Sarah Adams is a GEM and this book is no different. She takes us back to Rome, Kentucky for what may be my favorite Walker sibling story. Emily and Jack have always been rivals but when they become neighbors, their relationship turns into something more. I always love a romance when the MMC is Down Bad and the FMC doesn't realize it. The slow burn of the transformation of their relationship was so fun to follow along with, and it's so refreshing to see two characters who are so authentically themselves.

Sarah - please write more Rome books, we love this little town!!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I really don’t know how Sarah does it. She puts pure magic into her books ✨ I loved “When In Rome” and I loved “Practice Makes Perfect” even more! But this one!! I honestly wasn’t expecting for this one to be my favorite. It was so so nice to see a vulnerable side to Emily. To really get to know her character. Jack and Emily are the enemies to friends to lovers story that I needed to read ❤️ The way they both can’t express vulnerability or be completely honest with anyone but each other, even when they were enemies, is truly the sweetest thing. I love that they are both teachers and writers! The book is definitely a love letter to teachers and to the oldest sisters out there.

Jack is one of my new favorite MMCs! He’s just so swoon-worthy. The way he loves her for exactly who she is 🥹 I smiled so much while reading. I laughed and I teared up. This one gave me all of the feels. I fall more and more in love with Mabel’s character throughout the series. It’s always nice taking a trip back to Rome, Kentucky. I’ve been impatiently waiting for poor James to get his chance with Maddie. I seriously can’t wait for Book 4!!! This is definitely a new favorite ❤️

“𝗧𝗲𝗹𝗹 𝗺𝗲 𝗮 𝘀𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁, 𝘄𝗵𝗮𝘁’𝘀 𝗶𝘁 𝗹𝗶𝗸𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗯𝗲 𝗮𝗱𝗼𝗿𝗲𝗱 𝗯𝘆 𝗘𝗺𝗶𝗹𝘆 𝗪𝗮𝗹𝗸𝗲𝗿?”

We’re back in Rome starting 2025 off with one my most anticipated reads of the year!! I’m having a little trouble putting into words just how much I loved this book. Not only did it have some of my favorite tropes (rivals to lovers, forced proximity, black cat/golden retriever), but it had so much more than that. It told a story of the older sister that has always been the shoulder to cry on but never wanted to burden others with her feelings. The heartbroken woman that is scared to love and be loved again. The aspiring writer that has never felt good enough to take that leap.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal also came through with the banter and the tension. Rival/enemies to lovers is one of my favorites for both of those reasons. The sassy banter between characters that “hate” each other and the internal thoughts telling us that they’re actually loving the feuds have me kicking my feet! The sexual tension between Jack and Emily was insane. When they acted out the scene from her book… phewww. Jack Bennett has moved his way up to the top of my book boyfriends list. I mean, who doesn’t love a man in glasses?!

𝗦𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗢𝗨𝗧 𝗤𝗨𝗢𝗧𝗘𝗦:

“𝐓𝐡𝐞𝐫𝐞’𝐬 𝐧𝐨 𝐞𝐬𝐜𝐚𝐩𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐭 𝐭𝐨𝐧𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭. 𝐈’𝐦 𝐡𝐢𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐢𝐧 𝐚 𝐜𝐥𝐨𝐬𝐞𝐭 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐦𝐲 (𝐞𝐱-)𝐧𝐞𝐦𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐬, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐢𝐭’𝐬 𝐭𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝐭𝐨 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐟𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐬: 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐡𝐢𝐦, 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐡𝐞 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐬 𝐦𝐞.”

“𝐉𝐮𝐬𝐭 𝐡𝐨𝐰 𝐨𝐟𝐭𝐞𝐧 𝐝𝐨 𝐲𝐨𝐮 𝐩𝐢𝐜𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐦𝐞, 𝐉𝐚𝐜𝐤𝐬𝐨𝐧?” “𝐌𝐨𝐫𝐞 𝐭𝐡𝐚𝐧 𝐞𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐨𝐟 𝐮𝐬 𝐢𝐬 𝐜𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐛𝐥𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡.”

“𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐨𝐟 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐛𝐚𝐝 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐮𝐧𝐭𝐢𝐥 𝐧𝐨𝐰. 𝐈 𝐧𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐞𝐟𝐟𝐢𝐜𝐢𝐞𝐧𝐭 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐲. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐢𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐞. 𝐈 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐛𝐥𝐚𝐳𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐞𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐬𝐰𝐞𝐞𝐭 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐝𝐞𝐬𝐩𝐞𝐫𝐚𝐭𝐞 𝐰𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐬 𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐫 𝐦𝐲 𝐛𝐨𝐝𝐲. 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐦𝐚𝐧, 𝐈 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐤 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐡𝐨𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐭𝐲, 𝐈 𝐰𝐨𝐮𝐥𝐝 𝐰𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐬𝐧𝐮𝐠𝐠𝐥𝐞.”

⭐️: 5/5

🍒rivals to lovers
🍒fueding teachers
🍒neighbors / forced proximity
🍒small town
🍒black cat / golden retriever
🍒secret writers
🍒MMC with glasses

Thank you Dell Romance / Sarah Adams for the adorable PR box and finished physical copy of this book and NetGalley for the eARC!

Author Sarah Adams delivers a delightful small-town rom-com with her newest 2025 edition, Beg, Borrow, or Steal. Emily and Jack’s long-standing rivalry heats up when he becomes her coworker and next-door neighbor. Their banter is sharp, the tension is palpable, and their journey from foes was so heartwarming and enjoyable.

The cozy small-town setting and lovable side characters make this story shine, while Jack’s charm and Emily’s growth add depth to the romance. Though part of a series, it stands perfectly on its own—but it totally made me want to read the rest!

This is perfect for fans of rivals-to-lovers and warm community vibes and I highly recommend adding it to your winter weekend TBR list.

Thank you to Ballantine for my free review copy.

This book is very different from my usual reads but I wanted to try something in the romance genre. I liked it a lot more than I thought I would! There were lots of little moments that made me laugh and I found the characters endearing. I quickly realized there were books prior to this one that I should have read for some context, but they were not really needed- although I may go back and read them now.

6 stars!!! thank you Dell and NetGalley for sending me an ARC of this book. This is definitely my favorite book in this series so far, we'll see if Madison's story will change my mind. Sarah Adams always has a tendency to make me fall in love with each of her characters. I don't think I've read a lot of the rivals to lovers trope, but this was written extremely well. It made me cry and laugh throughout the entire book. Emily and Jack had a unique love story, and it was about time that they admitted their feelings to one another. I'm happy that I got to see the Walker siblings grow closer together especially after their grandma died. I agree with Maddie's statement when she said that it's healthy to cry occasionally so you don't have a massive meltdown down the line. I'm going to be so sad after I read book 4, I don't want this to be over quite yet. I might have to reread these three books before book 4.

Solid 4⭐️! I think a superior trope for me will always be rivals/enemies to lovers but actually the MMC has been completely obsessed with her the entire time 😭 & it was dual POV?! I eat it up every. single. time!! I feasted 😋🍽️ The fact that they’re both “moonlighting” as writers is so good too. (Don’t even get me started on that swoony “scene blocking” scene 🤭)

The banter was fantastic and I love their little text and email exchanges 🥹 thank you so much to Dell for the eARC!

I’ll be the first to admit that How to Steal a Million isn’t one of my favorite Audrey Hepburn movies, but Beg, Borrow, or Steal is without a doubt one of my favorite Sarah Adams books.

Jack and Emily were wonderful from beginning to end. The story shines with so much passion for the romance genre and what it means to find the one person who’s truly your kindred spirit. Adams’ writing continues to be a hopeful balm, and the Rome series continues to be a gift! No notes.

1000% my new favorite Sarah Adams book! This one hooked me right from the start. Emily is a firecracker with an utterly relatable need to hold back and be what people expect her to be. Jack is SWOON personified. Their dynamic is just delicious. I loved the banter and the way Jack takes care of her and just watching them fall in love. EASY 5 stars for this book!

I have loved this series from the beginning, but I think this could be my favorite. There was something about Emily that really resonated with me. Maybe it is that she is the type A older sister who teaches, maybe it was her snark and control. I don't know, but I absolutely loved her story. (I cannot wait to see if Maddie will get her own book as well.) This was the perfect read for the snow day shutdown. Thank you NetGalley for the advanced preview.

