LOVED the storyline! Pop star happy meets pie shop grumpy was perfection. Loved the character development, the setting depth, and just all around the way the book was written. My most favorite part was the intense slow burn - mega build up, then come back down. Mega build up again, then come back down. It was magical when things finally fell together. Although it did feel a little rushed… but it was still absolutely wonderful. I enjoyed reading the plot as it developed, the quirky banter, the protective sisters over their big brother, and the way they pulled Amelia right in as their own because they could tell she was important to Noah. Would recommend this book to anyone that loves romance and no spice!

Ok, so first things first....I need to know that Noah's sisters are going to get their own book because I will be absolutely heartbroken if they don't. I'm a sucker for a small town setting, character growth, and banter that makes you swoon and this book had them in spades. I absolutely adored this book and the only problem was that it ended. If a small town romance is your thing, immediately add to cart or one-click this amazing book!

5/5 stars

I received an ARC of this book, and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

I've been following Sarah Adams on social media for like two years now, but somehow this was my first time actually reading one of her books. I loved it and definitely will be reading her other books!

The premise of this one sounded super cute, and it delivered! It's such a good grumpy x sunshine romance, and it also has the famous girl x ordinary boy trope! Both characters won me over at the beginning of the book, and I loved their chemistry.

The book takes place in a small town, and it honestly reminded me of a Hallmark movie. I love a good small-town romance, so this story was right up my alley. From the gossipy old ladies to nosy neighbors to Noah's crazy sisters, I really enjoyed the cast of characters in this book. They made me laugh on several occasions, and I had the biggest smile on my face the whole time I was reading.

If you enjoy cute, fluffy romances, I'd recommend this one! I've seen a lot of reviews saying it was too fluffy, but I think it all just depends on what you're looking for. Personally, I read this when I was in the mood for a sweet and simple romance, so I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Content: it's a closed-door romance with no explicit scenes, but I'm not sure I'd describe it as a "clean" romance. There's also a lot of explicit language.

This book was a charming small town romance with very likable characters! If you need a quick, fluffy read with some laugh out loud moments, this one is for you!

My Audrey Hepburn loving heart was immediately pulled in by this book and plot. With the addition of grumpy/sunshine, and small town gossips this book was such a delightful read. The plot is very angsty, but the snark and dialog more than made up for when the plot moved a bit slow. Both of the characters were well written with depth and nuance that made the book a quick read despite it's hefty page count. I think the small town location of this book really sold it for me - I laughed and highlighted many passages where the town's nosy residents get involved.

I felt the ending was a bit too pat - I don't know if a real relationship could resolve like that, but I will get extra points for not having a third act breakup (I personally really hate those)

I am excited to read more from the town of Rome (which sounds a bit more appealing for a visit than Rome, Italy if I'm honest - who doesn't want to be a part of this little town?

I am fairly sure I was destined to love this book considering how much I have always adored Audrey Hepburn and her movies, and that Roman Holiday might be my favorite. I love that instead of a royal princess, we have an MC who is a pop princess on break between tours and albums. Rome, Kentucky instead of Rome, Italy? WHY NOT! And then she falls in love with a man who owns a pie shop and has delicious forearms? Yes, please!
I enjoyed that this Rome gave MC Amelia a community and a family she could be part of, instead of a huge city to hide out and become anonymous in like Princess Ann in the movie. It was a different take for sure, and I thought it worked out really well.
The book is sweet as pie and gave me a delicious HEA. I would love to see this turn into a whole series with Noah's sisters as MCs and retellings of other Audrey Hepburn movies. So, if you could get on that, Sarah Adams, I would appreciate it :)

This book is absolutely, deliciously divine! I live in Kentucky and this hit all of the boxes for me whereas typically books set in my beautiful State poke fun at our people. This did not disappoint. Their romance is sweet and enjoyable and I really loved the slow burn that it presented. It is a must-read for me. I cannot recommend it enough!

Such a fast and fun read, perfect palate cleanser from all the death and murder I’m usually reading. This has game art, warmth, and humour. Spicy level zero though.

I can’t believe I waited so long to pick this one up! I started reading it at 10 PM Saturday night and fell asleep with book in hand at 1:30. Woke up Sunday morning and finished the 20% I had left in a fury.

I loved it so much. Amelia and Noah have my heart. Both characters were so dang lovable! Noah’s sisters were hilarious and a girl group I want to be a part of. The town, even though super nosy, were wonderful people who take care of their own.

I loved everything about this novel (I will continue to say this)! I especially loved that the conflict in the end wasn’t a miscommunication trope 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼 Thank sweet baby Jesus authors are catching on to how much we are over this being the reason couples break up…and then get back together five minutes later.

