Authors I've Been Meaning to Read - When in Rome by Sarah Adams

At the beginning of the year, I made a list of authors that I've been saying I need to read and commit to reading at least one book by each of the authors in 2026.  Here's my thoughts on one of those books/authors.

Goodreads:  When in Rome by Sarah Adams

Blurb:   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.

My Thoughts:  This was an unexpected delights.  I'm iffy on rom-coms.  Sometimes I enjoy them and sometimes I can't stand them.  This very much landed in the enjoy category.  This is the first book featuring the Walker siblings and we start with big brother Noah.  When he finds a car broken down in his front yard he is confronted by a very suspicious and slightly hysterical woman.  This spiraled into a sweet getting to know you plot with some self-reflection on both characters and a lot of very terrible pancakes.  I did not expect to like Amelia as much as I did but she's an absolute delight and I loved her relationship with Noah.  I'm a sucker for a grumpy/sunshine trope and this was well done with the grump being not too grumpy.  I was also pleasantly surprised by how much of a closed door romance this was.  The focus was very much on the emotional connection between the characters which I very much prefer.  I'm so glad that this is part of a series but I am already eagerly anticipating my next visit to Rome, Kentucky and very much looking forward to seeing more of its residents and the Walker siblings.  My Rating: Really Liked It! (4.5 Stars)