Oh. My. God. This was everything. Jack and Emily have such a special story. I absolutely adored how well rounded, and real these characters were. Dare I say this was a bit spicy compared to her others👀🔥 This was such a great continuation of the When in Rome series. I saw one review say this was Second Chance… it most definitely is not - it’s closer to an academic rivals to lovers trope.

*Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my honest review*

This book was made for me. If you're a type-A person who will do anything for your friends but doubt if they'd do the same for you? Yeah, buckle up baby.

It's strange to call this a second chance romance. Rather it's a rivals to lovers, "never was" romance. Between all of their barbs and pranks, those moments of tenderness hit so much harder. The unsent emails, my heart. I loved that they're both writers and the absolutely hilarious heist to retrieve Emily's manuscript draft. The steam keeps growing in this series, so keep that in mind if you don't want it to fog up your windows. But me oh my, I loved it.

Every time I "go home" to Rome, Kentucky, it gets sweeter, more comforting and a little more healing. With each book I have felt seen and known by the characters; and Beg, Borrow or Steal was no exception.

The way Sarah Adams brings these characters to life is unmatched. These characters are far from two dimensional - they live in my heart as full-fledged individuals who put words to my pain; helping to bring peace to the chaos.

Watching Jackson work through adulthood with a narcissistic parent and Emily grow through the deep, deep dark are both things I, as an adult have had to work through. I love the vulnerability that comes through the papers and the comfort that the Walker family and the crazy townsfolk of Rome provide.

This story was full of joy, and healing and hope! The banter and the intimacy between Emily and Jackson is magnetic and electrifying 🔥. I couldn't put this book down and I didn't want it to end. In fact, I think we need around another 300 pages if that's not too much to ask. 1,000 out of 5 🌟

This is lighthearted romance that brings a bit of charm to the workplace romance genre. The characters are likable, and the storyline is engaging, but it doesn’t quite reach its full potential. The chemistry between the protagonists is enjoyable, but there are moments when the pacing feels uneven, which affects the flow of the story.

While there are several funny and heartwarming scenes, some of the plot points feel predictable, and the character development could have been deeper. Despite these minor issues, Its still enjoyable read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance with a few laughs along the way.

Rating: 3/5

I was so excited to jump back into Rome! The way Sarah Adam’s writes about a small town is amazing. I loved the first two books in this series, so I knew Emily’s story would be just as perfect. I was not disappointed in the slightest. Emily’s personality is something I personally relate to, and I think a lot of other women can relate to as well. Jackson is perfect for Emily, and all perfectionists need a Jackson. The sweet family moments were so heartwarming, and it was nice to see the main characters from the first two books again. The tension with this enemies to lovers book was flawless. Jack’s lowkey honesty about how he really felt in his little comebacks had me giggling and kicking my feet. And that “Method acting” scene had me SCREAMING it was so hot. 5 stars!!!

Each When in Rome book just keeps getting better and better and Emily and Jack's story was absolutely no exception!! I loved this enemies to lovers, rival school teacher, dual POV, small town romance that has Jack, a secret best-selling mystery author breaking off his engagement and returning back to Rome where he buys the run-down house next door to Emily.

Emily and Jack have been rivals since college and always seem to find themselves stuck near one another. The more time she spends with Jack over the summer though and Emily comes to realize he's not so terrible after all. In particular when he helps her with a heist to retrieve the romance manuscript she accidentally emailed to their principle.

Full of small town charm, a great cast of secondary characters, sizzling chemistry and exceptional emotional depth and character growth. Jack and Emily had their own family and personal struggles to overcome and I loved seeing Emily learn how to lean on others for once.

HIGHLY, HIGHLY recommended, especially if you're looking for a wonderful escapist read with characters you won't be able to resist. Perfect for fans of authors like Ashley Herring Blake, B.K. Borrison and Chloe Liese. HUGE thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for sharing an eARC with me in exchange for my honest review!!

