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Practice Makes Perfect
From the New York Times bestselling Julie James comes this "tantalizing dessert--a delicious delightful read that all hopeless romantics will enjoy" (Chicago Sun-Times). For fans of Susan Mallery and Rachel Gibson.WHEN IT COMES TO THE LAWS OF ATTRACTION…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’ve kept a safe distance and tolerated each other as co-workers for one reason to make partner at the firm.
…THERE ARE NO RULES.
But all bets are off when they’re asked to join forces on a major case. At first apprehensive, 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 doesn’t 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 hot under the collar…
…THERE ARE NO RULES.
But all bets are off when they’re asked to join forces on a major case. At first apprehensive, 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 doesn’t 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 hot under the collar…
306 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 3, 2009
354 people are currently reading
21795 people want to read
About the author
Julie James
18 books9,638 followersNew York Times bestselling author Julie James practiced law with one of the nation's largest firms for several years until she began writing screenplays. After Hollywood producers optioned two of her scripts, she decided to leave the practice of law to write full-time. Her books have been translated into twenty-two languages and Julie’s ninth novel, THE THING ABOUT LOVE, is now available.
Julie James lives with her husband and two children in Chicago, where she is working on her next novel.
Visit Julie's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/JulieJamesfan...
Follow Julie on Twitter: http://twitter.com/juljames and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliejamesa...
Julie James lives with her husband and two children in Chicago, where she is working on her next novel.
Visit Julie's Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/JulieJamesfan...
Follow Julie on Twitter: http://twitter.com/juljames and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/juliejamesa...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,914 reviews
June 14, 2011
EDIT 14/06/11 : In a good mood so I'm going to up my rating! It deserves it if I'm being honest.
I needed to read a book exactly like this. I wanted funny, easy-going and sexy... I got it. I find there are times when I just want to escape all the classics, all the vampires, werewolves, fairies and whatever else we're trending with now in the supernatural world, and especially all the Diana Gabaldon (you know I love her really but 1,300 effing pages!). Before I picked up this book, I had reached the stage where re-reading Bridget Jones's Diary sounded like the best kind of idea... and then I discovered Julie James.
It's chick-lit romance (I know, I know) and the ratings of all her books are 4+ averages, not to mention the large amount of dazzling reviews. So I decided to do what every sane person would do and buy three of them in one go from ebay. Yeah, I'm joking, if I had half a brain I'd try out one first - right? Well, looks like the gamble might have paid off. This book delivered everything I was hoping to just curl up and relax with. I devoured the story and I loved every character, it was neither lacking in plot nor difficult to wrap my head around. It was just an all-round pleasurable read.
I wanted to give it 5 stars. I still kind of want to roll my mouse up and highlight that last star. I just... I've come to reserve my 5 star ratings for books that challenge my beliefs, make me think, shock me... you get the idea? I loved this book, but did it change my views of the world? No. Okay, I know that Darkfever doesn't exactly contain some hidden message about the state of humanity but, come on... Barrons . There are exceptions to every rule ;)
So, yeah, this book was hilarious. No seriously, it was funny enough to give Louise Rennison a run for her money. There's this one part that I'm dying to comment on that made me laugh out loud... in fact, I'm here laughing just thinking about it. Yes, that's right, I'm sat here typing and laughing to myself... it's only a matter of time before they turn up with a straight jacket. What's with the tangents today? Back to what I was saying, there are some extremely funny moments. Julie James creates easily imaginable situations and people so that when she delivers her humour the reader can just imagine it happening.
As for the characters, well, Payton is lovable and I recognised something of myself in her because she's a modern independent woman and a feminist, she's ambitious and she's a lawyer (well, I did take a Law A level in sixth form...) but she also wants a man who's a bit of a challenge. A force to be reckoned with wants something to reckon with it, not a pushover. There's a few mild political issues tackled in the story as Payton's mother is a really hardcore feminist and in-your-face vegan. Payton recognises the importance of feminism but that some extremes are unnecessary and cross the line between pro-woman and anti-man. I think it's fair to say I liked her.
The sexual tension between Payton and J.D. was really hot, the romantic aspect worked well and (thank you so much Ms James) no insta-love! In fact, at the start of the book they pretty much hated each other... well, in the way two hot lawyers competing for the same job position hate each other (i.e. "I hate you so much I want to rip your clothes off"). By the way, J.D. is hot. He's got the whole naughty thing going on without being a complete ass, he made me laugh, he wears a suit *sigh*... and he has short hair, no fangs and isn't called Raphael, Vishous or Angel. Finally!
The sex scenes are not graphic but neither are they a 'fade to black' scenario. Sometimes I actually find leaving something to the imagination can be a good thing. That being said, I just finished Julie James' other novel, Something About You, and it seems she's decided to get just a tad dirtier with that one.
It was so very very enjoyable and I look forward to reading more books by Julie James. There's something about love/hate banter that really rings my bell. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a lighter kind of read!!
I needed to read a book exactly like this. I wanted funny, easy-going and sexy... I got it. I find there are times when I just want to escape all the classics, all the vampires, werewolves, fairies and whatever else we're trending with now in the supernatural world, and especially all the Diana Gabaldon (you know I love her really but 1,300 effing pages!). Before I picked up this book, I had reached the stage where re-reading Bridget Jones's Diary sounded like the best kind of idea... and then I discovered Julie James.
It's chick-lit romance (I know, I know) and the ratings of all her books are 4+ averages, not to mention the large amount of dazzling reviews. So I decided to do what every sane person would do and buy three of them in one go from ebay. Yeah, I'm joking, if I had half a brain I'd try out one first - right? Well, looks like the gamble might have paid off. This book delivered everything I was hoping to just curl up and relax with. I devoured the story and I loved every character, it was neither lacking in plot nor difficult to wrap my head around. It was just an all-round pleasurable read.
I wanted to give it 5 stars. I still kind of want to roll my mouse up and highlight that last star. I just... I've come to reserve my 5 star ratings for books that challenge my beliefs, make me think, shock me... you get the idea? I loved this book, but did it change my views of the world? No. Okay, I know that Darkfever doesn't exactly contain some hidden message about the state of humanity but, come on... Barrons . There are exceptions to every rule ;)
So, yeah, this book was hilarious. No seriously, it was funny enough to give Louise Rennison a run for her money. There's this one part that I'm dying to comment on that made me laugh out loud... in fact, I'm here laughing just thinking about it. Yes, that's right, I'm sat here typing and laughing to myself... it's only a matter of time before they turn up with a straight jacket. What's with the tangents today? Back to what I was saying, there are some extremely funny moments. Julie James creates easily imaginable situations and people so that when she delivers her humour the reader can just imagine it happening.
As for the characters, well, Payton is lovable and I recognised something of myself in her because she's a modern independent woman and a feminist, she's ambitious and she's a lawyer (well, I did take a Law A level in sixth form...) but she also wants a man who's a bit of a challenge. A force to be reckoned with wants something to reckon with it, not a pushover. There's a few mild political issues tackled in the story as Payton's mother is a really hardcore feminist and in-your-face vegan. Payton recognises the importance of feminism but that some extremes are unnecessary and cross the line between pro-woman and anti-man. I think it's fair to say I liked her.
The sexual tension between Payton and J.D. was really hot, the romantic aspect worked well and (thank you so much Ms James) no insta-love! In fact, at the start of the book they pretty much hated each other... well, in the way two hot lawyers competing for the same job position hate each other (i.e. "I hate you so much I want to rip your clothes off"). By the way, J.D. is hot. He's got the whole naughty thing going on without being a complete ass, he made me laugh, he wears a suit *sigh*... and he has short hair, no fangs and isn't called Raphael, Vishous or Angel. Finally!
The sex scenes are not graphic but neither are they a 'fade to black' scenario. Sometimes I actually find leaving something to the imagination can be a good thing. That being said, I just finished Julie James' other novel, Something About You, and it seems she's decided to get just a tad dirtier with that one.
It was so very very enjoyable and I look forward to reading more books by Julie James. There's something about love/hate banter that really rings my bell. Highly recommended to anyone looking for a lighter kind of read!!
October 29, 2024
Re-re-reread 2024
Ok, I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator just didn't do it for me. She was just too breathy or cutesy or something.
Because instead of being transported into a fluffy romance, I found myself curling my lip in annoyance and wanting it to be over.
This is definitely not the first time I've had a romance novel (that I'd previously read and loved) somewhat ruined by the audiobook narrator. Maybe I'm picky or something when it comes to this genre? I don't know.
Take my opinion on the audiobook for what it is - an opinion.
Reread 2015
This is one of those books that I read when I need something quick to munch on. Something that I already know is going to make me smile and sigh.
Except when I was her age, I still thought boys looked like Ken dolls down there, so I'm sure she's smiling about puppies or something...
But that's beside the point. Little Rapunzel looks like I felt after reading this. Happy, content, and maybe a bit starry-eyed.
And let's face it, when it comes to romance, most of the time I look like this:
But this story & Just the Sexiest Man Alive, are the two books that I pick up every few years and read just...because.
Are they really both 5 star books?
I honestly have no idea at this point. But they fill a Mighty Need in my belly for a bit of fluffy humorous romance every now and then.
Practice Makes Perfect doesn't have much in the way of sex (one or two scenes towards the end), but I actually prefer it that way. I tend to skim over the sexytimes in most books nowadays, anyway. Because if they aren't done to perfection they have a tendency to gross me out with all the talk of juices and scents. Sorry, that's just not what I personally want to read about. Reading about someone licking and tasting another person has the same effect on my vagina as spreading my legs under one of those industrial strength hand dryers they have at rest stops. Not only does it not make my panties moist, it's like I get early onset menopause.
My reaction to reading about smelly dripping bodily fluids?
Ok, so in that sense, these books are quite perfect for me. But that's not the only reason I enjoy them. Because if all I wanted was less Sweaty Slip 'n Slide, I could just avoid romance entirely.
Alas, no.
I still have emotional needs that must be met. And I've been married waaay too long to be under the illusion that my husband is going to swoop in and fill that role.
I ain't even mad, baby. We've been staring at each other for too many years to get butterflies in our tummies. Besides, I think that the fact that you don't make (much) fun of the way I fart in my sleep, says something about how much you love me.
Still. I'm a woman. And as such, I must have (at the very least!) a fantasy life that allows me to get in touch with that gooey nougat in the center of my soul. And this book lets me safely fantasize about the kind of love that...well, you can only find in books.
But I could probably find a mushy romance pretty easily. So what sets this book apart from the nine bjillion other romances out there that I've read?
Is the amazingly hawt JD?
Well, no. Not really. I mean, he's great, but in real-life he's not my fantasy guy. I mean, he's rich, smart, driven, and in great shape.
So, yeah. Who the hell wants that?
Well, Payton does, even if she won't admit it. She thinks he's nothing but a pompous ass, but, in reality, they could be twins. In fact, they're pretty much just different sides of the same coin. Even though they have seem to have opposing views on things, they're very similar at their core.
Naturally, this causes problems.
At first, they were just pseudo-rivals at work. Each trying to outdo the other for some imaginary bragging rights. But due to a new policy their firm enacted, they suddenly become true rivals in order to win the coveted partnership position.
And here's where this book wins me over!
For me to truly love a romance novel, it has to be funny.
