Practice Makes Perfect (Berkley Sensation) [Mass Market Paperback]

Julie James (Author)

Book Description

Release date: March 3, 2009 | Series: Berkley Sensation

When it comes to the laws of attraction, there are no rules The battle between the sexes is about to make these two lawyers hot under the collar. Opposites collide when two lawyers try to make partner at the same firm. Payton Kendall is a feminist to the bone. Cocky J.D. Jameson was born privileged. But when they're asked to join forces on a major case, they gain a newfound awareness of each other's personal assets. The partnership spot will be offered to only one of them, though. The competition heats up. Sparks fly. Let the games begin.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

*Starred Review* After eight years of grueling yet friendly competition, both Payton and J. D. anticipate partnership at their prestigious Chicago law firm. But after putting aside their personal animosities and working together to sign an important account, they realize each is vulnerable to, and attracted by, the other. Unfortunately, their boss then announces that only one partner will be named this year from the litigation department, and suddenly the competition is very real—and not at all friendly. In her second novel, following Just the Sexiest Man Alive (2008), James presents a sophisticated contemporary romance set in legal circles, and proves that she is a master at conveying both courtroom and behind-the-scenes maneuvering. As her charmingly arrogant and ambitious characters spar endlessly and entertainingly, they inadvertently reveal their insecurities and personal foibles, while competing for high stakes in both business and love. --Lynne Welch

Review

?"Practice Makes Perfect" by Julie James is a tantalizing dessert? a delicious, delightful read that all hopeless romantics will enjoy. If you like romantic comedies...then you will not be disappointed with this book.?
?Olivia Clarke, "Chicago Sun-Times"
?A delightful and fast-moving romance... a surprisingly heartwarming tale of love.?
?"Romantic Times BOOKreviews"
?[I]f you haven?t yet had a chance to pick up your copy of Practice Makes Perfect, what the heck are you waiting for? Run out now and buy this perfect read!!!?
? Buffie Johnson, Romance Novel TV
?"Practice Makes Perfect" delivers the laughs, it delivers the steam and it delivers a fantastically written romance with two strong characters that made an entertaining read just right.
?Rowena Wilson, "The Book Binge"
?A very enjoyable read... If you like contemporary romances... you will take this book to your hearts.
? "All About Romance"
?What a fun story!... "PRACTICEe

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Berkley; Original edition (March 3, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0425226743
• ISBN-13: 978-0425226742
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.8 x 6.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (90 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #134,918 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

After graduating from law school, New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Julie James clerked for the United States Court of Appeals. She then 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.

Julie's books have been listed on the American Library Association's Reading List for Top Genre Novels, Booklist's Top 10 Romances of the Year, and have been featured as one of Cosmopolitan magazine's Red Hot Reads. Julie's novels also were chosen as the Best Contemporary Romances of 2010, 2011, and 2012 in the All About Romance Readers' Polls. Her books have been translated into thirteen languages and Julie's sixth novel, LOVE IRRESISTIBLY, is now available.

Julie James lives with her husband and two children in Chicago, where she is currently working on her next book.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

48 of 51 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Near Perfect Romance (A Grade) March 13, 2009

By Katie Babs VINE™ VOICE

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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 office. He catches her and accuses her of sabotaging him. Because J.D. goes too far with his insults, Payton pours the rest of the coffee down his spare suit jacket right when he is due in court. What J.D. does in retaliation is so embarrassing for Payton but one of the funniest scenes in the whole book. (We find out that Payton likes to wear thongs) Heck, one of the funniest in any book I have read in the past few years. But before things can go too far between the two, Payton and J.D. know they must stop with the pettiness, and come what may, they have each other's backs.

I wouldn't say J.D. and Payton are former enemies who become lovers, but are more like friendly rivals, much like the little boy who pulls the little girl's hair on the playground. Underneath all that teasing, it is another meaning altogether. The same goes on between J.D. and Payton. And when these two finally realize that they can no longer be the rivals they once were, they act on their attraction for one another that has been simmering below the surface for so long. Hello, eight long years of lusting between the two makes for some great love scenes.

Practice Makes Perfect is one of the best opposites attract stories I have read in recent memory. I knew in the first five pages that this book was going to be score big points. I felt like I was in the middle of a 1940's screwball comedy like His Girl Friday or The Philadelphia Story with J.D. as Cary Grant and Payton as Rosalind Russell or Katherine Hepburn. This is a zany, laugh out loud book that I didn't want to end. This book is a must read. If you feel the need to support the contemporary genre and can't find any worthy authors or books, I found your answer here with this book and the extraordinary talents of Julie James.

Katiebabs

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The title couldn't be more right for this is perfection January 31, 2010

By 30something

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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

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

22 of 28 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars lawyers, lawyers, and more lawyers. March 12, 2009

By she reads

Format:Mass Market Paperback

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

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

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

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

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

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