I spent most of yesterday editing a manuscript where the author's characters bickered on every page, but it felt forced and exhausting rather than fun. By evening, I needed a palate cleanser—something that showed me how workplace rivals with sharp tongues could actually be entertaining. I pulled Practice Makes Perfect off my shelf for a reread, and within minutes I was remembering exactly why enemies-to-lovers works so well when the banter is this good. Sometimes my work reminds me why certain books become comfort rereads.
Plot Summary
Practice Makes Perfect by Julie James is a contemporary workplace romance published in 2009. Payton Kendall and J.D. Jameson are both talented lawyers at a prestigious Chicago law firm, and they've been engaged in a cold war for eight years. Payton is a dedicated feminist who has fought hard to succeed in a male-dominated profession, while J.D. is a wealthy, privileged Harvard grad who initially dismissed her. They've kept a safe distance and remained professionally civil for one reason: they both want to make partner. When the firm announces there's only one partnership position available and assigns them to work together on a major gender discrimination case, everything changes. Forced proximity makes them realize their hostility might be masking serious attraction. As they appreciate each other's dedication to the law, sparks fly and the chemistry becomes undeniable. But when they discover only one of them will be named partner, the gloves come off. Now it's all-out war, and the battle between these competitive lawyers is about to get very hot under the collar. This hilarious romance proves that sometimes the person who drives you crazy is exactly the one who makes you feel most alive.
Why I Love This Book
I love how Practice Makes Perfect delivers laugh-out-loud humor on nearly every page. Julie James has a gift for witty dialogue and hilarious situations that feel organic rather than forced. The banter between Payton and J.D. is electric—sharp, clever, and genuinely funny. Payton is a strong heroine who doesn't compromise her feminist ideals when romance enters the picture, which I appreciated. The workplace setting feels authentic, and the legal drama adds stakes beyond just the romance. The chemistry between the leads is sizzling, and watching them go from enemies to reluctant allies to lovers is incredibly satisfying. I loved the supporting characters, especially their friends who provide comic relief and perspective. The pacing is excellent, and the book balances humor with genuine emotion. It's the perfect comfort read when you need something light, funny, and romantic without heavy angst. The steam level is moderate but well-done, with scenes that feel earned and meaningful.
Who Will Like This Book
If you enjoy contemporary romance with enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance, forced proximity, hilarious banter, lawyer characters, and slow burn tension, you'll love this book. It's perfect for readers who want laugh-out-loud humor with genuine romantic tension. Fans of strong feminist heroines, cocky heroes who grow, and witty dialogue will eat this up. The book is lighter on angst and heavier on humor, making it ideal for a feel-good comfort read. Readers who love authors like Nora Roberts, Linda Howard, or contemporary rom-coms will appreciate Julie James's style. The steam is moderate—definitely steamy but not extremely explicit.
⚠️ Trigger warning: workplace competition, some outdated attitudes about gender (from secondary characters and initially from hero, addressed in story), mild language, moderate sexual content, past slut-shaming comments (apologized for).
Tagged As
contemporary romance, workplace romance, enemies to lovers, lawyers, forced proximity, rivals to lovers, witty banter, laugh-out-loud funny, feminist heroine, cocky hero, Chicago setting, law firm, partnership competition, slow burn, moderate steam, open door, HEA, comfort read, feel-good romance, 2009 publication, Julie James, Berkley Sensation, strong heroine, character growth, friends to lovers elements
Steam Level
The book features moderate steam with a few open-door intimate scenes. The sexual tension builds throughout the story, but the actual intimate scenes are limited and tastefully written. The focus is more on the banter, emotional connection, and romantic tension than explicit content. When the scenes do happen, they're detailed enough to be satisfying but not graphically explicit. Perfect for readers who want some steam without it being the main focus.
