I loved this book through and through, this is truly a book to those who have suffered trauma or emotional abuse. i felt so seen through emily's character. even though there were heavier elements, I still was delighted by this book. i loved it. it's going into my tops of the year and it's my favorite sarah adams book by far.

I loved this book through and through, this is truly a book to those who have suffered trauma or emotional abuse. i felt so seen through emily's character. even though there were heavier elements, I still was delighted by this book. i loved it. it's going into my tops of the year and it's my favorite sarah adams book by far.

Ayyy yi yii. I wanted to love this one so soo hard! But I just couldn’t..🥴

Beg Borrow or Steal is your typical enemies to lovers trope, told from alternating perspectives with an invisible string in there too... It’s also the 3rd book in the When in Rome series. Books 1 & 2 being reads I genuinely enjoyed. So it was really nice to “see” Amelia, Noah, Annie and Will, well the whole crew again. And while reading this one, I felt like we were well set up for a book #4. At least it seemed that way. I certainly hope so, because Maddie and James need their HEA too🙌🏼

Ughhhh…now the hard part🥴

Unfortunately, I had a handful of issues.
Firstly, I was missing that character bond big time, like it was a limb. I found our MMC and FMC, Jack and Emily, soft, sappy and silly. Not necessarily a bad thing if that’s your cuppa, but I kept searching for that connection and I just never found it.

Emily is such a woe is me kinda gal. It truly takes a village to get her out of her unending self-pitying state. Which included countless pep talks from her siblings, trying to get her out of her head and attempting to bring down her walls of steel. They were relentless with their reassurances about how wonderful and strong and smart she was. All of which becomes apparent at some point as an absolute requirement. Otherwise, she would have never quit banging on her “I am so unlovable” drum, which by this point had already gone on much longer than any ballad should. And while the poor-me character is not a new one by any means and can be done well occasionally, I suppose, this simply was not the case here. Smaller doses would have been highly advantageous because really, all of the attention she necessitated ended up making her look callow, cumbersome, petty and dramatic. Bordering unlikable.

Once she finally let’s her guard down & for the 7th time, well that’s when the real cheddar begins to make its presence known. Starting with Emily’s dialogue. Here’s a few shreds:

“Um, there’s just been this . . . This sadness and loneliness that I have struggled to climb out of. And I don’t like for people to see me in those places, because I’m afraid if I do, I’ll be even harder to love.”

“….And to be honest, your friendship lately”—tears race down her cheeks—“has been one of the best things to ever happen to me. And I was scared that you’d think you wanted me, and then you would get close to me and realize that I’m too tough to love.”

& Some of Jack’s Mozzarella to Emily’s cheddar:

“And if you need to fight, you can fight with me. And if you want to make love, make it with me.”

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

But alas, they eventually pull themselves out of the big cheese vat and have the HEA they’re both so worthy of!

I really am sorry. BBoS just didn’t work for me.
Again, I have read Adams in the past and thoroughly enjoyed her stories and characters. So while I didn’t have the best experience here, it will not deter me from seeking out her work going forward.

As always, I am super grateful for the opportunity. So HUGE thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group – Ballantine | Dell for this arc in exchange for review.

Pub date: 1.7.2025.

Loved this book. This is Emily and Jackson’s story in our favorite town of Rome, Kentucky. I enjoyed the enemies storyline and the banter. Such a slow burn. “So far, this is the best sex I’ve ever had, and we haven’t even really touched.” I had to fan my face like a lady throughout this whole section.

And where can I find me a Jackson - “He saw what needed to be done and did it.” He was perfect for Emily in every way. He was her safe and calm.

You can read it without reading the others in the series first but you miss out on some things you learn in the other books. I love all of Sarah’s books and the way she captivates my attention. Can’t wait for the next one.

Thank you NetGalley for the ability to read an ARC of this wonderful story!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal takes us back to Rome, Kentucky and our favorite family, the Walkers. The Walkers have recently lost their grandmother who was their caretaker after their parents died when they were young. Emily, the oldest sister has always been the token overprotective sister. Emily is having trouble finding purpose now that her siblings are getting married and chasing their dreams.

