Thank you to the publisher for my gifted review copy. My opinions are my own.

Emily and Jack had been feuding for a decade when Jack leaves to get married, but now he's back in town, very much not married, and Emily's new neighbor. Both of them are afraid to move away from the comfort of the feud, but when Emily accidently emails her boss the spicy romance novel she's been writing, she turns to Jack to help her get the email back. There may have been some banter, questionable breaking in, there's only one closet, and family interference.

This was my first Sarah Adams book, so dropping into book 3 of a series, I was thrown in the deep end by my own actions. I struggled initially to like Emily, but I persisted and finally started to like her about 25% into the story and I was in love with Jack by the end of his first chapter.

Emily isn't for everyone, and her position with her family as the fixer causes some grief and stagnation. I grew up as an only, so not having that sibling dynamic made it harder to understand Emily, but I completely understood Jack, with his traumatic past and standing in the shadow of a narcissist. I really loved the fact that there is dual points of view, and plenty of steam, but also some absolutely amazing conversations about the power of being seen as you are and not for what you can provide.

Highly recommend. And I will be going back and reading more of Sarah's books.

Emily and Jack, mortal enemies since college, have been present for more things in each other’s lives than they care to acknowledge. From classes to summer jobs to teaching at the same school. Now fresh off a broken engagement, Jack has decided to return to Rome Elementary AND to purchase a home in Rome. As a Walker sibling, we know how revered the town of Rome is among them, particularly Emily who is still weighed down by the sorrow of all the things she has lost. With the typical hilarious banter of Sarah Adam’s, hate starts to turn to friendship, and possibly more.

I love Sarah Adams, but I haven’t loved her Rome series thus far. However, Emily and Jack turned the tide for me. Maybe I relate more closely to Emily and her lack of warm gooey-ness, than I have the other Walker sibs. Beg, Borrow, and Steal was a fun, quick read that hits on depression and narcissistic family members. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a LOL romcom. Plus, Sarah has been adding a little open door spice to her books now. Like 2.5 🌶️. Anyone who likes the heart of Abbey Jimenez and the humor of Christina Lauren, it not quite so spicy would really enjoy Beg, Borrow, and Steal by Sarah Adams.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The following review will be posted to Amazon, BookBub, and Goodreads. Goodreads and BookBub are both live, Amazon will be submitted Jan 7.

I really wish Rome, Kentucky was a real place because every book set there makes me love it a little more! Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the third book in the When In Rome series by Sarah Adams. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter and the pettiness between Jack and Emily. Rivals to lovers indeed! Can we also give a hand for teachers?! Love love love.

I was snickering to myself and laughing during this whole book. It’s so lighthearted and fun at times while also relatable, with real pain and sorrow woven throughout the story.

I loved the underlying messages that feelings are not the enemy, hard things are worth the transitional period of discomfort, and just because you can put up with it doesn’t mean you should. They all resonate with so many people, myself included.

While it wasn’t my favorite of the series, I’d still buy a physical copy.
I have yet to read anything by this author I don’t like!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

My First Five Star Read of 2025 and boy is this one worth the five stars!

I didn't think it could get better than book two but boy was I wrong. These two had the best enemies to lovers banter I couldn't get enough of! The small town or Rome, Kentucky has all the charm everyone loves in a small town setting. These people live and breathe for their community and when one of your one doesn't like someone....well so does the town and it was the perfect setting for Emily and Jack.

I love the balance between all the humor and the enduring heart filled charming small town romance. With the laugh-out-love moments mixed with irresistible characters this novel will have you smiling all the way through. It's hard to not get invested in each of these characters that have been with us since book one. They are all so embedded in each others lives that each book adds even more depth to each of the siblings love stories and I love to see it.

I can't wait to see Maddie, the final sibling get her HEA. I will be said when Rome, Kentucky is no more because I have found myself so connected to this small town and all the characters we've met along the way.

Read if you Love:

Rivals to Lovers
Workplace Feud
Next Door Neighbors
Small Town Charm
Hidden Vulnerability
MCs who are writers
Slow Burn
Grumpy / Sunshine
Found Family

Thank you to Sarah Adams, NetGallery and Headline Eternal for my ARC

Favorite one of the Rome series yet. Obsessed with this one and want to read it again soon. As the oldest daughter, I felt Emily so deeply and appreciate my save space even more. Will truly be sad after the final book comes out.

Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Adams, and Dell Publishers for early access to this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was so sweet! I'm a huge sucker for enemies to lovers type books so I read through this so fast! Both of the main characters have lots of deep resided trauma to deal with as adults so reading how they work through these challenges while their relationship evolves over time was so heartwarming!

Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this new rivals-to-lovers romance.

^^from the publisher - thanks @dellromance for the digital copy to review!

My initial review was this:
Can relate to the loneliness. Cannot relate to the absolutely fine a$$ man who banters with you and BLOCKS YOUR SEX SCENE WITH YOU!!!!????

