Holly‘s review of Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James
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 only: 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 . . .
Practice Makes Perfect is the second release by Julie James. I found it to be very well done, though I think it has more depth and emotion than her debut release, Just the Sexist Man Alive. It also had many more laugh out loud moments.
Payton and J.D. have been rivals for the 8 years they’ve been working together. They maintain a polite professional facade in front of others, but in private they do everything they can to one-up each other. When they’re asked to work on bringing a new client in together, they tentatively put aside their differences to make things work. Until word comes down that there’s only one spot available for partner. Which means that their competition just turned very real. With the firms “up or out” policy, one of them will be a partner at the end of the month and the other will be without a job.
But unexpectedly (or maybe not so much?), their rivalry turns into sexual tension. Though they both try to deny it, it isn’t long before they realize more is at stake than just the firm’s partnership.
To use the phrase “opposites attract” is a complete understatement in this case. Payton and J.D. couldn’t have been more different, and yet it was obvious right from the beginning that they shared serious chemistry. Payton was an excellent heroine. She had strength, purpose and confidence. Her quips and barbs were hilarious and I loved how she reacted under pressure. When her antics with J.D. result in a humiliating scene in the courtroom for her she handles it with aplomb. I was seriously impressed – and highly amused – over how things were handled by her throughout the book.
I really enjoyed J.D.’s character, but I felt there were times he crossed the line in some of his interactions with Payton. He was always sorry afterward and apologized directly to her, but it still rubbed me the wrong way. Payton definitely gave as good as she got, but there seemed to be an invisible line she wouldn’t cross that J.D. had no problem stepping over. Especially his big revelation at the end. That was just..wrong.
As I said, though, Payton gave as good as she got. Despite the fact that J.D. pushed a little too hard now and again, she definitely held her own against him. She didn’t let his attitude bother her. I really liked how she stood up to him, often boxing him in and making him realize he was wrong. She was a strong heroine without being obnoxious or pushing.
There was a lot of humor laced throughout the novel. Payton’s mishap in court that I alluded to above, conversations she and J.D. have, a talk J.D.’s best friend, Tyler, has with him about Pride and Prejudice. That has to be my favorite scene in the entire book:
“Oh, right, P and P,” J.D. said. “You know, Tyler, you might want to pick your balls up – I think they just fell right off when you said that.
Up front, the cab driver let out a good snicker.
Tyler shook his head. “Laugh if you want, but let me tell you something: women go crazy for that book. And even crazier for men who have read it. If I plan to bring a girl back to my place, I might just so happen to leave a copy of it sitting out on my coffee table and, let’s just say, hijinks frequently ensue. And you know what? It’s not a bad bit of storytelling. I like to put on a nice pot of Earl Grey tea, maybe a slice of almond biscotti, and – yeah, that’s fine, keep right on laughing, buddy, but I bet I’ve gotten laid more recently than you.”
“Hey- not that I’m not thoroughly amused at the thought of your little tea cozy and you wrapped up in a blanket reading your book – “
“I didn’t say there was a blanket.” Tyler paused. “Fine. Sometimes there may be a blanket.”
Hilarious. As I mentioned in my review of Just the Sexiest Man Alive, James really writes friendships well. I was glad to see Tyler and J.D. had a normal, healthy male relationship. It reminded me quite a bit of the relationship my husband has with his best friend. Sometimes tough, sometimes sweet, sometimes more like a girl relationship than not. She nailed it.
Besides my issue with some of the things J.D. said/did, I was also frustrated by the way his issues with his father were brushed aside at the end. He has major hang-ups throughout but at the end they just kind of disappeared. Although the resolution at the end of the novel was one I saw coming a mile away, the way it came about seemed rushed to me. I kind of wish there had been just a bit more at the end. These are small issues, however, and didn’t really ruin my reading enjoyment.
Once again James has written a fun, fast-paced, sexy read. She really excels at writing excellent dialogue and interesting characters. Highly recommend.
4 out of 5
This book is available from Berkley. You can buy it here or here in e-format.
**Contest Alert**We have three copies of this to giveaway (aside from the three signed copies Julie is offering). Leave a comment on this post telling me why you want to read this book by 11:59 p.m. tomorrow – Saturday, Feb. 28th – and I’ll enter your name in the drawing.
Holy Julie James day, Batman! Is this the third post today? If I were Julie James, I’d be doing the happy dance by now *g*
Based on how much I’m enjoying the first chapters of JTSMA, I’d say I’d be interested in the follow-up for sure.
Yay funny contemporaries!
I AM doing the happy dance!! Yeah, Holly– thanks for the great review! I’m so glad to hear you enjoyed PMP!
