One Golden Summer.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I never anticipated Charlie Florek. 

Good things happen at the lake. That’s what Alice’s grandmother says, and it’s true. Alice spent just one summer at a cottage with Nan when she was seventeen—it’s where she took that photo, the one of three grinning teenagers in a yellow speedboat, the image that changed her life. 

Now Alice lives behind a lens. As a photographer, she’s most comfortable on the sidelines, letting other people shine. Lately though, she’s been itching for something more, and when Nan falls and breaks her hip, Alice comes up with a plan for them both: another summer in that magical place, Barry’s Bay. But as soon as they settle in, their peace is disrupted by the roar of a familiar yellow boat, and the man driving it. 

Charlie Florek was nineteen when Alice took his photo from afar. Now he’s all grown up—a shameless flirt, who manages to make Nan laugh and Alice long to be seventeen again, when life was simpler, when taking pictures was just for fun. Sun-slanted days and warm nights out on the lake with Charlie are a balm for Alice’s soul, but when she looks up and sees his piercing green gaze directly on her, she begins to worry for her heart. 

Because Alice sees people—that’s why she is so good at what she does—but she’s never met someone who looks and sees her right back. 

 

 🌷

 
A summer you'll never forget. 

I discovered Carley Fortune last year, when I read This Summer Will Be Different for my book club. I fell in love with Sam and Percy's story when I read Every Summer After last month. I'd heard about One Golden Summer for a while, and after reading Every Summer After, I was even more curious to read Charlie's narrative. I can see why so many people fell in love with Charie and Alice’s story. There was something about the two of them, a connection that they shared, that made you cheer for both. Even their families knew they were in love before they did. I like Sam and Percy's story, but I preferred Charlie and Alice's; I felt more connected to them. The book had no dull moments; I couldn't put it down because I needed to find out what happened next to Alice and Charlie. 

In Every Summer After, I had conflicting thoughts about Charlie, but I was still interested in his story and wondered if there might have been reasons for his actions. Now, Charlie is one of my favorite characters. I couldn't help but smile at the way he treated Alice; it was obvious right away how much he loved her. All I want is for the two of them to finally acknowledge their feelings for one other and quit being stubborn. In addition, I loved Charlie's connection with Nan and his dedication to her needs. While reading this book, I experienced a wide range of emotions, including laughter, tears, and even a few eye rolls due to Alice and Charlie's banter. There is no way that you will be able to put One Golden Summer down. 

I adored the book's setting and the opportunity to visit Barry's Bay again. I felt as though I had transformed there because of the descriptions. I wished I had been at the Lake after finishing the book. There were few scenes between Alice and Charlie that had me smiling nonstop. I finished it last night and I still can’t get the story out of my mind, and I even recommended it to few of my friends. It’s the perfect book for the summer, and I can’t wait to see what adventure Carley Fortune will take us on next!

Say You'll Remeber Me. (Say You'll Remember Me,#1)

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

There might be no such a thing as a perfect guy, but Xavier Rush comes disastrously close. A gorgeous veterinarian giving Greek god vibes—all while cuddling a tiny kitten? Immediately yes. That is until Xavier opens his mouth and proves that even sculpted gods can say the absolute wrong thing. Like, really wrong. Of course, there’s nothing Samantha loves more than proving an asshole wrong…  

 

. . . unless, of course, he can admit he made a mistake. But after one incredible and seemingly endless date—possibly the best in living history—Samantha is forced to admit the truth, that her family is in crisis and any kind of relationship would be impossible. Samantha begs Xavier to forget her. To remember their night together as a perfect moment, as crushing as that may be. 

Only no amount of distance or time is nearly enough to forget that something between them. And the only thing better than one single perfect memory is to make a life—and even a love—worth remembering. 

 

 🌷

 
A must read. 

Once again, I am at a loss for words. My heart felt like it had been ripped apart, just to be repaired a second later. I've read a lot of intense, heartbreaking novels, but none have affected me as much as this one has. I can see why Abby Jimenez is such a popular author, and why readers connect with her characters. Say You'll Remember Me is the second novel that I read by the author, and I already know she’ll become one of my favorite authors. Abby Jimenez is an author I wish I had read sooner, but now that I have, I can't wait to read more of her books. Say You'll Remember Me is more than just a love story; it's about devotion, sacrifice, family, and courage. I can't stop thinking about this book, and I know I won't be able to forget it for a long time. 

