An adorable, entertaining romance with many popular tropes including stuck with you, grumpy/sunshine, and celebrity girl meets ordinary boy with references to “Roman Holiday” and Audrey Hepburn! The small town vibes and the found family dynamic are incorporated perfectly into the story! Sarah Adams created such a cozy, light read that is perfect for romance lovers!

Brief Synopsis: Amelia, known to her fans as Rae Rose, is exhausted from her life as a pop star. After watching Audrey Hepburn’s classic Roman Holiday, she decides to get some much needed R&R in Rome. Only the one in Italy is too far so she settles for the closest one…which happens to be in Kentucky. When Amelia’s car breaks down in Noah Walker’s front yard he is less than thrilled. He doesn’t have time to deal with a spoiled pop star whose only passing through, no matter how pretty she is. But when there’s no room in the B&B in town, Amelia takes up residence in Noah’s guest bedroom. And both of them find there’s more to each other than a spoiled pop star and a grumpy pie shop owner.

I finally read The Cheat Sheet this summer and adored it and was so thrilled when I got approved to read an ARC of this (thank you NetGalley, Sarah Adams, and the publisher for the ARC). And I absolutely adored this book. When I finished it, I’m not too proud to admit that I had happy tears brimming in my eyes. It was such a sweet feel good wonderful book.

The characters in this are phenomenal. I felt like Adams did a great job of showing just how down to earth Amelia was even though she was a world famous pop star. I mean, the girl couldn’t make pancakes, but she was so relatable, genuine and down to earth. I was immediately drawn to her and I loved her story arc. Seeing her realize the hold other people had on her life and take control of it herself was such a wonderful thing. And I love a good grump, and Noah was perfect. But the residents of Rome, Kentucky or absolute gems! Like idk if Sarah is planning some spin off novels but I really need stories on all three of Noah’s sisters and his BFF James. And give me a story about Mabel too. I think one of the strongest parts of this book was the characters…they were all so well written and as a reader I couldn’t help but be drawn to all of them.

This is only my second book to read by Adams, but if all the rest are as good as this one (and The Cheat Sheet), then I am already hooked. I loved this book so much that I will be buying a physical copy. And also buying every other book Adams has written. If you want a romance that makes you feel good, definitely pick this one up.

This book is a closed door romance, but the chemistry is off the charts!

This book was the cutest romcom ever. I felt like it was the perfect length and pace. Definitely a light hearted read when you need one! Would definitely recommend!

•• Noah and Amelia ••

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When In Rome by Sarah Adams

This book was a really cute read! When In Rome is my first read by Sarah Adams - next up The Cheat Sheet for book club! I really enjoyed it!

I’ve always loved the hallmark movie feel good type books and this definitely hits the nail on the head! This book rates low on the spice scale (fade to black) but it makes up for that with the cute banter, the awesome side characters and Noah (enough said 😂).

If you’re looking for a quick and fun read - this is it !

Amelia Rae (or Rose Rae, her stage name) is tired of her celebrity and hectic life. She feels that she has lost control. Her favorite actress is Audrey Hepburn and she turns to Audrey's move for solice. Taking a cue from Audrey and the movie Roman Holiday, Amelia deides to take off for Rome. Kentucky that is. He car breaks down on the lawn of handsome Noah Walker's house. He runs the local e shop that he inherited from his aunt. Rome, KY is a small town where everyone knows everyone's business. You can guess that romance that evolove between the two. A charming fast read with a predictable and happy ending for all.

I read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I enjoyed this novel by Sarah Adams. It was light and took the reality of working life away temporarily.
I liked the banter between Amelia and Noah, and how he managed to keep his personality during conversations and not become dramatic. He kept things fun and happy.
I was relieved that the mother/daughter dynamic was reinstated. Poor Amelia.
I can imagine this being a fun audiobook to listen to!

I'm a fan of all Sarah Adams' other books and was so excited to get this one! It's a cute, fluffy read that's perfect for a trip to the beach. It's very predictable, but I didn't mind and still had fun reading. It's very reminiscent of a Hallmark movie and I loved that about it.

