Practice Makes Perfect (Berkley Sensation)

Julie James is an excellent writter, but please she should keep politics aside., I want to read a true romance novel with intense and funny characters without seen liberals and republicans remarks showing up. Overall I enjoyed this book but it could've been better.

Warning! Contains some spoilers! I really wanted to like this. I loved the sample and the dialog was witty and fun, with just the right amount of sexual tension between the two main characters. Very quickly though, the tension goes from being fun to being the hero just being a dick. He rebuffs the heroines attempts at friendship initially, which I'm like, "Okay, makes sense given their history." Then later in the story he purposely makes it so that her heel will break when she's walking. As someone who has had that happen, and has seen it happen to others, I know for a fact that could really hurt someone, either twisting an ankle, causing them to fall, or even, in one case, severely spraining it. While that's not typical,the fact is, it could have caused physical harm. So, at this point, I'm kinda on the fence but I say, "Hey, he could still come around...maybe?". Then the bomb drops:a long time ago he (falsely)told their BOSS that they had sex in the office! WTF?!!!! As someone who has worked in a professional, male dominated environment that is one s***ty move. Not only did he undermine her as professional, he risked her career by telling that story, to their boss of all people! The 'good ole boy environment is hard enough to break through and he literally couldn't have said anything worse to undermine her position in the firm. And the reason? He liked her too much to be honest?! What?! To top it off, when you find out the reason for the turn in their relationship is because he was insecure and overly sensitive about his stupid glasses?! Are you kidding me?!!! Ugh. I hate the trend of "guy gets to be a jerk and treat heroine like crap just because he can't deal with his emotions". Being mean is never pretty and while I love a good Mr. Darcy, Mr. Darcy wasn't a jerk in the end and didn't risk Elizabeth's reputation just because he couldn't deal. It's called growth! The hero ruined what would have been an otherwise well written and edited story, with clever, funny dialogue and a sharp heroine. This story was a miss for me but I liked the other elements enough to give it two stars. Won't seek out this author again but won't completely exclude it. Hopefully the hero will be a little more mature next time.

This book definitely fits the romantic comedy genre. Things got so crazy in this one that I had to stop and tell my husband about J.D. and Payton's antics (that heel one was hilarious, but so wrong). Yes, J.D. was not the nicest guy to Payton and he took things a bit too far compared to what she did. But it was so obvious that they were secretly crazy about each other and were just using their rivalry as a defense mechanism.

J.D. and Payton are big time corporate lawyers and are both trying to make partner. Just when they think they know what's going to happen, the game is changed and they find out that only one of them will make partner. Queue sabotage, constant arguments, schmoozing of clients and partners and of course sizzling chemistry. It takes a while for the inevitable to finally happen between J.D. and Payton, but it doesn't last very long before they're back at it and doing something stupid to mess up their newfound relationship.

The book was completely predictable (other than the sabotage) and the ending was sweet. I would have liked more elaboration into their future - and hopefully an update on some of the secondary characters who were close to them - but nevertheless, it was still a great lighthearted romantic comedy.

Practice Makes Perfect was a fun, quick read. It is one of those stories where both people obviously like each other but instead of admitting it they fight all the time. It was fun.

Payton and J.D. both work for the same law firm. They are both up for partner, but they both cannot stand the other. Payton is not really sure what started their feud, but she has hated J.D. as long as she can remember. He comes from money and Payton cannot stand that. Sure he might be good looking, but she has worked her butt off to get where she is.

J.D. might have come from money, but he hasn't used it to get where he is. In fact he has always rejected it. He has gotten where he is by working hard. These two was fun to watch. Their little give and takes were fun. Payton would do something and J.D. would retaliate and so she would retaliate back and so on. When the two of them are forced to work together they have to try and put aside their differences, at least for an evening, so they don't jeopardize their partner potential status.

Really working together was not as bad as they thought it would be, but when they quickly find out that only one of them will be named partner things go back to crazy fun again. I really enjoyed watching these two come together and set aside their games. They both care for each other, but can they make it work when only one of them is partner at the firm? What will happen when one of them has to give up what they worked so long and so hard for? A fun, quick read.

This review was originally posted to Jen in Bookland

I enjoyed the rapid fire quips. Parts were laugh out loud funny especially the court room scene.