This is the story, and I would give it more than five stars. It deserves so much more! I loved Samantha, and I love the devotion she put into taking care of her mother, and I knew that it wasn’t easy. My great grandmother had dementia, and even though I wasn’t her caregiver, I saw her decline when I saw her. It was hard. However, I can’t imagine seeing that every day and having to take care of that person. My heart broke for Samantha and her family, and there were times that I felt the fear, the heartbreak they felt. There were times that I cried. I'm thankful that Samantha had Xavier, and I believe she made it through because he was there when she needed him. They refused to give up, no matter what was going on or how difficult the situation was. 

I adored Samantha and Xavier's relationship. They had the kind of relationship that everyone desires. Every girl dream of having a boyfriend like Xavier. You could see their connection from the moment they met, and I loved how their relationship evolved; you could feel their love for each other. Long-distance relationships are difficult, and sometimes I wondered how long they would last. Throughout the novel, I found myself rooting for the two of them, hoping that they would find a way to be together. As of now, this is my favorite novel by Abby Jimenez, and I am hopeful that Samantha and Xavier will appear in the next one. If you enjoy romance with some drama, you should check this one out! Prepare for an emotional roller coaster!

Dream On,Ramona Riley(Clover Lake,#1)

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★ 

 Thank you to publisher, Berkley for providing me with ARC Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own. 

 

 

 RELEASE DATE: MAY 13,2025

Once upon a time, Ramona Riley was a student at a prestigious art school, with dreams of landing in Hollywood as a costume designer to the stars. But after her father’s car accident, she had to quit and return to her small New Hampshire town, Clover Lake, to help take care of her younger sister. Twelve years later, Ramona is still working at the town’s café, all but given up on her dream. But when a big-budget romantic comedy comes to Clover Lake to film, she wonders if this could be her chance. There’s only one problem—Dylan Monroe, her first kiss and Hollywood’s favorite wild child—is the star. 

Dylan Monroe has always lived an unconventional life, having famous rock icons for parents. But she wants to prove that she’s not some chaotic, talentless nepo baby, that she has actual skills, that she’s just a normal person. To do that, Dylan takes on a project at a charming lake town—she even works at the town’s café (very quaint), shadowing a local waitress there (very cute), and asks her to take Dylan around to do Normal People Things. 

But Dylan soon realizes it’s not just some small-town waitress she’s getting to know—Ramona Riley is someone she’s met before, someone who remembers her even more vividly. Before long, however, reality hits them, and both women must decide if the spark between them can fan the flames of their individual dreams, or if it will extinguish their light. 

 

 🌷

 
Heartwarming. A story that you won’t be able to put down. 

This is the book where I'm not sure where to start. There were so many things I loved about this book. Dream On, Ramona Riley is the type of story that I like about romance books, and it wasn't just a romance book, but it was so much more. Dream On, Ramona Riley is a story of friendship, second chances, and dreams. I love second chance romance, especially given Ramona and Dylan's history. Even before Dylan learned who Ramona was, he could tell there was something special between them. I felt like the relationship moved a little too quickly. There were moments when I questioned Dylan's feelings for Ramona. There was something about it that initially made me hesitant. However, as the book proceeded, I saw how much Dylan cared about Ramona, but I was also concerned about what would happen once the movie finished. 

I've read Ashley Herring Blake's young adult novels: Suffer Love & How To Make A Wish , but it's been years, but I recall loving those two books. Dream On, Ramona Riley was my first adult novel, and now that I've read it, I'm eager to read more of her books. I enjoyed how much character development occurred in the novel, particularly with Ramona, and how Dylan and Ramona's relationship developed, although I wish they were not hiding things from each other. I only hoped that if those secrets were exposed, the two of them could work things out. Those two belonged together. Of course, I enjoyed that it was set in a small town, which is my favorite part of romance novels. 

I enjoyed how well-developed each of the minor characters were, particularly April. Aside from Ramona and Dylan, she was one of my favorite characters in the novel. I adored how April was always there for Ramona, no matter what, cheering her on and offering advice. I'm excited to read April's story in the next book in the series. I'm so glad I got the chance to read this book, and I suggest it to any romance fan!

Summer In Bottle.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to publisher, Kensington for providing me with ARC Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review.  All opinions are my own.

Dumped by her fiancé, opinion columnist Lyla Dune returns to small-town Echo Cove to heal, and to help her parents prep their house for sale. When she decides to open a time capsule she buried in high school, she finds a diary filled with memorable moments from the last summer she spent at home, right before college. Some of the events feel like they happened yesterday. That’s normal. Not so normal is that they actually start happening all over again . 

