Overall, this book was very cheesy, but I loved it so much. I thought it made good use of tropes and portrayed a more nuanced look at the famous girl in a small town vibe.

THINGS I LIKED:
The beginning was super engaging!! I fell lin love with Amelia instantly.
Noah and Amelia's POVs were equally adorable yet unique
MABEL ROCKS
I love the portrayal of fame!!!
I honestly also love how protective Noah was of Amelia when it came to how he was like "you don't eat??" and also when she accidentally took one of her sleeping pills
Amelia's descriptions especially were so good- I loved being in her head.
The banter!!! I loved the banter and all the tropes

THINGS I DIDN'T LIKE:
I don't understand why Noah didn't call someone like the police to help Amelia instead of just standing there staring at her. I know he' s supposed to be grumpy and heartless or whatnot, but sometimes he bothered me. That's probably just because I get bothered by the dark and mysterious closed off guy who's secretly a softie?? I don't know why. For that type of character though, I will say he was written well even if I personally didn't like him at times.
Also the line "I like her eyeliner (a makeup term I know from sisters) is weird because everyone knows what eyeliner is- it's not just a fancy term. If he'd said something like described a specific look, I would've gotten it, but it would've been much better if he just knew about makeup without having to explain how.

I honestly just wasn’t a huge fan of this book. I liked The Cheat Sheet so I wanted to give this one a chance even though it wasn’t as immediately appealing to me, but I can’t help but feel disappointed. This book had grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, small town romance, will they won’t they, etc., but even a list of fun tropes couldn’t fully save it.

I really didn’t like Amelia’s character. She seemed like she never respected Noah’s feelings and the boundaries he set (even if he secretly wanted her to break them). She was also SUCH a pushover regarding her career. Also, I couldn’t understand why Noah was basically head over heels in love with this “stranger” who he thought wouldn’t stay when he repeatedly emphasized how he didn’t want a relationship with someone like that and he needed a deep emotional connection with someone (before kissing her after like a few days). I felt like Noah and Amelia acted like actual teenagers about each other, and I wanted to scream at them to act like adults the whole time. They kept going back and forth and it felt so repetitive. I couldn’t believe the bulk of the story took place in well under two weeks, it just felt so unrealistic for the relationship time period to be that short. Like, Amelia literally used the words “in love” to describe her feelings one week in. And Noah had a disaster of a relationship he constantly thinks about to hold himself back that at least involved getting to know each other over a month.

It was still cute and they clearly liked each other a lot (like, an unrealistic amount), so I still feel like a lot of my problems were it were just based on my personal preferences. I also thought the ending was really sweet. However, I can’t help but be disappointed in this book, especially considering that I liked Adams’s last release.

This book was so insanely, painfully corny. And the dialogue was just as cringey. Yet, I LOVED IT. This book is the epitome of a Hallmark movie in written form. Yes, that is a compliment. Unoriginal plot that’s been done a million times in both books and movies including supremely cringey dialogue? Absolutely. But also a guilty pleasure read? Most definitely.

First off, this isn’t normally the kind of book that I would request on Netgalley. Not to say I don’t appreciate a good contemporary every now and again, but it is rare that it is my genre of choice. I generally prefer fantasy, fairytales, or horror, books on the opposite side of the spectrum from anything close to everyday real life. However, there is a trope that is my weakness: celebrity romance. You know, normal girl falls for super famous guy, or vice versa. Call it a guilty pleasure, I dunno. Because let’s be real, who doesn’t fantasize about that? And what better way to feed into that fantasy by reading books where the impossible happens to other people?

Rae Rose is Hollywood’s pop darling and lives a lavish, glamorous life, singing and touring the world. She’s sick of the fame, very unhappy, and doesn’t even enjoy singing anymore. She escapes to Kentucky of all places (since Rome, Kentucky is the closest she can get to Rome, Italy) and that’s where she meets Noah who of course just happens to be the only person who is not a fan of Rae Rose nor does he remotely care. And in true celebrity romance trope fashion, she’s extremely attracted to the fact that he could care less.

“I’m a two-time Grammy winner and I have a signed contract for ninety million dollars with the top record label in the business, so I shouldn’t be crying. I don’t deserve to be crying. And I definitely shouldn’t be in my old car in the middle of the night driving frantically away from everything.”

