I read When in Rome not long after reading Part of Your World by Abby Jimenez. There were a lot of similarities that I noticed in the two stories. Two people fall in love but their “worlds” don’t go together so they try to stay apart or give themselves rules or a finite time to be together. Part of Your World is sooooo good 5/5 ⭐️’s and I absolutely adored it. When In Rome is enjoyable…..but I just felt like Part of Your World does it so much better. It’s hard not to draw a comparison when reading them so close together. I did love the supporting characters in When in Rome though especially Noah’s sisters. It’s a cute , predictable rom com but Part of your World just takes the cake for me between the two! I’d rate When in Rome 3.5 stars.

This book had a very interesting premise. An A list celebrity, Amelia, finds herself in the small town of Rome, Kentucky, where her car breaks down in front of the home of a local pie shop owner, Noah. He invites her to stay with him until her car gets fixed and during that time they start to develop strong feeling for each other. However, their lives are so different and they fear if they start something it will never work.

There was a lot about this book that I did really enjoy. The small town vibes were so cute, and the side characters always brought a smile to my face. However, I just didn’t love the couple in this one which is obviously the whole point of the book. It just annoys me when characters are trying too hard not to be together yet not really doing anything about it if that makes sense. The avoidance of the relationship seemed to drag on a little too long.

I did enjoy the ending once they did come together. The way the story wraps up was very satisfying to me. I would love to read more about the side characters, specifically Noah’s sisters. I think the author could definitely do some romances with them at the center.

Overall, I unfortunately didn’t connect with this one as much as I wanted to. Tbh this author has always been hit or miss for me but that doesn’t stop me from reading her books.

When In Rome is my first ever ARC read through NetGalley, and I definitely started on a high note. I immediately put in a request for this book after seeing @through.the.bookstagram review, and I’m so glad I did. Like her, I flew through this book!

This was a 5 star read for me, and here are some of my favorite parts of this book:
🥧small town vibes
🥧the humor! I found myself laughing and re-reading lines to laugh more
🥧the grumpy guy (but secretly sweet) vs. sunshine woman
🥧Mabel. I need a Mabel in my life
🥧I loved how relatable our main characters were. Both Noah and Amelia showed behaviors both stemming from past experiences and traumas. Even though Amelia is a famous pop star, you want to be her friend because of how real she is.
🥧 I loved the protectiveness Noah and Amelia had over each other, but also how they could always be themselves with one another.
🥧Boy did I love the part when they are talking about Noah’s pajamas when Amelia finally sees what they look like (IYKYK).
🥧I loved how Amelia was able to find herself again, and while Noah was supportive, he allowed her to make her own decisions.
🥧Amelia was able to find her voice, and advocate for herself.
🥧Although this was a slow burn, I didn’t feel impatient. I appreciated their caution through the book, but the attraction they obviously had for each other.

I had vibes of In The Weeds by B.K. Borison, so if you liked that, you should check this one out too! This book releases on 9/20/22 (my birthday, yay!) so be sure to treat your shelves/selves by pre-ordering, or getting a copy in September!

Super cute read! I tore through this in just a few days. I'm not usually a big fan of celebrity meets normal person romances, but his one really did work. I felt like Amelia was a very realistic character whose motivations made sense. I also thought Noah's hesitancy was also very plausible. Both characters had great backstories that motivated them appropriately through the story without the tension being forced. These are two people who have a strong attraction to each other but know it probably won't work out based on past experiences. Amelia's tensions with her mom and her management team was also a nice balance and added some nice complexity to the storyline. The heat was good! I took off one star because I would have preferred a more open door, but I still thought Adams brought the heat so open door only fans should still take a chance on this one. Great summer romance!

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Another sweet story from Sarah Adams. I think I enjoyed this one even more than The Cheat Sheet. The main characters felt more fleshed out, and the setting and supporting characters were charming. I especially enjoyed Noah's relationship with his sisters. I would love if Adams turned this into a series to see more of the sisters' stories!

If you are a fan of small town charm and grumpy/sunshine banter, you will love this book!

Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

** Pub Date: 9/20/22

This book follows Amelia, a very famous singer who, in a moment of desperation, drives to the closest "Rome" she can find, which happens to be in Kentucky. Upon her car dying, she meets Noah, a grumpy southern gentleman who helps her and lets her stay at his place, and as the days pass, their attraction for each other grows.

Please take me to the middle of nowhere to find a county man who bakes!

I was laughing out loud from the very first chapter! This book was so sweet and full of adorable moments between the couple and the town's people and his family. The found family in this story was so beautifully written. It draws you in and makes you feel like you are sitting down with them. Amelia's growth and strength from her time with Noah and the people of their town was amazing to witness. I was rooting for her from the start.

The angst in this book is top-notch; I loved it! The tug and pull between Noah and Amelia were so genuine, and even though there was instant attraction, the way they tried to fight against it helped them to believe their love for each other.

