I was so not ready for the whirlwind of emotions this book was going to bring me.

Like me, Emily is an older sister, and I’ve never seen myself more in a character. Sarah did such an incredible job building her, and it’s wild how much I saw myself in Emily, sharing her thoughts at so many points.

And with all that, I think Jack really is her perfect match. Emily is so used to taking care of everyone, but Jack takes care of her and makes her feel appreciated. He's just a fantastic character.

Another thing that was done perfectly is the chemistry between these two—I lost count of how many times I caught myself smiling while reading. The banter between them? Chef’s kiss.

And the emails!!!!!! I loved every single one. These two were already so gone for each other long before they even admitted it to themselves.

I’ll wrap it up here because otherwise, I’ll never stop talking about how much I loved it haha, but just know this definitely made it onto my all-time favorites list.

Oh, one more thing—I’m absolutely dying for the next book!

Huge thanks to Dell and NetGalley for this ARC!

As a librarian I've read all kinds of romances but nothing will ever compare to a small town for me. Sarah Adams writes with feeling and the intensity of her romance never fails to make me reiterate that this genre is the most comforting thing in the world. Emily and Jack had the perfect chemistry, vulnerability and growth. I cannot wait to include this read as a book club monthly so everyone can admire Rome.

Thank you for providing me with an ARC. Wow! I really enjoyed reading about Emily and Jack. I wanted to envelop them both in a big hug. Emily’s character was so relatable as an oldest daughter myself. The emotional load she carried for her family! And Jack…oh Jack, and his secrets. This book had the best slow burn and it was oh so rewarding when their feelings emerged. This book was more than a romance, it was a book about opening up, being yourself and finding what makes you happy. Thank you Sarah Adams for writing this.

Another delightful trip to Rome with Sarah Adams. This book is full of the light and airy charm of a Sarah Adams book, with some added richness and depth. It feels like she is improving her craft before our eyes and I’m so here for it. Love this one!

I think by now it's really obvious that I love everything Sarah Adams writes and Beg, Borrow, or Steal is no exception. We return to Rome, Kentucky and the Walker family, with this book focusing on the oldest sister, Emily. She is a no-nonsense, tough, second grade teacher who has had a nemesis since college, fellow teacher Jack Bennett. She thought he'd left her life for good when he left mid-year to move to Nebraska with his fiancee. But now he's back, having called off his wedding, and has unknowingly bought the house next door to her. The enemies to lovers trope is always a favorite and I absolutely loved the shenanigans these two get up to in trying to best each other. The chemistry is off the charts, but they also deal with loneliness and shutting people out. I absolutely loved this one!

Wow wow wow!!! Sarah Adams does it again—This might be my favorite of hers yet!

Returning to Rome to see all of the Walker siblings and their partners was such a joy. After reading the first two books in this series I was deeply intrigued by Emily’s character and wanted to know more about what was under her brash outer shell. Boy was I not prepared for how much of a gut punch this book would be! I related to Emily so much and it was so so beautiful to see her work through her grief and the resulting fear of abandonment to find the true love she didn’t think she deserved. Such a fantastic read!

Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher, and the author for the ARC copy in exchange for my honest review.

I could not put this book down. It was an excellent enemies to lovers tale that includes many of the characters you love from previous books. I would highly recommend reading the other books first as they give insight into character dynamics within this book.

I enjoyed learning more about Emily and Jack's past, reading about the shenanigans they got up to and them falling in love. Both main characters had their own personal issues that they needed to work through and it made the book all the more believable.

Ahhh I was so excited to get this ARC! I have loved the When in Rome series and this one was my favorite so far, they just keep getting better!

I loved Emily and Jack’s dynamic, very funny and sassy. They are both very relatable characters and even their rivalry was more believable because of how similar they are.

I would highly recommend this book and can’t wait for Madison’s (and James??) story!

eARC provided by NetGalley!

📚 Beg, Borrow or Steal 📚

Beg, Borrow, or Steal was my first Sarah Adams book, and it definitely won’t be my last! With a bit of a heavy day behind me, I found myself happily lost in this charming contemporary romance. Adams delivers a sweet, heartfelt story with characters who genuinely grow and shine.

This rivals-to-lovers tale follows Emily Walker, a meticulous romance writer who’s not thrilled to see her peace disturbed by her old nemesis, Jack Bennett. Jack is everything her fictional heroes aren’t, and after he left Rome, Kentucky, with his fiancée, Emily thought she was rid of him. But when Jack returns after calling off his engagement—now as both her colleague and next-door neighbor—Emily has to face the sparks she didn’t see coming.

I hadn’t read any of the other Rome novels, but now I’m eager to dive into the rest of the series. Discovering a new romance author like Adams is always such a joy, and I’d definitely recommend this book to anyone looking for a light-hearted escape!

