This is my first Sarah Adams book and it will absolutely NOT be my last! I need to immediately go back now and grab some more of her books!

Annie is the town's sweetheart, she owns a flower shop right next door to her brother's Pie Shop and lives with her 3 sisters. She lives a happy quiet life in Rome, Kentucky. However, she longs for a relationship and the love she knows will fill the void that currently exists in her heart.

Will is Amelia's body guard, or otherwise known as Executive Protection Agent. ( Amelia is Annie's soon to be sister in law) Will longs for adventure and is not thrilled about living in this small town. He has a rough past that he keeps hidden behind all the charm and bluish- grey eyes.

Ok but seriously! This super flirtatious, handsome, protective bodyguard will have you swooning! His POV is exquisite and his character is so multifaceted. He is definitely not just looks but has so much character development. You will go through so many emotions with him. There were parts I wanted to just give him a hug and others where he was just hilarious. His connection with Annie is felt right from the start. Even though Annie describes herself as a shy, socially anxious introvert extraordinaire, she is not! There is so much more to our sweet angel, she just needs someone to encourage her to step out and do things she never thought she could. I loved the journey they went through and was never bored. Sarah Adams has the best way of making a closed door romance so full of emotion and anticipation. You get transformed into their world and live and feel all the feels!

Thank you Random House and Netgalley for allowing me to read this ARC. I Absolutely enjoyed it and will be reading lots more Sarah Adams books.


TikTok review posted 5/1/2023 https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTRwkCN8w/

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I finished this book in 1 day because it was that good!! wow Sarah Adams does it again! This might be one of my favorite series. It’s so cute and wholesome and just makes me extremely happy while reading it. I am so over the fake dating trope but this book reminded me how much fun it can be! I love all her books and will be buying physical copies when they come out!

I really loved this book! It was such a sweet story. Annie Walker is a small town girl and wants to settle down and get married, have kids. She goes on a date that goes badly and gets roped into using Will, bodyguard to her friend Amelia, as a dating coach to get her what she really wants. No surprise where this one goes, but it’s a fun ride nonetheless. I laughed out loud a few times and the banter and swoony moments between Will and Annie were perfect. I also loved that this was more of a closed door romance. Highly recommend for those looking for a light and funny romance. I hadn’t read the previous story in this series so I think it works as a stand alone. I am, however, looking forward to the next Rome, Kentucky story!


Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is my favorite of Sarah Adams to date! This book is so sweet and tender while also being hilarious. I read it in one sitting because it's so fast paced and I didn't want to put it down. Will is AMAZING and Annie was great. I loved the family dynamics and cameos from her siblings/Amelia. And Sarah is my favorite "closed door" author because she doesn't shy away from the feelings/sexual tension between the characters even though she doesn't show it happening on page. I appreciate this because sometimes authors who do closed door romances make the characters seem juvenile and I feel like I'm reading a YA novel instead. It also had one of my favorite things in a book when they jokingly call the other person by the wrong name. Sarah just keeps getting better and better!

📚✨Book Review✨📚

Practice Makes Perfect
Author: Sarah Adams

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Note:
I received a copy of this book as an advanced reader but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

What I Liked:
💐I knew about 25% in to this book that I would love it. It was the right balance of humor, sexiness, longing, romance, and comedy.

💐I was so excited to revisit the town of Rome after having previously read When in Rome. The cast of characters in this town felt so real and made me fall in love all over again!

💐I love the dynamic between Will and Annie. At first glance they seemed like opposites, but as the story unfolded you discover that they are more similar than they appear and complimented each other in so many ways.

💐HUGE love for Annie being a pirate romance reader. I don’t read them as much these days, but some of the earliest romance novels I read were those classic pirate stories. They will always have a special place in my heart! 💜🏴‍☠️💜


What I Didn’t Like:
💐My only complaint is that I wish this was a bit more open door. It doesn’t take away from the book in any way. Simply something I prefer.


Final Thoughts:
💐I’ve read a number of books by Sarah Adams at this point and have loved every one. Looking forward to *hopefully* the next one in this series with one of the sisters and a certain farmer. 👀🤞🏼





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3.5/5 stars! Practice Makes Perfect is a cute small town, slow burn romance. Annie the local flower shop owner in Rome, Kentucky, find herself striking out in her dating life. In comes Will, a body guard for Annie's soon to be sister in law. What starts off as "dating lessons" between the two turns into so much more.