Make sure you don't read this on an empty stomach because all you will want to eat is pancakes and pies! I enjoyed the time reading this book and can't wait for the world to get its hands on it!

Flirty, funny, charming - all the perfect moments a great romcom needs! (Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!)

Sometimes I’m in the mood for something light and fluffy, but this was too light and too fluffy, and the metaphors and similes called so much attention to themselves they were distracting instead of adding to the narrative seamlessly.

NetGalley provided and advanced copy, which RELEASES SPETMEMBER 20, 2022.

When in Rome served up a bevy of sweet romance tropes nestled in a sugary, shortbread crust. This "closed door" courtship was a little too saccharine for my personal preference, but I was willing to overlook that extra dollop of proverbial syrup. This book was overloaded with quippy comebacks and nearly every sentence was sarcastic. I can understand wanting to imbue humor into the dialogue, but it starts to go overboard when it detracts from the writing. I don’t need books to be extremely funny and I don’t need jokes bombarding me on every page. My real life conversations include meme references and I have to be feeling extra zippy for my wit to match these fast paced character interactions. When in Rome featured the unique pairing of a pop princess and a pieman, but the only shortbread sweetheart I adore lives in Coeur d'Coeurs, not Rome, Kentucky.

While the romance was more tame than what I’ve grown to prefer, it certainly utilized some of my favorite tropes: Grumpy/Sunshine, Small Town Romance, Gooey Center Grump, and Close Quarters. I could go on, but it also featured a subgenre I’ve grown to despise: Celebrity Romance. Amelia was a famous singer and there were references to touring with real musicians or features in popular magazines. I would rather the author create an entirely fake Hollywood than concoct scenarios with pre-existing celebrities. It’s a weird feeling to see two worlds clash and it gives me the ick to read these alternate realities. I also unintentionally read 4 celebrity romances this month and I was feeling extra fussy. I’m sorry! At least I know what tropes I do and do not like thanks to When in Rome.

When in Rome was a very sweet romance, but I prefer some spicy jalapeno in my romance novel pie. I could have done without the “closed door crust” or the “fake celebrity filling”, but I wasn’t the author who baked this book with care. I thought it had some laudatory elements, but the book wasn’t for me. The hero was a chocolate covered marshmallow and the heroine had too lush a life to be pitied. I’m grateful for the early access, but I hope the future readers enjoy it more than I did. This may not have been my perfect pie, but you’ve got to enjoy the local flavors When in Rome.

I've been DYING to read a Sarah Adams book and this one did NOT disappoint. When In Rome is the perfect romcom for your summer. You'll love the chemistry and banter between these two. You will not regret reading this one! I can see why Sarah Adams' other books are so hyped. She creates such a beautiful and fun story that will have you swooning!

I went into this book completely blind, but was so pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed it! Sarah Adams crafted the cutest rom com (a la Roman Holiday) that follows Amelia, an overworked (and frankly overwhelmed) pop star who escapes on a whim to Rome - Kentucky, that is. Here, she meets (haphazardly) Noah, a grumpy, small town business owner (also known as Wilderness Ken). Over the course of 2 weeks, Amelia and Noah’s lives continue to intersect while Amelia is staying in Noah’s guest bedroom (there’s “no room” at the Bed and Breakfast, didn’t you know 😉). As the attraction continues to build and adventure ensues, so do their feelings for one another.

The story features dual points of view (which adds so much depth to the story) and has the best secondary characters (I want to be friends with all of the Walker sisters and Mabel). Honestly, this book had all my favorite parts of a Hallmark movie. Was it predictable? Yes. Slightly cheesy? Definitely. But did it make me continuously smile and laugh out loud? You betcha.

Add When in Rome to your TBR, pronto. You won’t regret it!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Dell/Penguin Random House for the advanced e-book copy!

Holy cow.

5/5. Sarah Adams knocked this out of the park. This was giving me serious Taylor Swift vibes. My heart clenched throughout the book. The writing evoked emotions in a beautiful and silly sense. There was a perfect blend of cultural references and originality. Adams was phenomenal with this. Probably my favorite book of the month. I'm grateful that NetGalley and Random House Publishing for this gifted copy. P

Pregnant Saffron Cutler and Tom have moved to the house Saffron's mother inherited from her mother. Lorna's mother Rose Gray is now in assisted living with Alzheimer's. Saffron visits her beloved grandmother as often as she is able to do so. Tom and Saffron, thrilled to have a home, have hired a construction crew to expand the kitchen. But, the crew hits a snag in the form of two bodies in the backyard.

The police say the remains have been there at least 30 years, which is during the time Rose owned and lived in the house. Rose is confused and can't contribute much to the police investigation though she is questioned repeatedly. At the same time, a stalker seems to be watching Lorna and her daughter Saffron. Frightened and confused, Lorna seeks answers and discovers more than she bargained for. Who was buried there and why? What part did Rose play in it?