James just shines when it comes to writing humorous situations & dialogue! And, yes, it's silly and over the top in instances, but I still laughed at the stuff these two did to each other while trying to win the partnership spot. Sure, there are a lot of misunderstandings that complicate matters and lead to problems that could have been easily avoided. And if this were a different book, I'd be the first one in line to angrily point out that all the drama was stupid, and that these two would never have acted so unprofessionally, etc., blah, blah, blah.
But, for some reason, I don't mind the nonsense at all!
And when they finally get together?
Be still my fluttery little heart...
I love this so much! One of my favorites! Read it immediately!
Alright, just remember that I warned you that this was an old favorite of mine, so my feelings and opinions might be a bit tainted.No, they're not! I'm probably biased, so take my 5 star rating with a grain of salt.
Older (much shorter) reviews
Ok, I listened to the audiobook version and the narrator just didn't do it for me. She was just too breathy or cutesy or something.
Because instead of being transported into a fluffy romance, I found myself curling my lip in annoyance and wanting it to be over.
This is definitely not the first time I've had a romance novel (that I'd previously read and loved) somewhat ruined by the audiobook narrator. Maybe I'm picky or something when it comes to this genre? I don't know.
Take my opinion on the audiobook for what it is - an opinion.
Reread 2015
This is one of those books that I read when I need something quick to munch on. Something that I already know is going to make me smile and sigh.
Except when I was her age, I still thought boys looked like Ken dolls down there, so I'm sure she's smiling about puppies or something...
But that's beside the point. Little Rapunzel looks like I felt after reading this. Happy, content, and maybe a bit starry-eyed.
And let's face it, when it comes to romance, most of the time I look like this:
But this story & Just the Sexiest Man Alive, are the two books that I pick up every few years and read just...because.
Are they really both 5 star books?
I honestly have no idea at this point. But they fill a Mighty Need in my belly for a bit of fluffy humorous romance every now and then.
Practice Makes Perfect doesn't have much in the way of sex (one or two scenes towards the end), but I actually prefer it that way. I tend to skim over the sexytimes in most books nowadays, anyway. Because if they aren't done to perfection they have a tendency to gross me out with all the talk of juices and scents. Sorry, that's just not what I personally want to read about. Reading about someone licking and tasting another person has the same effect on my vagina as spreading my legs under one of those industrial strength hand dryers they have at rest stops. Not only does it not make my panties moist, it's like I get early onset menopause.
My reaction to reading about smelly dripping bodily fluids?
Ok, so in that sense, these books are quite perfect for me. But that's not the only reason I enjoy them. Because if all I wanted was less Sweaty Slip 'n Slide, I could just avoid romance entirely.
Alas, no.
I still have emotional needs that must be met. And I've been married waaay too long to be under the illusion that my husband is going to swoop in and fill that role.
I ain't even mad, baby. We've been staring at each other for too many years to get butterflies in our tummies. Besides, I think that the fact that you don't make (much) fun of the way I fart in my sleep, says something about how much you love me.
Still. I'm a woman. And as such, I must have (at the very least!) a fantasy life that allows me to get in touch with that gooey nougat in the center of my soul. And this book lets me safely fantasize about the kind of love that...well, you can only find in books.
But I could probably find a mushy romance pretty easily. So what sets this book apart from the nine bjillion other romances out there that I've read?
Is the amazingly hawt JD?
Well, no. Not really. I mean, he's great, but in real-life he's not my fantasy guy. I mean, he's rich, smart, driven, and in great shape.
So, yeah. Who the hell wants that?
Well, Payton does, even if she won't admit it. She thinks he's nothing but a pompous ass, but, in reality, they could be twins. In fact, they're pretty much just different sides of the same coin. Even though they have seem to have opposing views on things, they're very similar at their core.
Naturally, this causes problems.
At first, they were just pseudo-rivals at work. Each trying to outdo the other for some imaginary bragging rights. But due to a new policy their firm enacted, they suddenly become true rivals in order to win the coveted partnership position.
And here's where this book wins me over!
For me to truly love a romance novel, it has to be funny.
James just shines when it comes to writing humorous situations & dialogue! And, yes, it's silly and over the top in instances, but I still laughed at the stuff these two did to each other while trying to win the partnership spot. Sure, there are a lot of misunderstandings that complicate matters and lead to problems that could have been easily avoided. And if this were a different book, I'd be the first one in line to angrily point out that all the drama was stupid, and that these two would never have acted so unprofessionally, etc., blah, blah, blah.
But, for some reason, I don't mind the nonsense at all!
And when they finally get together?
Be still my fluttery little heart...
Alright, just remember that I warned you that this was an old favorite of mine, so my feelings and opinions might be a bit tainted.
Older (much shorter) reviews
October 9, 2019
I can't get into this. I can't.
The heroine (annoying), the hero (meh) and the plot (boring) are as exciting as watching grass grow.
The heroine (annoying), the hero (meh) and the plot (boring) are as exciting as watching grass grow.
September 10, 2016
4.5 stars!
After eight years of near hostility, Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson find themselves in a head-to-head battle for the partnership position in their law firm. They both excel in their fields––J.D. in class action practice, and Payton in employment law, specifically single-plaintiff race and gender discrimination. There's also an unspoken rule in the firm that the person who does not make partner should "voluntary" resign and find another job. Meaning? Only one of them can stay.
Not only are they in a competition for the only partnership position currently up for grabs, they are also assigned to woo a potential high profile client, who coincidentally is facing a class action gender discrimination lawsuit. The two have no choice but to handle it together and unfortunately, spend more time with each other.
I absolutely enjoy hate-to-love stories, especially ones that remind me of Pride and Prejudice. It's my not-so guilty pleasure! Give me slow burn, witty banter, and the perfect dose of sexual tension, and I'm a happy girl.
Payton is a badass. The sabotage attempt was hilarious, and if what happened to Payton happened to me, I wouldn't have handled it the way she did. I would've cried and ran out of the courthouse. But Payton was beauty and grace. She's Miss United States. lol. I kid. But seriously. She's amazing. She's a feminist, and is all for girl power, yet she's not one to disregard men and their merits. I am all over that! I love it.
When J.D. was ranting about the workforce "discrimination" in their law firm, he sounded like the privileged white man that he is. He's complaining about the 10-percent increase in female partners (there will now be 28% female partners. What a staggering number!!!) and the so-called double-standard white men are suffering. I wanted to smack him upside the head I swear. Hahaha.
See what I mean?
He was an ass, but eventually grew on me because like Mr. Darcy, his personality improved over time. Or rather, his true self came out? I love when brooding men turn into sentimental, sweet marshmallows and ugh. It's adorable.
I love Tyler! He gives fantastic advice, and there's a scene where he gives J.D. advice using PRIDE AND PREJUDICE on how to win the girl. It was amazing how knowledgable he was of P&P. I couldn't stop laughing! The taxi driver was a hoot, too.
I would have expected Payton's mom to be a possible obstacle since she expressed her concern against old money. After the Father's day brunch, there's little to no mention about Payton's mother.
The cause of their eight-year animosity was a bit absurd, if not funny. They wasted eight years because of a petty thing. I almost feel bad for Payton and J.D..
My only complaint (if I can even call it that) is that I wasn't a fan of was using Chase Bellamy, good guy that he is, as a plot device. He was used to make Payton see who she really wanted and who she really deserved. After that, he wasn't much in the picture.
The sex isn't as steamy as some of the books I've read, but it works just fine.
But still, Practice Makes Perfect was a funny, romantic, sexy, slow-burn, and swoon-inducing novel, and it's a major plus point that there's a huge Pride and Prejudice influence here, although it's not what I'd call a re-telling.
Alec Baldwin approves. So do I.
So if you're into that, you'll definitely enjoy this lovely piece of gem.
(We never did figure out what J.D. means. James Dean Jameson? John Dorian Jameson?)
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After eight years of near hostility, Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson find themselves in a head-to-head battle for the partnership position in their law firm. They both excel in their fields––J.D. in class action practice, and Payton in employment law, specifically single-plaintiff race and gender discrimination. There's also an unspoken rule in the firm that the person who does not make partner should "voluntary" resign and find another job. Meaning? Only one of them can stay.
Not only are they in a competition for the only partnership position currently up for grabs, they are also assigned to woo a potential high profile client, who coincidentally is facing a class action gender discrimination lawsuit. The two have no choice but to handle it together and unfortunately, spend more time with each other.
I absolutely enjoy hate-to-love stories, especially ones that remind me of Pride and Prejudice. It's my not-so guilty pleasure! Give me slow burn, witty banter, and the perfect dose of sexual tension, and I'm a happy girl.
Payton is a badass. The sabotage attempt was hilarious, and if what happened to Payton happened to me, I wouldn't have handled it the way she did. I would've cried and ran out of the courthouse. But Payton was beauty and grace. She's Miss United States. lol. I kid. But seriously. She's amazing. She's a feminist, and is all for girl power, yet she's not one to disregard men and their merits. I am all over that! I love it.
When J.D. was ranting about the workforce "discrimination" in their law firm, he sounded like the privileged white man that he is. He's complaining about the 10-percent increase in female partners (there will now be 28% female partners. What a staggering number!!!) and the so-called double-standard white men are suffering. I wanted to smack him upside the head I swear. Hahaha.
The playing field ins't level––that's the problem... You know as well as I do that these days, if a man and a woman are equally qualified for a position, the woman gets the job. It's this socially liberal, politically correct society we live in. Men have to be twice as good at what they do to remain competitive in the workplace. Women just have to stay in the race."
See what I mean?
He was an ass, but eventually grew on me because like Mr. Darcy, his personality improved over time. Or rather, his true self came out? I love when brooding men turn into sentimental, sweet marshmallows and ugh. It's adorable.
I love Tyler! He gives fantastic advice, and there's a scene where he gives J.D. advice using PRIDE AND PREJUDICE on how to win the girl. It was amazing how knowledgable he was of P&P. I couldn't stop laughing! The taxi driver was a hoot, too.
I would have expected Payton's mom to be a possible obstacle since she expressed her concern against old money. After the Father's day brunch, there's little to no mention about Payton's mother.
The cause of their eight-year animosity was a bit absurd, if not funny. They wasted eight years because of a petty thing. I almost feel bad for Payton and J.D..
My only complaint (if I can even call it that) is that I wasn't a fan of was using Chase Bellamy, good guy that he is, as a plot device. He was used to make Payton see who she really wanted and who she really deserved. After that, he wasn't much in the picture.
The sex isn't as steamy as some of the books I've read, but it works just fine.
But still, Practice Makes Perfect was a funny, romantic, sexy, slow-burn, and swoon-inducing novel, and it's a major plus point that there's a huge Pride and Prejudice influence here, although it's not what I'd call a re-telling.
Alec Baldwin approves. So do I.
So if you're into that, you'll definitely enjoy this lovely piece of gem.
(We never did figure out what J.D. means. James Dean Jameson? John Dorian Jameson?)
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October 8, 2022
Reread Oct'2022:
I still enjoyed this, but I wasn't nearly as wowed as the first time that I read it.
Original rating/review June'2011:
5++ stars – Contemporary Romance
WOW! I loved it, loved it, loved it!
