This was a really cute small town romance! I really enjoyed the cast of characters around the town of Rome, Kentucky and thought the storyline was unique for a fade-to-black romance.

Amelia “Rae” Rose is a Taylor Swift level singer who is burnt out, lonely, and living on autopilot. She turns to Audrey Hepburn films for comfort (don’t we all) and knowing she can’t drive to Rome, Italy to recreate Roman Holiday, she travels to Rome, Kentucky. Includes: broken down cars, nosy townspeople, grumpy gentleman, overbearing sisters.

Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC of this book!

This book was a delight to read! If you like romcoms then this is a romcom that you need to read. Our story begins with Amelia driving in the night to Rome Kentucky. She ends up on Noah's front lawn. He convinces her to stay at his house and from there our story begins. There were some funny moments in this book that had me laughing. I found in my reading of this that Nick and Amelia learn to open themselves up to another person and throughout her stay they form a connection.
Side Note:
I loved the character of Mabel. I hope we get the sisters stories someday.

This charming romance invaded my daydreams.
Many thanks to Random House and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

I really enjoyed this one. The character development, the story line, all of it! This book had some of my favorite tropes, grumpy x sunshine, forced proximity, and found family! Will definitely be reading more by this author.

Grumpy/sunshine, famous not famous, stuck with you. All the best tropes in this one. I loved the cute town in this and the characters we got. The romance felt natural and sweet and I love how Noah kind of knew he was a goner from the start.

Thank you #netgalley for an early read of #wheninrome in exchange for my honest review

I love Sarah Adams.

I stumbled across her books years ago and I love that they are classic rom coms - my all time favorite genre. Good characters, great meet cute, funny, and sweet.

I will read all of her books and always recommend them!

I love this book so much! Such an engaging storyline that got me hooked from the beginning till the end! A literal page turner. Highly recommend!

Story and characters were cheesy and lackluster. The plot felt incredibly slow. Would not recommend and had difficulty finishing the book.

This was such a lovely, compassionate, and big-hearted book...and a hilarious and current twist on the Audrey Hepburn classic, Roman Holiday! Slowburn, enemies-to-lovers, opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine, and forced closeness are all there, and I can't help but drool. The evolution of the romance, the small town backdrop of Rome, Kentucky, the maturation of the various characters, everything...it was all excellent.

I love everything and anything Sarah writes. I read somewhere if you love Gilmore Girls then this is for you. 5 star read

So in my opinion Sarah Adams can do no wrong! Her rom coms have been perfection since I first started reading her work. Though this one fell short on me though.

I found that i kept losing interest in the characters. For that reason I give it a 3/5.

I'm the first one to say that I prefer my romances realistic and not too cheesy, but Sarah Adams always manages to make me fall in love with her Hallmark-esque storylines! <i>The Cheat Sheet</i> is one of my comfort reads, so I was so so sooo excited to get my hands on this one!

"When In Rome" follows Amelia "Rae" Rose, a A-list pop star who flees the spotlight after the pressure becomes a bit too much for her. She escapes to Rome, Kentucky, where she meets grumpy bakery owner after her car breaks down in his front yard. He doesn't really want her there (or <i>does</i> he?), but she doesn't have many options and refuses to return home so soon.

The story has some of my favorite tropes: forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, found family, the ~Hollywood-esque elements.

I think my only criticism is how easily it was wrapped up in the end. Did I still love it? Yes. Will I still be forcing it into the hands of my customers? Absolutely. Definitely a new comfort read!!

4.5 Stars. WOW I really loved this, it had a pretty great slow burn and I just loved how Amelia and Noah fell for each other. This book made something kind of realistic in real life, feel very real and palpable and I really loved that. Amelia was very relatable for being famous and Noah was extremely dreamy. I really enjoyed this book, it just made me smile and feel good. Thank you to Netgalley and Ballantine Books for the ARC.

