“to me, you’re amelia. maker of shitty pancakes and a smile that rivals the sun. all i want is you.”

tropes: grumpy/sunshine, famous girl/small town guy, jealousy, forced proximity, small town romance

I WAS NOT EXPECTING TO LOVE THIS BOOK AS MUCH AS I DID OH MY GOD🥺 y’all i’m telling you this book was so freaking good i already want to reread it!!

amelia my sweet angel!! she is so freaking cute and all i wanna do is give her the biggest hug and pancakes to last her a life time! she’s been through a lot and i’m so happy she made the decision to take a break because it ended being one of the best things that ever happened to her. she’s such a bottle of sunshine and deserves all the happiness in the entire world!

and noah oh my gosh😭 he was definitely tough to crack at first but once he started letting amelia in, he truly was the sweetest! he always wanted the best for everyone and did whatever he could to help and support others. i mean he let a stranger stay in his house because her car broke down like he such a great guy! he has also been through a lot and i wish we got to hear more about it but he deserves everything he ever wants in life❤️

i 100000000% recommend reading this book if you love cute, fluffy, small town romances! i absolutely adored this book and you better believe i will be recommending it forever!💕

I absolutely DEVOURED this book. I cannot get over Sarah Adams and can honestly say this is my favorite of hers yet. The character development and small town details really made this her finest work of art. I fell in love with Amelia immediately and I’m pretty sure I couldn’t love Noah anymore. Let’s not forget his sisters and Mabel, who made the best support system for those two. I love how the history of both main characters slowly unfolds, and ate up their vulnerability. I wish this book would have never ended. 5000000000 stars for this sweet sweet novel!

The plot line for this book was fun with well-written characters, but this was definitely my least favorite book by this author. Her books have gradually moved away from sweet/clean romance, but this one was a big jump in a direction I didn't like. There is SO much swearing in this story; not just an occasional word here or there. And it moved past "closed door" to including sexual relations as part of the plot. (No graphic descriptions, thankfully, but much more than I wanted to read.)

5 Sweet As Sugar Stars!!!

This is hands down one of the best rom-coms I have EVER read! This was the absolute perfect mix of sunshine-grumpy romance, hallmark level small town drama, and full comedic banter!

Amelia is a popstar (or poptart according to Noah's country accent) who is taking a much needed R&R in small town Rome, Kentucky. She meets pie shop owner Noah by accidentally breaking down right in his front yard on her drive into town. Immediately their hilarious banter starts and there is an electric chemistry between them. This is one of the few books that has actually made me laugh out loud during multiple parts of the book!

Sarah Adams is now going to be on my "be on the lookout for" list when I am craving another rom-com!
I definitely recommend this to anyone looking for a super fun small town romance!

Sarah's writing feels a lot more polished in this book. This is a book that readers that enjoy wholesome, small town, Hallmark movies would enjoy. It has little nods to Audrey Hepburn and a cute, lively small town vibe. The romance moves pretty slow, at times I felt a little bored because it felt like nothing was really happening; characters weren't developing and plot wasn't moving. Had me wondering if some of this was spent setting up for future series in this town? Overall, I don't think her fans will be disappointed in this one.

I’m smiling stupidly. And crying a little. This 👏🏻Book 👏🏻

Honestly every Sarah Adams book I read, I think, “Now that was my new favorite of hers!” And this was no exception. I’m telling you, I was giddy this whole book.

Completely lovable MC Amelia… grumpy, cinnamon roll, love interest Noah... adorable and unique side characters (I have some hopes about future books for some of them!).

Small town romance, grumpy/ sunshine, forced proximity, found family… I loved it!!

Go preorder this book right now!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House/ Ballantine Books for the chance to read an advance copy!

Sarah Adams is a new author to me and I would definitely be looking up all her titles on my next adventure to the book store.
This book was so wonderfully thought out and written. The main characters are the perfect mix of storm and sunshine. Had me smiling and giggling to myself as I fell in love with each turning page.

Definitely a 5/5 for me and look forward to the official release so that I can run to the bookstore to grab a copy to place on my shelf for a recommended read for new readers! Great job!

Love this book so much!!! I was totally engrossed in it as soon as I started reading. I love how Sarah brings you into the story completely. I honestly felt like I was there with them in the book! I really hope we get more books in Rome and maybe get to see what Noah's sisters get up to....

Okay, I LOVED this book. It was such a cute and fast read.

It had everything I love in it… grumpy/sunshine relationship, forced proximity, found family.

Amelia “Rae” is a celebrity singer, and is feeling burnt out from her career. So what does she do? She watches a good ole Hepburn movie and ends up in Rome…. KENTUCKY, lol. Idk why, but I loved that so much.

Noah is a grumpy man who was burned in the past by a girl he had a relationship with who was passing through his town - which is why he’s hesitant to start a relationship with Amelia.

Everything about this book was just light hearted, and all storylines were nicely wrapped up by the end of the book.

I actually was nervous to read this, because I didn’t super LOVE the cheat sheet, but this one made up for that one :)

Sarah Adams never fails to put her charming characters in laugh-out-loud situations and moments that warm your heart. Amelia and Noah bounce off of each other in their dialogue and emotional connection, and having both of their perspectives enhances the connection the reader feels to the characters. I am a big fan of Sarah Adams and found this book to be a delightful read!