I enjoyed this! Loved getting to go back to Rome, KY with the Walker siblings. Emily was so relatable and made this book my 2nd fav (behind When in Rome). It didn’t do anything to change my life and not sure I will think about it much but Sarah Adams books are like cotton candy so I will keep reading them! 3.5⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!!!!! 🤍

Emily Walker and Jack Bennett have been enemies since freshman year of college. Everything for them was a competition. It didn’t help that they were in same major, so they ended up being in the same classes and fighting for the same internships. Their competition didn’t end when they graduated college though. They both ended up at the same elementary school in Rome, Kentucky teaching the same grade. Jack has always been likable compared to Emily. It drove her crazy. When Jack left mid-school year to Nebraska to marry his fiancee, Emily was happy she no longer had to see him everyday. The last thing Emily saw coming was Jack returning to Rome and becoming her neighbor.
Jack was happy to be back in Rome, Kentucky. He can’t wait to work on renovations for his house and write the next book in his mystery series under his pen name. What he didn’t realize is that he bought the house next door to his nemesis, Emily. Jack learns about her plans to run him out of town and can’t help the excitement he feels to thwart those plans.
Emily is closet romance writer. She has written a steamy romance book and doesn’t want anyone to know. One night she realizes that her siblings are chasing their dreams, and becomes upset because she feels like they don’t need her anymore. So she drunkly decides to submit her manuscript to a well known agent. The problem is that she accidentally submitted her manuscript to her boss. After she realizes what she has done, she frantically runs to Jack for help. She asks for his help to steal back her manuscript, and to her surprise, he agrees. Now that they are working together, they realize that they are more alike than they thought. Can they put their feuding behind them long enough to see if there could be something real between them? Or will they fall back to what is comfortable?

It’s so good to be back in Rome, Kentucky! Sarah Adams has done it again! This is my favorite of the series so far. Emily and Jack were perfect. Their banter was hilarious and the tension between them had me fanning myself at some points. I feel like Sarah did a great job showing the emotions and struggles that both Emily and Jack endured. Emily always wanted to help others so she wouldn’t have to deal with her own issues. She was scared of change. She also feared that she was too difficult to love and my heart broke for her. Growing up Jack had to deal with a narcissistic father who also drank too much. He would always try to diffuse a situation and please everyone, and this carried forward into adulthood. I loved that they both were able to help each other with their struggles and find love with each other. I also loved seeing the rest of the Walker family. I can’t wait for the next book in this interconnected series!

Thank you Dell and Random House Publishing for the eARC!

Oh, it's so nice to be back in Rome Kentucky! I have missed the Walker family and Emily did not disappoint. This book felt all too close to home, I identify with Emily more than I think I'd like to admit. And I enjoyed the buildup between Emily and Jackson and the juxtaposition between it's always been you and the enemies to lovers' aspects of this story. In true Sarah Adams fashion, the spice is at a very minimal level, and I think it helps to facilitate the growing tension between the MC's.
I enjoyed that the character growth was a major part of the story line and that all of my favorite couples from previous When in Rome books were present. I cannot wait for Maddie's book, and I sincerely hope James is her person!!

Emily Walker and Jack Bennett have been rivals since college and are now not only teaching in the same town but also neighbors. This gave such perfect romcom vibes! The chemistry/banter between Jack and Emily had me laughing out loud one minute and screaming the next.

Sarah also did a great job exploring the emotions and personal struggles of these characters. I could heavily relate to Emily with how she feels the need to be there for everyone in her life and doesn’t like to ask for help despite being overwhelmed. How hard it is to deal with change around you and not feel left behind.

Thank you Dell for the ARC! If you’re looking for a rivals to lovers set in a small town that’s part of an interconnected series, this book is out now and I highly recommend making it your next read! I loved this one a lot!

Sarah Adams has done it again 💕

I enjoyed every minute of this book. The banter, the tension, both POVs. The tender, emotional moments. Ugh I love them so much.

If you're looking for a rivals-to-lovers, banter filled, delicious romcom, then you're in for a treat!

Thank you, Netgalley and Random House publishing for an earc. All thoughts are my own. ✨️

The connection between Emily and Jack might be my favorite of all SA’s books - the emotion and depth felt so real and relatable. LOVED being back in Rome, Kentucky with all the Walker siblings. Where do we find a real life Jack?

Beg, Borrow, or Steal follows two teachers that have been rivals since college. They continue to be around each other after college, working in the same grade at the same small town school.

