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callidoralblack's review against another edition
- Loveable characters? Yes
Moderate: Toxic relationship
Minor: Cursing, Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Abandonment, and Alcohol
kelly_e's review against another edition
- 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
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."
Moderate: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Grief, Stalking, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, Abandonment, and Alcohol
Minor: Body shaming, Infidelity, and Sexual content
rissaread's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Minor: Sexual content, Dementia, Car accident, Death of parent, and Alcohol
whateves99's review against another edition
- 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
My fave quote
Graphic: Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Dementia, Death of parent, and Gaslighting
Moderate: Cursing, Grief, Stalking, and Car accident
lucyrudd's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Moderate: Death, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, and Toxic friendship
crieraylas's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Moderate: Cursing, Sexual content, Stalking, and Death of parent
Minor: Eating disorder, Car accident, and Abandonment
julianacosta_01's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Minor: Car accident
juliaaaaaa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Car accident, and Death of parent
Moderate: Emotional abuse, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Dementia, and Gaslighting
Minor: Animal death, Cursing, Abandonment, and Alcohol
annahamburger's review against another edition
- 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
4.25
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Dementia, Grief, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Abandonment
Moderate: Body shaming, Bullying, Cursing, Fatphobia, Infidelity, Panic attacks/disorders, Sexual content, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Stalking, Car accident, Toxic friendship, and Alcohol
Minor: Drug use, Blood, Medical content, and Injury/Injury detail
jadehusdanhicks's review against another edition
- 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? No
4.0
When the car burns out in Noah’s yard begins a fiery slow ish burn love story.
Both riddled with trust issues and having lived very different lives this story sees them work through and overcome that. Bond with family and battle their issues with each others support.
Graphic: Cursing, Grief, Car accident, Death of parent, Gaslighting, and Toxic friendship