A sweet romcom that had me cozying up with my blanket. Sometimes I just need a light read that has me feeling like a Hallmark movie. This book was it. This was my first book from Sarah Adams and I can't wait to read more.

A fresh spin on the celeb-in-real-life story featuring a pop singer and quiet, country baker dude. Nice cast of supporting characters, great baking scenes and a dash of villainous paparazzi.

When in Rome, by Sarah Adams, is a light-hearted, charming, small town love story about a soulful pop star, Rae Rose who is in desperate need of a break from the chaos and constant pull of her very public life on the road. She’s weary of the superficiality of her stardom and in desperate need of a dose of real life authenticity A spur of the moment decision finds her escaping to Rome…Rome, Kentucky that is, because she only has a few days to spare from her rigorous schedule.

When her plans are foiled by a broken down car…at night…in someone’s front yard, things take a sharp detour. Amelia, “Rae”, ends up staying with reluctant, brooding, once hurt, twice shy, local hunk and pie shop owner, Noah Walker. Noah’s heart has been broken before by a woman passing through who ended up not wanting to live the small town life, and he’s determined not to do it again!

Amelia is down-to-earth, endearing,, and captivated by the small town residents and slower, more genuine way of life, but her life is on the road, touring and making music. The tension and tenderness between the two fated, but resistant lovers mounts, Amelia’s friendship with his quirky, warm and wonderful sisters grows, and questions mount of how she could keep these precious connections when her life is elsewhere.

When in Rome is a sweet, heart-warming story, easy-to-read and one that will definitely leave you with a smile on your face.

Simply saying that I loved this book does not do it justice. I loved everything about it. The small town romance. The "forbidden love". The grumpy/broody man who deep down a big ol softie/teddy bear. I ignored all my responsibilities to read this book. Sarah Adams did an amazing job with this. It was descriptive but not overbearing to the point that there is lack in dialogue. The dialogue.. the banter.. when he called her pop-tart?? I lost it. Immediately I lost it. This book brought joy back to me after reading 3 star reads. If I could give this 10 stars I would. Absolutely loved.

Who wants to move to Rome, KY with me? I fell absolutely head over heels in love with this book. Part celebrity romance, part grumpy sunshine, part small town, and part forced proximity, this book has so many amazing aspects to it. Amelia, better known as superstar singer Rae Rose, decides she's had enough of the insanity of her life and runs away only to find herself in a broke down car on the outskirts of a small town. Her rescuer is local pie shop owner, Noah, who begrudgingly lets Amelia stay with him when the local hotel is supposedly full.

Sparks instantly fly with these two. They have so much chemistry and tension throughout the book. Even though this is closed door, something I'm normally not the biggest fan of, Adams writes her characters with so much longing and intensity that you almost don't notice. I loved every scene with Amelia and Noah. The banter was great and had me laughing out loud while I read as Adams really understands what makes a romantic comedy. Celebrity romances are hit or miss for me, but this one really works. I felt for Amelia and cheered her on as she worked her way to putting herself and her wants first. Noah is a complete mush of a cinnamon roll. The interactions with his friends, sisters and the townspeople only made me fall for him more. While I knew that Adams would leave us with an HEA, I couldn't see how they would work out their situation which kept the book both entertaining and intriguing. I enjoyed it right up to the very last page.

If you love Marina Adair, Jill Shalvis or Kristan Higgins you will love this and any other book that Sarah Adams writes. She is solidly on my must-read list and should be on yours as well.

When In Rome by Sarah Adams is the cutest rom-com! Amelia and Noah are so quirky and fun. The character development moves at a quick pace without missing important details. Everything about this book is fun and gives so many relationship ideas. Everyone in a healthy relationship can relate to the pancakes and the pajamas and the verbal sparing. This is another Sarah Adams win!

This book was so swoony!! I really enjoyed the relationship development not just between the main characters, but between other members of the community and families. The pacing of the romantic relationship was really good, but I think there was a lot of conflict in the last like 15% that could have definitely been flushed out a bit more.

Noah and Amelia are so kind and lovable, their banter was top tier and I definitely recommend this book!

TW: death of parent, dementia, infidelity

Sarah Adams won me over with The Cheat Sheet and she has done it again!

When in Rome was such an adorable closed door romance and the audio narration by Andrew Eiden (aka Teddy Hamilton) and Karissa Vacker made it even better!

Amelia is a burnt out pop star who is a huge Audrey Hepburn fan. Influenced by her movie, Roman Holiday, she decides to escape to the closest Rome she can find in Kentucky, where she ends up meeting Noah when her car breaks down. Noah is a handsome but grumpy pie shop owner, who is not looking for a relationship, especially not with a celebrity. Against his better judgement, he lets her stay in his guest bedroom while her car is being fixed. Amelia starts to fall in love with the small town and it’s people even though she knows she will eventually have to return to her celebrity life.

