| Title | : | Practice Makes Perfect (Housemates, #3) |
| Author | : | |
| Rating | : | |
| ISBN | : | - |
| Language | : | English |
| Format Type | : | Kindle Edition |
| Number of Pages | : | 227 |
| Publication | : | First published June 22, 2016 |
Practice Makes Perfect (Housemates, #3) Reviews
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Take one ginger (pale skin, freckles, and all) who inadvertently opens an Amazon package belonging to his new neighbor. Said package contains a dildo, a very nice one at that. What's the neighborly thing to do? Why, return the dildo of course.
Nope, that's not awkward. AT ALL.
Add one dark-haired geek sporting sexy black-framed glasses who is eager to lose his virginity AND a whiz at maths.
Throw in some tutoring sessions (Ewan is crap at maths and needs help with statistics; Dev needs help with sex).
And watch the page light on FIRE.
There is no lack of steam here, y'all. I think my brain melted somewhere around the 20 percent mark and never recovered. These are college boys after all, and they have stamina aplenty.
Dev is one motivated virgin, and Ewan just wants to save Dev from the pervs of Grindr. He's doing it out of the goodness of his heart.
Riiiight.
So there's some of this:
And a bit more of that:
It's all rimming and blow jobs until someone gets hurt.
Both Dev and Ewan develop inconvenient feelings for each other. It's the conversations over chocolate shakes. And laughter. And cooking lessons. Plus, Dev is HAPPY. He's escaped the dorm filled with bullies and has great housemates. All he needs now is a boyfriend. *ahem*
But Ewan doesn't want to be tied down. He said so. Never mind that he looks at Dev with complete devotion and kisses his cheek so sweetly.
Because these MCs are 19 (maybe 20), they haven't developed the fine art of COMMUNICATION. Oy vey iz mir, a misunderstanding almost ruins it all! Ewan overhears something, but he gets it all wrong.
Remain calm & have no fear! These men can't stay away from each other, and the HEA, while tentative (because they're young and in college), feels like the real deal.
How can you not fall in love with these two? There's Ewan, with his contagious grin and flaming red hair, and Dev, with his lists and dirty talk. Dev is a study in contrasts: uptight but wanton, shy but adventurous, inexperienced but a quick learner. Ewan can't help but fall, and fall hard.
We do visit briefly with Mac & Jez (book 1), as well as Rupert & Josh (book 2), but Practice Makes Perfect can be read as a standalone (I don't recommend skipping the other stories, though; this series is just TOO GOOD to miss!).
I loved this story! It's sexy, well-written, FUN, humorous, a little bit angsty, and did I mention sexy?
"Jesus, you like the dirty talk, then? You're pretty kinky for a virgin."
"I wasn't trying to talk dirty. I just want to know what you like."
Ewan chuckled breathlessly. "Somehow that makes it all the hotter." -
This one was a pretty fun and sexy story of next door college neighbors getting to 'know' one another a whole, whole (hole?) lot better. ;- )
Dev is a nerdy, virginal college freshman, who likes to make lists for pretty much everything. As the story begins, his first list looks like this:Things To Do This Term
Hot, tall and sporty ginger Ewan had only briefly met Dev once, when an Amazon package for Dev is delivered to his house, containing a sexy toy, which Ewan opens by mistake.
▶ Make some friends
▶ Learn to cook
▶ Research sex stuff
▶ Join Grindr
▶ Get some experience
▶ Find a boyfriend
Not wanting to embarrass Dev any more than necessary, Ewan hand delivers the, ahem, 'package' to Dev, which sparks discussion and they reach a gentleman's agreement.
Dev will tutor Ewan in statistics and the more experienced Ewan will help Dev work through his first gay experience to do list. Because, of course, Dev has a list for that, too.Sex Things to Try
However, what starts out as kisses and hand jobs, pretty quickly begins to involve real feelings, but the original agreement kind of excluded anything more than statistics and sex, so both boys struggle to hide that there may be more at play here.
▶ Kissing
▶ Hand jobs
▶ Frottage
▶ Blow jobs (giving)
▶ Blow jobs (receiving)
▶ Fingering
▶ Rimming (giving)
▶ Rimming (receiving)
▶ Topping
▶ Bottoming
And just when both boys start to entertain the idea of coming clean, Ewan overhears Dev telling Rupert (MC from book 2) that Ewan isn't his boyfriend, so there are hurt feelings and it all begins to fall apart.