Something About You and A Lot Like Love are two of my favorite contemporary romances and overall reads so far this year and made me an avid Julie James fan. This turned me into an outright rabid, crazed groupie who wants to follow Ms. James around like a puppy, fetch her lattes, shine her Jimmy Choos, and bond with her over martinis. Seriously, she writes some of the snappiest, most intelligently witty dialogue and snarkily clever lines, best laugh out loud scenes, funniest quips, sexiest banter, and hottest hate/love, push/pull tension in romance. Her books read like a favorite romantic comedy movie or TV show rerun that I love watching over and over again.
Practice Makes Perfect is one of the most entertaining battle of wills between the sexes and best enemies to lovers, opposites attract romances that I’ve read. It seemed like nearly every page had a humorous, quotable line or scene that I adored and reread several times. Payton and J.D. were an absolute blast riot as they warred with each other and fought the laws of attraction. Their verbal sniping, pun swapping, I-wanna-kiss-you-senseless-even-though-I-wanna-strangle-you sparring, and competitive antics cracked me up!
I prefer my romance on the steamy side, and this is definitely no/low heat with only kissing and references to sex between the H/H that occurs off page. But everything else about the book is so utterly amazing that it didn’t matter or lessen my enjoyment one bit. Although I’m definitely glad Ms. James turned the heat way up in her last two releases, Something About You and A Lot Like Love.
Practice Makes Perfect is perfection and a definite favorite for my keeper shelf! Big 5++ stars!
Here are some of my favorite quotes/lines/scenes:
***************Possible Spoilers***************
“Take it easy on the suit, cupcake. This was hand-tailored in London.” “Oh—I’m sorry. I guess you’ll just have to pick up another one the next time you visit Her Majesty for tea. Isn’t she another friend of the family?”
“I think that you are an uptight, pony-owning, trickle-down-economics-loving, Scotch-on-the-rocks-drinking, my-wife-better-take-my-last-name sexist jerk!”
“Well, at least I’m not a stubborn, button-pushing, Prius-driving, chip-on-your-shoulder-holding, ‘stay-at-home-mom’-is-the-eighth-dirty-word-thinking feminazi!”
He had an image to uphold, after all: he was a corporate defense attorney—he got paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend multimillion-dollar corporations. His clients expected, and paid for, perfection. They did not pay to have their uber-important opposition to class certification motions argued by some jackass who looked like he’d spilled his Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee Coolatta all over himself while driving in from the suburbs in his Ford Taurus. J.D. shuddered at the mere image.
“Aren’t you supposed to be married by now to a Muffy or a Bitsy or some other society type with a brain as big as this pickle?”
I still enjoyed this, but I wasn't nearly as wowed as the first time that I read it.
Original rating/review June'2011:
5++ stars – Contemporary Romance
WOW! I loved it, loved it, loved it!
Something About You and A Lot Like Love are two of my favorite contemporary romances and overall reads so far this year and made me an avid Julie James fan. This turned me into an outright rabid, crazed groupie who wants to follow Ms. James around like a puppy, fetch her lattes, shine her Jimmy Choos, and bond with her over martinis. Seriously, she writes some of the snappiest, most intelligently witty dialogue and snarkily clever lines, best laugh out loud scenes, funniest quips, sexiest banter, and hottest hate/love, push/pull tension in romance. Her books read like a favorite romantic comedy movie or TV show rerun that I love watching over and over again.
Practice Makes Perfect is one of the most entertaining battle of wills between the sexes and best enemies to lovers, opposites attract romances that I’ve read. It seemed like nearly every page had a humorous, quotable line or scene that I adored and reread several times. Payton and J.D. were an absolute blast riot as they warred with each other and fought the laws of attraction. Their verbal sniping, pun swapping, I-wanna-kiss-you-senseless-even-though-I-wanna-strangle-you sparring, and competitive antics cracked me up!
I prefer my romance on the steamy side, and this is definitely no/low heat with only kissing and references to sex between the H/H that occurs off page. But everything else about the book is so utterly amazing that it didn’t matter or lessen my enjoyment one bit. Although I’m definitely glad Ms. James turned the heat way up in her last two releases, Something About You and A Lot Like Love.
Practice Makes Perfect is perfection and a definite favorite for my keeper shelf! Big 5++ stars!
Here are some of my favorite quotes/lines/scenes:
***************Possible Spoilers***************
“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.”
“Take it easy on the suit, cupcake. This was hand-tailored in London.” “Oh—I’m sorry. I guess you’ll just have to pick up another one the next time you visit Her Majesty for tea. Isn’t she another friend of the family?”
“I think that you are an uptight, pony-owning, trickle-down-economics-loving, Scotch-on-the-rocks-drinking, my-wife-better-take-my-last-name sexist jerk!”
“Well, at least I’m not a stubborn, button-pushing, Prius-driving, chip-on-your-shoulder-holding, ‘stay-at-home-mom’-is-the-eighth-dirty-word-thinking feminazi!”
He had an image to uphold, after all: he was a corporate defense attorney—he got paid hundreds of thousands of dollars to defend multimillion-dollar corporations. His clients expected, and paid for, perfection. They did not pay to have their uber-important opposition to class certification motions argued by some jackass who looked like he’d spilled his Dunkin’ Donuts Coffee Coolatta all over himself while driving in from the suburbs in his Ford Taurus. J.D. shuddered at the mere image.
“Aren’t you supposed to be married by now to a Muffy or a Bitsy or some other society type with a brain as big as this pickle?”
“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.”
April 3, 2018
Well the only redeeming thing about this book is that I realized in hindsight I could count the terrible thing towards Kill Your Darlings. There is something silver on the cover, the douche-bag hero's cuff-link. Bah to this terrible book.
I have really enjoyed Julie Jame's FBI/US Attorney series and stupidly thought this was a book that was part of that universe. Nope, this is part of a two book series she did and I guess she threw in the towel in. This book was initially published back in 2009. I suppose she thought this was her clever take on Pride & Prejudice. Nope. Not even a little. Besides profoundly mis-understanding Elizabeth and Darcy it seems, I don't think Darcy went around telling their boss that he banged her on his desk and then goes, but hey I realized I did that cause I loved you. I would have grabbed this fool by the tie and choked him out If I didn't think he would have enjoyed it.
Sorry, I just don't have a lot of patience with romance books like this these days. I want some romance and some chemistry. But I hate/loathe romance books that have strong women just going along with a man treating them like crap. What gets me is that I don't think the hero (JD) changes at all in the end. He still has appalling as hell views of women/equality/liberals and the heroine (Payton) I don't see putting up with that in the end.
"Practice Makes Perfect" has two rival attorneys Payton and JD doing their best to one up each other. It's been 8 years since they met/started working together and they are both on the partner track at their firm. When a high stakes case comes their way, the two are thrown together. When they are both told due to plot reasons (seriously though) that the firm can only offer one person under 40 a partnership that year, the two of them are now in direct competition.
Payton is developed more than JD in my opinion. I do wish though that James had followed up a bit more with the fact that Payton's father (who has nothing to do with her) came from money and maybe had some conversations with her best friend/mother about it. I don't know, it just pops in the story and pops back out. She also is dating a very nice guy named Chase, but hey, he doesn't treat her like dirt so she goes around saying something is missing there.
JD sucks. He comes from a wealthy family and his father is a judge. His views on women would serve him well in this new world we seem to find ourselves increasingly these days. I will say this, JD would fit right in with those guys suing Google claiming them being white and male they are being discriminated against.
I have met some JD's in my life. I have so far managed to not bludgeon any of them to death.
That's the other thing that drives me nuts about this character, he doesn't even get how far up his own ass he is.
Expletive you.
I call it now. These two marry and eventually divorce.
Somewhere Jane Austen just gave Tyler and JD a middle finger.
Seriously the whole book was JD just being a jerk and Payton being drawn to him cause he's attractive. When the inevitable sex scene happens I yawned. The only interesting that James had going for with this book was who would get the partnership, but she gets rid of that over some 11th hour BS I love you thing and then these two fools dance off happily into the sunset.
I have really enjoyed Julie Jame's FBI/US Attorney series and stupidly thought this was a book that was part of that universe. Nope, this is part of a two book series she did and I guess she threw in the towel in. This book was initially published back in 2009. I suppose she thought this was her clever take on Pride & Prejudice. Nope. Not even a little. Besides profoundly mis-understanding Elizabeth and Darcy it seems, I don't think Darcy went around telling their boss that he banged her on his desk and then goes, but hey I realized I did that cause I loved you. I would have grabbed this fool by the tie and choked him out If I didn't think he would have enjoyed it.
Sorry, I just don't have a lot of patience with romance books like this these days. I want some romance and some chemistry. But I hate/loathe romance books that have strong women just going along with a man treating them like crap. What gets me is that I don't think the hero (JD) changes at all in the end. He still has appalling as hell views of women/equality/liberals and the heroine (Payton) I don't see putting up with that in the end.
"Practice Makes Perfect" has two rival attorneys Payton and JD doing their best to one up each other. It's been 8 years since they met/started working together and they are both on the partner track at their firm. When a high stakes case comes their way, the two are thrown together. When they are both told due to plot reasons (seriously though) that the firm can only offer one person under 40 a partnership that year, the two of them are now in direct competition.
Payton is developed more than JD in my opinion. I do wish though that James had followed up a bit more with the fact that Payton's father (who has nothing to do with her) came from money and maybe had some conversations with her best friend/mother about it. I don't know, it just pops in the story and pops back out. She also is dating a very nice guy named Chase, but hey, he doesn't treat her like dirt so she goes around saying something is missing there.
JD sucks. He comes from a wealthy family and his father is a judge. His views on women would serve him well in this new world we seem to find ourselves increasingly these days. I will say this, JD would fit right in with those guys suing Google claiming them being white and male they are being discriminated against.
‘Forty Women to Watch Under 40,’ ” J.D. emphasized. “Tell me, Payton—is there a reason your gender finds it necessary to be so separatist? Afraid of a little competition from the opposite sex, perhaps?”
I have met some JD's in my life. I have so far managed to not bludgeon any of them to death.
“. . . how do you think it would go over if the magazine ran an article called ‘Forty Men to Watch Under 40’?” He took the liberty of answering for her. “You and your little feminista friends would call that discrimination. But then isn’t that, per se, discrimination? Shouldn’t we men be entitled to our lists, too?”
That's the other thing that drives me nuts about this character, he doesn't even get how far up his own ass he is.
"J.D. ignored the sarcasm. “The playing field isn’t level—that’s the problem. Now maybe you’re comfortable accepting that, but I’m not. You know as well as I do that these days, if a man and a woman are equally qualified for a position, the woman gets the job. It’s this socially liberal, politically correct society we live in. Men have to be twice as good at what they do to remain competitive in the workplace. Women just have to stay in the race.”
Expletive you.
"He pictured her place as being a tad . . . plebian. That probably wasn’t the most politically correct way to say it. What word did liberals prefer nowadays? Granola? Organic? In reality, however, Payton was none of those things. In fact, if she never spoke, one might actually think she was quite normal."
I call it now. These two marry and eventually divorce.
“See, you just don’t understand women the way I do, J.D. They want it all: a career, apple martinis, financial independence, great shoes; but at the same time—and this they’ll never admit—they are drawn to patriarchal men who are dominant and controlling. That’s the essence of the Darcy complex. He may be an asshole, but he’s an asshole that gets the girl in the end.”
