Sarah Adams is about to release the next book in the When in Rome series, “Beg, Borrow, or Steal”, and it did not disappoint! I have enjoyed this series so far, and this is a nice addition as we follow Emily’s story.

Read if you enjoy:
*** Enemies to lovers
*** Small town romance
*** Attraction from the beginning
*** Family dyamics interwoven into the story
*** Teacher professions
*** Romance/mystery writers

I enjoyed the cute insert of emails/texts thrown in from Emily and our MMC Jack in between the chapters; it showed the dyamic of their relationship and how it was progressing. There was definitely more spice and open door scenes than in the start of the series, but I felt it fit with the flow of the novel. The chemistry was sizzling with these two!

Definitely go out and grab a copy of this one if you’re a fan of Sarah Adams and the When In Rome series!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for the ARC of this novel; all opinions are my own.

Another great book by Sarah Adam’s!

Emily and Jack have been each others’ nemesis for years, but when Jack buys the house next door, and new information comes to light, the two realize they have so much in common.

Such a fun story, with great side characters!

4.75⭐ thanks to Random House Publishing Group for providing me with an ARC via NetGalley!

While Pratice Makes Perfect is still my favorite in this series, this book is a close 2nd. I really enjoyed reading it, and I liked that communication was very clear between the two main characters (poor communication is always a major grip for me in books since its usually the cause of all the problems and yet could have been an easy enough fix) and that there wasn't really a Big Conflict in the storyline, just a proper Enemies to Lovers plot with a lot of feel good bits and positive character growth. I do wish Jack's mom got a nice tidy resolution too, that part was a little sad, what she was going through. I also thought the book was a bit lighter on spice than the previous book, which isn't a bad thing, just something worth noting for those who like a lot of spice.

Patiently awaiting a book now about Madison and James 😁

I jumped right into Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams without knowing that it was the third book in a series. It could easily be read as a stand alone, but now I can't wait to go back and read the first two in the Rome series. The banter was fantastic and had me laughing out loud from the very beginning. I loved the town, its people and the character development. A good enemy-to-lovers troupe with just the right amount of small town romance - but don't let the romance troupe fool you! There is plenty of actual storyline with family dysfunction, small town drama, grief and just the right amount of spice.

Thank you NetGalley, Penguin Random House Publishing and especially Sarah Adams for the e-ARC and the opportunity to review.

Oh my, this was a joy to read. I plowed through it in less than 24 hours and enjoyed every second, I related with Emily in so many ways- being a "porcupine", hiding her feelings, taking charge of everything, etc and loved her journey to vulnerability in this story, And Jack. Jack is a marshmallow of a character who is good and kind and had a tiny bit of Emily rub off on him in the end when he finally (!!!) stood up to his father. Their journey from enemies to lovers was one of my favorites of the year! I will definitely be purchasing this book and will recommend to everyone.

I loved this book SO much! It was by far my favorite Sarah Adams book and possibly my favorite book of the year. The writing was beautiful - her words so perfectly crafted. I'm not one to highlight books, but I kept needing to in this one because I wanted to go back and enjoy the sentences again. I loved Emily and Jack - probably 2 of my favorite characters ever (MCs are so rarely teachers!). Their chemistry and banter are amazing! I love the town of Rome - how everyone knows each other and cares for each other. I love all 4 of the Walker siblings and how they support each other. I can't wait to read Madison's story next, but at the same time, I don't want to get to the end of our time in Rome. I can't remember the last time I smiled so much in a book, not to mention laughed out loud. I can't recommend this book highly enough!

Beg, Borrow or Steal is the third book in the “When in Rome” series, but can be read as a standalone. I read this book so quickly, and fell in love with the characters through the great building of their personalities and their witty banter. Although I wish we get to see some resolution for Jack and his father, I believe that overall this book hits the spot when it comes to a good romance book.

If you love small town romance and enemies to lovers, you are sure to love this one.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC, in exchange for an honest review.

I was so excited to be back in Rome, Kentucky. I had high expectations for this book, and it did not disappoint. I’m a longtime reader of Sarah Adam's, and her books just keep getting better and better. The little email exchanges between Emily and Jack are such a cute addition to the story. The writing was amazing; I didn’t get bored for a second, and the pace was perfect.

All in all, Beg, Borrow, or Steal was such a fun, cute, and charming read. I highly recommend this book and am so grateful for the opportunity to read it.

One of my favorite things about Sarah Adams is that she lets you pick your spiciness level, which helps me feel more comfortable and confident recommending books to friends and library patrons. This one was a cute story and a comfort read for me. Not earth shattering, but sometimes that’s good and needed.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal
by: Sarah Adams

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We journey back to small town Rome, Kentucky, in this romantic comedy about a teacher who’s a secretly writing a romance book and her obnoxious former coworker who is now her neighbor. As they are forced to work together in a series of mishaps, the undeniable chemistry between them becomes apparent and they have to decide if it makes sense to continue fighting each other or if maybe, they could be something more. The tension and banter is off the charts in this one and I loved every second of Emily and Jack’s journey to find each other. ♥️

A must read if you like:
📔 Nemesis to Lovers
✏️ Competent Men
📔 Small Town Romance
✏️ Forced Proximity (Neighbors!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Thank you to NetGalley, Dell Romance, and Sarah Adams for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.]

I didn't realize how much I missed Rome, Kentucky until Adams brought us back!

After ending his engagement, Jackson "Jack" Bennett decides to return to Rome, where he's a second grade teacher, and plant some roots. Fate keeps throwing him into the orbit of Emily Walker, a fellow teacher and his new neighbor. Emily and Jack have been at odds (or nemeses) since their first day of college when Jack spilled coffee on Emily and then stole her seat.

