I cried, I laugh, I cried some more. I’ve never felt so seen by a FMC before. I love Emily and that makes me want to love myself a little more

It was delightful to be back in Rome, KY with the Walker family. Emily and Jack are such a fun couple. I loved their backstory and how these arch nemeses couldn't seem to escape one another. It was fun to see some of those flashbacks represented from past emails and the ongoing side banter through some of their text and email exchanges. I could relate to Emily's past hurts and how she built walls to protect her heart, and found myself cheering as Jack championed her just as she was and helped her to challenge her past beliefs. Sarah Adams does a wonderful job building heat and tension and the banter between these two had me laughing out loud as I read. There were a few open door scenes and I appreciated the author's note letting readers know what to skip if they preferred not to read on page intimacy. While this book could stand alone, I loved reading updates about the other Walker siblings and getting to follow up on characters we met first in other books in this series. Thank you Net Galley for allowing me to read this copy!

“That seems selfish,” I breathe out. The curve of his mouth is a potent drug. “I love when a woman is selfish.”

jack bennett the man that you are. jack is a second grade teacher (and best selling author) who’s main source of fun is his rivalry with emily walker. that is until he gets engaged and moves away. fortunately something has him crawling back to rome, kentucky.


“I’m the oldest daughter, I’m not scared of anything.”

and emily walker the WOMAN you are. emily is a second grade teacher (and aspiring best selling author) who’s whole life has been ensuring her siblings are okay after the tragic loss of their parents.

so what happens when they become neighbors? and then friends? and then more????

6/5 stars for this book about the third walker sibling. nothing could’ve made it better besides if i was actually emily baker or maybe even jack idk. can’t believe my first reads of the year are 5 stars or more. sarah you’ve done it again! and thanks net galley for this ARC! love you!

“Everyone is dead. Dead, dead, dead. And yes, I do like to throw startling little facts like those into conversation whenever I can because shock is always more preferable to pity.”

Emily has been through it. Losing her parents, then her beloved grandmother left her feeling like she needed to be the caretaker for all her siblings. In the process she has forgotten how to look after herself. When her nemesis, Jack, moves back to town RIGHT NEXT DOOR, she is not happy at all. However, a weird shift begins and maybe they don’t have to continue to hate one another.

This is definitely the enemies to lovers trope, but it’s so well done and super cute. I loved this book and the other in the series I read. The characters are lovable and you find yourself cheering for them!

I loved every second of this! Every book that Sarah writes gets better and better. She has seriously become a comfort author for me. 💘

Such a cute and quick rom com!

This book surprised me in all the best ways. It’s not just a romance—though the romance is top-notch—it’s got depth and heart that pull you in right from the start. The plot had so much going on, and I was hooked immediately.

Emily and Jack were amazing. I felt such a strong connection to Emily; she just felt so real and relatable. Plus, it was great catching up with familiar characters from earlier stories. I thoroughly loved being back in Rome, Kentucky again.

Sarah Adams’ writing is so good—light and fun without ever feeling over-the-top or cheesy. The pacing was spot on. Not a single moment felt slow or unnecessary. Plus, the way the book handles heavier topics like grief, mental health, and family struggles was so thoughtful and well-done. It added depth without ever feeling overwhelming.

This story came through with fresh, unique twists. It felt new and exciting, and I really loved it. If you're into romances that feel real but still leave you with that warm, fuzzy feeling, this one's for you!

I was beyond charmed by this book. Every line of banter was like a shot of adrenaline straight to my heart. I love these characters, I love this town, and I can’t wait to keep reading for of it.m!

This is my 4th or 5th Sarah Adams book and they are equally as cute and cozy as the last one. She has a way of making the characters have cute and cozy meet cute and enemies to lovers.

