3.75 rounded up

This was such a fun story. I've been with this series since "When in Rome" and I've always been curious about how Emily's story would play out. Being the oldest child and always worrying/looking out for the younger siblings is A LOT. I loved that she is a teacher (highly underappreciated career) and her coworkers were such fun side characters. It was nice to revisit characters from the past few books, and I really enjoyed watching her love story unfold. This was a really fun read!

**5 Stars – A Heartfelt & Hilarious Rivals-to-Lovers Romance!**

*Beg, Borrow, or Steal* by Sarah Adams is easily my favorite book in the *When in Rome* series, and I can't stop gushing about it! This third installment is everything I didn’t know I needed: the perfect balance of witty banter, deep emotions, and swoon-worthy romance. It captivated me from start to finish and truly exceeded all my expectations.

Emily and Jack are the ultimate rivals-to-lovers duo. From the moment they meet, their chemistry is electric, and their constant back-and-forth is both hilarious and endearing. I adored watching their transformation from enemies to collaborators, and then to something much, much more. Emily, a second-grade teacher and romance writer with a soft heart, is a character you can’t help but root for. Jack, with his charming smirk, tattoos, and secret life as a bestselling mystery author, is impossible not to fall in love with. Together, they create such a dynamic relationship that I couldn't get enough of.

The tension between these two? Off the charts. The banter? *Chef’s kiss.* It gave me all the early 2000s rom-com vibes, making me laugh, blush, and even squeal with joy. There were so many moments where I felt like I was watching a scene from a movie — from their hilarious email exchanges to the slow burn of their undeniable attraction. And the sweet moments that followed were just the icing on the cake.

But this book is more than just a charming rom-com. It’s about vulnerability, growth, and the power of asking for help. Emily’s journey of self-acceptance, overcoming her fears, and learning to let others in felt deeply personal. As someone who also has a close-knit family, I related to her struggles with being the “strong one” and always carrying the weight of everyone else’s problems. Jack was the perfect counterbalance to Emily, offering tenderness, compassion, and a much-needed push when she needed it most.

I also loved how the book touched on the sibling dynamics and the deep bonds between family members. Emily’s relationship with her sisters was heartwarming, and seeing their support for each other made me appreciate the importance of community and connection. The humor, heart, and little quirky moments with Ducky the cat added a special touch that made me feel like I was part of the Walker family.

Sarah Adams’ writing in *Beg, Borrow, or Steal* is top-notch. She skillfully weaves together humor, heartache, and sizzling romance into a story that feels both real and completely magical. The pacing was perfect, and the way the characters grew together made their eventual romance feel earned and satisfying. I especially appreciated how Emily and Jack’s communication was so healthy — a refreshing change from the typical miscommunication tropes that often plague romance novels.

And let’s not forget the steam! The two chapters of spice were so well done — perfectly integrated into the story, enhancing their connection without feeling forced. It was the perfect amount of heat, and it felt like a natural progression of their relationship.

This book was pure joy from start to finish, and I can’t recommend it enough. Even if you haven’t read the first two books in the *When in Rome* series, this one can absolutely be enjoyed as a standalone. But honestly, you’ll want to devour the entire series, because Sarah Adams has created a world that’s impossible to leave.

Now I’m anxiously awaiting the next book (Madison and James, please!!). If you love a rivals-to-lovers story with lots of heart, humor, and chemistry, do yourself a favor and grab *Beg, Borrow, or Steal* ASAP. Trust me, you won’t regret it!

*Thank you, NetGalley, for providing an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.*

⭐️ 5/5
🌶️ 2/5

Thank you Dell Romance (@dellromance) for the advanced copy!

This was utterly perfect! I ate this up and still wanted 1,000 pages more!

I didn’t know I was missing Jack and Emily until I finished this book. They brought so much fire and exquisite banter to the pages of the When in Rome world and I loved every second!

This enemies to lovers romance was so fun to read. From the pranks, to the snarky emails back and forth, the push and pull between Emily and Jack was positively delectable. I loved to see their feuding slowly morph into something more, their walls slowly coming down as they built mutual trust over the course of their story. They truly had my heart!

Yet again, the town of Rome, KY was PERFECTION. The townspeople continue to be one of my favorite parts of this series and I’m so glad we will get to see them one more time with Madison and James’s story next year (I AM MANIFESTING!!!!!)

I cannot recommend this series enough and look forward to whatever Sarah Adams deems worthy to share with us next!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams is a delightful, heartwarming read. The characters are well-developed, and Adams' humor shines through, making this book both charming and engaging. Love the banter between Emily and Jack. A lovely story with emotional depth—4 stars!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for a honest review.

I love Sarah Adam's books and loved this story and the character development. I’m not usually a fan of the enemies to lovers trope - but I did enjoy this one. The beginning was a bit rough but I really started to enjoy about 1/3 of the way through.

I read this before any others in the stand alone series, and there are probably spoilers but I’m intrigued enough to go back and read the rest!

Thank you to Random House-Ballentine, Sarah Adams and NetGalley for this ARC.

