When in Rome Book Club Kit
When in Rome by Sarah Adams is the official November 2026 pick for the Peanut Blossom Book Club for Recovering Readers.
November can be a tricky month to pick a book club book. We're not full-on holiday but everyone wants something cozy to enjoy while the season picks up gear.
So what could be better than a small town romance with a Taylor Swift-inspired heroine and a handsome pie shop baker?!
I breezed through this lovely book in a matter of days and it was everything my heart needed at the time. I'm certain it will bring a smile to your face as we focus on food and family over the weeks of this month!
Want to read my full thoughts and check out my "spice-o-meter" before you begin? You can find my no spoilers When in Rome book review here.
P.S. Just joining us? Don't miss the full list of 2026 book club book picks.
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This book club pick is one of the awesome books from our twelfth year of book club.
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What is When In Rome About?
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.
When in Rome Questions
I believe the best book club questions to spark a lively discussion in your group help readers make personal connections to the story.
You can read about how to write the best book club questions on your own here, but hopefully these will get you started!
Question 1:
Are you a Swiftie? What similarities would you draw between Taylor and Amelia?
Question 2:
Have you ever wanted to run away from your real life to a small town and start over? Do you think that could work? Why or why not?
Question 3:
How do you feel about Grumpy-Sunshine romances? Did you enjoy the budding relationship between Noah and Amelia?
Question 4:
Amelia is temporarily adopted by Noah's sisters for a girls' night. Have you ever hung out with your significant other's family without them? How did it go?
Question 5:
Why do you think the author chose to make Noah a pie shop baker/owner? Would his appeal be the same if he had a different career?
Question 6:
Are you a fan of Hallmark movies? If they did a holiday film based on this book, who would you cast for each character?
Question 7:
Which pie would you want Noah to bake for you?
Question 8:
Where do you think Noah and Amelia are in five years?
Book Club Party Menu
I think it is so fun to plan your book club dinner menu or dessert list based on the theme of the book.
Between the pie shop plot point and the fact that we're heading into Thanksgiving season, the obvious choice for your book club party theme would be: Pies, Pies, Pies!
Have everyone bring one to the party, here are a few easy favorites:
Hopefully someone will bake a homemade cherry pie to match the cover of the book! I baked mine using heart-shaped cookie cutters to form the top pie crust.
My easy North Carolina lemon pie can be made in advanced and is perfect for the southern setting of Rome, Kentucky.
Cool and creamy no-bake peanut butter pie is perfect for chocolate lovers and can also be prepped ahead.
For a pretty pop of color on the pie table, my sweet strawberry cream pie is so easy.
Switch up the flavor of OREO Cookies and you can turn this easy OREO cream pie into all kinds of fun flavors!
You Might Also Enjoy
If you loved When in Rome you might also like:
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