Any new Sarah Adams contemporary romance is a must-read for me and When In Rome did not disappoint. Adams writes real characters with depth, community, and heart. You root for them and want to protect them at all costs. Though she writes tropes and you can guess how the story will unfold, the trials and missteps of her characters are not overly contrived, resulting in an enjoyable, steamy romance between two characters you care about.

This story has everything needed to step away from the world and get lost in a happy tale: game nights, broken rules, white knight moments, sunshine and grump, small town charm.

Thank you to the NetGalley and the publisher for an eARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

If you’ve read a Sarah Adams book before, then you know what you are getting with her stories: cute, cheesy and funny; lots of silly scenes and swoony romantic moments; minimal angst but lots of heart. When in Rome follows in that same vein, so while the story itself feels familiar, it still stands out as something new and different from Sarah.

Our two MCs are the epitome of the grumpy/sunshine trope (which the reader is reminded of, often). Amelia is a runaway pop star and Noah is a surly pie shop owner. Their meet cute results in a forced proximity situation where both parties agree that a romantic relationship is the last thing they should pursue. But of course, we know how well that will go (*wink, wink, nudge, nudge*).

This was a fun read, and I enjoyed the meddling of the small town cast of characters and Noah’s sisters. I felt like there were a few missed opportunities for more story and character development (for example, Amelia is a world-famous singer, and Noah is a baker? Neither of those traits were explored in depth as their relationship develops), but there are plenty of sweet slow-burn romantic tension moments that make the reader root for these two to finally figure things out.

I think you need to be in the right mood for this type contemporary romantic comedy. It’s cheesy and silly, but that doesn’t mean that it’s not still a fun, sweet and romantic story that leaves the reader with a smile on their face.

4/5 ⭐️
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Age Level: Adult
Content: mild language (no f-words), closed-door romance

I like Adams’ closed door romances more than I thought I would when I first stumbled upon them. This one is especially lovely, in that the secondary characters are so well-developed. In addition, the setting practically serves as a character itself! It’s lovely and it’s easy to picture the places described. I’ll even get over the pretty predictable ending. It was all pretty sweet. And achingly romantic.

Ohmygodwhattheheck?! This book is the cutest book and I have no idea where @authorsarahadams thinks it’s totally okay to write the most precious southern modern rom com and just melt me like that, but she did and I forgive her. 🥰 Honestly, Rae had me in love with her by chapter 2. & Noah, oh sweet Noah. So many times did I just want to hug the hurt right out of him, but seeing him work through all of his layers with his charming friends and family really sealed it for me. I really don’t want to spoil this book, because it was truly a darling romcom about a Popstar with a love of Audrey Hepburn who finds herself “taking a break” from the fame in a small town filled with what felt like the cast of Gilmore girls (in the best way). Definitely recommend this one and thank you a million times over to @netgalley for getting me addicted to a new author 💜

Thanks for my early copy, Random House!
This was such a cute book! A romance about a famous pop star that needs a break, so she travels to a little town called Rome. She happens to have some car trouble outside of Noah’s house. He’s very busy running his pie shop, but he decides to help. Will Rae fall in love with the small town or return back to her celebrity life?
This book releases on 9-20!

Sarah Adam’s totally hits it out of the park again with this book! Always loved her books and is one of my favorite authors and this book shows why! Loved it so much I couldn’t put it down!

BOOK REVIEW:

When in Rome by Sarah Adams (ARC Copy provided by NetGalley)

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

What can I say? This book THOROUGHLY surprised me. This way my first read by Sarah Adams and I am blown away!

Amelia wants to know what a normal life feels like again. Noah wants to just continue to live his life without letting anyone new in. Both don’t expect to find pieces that they have been missing.

I was skeptical because I normally go for books that are full on spicy but the slow burn in this was fantastic…the will they won’t they is well written and does not feel rushed at all and I found myself not missing any of the detail you would normally get in a heavily spicy book. I also loved the banter between Amelia and Noah which really moves the story along. I found myself not wanting to put this down because I was afraid that if I did, I was going to miss some small sliver of their lives. This book also made me cry the more you delved into their pasts (particularly Noah’s ) and brought up some memories that I was happy to relive despite the fact that they made me somewhat emotional.  Plus, who doesn't love a Southern Gentleman who is all about family?

