Literally Sarah Adams does it again.

The perfect cross between Part of Your World and Things We Never Got Over. Dare I say this book was better than The Cheat Sheet. Read this book in one sitting and genuinely could not put it down, and I think I’m also in love with Noah after finishing the book. My cheeks hurt from smiling so much while reading it and that is all anyone needs to know when thinking about reading this book.

It’s a classic small town trope when a runaway pop star singer meets local brooding baker when her car breaks down on her way to Rome, Kentucky - as she is channeling her favorite Audrey Hepburn movie Roman Holiday. I will never not love a small town “our lives will never work” romance. Give me more. A true slow burn but in the best way. I will never stop talking about the tension in this book and the way Sarah Adams had me smiling at my phone like an idiot reading this. Also grumpy/sunshine is my end all be all (as it should be for everyone else) and When In Rome has to be one of the best I’ve read in a while.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for sending me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

My soft heart bleeds for sweet Noah. He is grumpy and self aware and apologetic. He feels like someone that would just hold you up if you want to let your knees go for a second.

I loved being a part of Rome, KY. I am one of those people who just love and adore the small town feel of books. That could do with the fact that I was born into and grew up in a town of 1500 people. EMOJI If you haven’t walked into your grandma’s house and have her say “oh I already knew you were coming because Georgia called me and said she saw you walking this way 10 mins ago” then maybe you just don’t get it. :)

The town inhabitants made me smile and I just felt this love and warmth with all of them. From Noah’s sisters, to Ms. Mabel (who gave me huge Lady Danbury from Bridgerton vibes haha) to nosy Ms. Harriet!

Amelia felt like such a blurry character at the beginning to me, but I think that’s because she didn’t know herself anymore. So maybe that was my own personal experience, but I loved how Sarah made her feel a little cloudy and then she sharpened more and more throughout the book.

As per usual, Sarah Adams's latest romantic comedy is a hilarious feel-good masterpiece. I saved this advanced copy until I needed a pick-me-up and it absolutely did the trick. Highly recommend this book to anyone and everyone with the promise that it will put a smile on your face. In this book, Rae Rose is a famous pop star in desperate need of a break. So, she takes a page out of her favorite actress Audrey Hepburn’s book and travels to Rome for a break. The only difference, she goes to Rome, Kentucky, since she doesn’t have that much time before her next tour and her car breaks down outside a grumpy pie owner’s house. After he offers to let her crash for the night, the whole town, his sisters included, conspires to get these two together. But, does it even matter when their lives are so different? Filled with Adams's signature humor, spice, and wit this book is sure to keep everyone engaged from the first page! I absolutely cannot wait for the rest of the series!!

Sarah Adams is one of my favorite authors. I’ve read everything she’s written. Her regency novels are my favorite, but I’ve definitely been enjoying her rom coms. With that said … This book struck an odd chord with me. While I might expect a few mild curse words here and there, this book was full of four letter words. Every page had multiple instances. I wasn’t offended by the language really, but I did find it a little crass and honestly lacking in creativity. A well placed “oh, shit” can bring comedic humor, but if it’s overdone it’s just strange, especially for an author who writes what is traditionally considered “clean.”

There was great chemistry between the characters as always. I do feel Sarah stepped up the heat with this novel, but it was still tasteful. I would have liked the characters to develop more on an emotional level. This one was a little too more focused on the physical connection in my mind.

This was still a great book, but I find myself worrying for its success. I think it’s a little edgier than her usual and will maybe push it out of the clean category for some of her traditional readers. At the same time, it’s probably not edgy enough to grab the crowd who likes a little more adult content.

I wish her nothing but success, but I do hope she will consider dialing back the four letter factor for more creative dialogue in the future.

☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

when in rome gave me stars hollow vibes (if you watched gilmore girls you know what i’m talking about) . i texted my friend who was also reading it at the same time and i told her this and now i can’t imagine the town any different . the gossipy town & their loyalty made the book that much better for me :))
initially, i thought this would be about rome , italy but instead it’s rome , kentucky lol . but the picture that sarah adams created for rome , kentucky was perfection . this is such a great book , my new favorite by sarah adams !
i think the setting and the fact that the main character took inspiration from audrey hepburn's roman holiday made this book the much more amazing . when it comes to tropes , roommates & grumpy / sunshine is at the top of the list (with fake dating) so this book was right up my alley <3

Sarah Adams is back with a new series inspired by Audrey Hepburn! Modern day pop princess Amelia Rose, burnt out on tours, fans, and a manager who doesn't seem to care about her wellbeing, flees her hotel and heads to Rome. Unlike Audrey Hepburn's character, however, she goes to Rome, Kentucky. When she breaks down on the lawn of a surly pie shop owner and is unable to get a room at the local inn (it's "full" *wink wink*), Noah allows her to stay on as a guest in his home. As time goes on, Amelia grows closer to Noah, but also has the space she needs to decide what direction she wants to go in her life while being fully embraced by Noah's sisters and the local community committed to keeping her safe in Rome.

As with any Sarah Adams book, this story is full of laughter, quips, relatable pop culture and classic movie references, and a swoony hero. I really enjoyed the book and blocked out an entire weekend of time to read it because I knew I wouldn't be able to put it down until it was done! Adams weaves together threads of romance, familial affection and connection, and the great question What Will I Do With the Rest of My Life with her signature flair, wit, and snappy creativity. I really liked that this story felt long (in a good way) and fully developed.

My main complaint/concern with this book is that the amount of innuendo and on-the-page swearing has increased DRASTICALLY from anything Adams has ever written before. I don't know if her new publisher pushed her to do this but if I hadn't read Adams before I don't know if I would have read past the first chapter. Not her normal tone AT all. I'm not trying to be a prude, I just I don't think it really fit into a story where one of Amelia's main character traits is how much she loves the class and glamour of Audrey Hepburn. I hope the rest of the books in the series dial it back.

That said, I still always recommend Sarah Adams unreservedly! Read her indie published books first, then read this book. Sarah Adams never fails to bring a smile to my face and I will continue to devour anything she writes. I hope the next stories are about Noah's sisters! Can't wait.

WHY haven’t I read EVERYTHING by Sarah Adams? Don’t worry, I soon will. My heck, this book was the perfect summer read! Romantic comedy at its finest. Famous singer meets small down pie maker… oh my! Please preorder this book (September 20th). I love authors, thank you for writing books!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This is the second book I've read by Sarah Adams and I really enjoy her writing style and storytelling. Amelia Rose is a pop star better known as Rae Rose. She sneaks away from Nashville at night following her inner Audrey Hepburn and travels to Rome (Kentucky) for a much needed break. After having car issues, she's stranded in Noah Walker's front yard. Noah does not like the "big city" lifestyle after being burned by an ex, but offers Amelia a place to stay until her car can get fixed. As Amelia gets to know the town, Noah and his family, she realizes that she misses just being Amelia and not the Rae Rose persona that everyone knows. This is a romance, but also Amelia figuring out the relationship with her mother, with whom she's estranged. Thanks to NetGalley and for the advanced reader copy.

This was so cute and such a fun slow burn. The writing reminded me of RS Grey, and you all know how much I love her. This is my first from this author, and I am going to be binging anything else she has wrote in my near future. I just know it. This modern take on the Hepburn classic, Roman Holiday. Amelia and Noah were so fun. I loved Noah’s sisters and the town they live in. It was heartwarming and sweet and I hate that I rushed through it, because I miss them! One of my favorite things, is at the end we didn’t have some huge miscommunication issue that most romcom authors turn to. It was so refreshing to see the book play out differently.

Bottom Line: Read it!!!

