I can't even count the number of times I was laughing out loud while reading this book. It was just that funny!

This is my third book by Sarah Adams that I have read, and I am so excited to read all the rest of her books. She is an amazing writer and knows how to tell a wonderful story.

Amelia Rose is a famous singer that is tired of her life, so in the spur of the moment, she drives off to the small town of Rome, Kentucky (it was closer than Italy), where she finds herself on Noah Walker's front lawn.

This book was like Taylor Swift goes to Stars Hollow in Gilmore Girls. There were definitely a couple of Gilmore Girl references in here, so if you are a fan, you will love this book. I have no idea why Amelia reminded me so much of Taylor Swift, but for whatever reason, she did.

It took me about 30% of the book to fully get into it and love the characters. I wasn't convinced at first if I would love Amelia, and I just found the front lawn/close proximity too cheesy. Once I hit about 30% into the book, I was fully devoted. I loved both Noah and Amelia and I loved the chemistry between them.

I do recommend this book. You'll love this if you enjoy:
- Celebrity falls in love with non-famous person
- Small town romance
- Romcom
- Closed door romance
- Grumpy Sunshine
- Forced Proximity
- Forbidden Love (kind of)

Alright. Call me cynical & picky, but I thought this was just okay. I walked into this with high hopes that this would be a big win for me—but instead it was just a small “thanks for participating” feeling I got. It was cute! Don’t get me wrong! But nothing entirely noteworthy to me.

Amelia “Rae” Rose is famous pop star with, of course, a classic niche-cute-girl obsession with Audrey Hepburn. One night after too much stardom burnout, our hero decides to relive the Roman Holiday & take a drive to the nearest Rome to her: Rome, Kentucky. BUT WHAT’S THIS, DEAR READER? HER CAR CRASHES? IN THE LAWN OF A SEXY, GRUMPY, PIE SHOP OWNER NAMED NOAH WHO LETS HER STAY THE WHOLE WHILE WHILE HER CAR IS WORKED ON? WHO HAS BEEN SCORNED BY A PAST LOVE WHO WAS ALSO A BIG SHOT OF SORTS? Color me SHOCKED. & it’s all downhill from their, folks.

The story was FINE. It was cute & nice & cheesy & all that good stuff, but it just lacked for me. It also moved like quicker than I normally like?? Even though our main couple was so VEHEMENTLY trying not to do anything, annoyingly enough. It was very gaslight-y to me of both of them—ESPECIALLY NOAH. HE JUST KEPT DOING THE “I CAN’T…BUT I MUST” internal monologue (& even dialogue). I felt BAD for Amelia!! Like this man cannot make up his mind!! I did like that Amelia found her freedom & restored her relationship with her mom, & overall the romance was sweet, but meh. Also, I was shocked that this was a closed door romance!! I wasn’t expecting it!! & there’s nothing wrong with it, but I actually felt like for all their combined sexual frustration it felt a little unfulfilled without ANY spice, y’know?

It’s 2.5 ⭐️ for me! I rounded up cause I thought this might just all be me & my preferences talking! Thanks so much to NetGalley & Random House publishing for giving me this ARC in exchange for my honest thoughts! 💛

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC.

I don’t read a lot of books that are so close to my home- as I live an hour from both Nashville and Rome, KY. Now that I see the author is born and raised in Nashville, I completely understand how she portrayed a small Kentucky town so well. She too remembers not so long ago when everywhere around here was a quaint little town.

I’ve never seen Roman Holiday, but I enjoy that this was a noted take on the movie. Maybe I need some more Audrey in my life. I definitely need more Sarah Adams. I love that this feels like a stand alone, but I wouldn’t hate to find out what happens to the other Walker sisters in the future.

This clean and wholesome romance novel was the perfect palate cleanser.

"Too many sensations mingle in that small touch, and when he doesn't immediately remove his finger from mine after they're finally resting on the counter, my heart gives out. I flatline. Someone get the stretcher."

Meet Amelia, a Taylor Swift caliber singer, who has become lost inside her celebrity identity, Rae Rose. She escapes her overbearing manager and mooching mom in Nashville to have her very own Roman Holiday... in Rome, Kentucky, that is. Her car breaks down en route, and she finds herself in the hands of Noah, the local pie shop owner who interestingly doesn't even like pie. This cellphone-less, WiFi-less man makes one thing clear: romance is off the table. But, I think we all know where this is going...

