ɴᴇᴛɢᴀʟʟᴇʏ ʀᴇᴠɪᴇᴡ || BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL [thank you to Dell and @netgalley for my #gifted copy!]

Title: Beg, Borrow, or Steal
Author: Sarah Adams
Genre: Romance
Format: Digital
Star Rating: ★★★★☆
Would I Recommend: 👍🏻

ꜱᴜᴍᴍᴀʀʏ:
When Emily’s secret life as a romance writer is threatened, her infuriatingly charming rival Jack is the only one who can help—turning their rivalry into a story neither of them expected.

ᴍʏ ᴛʜᴏᴜɢʜᴛꜱ:
A return to Rome, Kentucky? Sign me up! I loved getting this deep dive into Emily after meeting her in the previous two novels. Emily appears to have her sh*t together, but once we’re inside her head, you realize that outward appearances aren’t always accurate.

As an oldest sibling, I felt like I understood Emily’s inner battles very well and saw a bit of myself in her. And that made me very invested in her story and seeing her come out of her shell.

And that rivalry between her and Jack - yes please! It’s giving Hating Game but make them Elementary school teachers. 😂

While Annie & Will will always be my OTP Rome couple, Emily and Jack will have a special place in my heart.

ʀᴇᴀᴅ ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ʟɪᴋᴇ:
Small Town Romance
Teacher Romance
He Falls First
Hijinx and Heists
They’re Neighbors
Enemies-to-Lovers

ᴅᴇᴛᴀɪʟꜱ:
GR: 4.53 ⭐️
# of Pages: 384
Pub Date: January 7, 2025

3.75 ⭐️

Firstly, thank you Random House and NetGalley for the arc! I about died when I saw I got approved.

This was such a cute feel-good story. I love all the small town romances, and this one was no different. I loved Emily’s character and depth. And what’s not to love about Jack? He’s like actually my dream man. Not to mention they’re both writers, which is my ideal story as someone who also writes. The only gripe I have is that their “hatred” was never really hatred and felt a little silly, which took me out of the story a bit. But, I also am a sucker for a couple who “hates” one another while secretly pining for one another, so it didn’t bother me too much.

Sarah has proven to be an auto-buy author, and I can’t recommend this story enough—especially if you’re looking for a light fluffy romance that also has complex characters with relatable backstories.

Devoured this book in an afternoon if that tells you anything.

"Beg, Borrow, or Steal" is the story of two elementary school teachers, writers, and long-time nemesis- Emily Walker and Jack Bennett.

I simply adored this book. It is full of banter, laughs, and depth. I appreciated how Emily and Jack had depth to their characters and their history of rivalry. This book is a perfect portrayal of a realistic approach to the ‘rivals to lovers’ trope within a contemporary romance. This book has a wonderful balance of deep, personal issues and heartfelt scenes while remaining fun and lighthearted. They have great communication skills too!! The problems of the character's past were handled with care. The characters and their development are so realistic. I adore Rome, Kentucky and I loved being back with the Walker family. This book was fast-paced and lighthearted, with just the right amount of depth. I can’t stop thinking about Emily and Jack!!

*Closed Door Modifications:

Chapters 25 and 32

(I would personally add Chapter 16, there is no on-page spice but it gets intense and very sexually charged. I add this just as a heads up, not necessarily a warning to skip.)

*If you started reading Sarah Adams for her closed-door writing like me, this book has strayed from that. At the beginning of the book, the chapters containing spice are disclosed along with the trigger warnings, making it easy to know what to skip. That being said, I found that there is more sexual language throughout the book. Overall, the spice stayed within those two chapters, but a few scenes got intense, so to speak. I appreciate how she still caters to closed-door readers by providing which chapters to skip and keeping the spice contained in those chapters. I still adore her writing and will personally continue to read her books!

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review and making my reading year!!

Exactly what I expected and that’s a good thing. A bit cringe, a bit sugary sweet but it hit the spot.

𝗕𝗲𝗴, 𝗕𝗼𝗿𝗿𝗼𝘄, 𝗼𝗿 𝗦𝘁𝗲𝗮𝗹 is Emily Walker's second chance romance with her longtime nemesis Jackson Bennet. He's the poster of perfection and charm in front of others but for her solely he's reserved the best of the worst because she drives him crazy even if he'll never admit it.