As much as I loved both Amelia and Noah, my favorite characters were the small town meddling neighbors and Noah’s endearing sisters! I can’t wait to read the sisters’ love stories next!! I’ve already preordered Practice Makes Perfect, the next book in the series, which released on May 2, 2023!

Sarah has a knack of creating such delicious sexual tension, fun banter, and such a strong emotional connection between her leading characters that you don’t even miss the steam!

I would highly recommend this book especially if you enjoy these tropes:

- grumpy/ sunshine
- forced proximity
- closed door romance
- small town romance
- celebrity romance
- slow burn
- dual POV

Sarah is forever one of my favorite authors. She is someone who can right a closed door romance, but still truly show the passion each character has for each other and I think that is such a unique talent not everyone can do.

This book was different from her others. At first I didn’t think it was as funny, usually I’m laughing by chapter 2 and it took longer for me. This book seemed more serious. Why? Honestly with this being her first traditionally published work I can just see her growth. The words were stronger, the emotions stronger, and I could see her putting herself in these pages. Later I found out she also struggled with the art of saying No just like Amelia. I can see that. I felt that. I also eventually laughed a lot with this book.

I loved Amelia and Noah. Noah was this super grumpy man and I am here for it. The town and the townsfolk were this wonderful crew. I can’t wait to keep visiting Rome, Kentucky and see what all the Walker siblings are up to!

I love an opposites attract and loved The Cheat Sheet.

A romance between a sheltered pop star and a grumpy heartbroken pie man. Hehe he has taken over his grandmother’s pie shop so that makes him a pie man, right?

He has offered his guest room and the small town atmosphere and gossip has made it so she has to stay with him. She is getting addicted to the way he doesn’t treat her like a celebrity and just an annoying person. No one treats her like a normal person.

This is the second book I’ve read this week where a toxic controlling relationship or a kind of parasitic relationship has taken over a characters life. It’s so crazy when you realize you’ve been lied to, stolen from and isolated.

Glad the truth was revealed before it could go too far! The romance was so sweet. Once the fears were worked past.

Thank you randomhouse and netgalley for the e-ARC for my honest and voluntary review.

Love me a main character that's a grump... it's just my vibe. And he's a baker?! *SWOON*

Sarah Adams just has a way of writing male lead characters that kill me. If you don't know what I'm talking about, check out The Cheat Sheet sooner rather than later.

When in Rome obviously nods to "Roman Holiday', but also has a distinctly 'Notting Hill' or Hallmark Movie feel to it.

Thank you to the Author, publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Adams did it again! If you like the writing that Sarah Adams does, then you will love this book. I felt very connected to Amelia and the struggles she was going through. Some days, I want to escape the world that I'm living in, so it was fun to be able to live through Amelia. The ending was also amazing! Highly recommend reading this book if you like Sarah Adams' writing.

I loved this one. It was so cute and an easy read. I loved the banter between Amelia and Noah and the duel POV. Sarah hasn’t disappointed in her books yet and I can’t wait for her next one.

Sarah Adams can do no wrong!! Her books are always favorites and this one isn't any different! The story was great and I finished it wishing it wasn't over! Pick this up immediately!!

Title: When In Rome
Author: @authorsarahadams
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Format: 💖E-book ARC 💖Audiobook
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Swipe for the Blurb
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🥧Opposites Attract
🥧Grumpy/Sunshine
🥧Close Proximity
🥧Small-Town
🥧Rom-Com
🥧Found Family
🥧Slow Burn
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“I don’t even know him and I feel safe. Noah is the blanket fort you used to make and hide in as a kid. So warm and reassuring.”
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Review: This is my second book by Sarah Adams. I fell in love with The Cheat Sheet, so when I saw this one pop up, I knew I wanted to read it. This was a sweet book that I enjoyed. It is a modern day retelling of Roman Holiday.

Amelia is a Pop Star looking for some time away from the spot light to recharge her batteries. One terrible night she meets the grumpy pie shop owner Noah, in Rome, Kentucky due to an unfortunate event. These two were cute as they bantered back and forth and as Noah tried to push Amelia away, only he couldn't do it for long. Amelia's love for Audrey Hepburn and the movie Roman Holiday were so endearing. I need to watch that movie now. I loved Small town Noah and his aversion to so many things, like cell phones and WiFi.😂 I cracked up at all the different nicknames Amelia gave Noah. I loved the book nerd, matching pa-jam-as and flowers.💐

“To me, you’re Amelia. Maker of s****y pancakes and a smile that rivals the sun. All I want is you.”

