Book Review: When in Rome by Sarah Adams

Posted September 23, 2022 by WendyW in Book Review, bookblogger, Uncategorized / 44 Comments

When in Rome
One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

by Sarah Adams
Publication Date September 17, 2022
Published by Random House Publishing Group
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Goodreads
Genres: Fiction / Romance / Contemporary
Pages: 320
Format: ARC

***I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.***


Opposites certainly attract for the stranded pop star and small-town baker in this charming slice of romance from the author of the TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet.

"This modern take on the Hepburn classic Roman Holiday is a quick, fun, slow-burn rom-com."--Abby Jimenez, bestselling author of The Friend Zone

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.


When in Rome by Sarah Adams is a delightful, opposites attract romance set in the small town of Rome, Kentucky.  I enjoyed this fun, light romance very much. 

Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose to her fans is a famous pop star, but she needs a break.  As an Audrey Hepburn fan, she decides to go on a Roman Holiday, but Rome, Italy is too far away so she finds the closest town to her named Rome, and ends up in Rome, Kentucky.  Unfortunately, her car breaks down on the edge of town, in Noah’s front yard.  Noah’s house is so far from town, that he doesn’t have cell service, nor does he have internet at his house.  

Noah recently took over his grandmother’s pie shop, after a devastating break-up with a woman he was going to marry.  Rome is a typical small town where gossip is the lifeblood of the town, but Noah doesn’t want to do anything to be the target of the gossip ever again.  He reluctantly lets Amelia stay with him until she can get her car fixed.  But, what will happen when they spend all this time together?  

I liked this book nod to the movie Roman Holiday and Audrey Hepburn.  Although Rome, Kentucky doesn’t have the same glamor as Rome, Italy, I liked the way Noah took Ameilia around town and showed her the sights.  I enjoyed Noah very much.  He was the perfect wounded, closed-off hero, with a heart of gold inside.  

Amelia is fun and quirky but doesn’t seem like a pop star to me, but that’s okay, she’s still an interesting character and the perfect love interest for Noah.   I also enjoyed Noah’s sisters and the way they meddled in his life.  

Overall, I enjoyed this cute, light romance and want to read more books by Sarah Adams.  I received a complimentary copy of this book.  The opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

About Sarah Adams

Born and raised in Nashville TN, Sarah Adams loves her family, warm days, and making people smile.

Sarah has dreamed of being a writer since she was a girl, but finally wrote her first novel when her daughters were napping and she no longer had any excuses to put it off.

Sarah is a coffee addict, a British history nerd, a mom of two daughters, married to her best friend, and an indecisive introvert. Her hope is to always write stories that make you laugh, maybe even cry; but always leave you happier than when you started reading.

Have you read When In Rome? Does it appeal to you?

44 responses to “Book Review: When in Rome by Sarah Adams

  1. Great review, Wendy. I currently have the audio version on hold at my library. I’m not a celebrity watcher but but some reason I still love a good celeb-in-hiding or celeb-taking-a-break story. And this one sounds really cute. 🙂

  2. Slow burn romances aren’t usually my cup of tea but I like that it is somewhat like Roman Holiday – that is very cool! Excellent review!

  3. Thanks for visiting and participating in my Random Thoughts post. I loved Lessons in Chemistry. It surprised me. I was expecting a frivolous book about TV cooking shows. It was really a feminist book. Loved it.

  4. This sounds so cute! I do love the movie Roman Holiday, and it’s fun that the author spun off of it a bit with this book. 😀

  5. Lovely review of this fun read Wendy! I love both Audrey Hepburn and Roman Holiday – I have a lovely photo I took in Rome of an Audrey Hepburn shop!

  6. Wonderful review Wendy! This sounds like such a fun read with interesting characters. I like that Noah took Ameilia to see the town. Even though it’s not as glamorous, I’m sure it was a ton of fun. Thanks for sharing!

  7. Joanna @ TheGeekishBrunette

    My sister and others have raved about this author and I really need to give her a try. Great review!