 
Lyla gets a flat tire in the same spot and is saved by the same person. The same movie is playing at the theater. Her house has the same leak it once had. As her current summer increasingly mirrors that last one, Lyla worries it will end just as with a category 3 hurricane—and with losing Travis, the best friend she was always secretly in love with. If only she hadn’t been too scared to admit it. 

She revisits other fears too, like the fear of rejection that led her to abandon her passion for fiction writing. And when she reconnects with Travis, Lyla becomes certain that unless she does what her younger self was unable to do, she’ll suffer the same regrets. But if this time around she can gather her courage, maybe the life that was falling apart when she arrived will fall back together—even better than before. 

 

 🌷

 

 
Heartwarming. 

There's something about Annie Rains' books. I've read several of her works, and not one of them has failed to captivate me. When I saw Summer In The Bottle, I knew I wanted to check it out. The author and title were what drew me in, and I was eager to read it. As I began reading Summer In The Bottle I knew I was in trouble since I couldn't put down the book. If I weren't on a trip to Disney with my grandma, I would probably spend the entire day reading the book. I had a sense I'd adore this novel, but I wasn't expecting to fall in love. There was so much to enjoy about this book, including the plot, the characters, and everything the characters had to go through, particularly Lyla. Every page drew me into the story more, making me wonder what would happen next. I should know how much this story would affect me. 

I adored the friendship that she developed with Allison. I know that she was hesitant at first, but I’m glad that she gave her a chance. At first, just like Lyla, I wasn’t sure about Allison but it didn’t take me long to change my mind about her. She ended up becoming one of my favorite characters. Allison, I believe, was the type of friend Lyla needed. I enjoyed reading the opinions from Lyla at the beginning of each chapter. Each one had me wondering which opinion would come next. Lyla, of all the characters in the book, had the most character growth by the end. I admired how confident she grew and how clear her goals were. I do believe that both Allison and Travis helped her with that. 

I love the idea of a time capsule. I have read about those before, and they always fascinated me. I loved Travis and Lyla, and the way that the two of them seemed to connect. I couldn’t wait to see what would happen with them next. There wasn’t a single dull moment in this book. Each page had me craving for more. I would highly recommend picking this book up! I’m eager to see what Annie Rains has in store for us next!

Great Big Beautiful Life.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

4.5★

Alice Scott is an eternal optimist still dreaming of her big writing break. Hayden Anderson is a Pulitzer-prize winning human thundercloud. And they’re both on balmy Little Crescent Island for the same reason: To write the biography of a woman no one has seen in years--or at least to meet with the octogenarian who claims to be the Margaret Ives. Tragic heiress, former tabloid princess, and daughter of one of the most storied (and scandalous) families of the 20th Century. 

 
When Margaret invites them both for a one-month trial period, after which she’ll choose the person who’ll tell her story, there are three things keeping Alice’s head in the game
One: Alice genuinely likes people, which means people usually like Alice—and she has a whole month to win the legendary woman over. 

Two: She’s ready for this job and the chance to impress her perennially unimpressed family with a Serious Publication 

Three: Hayden Anderson, who should have no reason to be concerned about losing this book, is glowering at her in a shaken-to-the core way that suggests he sees her as competition.
But the problem is, Margaret is only giving each of them pieces of her story. Pieces they can’t swap to put together because of an ironclad NDA and an inconvenient yearning pulsing between them every time they’re in the same room. 

And it’s becoming abundantly clear that their story—just like the tale Margaret’s spinning—could be a mystery, tragedy, or love ballad…depending on who’s telling it.

                       🌷

 
I love Emily Henry. I have fallen in love with her writing ever since I read Book Lovers in 2022. She writes the kind of books that keeps you reading late into the night, and when you’re not reading, you’re thinking about it and wondering what happens next. I have been excited about Big Beautiful Life ever since Emily Henry announced it on her social media. I was lucky that one of my best friends decided to get the book for me. I like the fact that the story was about two writers; I enjoy books about books. I was immediately engrossed in Hayden and Alice’s story, and was eager to find out which one of them would get the job. I was little suspicious of Margaret, and fact that she was giving both Hayden and Alice a ‘trial’, and it could been just me but I felt that there was a reason that she wasn’t informing them about it. I was eager to find out if I was right about her. 

