🌸Book Review: When in Rome by Sarah Adams

By: The Jassy Diaries|Posted on: March 29, 2026

A soft, intuitive romance that feels like a movie waiting to happen✨

There are some books you read quickly and move on from, and then there are books that linger — not because they were dramatic or explosive, but because they made you feel safe. When in Rome by Sarah Adams is very much the latter. It’s the kind of romance that doesn’t scream for attention, but instead gently invites you in with warmth, sincerity, and emotional intention.

From the very beginning, this book gives off cozy rom-com energy. You can almost see it as a movie while you’re reading it — small-town charm, soft lighting, meaningful glances, and a romance built on care rather than chaos. It’s sweet without being shallow, romantic without being overwhelming, and emotionally grounded in a way that feels comforting rather than exhausting.

What stood out most to me about When in Rome was the intuitiveness and selflessnesswithin the central relationship. There’s a tenderness to how the characters show up for one another that feels intentional. This isn’t a love story fueled by obsession, manipulation, or emotional games. Instead, it’s about presence, emotional awareness, and choosing someone with care — which is honestly refreshing in a genre that often leans heavily on miscommunication and unnecessary angst.

That said, while the emotional foundation is strong, the story isn’t without its frustrations — and those frustrations are worth talking about honestly.

💖 What I Loved: Intuition, Selflessness, and Emotional Care

The heart of When in Rome lies in how the characters sense one another. There’s an intuitive understanding between them — a softness in the way they respond to each other’s needs, moods, and vulnerabilities. It’s not flashy love. It’s not performative. It’s the kind of love that listens.

That intuitiveness is paired beautifully with selflessness. Their relationship doesn’t feel transactional. No one is constantly keeping score. Instead, there’s a quiet willingness to show up, to be supportive, and to care without expecting immediate emotional payback. That kind of dynamic is rare, and it’s one of the reasons this book feels so emotionally soothing.

I also appreciated how gentle the tone of the story is overall. The romance isn’t built on tearing each other down or forcing growth through pain. It’s built through proximity, kindness, and shared moments. It feels like a relationship that could actually exist in real life — imperfect, yes, but rooted in good intentions.

This is a book that understands that love doesn’t always have to be dramatic to be meaningful.

🥀 What Fell Short: Honesty vs. Insecurity

As much as I enjoyed the emotional tone of the book, my biggest critique — and the thing that kept it from being a full five-star read for me — is the lack of direct honesty between the characters.

Too often, the characters allow self-doubt and insecurity to dictate their actions. Instead of speaking their minds or expressing how they truly feel, they assume the worst. They internalize fears. They let misunderstandings grow when they could have been resolved with a simple, honest conversation.

Now, to be fair, this is realistic. Many people struggle with vulnerability. Many people fear rejection or being misunderstood. But in a story that is otherwise so emotionally intuitive, the repeated reliance on assumptions felt frustrating rather than compelling.

There were moments where I wanted to gently shake the characters and say, “Please just say what you’re feeling.” Not in an angry way — but in a hopeful one. Because the emotional connection was already there. The care was already there. The honesty just needed to catch up.

This isn’t a dealbreaker by any means, but it did slow the emotional momentum at times. Instead of watching the relationship deepen through communication, we occasionally get stuck watching the characters wrestle with insecurities that could have been resolved more quickly.

🎬 Movie-Worthy Romance Energy

One thing I can’t stop thinking about is how easily When in Rome could be adapted into a movie — if it hasn’t been already. The pacing, the setting, the emotional beats — it all feels cinematic in the best way.

This is the kind of story that would thrive on screen with soft lighting, gentle music, and lingering shots of meaningful moments. It’s not about spectacle; it’s about atmosphere. And Sarah Adams clearly understands how to create a romantic environment that feels lived-in and inviting.

That movie-coded quality is also what makes this book such a great reread. It’s not just about finding out what happens — it’s about revisiting the feeling. This is a book you keep on your shelf for when you want something familiar, comforting, and emotionally light but still sincere.

📖 Would I Reread It?

Yes — absolutely.

When in Rome is a comfort reread. It’s the kind of book you reach for when you want romance without emotional exhaustion. When you want to feel cozy rather than overwhelmed. When you want to remember that love can be gentle, intuitive, and kind — even when it’s imperfect.

It’s also a book I’d recommend to readers who enjoy slow-burn emotional connections and low-drama romances. If you’re someone who values emotional tone over plot twists, this book will likely resonate with you.

✨ Final Thoughts

Overall, When in Rome by Sarah Adams is a sincere, girly, heartfelt romance that prioritizes emotional care and intentional connection. While it occasionally leans too heavily on insecurity and unspoken feelings, its warmth and tenderness more than make up for it.

This isn’t a book that tries to reinvent the genre — and it doesn’t need to. It knows exactly what it is: a soft, romantic story meant to be enjoyed, revisited, and cherished.

It’s pretty. It’s comforting. It’s emotionally intuitive.

And it’s definitely a book worth keeping on your shelf.

⭐ The Jassy Diaries Signature Rating System

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ (4.5 / 5 stars)

✨ How I rate books:

• ⭐ Emotional sincerity

• ⭐ Romantic chemistry

• ⭐ Character intention & growth

• ⭐ Re-readability

• ⭐ Vibe consistency

When in Rome loses half a star only for the overuse of insecurity-driven miscommunication — not because it lacks heart (it absolutely doesn’t).

💖 Vibe Verdict

“Soft rom-com energy with emotionally intuitive love — cozy, sincere, and shelf-worthy.”

This is a blanket + tea + rainy afternoon romance.

Gentle. Comforting. Movie-coded.

📖 Would I Reread?

Yes — without hesitation.

This is the kind of book you reread:

• when you want romance without chaos

• when you’re emotionally tired

• when you want to believe in gentle love again

It’s not a one-and-done read. It’s a comfort keeper.

💬 Book Club Reflection Prompts

• How does emotional intuition differ from emotional honesty?

• When does insecurity feel realistic vs. frustrating in romance novels?

• Do you prefer slow emotional builds or clear communication early on?

• Which moments made this feel especially movie-worthy?