Amelia "Rae" Rose is a pop star in need of a break. And she soon finds just what she's looking for after her car breaks down in the tiny town of Rome...

I was HOOKED on the characters as soon as they met. The chemistry between them was evident from the start, and I found myself rooting for them the whole time. The romance is very slow burn, so know that you aren't going to get a lot right off the bat. But I think that almost makes it better because we really get to see Amelia and Noah's relationship blossom and transform.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing me with the eARC. The opinions herein are my own and my honest review of the book.

Summary: Amelia Rose has been performing as a pop icon and needs a break. She loves Roman Holiday and cannot believe the serendipity in finding herself in Rome, albeit Rome, Kentucky. She then meets a very handsome and gruff stranger who shows her kindness and a town excited to embrace her for who she is, not what they can get from her.

This is my first Sarah Adams book, but I have seen people post about her on TikTok a lot and was very excited by the premise of the book. I love Roman Holiday and Audrey Hepburn, but I also got big Gilmore Girl and Sweet Home Alabama vibes from the book, Especially with the way Noah interacts with the town. I am also such a sucker for forced proximity. However, I didn't love the characters in the story, I felt some where a little too stereotypical and I didn't totally buy Noah and Amelia's chemistry, especially in the beginning. Overall, it was a cute and pretty quick read, great for reading by the fire this fall when it will be released.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ out of 5 stars

- I’m a sucker for anything Audrey Hepburn (especially since I share a birthday with her 💁🏻‍♀️) and especially Roman Holiday and this book sucked me in from the very first Audrey reference on the first page.

- 100% relate to Amelia’s problem with sticking to a certain image, even if I’m not a famous pop star.

- Noah’s sisters remind me of my sister and best friend and I want to be besties with them.

- Very grateful for the limited spice.

- Wish I could read this book for the first time again 😩.

- Question for the Author: What happened on May 23rd???

Gosh this was so cute

The perfect grumpy vs sunshine trope 🤌 Noah and Amelia's chemistry was on point. I absolutely loved their self-control. I specifically remember "chastity burrito blanket" had me dying.

This has everything you want in a typical small town romance without being super cliché and corny. This was done in a way that just felt so authentic and heartfelt. I just want to transport to this town for a gateway.

This was a fun, quick read, perfect for vacation reading. It definitely requires some suspension of disbelief, and the characters are pretty stereotypical (complete with the only Black character maybe being magical).

So darn cute. I love everything about Sarah Adams her books included. When In Rome was super cute and followed Rae Rose as she took a break from her time in the spotlight. In doing so her car breaks down literally on Noah's front lawn. During her time in Rome Kentucky Noah fights the feeling he has for Rae but it's no use. Rae and Noah are the cutest when they finally get their act together.
Thank you Sarah for my review copy on NetGalley.

What a fun, sweet read! I enjoyed the story and loved the characters in the book. Kept me reading and wanting more!

Cute cute cute! What a beautiful retelling of Roman Holiday.
Amelia is a pop star that needs a break. She ends up In Rome, Kentucky where Noah (a handsome pie shop owner) lives. I love a small town romance. I love the side characters.

This was a cute rom-com in parts but lacked the pizzazz I was hoping for. A bit predictable with a plot that had some promise, When in Rome is a fast read that leaves you happy for love and longing for pie!

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House for this eARC copy in exchange for an honest review.

Loving this book was a slow burn for me. I felt frustrated and annoyed, but it turns out, that was the brilliant author Sarah Adams’ plan the whole time. I’m fairly certain I’d like to claim Noah Walker as my newest book boyfriend and placing him in first place. For me, this book addressed a few very important things: burnout + prioritizing mental wellness, and communication. Communication between partners, strangers, friends, and family are all so important to maintaining healthy relationships instead of keeping feelings reeled in and losing yourself and those relationships. Burnout is a very real thing in any line of work and I am a firm believer that therapy is for everyone, not just those who experience loss, trauma, or mental health struggles- it’s a benefit for everyone and the ending of this book touches on that. It also reminds readers that taking a timeout is OKAY. You shouldn’t have to feel guilty about disappointing others when living through that burnout is only going to disappoint yourself. Take the time to water yourself and the world will be ready to watch you bloom when you get back to it. By the end of this book I just wanted to hold and hug it forever. Like drinking a warm cup of coffee during a light rain, snuggled up under a blanket and holding hands with a dog nestled into your lap. 10/10 recommend and will be swiftly purchasing the physical copy when this book is released on Sept 20.

When in Rome
author: sarah adams
genre: contemporary romance
pages: 320
rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5
spice rating: 1/5
pub date: Sept 20

Loved this book. Would definitely recommend. This book was hard to put down. The characters were amazing & so was the storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an ARC of When in Rome by Sarah Adams in exchange for my honest opinion.

1. I stayed up way too late to read this book!
2. I decided When in Rome is the equivalent of book crack for romcom lovers.
3. I like being an addict if I can read books that are this funny and warm-hearted!

Truly, I was sucked into this story so, so fast! I loved how Amelia and Noah interacted from the beginning. This is a dual POV so we get to see how each one is trying to resist the other. It was so delightful with the sisters and town.