My main complaint was that everything was so exaggerated, so all or nothing, so unlikely. Fighting for 8 solid years instead of realizing they liked each other? The firm suddenly deciding only one person could be partner because of some comment about pushing out the older ones for the younger. Firms do not have set numbers of partners. Telling ALL to her girlfriend? Who in their 30s needs to lay out all their sexual couplings? Her girlfriend not shutting her up when her husband and friends are in the next room? All very unlikely.

I enjoyed the ending.

Okay, I was basically waiting since their very first interaction for the characters to just rip each other’s clothes off and get it over with. In fact, I frequently peered at the percentage I’d read, leveraging that knowledge against my romance-reading experience to bet myself when these two would JUST KISS ALREADY!!! From the story synopsis and the first several chapters I fully expected an enemies-to-lovers story where the hero and heroine go toe-to-toe until they finally go up in flames. So I was quite surprised how gradual Payton and J.D. went from competitors and covert, casual (sometimes not-so-casual) dislike to friends, lovers and two people who fully support each other.

Payton and J.D. have worked across the hall from - and competed relentlessly against - each other since they began their eight year stint as associates at one of Chicago’s top law firms. Actually, they are the only two left from their class, having scared everyone else off. Now, as new partners are about to be announced, the stakes skyrocket because the firm has announced only one partner will be chosen. The loser will be nicely shown the door and expected to quietly resign. If that sounds completely thankless, it is. Unfortunately that’s reality for Payton and J.D., which leads me into something I liked best about this story: the hero and heroine are BOTH confident, successful people who know what they want and are willing to work hard for it.

Another favorite undertone was an ongoing discussion about sexual discrimination in the workplace, the glass ceiling and the “good ole’ boys club” that women in the corporate world and beyond deal with in their careers. Sexual discrimination practice is Payton’s specialty. Adding in her extremely liberal, highly feminist upbringing makes Payton an interesting - and refreshing - contemporary romance character. She is a strong, independent, go-getter who doesn’t have any angst weighing her down. She knows what she wants out of life. J.D. is much the same although he does have a small hang-up or two. My point here is that the romance in Practice Makes Perfect wasn’t about personal character development. Rather it was the development of the characters’ relationship and any growing they did, they did it together.

This book also has “misunderstandings”. I think readers of romance know what I’m talking about - it’s something especially prevalent in historical romance. Anyway, I loved how Payton and J.D. didn’t hang onto the issues in the past between them. They were ready to move forward without the baggage or grudges or anything. It makes the HEA that much more believable and satisfying. And speaking of satisfying, I was really concerned with how Julie James would resolve the “who gets to be the partner” issue, but the ending was perfect.

My dislikes in this book include a kind of sudden, muddled transition from being cautious friends to lovers for Payton and J.D. The transition from enemies to not-enemies was great, but more...clarity...I guess would have been nice. The supporting characters could have been stronger as well. James had plenty of opportunities to flush most of them out a bit more but she missed out on them. I also just wanted more "pure romance" if you know what I mean. There wasn't so much of that here, and while I really liked this book it would have increased my enjoyment of it a lot.

Julie James actually has a great “niche” going in contemporary romance. She writes great stories featuring lawyer(s) as main characters. And she does it so well. All her books are fun, witty and entertaining. Practice Makes Perfect fits the Julie James bill and is one of my favorites by this writer. Some authors have a certain “brand” - like you expect something out of a book by so-and-so-author. This is very true here. Anyway, I recommend - especially if you like a good romance with a hero who isn't perfect but isn't a total jerk either.

Practice Makes Perfect is a standalone novel from the fabulous Julie James. I adore her FBI/US Attorney Series and I was excited to read another book by her that is separate from the series. This book is funny with hilarious banter and sabotages between J.D. and Payton, who are lawyers competing for partner at the law firm they work for. There is a sexy romance element that adds to the fun. I really enjoyed this one. I would recommend it to fans of humorous adult contemporary romances who don't mind the characters' careers as lawyers being the central focus.

My favorite quote:
“I was just wondering whether your fellow feministas would approve of you using your sexuality as bait.”
Payton pulled back. “I’m sorry?”
She appeared pissed. Good—this he knew.
J.D. pointed to the could-I-sneak-a-peek? V-neck of her shirt. “Planning on showing off the girls tonight, are we? Is that how you plan to impress the Gibson’s execs?”
When she turned back to him, her gaze was icy. “We’re asking Gibson’s to give us twenty million dollars in legal fees,” she said coldly. “If you think my boobs are going to land this deal, then they must be even more spectacular than I thought.”

This was my first Julie James book and will probably be my last. I got this book based on the fantastic reviews and I guess that I just don't get what all the hoopla was about.

