Sarah Adams writes another hit! Once I started reading, I simply couldn't put it down.

Amelia is your typical pop princess, also known as Rae Rose.

Like all pop princesses, controlled by their management, she's burnt out.

When she breaks down in Rome, she may just find everything she's been looking for all along.

Noah doesn't have time.. Doesn't have time for drama, celebrities, and anything but his business.

His opinion of Amelia changes rather quickly and he develops feelings as well as dread because she's going to leave shortly.

There is drama with her manager, her mother but once Amelia got down to business she figured out what was going on rather quickly and put a stop to it.

I just reviewed When in Rome by Sarah Adams. #WheninRome #NetGalley

Grumpy / Sunshine? ✔️ Small Town Romance? ✔️ Forced Proximity? ✔️ A completely delightful contemporary romance that left my faith in love restored? ✔️✔️✔️

Ugh, I absolutely adored Sarah Adams, When In Rome. Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her adoring fans, is burned-out from years of maintaining her "princess of pop" image. Inspired by her favorite Audrey Hepburn film, Roman Holiday, she drives off in the middle of the night for a break in Rome . . . Kentucky. But when her car breaks down in Noah Walker’s front yard, he he makes it clear he doesn't have the time or patience for celebrity problems.

Told from alternating POV’s between Amelia and Noah, her grumpy small town tour guide who just happens to be gorgeous, When In Rome feels like a hug. It made me giggle and smile and even tear up on a few occasions. But most of all it made me hopeful that the right love is out there for all of us. Oh and it also made me want to drive to the nearest small town named Rome ASAP to find the love of my life. Thanks for that, Sarah Adams 😅

And thank you netgalley and random house for the gifted copy.

This contemporary spin on the 1953 Audrey Hepburn classic Roman Holiday was such a blast to read, easily drawing me into its heartwarmingly fluffy opposites-attract romance between Amelia and Noah. It brims with a lighthearted and quippy sense of humor that got me laughing numerous times throughout the book. The tight-knit community surrounding them within Rome, Kentucky adds its own lovable facet to the whole package. I haven't read Sarah Adams's debut novel, The Cheat Sheet, but I've now put it on my TBR pile after seeing what she accomplished with When in Rome.

I’ve been a fan of her books for a while, well before we got the chance to work together, so getting to meet in person and talk about WHEN IN ROME was a such a special treat. Plus, there was the best book cake I’ve ever seen! You absolutely have to read this book if you love Audrey Hepburn, Gilmore Girls, love stories, grumpy men, or pie.

This was such a sweet romance. I loved the small town setting with a large cast of supporting characters. Everyone knows everyone else and their business. It was like watching a Hallmark movie in the best possible way.

I loved Amelia’s journey and the grumpy-sunshine romance between her and Noah, who is so much more than she expected him to be. I’m a fan of most of the tropes in this book (grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, celebrity/singer romance, small town romance) and they were all well balanced and well written. I’ll definitely be checking out more of Adams’ work.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Dell, and Sarah Adams for an e-arc of When In Rome in exchange for an honest review.

This was a quick, funny, enjoyable read that I would recommend to friends.

Overall, I enjoyed the writing style and the banter, but I do have to call out that it can get a little wordy and repetitive when it comes to descriptions (re: Noah’s green eyes). <-- Andddd there were a lot of parentheses used, like multiple times on a page a lot. Sometimes it was for cute little asides, that helped me feel like I was getting in the mind of the character. But other times it was just unnecessary, like mentioning that the blanket was wrapped around her whole body up to her neck, and then saying “the top (which was at her earlobes)” in the next sentence. It’s like…I do understand the human body and that the neck is below the earlobes without you telling me in 2 different ways.

Personally, I like a little more spice and I found this just too wholesome for me. The fact that there was build up for…a hug…and that it was described as too sexy for a sister to see is just unbelievable to me. It’s giving Hallmark. But would I watch this in Hallmark movie form? Heck yeah.

I would say 3.75 rounded up to a 4 stars!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for the fun ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I went into this hoping for a fun European rom-com, but boy was I surprised when it was set in Kentucky! But, I wasn't let down, since this one was adorable, sweet, and one of the best romances I've read in a while! It was so much fun, and the banter was quite literally PERFECT!

I enjoyed this grumpy x sunshine small-town romance trope. It's a heartwarming book, but the dialogue was cringy. I had high hopes for this book from reading the author's previous books.

The dynamic between the family members was the best part. It helped move the storyline along.

The chemistry between the love interest wasn't that grappling. I struggled with caring if they would end up together. But there were some adorable moments sprinkled here and there.

The dual POV made it fun. Overall, it was cute, but it dragged. I can picture this as a Hallmark movie, super cheesy and predictable.

Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Title: When in Rome
Author: Sarah Adams

Ch: 37 Plus Epilogue

Pg: 320

Genre: Rom Com

Rating: 5 stars

Publisher: Dell



When in Rome is my favorite Sarah Adams book I’ve read. But I think it’s because I’ve always been a sucker for the grumpy sunshine troupe since I was a kid thanks Beauty and The Beast. But I do have to say that even though Noah is a grump he is a perfect modern-day hero who truly does care about his family. Amelia Rose may be a pop star but there’s more than meets the eye.


As a Kentucky girl I loved the small Kentucky town setting. The book has all the charm that makes small town living a charm. But also pointing out that even small-town living isn’t perfect. But people do care.



I received a copy of this book from the publisher through netgalley. I was not required to write a positive review. All opinions expressed are mine alone.

To say that I quickly fell in love with this book, would be very accurate. Not only is it a nod to my favorite Audrey Hepburn movie, Roman Holiday. The characters are such a joy to get to know. Amelia (a partly cloudy sunshine) and Noah (total grump) were a fun main character pair. This book is easily one on my favorites in 2022 and I recommend to those that want a little small town and big star energy.

Okay - so When In Rome taught me I have an obsession with celebrity/regular people trope novels. Much like The Cheat Sheet by Sarah Adams, this book follows someone 'in the spotlight' mixing with a regular Joe, and all the things that could alter their relationship should there be one. I LOVE IT. Is that even a trope? If it is, it's close to the top of my favourites.

I absolutely adore Sarah Adams ability to write closed door romance novels that still manage to make me sweat. I usually don't care for closed door, because I want the dark and dirty, but boy does she still make me blush with the absolute TENSION her characters feel and create. I loved the small town setting of this book, they always extra points for me and my small town heart. I loved Amelia, but NOAH ARE YOU KIDDING? Absolute perfection. Bottle him up and sell him because he's an addiction. When In Rome will make you giggle, leave you wiping tears away and smiling from ear to ear - and don't forget a little red and sweaty!

Off to make some pancakes now!

This one is sweet. It's the definition of romcom: light, funny, and definitely romantic. Small town. Sort of gruff hero who is all mush inside. Adorable female protagonist. I thought the retelling of Roman Holiday in Rome, Kentucky was clever. This is definitely a slow burn, but you don't mind because the characters are all really great, and the banter is hilarious. I love the way these two characters tease each other. On a beach, a lazy afternoon, or vacation--this is the perfect getaway book!

Thank you, NetGalley, for the digital ARC of this book.

I have adored Sarah Adams as a contemporary romance author for quite some time. When I need a palette cleanser or something light, sweet, and funny, she’s one of my go-to authors. This book was exactly what I was expecting, yet so much better. Adams continues to get better with each book she releases.

When in Rome is the story of Amelia Rose, the princess of pop, who needs just a minute to take a deep breath and escape her desire to constantly make sure everyone else gets what they need from her. Her manager is pulling her in every direction, trying to make sure she succeeds. She’s always surrounded, but honestly, she’s lonely. This is very reminiscent of being an almost 30-year-old during a worldwide pandemic, where I imagine Adams drew some personal feelings from. Wouldn’t it be great to just, take a break for a moment? Step back and realize that things move on when you aren’t constantly trying not to fail. I felt those feelings right along Amelia. I even related to her hopping into her first car, a Toyota Corolla, to hit the road to the nearest Rome she could find… Rome, Kentucky (shout out to my own first baby, a 1997 green Toyota Corolla named Franklin).

While her trusty old Toyota helped her escape, it also broke down at exactly the right moment, leading to one of the best meet-cutes in romantic comedy. Amelia’s literally broken down on the lawn of our main hero, Noah, and as a woman in 2022, Amelia smartly doesn’t get out on the car when Noah comes a-knockin’ on her window. You can’t trust most strangers these days, but Noah turns out to be one of the good ones… which he proves, using little old ladies and landline telephones that stretch from kitchen to front yard, apparently.

Noah’s got his hands full with his own personal life, putting it back together after a failure of an engagement. This leaves him weary of females around his age as well as outsiders to his small town. He’s adopted a posture of trusting no one new, and that includes Amelia. He let’s her stay the night, but doesn’t let her in beyond the four walls of his house, until he does. Noah’s unable to resist Amelia’s charm and smile, but these two are AWKWARD AND I LOVED IT. Denying their feelings, or, rather, acknowledging them but trying to avoid them at all costs, leads to some truly funny moments in this story.

When Noah finally decides that Amelia could hurt him but he’s willing to try friendship, the tension bleeds from the page straight into your soul. You just want them both to accept that their chemistry isn’t just, convenient. But they hold on strongly to the desire for friendship, getting to know each other through activities and taking care of one another in small ways. Amelia gets to know a side of Noah he doesn’t really show others, because he’s fiercely protective of his family. He shares vulnerably about his parents and the tragic accident that left its scars on Noah as well as his sisters. Equally as vulnerable, Amelia starts to share some of the ways that she feels disappointed, although selfishly, because she thinks she has the world at her feet.

