Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for the gifted ARC of this book!

Sarah Adams is my go-to author for feel-good, heartwarming romance. When in Rome is another of Sarah's masterpieces: a grumpy/sunshine romance between a bubbly pop star and a grouchy pie store owner. YES. PLEASE. I loved the smalltown feel, the zips of chemistry between Amelia and Noah, and the fantastic cast of supporting characters. There was even a lil twist I didn't see coming! If you're wondering if you need this story in your life, I'll tell you right now: you do.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Thank you to Dell Publishing, Ballantine Books, and NetGalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review!
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Holy. Freaking. SMOKES. I LOVE THIS BOOK SO MUCH!!!!!!!!!!!
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It took me about 10% to get into but once I was in, I was IN. I read this in one day and honestly wish I could just move into the story and live in Rome, KY with Noah and his sisters and Amelia and Mabel and everyone forever. I also love Roman Holiday (who doesn’t) so this was SO fun to read.
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We meet Amelia, our main girl, as she’s escaping her popstar live in Nashville to get a break. After being inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, Amelia runs off to Rome… Kentucky, since Italy is just a little too far away. Unfortunately, her car breaks down when she’s about 20 minutes outside of town, but fortunately it just so happens to break down in Noah’s front yard.
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The two have their baggage to work through and decide that a romantic relationship probably isn’t the best idea, so instead they become friends. Friends with a lot of tension. The slow burn here is literally like a drug and the tension is so freaking good and hot and fun and I literally loved this book so much I could scream about it for days.
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Also - THERE IS NO THIRD ACT BREAKUP. YUP. YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT. IT’S A MIRACLE AND I LOVE SARAH FOR IT SO MUCH!!!!!!!!
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10/10 would recommend - preorder this book right meow!

Okay...sooo, I wasn't a fan of the writing style in this and the story at times felt like the author didn't know what to write next and just decided to insert a scene for the sake of it. The writing was just a bit too sweet for my taste too and overly cute. I know it's supposed to be cliche and all as it is a romcom, but from the beginning it all felt a bit too convenient. The way Amelia goes from thinking Noah's a serial killer and can't trust him to saying how safe she feels with him was kinda too fast and some things that happen in the story contradict the characters' thoughts too. Noah reminded me of Luke from Gilmore Girls, and I liked that. The people in town reminded me of the tv show as well, yet, it frustrated me how in the face they were! Like, oh my god..why don't people mind their own business? haha but I think we are supposed to feel that?
That said, it kept me wanting to read and I feel like the second half was an improvement. The love scenes while very low-heat were well done too and I like Amelia's character development. Ultimately, the book didn't leave such a big impression on me and I think it could have some more editing done, but I enjoyed the premise!

I loved this rom-com!! I love how Rae escaped to Rome, Kentucky instead of escaping to Rome, Italy. Rae and Noah's romance is so cute with Mabel helping them out along the way. Noah doesn't want to fall for a city girl that will break his heart, but in the end, it was destiny. I love the modern day version of Audrey Hepburn!

I absolutely loved this book! It was the best Rom Com I have read in a very long time. After reading it I ran out and bought another of the author’s books — the Cheat Sheet. Loved that one too. It was very different but still witty and warm hearted. Have discovered a new favorite author!! Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC. I am now on the hunt for the author’s backstock. I think you will be too.

This was a charming small town romance with an adorable couple who quickly falls head over heels for each other. Noah and Amelia had instant chemistry, and while this isn't the steamiest romance you'll find, there's plenty of banter and forced proximity slow burn to keep you engaged. Plus, there's an adorable cast of meddling and loveable side characters who make Rome, KY feel loved in and a safe haven the an overworked pop star looking for a much needed break.

I received a copy of the book from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Such a fun easy read. I love Sarah Adams book and this didn’t disappoint. This is a great sunshine meets the grump and I am stuck with you story. Engaging story and great characters.

This was so cute! A wonderful romance, filled with witty banter, delightful characters, and just enough steaminess. A must read for romance lovers!

When In Rome by Sarah Adams is a small town romance that follows pop singer Amelia Rae Rose and bakery owner Noah Daniel Walker.

I usually dislike SLOW BURNS, or stories in which the couples don't kiss or do anything until 70% or more into the book, and this is one of those. Instead of hating or becoming bored with the slow burn, I ended up enjoying it because their tension and chemistry made up for it. There's also the fact that Sarah wrote and delivered on so many of the best romance tropes in this story, and I couldn't have asked for anything less.

