This was my favorite in the series so far, and I actually even bought my brother a book from this series for Christmas because I enjoy them so much and think they are great lighthearted comfy reads. I found Emily to be relateable, and I liked the way that her relationship with Will evolved over time.

My gosh. Sarah Adams does it EVERY TIME!!! As an educator myself, this book gives hot teacher meets the charming and infuriating boy next door (who just so happens to drive a motorcycle!) vibes. This alone would be enough to keep me reading, but add in the best family relationships and the Gilmore Girls small town vibes? Perfection. Can’t wait for book 4 in Rome, KY!!!

Smart, sweet, and emotionally resonant, Beg, Borrow, or Steal delivers a charming enemies-to-lovers romance set in the small town of Rome, Kentucky. Emily Walker- orderly, independent, and secretly grieving- and her longtime nemesis-turned-neighbor and coworker, Jack Bennett, spark to life with sharp banter, unexpected vulnerability, and an irresistible connection. When Emily’s secret manuscript accidentally lands in the principal’s inbox, their mission to retrieve it forces both to face old wounds and hidden selves. Sarah Adams infuses the story with warmth, wit, and deep emotional stakes, crafting a slow-burn romance that balances humor with heartfelt moments. A delight for fans of character-driven, small-town romantic comedies filled with both sweetness and depth.

This was adorable and the best one of the series so far! Emily and Jack are two feuding teachers and now neighbors. When Emily gets into a pickle, Jack might just be the one to save her.

There’s a great mix of silly and vulnerable scenes, fun appearances by earlier characters, and excellent banter. This is exactly what I look for in a romantic comedy.

I really enjoyed this book! Sarah Adams did a great job developing the characters. I loved When In Rome and was happy to dive back into this series, although Beg Borrow or Steal is written as a stand alone. I especially loved the banter between Emily and Jack, and I always appreciate learning about the history of each character.

I absolutely loved this installment of the Rome, KY series! Sarah Adams never fails to provide the perfect mix of heart and humor- can’t recommend this book enough!

I loved this whole series. I was approved for this book, not knowing it was the third book in the series. So, naturally, I had to read the first two. Unfortunately, there was a wait for both at my library.

However, once I started them, I fell in love. In fact, this one is my favorite of the three. I feel like they just keep getting better.

I have loved this series (the first 2 books especially). This book didn’t quite feel as fun or charming to me as the previous ones. I think for me, the whole long standing grudge situation made it hard for me to connect with the main characters.
For me it was just ok. For someone else, possibly great.

Absolutely love a Sarah Adam’s book! I didn’t realize this was a connected book until about halfway through but luckily it didn’t end up taking away from the story!

Sweet…that’s what Sarah Adams books are. From front to back. Sometimes a little too sticky sweet, but I always end up loving having read them. Beg, Borrow, or Steal is another classic Sarah Adams book. A good time.

I wanted to love this book, but I had a hard time connecting to the characters. Most of the banter/dynamic was great, but it felt forced towards the beginning of the book. Seriously, why did Emily hate Jack so much at the start? I did like how their relationship grew and developed over the course of the book.

Love love this book!!


Oldest daughters, this one’s for us. Emily’s constant pressure to be perfect, to keep everything together, to never let herself fall apart—it was painfully relatable. The fear of opening up and believing you’re worthy of love? Yeah, that hit me right in the chest. Watching Jack slowly break down her walls and show her she was worthy just as she is… my heart was in shambles.
I wanted to hug her, scream for her, and cry with her all at once.

And Jack… JACK. He’s literally dream guy material. The man wears glasses, rides a motorcycle, has tattoos, and still manages to be the sweetest, most supportive guy alive. The banter? Chef’s kiss. I swore Practice Makes Perfect couldn’t be topped, but Sarah said “watch me” and absolutely shattered my expectations. This book was funny, raw, swoony, and full of heart. I’m obsessed. 5 stars, obviously. Somebody pack my bags—I’m moving to Rome, Kentucky immediately.

Sarah Adams can do no wrong in this family. I love these people so so much. 4 stars bc the enemies to lovers trope didn’t hit as hard as I wished it would have and the TAB made me mad 😐

This book revolves around Emily and Jack, two rivals who can’t seem to get along with each other no matter what. Emily believes her life is peaceful until Jack, her college nemesis, moves back to their small town, Rome. When a situation arises that threatens to ruin Emily’s life, she impulsively turns to Jack for help and we have our friends to lovers trope. I enjoyed this book and I think other romcom readers who enjoy this trope will enjoy it as well. I think it was really well done.

Thanks to NetGalley for the ebook to preview.

• Thank you to NetGalley & Dell for an ARC of Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

I was super excited to receive this ARC and be able to return to this town setting after reading Will and Annie’s story in the previous book in the series. I loved Emily and Jackson. I loved their bantering and the bickering that they had between each other, and how they both would do absolutely whatever for the other. Some things did fall flat for me trope-wise, unfortunately, with the enemies-to-lovers and the third-act breakup. The enemies-to-lovers felt super rushed since there wasn’t much development or storyline for their main enemies' part. Besides that, I am still super excited for Maddie and James' story next!

Emily is my favorite Walker sibling thus far! Super cute, I loved every moment of this one.

Thank you to Netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.

I absolutely love the when in Rome series!! I honestly can’t decide who is my favorite couple out of the walker siblings. This was amazing and I cannot wait for Madison’s story in December!!

"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.
Jackson Bennett 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 for—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, Jack agrees. Will their unlikely alliance put an end to their rivalry? Or could it lead to a steamy plot twist they never saw coming?" -Goodreads

This book was adorable! A super fun enemies to lovers read. I highly recommend this one ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Sarah Adams is an auto-buy author for me. I have absolutely loved every book of hers that I have read and Beg, Borrow or Steal is no exception.

This story follows Emily and Jack, rival second grade teachers who have been enemies since their first meeting in college over ten years ago. They ran into one another on their way to class (literally) and she was snarky to him when he suggested he buy her a coffee after class to make up for spilling his coffee all over her shirt. This is where their competition began.

Emily Walker is a strong, independent perfectionist. She is struggling with overwhelming grief and chooses to stuff down her feelings instead of trying to heal from her trauma. She teaches second grade and is secretly writing a romance novel in secret. Absolutely no one knows about it, not even her siblings. She writes to escape her overwhelming feelings of sadness and grief. Emily loves to banter and spar with Jack because he is the only person who does not shy away from her sharp edges and her need to be perfect loosens whenever they're together. Jack Bennett is charming, smooth talking and sweet. Well, to everyone except for Emily. She cannot stand that he is such a nice guy to literally everyone but her.

I loved reading how these characters evolved and grew by challenging and supporting one another. This book had me giggling, snort laughing and kicking my feet. I also shed a few tears both happy and sad. Sarah Adams is the queen of sweet, swoony romance.

Read if you enjoy:
Dual POV
Enemies to lovers
Close Proximity
Witty Banter
Small Town Romance

This book was such a great read ⭐️ I have lived all of the books in this series. They’re fun, witty, romantic, and just an easy read. I will continue to keep reading her books and purchasing them for my library..