Another wonderful trip to Rome, Kentucky! Loved the dynamic between Emily and Jack. Both very relatable characters with real life issues. I hope all eldest daughters get the comforting hug they deserve from this book.

Sarah Adams has done it again! Beg, Borrow or Steal is her upcoming romcom in the When in Rome series. I was thrilled to snag an ARC, and let me tell you: this was the perfect fluffy escapist read for me this past week.

This book follows the next Walker sibling, Emily, a second grade teacher whose always been the protective older sister trying to stay safe and avoid change. When her longtime nemesis Jack comes back to town, it throws her off to find that maybe what she feels for him can’t actually be described as “hate.”

This was such a fun enemies to lovers rom com – it was the perfect mix of deep character growth, funny scenarios and swoony romance. What an absolute delight!

4.5⭐️ SARAH ADAMS. I LOVE YOU. i have been looking forward to this book for forever, and it exceeded my expectations tenfold. the characters written by Sarah Adams are truly one and a million. they are so real, raw, and relatable in so many ways. i empathized so much for Emily in this book because i am her. i saw so many beautiful and destructive qualities in her that i see in myself, so watching her development hit incredibly close to home. Jack was the perfect golden retriever male main character. he was bubbly and charming and kind, but had so much depth to him, which i appreciated. this book had the perfect balance between fun fluffy romance, and more serious, resonating themes. the banter was next level incredible; i was literally giggling and kicking my feel so hard the entire time. i also absolutely loved the little glimpses of the past couples, and the (hopefully) future couple in Madison and James. i am completely in love with the little town of Rome, Kentucky and all the people that reside in it, and these books will forever hold a special place in my heart.

I need a book on James and Madison stat.

Where to start? Oh my god. The banter in this book was beyond *chefs kiss.* This was the perfect enemies to lovers and I LOOOOOOVE when the guy falls first. I definitely found myself smiling A LOT while reading this. It was perfect.

Emily was amazing. Jackson was amazing. Both of them were amazing. This book could have had 10 more chapters and I would have eaten it up. I adored both characters so much. It’s so refreshing to see a FMC who isn’t a hot mess and falling apart at the seams.

I really adored the small town feel in the book. Even though there were a ton of characters and sometimes I had a hard time figuring out which sister was which, I think they were all included perfectly in the story.

Was there spice? Yes. Was it a lot? Not really. If anything, it was more tension than spice. Which, again, amazing. Even the spicy scenes weren’t all that explicit. They were more focused on the tension and I thought it worked really well. Like 2/5 chili peppers.

Anyway, HIGHLY recommend this book. I will definitely be checking out the rest of the books in the series.

If you're a contemporary romance fan, mark your calendars for this release! You'll love this book if you enjoy romances with:
🌹 Adversaries to lovers
🌹 Dual POV
🌹 Small town setting
🌹 Big sister/eldest daughter FMC
🌹 Forced proximity (neighbors)

First off, I loved the banter between Emily and Jack. Emails and texts from different points in time are sprinkled throughout the book, and they always got me laughing. And I definitely wish I could live in a small town like this!

Emily is a big sister who's trying to to learn how to care for herself after a lifetime of looking after others, and Jack is dealing with the fallout of a broken engagement and a lifetime with a very difficult father. Even when they're bickering, there's an undercurrent of the freedom that comes with honesty and intellectual compatibility, and I love these layers of attraction between MCs!

My favorite line: “You think you’re unlovable, but I think I’ve never known how to love until knowing you.” 😍

Sarah gives the characters realistic flaws and depth, and they each have a growth journey to go on throughout the book. If you've read the other two books in the When in Rome series, you will also love seeing those characters come back, but you will still enjoy this book if you haven't read them yet!

Workplace enemies find themselves as neighbors in this rivals-to-lovers Book 3 of the When in Rome series from Sarah Adams and it was so good I didn't want it to end.

