Wow. Sarah Adam’s does it again with this heart tugging installment in the When in Rome series! If I could rate this 6 stars I would! I felt such a strong bond and such strong emotions with Emily and how she felt like she had to take care of everyone and everything but feeling like she wasn’t needed by them. I kept forgetting I was reading and genuinely felt like I was right next to Emily and Jack during many of their interactions! Their love was so relatable and sweet and also so fun with how it comes about. I feel so honored to have gotten the chance to read this as an ARC and I can’t wait for the rest of the world to meet Jack and Emily - they are truly so special ❤️

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6643365782

Yes, another blazing five-star review from me—no surprise there! I can’t resist the charm of revisiting my favorite small town, Rome, Kentucky, to explore more of the Walker siblings’ romantic escapades. While Will and Annie’s book has been my favorite in the series, I thoroughly enjoyed Emily and Jack’s love story just as much, thanks to its delightful blend of enemies-to-lovers and forced-proximity tropes, along with the incredibly likable characters.

What happens when college frenemies and former colleagues reunite as neighbors? Emily Walker, who has loathed every fiber of the pretentious, devilishly charming Jack Bennett since he spilled coffee on her and brazenly flirted with her during their first meeting on campus, is about to find out. What started as a meet-cute quickly turned into a full-blown rivalry, with the two battling over everything from lecture seats to teaching assignments during their years as middle school teachers.

When Jack tied the knot and moved to Nebraska with his fiancée, Zoe, Emily found herself dealing with some confusing emotions—could she actually miss her nemesis, or was she just frustrated he didn’t even bother to say goodbye? But there’s no need to dwell on it, because Jack is back, newly single and starting fresh in Rome. His first mistake? Moving into the run-down building right next door to Emily’s house.

Emily can barely tolerate seeing Jack occupy her favorite spot at the local coffee shop, but living next door? That’s where she draws the line. Determined to drive him away, she sabotages his renovation efforts and even tries to turn the town against him. However, when her secret side hustle as a romance writer is accidentally exposed—courtesy of an email to her ultra-conservative school principal—Emily realizes she has no one else to turn to for help but Jack.

Surprisingly, Jack agrees to save the day, and Emily begins to wonder if she’s been wrong about him all along. Beneath his mischievous, pretentious façade lies a caring, golden heart. Could he be more than just an enemy-turned-ally? Their growing chemistry certainly suggests so, but you’ll have to read to find out what happens next!

Overall: This is a cute, heartfelt romance with the perfect execution of enemies-to-lovers and excellent chemistry between the characters. My only gripe is the slightly abrupt ending, but I’m still rounding up my 4.5 stars to a glowing 5-star rating. I’m already eagerly anticipating Madison and James’s story in the next book!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine/Dell for providing this amazing romance’s digital review copy in exchange for my honest thoughts.

I had a hard time deciding what to rate this, but eventually landed on a solid 4.5 stars, rounded up to 5 😊 Sarah Adams did it again!! ❤️

When in Rome was an easy 5 stars for me, while Practice Makes Perfect was more of a 4 star, so I was anxious to jump into this one. And boy, did it NOT disappoint! 😍 The top-of-the-line banter, steamy chemistry, and mental health representation were just pieces of what made this a great story. I loved Emily and Jack’s rivalry, and how it slowly transitioned to a partnership in which they support and encourage the other rather than trying to one-up the other.

As someone who prefers closed door romance, I did read with the closed door modifications(though I read a bit of the mentioned chapters, skipping pages only when things got physical). I appreciate that the author includes these SO MUCH, because I love her writing but hate to miss out. The sexual tension was written well, and I liked how Jack taught Emily how she should feel in a healthy relationship, especially in making love. I typically prefer keeping sex talk out of books completely, but I thought the “scene-blocking” was written in such a way that was relatively “clean,” while demonstrating their obvious chemistry and how one SHOULD feel while making love with someone they care about.

Also, reading this book made me want to write a book. 😂 Both Jack and Emily seem like the kind of people I’d want to be friends with, and authors whose books I’d love to read. Give me an AJ Ranger book please 😍😂

Overall, this was an enjoyable, heartwarming and hilarious read. I’m soooo excited to finally see Madison fall in love(I hope!!) in a coming book. I removed half a star for personal preferences, just for more crude language and sexual content than I usually like reading.

If you know me, you know I LOVE Sarah Adams's books, especially those set in the small town of Rome, Kentucky. So when I saw book 3 was being released, I Ran to NetGalley in hopes of an ARC...and got it!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a stand-alone 3rd book in the "when in Rome" series that follows Emily Bennett and her college rival, Jack. Emily is the eldest Bennett sibling, she's overly organized, opinionated, and secretly writing a romance novel. Jack upends her perfectly fine small-town life by moving back after a broken engagement and taking up his previous teaching position, oh, and the residence next door to Emily. When a mishap occurs with a smutty novel accidentally being sent to her boss, Emily reluctantly seeks help from Jack.

