From the publisher:
Opposites certainly attract for the stranded pop star and small-town baker in this charming slice of romance from the author of the TikTok sensation The Cheat Sheet.
“This modern take on the Hepburn classic Roman Holiday is a quick, fun, slow-burn rom-com.”—Abby Jimenez, bestselling author of The Friend Zone
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.
https://amzn.to/3EhBCDb
This author was new to me – I think this is her second book and I will be looking for the first. This was a sweet, small town romance with a celebrity twist.
Amelia Rose, best known as Rae Rose, a famous pop singer, needs a break. Things have gotten strained with her mother, her manager is constantly telling her how to live her life, and she has a small window before her world tour kicks off. She decides to take a “Roman Holiday” like her favorite Audrey Hepburn movie. She doesn’t have time for Rome, Italy, so she picks Rome, Kentucky. She jumps in her old car, the one she’s had since high school, and of course the car breaks down just as she reaches town. There’s no cell service, it’s getting dark, and she figures she’ll just lock herself into her car until morning. Except this cute guy is knocking on the window and offering to help.
Amelia isn’t sure she can trust him, so he calls someone and hands her the phone. This old woman tells her he’s a good guy and she decides to risk it. Noah is an old curmudgeon in a hot young man’s body. He isn’t thrilled about having a house guest but he’s been raised well enough to know he can’t leave a woman stranded. The only mechanic in town will come get the car in the morning and they’ll figure things out. Oh, and he doesn’t recognize her which works for her.
It’s going to take a couple of weeks to get the parts needed to fix the car, and the only hotel in town is a B&B who claims to be full. So Noah grudgingly tells her she can stay with him. She really needs a break from her life and is happy to spend it in this small town. But Noah’s sisters immediately recognize her, and soon the whole town is in on her identity but also in on keeping her hidden from the papparazzi who eventually show up.
Amelia and Noah have a strong attraction to one another, but he has been burned badly before by a woman he fell in love with and followed to New York. He is not going to make that same mistake again. Amelia knows she cannot stay here, she has committments that she cannot get out of so she’s being careful, guarding her heart. Best laid plans and all that…lead to an affair that is sure to break both their hearts unless they can figure out a way past all their obstacles. I mean the man can bake, he’s a keeper!
I loved this town and all the quirky characters and couldn’t help but root for Amelia and Noah to find their happy ending. This was a fast, fun read and I highly recommend!
11/2022 Stacy Alesi, AKA the BookBitch
WHEN IN ROME by Sarah Adams. Dell (September 20, 2022). ISBN: 978-0593500781. 320p.
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