Customer Reviews

Practice Makes Perfect (Berkley Sensation)

5 star:		(45)
4 star:		(11)
3 star:		(9)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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

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.

Payton Kendall is a female lawyer specializing in "employment law, particularly single-plaintiff race and gender discrimination lawsuits". Politically, she is liberal to the core, a vegan, a strong-minded feminist, she has a sarcastic rapier wit and is ultra competitive in her work environment. Payton is weeks away from a earning a partnership at the elite law firm in Chicago where she has devoted long arduous hours for the past 8 years. Payton has never lost a case; she is a top-notch lawyer having earned her way in what is still predominately a man's profession.

J.D. Jameson is a male lawyer specializing in class action law, handling large multi-plaintiff, multi-district cases. Politically, he is conservative to the core, a meat eater, comfortable with the "upper class - old boy's club", due to his upbringing by wealthy old school parents. J.D. is cocky as hell and is ultra competitive in, well everything. He is weeks away from a earning a partnership at an elite law firm in Chicago where he has devoted long arduous hours for the past 8 years. He too is a top-notch lawyer having earned his way up in the firm, and he sees women in his profession as having a edge because of their gender.

Oh, and Payton and J.D.? They work for the same firm and have offices across the hall from one another. Neither is sure what initiated the "dislike" they feel for one another, but each views the other as the "enemy". They maintain an outward air of civility in the office however, when they are out of earshot of the administrative staff and other associates, they have been "at war" for eight years. They even compete to be first into the office in the morning. The cutting sarcastic exchanges between these two, which I am now coming to enjoy as "vintage Julie James", are hilarious.

Competitive angst bubbles between J.D. and Payton reaching the boiling point, and pours forth when the partnership committee of the firm decides that only one of them is going to make partner because of "strategic leveraging" which will force the other to leave the firm. Both of these characters have invested their heart and soul into their career at the firm for a long time and at first they are stunned. Then they become angry with the powers that be for forcing them into an even more competitive situation. What makes it worse, is that the senior partner "Ben" uses J.D. and Payton's expertise in a bid to reel in a huge client for the firm prior to the shoe falling with respect to the partnership decision.

When a conversation between Payton and J.D. following the announcement of the partnership decision turns sour, the gloves really come off and it's every man/woman for themselves.

There is an absolutely hilarious courtroom scene involving Payton that you will have to read the book to enjoy but all I can say is that Ms. James once again had me howling with laughter!

I've read a couple of reviews that indicated they had difficulty liking J.D. in the early part of the story because of his chauvinistic attitudes. However, I liked him. He and Payton are extremely prideful, driven people with a strong set of principles. The narrative allowed me to see that the angst and competitive issues between them was actually sexual tension that had been simmering for 8 years. This story is a slow burn with respect to these lovers finally making it to the bedroom, once again this is a contemporary romance and there is no graphic sex. However, I thought the love scene penned for them was fun, rather sweet and quite sexy.

The secondary characters were awesome. J.D.'s friend Tyler is an absolute hoot. Here is a short example of an exchange between J.D. and Tyler as the former offers his friend some advice with respect to Payton.

"No, see, that's what makes it all the more interesting, " Tyler said. He adopted a grandly dramatic tone. "`Does our fair Ms. Kendall truly loathe the arrogant Mr. Jameson as she so ardently proclaims, or is it all just a charade to cover more amorous feelings for a man she reluctantly admires?'"

Up front, the cabdriver snorted loudly. He appeared to be enjoying the show.

"Psych 101 again?" J.D. asked.

Tyler shook his head. "Lit 305: Eighteenth-Century Women's fiction." He caught J.D.'s look and quickly defended himself. "What? I took it because of the girls in the class. Anyway, I see a bit of P and P dynamic going on between you and Payton."

J.D. didn't think he wanted to know. Really. But he asked anyway. "P and P?"

Tyler shot him a look, appalled. "Uh, hello--Pride and Prejudice?" His tone said only a cretin wouldn't know this.

"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."

Up front, the cabdriver let out a good snicker."


"Practice Makes Perfect" © Julie James

LOL!

Tyler is actually a very cool guy and when the going really gets tough with Payton, J.D. turns to his best friend for support and guidance.

Then there is Payton's mother. OMG. Lex Kendall calls her daughter "Sis", protested everything, felt Barbie dolls and fairy tales were sexist. She also is a vegan and vehemently opposes people wearing fur coats. It makes for an interesting exchange when Payton and Lex run into J.D. and his parents in a restaurant.

