When in Rome | Sarah Adams

 "care is reckless because it doesn’t come with the seat belt that selfishness offers. care has so much to lose, and almost always ends in heartbreak."

    Amelia ‘Rae’ Rose, is in her mid-twenties and in desperate need of a break before her upcoming concert tour, after endless rehearsals, costume fittings, and public appearances. She misses her estranged mother, who tried to take advantage of her stardom. Her demanding agent controls every aspect of her life, turning her into someone who’s always polite and always smiling—a fake version of herself.

    One night, inspired by Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, she realizes she feels just like the movie’s princess: in desperate need of a break from her stressful life. Though she can’t escape to the Rome in Italy, she decides to head to Rome, Kentucky, staying in a B&B to lie low and reflect on her life. However, her plan is quickly derailed when her car breaks down on the front lawn of Noah Walker—a grumpy, brooding, yet charming pie-maker.

    Enter our hero, a kind-hearted man who’s been keeping to himself since his heart was broken by another city girl years ago. Noah reluctantly allows her to stay in his guest room, but he knows he’s in trouble the moment she walks through his door. She’s famous, beautiful, and has a heart of gold. He can’t let himself fall for her, not again. But her car repairs will take at least two weeks, and Mabel, the town’s B&B owner, insists there’s no vacancy. So, they’re stuck together.

    Noah doesn’t use a cellphone or have Wi-Fi in his house and values his privacy. This seems strange to Amelia at the beginning, but soon she is on board with the disconnect from her public life this affords her. Despite their attempts at laying low, the entire town is quickly buzzing about Noah’s love life, excited to have a pop star in their midst. How long can he resist the charm of the adorable woman in his home?

    I really loved the small town vibe Adams creates. Rome, Kentucky is the closest I’ve seen to the beloved Stars Hollow in book format and the author really captured that special vibe. The charming townspeople like Mabel, Harriet and the other busybodies snooped, gossiped, and did everything else I imagine is a crucial part of small town living.

    I was also charmed by both Noah’s and Amelia’s relationship with his sisters. I’ve already read Annie’s story (“Practice Makes Perfect”) so I know how that turns out and it was kind of nice seeing the seeds planted in this story – for both the characters that appeared later on, but also the connection they have in the following installments.

    All in all, it was a very cozy, quick read that did its job of making me forget about real life for a bit by transporting me somewhere nicer, where problems can be quite easily resolved and people are generally kind. I’m looking forward to reading the rest of this cast’s stories.