If that quote made you cringe, get used to it if you plan to read this. Amelia flexes her fame in her inner dialogue a lot, and quite randomly. Also, certain details are incorrect. Such as Amelia flexing that she’s about to perform onstage at Bridgestone Arena in Nashville to 50,000 people when that arena’s entire capacity is less than half that at around 19,000. The author didn’t fully do her how to be a pop star research because I think she is mixing up arenas and stadiums.

This review is coming across as super critical so far but I overall did enjoy this book. Just like when you sit down to watch a Hallmark movie you don’t expect to watch anything near an Oscar winning movie, you go into a book like this not expecting anything to be realistic, or to even have a well developed plot and characters. Cringe dialogue is to be expected just like in any romcom (especially the celebrity ones) yet it doesn’t make you cringe any less. It’s an unrealistic, slightly annoying, yet cute, feel good read that makes you feel safe and happy, in the same way a Hallmark movie does.

Super cute read and I loved the ending. Sometimes what we need is a nice fluff celebrity romcom to read. If you’re looking for a good celebrity romance though, I personally preferred Open Road Summer over this one, but I enjoyed this too. 3.5 ALMOST 4 stars. Because it was cute!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for sending me and advanced copy in return for my honest review.

This was the first book I read by Sarah Adams, but it certainly won’t be my last. When In Rome was very well written. I loved the banter between all the characters. The book was written in both Rae and Noah’s points of view, which was done well. We could see both characters grow. An enjoyable read.

I have been singing some serious Sarah Adams love for a year now—ever since reading The Off Limits Rule—so when this arc dropped on @netgalley, I got texts from friends🥰

When in Rome is a romcom that centers around a burnt out celebrity who escapes to a small town and falls for the resident grump who—as with all perfect romcom grumps—is a big ol’ teddy bear for his girl 🤫

I haven’t read much celebrity romance, but this one immediately won me because Sarah Adams writes fantastic, witty dialogue. And it’s not just from the MCs, although the internal monologues and their banter is great! The colorful townspeople and the close-knit supporting cast are a hoot, and I hope she plans on writing more for them.

This one is out in September and available for preorder now. Fair warning: it will make you hungry 🥞🥧🍪 and have you searching for air bnbs in small towns.


#romcom #sarahadams #wheninrome #bookreview #bookstagram #arcreview #romance #romancebooks #readromance #smalltown #grumpysunshine
Thanks to #netgalley @randomhouse for the arc in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I sped through this romance in a day and incredibly enjoyed it. Amelia and Noah’s relationship is so endearing, and their support system in Rome (Kentucky) helped orchestrate several adorable setups. I loved being able to see the point of view of both main characters, and their relationship really grew in an organic way, especially for the final two-thirds of the book. Some parts of the dialogue were overly cheesy, and I think their connection was a little over-hyped in the beginning, but it was a great, fun summer read!

Amelia “Rae” Rose is a pop star looking to escape. She runs away to Rome (Kentucky) like her favorite movie heroine, Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday. There she meets grumpy local pie shop owner Noah.

This was your classic grumpy/sunshine, small town romance. While I liked it and enjoyed while I was reading, I didn’t find myself eager to pick it back up again. I also found Amelia a little too sunshine and naive for a 28 yr old.

Overall I liked it, but didn’t love it. That being said, if you’re a big fan of Sarah Adams and small town romances, I’d probably still recommend. And I’m curious to read more of her popular books in the future.

Thank you to Random House and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book is such a fun read. It is not what you expect. There are twist and turns that you don’t necessarily see coming and you are left wondering how the love story will develop. I couldn’t stop reading to see how the characters progress and how their love story turns out.

This book gave me all the feels! I absolutely adored every character and I loved all the relationships throughout. The pop star meets small town baker story was not overdone at all and made for the perfect story! I don’t believe I’ve giggled so much at banter between the main characters in a long time. When in rome was such the perfect feel good book!

LOVED. LOVED LOVED LOVED. I read this book in a single sitting. Amelia and Noah’s banter was literally so freaking good and I always love books that are a big city to small town trope and also grumpy/sunshine! This story made me feel things, guys. I was so attached to the storyline of Amelia (aka Rae Rose), her relationship with her mom, her relationship with Noah, learning to be her own person again… ugh it was so good. And Noah’s development as a character was great as well. I loved seeing his softer side and the vulnerability he began to get comfortable with once he and Amelia became friends (and eventually more hehe). Solid 4.75/5 stars for me. Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Adams, and Random House Publishing for the ARC!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶🌶
When I’m Rome is Sarah Adams follow up after The Cheat Sheet, and I loved this new story SO much!