Then, thankfully, everything comes to a head and 'more' becomes a possibility, so the story ends with a nice, solid HFN.
Just an FYI, although all 4 MC's from the previous 2 books are in this story, there isn't really anything too crucial info-wise required from the first books to read this one as a standalone story.
The story was both fun and sexy, with just a bit of anal-retentive innocence, so if you're a fan of the series, I'd definitely suggest giving this 4 star book a read, too.
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My copy of the book was provided by the author in exchange for a fair, unbiased review. -
Dev was one of those characters that you just can't help but smile at because they're so adorable. I loved him and his awkwardly shy personality, especially when he was around Ewan. It wasn't such a shyness that made me feel awkward while reading this book, though, it actually had me laughing a few times at Dev's behavior.
I loved the whole "let's practice thing" and it was really sexy, which I wasn't sure it would be since the whole virgin thing isn't really for me. But being inexperienced did not stop Dev from going all in and trying things that Ewan wanted to teach him. And of course on top of all the hotness going on in this book we had sweet moments between these boys. So really, this book had everything I could have wanted. -
*4.5 stars*
Dev Karadere has a list. An important one...
Yes, this kind of list. And Ewan is the perfect guy to help him cross things off.
This is mostly an angst-free book, and seemingly there's not much going on. The beauty of this story lies in the very likeable and interesting characters, and the sex lessons themselves.
Jay Northcote once again caters to my needs, because she created Ewan. Everyone who knows me, is aware of my love for gingers, but this ginger....he's just the way I like 'em. Pale, freckled, with amber eyes...and hair practically orange! My brain melted a little when Dev described him. But it's not just looks. I loved his protective streak towards Dev, and the little bit of jealousy detected in his behaviour. Oh, and he's a greatblowjobinstructor.
As for Dev...I just loved him so much. I adored his personality and his habit to make lists for EVERYTHING! He's smart and witty, but at the same time he's oblivious to how hot and desirable he is. Dev might feel insecure, but to my eyes he's brave. He had a rough time but he won't let it stop him. He needs sexual experience and he will get it, dammit! And let me tell you, Dev negotiates sex like nobody's business. Which was also all kinds of adorable.
There's a lot of sex in this book, and I mean A LOT of sex. It's like this...
...all the time.
But it's in the form of sex lessons so it didn't get repetitive. It was imperfect, enthousiastic, passionate, and all kinds of hot. I loved that Dev was uninhibited and open to try a lot of stuff despite his inexperience. And I loved that Ewan felt like he tried things for the first time, despite his experience.
The little bit of angst towards the end was to be expected, because it was obvious from the beginning that feelings were getting in the way, and the lessons weren't just lessons anymore.
Dev and Ewan don't know how to handle this (because young), so they screwed things up (because young) and act a little bit like assholes (bacause....young!)
There are cooking sessions (which had me drooling and I'm so going to try out the recipes), watching the sunset side by side from Hoe Park, and great cameo appearances of the characters from the first two books.
Oh, and dildos. There are dildos too!
I really loved Dev and Ewan's story. Definately recommended when you 're looking for something light, sexy, with a nice dose of feels. And as always, very well-written.
*Review cross-posted on
Gay Book Reviews* -
Dev’s List:
Sex Things to Try
Kissing
Hand jobs
Frottage
Blow jobs (giving)
Blow jobs (receiving)
Fingering
Rimming (giving)
Rimming (receiving)
Topping
Bottoming
This was surprisingly good.
MC 1: Dev the inexperienced geeky virgin
MC 2: Ewan the ginger teacher
Basically Dev moves next door to Ewan, one day Ewan accidentally opens a package that contains a very expensive Blue Dildo. What’s a boy got to do? forward it to the intended recipient, that’s not awkward at all… enter Grindr find the dildo owner..
The description made him certain.
Virgin_geek333, 10 metres away, online now, 5’ 10, 142lb. Looking for: sexual experience.
“Jesus Christ,” Ewan muttered.
It must be a new profile. Ewan used Grindr a lot, and he’d never seen Dev on there before. In the photo, Dev was wearing a T-shirt that showed his collar bones, his cheeks were shaved smooth, and he looked like jailbait, even if he wasn’t.