Somewhere Jane Austen just gave Tyler and JD a middle finger.
Seriously the whole book was JD just being a jerk and Payton being drawn to him cause he's attractive. When the inevitable sex scene happens I yawned. The only interesting that James had going for with this book was who would get the partnership, but she gets rid of that over some 11th hour BS I love you thing and then these two fools dance off happily into the sunset.
December 2, 2015
"What I wanted to tell you," he began deliberately, "was that you were wrong."
Now there was a friggin' surprise. Payton glared.
J.D. continued, more calm now, his voice steadier. "I mean, about what you told Tyler."
His eyes met hers and held them.
"I would've done it for you in a heartbeat."
Ahhhh sooooooo I LOOOVEEEDDDD THISSSSSSSS. I know I can say this for almost every book I read-shut up-but, when your iPad glows like a nightlight, you know your highlighting has reached an insane level. And it's true-not one page-not one page-went by without me highlighting it and smiling as big as the Cheshire cat. It's not by any stretch of the imagination that I thought I'd hate this-on the contrary, I figured I'd like it. But, in no way did I imagine I'd fall head over heels for this book and these two characters. In fact, I'd even go so far as to say they have taken a permanent residence in my heart.
Payton's eyes quickly scanned her front room and kitchen, making sure they were presentable. Not that it mattered, because (a) it was The Shithead and (b) he wasn't staying. Her apartment was her sanctuary, which meant 100 percent J.D.-free.
It's no secret this is, on top of the summer months when work is in full swing, the busiest time of the year for me. The office is hurrying to finish the closing out of the year, holidays are among us, and, to top it all off, this year we are moving to an interim location while our new building is being built. Oh, and did I mention that happens in two days? Yeah, so, this review, I'm sure, is going to be cut short because I'm supposed to be packing. Whoops. But, the fact of the matter is, this book was way too perfect to let slide between my fingers. I REFUSE to not write a review for this one. Whether this is the second to last paragraph or not, I will finish this and post some of the AMAZING quotes I fell for in this one.
"Mr. Jameson. Whatever this is, I don't have time for it. If you have questions about Payton's attire this morning, I suggest you take a stroll on over to the courthouse and check it out for yourself. She's in Judge Gendelman's courtroom."
J.D. nodded. Yes, yes fine, thank you. Nice attitude, by the way. Like boss, like secretary.
The source of most of the said quotes is none other than the impressive J.D.. Cocky, arrogant, gorgeous, infuriating, prestigious.....kind? J.D. and Payton have been at each other's throats for eight years....eight years. They don't even remember how it all started. Vying for a partnership at the firm where they are lawyers, both of them have put in countless hours to show their worth. Being the main two for this year's Partnership choices, they believe they both have it in the bag-I mean, it's the smallest pool they have to choose from to date, and they have both earned it.
J.D. heard the beep, signaling the end of the message, and he hung up the phone. He thought about what Payton had said-not so much her apology, which was questionably mediocre at best-but something else.
She thought about him while lying in bed.
Interesting.
Getting put together for the Gibson case, they are a little weary and a lot unhappy...but they are professionals and excellent at their job-they aren't going to let something as small as working together hold them back from being professional and doing the job they've been asked to do. Besides, they only have a few weeks before the announcement for partners and things are beginning to look up....until their boss drops the bomb that this year things will be different. This year, they need older partners to balance everything out...meaning it's Payton or J.D.. And there's no longer the certainty for both of them anymore. Oh boy.
If anything, it was a good thing Payton was giving him the silent treatment. Ha-if that's all it took, he should've been a rude bastard years ago. Maybe now he'd finally have some peace at work. No more pissed-off hair flips, no more covert you're-such-a-wanker-J.D. glares, no more secret arguments in back hallways over feminist and right-wing agendas.
These were the things J.D. certainly would not miss.
Not at all.
What ensues is nothing less than they've dealt with for years-forget the sweet things he said about her at their pitch dinner with the clients. Forget the sincere tone of her voice when she boasted how J.D. was an amazing lawyer. Forget ALL of it. This is war...and only one person can come out the victor.
Having finished her assessment, Payton supposed that, if pressed, in that upper-crusty, Ralph Lauren-y, sweater-thrown-over the shoulders, have-you-met-my-polo-pony kind of way, J.D. was pretty damn good-looking.
I will admit that I was shocked at the level of love I had for this book. It was everything I didn't expect and everything I could ever ask for. I fell hard for these two and their hateful (yet, let's admit it, heated) banter and scorching looks. I fell for their rivalry, for their tentative friendship, the realization that one or both of them have used hate as a cover for how they have always felt for one another. And, most importantly, I fell for the unfairness of it all, the way they got screwed and how after all their hard work, it well and truly became a war between them because of the position they are put in.
J.D. glanced down at her hand, then up to meet her gaze. "What is it you really want to know, Payton?"
She asked him the question she had been asking herself for the past few days. "Why are you being so nice to me now?"
J.D. leaned forward in his chair. He gazed directly into her eyes, and Payton suddenly found herself wondering why it had taken him eight years to look at her that way.
"Because you're letting me," he said softly.
But when they begin to fall for one another (or, again, realize that they've always had fire for each other), the story took a turn where I could hardly breathe. The butterflies were a hazard to my health and the giddiness of it all almost choked me. It was a deadly combination and I am not likely to forget this one soon. I think the best books are the ones that are unexpected, and if someone had told me that this author was the mirror image of Lauren Layne, I'd have jumped on board long ago (shut up, Anna, I know). So, with this new discovery, I am smiling and so excited for the possibilities that have opened up by finding this author. Thank God for all my lovely friends....I applaud you for making this perilista very happy in the busiest season of the year. Thank you :) .
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March 15, 2009
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.
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.
July 11, 2015
4.5 stars!
Loved this one! If only all romance authors wrote dialogue as great as Julie James does! It kind of followed her typical formula, and was light on the smexy times, but it was entertaining and funny.
Loved this one! If only all romance authors wrote dialogue as great as Julie James does! It kind of followed her typical formula, and was light on the smexy times, but it was entertaining and funny.
August 25, 2022
Aaron did some deep diving for me after I requested a book that would give me Donna/Harvey vibes from Suits. This was one of 3 suggestions she gave me. Oh, and you bet your ass I'm reading them all.
I really enjoyed this story. I stayed up til 3am to finish it in one sitting.
The characters are fun and flirty and realistic in a way you usually don't see in these scenarios. It isn't enemies to lovers. It's rivals to lovers. That's my favorite trope. They don't hate each other. They just want the other to lose miserably and publicly. What's not to love?
Their relationship somehow built slowly even though the book is so short. It had to do with the addition of 8 years of backstory. I love that so much in a book like this.
You're wondering why it's only 3.5 stars? Okay, here's the thing. J.D. is a great guy and a sexy character. EXCEPT he will randomly throw out these aggressively misogynistic ideals and opinions that don't serve the plot. He mentions that Peyton will definitely get the promotion because she's a woman and there's laws set in place to help her win and that no one is looking out for the white men of the world anymore. If I hadn't paid full price for this book, I would chucked it out the window.
It's so messed up to say this, but if you blind yourself to those comments, J.D. is great. I know, I know. But this is chick-lit. Somethings you're gonna have to push through. But it doesn't mean I can look over it enough to give it a higher rating.
So for the Darvey quality? No. It isn't similar to them at all. But this book does have insane Suits energy. The law firm politics and tense atmosphere is the exact same. If you like shows like that, you'll like this book.
I really enjoyed this story. I stayed up til 3am to finish it in one sitting.
The characters are fun and flirty and realistic in a way you usually don't see in these scenarios. It isn't enemies to lovers. It's rivals to lovers. That's my favorite trope. They don't hate each other. They just want the other to lose miserably and publicly. What's not to love?
Their relationship somehow built slowly even though the book is so short. It had to do with the addition of 8 years of backstory. I love that so much in a book like this.
You're wondering why it's only 3.5 stars? Okay, here's the thing. J.D. is a great guy and a sexy character. EXCEPT he will randomly throw out these aggressively misogynistic ideals and opinions that don't serve the plot. He mentions that Peyton will definitely get the promotion because she's a woman and there's laws set in place to help her win and that no one is looking out for the white men of the world anymore. If I hadn't paid full price for this book, I would chucked it out the window.
It's so messed up to say this, but if you blind yourself to those comments, J.D. is great. I know, I know. But this is chick-lit. Somethings you're gonna have to push through. But it doesn't mean I can look over it enough to give it a higher rating.
So for the Darvey quality? No. It isn't similar to them at all. But this book does have insane Suits energy. The law firm politics and tense atmosphere is the exact same. If you like shows like that, you'll like this book.
April 7, 2023
Julie James is one of my favourite romance authors. She manages to create really wonderful characters and incredible romantic tension in all of her books. And this is MY FAVOURITE ROMANCE BOOK EVER! And one of my all time favourite books.. Yes.. OF ALL TIME!! I have read this book so many times I have lost count!
The story line is simple, but it doesn't need to be complex. It's all about the tension... Payton and JD work at the same law firm... Tension... They hate each other... Tension... They realise they might not actually hate each other after all... Tension... Loads of funny and heart warming stuff happens, the end.
I know I know, it's a pile of romantic fluff... But don't let the seemingly simple boring story line put you off. The characters are so well written and the tension is SO GOOD that you wont care that there is no murder, mystery or major life shattering dramas. This is a good old-fashioned, well written, AWESOME romance book!
Yes the characters are typically good looking, intelligent and talented.. Yes its corny, but I promise you that you will enjoy it anyway.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it was too short! It could have gone on and on and on for another 500 pages and I would have been happy!
Would I recommend it?
YES YES YES YES YES
If you are in the mood for some romance without the tragedy, lots of laughs and a feel good ending, this is the book for you! It is my number one cheer me up book - which I know will put me in a good mood every time I read it! In fact just writing about it makes me want to read it again!
Till next time..
---
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The story line is simple, but it doesn't need to be complex. It's all about the tension... Payton and JD work at the same law firm... Tension... They hate each other... Tension... They realise they might not actually hate each other after all... Tension... Loads of funny and heart warming stuff happens, the end.
I know I know, it's a pile of romantic fluff... But don't let the seemingly simple boring story line put you off. The characters are so well written and the tension is SO GOOD that you wont care that there is no murder, mystery or major life shattering dramas. This is a good old-fashioned, well written, AWESOME romance book!
Yes the characters are typically good looking, intelligent and talented.. Yes its corny, but I promise you that you will enjoy it anyway.
The only thing I didn't like about this book was that it was too short! It could have gone on and on and on for another 500 pages and I would have been happy!
Would I recommend it?
YES YES YES YES YES
If you are in the mood for some romance without the tragedy, lots of laughs and a feel good ending, this is the book for you! It is my number one cheer me up book - which I know will put me in a good mood every time I read it! In fact just writing about it makes me want to read it again!
Till next time..
---
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November 25, 2015
This is my most fave of Julie James's books so far.
For being the partner of the firm.
Two lawyers fight each other..
Only one will be chosen...
Then the War begin....
I truly loved, loved, loved this! It is my second Julie James' book I read, but being my first fave of hers. The plot is sooo enjoyable and never get me bored! maybe because I love the plot about competition, playing game and revenge in general..