Don't get me wrong, there were parts of this book that were laugh out loud HILARIOUS. Everyone mentioned the courtroom thong incident, and yes, that had me chuckling, but the Pride & Prejudice discussion had to be one of the funniest things I'd read in a long time.

That being said, I'm afraid those few funny parts were the only thing this book had going for it. I just couldn't take the constant bickering. After a while, it was just too much, too incessant, and too puerile for supposedly such highly intelligent people. And then to find out why they had kept this hate/hate relationship going for 8 long years...well just say a more juvenile reason I would be hard-pressed to find.

The other problem I had with this book was that it is listed as a romance. Whose screwed up idea of romance is this supposed to be. It is a legal comedy with characters that just happen to be of the opposite sex. When 90% of the book is spent dealing with argument after argument, insult after insult, it's hard for me to consider that romance. But maybe that's just me.

I guess I also expected to have an $8 "romance" book to have a little heat/sizzle to it. This didn't. I guess when so many pages were spent describing their mutual dislike of each other, there just wasn't time to build a plot outlining chemistry or attraction. It took over a hundred pages to get to their first kiss. And by the end of the book they did have sex or at least we were told they had sex, and since we were told it happened, and we were told it was good, I assume it happened.

The one event that warranted an actual fight/argument (Payton finds out that JD told their boss they'd had sex on his desk a few years back, something that hadn't happened, something that could have destroyed her reputation and ruin her chances for making partner), she didn't make a big deal about it. Why not???? Especially since he didn't even give her a reason for said actions. I don't get it.

I give this book 3 stars because there truly were some seriously funny moments. But considering that we are going thru a recession, it truly isn't worth the $8 price tag. Plus, I just expect my protagonists to be a little less annoying and juvenile. I'm sorry, but I just wasn't impressed.

I've read everyone's reviews before purchasing this book. I was skeptical about how great the writing was considering that every time I picked up a book Berkley published, I'm was more disgusted than anything. This book changed my mind completely. This is a well thought out, well written contemporary romance.

Payton Kendall and J.D. were both lawyers at the same law firm. For an obscure reason, they secretly waged war with each other in order to get the shining prize at the end: partnership. And finally, after eight years of hard work, they were at the homestretch. Then unexpectedly, they were forced to be on the same case together and were told that only one position of partnership was available, not two that was promised. This means no more mister or miss nice guy. This starts off a series of random incidents which brought their denied attraction to each other into the light. But with the partnership hanging over them like a hangman's noose, do they have a chance?

I couldn't put this book down until I finished. The story was funny and never dropped the pace. Each chapter was pretty short, to the point and there was something hilarious in every one. The author did a superb job in creating the hero and heroine. Both of them were witty with great lines and quips. (Seriously, there were actually points where I laughed out loud and especially loved both scenes with the Pride & Prejudice reference). Despite being formidable opponents, they slowly found that each had their vulnerabilities and maybe fighting each other was not the answer. The author did a fantastic job with the scenes where they were getting revenge with one another and was very original to say the least. This is practically a clean romance except at the very end. But even then, it's not out and out explicit. I know some complain about her style for these scenes but it seemed appropriate. To continue with the tone of the story, the author kept it light with right enough humor to stay in character and mood. If they got hot and heavy, it would throw the story off course (for me anyways).

I haven't read her previous book yet, but I think I might go pick it up the next time in the bookstore. This is an author I'm keeping my eye on. Definitely a keeper.

PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT is my first book by Julie James. Verdict: It was great and I'm looking forward to reading her other ones! Payton and J.D. (still curious about what that stands for!!) were wonderful leading characters and their antagonism at the beginning of the book was so enjoyable (and many times laugh-out-loud funny). It was never extreme to the point of making the change in their relationship unbelievable - actually the opposite - and watching its progression was really fun. The book also has great secondary characters that brought humor to the story and helped to show the main characters' depths.

One of the things I appreciated most about this book was that there were no major contrivances to throw everything off repeatedly and to constantly keep the hero and heroine apart. Aside from an unexpected twist towards the end, all the obstacles in their relationship are real ones that are faced by real people outside of the fiction world (unlike the madmen murderers on the loose or psycho crazy ex-girlfriends who sabotage everything). For me, this aspect made the book all the more enjoyable, since it wasn't hard to believe that a love story like this one could actually take place.

