Sarah Adams delivers a comfort-food romance that prioritizes warmth over complexity in 'When in Rome.' When pop star Amelia Rose flees to tiny Rome, Kentucky after a public breakdown, she strikes up a fake relationship with Noah Walker, the town's taciturn mechanic who initially wants nothing to do with her fame. Adams excels at creating a genuinely cozy small-town atmosphere where quirky locals feel authentic rather than cartoonish, and the Rome setting becomes a character itself.

The romance unfolds at a leisurely pace that allows both Amelia and Noah to heal from their respective traumas—her anxiety and perfectionism, his grief from losing his mother. Adams handles mental health themes with sensitivity, showing Amelia's panic attacks and Noah's emotional walls without making them feel like plot devices. The dialogue sparkles with genuine chemistry, particularly in the quieter moments where the characters connect over shared vulnerabilities.

However, the book's greatest strength—its gentle, low-stakes approach—may also frustrate readers seeking more dramatic tension. The central conflict feels manufactured, and the resolution comes almost too easily. Adams sometimes over-explains emotional beats that would land better with subtlety, and certain plot points telegraph their outcomes from chapters away. The supporting cast, while charming, occasionally veers toward overly precious territory.

This book works best for readers who want emotional comfort over narrative surprise, who enjoy small-town settings that feel genuinely welcoming, and who prefer character development over high-stakes plotting. Romance readers seeking steam should look elsewhere—the physical relationship develops slowly and remains relatively tame. Skip this if you prefer complex, morally gray characters or fast-paced plots with significant external obstacles. 'When in Rome' succeeds as a cozy escape that prioritizes emotional healing and community over dramatic fireworks, making it perfect for readers seeking literary equivalent of a warm hug.