I've read a few of Emily Henry's works over the years. I've heard that Great Big Beautiful Life was different from her other books. I wasn't sure what to anticipate when I started this book, but I was eager to find out. Not shortly after starting the book, I realized what everyone was talking about. Her past works were more romance centered, but Big Beautiful Life were so much more than that, it felt like it was more women's fiction than romance, and that was one of the things I liked about this book. I liked that Henry took a different approach for this novel, and it worked for her. I felt that the book started slowly, and it took me a while to become immersed in Margaret's story, but once it did, I wanted to know more. I liked how Margaret's story included both their perspective and the real version. However, I was skeptical about what Margaret was telling Hayden and Alice, I felt as if she wasn’t being honest. It was mostly the way she would tell the story. I couldn’t help but wonder what she was hiding, and why. 

I adored both Hayden and Alice, but it took me some time to warm to Hayden. Alice was my favorite of the two characters, and I felt more connected to her. I believed that Hayden and Alice's relationship progressed too quickly at start, as if they hardly got to know one another. It didn't take me long to realize how much the two of them cared for each other. However, I couldn't help but wonder how this would influence their future employment. Great Big Beautiful Life is the type of books that has you thinking at times, and reflect on your life and the choices that you had made. Even if you haven’t read an Emily Henry book, I would highly recommend checking this book out.

Broken Country.

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★

 

 

“The farmer is dead. He is dead, and all anyone wants to know is who killed him.”

Beth and her gentle, kind husband Frank are happily married, but their relationship relies on the past staying buried. But when Beth’s brother-in-law shoots a dog going after their sheep, Beth doesn’t realize that the gunshot will alter the course of their lives. For the dog belonged to none other than Gabriel Wolfe, the man Beth loved as a teenager—the man who broke her heart years ago. Gabriel has returned to the village with his young son Leo, a boy who reminds Beth very much of her own son, who died in a tragic accident. 

As Beth is pulled back into Gabriel’s life, tensions around the village rise and dangerous secrets and jealousies from the past resurface, this time with deadly consequences. Beth is forced to make a choice between the woman she once was, and the woman she has become.

 

 🌷

 
Beautifully written. Heartbreaking Mysterious. 

I'm so glad I finally had the chance to read this book. I was fortunate to come across Broken Country under new materials at my library, given how popular the book was. I adored the characters, the plot and the setting. This book evoked every emotion in me, including heartbreak, despair, happiness, love, and hope. I felt myself going through the same emotions as Beth and the rest of the characters. The writing was so beautifully written, almost poetic. It drew me deeply into the lives of the characters, and I felt as if I knew each one personally. I couldn't put the book down because I needed to know how the story would end. 

I loved the rural atmosphere of this book, and it made me imagine myself in the English countryside. I loved that the story was told in dual timeframes, with each part focusing on a different character who was an essential part of Beth's life. Even though the novel was given from Beth's point of view, the author's descriptions let me feel the feelings of the other characters. However, I believe that telling the narrative from the perspectives of Beth, Gabriel, and Frank would be even more interesting, as it would provide each of their perspectives on what happened. Sometimes I couldn't help but wonder what Frank and Gabriel were feeling. 

This was one of those books where I adored most of the characters. I couldn't help but love Frank and Gabriel. Broken Country was one of those books where I wasn't sure who the main character should end up with. I'm not sure why, but the cover reminded me of The Wizard of Oz, one of my favorite childhood books. I was curious by the title, Broken Country , when I first heard about the book. Now that I read the book, it first the story perfectly. This is not a story you'll forget. I am still thinking about it. A part of me wants to pick up the book and read it again. I would highly recommend checking this book out.

The Homewreckers.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Hattie Kavanaugh went to work helping clean up restored homes for Kavanaugh & Son Restorations at 18; married the boss’s son at 20; and was only 25 when her husband, Hank, was killed in a motorcycle accident. 

Broken hearted, but determined to continue the business of their dreams, she takes the life insurance money, buys a small house in a gentrifying neighborhood, flips it, then puts the money into her next project. But that house is a disaster and a money-loser, which rocks her confidence for years to come. Then, Hattie gets a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: star in a beach house renovation reality show called The Homewreckers, cast against a male lead who may be a love interest, or may be the ultimate antagonist. It's a question of who will flip, and who will flop, and will Hattie ever get her happily-ever-after.

 

 🌷

 
Heartwarming, mysterious. 

