Thank you to Dell for the ARC of this one! I absolutely love Sarah Adams and I was thrilled to visit Rome, Kentucky a little early to read about Emily and Jack! If you've loved Sarah Adams' books in the past, or even if you have never read her books but love rom coms, I really think you will really enjoy this one! The book follows Emily, the oldest sister in the family who has had to take on a parental role to her you get siblings. This has caused her to always want to be in control of things, including her love life. Vulnerability scares her so she has a very routine life. She teaches second grade and is a loving but very particular teacher. She is definitely a perfectionist (this spoke to me as a fellow perfectionist!) and the unknown makes her nervous. Despite nerves, she has been secretly writing a spicy romance novel in her spare time. That being said, something is clearly missing from her life. Jack is her college nemesis, turned work colleague who she thought has moved out of town to get married. In the middle of the summer he shows back up, isn't married after all, and living right next door. She wants to make his life a nightmare so he will leave but they fall into a tense friendship that could turn into more. Both characters have someajpe character development together and apart that is well done and I was rooting for them on all counts. This one has Sarah Adams witty and fun writing with some great depth and meaning as well. Five stars all around! I loved it to much!

I was beyond ready to take another trip to Rome, Kentucky and visit with this lovely family and their town. Emily, the oldest daughter of the Walker family is a second grade teacher looking forward to finishing up her new secret project over the summer: writing her own romance novel. As if that wasn’t great enough, her nemesis moved away to get married. Imagine Emily’s surprise when Jack Bennet, fellow second grade teacher and the annoyingly lovable favorite teacher, moves back from Nebraska straight to Rome, Kentucky. And as if that wasn’t bad enough, now he’s her next-door neighbor. When life gets in the way for both of them, and situation after situation keeps throwing them together, how can they fight their undeniable chemistry? I absolutely loved this book. It featured all of my favorites. Enemies to lovers, loving and painful family dynamics, and the best part of it all…someone who sees you for who you are and loves you for it.

Thank you so much to Dell Romance and NetGalley for the ARC of this book. All opinions are my own.

SARAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! That’s basically it. That’s the review. My whole heart is in Rome with Emily and Jack. I’m in love with them, this book, Rome and Sarah’s writing. I’ve never wanted to hop in a book quicker than I did with this one. Sarah has outdone herself.

Full of heart, love, growth, and characters you can’t help but love, Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a book that will steal your heart and not give it back. There was so much depth in these characters and you couldn’t help but root for them. I loved watching them fall in love. I loved watching them understand each other on a deeper level. I loved them becoming friends first. I think so much growth happened in this book, not just with Emily and Jack, but previous characters too.

As much as I love Emily and Jack, and saw myself
In both of them, I can not wait to visit Rome one last time to see what happens with Maddie.

Sarah, you outdid yourself. This is perfection.

Talk about a slow burn! I loved it! Sometimes when I'm reading a slow burn it feels like nothing is building, but this wasn't one of them. Such beautiful and vulnerable characters, both of them! I was left wanting more!! I wouldn't complain if there were ever a sequel *wink*

❤️Beg, Borrow, or Steal by @authorsarahadams

Well… here I am, with happy tears streaming down my face over the lives of fictional characters that feel so real.

This book is my favorite Sarah Adams book yet, and that’s saying a lot. It’s soft but also SO SEXY. The sexy writing lesson? The sexy motorcycle time?! I was BLUSHING.

Emily and Jack were EVERYTHING. Their banter, competition, and tension were top notch. And then they turned into this lovely, soft, sweet love that they both so desperately wanted and needed. I love how grown up and adult all their communication was. I love that Jack was so DOWN BAD for Emily. This man literally had weak knees over her NAIL POLISH. He was worshipping the ground she walked on. We love to see it. My favorite Sarah couple yet. My favorite Sarah gal yet. My favorite Sarah guy yet. It was perfection. And I know it’s too soon to say this but… I cannot WAIT for Madison’s book! She is my personality twin and I am ready for her story! 👀

Thank you @netgalley and @randomhouse @dellromance for the arc! ❤️
Pub date: 1/7/2025

I went into Beg, Borrow, Or Steal expecting a light, funny, relaxing read along the lines of When in Rome and Practice Makes Perfect and while this was certainly that, I am also incredibly surprised (and delighted!) by the emotional depth of this book. The eldest daughter narratives that we are getting in this genre lately have been tearing my own eldest daughter heart to shreds and I'm loving every second.

