I hadn’t read the other books in this particular series, and it turns out I didn’t need to! What a sweet story, beautifully told. The characters were complicated but real.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Omg I absolutely loved this one! It’s my favorite in the series so far! Obsessed with Jack & Emily! 5 stars! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

when i saw this acceptance email come through on Friday i literally screamed i was so excited to get accepted for this arc. i have loved the when in rome series and was so excited for this book. sarah did not disappoint. if you write a rivals to lovers romance i will eat it up every time. i LOVED emily and jackson!! they were so sweet to each other. i really related to emily a lot as the oldest sister and wanted to give her the biggest hug. how jack loved her was seriously so heartwarming and i loved their relationship progress. the character development in this was incredible and I'm so excited for release day so i can go get my copy!! i already want to reread it i miss them so much.

My third visit to Rome, Kentucky did not disappoint! Sarah Adams does it again with a cozy cast of characters and some delectable scenes between Rome's favorite teachers, Emily and Jack. Visit Rome feels like coming home after a long, hard day.

Sarah Adams doesn't miss! Emily's story is the one I've been most interested in throughout this series, and it didn't disappoint. Adams' knack for writing charming dialogue sprinkled with humor shines with these two at the center of the story. Her grounded style also makes the small-town element feel real and homey. Another win from Rome, Kentucky.

4.5 stars!

I have been looking forward to this book since Sarah Adams announced that it was happening and I was NOT disappointed!

Enemies to lovers is one of my favvvvv tropes, so I was eating up all of this book. The banter was absolutely incredible, I was giddy basically any time the two main characters were “fighting” with each other.

I also love that it was dual POVs. Being able to hear both sides makes me more invested a lot of times.

Can’t wait for the next one!!!

This book is by far Sarah Adams best work! I loved every aspect of this book!! I won't ever stop swooning over Jackson Bennett. He's the golden retriever and she's the black cat is my absolute favorite trope and this book does it so well! I had butterflies the entire time reading this!! Thank you NetGalley for this arc!!

Favorite Quotes:
“You are not alone, Emily. I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time.”
“You think you’re unlovable, but I think I’ve never known how to love until knowing you.”

Screaming that I was able to get an ARC! Love Sarah Adams and the When in Rome series.

Jack and Emily (not biased even though this is also my name) might be my favorite couple of the When in Rome series. They are kind of a reverse sunshine/grumpy; rivals to lovers trope. Jack is openly charming and friendly - easily liked by everybody he meets (except Emily), but is hiding a double life as a famous author because of his relationship with his father. Emily prioritizes organization and doing things in a particular way - she sees herself as the caretaker of her siblings after their parents and grandmother's deaths, but struggles with how her siblings seem to be moving on with their lives and leaving her behind. They both have a lot of vulnerability and depth to their characters, and they each are going through their own struggles. But they are stronger together than apart and their relationship is like coming home. Jack is the perfect book boyfriend - he has his flaws but has such a big heart and is devoted singularly to Emily, giving her the love and patience that she craves and deserves. I loved seeing Emily gradually view Jack in a different light and eventually learn to lean on him when she's struggling. The dual POVs with Jack's perspective on their relationship just added another layer to their love-hate relationship.

My favorite quote - I was swooning when I read this: "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...You think you're unlovable, but I think I've never known how to love until knowing you." Jack, you are a wizard with words.

CANT WAIT FOR LAST BOOK in the series (presumably Madison and James?)!!! I'm so ready. But for now, I will definitely be re-reading this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC.

From the moment I started this book, I was captivated. It's not just the plot that draws you in, but the emotional depth behind each character, the nuances in their relationships, and the perfect balance between humor and heartache. The author has a rare ability to create a world so immersive that it feels impossible to leave. Even though there’s only one book left in the series, I already feel a sense of loss, knowing I’ll have to say goodbye to these characters soon.

What I truly appreciated about this book was its honesty. There was no attempt to sugarcoat anything — the love, the pain, the humor — it all felt real. The way the characters navigate their lives, deal with their struggles, and share moments of lightness is what made me so invested. It wasn’t just the drama that kept me turning the pages, but the genuine, often messy humanity of the characters that felt so relatable.

The humor isn’t just there to ease the tension; it’s woven into the fabric of the characters and their interactions, making the emotional moments even more powerful. This wasn’t just a love story, nor just a drama; it was a deep exploration of what it means to connect with others, to love, to grow, and to face the challenges life throws at you.

