When in Rome by Sarah Adams


Publication Date: September 20, 2022


Plot: Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her adoring fans, is burned-out from years of maintaining her "princess of pop" image. Inspired by her favorite Audrey Hepburn film, Roman Holiday, she drives off in the middle of the night for a break in Rome . . . Rome, Kentucky, that is.


When Noah Walker finds Amelia on his front lawn in her broken-down car, he makes it clear he doesn't have the time or patience for celebrity problems. He's too busy running the pie shop his grandmother left him and reminding his nosy but lovable neighbors to mind their own damn business. Despite his better judgment, he lets her stay in his guest room--but only until her car is fixed--then she's on her own.


Then Noah starts to see a different side of Rae Rose--she's Amelia: kindhearted and goofy, yet lonely from years in the public eye. He can't help but get close to her. Soon she'll have to return to her glamorous life on tour, but until then, Noah will show Amelia all the charming small-town experiences she's been missing, and she'll help him open his heart to more.


Amelia can't resist falling for the cozy town and her grumpy tour guide, but even Audrey had to leave Rome eventually.

MY THOUGHTS:

I honestly would read Sarah Adams' grocery list. She is (hands down) one of my favorite authors. While I typically tend to lean more toward romance books with at least a little bit of *spice*, there is something so sweet and wholesome about her books that you honestly can't help but love.


The QUEEN of the closed-door romance, I was so incredibly stoked for Sarah to release a new book, and I devoured the entire thing in a day. After reading The Cheat Sheet earlier this year (which I absolutely LOVED & will be one of my favorite books of all time), I was so anxious to read Sarah's newest release.


Like Sarah's other books, this one was a quick and easy read. But she writes in such a way that you still get completely invested in the characters and their feelings. When in Rome truly felt like a hug. The whole plot of this story, being a modern-day Roman Holiday where the main character runs away from all responsibilities, was honestly so satisfying. I had so much fun reading this book, giggling into my pillow and just overall being very giddy because the book was that good. (Obviously, cause Sarah Adams wrote it, ha!)


This book featured some of my favorite tropes: small-town romance, forced proximity, slow burn—GIMME GIMME. The small-town setting is such a win for me in novels like, not only because it's incredibly relatable (& if you grew up in a small town you'll totally get this lol) but I love when the local people get all up in the couple's business


I love that this book didn't feel like just fluff. You really get to see Amelia as she is trying to navigate her life and career while also getting a touch of the romance she deserves. The characters just felt so real & relatable. The chemistry and tension between Noah and Amelia were *chef's kiss.* 10/10 ABSOLUTELY RECOMMEND.

☆ Rating: 5/5 stars 

FAVORITE QUOTES


“Care is reckless because it doesn’t come with the seat belt that selfishness offers. Care has so much to lose, and almost always ends in heartbreak.”


“I think we'll get hurt a lot in this life, but maybe it's worth it because sometimes we will experience really amazing things, too. Maybe not everything will end in hurt. But we'll never know if we don't try.”


“Sometimes a woman is just worn out and needs a break, you know?...That doesn’t prove that you're weak or neglectful, it proves to all the women standing by and watching you pave the road to success that it's okay to say no. It's okay to shut your door every now and then and put up a sign that says "Busy taking care of me today. Piss off.”

FAVORITE QUOTES


“Care is reckless because it doesn’t come with the seat belt that selfishness offers. Care has so much to lose, and almost always ends in heartbreak.”


“I think we'll get hurt a lot in this life, but maybe it's worth it because sometimes we will experience really amazing things, too. Maybe not everything will end in hurt. But we'll never know if we don't try.”


“Sometimes a woman is just worn out and needs a break, you know?...That doesn’t prove that you're weak or neglectful, it proves to all the women standing by and watching you pave the road to success that it's okay to say no. It's okay to shut your door every now and then and put up a sign that says "Busy taking care of me today. Piss off.”