Overall a quick read and enough spice without being a straight smut book. They characters also don't have a major falling out right after they consummate the relationship which I like. All romances have a mess up and then they get back together but this one wasn't as messy as most which makes it more cozy

thank you to netgalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

"Beg, Borrow, or Steal" is one of the loveliest enemies to lovers I've read in awhile. Sarah Adam's slow burn/build/evolution of the MCs relationship is pitch perfect, funny, and heart warming. Emily and Jackson (MCs) personal growth is strong without being preachy or perfunctory. This book is an excellent installment to the When In Rome series but could just as easily be enjoyed as a standalone. I look forward to recommending this!

We are back in Rome, Kentucky with Emily Walker this time and she was thrilled when her nemesis, Jack Bennett, left Rome….only for him to return as not only her work counterpart, but her neighbor too! They have known each other since college and it has been constant competition since they met. He is excited to be back in Rome and the only house available to purchase in Rome happens to be next door to Emily Walker. He figures out that she has a plan with the town to make him not feel welcome and he is determined to win everyone over. Not to mention that Emily has no idea that he is a famous author. He comes to her rescue when she accidentally sends a copy of her manuscript, that happens to be spicy, to their principal.

The palpable chemistry between Jack and Emily is crazy and them becoming next door neighbors brings it up a notch for sure. Emily’s family background helps this story make sense and I loved the cameos from the other books in this series. I loved how Jack was so nice to everyone but yet he could pick on Emily. Kinda goes along with what moms would say to their daughters in elementary school: “If he is picking on you, he probably likes you.” The text exchanges were a fun part to read and the way he wanted to be there for her and support her once they called a truce was so sweet.

As always, Sarah Adams delivers us a delightful rom-com. I love the characters of Rome, KY each book, but I think Beg, Borrow or Steal might be my favorite/ unless we give Mabel her own story! IYKYK.

I did enjoy the book, but honestly, it wasn't anything wonderful and my expectations may have been a little high. The writing style is nice and enjoyable. It’s lighthearted, and makes for a breezy read, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression or feel all that memorable to me. She’s great for a fun, easy read, but sadly, that’s about it for me right now.

This was my first Sarah Adams book and oh my goodness, I was blown away! I love her writing style. It felt perfectly balanced and kept you grounded in the story at all times. Her world building made me want to live in Rome, KY, now I feel nostalgic after finishing the book.

Emily and Jack are one of my favorite couples I’ve read in a long time. If you give me a “he’s nice to everyone but me trope”, I’m going to eat that up. Learning about their long history together and reading their email/text exchanges brought so much to the story and their love. My heart was swelling the whole time. Something about nemesis being each other's safe spaces just gets to me.

Emily was such a great character. I understood her completely and cried with her. Her chapters gave some of the most relatable lines about loneliness and isolation while also understanding that the ones you love have lives outside of you.

I’m already in love with this series and want to go back to read the first two as well as Adams’s other work.

I love Rome, KY. The Walker family is precious! Jackson and Emily were very fun and I loved their email and texts exchanges and the little sneak peak at their past
I am so excited and James and Madison and have loved their Easter eggs throughout the series, and if they're not end game, I'll be mega bummed

Five stars. I fell in love with this book so hard. Reading this beautiful story made my heart ache in the absolute best way. The banter between Jack and Emily had me smiling as I read late into the night. I could have devoured this book in one sitting if I didn’t have to eventually go to sleep. Please read this book if you want a cozy romance between two souls who were meant to be.

4.0

I remember “When in Rome”. I thought I was going to be in Rome à la “Roman Holiday” but ended up in in Kentucky of all places (We all know what happens when we assume!). It was a cute story: a little different from recent books, if not an occasional standard Hallmark romcom trope. Contrarily, aside from the cover, I have no direct recollection of book two, “Practice Makes Perfect”, but know I have read it. A male lead who is a tattooed bodyguard was a surprise, but I’m sure I enjoyed it at the time.

