Kate’s life is practically perfect. She has a thriving career, an amazing best friend, and an incredible fiancé. Then a family accident forces her back to the small town she left over a decade ago. The place that holds some of her fondest memories and her most devastating heartbreaks.
Kate now has to balance her high-powered career, planning her dream wedding, and helping her mom recover, all while being apart from her fiancé. The juggling should be simple enough for this type A personality, who loves creating to-do lists and spreadsheets, but every passing day makes her question everything about her so-called perfect life.
Including the man she’s supposed to marry.
It doesn’t help that he’s back in town—Jake. Her childhood best friend, who abruptly cut Kate out of his life fifteen years ago without explanation. Now Jake expects to waltz back into Kate’s life and have their friendship revert to the way it used to be. Ignoring the heartache he caused when he left to chase his dreams.
If only it were that easy.
There’s a reckoning coming for Kate and Jake, and neither one will be the same afterward.
Born and raised in the Midwest, Stephanie's love for reading began in elementary school thanks to BOOK IT and free pizza (IYKYK). She grew up reading everything from The Baby-Sitters Club to Shakespeare, and majored in English in college (plus two other majors because she's an overachiever).
After spending 20 years as a marketing leader and CEO, she decided to pursue her true passion: writing. Her debut romance novel, Practically Perfect, was released in March 2026.
She's happily married to her husband of 20+ years and a mom to four kids and three dogs.
Loved this!!!! Out of this horrible tragedy came a story of friendship, love and forever. Kate and Jake's story is so freaking romantic! Sure they had to go through some obstacles along the way...but who doesn't. And each thing they went through only made both them and their relationship stronger. Brian...don't get me started on him. Ugh I can't stand him!! Oblivious much?!? And what's with the red carnations? No one likes carnations. I am so glad Jake had time to grow, acknowledged his mistake (though he was young and didn't really realize the implication of his action), and figured it out in the end. I knew something was up with him but finding out who he was at the end...perfect!! Just perfect!!
This book completely swept me away in the most unexpected and emotional way. Practically Perfect by Stephanie Riley is one of those stories that sneaks up on you, wraps itself around your heart, and refuses to let go long after you finish the last page.
Kate is the kind of character I instantly connected with. She has her life mapped out down to the smallest detail, and on the surface everything looks exactly how it should. But watching that carefully built world start to crack felt so real and so relatable. The way she balances her career, her family, and the growing doubts about her future had me feeling every ounce of her stress, confusion, and heartbreak.
And then there is Jake. Oh my heart. The tension between Kate and Jake is everything. It is layered with history, hurt, unfinished feelings, and that kind of connection that never truly fades no matter how much time has passed. Their dynamic felt so authentic. You can feel the weight of those lost years and the pain of unanswered questions in every interaction. I was completely invested in every conversation, every glance, every moment they shared.
What I loved most about this story is how it explores the idea of what “perfect” really means. It challenges the picture-perfect life Kate thought she wanted and shows how messy, complicated, and beautifully imperfect real love and happiness can be. The emotional depth in this book is incredible. There were moments that made my chest ache and others that made me smile so hard I didn’t even realize it.
Stephanie Riley created a story that feels heartfelt, nostalgic, and deeply moving. The small town setting adds this cozy, emotional backdrop that makes everything feel even more intimate and personal.
This is a five star read for me without hesitation. It is emotional, romantic, and full of heart. If you love second chance romance, small town vibes, and stories that make you feel everything, this one absolutely deserves a spot on your list.
I went into Practically Perfect by @authorstephanieriley thinking I was getting a cute, nostalgic small-town story. Boy, was I so wrong! This book did not just meet my expectations; it completely gutted me in the best way possible.
Do you know that feeling when you have built a "perfect" life on paper, the career, the fiancé, and the endless to-do lists, but you are actually just suffocating? That is Kate. Watching her world start to crack when a family emergency pulls her back home felt so raw and relatable. I found myself rooting for her to finally find her voice as much as I was rooting for the romance.
