Sarah Adams delivers a cozy contemporary romance that hits familiar notes with competent execution, though it rarely surprises. The story follows Annie, a rigid piano instructor whose carefully ordered life gets disrupted when she's forced to teach Will, a laid-back bartender learning piano to impress his young daughter.

Adams excels at creating genuinely likeable protagonists—Annie's perfectionism feels relatable rather than neurotic, while Will's easygoing charm never veers into irresponsible territory. Their chemistry builds naturally through piano lessons that become increasingly personal, and Adams wisely lets their relationship develop through small, authentic moments rather than manufactured drama.

The supporting cast, particularly Will's precocious seven-year-old daughter Emilia, adds warmth without feeling like plot devices. Adams writes with a light, accessible tone that makes this an easy weekend read, and her depiction of small-town Tennessee feels lived-in rather than stereotypical.

However, the book suffers from extreme predictability—every plot point telegraphs itself chapters in advance, from Annie's inevitable loosening up to the third-act misunderstanding that temporarily separates our leads. The pacing drags in the middle section, where repetitive piano lesson scenes pad the runtime without advancing character development.

Adams also relies too heavily on internal monologue to convey emotion, sometimes telling us what we should already feel from the characters' actions. The conflict resolution feels rushed, with Annie's deep-seated control issues resolved almost too neatly. This book works best for readers seeking comfort reading with guaranteed happy endings—romance fans who want gentle escapism without challenging themes or complex plotting. It's perfect for beach reading or palate cleansers between heavier books. Skip this if you prefer your romance with more steam, complex emotional stakes, or unpredictable plotting. While Adams demonstrates solid fundamentals, 'Practice Makes Perfect' plays it disappointingly safe.