Yesss, the two main characters J.D. and Payton, they have to fight each other to be the chosen one, the partner of the firm. Love the way they get even toward each other! That's court scene made me lol and u guys should not miss it cux it is that fun. ;)
J.D. x Payton, these two main characters are smart, witty, sassy, and being successful attorneys, I LOVE THEM! This book is also refer to Austen's Pride and Prejudice.. Arrogant Guy and Strong feity Girl, I think. Loved the lawyering element in the book, too. Julie James is pretty good at writing about them.
LOVED IT! so.. If I can not be a lawyer, can I have smart successful attorney boyfriend like J.D? xD xD xD lol! <3
For being the partner of the firm.
Two lawyers fight each other..
Only one will be chosen...
Then the War begin....
I truly loved, loved, loved this! It is my second Julie James' book I read, but being my first fave of hers. The plot is sooo enjoyable and never get me bored! maybe because I love the plot about competition, playing game and revenge in general..
Yesss, the two main characters J.D. and Payton, they have to fight each other to be the chosen one, the partner of the firm. Love the way they get even toward each other! That's court scene made me lol and u guys should not miss it cux it is that fun. ;)
J.D. x Payton, these two main characters are smart, witty, sassy, and being successful attorneys, I LOVE THEM! This book is also refer to Austen's Pride and Prejudice.. Arrogant Guy and Strong feity Girl, I think. Loved the lawyering element in the book, too. Julie James is pretty good at writing about them.
LOVED IT! so.. If I can not be a lawyer, can I have smart successful attorney boyfriend like J.D? xD xD xD lol! <3
March 6, 2018
Oh gosh the pranks in this book were such a laugh. It was a perfect love-hate office romance...
Sassy, fun, sarcastic.... and romantic
Sassy, fun, sarcastic.... and romantic
May 8, 2013
This started out as a fun boy hates girl (but not really) screwballish comedy. I would have given it 3 or 3.5 stars if it wasn't for the final pages.
The lie the hero tells their boss is unconscionable. It's made clear this is a male dominated boy's club and the heroine is working herself to the bone for respect.
Detailed spoilers below, including why it upset me so much.
That final twist ruined the story for me.
The lie the hero tells their boss is unconscionable. It's made clear this is a male dominated boy's club and the heroine is working herself to the bone for respect.
Detailed spoilers below, including why it upset me so much.
That final twist ruined the story for me.
August 26, 2017
More like Practice Makes Steaming Pile of Horse-shit. D:<
And before anyone says, but but but cute witty banter and rivals who fall in love, anya let me just point out that I have read and liked The Hating Game which extraordinarily displays how this theme should be executed. JD is nothing but a misogynistic douche-fart who has some serious issues with women considering how he's always acting like an Entitled Rich White Boi™ and rubbing Payton's face into the fact that she's one and humiliating her about it. Not that Payton is any better. -.- I couldn't care less about these two clowns.
And before anyone says, but but but cute witty banter and rivals who fall in love, anya let me just point out that I have read and liked The Hating Game which extraordinarily displays how this theme should be executed. JD is nothing but a misogynistic douche-fart who has some serious issues with women considering how he's always acting like an Entitled Rich White Boi™ and rubbing Payton's face into the fact that she's one and humiliating her about it. Not that Payton is any better. -.- I couldn't care less about these two clowns.
June 28, 2017
4.5 STARS
If you loved The Hating Game (which I know everyone did lol), then there's no doubt you'll probably love this book too!
"Everybody knows that Darcy doesn't win Lizzy over just by being nice... See, it's all about the Grand Gesture. That's how you get the girl."
It's a hate-to-love, slow-burn romance story between two lawyers who are battling against each other to get the partnership promotion in their firm. I personally found this more interesting since I've been wanting to take up law for university, and seeing Payton and J.D. presenting themselves at court litigating and negotiating made it more fun and entertaining for me to read.
I loved the main character Payton's feminist attitude, and how she wrangles anyone who makes a sexist remark about her or any woman. YAS GIRL POWER. There were a lot of 'hating' moments between the characters - which is actually great - because then you get to really witness their relationship gradually develop and change into something else as the story goes. Also, there were countless Pride and Prejudice references which made me love it 1000 times more.
Since I'm on a romance high atm, i'll definitely read more of Julie James' books because she made me love this book way too much and left me wanting more!
If you loved The Hating Game (which I know everyone did lol), then there's no doubt you'll probably love this book too!
"Everybody knows that Darcy doesn't win Lizzy over just by being nice... See, it's all about the Grand Gesture. That's how you get the girl."
It's a hate-to-love, slow-burn romance story between two lawyers who are battling against each other to get the partnership promotion in their firm. I personally found this more interesting since I've been wanting to take up law for university, and seeing Payton and J.D. presenting themselves at court litigating and negotiating made it more fun and entertaining for me to read.
I loved the main character Payton's feminist attitude, and how she wrangles anyone who makes a sexist remark about her or any woman. YAS GIRL POWER. There were a lot of 'hating' moments between the characters - which is actually great - because then you get to really witness their relationship gradually develop and change into something else as the story goes. Also, there were countless Pride and Prejudice references which made me love it 1000 times more.
Since I'm on a romance high atm, i'll definitely read more of Julie James' books because she made me love this book way too much and left me wanting more!
May 11, 2014
5 Laugh-out-loud funny Stars!
JD and Kendall are perfect for each other, they just don't know it. Competing for the same job brings out the best, and the worst in them, making for some crazy antics. The chemistry between them is sizzling! And when they act upon their feelings...well let's just say...SSSSSSSSSSSSSSSMOKIN'!
A heartwarming story with a fantastic ending!!
June 26, 2017
***1.5***
Well, I'm sad to say it, but this one disappointed me.
It still had the cute, witty writing that I have come to associate with Julie James, but I had a real problem with the hero. Frankly, I didn't feel that his shitty actions were ever paid for, and he as a character was just not redeemed, to me.
For nearly the first half of the book, he is just a complete and total douchebag. I mean, really. He's a "poor-me" spoiled rich white guy, who is convinced that his life is so much harder than everyone else's. He's a misogynist, and please believe that I am not some ultra feminist that likes to toss that word around. A lot of guys in romance novels start out kind of douchey, and don't treat women really well, but aren't really anti-woman. But JD undercuts Payton on every front, and his attacks all are rooted in her femininity.
Let's just look at a basic example. What the fuck is the matter with him? We've all had co-workers that we didn't personally like, right? But you don't cross the line from personal dislike into sabotaging their careers.
And we see this over and over in this book. Payton goes out on a limb and tries to be nice to him... and he accuses her of wearing a cute blouse to try and use her sexuality to lure in clients. He deliberately arranges meetings with clients in a case he's partnering with Payton on... at a men's only golf club. He is using her sex to sabotage her career on a constant basis in this book, and it is completely unacceptable to me. The worst offense here is Let me tell you. I am a woman working in a male-dominated field. At my last company, I was one of 2 women in an executive position. That kind of rumor at work - and being told to YOUR BOSS - is a career-ender. What he did to her disgusts me.
And he NEVER PAYS FOR IT. She stays mad at him for about 10 hours, when she finds out. He never even has to admit the truth, to people at work, so they can see what a fucking piece of shit he is. What the fuck is the matter with him? And even worse, it killed Payton for me - and I really loved her up to this point - when It is probably the biggest pile of bullshit I have read in a romance novel.
Oh well. I guess every author makes the occasional mis-step. But please forgive me for drop-kicking this book into my Goodwill donation box.
Well, I'm sad to say it, but this one disappointed me.
It still had the cute, witty writing that I have come to associate with Julie James, but I had a real problem with the hero. Frankly, I didn't feel that his shitty actions were ever paid for, and he as a character was just not redeemed, to me.
For nearly the first half of the book, he is just a complete and total douchebag. I mean, really. He's a "poor-me" spoiled rich white guy, who is convinced that his life is so much harder than everyone else's. He's a misogynist, and please believe that I am not some ultra feminist that likes to toss that word around. A lot of guys in romance novels start out kind of douchey, and don't treat women really well, but aren't really anti-woman. But JD undercuts Payton on every front, and his attacks all are rooted in her femininity.
Let's just look at a basic example. What the fuck is the matter with him? We've all had co-workers that we didn't personally like, right? But you don't cross the line from personal dislike into sabotaging their careers.
And we see this over and over in this book. Payton goes out on a limb and tries to be nice to him... and he accuses her of wearing a cute blouse to try and use her sexuality to lure in clients. He deliberately arranges meetings with clients in a case he's partnering with Payton on... at a men's only golf club. He is using her sex to sabotage her career on a constant basis in this book, and it is completely unacceptable to me. The worst offense here is Let me tell you. I am a woman working in a male-dominated field. At my last company, I was one of 2 women in an executive position. That kind of rumor at work - and being told to YOUR BOSS - is a career-ender. What he did to her disgusts me.
And he NEVER PAYS FOR IT. She stays mad at him for about 10 hours, when she finds out. He never even has to admit the truth, to people at work, so they can see what a fucking piece of shit he is. What the fuck is the matter with him? And even worse, it killed Payton for me - and I really loved her up to this point - when It is probably the biggest pile of bullshit I have read in a romance novel.
Oh well. I guess every author makes the occasional mis-step. But please forgive me for drop-kicking this book into my Goodwill donation box.
May 12, 2015
3,5 stars
Meet JD and Payton.
First Payton's like
Then JD's like
But then are both like...
...which results in...
And the end makes me
Hehe. This was overall a really good book. Dont let the legal setting fool you. I didn’t find the lawyerly details overwhelming. I thought they added to the authenticity of the story. Setting a romance in a law practice was a refreshing change from the norm.
The characters were...ok. Nothing special but definitely fun to read. On one hand, it was zingy, funny, fast paced, relevant, and well written. JD as a hero was both fantasy material, and also very realistically flawed. Peyton was smart and honourable, and a heroine I could easily empathise with. I liked that it wasn’t overly gushy and that Payton did not become all flustered and silly in J.D.’s presence, like a lot of heroines have been written. I liked her a lot.
On the other hand, ASSHOLE WARNING: J.D. is such a sexist pig in the beginning. He does get better towards the middle of the story but I didnt thought that he ever really moved out of the selfish-jerk category.
He does get nicer (A LOT) but I was not convinced that the leopard had changed his spots by the end of the book – in fact I wasn’t even sure that he really believed he had spots, and still less sure that he understood the need to change them.
There was this scene at Payton's apartment door after the deposition where she saves his ass. (It felt to me like it was meant to be the emotional hinge of the book.) J.D. says, “I would've done it for you in a heartbeat,” and I went 'BULLSHIT!!!'. I didn’t believe him. It was so out of character for that moment.
Also the big reveal, coming as it did at the end, was the thing ruined it for me and I decided to give the book 3,5 stars instead of 4 after that. Going on the heroine’s previous characterization, I just couldn’t believe that she wasn’t angrier about it, and I did not feel that it boded well for their future. While book's plot pacing was ok it definitely had emotional pacing problems.
I also felt a bit like the happy ending was rather smushed on there too, but it bothered me less, because the H&H didn’t have quite the same degree of emotional conflict to deal with, and we’d seen more of their emotional journey in dealing with them over the course of the book already.