As this book marks the penultimate entry in the series, I can’t help but feel the anticipation building for the final story. There’s one sister left, and it’s clear that sparks are about to fly. I’m already bracing for an explosive, thrilling conclusion, and while part of me is sad to see it end, another part of me is eager for what’s to come.

What am I going to do with myself?! This book doesn't even come out until January and I need more of Emily and Jack! Sarah Adams does such an amazing job of evoking that butterflies in the stomach feeling. I cannot wait to return to Rome, Kentucky to see what's going on between Maddie and James.

Thanks to Dell and Netgalley for my copy to review!

P.S. Not that this affects my rating at all, but Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a tad spicier than past Sarah Adams books.

Emily Walker’s world is upended when her nemesis, Jack Bennett, returns to Rome, Kentucky, as her neighbor and colleague. Determined to sabotage his plans, Emily finds herself forced to team up with Jack to retrieve a misfired email that threatens her secret identity as a romance author. Rivals turned reluctant allies—could this partnership rewrite their story?

“He was excellent at playing the part of a Mr. Rogers wannabe. Maybe if Mr. Rogers had tattoos and was secretly a devil.”

I giggled.
I blushed.
I cried.
I kicked my feet and sighed.

Sarah Adams is a mastermind—not just because this is cute, charming, and laugh-out-loud funny, but because she masterfully balances character depth, relatability, and just the right amount of heat. Her books are sophisticated yet silly, hot yet heartfelt, and filled with characters that feel so real I think it’s me. Somehow, she manages all of this with such perfection that I’m certain I’ll be in a book slump for weeks. No contemporary romance will measure up in the meantime. (Where’s Emily’s historical romance when I need it )

There were just about a hundred of things I loved, but here are my top 10:

Jackson Bennett:
* His high-maintenance taste is adorable
* “He looks so sexy in glasses it physically hurts.”
* “My hands are very competent, Emily.”
* He rides a motorcycle
* He could give Clark Kent a run for his money

Emily Walker:
* We both can’t sleep without our silk pjs (I literally ordered more @slipsilk while reading; my hair can’t touch another scrunchie).
* James Taylor 🫶🏻
* We both spend all out free time reading romance
* We’re both strong, independent, and often find it easier to just be alone
* She’s hysterically funny

Is this my favorite Sarah Adams romance? 🤔🧐🤭 I guess we’ll find out on release day.

I’ll be at @wildgeesebookshop in Franklin, IN, on January 9th for the book tour!

Similar to:
The Enemy by Sarah Adams
How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson
Perfect fit by Clare Gilmore

⛔️chapters (16?) 25 & 32 contain explicit romance scenes (open door)
⚠️explicit language (infrequent), narcissistic father, previous death of parents

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams is hands down one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! It was an easy five stars for me, and I couldn’t put it down. Sarah Adams delivers a masterclass in romance with this delightful rivals-to-lovers story that blends humor, tension, and heartfelt moments perfectly.

Emily and Jack's banter is everything I love in a romance—sharp, witty, barbed, and laced with just the right amount of longing. The tension between them was absolutely electric, and I couldn’t get enough of their push-and-pull dynamic. While they’re rivals on the surface, their undeniable chemistry reveals just how much they truly like each other, and that slow-burning realization is pure magic.

The plot is perfection: fast-paced, engaging, and filled with laugh-out-loud moments. I loved the unique twist of Emily’s secret life and Jack’s role in helping her, which added a fun layer of vulnerability to both characters. Sarah Adams’ writing is superb, effortlessly blending humor, heart, and heat.

This book is the perfect blend of fun, tension, and romance, and I’m still swooning over Jack and Emily’s journey. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a well-written romance with unforgettable characters. I loved being back in Rome, Kentucky and absolutely adore this series. I cannot WAIT for Maddie's book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Adams, and Dell for the eARC of this book.

The third book in the When in Rome series and another 5 star read for me! Love the Walker siblings and was so excited for Emily’s story. This one was a rivals to friends to more trope. Small town neighbors. Sweet and swoony with a little dash of spice.

Can’t wait for book four!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Beg, Borrow, or Steal to come out January 7, 2025.

