Sarah Adams can do no wrong. I knew I needed to go back to Rome, Kentucky the moment she announced this third book. And academic rivals to lovers??? I didn’t stand a chance. Emily and Jack were the definition of chemistry from page one. I felt like I was on pins and needles waiting for either one of them to make even the smallest move. I also loved the way that the small town felt like its own character here. The way the entire town backed Emily until she was ready to accept Jack was hilarious. And like always, the walker siblings all had the funnest dynamics and it was so great to see how their lives are changing.

I was laughing, blushing, and having the best time. Sarah can take all of my stars.

4.5 ⭐️ I loved this book so so so much!! It definitely became my favorite in the series 🩷

I don’t think I went a single chapter without laughing bc the dynamic between Emily and Jack is perfect, the town and the side characters are also everything to me. Tbh I felt like it was gonna be a 5 star until about 60%, for me the only flaw was that the 3rd act drama dragged on a bit more than I would’ve liked but still ended up being one of my favorite reads of the year. If you’re looking for a book that’ll have you smiling from start to finish, this one is perfect for that.

Very cute. It's my favorite of the series. Small town/ rivals to lovers/ sunshine/ sunshine
I wasn't anticipating loving Emily as much as I did but she really evolved and showed her depth. I stayed in the moment the whole book. No skimming.So much fun!!

This is a very cute book that is set in Rome, Kentucky. I enjoyed the familiar characters/ family members from her other books. I loved that Emily and Jack are both teachers and the difficulties that come with that important job. The storyline and steam is really great, hello play acting! The town reminds me of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls and wish the townspeople would have been used more in the second half of the book.

Unfortunately, enemies to lovers is not my favorite trope, especially when there is a miscommunication issues as to why they are enemies. I didn't get the pining but them still being so mean to each other in the beginning. I enjoyed it but didn’t absolutely love it. 3.5 stars rounded up.

It was so nice to go back to Rome, Kentucky, and catch up with the Walker siblings. I really loved the relationship that developed between Emily and Jack. Both characters had depth and I loved the dual POV. It was also nice to see how each grew over the course of the book.
The little insights into the other Walker siblings lives was also a perfect addition to this 3rd installment of the series.

I loved, loved, loved this book! I know a lot of elementary school personnel (teachers, aides, psychologists, principals, etc) so I could imagine some of them in these scenes and I just cracked up laughing.

This might be my favorite book in this series so far. While still retaining the series' signature charm, "Beg, Borrow, or Steal" feels less cheesy than the last book.

The characters are wonderfully flawed, making them incredibly relatable. Their constant bickering provides a healthy dose of humor, keeping the story lighthearted and entertaining. However, beneath the surface, we witness genuine character growth as they navigate their challenges and learn to appreciate each other.

"Beg, Borrow, or Steal" is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance with a touch of witty banter and heartwarming moments.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars]

Always love a good Sarah Adams book. Loved the character development throughout the book and the ending was heartfelt.

Sarah Adams is my comfort blanket when it comes to romance. No matter what, I am guaranteed to feel good, giddy, happy reading one of her books and “Beg, Borrow or Steal” more than delivered on that expectation. Emily and Jack and their teacher feud, and the small town of Kentucky, and their secret identities, and their banter and chemistry? 10/10, no notes, smash.

Jack and Emily were so perfectly suited together and made me cry on more than one occasion. While sweet and heartwarming, this story had so much depth to it - it talks about the benefit of letting people in and asking for help. It talks about how important it is to believe in yourself but how powerful it can be when someone else believes in you, unequivocally. It talks about seeing the benefit of being your true self with someone and finding the people that not only value that, but demand it of you. Most of all, it talks about how two people who spent so long needling at one another can actually be two sides of the same coin and complement each other if they just got out of their own way.

Sarah does tension and banter like no one else - she’s built this world in Rome, KY that’s fun and light with all its small-town-isms, but has let it rest on top of a feeling on familiarity and comfort - all of us have something we can relate to in that small town, even if we don’t come from one. I absolutely adores Emily as the Walker sibling that’s starting to feel a bit left behind (but is too afraid to say it out loud). She’s everything to everyone, the forever people pleaser, except when it comes to Jack - where she’s always been ok to show him more of her unpolished side. And Jack, oh this down bad (before he even knows it) man. Trying to break free of his toxic family dynamics, in constant awe of Emily’s tenacity and mouth. Their frenemies chemistry was delightful, and then when they give in to their feelings? Explosive. (also, that blocking scene!? WHAT!?)

This was a ray of light and sunshine, a sense of hope and love, and a love letter to romance in the best way. I would follow you into the dark, Sarah, but I am so happy we get to live for one more book in Rome.