I thought this story was a cute quick read, I really enjoyed the character growth for both Annie and Will. I didn't realize this was a sequel, and hadn't read the first, I didn't find myself lost at all but maybe could have helped me feel more endeared towards the characters.

I recommend this book if you are looking for a cute small town fake dating book!

“But the thing about quiet people is, we’re only quiet because our brains are so busy overthinking everything.”

Sarah Adams really didn’t need any practice because When in Rome was already perfect. But I must say, wow. Annie and Will might be my favorite couple in Rome, Kentucky. Annie and Will might be my new favorite romcom couple. And Rome and it’s impromptu town hall meetings with the sole purpose of meddling in everybody else’s business might be the best thing to have happened to me all week 👀

You also can’t give me a bodyguard as a main MMC and not expect me to fall head over heals and say THANK YOU.

Annie was special. She hid so much of her to please others. She grieved in silence, thinking she had no right to her pain. And yet, he saw her sunshine. He saw her dreams. He saw her beauty. He saw… her. And then he couldn’t ever unsee it.

You will love this. I promise. 🖤

What’s inside:
🖤small town romance
🖤dating coach
🖤bodyguard/florist romance
🖤opposites attract
🖤takes care of her when she’s sick

Adult. 5 stars ⭐️

Thank you to Random House Ballantine Books Dell for the ARC via NetGalley in exchange for my honest opinion. This will be available Tuesday.
Oh my goodness - I am not sure I remember the last time a book made me SMILE so damn much! I absolutely loved this dual POV, clean romance - and it reminded me how much I enjoyed her previous book, When in Rome. I bought a copy of it for my college bestie who was in town for work, telling her this one would be published soon if she wanted to continue the series :) It was a busy week, returning to school from spring break vacation, and I fell asleep while reading this book almost every night because I didn’t want to put it down, even though I KNEW I should have already gone to sleep.
Practice Makes Perfect is set in the same small town of Rome, Kentucky, where When It Rome takes place, with some of the same characters. Angie, the youngest sister of pie shop owner Noah, makes a deal with Will, Amelia’s bodyguard, to “practice” flirting and dating. I loved seeing the “sweet” girl and the “bad” boy find their way to each other - and lots of clear communication about emotions!! If you haven’t read When in Rome, you won’t miss out on anything but PLEASE do yourself a favor and read that book, too!

I had no idea when I requested a copy of this ARC that it was the sequel to When in Rome, which I adored. In Practice Makes Perfect, we follow Annie Walker, Noah's baby sister and owner of the flower shop in Rome, Kentucky. Annie is a sweet, kind woman who dreams of a happily-ever-after life but is unsuccessful in navigating the dating world. Enter Will Griffin, bodyguard to Rae Rose who has been tasked with acting as Annie's dating coach. Will may seem like a tough, no-nonsense ex-military flower-tattooed hunk, but deep down he is so much more. His connection with Annie is immediate, and the two quickly find themselves trying to deny their growing feelings.

I absolutely cannot get enough of this book and wish that I would visit Rome, Kentucky for real. After reading When in Rome I felt like we needed to know more about the youngest Walker sibling and I am so glad that Sarah Adams shared her with us. This book is like the best warm hug. Will and Annie are absolutely perfect and I love that their relationship is built around communication and being open with each other. This book also features all of the additional townspeople we have come to know and love, as well as the Walker family.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for a copy of this ARC!

Practice Makes Perfect was a sweet treat! I adored Annie and Will, the introvert and the anti-love guy will always be so good! I really enjoyed that the focus of this book was of course the romance between these two but also the friendship and individual growth you experience from both of them. Sarah has written a tender, witty, and emotional love story and the story of defining who you are, I adore it to pieces and I need everyone to read it and experience the pure joy it will bring them!