The Homewreckers is my third novel by Mary Kay Andrews, and I'm already in love with her writing. I couldn't get enough of this story, and I stayed up reading way later than I should have. Mary Kay Andrews has a way of keeping you turning pages. When I wasn't reading, I was talking about the book with my friends. I fell in love with the plot and the characters after only a few pages. Every page left me wondering what would happen next, and if Hattie would be able to finish renovating on time, and if she stays with the show until the end. I could not help but worry who Hattie would end up with. 

Hattie was my favorite character. I admired how enthusiastic she was about her job. Hattie didn't do it because she wanted to be a TV star, but she was passionate about repairing the house, even if others warned her, it wasn't a smart idea. I liked the notion that it was a reality TV show; I used to watch restoring houses reality shows with my mom, so that was one of the things that drew me to this book. All the explanations during the makeover had me imagining each step of the process, and I couldn't wait to see the finished outcome. I fell in love with the house just as much as Hattie did. I was impressed of what Hattie accomplished, especially given the challenges that she faced during the renovations. 

My favorite part of the novel was mystery. Like Hattie, I wanted to know what happened to Lanier and who was responsible. Just as I thought I had figured out what had happened, another clue had me questioning everything. I liked how most of the characters came together to figure out what happened to Lanier. I liked how The Homewreckers combined romance, mystery, and humor. In my perspective, there was not a single dull moment throughout this novel. So far, this is my favorite Mary Kay Andrews book. I can't wait to see what other adventures she'll take us on.

Summer Light On Nantucket.

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️

 Thank you to publisher, Random House  Publishing | Ballantine for providing me with ARC via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

 3.5★

 

 

Blythe Benedict is content. Her life didn’t end when her marriage did. In fact, she’s more than happy living in her comfortable house in Boston, working as a middle school teacher, and raising four wonderful children. With three of her kids in the throes of teenagerhood and one not too far behind them, Blythe has plenty of drama to keep her busy every single day. 

But no amount of that drama could change the family’s beloved annual summer trip to Nantucket. Blythe has always treasured the months spent at her island home-away-from-home, and has fond memories of her children growing up there. But this summer’s getaway proves to be much more than she bargained for. 

Yes, there are sunny days enjoyed at the beach. But Blythe must contend with teenage angst, her ex-mother-in-law’s declining health, and a troubling secret involving her ex-husband. Meanwhile, Blythe reconnects with her first love, her former high school sweetheart Aaden. But their second-time-around romance becomes complicated when another intriguing man enters the picture.
It’s all a bit out of Blythe’s comfort zone. This particular island summer may not be as relaxing as Blythe had hoped, but she’s never felt that life has given her more than she can handle—especially when she has the love and support of her family around her. 

 🌷

 
This is the second novel I've read by Nancy Thayer. I will definitely be looking at her other books after finishing Summer Light on Nantucket . The setting description was one of my favorite aspects of this book. As I read Summer Light On Nantucket , I imagined myself on the Nantucket, along with Blythe. I enjoyed the majority of the book, although I felt the first half was slow and difficult to get into the plot. I liked the majority of the characters, with the exception of Bob, who seemed to act more like a child than an adult around Blythe, but I didn't feel the same connection to them as I do when I read a book. I did feel a connection to Blythe at times. I also felt like there wasn’t much of character development in the book, except for Blythe. 

I adored Blythe's connection with Nick; I believed there was a stronger bond between the two of them than between Blythe and Aaden. Throughout the novel, I was rooting for Blythe to choose Nick. In my opinion, Nick treated Blythe far better than Aayden did. Even though I didn't feel a connection to the majority of the characters, I found most of them interesting enough to continue reading the book. The family drama was another factor that kept me reading the book, and I was eager to know what would happen next. The second half of the book had me hooked on the story, and I couldn't put it down by that point. 

Overall, I enjoyed the story. I loved how family-focused it was; those are some of my favorite stories to read about. Summer Light On Nantucket is a delightful, lighthearted summer novel that will have you smiling, even if you don't relate with some of the characters. I recommend checking out this book! I'm looking forward to revisiting Nantucket in more of Nancy Thayer's works!

Phantasma(Wicked Games,#1)

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 4.5★

Caraval meets Throne of the Fallen in this spicy dark romantasy where a necromancer needs help from a dangerous phantom to win a deadly competition, only to find their partnership puts her at risk of breaking the game’s most vital rule: don't fall in love.