I think my only criticism is that the book felt a little on the short side. There were definitely other things that were mentioned that could have been expounded and explored a little more. The fact that they were brought up and then just left there made the story seem a little too easy at times. I know, I just wrote that I don't like major contrivances - and I don't - but I think tension between the hero or heroine and some of the secondary characters around them can be productive and add to the story. Examples that come to mind are "Perfect Chase" (his sole purpose was to move Payton and J.D.'s relationship along), J.D.'s strained relationship with his father, Payton's with her mother, etc.

SUMMARY (from back cover):
Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are lawyers who know the meaning of objection. A feminist to the bone, Payton has fought hard to succeed in a profession dominated by men. Born wealthy, privileged, and cocky, J.D. has fought hard to ignore her. Face-to-face, they're perfectly civil. They have to be. For eight years they have kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as coworkers for one reason one: to make partner at the firm.

But all bets are off when they're asked to join forces on a major case. Though apprehensive at first, they begin to appreciate each other's dedication to the law- and the sparks between them quickly turn into attraction. But the increasingly hot connection does not last long when they discover that only one of them will be named partner. Now it's an all-out war. And the battle between the sexes is bound to make these lawyers how under the collar . . .

RECOMMENDATIONS:
(1) Bet Me by Jennifer Crusie - 5 stars
(2) Getting What You Want (Stepp Sisters, Book 1) by Kathy Love - 4.5 stars
(3) Wanting Something More (Stepp Sisters, Book 3) by Kathy Love - 4 stars

As you can probably guess by the cover, Practice Makes Perfect is a romance novel. The first official romance genre novel I've ever read. The closest I got before was with sentimental, saccharine stuff like Nicholas Sparks, which, in the end, felt unrealistic and sickeningly sappy to me. The rest I owe to literary snobbery and my distaste of graphic sex scenes. So I stayed away, until I started hearing awesome things about Julie James from around the blogosphere, including from bloggers and friends I wholeheartedly trust and who aren't normally romance readers (See Michelle Read and Angieville). There was bound to be some gentle-ish, non-cheesy romance out there that I could love.

Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are both lawyers - overachieving, competitive, smart-alecky, and cocky ones at that. For eight years, they've been at the same firm, either butting heads or avoiding each other like the plague. Payton was raised by an ultra-feminist, liberal, and hippie mother. She's earned every scholarship, university admission, and job she's had, and although she's more corporate and conservative than her mother, she's almost as staunch a feminist. J.D. comes from an entirely different upbringing. His father, the honorable Judge Jameson has been a big-earning lawyer J.D.'s entire life. He graduated from Harvard, drives a Bentley, and takes full advantage of his elite club memberships. As the decision for whom will make partner draws closer, J.D. and Payton couldn't butt heads more in their passionate hate of each other's big money or double standard feminism, respectively. If they could be rational around each other for one minute, maybe they'd see they have more in common than they think.

Addicting, hilarious, and endlessly entertaining, Practice Makes Perfect completely surprised me. I haven't had so much utter fun reading a book in a long time. I alternately giggled, laughed, sighed, smiled, and/or developed a silly, shameless perma-grin on each page I read. I couldn't help thinking of romantic comedies in general, and concluding that this experience is far superior. (With the exception of a few excellent British film adaptations - you know which ones - but Julie James does throw in some funny P&P references). Witty banter, anyone? The give and take dialogue between J.D. and Payton is smart and laugh-out-loud funny. They are the kind of proud and vengeful enemies that create hilarious situations and repartee of the finest kind. That we get to hear their in-the-moment internal dialogue versus the actual he said/she said makes it all the more humorous as J.D. and Payton slowly realize they may not hate each other after all. This may have been the case of "right book at the right time" but Practice Makes Perfect was clearly different from other romantic books I've read. Instead of feeling forced or trite the lawyer premise grounds it in reality, and the sexuality is minimal, mild, and decidedly un-mushy. Sweet and predictable, yes, but I loved and devoured every minute of J.D. and Payton's story. I will be heartily recommending this to most of the even slightly bookish women in my acquaintance.

In just a few short weeks, the lawyer firm Payton Kendall and J. D. Jameson are attorneys for will announce their latest partner invitations. Being made a partner is something that both Payton and J. D. have worked and hungered for. For eight years both Payton and J. D. have had to control their feelings for each other and strive to get along as coworkers. Not any longer. The firm has decided that they can only make one of them partner so all bets are off - may the best man, or woman, win.