And then there is Jake. I have a massive weakness for a "cinnamon roll" hero, but Jake is on another level. He is the childhood best friend who walked away 15 years ago, but the way he shows up for Kate now. The way he supports her and stands up for her when she cannot do it for herself. It is the kind of deep, quiet love that will always stay with you. The tension between them, layered with so much history and the "what if’s," that I could not stop turning the pages.
There is a reckoning coming for these two, and I was completely swept up in every second of it. It is emotional, it is spicy, and it is so incredibly real. Stephanie Riley is officially an auto-buy author for me, and I am already desperate for more from this series.
Practically Perfect officially drops TOMORROW, March 27th! Do your heart a favor and go pre-order it right now!
Easiest 5 stars! A huge thank you to Stephanie Riley for this amazing ARC!
*I received an advanced copy, ARC, from the author/bookfunnel in exchange for an honest review.*
It's wild to me that this is her debut! I was great! As you know from the blurb, Jake and Kate were neighbors and besties, and he took off. She was crushed, understandably. She has some major abandonment/trust issues. I can see the appeal of the "perfect" life that Brian could seemingly provide.
Oh, Jake. Dude. Give us a minute to recover, shall we? This book pulled me into their town, and I forgot the outside world. It was a little gutting at times, definitely emotional, and a slow burn that was worth it. He does whatever he can to help her find her voice, and to get back into her good graces.
My heart went out to Kate. I wish she had found her voice sooner. Her fiancé, Brian, can take a long walk off a short pier, thanks. The tension between Kate and Jake-gosh, I was so impatient LOL. I wanted them together sooner :)
This story is heartfelt, moving, sexy, and empowering. There is a third act breakup, which I HATE. Like, absolutely hate them. I feel so cheated when they exist. You've spent all this time building this world, this relationship, we've all bought into it, and then rip it apart. It is usually over something stupid or miscommunication and in my opinion it cheapens all the build up. That is my opinion. Some feel this is done well here, I personally hate them.
For a debut novel, this was pretty great. I can’t wait to read what Stephanie Riley does next! I just know it will continue to get better and better. — off to the review!
I really really enjoyed this story. I initially thought the pace may have been a little slow in the beginning, but I quickly changed my mind when i finally got to the second half of the book. I loved how I got to read the deep connection Kate and Jake had as friends before jumping into their relationship in the second half of the book. It let us see how their history created this small bud of a potential future relationship, really giving some depth to each of their characters and how their feelings transform towards each other as adults.
I liked that I could relate to Kate a bit, with being a push over and people pleaser. It was nice to see an FMC learn to be more out spoke and be able to speak her mind, grow a back bone and set her demands. I really liked that Jake encouraged that side of her and stood up for her when she couldn’t. Kate and Jake’s story will be one I for sure revisit in the future.
I would 100% recommend this to anyone who LOVES contemporary small town romances.
Tropes: small town, forced proximity, he falls first, childhood friends to lovers.
Plot: 4/5 Spice 2.5/5
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Kate’s life looks flawless on paper. She has a successful career, a loving fiancé, and a future carefully mapped out. Yet when a family accident pulls her back to her small hometown, she is forced to confront the past she left behind, including Jake, her childhood best friend who broke her heart years ago. As she juggles work, wedding plans, and caring for her mother, the cracks in her “perfect” life begin to show, leaving her questioning everything, especially the man she is about to marry. This story struck such a perfect balance between emotional depth and romance. I loved how Kate’s journey wasn’t just about choosing between two men but about rediscovering herself and what truly makes her happy. The small-town setting added so much warmth and nostalgia, and the history between Kate and Jake was beautifully layered. The story was full of tension and many unresolved feelings. Jake is flawed yet sincere, making him the person best suited to Kate. Their chemistry felt real and earned, making every interaction meaningful. What really stands out in this book is the authenticity of the emotions, making me, as a reader, question what the definition of a “perfect” life is. A great read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
4.5/5 rounded up to 5 well deserved stars! I had the privilege of being an ARC reader for this book! What a joy! This friends to lovers story is such a great read! Childhood best friends and neighbors Jake & Kate go their separate ways while their single Mom’s remain best friends. 15 years later they are forced to reconnect. Kate is working on finding herself and her voice and Jake is going to do whatever it takes to support her and make up for lost time. I love the supportive friendships Kate has in her life, even the childhood friends who want what’s best for her. The connected families vibes in this book are great! I felt all the feelings. I laughed, cried, got angry, swooned a little too, definitely all the feelings in this sweet story. The characters were so likable that I didn’t want their story to end. I want to know more. Just when I would think that a part was kinda slower (twice it happened, and for VERY brief sentences. Like hardly noticeable but I was reading with a very critical mindset) then something would happen to speed things up again. One thing that I can’t share that bugged me throughout the book made so much sense when my question was answered and I was not expecting that. Read this and see what I mean!
