When in Rome: a novel

Adams (The Cheat Sheet) charms with this adorable mismatched romance between an Audrey Hepburn--obsessed pop star and a grumpy small-town baker. In urgent need of a break, pop star Rae Rose (real name Amelia) takes a cue from Roman Holiday and takes off for the nearest Rome she can find: Rome, Kentucky. Unfortunately, her beloved clunker of a car breaks down right as she rolls into town. Luckily, Noah Walker, the owner of a local pie shop, stops to help her out (though first he has to convince her he's not a murderer). When Amelia's reservation at the town's lone bed and breakfast falls through, she winds up staying in Noah's guest room. Thrown together, Noah learns to see the messy humanity behind Amelia's pop princess persona, and Amelia discovers the kind heart beneath Noah's gruff exterior. When someone close to Amelia betrays her trust, she finds her life at a crossroads--and there's no one she'd rather have as her rock than Noah. Amelia makes a complex and believable heroine and Noah is the ideal small-town hero. As light and catchy as a pop song, this sweet romance is sure to please. (Sept.)

Amelia Rose (aka music sensation Rae Rose) is exhausted and stressed-out. Taking a page from her icon, Audrey Hepburn, she decides to go on her own Roman Holiday. Trying to stay incognito, Amelia can't hop a plane to Italy, so instead, she drives a beat-up old car to the closest alternative--Rome, Kentucky. Grumpy, solitary, pie shop owner Noah Walker is irritated by the paranoid, beautiful celebrity whose car has broken down in his front yard, but he calls for a tow truck and even gives her a place to stay until repairs are made. He doesn't bother getting to know her, though, since someone so wealthy and famous must be itching to leave small-town Rome, just like the ex who broke his heart. As Amelia begins to de-stress and find joy in life again, Noah falls for the lonely, silly woman behind the sophisticated facade. Can he trust her with his heart? VERDICT Featuring protagonists with sizzling, slow-burn chemistry and a small town of quirky, delightfully meddlesome residents, Adams's (The Cheat Sheet) charming opposites-attract romance is sure to capture readers' hearts.--Heather Miller Cover

Amelia Rose (aka music sensation Rae Rose) is exhausted and stressed-out. Taking a page from her icon, Audrey Hepburn, she decides to go on her own Roman Holiday. Trying to stay incognito, Amelia can't hop a plane to Italy, so instead, she drives a beat-up old car to the closest alternative—Rome, Kentucky. Grumpy, solitary, pie shop owner Noah Walker is irritated by the paranoid, beautiful celebrity whose car has broken down in his front yard, but he calls for a tow truck and even gives her a place to stay until repairs are made. He doesn't bother getting to know her, though, since someone so wealthy and famous must be itching to leave small-town Rome, just like the ex who broke his heart. As Amelia begins to de-stress and find joy in life again, Noah falls for the lonely, silly woman behind the sophisticated facade. Can he trust her with his heart? VERDICT Featuring protagonists with sizzling, slow-burn chemistry and a small town of quirky, delightfully meddlesome residents, Adams's (The Cheat Sheet) charming opposites-attract romance is sure to capture readers' hearts.—Heather Miller Cover

Adams (The Cheat Sheet) charms with this adorable mismatched romance between an Audrey Hepburn–obsessed pop star and a grumpy small-town baker. In urgent need of a break, pop star Rae Rose (real name Amelia) takes a cue from Roman Holiday and takes off for the nearest Rome she can find: Rome, Kentucky. Unfortunately, her beloved clunker of a car breaks down right as she rolls into town. Luckily, Noah Walker, the owner of a local pie shop, stops to help her out (though first he has to convince her he's not a murderer). When Amelia's reservation at the town's lone bed and breakfast falls through, she winds up staying in Noah's guest room. Thrown together, Noah learns to see the messy humanity behind Amelia's pop princess persona, and Amelia discovers the kind heart beneath Noah's gruff exterior. When someone close to Amelia betrays her trust, she finds her life at a crossroads—and there's no one she'd rather have as her rock than Noah. Amelia makes a complex and believable heroine and Noah is the ideal small-town hero. As light and catchy as a pop song, this sweet romance is sure to please. (Sept.)