- ~ -

Hmmm... this book was lovely. Sweet as molasses. Some might say too pure.

The problem is, I read this book in two sittings. The first half was banter filled with subtle longing from both sides. There's a particular bike scene that's the perfect amount of flirty and daring that has been stuck in my mind for long and I just can't help but wonder what it would've been like if that was the tone for the rest of the book.

The second half just needed a bit more angst and agony for it to by my perfect five, but as it is, it's an easy, fun read. A bit like a therapy session with a flawless conclusion but that's fine.

- ~ -

3.89 / 5☆

Thanks to Random House Publishing. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I rated this book 4.25 stars! I absolutely loved this book and the story so much! I think Sarah Adams did a wonderful job at giving the main characters emotional depth. I loved Emily and Jackson, and I adored their relationship development!

I read this book so fast I couldn't believe it was over! The main characters, Emily and Jack, have been frenemies for years, but who doesn't love having a sparring partner because that creates the best tension! I wasn't sure I'd like Emily when the book first started but you quickly realize how big her heart is and what a fiercely loyal sister/friend/confidant she is and you can't help but root for her and all the good things she deserves. Same with Jack, you might think he's pompous for a moment, but you get to see the interworkings of his brain so fast and now you're rooting for him too. Sarah Adams builds these characters with such care and humor, I found myself frowning, laughing and getting sad along with them. Loved the Walker family too - their close knit bonds with each other are like a warm hug. Since this was my first time in Rome, Kentucky, I'll be looking forward to revisiting again with Sarah Adams's other books!

Thanks to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for this ARC!

Returning to Rome is always a pleasure, and the third installment in this series is no exception. Jack and Emily’s story is a captivating blend of humor, tension, and heartfelt romance. What begins as a college rivalry evolves into a decade-long feud that neither seems able to let go of. Just when Emily thinks she’s finally free of Jack after he leaves town—he’s back, and as her new next-door neighbor, no less.

The small-town charm and the undeniable chemistry between Jack and Emily make this story impossible to put down. The buildup to their romance is one of the most enjoyable aspects of the book, making their journey from rivals to lovers all the more satisfying. This delightful addition to the series is a must-read for fans of enemies-to-lovers stories and small-town romances

This book literally made me cry and that is one of the highest compliments I can say. Sarah Adams is a gem at making you feel every emotion possible. The depth at which I feel Jack and Emily is intense. An incredibly well-written book and it was so wonderful to go back to Rome Kentucky again.

Another incredible, quirky, lovable story by Sarah Adams!

I love that every character she creates the heroine has a symbolic attribute. For Emily it’s her red nails. I love her no nonsense, take charge attitude and caring nature for her siblings. Her conflict of dealing with changes were well written and she overcame it fantastically with Jake by her side and showing her change and getting out of her comfort zone isn’t so bad.

I love the dynamic with the Walker family and the found family and community being in Rome - small town trope.

Sarah creates the best male leads! Someone that supports and loves the main character for who she is.

Officially my favorite in this series. Which I thought was impossible with my dying love for Will and Annie. Love their cameo!!

Synopsis: Book 3 of the When In Rome series which follows four siblings and their love lives. This story revolves around the eldest sister and her nemesis.
Thoughts: Overall this is a really cute but cheesy series! It makes me smile and roll my eyes. This was the first of the three with the tiniest bit of spice, and thank goodness for that! So excited to have received an arc from NetGalley and truly feel so lucky with the arcs I’ve been getting! Excited for the conclusion of the series.

I am so incredibly honored to have received this ARC from NetGalley. I have said it before and will say it again, Sarah Adams is on my always must read list. I don’t want to get into too much detail but I loved Emily and Jack’s story. It does touch on some harder topics but Sarah Adams touched on them with a gentle and beautiful touch. Now off to pre-order the physical book to add to my collection.

