4 stars for a swoon-worthy romance about two worlds colliding!

I really enjoyed this worlds-colliding romance!

Our two main characters could NOT be more different. Amelia Rose [or "Rae Rose" as her stage name] is well-known pop sensation. Noah Walker is a simple guy running his grandma's pie shop in a small town. When Amelia breaks down right in front of Noah's house, he welcomes her to stay with him until her car is fixed.

But two very different people from very different worlds make for quite the dynamic duo... opposites attract as they say!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Dell for providing a digital ARC for review!

When In Rome

What a cute story! While I loved the characters and how they developed the middle of the book lacked spice. I needed a little bit more! I loved the ending so much and totally rooting for team Noah and Amelia!
Thank you Netgally for the ARC book!

✭ ✭ ✭/5

#bookish #bookstagram #booktok #book #readersofinstagram #readthis #goodreads #goodreadschallenge #bookchallenge #9/10 #sarahadams #wheninrome

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this adorable, addictive ARC. This book gripped me from page 1 with a music superstar itching to get away from stardom and an overpowering manager and clinging to her past love of Audrey Hepburn films. When she finds herself in Rome, Kentucky, she lands a busted car on the front lawn of a surly Luke from Gilmore Girls-type, Noah, a pie shop owner who is very resistant to her pop star big city ways. I adored their little love story, but what really clinched this book for me was the precious town and townspeople. It was like a warm bowl of chicken noodle soup, and I clung to every page wanting to not leave the town, just as Amelia struggles with throughout the text. What a cuuuuuuuute story that I was devastated to end.

I have read every single Sarah Adams book and they never disappoint. I feel like every new book gives me more and more feels than the last. I hope that one day I find somebody that can make me feel the way that Sarah’s fictional characters do— lol.

I couldn't put it down and I didn't want to. This book lived up to every ounce of hype that I had experienced for it. This book is beautifully written; a gripping storyline with strong characters. It ticked all the boxes of my expectations. I would definitely recommend it to others.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

𝙊𝙥𝙥𝙤𝙨𝙞𝙩𝙚𝙨 𝙘𝙚𝙧𝙩𝙖𝙞𝙣𝙡𝙮 𝙖𝙩𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙘𝙩 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙨𝙩𝙧𝙖𝙣𝙙𝙚𝙙 𝙥𝙤𝙥 𝙨𝙩𝙖𝙧 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙨𝙢𝙖𝙡𝙡-𝙩𝙤𝙬𝙣 𝙗𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙧 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙞𝙨 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙧𝙢𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙨𝙡𝙞𝙘𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙧𝙤𝙢𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚.

📍 Read if you like:
• Small Town
• Grumpy x Sunshine
• Forced Proximity
• Opposites Attract
• Closed Door
• Pie Shops

This book was… incredible… beautiful… wholesome… adorable… absolutely amazing! This is one of those books I wish I could give more than five stars.

I put this book off for way too long, I am so glad I finally picked it up. Sarah Adams is now an auto-buy author, her storytelling skill is incredible.

Pop star Amelia, aka Rae Rose, is overwhelmed and decides to leave her hometown in Nashville. She decides to go to Rome… Rome, Kentucky that is.

On her drive there her car ends up breaking down late at night… where there’s no cell service. That’s when she meets Noah, the grumpy man who runs his grandmother’s pie shop. At first, she’s hesitant, but she eventually ends up taking his offer and stays at this place.

I got such a wholesome emotional experience with this book I wasn’t expecting. The characters were all so likable and the setting was so freaking fun. It made me want to live in a small town. Also, the connection between these characters was so well done.

This is hands down going on my list of all-time favorite romances. Noah has my whole heart and I loved him so much. The small-town setting is always a fav for me and this book was no exception. This being such a quick read, I do wish I could go back and read it for the first time already. I can’t explain how incredible the story was, so I would highly recommend you read it!

Also, this book reminded me so much of Part Of Your World by Abby Jimenez, which is one of my favorite romances!

If you're looking for a heartwarming romance with all the feels, look no further!

This charming romcom follows the unlikely pairing of pop star Amelia Rose and small-town baker Noah Walker, who couldn't be more different from each other. But as they say, opposites attract, and this book is a charming testament to that.

From the moment Amelia rolls into town, broken-down car and all, Noah makes it clear that he's not interested in her celebrity drama. But as he gets to know her better, he can't help but be drawn to her kindhearted and goofy nature. And as Amelia experiences all the joys of small-town living, she finds herself falling for the grumpy yet lovable Noah.

This book is a delightful mix of romance, humor, and small-town charm. The characters are relatable and lovable, and the story is a perfect escape from everyday life. If you’re looking for a heartwarming read, this is a perfect choice. Highly recommended!

I. Loved. This. Book.
It's been a minute since reading a romance novel that didn't have a third act break up. I was obsessed with the storyline from the beginning of the book, and my all time favorite setting is in a small town. This was the first book I have read by Sarah Adams and, let me tell you, it did not disappoint. I immediately need to get my hands on others.

The writing was amazing in the fact that I was all in my feels from the start. The character building was impeccable. And the best thing of all - there. was. no. third. act. break up. In my personal opinion, the worst thing in a romance novel is miscommunication. I was waiting for it the whole time. But with the dual perspectives I could tell when the main characters were falling and when they completely fell - and they let the other one know without holding it back for too terribly long.

UGH I could go on and on, but long story short, this was one of the best romance novels I have read and hope everyone gets the chance to read it.

Well done! I can't wait for the 2nd in this series (which I just learned is a thing!!!)