However, when the main characters finally get together, it doesn't feel right, they just don't feel like a couple, but the ending and epilogue more than make up for it, which I absolutely loved because it was so wholesome.

Overall, this was a swoon-worthy, heartwarming, and entertaining romcom in which Sarah Adams gave us romance readers everything we wanted to read!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and to the author, Sarah Adams, for providing me with this e-arc in exchange for an honest review!

Really adorable. I loved this famous girl meets ordinary guy/sunshine grumpy romance with an Audrey Hepburn twist. Endearing characters, both a little damaged, come together in a charming dual POV small town love story. Bonus points for terrific supporting characters. I loved Noah’s sisters.

A celebrity pop star Ameila Rose, known as Rae Rose to her fans, in need of a break from the stress of her life. She embarks on a road trip to Rome, Kentucky inspired by her love for Aubrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday where things quickly fall apart. Her car breaks down in Noah's front yard. While Noah wants nothing to do with a relationship, he knows he can't leave her stranded in her car. He allows her to stay in his house while the car is fixed and help her navigate how "normal" people live. Amelia and Noah who live completely different lives get a chance to learn more about each other while both trying to figure out exactly what they want in their own futures.

I adored this book. Sarah Adams does romance like no one else and I truly love all the tension, witty banger, grumpy sunshine trope of a book and I am thrilled to see there will be a second in the series! (counts down the days until this is released). This is truly one of the best romances I have read this year and the book has something for everyone. Run to go buy this book!

Amelia rose is burnt out from being a pop princess sensation and pulls an Audrey Hepburn a la Roman Holiday where she meets Noah. Begrudgingly Noah gives her a place to stay until her car is fixed, but finds a different side to the pop princess. Such a cute romcom that is perfect for a summer read.

This book was so freaking cute.

I absolutely loved When in Rome. I loved the characters and the setting and the plot and the unabashed sweetness of it all. This book was like a big warm hug and I devoured it in about a day. (It also made me desperately crave pancakes.)

Amelia and Noah were a wonderful leading couple, with a great balance of banter and emotion. I loved that Amelia was allowed to be goofy and even annoying; the way she grew into herself and the freedom of making her own choices was lovely to see. And Noah was everything you'd want in a book boyfriend - grumpy but sweet, stodgy but silly. Plus he makes pie. Literally the ideal man.

Then there were the secondary characters. Noah's sisters were a delight, each one unique enough to stand alone but all of them formidable - and hilarious - as a unit. Mabel, obviously, was a star, with her matchmaking schemes and nosiness. Even the townspeople who only showed up for a scene or two were great and quirky, just like you want side characters in a small town to be.

Even as it's light and fluffy, this book doesn't shy away from examining the effects of burnout and trauma, and I thought that all of those heavier topics were handled delicately and with grace, giving the characters something real to work through without totally dragging down the mood. Amelia's fame added tension, and even knowing that things would work out, I found myself on the edge of my seat, wondering if she and Noah were really going to figure things out.

In a lot of ways, When in Rome takes that classic Hallmark-movie setup of a famous woman coming to a small town to hide away and elevates it, giving it depth and humor and fully rounded characters who came alive on the page. I loved this book so much, and I really hope that Sarah Adams plans to return to this world and give all of the Walker sisters the happily ever afters they deserve, if only so we can spend more time with them and the town of Rome, Kentucky.

5/5

This is my second book by Sarah Adams and I think it’s my favorite so far! I loved Rae AKA Amelia. I felt she was truly authentic. I haven’t read many grumpy to sunshine tropes so this was a bit refreshing! I also really enjoyed the small town romance! I really thought this was based in Rome, Italy but it’s Rome… Kentucky lol overall, a really cute romcom!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

There were things I liked about this and things I hated about this.

I liked Amelia. She was pretty great honestly, and I really liked our grumpy pie-shop owner. They just did not have chemistry in my opinion. It was a little frustrating at times because I just wanted them to bang it out to get the story going, but it all moved slowly.

Amelia was struggling to have control over her life given that she was this big Grammy-winning popstar and her entire life was controlled by her management team. Her freedom from the money-wanters should have been a bigger plot point because it was rushed. It felt handed to her and she didn't even work for it, not that she had to for the sake of saving an argument, but it felt fabricated.