I went into this having never read a friends-to-lovers trope before, so I was curious to see if it would actually work for me—and honestly? I’m kind of sold. First off, I loved that the FMC had real career goals. It made her feel grounded and easy to root for. Brian. Absolutely not. Just… no. The slow burn was painful at times—I’m used to more of that intense romantasy yearning, so waiting forever for them to finally kiss had me internally screaming, especially because it was SO obvious Jake was the one. But when things did start progressing (and I mean like 30+ chapters in…), I was hooked. Jake really snuck up on me. The whole “I can’t wait for you to be mine” line?? Yeah. That did things. And finding out he’s a dog person just sealed the deal. And then chapters 47–48… wow. 🌶️ Jake had clearly been holding back this entire time. Just when I thought things were settling, the stress ramps right back up around chapter 56 and then—WHAT. That development?? I genuinely didn’t know what to think. I loved finally getting the MMC POV, but I do wish we’d had more of it earlier. And honestly, the ending felt a little too quick for me—I wasn’t ready to leave these characters behind. Overall: a slow burn friends-to-lovers that tested my patience but absolutely paid off. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This was a great read, lovely slow burn but so worth the wait! Very well written and loved the story. Would 100% recommend for someone who likes small town romance and friends to lovers tropes! Kate never healed after Jake ghosted her 15 years ago. Always thought it was her fault everyone (her dad and Jake) left her without explanation. Her fiance was her first boyfriend and first everything. After her mom's accident and death of close family friend who was a second mother to her, she is now realizing all the red flags she was blind to the past 5 years with him. Her and Jake helped Kate's mom during her recovery, Jake supported Kate and stood up for her when her mom tried to cut her down. He fell for her along the way and she never felt good enough, and knowing he is going to go back to his life and ghost her once again. Along the way Kate finally finds herself and her voice. I was very shocked when she chose herself and went on the journey to find her self worth but in the end it was all worth it for the beautiful HEA that her and Jake had. I cannot wait for the next book!
Unfortunately, this book was not for me. The pacing was too slow and I just couldn’t get into it. On top of that, I couldn’t get myself to believe that Jake had fallen in love with Kate just weeks after returning to his hometown when he had cut her off and had had no contact with her for 15 years. Like, how??? How do you all of a sudden start falling in love with someone that you said you never had any feelings for prior to cutting her out of your life?
At least Kate had her head on straight when she asked him if his grief was influencing his feelings. However, she also had issues because she jumped into the relationship pretty quickly too. I think my biggest issue with this was how Jake went from no-contact to being there for Kate every minute of every day. His character went from 0-100 very fast and I didn’t like it.
Overall, I think the story was a bit shallow and underdeveloped. It dragged until I reached 57% and then it picked up a little only to end up in a third act breakup which I absolutely loathe. The characters didn’t have deep, meaningful conversations either. They barely scratched the surface.