Julie James hits the bull's eye once again with a totally hilarious but sexy novel in Practice Makes Perfect. J. D. and Payton have fought so long and so hard to be mean to each other, they almost can't remember a time when they were civil. Besides that, they are unsure of why they started fighting and playing pranks on each other to start with. Asked to help their firm represent a high profile client, Payton and J. D. are unable to keep their hands, and their mouths off of each other. Whether they are in the bedroom or the boardroom, these two characters are evenly matched and absolutely thrilling to watch.

Laughing out loud more than once (hint: courtroom scene), I found Practice Makes Perfect to be playful, passionate and remarkably close to being a perfect book. I can't wait to see what Ms. James has in store for her next release. I will definitely be buying and reading it no matter what!

Talia
Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

Practice Makes Perfect is the story of two lawyers working at the same firm who hide their attraction from each other through an ongoing competition to one up the other. Both are near the pinnacles of their careers and looking to become partners in their firm. However, what they once thought was a sure thing for both of them, now has been reduced to another competition that only one can win. Unfortunately, they find themselves having to work together while competing with each other at the same time. This leads to several LOL moments in the story.

The H and h are both smart, sexy, and eminently likable. I especially loved the part in the novel where they finally discuss what it is that started their rivalry in the first place. By the time this happens, you know the characters pretty well and you feel for them and what they each must have gone through at the time.

Legal associates Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson do not like one another as their respective behavior is polar opposites. Thus when they are assigned to work on a case together for the first time, neither is pleased. Both want to beg off, but learn that one of them will become a partner while the other will be unemployed.

Payton inadvertently embarrasses J.D. He assumes she did it on purpose so ups the ante by striking back. She in turn feels he went too far so tries to gain the edge. As they take turns evening the score, J.D. and Payton look forward to the next hit. Soon they fall into love, but that emotion cannot survive partnership.

Although battling lawyers falling in love has been used a lot (Redford-Wingar Legal Eagles), the lead couple's fighting love makes for a brisk contemporary romance. Payton and J.D. are an engaging pairing of seemingly total opposites in hate that actually disguises their caring for the other. Fans will enjoy enemy combatants trying to checkmate their adversary only to be trumped by falling in love while wondering how their relationship will survive the naming.

Harriet Klausner

Payton Kendall is a female lawyer specializing in "employment law, particularly single-plaintiff race and gender discrimination lawsuits". Politically, she is liberal to the core, a vegan, a strong-minded feminist, she has a sarcastic rapier wit and is ultra competitive in her work environment. Payton is weeks away from a earning a partnership at the elite law firm in Chicago where she has devoted long arduous hours for the past 8 years. Payton has never lost a case; she is a top-notch lawyer having earned her way in what is still predominately a man's profession.

J.D. Jameson is a male lawyer specializing in class action law, handling large multi-plaintiff, multi-district cases. Politically, he is conservative to the core, a meat eater, comfortable with the "upper class - old boy's club", due to his upbringing by wealthy old school parents. J.D. is cocky as hell and is ultra competitive in, well everything. He is weeks away from a earning a partnership at an elite law firm in Chicago where he has devoted long arduous hours for the past 8 years. He too is a top-notch lawyer having earned his way up in the firm, and he sees women in his profession as having a edge because of their gender.

Oh, and Payton and J.D.? They work for the same firm and have offices across the hall from one another. Neither is sure what initiated the "dislike" they feel for one another, but each views the other as the "enemy". They maintain an outward air of civility in the office however, when they are out of earshot of the administrative staff and other associates, they have been "at war" for eight years. They even compete to be first into the office in the morning. The cutting sarcastic exchanges between these two, which I am now coming to enjoy as "vintage Julie James", are hilarious.

Competitive angst bubbles between J.D. and Payton reaching the boiling point, and pours forth when the partnership committee of the firm decides that only one of them is going to make partner because of "strategic leveraging" which will force the other to leave the firm. Both of these characters have invested their heart and soul into their career at the firm for a long time and at first they are stunned. Then they become angry with the powers that be for forcing them into an even more competitive situation. What makes it worse, is that the senior partner "Ben" uses J.D. and Payton's expertise in a bid to reel in a huge client for the firm prior to the shoe falling with respect to the partnership decision.

When a conversation between Payton and J.D. following the announcement of the partnership decision turns sour, the gloves really come off and it's every man/woman for themselves.

There is an absolutely hilarious courtroom scene involving Payton that you will have to read the book to enjoy but all I can say is that Ms. James once again had me howling with laughter!