This is without a doubt my favorite Sarah Adams book. I love the Rome, Kentucky series as a whole, but something about this one especially hit all the right notes for me.

I adored, understood, and felt seen in Emily. While this may be altered between now and pub day, one of the highlights/quotes I have saved is from Emily’s POV and it is “I would rather be waterboarded than have someone ask me if I’m okay. Especially when my answer is no.” Same girl. Can relate. There was so much of Emily I could relate to, and to see her find someone to show up for her and love all of her and be prepared to sit in the dark with her was really beautiful.

Even more, I love when that someone is the person our main character would least expect. Jack and Emily have been nemeses from their first meeting. Their banter is great and never feels truly mean-spirited, just simply “I do not like this person and I will find immense joy in annoying them however I can.” We get glimpses of their past history in their thoughts and also from little email snippet interludes between chapters, which I really enjoyed.

Emily and Jack both guard their hearts against letting anyone get too close and risking the pain of losing someone or being disappointed by someone else. It was so heartwarming to watch those guards come down and for the two of them to find the internal bravery and strength to push past what was holding them back. Their individual pasts are not without loss, tragedy, and heartbreak, which makes it all the more rewarding to see them grow beyond that together.

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

Sarah Adams is a goddess among women. I love her so much. Beg, Borrow, or Steal was incredible. I think this hit on every emotion in my body. Those are the books I enjoy, even if there is tears. I don't want a book where I feel nothing.

Thank you to Ballentine and #NetGalley for the advanced copy. The above opinions are my own and I have already preordered this book.

Two elementary school teachers/all around rivals set in the most quaint small town. I thoroughly enjoyed both Emily and Jack's POV. Emily was your typical eldest daughter (overachiever, people pleaser, anxious mess) and Jack was a surprisingly tender male lead with so much capacity for Emily's shortcomings. I think their communication about each others needs was well done and they both met each other where they were when the other was in need. I really enjoyed this one!

-The best thing to hold onto in life is each other~Audrey Hepburn

Content warning: excellent up front description of possible triggering topics and the ability to skip 2 chapters if the reader would like to avoid open door bedroom scenes. I like!

Sarah Adams has such done such a fantastic job of making us feel so deeply for these Rome, Kentucky residents. Especially the Walker family. Jackson Bennett is book hero-worthy swoon. Not too much sappy or sweet. Just the perfect salty and sassy. Loved this story and highly recommend it. One more Walker sibling to find her HEA. Can’t wait!

Jack and Emily have been rivals ever since first meeting in college. Now, they are both second grade teachers at the same school. Once Jack moves away with his fiancé, the last thing Emily expects is his return to town after the wedding is called off. Jack moves in next door and when Emily accidentally sends an e-mail to their school principal, Jack is the only one who can help get it back.

This was a cute romance. The characters are very well developed and lovable. I love how they are able to communicate their needs to each other and meet each other where the other is at. I absolutely adored them acting out an intimate scene from Emily’s book and when Jack comes to help her at the bar. I also loved how the third act break up was more of a third act argument, and it was not what I was expecting it to be about. I was defiantly rooting for these two to be together. I do think them being rivals could have been more developed. They seemed more attracted to each other the entire time rather than rivals. Overall, I enjoyed my time reading this book and would recommend this book to romance readers!

This book was so cute!! It felt like a warm hug and I personally think it's the perfect book for summer. The little email/message exchanges between Emily and Jack made me smile like a stupid person everytime. The flirty banter between them always made me giggle my feet and the rivalry was just so well done. I was NOT expecting this book to hit so close to home.

Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for this arc in exchange for my honest review!
IM LITERALLY SCREAMING THIS WAS SO GOOD. Spent approximately 99.9999% kicking my feet and giggling the entire book. I love the world that Sarah has built in Rome, KY and can’t wait to see what she does next. Have been itching to get my hands on this book from the second it was announced and now all I want to do is talk about how good it was!
All I’m gonna say is : truck bed🤭 could really see myself in Emily and could relate so much to her, loved seeing how the other characters from previous books have grown and love seeing them beyond their own stories!
Actually so sad I have to wait until January to get my physical copy, but am about to be the biggest hype woman for this book!!

I gotta hand it to Sarah. I didn’t think she could top her last book. But she definitely outdid herself. “Beg, Borrow or Steal” is definitely my favorite in the When in Rome series. I had a blast going back to Rome, KY and seeing the Walker siblings.

When I learned that the MFC of this book was going to be Emily I was ecstatic. Out of all the siblings she’s definitely the one I related to the most. She has sharp edges and always helps others before she helps herself. Watching her come out of her shell and start to love again was so genuine and emotional.

