Being in Rome, Kentucky made me feel like being back home in KY!
Kentucky Girl Here!!!!!! 💙😺

When in Rome was everything and then some!
Sarah Adams I swear she can't write anything bad! I'm seriously convinced of it!
She has a way with words that no one has.
It's sweet, funny, endearing, and heartfelt. I loved both of the characters.
You will laugh out loud, you're face will hurt from smiling so big and you will feel their feelings. Its amazing. The romance was superb. 
The story is well-written, engaging and delightful on all levels. The characters are realistic, funny and so very awesome you'll wish they were real.
This book is by far my favorite read of 2022.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

Random House, Ballantine & Dell,
Thank You for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!
I will post my review to my platforms, blog, B&N and Waterstone closer to pub date.

🥞🥧💐When in Rome💐🥧🥞
By Sarah Adams (via #netgalley)
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶

What a super cute rom-com! I needed a little bit of a palette cleanser and I got this as an ARC - btw, thanks #netgalley! It was just what I needed - it was light and cute…and I adored it. If you like wholesome grumpy/sunshine romances, be sure to pick this one up - coming out September 2022!!

Pop star Amelia ‘Rae’ Rose decides to take an impromptu road trip to clear her mind and escape the pressures of fame. Her car, however, has other plans, and breaks down in the front yard of Noah Walker’s house. Noah is the epitome of Mr. Grumpy, but there’s more to him than just his surly attitude. Ever the gentleman, Noah opens his home to Amelia while her car is being fixed and Amelia begins to fall in love with the small quirky town of Rome, Kentucky. She knows that her stay is only temporary, and she has to return to reality sooner rather than later, but When in Rome…

#netgalley #netgalleyreview #bookstagram #books #read #readmore

This book stole my heart! It was so adorable and heartfelt! The connection between Amelia and Noah was incredible and it was such a good slow burn! The grumpy guy and sunshine girl is one of my favorite tropes! The small town feeling was written perfectly and who doesn’t love a man who can bake? I was truly rooting for them since the beginning and their story felt so natural. I have never read a Sarah Adams book but now I definitely need to read more! She does a great job creating characters that are so easy to love!

I love Sarah Adams, I love Roman Holiday, I love grumpy/sunshine trope so I think my expectations for this book were too high. This was a cute and quick summer read that I enjoyed a lot but was missing that little extra spark her books normally have for me.

If you’re looking for a sweet and funny romcom with some steam but low spice, you’ll really enjoy this book. Also recommend the rest of Sarah Adams’ books as well!

What an adorable rom com! Amelia Rose, or Rae Rose as she's known to her fans, is an international Grammy-winning pop sensation, but she is burnt out from the stress of preparing for her upcoming tour. She needs a break, and she clings onto the idea from her idol, Audrey Hepburn, in Roman Holiday, and takes off to the closest Rome she can find - Rome, Kentucky. In her haste to escape, she takes her 10 year old car, which ends up smoking late at night in front of the house of the handsome, but grumpy local pie-shop owner, Noah Walker. He agrees to let her stay the night until she can get her car towed in the morning.

In the morning, they find out it'll be two weeks until her car is towed, and the local BnB is supposedly booked solid, so Noah begrudgingly allows her to remain at his house. Noah, with a lack of wi-fi in his home and no cell phone, forces Amelia to take a step back and truly unwind. Amelia is amazed that this small town is able to welcome her as a person, and not just a pop star - finally feeling like she belongs somewhere for the first time in a very long time. But with her upcoming tour starting in a few weeks, will she be able to say goodbye to Rome (and Noah), like her idol, Audrey?

I flew threw this book, and laughed a lot ("homemade chastity blanket" being one of my favorite scenes 🤣)! The supporting characters were hilarious and lovable (mostly), and reminded me of some of my close friends and family with their outrageous and unashamed banter. You could feel the tension more heavily between our two leads in this slow burn romance, but it's still closed door, like Sarah's other books. Overall, a great choice for readers of this genre.

Tropes: Forced Proximity, Grumpy-Sunshine, Different Backgrounds

Thank you to Sarah Adams, NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, and Dell for this digital ARC in exchange for my honest feedback. You can see my full review on The StoryGraph (https://app.thestorygraph.com/reviews/14cbf560-d5ef-4afe-a93c-bcf7320cdd93) or Goodreads (https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4709030600?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1) starting on June 3, 2022.