I've read a couple of reviews that indicated they had difficulty liking J.D. in the early part of the story because of his chauvinistic attitudes. However, I liked him. He and Payton are extremely prideful, driven people with a strong set of principles. The narrative allowed me to see that the angst and competitive issues between them was actually sexual tension that had been simmering for 8 years. This story is a slow burn with respect to these lovers finally making it to the bedroom, once again this is a contemporary romance and there is no graphic sex. However, I thought the love scene penned for them was fun, rather sweet and quite sexy.

The secondary characters were awesome. J.D.'s friend Tyler is an absolute hoot. Here is a short example of an exchange between J.D. and Tyler as the former offers his friend some advice with respect to Payton.

"No, see, that's what makes it all the more interesting, " Tyler said. He adopted a grandly dramatic tone. "`Does our fair Ms. Kendall truly loathe the arrogant Mr. Jameson as she so ardently proclaims, or is it all just a charade to cover more amorous feelings for a man she reluctantly admires?'"

Up front, the cabdriver snorted loudly. He appeared to be enjoying the show.

"Psych 101 again?" J.D. asked.

Tyler shook his head. "Lit 305: Eighteenth-Century Women's fiction." He caught J.D.'s look and quickly defended himself. "What? I took it because of the girls in the class. Anyway, I see a bit of P and P dynamic going on between you and Payton."

J.D. didn't think he wanted to know. Really. But he asked anyway. "P and P?"

Tyler shot him a look, appalled. "Uh, hello--Pride and Prejudice?" His tone said only a cretin wouldn't know this.

"Oh right, P and P," J.D. said. "You know, Tyler, you might want to pick up your balls--I think they just fell right off when you said that."

Up front, the cabdriver let out a good snicker."

"Practice Makes Perfect" © Julie James

LOL!

Tyler is actually a very cool guy and when the going really gets tough with Payton, J.D. turns to his best friend for support and guidance.

Then there is Payton's mother. OMG. Lex Kendall calls her daughter "Sis", protested everything, felt Barbie dolls and fairy tales were sexist. She also is a vegan and vehemently opposes people wearing fur coats. It makes for an interesting exchange when Payton and Lex run into J.D. and his parents in a restaurant.

There are a couple of surprises in store for readers with respect to J.D. and a rather ugly secret he has kept for years concerning Payton. Lets just say a past mistake comes back to bite him in the butt big time nearly causing irreparable damage to a burgeoning relationship with Payton.

The only thing I was left wondering was what the initials J.D. stood for? lol

"Practice Makes Perfect", is now sitting on my keeper shelf next to Julie James' first novel. I love her voice and am so looking forward to her future work.

When combining humor with romance, a good writer leaves you with a smile on your face. A great writer leaves you with a smile on your face AND a grin in your heart. That's just what "Practice Makes Perfect" by Julie James did for me. The characters are memorable, their interaction spicy yet still G-rated, and their happily ever after left me with a $#@t-eating grin on my face.

They couldn't be more different. He comes from money, her single-parent mother is a rights activist. He's a republican, she's a democrat. He drives a Bentley, she takes the bus. He lives in a high-rise, she has a small house. BUT, they're both lawyers, they both work their butts off, they both were tops in their class, and now they're both up for partner...at the same firm...and there's only one opening. Oh, did I forget to mention that they've been involved in a quiet passive-aggressive war for the last eight years? Or that they're quite attracted to each other? Or that their shenanigans kept me in stitches?

I can't say enough good things about this book. In some ways, it reminds me of an early Linda Howard without the angst or one of Nora Roberts fun romances with a ton of humor. It's just GOOD. Fun, flirty, quirky, laugh-out-loud humorous and sweet without being sugary. For a genuinely pleasurable read with characters you'll remember, pick up "Practice Makes Perfect" by Julie James.

Practice makes perfect by Julie James
8 yrs Chicago lawyers and now only one will be promoted. They are paired to work together and the boss will decide.
Payton wants the new position and is willing to work with JD.
JD born to succeed and has everything. Problem is they start to become familiar and physical with one another....
I received this book from National Library Service for my BARD (Braille Audio Reading Device).