**I received a copy of When in Rome from NETGALLEY in exchange for my honest review. All opinions are of my own.**

When In Rome has several tropes that readers love - including a grumpy-sunshine. Overall the book reads well and features a rich setting with background characters. The MC, Amelia, and her rescuer, Noah, go back and forth. While readers will be happy to know there is no late book breakup, things wrap up quickly (and In my opinion unsatisfactorily- I wanted more). The supporting cast is excellent and I found myself wanting more of them. Overall, this is a light hearted read that belongs on your TBR

This story takes place in Rome Kentucky, with Amelia Rose or Rae Rae who is decided to take a break from being a pop star and learn how to do things on her own for the first time. She is completely burn out so she drives alone to Rome, and her car breaks down in front of Noah walker, who is a pie baker
He lets her stay at his house while her car is being repair, but he has to make sure he doesn’t fall for her because Rae Rae is only there for a short time and has to go back and continue being a pop-star.

This book is such a fun book!
I love the way it was written and how the story line goes!
City Girl / small town man
Grumpy man
Small town People
Happy positive women
Romcom
Aubrey Hepburn!
& OH AND A BAKER ! HELLOOO
This book kinda gave me “Things we never got over” vibes!

Closed doors was good too!
You can still feel the tension between each of the characters and I love how he made me feel!
Butterflies all around
Sarah adams did not fail on this book!
Im so excited for everyone to be able to read this because it was so freaking good!


AVAILABLE: SEPTEMBER 20,2022

Thank you NetGalley for letting me read this book & Sarah adams!!

“To me, you’re Amelia. Maker of shïtty pancakes an a smile that rivals the sun.”

This opposites attract, grumpy x sunshine story is the cure to all the problems in the world. I’m sure of it. And I can’t wait for everybody to meet Amelia and Noah. They’re the funniest, cutest duo in this somewhat retelling of Audrey Hepburn’s Roman Holiday. As classy as Audrey, Amelia will forever have my heart and make me smile when I think of how much she grew throughout this book.

His sisters, Mabel, James and even Harriet in her grumpy, nosy way… brought so much to this story that I can’t imagine When in Rome without all of them. But the true MVP?! Rome, Kentucky. This small, charming little town that makes me question being a big city girl. Because right now all I want is to buy some pie after getting some fresh flowers. 🥹 This was as perfect as maple syrup and bacon 😉 Adult. 5 stars ⭐️

This was exactly the romance book I needed to get out of my slump. Sarah Adams is a magician when it comes to writing characters that you immediately fall in love with. The setting is this quaint little town that could be Small Town USA. This is a modern take of a Audrey Hepburn movie and I am here for it. Loved this one so much!

📚✨Book Review✨📚

When in Rome
Author: Sarah Adams

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.💫

Note: I received a copy of this book as an advanced reader but all thoughts and opinions are my own.

What I Liked:
🥧 What happens when a pop star obsessed with Audrey Hepburn decides to live her out Roman Holiday??? Pure joy!

🥧The inspiration for this book is Roman Holiday, a movie Ive also been obsessed with for my entire life. I was already loving this story…and then she gets a haircut like in the movie. I literally cried happy tears. It made my heart so full! 😭😭😭

🥧 I really enjoyed the communication between Noah and Amelia. Yes there was conflict but I appreciated that they were able to communicate and overcome.


What I Didn’t Like:
🥧 There we’re way too many food scene because I constantly found myself looking for a snack while reading this book!

🥧I do wish we got a little bit more of a peek 🫣 behind closed doors between Noah and Amelia. It’s not fade to black but it’s also not the spiciest book out there. Sweet and slightly sexy.

Final Thoughts:
🥧 Overall if this book was a pie, it would be the perfect ending to any meal. It was a sweet little book that I couldn’t put down!

Amelia Rose is a popstar but she is having a hard time with her career recently, and so she turns to her lifelong idol, Audrey Hepburn, and one of her movies called The Roman Holiday to decide what she should do next. She figures a mini vacation away in Rome would help her reset and find her love of music once again. However instead of traveling all the way over across the world to Rome she finds the next closest Rome which is a small town two hours away in Kentucky. She is down on her luck because as soon as she gets there her car breaks down. But apparently her car broke down in front of the towns super grumpy sunshine Noah walker.

