Thank you to Netgalley for allowing me to read an advanced e-copy of author Sarah Adams’ newest release, When in Rome, set for publication this September.
I’d like to start this off by saying that this is the first of Ms. Adams’ works that I personally read . . . and I can see why you all love her writing!
To sum up When in Rome: popstar Amelia Rae Rose, burnt out and lonely, decides to run away and channel her inner Audrey Hepburn. She sets out for Rome, Kentucky, intending to spend a few days at a B&B–and her car breaks down in the front lawn of Noah Walker, local baker in Rome. He’s hot, polite, and 100% off-market, but . . . that doesn’t stop Amelia or Noah from stirring up feelings.
I went into this book largely blind, having failed to pick up any of Ms. Adams’ previous books and being unfamiliar with her style. I knew the plot summary, but that was it, and I had no idea what to expect other than a happily-ever-after (I may not have read her previous works, but that doesn’t mean I didn’t do a little research). But, I downloaded it to my Kindle and dove right in.
You guys, I was laughing out loud before the end of chapter one. I was relating to these characters the second they hit the page, laughing at all of their jokes, picturing everything right in front of me, and highlighting a whole slew of beautiful quotes, vivid imagery, and hilarious comments on every other page.
Amelia Rose was fantastic–a total goofball, lover of the classics (hello, Audrey Hepburn?), with a mix of emotions she’s felt the need to tamp down . . . until she met Noah Walker–a reserved baker seeking an emotional connection before letting his vulnerability show, Noah is always trying to do the right thing, and has become an expert on hiding how badly he’s been hurt in the past. Ring any bells? It did for me–I related so hard to the aspects of these characters that it seemed like a little bit of me was actually in this story.
Amelia and Noah’s alternating POVs allow for the reader to get personal insight to both their inner workings–thoughts and feelings, desires and regrets–and who doesn’t love a well-written dual-POV romance? To me this also helps keep the story from going stale–you get a mini break from one character to delve into the depths of another, and learn to love both of them a bit more each time, while understanding the story even better.
The humor in this book was spot-on, the references to classic 1950s culture were perfect, and the blossoming love was beautiful. By the time we get to those comfort scenes (all I’ll say on this is that a thunderstorm has never been more important in a book, and never been more emotional), well, I was all-in and loving every minute of it.
You guys, I read this entire thing within a day. A day! I’m absolutely going to purchase more of Ms. Adams’ works, because I truly enjoyed this one and it was a real mood-booster during a rough day. You know those books that tear you away from reality, and make you feel when you didn’t think you could? Yeah, that’s this book.
4.5 stars out of 5 (or, as we say here on my Extra Scale, 9 of 10), and my sincerest thanks to Ms. Adams for writing this book, as well as Netgalley and Random House for permitting me an advanced copy. Pick it up, guys, you won’t regret it!
SheReadsWorlds 