When you bake a pie you always have to make sure to vent the top so the steam can escape and OOOOH, BOY, there is a whole lot of heat under this cover. Sarah Adams is a master of building up to the burn and When in Rome has all the sweet, delicious, warm gooey filling you'd want in a pie. I mean a romance! And in a super hot baker who is a bit crusty but you know that's only the flaky, butter crunch you want to get to the good stuff.

Okay, enough about pie.

Super famous pop singer Rae Rose is about to go on a major tour, but she's also just about burned out. After bingeing Roman Holiday starring her favorite, Audrey Hepburn, Rae decides to break out her old car from before she was famous and find the closest Rome to her house in Nashville. Turns out, her car is a clunker that gives out in the front yard of Noah's house. Chica needs a break, not a breakdown! But the universe has other plans, thus putting her and Noah on a path neither of them could have chosen without fate (and the town of Rome) intervening.

This book is sweet heat all the way through. Perfect for your own little holiday - escape and see where the road leads.

I just finished reading When In Rome and jumped on immediately to write this review, because YOU NEED TO READ THIS BOOK! Sarah Adams how to continue to surpass yourself? I think The Cheat Sheet might still be my favorite, but When In Rome was such a surprise. Sarah Adams' writing has evolved which each book she publishes.

Amelia (aka Rae Rose) is a famous singer and life has just gotten away from her. She barely recognizes who she is anymore. In a now rare moment of spontaneity, she grabs some clothes and jumps in her old beat up car and makes a run for it. All she's looking for is a bit of R&R. Hyping herself up to keep going down the road less traveled, Amelia's beloved car craps out. When a stranger approaches, Amelia is certain her blissful moment of going incognito is blown and worse he could be a killer. Amelia ends up in Rome, a small town in Kentucky where cell services can only be achieved by standing on one foot on a bed. She's instantly drawn to the people and the way this town treats her differently than her normal interactions with crazed fans.

Leave it Adams to create for us another dreamy man, a pie shop owner. Noah is brooding, grumpy, and yet altogether a sweet, gorgeous, and kind man. I love the complexity of these characters and the themes Adams explores. What does it mean to home? What defines family? How do we quantify success? How dependent are we on those handheld devices we all use every day?

I read this in a day at the beach, because I couldn't stop reading. My poor family kept asking me questions and I ignored them to finish. I highly recommend reading ALL of Sarah Adams' books. This one is in my top 3!

This was adorable. Always a softie for small town romances and this did not disappoint. Noah Walker was the perfect "town grump" who morphed into the guy we all love and swoon over as his true personality was revealed. Adams did a great job with the two characters and making them both likeable and relatable, which is impressive when writing a celebrity character. Rally enjoyed and another hit by Adams.

Cute but very predictable. I liked the characters and the setting but there was nothing to make it different from any of the other stories with the same plot line.

I DEVOURED this book. It was SO cute that I read it in less than 24 hours! While at times it felt like a Hallmark Movie with the big successful singer and the small town boy, it also was just so cute, I couldn't put it down! I wanted to drive down to Rome, KY and stay with Mabel and buy a Hammer from Phil. I seriously couldn't put it down and had to know what was going to happen (even though i kind of already did know....).

Also, I will be renting Roman Holiday ASAP since I've never seen it!

I was drawn to the plot description and adorable cover of When in Rome and expected a fun, frothy small-town romance where a “fish out of water”/world-famous pop princess seeks refuge and finds herself falling in love (and learning how to bake!) with the handsome owner of a bake shop. What could have been an interesting exploration of Amelia’s burnout and quest for a break to recollect her thoughts and rediscover what made her love music in the first place (perhaps with some baking lessons along the way, courtesy of Noah) was instead a push/pull between two characters who didn’t quite act or talk like we’d expect real people to. These characters are ~28 (Amelia) and ~32 (Noah) and behave more like they are in their mid to late teens.