I’ve seen friends on here loving this one, and it lived up to my expectations 💜 If you’re looking for a great romance book to pick up for the Valentine’s Day time frame, here it is!

Thank you to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the arc! I’m sorry it took forever for me to get to it 🙈

This book made me want a Rome, Kentucky to get stuck in! I also wanted to watch Roman Holiday and understand the movie references. I enjoyed the book and am now working my way through Sarah Adams's backlist.

3.5 stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️✨

An easy read about a worldwide pop star who escapes to a small rural town to rediscover her passion for music and falls in love with the local pie shop owner. A grumpy sunshine trope with very little spice.

The storyline was cute with some minor cringe. The characters overall were pleasant, and the author depicted the small town feel very well. I did feel like the tension between Amelia and Noah was repeatedly dragged out to where it got a bit frustrating and sometimes confusing, but I liked how the book wrapped up with the small twist at the end.

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Sarah Adams for providing an ARC in exchange for an honest and unbiased review.

Cute cute cute! I loved everything about this romance. Dare I say one of the best of 2022. I recommended to all my friends because I thought about these characters for months. So much charm and the MMC has superb book boyfriend qualities even though he isn’t tech savvy and prefers small town living! I bought the romance here and had such a joyful time reading!

Another funny and charming rom com from Sarah Adams! Loved the grumpy/sunshine dynamic at play here along with the sweet small-town setting. I appreciated Amelia’s personal growth as well as she took a much-needed break from her celebrity life and found some peace and simplicity. Loved the crew of sisters! I look forward to more books in this series and will always read anything from Sarah Adams.

Sarah Adams has done it again! I absolutely loved “The Cheat Sheet” and was excited to read “When in Rome.” I really liked the characters and the grumpy sunshine trope set in a small town.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for my digital arc in exchange for my honest review.

Light, fun rom-com about an overworked pop star trying to escape her life and the small-town pie shop owner whose yard she crashes in. Pretty much a Hallmark movie in a book. I would definitely read more by Sarah Adams. Feel free to grant my wish for Practice Makes Perfect, the next book, hint hint. lol

Thank you Random House/Ballantine/Dell and NetGalley for the digital ARC in return for an honest review.

This being my first book by Sarah Adams I wasn’t quite sure what I was in for, but like many other people have seen her plastered all over booktok for her cute romances. And this was cute, it reads like a super fleshed out screenplay for a LifeTime or Hallmark movie, which sometimes one finds themselves in the mood for such a thing.

A super cute quick read with possibly one of the most annoyingly cliche small southern town male leads. I detest grown men in books who are troped to hate technology, which made it pretty hard to like Noah. All in all, a nice gooey romance for when you’re in the mood for that sort of thing.

I opened up my ARC of this book in the morning to see how many pages it was and a few minutes later found myself 3 pages in. I then spent the rest of the day mostly reading. So, yeah. It was a pretty good book! I wasn't expecting the humor, but I laughed out loud at times and also really enjoyed the romance. Sarah Adams did a fantastic job overall! I'll have to try more of her books in the future!

(Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review. Any quotes are taken from an advanced copy and may be subject to change upon final publication.)

What's not to love about a Sarah Adams book? This one is packed to the hilt with small-town charm and playful banter. What happens when a mega pop star seeks a break from her career in a small Kentucky town? She meets and falls for the local grumpy baker, of course. Sarah does a masterful job of keeping her novels from treading in the "too sweet" category. In When in Rome, the romantic storyline was balanced with a trio of sisters and meddling townspeople. I couldn't help but root for a happy ending.

4.5 This was such a cute rom com that I just wanted more ! Rae or Amelia as she is known by her family is a pop music star who one night realizes she has to get away after watching her favorite movie Roman Holiday. Inspired by the movie Amelia decides to flee to the closest Rome she can find Rome Kentucky. Imagining this is exactly what she needs Amelia’s car breaks down as soon as she pulls into town right in front of Noah’s house. Noah not wanting to strand her overnight invites her to spend the night after finding out that it will take two weeks to fix her car Amelia decides this small Kentucky town is exactly what she needs.

This book was adorable I loved the characters, especially Noah who was caring and loved to read, can you say perfect book boyfriend. I also thought the story was a lot of fun following a pop star as she learns to live a normal life. This book was very addicting I did not want to put it down. I look forward to picking up more from this author in the future. I would like to thank Netgalley and the publishers for a chance to read this book for an honest review.

One of my favorite books I read in 2022. I discovered Sarah Adams on Kindle Unlimited and have loved all of her books ever since. When In Rome follows alongside Amelia aka Rae Rose, a pop star who is in need of a break from her reality. She drives off to Rome, Kentucky and meets a charming baker named Noah. Amelia has responsibilities elsewhere but can’t help to love Rome. A must read!