Jack briefly leaves but ultimately returns to town to not only work with Emily again, but to be her next door neighbor. Emily does everything she can to get rid of Jack, until something happens and she ends up needing his help (no spoilers).

This book is written as part of an interconnected series but is written so well that you don’t need to read the previous two in order to understand anything.

I loved the small town vibes that were going on in the book. Everyone knows everyone else’s business and has each other’s backs. There’s something about that that gets me every time. The town was cute, the characters were cute and the story was cute.

I liked the MMC, Jack, enough to get past the descriptions of his “dorky” tattoos and beaded necklaces. He was enjoyable and fun and I could actually imagine him being an elementary school teacher. I didn’t like the FMC, Emily, as much. Even though she was organized and smart, I felt like she came across as a busy body, pushy, and a little judgmental. And really, ten years is a long time to hold onto a petty rivalry. The characters were supposed to be 30s or so, holding onto a grudge from their first days in college.

The side characters really stood out to me. I haven’t read the previous books in the series but you bet I will be going back to read them now. I need to know more about the other couples!

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House, and Sarah Adams for the opportunity to read this book prior to release in exchange for my honest opinion.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️♾️
Returning to Rome, Kentucky always brings me such joy ❤️ This time around it’s no different. Emily is such a strong character who always needed someone to lean on, to help her carry the weight of life with her. She is that person for everyone, but refuses to let anyone be that for her. Then along come Jack 😭 I don’t want to spoil anything, but these two are end game and I will carry their love and strength with me. This book healed me in ways I didn’t know I needed. It can be scary opening up to people in your life. When it’s the right person, you’ll know. You’ll feel safe and loved. You can show them your ugly parts and they will love you all the same.

Chapter 16 🥵 H. A. W. T. That’s all I have to say.

Fav Quotes:
“Life can be a little shit sometimes. But shit also makes great fertilizer.”

“Find someone who helps you look on the bright side.”
(Don’t want to spoil the absolutely amazing ones)

Tropes:
Rivals to lovers
Small town
Banter
Secret writers
A heist

👩🏼‍💻I had to kick off the new year with reviewing this book that had me blushing and kicking my feet. From the beginning, Emily Walker [FMC] captured my heart. She’s feisty, and has a no holds barred attitude. She’s not taking 💩 from anyone and that includes her sexy nemesis, Jack Bennett [MMC]. Who cares that everyone seems to love Jack? Add in the cute town of Rome, Kentucky with its protective and nosy citizens, I was sold.

🏍️One of my favorite elements in this book was the banter between Emily and Jack. They were so evenly matched and hilarious. It just gets better as they start developing feelings for each other. Then @authorsarahadams gives us a hot closet scene but my favorite was the bike scene where the song Pony by Ginuwine may or may have been involved.

🍎Not only is the banter well done but the book explores different traumas that have shaped the main characters and how their relationship is affected by it. I really enjoyed the honesty and vulnerability with which each character discussed their feelings. It was nice to see open communication between the characters. Here’s looking at you miscommunication trope 👀

I read this as a standalone but it is part of the When in Rome universe. Add this to your TBR and I will be adding the rest of @authorsarahadams catalogue to my TBR.

👩🏼‍🏫Brief Synopsis: Emily Walker’s nemesis Jack Bennett is back in town. It isn’t enough that she has to put up with him at school and everyone loves him but now he has to live in her town as her next door neighbor. When it can’t get any worse, Emily accidentally sends her secret spicy manuscript to her uptight principal. The only person she can trust is Jack to help her. Between several attempts to get the email back and getting to know each other outside of their rivalry, could it be that there is more than just animosity between the two? After all they say there is a thin line between love and hate.

Happy release week to Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
We follow Emily an oldest sister and Jack her oldest rival. This is the classic rivals to lovers everyone wants. The people of Rome are so special it’s the perfect balance of quirky townspeople without being too forced. I adored the progression of Jack and Emily’s friendship into their romantic relationship. They both grow emotionally as characters and admit their past mistakes

Although these may seem like standalones you will get every previous book spoiled for you so I HIGHLY recommend reading the books in order! One of my favorite aspects of this book was the appearance of past characters again in such a natural way that didn’t seem forced at all.

If you love…

❤️rivals to lovers

❤️small town

❤️happy endings

❤️sister relationships

❤️books about books