The strange thing is, I knew J.D. was a flawed character when writing him. A similar thing happened with JTSMA–Jason would say these really obnoxious things in my head, where I would be like, I can’t believe he just said that!! BUT, if it was true to the character, I tried not to censure anything out. It was the same thing with J.D.– there were times when I thought, yikes–he is really walking the line with this (maybe even crossing over it), but if I honestly thought it was something he would do, I wrote it.
Some of this probably just reflects my own views as both a reader and an author– I can forgive A LOT of flaws in a hero, as long as at the end of the day, I truly believe he’s head over heels in love with the heroine. But what’s funny is that the scene I cringed over the most when writing (without giving anything away) is the one where Payton does her thing with the Starbucks cup. I kept thinking, uh-oh, is this too much?? But again, since it’s what I thought she would honestly do, I put it on the page.
Maybe that sounds weird… like I’m more a stenographer rather than an author… although most of the time when writing, that’s how I feel!
Anyway, thanks so much for the insightful review. Whew– you’ve really got me thinking today! : )
This sounds really good. I teach and I’ll have spring break in a few weeks. I’d love to add this to my week-long reading marathon!!
I would like to read this because…
well, you recommend it 😀
I love it when an author incorporate friendships that the hero has with his other guy buddies in the storylines. Like Holly wrote in her post about JTSMA, it’s rare to read about male friendships in romance novels…I am going to stalk my local Borders this weekend to see if I can get my hands on an early copy so please don’t enter me in the contest! Thanks though!
I think I’d like to read this book because it sounds like a fun read! Especially if they are trying to keep up appearances on the outside while sniping at each other 🙂
I didn’t know what I’d say till I read the comments.
I love that Julie James says she will write what is true to the characters even though it sometimes makes her uncomfortable. I think that’s what makes characters feel real.
I wanna read it because funny books almost never work for me and that excerpt made me laugh. — willaful
This book sounds very good! A story with humor and no rules – my kind of story! I can’t wait to read it. Thanks for you contest!
5wrights1@verizon.net
Oh, and the sexual tension is ALWAYS a good reason to want to read it!
I LOVED THAT SCENE! That scene had me laughing so much. I heart Tyler! I’m glad you liked this one, everyone should read this.
Sounds awesome and if the Binge recommends it, that’s good enough for me.
Well now I just HAVE to read about the court mishap. Sounds good. Count me in, please.
Cheryl S.
I want read it because everyone here at the Binge has loved her books. And I gave up buying books for Lent, and now I really really want to try this new author.
I want to read the book because I like stories involving lawyers. It’s such an adversarial profession that it’s an interesting backdrop for a romance.
I want to read it because it sounds like a good, fun book. I loved Just The Sexiest Man Alive, and I cannot wait to see what else Julie James has in store for her readers.
I’d like to read it because I need a good, fun contemporary in my life right now. Stupid February! (Yay, March is SO close I can practically taste it.)
This sounds like a pretty light hearted fun read that will make me smile. I’d love to read this
msboatgal at aol dot com
I love reading fun contemporaries with witty dialog. This sounds like a book I would really enjoy!
Humourous romances are my favorite 😀 I remember the first review I saw here of “Just the Sexiest Man Alive” and I’ve told myself ever since I needed to give this author a try.
I love humorous stories. I loved the review and I am intrigued to read Ms. James’ books.
Just from visiting this website, the excitement about this book has piqued my interest, and I’d like to check it out.
Diana
Please count me in for the giveaways! why? Well, I’ve heard nothing but raving good comments about Ms. James and her books! Thanks 🙂
great cover. have read review fo r this book and i like the law. i t would be my time tring her books thanks ladies
kh
I am probably too late, but I would love this book because I have started to read contemporary romances again and this sounds really good.
M., When we do it, we do it right. 🙂
Julie,
Oh, I forgot to mention the “Starbucks” incident, but you’re correct, Payton did go too far with that scene. Although I think she got paid back x 10, don’t you?
Overall I liked J.D.’s (come on, tell us what that stands for) character, I just thought he went a little too far now and then. I never doubted that he and Payton should be together, though.
By reading both JJ books starting at 7pm Fri ended costing me whole night`s sleep with the result I was zombie for the rest of the weekend! But hey it was well worth discovering the joys of JJ `s sharp,witty and well written characters. Not really a contemp. romance reader, I for once was very riveted by the wonderful weave by JJ and count me in as an avid fan! ….especially LOL for the hilarious scene in courtroom and kudos to Payton for a funny comeback! Well done JJ! Also great reviews! -ashipper,NZ
I’m in the middle of my winning copy right now and enjoying it very much. Someone — can’t remember who — compared it to the old screwball comedies and it does indeed have some of that feel. Also reminds me of one of my favorite movies, “He Said, She Said.” — willaful