I love love loved this book! I feel like I’ve been waiting forever for Emily’s story and it did not disappoint. The pranks and banter between Emily and Jack literally made me kick my feet and curl my toes in very embarrassing glee. Their antics and hijinx were nonstop funny and sexy and just the right amount of sweet. Emily’s battle with depression, and the way Jack always showed up for her was beautifully written and got me in the feels quite a few times. Getting to see more of Rome and its citizens was another one of my favorite parts. I want Mabel as a grandmother/motherly hen butting into all of my business. And then there’s ducky. I am writing this with my own emotional support cat on my lap and could not have loved those parts with ducky more.

I loved this book. Emily exudes oldest daughter energy and her need to care for and clear the path for her siblings is tangible. I was simultaneously annoyed by and self-aware enough to identify with her on a personal level. Her ability to internalize her feelings was like looking in a mirror 😬

The banter between Emily and Jack was great. I loved the evolution of their relationship and appreciated the various email exchanges peppered throughout as a flashback perspective. Spice level was moderate but I wasn’t expecting to be slapped in the face with it. I like that Sarah is giving readers the option to see behind the door (but I’m always going to want to open it!)🚪

I would be remiss not to mention the cameos from the other Walker siblings and their significant others l. These were familiar, expected and exactly what I needed. Amelia and her pancake crusade, Noah and his big brother scowling, Annie and Will (!)… perfection! Mabel continues to be perfect in every way. Rome is like a character itself. I want to go there, or watch a tv show set here. It gives “Stars Hollow” vibes and I’m here for it.

Getting a glimpse at the last Walker sibling’s story (I hope 🤞🏼) was also a bonus. Maddie and James need their HEA too!

Bottom line: read it; it’s great!

Rome Kentucky STAYS at the top of my list of favorite fictional towns.

I love a rivals-to-lovers, and this one delivered exactly what I wanted. Emily and Jackson are true academic rivals and have been for YEARS. Ugh I love a couple with a history.

If you've every fallen victim to the motorcycle side of tik tok (I'll admit, I have), there is a scene she wrote in there just for us. It delivers.

The "wah wah I'm the eldest daughter" rhetoric always annoys me but I'm a youngest sibling so it's possible I just don't get it aka I'm not going to let that really impact my opinion on the book as a whole. I am glad Emily's siblings gave it to her straight though and let her know she can stop trying to protect them from their own lives.

Jackson is a precious and patient man. I adore him. The ideal man truly. Exactly the right combination of calm but also so goofy and funny, while being incredibly attractive ;).

I think the connection between these two was so genuine and fun. They really said, "wait why have we hated each other this whole time? it would actually be so much easier to support each other." and I LOVED it.

It was such a little thing, but the two of them just bursting into each other's houses when they had something exciting to tell each other was so precious. Sorry, can't knock it's too important and I need to tell you so immediately (because I love you but I'm only pretending I hate you for the bit at this point).

The cameos from the last two books were great. Glad to see Amelia is still trying her best. Will is still the undisputed best guy ever. I love consistency. Also, the foreshadowing for James and Madison?????????????? I'm sat.

Oh my goodness. Emily and Jackson forever.

I love how these two went from true nemesis to friends to more. They bickered and bantered about everything. Pushing each other in so many ways.

This book was just chock full of emotion. I really enjoyed seeing Emily coming to recognize how she needed Jackson. How he was able to support her. I also loved seeing her development with the way she approached her relationships with her siblings. She made changes, but also it wasn’t a complete 180 at the end of the book. She recognized what she would always do.

Then Jackson. He was just so sweet and lovely. I really liked seeing him address how his father impacted his relationships - how much he opened up to people. I loved that he found comfort with Emily.

This book was just lovely and moving and cute and funny. And I loved it so much.

Thx Dell for the early copy.

It’s very possible I say this about every subsequent Sarah Adams book I read, but it’s always true, this one is my new favorite. And I think it’s because Emily is my favorite of all of her protagonists.

OK, admittedly, when we first met her in When In Rome and Practice Makes Perfect, I liked her the least. I thought she was pushy and distant but NOW, I get her and I see that I am Emily! 🫣😂

Rivals to lovers/enemies to lovers will forever be my favorite trope and when I tell you that this was solid gold, I looooved the dynamic between Jack and Emily. It was perfection.

The only thing I loved more than their story, is the entire town of Rome—I love seeing how all of the characters are developing and I’m anxiously awaiting our final chapter with Madison.