Looking for sexual experience.
And offer to be the teacher and viola! We get some really steamy sessions.
This is by far my favourite in this series. Dev and Ewan and some serious chemistry. The Ginger and the Virgin thing, had me all giddy.
The thing that bugged me was the not talking..Ugrrhh! I did not like this at all.. for fucks sake you live next to each other, Talk people! Talk and stop assuming things.
Overall it was an enjoyable read.
-
The third book in the Housemates series is about two completely new characters.
Although it contains some scenes with characters from the previous books in the series, there is no need to read them in order, and Practice Makes Perfect can be read as a standalone.
Practice Makes Perfect will be exclusive to Amazon for the first 90 days after release, and will then be available at all major retailers. -
4.5 Stars!
Holy Moly this one needed a warning label:
There's nothing I like more than a virgin and all of that exploring.
This was a quick read. Low-ish on the angst. A minor lack of communication mishap, but it was resolved relatively quickly.
Likable MCs.
And did I mention it was hot? -
This was a nice and sexy little read. I myself have read book 1 and 2, but if you haven't don't worry, because it can be read as a stand alone.
Dev has just moved into Josh's (book 2) old appartment. He was having serious trouble in his former housing. Dev is quite the geek. He's smart, into list making, gay and a virgin. Which he really doesn't want to be anymore.
Ewan is Dev's neighbour. He's a ginger, gay and trying to enjoy life as a single man, he's not looking for any strings right now. He's a student with some math issues...
When Dev's dildo accidently get delivered to Ewans house, this makes for quite an akward meeting between the two....Especially since Ewan opened the package :)
When Ewan finds his virgin neighbour on Grindr, asking for help gaining some sexual expirience, he feels like he should step in. So he does....
Ewan figures he could be the one helping Dev out in the sex department, and Dev can help him out with his math issues.... Ofcourse Dev agrees to this deal !
And so it begins. Dev has a whole list of thing he wants to try out. There are handjobs, blowjobs, frottage, rimming and fucking.... No lack on steam in this book :)
It is supposed to be a no-strings sex thing, but both feel that this is way more. Problem is, they just don't talk much.... at all. They were thinking plenty, it just never came out of their mouths !!
I liked these two, they were funny and sweet and hot, but I just missed a bit of a connection between them. Probably because they did so little talking together. This is a short book however, so I understood that there wasn't a lot of actual relationship building. I think the reason I liked book 1 best, is because Mac and Jez were already friends, when they started sexing it up. They already had a connection between the two of them.
Still I enjoyed this one teh hotness was quite nice ;) 3,5 stars from me !
-
After thoroughly enjoying the past few books by Ms. Northcote I was sad that this one missed the mark for me. The story had many components that I love:
-Lovable main characters. Dev and Ewan were both adorable!
-Opposites attract.
-Plot. Love relationships that start casual but grow into more.
-Nice supporting cast.
-Feel good vibe.
-Sexy times.
But I was missing dialogue. Lots of telling not enough showing. Did they talk while they were doing the dirty tango in the bedroom? Oh, yeah. Outside the bedroom? Not really. Just a few things here and there. One of my favorite parts when reading a good romance novel is banter, great dialogue. It lacked here and for that reason I couldn't connect with Dev and Ewan as a couple emotionally.
Also, the inner monologues- they got repetitive. I found myself saying: Yes, I know you're falling for him but scared to say it. They both repeated this sentiment multiple times. I wished some of these inner monologues had been scrapped, and more conversation added while they were studying or cooking together. I wanted them to connect out of bed, not just in it.
I think part of the problem was the length of the book. It is a novella, and I know it's difficult to get everything in a limited number of pages. If it had been longer, the delivery of the story would've been stronger. It felt like a skeleton of a story- incomplete.
All in all, it was cute. If you're in the mood for a quick, smexy filler book Practice Makes Perfect will surely hit the spot. I feel sorry that I felt underwhelmed after reading it, and I'll probably be the minority. And even though it wasn't a complete hit for me I still recommend it as I'm sure many will enjoy it.
In conclusion, it's 3.5 Stars from me. Three and a half stars isn't bad- but not what I've gotten accustomed rating this author.