This had the best kind of message in that it's okay to ask for help. That asking for help isn't weakness, it's a strength all on its own. A heartwarming and hopeful romance where the two leads communicate with each other. Quite refreshing!

Beg, Borrow or Steal, otherwise known as the third book of the When In Rome series is a teachers enemies to lovers. Emily is introducing us to the nuances
of her small town of Rome, Kentucky, in a hot spot gossip location, the salon. During this time, the tea is spilled that not only did her arch-nemesis wedding fall apart but internally acknowledging she’s still caught up that he never said goodbye before leaving with his would-be bride. From the beginning, it’s clear that Emily has a lot of big opinions that can be a little too loud for the town, but I absolutely love them.

The character development is phenomenal and really gives you the opportunity to connect with them. Emily is the eldest sister of four, and after losing her parents really young, took on a rather compassionate parental role. This overall compassion from Emily can be seen through the entire story. Meanwhile, Jackson has somethings about life to learn such as letting people in. They started as enemies, downgrading to rivals and ending upon lovers, who doesn’t love tension that’s been building up across a decade since they met in college. Some awkward and humbling moments drew these together outside their regular orbit and it left beautifully raw moments in their wake. Grief and fear were discussed with an elegance that catches in your throat as you read the lines.

i also just absolutely loved their professions, teachers in the daytime, authors in the night.

Pub Date January 7 2025

ARC provided by Random House Publishing Group— Ballentine, Dell Romance and NetGalley. Thank you.

review posted to NetGalley & Goodreads

What a sweet addition to the "When in Rome" series! Rivals since college - Emily and Jack banter in the best way when he moves back to teach in Emily's little hometown. When they decide to work together on a project, they find that they actually make a good pair! If you have read the other books in this series, you get the joy of peeking into the lives of the other characters.

Before the book begins readers can read about the content warnings that do make this book a little heavier than the first two installments. The subject matter is handled beautifully and really just aids in character development, but could be a concern for some readers.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams is the third installment in the When in Rome series. I’ve heavily enjoyed all of Sarah Adams’ writing so far, but I was a bit wary starting this book. My first impressions of this book couldn’t have been more wrong! I felt really enthralled with this book after the first 1/3 or so, as in the beginning the enemies aspect threw me off. The banter the main characters had together seemed a bit more sharp than I’m used to from Adams, but they more than make it up to each other. Rome, Kentucky never leaves me disappointed, and if you love Sarah Adams, this book won’t disappoint you either!

I’d recommend this to readers who’ve read the first two books in this series, and general lovers of romance. Thank you so very much to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for allowing me to read this e-arc!

Any time I get to go back to Rome, Kentucky I have a fantastic time. This book was adorable. I fell in love with Emily and her silk pajamas because in a lot of ways I am Emily. The banter was quick and fun, and this book didn’t take itself too seriously while delivering some excellent character development.

Thank you to Dell Romance and NetGalley for the advanced reader’s copy.

This book is the third in the When in Rome series, this was an enemies to lovers adorable book. The banter between these two was pure chef’s kiss. It added so much spice to their story, and watching their dynamic evolve was just everything.

“I care for you always. I want you, always. The good, the bad, and the in between. I. Want. You.”

“I don’t need anything from you other than for you to unlock the door for me so I can come lie with you when the darkness is too heavy to crawl out of.”

I think this is the best so far from the When In Rome series! @authorSarahAdams, these just keep getting better and better!

I really loved the characters in the first two books. And I wasn’t sure I would enjoy this book as much as the first two because I hadn’t yet felt connected to Emily. But I couldn’t have been more wrong! Sarah Adams nails the enemies to lovers trope with this release. Such smart banter, hysterically funny scenarios, and deeply honest vulnerability make the relationship between Emily and Jackson so real, I was hooked!

If the trend continues, I am over the moon excited for what I anticipate to be James and Maddie’s story next in line. I’m definitely not ready to leave Rome!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!

I love all things Sarah Adams. This trip to Rome, Kentucky took a hot minute to get into, as I wasn’t a huge fan of the enemies buildup in the beginning. They were flat out mean and it was a departure from Sarah’s typical sunshine. But after the first 1/3, the magic was back and I fell in love with Emily and Jack. Can’t wait for the last book

Emily and Jack are rivals who both teach at the same school now that Jack has moved back to town after calling off his engagement. Not only is he her irritating co worker, but he’s also now her neighbor. Emily is secretly a successful writer. But she uses a pen name so that she can remain anonymous and keep teaching. Unfortunately she accidentally sends an email that will reveal her secret to the school principal and it’s likely to end her teaching career and out her as an author all in one swoop. She’s desperate to keep him from seeing it, and Jack agrees to help her fix the mess she’s in. Even though they don’t get along, they work together and their rivalry heats up but so does their feelings for each other which lead to romance.
Gosh I loved going back to Rome, Kentucky. Sarah has such a gift for taking you in to her settings hook line and sinker. The story is more than just their romance, as there’s also characters from the previous books that tie it all together. The story shows that it’s ok to need help from others and shows so much growth of our FMC and accepting that help doesn’t mean you’re weak, it’s actually a sign of strength.
And of course I have to mention Jack, our MMC. Umm he is delicious! He’s a cutie who wears glasses but also rides a motorcycle and is doing everything he can to not be like his narcissistic father. Yet another lesson in the book-we are more than our upbringing-but it doesn’t hit you over the head with it.
I can’t say enough good things abiut this story and the series. I can’t wait for the next book!
Thanks to Dell Books and NetGalley for this eArc in exchange for my review.