The writing style is too juvenile for me. I hate how Sarah Adams' books are marked as a steamy romances but there is no steam in sight. There's not an ounce of tension or physical longing. But one thing I really liked compared to her other novels is that these two characters actually TALKED. They were open and honest about their lives and relationship with one another and we never see that today in romance novels because of the overused and overhyped miscommunication trope. That itself was a breath of fresh air.

I will probably stop reading Sarah Adams simply because they just aren't working for me, but I do want to say that I enjoyed the vibes of this one. The writing style and rushed second half of the book just killed most of it for me.

Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for providing me with an ARC of this novel in exchange for my honest review and thoughts.

Amelia or Rae Rose as she is known by all her fans, needs a break. So in true Audrey Hepburn fashion, she runs away to Rome... Rome Kentucky. Rae ends up broken down in front of grumpy gentleman Noah Walker. Noah has had his heart broken one too many times and does not want anything to do with a diva singer like Rae, but his manners won't let him rest until he helps her. Noah eventually offers Amelia a place to stay since has no where else to go. Soon he realizes there is much more to Amelia than just a stuck up star.

This book is full of chemistry and such a cute read. Really well written and was a really fun read.

NetGalley Book Review:
My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
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I absolutely LOVED When In Rome by Sarah Adams! I was immediately sucked in from the beginning and every single character leapt off the page and came to life! Amelia was so quirky and cute and down-to-earth. Noah very clearly hit the top 5 for my fave fictional boyfriends list! The supporting characters were absolutely amazing as well. You all need to read when this comes out!
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Big thanks to Dell Publishing for this ARC!
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#netgalley #wheninrome @authorsarahadams @netgalley #booknerd #dellpublishing

I really liked the characters and the light-heartedness of the book. Amelia had a lot more depth to her than originally met the eye. Noah was guilty of also stereotyping her before getting to know her so I liked that Amelia was so willing to help everyone she met (rather than being the selfish and shallow person most assumed she would be). Noah, while I liked him, I didn't feel like he was a swoony as some of Sarah Adams' other characters. While most heroes will do anything for the heroine, Noah did not do anything particularly memorable other than being kind to her (which isn't that the bare minimum?). However, the mutual pining between these two was amazing! I loved that there was the inner conflict that they wanted each other but knowing it probably would end in a short time.

The thing that made me not enjoy the book as much was that it felt too much like a Hallmark movie. While I understand that most rom-coms are going to be incredibly cheesy, have an unrealistic plot, and a happy ending, I think the book was just very predictable. Of course her car happened to break down on a hot grump's lawn and of course her manager was manipulative.

Overall though, I felt that this was a cute book to read when trying to unwind and was very enjoyable!

This book follows pop star Rae Rose (better known as Amelia to us) as she flees in the middle of the night to small town, Rome Kentucky to escape her stressful stardom life. As she’s on her way to an airbnb, her car breaks down in the yard of grumpy Noah Walker. She ends up staying with him while she gets a much needed break from her usual lifestyle.

This book was filled with SO MUCH tension, which of course I absolutely LOVED!! I really appreciated how Amelia and Noah were so mature about their relationship and had actual conversations regarding what they wanted and how to move forward. I also loved the small town vibes of this book! With the whole town being so close, it really reminded of stars hollow in Gilmore Girls, which is one of my favorite shows. I was so happy that Amelia was able to find herself and find a family in this town, while still pursuing her dreams. Any conflict in this book actually made sense which I really liked and it was overall just a lovely book and I really enjoyed my time reading. I definitely will be checking out more from Sarah Adams in the future!

Thank you to NetGalley, RandomHouse and Ballantine for an ARC of this book, in exchange for my honest review.

Rae Rose is a pop sensation, super famous, super rich, super talented. She loves singing but is beginning to crumble under the pressure of fame hood. She is on the verge of a breakdown so she turns to her comfort, watching Audrey Hepburn's movies. She watches Roman Holiday and is inspired to get up and leave town, despite her upcoming tour and controlling manager. She can't risk going to Rome, Italy so she plugs Rome into her navigation and the closest place in the states that comes up is a small town in Rome, Kentucky. In the dead of night, she packs up and heads there. Of course her car breaks down in front of a really hot guys house and he helps her out...

Noah Walker was such a cute grump! He was fucked over by his ex-fiancé so although he was attracted to Rae, he was trying to keep his distance, even though she lived with him for 2 weeks while waiting for her car to be fixed.

Eventually, neither of them could hold back and they had crazy chemistry. It was really cute! I would have preferred a little more spice but the story was worth it.

ARC provided by NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review.