When in Rome by Sarah Adams

When in Rome by Sarah Adams

The first of Sarah Adam's When in Rome series, the novel of the same name is one of Amazon's Editors Pick for Best Romance and was chosen as NPR's Best Books of the Year in 2022. It deals with body shaming, bullying, infidelity, grief, death of a parent, gaslighting, toxic friendship, and abandonment.

Amelia is an international popstar that goes by Rae Rose, and she is burnt out. This isn't like her, but looking at her calendar of non stop promotional events before the start of her world tour makes her panic. She does what her idol Audrey Hepburn did in Roman Holiday - she makes a break for it. Since Rome, Italy is too far away for a spur of the moment escape from her life (and the paparazzi that comes with it), she heads to the closest Rome she can find. It's in Kentucky. She doesn't even make it into the bed and breakfast before her car breaks down in the middle of nowhere with zero cell service. Luckily, she broke down on Noah's front lawn and he is the consummate gentlemen, even with a gruff attitude. While she waits for her car to be fixed, Amelia realizes that maybe she has been misjudging the people in her life and that there's nothing wrong with taking a little time to herself.

I did not plan to read this book so soon after Practice Makes Perfect, but Libby had different plans. Again, there's nothing to dislike in a Sarah Adams novel. The worst part of this book is that the main characters are constantly fighting themselves about something and it gets a bit redundant because it's always the same thing. But I love the relationship that Noah has with her sisters and the secondary characters in the book are delightful - hardware shop owners who change their sale items everyday, the cranky bed and breakfast owner that is in a constant competition with another old lady in the town, the car repair shop owner that can't be understood when he talks, the hair stylist who works with her mom and is definitely waiting for marriage *wink. Each is quirky and unique and fun to run into. The writing is good, the setting is the best part, and it has a wonderful ending.

I'm giving When in Rome by Sarah Adams 3.75 stars out of 5 and a spice rating of 1. It's my least favorite in the series, but I still enjoyed it. I'm very excited for Madison's story, the last Walker sibling. I think it may end up being my favorite one.

For more information on the author, check her website at https://www.authorsarahadams.com/

Pairs well with vegetable soup and getting bangs if you want to!

Review of Practice Makes Perfect by Sarah Adams - When in Rome book 2

Review of Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams - When in Rome book 3