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katharina90's review against another edition
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
3.0
Your average lighthearted and sweet (decidedly not spicy) romance.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia
Minor: Sexual content
monicafaith4's review against another edition
lighthearted
relaxing
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
1.0
Excruciatingly saccharine. The main character is a privileged pop star whose only flaw is how selfless and deferential she is. This book is entirely too long. Redundant, repetitive, ridiculous internal monologues. Characters are 100% tropes, 0% relatable. No internet or cell service ANYWHERE in this town? You’re telling me there’s not a nearby strip-mall-laden town with amenities? Not possible, could not suspend my disbelief about that or anything else that happened in this book. And the whole time I kept thinking: SHE ONLY DROVE TWO HOURS TO GET THERE
If you need to satisfy your “celebrity/big city girl needs to escape to the small town/normal life,” I would suggest you watch Notting Hill or read Book Lovers
If you need to satisfy your “celebrity/big city girl needs to escape to the small town/normal life,” I would suggest you watch Notting Hill or read Book Lovers
Content Warnings
Minor: Dementia and Death of parent
extrafolklore's review against another edition
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Toxic friendship
Moderate: Infidelity
Minor: Dementia
tuliptohru's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse and Alcohol
Moderate: Drug use, Dementia, and Death of parent
Minor: Sexual content
novellybritt's review against another edition
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I have this thing for celebrity romances apparently and this one absolutely slayed. This was my first Sarah Adams books and it sure as hell isn't going to be the last. The characters felt so REAL. The chemistry and tension between Noah and Amelia were *chefs kiss.* This is a closed door romance but I wasn't even missing the hot and heavy bc the sexual tension Adams built up between Noah and Amelia was hot af.
The small town setting was a win for me, of course. I love it when the townspeople gets into the couple's business hahaha. Noah's sisters and his best friend were great side characters, but also his grandma's bestie was quite the hoot too.
I loved that this was just fluff and has some serious tones to it as well, mostly surrounding Amelia as she tries to navigate who she is in real life besides her famous, pop star persona, Rae. As well as Noah with his grandma and how he is coping with the major life changes.
It was absolutely delightful and the perfect book to pick up for a quick read. The Cheat Sheet will be my next read by Adams!
TROPES:
- small town
- forced proximity
- grumpy x sunshine
- hate to love (more like annoyed to love haha)
- celebrity romance
- closed door
- dual POV
The small town setting was a win for me, of course. I love it when the townspeople gets into the couple's business hahaha. Noah's sisters and his best friend were great side characters, but also his grandma's bestie was quite the hoot too.
I loved that this was just fluff and has some serious tones to it as well, mostly surrounding Amelia as she tries to navigate who she is in real life besides her famous, pop star persona, Rae. As well as Noah with his grandma and how he is coping with the major life changes.
It was absolutely delightful and the perfect book to pick up for a quick read. The Cheat Sheet will be my next read by Adams!
TROPES:
- small town
- forced proximity
- grumpy x sunshine
- hate to love (more like annoyed to love haha)
- celebrity romance
- closed door
- dual POV
Content Warnings
Graphic: Gaslighting and Dementia
laheath's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Admittedly, a familiar plot, but likeable characters, humor, and an overall sweetness make this a fun read. World-famous singer, Amelia, (Rae Rose to her fans), has had enough of the demanding career and being told what to do by her manager, and just wants a break before her next world tour. As is her norm, she finds solace in Audrey Hepburn movies and takes it as a sign from Roman Holiday that she should go to Rome. Since driving to Italy is not possible, the map shows her Rome, KY is the most feasible, so she escapes into the night, telling none of her entourage. Her car then breaks down off the highway in the front yard of Noah, just outside of Rome, coincidentally. Good guy that he is, he offers to help, and when it ends up taking 2 weeks for her car to be repaired, they get to know each other, she meets the townspeople and his family, they fall for each other, etc. It seems like impossible obstacles stand in the way of them having any kind of future, plus they both have things to overcome from their pasts. Somewhat predictable but sweet characters and still a fun story.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcohol, Sexual content, Cursing, and Gaslighting
Minor: Car accident, Death of parent, Dementia, and Infidelity
chloelj27's review against another edition
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
5.0
You can’t help but adore the characters Sarah writes and When in Rome is no different (except you Susan!!! If you’ve read this book, you know exactly why I say that). I loved Amelia and Noah together- their banter, their secret glances, their slight jealousy and protectiveness of one another. I adored all the other relationships that came with the story too - Noah and his sisters, James and Noah, Amelia and Noah’s sisters too! Not to mention how amazing the community of Rome was!
I really related to this story in terms of Amelia’s self doubts, mental and physical exhaustion as well as Noah’s reluctance to open up to people and love again. I’m so proud of them both for their journey as a couple and as individuals.
The story is such a heartwarming, beautiful romance, but packs a punch of emotional scenes and quotes too. The romance had me smiling from ear to ear and Noah is just the perfect gentleman! When in Rome had me both laughing and crying (yes, I even cried at the dedication because I miss my nan too) and I hated the thought of finishing it.
I really related to this story in terms of Amelia’s self doubts, mental and physical exhaustion as well as Noah’s reluctance to open up to people and love again. I’m so proud of them both for their journey as a couple and as individuals.
The story is such a heartwarming, beautiful romance, but packs a punch of emotional scenes and quotes too. The romance had me smiling from ear to ear and Noah is just the perfect gentleman! When in Rome had me both laughing and crying (yes, I even cried at the dedication because I miss my nan too) and I hated the thought of finishing it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Toxic relationship and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Dementia, Alcohol, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity
rickireadss's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
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
5.0
this was so cozy. i loved the small town guy/city gal but make her a famous singer aspect. noah was kinda a d!ck in the first 20ish% but he came around (thankfully). i still loved his grumpy-surliness even while he was being a douche-canoe. this was just all around a fun little read. it also is closed door/fade-to-black if you don’t like spice or just want the cozy romance w/ no sex-on-page kinda read!! it read like a really good hallmark movie, so if this ever does get adapted, i would 100% watch it :)
⚠️tw/cw: alcohol, emotional abuse, death of parent, toxic relationship, dementia, infidelity, death
⚠️tw/cw: alcohol, emotional abuse, death of parent, toxic relationship, dementia, infidelity, death
Content Warnings
Moderate: Death, Alcohol, Death of parent, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, and Dementia
arthur_ant18's review against another edition
emotional
funny
lighthearted
relaxing
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Dementia, Cursing, Toxic relationship, Toxic friendship, Gaslighting, and Death of parent
Minor: Infidelity, Alcohol, and Sexual content
laura_berger's review against another edition
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Minor: Death of parent, Dementia, and Alcohol