I loveddd this story and everything about it I loved Kate, her character growth from people pleaser to putting herself first, I resonated with her too closely, her way of planning her career, future, the emotional rollercoaster she goes through everything. And, Jake.... no words to describe him except PERFECT. He is the kind of person every woman needs in her life, to live her, worship the ground she walks on and gives her everything making her priority.... I loved both Kate and Jake together, their growth together from estranged best friends to becoming more than best friends, to becoming a perfect couple.... #KaKe #SweetKaKe ❤
I definitely recommend this book to all the romance lovers who wants a feel good romance book which will last it's impact even after you complete the last page.... ❤
Author Stephanie.... no words to say how much talented you are... congratulations on your debut novel in the series and I wish you more success and please keep them cominggg ❤
So beyond grateful to Stephanie Riley for this ARC. For a debut author, this book was incredible. I’ve not been reviewing books for long but usually first release books aren’t usually that great. This one? Fabulous.
The characters had so much chemistry. Kate and Jake were perfect for each other and starting off as childhood friends gave them the most beautiful foundation to form a relationship despite their estrangement of 15 years. I’m not usually a huge fan of third act breakups but this was handled well.
The plot moved at a great pace throughout and everything felt relevant to the telling of the story. I enjoyed most of the characters but some, Brian and Kate’s mum - I’m looking at you, were the right level of irritating that furthered the story but didn’t put you off reading.
Again super grateful for the chance to read this and I look forward to reading whatever Stephanie writes next
Practically perfect releasing March 27th.
Tropes - childhood friends to lovers - he falls first - forced proximity - small town
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Firstly, an extreme thank you to Stephanie for allowing me to read this before release.
This story had me on a ROLLERCOASTER the entire time. Did I like that 10% mindtwist? No. Do I accept the ending? Yes.
Am I proud of Kate for who she becomes as a person throughout the book? Also yes. She learns how to be. No expectations, boundaries are set, live, laugh, love, ya know?
I still absolutely hate Brian as a character, even if that’s how some men are.. Yeah, I said it. Brain’s just an average man that makes me want to smack the ever loving crap out of him. Him and Kate’s mom, UGH!
Jake, sweet summer child that he is, hits rock bottom before he finds what he wants. He acknowledges he wasn’t always the best, and became better. Also? Man’s a freak, just saying..
This one made me feel a lot of things I wasn’t expecting.. but hey, the story’s well written, the characters are fleshed out (love my girls Chelsi and Hannah), and the guy gets the girl.. But also, this is the first in a series.. so now I’m scared again.
I really loved the sweet, emotional story. Practically perfect is book 1 in the unexpected love series. The emotional roller-coaster I was on was wow all over the place. Kate was such a sweet, kins and loving person. It broke my heart how she had her life planned out and then the universe threw her curve balls breaking it down. Yet, i will say she handled it like a boss and picked up and kept pushing. Jake even though he had a history of heartbreak and many things with Kate, He came back after fifteen years a bigger and better more healed person which I love. Brian lord that man i was not a fan of him at all and when you read the book you will find out why. I did love even after the tragedy Kate was resilient. Overall, this was an amazing book with so many emotions and amazing characters. I loved how Kate and jakes relationship blossomed it was phenomenal. This is the first book I have read by this author and i was so impressed and cannot wait to see hoe the rest of this series continues.
After a heartbreaking tragedy, Kate returns to her small hometown to help her mam recover from an accident. Whilst there her seemingly perfect life begins to unravel, especially when her childhood best friend Jake returns, who broke her heart and left her 15 years ago.
This is a lovely small-town romance, filled with emotion, tension and spice. Kate appears to have the perfect life but Brian is not the perfect man for her. You could feel the stress and confusion as things started to develop and I really felt for her. I loved her and Jake’s relationship and all of the ups and downs along the way. This is Jake’s second chance to make things right and I loved his character development. I was well annoyed at Kate though and glad she came around. I absolutely loved Chelsi; she has a strong ride-or-die best friend vibe, and I want her to be my bestie.
Overall, this was a 4⭐️ read for me, and I recommend it to anyone looking for a small-town, childhood-friends-to-lovers romance.
Thank you to the author for sending me the eARC of Practically Perfect!
I absolutely devoured this book, I loved it so much. Jake is the sweetest and so supportive of Kate. He really did stick up for her at all times and always wanted what was best for her .