There are a couple of surprises in store for readers with respect to J.D. and a rather ugly secret he has kept for years concerning Payton. Lets just say a past mistake comes back to bite him in the butt big time nearly causing irreparable damage to a burgeoning relationship with Payton.

The only thing I was left wondering was what the initials J.D. stood for? lol

"Practice Makes Perfect", is now sitting on my keeper shelf next to Julie James' first novel. I love her voice and am so looking forward to her future work.

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.

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. :-)

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

I've read everyone's reviews before purchasing this book. I was skeptical about how great the writing was considering that every time I picked up a book Berkley published, I'm was more disgusted than anything. This book changed my mind completely. This is a well thought out, well written contemporary romance.

Payton Kendall and J.D. were both lawyers at the same law firm. For an obscure reason, they secretly waged war with each other in order to get the shining prize at the end: partnership. And finally, after eight years of hard work, they were at the homestretch. Then unexpectedly, they were forced to be on the same case together and were told that only one position of partnership was available, not two that was promised. This means no more mister or miss nice guy. This starts off a series of random incidents which brought their denied attraction to each other into the light. But with the partnership hanging over them like a hangman's noose, do they have a chance?

I couldn't put this book down until I finished. The story was funny and never dropped the pace. Each chapter was pretty short, to the point and there was something hilarious in every one. The author did a superb job in creating the hero and heroine. Both of them were witty with great lines and quips. (Seriously, there were actually points where I laughed out loud and especially loved both scenes with the Pride & Prejudice reference). Despite being formidable opponents, they slowly found that each had their vulnerabilities and maybe fighting each other was not the answer. The author did a fantastic job with the scenes where they were getting revenge with one another and was very original to say the least. This is practically a clean romance except at the very end. But even then, it's not out and out explicit. I know some complain about her style for these scenes but it seemed appropriate. To continue with the tone of the story, the author kept it light with right enough humor to stay in character and mood. If they got hot and heavy, it would throw the story off course (for me anyways).

I haven't read her previous book yet, but I think I might go pick it up the next time in the bookstore. This is an author I'm keeping my eye on. Definitely a keeper.

First: Pride & Prejudice is one of my top 5 favorite novels and I'm not making a direct comparison!
Second: I think Julie James did an excellent job of borrowing some of the tones from that great novel and created an excellent "antagonistic relationship reveals love" story--this Mr. Darcy has a sense of humor, too! I just really appreciate (in most of her other novels, too) how real her characters seem--even when they are fighting or sabotaging one another, they never cross a line of no return, because they do care about one another. I can't stand when romance novels create a love story around two people and don't "show" us that they love each other, the author just tells us. Especially when a character is borderline, or full-on, verbally abusive--gee, isn't that so romantic? In this book, you sense the respect (even if it's grudging), you feel the attraction, and you understand the misunderstandings! They are perfectly matched, can go toe-to-toe, and if they made a mistake, they apologized. Also, I thought the back-story reveals were all really satisfying--it was clear how the two characters got from point A to point B in their relationship.

Anyway, I really recommend this story for people who like banter, mild conflict, and warm, fuzzy feelings. I was not disappointed that their relationship progressed at the pace Julie James dictated because, frankly, if you thought, for 8 years, that someone disliked you or baited you or was an ass--would you have a complete reversal of feelings in one day? I thought it made sense, which is probably why I was able to enjoy the book so thoroughly.

I read Julie James' first book "Sexiest Man Alive" and absolutely enjoyed it. This one is no different! Payton and JD were fantastic together--there barbs and zingers were so funny and I couldn't put this book down, kept telling myself one more chapter! When Payton was finally able to let down her guard, I thought it was so incredibly sweet but JD had his dumb man moment! Annoying, but he totally redeemed himself and I was so happy to see their HEA. JD is so in love with Payton and I'm glad they didn't drag out arguments and mind games over JD's "secret" involving Payton. I am now waiting anxiously for Miss James' third book due out in March 2010.

I loved "Just the Sexiest Man Alive" and waited with anticipation for this author's follow-up book. I wasn't disappointed at all! I have seen other reviews that state the book was focused too much on the legal aspect, but I completely disagree. In fact, I appreciate when someone writes about something they actually know - rather than create a Hollywood-ized version of a profession that is completely unrealistic. I thought the romantic tension between the main characters was very believable and kept me turning the pages!