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.

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

trigger warnings: emotional abuse and manipulation, alcohol, anxiety, stalking mention, abandonment, infidelity

The second Noah started describing Amelia from his POV my brain said late Red-early 1989 era Taylor Swift so I was already sus of this book but the vibes were giving soft romance so I trusted that to carry me through. And frankly it was the only thing that carried me through the book at certain points.

There was no smut. Fine okay I can deal. The greater cast of characters in this small town were nosy and invasive as well, like to the point of me wanting to spray them in the face with a bottle and tell them to mind their own damn business. Can also deal bc they're not the main part of the story and to some that's the charm. Not my thing but okay. 

Then came the liberal use of male and female as adjectives. Noah in all his maleness and Amelia in all her femininity and curves. A leather chair was described as masculine. Noah couldn't admit his eyes were tearing up, no it was voluntary eye watering. Aren't we past the point of aggressively hammering on the gender binary? Adjectives beyond masculine and feminine exist. Use them. I'm tired of having to fight through m/f books where the author is desperate for everyone to know their characters are CIS and HET. It's transphobic and alienating. Not to mention also fatphobic because for some reason masculinity is cut muscles and femininity is generous but shapely curves only. End it.

The thing that irritated me the most was that one of Noah's sisters was keeping tally of her siblings swearing because "at least one of us has to make it through the gates of heaven" (im paraphrasing). Admittedly that's not a big issue but paired with the masculine feminine bit I was really not in the fucking mood.

The best moments of this book were when Noah and Amelia were alone or interacting with each other while things happened around them. Their chemistry was off the charts and the way the author managed to create a private bubble for them despite everyone being in their goddamn business was really well done. The tenderness and affection that they shared was really adorable and what allowed me to believe that they fell in love despite the short timeline.

Honestly the romance was so good it kept this book from a 2 star rating. I hope the author cuts the shit in later books. No doubt Noah's siblings are likely next in line if this is turning into a series so I hope some things get updated before they're published.

🌶 (closed door)

Gah, this was so freakin' cute.

I love the movie Roman Holiday. It's perhaps my favorite classic film. So when I saw a novel was coming out pitched as taking a new spin on such a beloved classic, you know I had to get my paws on it.

In short: this book tweaked the only thing I disliked about the 50's gem, and I adored it.

This book follows Amelia, otherwise known as international pop star phenom Rae Rose, as she escapes her hectic pre-tour schedule. An Audrey Hepburn lover, she decides to follow in Hepburn's Roman Holiday footsteps and heads to the nearest Rome... which happens to be a small town in the middle of nowhere Kentucky. What ensues is a deliciously sweet romance between her and the surly owner of a pie shop.

We've got it all, folks: forced proximity, grumpy/sunshine, small-town, chemistry/tension... I flew through this, and I was certainly thinking about the characters when I wasn't reading. It was sweet, sweet, sweet.

The characters are really what made this stand out to me. First of all, I absolutely loved Amelia. She was so down to earth, funny, and just everything I want in an FMC when I pick up a romcom. Noah was also a total charmer, even though he had a bit of a grumpy/surly attitude. Certainly not your traditional highly-suave charmer, but absolutely adorable nonetheless. Watching him slowly open up to Amelia and learn to trust her was a highlight for sure, not to mention how kindhearted he was, how aware of Amelia's needs and safety he was. Additionally, as with most good small-town romances, the cast of side characters was on point. I'm particularly partial to Mabel… If I'm not like that when I'm a senior citizen, I've done something wrong.

This is an excellent pick for those who don't want to see smut in their romance novels – it was a closed-door romance that at the same time didn't feel prudish. While it's no secret I certainly don't mind spice, it's great to see super solid options available for people who'd prefer not to read about the nitty gritty but still want adult romance vs. YA. I respect it.

Another point in its favor:

no third-act breakup!

Wish this was more common. I'm gonna start tracking when books don't have it so I can lavish fine jewels on them.

Plus, the epilogue in the form of an online blog post made so much sense. It was the perfect little bow to tie on a wholeheartedly sweet story.

Apparently I was in the mood to ramble today. Oh well. TL;DR: this Roman Holiday inspired romcom was a delight from cover to cover and is most certainly worth the read.