I think I will remember this one, despite it not being as new or different theme-wise. Enemies to lovers is as old as time. But I love how resolute and committed Emily is, not so much to her family, which she is, but to her ideals. Who wouldn’t have wanted her as a teacher in second grade and thank goodness she is there for the kids like she was at that age. As someone with ADHD, the amount she gets done and her organization blows my mind.

The extreme to which their feud goes is exciting and the banter is what makes it fun. I think I may love earlier parts more, especially when Jack has been banned by the town just because Emily wishes it. Obviously we know what’s going to happen, but it’s a fun journey, most of the time. It’s also telling how similar both Emily and Jack’s pain is even though they have completely different experiences. Emily has a big family, especially if you count the town, and Jack is an only child with basically only one parent.

I appreciated Sarah Adams’ brief “warning “at the beginning of brief but not too serious triggers and I was intrigued that she listed the chapters with the sex scenes so that people could skip them if they wanted to keep it clean but still enjoy the book. I do have to say that she pretty much missed one, even if it was interrupted. There is something at the end that I feel was waiting for but was left hanging. It seemed like it belongs to this story and not something that happens in the periphery of Madison’s story in the next book. Lots of feelings and interesting dynamics and a fun read that I couldn’t put down for long.

Thank you to Sarah Adams, NetGalley, and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine for providing me with a free advanced copy of this book for my unbiased review.

This is the third in the When in Rome series and I have enjoyed all of them. This one centers around Emily, a second grade teacher and a fellow teacher, Jack. They have been rivals, classmates, neighbors, and more and the banter between the two of them is fun. This is more than just a romance, it deals with family drama and learning to trust others and speaking up. I have enjoyed Sarah’s writing and she has some great quotes in this. Thank you Dell for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley.

3.5 stars

This was a cute read. It's not perfect by any means, but I did enjoy reading it. I related a lot to Emily as the older sister and balancing the weight of responsibility, but at times found her a bit insufferable. The rivals-to-lovers antics by Emily and Jack were a bit immature. I found myself cringing a bit. Jack as a character I loved and found his struggles with a narcissistic father very real. However, I felt underwhelmed by the romance and the depth of the characters. I didn't really feel anything for them, but once the rival dynamic ended, I was rooting for them.

Overall, I recommend the book as a light-hearted and sweet romance, nothing more.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House/Ballantine for the ARC.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
384 pages
Published January 7th, 2025

Emily & Jack are feuding 2nd grade teachers turned neighbors. Jack had left Rome, Kentucky once before with his fiancé… Emily never thought he’d return & be single this time. Their chemistry filled animosity is at an all time high. Emily is need of Jack’s help after she sends an encrypting email to their principal & Jack is the only one who can help.

I was so excited to be back in Rome!!! Emily and Jack are everything I love & need. Their banter, animosity, and tension was felt through the pages. Rivals to lovers is one of my top 5 fav tropes & this was the perfect depiction of it. The dynamic between the two was addicting. I can’t wait to return to Rome again!

Thank you @netgalley @authorsarahadams & @dellromance for an eARC of this amazing book!

Read if you like:
✨Rivals to lovers
✨Small town romance
✨Forced proximity
✨Both teachers & writers

#sarahadams #begborroworsteal #romance #dellromance

though it was nice to be back in rome, kentucky, beg, borrow, or steal ultimately fell flat for me.

after a roaring start, complete with sizzling chemistry and a compelling backstory, the investment I originally felt towards jack and emily fizzled out by the third act. once the urge to skim some scenes hit, I knew my interest in their happy ending had waned, largely due to the story being spread thin by too many subplots. with so many elements and details to expand on, it all ended up feeling underdeveloped, as though we were only scratching the surface of each topic. having said that, I will always appreciate the coziness and warmth that only a small town romance can offer, something sarah adams continues to deliver. returning to a familiar setting, to familiar characters, typically makes for an seamless experience since the audience has awareness of what they are diving into.

while this installment didn't impress me, I will no doubt be returning for the next book.

thanks to sarah adams and dell for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.