Overall; the book had lots of witty and sarcastic remarks and the bantering between the main characters. It was hel of fun to watch those two idiots trying to sabotage each other. That shoe accident -I still cant laughing about that. The pranks were so over the top lol.
I’ll still read the author’s future books, despite the issues I had, because the author did such a great job of showing us why guys like J.D. can be so very attractive despite their flaws!
Meet JD and Payton.
First Payton's like
Then JD's like
But then are both like...
...which results in...
And the end makes me
Hehe. This was overall a really good book. Dont let the legal setting fool you. I didn’t find the lawyerly details overwhelming. I thought they added to the authenticity of the story. Setting a romance in a law practice was a refreshing change from the norm.
The characters were...ok. Nothing special but definitely fun to read. On one hand, it was zingy, funny, fast paced, relevant, and well written. JD as a hero was both fantasy material, and also very realistically flawed. Peyton was smart and honourable, and a heroine I could easily empathise with. I liked that it wasn’t overly gushy and that Payton did not become all flustered and silly in J.D.’s presence, like a lot of heroines have been written. I liked her a lot.
On the other hand, ASSHOLE WARNING: J.D. is such a sexist pig in the beginning. He does get better towards the middle of the story but I didnt thought that he ever really moved out of the selfish-jerk category.
He does get nicer (A LOT) but I was not convinced that the leopard had changed his spots by the end of the book – in fact I wasn’t even sure that he really believed he had spots, and still less sure that he understood the need to change them.
There was this scene at Payton's apartment door after the deposition where she saves his ass. (It felt to me like it was meant to be the emotional hinge of the book.) J.D. says, “I would've done it for you in a heartbeat,” and I went 'BULLSHIT!!!'. I didn’t believe him. It was so out of character for that moment.
Also the big reveal, coming as it did at the end, was the thing ruined it for me and I decided to give the book 3,5 stars instead of 4 after that. Going on the heroine’s previous characterization, I just couldn’t believe that she wasn’t angrier about it, and I did not feel that it boded well for their future. While book's plot pacing was ok it definitely had emotional pacing problems.
I also felt a bit like the happy ending was rather smushed on there too, but it bothered me less, because the H&H didn’t have quite the same degree of emotional conflict to deal with, and we’d seen more of their emotional journey in dealing with them over the course of the book already.
Overall; the book had lots of witty and sarcastic remarks and the bantering between the main characters. It was hel of fun to watch those two idiots trying to sabotage each other. That shoe accident -I still cant laughing about that. The pranks were so over the top lol.
I’ll still read the author’s future books, despite the issues I had, because the author did such a great job of showing us why guys like J.D. can be so very attractive despite their flaws!
September 25, 2015
Lately, I feel like I’ve been having a really bad reading month. So when I picked up this book, my expectations were lower than ever. But shockingly, this book actually wasn’t bad, wasn’t bad at all. And besides, lately I’m only into funny, easy-going contemporaries, and that’s exactly what I got.
Practice makes Perfect is written in 3rd person narration but mostly focused on our two main characters; Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson. Both are lawyers who work at the same firm, they’ve been working together for 8 years but never got along, scratch that, they hated each other’s guts. As in the I hate you, I want to tear off your clothes kind of way.
I enjoyed this book a lot due to the characters, I loved the realism that most characters had here. Julie James wasn’t forcing perfection down our throats, she gave them flaws and tried to balance out their flaws with redeemable qualities, which I loved. Although I very much disliked J.D., a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, and would be caught dead before seen in a suit that costs less than 500$, and also thinks that white men deserve more representation, eh due to… discrimination;
“No one from the Human Resources Department is telling the Executive Committee they need to increase the percentage of white males they make partner. So we have to fend for ourselves by making sure we don’t give them any excuse not to promote us.”
I understand a lot of white men think that way but it’s still annoying, nonetheless. Other than J.D. I loved all the other characters, and can we take a moment to appreciate Payton’s mom? A hardcore feminist that’s against most common things like barbie dolls (Because barbie dolls give the impression that females care about nothing other than shopping) and Disney movies (That teach girls to wait passively for a man to bring meaning to their pathetic lonely lives) and also a hardcore vegan that got to jail twice for rebelling over fur coats, and by rebelling I mean stood outside a Gucci store throwing buckets of red paint on exiting shoppers. No, I’m not kidding.
I also liked Payton, not as much as her mother of course, but liked her nonetheless. She, as her mother is a feminist, not a hardcore feminist as her mother, but a feminist nevertheless. She’s also considered a discrimination expert in her field, I never studied law so I’m not 100% sure about all the labels, but I enjoyed reading about them anyways.
Overall, if you’re looking for something light and fun to read then I believe this is your go-to then. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
Practice makes Perfect is written in 3rd person narration but mostly focused on our two main characters; Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson. Both are lawyers who work at the same firm, they’ve been working together for 8 years but never got along, scratch that, they hated each other’s guts.
I enjoyed this book a lot due to the characters, I loved the realism that most characters had here. Julie James wasn’t forcing perfection down our throats, she gave them flaws and tried to balance out their flaws with redeemable qualities, which I loved. Although I very much disliked J.D., a graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, and would be caught dead before seen in a suit that costs less than 500$, and also thinks that white men deserve more representation, eh due to… discrimination;
“No one from the Human Resources Department is telling the Executive Committee they need to increase the percentage of white males they make partner. So we have to fend for ourselves by making sure we don’t give them any excuse not to promote us.”
I understand a lot of white men think that way but it’s still annoying, nonetheless. Other than J.D. I loved all the other characters, and can we take a moment to appreciate Payton’s mom? A hardcore feminist that’s against most common things like barbie dolls (Because barbie dolls give the impression that females care about nothing other than shopping) and Disney movies (That teach girls to wait passively for a man to bring meaning to their pathetic lonely lives) and also a hardcore vegan that got to jail twice for rebelling over fur coats, and by rebelling I mean stood outside a Gucci store throwing buckets of red paint on exiting shoppers. No, I’m not kidding.
I also liked Payton, not as much as her mother of course, but liked her nonetheless. She, as her mother is a feminist, not a hardcore feminist as her mother, but a feminist nevertheless. She’s also considered a discrimination expert in her field, I never studied law so I’m not 100% sure about all the labels, but I enjoyed reading about them anyways.
Overall, if you’re looking for something light and fun to read then I believe this is your go-to then. Hopefully, you’ll enjoy it as much as I did.
February 3, 2024
whenever I need a quick, light-hearted and feel-good book I reread julie james, and you know what she is never disappointing me
July 30, 2020
In spite of my high expectations, Practice Makes Perfect was boring, tedious, aggravating, and rather a drag. I almost set it aside in the beginning, and I kind of wish I had. Casual sexism is never okay, not even if you have a “sassy feminist” character to counterbalance it. The additional fact that I found Julie James’ prose to be very stilted and unengaging did not help matters at all.
We have J.D. and Payton, two lawyers who are competing for promotion to partner. They’ve hated each other for the past 8 years, and this competition just makes everything worse. J.D. is an obnoxious elitist whiner, and Payton is a nearly-caricature of a corporate feminist. The fact that she doesn’t lose her ideals when loves comes knocking was a relief, but I’m still not a big fan of her as a whole, and in light of everything else, I’m not sure that Practice Makes Perfect really portrays women in the way it’s intended to.
So, J.D., our wonderful male lead, introduced himself to the reader by bitching about how rough he had it, complaining about “reverse discrimination” and how “everyone leaves white men to fend for themselves”…ARE YOU KIDDING?! This guy is the child of upper-class white people, he attended Harvard Law, and he drives a car worth more than my family sees in an entire year, and he’s whining about how his law firm is making a push to increase female partnership by 10%. (The firm, by the way, currently only has 18% female partnership, so 28% is still woefully lacking.) NO. As both a woman and a minority member, guess how sympathetic I am to his problems?
Oh wait, I’m not sympathetic at all!
J.D. also, charmingly, slut shamed the female lead, Payton, because he was obviously threatened by the fact that a woman was just as capable as he was, positioning that she got to where she was by selling her body. Nice. To be fair, Payton didn’t take his shit and he did apologize. But seriously, if those are the kind of things that naturally come out of this guy’s mouth on a regular basis…where’s the appeal?
So obviously, any chance that I would root for this man was pretty much obliterated within the first 5 chapters. And the worst part of it all is that nobody ever called him on his bullshit. One day he decided he was going to be a nice guy, and that was it. He never apologized or seemed to have a major change of heart—aside from falling in love with Payton, of course. James really put herself in a tight spot by having a completely disgusting character like that who then turned out to be the novel’s hero. Very, very difficult.
Needless to say, the romance in Practice Makes Perfect did not wow me. I found it lacking in chemistry, believability, and likability.
Also, this book completely fails the Bechdel Test. Normally, that kind of thing doesn’t bother me too much and I don’t pick up on it as much or tend to point it out in reviews. But when you consider there is only one three-dimensional female in this book and maybe two secondary female characters, and that the only thing those females ever discuss is having sex and whose ass looks best, I was annoyed. Not okay. You have this “feminist” character, and then you just make it look like the only thing she and her friends thought about was the Almighty Penis? Come. On.
Add in the fact that every single male character in this book makes some sort of crass/sexist statement at some point…absolutely not. There is better romance out there, and I’ve read it. Women do not have to be the brunt of a joke. And women, I assure you, were more often than not, a joke in this book.
I’ve heard good things about Julie James from multiple sources, but right now I’m not looking forward to ever reading another novel of hers. Practice Makes Perfect was offensive, not to mention boring, and I am completely underwhelmed by this as a whole. Like I said, this book is a complete drag.
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We have J.D. and Payton, two lawyers who are competing for promotion to partner. They’ve hated each other for the past 8 years, and this competition just makes everything worse. J.D. is an obnoxious elitist whiner, and Payton is a nearly-caricature of a corporate feminist. The fact that she doesn’t lose her ideals when loves comes knocking was a relief, but I’m still not a big fan of her as a whole, and in light of everything else, I’m not sure that Practice Makes Perfect really portrays women in the way it’s intended to.
So, J.D., our wonderful male lead, introduced himself to the reader by bitching about how rough he had it, complaining about “reverse discrimination” and how “everyone leaves white men to fend for themselves”…ARE YOU KIDDING?! This guy is the child of upper-class white people, he attended Harvard Law, and he drives a car worth more than my family sees in an entire year, and he’s whining about how his law firm is making a push to increase female partnership by 10%. (The firm, by the way, currently only has 18% female partnership, so 28% is still woefully lacking.) NO. As both a woman and a minority member, guess how sympathetic I am to his problems?
Oh wait, I’m not sympathetic at all!
J.D. also, charmingly, slut shamed the female lead, Payton, because he was obviously threatened by the fact that a woman was just as capable as he was, positioning that she got to where she was by selling her body. Nice. To be fair, Payton didn’t take his shit and he did apologize. But seriously, if those are the kind of things that naturally come out of this guy’s mouth on a regular basis…where’s the appeal?
So obviously, any chance that I would root for this man was pretty much obliterated within the first 5 chapters. And the worst part of it all is that nobody ever called him on his bullshit. One day he decided he was going to be a nice guy, and that was it. He never apologized or seemed to have a major change of heart—aside from falling in love with Payton, of course. James really put herself in a tight spot by having a completely disgusting character like that who then turned out to be the novel’s hero. Very, very difficult.