Y'all this was perfect. Absolutely perfect, no notes. This is one of my favorite series and I was so excited to jump back into this little world. You can truly see Sarah's growth in her writing, especially with this Emily and Jacks story.

"You are not alone, Emily. I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time."

You have rivals to lovers, forced proximity (they're neighbors), they're both writers and the tension between them is sooooo good! Emily is very much 'I Can Do It With a Broken Heart' by Taylor Swift and I just wanted to hug her so badly when she would spiral alone in her head. There's something about two rival characters who "hate" each other but when one is vulnerable for just a second, the other is there to comfort them without hesitation. I! Eat! It! Up! I honestly can't believe Jack is a fictional character, like I need him biblically!! There are quite a few hot moments that I don't want to go into too much detail, but be prepared y'all!

This series is like a warm hug and I love everyone in the small town and the found family aspect. Just everything about this is cozy and funny and the best thing I've read in awhile. The bond between the Walker siblings are everything to me and I'm so excited for Madisons book!!

Thank you Dell Romance/Random House and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the third installment of the When in Rome series that made me fall in love with Sarah Adams. The sweet, funny, and heartfelt stories she tells about the Walker family and the town that surrounds them are absolutely the perfect choice whenever my heart needs a hug.
Emily Walker is highly relatable, as the oldest daughter who has spent her life making sure everyone else was okay, and helping them through their tough times and helping her siblings become the best versions of themselves. Unfortunately, they are all now happy and functioning adults ready to leave the nest and embark on their own adventures, leaving Emily lonely and still uncapable of supporting herself through her own struggles, as she’s never allowed herself to before.
Enter Jackson Bennett, Emily’s old nemesis turned next door neighbor, who she initially is hell-bent on driving away, only to realize they might never have really been enemies after all. Jack and Emily are the perfect balance of sweet and sassy towards one another, with banter that left me grinning and then swooning moments later.
Initially, I had a big problem with Emily and the way she reacted to Jack becoming her neighbor. I thought she took some things too far and I was really unhappy with how nonchalant she was at potentially unraveling more than one person's lives just for the sake of a "feud" with someone who wasn't even a bad guy, he just annoyed her. Luckily, she turned a corner quickly enough that I learned to love her, but it was dicey for a minute there.
I loved how they both were eventually able to support each other through their emotions and problems, without losing the edge/teasing that made their relationship special- and made them both feel the most secure in their friendship with each other. (My biggest gripe with Luke and Lorelai finally getting together is that their banter and grumpy/sunshine dynamic kinda faded away and they got a lil bobo. I said what I said.)
If you haven’t been to Rome, Kentucky yet, take this as your sign to jump right in and binge this series asap. Your heart will thank you!
Note- this is Sarah Adams’s first book containing “spice.” While the scenes in this book are definitely open door, they are definitely on the tamer end of the spice level and don’t really contain specific terms etc and almost read more like an open door with a screen door behind it. If you are a strictly closed door reader, it will not be for you unless you skip the spice entirely, but if you prefer mild scenes and are worried about the spice here, you should be fine.

YALLL THIS BOOK WAS SO GOOD 😭

Truly perfection, and I’m now struggling to pick a favorite Sarah Adam’s book because this one just might be it. Sarah simply perfected the rivals to friends to lovers of Emily and Jackson plus with the forced proximity. Amazing. Jack is now on the book boyfriend list, and he wears glasses come on now!

I loved how Emily was so relatable in wanting to take care of her siblings and really everyone and struggled with how easily Jack can win people over. Also I cannot stress enough how much I loved Jack and him dealing with his tenuous relationship with his dad and keeping all of his secrets from everyone. I’m just here for him and Emily’s obsession with lingerie.

PLUS THERE IS AN ORANGE CAT NAMED DUCKY I MEAN COME ON ALL THE STARS HERE.

Thank you to Net Galley and Random House Publishing Group for this arc in exchange for an honest review.

The big gossip around Rome, KY seems to be that Emily Walker’s arch rival Jack Bennett is coming back after ending his engagement. Little does Emily expect Jack to be moving in right across the street from her. All Emily wants is to enjoy her summer, finish her historical romance novel….and create a little chaos for Jack. As small town life brings Emily and Jack together, so does their shared passions of teaching and writing. As Emily and Jack learn they have more common then they previously thought, their sparring becomes replaced by attraction. But will Emily trust Jack enough to fully open up her heart and give him a chance?

