This wasn't for me. I didn't think the characters had any chemistry and it was too insta-lovey. The dialogue was cringey and the story was boring.

The small town romance and city girl falls for grumpy country guy was the best!! Reading about Amelia’s journey and Noah’s journey they made the perfect match. I honestly had so much fun reading this book I giggled here and there. This is such a perfect summer retail so I would highly recommend adding this to your TBR for the summer!

I enjoyed this. It was cute. I loved the story. I always prefer when a celeb is with a “normal” person. And I love when lies are exposed. I thought this was cute! Clean, which isn’t my style, but enjoyable.

This book was adorable. I enjoyed the dual point of view, and the backstories of each main character.

DNF - too much language that was awkwardly placed and uncomfortably overused. The beginning of this was delightful but sadly it quickly went downhill for me with shallow characters and a lot of emphasis placed on physical appearance.

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for my e-arc of this book. All opinions here are my own.

#WheninRome #NetGalley

Cute book. I really loved the car scene where he called for a reference. That made the whole book for me. If this book would have been a little cleaner, I would have given it a 5-star. This is one of my favorite authors, but I like her regency novels better.

Thank you to NetGalley for an advance reader copy for a fair review.

thank you net galley and random house for this earc. this book was so unique just because the timeframe of the whole story was only 2 weeks. but this didn't feel rushed at all and i actually really enjoyed the writing ! I believed every moment of Amelia & Noah! i loved the whole famous/not famous pairing plus grumpy sunshine will always make me love a book if it's done well and it definitely was here!! it starts with a meet cute between a small town hero & a pop star, this was a closed door/ fade to black romance. it was also pretty fast paced & i really enjoyed that! all the people in rome, kentucky were so cute & i loved the way they shipped noah & amelia the second she arrived.

Sarah Adams never fails to write the sweetest books. When in Rome is just that. Filled with some of my favorite tropes from sunshine meets grump, coexisting under one roof and ignoring the sparks that fly, and the famous girl meeting the small town boy. Very hallmark-esque, but BETTER.

Amelia is a famous pop star who is overwhelmed and tired of living a “fake” life. Following the footsteps of her idol, Audrey Hepburn, she finds herself escaping to a little town called Rome. Here she finds herself in a broken down car, resisting help from a could be serial killer, who really is the hometown pie-baking cutie. This town welcomes her with open arms, even reluctantly the brooding Noah. Amelia is kind, funny, beautiful, and he finds himself falling. However, he’s already had his heart broken by a city girl…but can he resist Amelia’s charm? Read and find out :p

My main issue with this book is that the main characters do not have a proper conversation until 40% into the book. I wanted to DNF this book several times in the beginning due to the feeling that nothing was happening.

However, after the halfway point, I was really starting to enjoy this book. The grumpy/sunshine was very cute and I loved all the characters that were introduced throughout. The ending did a great job of tying everything together.

Noah and Amelia/Rae are absolutely charming! This book was sweet, fun, gentle -- a great read. More, please.

Between a 3.5- and 4-star read. Since I'm polite (Polite. Polite. Polite), I'm upping it to 4.

I was concerned this would be a play-by-play of Roman Holiday (because I read a redo of that from another author and it didn't work for me) and glad it was simply inspired by it. I enjoyed the chemistry and thought it was a fun read. Play. Play. Play.

3.5 Stars Rounded Up.

I received a reviewer copy of When in Rome by Sarah Adams from the publisher Random House Ballatine from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

What It’s About: Amelia Rose, better known as Rae Rose, the princess of pop, is suffering from burn out and needs a break. Seeking inspiration from her hero Audrey Hepburn, she escapes to the nearest Rome: Rome, Kentucky. Things are going well until she drives off the road and ends up in Noah Walker's front yard. Noah reluctantly allows Rae to stay with him until her car is fixed. While Rae is in town things are tense with Noah, until they start to see more to one another.

What I Loved: I really loved the small town setting and the idea of a celebrity going off the map and living with the everyday folks. This book was charming and really a delight to listened too. I loved the conflict between a mother and daughter when fame sets in, and I loved the way this storyline shook out, it actually shocked me and thought it was really well done. I loved Noah's sisters and their family relationship and how they took in Rae. I would definitely read more in this universe. Plus Audrey Hepburn references, yes!

What I didn’t like so much: I did not totally buy the chemistry between Noah and Rae, but that's a me problem.

Who Should Read It: People who love a celebrity in a small town trope. People who love stories with complex family dynamics mixed in with their romance.

Summary: A celebrity seeking escape crashes into a pie baker's yard and things will never be the same.

I think many of us can agree that especially in the last few years, books have provided even more of an escape than usual. Since the pandemic, I have been seeking out fewer "dramatic" novels and instead have thrown myself into sweet romances and cozy mysteries (a different kind of drama). This all brings me to today's book: When in Rome by Sarah Adams. If you're feeling in need of a low-key, low-stress romcom "escape" story, this one is for you!

When in Rome was just adorable. Stressed-out pop stars falls for small-town pie baker? Sign me up. I loved Amelia and Noah and how cute they were together. The grumpy/sunshine trope comes through in a big way and I'm a sucker for it. Also, as a huge Audrey Hepburn fan, I love how Amelia turned to Audrey in times of turmoil and even channeled her style. I too have often turned to Hepburn's films--Sabrina and My Fair Lady in particular--when I have needed comfort and escape.

While at times the writing fell kind of flat for me, I kept reading because I was so invested in these characters and their love story. More and more, I am finding that I LOVE a dual POV in a romance story and this was no exception. Amelia and Noah both worked through a lot in order to come together and I found it all very heart-warming. Plus! The side characters! I was SUCH a fan of them and can't wait to see more of them in upcoming books.

Steam: open-door scenes but not detailed. Satisfying, but mild.

This was the classic, cute, lighthearted romance I enjoy; small town, witty banter, grumpy/sunshine, and great communication. Although I was excited that the setting was going to be in Rome because I’ve recently traveled there, so that was a slight letdown at first, but it ended up being one of the cutest things about the book. I’d definitely recommend When in Rome when you’re looking for a cute, quick and easy, romance read!

Thank you so much to Sarah Adams, NetGalley, and Ballantine Books for an ARC of When in Rome.

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.