Rae, or Amelia, is a pop star in desperate need of a break from, well, everything. As a big lover of Audrey Hepburn, she follows in her footsteps to a town called “Rome” that she was able to drive to from Nashville. In that process she meets Noah Walker, a not so excited outdoorsy-independent-stoic man (who owns a pie shop). At first Noah is NOT a fan, but as time would have it - Amelia finds herself being accepted for being AMELIA. She opens up about so much that she feels, and in the process receives relief.

A feel good, slightly spicy, rom com that had me swooning through every chapter.

Out in September! Preorder now!

“It’s okay to shut your door every now and then and put up a sign that says ‘Busy taking care of me today. Piss off.’” -excellent advice from a wonderful character

Amelia Rae Rose, pop star and closet Hepburn fan, is burning out. She’s supposed to leave on a major tour soon, but - feeling stressed and alone - she is running on empty. She decides to do her own take on Roman Holliday as a way of getting a much needed break. Heading to the nearest Rome she can find, a remote town in Kentucky, she makes her escape from nonstop obligations, mother issues and a very pushy manager. Unfortunately instead of one of her newer reliable vehicles, she went nostalgic with her Corolla from high school and it doesn’t *quite* get her there.

That night Noah Walker, pie shop owner in that very same town, looks outside his window to see her smoking car broken down in front of his house, leaving her stranded with no way to call for assistance because they are well out of cell service range. What is a small town guy supposed to do but try his best to help?

Somewhat against his better judgement, he gives her a place to stay while her car is being repaired, and the chance to live for herself for a short while. And even though they have both - adamantly - said they are not looking for a relationship the entire town is still conspiring to get them there.

I think this is an excellent romcom. There definitely are some serious things - Her work related anxiety/stress, family strain and loneliness - His family loss and a major betrayal in his last relationship - *but* the overwhelming mood is fun, cute and sweet as powdered sugar. This is a Hallmark Movie in book form, and grumpy/sunshine done right.

Now I feel an overwhelming need to rewatch Roman Holiday (and then maybe reread this book to cheer myself back up…)

(Thank you NetGalley/Random House Ballantine for the ARC)

Amelia Rose - known to her fans as Rae Rose - is lost in her own life. She's about to leave on tour as the reigning pop princess of the world when she essentially runs away for a few days. She's a huge fan of Audrey Hepburn movies and decides to taken a Roman Holiday. So she heads to the closest Rome she can - Rome, Kentucky. She's driving her very old, beloved first car on the road trip when it breaks down in the middle of nowhere - which happens to be Noah's front yard.

Noah is pretty much the sweetest most wonderful guy. He's definitely a lovable grump. He's had his heart broken in the past by someone who came to town in a whirlwind - but he and Amelia definitely are a good fit for each other. He grounds her and supports her in the exact way she needs to find her own strength again.

This book definitely tackles some tougher topics - parental estrangement, gaslighting, parental loss, and Alzheimer's disease - but it is still light and sweet in the way Sarah Adams writes so well! I definitely recommend.

I received this via NetGalley as an ARC, but these opinions are all my own.

When in Rome was my first book by Sarah Adams, but this enchanting story has motivated to read several more by his author. I requested this book because of its cute cover and description and now I have discovered a new favorite author! I love most books set in a small town, with their friendly, quirky, and generous supporting characters. Rome, Kentucky has the sweetest elements of the small town trope. Amelia Rose, known professionally as Rae Rose, a pop music celebrity, in an attempt to catch her breath (and possibly avoid a nervous break down) during a grueling and isolating professional schedule flees to small town Rome, Kentucky. There, she meets grumpy but kindhearted Noah after her car breaks down in his front yard. Stranded, Amelia must rely on Noah’s reluctant hospitality. I loved several supporting characters in the Rome community, but Mabel, Noah’s surrogate grandmother, was the most adorable! Noah’s pie shop was also an excellent of the story. What’s not love about freshly baked pie? Or a scrabble-playing baker?