I adored his sisters Annie, Madison and Emily and how they instantly took Amelia under their wing. I want to join their little posse.😝 James cracked me up and I LOVED Noah's jealousy. The sweet nosy townspeople cracked me up! This was definitely a fun Closed Door rom com. I'm craving pancakes🥞 and pie🥧 now!🤣 I started with the eARC and switched to the Audiobook yesterday. Karissa Vacker and Andrew Eiden did a fantastic job bringing these two to life. I really enjoyed their portrayal of Amelia and Noah.

Pop star Amelia Rose (known as Rae Rose) needs a break. Feeling inspired by her favorite movie, Roman Holiday, she decides to get away and escape celebrity life. She can’t make it to Rome, Italy, so she settles for the next best thing, Rome, Kentucky. When her car breaks down in front of a stranger’s house, Noah, the owner of the house, comes to help her. He lets her stay in his house despite having no time for celebrity drama. But as he gets to know Amelia, he sees a different side of her. They start to develop feelings, but Amelia is going to have to leave Rome eventually.

This was such a sweet and fun romance! I loved the celebrity/small town trope combination , as well as the depth to the characters. Both Amelia and Noah had so many layers to peel back. As we learned more about their lives and their struggles, my heart broke for each of them, and I was so glad they found each other. Another shout out goes to the cast of side characters. I loved how the people in the town were so loyal to Amelia right away. This book was so sweet and endearing. It was my first book by Sarah Adams and definitely will not be my last. I loved her witty writing style and sense of humor!

Thanks to Ballantine Books for the advance copy!

I've heard such wonderful things about Sarah Adams' books in the past, and the premise for this one sounded so delightfully Hallmark-ish that I had to check it out. I'm a sucker for fluffy small-town romance, what can I say?

I read the whole thing in a day because I couldn't put it down, I absolutely fell in love with the town of Rome, I laughed out loud more times than I can count. Even though it's set in the summer, I'd also say it has some lovely fall vibes (it miiiight be the pie shop that does it). The sibling dynamic is precious, Amelia and Noah were both characters I liked a lot, and the happy ending was perfect.

It does, unfortunately, have a lot more crude language than I prefer, and while it's technically closed-door, the steamier moments were pretty steamy, lol! Easy to skip, thankfully, but just be warned that there's three of them. It's definitely an adult romance and I just haven't read many of those outside of Christian fiction so here we are.

But overall it was just so much fun and I'm definitely excited to read more from this author! (also the sequel! the concept has me so hyped!)

4.5 stars from me!

**I received a copy of this book from the publisher via Netgalley. A positive review was not required. All opinions are my own.**

This was such a cute and wholesome read. You can definitely read it in a sitting and it's so enjoyable and heartwarming.

Quick & Dirty
-slow burn delight
-forced proximity trope
-closed door 🌶🌶
-found family

Rae Rose is on the run, on her way to Rome, Kentucky. It's as close as she can get to following in the footsteps of her idol, Audrey Hepburn, in one of her favorite films, Roman Holiday. The urge to run has been building for a while, but the thought of leaving on another long international tour with her band is enough to push Rae over the edge. Now she's sitting in her broken-down old car (the one she drove before becoming famous) in the middle of the night while some handsome stranger tries to convince her to accept his help. Can she trust him to not murder her? Wait, now he's trying to pass her his phone...his house phone. Is that a 30ft phone cord?

I purposefully left much out of the synopsis of this book. This, my friends, is a masterpiece of grumpy Gus meets Rae of sunshine plus small-town vibes with found family and lots of quirky characters. I freakin' loved this book and know that you will, too! I am not a huge romance reader, but I have found myself reaching for one in between heavy historical fiction. This one was everything I wanted plus a million jillion percent more! I loved it, like really loved it. Not since Beach Read have I given a romcom 5 stars. Pay attention to this one, y'all! Also, lots of points for the many references to Roman Holiday, one of my all-time favorite films.

Okay, this book was adorable. This was my first book by Sarah Adams, but now I’m even more excited to pick THE CHEAT SHEET up off my TBR shelf.

Amelia Rose is a famous pop star who needs to escape her life. She feels isolated from everyone who ever mattered to her, living a life of a facade, and has an overbearing manager dictating every moment of her life. So when she channels her inner Audrey Hepburn from ROMAN HOLIDAY, she sets her eyes on an escape to Rome … Rome, Kentucky, anyway. She does have responsibilities afterall.

But her car breaks down on the lawn of a grumpy, buff man who seems to want to help her – but purely to get rid of her. Noah Walker doesn’t trust easily after the number of times he’s been hurt in the past, but he can’t seem to say no to Amelia – at least not a no that will last.

Amelia’s escape allows her to come back to herself outside of the limelight and remember what matters most to her – even as Noah quickly becomes one of them.

Definitely one worth picking up and enjoying with a cozy stack of pancakes.