I loved the small town vibes in this book & the references pertaining to Roman Holiday. I love Audrey Hepburn.
Noah didn’t stand a chance when his damsel in distress turns out to be not only famous, but absolutely stunning. She fits in so well with his small town & with the people closest to him. Even though he’s built walls from previous pain, Amelie finds her way to break through.
Little bit of grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, famous person/commoner, & ultra small town vibes read.

I’ve read a lot of cheesy cartoon cover romances this year, and this one was my favorite. A charming story about a lonely exhausted pop star running away from it all and finding love and friendship in a tiny town. Adorable, predictable, corny, and very sweet.

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this because I had heard good things but the previous book I had read by Adams was my least favorite read this year. But I came in with an open mind and ended up enjoying it! This book totally has hallmark movie vibes and is a sweet and sappy romance! I really enjoyed the small town setting of this and how everyone in the town was so close. I also loved how close Noah was to his sisters and it was one of my favorite parts of the book.

The aspect of the book that I struggled most with was the full story didn’t seem very plausible or realistic. I wish Amelia would have communicated with her mom more before the book. The other aspect of the book that I didn’t love was Amelia and Noahs romance felt a little too insta-lovey for me. I felt like they got such intense feelings so fast which isn't my favorite. I also wish we could have seen a little more diversity.

I listened to this on audio and enjoyed both of the narrators. Overall, this book is a fun, quick read and perfect for people who are look for a hallmark movie type book. This book was a 3.75 stars for me.

Thank you to NetGalley, Dell and Random House Publishing - Ballantine for a copy of this e-book in exchange for an honest review.

When pop star Rae Rose needs an escape from her life she drives away to Rome, Kentucky. She finds herself broken down on the front lawn of the surly yet swoonworthy pie owner Noah. The story has some of the best tropes: forced proximity, celeb romance, small town romance, and sunshine and grump. It was a good fun read with a lot of heart.
I love the way the author writes her characters’ chemistry. I’ve read three of her books now and they have all been closed door/fade to black. But the way she writes it you don’t need a detailed description of the sexy times. You can feel the sexual tension, the love and the steam through her writing leading up to it. Don’t get me wrong I LOVE a good Smutty read, but I still find my self satisfied with Sarah’s novels.

Sarah Adam has made a name as a must read romcom author. When in Rome follows Amelia aka Rae Rose as she runs away from the pressures and spotlight of being a pop star. In true romcom fashion, her car breaks down and meets Noah. The usual romcom hijinks ensure. It’s a fun a read, would recommend

First review posted: 9/19
Updated review: 12/8
Publication date: September 20, 2022

I’ve been in a slump for a bit now and I was afraid that this book will start out slow or not grab my attention but none of that happened in the beginning. I wasn’t too worried about this book putting me in a much deeper slump because it was well paced and kept me entertained. The plot was just great and this book has become one of my favs. I don't know what Sarah put in this book but it kept me SEATED. I also would like to add that not only did I enjoy reading this book but I really liked Sarah's writing.

When in Rome was a light and easy book to read. I had so much fun with reading it. I loved Amelia and Noah so much. The chemistry between them was so aksjdjs. Found myself giggling at some parts of the book. Currently adding them to my growing list of characters that mean the world to me. I will definitely be rereading this book.

I cannot wait for Practice Makes Perfect <3

Thank you to Netgalley, Sarah, and the publisher for this arc.

⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️/5

“He called her Smart Mouth and I was done.”
- Exact text I sent a friend on Saturday, May 28 as I started chapter two…

When In Rome is a dream; a cozy hug on a fall day with Taylor Swift playing while reading by the fire. It’s as comforting as turning on your favorite episode of Gilmore Girls you’ve seen 100 times.

Sarah Adams can do no wrong. The characters feel like my best friends, the town itself feels like a character, and Noah & Amelia are the grumpy-sunshine duo I’ve been waiting for.

I’ve already preordered my physical copy so I can dive in all over again this fall when it releases on September 20. So grateful to have been chosen by Net Galley to read an ARC copy - easily my favorite book of 2022 so far. Can’t recommend enough!

This book is like a hug!! Extremely cheesy and corny but I love that in romance books. If you are a fan of Hallmark movies you will love this.

It has a slow start but once it gets moving I loved it! Following in Audrey Hepburn’s “Roman Holiday” footsteps, pop star Amelia goes to the middle of nowhere to take a break from the spot light life, and there she meets Noah, a local pie shop owner.

Their chemistry was great and I adored the banter. This is a fade to black book but I didn’t mind (it fit with the Hallmark feel!).

All in all a cute romance that I recommend!

Super cute! I really enjoyed this sweet story and will definitely seek out other books by Sarah Adams.

I really loved this book and really loved the small town feel. This was a great book about finding yourself and love along the way.

I've read all of Sarah Adam's books and they just keep getting better and better.This one is as sweet as apple pie and you definitely want to take the whole pie with you, not just a slice. It is that delicious.
Top things I love about it:*Grumpy Sunshine Trope: There is something about the intensity of the love that builds between these types of characters that makes it such a good read.*Slow burning, heartwarming love: Knowing she had to leave at some point, they both tried to hold off their growing feelings for each other but they didn't stand a chance. *The quirky town members: Everyone knows everyone's business and they take care of each other. Makes me want to move to Rome, Kentucky. *I'm a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn, so I love that Amelia was one too. 
This book is worth the read, and worth the hype. Highly recommend it!

Sarah Adams can do no wrong in my eyes. Her books make my heart so happy and put the biggest smile on my face. I absolutely adored this book so freaking much.