My actual full review is:
Really really enjoyed this one. The rivals to lovers was just SO FUN and full of great banter. The moments where Emily and Jack started to let their guard down were so incredibly sweet. Their light flirting was fantastic. When Jack flirts with her on the **** I was dying! It was so adorably sweet yet hot??

Loved seeing our favorite Rome Kentucky people including Mabel because she is everything to me.

Oldest daughter energy was way too relatable as someone who also lost a parent younger than any kid should. Who focused on taking care of everyone else and never fell apart. Who pushed fo be strong and wants to be needed… who has siblings surrounded by family while feeling lonelier than ever. I had to mentally slap myself to snap out of it.

Okay we HAVE to talk about the sizzling chemistry and that BLOCKING OF THE SEX SCENE LIKE!???? I was *sweating* because it was SO incredibly sensual. They were barely even touching, and I wanted MORE. The longing.

When they finally kissed I was!!!!!!!! Like this!!!!!!!! And when they kept getting interrupted!!!!!! I love them. Their conflict felt real and that ending was so incredibly perfect. Like.. the ****!? Jack really loves her so much!!!!

I’m already excited for the next (and final) story in this series!

Sweet, romantic comedy about two feuding teachers who met in college. It wasn’t until Emily needed Jack’s help getting her unpublished manuscript deleted from her conservative principals computer.
Along the way, Sarah Adams lets us into the hurt and pain both Emily and Jack have been carrying since childhood.
I liked the enemies to friends to lovers theme. It was all believable and had me rooting for the couple.
This is the second Sarah Adams book I’ve read and was not disappointed.
I liked her acknowledgements and this quote gave me all the feels. “No one should face scary feelings alone. You are loved, you are brave, you are strong...”
Thank you NetGalley.

Emily and Jack have been archnemeses since college - constantly competing with each other in every area of their lives. That is until distance between the two after Jack moves away from Rome, Kentucky really does make their hearts grow fonder. They don't know exactly what it is between them, but they both know their lives feel off without the other's presence. In the end, they find the have a lot more in common than originally thought.

I feel like I say this after each book in Sarah Adams's Rome, Kentucky series, but this one was my favorite yet! The connection between Emily and Jack is electric. You can't help but root for them through all of their antics, including an all-out email retrieval heist that concludes in breaking and entering (which seemed very off-brand for the two high-achieving rule followers).

I think it goes without saying that I recommend all of the books in the series! You could absolutely read Beg, Borrow, or Steal as a standalone feel-good romance, but you will have a deeper understanding and connection with the characters if you start with the previous two books. Also, as a native Kentuckian, it just feels good to have my home state get some positive representation.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC of this new release!

I was so happy to receive this arc! I’m a Kentucky girl, so I was excited to get to return to Rome, Kentucky. I love the small town with the quirky characters. It gives me Gilmore Girl’s vibes and that is one of my all time favorite shows. I love how Sarah writes her characters with so much personality and depth and I couldn’t get enough of Emily and Jack. I also always enjoy when mixed media is included in a book, so the email exchanges were an awesome added bonus. I definitely recommend.

Another great story from Rome, Kentucky - this time focused on oldest sister Emily and her long-term enemy Jack. Each has professional aspirations in secret, as well as their perspective on their history - and in a small town you can't help but run into each other.

Great character development which kept me reading! Thank you to Netgalley and to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC.

I had such a wonderful time with this book. It was so nice to see inside of Emily’s head and get to see the characters of Rome as we continue to fall in love with them. Giggled, kicked my feet, and cannot wait for the last installment.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Adams, and Ballantine Books for the eARC of Beg, Borrow, or Steal in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

*ARC Review*

Sarah has done it again. Jackson and Emily are simply amazing.

We headed back to Rome, Kentucky to get the story of Emily, the oldest girl of the Walker children. She is a type A control freak, who needs everything done her way and she is always right. But under the surface, she is a lonely woman after watching two of her siblings find the loves of their lives and the other chasing her dreams in NYC. Her emotions are so realistic, and as an older sister, I could relate to her a lot.

Jackson is charming to every single person he’s ever met, except Emily. He even charms the residents of Rome even after Emily has made it clear that they should not accept him. He has a secret though, he is a bestselling mystery author, using a pen name to distinguish himself from his narcissistic father, who is also a bestselling mystery author. His charming personality is clearly a coping mechanism from his childhood and trying to deal with his father. Only Emily ever truly gets to see the real him.

Their decades-long feud was so entertaining. Their antics were so funny, and you could feel the underlying tension between them that was anything but enemy-like. When Emily needs Jackson’s help after accidentally sending her spicy manuscript from their very conservative boss, he accepts without hesitation. Their chemistry was palpable and that scene blocking was 🥵 There was a little spice, but it was very well done and not over the top. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The growth in both characters throughout the book was amazing and I can’t wait to go back to Rome, Kentucky again.

