About The Book
Burned-out pop princess Rae Rose seeks solace in small-town Rome, Kentucky, where she meets pie shop owner Noah. Initially skeptical, Noah reluctantly offers her shelter. As they bond, Noah discovers the real Amelia behind the celebrity facade. Together, they explore small-town life and open up to new possibilities. But their time together is limited, as Amelia must soon return to her glamorous world, leaving Noah to reconcile his feelings.
Buy The Book: https://amzn.to/4b9x0yb

My Rating

I really wanted to enjoy this book, but it was just okay. Honestly, that’s the best way I can sum up my feelings about it. The characters were alright, the plot was alright, the romance was alright, and the writing was alright. So, I didn’t hate the book, but it didn’t quite meet my expectations.

The main romance trope of the book is “Hollywood starlet falls for everyday person” set in a small town. But it also has “grumpy sunshine” elements as well. I actually liked how the romance between Amelia and Noah unfolded. It felt really natural, and seeing them struggle to resist their feelings was entertaining. Noah wasn’t exactly my favorite leading man, but I found Amelia’s character development quite engaging.

I really liked how Sarah Adams avoided the miscommunication trope in this book. Usually, I’m not a big fan of that unless it’s handled really well, which can be tough. So, it was refreshing to see the author take a different approach. It feels like the book sort of dances around the forced proximity and opposites attract themes. Plus, this was my first time diving into a forced proximity romance, but now I’m hooked and definitely want to explore more of them.

“When the hell did it become such a crime to be selfish now and again?”

I really loved all the nods to Audrey Hepburn in the book, especially with her movies being Amelia’s comfort films. It really tied the story together nicely. Also, I appreciated how the author showcased that most of those classic love stories ended in tragedy. When we’re younger, it’s easy to romanticize love stories, but as we get older, we start to see the sadness in them as well.

This small-town romance isn’t just about love—it delves into some heavier themes. You’ll find elements of manipulation, grief, Alzheimer’s, and cheating woven into the storyline, adding depth to the narrative. But don’t worry, it still delivers those cozy small-town romance vibes you’re craving.

Overall, the book wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t anything extraordinary either. Like I’ve mentioned before, it was just alright. But you know what? That’s totally fine because not every book has to blow you away. I’ll definitely check out more from this author because I did like the way she told the story.

Do you have a favorite forced proximity romance book? I’d love to hear about it in the comments! Don’t forget to share and like this post with others, and if you want to make my day, give my blog a follow too!

Until The Next Chapter,
Bunny