really sweet and cute, fun vibes, and i really liked the romance and plot point. would really recommend. 5 stars. tysm for the arc.

This is how rivals-to-lovers is supposed to be written!

ARC Review:
I loved this book so so much. Emily is such a unique character and I love that older-sister aspect of her that carries throughout the whole story but isnt her whole personality. She is perfectly well rounded and is one of my favorite characters of all time.
Jack - a motorcycle riding second grade teacher - say less. He’s the rival we wish we all had. The tension and feud
between these two make you think any to keep reading til the very end.
One of my most anticipated books of 2025 and so glad I got to read this early.
5/5 ate this book up!

Perfection.

Undoubtedly one of my most anticipated 2025 releases and it did not disappoint in any way!

I’ve read other books in Sarah’s When in Rome series but I will say this is without a doubt the best one so far!

I’m obsessed w Jack and Emily and their witty banter in this delightful enemies to lovers small-town romance. Emily has a prickly sassy personality that hides her sensitive damaged heart while Jack is just the adorable metaphorical puppy with dorky glasses. They hide their true feelings of interest with a long-standing feud in-person and over emails. I laughed out loud and swooned so many times over these two and cheered them on until the very last minute along with the cast of eccentric but lovable small-town Kentucky townspeople!

I switched between ebook and audio and the female narrator is Brittany Presley who is always fabulous.

ADD THIS TO YOUR TBR NOWWW

Thank you to Sarah, Dell, PRH Audio, and NetGalley for the advance galley and audiobook 🫶🏼

This book is fantastic. I think enemies to lovers is one of my favorite tropes. Their constant snarkiness is just the best. Emily and Jack as second grade teachers, swoon. I love this series and their family. The talking on feeling our feelings and letting others know that you might be struggling. This book had me laughing out loud and crying with the characters. I loved it and devoured it in one day. I can't wait to read the next in the series.

I read this absolute masterpiece of a book in one sitting. This is a love letter from Sarah to all of us over-achievers who are lonely from carrying the weight of the world. I needed Emily’s story more than I realized.

This is exactly why we love Sarah Adams' books, y'all!!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a little oasis in a desert. I loved everything about it! I absolutely love it when characters are flawed and the author isn't afraid to show their unlikability at the start, because believe it or not, I hated both Emily and Jackson at first. They quickly grew on me and by the end I couldn't put the book down and I wish I read it again.

Emily deeply resonated with me and I saw a lot of myself in her, so her journey from a closed-off, afraid of commitment and, seemingly, stuck in limbo woman, to a confident, more relaxed version of herself was incredible. Jackson, on the other hand, seemed arrogant and spoiled at first, but that version of him quickly faded and we got to know the real, emotional, Jackson.

The relationship nemesis-notreallynemesis-kindafriend-lover felt like it could actually happen somewhere IRL, so we're still keeping up the Jackson standard around here, just because of how the characters were able to recognize what worked and what didn't and were willing to learn, which doesn't happen in all romance books.

Would I read it again? Absolutely. Would I recommend it to everyone in the close vicinity? Without shame. Should you read it? YES.

And you know the drill, thank you to Dell and NetGalley for my copy! Y'all are the best <3

5 ⭐️

SARAH ADAMS, the queen that you are!!!!!!!!!! This book is nothing short of PERFECTION!! I am an enemies (but in this case, more rivals) to lovers stan and this book just set a new standard. I was giggling the 👏🏼 entire 👏🏼 time 👏🏼 👏🏼👏🏼

Emily and Jack are the absolute best. Their banter is so funny and their chemistry is sooooo palpable. I was rooting for them from the beginning. Ugh, I love this book so much. This is my new favorite book in this series and is now in my top 5 of the year.