I really enjoyed this book! This was my the first contemporary romance book I read in months, and it did not disappoint with a small town setting, grumpy/sunshine, and forced proximity. Sarah Adams also subverted my expectations by making Noah the baker and Amelia the celebrity instead of vice versa. Amelia and Noah had great chemistry with so many sweet, soft moments after they initially got off on the wrong foot. And there were so many scenes I couldn’t stop laughing!

I thought the pacing was a little off, starting off strong but dragging a bit in the middle. While I enjoy the sweet and funny moments, I always want romance books to address some deeper topics, and the conflict was lacking throughout the book.

However, the ending absolutely delivered. Amelia’s realizations about her manager and her mother had me on the verge of angry tears, and Noah’s conversation with his sister was so emotional. I wanted more moments like that! I also appreciate that the book ends with the characters recognizing the obstacles to maintaining their relationship and choosing to work on them rather than just sugarcoating everything in sunshine and rainbows.

Thank you to the publisher for the eARC.

Omg, where to even begin with this review?! Let’s start with the obvious… Sarah Adams has such a unique voice in romance. I’ve used this reference before but it’s true, her books are equivalent to Kate Hudson’s RomComs. They are so enjoyable, charming, with a lot of heart.

When In Rome pays homage to the classic love story of Princess Anne, played by Audrey Hepburn, and Joe Bradley, played by Gregory Peck in one of my favorite movies- Roman Holiday. Amelia and Noah are such a fun and modern take! I love Amelia’s bubbly personality. She’s a pop star who is looking for a break from the limelight. She happens upon Noah, a serious grump with a country boy twist, and I was obsessed with these two from the second they meet!

The cherry on top for me were all the side characters, specifically Noah’s sisters! I loved those girls! This book has the best small town charm. If you love a good celebrity romance, small town cozy vibes, and forced proximity with a side of pancakes and a slice of pie the you will love this one! 🥞🥧

This one was a DNF for me. I will not be posting a review of it but thank you for sending I think people would like this one it just wasn't for me. Thank you again for the copy.

Super CUTE!!!!!

I loved this book and wished it would have kept going! Grumpy/Sunshine all the way!
I have never watched an Audrey Hepburn film but Amelia has me wanting to go rent Roman Holiday just so I can catch all the extra mentions that she brought up.


Spoilers***

Things that I wanted more of.
More of Amelia's relationship with her mother and how they worked on rekindling what was broken.
DID A LAWSUIT ACTUALLY HAPPEN?!?!
I need more of Noah's sisters and their relationship with Amelia.
What happened to Grandma :'(

Wow. Wow. Wow.

When in Rome by Sarah Adams (4.9/5 stars!!!)

This book was such a joy to read! It had me laughing, it had me beaming, it had me screaming "Just Kiss Already", and it had me pining for a love like Noah and Amelia's. I think Noah might be one of my favorite characters I've ever read. I just need this sweet, pie shop owner to be real and in my life NOW!!!

When in Rome is about Amelia (Rae Rose), a famous singer, who has lost her identity and is wanting a break from her constant stardom before she heads off on a nine-month long tour. With her feelings of extreme burn out and a little bit of help from her idol, Audrey Hepburn, Amelia decides to head to Rome to draw inspiration from one of her favorite movie's "Roman Holiday". Rome, Kentucky that is. When her car breaks down in front of the grumpy and handsome pie owner's house, Amelia allows herself to be taken in by the quirky and loving small town.

The tension and pining in this book are fantastic! Sarah does an incredible job of keeping the reader engaged in the blossoming relationship between Amelia and Noah, while creating a perfect slow burn throughout the book. The bond between these two characters gave me so much joy and I loved their journey in realizing their true feelings for one another. The world building in this is perfection. I absolutely adored all of the quirky characters in the small town constantly in each other's business.

It was the perfect rom com moment I needed, and I cannot wait for Annie's book to come out next year!

This is basically a 5 star book, but I bumped it down .1 stars for me wanting a spicy scene.

Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Adams for this copy in exchange for an honest review.

When in Rome 🥧🏛️🌹

“𝑇𝑜 𝑚𝑒 𝑦𝑜𝑢’𝑟𝑒 𝐴𝑚𝑒𝑙𝑖𝑎. 𝑀𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑟 𝑜𝑓 𝑠ℎ𝑖𝑡𝑡𝑦 𝑝𝑎𝑛𝑐𝑎𝑘𝑒𝑠 𝑎𝑛𝑑 𝑎 𝑠𝑤𝑒𝑒𝑡 𝑠𝑚𝑖𝑙𝑒 𝑡ℎ𝑎𝑡 𝑟𝑖𝑣𝑎𝑙𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑢𝑛. 𝐴𝑙𝑙 𝐼 𝑤𝑎𝑛𝑡 𝑖𝑠 𝑦𝑜𝑢.”

I was nervous going into this one since the plot centers on a superstar stranded in a small town.. then falls in love in 1 week. Normally I don’t ~love~ short length of time romances BUTTTT

I can forgive all that bc the romance was SO cute! Amelia and Noah are very 3-dimensional- I wish I could still read about them to see how they’re doing. Effortless writing and dialog. Absolutely heartwarming without being cheesy. Perfect grumpy sunshine, forced proximity, small town romance!

This is my first novel by this author and already looking to back list her other popular books. If you’ve read, please let me know.

Ty @netgalley for the ARC & sorry for the late review lol.

5⭐️

This book is the perfect recipe for a rom-com! Grumpy small town boy + famous pop star + forced proximity = perfection! I enjoyed the dual point of view. The characters were very well developed , witty, banter, amazing chemistry.

Thank you #NetGalley for my ARC copy of this wonderful book! I loved this book from the first pages all the way to the very end! This is my first book by this author but I will definitely be reading more by her in the future. One of my favorite reads of the year!