By Will's first chapter I was kicking my feet like a little schoolgirl, I go weak when the hero has been crushing on the heroine for a while but has been forcing himself to keep his distance. He was such a great communicator too, we love a man who can communicate! The man has a tender heart and a tough exterior wrapped in floral tattoos. We also love a man that doesn't want to change a thing about the girl, he was so in love with who Annie was from the get-go, he never wanted her to change herself even when he was supposed to be helping her learn how to date for her future husband!

I give this book 5 out of 5 stars, everyone deserves a sweet love story on their tbr and this is it! I did not realize that this was connected to her other book When in Rome, so now I will have to backtrack and read that immediately! Also the possible hint of a return to Rome for a James and Maddie story? Oh I'm all in!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Dell for sharing this book's digital review copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts!

Will with his “I-will-knock-you-flat-if-you-try-to-cross-me” demeanor, but “my-hands-can-be-oh-so-tender-on-your-body” find a man that can do it both ladies!

Annie made me feel seen. When everyone has a preconceived idea of you and typecast you to fit into one box, it’s hard to get them to see you in different ways. The way Will is able to unfold the multiple layers of Annie and allow her to not only explore her world, but he encourages her to forge new paths rather than keep her in one expected lane. Will allows her to imagine a world where she isn’t this “sweet Annie”, but rather the multidimensional woman that she is.

This book is sweet yet spicy without having any open door scenes and this is why I love this author. The tension is palpable and you feel the heat between Will and Annie without needing the descriptions that other romance books contain. And trust me when I say when the quality of romance and chemistry between Will and Annie is not lacking because of this close door romance.

Book after book, this author continues to impress me with her phenomenally written characters, heartfelt story, and thoughtful writing style. Thank you to NetGalley and Ballantine, Dell for this ARC

Oh my heavens 🤤

Huge thank you to Random House Publishing Group 😭😀 the eARC approval of Practice Makes Perfect by the Sarah Adams made me so giddy and grateful!!! It came at the very last few days before it's release day, May 2nd 2023🥰 I'm eagerly awaiting my pre-order...

Needless to say, I devoured this book, as I do every single one of Sarah's books. Noah & When In Rome still have my heart (about to re-read it🥰) his appearances were 💋🤌BUT this book was seriously next level. And as someone extremely afraid to shine...this book was absolutely beautiful 🥲

How this women can write the spiciest of books only using🫑sweet green peppers🤯

I👏Am👏Here👏For👏It!!

This one was definitely her spiciest yet...this one was sprinkled with pepper flakes...a whole new ballgame and I'm ready for extra innings🥵


This review will be on my bookstagram, Goodreads, and any and all retailers that will let me 🥰🥰🥰 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

This sweet romance was perfection! Get ready to swoon.

I absolutely knew I was going to adore this the second I read the blurb, and I was right.
Annie is such a relatable heroine. She's a fellow introvert who thinks she needs to become more exciting in order to get the attention of the opposite sex. I felt such a kinship with her. I've felt a lot of the same insecurities she did and that made me empathize with her. Will was a dream boat. If you're looking for your next book boyfriend, look no further! He may come off a bit grumpy but he's just a soft marshmallow underneath.
I thought the romance was incredibly sweet and romantic. Annie and Will actually communicate which was so refreshing to see in a romance. I was so happy to see that the conflict in the story did not come from miscommunication but rather them wanting different things out of life which makes for a more interesting story in my opinion. I loved all their little moments and the dating lessons, especially pirate related ones (haha!). Will and Annie were too adorable for words. I will definitely be listening to the audio book when it comes out.

The writing is superb. It flows nicely and it very easy to read and get lost in.

100 % would recommend this!

As much as I love Will (and he has a thigh tattoo, so just know it's A LOT), I would also fight him (pirate style, obvi) in order to steal
my fellow socially-anxious-soft-girl, Annie! I am so so obsessed with her and I will be carrying her character in my heart for a v long time!! Annie & Will are so fun and unexpected and I am a pile of goo for them!! This was such a fantastic addition to the series and I can’t wait for the next one! Thank you sm to the publisher & netgalley for providing me with an arc in exchange for an honest review! <3

The second book in the “When in Rome” series did not disappoint! Loved Annie and Will’s story!