Adams helps each reader feel like their anxieties, wants, fears, and feelings all matter through the characters of this book. It’s not as if the world gives you everything you want, even if you have everything at your fingertips because of money or privilege. It’s hard to admit when things aren’t going well or that something in your life isn’t working, but watching Amelia and Noah both work through their own feelings helped me feel like I’m not alone. And isn’t that what we all want? To feel seen, valued, important, understood? Adam does that and more within these pages.

There’s a lot of cute moments in this book, some moments that will make you angry, a twist at the end, and then there’s Noah’s big gesture. It’s falling in love in 300 beautiful pages, but not just romantically. It’s love with oneself, love with friends, love with family, and even love within a community. It’s the love of finding your own voice, for taking charge in your own life and speaking truths that you need to in order to get where you’re going. And I’m with Noah, it’s a love of cookies over pie and pancakes any time of day.

Rating: 5 Stars

If you love fade-to-black stories, this is a great romance for you. I also highly recommend The Cheat Sheet and Sarah’s other books. I’ve loved them all. Let me know if you check out Sarah! I’d love to hear your thoughts!

Thank you so much Net Galley for providing this ARC*
5/5 stars!!

This was one of my most anticipated books of the year!! Sarah Adams can have my whole heart in her hands!! this was such an adorable book. I loved every second.
I don't know what is it about Sarah Adam's books where I can vividly picture every scene in my head and just wish I can bring the whole book to life. I am absolutely obsessed with the small town, grump/sunshine, popstar/pie shop owner details of this book!!

After every book, I just feel so light and happy. It is THE perfect feel-good, sweet and fluffy romance. I couldn't put it down!! I loved everything about it, the banter, the tension, the pining, NOAHH (top-tier book boyfriend!!!).

I love all things Sarah Adams and I think this is my new favorite!

I thought this book was a very cute and quick read. I loved the small town vibes and the celebrity meets small town romance. If you like cutie Hallmark movies, I think this would be a book for you. Unfortunately, I thought the book seemed a little surface level. I had a hard time connecting to the characters and just couldn't really grasp who they were. Overall, I thought it was fine. Not mad I read at all but not a new favorite.

Sarah Adams writes the cutest books. The setting and characters are too stinking adorable! I love Mabel and I cannot wait for the continuation of this series! So so stoked! Plus Audrey Hepburn is seriously the greatest!

This ARC was offered in exchange of an honest and impartial review:
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4,5*
Pros: Sweet, wholesome and healing, a warm hug in a jar! As a huge countryside fan, this small-town cutesy romance was just up my alley. Amazing and kind main leads, fantastic cast, interesting tropes and plots... It will wrap you up with a nice cup of tea and a slice of pie this winter.
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Cons: Often overly descriptive and very fast-paced for such a deep romance.

When in Rome was another sweet romance by Sarah Adams! I really enjoy her books and look forward to each of them! Definitely an unrealistic plot, but a true breath of fresh air read that was greatly appreciated amongst some heavier books. Thank you Netgalley, Dell paperback and Sarah Adams for the e-copy of this book!

This was cute. Was it something that blew me away and made me eagerly want to pick up at the end of the work day? No. But if you like Hallmark movies in the form of a book then you will definitely enjoy this.

I immediately got excited for the premise of this book. Amelia, aka Rae Rose, a world famous singer, finds the heavy expectations of her rich and famous life to be too much and after watching one of her favorite Audrey Hepburn movies, Roman Holiday, she decides to escape to Rome herself....Rome, Kentucky that is.

This was my first book by the author and I would be interested in reading her others, especially The Cheat Sheet, just to see if her style is similar or not and to see if I'd enjoy that one more.

This is a grumpy/ sunshine trope and those usually aren't my favorite. I also grew a bit frustrated and bored while reading, because we didn't get any romance until I was 85% into the book. It mainly consisted of them trying to deny their feelings and attempting to be friends the majority of the book. If you are wanting a book to recommend to your mother or grandmother, this would be a good one, becasue it is low on the spice meter, like almost nonexistent. So if you prefer that, you are in luck. If you like steam and spice, you will not enjoy it at all as we barely get a description on when they kiss.


**Thank you Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me an advanced copy of this book and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion. I am posting this review to my Goodreads account immediately and will post it to my Amazon & Instagram accounts upon publication.

Sarah Adams has done it again! I absolutely loved this cute, romance book and think it should be made into the next Hallmark movie! In the book, Amelia Rose is looking for a quick escape from her pop star life when she first heads to Rome, KY. There she meets Noah, a grumpy, pie shop owner. After helping her out of a bind the two begin to form a fun friendship that turns into something more. This book kept me flipping through the pages with anticipation for when one of them would make the first move. Overall, I highly recommend it, especially if you are looking for a book that will put a smile on your face.