ARC kindly provided through Signal Boost to
Gay Book Reviews in exchange of an honest review.
-
4.5 Stars
Practice Makes Perfect was the perfect blend of sweet and dirty. I love this series. And it never fails to make me grin like a fool when our beautiful British boys find their happy, with just the perfect amount of angst to carry them through.
Ewen Campbell is a second year uni student, from Glasgow. A ginger with a Scottish accent? Sign me up! He enjoys being young and single and playing the field. And one day, when he opens a package that was accidentally delivered to him, instead of next door, he discovers that his cute new neighbor might just be gay. Of course delivering Dev's new dildo might just be a touch awkward...and it was - deliciously so.
Devrim Karadere, or Dev, is a geeky first year student. He had some pretty awful experiences living in the dorms, but luckily a friend found him a room in a house that is LGBT friendly. Shy and unsure of himself, when it comes to matters of lust and love, he starts out as so many do, looking for sex in all the wrong places. He feels he'll need some experience before he'll be able to find a boyfriend, so,he makes a list, as one does, outlining all the things he feels he wants to do this term. Things like make friends, get some sexual experience, find a boyfriend. Dev joins Grindr, hoping to get some experience, but thankfully, Ewen stumbles upon Dev's profile and gives him a better offer. And, certainly, a safer one.
Dev is surprisingly forward when he's sure about something. He took to sex like...well like a teenage boy, actually. With much eagerness. Realizing that feelings are emerging, though, leaves Dev even more out of his element. Ewen was adorably unsure, too, though he really should have realized that he needed to speak up a bit about his emerging feelings.
So much sweetness to be found in these pages! Along with a tiny amount of appropriately easily resolved angst. Loved it, loved it.
------------------
ARC of Practice Makes Perfect was generously provided by the author, in exchange for an honest review. -
4.5 Stars
I love the books in this series, not to mention the delicious men who fill their pages. I daresay
Practice Makes Perfect is now officially my favourite Jay Northcote read to date.
First we have Dev; he is sweet and innocent, with his thick-framed glasses, mad math skills and his obsession with list-making. Dev is a virgin and is on a mission to experience it all, and, luckily for him, he finds his ideal teacher in his sexy red-haired new neighbour Ewan. Ewan is older (by a year) and definitely more experienced than Dev, but he’s also a really nice guy who Dev knows he can trust himself with.
The two form a “gentleman’s agreement” (this made me laugh), the terms of which involve Dev tutoring Ewan in statistics in exchange for sex lessons. Dev even has a sex to-do list – seriously, this guy is the cutest. It doesn’t take long for Dev and Ewan to heat up the sheets and mutually (but non-communicatively) fall for one another, hard.
The angst here is super light, with a small amount of silly boy miscommunication towards the end which is sorted out in quick order and rounded out with a delicious HFN ending.
The chemistry between Dev and Ewan was spectacular. Just when I think M/M sex scenes couldn’t get any hotter, Northcote smacks me in the face with one tasty scene after another. Although, the scene (at the 66% mark for those playing at home), involving the two boys and Dev’s special Amazon purchase, was so ridiculously hot that I had to read it twice. Steam factor aside, I think Dev and Ewan may be my favourite Northcote M/M couple yet!
I hope this series is far from over because I adore all these characters and continuously enjoy their stories, so the more the merrier! -
Adorable, sweet, lots of hot hot hot sex, sprinkled with a little angst and insecurity.
I loved it. -
4.5 HEARTS--
He was supposed to be thinking about numbers... but instead he was thinking about Dev's pink lips around his cock. Surely oral had to be on the list?
Hot vanilla!
Northcote strikes again with hot vanilla sexing!
Practice Makes Perfect is book #3 in the Housemates series but can be read as a standalone. Dev is a geeky first year physics student: skinny, nerdy, wears black framed glasses and a virgin to all thing sexual. What Dev lacks for experience he makes up for in listing. He lists like a boss! He lists so much, he makes lists for his lists, baby! #dedictation
After leaving student housing where he was bullied, socially awkward Dev is ready to sample life without being tormented by jock losers. And on his list of things to do after learning how to cook?