Kate was such a people pleaser in the beginning sometimes I just wanted to jump through the book and ask her what are you doing !! But I understand after the treatment from her mom and fiancé that she would be the way she is .
I love how this is a story of two best friends falling in love but also Kate finding her voice and herself. I was not expecting her to choose herself and was shocked when she did ! But love did win eventually.
It’s crazy this is a debut because this was so well thought out and written. I want more of Kate and Jake !!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Excellent book- hits all of the tropes we love including friends to lovers, emotional struggles, strong FMC and the perfect level of angst and spice!
After 15 years, Kate is drawn back to her hometown and the best friend she thought she lost along the way. She faces a loveless engagement, a controlling and overbearing mother, loss of a loved one and tackles her issues of abandonment all while finding/realizing she has known the true love of her life since she was a child.
Bravo on your debut novel! Stephanie Riley has done a wonderful job of creating a strong FMC who is faced with difficult decisions in both family and personal crisis all while discovering her true self and personal strengths that lead her to a much deserved HEA.
First things first, Stephanie, I'm so beyond excited to see what other great reads you have in store for us! This first read was such a breeze and I enjoyed every minute of it. I found myself finding every opportunity to jump back to the story!
Okay, now the juicy bits...
Kate... girl, I know you're responsible, but LIVE LIFE! Breaking Jake's heart was gut wrenching because that man showed you what a real man was 🔥
Jake truly is a work of art. I loved how he squeezed his way back into her heart and other regions... lol. I wished he played the dead mom card when she broke his heart, if I'm being honest. Even better, he's a country artist?! Yes, sign me up!
I definitely want to see more of their storyline, but there wasn't a thing left out of this book and I'm content
Brian, unkindly fuck off. Point period blank 🤣
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
This was such an engaging, emotional read with all the small-town charm and second-chance tension I love. Kate is easy to root for—her “perfect life” unraveling felt realistic, and I appreciated how the story explored the pressure of expectations versus what actually makes you happy. The dynamic between Kate and Jake was definitely the highlight for me. Their shared past, unresolved hurt, and slow rebuilding of trust kept me hooked the entire time. The emotional payoff was satisfying, and I liked how messy and honest their journey felt rather than overly polished. My only real wish is that we had gotten more of Jake’s POV. His character is so central to the story, and having deeper insight into his thoughts and motivations would have made certain moments hit even harder.I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I received an ARC copy of this book and it was such a sweet, small-town romance that completely pulled me in. 💕
I really connected with the FMC — we shared similar traits, which made her journey feel especially personal and endearing. Watching her grow into herself was one of my favorite parts of the story. The MMC is incredibly sweet and supportive, encouraging her to be her own person, which made their relationship feel genuine and heartwarming.
That said… he’s not just sweet. He definitely takes charge in the bedroom, and the spicy scenes are elevated by his wicked mouth. 🌶️ 🌶️The balance between emotional connection and chemistry worked really well and added depth to their romance.
Overall, this was a feel-good story with likeable characters, charming small-town energy, and just enough heat. It kept me up way too late reading — which is always my sign of a great book.
Stephanie Riley’s Practically Perfect was an unexpected delight. Although it falls outside my usual reading preferences, I found myself excited to pick up my kindle and get back to it. Riley’s sharp, charming banter and her ability to capture the messy ups and downs of real life make the story feel instantly relatable.
What impressed me most was how effortlessly she brings her characters to life. Their emotions, flaws, and humor feel so genuine that it’s easy to believe you know them personally. Being part of the ARC team for this release has been a pleasure, and this novel has made me eager to explore more of Riley’s work in the future.
A heartfelt, engaging read that surprised me in the best ways.
Thank you to Stephanie for giving me the ability to have her be my first ARC following my new love of reading!
Wow.
Romance is not my typical genre in the slightest. When I came across Stephanie on TikTok and heard the plot for her upcoming first released book, I wanted in. I wanted to branch out from my norm, and I'm so glad I did. Although this story took me a couple of chapters to get wrapped up in, once it had a hold on me, I couldn't put it down.