Thank you SO MUCH NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC!!! I am soooooo grateful 🫶🏻

Thank you Dell Romance at Random House publishing for the eArc in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

This story had me so impatient at times. The slow burn is so real in this one and so is the enemies to lovers. I enjoyed the banter and tension that built up in this one. I will say something about it had a rough start for me. I cannot quite put my finger on what it was it was a feeling more than anything wrong with the story. Which is obviously a me thing not a book thing. These characters are so well developed and they feel so real to me. I enjoyed seeing them fall in love.

Emily Walker is a perfectionist for which she hates for anything to disrupt that perfection. Jack Bennett is the enemy and has been since they met in college. Yet they seem destined to live parallel lives. Both second grade teachers but arch enemies. However, Jack realizes something off when he moves away to marry his fiance. He feels something is missing or he is missing someone. But it cannot be Emily could it? There is only one way to find out.

Content: open door romance, bit of language, brief mentions of death

Read if you enjoy:
Romance
Enemies to Lovers
Teachers
Series
Motorcycles

I got this as an e-arc from NetGalley and I am so excited that I got to read it early because it was such a good read. I had already liked Emily from the first two books and I thought she was a really intriguing character because she had such a prickly personality but also a serious desire to take care of everyone around her. So I was really excited for her story, especially since it is a coworkers/rivals to lovers and I think it was really well done. I love that they became friends first, and after they had finally put aside their animosity is when they both started to notice that there was a mutual attraction there, and I also liked that it took them a little while to act on it because it helped build the tension really well. There were a few parts where I felt like the character development was a little lacking, especially towards the end with the stuff between Jack and his dad and his complicated relationship with both of his parents. I felt like that could’ve been explored just a little bit more to really get a full impact, especially since we did get to explore Emily and her issues a little more deeply. All in all, I totally loved this book and thought that the plot was really fun and well executed, and I also really appreciated the way it explored themes of grief and how trauma from our childhood manifests in such detrimental ways sometimes in our adult lives. I love how brave both of these characters were when it came to being vulnerable with each other and exploring the connection that they had, even though they were both scared of getting hurt. I feel like Emily and Jack are a perfect match for each other and they have so many things in common but are still different in enough ways to have a very well rounded and full relationship. I also absolutely loved the last chapter and how it tied in with the previous book in the series, that made me really happy.

3.75! The banter and chemistry between Jack and Emily was really fun to read - I liked how they say they are enemies but secretly sort of have liked them the entire time (felt like it kept itself separate from true enemies to lovers). I do think the first half is better than the second half - it just loses something I can’t quite put my finger on. I also didn’t love how we get so much background with Jack and his father but the ending of that story line wasn’t truly tied up? Same with Emily and her book? I also didn’t love the third act fight they had - I don’t like when it’s a fight they both contributed to/have some fault in and then it’s turned around to be just the guy has to apologize. I also wish this took place over the course of more time vs a month - every time it was mentioned it had only been a month it took me out of the story. I think having it take course over 6+ months would have greatly added to the banter, their budding friendship, and ultimate relationship - and I wish we got more about Jack and his father earlier on so we could have seen more of a resolution. At the very least, I think a longer epilogue (or any epilogue really since it’s a single page) was needed. Also chapter 16 which is not listed as a “spicy” chapter felt spicier than the two actual scenes sooooo was a bit disappointed when we got to those scenes.

Thank you Netgalley and Dell for the arc in exchange for a honest review!

Welcome back to Rome, KY 💜
Thank you, Dell Romance & PRH Audio,  for the gifted copy of Beg Borrow or Steal {partner}

Genre: Romance
Format: 🎧📖
Pub Date:  1.7.2025
Pages: 384
Star Rating: ☆☆☆☆☆

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

Putting into words my excitement about finally having the chance to read this book is impossible. I practically begged, tried borrowing it, and was almost sure I could steal an ARC if it meant returning to Rome, Kentucky. I fell in love with this charming small town when I first read When in Rome and then with Practice Makes Perfect and was eager to return. So, when this title arrived in my email, I disregarded everything else and began reading. And when I finished it in record time, I was tempted to go back and start from the beginning.