Anyway, this book. Love! Six stars. So funny! Hot Bean. mental Jack-a-thon. LOL! Too much highlighting. Too much cute!

And as a teacher—Sarah, thank you for the shoutout in the acknowledgments! We really do love what we do!


Thank you to Netgalley and Dell for this eARC! I am beyond lucky to have read it!

I was so happy to go back to visit Rome, Kentucky! I love the first two books in the series so I had no doubt I would love Beg, Borrow, or Steal as well (and I was right).

Jack and Emily are the best kind of rivals to lovers. Right from the start, their feuding is laced with the question of if there are actually deeper feelings there. The everyday annoyances become flirty banter and eventually turning to each other for comfort and support. They have so much in common, including being secret writers, and even though it takes them a while to realize that’s what would make them work, eventually they get there. Jack and Emily eventually understand that they can be their truest selves with each other and be loved for it.

What I didn’t expect was to feel so much so deeply while reading this book. It’s like Sarah looked straight into my soul and made me face all the feelings I push deep down (just like Emily). If you’ve ever found yourself pretending you’re fine when you’re not, thinking you don’t need anyone and you’re ok all alone, feeling like your purpose has shifted and now you don’t know how to define yourself, you will see yourself in Emily.

One of my favorite things about this series is the family relationships. I love the interactions anytime the whole family is together. It makes me happy to see the couples from the previous books thrive. The close-knit community of Rome plays an important role too, and the charm of the small town helps pull me in to the story every time. The pancake scene towards the end of this book with the whole family had me crying laughing and was one of my favorite parts of the entire book.

*Review will be posted to my Goodreads!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/109520164-amanda

I will be posting my review to my instagram @ohmorebooks closer to pub date!
https://www.instagram.com/ohmorebooks/profilecard/?igsh=MWd5MXhpNGQ5NXphZw==

Each time I step into Rome, Kentucky I fall even more in love with it. This book had me hooked from start to finish. Jackson Bennett is possibly my favorite man Sarah Adams has ever written. He is kind and patient and so, so gentle. Emily Walker also might be my favorite woman Sarah Adams has ever written. She's an eldest daughter who would do anything for any one of her siblings. She loves a routine, is fiercely independent, handles everything with so much grace, and I just loved her so much. Something I have always loved about reading and books is being able to find myself in the characters. I found so many pieces of myself in Emily. The progression of their relationship was perfect. Their banter was effortless, their communication even more so. They are the epitome of "to be loved is to be seen" and there is truly nothing more special than that. This has become my favorite book in this series and easily one of my favorites of the year!


I post reviews on both Instagram and Goodreads. The Goodreads review is available now and the Instagram review will be available @kays.reads_ after December 11.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I happily take on the responsibility of everyone's burdens because I only ever feel good when I'm being useful to someone.” so this book wrecked my soul then healed me and put me back together. welcome back to rome kentucky ladies and gents!!!! on this trip around the town we get to follow emily walker as she navigates her new living alone life. which is extremely difficult when you’ve never been alone. but emily’s got this! she always does! that is until her nemesis moves back into town, and to make it worse, he’s her neighbor. jack bennett is loved by all. well except for emily. but when he gets back to rome and arguments turn into pleasant conversation and quips turn into compliments, emily and jack might beg borrow or steal each others hearts. GAH BRO. THIS BOOK. i have never. and i mean NEVER. felt so personally touched by a book then i did with this one. bc. wdym emily is me i am her. wdym me and jack are literally the same person. i have never sobbed reading sarah adams. GUYS I WAS HICCUPING. i cried i laughed i giggled (jack is my bae) and all in all loved this book. i didn’t want to put it down. emily was so feisty and loving and LOVABLE. she is THE argumentative antithetical dream girl. and jack. JAAAACKKK🤭🤭🤭🤭 he felt like a warm hug. he felt like sunshine in the summer while eating a smoothie bowl and a shower after being at the beach all day. this book changed me. like i’m not joking. it made me realize so many things. it helped make a hard decision easier. it helped quiet the noise in my brain. and it just made me feel good. like everything would work out. anyways i cannot wait for the world to receive this book because sarah has outdone herself with this one.
songs i thought of while reading:
hits different by taylor swift
right where you left me by taylor swift
good graces by sabrina carpenter