Though the book had a somewhat slow start, it eventually pulls you in and the various threads of the story are finally woven together to make for a good read. The audiobook, narrated by audio book veterans Kenton Thomas and Nathalie Buscombe won't disappoint.

Recommended for those who like a good British mystery and family drama.

This is the perfect summer read. The characters were so relatable, especially Amelia. Sometimes you need a mental break and you have to take charge and be selfish about it. I am so happy she found a group of people she could be herself with and a town that adored her and protected her when she needed it the most.

Sarah Adams is one of my all time favorite authors. I was SO excited when I saw she had a new book out, and that I was approved to read it early!! Needless to say, I absolutely loved it!

I loved the plot in this book of a celebrity going to a small town to escape and falling in love with someone there. I am a sucker for a small town romance. I absolutely loved both Amelia and Noah. I thought they were such great characters, and had great chemistry. It also featured some hilarious side characters. You will be flying through this book and won’t be able to put it down once you start. If you’re a fan of small town romance, grumpy/sunshine, and forced proximity, you will love it! I highly recommend checking this book out when it comes out. Also, if you haven’t read anything by her yet, I recommend all her books!

Thank you Netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

If you are on BookTok, you have heard of Sarah Adams. As an avid reader, I had to see for myself if Adams lived up to the hype and was deserving of going viral.

I must admit, I now see why so many people have enjoyed her work! Adams writes characters that are grounded in reality and struggle with real life issues. I loved that she tackled lasting trauma from loss, the responsibility of taking care of ailing family members, duty and obligation versus the heart’s desire, etc. in her latest book.

The concept of When in Rome is super cute! Amelia “Rae” Rose, a pop star a few weeks away from a global tour, needs a break from her demanding life. After watching the movie Roman Holiday starring her favorite actress, Aubrey Hepburn, she decides to go to Rome. Well, her version of Rome- Rome, Kentucky. Little does Amelia know that her time spent in Rome will open her eyes to what had really been going on in her life and lead to a possible new romance.

Adams has a new fan in me. I will be checking out her backlog of works that everyone is so impressed by! I also have plans to watch Roman Holiday!

Special thanks to NetGalley.com and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine (Dell) for allowing me to read this book in exchange for my honest feedback.

This is my first book by this author and let me tell you…I think I'm in love with her because oh my goodness this book is amazing!!!!, and it's definitely in my top 5 this year.

Small-town romance will ALWAYS have my heart, Noah is the typical grumpy guy who doesn't believe in love and avoids it at all costs until this woman comes along and makes him doubt all the decisions he has made in his life.

I loved the way Amelia is so real and human, in fact that's my favorite thing about this book, the journey and transition she goes through makes you connect with the character from the first moment you read her pov.

And Noah is just the guy that even though he's not perfect YOU KNOW he is, and now with the arrival of this celebrity, he just can't help the connection he feels to her. And the way this man expresses his feelings?? Perfection.

Something I also really liked about this book is the way Amelia talks about her connection with Aubrey because even if it sounds silly I feel the same way about Harry Styles and Taylor Swift, so it was a sweet and nice experience to be able to read about that part of me represented in this character.

This book is perfect for rom-com lovers and the ending will have you giggling and kicking your feet, trust me.

(Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an ARC in exchange for my honest review)

Oh gosh this was cute. Not technically super original, definitely something you might find on the Hallmark Channel. But I loved it entirely! A grumpy x sunshine, big city girl meets small town boy, slow burn romance. I will admit though that I was extremely disappointed to find this was a fade-to-black in the bedroom. Amelia and Noah had so much chemistry and there was so much tension and I was aching for more there. I'm thinking maybe we get more books out of Noah's sisters?? I would absolutely read their stories if Sarah Adams is so inclined to write them.

This is a must read book with a small-town and wholesome characters.

I enjoyed When in Rome just as much as I enjoyed The Cheat Sheet also by Sarah Adams.

When in Rome is a romance adult fiction, a very light read, cute small-town,grumpy/sunshine trope, its a dual pov of Noah and Amelia, Noah is a small town grumpy pie baker and Amelia a sweet famous popstar, Amelia just needs a break from her popstar life and met Noah in "Rome" and stayed temporarily in town where she met new friends while finding her inner self and what she truly wants in life, the people in town is what I absolutely enjoyed because every character is so sweet and warm, especially Noah's sisters.

To sum it up, this is such a great small town book, which also reminds me of "The things we never got over" with all the perfect side characters in town, and the relationship of Noah & Amelia is something to look forward to because of their great chemistry and their relationship will keep you smiling from ear to ear while reading as they progress with their relationship.

Thank you to #netgalley, Sarah Adams & Random House Publishing for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.