RUN don’t walk to get this book when it comes out September 20!

Delightful. Simply delightful. Reading When in Rome brought me so much joy. I loved the small-town vibe Rome, Kentucky had going on with its lack of good cell reception, cute shops, and close-knit townspeople.

I adored grumpy pie hating pie shop owner Noah Walker and the ever-pleasant popstar Amelia "Rae" Rose. Those two had AMAZING chemistry and banter. This may have been a closed-door romance, but the passion between them was high.

The side characters in this book were perfect. Noah's three younger sisters and his friend James were my favorite of them. They were all vibrant characters who managed to stand out in their own ways within Noah and Amelia's story. I want and need all of them to get their own books and make this a series.

I even loved the little bit of drama that was thrown in to shake things up for Noah an Amelia. It wasn't too over the top or too angsty. The drama made things even more exciting.

I didn't want When in Rome to end. There really wasn't anything I didn't like about it. I can maybe see a few people complaining that the timeline was too fast, that Noah and Amelia's relationship was too instant love, but nope. That's not my opinion. When in Rome was the charming rom com I have come to expect and need from Sarah Adams. If this was an assignment, she would get an A+.

This book is perfection. I was swept away within the first few lines and barely put it down. Five stars! Sarah Adams is the queen of rom com’s and is most definitely an auto buy author for me. Can’t wait to read more about Noah’s sisters.

This book was so cute!! Grumpy/sunshine is my absolute favorite romance trope. Add in a side of forced proximity in an adorable small town with a host of lovable side characters and you have a winner in my book.

Our heroine Amelia is an international pop superstar who desperately needs a break before her next tour, so she after watching her favorite Audrey Hepburn movie she escapes to Rome, Kentucky, where she meets Noah Walker. I loved the dual POV and watching these two circle each other and fight their growing feelings - it's a slow burn for sure! My only complaint is that I wanted more and it felt like the story wrapped up too quickly in the end.

This was my first Sarah Adams book and I can't wait to read more of her backlist!

So unexpectedly good. I had seen a lot of buzz over The Cheat Sheet so decided to give this one a try, pretty much without even knowing what it was about, and oh boy. I'm hooked. I will be reading all her work from now on. I loved all the characters (except Susan obvs), laughed out loud in several spots, and appreciated the steamy qualities with the more intimate details being closed door. I really liked Noah's backstory being drawn out, thought his and Amelia's chemistry was *fire emoji*, and, being from KY, looooved that it took place in the second most famous Rome. All in all, keep it up, Mrs. Adams.

When in Rome was a really cute small town, sunshine/grumpy romance book. It is the perfect feel-good love story. I thought Noah and Amelia were great characters, they were so cute together.

If you like contemporary romance I definitely recommend you check this book out!

I received an advanced copy of this book from the publisher on NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

When in Rome is about a burnt out pop singer named Amelia who loves Audrey Hepburn and decides to take a spontaneous trip to Rome…… Kentucky. Here she falls in love with the small town and it’s residents because they see her as a person instead of just for her fame.
My favorite part of this book was definitely Rome and it’s charming residents. I loved Noah and his sisters and their relationship. It felt like a Hallmark movie. I also very much enjoyed the dual POV. Seeing both protagonists POVs in a romance novel is my favorite plot device. But the romance itself was not well written. It felt very insta-love, which I don’t like in my romance novels. I also did not enjoy how passive Amelia was. I just couldn’t move past her toxic relationship with both her manager and her mom. Overall, it was. 2.5-3 star for me.
This was a NetGalleyARC.

Sarah Adams is easily my favorite Rom-Com writer! I loved this book and I really love her writing style. I thought Noah and Amelia were great characters and I liked how they balanced each other out. I enjoyed the plot and the timing of things as well! This book was such a fun read and I am hoping there is a sequel! Highly recommend for fans of rom-coms!