 
When Ophelia and her sister discovers their mother brutally murdered, there is no time to grieve: Ophelia has inherited both her powerful death-driven magic and enormous debt on their home. Circumstances go from dire to deadly, however, when Ophelia’s sister decides to pay off the loan by entering Phantasma—a competition where most contestants don’t make it out alive and the winner is granted a single wish.
The only way to save her sister is to compete. But Phantasma is a cursed manor, with twisting corridors and lavish ballrooms, and filled with enticing demons and fatal temptations. Ophelia will need to face nine floors of challenges to win... if her fears don’t overtake her first. 

When a charming, arrogant stranger claims he can protect and guide Ophelia, she knows she shouldn’t trust him. While Blackwell may not seem dangerous, appearances can be deceptive. But with her sister’s life on the line, Ophelia can’t afford to turn him away. She just needs to ignore the overwhelming, dark attraction drawing them closer and closer together. 

Because in Phantasma, the only thing deadlier than losing the game is losing your heart. 

 

 🌷

 
What a thrilling ride! 

I didn't expect to love it so much as I did. I quickly fell in love with the story and the characters, particularly Ophelia and Blackwell. I liked the chemistry between the two of them, but I felt they got too close too quickly, with no build-up in between. Their romance is unique because she is a necromancer and he is a phantom. That’s one romance twist that I haven’t read about before. Forbidden romance is one of my favorite romance tropes to read. I knew they shouldn't be together since it wouldn't work out, but I found myself rooting for them throughout the novel. Blackwell and Ophelia shared such an amazing bond that I couldn't help but root for them. 

Phantasma reminded me of the Caraval series, but darker. I had read a few books involving trials, which always captivated me. This was unlike the others I'd read about. I haven't seen the movie Saw , but I have heard about it, and this reminded me of that, but it wasn't as dark. Every trial left me wondering what the next one would bring and who would make it through. I began to wonder if Ophelia's sister was in Phantasma. I love romatasy genre. However, I haven't been reading as much fantasy as I once did, but I feel this novel will get me back into it. Blackwell and Ophelia have become my favorite characters, and I hope they appear in the next book. I’m curious to see what happened to them afterwards. 

I understand why I heard so much about this book now. When I finally picked up, I wasn’t sure how I would feel about it. Dark romance doesn't always appeal to me. I had no idea what to anticipate. Phantasma took me by surprise in a lot of ways. I'm very happy I chose to read this book! I loved that there was some mental representation in this book. I love it when fantasy books include those. I do feel that the ending was a bit rushed. I couldn’t get enough of this story and am eager to read Genevieve’s story in Enchantra . If you love horror, gothic with some romance in the mix, I would check this book out!

When In Rome (When In Rome, #1)

 

 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

 

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. 

 

 🌷

 
In the last year, I'd fallen in love with the small-town romance trope. Something about it feels soothing. I've been hearing about Sarah Adams, especially since the third book, Beg, Borrow, or Steal, and couldn't help but be captivated by the author and the novels. I knew I'd need to start from the beginning to get to know the characters, especially if they appeared in the other books in the series. I’m so glad that I decided to check this book out. I was immediately captivated by Amelia and Noah's story. Something about Noah and Amelia's relationship made it impossible not to fall in love with them. From the beginning, I was rooting for the two of them. 

Despite Noah's refusal to admit it, I sensed he was immediately drawn to Amelia. Noah was trying hard not to get attached to her because he knew she would eventually leave. I understood his worry but realized it wouldn't be simple because they lived in the same house. I couldn't help but wonder how long it would be before they could no longer hide their emotions. I was curious which of them would fall first. Everyone in town already knew how they felt about each other. Noah reminded me of Luke from Gilmore Girls , mainly in his attitude. I couldn't get enough of their story and couldn't put it down until I knew how it ended. 

I loved Rome, Kentucky. It reminded me of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls. I loved the way that almost everybody looked out for one another. My favorite characters were Mabel and all of Noah's sisters, who added humor to the story, particularly Mabel. All of these made me laugh on multiple occasions. After reading When In Rome , I'm eager to read the remaining books in the series, especially because they involve Noah's sisters. I adored how Noah's sisters made Amelia feel welcome. All three of them will be good friends for many years to come. I disliked Susan more than any other character right away. She made me skeptical from the beginning. She seemed to have too much power over Amelia's life. I loved this book. There are so many other things that I loved about it. I can’t wait to read Annie and Will’s story in Practice Makes Perfect .