Emily and Jack stole my heart, mainly Jack, but Emily was pretty cool too. My new favorite trope is probably He Falls First, and boy, did Jack fall first for her. There was something so special about their enemies to lovers, friendship, andfriend-mentorship that had me swooning. They supported one another and cheered on one another’s accomplishments (well, once they got over the whole being enemies thing). I love how Sarah Adams incorporates HEALTHy communication strategies into her couple relationships. There’s no unnecessary drama - there’s support, love, and a lot of heart eyes. 

Also, I always thought one bed was a great romance trope, but I now believe “hiding in a closet while trying to steal your boss’s laptop” might be the winner. 

Audiobook Review: ☆☆☆☆☆
I chose to tandem read Beg Borrow and Steal so I could have the best of both worlds (print and audio). The audiobook was narrated by Nelson Hobbs and Brittany Pressley. Both voice actors did an incredible job, and I always love listening along as they bring their characters to life. 

Read if you enjoy:
🏘️ Small town romance 
🥰 He Falls First
🫶🏼 Found Family 
👏🏼 Healthy communication
🤫 Secret authors

If you haven’t read When in Rome and Practice Makes Perfect, you can read Beg Borrow or Steal as a standalone, but you’ll be missing a lot of backstories and missing out on a lot of feel-good moments.

I would like to begin with praises for Sarah Adams. No one writes MMC quite like she does. I am falling in love with them from the very first page.

Emily Walker thought she was finally able to rid of her rival when he moves away from Rome, but little did she know, he will be making a spectacular return. Jack returns to Rome after a breakup and is finding himself wanting to settle down in Rome. He also just so happens to be moving into the house next door to Emily. Their banter keeps you giggling and laughing out loud the entire time. These characters come off the page for you and are beautifully crafted. The trouble that these two get into is hilarious. I loved Rome from the very first book, but dare I say, this may be my favorite couple and Emily has become my favorite Walker (sorry, Annie!). This is perfect if you love the tension of enemies to lovers, a quirky small town where everyone is in your business, and banter like no other. Thank you to the author, and publisher for the gifted ARC and eARC. All opinions in this review are my own.

Instagram review will go live on 03-Jan-2024.

Sarah Adams never fails to amaze me. This might be one of her greatest work so far. How she mixed and blended the romance with the individual characters growth was incredible. I wished for “when in Rome” series to never end because I fear I don’t get tired of reading about this people that own my heart.

Sarah’s writing has a way to make you feel like you are in the setting of the book, I honestly feel like I know the characters of this book in real life because of how connected I feel to them. The pace of the story doesn’t make it boring, it’s fast enough to keep you interested in the plot but is not like they fall in love right away.

Emily character development was out of this world, I enjoyed how she started to be more carefree and more confident, really loved seeing another personality from her since I wasn’t found of her on the previous books but I’m happy that she could change my mind on this one.

Jack, jack was perfect. I have no complaints when it comes to him. So patient and full of love, I need him.

This book really exceeded all my expectations and I would 100% recommend it.

Thank you netgalley and the publisher for this arc, I’m forever grateful!!!

Omg omg omg!
This was a 6 stars read!!
I need a Jack (with glasses) in my life 🥹💌

I was sure that this book would be my favourite book of 2024 since Sarah Adams had announced it and in fact I loved it so much 🥹 I’m just saying that I filled my Kindle with notes and highlights on EVERY SINGLE page. 😅
•
I loved every single interaction between the two MC. Jack and Emily are two cuties, I loved the fact that they were teachers and secret writers, as well as crazy neighbours and enemies/rivals. Emily was just so relatable and an amazing FMC! I loved her so much. She’s an icon.
Every time Jack talked or did literally anything my heart melted, he is so sweet and cute with his lil glasses and every scene of him is so hot and perfect.
I need a Jack - with glasses, a motorcycle, who is a teacher but is also a secret writer and who fix the house with his carpenter’s belt on - in my life! 😫
•
It was undoubtedly a six-star reading! 😍
Thanks to NJetgalley Dell Romance, Headline and Sarah Adams .
Beg, Borrow, or Steal comes out everywhere on January 7, 2025. Let me tell you that you all absolutely have to read about these two cutie pies! Go and pre-order it. 😌