The book comes out September 20, 2022!

Thank you Random House and Net Galley for an advance copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Overall rating: 4.5/5 (rounded up to 5)

Amelia, stage name Rae Rose, has been feeling a bit burned out from music and decides to go to Rome like her idol Audrey Hepburn. Only instead of a true Roman Holiday, she take her car and goes to the nearest Rome, Rome, Kentucky. Her car dies on the front steps of our male lead, Noah. Both carry their own set of traumas but as they spend more time together it becomes harder to avoid their chemistry and they are both forced to tackle their pasts.

I'm a huge romance novel fan and this book covered all the romance check boxes.

The plot follows pretty basic romance novel tropes, but what makes this book shine is the amazing character building. The interactions are wonderful and even the side characters are given a chance to shine and are fleshed out. Noah's sisters are funny and real. Emily was handled with dignity and her role helps move the book to a happy ending. As an oldest child, I often felt connected to her and it was lovely to see her fleshed out even if Emily is not part of the main romance.

The book alternates between the point of view of Amelia and Noah. Which at times can be confusing, even with chapter headings having their names. The voice was a bit too similar to distinguish at times. Other than that the book is a perfect romance getaway. Plot wise it was a comfort read, but the characterization and character interactions are golden making this a must read.

I absolutely loved The Cheat Sheet so I knew I had to read this book as well!
This book made me smile SO much! I absolutely adored the characters (minus Susan obvi) as well as the town. I saw some comparing it to Stars Hollow and I absolutely agree. This was such a sweet love story and I enjoyed every minute of it! Definitely recommend picking this one up when it comes out!

Thanks NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for the advanced readers copy!

Amelia is a popstar feeling suffocated by her fame. She decides to go to Rome like Audrey Hepburn but it's too far away so she settles for Rome, Kentucky. After a meet cute with the town's pie shop owner and the resident grump, Noah, they realize rather quickly that they are not only attracted to each other but actually like each other. Now they have to figure out how to blend small town life with big city fame.

This book was enjoyable but quite a bit more far fetched than I normally prefer. Amelia and Noah also have little chemistry in the front half of the book. It is a closed door romance. If that's your thing, give this one a try!

That was a lovely, feel-good read, and I highly recommend it. When Amelia “Rae Rose” the famous singer ends up breaking down in front of small-town pie maker Noah’s house, they can’t keep the chemistry away despite their earnest tries. Sweet romance with a touch of heat. Perfect summer read.

When In Rome by Sarah Adams

3.5/5 Stars
0/5 Spice

ARC Review - Publishing 9/20/22 - A very special thank you to NetGalley & Random House Publishing for this ARC & review opportunity!

Is it on KU?: It will be when published - you can pre-order paperback now though!

Book Cover: Fun & Flirtatious

Favorite Quote: “The future is full of unknowns. We can’t try to figure them all out tonight. Let’s just savor the moments we have together right now.”

This book is stand alone.

I was so excited for this book! As soon as I read the description and saw the cover I knew it would be added to my TBR. Not to mention all the good things I’ve read about other Sarah Adams books.

In this sunshine meets the grump book you get to follow the lives of pop star Rae Rose & pie shop owner Noah Walker. This book is such a fun rom-com with such a slow burn romance that you’ll be shouting “get on with it already!” the entire time.

This book is a heart warming & modern take on Audrey Hepburn’s classic, Roman Holiday. When Rae takes a break from her rich and famous lifestyle to try and find her happiness again she ends up in Rome… Kentucky, and little does she know it is everything she’s ever needed. Noah ends up stuck with the responsibility of hosting Rae when she ends up stranded in his front yard. The two have such an intense connection from the start that the entire, nosey, drama filled town can’t help but encourage the 2 of them to be together romantically.

I can’t tell you the amount of times I laughed during this book or how many times I smiled as I watched both Rae & Noah overcome their fears and life challenges. However, I wish I was able to get into this book faster than I did, I love to be hooked from the very beginning and this book did not give that to me.
Once I was about halfway through I really started to enjoy the storyline & didn’t want to stop reading.

You can find my videos/reviews at the different links below:
https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZTdGqyRP5/
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/150848579-krista-diaz

Amazon Reviews I've done:
Praise by Sara Cate
More Than A Story by Jenni Bara
Id also like to review this book on amazon but the reviews are not yet allowed.