Research sex stuff
Join Grindr
Get some experience
Find a boyfriend
And he does everything in that order with a hilarious start. Who can tell people that they met their future boyfriend after a dildo mishap? Not many. A sex toy package screwup leads to sexy redhead Scot second year student, Ewan, to Dev's door. Not that he had a far distance to go being as he lives right next door.
Ewan is athletic, hot, lightly accented, available and also gay. I can hear the wheels turning in your head.
Chugga Chugga Choo Choo! All aboard!
This is my second ginger experience with Northcote and he upped the game by making Ewan had a Scottish accent. And then Mark Steadman, brought it next level with speaking with a Scottish accent for Ewan while I read/listened. (I read along with the audiobook - it's the best!) Ewan met the shy Dev and doesn't pity Dev in the least. After the Grindr incident (hee-larious), he feels hard pressed to take Dev under his wing and introduce him to safe sex. Because Dev is super smart but a little slower on the street smarts uptake.
So what does Dev do when faced with a new challenge? That's right. #listboss2darescue
Sex Things to Try
Kissing
Hand jobs
Frottage
Blow jobs (giving)
Blow jobs (receiving)
Fingering
Rimming (giving)
Rimming (receiving)
Topping
Bottoming
And they do all that and a little extra on that list. It was a funny, erotic time with self exploration and new adult yum yum.
Hot vanilla, baby! Get you some!
The fuck buddies meet up weekly to have sex sessions. But to make it feel more fair, Dev offers to tutor Ewan in Statistics. (Hm, who got the better end of the deal? Both because both ends were thoroughly inspected.) As both young men explore and tick off items on that list, feelings develop. There were misunderstanding/miscommunication plot devices at play toward the last third.
But you know who never tires of the misunderstanding/miscommunication tropes? ME!
The story is a very strong 4 Hearts, the relationship read organic. The dual POV gives the reader a chance to see where each main character's head is . The narration elevates the text and is close to 5 Hearts. Steadman is charming and funny. He gives the right amount of emotion when needed at pivotal scenes. My rating is an average.
Steadman and Northcote are a fine pair. I hope they stick around for future books because Steadman rocks. I enjoy listening to his tone and distinct voices given to the characters.
If you're in the mood of college guys exploring that list, popping cherries and falling in love, definitely check out Practice Meets Perfect!
Recommended!
Let the #hotvanilla splatter all over you!
A copy provided for an honest review. -
Awkward Dev just wants to finally get all his ducks in a row and that includes his sex life. He's serious about his goals and determined to accomplish them. Throw in good hearted and good natured Ewan, who comes across his Grindr profile and is horrified at his naïveté. It's only responsible to offer a safer alternative right?? Right.
This easily could be my favorite Northcote. It doesn't hurt at all that it's probably the smexiest one too. You can't go wrong with a gay virgin with a to-do list to check off.
So to play it cool, both profess to not wanting more - but we all know better. What starts off as tic for tac, progresses into feelings they can't deny. This was all about exploration - slow, fast, earnest, with a little blatant dirty - but also the sweet burgeoning of those feelings called love. A major win for when you want easy, sexy fluff with a twist of angst. -
*** 4.25 Stars ***
I love my sweet boys when they're just a little bit dirty, and Jay Northcote manages that combination perfectly every time. -
Review later...
-
4 stars
Great series although this wasn't my favourite. In the first half, I didn't really feel the connection between Dev and Ewan and things felt a little technical. But I did start to feel them in the second half and, by the end, there was a nice big smile on my face. -
BR with
Chelsea!
After reading a very angst-heavy book, this was the perfect pick-me-up.
I know what to expect when I read a book by Jay Northcote. It’s usually low on the angst but not too sappy, with immediately likeable MCs, a realistic romance, and some sexytime to top it off. The
Housemates series kicks the sexytime up a few notches. ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ delivered in every aspect.
If you’ve got a thing for confident gingers with infectious smiles who know their way around a bedroom, you won’t have any problem with Ewan. He had me feeling some type of way, especially when he patiently taught Dev the joys of sex. If he set up a tutoring business, I would keep him on retainer.
Does that make me a bit of a perv? Probably. I own my perviness.
It’s hard not to love Dev right off the bat. He’s a cute geek who knows what he wants, and isn’t afraid to go after it. His obsession with lists was adorable. He even makes one for what he wants Ewan to teach him.
