Practice Makes Perfect
Will be published approx. on 26. January 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
378 pages
978-1-80635-069-8 (ISBN)
Description
A brilliantly funny, charming read from Clodagh Murphy, perfect for fans of Catherine Walsh and Marian Keyes.Claire Kennedy is the anonymous voice behind a wildly popular sex blog - smart, sassy, and always up for an adventure.... Or so her fans think.
In reality, Claire is quiet, bookish, and hasn't been on a date in over a year. But when Mark - the charming publisher she's been flirting with online - suggests they meet in real life, the fantasy risks falling apart.
Mark is offering everything Claire's ever wanted: an actual relationship, a hot book deal, and a foot in the door of London's literary scene. There's just one problem - she needs dating experience, fast.
Enter Luca: laid-back, infuriating, and annoyingly attractive. He agrees to help Claire with some very hands-on research... as long as she doesn't get the wrong idea. He's not boyfriend material - and this is strictly practice.
But as sparks fly and lines blur, Claire starts to wonder: Can the rough draft end up being better than the real thing?
Previously published as Some Girls Do.
Praise for Clodagh Murphy:
'Beautifully written, funny and warm, Murphy has done it again' Joanna Bolouri
'A wonderful story of romance, sisterhood and community with a really strong will they/won't they vibe' BookMadJo
'Once again, I loved my trip to Halfpenny Lane and I adored this book. I cannot wait for another visit' Herding Cats
'Sweet and funny, this second chance romance was a fun read' Reviews in Heels
'If you haven't started this series yet there is still time to book your trip to the theatre - you don't know what you are missing' Kirsty's Book Reviews
'This is a lovely series and although it can be read as a standalone, reading the first in the series will add to the enjoyment' Books, Life and Everything
In reality, Claire is quiet, bookish, and hasn't been on a date in over a year. But when Mark - the charming publisher she's been flirting with online - suggests they meet in real life, the fantasy risks falling apart.
Mark is offering everything Claire's ever wanted: an actual relationship, a hot book deal, and a foot in the door of London's literary scene. There's just one problem - she needs dating experience, fast.
Enter Luca: laid-back, infuriating, and annoyingly attractive. He agrees to help Claire with some very hands-on research... as long as she doesn't get the wrong idea. He's not boyfriend material - and this is strictly practice.
But as sparks fly and lines blur, Claire starts to wonder: Can the rough draft end up being better than the real thing?
Previously published as Some Girls Do.
Praise for Clodagh Murphy:
'Beautifully written, funny and warm, Murphy has done it again' Joanna Bolouri
'A wonderful story of romance, sisterhood and community with a really strong will they/won't they vibe' BookMadJo
'Once again, I loved my trip to Halfpenny Lane and I adored this book. I cannot wait for another visit' Herding Cats
'Sweet and funny, this second chance romance was a fun read' Reviews in Heels
'If you haven't started this series yet there is still time to book your trip to the theatre - you don't know what you are missing' Kirsty's Book Reviews
'This is a lovely series and although it can be read as a standalone, reading the first in the series will add to the enjoyment' Books, Life and Everything
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Product notice
Paperback (UK-trade)
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 22 mm
Weight
642 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-80635-069-8 (9781806350698)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Clodagh Murphy
Practice Makes Perfect
A witty and warm Irish rom-com about fake dates and real sparks from Clodagh Murphy for 2026
E-Book
01/2026
Boldwood Books Ltd
€3.49
Available for download
Person
Clodagh Murphy is an Irish author of romantic comedy novels. After more jobs than she can remember, she's now a full-time writer, the job she's been training for all her life. The training mainly involved staring into space daydreaming about hot men, so she aced it. She previously worked a variety of admin office jobs, supplemented by side hustles including mystery shopper and movie/TV background artist.
Most of her books are set in her hometown of Dublin, but in 2025 she started a new series set on the beautiful, rugged coastline of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. When she's not writing or obsessing about food, she enjoys travelling, binge-watching TV, reading, doing jigsaws and gardening.
She lives in Dublin with a sibling and a cat and writes in a cabin in the garden. Her writing heroes are Jilly Cooper, and Joan Wilder from Romancing the Stone.
Most of her books are set in her hometown of Dublin, but in 2025 she started a new series set on the beautiful, rugged coastline of the Dingle Peninsula in County Kerry. When she's not writing or obsessing about food, she enjoys travelling, binge-watching TV, reading, doing jigsaws and gardening.
She lives in Dublin with a sibling and a cat and writes in a cabin in the garden. Her writing heroes are Jilly Cooper, and Joan Wilder from Romancing the Stone.