Jack is a former colleague/nemesis of Emily's who moved away to Nebraska to get married. However, he returns to Rome after calling off the wedding and unknowingly buys the house next to Emily's. They have been feuding since college and it doesn't stop once he moves next door.

The plot, afflictions of the oldest sister and as Sarah has put it, the most competent man she has ever written make this my favorite in the Rome series yet! I could not put this book down. Emily and Jack's banter is so engaging. Once they start to acknowledge the comfort they bring to one another their emotional and physical chemistry are on fire! I also enjoyed the Easter eggs given to us about Maddie's book!

4.5 ⭐️ and highly recommend! It is always a joy to return to Rome! If you live small town romance or enemies to lovers this book is for you!

Sarah Adams’s *Beg, Borrow or Steal* is a delightful rom-com that balances humor, heart, and an irresistibly charming romance. Known for her lovable characters and witty dialogue, Adams delivers a lighthearted yet satisfying story that’s as entertaining as it is heartfelt. The novel follows a pair of unlikely allies who find themselves entangled in a series of mishaps, misunderstandings, and, of course, undeniable chemistry.

Our protagonist, witty and headstrong, is forced to team up with her equally determined counterpart in a plot that takes them from reluctant acquaintances to something more. Adams’s characters are endearing and relatable, with each bringing their own quirks and vulnerabilities to the table. Their interactions are filled with clever banter, playful teasing, and tension that builds beautifully, making every twist and turn in their relationship feel genuine.

Adams’s writing style is light and engaging, with a perfect balance of humor and warmth. Her comedic timing is spot-on, and readers will find themselves smiling (or even laughing out loud) at the well-placed jokes and charmingly awkward situations that arise. But beneath the humor lies an undercurrent of personal growth and self-discovery, as the characters come to terms with their insecurities and learn to trust each other.

At its heart, *Beg, Borrow or Steal* is more than just a romantic comedy – it’s a story about overcoming obstacles, letting go of the past, and opening up to new possibilities. The supporting cast adds depth to the story, with friends and family members who provide both support and comic relief. The setting is vibrant and well-described, giving readers a cozy world to escape into.

For fans of sweet, slow-burn romance with lots of laughs and plenty of heart, *Beg, Borrow or Steal* is a thoroughly enjoyable read that won’t disappoint. Sarah Adams has crafted a feel-good romance that’s perfect for curling up with, offering all the elements of a feel-good rom-com wrapped in a story that is fresh, funny, and wonderfully uplifting.

Thanks to Dell Romance for the copy of this book!

The little town of Rome, Kentucky has me by the heart. I was so excited to return for the story of oldest sister Emily Walker (yep her name is reaaaal close to mine) and her enemies-to-lovers storyline with Jackson Bennett.

I've always admired Sarah's writing, but I think it's so evident that she's really perfecting her craft here. Emily and Jack have so much depth and emotional background, and I LOVED this. The people-pleasing oldest child mental health side of the story was to relatable for me and incredibly well done. Then Jack just fits in like a perfect puzzle piece exactly where Emily needs him, and their tension was through the roof. The story blocking scene!? Wheeeew. I did have a tough time connecting to Jack on one level: his style with beaded necklaces, cutesy tattoos, and knit polos & chinos. It's just a personal thing for me. I loved having Emily's siblings and our besties from Rome in the story and can't wait for more in this town! Looking at you, Madison.

This book started out super slow for me but then luckily really picked up! I felt like there was a lot more depth in the character’s back stories than in previous Sarah Adam’s books. You can definitely see the characters grow over the course of the book- overcoming past trauma and insecurities. I definitely related a lot to the two main characters and loved seeing them conquer their fears together and make each other better. So sweet!

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC :)

I'm not usually an enemies to lovers girl, but this book was fun. I can confidently say that I'm invested in Walker girl stories. I'm looking forward to Madison's which I'm sure will come next. Emily and Jack had plenty of swoon worthy moments.