With Sarah Adam’s usual charm she tackles the complex issues of grief, fame and toxic relationships in a fun and steamy romance. This will forever be one of my favorite series.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (♾️)

okay i truly have no words. sarah adams you’ve done it again. this is my favorite read of the year oh boy. emily my sweet strong girl. jack my sweet caring boy. i loved seeing them grow together and be what they both needed. i have not loved a book like this in a while. i loved both jack and emily so much its not even funny.

jack: “you are not alone, emily. i would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time.”
❤️ mystery writer
❤️ glasses wearing tattooed cutie pie
❤️ sweetest ANGEL!!!!!
❤️ wears necklaces his students make him 😭
❤️ scared to open up, but not to her.

emily: “sometimes i wish i could go back to hating jack and living my safe little life of solitude. but of course i’d have to go and fall in love with him instead. and i really, really do love him.”
🩷pieces picker upper
🩷writer and teacher!
🩷hides her feelings in her treasure chest of doom, until she learns to trust him
🩷sweet girl ugh i wanna hug her

this book is absolute and utter perfection. the banter. the tension. the growth. rome kentucky is such a special place and i am so grateful i got to read the arc of this one oh by i fear it’s altered my brain chemistry. sarah adams, you’re amazing.

This was, hands down, my favorite Sarah Adams book. The pacing was excellent, the character development was excellent, the world of Rome has never been better. My only issue is after the slow burn of the romance I wish we could have seen the characters together for longer. Jack and Emily make so much sense, and I enjoyed seeing their personalities come together.

Read This Book If…you are a member of the Eldest Daughter Club!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫/5
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

Genre: romance
Series: When in Rome # 3
Spice Level: 2/5🌶, steamy, fade to black
Setting: small town in Kentucky
POV: dual, 1st person, present tense
Tropes: frenemies to lovers, neighbors, coworkers, one motorcycle, secret identity, slow burn, forced proximity

My Thoughts:
This author is hit-or-miss for me and this was a HIT!

I loved how these two are fiercely independent, yet learn how to lean on each other throughout the story. They are so smart and witty and their banter was a joy to read!

With the chemistry between these two and how steamy this got, I really thought Sarah was going to finally venture into spicy territory! Unfortunately, things cooled down immediately and I was left wanting more in that department, but that’s something I’ve come to accept from this author.

However, I can still highly recommend this book! I definitely plan on reading the fourth book following the final Walker sibling.

Memorable Quote: “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. And if you need to fight, you can fight with me.”

Thank you to the publisher for my advance copy!

I was so excited to return to Rome, Kentucky and Sarah Adams did not disappoint! I feel so honored to have received an ARC of this book. I absolutely loved this book and couldn’t put it down once I started reading. It’s like Sarah saw into my mind and wrote some of my deepest thoughts on loneliness and being a people pleaser. What a beautiful reminder to let people sit with you in your darkness and to “find someone who helps you look on the bright side.”

Obsessed! I have read all of Sarah Adams’ books and this one is my favorite! I loved the tropes, the characters, everything about it! This one had a little more spice than usual and I also LOVED that it did, it fit perfectly with the plot. We are picking this one as our galentines day book club pick!

Future posts on our IG @therunaway.readers will include a review, bookmail for the physical ARCs we received, book club post featuring this book and a reel from the book signing event we’re attending in January

BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL by Sarah Adams is the upcoming addition to the When in Rome series.

Nemeses, coworkers, and neighbors Jack and Emily team up to recover the email she accidentally sent to her school principal with her not-safe-for-second-grade manuscript attached. Along the way they learn to let each other in, and that it's a thin line between love and hate.

I was surprised that the heist element is actually not a huge part of the plot, even if it becomes fairly pivotal to their relationship's progress. But we had a lot of ground to cover from enemies to co-conspirators, so I get it. The real journey was the friend (and lover) we met along the way, as we learned to open up and let people in.

It is technically open door, which is a fairly new development for Adams, but while it doesn't pan to the curtains (to use a reference suitable for the series' inspiration, Audrey Hepburn's movies) it is barely more than shadows on the wall, which may not sarisfy serious spice fans, but shouldn't alienate the closed door readers.

I really enjoyed this book, my favorite thing about series like this is that you do not have to read all of the books to understand the plot. I have only read the first one, but had no trouble getting caught up to speed. Emily is not my favorite sibling, but this book made her so much more likable. Jack was also amazing and I loved him at a person. Sarah does an amazing job of adding depth to her MCs., which adds so much to the plot. The only reason that it is not a four start book is the 3rd act break up. It was not even 20 pages after they finally decided they want more than a friendship! I understand at this point a lot of romance books with have the third act break up/arguement but that was so soon that it was frustrating. I will be eager to read more from her, though. I love her writing style and the characters!