Absolutely loved this newest book from Sarah Adams set in Rome, Kentucky! This book follows the eldest sister, Emily, who is also the most responsible despite being the second born. Emily, a teacher at the local elementary school, is loved by everyone in Rome except for her rival, Jack Bennett. Also a teacher, Emily and Jack have a years long rivalry that Emily believes has come to an end when Jack moves about to get married. The only problem is that just a few months later Jack is back in town. And he isn’t married. AND he just bought the house across the street.

Omg i looove this series so much and i absolutely loved the first two books! They were so fun and light easy reads. This one might just be my favorite in the series though.because i LOVE rivals to lovers and forced proximity. This really was like a rom com and the perfect mixture of funny/emotional.

Sarah Adams is one of my auto buy authors, and I love this series. Rome, Kentucky, the found family, and the side characters make this series so special, and I look forward to visiting with every book in this series. I was really excited for this enemies to lovers romance with the oldest Walker sister, Emily. Rivals in every way, Jack and Emily clash in college and then again when they work at the same elementary school. Then he moves, and even though she should be happy about it, she isn't. She's really not sure how to feel when she finds out Jack is coming back to town. Not only that, but he is moving next door. Emily's first plan is to sabotage his return, but when she accidentally sends an email to her principal that wasn't meant for him, she asks Jack for help retrieving it. Feelings start to change and friendship starts to develop.

Enemies to lovers and small town romance are two of my favorite tropes, so I loved that aspect of this book. Emily isn't my favorite Walker sister, but I like seeing her growing and trying to get her happily ever after. There's also a little secret identity in this one that adds to the fun. I will continue to recommend this series, and I think they get better with each one!

Writing was incredible. The detail and character development left you wanting more. You felt like you were part of the story and wanted to find a love like theirs.

Sarah Adams can do no wrong when it comes to writing. This may be my least favorite of the series, and the one I was most excited for. As soon as I knew it would be a rivals-to-lovers situation. What I think makes it even better is the fact that these are two second grade teachers. Rome is such a quaint place and it was so fun to see how the entire town went to bat for Emily, and then immediately were like Uno reverse, we like Jack. The tension between these two was *chefs kiss* and the pay off was well worth it.

Emily is such a great and relatable character. She hates change, but at the same time has this secret dream of being a romance writer. I love how she went for her goal, and she would've with or without the help of Jack. Jack supporting her dream while also being secretly an author was a great plot line though. He did not want to come across as a know-it-all and I really appreciated that he did not want her to know about his secret identity since she was also trying for that career. I love that Emily was unapologetically herself throughout the books. She went through real emotions that everyone goes through which I really appreciated was depicted on page.

Jack is such a great and supportive guy. Not only is he a writer (Swoon), but also drives a motorcycle. We love a nerdy bad boy. He is so sweet with his bead necklaces that his students give him which then is given the back drop of tattoos. I kind love how he has both sides. He is some who has gone through tough times with his narcistic father and because of that has his this whole other side of him. I truly hated his dad who was just jealous of Jack's success. Jack is the definition though of past and upbringing do not define a person.

The banter between these two is top tier. It was funny, sweet, sharp, and not annoying. This book was a great combo of sweet, funny, spicy and emotional. The character growth between these two was so great, and I loved how they grew both as a couple and individuals with the help of one another.

Thank you to the publisher and author for an eARC of this book via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 stars! This was so great! This book had a great slow burn to it that made me feel thankful to be back in this setting with these characters. There is so much to be hopeful about in this story, and I enjoyed the lessons learned by our two main characters and how they grew to accept themselves. Emily and Jack as characters are the definition of people who don't realize they're in love with each other. Jack is so giving and considerate of Emily and he does such a great job of alleviating her burdens. Emily is a character that any eldest sibling can resonate with somewhat. The motorcycle scenes had me laughing and I loved the flirtatious bickering between these two. The tension was the most palpable I think within the scene blocking moment, but I could sense it underlying throughout. This is probably the most open door spice I have come across in Sarah's books, but I think that it felt true to the characters, and especially Emily's previous experiences with intimacy. The last thing I'll say is that I felt a kinship to Jack with his dynamic with his parents. His characterization was so well done and felt true to reality. I was invested in his choices from the start. I don't think there was anything wrong with this novel, I just didn't feel the "5 star feeling".
While I don't think this surpassed my love for Practice Makes Perfect, I did find this to be a welcome addition to this series and one of my favorites by Adams.
Thank you to Random House for the ARC of this one!