Emily Walker is a second grade teacher and aspiring romance author, who is super loyal to her friends and family. Jack Bennett returns to Rome, Kentucky after calling off his wedding and he just wants to spend the summer renovating his new to him home and setting down roots in Rome, Kentucky. The only problem is his new house is across the street from his school Rival, Emily, and their fued picks back up where it left off.

This novel is dual POV with well developed support characters and messy but relatable family dynamics, which I felt really brought Rome, Kentucky to life! I loved the witty banter, laugh out loud adventure/mis-adventures, and the flash backs via emails/texts between Emily & Jack.

Jack's love for Emily just made my heart burst with love and feel good vibes. And both Emily & Jack's personal development and growth together as a couple in this novel was really inspiring but also believable.

If you are looking for a romance that makes your heart swoon but also encompasses real life issues & family dynamics then this is a 2025 romance you need to add to your TBR list!

Thank you Dell romance for the ARC.

I was super stoked to get the ARC for Sarah Adams’ newest release, and I was not disappointed! Beg, Borrow, or Steal had me smiling and laughing, and I genuinely just had a great time reading this book. The chemistry between Emily and Jack was amazing, as was their banter, and being a writer myself, I loved that they were both secret writers. I loved being back in Rome, Kentucky - it gives Stars Hollow vibes for sure - and seeing all the characters from Adams’ previous two Rome books. I also appreciated the emotional depth of the characters - I felt like their struggles will be relatable to a lot of people. Overall, a very fun read and I can’t wait for Madison and James’ story!💕

Unlike most of Sarah Adams’ books, BBS did have some open door content; however, she does include a content warning in the beginning of the book that says which chapters to skip if you don’t want to read those (chapters 25 and 32). Additionally, there were a couple other pretty heated scenes - one in which they’re pretending to act out an intimate scene from a book (chapter 16) and one in which they’re making out (chapter 19). So, this is certainly not a clean book, but the sections are easy to skip/skim. Additionally, there was some profanity throughout the book.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sending me an eARC of this book! All thoughts and opinions above are my own.

It was a solid 4.5 stars for me,
did it provide a good time? yes.
cute characters? yes.
was I slightly imagining Jackson's wardrobe to be Harry Styles-inspired? yes.

I admit this was my first book in the When in Rome series and I couldn't put it down. It had all of the familiar Sarah Adams elements and just a sprinkle of more.

The 'rivalry' origin was cute with the email/text interlude between chapters...some of those unsent emails at the end had me giggling and kicking my feet. Honestly, at least 97% of this book had me giggling and kicking my feet -- the Sarah Adams effect. (I was 3% annoyed at Jackson's awful dad)

ALSO DUAL POV? 🙌

AND JACKSON'S WHOLE 'he falls first' trope AND THE ENDING -- oMG

As a small-town romance, I really enjoyed the found-family (from Jackson's POV), the relationship between Emily and her siblings (especially Madison and Emily, that particular chapter had me hooked), and the setting of Rome, it felt like someone was giving you a hug and a warm blanket.

I'm excited for Madison's book (and possibly James'????) and a return to Rome! For now, I'm reading the first two, gotta have the whole Rome experience, right?

THANK YOU to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an e-ARC -- it was the BEST email I could've received on a Monday morning.

I absolutely ADORE Sarah's writing. I have been a long time fan since "The Cheat Sheet" and this series has just gotten progressively better and better. I have loved watching her writing evolve from book to book and these characters have stolen my heart! I could not WAIT to be back in Rome and the premise of feuding second grade teachers just about slayed me, I loved it so much! This quirky town and their cast of characters come alive in each of these installments and I could not help but HOWL with this banter. Emily and Jackson and their legendary feud was so much fun! Loved, loved, LOVED it! 4.5/5 stars!

