Tag: when in rome

ARC/ALC Book Review: In Your Dreams (When in Rome #4) by Sarah Adams

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 358 pages
Author: Sarah Adams
Publisher: Dell Romance
Release Date: December 30th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Madison Walker left Rome, Kentucky, determined to prove she could make it in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York, all she has to show for it is a shattered confidence and a desperate need for a fresh start. Coming home isn’t part of the plan—until an unexpected job offer lands in her lap, giving her a chance to rebuild everything she’s lost: the head chef position at a new farm-to-table restaurant in her hometown. The only catch? It comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother’s best friend . . . and the last person she wants to work for.

James has always played it safe, keeping his head down and doing what’s expected of him in the family business and never contemplating anything different—until now when Madison’s happiness is on the line. He’s loved her quietly for years, knowing she’s never seen him as more than an annoyance. Now that she’s back, he’s determined to change that–even if it means he can only ever be her friend. The one problem? His charming, wildly successful younger brother, Tommy, seems determined to win her over first.

Then Tommy is called away on business and Madison and James are tasked with launching the dreamy farm-to-table restaurant on their own. But as the town starts meddling in their relationship, Tommy’s pursuit of Madison grows more relentless, and Madison’s fears threaten to hold her back, keeping things strictly professional becomes impossible. And when an unexpected disaster on opening night collides with a long-simmering sibling feud, both Madison and James will have to face their biggest insecurities—and decide if love is worth the risk or if some dreams are safer left untouched.

Thank you Dell Romance for the ebook and PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook.

OH HOW I LOVED THIS.

I should have known that the moment I picked this up I wouldn’t be able to put it back down. Because y’all don’t even know how addictive this was to read. I LOVE A MAN DOWN BAD OKAY? And James is so far gone the only thing he could see was Madison.

Gosh dang the man created a restaurant just so she’d have a place to come home to and WE LOVE IT. I was obsessed with the dynamic between Madison and James. It’s filled with heated banter and longing gazes, soft touches and tender moments. I love the way they got to be together and I think the level of spice worked out beautifully for the story.

Not to mention I loved seeing all of the previous When in Rome cohort. This whole world is beautiful and I don’t think a page was wasted in Rome, Kentucky. I’ll miss it!!

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: moderate
  • Romance: 2 open door
  • Violence: low
  • Content warnings: loss of parents (briefly mentioned), physical altercation, smoking

ARC Book Review: Beg, Borrow, or Steal (When in Rome #3) by Sarah Adams

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Rating: ★★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 384 pages
Author: Sarah Adams
Publisher: Dell Romance
Release Date: January 7th, 2025
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this rivals-to-lovers romance by the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.

Emily Walker hates having her carefully crafted world disrupted by anyone, most of all her legendary nemesis, Jack Bennett. He’s the opposite of the wonderful heroes she dreams up in her double life as a romance writer, which is why Emily was perfectly happy when Jack left Rome, Kentucky, mid-school year, with his fiancée. The last thing Emily saw coming was Jack’s return at the start of the summer after calling off the wedding and ending his relationship, but he’s here to stay—as her colleague and her neighbor.

Jackson Bennett is glad to be back, eager to renovate his house and work on the next mystery novel under his bestselling pen name. But when he realizes he’s now neighbors with the one woman who has always pushed his buttons, he discovers something he’s even more excited for—thwarting Emily and her petty plans to sabotage his return.

With their chemistry-fueled animosity at an all-time high, Emily accidentally sends an email to their school’s principal that could reveal her secret literary side hustle. She needs to steal back her manuscript, and Jack—she hates to admit—is just the man to help her. Surprisingly, Jack agrees. Will their unlikely alliance put an end to their rivalry? Or could it lead to a steamy plot twist they never saw coming?

Thank you Dell Romance for my gifted ARC!

LOVE LOVE LOVE.

I sat down with the attention of reading a few chapters and then proceeded to stay up until 1 AM and found myself 220 pages in. That’s the kind of hold Sarah Adams and Jack and Emily’s story had on me. Oldest daughters unite because this spoke to my battle weary soul.

I loved the chemistry between Jack and Emily. Good heavens it leapt off the page. I could not get enough of the banter. It’s the level of snark and I hate you but I really don’t that plays so beautifully off of each other. The slow burn and heated moments and those walls come crumbling down. I thought this was utterly romantic and filled with swoon.

BUT ALSO, the growth and love between Emily and her siblings was beautiful. Some hard conversations were had, but ALWAYS such love and support. I adore this family dynamic and the way they all lean on each other in the good and the bad. Seeing all of these characters and the shenanigans of Rome, Kentucky again were worth the wait.

(and let it be known I am begging for details about book four….)

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: mild
  • Romance: brief open door

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ARC Book Review: When in Rome by Sarah Adams

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Rating: ★★★★
Audience: Contemporary Romance
Length: 336 pages
Author: Sarah Adams
Publisher: Dell
Release Date: September 20th, 2022
Image & Other Reviews on: Goodreads

BOOK SUMMARY:

Opposites certainly attract for the stranded pop star and small-town baker in this charming slice of romance from the author of the TikTok sensationThe Cheat Sheet.

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.

Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for an eARC.

SARAH ADAMS DOES IT AGAIN.

I will never get tired of reading Sarah Adams’ books. They are EVERYTHING I love about contemporary romances and her unique and joyful spins on each story make me love every written word. I once again devoured another of her stories in a day and can easily add this to the list of romances I’d recommend you must read.

This story took some deep turns between Amelia and Noah. There was a lot of exploration of self and finding stable ground to move forward. Their meet-cute had me chuckling and all of the antics put a smile on my face. From learning to make pancakes, wearing matching pajamas, and meeting friends turned family, there’s much goodness to be had here.

The plot is a mix of fast and slow and I am so happy that all necessary resolutions were solved by the end. I love a happy ending that’s filled with everything needed to truly be HAPPY. This smile inducing story will just make you feel good.

I really loved the way Amelia and Noah found ways to love each other. The longing looks and subtle touches. And oh my goodness, the endlessly swoony and passionate kisses. Melt my heart perfection. I fell in love with this tiny town myself and all of the characters that I ran across. I BEG of someone to please provide stories for the other siblings (MUST HAVE) because Rome, Kentucky has plenty more to give.

Overall audience notes:

  • Contemporary Romance
  • Language: a little
  • Romance: closed door
  • Trigger/Content Warnings: loss of parents (off page but discussed), a grandparent with Alzheimer’s, mental health discussions, past cheating

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