Needless to say, the romance in Practice Makes Perfect did not wow me. I found it lacking in chemistry, believability, and likability.
Also, this book completely fails the Bechdel Test. Normally, that kind of thing doesn’t bother me too much and I don’t pick up on it as much or tend to point it out in reviews. But when you consider there is only one three-dimensional female in this book and maybe two secondary female characters, and that the only thing those females ever discuss is having sex and whose ass looks best, I was annoyed. Not okay. You have this “feminist” character, and then you just make it look like the only thing she and her friends thought about was the Almighty Penis? Come. On.
Add in the fact that every single male character in this book makes some sort of crass/sexist statement at some point…absolutely not. There is better romance out there, and I’ve read it. Women do not have to be the brunt of a joke. And women, I assure you, were more often than not, a joke in this book.
I’ve heard good things about Julie James from multiple sources, but right now I’m not looking forward to ever reading another novel of hers. Practice Makes Perfect was offensive, not to mention boring, and I am completely underwhelmed by this as a whole. Like I said, this book is a complete drag.
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October 17, 2023
DNF at 59%.
Women "want a patriarchal man who is dominant and controlling". WTF, author! You wrote this in 2009? At the very latest it reads late-1990s.
It puzzles me because it is obvious that certain characters understand how patriarchal society damages so many people. The heroine experiences sexism and misogyny. A lot of the sexism and misogyny comes from the "hero". I thought this would be a redemption story. But it seems to be a story about a douche bag who does not have to change to get the girl.
I call BS on this man and on this story. The rant to follow is full of spoilers... you were warned.
1. This is an enemies/competitors to lovers situation. They are opposites. She's a thoughtful woman who thinks about her place in the world and gets angry about injustice. She's ambitious and driven. She came from a poor background and she wants to make it. She's been nominated as one of the 40 women under 40 to watch in her region. She's trying to make partner at her law firm and is well known for her winning courtroom work. She's also described as liberal, feminist, and Clintonian (which, among other things, makes this book sound like it's set in the 1990s, not 2009).
He's an entitled prick who came from money. He self-describes as "right wing". He mocks our heroine for being on a 40 WOMEN list and says "Where is the list of men? We couldn't have that!" When she says, "You've got the rest of the world", he scoffs. But then invites their mutual potential client to a MENS-ONLY golf club. WTAF!? He poo-poos women's rights and doesn't see any issues... but he is SO PART OF THE PROBLEM.
2. She mistakenly drops coffee on his suit jacket. She tries to apologize and he accuses her of sabotaging him. He won't stop being a total asshole to her until she, in a fit of passion, throws coffee on his spare suit, too. It's not great... but she does apologize soon after. He gets PISSED and throws a fit and ends up CUTTING OFF ONE OF HER HEELS and gluing it back on so she'll have an accident and get embarrassed in court. Well, she ends up falling in court and ripping her skirt up the back and showing her butt. But, she laughs it off and "is a class act". He's really impressed and starts thinking "wow, I threw a hissy fit over a little coffee stain, but she flashed her butt in court and ended up laughing. Wow... she's cool."
You'd think that would make him start treating her better. NOPE!
He ends up needing her help. And she helps. She takes a deposition for him and does it REALLY WELL. Instead of thanking her, he yells at her and freaks out that she ruined things for him. She basically has to shove the proof in his face that she took care of things in the right way. Does he apologize well? NOPE! He says "sorry", she wants to kiss him (gag me), and then he tells her "I would have done the same for you if you needed my help".
Uh... I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT! He cannot even hold it together for a moment to really truly see how awesome she is and apologize. SAYING "I'd do it" shouldn't give her fuzzy feelings. Actions speak louder than words, and his actions are wretched so far! I won't believe it until I see it.
What a douche nozzle.
----
This "Romance" sucks!
----
oh, and I'd like to mention that she and he are paired up to l defend a company against the largest gender-based discrimination suit ever! 1.5 million women at this company have banded together to sue this company because of gender base discrimination. What the f is this!? I was waiting for some more clarity but I give up. What is going on with this author? This book is crap!
Women "want a patriarchal man who is dominant and controlling". WTF, author! You wrote this in 2009? At the very latest it reads late-1990s.
It puzzles me because it is obvious that certain characters understand how patriarchal society damages so many people. The heroine experiences sexism and misogyny. A lot of the sexism and misogyny comes from the "hero". I thought this would be a redemption story. But it seems to be a story about a douche bag who does not have to change to get the girl.
I call BS on this man and on this story. The rant to follow is full of spoilers... you were warned.
1. This is an enemies/competitors to lovers situation. They are opposites. She's a thoughtful woman who thinks about her place in the world and gets angry about injustice. She's ambitious and driven. She came from a poor background and she wants to make it. She's been nominated as one of the 40 women under 40 to watch in her region. She's trying to make partner at her law firm and is well known for her winning courtroom work. She's also described as liberal, feminist, and Clintonian (which, among other things, makes this book sound like it's set in the 1990s, not 2009).
He's an entitled prick who came from money. He self-describes as "right wing". He mocks our heroine for being on a 40 WOMEN list and says "Where is the list of men? We couldn't have that!" When she says, "You've got the rest of the world", he scoffs. But then invites their mutual potential client to a MENS-ONLY golf club. WTAF!? He poo-poos women's rights and doesn't see any issues... but he is SO PART OF THE PROBLEM.
2. She mistakenly drops coffee on his suit jacket. She tries to apologize and he accuses her of sabotaging him. He won't stop being a total asshole to her until she, in a fit of passion, throws coffee on his spare suit, too. It's not great... but she does apologize soon after. He gets PISSED and throws a fit and ends up CUTTING OFF ONE OF HER HEELS and gluing it back on so she'll have an accident and get embarrassed in court. Well, she ends up falling in court and ripping her skirt up the back and showing her butt. But, she laughs it off and "is a class act". He's really impressed and starts thinking "wow, I threw a hissy fit over a little coffee stain, but she flashed her butt in court and ended up laughing. Wow... she's cool."
You'd think that would make him start treating her better. NOPE!
He ends up needing her help. And she helps. She takes a deposition for him and does it REALLY WELL. Instead of thanking her, he yells at her and freaks out that she ruined things for him. She basically has to shove the proof in his face that she took care of things in the right way. Does he apologize well? NOPE! He says "sorry", she wants to kiss him (gag me), and then he tells her "I would have done the same for you if you needed my help".
Uh... I DO NOT BELIEVE THAT! He cannot even hold it together for a moment to really truly see how awesome she is and apologize. SAYING "I'd do it" shouldn't give her fuzzy feelings. Actions speak louder than words, and his actions are wretched so far! I won't believe it until I see it.
What a douche nozzle.
----
This "Romance" sucks!
----
oh, and I'd like to mention that she and he are paired up to l defend a company against the largest gender-based discrimination suit ever! 1.5 million women at this company have banded together to sue this company because of gender base discrimination. What the f is this!? I was waiting for some more clarity but I give up. What is going on with this author? This book is crap!
September 9, 2023
Updated after re-read 15/06/22
Julie James is the most wonderful author! Her debut got me hooked and the FBI series is divine – and is one of my favorites of all times. I went into this book with high expectations (both the first and the second time around) and I was not disappointed. I loved this book! It's one of those cases where no words are good enough – I just conclude that Julie James and I are a match made in heaven.
The story is set in contemporary Chicago at a top law firm. Pyton and J.D. have been fighting for eight years and it is a classical elementary school thing – boy pulls girl's hair because he likes her. I really liked both Payton and J.D. and I loved them together. Sparks fly, their chemistry is hot; their bantering right out hilarious and their love story is completely believable. There is no unnecessary angst and they actually communicate – which is surprisingly rare in the romance genre. And the ending – you cannot help but leave this story with a silly grin on your face.
Personally I love that Payton is hot, successful and a strong woman and J.D. is a super sexy alpha male but also really sweet sometimes. I loved them as enemies, I loved them as friends and I loved them as lovers. They definitely had the chemistry but they also had a depth that made the HEA truly believable. I loved the story, its twist and turns and I couldn’t help wishing that this book should be turned into a movie. I can gush forever – but I'll just say that if you like sharp, humorous romance with the enemies-to-lover theme you must try this one!
Julie James is the most wonderful author! Her debut got me hooked and the FBI series is divine – and is one of my favorites of all times. I went into this book with high expectations (both the first and the second time around) and I was not disappointed. I loved this book! It's one of those cases where no words are good enough – I just conclude that Julie James and I are a match made in heaven.
The story is set in contemporary Chicago at a top law firm. Pyton and J.D. have been fighting for eight years and it is a classical elementary school thing – boy pulls girl's hair because he likes her. I really liked both Payton and J.D. and I loved them together. Sparks fly, their chemistry is hot; their bantering right out hilarious and their love story is completely believable. There is no unnecessary angst and they actually communicate – which is surprisingly rare in the romance genre. And the ending – you cannot help but leave this story with a silly grin on your face.
Personally I love that Payton is hot, successful and a strong woman and J.D. is a super sexy alpha male but also really sweet sometimes. I loved them as enemies, I loved them as friends and I loved them as lovers. They definitely had the chemistry but they also had a depth that made the HEA truly believable. I loved the story, its twist and turns and I couldn’t help wishing that this book should be turned into a movie. I can gush forever – but I'll just say that if you like sharp, humorous romance with the enemies-to-lover theme you must try this one!
February 21, 2017
AWWWWW THIS WAS SO FREAKING CUTE!!!
This was a good, old-fashioned but modern love story between two lawyers. The woman Payton is a feminist lawyer who is constantly fighting the man. And the dude is J.D., a semi-chauvinist hunk who constantly verbally spars with Payton. The story takes place over the last month before partners are announced for their law firm. When a last minute decision from their firm to only pick ONE of them as a partner, they take their rivalry up a notch which leads to unexpected outcomes.
The author is clearly very intelligent and was a lawyer herself. You can tell she knows her stuff and puts that into her writing. Not just content-wise, but also how she tells the story and the sophisticated style of her writing. The only thing I was expecting from this that it didn't deliver on was good sex scenes. There are a minimal amount of physical scenes within this entire book and when they do happen, the author just does the YA trope of drifting off into the distance. It was a buzz kill for me. But, to me, this made it more of an old-fashioned love story. There is no insta love. It is a slow build, enemies-to-lovers romance with no cursing and PG-13 rated love scenes.
All in all, a really fun, delightful read!
August 19, 2015
My.face.hurts.from.smiling.
I think I found a new favorite author in Julie James <3
I must note that I may be biased because I recently finished Law School and I found traces of my future in this book,but still Practice Makes Perfect is such a funny and sweet and hot story you can't possibly resist!!And if there is the slightest possibility I may find my J.D. while working my ass off,bring it on baby!!(or not?)
J.D.;an uptight, pony-owning, trickle-down-economics-loving, Scotch-on-the-rocks-drinking, my-wife-better-take-my-last-name sexist jerk.
Payton;a stubborn, button-pushing, Prius-driving, chip-on-your-shoulder-holding, ‘stay-at-home-mom’-is-the-eighth-dirty-word-thinking feminazi.
They sound charming,don't they?