I'm pretty sure I'll smiled almost the whole time reading this book! There were some more emotional and tough moments, but the way the characters grew through those was so heart warming. Not to mention the humor, banter, swoon worthy moments, and warm happy feelings woven throughout the book. Sarah Adams's books always feel like a warm hug and this was no exception!

The rivals to friends to lovers was perfectly paced. The rivalry wasn't stretched out too much, but was also long enough to get some great verbal sparring and hilarious hijinks. I liked the slow burn of it all! It made sense for the characters to take longer to know what they really wanted due to everything they had going on.

I liked all the cameos of the other Walker siblings! It was fun to see the characters from the previous books and I liked getting a sense of what may be next.

This was so so good! I'm thankful that I got an early copy to read and review. Thank you so much to Dell and Sarah Adams for the opportunity to read via Netgalley.

This book brings you back to Rome, Kentucky, where the first two books in this series takes place. You follow Emily, the sister of Noah and Annie (from the first two novels), and Jack as they navigate their jobs, dreams, feelings, and families. Emily is a 2nd grade teacher in her hometown and has been writing a romance novel to occupy her mind while working through grief. Little does she know, her fellow 2nd grade teacher that moved away a few months ago is moving back to Rome and is an accomplished author under the pen name AJ Ranger. Jack is Emily's "nemesis" and her true match in more ways than one. From years of feuding over desks and test scores in college, to fighting over the best parking spot at their job. When Jack moves back to Rome, he and Emily end up finding out more about themselves and also discover that they're more compatible than they thought.

A true enemies to lovers, this book had me hooked from the beginning. Emily's feelings of always having to be the one to help others but never feeling like she can ask for help in return was so relatable for me. I very much enjoyed her and Jack's dynamic and playful bickering. Highly recommend this novel! My favorite couple in Rome, so far!

Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing for allowing me to read and ARC of this novel!

This book was just what I needed. I love being back in Rome. I love how Sarah wrote Emily. She felt so real and was like the best friend everyone needs. The enemies to lovers was done perfectly and that rarely happens. Jack was just the most fun to read about. I also loved having the rest of the Walker siblings in the book and can't wait for the last book.

*I received an advanced copy of this book. This review is my own opinion.*

Rome, Kentucky sounds like the best place to live.

Jack and Emily have hated each other since the first day they met in college, resulting in a whole lot of tension, especially once they become coworkers and neighbors. But we quickly get past their hatred and move on to a whole other type of tension. Their fledgling friendship grows into something steamier. Secrets are shared and feelings are bared. The banter is bantering, and Rome, Kentucky is its usual quirky self.

I am not a kicking my feet and squealing kind of girl. Usually the biggest reaction you’ll get out of me is an amused chuckle, but this was laugh out loud funny between the sheer ridiculousness of the banter and the awkwardness and the townsfolk. It’s hard to really get the concept of a true romcom in a book, but I think this does a dang good job.

This series is definitely one of my favorites, and while I’m sad to see it come to an end with the next book, I can’t wait to see what happens. I’m definitely checking out the author’s other book after this one.

Thanks to Netgalley, Random House|Dell, and Sarah Adams for the arc!

This was a delightful addition to the Rome series by Sarah Adams. The build up and chemistry was fantastic. I also love the way Adams gives us a glimpse of what couples from the series are up to as well as foreshadowing future books. I really enjoy the emphasis that is placed on family and how they can shape us and support us. #BegBorroworSteal #NetGalley

As a Kentucky girl, I love reading Sarah’s stories. She balances humor with the weight her characters carry on their shoulders in such an authentic way. I’m already looking forward to reading Madison and James’ book next!

Rating: 4.25 ★

Oh my goodness, if I could just pack up all my bags and move to the small town of Rome I would.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a totally quirky, charming, emotional rivals to lovers romance that has my heart bursting just thinking about it again. Emily leads a perfectly, well crafted life with her always polished red nails and not a hair out of place. She is an overprotective big sister who’s ready to shoulder the world for those she loves. Enter Jackson, her nemesis since college who decides to make a return to Rome and call it his home whether Emily likes it or not.

While I did find that this one was a bit harder for me to get into than the others, I still loved every moment. Sarah Adams has a style of writing that is authentically relatable, quite hilarious, and just the right amount of emotion.

Thank you @netgalley, @authorsarahadams, and @randomhouse for this advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review. Highly recommend!