Sarah Adams I was unfamiliar with your game and girl you have made a fan out of me!!! If you in anyway can relate to being a perfectionist Emily’s character growth is 🤌🏾🤌🏾🤌🏾 and her and Jack’s relationship was so sweet I always love a rivals to lovers to set up! Sarah did her big one!!!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a delightful romantic comedy that had me hooked from the first page. Sarah Adams has a knack for writing witty banter and swoon-worthy characters. The chemistry between the two main characters, Alex and Reese, is undeniable. Their playful banter and sizzling tension kept me entertained throughout the book. I loved how their fake relationship slowly blossomed into something real. The plot is fun and lighthearted, with plenty of twists and turns to keep you guessing. The supporting characters are also a lot of fun, adding humor and heart to the story. Overall, Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a fantastic read for anyone who loves a good rom-com. It's the perfect escape from reality, and I highly recommend it.

Oh how I love Rome Kentucky! Sarah Adams has done an incredible job with making me fall in love over and over again with her writing. Beg, borrow, or steal is the delightful next installment of her when in Rome series. Emily Walker is the anchor Walker siblings. Always ready to comfort, protect, and love on her people. But lately she's comming to terms with the question of whether she'll ever get her forever person. Jack Bennett is a spicy yet loveable nemesis to Emily with a big secret. These two LOVE to bicker, quarrel, and just plain fight. But we all know the old phrase He's picking on you because he likes you! Swoon. Ain't that the truth! This book has some seriously perfect tension, enemies to lovers action, and some delicious spicy closed door action. Loved every second of it!! I am so happy this book exists!!! And I'm looking forward to more from this darling small town. Ahem Ms Adams. 5 star highly recommend!
Thank you forever to Net Galley & Random House Publishing for this treat!

I wasn’t sure Sarah Adams could top the story about Annie that I loved so much but I was wrong. I absolutely adored this book! So many laugh out loud and swoon worthy moments. I do not usually reread books but I will definitely be reading this book again. I cannot recommend this book enough.

Thank you to PRH Audio for the gifted audiobook and to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

I read my first Sarah Adams book earlier this year and loved it so much that I immediately went out and bought her backlist. Her books are just the coziest, most adorable love stories, and her newest book, "Beg, Borrow, or Steal," is no exception. Fans of the "When In Rome" series will be excited to return to the charming small town of Rome, Kentucky, home of the Walker siblings. This book was so much fun to read and included so many of my favorite tropes: small town, enemies to lovers, forced proximity, second chance romance. Emily and Jackson were two sunshine characters who I couldn't help but root for. With their real-world struggles, it was easy to relate to them and feel connected. Maybe an unpopular opinion, but I don't always enjoy open-door books, so I appreciated the author's note at the beginning telling me which chapters to skip for a closed-door experience, which allowed me to enjoy the book more. Overall, another winner from Ms. Adams!

I listened to the audiobook narrated by Brittany Pressley and Nelson Hobbs. As always, they were fantastic, and I greatly enjoyed their storytelling. They made the story come to life and really brought out all the emotion. Highly recommend this audiobook.

Forever happy to be back in Rome, Kentucky with this cast of characters. Sarah Adams never fails to write relatable characters, fun and heart-warming moments, and romance that you can't help but smile and kick your feet over. I loved every bit of Emily and Jackson's relationship arc and the moments we got sprinkled throughout with Noah, Amelia, Will, Annie, Madison, James, and Mabel.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin House Publishing Group - Ballantine for this ARC!