{"id":1391,"date":"2024-12-19T12:01:29","date_gmt":"2024-12-19T12:01:29","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=1391"},"modified":"2024-12-19T12:01:29","modified_gmt":"2024-12-19T12:01:29","slug":"when-in-rome-by-sarah-adams","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=1391","title":{"rendered":"When in Rome by Sarah Adams"},"content":{"rendered":"

When in Rome<\/em> is Sarah Adams\u2019 latest addition to her growing repertoire of contemporary romance novels, following the success of her viral sensation The Cheat Sheet<\/em><\/a>. This charming romantic comedy brings together an unlikely pair \u2013 a burned-out pop star seeking refuge and a grumpy small-town pie shop owner with trust issues.<\/p>\n

The Series Overview<\/h3>\n

When in Rome<\/em> kicks off a new series set in the quirky small town of Rome, Kentucky. The series continues with Practice Makes Perfect<\/em> and Beg, Borrow, or Steal<\/em>, each focusing on different couples while maintaining the small-town charm established in this first installment.<\/p>\n

Plot & Premise<\/h3>\n

Inspired by Audrey Hepburn\u2019s classic film Roman Holiday<\/em>, pop sensation Rae Rose (real name Amelia) impulsively drives off in search of respite from her overwhelming celebrity life. Her destination? Rome \u2013 not the Italian capital, but a tiny Kentucky town where her car promptly breaks down on Noah Walker\u2019s front lawn. Noah, a surly pie shop owner with a complicated past, reluctantly offers her his guest room until her car is fixed.<\/p>\n

What follows is a delightful exploration of identity, trust, and the courage to pursue happiness<\/a>, wrapped in layers of small-town charm and sweet romance.<\/p>\n

Character Analysis<\/h3>\n

Amelia Rose\/Rae Rose<\/h2>\n

Adams crafts a beautifully complex character in Amelia. Behind the polished facade of pop star Rae Rose lies a lonely young woman yearning for authentic connections. Her journey from people-pleasing celebrity to someone who rediscovers her own voice is wonderfully portrayed. The author skillfully shows how fame has isolated Amelia, particularly from her mother, making her character arc both poignant and relatable.<\/p>\n

Noah Walker<\/h2>\n

Noah emerges as a classic grumpy-sunshine love interest with depth. His stern exterior masks a tender heart shaped by loss and betrayal. As the caretaker of both his grandmother\u2019s pie shop and his Alzheimer\u2019s-affected grandmother, Noah\u2019s reluctance to risk his heart again feels authentic rather than merely plot-driven.<\/p>\n

Writing Style & Pacing<\/h3>\n

Sarah Adams demonstrates significant growth in her writing with this novel. Her prose flows naturally, balancing humor with emotional depth. The dual POV narrative works effectively, allowing readers to understand both protagonists\u2019 internal struggles.<\/p>\n

However, there are moments where the pacing feels uneven, particularly in the middle section where some scenes could have been tightened for better momentum.<\/p>\n

What Works Well<\/h3>\n

Rich small-town atmosphere with memorable secondary characters
\nAuthentic portrayal of celebrity burnout and family dynamics
\nStrong character development for both protagonists
\nEffective use of the Roman Holiday<\/em> inspiration without becoming derivative
\nBalanced humor and emotional depth<\/p>\n

Areas for Improvement<\/h3>\n

Some plot points feel predictable
\nThe conflict resolution could have been more nuanced
\nSecondary character arcs, particularly Noah\u2019s sisters, sometimes feel underdeveloped
\nThe timeline of their relationship development occasionally seems rushed<\/p>\n

Romance Development<\/h3>\n

The romance between Amelia and Noah develops with a satisfying slow burn. Their initial antagonism evolves naturally into attraction and then deeper feelings. Adams excels at creating chemistry through small moments \u2013 shared pancake breakfasts, late-night conversations, and playful banter.<\/p>\n

Themes & Deeper Messages<\/h3>\n

The novel explores several meaningful themes:<\/p>\n

The importance of authenticity versus public persona<\/a>
\nFamily bonds and healing fractured relationships
\nTrust and vulnerability in relationships
\nThe courage to pursue happiness despite past hurts
\nSmall-town community versus big-city isolation<\/p>\n

Comparison to Other Works<\/h3>\n

While When in Rome<\/em> shares DNA with other celebrity-meets-small-town romances, Adams brings fresh energy to the trope. Fans of Lucy Score\u2019s Things We Never Got Over<\/em> or Emily Henry\u2019s Book Lovers<\/em> will find similar elements to enjoy, though Adams maintains her own distinct voice.<\/p>\n

Final Verdict<\/h3>\n

Despite some minor flaws, it succeeds as both a romantic comedy and a deeper exploration of finding oneself. Adams proves she can craft characters with depth while maintaining the charm and humor her readers expect.<\/p>\n

Recommendation<\/h3>\n

This book is perfect for readers who enjoy:<\/p>\n

Small-town romance with quirky characters<\/a>
\nCelebrity-civilian love stories
\nGrumpy-sunshine pairings
\nCharacter-driven plots
\nSweet romance with moderate steam
\nStories about finding oneself<\/p>\n

Looking Forward<\/h3>\n

The subsequent books in the series, Practice Makes Perfect<\/em> and Beg, Borrow, or Steal<\/em>, promise to further explore the charming community of Rome, Kentucky. If they maintain the heart and humor of this first installment, readers are in for a treat.<\/p>\n

When in Rome<\/em> marks another step forward in Sarah Adams\u2019 evolution as a romance author. While not perfect, it successfully blends charm, humor, and emotional depth into a satisfying romantic read that will leave readers eager to return to Rome, Kentucky.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

When in Rome is Sarah Adams\u2019 latest addition to her growing repertoire of contemporary romance novels, following the success of her viral sensation The Cheat Sheet. This charming romantic comedy brings together an unlikely pair \u2013 a burned-out pop star seeking refuge and a grumpy small-town pie shop owner with trust issues. The Series Overview […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1391","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1391"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1391"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1391\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1391"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1391"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1391"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}