I generally enjoy the humor and characterization in other books from Julie James but there were a few scenes in this one that I thought were very weak - the slapstick wardrobe escalation that another reviewer mentioned in one good example. Even worse was the following SPOILER
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I never really bought the end reconciliation scene: if I were a feminist lawyer who had been working hard to make partner at a law firm and I just found out that my chief rival (current lover or not) had told our mutual boss soon after I started working there eight years prior that we had a quickie in one of the offices, I would find it very hard to forgive him at all, let alone completely forgive him within a day or so. That's not a casual insult or recent occurrence: it's a pretty serious betrayal and would put my whole career at the firm and relationship with my boss in a new light. I didn't buy at all that the main character could just shrug it off after a brief apology. It made the whole law-firm setting even more unrealistic than some of the previous shenanigans.
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END SPOILER

Unfortunately, not a keeper for me. Read her FBI books (_Something About You_ and _A Lot Like Love_) instead.

The dialogue in Practice Makes Perfect is truly inspired; it's witty, believable, and at times laughs out loud funny. The main characters start out in complete opposition and have a hate for each other that crackles with the heat of underlying chemistry, which ends up being a perfect recipe for great banter and just the right amount of sexual tension. Julie James' writing reminds me of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, which is a huge compliment because I love SEP. I was smiling and laughing throughout this story, can't rave enough about this book :) Contemporary romance doesn't get much better than this.

After eight longs years of putting in who-knows-how-many hours Payton Kendall is finally on the cusp of becoming a partner at her law firm. There is only one little, teensy weensey glitch, she has to work together with her long time nemesis, the infuriating co-worker across the hall -J.D. Jameson, in order to secure a high profile client. Well if that's what it takes, then Payton can pretend to play nice with the Ivy-league-polo-pony-wearing-men-only-allowed-country-club-snob, who just so happens to up for partner this year as well. Besides he's extremely easy on the eyes (not that she's noticed).

J.D's not thrilled being paired with Miss Hair-flipping-liberal-feminist-vegan either. He can't wait to make partner and finally rid himself of the proximity to this irritating, albeit gorgeous, female. But he'll do what he has to do to secure his life's long ambition. So J.D. and Payton forced to form a sort of truce until the announcements of new partners are made.

Soon both are discovering how well they work together as well as sharing an exceedingly shocking attraction. Who knew that disguised under all that hostile bantering was a deep seeded affection? But its just then that they get the bad news. Seems like their boss throws them one last shock. Only ONE associate will make partner this year and its neck-and-neck between J.D. and Payton.

Love this book! Even better than Just the Sexiest Man Alive (Berkley Sensation), which was also a hate-to-love romance. James did a great job with character development here as well. J.D and Payton who seem on the outside to be opposites but yet underneath are so similar. Even though they practice different types of cases both are determined, confident and successful lawyers who thrive under pressure and always get the job done. They also both happen to have family issues (boy were those people weird!). I loved how romance slowly developed. It was comical to J.D. and Payton finally opening their eyes. Seeing the person they've known for eight years in a totally different way. The result was tons of sexual tension! Unfortunately that did not spill over into some love scenes -which this book begs for. Not enough detail in my opinion, but each book is getting better. More please! Please!

This one is a keeper for me. Especially loved those amusing references to Pride and Prejudice. A great choice for those who love the hate-turns-to-love plot theme.

Other books with a similar theme that I enjoyed-
Catch A Mate (Hqn Romance)
Truly Madly Yours

Although, actually starting the book kept getting delayed, I was really anxious to read the book. After reading James' first book, I fell in love with her wit, her writing style, and believable tone for the book. Thus, I insisted on reading Practice Makes Perfect, and boy, am I glad I did. I read the entire book in one day, while still taking care of my two children and husband. I just had to sneak in moments to read the book all through the day because I could not stand to not know what was going on with JD and Payton. Having read my fair share of romance novels by numerous writers, I can say without a doubt I will be waiting on edge for more books from Julie James!

It would be REALLY hard (if not impossible) for other author to take the place of my NUMBER 1 chick lit/contemporary romance author. I absolutely LOVE Julie James - she makes me laugh so hard that I can't compare her with anyone/anything else. Her characters are almost alive, I think I know them ALL and I know that people can't discus about tastes and likes BUT I think that I hate everyone who rate her books with something less than 4-5:)

I like the best her standalone novels but the FBI series are also excellent.

Generally spealing I don't do romance especially when a cheesy, whiny, needy heroine is starring as main character and obviously falls for a nasty sex god who will turn out to be a very decent affectionate guy (nah). I am not expecting an interesting plot from a chick lit or romance novel but I do expect a sassy heroine, preferably a battle of sexes with smart dialogues that keeps me entertained.