This one hit all the right tropes for me:
📖academic rivals to lovers
👢top-tier banter
📖small-town romance
👓MMC with glasses who is well-read
📖the best of a slow burn
💕and of course the HEA.


Fav. Quotes:
"You are not alone, Emily. I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time.”
“And to think you consider yourself hard to love.” I kiss her temple. “Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

Side note: I hope we will get a 4th book for Maddie & James...childhood friends to lovers?!?

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for sharing a digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams is the newest addition to the "When in Rome" series, set in the small town of Rome, Kentucky. The story focuses on Emily Walker and Jack Bennett. Both are second-grade teachers who have a time-honored rivalry, but when forced to collaborate, their relationship takes a turn.
This story is my new favorite Sarah Adam’s book. The cover, plot, and characters were just perfect.
The characters are well developed and It’s easy to envision the characters as real people. They were super fun to read about. I absolutely adore Emily and Jack's banter. Both of them are very likable, which makes it easy to connect with them and the story.
I will read anything Sarah Adams writes. Five stars.

Absolutely Loved It! Sarah Adams Does It Again!"

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is everything I hoped for and more. I absolutely loved this book! There were so many aspects of Emily and Jack’s story that I could deeply relate to, which made it a bit more emotional for me. But honestly? That’s what made it so special. The way Sarah Adams handled these themes was so refreshing—she brought the emotions without it feeling heavy, and I found myself smiling even through the tougher moments.

Emily and Jack’s chemistry? Perfection. Their banter and connection were just the right mix of sweet and spicy (and yes, it’s a 2-spicy kind of story, so don’t expect things to go all-out, but it’s still packed with romantic tension that’ll make your heart flutter!).

This series is hands-down one of my favorites, and getting to know Emily and Jack felt like catching up with old friends. I didn’t want their story to end! If you love romance that’s heartfelt, swoony, and beautifully written, I highly recommend Beg, Borrow, or Steal. It’s a gem, just like the rest of the When in Rome series. ❤️

beg, borrow, or steal review 🏍️💘💐📝 🥞

✨blurb about it -

The story follows two rival teachers, Emily and Jack, who can't stand each other. Emily is organized and secretly writes romance novels, while Jack, her annoying neighbor, is back in town after breaking off his engagement.
When Emily accidentally sends an email that could reveal her secret writing career, she needs Jack's help to fix it. Even though they don't get along, they team up. But as they work together, their rivalry starts to turn into something more, leading to an unexpected romance.

☁️my thoughts-

this book was a masterpiece. The balance of a cozy romance but also the intricacies of emotional healing. This is for eldest daughters who want to feel seen, heard & loved in a way perfectly suited for them. I loved the interweaving of stories, the internal battles both main characters faced and how they navigated things together. It felt like such a healing and redemptive story. Learning that it’s ok to ask for help and accept the help you so freely give others. A call to embrace who we are in all shapes and forms and trust someone enough to do the same. It was the perfect balance of light hearted and flirty but had so much real tension and real struggles. This book to me felt a lot like a mix of just for the summer x book lovers x funny story? Combining all the best parts to make a beautiful new story that I will probably never forget! This book made me swoon but also reflect on my own life. Jack and Emily are such unique characters with their own strengths and flaws and depict such a real, raw and healthy relationship. This book will live rent free in my head & I can’t wait for you to experience it!!

Releasing Jan 7th, 2025!!

The perfect read to start the new year! 🤭

Thank you NetGalley & Dell for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review. & thank you Sarah for writing such a fantastic story! 🫶🏾

This series is perfect for fans of Hallmark movies. Going back to Rome, Kentucky and being surrounded by familiar characters was a very cozy experience. Despite being happy to be back in Rome, I found Beg, Borrow, or Steal to be overly saccharine and descriptive (so many parentheticals (pun intended)).

On the plus side, I love a prickly FMC and Emily didn't disappoint. I also liked Jack quite a bit, though I think both of their emotional journeys could have been covered more in-depth.

I anticipate picking up Maddie's book when it comes out to return to the comfort of these books.

I don't think that I have read a Sarah Adams book yet and not enjoyed it, and this was not the book to break that trend thankfully. I thoroughly enjoyed Beg, Borrow and Steal.