Like many readers, I thought that the love interest, Noah, was a sweetheart. After some reflection however, I realized he was actually a jerk. He is emotionally stunted and rude to Amelia (likely because he is attracted to her and annoyed by that). He perpetuates a cycle of ogling her, flirting with her, telling her they can’t be together, and then making the moves on her. How exhausting. Quit messing with her emotions, sir!

Perhaps the worst part is that Amelia doesn’t seem to mind! At one point, she fondly reminisces about a mean thing he said once to her without seeming to realize it was an insult. Her lack of critical thinking skills was upsetting. It is difficult to believe a person without any discernible personality traits besides “nice” would be able to secure a $90 million (!!!) recording contract.

I am sad this didn’t work out for me but suspect that many readers will love Amelia’s and Noah’s story. It is a light, quick read. There are several tropes here including forced proximity, grumpy x sunshine, celebrity romance. 1.5 stars from me for the darling premise and some charming moments scattered throughout.

Thank you to the publisher for the opportunity to read this via NetGalley.

I have read many of this author’s books. I especially loved her Regency clean romance books. I requested this book on the basis of what I know of her works in the past. I’ve always looked to this author to be in the clean genre. However because of the use of profanity in this book I didn’t make it through the first chapter. I scanned ahead and saw more of the same use of profanity. I’m sad to not finish this book. I just feel disappointed that she changed her style in this one.

overall very cute! i thought the premise was sweet and it was the perfect beachy vibe, rom-com book. nothing too serious, nothing too surprising. if you want a quick, sweet romance, this is great.

Rae Rose is a singer trying to escape it all for a while. She gets in her car to get to Rome (KY) to follow the footsteps of her heroine Audrey Hepburn in “Roman Holiday”. However her car breaks down in the front yard of Noah, a local pie shop owner, and so begins an adorable meet cute.

This book was completely predictable, but in a cosy, sweet and light way, giving me the feels of a Emily Henry book.

Would definitely recommend.

This was adorable, but otherwise unexceptional. Plot and character development were all fine, but not memorable. It wouldn't be something I would recommend, but it also wouldn't be something I would recommend against. It's fine and easy, and I'm sure it will have its audience.

This book was so cute! Emily Henry is a master of writing slow burn romances. A modern adaptation of Roman Holiday, When in Rome is a typical beach read.

This was my first book by Sarah Adams and already can't wait to read another one by her. When in Rome is a sweet story about Amelia, a singer who is burnt out and feeling as if she has lost her true self over the years of being a star. Out of desperation, she decides to escape for a bit before her next tour begins without telling anyone where she is going. En route to her destination, her car breaks down in Noah's front yard. Noah is living a solitary life in the small town where he grew up with his three sisters. He offers to help Amelia although he'd prefer to keep to himself. With the help of the meddling cast of characters in the small town, Noah and Amelia keep getting thrown together and eventually develop feelings for each other.

Highly recommend this book!

When in Rome by Sarah Adams

This book gave me all the feels! I had so many moments where I actually laughed out loud at the internal dialogue. I even read a few parts out loud to my husband which made him chuckle, too.

This is the first book I’ve read by Sarah Adams but I’ll definitely be reading more! Z do The characters came to life and I was completely immersed in this small town.

Summary:

Amelia (also known as famous pop star Rea Rose) suddenly feels the urge to get away from it all and take her own Roman Holiday..in Rome, KY that is.

When her old Toyota breaks down in front of the home of the sexy small town baker, Noah Walker, he makes it clear that he is not looking for any sort of relationship. Amelia also knows she will only be in town for a few days and to not get involved. But as days turn to weeks, their friendship leaves them both feeling torn and wanting more.

Where Noah is grumpy (yet also so caring and kind), Amelia is goofy (but lonely and yearning to be loved and fully known as Amelia - not Rae Rose). They are exactly what each other needs and with time running out before Amelia goes back on tour, she is beginning to fall in love with this small town and the people in it…and vice versa. So what happens when it is time to leave? Look out for this one on 9/19/22 to find out 🥧

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group and Sarah Adams for sending me this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

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