Will is back in town to be Amelia’s bodyguard (she’s in book 1) leading up to her wedding. Annie asks him to help her be more comfortable talking to men and to practice dating, which leads the entire (very nosy) town to assume they are dating for real. And the love story begins… ❤️

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Practice Makes Perfect to come out May 2, 2023… TOMORROW!

Thanks to Net Galley and Random House/Dell for this advanced copy!

There is something magical in Sarah Adams's books, and Practice Makes Perfect is no exception. From Will and Annie's first onpage interaction, the sparks and tension were deliciously high, and with great payoff I wasn't expecting. This might just be the steamiest closed-door romance I've ever read.

From the beginning of the book, Will and Annie are set in their ways--he's not meant for marriage, and that's all Annie wants. As they strike up their bargain and begin to practice Annie's dating/flirting skills, the tension between them grows. This book is a masterclass on how the love interest should change the protagonist for the better. How they've taken what they've learned and applied it to their own lives. It is also, surprisingly (refreshingly) a masterclass on how the right person will love and accept you exactly as you are, without ever expecting you or forcing you to change.

I had a copy preordered of this book before I received this ARC, and I think it's the most telling of all that I'll still buy the book on release day (5/2/2023).

I couldn’t put it down. I adored Annie and each of the small town characters that loved her so much. I hope Zac Efron plays Will in the movie version, that’s who I envisioned the whole time. This was a sweet story, a fun and easy read that definitely left me smiling. Thank you Net Galley for the advanced copy of this book.

📖 ARC REVIEW 📖

Thank you @randomhouse for an early copy of Practice Makes Perfect by @authorsarahadams. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily. 🤍

Practice Makes Perfect is a romance novel about Annie, a small-town sweetheart who’s known as the ultimate sunshine and rainbows, and an emotionally unavailable bad boy named Will, Annie’s soon-to-be-sister-in-law’s bodyguard. Annie is on a quest to find her perfect match, get married and have kids, she wants someone who will complement her happy, quite life running the local flower shop in Rome. But when her first attempt at dating (first time in a long while) crashes and burns as her date regards her as plain and boring, Will was tasked to be her dating coach so she can learn how to flirt, how to act, etc., during dates. 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.

I loved Annie’s character, and despite her sweet and sunshiny persona that everyone in town knows her as, she hides her adventurous side until Will came along. He brought out that side of her and it was such breathtaking to see her character grow and voice out her desires and her true self and not just think about others and being a burden, but to care about herself as well. Will was also an interesting character, who had a lot of childhood trauma to unpack. It was refreshing to see how his character grew to love and care for Annie (I honestly loved how he cared for Annie and seeing his respectful and protective side come out and not just from being a bodyguard), and that she gave him a reason to stay for good and not run away all the time. I enjoyed their banter and flirting. Their second-guessing each other’s words and feelings was also a delight, as the author gives us a double POV from their perspectives like we’re in on a secret that the other main character doesn’t know (I thoroughly enjoy dual POV books ugghh 🎆).

Rating Practice Makes Perfect ⭐⭐⭐⭐.5/5. Releases May 2nd, 2023!

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell, Netgalley for this arc. I was so glad to be back in Rome. I loved the Walkers and Amelia. And now I adore one more Will. A girls dream boy. Well he born for Annie. I adored them really.. A denied instalove is my fave. I am still not geting why everyone fake date lately but ok. This fake dating was so steamy without actual scenes but to be dying for for sure. If you want also friends to lovers couse he is teaching her dating. Yes right how?! So sweet. I also loved how they all helped each other. The true family values were transmited so good. And finally i laugh again loud. I loved ti see how a bad date closed one doors and opened one so much better once.

This was the first book I read by Sarah Adams, I know I know I have to go back and read When in Rome, but wow! I’m craving the rest of her books! The story was told beautifully from both Annie and Will’s povs.

Annie, the innocent youngest sister, and Will, the bad boy bodyguard, have vastly different outlooks on love. Though, Will is still more than willing to help the introverted small-town girl in practicing her dating skills. What their story would end up looking like, they wouldn’t have ever expected.

I cried, laughed, smiled, and felt everything these two felt the entire time. The character development of both of Annie and Will was immaculate. If you haven’t gotten this book, you have to!

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.