PUBLISHER DESCRIPTION:

Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her adoring fans, is burned-out from years of maintaining her “princess of pop” image. Inspired by her favorite Audrey Hepburn film, Roman Holiday, she drives off in the middle of the night for a break in Rome . . . Rome, Kentucky, that is.

When Noah Walker finds Amelia on his front lawn in her broken-down car, he makes it clear he doesn’t have the time or patience for celebrity problems. He’s too busy running the pie shop his grandmother left him and reminding his nosy but lovable neighbors to mind their own damn business. Despite his better judgment, he lets her stay in his guest room—but only until her car is fixed—then she’s on her own.

Then Noah starts to see a different side of Rae Rose—she’s Amelia: kindhearted and goofy, yet lonely from years in the public eye. He can’t help but get close to her. Soon she’ll have to return to her glamorous life on tour, but until then, Noah will show Amelia all the charming small-town experiences she’s been missing, and she’ll help him open his heart to more.

Amelia can’t resist falling for the cozy town and her grumpy tour guide, but even Audrey had to leave Rome eventually.

When In Rome by Sarah Adams
320 Pages
Genre: Rom Com/ Romance
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Pub Date : 9/20/2022

Amelia Rose aka Rae Rose famous singer is starting to realize how burnt out she is. So she takes a note from her favorite movie Roman Holiday and takes off in the middle of the night to Rome…Rome, Kentucky. She ends up breaking down on local Noah Walkers front yard. Noah makes it known he has no time for some big time city girl, but still lets her stay with him while her car gets fixed.

Noah is the perfect small town guy who is obsessed with his family, runs his grandmothers pie shop and loves everything classic. How could they not fall for each other even though they know it could never work.

This was such a great read. This is my first Sarah Adams book and it will not be my last. She has such great and witty writing. You fall in love with not only the main characters but all the characters in the small town.
I highly recommend this book if you enjoy Hallmark movies, Audrey Hepburn, Gilmore Girls and small town stories.

Thank you Netgalley, Sarah Adams and Randomhouse for the arc for an honest review.

Rae Rose is on a mission to take a much needed self care trip. Following her idol's lead, she ends up in Rome, but not in Italy. With a new tour looming she hops into her car and ends up broken down in Noah Walkers front yard in Rome Kentucky.

Noah is suspicious of letting his heart vulnerable to anyone outside of his small town due to pass heartbreak from a relationship and loss of his parents.

Amelia "Rae" tries to blend and make the most of her vacation. The last thing she is looking for is a relationship but finds it hard to avoid the luring pie shop owner.

I could not put this down. Well written and heartwarming.

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell, and NetGalley for the ARC

I really wanted to love this, but at the end just felt like it was only okay. The concept was cute - Rae (Amelia) Rose is a pop star in need of a break and inspired by Roman Holiday, books a trip to Rome, Kentucky. Her car breaks down in the front yard of grumpy Noah and well I am sure you can figure out where this is all going.

I was drawn in by the cover and the famous person/non-famous person trope.

But, I felt like their attraction and falling in love felt really rushed and not believable. Weirdly, this felt too long and yet rushed all at the same time.

HUGE THANK YOU TO NETGALLEY AND RANDOM HOUSE PUBLISHING GROUP FOR PROVIDING ME WITH AN ARC FOR MY FAV AUTHOR 😭❤️🎉

Make your calendars for September 20th because guys…Sarah Adams has done it again!

The absolute QUEEN of happy fluffy romcoms is back at it again with this gem of a book. Let’s be honest, I would read anything that Sarah would write but I’m happy to report that this book is just as amazing as the rest of her books.

Plot Recap: Amelia Rose AKA Rae Rose the global pop star needs a break. The girl is majorly burnt out from years of being in the spotlight. Drawing inspiration from the classic, Roman Holiday, Amelia comes up with a plan. Where better to take a lil rest and relaxation than in Rome? That is, Rome, Kentucky. Things don’t go exactly to plan when her car breaks down in the front lawn of one Noah Walker. This grump doesn’t have time for Amelia, between running a pie shop and life in a small town. Against his better judgement, he lets her stay in his empty guest bedroom while her car gets fixed and acts as a tour guide, showing all the charming things this small town has to offer.

