Practice Makes Perfect

by Clodagh Murphy

A brilliantly funny, charming read from Clodagh Murphy, perfect for fans of Catherine Walsh and Marian Keyes. Claire Kennedy is the anonymous voice behind a wildly popular sex blog – smart, sassy, and always up for an adventure.... Or so her fans think.

In reality, Claire is quiet, bookish, and hasn’t been on a date in over a year. But when Mark – the charming publisher she’s been flirting with online – suggests they meet in real life, the fantasy risks falling apart.

Mark is offering everything Claire’s ever an actual relationship, a hot book deal, and a foot in the door of London’s literary scene. There’s just one problem – she needs dating experience, fast.

Enter laid-back, infuriating, and annoyingly attractive. He agrees to help Claire with some very hands-on research... as long as she doesn’t get the wrong idea. He’s not boyfriend material – and this is strictly practice.

But as sparks fly and lines blur, Claire starts to Can the rough draft end up being better than the real thing?

Previously published as Some Girls Do.

Praise for Clodagh

‘Beautifully written, funny and warm, Murphy has done it again’ Joanna Bolouri

‘A wonderful story of romance, sisterhood and community with a really strong will they/won’t they vibe’ BookMadJo

‘Once again, I loved my trip to Halfpenny Lane and I adored this book. I cannot wait for another visit’ Herding Cats

‘Sweet and funny, this second chance romance was a fun read’ Reviews in Heels

‘If you haven’t started this series yet there is still time to book your trip to the theatre – you don’t know what you are missing’ Kirsty’s Book Reviews

‘This is a lovely series and although it can be read as a standalone, reading the first in the series will add to the enjoyment’ Books, Life and Everything

Genres: Romance

482 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 2, 2026

About the author

Clodagh (rhymes with Yoda) is an Irish writer of romantic comedies. She lives in Dublin with a large circle of imaginary friends.

You can find Clodagh on Facebook too:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Clodagh...

Reviews

[Letizia Venturini · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ho scoperto questa romcom su TikTok per puro caso: le citazioni giuste, la curiosità è partita e io ho iniziato a leggere. È stata sicuramente una lettura divertente, che mi ha intrattenuta e mi ha fatta più volte sorridere di cuore e che ha dimostrato avere un accettabile (molto risicato) compromesso tra ciò che mi è piaciuto e tra ciò che invece secondo me non ha funzionato.
Via il dente via il dolore, la nota dolente riguarda il fatto che il libro si concentra al 90% solo sulla parte romance. Anche quando emrgono potenziali altri temi interessanti da analizzare e che sono in linea con cosa sta accadendo, la storia d'amore ha la precedenza. Questo si nota soprattutto, a mio parere, verso i 3/4 del libro. Fino a quel punto, la storia mi è sembrata equilibrata e nel complesso molto ben funzionale nelle sue parti. Poi è arrivato il dramma e... Ammetto che avrei preferito una trattazione differente.
Le note positive sono invece tanto positive. E mi hanno lasciata profondamente sorpresa!
In primis il personaggio maschile. Onesto, consapevole dei propri limiti, dei propri traumi, di come si comporta e delle conseguenze delle sue azioni, capace di chiedere scusa e di ascoltare. Mi è sembrato di star leggendo un miraggio. Forse perché è da un po' che non leggo romance.
Secondo: i personaggi parlano come due persone adulte, alleluia! Pensano "A", dicono "A" e risolvono "A". Così semplice, ma così bello da vedere su carta. Mi sono commossa a leggerlo. Come semplice e leggera è la storia nel suo complesso.
Terzo: la storia si incentra tanto su come la donna ha diritto a sentirsi a letto, a livello di piacere fisico. Più volte ricorda che anche la donna ha voce in capitolo sotto le coperte, che anche il suo piacere ha diritto a essere espresso e soddisfatto. Il tutto a mio parere con una semplicità, una delicatezza e un'onesta che mi ha colpita e soddisfatta. Perché mi viene automatico trasportarlo nella vita reale, e per me è sempre bello vedere questo tipo di attenzioni.
Mi ritengo nel complesso soddisfatta? Decisamente ;).

[Ana Decosta · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was an okay book. Surely, Claire and Luca were doomed from the start, as it was obvious they were going to end up together (in the last few pages, but still). As for my wishes, I'd like more written action one on one between them instead of juicy descriptions of Claire's imaginary, made up sex scenes with non-existing men. Surely the author was aiming to picture their relationship having some depth and mutual understanding in order to build some groundwork for them being more than fuck buddies, but still, too much talking and not enough action (in words).
Slow burn it was and I give it 3 stars.

[Susan in Perthshire · Rating 1 out of 5]

Sorry but this is not for me. The start was so awful. Even though sh was making up the blog, the idea that some jerk wanted to take a dump on her was vomit inducing.

The rest of the book was pedestrian, predictable and uninspiring - but it may well be that the author’s starting point was simply impossible for me to ignore and affected my reading of the book. Quite why anyone thought poop was a good start to a romance remains a mystery.

[Denise · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very engaging and entertaining read. Perfect beach read!

[Rona Nimmo · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very easy read, a well written book. An eclectic collection of characters some very likeable others not so much. My only fault in this ending was rather abruptly finished almost like the author ran out of steam , otherwise it would have been 5/5

[Erin Conahan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book! I downloaded it randomly on my iPad and I thought it was fun, sexy and cute! What a fun read!