I absolutely ADORE Sarah's writing. I have been a long time fan since "The Cheat Sheet" and this series has just gotten progressively better and better. I have loved watching her writing evolve from book to book and these characters have stolen my heart! I could not WAIT to be back in Rome and the premise of feuding second grade teachers just about slayed me, I loved it so much! This quirky town and their cast of characters come alive in each of these installments and I could not help but HOWL with this banter. Emily and Jackson and their legendary feud was so much fun! Loved, loved, LOVED it! 4.5/5 stars!

Another lovely trip to Rome, Kentucky!

The rivalry and banter between Emily and Jack was such a treat. Adams wrote such beautifully complex and messy characters with such love and care. This book was so funny and tender, it felt like a warm hug!

A huge thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine for giving me an ARC in exchange for my honest review!

When I tell you I did a happy dance when NetGalley approved me for an early read of this book. Sarah Adams has done it again! I am a sucker for enemies to lovers and this book did not disappoint. Emily is a second grade teacher when her enemy Jack returns (newly single). Jack is such an amazing leading man and has officially entered my top ten book boyfriends. This book has tension, humor, and a little bit of spice. I would 100% recommend this book!

I absolutely loved being transported back to Rome, Kentucky. For those who know me, Practice Makes Perfect has been one of my favorite books , but Beg, Borrow, or Steal is definitely giving it a run for its money.

I wasn’t prepared for how much this book would hit me on a personal level. I found myself connecting so deeply with both Emily and Jack. Sarah truly outdid herself—she made me tear up, made my heart ache, but also had me blushing and laughing out loud.

The chemistry between Emily and Jack was everything—flirty banter and tension. And Jack? How can you not love him? The way he loves Emily just melted my heart. He’s the perfect man, hands down. Wouldn’t mind a Jack Bennett in real life. 🤭
It was so heartwarming to see Emily not only learn to love and be loved, but also to open up to those around her and chase after her dreams.
This story was an absolute joy from start to finish, and I’m already counting down the days until I can revisit Rome again. 🥹

This is my new favorite by Sarah Adams. I was so glad to be going back to Rome, KY for Emily + Jack’s story. Their chemistry was incredible. Jack is a walking green flag - an emotionally mature man who knows what he wants + shows up for the woman of his dreams.
I absolutely adored this story and ate it up. The storyline felt relatable, the characters were well crafted and the romance was top tier. Highly recommend.
Thank you so much to Netgalley and Dell for the opportunity to read this book.

Beg, Borrow or Steal is Sarah Adam's best work yet. It's a romance, so it's not surprise that the main characters end up getting together, but the way that they get together is something special. Jack and Emily have the BEST chemistry! Their banter and teasing with each other feels so natural. It does not feel forced and they just seem so easy with one another. I was smiling ear to ear for a majority of this book. I like that there are hard topics dealt with in this book and that they did not shy away from their past. Their pasts are what has made them into the people they are today, and that also is what makes them so great together. They are aware of how their different life experiences have affected them. As far as their chemistry, I too often see romances that start with an intense physical attraction, but Emily and Jack seem to have an emotional connection that reaches far beyond their physical attraction to each other and they think about each other in an emotional way that I don't see often. I love that Adams is reaching more into open door scenes, unlike a majority of her previous books, but I also appreciate that she leaves a warning in the beginning of the book to readers who are not comfortable reading open door scenes. It's also refreshing to FEEL the chemistry dripping off the pages even though they aren't jumping all over each other the whole time. I've read some romance novels recently that have far too much explicit content in them with little to no warning, so I love the overall chemistry you can feel through the whole book while also not being bombarded with a slough of explicit content.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal has all the charm, wit, and romance one could possibly need from a small-town romantic comedy. Following Emily and Jack, two rival second grade teachers, as Jack moves next door to Emily and their feud evolves into something more. Sarah Adams takes readers back to the wonderful town of Rome, Kentucky with her endearing side characters and charming romance.
This is Adams at her best. Perfect for the older sisters and those who look to books to find themselves represented in their grief and vulnerability. The rivals to lovers arc was splendid and the cozy nature of the town of Rome will make readers never want to leave this story.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of another wonderful Sarah Adams book! This is the third book in the When In Rome series, and it did not disappoint.
This story centered on the oldest Walker sister Emily and her arch nemesis since college Jack. This enemies to lovers story was funny and entertaining. They had the best romantic tension and slow burn romance.
The book focuses on vulnerability, particularly with showing your emotions and also how scary it is to go after your dreams.
It was wonderful to see the other Walker siblings from the previous books in the series. I can't wait to read Maddie and James' story!
I highly recommend this book if you love romance, a small town setting, humor, and inspiration.