Time to make pie!

When in Rome is a fast paced rom-com where opposites attract.

Amelia aka pop sensation Rae Rose, couldn’t do it anymore. On a whim, she heads to Rome (Kentucky) to live out her own Roman Holiday. But much to her dismay, she becomes stranded in Noah’s front yard. He may be a small town, pie shop owner, but that may be the sweetest thing about him.

Perfect for those who love:
grumpy/sunshine
closed door (kissing, make out. a tad more descriptive than her other books.)
small town/celebrity dynamic
dual pov

Now, can we get a book with one of the sisters?

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this eARC. All options are my own.

Release date: September 20, 2022
This was an adorable, happy story, filled with many loving, small- town people and a famous pop star trying to figure out what she wants out of life.
Rae (Amelia) and Noah meet when her car breaks down in his yard. She could’ve called her people to handle it, but she wanted to be normal for a while. Noah opens his home to her reluctantly and they slowly begin to have feelings. She’s got a controlling manager and a mom that’s been distant, and he’s got overbearing sisters and a business to run in his small town.
This book makes me want to run off to a small town and eat pie. Noah is such a kind, soft-hearted man, and sensitive to the core. He’s all about simple, small-town life and doesn’t even have a cell phone. Rae is the complete opposite- famous pop star that’s outgoing and all over social media.
Add this to your reading list this year- it’s sure to be a fun read for you this fall.

Sarah Adams is a master at writing cute rom coms. This is a small town romance with grumpy-sunshine and I absolutely devoured this. Pop star and a pie shop owner find love. Seriously read it.

“We’re acting as if we’ve never touched anyone of the opposite sex before. It’s absolutely ridiculous. And wonderful. And confusing. And incredible.”

So cute! Lots of fun and fluff, kooky and nosy neighbors and adorkable main characters. I liked how this book never took itself too seriously which is exactly what I needed. It’s the grumpy-sunshine, forced proximity, lazy read it set out to be.

Amelia’s burn out and loneliness, coupled with Noah’s need to protect his heart was what put them on the slow-burner, but it definitely paid off. I would definitely read any book that Sarah Adams writes for the Walker sisters. Maybe even one for James?

MVP: Mabel. Love a good meddlesome, match-making grandma.

(Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.)

Needing some time to herself, Amelia Rose, known to her fans as pop princess Rae Rose, escapes to the small town of Rome, Kentucky. When her car breaks down, she finds herself stranded in local pie shop owner Noah Walker’s front yard. He begrudgingly offers her a room for the night while her car gets sorted out. Noah has no time for this spoiled city girl and Amelia just wants the temporary peace of small town life.

There is nothing I love more than the grumpy/sunshine trope and this book did not disappoint. Opposites do attract with small town guy Noah and pop star Amelia “Rae”. Their chemistry is fun and flirty from the very beginning in spite of trying to just be friends.

When in Rome is well paced and has just the right mix of sweetness and humor. This is a closed-door romance so if you’re looking for something spicy this may not be the book for you.

I’ve read a few other books by author Sarah Adams and this is definitely my new favorite.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballentine!

You know that feeling when you're wrapped in a fuzzy blanket, sipping a warm beverage, snuggled next to a fireplace and feeling perfectly cozy and content? That's how this book made me feel. It was the perfect combination of funny, sweet, and heartfelt. The slow burn was perfection and even though it was closed door, the attraction and tension between Noah and Amelia added the perfect level of heat. The grumpy/sunshine dynamic was so well done and lead to some hilarious banter. It really lived up to the "com" part of rom-com. I also loved all the small town characters and the community of Rome, Kentucky. Fingers crossed that some of the side characters show up in future books!

I love Sarah Adams and had a feeling this would be a 5 star read, but it was even better than I was expecting! This may be my new favorite, which is saying a lot because I loved her other books!

I was over the moon to get an ARC from Netgalley and Random House in exchange for my review. Thank you!