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When in Rome

A Novel

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When in Rome

Written by: Sarah Adams
Narrated by: Karissa Vacker, Andrew Eiden
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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

ONE OF NPR’S BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR

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.

Look for all of Sarah Adams’s When in Rome books:
WHEN IN ROME • PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT • BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL • IN YOUR DREAMS Contemporary Contemporary Romance Fiction Romance Romantic Comedy Women's Fiction Comedy Funny Heartfelt Rome
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What the critics say

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

“Sarah Adams’s books are woven with pure sunshine and rainbows. Perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez and R. S. Grey, When in Rome is a slice of delight that will leave you smiling until your face hurts. It’s everything you could want in a small-town romance, along with a heaping dollop of her signature wit and sparkling charm.”—Amy Lea, author of Set on You

“My Audrey Hepburn–loving heart is so happy! When in Rome is a delectable romance, sweet and satisfying as a slice of warm apple pie.”—Chloe Liese, author of the Bergman Brothers series

“You can always count on a Sarah Adams rom-com to be equal parts funny, sweet, and swoony. When in Rome is all that and more with characters who will make you wish they were your friends, a quirky town you’ll want to visit, and a romance you’ll want to read again and again.”—Sophie Sullivan, author of Ten Rules for Faking It

“Sarah Adams has written the Kentucky-set homage to Roman Holiday I never knew I needed. Full of cozy small-town vibes, a pie-baking hero (swoon!), and a slow-burn romance that will keep you flipping the pages, When in Rome is a charming and comforting escape.”—Kerry Winfrey, author of Waiting for Tom Hanks
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I love Sarah Adams' books. This one is no exception; I really enjoyed this audio version!

Another great book

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It feels very naive. It’s also pg… maybe pg-13. The chemistry between the characters is thready. Very fluffy book.

Weak storyline

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There is something so wholesome and heartwarming about Sarah Adam's stories. I read The Cheat Sheet last year and it was the first friends-to-lovers that I wholly enjoyed. I just read When In Rome and adored it!

I'm not sure why, but I have such a soft spot for books where celebrities are looking to escape the spotlight and fall for the nobody. Maybe it's because I have so much sympathy for real celebrities because I truly couldn't imagine having to live in a world where everyone believes they have the right to your life.

Regardless, When In Rome is a sweet story about how a burnt out pop star, Amelia Rose wants to escape her life for a bit. Inspired by her love of Audrey Hepburn and the film Roman Holiday, she decides to go to Rome. But, since she can't escape to Rome, Italy this close to her tour start date, she decides to drive to Rome, Kentucky and finds herself stranded and the only one reluctantly willing to help is the local pie shop owner.

so cute!

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I was really looking forward to this new rom-com by Sarah Adams especially after reading The Cheat Sheet. That book was so good & so cute.

I really wanted to like this one - the narrators were great. I read some reviewers who didn't like the male narrator - not sure why - I thought he was actually really good - both female & male narrators were great. Unfortunately, the storyline just fell flat.

I feel like if there was a bit more history between the MCs, it might feel more real (ie maybe have the characters know each other over a couple of months instead of a couple of weeks) - just couldn't connect with the romance because it was not realistic at all. I know this is fiction but there has been some elements to reality for readers to connect to it.

Overall, I would rate this read a 2.5 stars

Really wanted to love this but it fell flat

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Couldn’t stop, didn’t sleep just so I could finish it. Loved very minute of it.

Loved it

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