Throughout the book, Amelia comes to accept the necessity of self care and cultivates the ability to set boundaries between her professional responsibilities and her personal life so she can thrive. Noah’s journey requires him to accept the help of Amelia and his neighbors and learn to be more open…to love, to the interest of others, including his well-meaning community.

Amelia and Noah’s romance was amusing to watch. Their witty banter made this book quite fun and the desire of the Rome residents to see these two together (there was absolutely no vacancy at the Bed and Breakfast, right Mabel?) made me want to be the beneficiary of their love and support.

I thoroughly enjoyed this sweet and funny romance. I recommend it and will put Sarah Adams’ other books on my to be read list!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for allowing me to read this book in exchange for an honest and objective review.

Such a charming read by Sarah Adams! I am always impressed by her writing, characters, and plots and this was no different. I loved Amelia and Noah together, and the inclusion of realistic issues alongside the rarity of a celebrity persona - I thought this nicely made Amelia more ‘real’ to the reader and less like a one-sided person that celebrities are often made out to be.
I also loved all the other members of the Rome, Kentucky community! But especially Noah of course.

An entertaining story with lovable characters, a small-town (almost Stars Hollow-esque) setting, a touch a fame, a good amount of tension, supporting characters that feel relatable (LOVED the girl gang of sisters). I rooted for Noah and Amelia from the get go and never felt let down. This one was a definite win for me!

Thanks to NetGalley & Random House for letting me be an early reader!

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Noah and Amelia had me enraptured from the start. Noah’s surly attitude, Amelia’s sweet disposition. I loved the way that their relationship slowly progressed over their time together. They tried to resist the pull they had towards each other for as long as they could. Amelia’s personality reminds me of a good friend, someone who can push all your buttons but make you smile while pushing them. She’s just the type of personality that Noah needs. Their romance is a sweet, slow burn.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Synopsis:

Amelia is a burnt out pop star who just wanted an escape. But when that escape leads to her car breaking down in front of the local baker’s house, she gets more than she bargained for. Noah owns a pie shop in Rome, Kentucky. He lives a simple life, spending time with his family and friends, and isn’t looking for a change. So when his world is turned upside down by Amelia’s arrival, he does everything he can to keep things in order. Little does he know, love is never simple.

5 stars for the humor
4 stars for the story (interesting situation and charming setting with a sweet HEA)
3 stars for 1) the insta love (I rarely am sold on love developing in a short amount of time) and 2) the author straying from the brand I feel she has built (the book had more swearing and steam than her other books which might catch some by surprise if they have read others books by her).
The book was a fun read and I am sure will be loved by many.

A cute, small-town take on Roman Holiday. Amelia (aka, world-famous pop star Rae Rose) runs away from home just before she's supposed to leave on tour. She needs a break, and takes inspiration from her favorite Audrey Hepburn movie to escape to the nearest Rome, which just happens to be tiny Rome, Kentucky. There she encounters Noah, the jaded but soulful pie baker who takes Amelia in and agrees to show her small-town life. There's no possibility of a future between these two very different people, but that doesn't mean they can't dream.

This is a funny, gentle, closed-door romance. I enjoyed the cast of meddling small-town characters who are determined to get Noah his happy ending, and who fall in love with Amelia for who she is, not just her pop stardom.

Thanks to Netgalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC to review. All opinions are my own.

Noah, small town boy in Rome, Kentucky, has his whole world rocked when pop star Rae Rose [Amelia] breaks down in his front yard. In an effort to get away from her busy lifestyle, she hops in her car and heads to the closest place called "Rome" taking a page out of Audrey Hepburns book. Noah makes it abundantly clear that he is not interested in this popstars life and is only rendering her aid because of his good-hearted nature - but Rae, who he comes to know as Amelia, gets under his skin & into his heart way quicker than he can admit. Amelia is smitten with him after she learns how easy it is to be herself with him. He gives her a much needed rest from the "polite polite polite" facade she has to put on in the eye of the public, and she gives him the grace he needs to fall in love again after having his heart broken by another big-city girl.

Watching them fall in love in this story is everything - Sarah Adams writes books that make you feel like the characters are your best friends and they are absolutely beautiful. When in Rome, her latest 5 star book is out in September & you absolutely have to pick it up.