Having read the previous Rome stories, I was wondering how Emily would develop as a more robust character. She has definitely got a strong personality that carries through from the previous two stories and actually works against her as a likeable character at first. I found some of her "strength" off putting, but that was intentional and it worked. Jack is her foil in many ways, being highly likeable from the outset, and again, that works for the story and who he is. Both characters get more depth, and I was so happy to see the romance be something that develops over time and that has been developing for a long time. Made it much easier to buy into the flutters and feelings when they first see each other.

I will admit that there were a few things about the plot that felt contrived, but this is romance so that isn't unheard of. The fact that Jack moved in next door on what appears to be a street that is unpaved and has a long lane had me scratching my head over the layout. Are they or aren't they in town? I have been to enough small towns in the US to know that there are very few unpaved roads with close neighbours. But maybe that's just my experience overshadowing things. And if that's my big issue, that's very small. Jack's relationship with his parents felt a bit forced too, but I am willing to let that slide since it made for a good moment overall.

Jack and Emily are believable characters and, more importantly, their romance feels very grounded in the real. The fact that they have some great witty banter and a fun adventure or two helped to make the book hard to put down. And having the previous and future couples in this story worked so well. You didn't have to know them from the previous books, but it was nice to see them interacting in a more natural way with Jack and Emily. Nothing felt forced.

If you have read any Sarah Adams before, this will be a sure hit. Maybe even better than the two previous Rome novels in this series. And if you haven't read her and are looking for a light hearted romance about writers, this will work.

Not sure how Madison's story will shape up but looking forward to that friends to lovers that this book hints at.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the chance to read this delightful book early! Sarah Adams has crafted another masterpiece, and I am absolutely in love.

This story gave me all the emotions—pure joy, comfort, and even a few tears. The witty dialogue was unmatched, and the rivals-to-lovers romance? Total perfection. Set in a cozy small town, it features an irresistible male lead who wears glasses (*swoon*) and actually communicates like an adult. The slow burn was worth every page, filled with heart-fluttering moments at Hank’s on Fridays and mornings spent at the Hot Bean.

Reading this made me want to call my sister, revisit the earlier books in the series, and enjoy a pie while lounging in a pickup truck bed. Honestly, it’s more than a story—it’s a whole experience. For peak vibes, play any “pie shop ambiance” video on YouTube. It’s perfect for book clubs, an excellent gift for Sarah Adams fans, and a must-own for your bookshelf. Whether you read it in spring, fall, or any season in between, this story is guaranteed to leave a smile on your face.

Sarah Adams, you’ve delivered a treasure with this one, and I couldn’t love it more! This is a must-read—don’t miss it.

Man, this was one ARC I was really excited to get! I picked up Practice Makes Perfect randomly in 2023 because I loved the cover and DEVOURED IT! I really enjoyed When in Rome, too.

As a fellow oldest daughter, this one hit hard. I loved seeing Annie & Will again, too!

My only complaint is that it sort of felt like there was an excessive amount of conflicts to clear up by the end - they all got resolved (and were integral to the story, now that I’m saying it lol) but some of them just seemed like too much ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Rival school teachers turn into something else when they realize that they're new neighbors and that despite being nemesis... they might actually be falling for one another. Emily Walker is a teacher at a school and doesn't really know what to do with her life when her nemesis, fellow teacher Jack, leaves with his Fiancee.... only now he's back in town and he is no longer engaged... and has moved into the house next to her. Emily doesn't want Jack anywhere near her yet he's drawn to her and can't seem to help but want to get under her skin and annoy her... because Jack's biggest secret is that he can't stop thinking about Emily... and now that he's back he's determined to try and make amends with her and take their rivalry and turn it into something more, especially when he finds out she's a writer just like him. Small town mischief, stealing a manuscript, and romance all come together in this really charming and sweet romance book. Emily and Jack were great love interests, they both understood each other but also knew how to push each other's buttons. They were caring and supportive while also being playful. This is the third book in the series and I've absolutely adored reading this series so much. Each book is just such a sweet and fun read and the romances are all so charming. I really just fell in love with this town and absolutely cannot wait for another book!!

Release Date: January 7,2025

Publication/Blog: Ash and Books (ash-and-books.tumblr.com)

*Thanks Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Dell for sending me an arc in exchange for an honest review*

Gosh I love the Walker siblings! This book was so fun and heart felt and I found myself laughing out loud at parts. Poor Amelia, just wanted to make good pancakes.

Sarah, I feel like you have been teasing me with Maddie and James since the first book. I’m going to need to see that farmer tell the chef that “it’s always been her.”

Anyway, this book is about Emily, the oldest Walker sister. The reliable one. The one that takes care of everyone. The one that carries everyone’s burdens and makes them feel better. In this book, she finds someone who wants to take care of her. But first they must be enemies for years even though they have always been attracted to each other.