"I like controlling the part of me that Amelia gets to know, and if she came in here, it would be a slippery slope to telling her everything."

But it's not just Noah she finds in Rome. She also grows close with the tight-knit community that gives the story its charm.

By chapter 6, I was in love with Amelia and Noah. This book, which is filled with pop culture references for any Millennial/Gen X reader: Oscar the Grouch, Risky Business, Signs, floor is lava, Jason Bourne, and Backstreet Boys, to name just a few. Also, is it just me, or does Rome, Kentucky, remind anyone else of Stars Hollow?

I finished this in a day because it was an easy read and I had to know if Noah would meet the same fate as Roman Holiday's Gregory Peck.

Read this if you're in the mood for:
-Hallmark romance (fade to black)
-dual POV
-celebrity romance
-escape from reality
-grumpy-sunshine
-small-town romance

Note to the author: If you write novels for each of the Walker sisters, count me in.

Note to publisher: I found a typo, location 571: "It's clear that James is not going to stop pushing if I don't give him what WE wants."

This book was a fun treat! I loved it! It was a good reset after I read a heavier book. It kept me flipping pages well past my bedtime!!

If you’re av fan of sunshine city girl goes to small town and meets a grumpy guy, you’re gonna LOVE this.

This story follows our main character Amelia, who’s a city girl and pop star. She ends up in Rome, Kentucky where her car brakes down. But luckily for her, it brakes down right in-front of Noah’s house.

This book had me GIGGLING at 3am. If I were to describe it in one word it would have to be “Butterflies” 🦋
It was also SO funny, I was LIVING for the banter. I was laughing out loud on multiple occasions.

Something I really liked about this book was the communication the characters had with each other. If there was something wrong, they spoke about it, and that was really refreshing to see.
I also loved the family aspect of it. You get to see from both the characters Pov what their family relationships are like (and please can they adopt me? AHHH)

Would I recommend it? YES
This was my first Sarah Adams book, but it definitely won’t be my last!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange of an honest review.

All the sweetness and charm that you expect when you dive into a Sarah Adams book. With a nod to Audrey Hepburn and Gregory Peck, and their timeless classic, Roman Holiday. Sarah gave us a gift of a small-town romance filled with lots of heart.

Amelia and Noah are polar opposites and they work so well together, a grumpy/sunshine pairing that made me smile every time they shared the page. Noah’s sisters are great supporting characters, Mrs. Mabel is a gem, and the rest of the town rounded out so nicely in the background.

Amelia’s search for identity and purpose outside of her fame and what she can provide for people was poignant and emotional. As she and Noah open up to each other and share their hearts, they grow together and learn to love.

My favorite thing about a Sarah Adams romance is that I don’t have to worry about a third-act breakup; the conflict exists outside of the relationship, these characters that have become so beloved have to work together to overcome it, growing in the process. I’ll be honest, I knew it was a nod to Roman Holiday going into it, and that made me nervous because of how RH ends…but Sarah delivered on the ending.

When in Rome is a small-town romance where the two main characters have opposite lifestyles but instantly fall attracted to one another. Amelia and Noah have great banter and chemistry. It doesn't get too steamy, but you'll definitely feel butterflies and catch the feels for these two. It's told in dual pov so you get to learn about what the two characters are thinking and feeling about the same situation which is satisfying as a reader. Additionally, there are fun side characters from Noah's sisters to the townspeople in Rome. Overall I enjoyed this easy read and would recommend for anyone looking for a sweet getaway :)

As far as story-line and plot....this is a solid 5 star book. It was a bit steamy for me, while there was nothing explicit, it was more than I normally read as far as romance and language. I like stories with no pre-marital intimacy. That being said, I realize those are personal preferences.
Aside from those things the story was great. The main characters, their interactions with each other and the rest of the town, their personal struggles and trying to find a way together when it seemed so impossible were all well written and completely relateable.
I can say as far as the story line goes, there isn't anything I would change about it.
I'm not sure if this is intended to be a stand alone novel, but Noah's sisters seem like the perfect characters for some more stories based out of Rome!