The Housemates series has some hot sexin’, and book 3 is no different. Dev’s list covers all of the basics - handjobs, blowjobs, rimming, and anal. Ewan and Dev are very thorough in going through that list. Though Dev might need some pointers at times, he is in no way a bashful virgin. The boy dishes out dirty talk without thinking about it.
These two lit up my tablet screen, giving the previous couples in this series a run for their money.
Dev and Ewan’s relationship isn’t just about the sex. The two get to know each other, and eventually realize that they want something more. Through home-made dinner dates (though neither will admit that they’re dates), spending time together, and meeting each other’s friends, they slowly develop feelings for one another. It was a sweet and believable progression.
Yes, the inevitable misunderstanding happens, which I’m usually not a fan of. But in this case I didn’t mind because it doesn’t take long for Ewan and Dev to admit that the two were head-over-heals for each other.
If you’re looking for something hot, sweet, and easy, ‘Practice Makes Perfect’ is the book for you! It can be read as a stand-alone.
-
4.5 HEARTS!!!
Sex Things to Try
Kissing
Hand jobs
Frottage
Blow jobs (giving)
Blow jobs (receiving)
Fingering
Rimming (giving)
Rimming (receiving)
Topping
Bottoming
I adored the first two books in this series, such a perfect blend of sweetness and sexy. Practice Makes Perfect was no exception.
Ewan and Dev…. what a gorgeous sexy couple. I adored both of these characters. Ewan is a genuine nice guy, who had no past hang-ups or deep dark secrets. Also he's ginger…
Then there's Dev, who felt like the most un-virgin virgin ever and I really really liked that. Dev has done nothing with anyone, not even kissing, but he’s done an awful lot to himself, including fucking himself with a big fat dildo. That's never the case with virgin's in romance books. They're always these chaste ‘not wanting to be touched’ boys, but Dev was very proactive in his sex life and I loved it! Ewan did too.“You gonna make me beg for it?” Ewan asked hoarsely. “Or do you want me to make you take it?”
Dev moaned and tightened his fingers on Ewan’s thighs where he gripped them.
At times I couldn’t help but feel frustrated at Dev and Ewan’s obvious assumptions of each other's feelings. It was evident that they were both falling for each other, but they were both so insecure (sounds like normal teenagers really) about where they stood as a couple. Good thing is it wasn't overly prolonged. They talked and worked things out pretty quickly.
Really I think a large majority of MM romance lovers will adore this. It has sweet characters, budding friendships and sexy sex.. What's not to love?
See Adams review
here, we had a buddy read :-D
-
What’s sweet, sexy and fun? Jay Northcote’s boys of course!
Jay is, well, she’s a sure thing. I have a small list of favorite authors and they all deliver certain spectacular things consistently in their books. Northcote has mastered the sweet, silly and sexy combo. This is the third book in the Housemates series but it can definitely read as a stand-alone. I rarely say that but this time it’s true. Not that I suggest you skip the first two books in the series but you don’t have to read them in order. I’ll let you in on a secret; the boy wins the boy every time.
Ewan is a second year at uni and living in student housing off campus. A new neighbor moves in next door and Ewan’s interest instantly sparks. He’s been a no strings playboy for the last year and has no intentions to change. He likes his freedom. He likes sex. He’s happy with his life just the way it is thank you very much. Until the post delivers his new neighbors mail to his house by mistake, and he opens it. Much to his dismay and excitement it’s a…personal package. He returns it to its proper owner, Dev, and decides then and there that he wants to get to know him better.
Dev is a classic nerd. He’s not ashamed of his nerdiness but he was the unfortunate target of bullying his first semester. Needing a fresh start, he moves out of the dorms midyear and takes over a sublet in a house. He is brilliantly book smart and a math whiz but a touch socially awkward. He’s decided to be proactive with his sexual experience or inexperience to be precise. His type-A personality lives and breathes lists, so naturally he makes a ‘sex to do list’. When his gorgeous neighbor offers a bargain of sorts, he’s happy to comply. Math tutoring in exchange for sex tutoring sounds like a lovely deal to both. But then those damn feelings get in the way. How can they keep this casual when falling in love comes into play?