This romcom has elements I love:
Grumpy & Sunshine
Small town
A baker!
Famous person & the ordinary person
Past trauma that leads to the characters' actions (and this is true for the sisters too!)
References to old movies and music! (Love this & hope to see more of it!)

Do I recommend the story? YES!!!
I loved it!
Don't walk, but run to get it!
And clear your schedule so you don't have to stay up too late to read. :)

And Sarah (yes, I'm addressing you like we know each other), please, please, please give me more books!

-Small town in Kentucky (hello hometown)
=Audrey Hepburn Vibes (who doesn't adore her?)
-All things pie (apple pie, you the real MVP)
Count this gal in!

It was a
SWEET
LIGHTHEARTED
COZY
read.

Also lets talk about my girl, Mabel. I knew so many ladies like her growing up. Felt like home. I know she has to have a huge collection of broken-in quilts and for sure makes the best biscuits and gravy.

I'll gladly read anything Sarah Adams writes. An errand list, grocery list, I'll take it.

I love Sarah Adams' books. I have read every single one. The Match still remains my favorite but this one is like a warm hug. I love the small town setting and enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes.. I don't know how she does it, but all of her books are so happy and amazing. I need more!

When In Rome - Releasing September 20, 2022

Easily my favorite Sarah Adams book. When In Rome is a grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity book that had me hooked from the first few pages. Amelia Rose is a pop star (known to the world as Rae Rose) who is about to go on tour and feels like she’s drowning under the pressure and isolation of being famous. After taking a page out of her idol Audrey Hepburn’s book, Amelia packs her car and takes off for the closest Rome she can find - Rome, Kentucky. She’s just minutes from her destination when her car breaks down. Right in the front yard of Rome, Kentucky’s resident grump, Noah Walker.

Noah is back living in his hometown of Rome after having his heart broken. He is determined to stay away from women and love in general, but when Amelia’s car breaks down in his front yard, his southern hospitality takes over, and he lets Amelia stay in his guest room. While both of them are determined to ignore the attraction to each other, knowing that Amelia will need to leave as soon as her car is ready, they can’t seem to stay away from each other.

I know a lot of people aren’t big fans of fade to black romance, but Sarah Adams is 100% a must read author for me. Sarah brings the chemistry to life in her books, and I’m so invested in her characters and plot that I don’t even miss the steamy scenes. I’ve read a few of Sarah’s books but When In Rome is easily my favorite. An absolute 5 ⭐️ read for me!

Fun and fast read. A popular singer (Rae aka Amelia) decides to escape her busy celebrity lifestyle and drive herself to a small town for a few days away out of the spotlight and away from her overbearing music manager. Of course she happens to have a road trip mishap while on her Audrey Hepburn inspired “Roman Holiday” and ends up stranded in her broken down car, conveniently on the edge of Rome (the small town — in Kentucky). The local dude Noah… kind-yet-grumpy, burned-by-his-ex, loved-his-grandma, owns-his-grandma’s-Pie-Store… comes to help this lovely lady stranded on the road in front of his house and convinces her he is a stand-up guy who will not harm her. (Oh and of course, he is attractive.) She ends up staying the night at his house. Witty banter ensues and Amelia enjoys small town protection from paparazzi media while wondering if maybe she deserves love from this unlikely man in this unlikely place. If you’re looking for a fun, fast read, put this book on your list when it’s published in September 2022. Thanks to Netgalley for the eARC opportunity.

A very light, sweet romance with some classic tropes: grumpy/sunshine, forced proximity, in love with a celeb. I could easily see this being made into a Hallmark/Lifetime movie.

I absolutely loved this book! I appreciated that it genuinely made me laugh. I loved the nicknames Amelia had for Noah. Definitely recommend this book!

This is a contemporary take on Audrey Hepburn's Roman Holiday set in Rome, Kentucky with amazing side characters.

Amelia Rae Rose is a pop star named Rae Rose who is obsessed with Audrey Hepburn.
Parallel to Roman Holiday, she ran away from her life as a pop star to a small town called Rome, Kentucky.

Did she have to take her old ass car? No, but she did because she needed to meet Mr. Grumpy, Noah.
I love the people of this town especially Mrs. Mabel. This meddling old lady stole a piece of my heart.
"I changed your diapers!" You tell him Mrs. Mabel!

Amelia started with a dual personality. Rae the pop star and Amelia the lonely girl. As she found herself, she became more confident and I love her growth.

I love that instead of a 3rd act conflict between the 2 leads, we get a twist. I actually really look for this in my romance novels. Yes, Noah had to be confronted by his sister about their trauma, it was hardly a conflict.

The way Noah mentally prepares himself when he walks to his Pie Shop because of all the meddling town folks just cracks me up.
This book is the perfect wholesome summer read.
I say wholesome because if you're looking for spicy read, this is not your book. Look elsewhere.

4/5 stars overall
1/5 stars for spice

Thanks Netgalley for the ARC.

This is the second book I have read from Sarah Adams and it was wholesome and sweet. I felt like she did a great job of building the tension between our main characters but the payoff wasn't as great as I'd hope it would be. Not all in all a bad book, great setting and loved all the lively characters.