Hiya, bookworms. Happy 2026! It’s been a long time (at least seven years) since I last sat down to write a review but “new year, new me” I guess? Not really but this is something I’ve missed, so we’re taking it back to the beginning of my book world journey!
I received this book for free from Libro.fm in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
When in Rome by Sarah Adams Series: Rome, Kentucky #1
Published by Penguin Random House on September 20, 2022
Genres: Romance, Romantic Comedy, Women's Fiction
Pages: 320
Format: Audiobook
Narrator: Karissa Vacker, Andrew Eiden
Length: 9 hours 45 minutes
Source: Libro.fm
Buy on Libro.fm, Buy Paperback on Bookshop, Buy eBook on Bookshop
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.
Sometime last year, I read The Match by Sarah Adams and thought it was a wonderful story (review to come) and quickly moved on to Practice Makes Perfect (Rome, Kentucky #2) but had no idea it was second in series. In Your Dreams (Rome, Kentucky #4) was released last week (December 30, 2025) and I had to start the series at the beginning. The books in this series can be read in any order but the characters do appear in other books so if you’re one that needs to avoid even the smallest spoilers, read them in order.
To truly enjoy a book, I have to relate to it somehow. Looking at When in Rome (Rome, Kentucky #1), I’m definitely not a pop star. So while I have managed a band (that short four years of my life only coming to mind as I’m writing this), not anywhere close to my life now. I don’t own a pie shop, just two bookstores and a publishing company. So kind of got me there. But I can heavily relate to the burnout from constantly working and losing the want to continue what you used to love with every fiber of your being. And I am in a new(ish) relationship. Many of their concerns mirror the past year of my life. From their individual relationship histories to how they learn, grow, and heal separately and together, I saw a lot of myself…and us (that’s still very weird to say). From the reasons they don’t want to get into a relationship to the ways they realize certain things about themselves, I think this was the perfect read for me in this stage of my life and might have just healed a little bit of me too. (I’m not crying…you are!)
When in Rome was narrated by Karissa Vacker & Andrew Eiden, who both did a wonderful job! My only comment is that there’s mention of Noah’s accent but the narration doesn’t reflect that, for which I’m sure there was a good reason. If that hadn’t been said, I wouldn’t have thought twice about it…or once.
If you’re in the mood for a cozy, laugh-out-loud small-town rom-com where a runaway pop star collides with a grumpy baker, serving up charming banter with a side of slow-burn chemistry, this is a must read!
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