By: Jacqueline Ponce
When in Rome by Sarah Adams is like a warm hug from someone who knows who you are and wants to learn who you have become.
The Story:
When in Rome introduces readers to the female main character, Amelia Rose, known as Rae Rose by the public. She is a famous pop star singer and is experiencing burnout while trying not to disappoint anyone around her. That is until she is inspired by her favorite actress Audrey Hepburn. Inspired by the film Roman Holiday and escape to Rome like Princess Anne–well more like Rome, Kentucky not Rome, Italy. While driving onto her new adventure, her car breaks down in front of Noah’s house. Noah Walker is our male main character and the owner of a pie shop in the small town of Rome, Kentucky. He helps her out by giving her a safe place to stay and reluctantly showing her around. During her time in Rome, she develops feelings for Noah, forms bonds with Noah’s three sisters, and Mabel. She re-learns and re-loves parts of herself in Rome and when her time runs out, she has to make a hard choice of leaving or staying.
The Tropes:
- Small Town Romance
- Grumpy × Sunshine
- Forced Proximity
- Celebrity Romance
- Found Family
- Slow Burn
Themes:
- Self-Discovery
- Burnout
- Family
- Healing
The Characters:
Amelia: She is a relatable character because she is described like a normal human. Most people will go through a period of their life where they will experience burnout and seeing this super star character goes through it shows readers to allow themselves to heal from it. Amelia is first confused on why this is happening to her when she has the life most people dream of having, she has anything and everything she could ever want. But having everything does not mean you will be fulfilled. She learns this when due to fame and her evil manager she becomes estranged from her mother who has always been her best friend and number one fan. This is a vulnerable side to read about a character and then learning how she chooses to navigate it.
Noah: He is the oldest sibling, so you see him struggle with the responsibility of keeping his family safe and happy. A couple of years before the story begins, Noah tries to leave Rome, but two of his sisters take his decision personally. When he returns, he promises himself he would never leave his family again and shut himself off from new experiences, mainly because he left the small town for a woman. But meeting Amelia and growing comfortable around her, he starts asking himself if he could ever make it work with her. While Amelia struggles with feeling trapped by the life everyone expects her to want, Noah struggles with feeling trapped by the responsibilities he has chosen for himself. When he starts letting her in emotionally it helps him develop as a person. During the end he has a heart to heart with his sister and after revealing this responsibility to his family he is able to truly let go and grow.
Mabel: She is honestly the glue that holds the small town of Rome, Kentucky together. She is always ready to hand off amazing advice to those dumb enough not to see what is right in front of them. She is seen as the only parental figure to the Walker siblings after everything they have been through, with their parents and grandmother.
The Relationships:
Amelia and Noah: They have a tender love that shows readers the beauty of trust and loving someone’s true identity with all the flaws and imperfections. It shows loving someone even when they are still learning who they are as an individual.
Amelia and Noah’s sisters: Girlhood lives on through these girls, especially through Amelia and Annie, the youngest Walker sister. When Amelia learns what true female friendships could look like because of them it warms the reader’s heart.
Amelia and Mabel: Mabel takes in another child through Amelia. Amelia desperately needs someone to get advice from while she was estranged from her mother and there was nobody better. The advice Mabel gives Amelia can resonate with a lot of people.
Noah and His Sister: Their relationship really shows the dynamic of siblings with their once-a-week game night and occasional family dinners. By the end of When in Rome, seeing how they have grown and inspired each other just shows how they care for one another. They might be the most realistic siblings I have read about.
Why It Worked for Me:
I relate to Amelia in the burnout aspect and how to heal from it when it is something you used to love to do. Seeing how she is able to overcome it and relearn to love it, was inspirational and reassuring that I would be able to do the same.
When in Rome felt like the book I needed but didn’t know I needed. I truly felt like going home and feeling like I was always meant to be there in an unknown town. I am honestly very happy I stumbled across this book when I did.
This story taught me about myself and the people I keep around me. It showed me that someone truly in love will love you no matter how complete you feel. It reassured me that family will always be by your side and push you to do what is best for you at the end of the day.
The Reading Experience:
While reading I could barely put the book down. The chapters don’t leave you in cliff hangers often, but they do keep you wanting more. The characters are easy to relate to and the small town of Rome keeps you invested and giggly. This small town has a big personality, so I was constantly entertained.
Who Should Read This:
If you want a fluffy romance that can make you laugh and experience big feelings this is the book for you!
Final Thoughts:
When in Rome is the book that can teach you to be your biggest advocate while giving you fun little butterflies. It’s real and hopeful for all that you could experience. It is a story about finding yourself, letting people love you through the messy parts, and realizing that sometimes the place you least expect can feel the most like home.
