A Perfect Rom-Com Recipe
Small-town Kentucky. Famous pop star having a nervous breakdown. Moody, wounded pie shop owner. Nosy townspeople. Mornings making pancakes. Bouquets of flowers.
Ahh, can’t you just smell the rom-com cooking?
And that rom-com novel is When in Rome by Sarah Adams. I read this book in about a day, and it probably makes the list for my top five contemporary romance novels I’ve actually enjoyed. When in Rome totally hit the spot, and I’m excited to share about it!
A Summary
When in Rome is presented as a modern-take on the classic Audrey Hepburn film Roman Holiday. I haven’t seen that movie, and the book most likely would’ve read differently (whether positively or negatively) if I had.
Amelia Rose – Rae Rose to her fans – is kind of falling apart. She is overwhelmed by her fame, burned out from a decade of intense work, and preparing for a nine month tour. Plus, she’s lonely. Really lonely. On a whim, she packs up and disappears into the night, inspired by her favorite Hepburn film. Instead of leaving for Rome, Italy, she picks the next closest place: Rome, Kentucky.
When Rae Rose’s car breaks down on his front lawn, Noah feels obligated to help. Against his better judgment, he lets her stay in his guest room (but just for the weekend!). Soon, though, he begins to see that this woman is more than meets the eye and cannot help but be drawn to her.
What Makes When in Rome Stand Out:
It should be pretty evident from the synopsis that there are plenty of tropes in this book. It is a classic rom-com. Here’s what made it stand out:
- The Plot: Unlike many rom-com reads, Amelia and Noah’s romance did not develop immediately. There was instant attraction, yes. But the development from attraction to acting-on-the-feelings was a slower and more reasonable build.
- Character Development: Because the book took its time on the romance front, it allowed for more character development than perhaps some other similar reads. Amelia and Noah both have things they are dealing with, both past and present, and they work on these throughout the book. This makes them more layered and realistic as characters.
- Likable, Layered Characters: I really liked both Noah and Amelia. I found them to be flawed but likable protagonists. I often read rom-coms and think, “Why are you being so stupid?” But I never read Noah or Amelia that way. I liked them individually, and I liked them together. Their relationship had lots of chemistry, but it also had selflessness and honesty. Actual communication. Groundbreaking, right?
- Realistic Resolution: I won’t give anything away, but I appreciated that neither character had to give up their lives at the end. So often, the [big city character] ends up renouncing their career and joining the small town as a new staple townsperson. Or, the cowboy leaves his ranch to follow the girl of his dreams. Whatever the formula may be, I liked that When in Rome didn’t use it.
- Supporting Cast: Between Noah’s three sisters, grandmother, and best friend, it showed the reader a lot about his character. There were nosy townspeople, but there were plenty of people in the book that were much more than that.
- Agenda-Free: For a contemporary novel, Adams did not interject political agenda. The book told a story, and Adams had the courage to write one in 2023 that could stand on its own without bringing in all the hot topics. As someone who largely reads as an escape from the goings-on of the world and the news, that’s what I wanted. Writing has a lot of power, but not every single book put out there has to be pushing an agenda. Sometimes, we just want to read and enjoy, right?
Content Notes
- Some language (but fairly minimal)
- Low spice, but still some spice
Final Thoughts
The romantic relationship was very tasteful, sweet, and appropriate for general audiences. I enjoyed the book being told from both Noah and Amelia’s perspectives. I really liked reading what Noah experienced; it added a lot to the story for me.
There was some cheesy dialogue and plenty of little roll-your-eyes-details (that we all secretly like), but as a whole, it was quite simply a sweet book. I absolutely recommend When in Rome for a fun read!
It’s a perfect vacation pick! It’ll hit the mark for your rom-com craving, but it will give you some deeper enjoyment too. I am excited to read Adams’ sequel soon and am crossing my fingers it lives up to this first book!
Content Rating: Moderate
for language and tame sexual content
Copyright Sarah Adams and Dell. Image from Amazon.
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