I also love our MMC Jack! That man has been through the wringer and he deserves any and everything. I love that he was such a patience, kind and loving partner with Emily. He didn’t keep secrets and actively communicate his thoughts and fears. (PS why can’t all men be like this)

If you can’t already tell I throughly loved this book. It has enemies to lovers, rivals to lovers, found family, and slow burn. Literally all my favorite tropes wrapped up in amazing romcom. Now I will say if you are looking for something super spicy this is not it. This is a slow burn that in my opinion is 100% worth the wait.


Of course overall I highly recommend this book and the entire series. Plus on a personal note I can’t wait to meet Sarah on this book release tour in January! Lastly big thanks to NetGalley & Random House Publishing for providing me with an arc.

What can I say about this book except the perfection that it is. Sarah takes us back to Rome Kentucky and we are well past where we left off in Practice Makes Perfect. Emily, as a part of her growth, has tried to stop managing her siblings as a part of her trauma with losing her parents. So they don't really need her anymore. Which she works through on her own. The loneliness is evident on page. Her work nemesis, Jack, has been her long time nemesis since college. They compete and one up each other, but Emily is still jaded that he said goodbye to everyone except her when he left to live with his fiancé. Now he's back, no fiancé in tow, and her neighbor. Can this get any worse?

I loved it so much. Emily is a self proclaimed jagged edged girlie. She's unsure of her lovability and is only really felt like she's loved if she's needed. Jack pushes her. They don't care about each other accolades or what have you. The town loves Jack but they love Emily more. And it's so evident.

This is Sarah's deepest book. We go through some pretty emotional stuff. So much so I messaged her while I was crying because jagged edged ladies are hard to be leads. People who think we are prickly women, strong headed, bulldoze you women with extra guarded hearts, they are hard to love. Because they take effort. But once you get to the core of who these women are, we are soft, and fierce, and protective, and empathetic. But we take time and desire, and determination for someone to get there. She wrote it so well. So well I cried. So well I saw myself on her pages. Previously I loved reading her stories because she's a great story teller. It wasn't until Emily's story that I actually saw myself in a Sarah Adams book. So kudos.


Sarah, with the rule book, has expanded her writing into open door scenes and while she hasn't lost the intense burning without any on page sex, there also happens to be on page sex. It's tasteful and not at all raunchy. This book was HOT. And it has more to do with how Sarah builds sexual tension between characters than the act itself.

I so wish I was Sarah's friend in real life so I could hug her. But Instagram messages where she gracefully replies will have to suffice for me :). Thank you Sarah and Dell Romance for allowing me to read this early. It's truly an honor.

Incredibly delightful! Set against the small-town backdrop of Rome, Kentucky, the story follows Emily Walker, a romance writer with a penchant for control, as she faces her biggest nemesis, Jack Bennett, upon his unexpected return after calling off his wedding.
From the very first pages, Adams expertly crafts a tension-filled dynamic between Emily and Jack. Their animosity is palpable, steeped in years of rivalry and misunderstandings that make every interaction charged with chemistry. Emily, with her obsession for maintaining her meticulously organized life, finds herself hilariously unwound by Jack's mere presence. Conversely, Jack, who has spent his time penning bestselling mysteries, brings a refreshing disarray and mischievous charm to their push-and-pull relationship. Their banter is sharp and witty, grounded in a layered history that adds depth to their enmity.
The inciting incident—a mishap that results in Emily accidentally emailing their principal about her secret life as a romance novelist—propels the narrative into new territory. It's a clever plot device that not only heightens the stakes but also forces Emily and Jack to collaborate, providing fertile ground for both conflict and connection. As they work together, the story delves into themes of vulnerability and the unexpected ways in which people can evolve. Their journey from rivals to reluctant allies is sprinkled with moments of self-reflection and mutual discovery, making their romantic tension feel organic and earned.
Adams's writing is imbued with humor and heart, effortlessly blending witty dialogue and situational comedy. The pacing is well-balanced; readers are given time to savor the tension while still being propelled forward by the plot's momentum. The supporting characters, from quirky townfolk to Emily’s close friends, add vibrancy to the narrative, enhancing the small-town charm that envelops the story.
Overall, if you're searching for a light-hearted escape filled with playful rivalry, steamy moments, and well-crafted characters, I highly recommend this book!

This was hands down my favorite Sarah Adams book. The dynamic between Emily and Jack was so steamy so fun and just so damn GOOD. The spice was spicing. THE MOTORCYCLE???? THE “SCENE BLOCKING”???? MKAY.
I loved seeing Emily be so confident and yet learn to be vulnerable. And Jack getting to feel the unconditional acceptance?? UGH. Thank you Sarah. I hope your pillow is always cool, you get all your favorite Starbursts, and your gel manicures never chip!!!!!
Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC🫶🏻🩷