One of my favorite author/narrator combos! I personally think Karen White narrating Julie James is one of the most perfect pairings – James’ prose delivered in that smart, sassy, humorous way just does it for me, and how James moves the protagonists in this book from rivals to lovers worked so well – and the side-splitting antics they go through make the book truly delightful.

Practice Makes Perfect pits two lawyers, eight-year associates in their firm, against each other. Payton and J.D. joined the firm at the same time, so they are up for partner at the same time as well. Suddenly they learn that there is a place for only one of them as partner in their department in order to keep from pushing older lawyers out, and it’s game on for these two competitors.

From the first day they met, they established a rivalry when something Payton said to J.D. was interpreted as an insult, and they’ve spent eight years hating one another and playing tricks and otherwise trying to trip up the other. Payton was raised by a single hippie vegan mom, and Payton herself is vegetarian and liberal; J.D. comes from Old Money, Republican and traditional in every way. Of course, the chemistry between them is so electric it’s funny that everyone but them is aware of it.

James puts them in the most hysterical predicaments – I found myself laughing out loud several times. One of the many funny highlights of the book takes place in a cab, when J.D.’s best friend Tyler tries to convince him to use Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice to woo Payton, and the cabbie chimes in with his opinion of the plot of P&P as well. And James builds the tension slowly, so slowly, that it takes almost to the end of the book before you even get a glimmer of hope they’ll resolve their differences. When I first read it, I kept wondering how they would pull the relationship together in light of the threat that one of them would have to leave the firm, and I still love the resolution!

Karen White shines with contemporary romantic comedy. Her perfect pacing, her comedic timing, her ability to deliver the dry wit as well as the slapstick situations all make this a truly wonderful experience. She creates complete characters for all the many people in the story, from their smarmy boss Ben to the various clerks and secretaries to the Jane Austen fan cab driver. But don’t get the idea that the book is farce – there are also true emotions and a wonderful grand gesture/grovel at the end. It’s a true 5-star experience, not to be missed.

Melinda

Narration: A

Book Content: A

Steam Factor: Glad I had my earbuds in

Violence: None

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Publisher: Tantor Audio