I had a feeling I was going to love this book from the first couple chapters, and it did not disappoint! It was so cute!!! Noah and Amelia were both such likable characters and I loved the tension between them. Also the banter with all the characters was so good! I found myself smiling and giggling the entire time I was reading this.

Thank you NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book had me hooked from the start. Grumpy small town man meets sunshine pop star was the perfect combination and Amelia and Noah’s story was adorable the whole way through. I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who needs a sweet and light romance in their life. Personally, I wasn’t disappointed by a single part of this book, and I found myself unable to put it down because I needed to know if Noah and Amelia were ever going to get together. This is a book you don’t want to miss!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I loved everything about this book! Especially how I was quickly reminded of my love for the Grumpy/Sunshine trope. The banter and dialogue between the two main characters is so well done.

When In Rome has a Celebrity/Normal trope that was also done well. I loved having the celebrity, Amelia, as a normal, down to earth person and not somebody arrogant or full of drama. Even though she knew her privilege, she was still desperate to learn things on her own. I was very proud of her growth throughout this novel.

I would categorize the romance as an almost closed door. The spicy scenes are not graphic, but you do get a peek to the action. Even though the door isn’t wide open, my goodness, there is so much angst, chemistry, and sexual tension!

The small town gossip was a little over the top, but I loved how that all ended up working in Noah and Amelia’s favor. The town folk characters are so loveable!

This is my first book by Sarah Adams but won’t the my last. I’m looking forward to diving into her back list!

I am a big Sarah Adams fan and I was so over the moon to be able to read When in Rome in advance of it's Pub Day. Thank you so much to Dell for my copy!

Amelia is a famous pop star who jets out of town needing a break before she cracks. Basing her spur of the moment trip on the beloved movie, Roman Holiday, she takes off for the closest Rome to Nashville... Rome, Kentucky. But her car breaks down just outside of Rome in grumpy Noah's front yard. He helps her out and reluctantly puts her up in his home. Soon Amelia is falling in love with the quaint, friendly small town and the surly pie shop owner. But she needs to go back to her life in spotlight. Will they end up like Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck? (hint: they didn't end up together in the movie)

Read if you love:
-Gilmore Girls
-sunshine/grumpy trope
-famous & regular person trope
-spunky older grandmas and lovable, sassy supporting characters (who I'm guessing will get their own books)

I really enjoyed this book and I think fans of Sarah's will too. However, I did feel like there was a small difference to this book when compared to her others that she published independently. Sarah is known for her closed door yet still spicy romance, which lots of readers appreciate and love. There was a surprising amount of swearing in this book and while it is close door romance, it's definitely more "cracked door" than her previous books. Again, these are small in the grand scheme of what is available to readers. But I thought it was worth nothing that this book "pushes the envelope" a little more.

Content Warning: Death of parent, infidelity, dementia

Rae Rose is a star but she is exhausted and needs some time, Inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday she flees her life and heads for the nearest Rome. She finds herself stranded after her car breaks down in the front yard of Noah Walker. He has no interest in leaving Rome, Kentucky, the last time he did his heart was broken but he has to help stranded Rae. As Rae spends time in Rome she begins to remember who she really is , Amelia, and question the life she has been living. Noah finds himself drawn to Amelia but what will happen when she returns to being Rae? Loved this!

This is my first Sarah Adam’s book, so I went in not knowing what to expect. In short, it’s a cute and very light book, and that’s about it. I found it to be a bit too cheesy and mushy, and this caused me to disconnect from the main characters too much for my liking. It had all the factors to be an adorable romance, but it just felt a little blegh.

3.5⭐️

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc!

I really thought I'd enjoy this book, but as someone from Kentucky I really just couldn't mesh with this town and the main character's reactions to everything.

When In Rome

⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sarah Adams next book comes out this September and you’ll have to check it out if you’re looking for a breezy romcom! It centers around Amelia, a celebrity on the run to a small town for a break. She ends up falling into Noah’s yard and the two slowly hit it off.

I didn’t love this one as much as I have some of her other books. This one felt a little cliché and the characters just seemed a little forced. I could see clear spots where I think this will spin off for next books, this one probably won’t stop me from picking the others up!

Still a good summer book to dive into. Thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for this eARC!

Can a surprising relationship between a famous singer and a grumpy man living in his small hometown really work? This slow burn rom-com follows Noah and Amelia as they get to know each other and determine if connecting is worth the risk. Noah's past makes him leery of women and relationships and Amelia's celebrity status makes things complicated for her. Sarah Adams does a great job of developing these characters and showing us their internal world beyond their first impressions. It was fun to watch both characters change and grow as the book continued. If you like a quick read full of fun banter, funny background characters, and a windy road to romance, you'll love When in Rome. I'm a big fan of Sarah Adams and this latest novel did not disappoint!

Content warning: Mentions of adults losing their parents in an accident as children, and Alzheimers.

Thank you to to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for sharing a digital ARC with me in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are my own.
Review published on GoodReads and Barnes & Noble. Review will be published on Amazon on the 9/20/22 release date.

This book was sweet as pie! If you're looking for something light and fun with a quirky cast this is definitely it. There are serious Gilmore Girl vibes in the town of Rome, KY and I love it. If you're a fan of Lorelai and Luke’s banter this will definitely be in your wheelhouse. Amelia is sweet and adorable and grumpy Noah who is really just a marshmallow is the perfect counterpart. (Seriously, Noah is the best)

Fun facts:
*Dual POV
*Closed door romance
*Found family
*Release Date: 9/20/22

Also, I think this will be an excellent audio book, I can’t wait until it comes out!