The best example would be "Practice Makes perfect" by Julie James. This is a very very good romance and I really enjoyed myself because Payton is a kick ass lawyer, and Ben is totally up for her game. In this novel the heroine is smart, acts smart and everything it's very sharp, very uncommon in a romance novel.

I like the fact that Payton and Ben come from different background, they are both very strong minded and yet he is not obnoxious, I found myself really looking forward to a new witty novel by James and I picked up "Sexiest Man Alive" (another excellent book), this week her new novel "something about you" was released and my next step this morning would be go on the store and buy it.

And I will be looking forward to more romance from Julie James because she is a truly talented writer.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book from page one. The story-line was plausible, creative and paced to keep you reading. It was hard to put it down! I thought about the ending and figured it had to go one of two ways...but the writing was so well done with plenty of twist and interesting dialogue. I loved the lack of sexual details but immense amount of sexual tension. Well done Ms. James. I'm looking forward to reading your other book. Enjoy writing your next novel. Don't let the publishers rush you. A great book is worth waiting for. Readers, another book, in the same genre, worth reading is Big Trouble by Marianna Jameson.

This was your typical romance where rivals find common ground and bond. It was pretty good. Easily predictable. No great surprises or heartfelt moments. It just made for a pretty simple romance. I do feel it's highly overpriced at its current $5.99 price tag.

Julie James is soooooo awesome!! I thinks she is the new face of romance!!!! Two top-dog lawyers are pitted against each other just in time to realize that they're crazy for each other. And then lies get in the way. Perfect. I loved it. Finished it in a couple hours I was so in love with the story!!! My friends saw me reading it and asked to borrow it. It just draws you into the story!! I highly recommend that you watch this author for more. :-)

the line "there is some unfinished business I intend to get to by the end of evening" got me so entangled!!!
OMG!

the book, the charisma, the dialog :) absolutely loved it!
Of course, there were no really well detailed sex scenes, but I am not at least disappointed, I can read many books with great sex but little substance elsewhere.

This book deserves to be read and enjoyed!

This is the tale of two very attractive lawyers working in the same law firm that have each other as biggest competition in race to become partners, and realize that after 8 years of petty feuding and working across the hall from one another that perhaps they (gasp) actually like each other.

The vast majority of this book is set inside (or at an event revolving around) the law office. While I appreciate that the author is a former lawyer who really gives a view inside the lawyer world, the amount of detail she put into law aspects of book (actually naming forms and deposition names and explaining what they are!) did not equal the detail in other aspects of the book.

The love scene is written.
like.
this.
with very little.
detail.
or.
real heat.

The writing of the love scene really turned me off, and I never really felt the tension and heat that should have been there. Instead of saying stuff like "the air was charged, he was so close he could kiss me..." I'd rather be shown the detail of the moment, made to feel the heat. Sadly, I did not.

I must say though, there are some aspects of this book worth reading it for. The scenes with our leads and their best friends were all fun, as were the scenes at the end when it all (oh so predictably) comes together. She also has some funny scenes involving the law office and a courtroom scene that... well... it was FUNNY.

Overall I'd say that this is a book that's just OK. If the 'rivals turned lovers' aspect or lawyer aspect is something you're real into I suspect you'd like it better than me.

I really enjoyed this book! There was something about the main characters' developments and their feelings slowly changing from hate to love that made it impossible for me to put it down. Awesome read

I really loved, loved, loved this book! It is definitely a lifetime keeper for me.

It is funny, sexy and romantic just in the right amount. The dialogues are witty and Mrs James was very successful with her character development portraying Peyton and JD as strong, successful and competitive, but yet vulnerable. I've read a few reviews about this book and was a little skeptical because I usually get disapointed as I don't like the books as much as my fellow reviewers, but in this case, the recommendations were right on. This book couldn't be more perfect. On a second thought there was something missing... an epilogue, just so that I can keep on reading it.

Loved it! This would make a great romantic comedy movie. It's about two lawyers in the same firm competing for one position with some delicious underlying romantic tension...of course, they end up falling for each other. The banter between Payton and J.D. is hilarious. I highly recommend it.

Really interesting book. I am really glad I found this author. Thoroughly entertaining read. I have been recommending it to my friends and decided to add a quick review here just to add to the 5 star count.

I really enjoyed Julie James's first book, Just the Sexiest Man Alive (Berkley Sensation), and I loved Practice Makes Perfect. It has everything you want in a modern romance: a confident hero and his equal, both professionally and romantically; amazing, smart dialogue; and tons of smiles and laugh-out-loud moments. I could not put this book down.