In Your Dreams (When in Rome #4)
I’ve been incredibly curious about James and Madison since the very beginning, so I was really looking forward to reading In Your Dreams. The anticipation was more than worth it because this book is the absolute perfect conclusion to the When in Rome series.
Honestly, James Huxley’s middle name should be YEARNING 😂 To borrow his own words, "yearning" doesn’t even skim the surface of it. For a decade, he’s been dying inside, wanting her. The way he loves Madison completely blew me away. You know what’s better than just being in love? Being loved and truly known. It’s an incomparable feeling when your person accepts you exactly as you are, both the good and the bad. That is precisely how James loves Maddie, and he does it without expecting a single thing in return. He simply wants her to be happy.
“𝗕𝗲𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄𝗻 𝗶𝘀 𝗯𝗲𝗮𝘂𝘁𝗶𝗳𝘂𝗹. 𝗘𝘀𝗽𝗲𝗰𝗶𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝘀𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴𝘀 𝗮𝗯𝗼𝘂𝘁 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗼𝘀𝗲 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗮𝗻𝘆𝘄𝗮𝘆.”
Aside from the romance, there was so much more to this book that I loved. It was inspiring how Madison reclaimed her passion for cooking and found joy again in doing what she loves most. Her journey felt so comforting and relatable because, whether we like it or not, we’ve all hit a point where we feel lost and have no idea what to do next. It was equally heartwarming how James finally learned how to take care of himself first and accept help. Selflessness is a noble trait, but at the end of the day, it gets heavy carrying the weight of the world all on your own.
I’m so sad to see this series end 🥹 Each book has been such a comforting, enjoyable read, with the perfect balance of small town charm and genuine emotional depth. I’m pretty sure tho that I will be visiting Rome, Kentucky again soon! 💖
Madison Walker left Rome, Kentucky, determined to prove she could make it in the culinary world. But after years of chasing success in New York, all she has to show for it is a shattered confidence and a desperate need for a fresh start. Coming home isn’t part of the plan—until an unexpected job offer lands in her lap, giving her a chance to rebuild everything she’s lost: the head chef position at a new farm-to-table restaurant in her hometown. The only catch? It comes from James Huxley, owner of Huxley Farm, her brother’s best friend . . . and the last person she wants to work for.
James has always played it safe, keeping his head down and doing what’s expected of him in the family business and never contemplating anything different—until now when Madison’s happiness is on the line. He’s loved her quietly for years, knowing she’s never seen him as more than an annoyance. Now that she’s back, he’s determined to change that–even if it means he can only ever be her friend. The one problem? His charming, wildly successful younger brother, Tommy, seems determined to win her over first.
Then Tommy is called away on business and Madison and James are tasked with launching the dreamy farm-to-table restaurant on their own. But as the town starts meddling in their relationship, Tommy’s pursuit of Madison grows more relentless, and Madison’s fears threaten to hold her back, keeping things strictly professional becomes impossible. And when an unexpected disaster on opening night collides with a long-simmering sibling feud, both Madison and James will have to face their biggest insecurities—and decide if love is worth the risk or if some dreams are safer left untouched.