Thank you Dell and Sarah for the ARC! ❤️

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is an absolute gem of a small-town romance that delivers everything you’d want from a rivals-to-lovers story and then some. Emily and Jack’s dynamic is hilariously tense, with their decade-long “nemesis” vibes providing endless snarky banter and playful tension. Yet beneath their antics, there’s an undeniable attraction simmering, waiting to bubble over. Watching their relationship slowly transform from rivalry to partnership to something deeper was such a satisfying journey, filled with both heart and heat.

What sets this book apart is how much more it offers beyond the romance. Emily’s personal journey as an older sister grappling with her identity and learning to embrace her flaws is incredibly relatable. The story beautifully explores themes of personal growth, self-acceptance, and finding your own path, making it feel so much richer and more meaningful. Jack’s secret life as a mystery writer adds an intriguing layer to the story, and his willingness to help Emily—even while teasing her endlessly—cements him as a swoon-worthy hero who falls first and falls hard.

As an addition to the series, Beg, Borrow, or Steal is pure magic. Emily and Jack are perfectly matched in every way, and their chemistry is off the charts. Add in the charm of the small-town setting and the laugh-out-loud moments, and you’ve got a romance that hits all the right notes. This is one to cozy up with and savor!

A classic Sarah Adams read! Sweet, swoony, and a bit more steamy than her last few. I liked how Emily was represented--I feel like Sarah always does a good job of differentiating her FMCs with distinct personalities and struggles. And as an eldest daughter, I enjoyed it.

Wow!!! The way I loved this book. Thank you Net Galley for a gifted ARC in exchange for an honest review.

In this story we follow Emily Walker and Jack Bennett, both second grade teachers and 'enemies'. We are following them in the summertime as Emily chases her dream of becoming a romance author while her nemesis Jack moves back to small town Rome, Kentucky, and ends up becoming her next door neighbor.

I've read a handful of Sarah Adams' books and felt pretty neutral about them, but I think she keeps getting better with each book she writes. I feel that her writing has really improved since the previous books I've read of hers. I was so excited for this book as someone who works in an Elementary school, I was stoked for the setting and the careers of our main characters. Once I hit 30% in this book I could NOT put it down! When I did, all I was doing was thinking about this book.

I did not care for Emily the first 30% of this book. Some of the things she was doing I could not believe an actual human would actually be so unfair to another individual. But once that side of her started to go away I could appreciate her other character traits.

The chemistry of these characters was so great and other than how Emily was acting in the first 30%, she was likable. This book had me giggling, kicking my feet, and smiling in the last 2/3. I highly recommend this book.

3.45 stars

I have read almost all of Sarah Adams books and have enjoyed most of them. Her When in Rome series is my favorite of hers, so I was glad to be back in Rome, Kentucky. While this book did make me smile a lot, there were some moments in her writing that I didn't particularly love. Some of the serious/ vulnerable moments felt glazed over and lacked some depth. While I love things ending on a happy note, I would have loved to dive more into the serious moments. The story was cute and I loved the banter and friendship between Jackson and Emily. I was worried about some tropes in this book, but they resolved themselves in a way that I liked. She did have it slightly more open door, but provided a warning at the beginning of the book if you prefer your books more closed door. All in all, it was a super cute and enjoyable read.

Another amazing read from Sarah Adams!
I love how she’s able to make characters extremely relatable while also sharing an interesting story with humor and great attention to detail.
This book had such fun witty banter between FMC and MMC, was paced perfectly to keep the reader engaged, and was written with raw feelings that were expressed in an excellent way. Can’t wait to buy a copy when the book is officially released!

Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Adams for the ARC!! Practice Makes Perfect was my favorite read of 2024, so I had high hopes for Emily & Jack’s story and it did not disappoint. Ultimately, I loved this book so much! Two second-grade teachers, whose feuding began in college ten years ago, form an alliance to retrieve a manuscript that fell into the wrong hands. Emily and Jack spit out hilarious zingers back and forth during their feuding and their chemistry is undeniable. Did I paint my nails red and whip up a candy salad while I was reading this book? Absolutely, I did.

P. S. Looking forward to Maddie’s story. Fingers crossed it’s based on Sabrina, which is my favorite Audrey movie!

We return to Rome, Kentucky, in this third installment in the When in Rome series. Emily and Jack are second-grade teachers at the same school, and they have been feuding since college, exchanging barbs with each other but otherwise keeping their distance. When Jack moves in next door to Emily, Emily can't deal with her "nemesis" being so close, so she tries to scare him off by having the town turn a cold shoulder to him (a tough act given how charming Jack is). But as they see more of each other over summer break, both Jack and Emily realize there is more to their relationship than hatred--and it may not be hate at all. If you've read and liked any of the earlier When in Rome books, I'd recommend reading this one, as it takes place in the same universe (even the same family). While you wouldn't have to read the earlier books to understand this one, there are a few spoilers. It was one I didn't want to put down, despite being not so sure about the enemies-to-lovers focus at the start. The characters grew on me as they became less caustic towards each other. Jack and Emily have a real chemistry, whether they are exchanging barbs or not. A heads up to those who have read other books by this author: this one is steamier than previous books.