This book was just a ton of fun. I absolutely love the movie Roman Holiday - and so the main character’s obsession with Audrey Hepburn was so cute and quirky that it made reading this novel even better. I love the grumpy sunshine trope, and even though it’s more closed door than spice, these Amelia and Noah’s love story had me just swooning. I am completely smitten with the little town of Rome, Kentucky, and I wish that I lived in a town with a dedicated pie shop! I thought this book was utter perfection, I couldn’t put it down and I will be reading all of Sarah Adams’s works going forward.

I am a Sarah Adam's fan, and have been since I stumbled upon the cheat sheet and then raced through the rest of her books immediately following. This book felt a bit more serious than her others, but I still adored it and knocked it out in a day. The Mc was so sweet and precious, and I loved the surliness of the love interest. He was different than a lot of the current surly mcs I've read lately, more quiet and playful than rude, and I loved it. And THE TOWN! The towns people were my favorite of the whole book

When in Rome was a delightful, slow-burn love story. This book read like a super sweet Hallmark movie, complete with the burned-out, lonely celebrity retreating to the small town to heal. There she meets her surly yet dreamy love interest, of course!

Amelia (aka Rae Rose) is a pop star princess who has totally lost her way. She's overworked and has no personal life at all. When she's about to embark on yet another world tour, she pulls an Audrey Hepburn (a la Roman Holiday) and retreats to Rome, Kentucky to escape her high pressure life. There she meets Noah, the local pie shop owner. He's the grump to her sunshine, but he secretly has a cinnamon roll heart. Both of these characters had things they were working through, and those issues gave the book some depth without venturing into angsty territory. Amelia and Noah had a slow burn relationship that really worked for me and helped the book not feel like typical Hallmark insta-love. The side characters (James, Noah's three sisters, Mabel, the entire town of Rome, KY) all were charming, and I especially hope the sisters get their own books!

When in Rome was my first Sarah Adams books, but it won't be my last! I was impressed with the pacing, character building, and easy storytelling style. I can tell Sarah Adams writes joyful, happy books that remind me a lot of Katherine Center's novels. Read when you are in the mood for an endearing, romantic story with lots of fun tropes!

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Random House Publish Group for the advanced e-book in exchange for my honest opinions!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this arc.

A runaway popstar and a small-town baker? Sign me up!

Sarah Adams writes books that make you smile, a lot! Amelia Rose is a runaway popstar who is inspired by the Audrey Hepburn movie "Roman Holiday", so she decides to run away to Rome, Kentucky. Then she quite literally breakdowns (her vehicle) in the middle of nowhere on Noah Walker's, a grumpy small-town front lawn.

He does not want to start a relationship with someone who will leave his small town again and she just wants an escape. The friendship they developed was fantastic and I loved seeing her relationships with the other characters in the town. It is one of those stories where everyone is likeable and you find yourself rooting for everyone's happy endings!

I’ll forever be a cheerleader for Sarah Adams. She always creates characters that you click with right away, regardless of their backstory. Am I a celebrity pop icon? No. Did I resonate with so much of Amelia’s story? YES.

Amelia and Noah were absolutely adorable together, fighting their chemistry while laying down a foundation of friendship. Noah, Mr. Grump, was so grumpy but he just couldn’t not smile when it came to her and that made my heart swoon.

Noah was tender and affectionate, Amelia was sassy and likable. I loved this story and all of the characters in it!

When in Rome is a sweet, few good romance. The slow-burn romance between Amelia and Noah had realistic qualities as they both try to be true to themselves, responsible and respectful of each other. I loved the fun story line of a big time pop star running away to a small town to get away for a break, falling in love with the town’s people, the town and possibly falling in love herself. I found myself wanting to read more and finished the book in less than a day. Definitely a great romance read!

✨ Small Town Romance - complete with quirky, meddlesome friends and family
✨ Sunshine Grump ☀️😠
✨ Forced Proximity
✨ Feel good, sweet romcom
✨ All the romantic tension 💕

Amelia Rose, better known as pop star Rae Rose, is burned out and desperately needs a break and some time away. Inspired by watching one of her favorite movies, Roman Holiday, Amelia decides to take her own break in Rome…the nearby small town of Rome, Kentucky that is. During her time there, Amelia meets the Grump to her Sunshine in Noah the local pie baker and classic, hometown guy.