This is one of my favorites this far in the series. I could literally read all her books over and over again. This one is a hate to lovers book and but you can tell that changes pretty quickly. I loved that they were neighbors too, it made for a better story line.

mrs sarah adams at it again with a fantastic rome kentucky addition. i’m going to say it now i am going to be so so sad when this series is over. the people of rome truly are the best. a whole town giving a guy the cold shoulder because one person who they are so fiercely loyal to just does somethin to me.
anyways, emily and jacks story was SO. MUCH. FUN. to read. they bickered like an old married couple and sarah is so dang good at the little quips. i was giggling kicking my feet like a little monster eating it uppppp. and so many scenes specially. i think i may go to my grave thinking about the bike scene when emily didn’t know it was jack and the manuscript heist. so original and fun and just so uniquely ROME. what other town can you break into your boss’s house and get stuck in a closet making out with your supposed nemesis? absolutely ludacris give me 14 more.
and even though they are so immature in their little feud, they are SO mature in their relationship. i keep thinking back in when emily said that he needs to accept her vulnerability because she accepted his and it like, clicked for him. and he let her. or when she needed time to process him being Ranger and two seconds later she was like okay done processing this is the best news ever and not being jealous over his success or annoyed that he hadn’t told her yet. 10/10.
and the intimacy of toeing that line of depression, always wanting to keep a smile on your face so others can depend on you when you feel like you cant be the burned and depend on others was so well written.
and of course GIVE ME MADISON AND JAMES ASAP.

I could not BELIEEEEVE I got approved for this ARC!! Thank you to the publisher for the chance to read this ahead of time. I ate up every page. Sarah Adams is quickly becoming a must-read author for me. I actually just found her earlier this year, and have been devouring her back list. This one had it all. The only downside is now I'm waiting until...what? 2026 for the next read? **cries in Rome**

I was so not ready for the whirlwind of emotions this book was going to bring me.

Like me, Emily is an older sister, and I’ve never seen myself more in a character. Sarah did such an incredible job building her, and it’s wild how much I saw myself in Emily, sharing her thoughts at so many points.

And with all that, I think Jack really is her perfect match. Emily is so used to taking care of everyone, but Jack takes care of her and makes her feel appreciated. He's just a fantastic character.

Another thing that was done perfectly is the chemistry between these two—I lost count of how many times I caught myself smiling while reading. The banter between them? Chef’s kiss.

And the emails!!!!!! I loved every single one. These two were already so gone for each other long before they even admitted it to themselves.

I’ll wrap it up here because otherwise, I’ll never stop talking about how much I loved it haha, but just know this definitely made it onto my all-time favorites list.

Oh, one more thing—I’m absolutely dying for the next book!

Huge thanks to Dell and NetGalley for this ARC!

As a librarian I've read all kinds of romances but nothing will ever compare to a small town for me. Sarah Adams writes with feeling and the intensity of her romance never fails to make me reiterate that this genre is the most comforting thing in the world. Emily and Jack had the perfect chemistry, vulnerability and growth. I cannot wait to include this read as a book club monthly so everyone can admire Rome.

Thank you for providing me with an ARC. Wow! I really enjoyed reading about Emily and Jack. I wanted to envelop them both in a big hug. Emily’s character was so relatable as an oldest daughter myself. The emotional load she carried for her family! And Jack…oh Jack, and his secrets. This book had the best slow burn and it was oh so rewarding when their feelings emerged. This book was more than a romance, it was a book about opening up, being yourself and finding what makes you happy. Thank you Sarah Adams for writing this.

Another delightful trip to Rome with Sarah Adams. This book is full of the light and airy charm of a Sarah Adams book, with some added richness and depth. It feels like she is improving her craft before our eyes and I’m so here for it. Love this one!