When in Rome was incredible, funny, and way too cute. Amelia (Rae) and international pop star ends up stranded in a small town in Kentucky and on Noah’s front yard. Getting to read their struggles and dynamic was a pleasure and a page Turner. Definitely recommend

If you've been reading Sarah Adams from the beginning of her career you'll be happy to know that this book is full of the same humor, chemistry, and smile inducing romance that is somehow uniquely her.

I got major Notting Hill vibes from this book (one of my absolute favorite romantic comedy movies ever!) so it's no surprise that I thoroughly enjoyed the story.

Amelia AKA famous pop star Rae Rose needs a break from her life sucking job (my words not hers) so she runs away to Rome, Kentucky where she meets surly (her words not mine) pie shop owner Noah and a town full of quirky but loveable people.

Noah is still jaded from a previous broken relationship and Amelia is only looking for a place to catch her breath and take a break from the spotlight. Grumpy meets sunshine = my new favorite genre.

If this book had been written circa The Match it would have gotten 5 stars because it would have been just as good (actually better in my opinion) without all the swearing and without the door cracked open. Each book seems to have more swearing than the last and just a little more detail in the bedroom.

Things to know about content: more than twenty swear words but no *f* words. No violence. Some passionate kissing, innuendo, some talk about sex, fade to black but with no graphic details or explanations.

Rae Rose is a successful, burned-out singer who flees her life one night to a small town in Tennessee; her car dies in front of Noah's house. She ends up spending two weeks in his guest room while her car is fixed. During that time, she falls in love with Noah and the town folk, and vice versa. Noah, still traumatized by an unfaithful fiancée, must wall himself off from Rae (whose actual name is Amelia) to protect his heart. So they dance around each other for a long, long time. Meanwhile, Rae finds evidence her manager is manipulating her and causing trouble for her own financial benefit. Will Rae return to her career or give it up for the handsome man who runs his grandmother's pie shop?

When I started this novel, I felt happy to have discovered a new writer. But then it bogged down. The two mains dither for too long. However, the chemistry is well-written and the snark is funny.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶

✅ Grumpy/Sunshine
✅ Forced Proximity
✅ Found Family

I haven’t fell this in love with a book since I read How to Fake It In Hollywood… I absolutely loved everything. single. thing about this book. Amelia may be a pop star but acts nothing like one. She is caring, thoughtful, strategic and is looking for her place in the world.

Noah… oh, Noah. I just wanted to hug him the entire book and we him know that he can open himself back up to love. He is protective of Amelia and will do anything to keep her safe.(🥵)

What really makes this book a well rounded story are the towns people of Rome. They each have their own personalities and nuances that give you that ‘warm hug’ small town feeling. And then on top of all that, the banter between Amelia and Noah is absolutely perfect…

I want to read through my TBR but I’m feeling that I’ll be re-reading When In Rome ASAP.

Sweet and smart. My first by this author that I picked up solely based on the cover alone. I think it looks adorable, highly recommend if you are looking for a quick , sweet and small town romance.

3.75 STARS

When In Rome hooked me and kept my attention for about 3/4 the book. I really had a good time. At about the 70%, I just kind of hit a wall. Nothing bad happened. I don’t know it if was just pacing or I got a little bored. I felt myself not being as invested. I push through and finished it. It wasn’t a bad story. I don’t know why I got stuck. I am interested in reading more from this author.


I voluntarily read an early copy.

Sarah Adam’s books never fail to put a smile on my face. She is the queen of writing couples with incredible chemistry.
Burned out star meets small town baker.
He’s a grump, she’s all sunshine and I’ve always loved a “grumpy” male lead since first reading Pride and Prejudice as a young girl and Sarah delivered this with Noah.
I loved watching Ameila break through Noah’s surliness.
It was charming, heartwarming, and I sped through it because I didn’t want to put it down. There is so much to love about this book and just you wait for those kissing scene friend 😍🔥. Sarah just keeps getting better and better.
Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me a copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

THIS WAS SO CUTE. That’s it. That’s the review. Go read.

Thank you NetGalley for my eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Adams has written another winner! She is definitely an auto buy author. Amelia Rae Rose a pop star that is worn out and has lost herself decides to escape from her life. She goes to Rome, KY where her car breaks down in front of Noah’s house. Noah has become somewhat of a recluse and a grump. They get off on the wrong foot but are soon living in the same house and getting to know one another. They have great chemistry but try to fight it. As her time in Rome continues Amelia begins to find her true self again. This is an amazing story between these two.

Sarah Adams does not miss when it comes to rom-coms! Forced proximity and the sunshine/grumpy tropes are so well done and planned out in this book. The witty banter and chemistry had me grinning, blushing, and swooning all at the same time. Both characters were able to be so intimate with each other without pushing any boundaries. The secondary characters were so lovable that I am truly hoping they each get their own book! Sarah Adams has quickly become one of my favorite authors!

Thank you Netgalley and Random House for the ARC!