Jack and Emily have been competing since college in everything and then they end up teaching at the same school which why also turn into a competition. Then Jack moves away and they both feel like something’s missing.

Sarah Adams can do no wrong! I am an absolute sucker for enemies to lovers when he has loved her the whole time and this one really delivers on that niche trope! I also loved that they were both writers, that always makes it even more fun as a reader!

4.5 stars rounded to 5. This book was the polar opposite of miscommunication and I was here for it. I loved that Jack and Emily didn’t hold back, always telling the truth of their feelings. Enemies to lovers is hard in a contemporary and I would call this more rivals to lovers but it worked. The progression of the romance was so well done and Emily is a very relatable character for me personally. I loved that Jack saw through her tough outer shell and continued to pursue her even in those imperfections. Both have past trauma to work through and the support they give to each other was endearing. The banter was fantastic and I laughed multiple times. This is my favorite of the When in Rome books. The Pop Star plot in Noah’s book just isn’t my thing and I had a hard time with the tone in Annie’s book. This one was great though and felt a lot more like Sarah’s older books (which I love!). I did want a slightly longer epilogue and felt that ended abruptly.

This is open door romance but the author gives you some guidance on skipping certain chapters to avoid the spice. I do think she should have added Chapter 16 as well to that warning and that there are enough thoughts/innuendo sprinkled throughout that true closed door readers will still find this to be too much.

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Available on January 7th.

Content Notes: 2-3 open door scenes (low detail), some strong language

Utter perfection! I adore this series and this was no exception! I read the whole book in one day and am planning another reread shortly! Magnificent. I really identified with Emily and found her to be so relatable. Now if only I could find a Jackson…

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC of this book.

I fully enjoyed this book by Sarah Adams. I loved the story and the characters. The story line was something that you could relate to, and thus a read that I could not put down.

I also enjoy that this is not fade to black but closed door. You still get all the romance feel without the sex. Which every once in a while when I get feed up with the sex, I love to read one of Sarah's books. I would 100% recommend this book! Can't wait to get the physical copy to add to my collection.

Wow, just wow! If I can’t move to Rome, Kentucky right now I’ll cry! Sarah Adams is the QUEEN of rom coms and I love her and them! This may have been my favorite one yet! You MUST preorder!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House / Dell for this ARC! I was so excited when I got approved!

If you are a oldest daughter, type-A, world on your shoulders girlie, this book will reach into your soul and heal things. I needed it more than I realized. Oldest sister and Rome KY's independent queen bee is struggling after her grandma's death and her siblings growing up and spreading their wings. She likes to feel needed and busy, and lately her secret novel is the thing keeping her going. When Jack, her long-time nemesis and universally loved golden boy comes back to town, she busies herself with getting rid of him again... only to find maybe she likes having him around after all. They may butt heads, but she trusts him as the only person as competent as her, and the perfect person to help her erase the consequences of late night drunken email mistake!

This book is fantastic!! The banter is so fun and spunky and hilarious. The romance is sweet and tenderhearted and honest and deep and meaningful and foot-kicking high-pitched-giggling adorable. I loved everything about this book. The pacing was perfect. Jack is my ideal book boyfriend, bar none. Emily is easy to understand and connect to. This is top five romance read of the year FOR SURE. I blasted through it because I loved it so much. I can't wait for everyone to get their hands on it on January 7th! This is ~technically~ open door but, like all precious Sarah Adams books, it's very very mild on the spice, and very easy to self-edit into a closed door, which I love that Sarah lists the chapters in the authors note at the beginning. She's so thoughtful and amazing. Perfect for everyone!

This was another Sarah Adams hit. I am thoroughly enjoying this series and can’t wait for the next one / any of her future books. I didn’t know what to expect following Practice Makes Perfect, and while I didn’t like this one quite as much, this book really solidified that I love her writing. She captures such specific moments and human experiences so well that help develop a bond between the characters and the reader to the characters. I find this style of writing to be cinematic because I can picture the small moments and specific imagery. There’s so much humor in these books, which I love. Her characters are so witty and have great banter, which helps me connect to them. I liked that in this book they actually addressed why they were “enemies” and acknowledged that it was kind of silly and there was more going on than meets the eye. I have a hard time in romcoms when there is an enemies to lovers plot line and the enemies is simply that they don’t get along or bicker or one of them just decides off the bat that they don’t like the other for no reason. I liked that there was a reason and it was acknowledged that maybe it wasn’t entirely warranted. The only negative I can say about this book is for being non-closed door, the sex scenes were not very explicit at all. Which is okay. I loved her writing enough that I don’t think it’s necessary, but I was just expecting more. The scenes were also quite short and I think the physical intimacy could have been explored more. But last note, I loved the motorcycle scene hehe.