This story had me feeling all the emotions: happiness, anger, sadness (I might have even shed a tear or two), resentment, lust, you name it. I felt like I was along the ride with these characters and her delivery was perfection. I cannot wait to read future books from Stephanie and this series!
Kate thinks her life is practically perfect, and so does everyone else, until a tragedy happens and makes her rethink everything. Life has a way of doing that, especially to those of us who like to plan everything, down to every pro and con list we can make using our beloved spreadsheets. Kate learns a thing or two, thanks to her two best friends, and falls for the love of her life when she least expects it. I cannot love more the way Kate's life changes in these pages. The character is so relatable, and when we finally hear from Jake, he's as swoon worthy from his own perspective as we all hope him to be. I love a good story, some great spice, and an excellent HEA, and this book hits all three!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
I am so excited that i got an advance copy of this sweet love story. This book was so much more than I expected. It was beautifully written, had a cute story with a lot of depth. You can tell there was a lot of heart put into this book. Kate and Jakes story was a new twist in friends to lovers and a he fell first. It was refreshing that he fell first but it wasn’t a he has always loved her. They were best friends as kids and then came back together later in life and he ended up loving her in a different way. I really enjoyed the growth of Kate and her sticking up for herself. She deserved Jake and the love he so proudly and openly gave her. Do yourself a favor and pick up this book when it comes out on March 27th. “Falling in love with you was the easiest thing I’ve experienced.”
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Practically Perfect is a story about Kate juggling a high powered career and planning a wedding. Her mother is in an unfortunate accident and Kate has to go home to help her mother. During this time she’s reunited with her childhood best friend, who broke her heart. While they are mending their friendship sparks start to fly and she has to make a choice. Not only does she have to make a choice but she most overcome her own childhood trauma to eventually grow and heal to be able to have a relationship. It’s a good book with laughs and tears. Some of the most powerful lines I’ve read in a book. Def worth the read.
Where do I begin… This was a wild emotional/love adventure.
It began with Kate and Jake being the best of friends as a child. There mothers were also the best of friends also.
When Kate got older she was with a man called Brian and got engaged. She believed he was the perfect man.
Sadly Kate and Jake’s mum was in a car crash together and Jake’s mum didn’t survive. After not speaking to Jake in 15 years she was the one that had to inform him of his mums death. From there Kate’s and Jake’s life completely changed.
Stephanie Riley is an author you need to watch out for. Such a talented writer, who's debut novel delivered such a powerful and emotional story in the best possible way.
Kate and Jake go through this horrific tragedy and come out the side stronger and closer than ever before.
Brian who definitely needed binning with all his red flags, but Jake is the man of everyone's dreams.
Kate and Jake are now one of my favourite romcom couples and would love to see more.
Their relationship has many ups and downs but wow was it worth it for that ending, fantastic.
Thank you to NetGalley for the advanced copy of this book
I received an advanced copy of this book from the Author and I am voluntarily writing this review.
This book . . . Loved it!!! I laughed, cried, got angry and annoyed, fell in love, felt frustrated - so many emotions but all the right ones you want to find in a romance including an abundance of 🔥 and banter. I enjoyed the relationship between the characters and it was entertaining to watch Kate and Jake reconnnect and grow. I am already looking forward to the next book in the Unexpected Love Series. ❤️
I literally just finished this book and omg it was amazing to read. The beginning of the story was sad because of the event that had happened but then it was show how these two characters were connected again. I love how the main female characters stood up for herself when it came to center thing . I love how they reconnected with each other and finally got to the bottom of why he left. And then you see their love story place out it was sad at time but then it show them both that they couldn’t live without each other.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Thank you to Stephanie Riley for the opportunity to be an ARC reader for her novel Practically Perfect.
I absolutely loved Kate and found myself rooting for her every step of the way as she discovered her voice and confidence. This story beautifully shows the power of a partner who supports and uplifts you. Watching Kate come into her own was such a joy.
If you enjoy heartfelt romance with characters who grow together, this book is a must-read!
Please note: this story contains spice and language, so check the content warnings if that’s important to you.