This is officially my favorite Sarah Adams book and i really enjoyed it. The characters in this ugh i love them so so much. The fmc Emily was the most interesting and great character who basically had to raise her siblings after their parents passed. She’s always felt like she’s too much especially when it comes to being loved. I really enjoyed how passionate she was and how much she cared about teaching and her siblings. The mmc Jack is also a teacher and in the beginning of the book he and his fiancé break up. He is a mystery writer under a pen name because of his narcissistic parent who has never loved him.

I loved the rivalry between them so much, it was fun and i could tell there was alot of tension and them. I liked when they started hanging out together and the fact that they still bicker. The romance was so sweet and tender and the way Jack gave her time, space and would do anything for her. This book is a little steamy, it’s open door but not really descriptive. I truly enjoyed the author/writer plot and it and how it affected their relationship. Overall this is the Sarah Adams book for me and i loved how sweet the romance was. Thank you Dell for the arc!!

Read for:
- Rivals to lovers
- Small town romance
- Caretaker sibling
- Second grade teachers mc’s
- Sweet romance
- Team up

The return to Rome, KY was a wonderful one and I think each book in this series is better than the last. I am beyond ready for James + Madison omg!!!

But first, Jack + Emily. These two gave me actual butterflies and I absolutely loved their dynamic from start to finish. The banter, the hidden softness, the communication!!! I saw a lot of myself in Emily (aside from sharing a name!) and I loved how Sarah wrote about a prickly, perfectionist, fiercely independent woman and the man who loves every single piece of her. It was an absolute delight.

My favorite Sarah Adam’s book to date!!
When I saw that this was book three of the “when in Rome” series I was excited but when I saw it was a rivals-to-lovers that have to team up together I was squealing!! I related to our FMC Emily so much in this book, I cried, laughed and loved during this hole book and I’m definitely going to read it again!

This third book in the When in Rome series centers around Emily Walker who is native to Rome, Kentucky. The excellent writing lets the reader experience this rivals-to-lovers small town romance as part of the series or as a standalone. When Emily hears the news that her archenemies called off his engagement and moved back into town she has mixed feelings that she hasn’t quite fully grasped yet. As the two get closer and reveal their inner secrets they realize that their rivalry was all based on attraction.

I am addicted to this Sarah Adams’ series set in Rome, Kentucky. They all read as stand-alones, so you can start with any. This latest in the series centers on two characters who have feuded since college and teach second grade in a small town’s elementary school. The banter and emails between the two are hilarious. This is definitely a rom com, but there are backstories that deal with some serious subjects. However, that just makes their journeys more interesting. Both main characters are kind and good-hearted people, even though they prank each other and cause each other distress. Still, we root for them all along the way. And, how can you not love sisters who have sister nights watching Audrey Hepburn movies?

So far, I have not read a Sarah Adams book that I’d did not love, and Beg, Borrow, or Steal is no exception.

Omg thank you so much for the E-ARC! I loved emily & jack so much. Their rivalry was written so well & we all know I’m a sucker for a second chance- this one was very well done!!

Thank you for the opportunity to review! I really enjoyed this continuation of the series, and felt like it did a great job of carrying the characters through their arcs. The town reactions felt authentic and it was a lovely family story.

Loved this next book in this series. The characters were so much fun. I also loved the relationship between the 4 sisters, probably because I have 3 sisters. LOL. I highly recommend this book and series. Thanks NetGalley for the advanced copy. #BegBorroworSteal # NetGalley

This may be my favorite book in the series, and I thought Practice Makes Perfect would never be topped. I absolutely devoured this - in one sitting.

These two characters are simply perfect and perfect for each other. They match each other and compliment each other, and they have you feeling personally invested from the start.

This book seemed to be much lower spice level than PMP, and yet I have no complaints. It’s flirty and emotional and sweet.

This was everything that I was looking for from this type of book. The romance element worked well overall and was engaged with everything that I wanted. I thought the characters worked well overall and was hooked from the first page. Sarah Adams has a strong writing style and was glad everything worked together. I loved the teacher element and that it was rivals to lovers.

I AM IN LOVE!!! Sarah Adams delivered once again and I COULD NOT be anymore grateful. I am seriously debating hopping on a plane to Rome, Kentucky and trying to find my own swoons male love interest...