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!

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!

3.5 rounded up.

This was actually pretty darn adorable and sweet. Also, I totally relate to Amelia's love of Audrey Hepburn, so the author gets extra points for that and all the references to Roman Holiday - the best Audrey film and one of the greatest films of all time.

This book is everything I expect from Sarah Adams and more! The banter - top notch, humor - witty and laugh out loudable, and the characters- relatable, swoony, and “sweet as powdered sugar.”

I very much enjoyed my time in Rome…Kentucky. When burned out pop star, Rae Rose/Amelia, takes off unannounced to the nearest Rome, she lands in the front yard of the stoic Pie Shop owner, Noah. He wants nothing to do with her or relationships, but when he’s reminded of how his grandmother would want him to treat this beautiful stranger he begrudgingly takes her in. And thus, honest, protective and real feelings ensue for two unlikely friends.

🥞Forced proximity
🥞Charming/nosy small town antics
🥞Grumpy/Sunshine
🥞Finding oneself/Family
🥞Dual POV
🥞 Pancakes over pie - I stand by this!

I’ve been a Sarah Adams fan from the beginning and seeing the growth in her writing makes me so proud…even though I have literally nothing to do with it! This book was gave me the sweetest escape making me laugh and smile my way through it!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House for this Arc!

Adorable! The characters were compelling and the story was endearing. A little spicier than the other books by this author, but not overly descriptive. I would really love to read a sequel with the focus being one of Noah's sisters or his friend James. Thank you netgalley for the ARC!

Gill: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Plot: 🥧🥧🥧🥧.5
MC: 🧔🏼‍♂️👩🏻🧔🏼‍♂️👩🏻
Spice: 🌶
Romance: ❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

This book is so cute, Sarah Adam’s is the queen of Rom Coms, her attention to detail & description make you feel like you are a fly on the wall. This book has so many laugh out loud scenes, mixed with a just the right amount of scenes that tug on your heart strings. The tension in this book is so good & I love that the book isn’t overly spicy.