Practice Makes Perfect (Berkley Sensation)

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

In just a few short weeks, the lawyer firm Payton Kendall and J. D. Jameson are attorneys for will announce their latest partner invitations. Being made a partner is something that both Payton and J. D. have worked and hungered for. For eight years both Payton and J. D. have had to control their feelings for each other and strive to get along as coworkers. Not any longer. The firm has decided that they can only make one of them partner so all bets are off - may the best man, or woman, win. Julie James hits the bull's eye once again with a totally hilarious but sexy novel in Practice Makes Perfect. J. D. and Payton have fought so long and so hard to be mean to each other, they almost can't remember a time when they were civil. Besides that, they are unsure of why they started fighting and playing pranks on each other to start with. Asked to help their firm represent a high profile client, Payton and J. D. are unable to keep their hands, and their mouths off of each other. Whether they are in the bedroom or the boardroom, these two characters are evenly matched and absolutely thrilling to watch. Laughing out loud more than once (hint: courtroom scene), I found Practice Makes Perfect to be playful, passionate and remarkably close to being a perfect book. I can't wait to see what Ms. James has in store for her next release. I will definitely be buying and reading it no matter what! Talia Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed

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

Payton Kendall and J.D Jameson are top shot lawyers at a prestigious law firm in Chicago, both set to be made partners in a few weeks. Covert enemies for the past 8 years, they learn they must join forces and work together in order to get a new, big client for the firm. But before they can come to a truce, things get more complicated when they learn that only one of them is making partner. Now the two must deal with the stress of their careers and their growing attraction for each other, despite their obvious hostility and their very different backgrounds: the feminist, public school graduate, and traditionalist, Harvard man. //Practice Makes Perfect// is a fast-paced romantic comedy, packed with hilarious situations and sharp dialogue reminiscent of the best examples of old Hollywood Screwball Comedies. With the plus that Julie James has a background in law which adds verisimilitude to the legal proceedings described in the book, the old trope of enemies-turned-lovers is brought to life by a talented writer who writes romance without hardly any sentimentality - no mushiness allowed. But do expect a lot of sparks to fly between her engaging characters. Reviewed by Ana Grilo

There are three ways to tell if a book will be a winner in my eyes. I become an emotional wreck and hold back tears, laugh hysterically out loud and find people giving me strange looks, or spend hours reading until I go cross eyed because I can't stop. Practice Makes Perfect is a book where I had such a loud responses while I was reading. There is one scene where it was so shockingly funny that I couldn't stop laughing. I did this while on the bus going into work and received some stares. But I didn't care because I was having the time of my life reading another awesome book by Julie James.Even though Practice Makes Perfect is only her second book, she is a bright star in the contemporary genre. Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson have worked at the same law firm for eight years. Both are dedicated, bright and are up for a partnership in a few weeks. But these two both have a secret; they really can't stand each other. They are professionals and treat each other with the courtesy they deserve, but they constantly try to out do the other. J.D. will be at the office bright and early everyday. Payton tries to beat him at his own game, but J.D. is always one step ahead of her. J.D. irks her to no end and it kills her that this rich boy has had everything handed to him. And J.D. loves to throw it in Payton's face with his expensive suits, his Bentley, and the fact that everyone loves him. She also feels because J.D. is a man, and she is a woman, she has to work harder to gain the respect she deserves. J.D. is sick of Payton's, "I am woman, hear me roar" mumbo jumbo. Ever since day one, she has been a thorn in his side and he can't figure out what he did to make her dislike him so. The highlight of his day is when he can throw a few zingers her way, but it is just harmless teasing. Anyway, she can stand up pretty well herself when they engage in their verbal warfare. Things are about to change between these two. First their boss wants them both to work together on a very important case that will bring in millions of dollars. If that isn't bad enough that they both have to work together, now only one of them will be partner because the other partner chosen must be over the age of forty so there is no age discrimination. And since both J.D. and Payton are under forty, only one of them can move forward. Both finally agree that this whole situation is total BS. Now they are truly at war with one another. J.D. and Payton will try whatever they can to win even if that means making the other look bad. But then their relationship changes where they are no longer wishing to throw a few law books at their heads, but wanting to make out among the stacks of law books instead. Everything is in good fun, especially when J.D. and Payton start with their pranks against one another. These are not meant to be malicious or petty. Unfortunately Payton gets the ball rolling by accidentally spilling some coffee on J.D.'s suit coat while she is looking for something in his