What's to like: College boys can be so adorable when they fall in love. Especially when it’s for the first time and full of other firsts. Neither Dev nor Ewan expected their arrangement to last further than the final to-do on the list. Of course, we know they are destined to be together but I didn’t mind watching them struggle with the inevitable. It was such a joy revisiting both couples from the first two books as well. So thrilled to see them all happy!
What's to love: First times can be awkward and nerve-wracking and (hopefully) sweet; thankfully we are lucky enough to get it all. From their first kiss to their first time, it was all executed with sweet heat. Ewan may be experienced in nearly everything sexual but he is a novice when it comes to love. He pulls the typical freak out and panics when he realizes he’s fallen in love with Dev. Mates come to the rescue and force them to, wait for it…talk. They study and kiss and cook and kiss and follow the golden rule of achieving perfection; practice absolutely makes perfect. I loved it from start to finish!
Beware of: The signature ‘misunderstanding’ threatens to fracture their fragile new beginning…but they quickly right their wrongs. Sex comprises a sizable portion of the story…but it’s delicious. I also have a strong urge to buy the audiobook when it’s released. I would love to hear Ewan’s name spoken aloud and his accent!
This book is for: Suckers for virgins, coming of age and anyone else looking for Northcote’s famous concoction of flirty and dirty.
Book UNfunk -
3.5 stars
This is a cute, funny and very sexy romance between 2 young men who exchange math and cooking lessons against sex lessons. And let me tell you that the syllabus for sex is wayyyy more interesting than the one for math, especially when the student is so attentive and so blunt despite his virginity.
Recommended when in need of fun and sexy times with 2 adorable characters -
~ 4.5 stars ~
Cute, funny, super adorable MCs, surprisingly sexy and steamy, a ginger and a nerd!!!, a tiny bit of angst, and a very good narration. -
3.5*
This one falls under adorable and sweet.
Both guys were just so cute together.
Ewan was so nice, protective, and sweet with Dev. Dev is awkward, clumsy, quirky with all his lists and had a way of talking dirty without realizing he was. He just always wanted to state what was happening and how it was going to happen. It was funny and adorable how it got Ewan all hot and bothered.
Practice makes perfect with these guys and I enjoyed being their third wheel. lol The chemistry was strong as was the feelings that grew between these men.
It was a sweet story. -
This was sexy as hell, but the miscommunication almost had me tearing my hair out.
They both like each other but neither admits it, overhear parts of conversations and assume things, don't talk to each other about their feelings, cut off contact because afraid of being hurt...almost every kind of miscommunication you could think of was thrown in here.
I really liked the little I got to know about the characters, but it could have been much more. -
Entre las dos y las tres estrellas. Es una lectura fácil, dulce y supongo que está bien si quieres algo que no te requiera más de media neurona para leerlo. Si buscas algo más, aléjate. El plot es un sinsentido que, en mi opinión, ha estado en el límite de lo ridículo, esa situación de intercambiar ayuda en Matemáticas por lecciones de sexo o.O, what? Yo qué sé, o quizás estoy vieja y resulta que ahora eso en la Universidad se da mucho. Los personajes, por otro lado, son dulces, pero absolutamente planos. Una situación sexual tras otra, sin mucho más que apreciar.
A very big meh. -
Looking for a happy place, I think I have one for you...
Dev's just moved out of his residence at Uni because things weren't working out for him there and as luck would have it a friend of his has helped him move into a house with a few other students and a really hot neighbor, named Ewan.
Ewan's Scottish and he's a ginger. He's also a psychology student having trouble with one of his classes...a class that involves numbers. Dev's good with numbers and Dev likes to make list...list of things he wants to do. One of those things on his list involves getting some experience...experience of a personal and intimate nature. So it only seems natural that Dev who's good with numbers and Ewan who's more than happy to help Dev get intimate with him strike a bargain...a gentleman's agreement if you will.
Things get a bit more complicated when both men realize that their feelings have gone well beyond the boundaries of their gentleman's agreement and neither of them wants things to end but they're not sure where they stand with each other or how to find out without risking their hearts.
'Practice Makes Perfect' is the third book in Jay Northcote's series 'Housemates' and while each book can be read as a standalone, I never felt like I was missing anything from this story in spite of the fact that characters from the first two books made appearances in Dev and Ewan's story, as soon as time permits I plan on going back to the beginning to read those first two stories not because I need to but because I enjoyed this book that much and this is a way to get more.
