
Genres: Adult, Contemporary
Published by Random House Publishing Group on January 7, 2025
Also by this author: When in Rome, Practice Makes Perfect
Format: Audio/Physical (384 pages) • Source: Purchased, Spotify Audiobooks
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NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this new rivals-to-lovers romance set in Rome, Kentucky—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.
“Sarah Adams writes books with heart and soul. They speak to the people finding their way and being unapologetically themselves in the process. I love her style.”—Hannah Grace, author of Icebreaker
Emily Walker hates having her carefully crafted world disrupted by anyone, most of all her legendary nemesis, Jack Bennett. He’s the opposite of the wonderful heroes she dreams up in her double life as a romance writer, which is why Emily was perfectly happy when Jack left Rome, Kentucky, mid-school year with his fiancée. The last thing Emily saw coming was Jack’s return at the start of the summer after calling off the wedding and ending his relationship, but he’s here to stay—as her colleague and her neighbor.
Jack is glad to be back, eager to renovate his house and work on the next mystery novel under his bestselling pen name. But when he realizes he’s now neighbors with the one woman who has always pushed his buttons, he discovers something he’s even more excited about—thwarting Emily and her petty plans to sabotage his return.
With their chemistry-fueled animosity at an all-time high, Emily accidentally sends an email to their school’s principal that could reveal her secret literary side hustle. She needs to steal back her manuscript, and Jack—she hates to admit—is just the man to help her. Surprisingly, he agrees. Will their unlikely alliance put an end to their rivalry? Or could it lead to a steamy plot twist they never saw coming?
Look for all of Sarah Adams’s When in Rome books:
WHEN IN ROME • PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT • BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL (Coming Soon!)
Sarah Adams doesn’t miss. She really doesn’t. I put her up there with Emily Henry and Abby Jimenez in terms of “guaranteed five-star read” for me. Her writing is similar with the banter and excellent characters, but her books feel so real – the banter never verges on “people don’t talk like this in real life” like other books can.
I loved Emily and Jack so much; their dynamic was really fun. They both have complex histories and family relationships that just added to everything. Emily is very much the older sister in the family – she’s type A, organizes everyones lives, and keeps her siblings in line. Jack was once engaged and moved away, only to return to his job as a teacher with Emily in Rome… and single… and living next door.
There was a lot of of bickering in this hate-to-love romance and I loved how well the two of them could read each other no matter what. There was a slow burn realization that they likely had feelings for each other and they started using those perception skills for good instead of evil.
There’s something about these books that are simultaneously sweet without being cringy, sexy without a lot of spice scenes, and charming without being overbearing. I just love this little town and all of the people in it!
As always, the cameos with the other couples and siblings were so good. I can’t wait for the final book – it better be Madison and you-know-who. If you haven’t read this series yet, you’re seriously missing out.

Genres: Adult, Literary Fiction, Historical Fiction
Published by Random House Publishing Group on January 14, 2025
Format: Audio/Physical (464 pages) • Source: Book of the Month, Spotify Audiobooks
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To the world, they were a scandal. To each other, an obsession.
An epic love story set in the sparkling, savage sphere of elite figure skating, starring a woman determined to carve her own path on and off the ice
“Part Wuthering Heights and part Daisy Jones & The Six, this novel is as brilliantly choreographed as a gold medal performance and will keep you guessing until its last page.”—Jodi Picoult, New York Times bestselling author of Wish You Were Here
She might not have a famous name, funding, or her family’s support, but Katarina Shaw has always known that she was destined to become an Olympic skater. When she meets Heath Rocha, a lonely kid stuck in the foster care system, their instant connection makes them a formidable duo on the ice. Clinging to skating—and each other—to escape their turbulent lives, Kat and Heath go from childhood sweethearts to champion ice dancers, captivating the world with their scorching chemistry, rebellious style, and roller-coaster relationship.
Until a shocking incident at the Olympic Games brings their partnership to a sudden end.
As the ten-year anniversary of their final skate approaches, an unauthorized documentary reignites the public obsession with Shaw and Rocha, claiming to uncover the “real story” through interviews with their closest friends and fiercest rivals. Kat wants nothing to do with the documentary, but she can’t stand the thought of someone else defining her legacy. So, after a decade of silence, she’s telling her story: from the childhood tragedies that created her all-consuming bond with Heath to the clash of desires that tore them apart. Sensational rumors have haunted their every step for years, but the truth may be even more shocking than the headlines.
This book has been getting sooo much hype, I just knew I needed to read it this month. I got the physical copy from BOTM but highly recommend mixing in the audiobook. I love when there’s a full cast to narrate certain elements of the story (in this case – the documentary interviews).
The ice dance duo of Heath and Katarina became famous beyond their sport. Ten years after the “fateful Olympics,” there’s a documentary being released about their story and everything leading up to that day. Mixed in between these interviews, Katarina is telling the story from her perspective and what really happened. I enjoyed her voice. She was often ruthless but I respected her a lot.
So many people were saying this was crazy, dramatic, and frustrating… and I completely agree! What a wild ride. Just when you think there can’t possibly be more drama, there is. Every single time lol. If you love “rich people behaving badly” books with gossipy shitty characters, you need to pick this up. It’s Carrie Soto is Back mixed with Daisy Jones and the Six. Everyone is complex and frustrating and often unlikable, but in a way that you cannot put down.
I don’t think this is a true five-star favorite but it was totally worth the hype for me! I couldn’t put the book down, especially in the second half. I feel like it could be the perfect reading slump-buster.
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