While Emily and Jack are always competitive, it comes from a place of mutual respect (not that either would willingly admit that). Their playful banter is perfection and their chemistry is off the charts. It's a delicious slow burn as Emily and Jack lower their walls of self-preservation, call a truce, and begin to share moments of vulnerability.

After reading this story, I cannot wait for Maddie's book - even if saying goodbye to Rome will hurt.

I absolutely ate this book up. The sexual tension between the two main characters was insane. I loveeeeeee a good enemies to lovers trope and then add in their coworkers and now neighbors. I devoured this one in less than 48 hours. My favorite Sarah Adam's book to date

I truly never thought Sarah could out-do practice makes perfect (simply because I am PMP’s biggest fan!!!!), but y’all— I think she might have!!!!

Back in Rome, KY, Beg, Borrow, or Steal follows Emily, the oldest of the Walker sisters, as her number one rival moves back to town— right next door. Jack and Emily have been rivals since the moment they met, and that definitely did not change when they both became second grade teachers at the same school- now that he’s back, everything is about to change.

The rivalry, the banter, and now they’re NEIGHBORS!!!! I cannot tell you the amount of times I squealed while reading this book.

Emily is the oldest daughter through and through, and I absolutely adore her- the love she has for her family, her town, and her people is unmatched!! Getting more of Noah and Amelia and Will and Annie (my babies) was just the icing on top!!!!

To Sarah Adams, I can’t wait to thank you in person in January for writing these books 🥹🥹 Cannot believe there’s only one last trip left to take to Rome, KY 🥹

Thank you thank you thank you to @netgalley and @dellromance for the arc!!!! brb going to reread practice makes perfect bc now I miss Will and Annie too much!!!

Sarah Adams’ has weaved another heartwarming tale of love and relationships in a small town. The characters were so lovable and relatable. I loved that Jack and Emily’s relationship started early, not just in the last few pages. What a fun addition to our Rome, Kentucky series. This book is a must-read!

I loved this book and will have it as a staff pick when my romance book store opens in the spring!


Review Posted to Goodreads on 11/24/24

The third installment in the “When in Rome” series, Beg, Borrow, or Steal, is an enemies to lovers romance that follows Emily, a second grade teacher and the eldest of the Walker sisters. Emily’s sworn nemesis, Jack returns to Rome, Kentucky, shaking up her life in unexpected ways. Not only does Jack reclaim his job at her at her school, but he also moves in next door, forcing Emily to confront the possibility that her long standing animosity toward him might actually be attraction.

Watching Emily and Jack grow as individuals and as a couple was a lot of fun. Their chemistry felt authentic, and the slow build of their relationship kept me interested. I loved being back in Rome, Kentucky and catching up with the characters from the first two books added another layer of interest.

This was my favorite book in the series so far, and it’s exciting to see Adams continue to evolve as a writer. Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a fun read that I’d highly recommend to fans of small town romance and enemies to lovers tropes.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams is another hit in her line of amazing novels!

This one was just so cute! I have so many good things I could say about this one. I did not want to put it down for a second!

In this novel we are focusing on Noah and Annie’s sister, Emily, and her nemesis, Jack. Both are second grade teachers who have been rivals since college. From fighting over jobs to teaching placements, they both end up in Rome teaching the same grade at the same school. A few months ago Jack moved away to be married, but now he’s back, single, and moving into the house next to Emily’s. While Jack is smitten with the idea of being neighbors, Emily has wicked plans for how to get him out of her town. Will these two eventually put aside their differences and see the spark hidden between them?

I loved this story. It was especially nice to see Annie, Will, Noah, and Amelia again. These two couple will live rent free in my head for years.

Emily was a complex character, but I could relate to her in many ways. She was the person in her family/town who always put others first, even above her own happiness. She didn’t let herself express her true feelings, which eventually built up inside.

Jack was so adorable. I liked how when they first met he instantly liked her and was flirting but she wasn’t having any of it. She made him work for it, and he figured out his feelings before he made a mistake that would ruin his life/happiness. I was cheering for him the whole time. I’m adding him to my never ending list of Book Boyfriends ASAP.

Even if you haven’t read the rest of the Rome series or even a book by Sarah Adams, you need this one on your TBR pile. It’s just a feel good book (even though it somewhat covers deep themes). I’ve been in such a book slump and this one pulled me right out of it.

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
He Falls First

**An ARC was received from Dell and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great addition to the When in Rome series. Emily who’s the most empathetic and wonderful second grade teacher found her sworn nemesis her first day in college, and that rivalry continued even as Jack came to small town Rome, Kentucky to teach in the same school as Emily. The banter in this book was amazing. The love and respect they showed each other was so great as well. I’m excited for the world to read this one.

Sarah Adams has done it again! This third installment of her Rome, Kentucky series might be my favorite yet! What's not to love with enemies to lovers 2nd grade teachers, pen names, small towns, dysfunctional families, and romance! Seriously loved this one and can't wait for the next!!!

I absolutely adore Sarah Adams, but for me this book was just ok. I loved Emily! Her character growth was excellent and really felt genuine, but Jack’s was a little flat for me. Unfortunately this disconnect bled into the way I viewed Emily and Jack grow together in their relationship, and it ended up feeling a little forced. I appreciated what Adams was trying to do here, but ultimately I didn’t connect with this story in the same way that I have her other books—-and maybe that’s a me thing.

LOVEDDDDDDDDDD I've loved this series and to get an arc of this book... I WAS EXCITED!! Literally gasped when I got the notification! Finished this book in 2 days and it was everything. I loved Practice Makes Perfect and this one comes a close second to it. Just something about a guy who notices all the girls quirks/feelings just by a look or their body language <3 Oh how I love you Jack! I'm excited for the next and sadly last book in the When in Rome Series. I'm ready for Madison and hopefully James :P