In the previous books, Emily has been off on the side as the more blunt, advice-giving, eldest sister role, always there to fix what needs fixing or push people to do what scares them. This book gave her so much depth, so much fear and anxiety and self awareness, that my heart ached for her. The way Sarah Adams captures the complex emotional state that Emily lives in left me in awe - to only feel loved when you are needed, yet to feel like you're pouring from an empty cup at all times, but then to feel nothing but panic when you've helped people so well that they are now able to help themselves (and they no longer need you). This journey Emily goes on felt so realistic - and the fact that she KNOWS as she's on this journey that the way she really feels is not in her loved ones best interest so she intellectualizes it away, gets a cat, gives people the space that she's afraid to give, and keeps a smile on her face. I was SO Team Emily from the start, that if this had just been a book about her figuring out her dream and building a life that centered herself rather than others, I still would have read the whole thing - who needs romance?

That said, I loved Jack. LOVED him. I'm so pleased that he had his own well-crafted baggage and backstory, and the way it was different from hers but still led them to being so similar as people. And I loved Emily and Jack together. Generally I am not a fan of contemporary enemies (in this case, rivals) to lovers - often the grudge or pain point between the main characters is not enough or is irredeemable, the fights feel cyclical or vague or too hurtful. But these two? Best I've ever read. Hands down. The fact that they both know that their fights are petty and nonsensical, that they're truly equals and that's why they're rivals, that they (and I quote!!!) "are two sides of the same coin". I'm obsessed.

Sarah Adams managed to capture the intimacy of having an enemy, and how that translates to knowing one another better than anyone else possibly could, and how seeing the worst in each other constantly can actually lead to a strong foundation of respect, all in a small town contemporary romance about elementary school teachers. I'm genuinely astounded, and so so so happy.

The only thing holding me back from a 5 Star rating for this book was honestly the loose ends didn't feel quite as tied up as I would have liked. I would have loved to see the actual fallout from Jack's announcement and the way that could impact his father's well-crafted public persona. I would have loved to have gotten a scene further down the line than the book deal announcement, like Emily on a book tour or at her first author event. The last few scenes we were given felt a bit rushed and surface level after everything we went through with them - but its just a small disappointment in an otherwise amazing experience.

I gave this book a 4.5/5 stars elsewhere, rounded down to 4 stars for NetGalley's rating system. Thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell and NetGalley for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!

This is perfect for any fans of rivals to lovers. I love the petty arguing between Emily and Jack that is obviously disguised longing. The development of their relationship is natural, and their chemistry is off the charts. The third act drama in this makes a lot of sense for the characters and doesn’t bog down the story.

This is my favorite Sarah Adams book yet! I’m excited to see Madison’s story as well.

I LOVED THIS BOOK!!! I could not wait to be back with my friends in Rome. Sarah Adams gets better with each book. It was like a warm hug. I loved how Emily felt like she had to be strong for everyone…. but Jack could see through the bullshit and how he took care of her when nobody else really could. I need Maddie and James book ASAP.

Super cute, fun easy read that I flew right through. I always love an enemy to lovers plot and this one was meatier than some, which made it even more likeable! Highly recommend for a cute book you can’t put down.

Thank you to netgalley for the arc in exchange of an honest review.

Sarah is an automatic purchase for me, and this was GOLD. the characters were perfection, Sarah’s written is beautiful. I will read anything she writes, no matter what it is!!!

Having been nemesis since that faithful day they met on their college campus 10 years ago, Emily and Jack have spent their time pushing each others buttons. They then became teachers at the same school until the day Jack packed his bags and left Rome, Kentucky with his fiancée. Now he's single and back in town for good.  He is reinstated as Emily's colleague and now neighbor. Since his plans changed, Jack is able to work on his house, continue writing his bestselling mystery series and go back to pushing Emily's buttons.  Although he doesn't see Emily so much as a nemesis but rather something more.  Because how can nemesis's have this much chemistry? With one funny event after another and each coming to each other's aid, could this possibly be love after all? 

Sarah Adams has done a wonderful job continuing her "When in Rome" series with the story of Emily and Jack. This story will pull at your heartstrings and make you laugh along the way.  The characters are well developed and you are immediately drawn into the story. It is a definite must read!

Sarah Adams' third book in the When In Rome series gives us Emily, with big eldest daughter energy, and her long-time nemesis Jack. Small-town hijinks and all the FEELINGS ensue as Jack moves back to town. This rivals to lovers story will make you kick up your feet in delight and swoon as Emily & Jack fall for each other. Plus the way these two support each other, chef’s kiss!

