVED ABOUT THIS BOOK (so many tabs), and here's a list of just a few of my favorites:
- Annie finding her voice
- Will being captivated by Annie from the first page
- "Practice" dating sessions where Annie gets to feel seen for the first time in her life
- Siblings + Amelia + small-town shenanigans
- Glimpses of Noah + Amelia's life together pre-wedding from When in Rome
- That both main characters have things to work through with their families AND THEN THEY ACTUALLY TALK/WORK THROUGH THEM
- Romantic gestures
- Some great humorous moments
- The emotional connection between the two characters builds slowly, like a real relationship would
- The growth of Annie's confidence simply because Will sees her + shows her she's already the person she wants to be
- The flower shop
- Will getting some perspective he greatly needed by slowing down + staying in one place

This was a really cute read with a feel good ending. I read it fairly quickly and related to the main character. I didn't read the first book and it was easy to jump into. I recommended it to my friends who love feel good romance stories.

Simply put, I loved this book! It was a fun read. I loved the good girl/bad boy (but is he really?!) trope, the fake dating, the meddling small town, and just all the things! You don't have to read When in Rome first to enjoy this one, but I would definitely recommend it! Enjoy your time in Rome, Kentucky!

Will and Annie! <3

Annie is known as the sweet, good girl in her family and town. But she is feeling empty and like something is missing. She is tired of hiding parts of herself from her family in order to be what they expect.

Will has perfected the bad boy persona. Growing up with twin goals of escaping his parents and protecting his brother, he has closed himself off from everyone and all feelings.

These 2 though have the ability to give the gift of seeing past the surface to the real self. The gift of being loved for who they are.

Some favorite quotes:

"I think this emptiness has been a result of constantly isolating myself from my feelings. I know who I am and what I want out of life - I've just been ignoring those needs."

"You are a good person, with a -- good heart. You deserve love and to give love."

"It was easier to say I don't believe in love, rather than admitting to myself that I was afraid I wouldn't be loved back."

Another AMAZING and delightful book from Sarah Adams. The girl REALLY knows how to write a romcom.

This book gave off some serious Gilmore Girl vibes and I loved every second of it. This was such a feel-good romantic comedy and I caught myself smiling and laughing out loud so many times.
Will is a bad boy bodyguard with a traumatic past and Annie is a sweet and angelic flower shop owner. The most unlikely duo, right? WRONG. They fit together so perfectly. Annie wants the cookie-cutter marriage in her hometown of Rome, Kentucky where she has roots. Will wants travel, excitement and adventure; marriage and growing roots is a definite no-go for him.

✨Fake Dating
✨Bad boy, bad reputation MMC
✨Sweet and angelic FMC
✨Supportive family and townspeople
✨HEA

This book was exactly what I was hoping for! I loved heading back to Rome, Kentucky and I loved seeing Annie as the MFC! Sarah Adams did a phenomenal job switching over to Annie and Will while simultaneously showing so much of Amelia and Noah. I can’t wait to see where the next books takes us!

Thank you to PRHAudio, Netgalley, and Ballantine my gifted ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This is my first Sarah Adams book and the sequel to her book When in Rome (which is on my bookshelf and clearly I need to read it)

I loved the little town of Rome, KY where Annie runs the local flower shop. Quiet, introverted and socially awkward, I couldn't help but love Annie and her sweet, naive ways. After a date gone completely wrong she calls on the help of her sister-in-laws bodyguard, bad boy Will, to help her
"practice" dating. She is looking for settling down and marriage, he is a fly by the night kind of guy and never plans to settle down, this should be easy-peasy, right?

There is a lot of fluff in this book, which was okay and kind of refreshing. From what I can tell Sarah Adams is known for her cleaner romances with mild spice and I would say that is exactly what this was. I look forward to reading the first book in this series.

I loved this book! Sarah Adam’s makes such easy to read books, I swear! I literally read this in one sitting. I loved the first book and this second is sooooo good! Would definitely recommend!