⁉️What do you have going on this weekend?
I made the mistake earlier this week of jinxing my house by saying we haven’t been sick in a while. Alas, my kid woke up with a sore throat yesterday just days before his birthday. Cool cool cool cool. I’m still sneaking out for a bit tonight for board games with my book club fam.

BOOK REVIEW
When in Rome by Sarah Adams
Published: September, 2022
320 pages
Thanks @netgalley @randomhouse for the gifted e-ARC

This one was a bit of a slog for me.

I think if I didn’t have such high expectations (booktok, bookstagram and goodreads all rave over both this and The Cheat Sheet), maybe I wouldn’t have read it as critically. In any case, it felt pretty repetitive (yeah, we get it, he doesn’t like you, you can’t fall for her, he’s very good looking BUT also sensitive, very strong by also a baker 😒). Speaking of the last two, I think gender roles are meant to be sort of progressive in this but like, aren’t that at all?

Amelia (a pop star) breaks down in Noah’s yard, just happening to stumble into his life and this small town (Rome, Kentucky). He doesn’t want to fall for her bc past relationship trauma. She thinks he hates her bc miscommunication.

I read this with my book club and most of them really liked it. So, chances are you’ll like this one more than me! I recommend most for those that love hallmark movies. It definitely has that vibe.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

#netgalley #netgalleyreads #review #bookreview #bookreviewer #wheninrome #thecheatsheet #sarahadams #romcom #romcomreads #romancebooks #romcombooks #romancereader #hallmarkmovie #bookishflatlay #unpopularbookopinion #bookclubreads #bookstagram #bookishfeatures #bookspotlight #closeddoorromance #februaryreads #likesharesave

When In Rome is an adorable romance about two people unlikely to meet. Amelia (Rae Rose) is a burnt out singer in search of escape. Her car breaks down in Noah's yard in the middle of nowhere. Noah is a gruff, but authentic pie maker who owns a shop passed down to him from his grandmother. I enjoyed their banter and it was a very sweet story. The small town setting was super fun. I also liked the dual perspectives. Definitely recommend if you're looking for something endearing and lighthearted similar to Abby Jimenez. I listened to the audiobook, which was perfectly narrated by Karissa Vacker and Andrew Eiden.

Thank you Random House / Ballantine Books and NetGalley for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

I received this novel as an advance, reader copy from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. The chemistry between Amelia and Noah is great, and I loved their sincerity and comedic relief of the towns people. I recommend this book to those who are looking for a light, feel good read.

you know when you pick up a book and it’s just SO cute that you can’t put it down to save your life? That was WHEN IN ROME for me. This book is like Hart of Dixie meets the Sarah Adams charm.

Here’s what I loved…
-small town setting! I loved all the little details of the town and its residents.
-Noah and his sisters! They dealt with hard life situations, and it was clear how much they love and protect each other. I loved their dynamic, their banter. I can’t wait to see the rest of this series play out.
-I thought Amelia’s journey to figuring out what she wanted was done v well. I don’t want to spoil anything, but I love how her storyline as a pop star played out.

what didn’t work for me…
-this is a personal preference, but I have a hard time when characters say ‘I love you’ after only a couple weeks together. But it’s just a book, and who am I to judge how fast someone falls in love 🤷‍♀️

AT A GLANCE…
rating: 🥰 (really liked)
steam: 🔥/4 (fade to black)
genre: contemporary romance
⚠️death of a parent (past), estrangement of a parent

Amelia, or Rae Rose to the rest of the world, is burnt out from being the princess of pop. On a whim she decides to take her own Roman Holiday to the nearest Rome in Kentucky. When her car breaks down outside of Noah’s house he agrees to take her in until her car is fixed. Noah has his walls up and tries his best to ignore her but Amelia starts to break down his walls as Noah plays tour guide.

I loved it! A completely lovable grumpy/sunshine love story. My heart truly felt for Amelia and how lonely and isolated she felt. But the small town takes her in as one of their own and it is just so heartwarming. And then there’s Noah - who you couldn’t help but fall in love with. Thank you Netgalley and Ballantine for the egalley in exchange for my honest review.

This one was good but something was off about it vs her other books. But still well done and very excited to read more from this author!

I LOVED When In Rome. This was my first Sarah Adams book and it won't definitely be my last! I loved everything about this book from its characters, charm, and of course happy ending. When Rae Rose, an international pop star, ends up in the small town of Rome, it's the break she needs from the non-stop chaotic lifestyle of a celebrity. Little does she know, she'll be bunking up with Noah, grumpy small town pie shop owner. At first the last thing Noah wants is the famous Rae Rose hanging around, but as they get to know each other a little bit more, their relationship takes readers on a journey.

I really loved this book and can't wait for Sarah Adam's next book to come out!

This was my first Sarah Adams book and it was well written. It’s a cute romance, a quick read, good characters, fun laughs, and a small town setting where everyone knows your business. Looking forward to more from this author. 3.5 stars

Enjoyed this but didn’t love it. Sometimes these cartoon covers are hit or miss for me. Overall okay

I've read two books by Sarah Adams now, the first being The Cheat Sheet, and I have to say that I just don't think her books are for me. Though, for what it's worth, I will admit that I enjoyed this more than cheat sheet.

II absolutely loved this book! It was fun, engaging, and romantic. I love a small town romance that's done well, and this is definitely it!

When in Rome was it for me. Hooked and loved it all, I will read more of Sarah Adams books. This was a read worthy book.