When in Rome by Sarah Adams 🥰
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you #NetGalley and #randomhouse for the ARC of this FABULOUS book. I love Sarah Adams books because it sucks you into the story, the character development is top notch AND it’s not overly spicy. It’s just enough to keep you guessing and wanting more.

I LOVED this story of Rae Rose (aka Amelia) and her stardom turned small town when she finds herself stranded in Rome, Kentucky. Noah to the rescue! He may just be my favorite male character of her books yet. He was charming, reserved, and hilarious. I loved watching their story unfold, and Amelia finds her self with the help of Noah and his small town. When in Rome is a fantastic read.

It comes out in September, and I have already preordered my copy…you should too 😉

This is an adorable rom-com book that is perfect for fans of the opposites attract trope. I adored Amelia and Noah's story.

When in Rome is such a sweet read! Pop star Amelia Rose needs a break, so taking inspiration from her idol Aubrey Hepburn and her movie When in Rome, she heads to Rome… Rome, KY that is (Italy is just too far) and ends up with her car broken down on the lawn of the town piemaker, Noah. And with her car repairs needing two weeks, romance-averse Noah gets a roommate he never bargained for. So Noah may just be the perfect man. He’s broody yet sensitive and kind and charming. Plus he can make pies and pancakes, and he’s so so wonderful to the women in his life. And Amelia is so endearing. She is so lonely in the spotlight and my heart just broke for her! But I loved her finding her place and playfulness and voice in Rome as she connects with not only Noah but also his sisters and the townspeople. I loved watching that teasing side come out and her vulnerability when it came to the struggle of balancing who she is with her pop star-self. I just wanted to give her a hug. Thankfully, she had Noah though. And the flirting! It’s so playful and cute. I mean I had a huge smile on my face reading this small-town, closed door romance. It’s endearing and adorable and light and just everything you could ask for in feel good read!

When in Rome is a lighthearted romantic comedy that instantly gave me all the feels.

Amelia Rose, aka Rae Rose, needs a break before heading out on tour. After a night of watching Audrey Hepburn, she decides to travel to Rome.. that is Rome, Kentucky. To her luck, her car breaks down in front of Noah Walker's house. Let the small town adventures begin.

Noah Walker has sworn off love. He's been cheated on by his ex fiance and now just wants to run his pie bakery in peace. He does not want the popular to get close to him or stay in his home. Little does he know, she may be just what he is looking for.

When in Rome has a small town vibe, side characters that'll make your heart skip a beat and a heartwarming plot. Adam's does what she does best: tells a story about two lead characters and their own emotional journeys. Fans of Abby Jiminez's Happy Ever After Playlist will enjoy this book.

What a charmingly fun romance by Sarah Adams! The chemistry between Noah and Amelia was off the charts and I loved the playful and fun banter they had. The tropes of small town romance, grump/sunshine, enemies to lovers and forced proximity were expertly done and I also loved all the side characters who added so much fun and heart to this love story. The only thing that would have made this better for me would have been more steam and open door romance, otherwise this was practically perfect! Thank you so much to Netgalley and Random House Ballantine for my copy.

Okay… let me just say… I loved this SO much. Adams hit all the right notes: pitch perfect snarky humor, delightfully grumpy-sunshine MC’s (Amelia is incredibly likeable and I so need a Noah in my life… grumpiness and all), all the culinary goodness (pie, glorious pie!) and oh yeah plenty of Audrey Hepburn love (which come on… who can’t get enough of that). Adams also manages to balance the slow burn romance and the character story arc’s, which isn’t all that easy and is delightful. Oh, and there’s no info if this is the start of a series, but I would so buy the heck out of books featuring Noah’s sisters and best friend. If you’re looking for a true romcom, run don’t walk and pick this book up as soon as you can.

When in Rome is a sweet rom-com with some familiar tropes - grumpy-sunshine, pop star/celebrity-commoner, nosy small townsfolk. Overall a predictable story line, and while it makes for an easy read, the progression of their relationship felt slow and more drawn out than necessary. I did not particularly connect with the characters. Minimal spice.

"When in Rome…"

Beautiful story, beautiful writing. Sarah Adams captures our hearts once again with Amelia, a stranded pop-tart and Noah, Mr. small-town baker. We see love and lost, insecurities and strengths. As a closed door romance, Sarah is able to provide rising steam without falling into spicy smut which adds to the lightheartedness of the novel. Can we get a round of applause for all the supporting characters please?! I loved everyone, especially because there is at least one person that every reader will be able to relate to. Overall, a novel I would recommend to anyone looking for a lighthearted read where the past struggles to hold one back from moving forward and sometimes one just needs some time to find oneself. Also, Audrey Hepburn references!

P.S. Hoping for a future bonus chapter or even a short novella! *fingers crossed*

Light Trigger Warning: Death and Dementia

[Special thanks to Sarah Adams, NetGalley and Random House Publishing for sharing a digital advanced reader copy with me in exchange for my honest review.]

This was my first time reading Sarah Adam but certainly won't be my last! A fun, heartwarming book about Amelia Rose, a talented pop star who is burnt out and has her car break down in Noah Walker's yard while driving to Rome, Kentucky. In addition to the loveable main characters, When in Rome also has a wonderful supporting cast. A nice, lighthearted story that's a quick read for anyone who is a fan of romcoms!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advance copy!

Lovely, entertaining romance including stuck with you and sunshine meets the grump, famous girl meets the ordinary boy tropes with lots of “Roman Holiday” and one and the only Hepburn references!