Once again Sarah Adams has managed to deliver a fun, sweet, feel good romantic comedy. She has quickly become a go to after I first tried, and then binged all of her books last year. As in her other reads, she brings together a great cast of characters- they deliver banter, are fun and you just want to know more about them.

I really enjoyed Amelia and Noah as our leads, and enjoyed reading about their journey together but I also really loved all the secondary characters (Mabel, Noah’s sisters, James) - I hope we’ll get more books in this town.

This one has a great mix of some of my favorite tropes - and I can never pass up a good small town romance. It makes me especially happy when it has that quirky small town feel a la Stars Hollow. Adams is a master at the slow burn, romantic tension and I love it.

Definitely recommend this read - especially great summer read or if you’re just looking for a little escape. 😊

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the chance to read an early copy. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

A super famous popstar burns out and has a bit of a breakdown leading her to drive away in the middle of the night. Her car breaks down in a small town. The grumpy pie store owner finds her and they fall in love.

This book is everything that I love about romcoms. Heartwarming and cute. Both main characters have depth to them and they aren't just falling in love at first sight. Highly highly recommend!

Sarah Adams does it again! I've adored everything I've read by her, so having the opportunity to read an ARC of When in Rome, when it doesn't get published until September(!) was a dream!

Amelia is a pop star who has been living life in the spotlight. But she is burnt out, lonely and lost. Audrey Hepburn is her idol and she looks at life with a "What Would Audrey Do?" mindset. One evening, she watched Roman Holiday and decided she needed to do what the Princess did in that movie... escape to Rome, without her entourage. But being in Nashville, TN and unable to hop a flight without everyone finding out, she settles for the closest Rome she can find... Rome, Kentucky. Enter Noah, the grumpy pie baker who discovers Amelia in her broken down car in his front yard. He gives her a room for the night, which turns into longer after the nosy small town folk of Rome get involved and start their meddling. Opposites attract and sparks fly, but Amelia is only in Rome temporarily, and Noah isn't going to leave his small town.

Ugh, this book.... ALL THE FEELS. I could FEEL the pining Noah and Amelia were doing for each other coming off the pages. The tension between the two when they were trying to avoid each other was palpable. Noah was the perfect grumpy MC with a heart of gold. And Amelia was the most perfect ray of light when she finally got to let go of her walls be Amelia instead of Rae Rose. Both Noah and Amelia had real life issues that affected their ability to open up and you got to watch them as they began to identify their hang ups and try to work through them, separately and together.

It was sugar sweet and full of chemistry. The side characters, Noah's three sisters, his best friend James, all the different characters in Rome, were all delightful and made the charming small-town vibrant. If you love a feel good, small town romance, with characters you root for, Audrey Hepburn fangirling and laugh out loud moments in between the sizzling chemistry, this one is for you!

I really, really enjoyed this book! It was captivating and it hooked me from the very first chapter! I was glued to my seat! Such a romantic and sweet story. Love Sarah Adams!

When this book became available on netgalley I was so eager to have a chance to read the next Sarah Adams story and I was even more excited when I was approved to read an advanced copy!

This story is all about Amelia, a pop star who's decided to take a break from her hectic life and Noah, the grumpy pie shop owner who's forced to help Amelia out if she's stranded in his hometown. The last thing that he wants is to go out of his way for her, assuming she's arrogant and entitled because of her fame and status. As the two are forced into one another's company however, they quickly realize there's a lot more to each other than what meets the eye. With their time running short, they need to decide what their future will look like and discover if a happily ever after is worth fighting for.

Read this book if you love:
🧡 Grumpy sunshine
🧡Opposites attract
🧡 Small town
🧡 a hero that resembles Luke from Gilmore Girls
🧡 Forbidden romance and forced proximity

In addition to a great set of main characters, this story has a vast array of unique characters with all types of entertaining personalities. I enjoyed getting to know Noah's sisters, his best friend James, Mabel and all of the rest of the shop owners in town. They made for a humorous and entertaining supporting cast. Is it too much to hope that maybe Nick's sisters will get their own stories one day? 😏

While this book stated off as a slow burn, I did get swept up in the small town vibes and cheered Amelia and Noah on as they strived to find a happy ending for their romance story. Many thanks to Sarah Adams, Dell, and Netgalley for an advanced copy of this story. All thoughts are my own.

Content: abandonment, grief, closed door romance (fade to black)