You have no idea how excited I was for this book! I was so happy to have been approved for it. Look at this cover to begin with isn’t it just adorable! I knew the plot and storyline was gonna be good because I trust the author but it really exceeded my expectations. I loved this. It’s a perfect read for when you are looking for a cozy read with a moving storyline as well. It was a lot of fun, had me lol more than once, made me tear up, had me swooning for them.. what else can i ask for. It’s not your traditional or rather newly cliche romance books but it’s so good. Def recommend! Check it out asap.

When I’m Rome by Sarah Adams was such a fun, fast, fresh, and cute romance book.
We follow Rae a pop star who finds herself stuck in Rome, Kentucky with a grumpy pie shop owner.

This is my first Sarah Adams book, but it will definitely not be my last! This isn’t a knock out blow you away type book, but this was really enjoyable if you’re looking for something cute.

Small Town vibes are always calling to me personally so if you like those kinds of settings then this is for you.

The main female character was not my favorite, but all the side characters made up for me not loving the MC.

3.5 stars

I really wanted to love this one but just felt frustrated halfway in. I loved the big emotions, pie shop owning male MC, but was frustrated that it felt like he had to keep arguing for his masculinity. It had all the pieces for a compelling rom com but it just wasn't coming together for me. Sometimes instead of slow burn it comes off as trying too hard, and that's where it was hitting for me.

For many though, I'm sure they'll love this small town romance. I did love the place on Aubrey Hepburn and Rome Kentucky 😂❤️

Super cute and easy read! Loved the slow burn and all the banter between the two MC’s. I loved the dynamic and everything about this book!

I really enjoyed this story of two scared souls finding randomly finding solace in each other when they needed it most. Amelia is tired of always having to perform to the point of not enjoying music anymore. Noah had such a bad experience in love that he shut himself off from the rest of the world. They both need someone who understands them and time to face the things they've been running from, and the way that Adams wrote their slowly growing friendship and relationship is wonderful.
Of particular interest/like is the fact that the story clearly shows that it's perfectly okay to depend on others and let them help you when you need it, not to mention that it's also important to talk to your loved ones and keep a close eye on what's happening around you.
It's nothing genre-defining or particularly memorable, but it reads like a sinfully delicious slice of pie right when you need it most and that's the best kind of book.

Happy thanks to NetGalley and Ballantine/Dell for the entertaining read!

Book Review 🥧

When In Rome by Sarah Adams

Grumpy pie shop owner meets a pop star, a combo you didn't know you were missing in your life 👏
Sarah Adams writes in a way that gives me so many butterflies, has me giggling and smiling until my cheeks hurt. Her books are comfort books for my soul. Noah and Amelia are some of my new favorites. I absolutely loved reading this book and will recommend it to so many 🤍

Read if you like:
Grumpy meets sunshine ☀️
Small town romance 📍
Loveable characters 👩‍❤️‍👨
Mild spice 🌶️
Feel good story 💓

Review: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I will be over here just counting the days until I can read another story by Sarah. Thank you Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this opportunity to read this book!

#booksta #netgalley #bookrecs #books #bookstagrammer #fivestars #bibliophile #sarahadams #grumpymeetssunshine

Noah may have a surly demeanor, but everyone in the small town of Rome, Kentucky knows he’s really a sweetheart. Still, when it comes to Amelia, Noah is extra standoffish. He’s had his heart broken before and will not be tempted again, thank you.

Amelia, though, isn’t looking for love. She’s a mega-famous pop star just trying to hide out from her micromanaging manager and get a few days off work before going on tour.

Of course, nothing goes quite to plan. 😉

🥧 Read WHEN IN ROME for
- Small town charm
- Very swoon-worthy cinnamon roll hero (who bakes pies!!)
- Great backstories
- Forced proximity slow burn
- Sweet, closed door romance

Highly recommend this to anyone eager for a sweet romance; new book boyfriend; and/or a healing, heartwarming read this season.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

😍 Thanks to @NetGalley and @RandomHouse for the eARC of this book in exchange for this honest review. I LOVE this book!