I think by now it's really obvious that I love everything Sarah Adams writes and Beg, Borrow, or Steal is no exception. We return to Rome, Kentucky and the Walker family, with this book focusing on the oldest sister, Emily. She is a no-nonsense, tough, second grade teacher who has had a nemesis since college, fellow teacher Jack Bennett. She thought he'd left her life for good when he left mid-year to move to Nebraska with his fiancee. But now he's back, having called off his wedding, and has unknowingly bought the house next door to her. The enemies to lovers trope is always a favorite and I absolutely loved the shenanigans these two get up to in trying to best each other. The chemistry is off the charts, but they also deal with loneliness and shutting people out. I absolutely loved this one!

Wow wow wow!!! Sarah Adams does it again—This might be my favorite of hers yet!

Returning to Rome to see all of the Walker siblings and their partners was such a joy. After reading the first two books in this series I was deeply intrigued by Emily’s character and wanted to know more about what was under her brash outer shell. Boy was I not prepared for how much of a gut punch this book would be! I related to Emily so much and it was so so beautiful to see her work through her grief and the resulting fear of abandonment to find the true love she didn’t think she deserved. Such a fantastic read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

I could not put this book down. It was an excellent enemies to lovers tale that includes many of the characters you love from previous books. I would highly recommend reading the other books first as they give insight into character dynamics within this book.

I enjoyed learning more about Emily and Jack's past, reading about the shenanigans they got up to and them falling in love. Both main characters had their own personal issues that they needed to work through and it made the book all the more believable.

Ahhh I was so excited to get this ARC! I have loved the When in Rome series and this one was my favorite so far, they just keep getting better!

I loved Emily and Jack’s dynamic, very funny and sassy. They are both very relatable characters and even their rivalry was more believable because of how similar they are.

I would highly recommend this book and can’t wait for Madison’s (and James??) story!

eARC provided by NetGalley!

📚 Beg, Borrow or Steal 📚

Beg, Borrow, or Steal was my first Sarah Adams book, and it definitely won’t be my last! With a bit of a heavy day behind me, I found myself happily lost in this charming contemporary romance. Adams delivers a sweet, heartfelt story with characters who genuinely grow and shine.

This rivals-to-lovers tale follows Emily Walker, a meticulous romance writer who’s not thrilled to see her peace disturbed by her old nemesis, Jack Bennett. Jack is everything her fictional heroes aren’t, and after he left Rome, Kentucky, with his fiancée, Emily thought she was rid of him. But when Jack returns after calling off his engagement—now as both her colleague and next-door neighbor—Emily has to face the sparks she didn’t see coming.

I hadn’t read any of the other Rome novels, but now I’m eager to dive into the rest of the series. Discovering a new romance author like Adams is always such a joy, and I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a light-hearted escape!

This is without a doubt my favorite Sarah Adams book. I love the Rome, Kentucky series as a whole, but something about this one especially hit all the right notes for me.

I adored, understood, and felt seen in Emily. While this may be altered between now and pub day, one of the highlights/quotes I have saved is from Emily’s POV and it is “I would rather be waterboarded than have someone ask me if I’m okay. Especially when my answer is no.” Same girl. Can relate. There was so much of Emily I could relate to, and to see her find someone to show up for her and love all of her and be prepared to sit in the dark with her was really beautiful.

Even more, I love when that someone is the person our main character would least expect. Jack and Emily have been nemeses from their first meeting. Their banter is great and never feels truly mean-spirited, just simply “I do not like this person and I will find immense joy in annoying them however I can.” We get glimpses of their past history in their thoughts and also from little email snippet interludes between chapters, which I really enjoyed.

Emily and Jack both guard their hearts against letting anyone get too close and risking the pain of losing someone or being disappointed by someone else. It was so heartwarming to watch those guards come down and for the two of them to find the internal bravery and strength to push past what was holding them back. Their individual pasts are not without loss, tragedy, and heartbreak, which makes it all the more rewarding to see them grow beyond that together.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Sarah Adams is a goddess among women. I love her so much. Beg, Borrow, or Steal was incredible. I think this hit on every emotion in my body. Those are the books I enjoy, even if there is tears. I don't want a book where I feel nothing.

Thank you to Ballentine and #NetGalley for the advanced copy. The above opinions are my own and I have already preordered this book.