Reviews with content warning for Gaslighting - When in Rome

Noah and Amelia have my heart.
I laughed and I cried so much during my reading.
It was a delicious rom-com and I have to read Practice Makes Perfect soon!
(Edit a few months after : I still think about the couple and I change the 4,5 rating to 5 stars)

Content Warnings

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."

Content Warnings

jjgraham's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted relaxing 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? No

5.0

oh my goodness this is literally a SIX star read for me. like i cannot explain the amount of love i have for this story and these characters. it truly brightened up my days and had me blushing and giggling. i ADORED it soo much!

Content Warnings

caitlin_d33's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? No
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

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

Content Warnings

thisbookisbananas's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

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

4.75

I am glad I finally picked up this book. TBH I’ve been avoiding it like the plague because of all the hype.
That being said, I absolutely loved this. I find both of the main characters in this book very likable. Amelia is happy but not syrupy sweet. She’s a pop star but is actually a believable down-to earth person. Noah is slightly gruff but really a cinnamon roll. The small town southern setting was absolutely lovely.

Even though When in Rome is a closed door romance, the chemistry just flipping works. Closed door does not mean we have to make room for Jesus, thank you very much. 😆Sarah Adams understands this and does the writing so very well.
Dare I say it? I was more invested and interested than some steamy romances I’ve read.

This was so easy to read and oddly relatable. I can’t wait for the next book following Annie. I hope every Walker sibling gets a book in this series!

Content Warnings

readwithria's review against another edition

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emotional funny 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? Yes

4.0

When In Rome was the adorable romcom I needed it to be!

This book has so much going for it! I had a great time getting to know Amelia, Noah, the Walker siblings, and Rome, Kentucky. The town really was its own character, and the people in it were so easy to love.

I loved reading about Amelia coming into her own and rediscovering who she is. I loved reading about Noah relearning how to trust. I loved reading this book in general, and I'm excited to read more from Sarah Adams.

This is also the third (!) book I've read this year with a musician as the main character, and I have thoroughly enjoyed all of them. It reminds me of why I love my job, and I connect with their artistic struggles on a whole different level.

Read this book if you love
- Audry Hepburn movies
- grumpy/sunshine
- strangers to lovers
- small-town romance
- forced proximity
- silly nicknames

I can't exactly tell you why this book wasn't five stars, but I trust the ~vibes~ and for some reason my gut told me this was four stars, so four stars it is!

Content Warnings

crieraylas's review against another edition

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funny hopeful lighthearted medium-paced

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

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