"Beg, Borrow or Steal" is the third book in Sarah Adams' delightful "When in Rome" series, set in the charming town of Rome, Kentucky. This installment features an enemies-to-lovers romance between Emily Walker and her long-time nemesis, Jack Bennett—the surname being an intriguing nod to Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice.

Adams has a natural talent for crafting stories that evoke the feel of classic romantic comedy films. The narrative is filled with witty banter, flirtatious bickering, and the kind of sizzling chemistry that keeps readers on their toes. Her vivid imagery and impeccable pacing bring this story to life, making it a joy to read.

The plot masterfully balances anticipation, flirtation, and frustration, with well-developed characters that readers can easily relate to. You will find yourself rooting for Emily and Jack to realize what has been right in front of them all along and sharing the town's frustrations at what's taking them so long!

Like most romance novels, "Beg, Borrow, or Steal" is about the journey to an inevitable destination, and this one offers a cozy adventure that wraps you up in its charm.

Visiting Rome, Kentucky, feels like coming home to old friends. I can’t wait for the next installment in the series!

I have not read many Sarah Adams books, but she always gets rave reviews. I read another of her more recent books a few months ago and thought it was okay. However, when I saw the main character in this one is an elementary school teacher, I could not help but request it.

Perhaps, the elementary school teachers who chose their profession and grade level to help kids who are experiencing trauma is the reason I loved this from the start (I have a Masters in Trauma and Resilience in the classroom.) Perhaps it was that Emily, the FMC, is also the eldest daughter and has taken on the emotional, mental, and physical well-being of her whole family. Either way, this resonated deeply with me in a way that I cannot fully describe.

I think this may be one of my favorite romance novels of all time. Now I need to read the love stories of her siblings and eagerly await getting to read Madison's!

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for the eARC! All opinions are my own.

Classic enemies to lovers tale, but I'm here for it. Emily and Jack have hated each other since college. But after Jack moves in next door, their relationship starts to shift. While I didn't realize this was the third in the series (the first two books were about the romances of Emily's siblings) this was still an enjoyable read. Predictable but satisfying.

The banter as always was top tier reading and I was cackling away endlessly. This is an amazing book, and I'm so grateful I get to read it ahead of its release. You bet I'll be getting my hands on a physical copy as soon as it's out in the world.
I thought Will and Annie's story was my favourite but I think this one just tops it!

Jack and Emily's story was a lot of fun and I absolutely love these characters. This rivals to lovers felt genuine to me, I don't always love when it is just a miscommunication. Our MFC is dealing with perfectionism, being strong for other, and trust issues, I thought it was very well done. We all know that person in our life that suppresses their feelings for other. I love this entire series and struggle to choose one over the other, but I have to say that I absolutely adored this one and it is sitting on the top of the series for me so far. I will be posting this on the blog most likely for the month of February of 2025.

Sarah Adams is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! She just can’t miss. I love that Jack and Emily were second grade teachers and writers. I loved the small town vibe and sweet cast of characters. The witty banter and the enemies to lovers trope was perfection. 5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for honest feedback.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is yet another fun and heartfelt installment in Sarah Adams' "When in Rome" series. I really enjoyed the first and second installments; and I was not disappointed by the third!

Something I especially love about this small town romance series is each protagonist's unique inner struggle along with the development of the romance. I enjoy seeing them work through their challenges and the ways they grow as individuals throughout the story.

Our main character Emily works through themes of grief and depression and learns how to lean on her family for support during crisis. It is represented beautifully and I felt as though I was able to connect deeper with Emily's character because of it.

The romance was also fantastic, as always with Sarah Adams' books. This one in particular was a very sweet, rivals-to-lovers plot line between characters who realize they have much more in common than their workplace feuds! I enjoy the fact that the romance is based on emotional connection and friendship rather than open-door intimacy scenes - though there are a few sprinkled here and there as well!

Thanks again to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the free advanced copy of this novel!

Emily is a perfectionist. She wears her “oldest-daughter” batch loud and proud. As her siblings grow and making lives of their own, her presence is not needed anymore. The only thing that is keeping her sense of direction alive is writing her very top secret, raunchy romance novel. After a night of sorrow and too many wine glasses, Emily sends the manuscript to the person that could end her career. Enter Jack. His longtime feud with Emily is the reason he comes back to Rome, Kentucky after his failed engagement. He’s willing to help his former nemesis just to see the smile that recently he’s started to like more and more. Working together allows them to bridge that fine line between love and hate.

I thought the book was appropriate for a Sarah Adam’s book. However, Jack and Emily lack chemistry. Their jump from hate to love felt rushed and brisk. I would have liked to see more bonding scenes that add tension and sweetness to the relationship.