Reviews tagging 'Toxic relationship'

When in Rome by Sarah Adams

24 reviews

callidoralblack's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted
  • Loveable characters? Yes

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mssophie_reads's review against another edition

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emotional funny lighthearted relaxing fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25


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lizzieb29's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective relaxing slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.75


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kelly_e's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Title: When in Rome
Author: Sarah Adams
Series: When in Rome #1
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.00
Pub Date: September 20, 2022

T H R E E • W O R D S

Wholesome • Fuzzy • Pleasant

📖 S Y N O P S I S

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.

💭 T H O U G H T S

I have definitely seen all of the love for Sarah Adams on Bookstagram over the past couple of years, so when I was choosing 12 authors for my 2024 'Author Taste Test' project, she was an easy choice. I decided to start with When in Rome simply because of the cover and the small town vibes, and went in without knowing much more beyond that.

Take me to the pie shop! The small town setting of Rome, Kentucky was everything I needed and wanted it to be in this opposites attract, grumpy/sunshine romance. The dialogue is filled with quick witted banter that had me chuckling. The developing romance between Amelia and Noah felt wholly organic and I appreciated how their chemistry leapt off the page without it being overly steamy.
I absolutely adored Noah - he is the ideal MMC.

When in Rome definitely has those Hallmark movie vibes, yet without all of the cliché eye-rolling. It was a simple and joyful read with strong character development and just what I was looking for to kickstart summer reading season. Sarah Adams is definitely an author I look forward to reading more from, as I imagine I'll continue with Practice Makes Perfect next because if memory serves me correctly it involves a floral shop!

📚 R E A D • I F • Y O U • L I K E
• small town romance
• male bakers
• Audrey Hepburn

⚠️ CW: toxic friendship, toxic relationship, gaslighting, emotional abuse, abandonment, alcohol, death, death of parent, grief, dementia, sexual content, cursing, infidelity, stalking, body shaming, car accident

🔖 F A V O U R I T E • Q U O T E S

"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." 

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whateves99's review against another edition

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emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

Loved this book I wish I didn’t accidentally read the sequel first but never the less it was such a good romance and it was SO funny. Although some of the narration in the book was a bit confusing because it was like past and present tense to the same time.
My fave quote
Where’s my metal trashcan? I’ll happily climb inside and pull down the lid right now, because I like being Oscar the grouch. That trashcan is comfy, and I really made it home in there

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soupnerd's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring lighthearted reflective fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0


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mosreads's review against another edition

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lighthearted relaxing medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? N/A
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0


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kirstencholewa's review against another edition

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funny lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? No
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

3.0


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janaya's review against another edition

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lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? It's complicated
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25


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martapsalvado's review against another edition

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hopeful lighthearted medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Rolled my eyes at least 15 times reading this (ohh his manly veins and surly pose) but can't say I wasn't entertained. In fact, I was so entertained that I ended up reading for hours straight on a saturday until I finished the book, wish doesn't happen often these days.

I'm not usually a big fan of the grumpy x sunshine trope and even less of insta love. But I loved the characters and the small town dynamic!!

Very curious about the second book focused on Annie!


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