wowie i adored this book with my whole heart. i have loved every second of the Rome, Kentucky fictional universe and beg, borrow, or steal was all that and more. this was the perfect soft, sweet, and gentle romance to escape the from the world into, while also having a lot of depth and genuine struggles interwoven that made it more than just your average fluffy romcom.

emily and jack’s “enemies” dynamic and subconscious feelings towards eachother was so fun to watch unravel. despite all their insistence that they hated each other, this may have been the most romantic book of the series yet. what can i say? i’m a sucker for two idiots who swear they hate each other while they are so obviously in loveeee!! (on a related note, i think i loved this so so much because it was veryyyy beach ready!! college rivals! authors! neighbors!! i was SAT!)
i also just really really really loved emily so so much i am her but also want to be her best friend. i want to hug HER! but i also need a hug FROM her!!! my best best girl!!!!

i know closed vs open door is a very polarizing debate in the romance novel community but i am so so glad sarah decided to start opening that door a bit! she always writes such great tension and i personally, feel like it really added to the story and emily and jack’s chemistry to get to see it snap.

i just really loved this tender, swoony, funny story so so much. most definitely my favorite of the series!! cannot wait for the final Rome book!

4.5 stars for this absolute delight!

Sarah Adams has a way of perfectly walking the line of cute and wholesome, along with fun and flirty. I absolutely adore her writing style and the way that she firmly plants you in her characters lives, immersing you fully in their joys and struggles, their dynamic and complex familial relationships, and their adorable and nosey small town. I won’t even mention how much she had me falling in love with a teeny tiny cat named Ducky. I mean, come onnnn.

I could go on and on about how much I loved the changes and growth in Emily and Jackson’s relationship that Sarah Adams so expertly weaved into her story. They seamlessly went from enemies and rivals to friends and then further to lovers, and all of it felt completely authentic. A job well done!

Keep pumping the stories out, Sarah. I can’t get enough!

thank you so much Dell Romance for this arc, I am so grateful!!!!

Sarah Adams has consistently been one of my favorite authors for several years now, and her newest book further solidifies my fangirl status!!!! even an enemies-to-lovers, Sarah Adams can’t help but write the softest, tenderest, most lovely characters!

Jack and Emily have the softest relationship- soft in their rivalry, soft in their friendship, soft in their love for each other. they are always honest & communicative with each other, showing how safe the other can be in such a relationship. I love how they lean on each other, even when they don’t realize it, knowing even subconsciously that they are wholly safe with the other.

the way Jack shows Emily she’s worth staying for, fighting for, is so lovely. he shows Emily he will always be honest and talk everything out with her, and that he’ll always be there no matter what. and Emily is so tender with Jack, even when trying to get rid of him, she always makes sure to care for the rawest parts of him that need the most TLC. she shows Jack just how wanted and needed he is, just how at home he is in their family and their small, lovely little town.

and speaking of their small little town, I absolutely loved being back in Rome, KY with all its lovely little misfits! the friendships and family of Rome, being with the Walker’s again, was the best comfort a reader could ask for. I read this book when needing the most comfort, and I felt my soul heal reading Beg, Borrow, or Steal. I am so thankful for this story, this author, and this arc!