In Practice Makes Perfect Payton and J.D.,two workaholic lawyers who seek perfection,do their best to win the partnership in their firm.Their competition is tough,partly because they hate each other for eight freaking years.Payton is sassy and ambitious and struggles to keep her position in an work place dominated by men.There is no room for romance in her life,unless the mythical Perfect Guy falls out from the sky and lands on her doorstep.She hates J.D. for being smug and wealthy.J.D. is indeed arrogant and cocky as hell,and can't stand his feminazi colleague.And he is way too hot for Payton's good (or every female reader's because he is totally swoonworthy).
I loved it so so much!!<3 <3
It isn't a complicated book,and there is no intrigue or mystery or action in this one.But I would recommend it to anyone who seeks something light and hilarious to read!I laughed so hard in Tyler's lectures on Pride and Prejudice (Darcy complex?a very true story) and in the protagonists' attempts to sabotage each other (there is a certain court scene that cracked me up!)!The dialogues between J.D. and Payton are very witty,and the tension between them is so palpable,it feels like there are sparks that can fire the room!And J.D. is delicious !
I can't wait to read more from Julie James!
I think I found a new favorite author in Julie James <3
I must note that I may be biased because I recently finished Law School and I found traces of my future in this book,but still Practice Makes Perfect is such a funny and sweet and hot story you can't possibly resist!!And if there is the slightest possibility I may find my J.D. while working my ass off,bring it on baby!!(or not?)
J.D.;an uptight, pony-owning, trickle-down-economics-loving, Scotch-on-the-rocks-drinking, my-wife-better-take-my-last-name sexist jerk.
Payton;a stubborn, button-pushing, Prius-driving, chip-on-your-shoulder-holding, ‘stay-at-home-mom’-is-the-eighth-dirty-word-thinking feminazi.
They sound charming,don't they?
In Practice Makes Perfect Payton and J.D.,two workaholic lawyers who seek perfection,do their best to win the partnership in their firm.Their competition is tough,partly because they hate each other for eight freaking years.Payton is sassy and ambitious and struggles to keep her position in an work place dominated by men.There is no room for romance in her life,unless the mythical Perfect Guy falls out from the sky and lands on her doorstep.She hates J.D. for being smug and wealthy.J.D. is indeed arrogant and cocky as hell,and can't stand his feminazi colleague.And he is way too hot for Payton's good (or every female reader's because he is totally swoonworthy).
I loved it so so much!!<3 <3
It isn't a complicated book,and there is no intrigue or mystery or action in this one.But I would recommend it to anyone who seeks something light and hilarious to read!I laughed so hard in Tyler's lectures on Pride and Prejudice (Darcy complex?a very true story) and in the protagonists' attempts to sabotage each other (there is a certain court scene that cracked me up!)!The dialogues between J.D. and Payton are very witty,and the tension between them is so palpable,it feels like there are sparks that can fire the room!And J.D. is delicious !
I can't wait to read more from Julie James!
March 3, 2015
Audio version: review of 2015 relisten coming soon.
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REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK 18 JUNE 2013: 2 stars:(
...and it was a DNF because I couldn't stand Payton! It's incredible that I loved this so much back in 2009 and gave it 5 stars. Being competitive is one thing but Payton's entire behavior and attitude towards JD was childish and downright ugly. That's really unfortunate when the author's made her the heroine rather than the competition for the hero's attraction.
JD was great...until he decided to retaliate and I mentally threw my iPhone against the wall. Gave up. Gave up Julie James, too.
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REVIEW OF FIRST READING, MARCH 2009: 5 STARS
I loved it! It's way better than the first book, Just The Sexiest Man Alive as I found myself fully invested emotionally in both protagonists. At one point, I did start finding the H&H's professional feud exasperating but as soon as I felt that, the relationship took a detour and I was rooting for both J.D. and Payton all the way to their satisfying HEA.
I found J.D. a much more attractive man than Ms James' previous hero but that's probably because I don't care for actors as romance hero material though in real life, I doubt hotshot lawyers like J.D. and Payton are any better. If you work in a law office, this book might not be your idea of romance/leisure reading but for me, it turned out to be delightful and I'm glad I stayed up to 3am to finish it.
The author used to work in a legal firm so I guess her 3rd book will also be based on lawyers and such. I'll still be getting it, though I can't help wishing it will be a non-lawyer romance. Oh, and those over-water bungalows are everything you see on the travel photos and more. I told myself I'd stay in one at least once and so I did last year - not on Bora Bora which J.D. and Payton head off to, but on one of the Maldives atolls. Truly glorious.
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REVIEW OF AUDIOBOOK 18 JUNE 2013: 2 stars:(
...and it was a DNF because I couldn't stand Payton! It's incredible that I loved this so much back in 2009 and gave it 5 stars. Being competitive is one thing but Payton's entire behavior and attitude towards JD was childish and downright ugly. That's really unfortunate when the author's made her the heroine rather than the competition for the hero's attraction.
JD was great...until he decided to retaliate and I mentally threw my iPhone against the wall. Gave up. Gave up Julie James, too.
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REVIEW OF FIRST READING, MARCH 2009: 5 STARS
I loved it! It's way better than the first book, Just The Sexiest Man Alive as I found myself fully invested emotionally in both protagonists. At one point, I did start finding the H&H's professional feud exasperating but as soon as I felt that, the relationship took a detour and I was rooting for both J.D. and Payton all the way to their satisfying HEA.
I found J.D. a much more attractive man than Ms James' previous hero but that's probably because I don't care for actors as romance hero material though in real life, I doubt hotshot lawyers like J.D. and Payton are any better. If you work in a law office, this book might not be your idea of romance/leisure reading but for me, it turned out to be delightful and I'm glad I stayed up to 3am to finish it.
The author used to work in a legal firm so I guess her 3rd book will also be based on lawyers and such. I'll still be getting it, though I can't help wishing it will be a non-lawyer romance. Oh, and those over-water bungalows are everything you see on the travel photos and more. I told myself I'd stay in one at least once and so I did last year - not on Bora Bora which J.D. and Payton head off to, but on one of the Maldives atolls. Truly glorious.
December 8, 2012
Practice Makes Perfect is my favorite of all Julie James's novels - and I've read all of them. Seriously, this is just perfect. Perfect. I can't remember the last time I gave an Adult Contemporary Romance novel a solid 5 Stars, but this story was just too good. It starts out as an office rivalry between Payton and J.D., both highly successful lawyers for whom there is only one promotion spot. Yet, what neither of these two expect is to start to fall for each other and from then on, its a battle to push aside their feelings and simply survive their war. Both J.D. and Payton are incredibly well-developed and realistic characters, both of whom have excellent reasons for being as ambitious as they are. At the same time, however, they get along splendidly and harbor a secret admiration for each other which slowly comes to light as they get to know each other better.
I love that the romance in this story is the perfect slow-burn type, with J.D. and Payton truly getting to know each other, their families, and their lives before finally committing. Furthermore, they have their own hurdles on their path to romance, more than just their professional lives, so when they do admit their feelings for each other, it is more than a little rewarding. Especially since their chemistry is simply sizzling. J.D. too is my favorite of all the men that James has written about. I honestly can't find any flaws with him, despite his flawed and realistic persona. In fact, I can't find any faults with this novel as a whole. It was extremely funny - possibly James' most amusing novel, it was extremely romantic in a very sweet and sexy manner, and it was extremely well-written and engaging.
I can't recommend this novel enough. If you decide to pick up exactly one Julie James novel, let it be this one. It has one of the most satisfying endings ever and I can already see myself re-reading this time and time again, swooning over J.D. every time! ;)
I love that the romance in this story is the perfect slow-burn type, with J.D. and Payton truly getting to know each other, their families, and their lives before finally committing. Furthermore, they have their own hurdles on their path to romance, more than just their professional lives, so when they do admit their feelings for each other, it is more than a little rewarding. Especially since their chemistry is simply sizzling. J.D. too is my favorite of all the men that James has written about. I honestly can't find any flaws with him, despite his flawed and realistic persona. In fact, I can't find any faults with this novel as a whole. It was extremely funny - possibly James' most amusing novel, it was extremely romantic in a very sweet and sexy manner, and it was extremely well-written and engaging.
I can't recommend this novel enough. If you decide to pick up exactly one Julie James novel, let it be this one. It has one of the most satisfying endings ever and I can already see myself re-reading this time and time again, swooning over J.D. every time! ;)
March 28, 2017
Nuestra reseña en A la cama con... un libro
3'5. Me lo he pasado bomba.
3'5. Me lo he pasado bomba.
November 6, 2015
OkayJust kidding... or maybe not. Comm'n J.D is hot. Just can't stop picturing the man... with his suit. Yummy... suddenly hungry :p
This isn't my first Julie James book, but I must say I appreciated this one much more than Just the Sexiest Man Alive.
"This book is more a 3.75 stars, but since it gets harder and harder to find a pleasant contemporary read I'm giving it my 4 stars." ^^
❦I mean all contemporary books are about insta love -> annoying
❦ The guy is mostly possessive, possessive and douche-bag -> really?!?!
❦ The girls are either too cool to fall for the guy (but they fall) or either too dumb and that's why they fall -> not INTERESTED
❦ There is no f... ing plot -> there is a short story evolving (not really) around two main characters that just don't have the balls to be together or either find stupid excuses not to be together! (WHAT ARE YOU IN KINDERGARDEN?)
If you're looking for a fast-paced book that will accompany your cold winter night while you're curled up in bed with a hot chocolate... well you might want to read this book.
This book is just a good combination of humor, romance and life ambitions.
What a surprise this book was, pleasant for once. I wasn't expecting anything like this. As many of you might know, or know but don't care, I love complicated love stories.
I thought this book was going to be full of sexual content, like all the books that get published under the contemporary, new adult category. So I was a little shocked when there was NO SEXUAL GRAPHIC CONTENT.
I had to go back and check the genre and the category under which this book was classified.
Shocking!!!
So if there was no sexual content, no possessive alpha male, no insta loveIT HAD TO BE a boring love story...
Never been happier...
This book made me laugh and smile A LOT! Finally a book that's supposed to make you smile and actually succeeds in it's intent. Not another Wallbanger, thank's heaven!!!
The two characters J.D and Payton are both ambitious and are both fighting to get the partnership. Working in the same firm for eight years they never once treated each other politely. BUT While fighting they were secretly growing a sexual interest.
An interest that develops into so much more... and when the firm is about to announce it's decision everything seems to blow up.
I loved the way Julie James describes J.D. He loves cars, suits and money. There is nothing wrong with money, some people want to make money in life. So what? Some people are born rich, and that doesn't make them awful in any way.
At first Payton has a big prejudice toward J.D, considering her mother's influence, but afterwards she is willing to put that aside and open her eyes. The Clark Kent that she discovers is all she ever wanted. Strong, ambitious, smart ass... someone that could keep up a fight and that could let her legs melt.
J.D revelation. That was the sweetest part of all. He is hot, rich and ambitious... he may had his sexual experiences over the years... but he is no womanizer (so tired of those -> I mean who wants to read "When we where ordering the waitress couldn't keep her eyes off of him" - BORING-)
And... this has nothing to do with the book. But I just finished it and wanted to show it... my October Tbr! What do you guys think?
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