Thoughts: This book was very very cute! I enjoyed the family dynamic with Noah and his sisters, but most important, the relationship between the two main characters! Also no unnecessary 3rd act conflict?? We love to see it! Oh and there’s a plot twist thrown in there so that’s fun too! brb hoping that james and noah’s sisters get books of their own!

Tropes(!): sunshine x grumpy, forced proximity, reluctant love, and celeb x non celeb.

Posted Review on Goodreads on 6/5/22: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4718193962

I loved this book so much, that as soon as I finished reading it I wanted to go back to the beginning and start again. Amelia and Noah were delightful characters, the story line was so sweet, and the way it mirrored(ish) Roman Holiday was great. I am recommending this read to all my friends. It was such a wonderful book!

I love this author. This Is a perfect rom com book that is a fun and easy read. The dynamic between the 2 main characters was really great and made me want to keep reading.

This was the perfect rom com that gave me all the butterflies! I went in thinking that I knew what was going to happen and why they wouldn't be able to be together because HELLO pop star and small town baker. But I will say that I was pleasantly surprised by this story and how addicting it was. I could not put it down and read it in less than 24 hours. This romance was slow-burn and absolutely perfect. I now will turn to Sarah Adams when I am in need of a heartfelt and sweet Romance book.

4.5/5 Stars

Sunny city girl meets grumpy country boy in this fresh take on the classic movie <I>Roman Holiday<I>.

Sarah Adams, the reigning queen of rom-com, has done it again! <I>When in Rome<I> is equal parts sweet and sultry and is sure to be a fan favorite.

When singer-sensation Rae Rose runs away to "Rome" in the middle of the night, the last thing she expects to happen is for her car to break down in surly pie-shop owner Noah Walker's front yard. Thankfully for romance readers, that's exactly what happens, because what follows is a story filled with witty banter, heartfelt emotion, and too many laugh-out-loud moments to count.

A few things I adored: the kissing (obviously!), the small-town setting, dual POV, Noah's quirky sisters and the townspeople, Noah (definitely a new book boyfriend), and Amelia--it was so satisfying to watch her grow. And can we just talk about the crackling chemistry between Rae (Amelia) and Noah? I swear sexual tension is Sarah's superpower because she had me chanting, <I>kiss, kiss, kiss<I>, and I'm pleased to report that this story delivered on more than occasion. One thing I've seen in other reviews is that this story contains a dash of insta-love, and well, it did, but don't let that scare you. It REALLY worked for this story because 1. a little mutual pining is never a bad thing (read above about Sarah's superpower). And 2. it's balanced with a good reason for why they can't/shouldn't be together.

I highly recommend this book!

A few things to note: This is Sarah's first National Market Romance and long-time fans may notice a few differences. First, this story is a bit spicier than her previous books but situations still fade to black in the bedroom. (To me, WIR still falls squarely in the sweet romance category, but it may offend more sensitive readers.) Second, there is language liberally sprinkled throughout the book, although none of the more graphic swears. I personally don't feel strongly about "bible swears" but readers might not want to listen to this one around children.

I fall in love with the characters Sarah Adams writes every time. I love the cute and sweet romances aspects of this book and I adore the fun humor and banter.
The book was the sweetest little pancake all wrapped up and served alongside a slice of pie. It was an interesting take on a story by dealing with a pop star and I really enjoyed that because typically in small town romances you deal with a big business person from the city, this was different and I loved that.
Noah and Amelia are great together and I not only loved them but every side character. I NEED MORE OF ALL OF THEM!! James needs his own story too!! I hope we get to see Noah and Amelia again!
Definitely check this book out if you are a fan of romance and fun stories. This book will surely leave you with a smile on your face.

This book was everything I thought it would be. I love Sarah’s books and the grumpy x sunshine didn’t disappoint 😍

I only rated it 4 instead of 5 because the beginning was very slow for me. I didn’t get sucked in till about 25%. I also predicted what was going to happen, but I actually love that in most books! I love cliches and drama in my romance books.

Im a sucker for the country trope and city girl falling for a small town guy was perfectly down, Noah is everything & more. Patient, calm, shows emotion (kinda??) and so loving and respectful. My first thoughts of Amelia was the “poor me” trope which grinds my gears but QUICKLY changed my mind when we read more of her inner dialogue. I ended this book with a big smile and absolutely loves those romcoms that leave you happy with the HEA and craving more of the authors book. Thanks for the ARC, Netgalley!