Noah walker has his own trauma to deal with. He fell in love with a woman who stopped by the small town years ago and moved to New York be with her. However their relationship didn’t last long and actually ended on pretty bad terms. Since then he swore himself off of any relationships. And so when Amelia rose pops into his life, he is very hesitant to form any sort of relationship with her and exudes super grumpy vibes that is actually quite cute to read.

THIS is the “grumpy sunshine” trope done super well, and actually got me loving this trope again. Also small town romance trope let’s not forget that. Sarah adams’ the cheat sheet was the first book I read from her, and it’s actually one of my favorite romance books of 2021. It was a really lighthearted fluffy romantic read, so I was really surprised when multiple parts in this book got me tearing up. It had the same hilarious inner dialogue that I remembered from the cheat sheet but also very touching moments like when you get to see Amelia‘s and Noah’s insecurities and how it is affecting their lives at the moment.

I also absolutely ADORED all the secondary characters, mainly all those in the small town who are so supportive of Noah: his three sisters, James, and not to forget all the hilarious workers of the b&b/shops. James and all the sisters are apparently single and so I would absolutely NOT MIND if this turned into a series extending into their love lives as well. ESP James 😂 his convos with Noah were sooo funny.

Overall: 5 ⭐️ and nothing less!!!

I’m delighted to report that Sarah Adams’s trad pub debut has the same whimsical vibes that her indie titles do. Amelia is such a vibrant character and I related to her struggles with burnout immensely. I adored her relationship with Noah and their grump/sunshine dynamic was chef’s kiss (pun intended). I read this incredibly fast and recommend to new and old Sarah fans alike.

Adorable story, I love this story it so cute, romantic and funny. I really like that the characters Amelia Rose and Noah Walker learning so much from each other and that they grew closer together. I could feel how Amelia Rose felt about being overwhelmed by her career and her sadness about losing her connection with her mother, and finally being brave enough to try and change it. I also love that Amelia uses Audrey Hepburn in "Roman Holiday," that gears her to Rome, Kentucky and her peace of mind in a small town. The characters in Rome, Kentucky are quirky, wise and know-it all's but when Amelia needs help they were there. I liked Noah but I found his sisters more relatable and fun to be around and they all get in trouble and have a lot of fun.
I found this book to be a fast read and would be a great beach read.
This is definitely a Happily Ever After story and I wonder if there will be another book.

I want to thank Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell and NetGalley for an advance copy of this really romantic and fun book

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for gifting me an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5
age rating: 16+
genre: romance
tropes: small town, forced proximity

when I received an E-Arc of this book I was so excited. I read The Cheat Sheet by this same author and I simply loved it so I knew that I would love this one. And I was right. this book was so full of small town joy and the journey of finding yourself that I just couldn’t put it down. And I didn’t, I finished this in one day and if that didn’t convince you to read this then I don’t know what would.

The main character Amelia is a famous popstar, Rae Rose, but she just wants a break from her life. After watching Roman Holiday, she decides that she wants to go out an live out her own Roman Holiday. Which leads her to Rome, Kentucky. Her car breaks down in front of Noah Walker, the town pie bakers house. what will happen after these two characters spend 2 weeks together? Will they continue to hate each other or will they fall in love? Forced proximity, found family and finding yourself are all prominent tropes in this book. This book has an amazing cast of main and supporting characters that you just continue to root for all of them.

A great summer read! The romance is sweet and believable, with just the right amount of spice. Sarah Adams is one of my favorite authors and I'm happy to say this book did not disappoint.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing me with this arc in exchange for an honest review!

What a cute book!! I would love to live in Rome. Noah’s sisters are amazing and I really enjoyed the town’s shenanigans and how they came together for Amelia at the end of the book. Noah and Amelia’s relationship was adorable and progressed really nicely. Another great story from Sarah Adams!