'Practice Makes Perfect' was awesome, I truly don't remember the last time I was so wonderfully enchanted by a story. Dev is so sweet and naive and just totally adorkable and while Ewan may be more worldly and experienced than Dev, he's also a very sweet and kind person and even before there's an emotional connection between these two men, he cares about Dev on a basic decent human being level.
Humor can be a wonderful thing in a story, but it doesn't always work for each person for a number of reasons. Sometimes we can feel like maybe the author is trying to hard or we just don't get it, maybe it feels like the humor's coming at someone's expense, whatever there's a myriad of reasons but for me the humorous moments in this story were spot on and this story quickly became a happy place for me. I laughed and smiled and yes, I may have found myself talking to the characters from time to time...hey, don't judge me, if guys can yell at the television when their hockey/baseball/football/whatever team screws-up, I can talk to my audio books from time to time.
While this wasn't really what I would call a comedy, there was definitely a sweet and serious side to things, the humorous moments planted throughout the story were ones that I could so easily imagine happening in real life.
Add to what was just an overall well written story with characters who captured my heart a narrator whose voices were engaging and expressive...just perfect and what more could I really ask for.
'Practice Makes Perfect' is my second audiobook narrated by Mark Steadman and like the last one for me he did an awesome job. While the story was good and the narration was good the last time around for whatever reason I just didn't quite connect with things. This time it all worked wonderfully well. So well that I have zero doubt in my mind that I will be listening to this one more than once because just like anything that we like...why settle for once when you can enjoy it to your hearts content.
If you're looking for a sweet, uncomplicated story about young love that's guaranteed to make you smile and laugh in the best ways possible I highly recommend 'Practice Makes Perfect'.
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An audiobook of 'Practice Makes Perfect' was graciously provided by the author in exchange for an honest review. -
Very adorable, quick read...
Dev meets his new neighbour Ewan and they make a deal to exchange each others qualities.
Dev
Ewan
In exchange for math tutoring, Dev will get some sexual experience.
He has this list he needs to complete....
Sex Things to Try
* Kissing
* Hand jobs
* Frottage
* Blow jobs (giving)
* Blow jobs (receiving)
* Fingering
* Rimming (giving)
* Rimming (receiving)
* Topping
* Bottoming
You'll be happy to know all was accomplished. :)
Dev was the one with no sexual experience but boy he wasn't shy about anything!!
"Jesus, you like the dirty talk, then? You're pretty kinky for a virgin."
"I wasn't trying to talk dirty. I just want to know what you like."
"Somehow that only makes it hotter."
It was supposed to be a fuck-buddy thing, friends with benefits… But then it felt different.
Loved.it.Loved.it. -
This is some cute, sexy fluff. Lately I've found myself increasingly bored with these types of books, but this was fun. It doesn't exactly take you on an emotional journey, but it's entertaining. And hot.
This is a story about an awkward, geeky student getting a thorough sex ed lesson from Ewan, the hot redhead next door (cue porn music). Of course they catch the feelings, as they should in any good fluff.
I especially enjoyed Dev. He may have no sexual experience whatsoever, but he knows exactly what he wants. Naturally, he has a list ( for everything). I love how he is so ridged and uncomfortable in social situations, but once he's in bed, the shyness is gone.
The token conflict segment of the book is pretty predictable. But it wasn't that bothersome because it just isn't that kind of book. As I mentioned, it's not like it's about some profound, emotional journey. It's a happy place book.
If you're wanting a fun, relaxing, nearly angst free read, pick up this one. It's part of a series, but it can definitely be read as a standalone.
Read for 2016 Scavenger Hunt -
2,5
Northcote es otra de mis autoras comfort, y como casi siempre, cumple su cometido, I liked it.
Por cierto, la portada me encanta pero, ¿se supone que es alguno de los 2 personajes??? Que venga alguien y me lo explique, gracias... -
4,5*
Thank you Jay Northcote for this book, seriously, thank you!
A cute, shy, geeky virgin and an adorable Scottish ginger hunk? Let's face it, I was immediately sold!
Sweet, funny and sexy as hell, I enjoyed this book a lot. A LOT.
By the 10% of it I was smiling wide enough to make Julia Roberts proud.
Go ahead and read it, I assure you, you won't regret it! :D
