I absolutely loved Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams! This is the third book in the When in Rome series. This book follows Emily and Jackson as their relationship changes from enemies to lovers. I have always enjoyed a good enemies to lovers story line and this one did not disappoint. Their banter was fun to read, and I even found myself laughing out loud at times. I enjoyed returning to the small town, Rome, and seeing other characters from the series. (I highly recommend that readers start the series with the first two books!)

I am already looking forward to reading the next book in this series!

Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for the advance reader copy of Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams!

Welcome back to Rome, Kentucky - It’s time for Emily Walker’s story. An aspiring romance writer, Emily is a teacher but has been secretly writing her first romance novel. Her teacher rival, Jack Bennett, returns to town and ends up as her neighbor. Little does she know, Jack has a successful writing career under a pen name. When she mistakenly sends her manuscript to the school principal, despite their history she knows that she can count on Jack to help her get it back.

You will love this return to Rome, which is rich with our favorite characters, from the family to members of the town. Emily and Jack have such a great dynamic, as nemeses, friends, and lovers. Beyond the plot to steal back Emily’s manuscript, there is so much story playing out that will keep you engaged to the point where you will not want to put this one down. Sarah Adams does such a wonderful job building out the personalities of her characters and it has made this When in Rome series so relatable.

If you love a good frenemies/rivals to lovers and forced proximity this is a story to check out. Especially for forced proximity lovers, welcome, this is the story for you!! There is layer upon layer of forced proximity - coworkers, neighbors, and partners to steal back the manuscript.

I NEED Madison and James’s book!!!!

I knew I was going to love this story from the moment I read the dedication. Emily Walker is like looking into the mirror and wanting so hard ignore the glaring resemblance. I adored this story. Rome, Kentucky has tucked itself into my heart from the onset. It’s lovely getting to read the Walker siblings find true love and happiness and healing.

Honestly, this book was amazing for so many different reasons. I really liked Emily and Jack’s character development. I felt like you could really feel their motivations and my favorite part had to be their conversation about Emily’s characters and their motivations. It was very meta!

I really appreciated the rawness of their feelings too. From the get-go their banter is so top tier, but as you dig into those very complicated feelings they’ve both been pushing to the side you start to see so many facets to their characters. For the first time I really loved Emily as a character. I like how we pulled back the curtain to her feelings and looked at her past hurt as the guiding force on top of their perfectionist need. It was just very well done.


The ending was sweet and I loved that these two made it to this point. The lack of the third act breakup is a nice refresh but I would say that I’m shocked in this case the most because these two have a lot of work to do together, but not a deterrent. Overall, I loved this book and I swear if Maddie and James don’t end up together I’m going to be massively sad. I’m not sure I’m ready for the last Rome book but I’m eagerly awaiting it.

I read When in Rome and Practice Makes Perfect and really enjoyed them. I was so excited to get to read an advanced copy of this new book. I was already familiar with Emily's sisters and brother so it was comforting to get an update on them in this book. The siblings relationships are so loving and warm. I'm kind of jealous of their close connections. It was such a joy to read this enemies to lovers novel. I love the depth and the background on Emily and Jack. It just made the characters so relatable and realistic. I really enjoyed reading this and highly recommend if you are looking for something to curl up with and lift your mood.

I have read every Sarah Adams book and this one did not disappoint! I love all the books in the Rome series but this one may have been my favorite. It had a bit more spice than her normal writing which flowed so naturally and was written so well. Highly recommend reading it! Please make more books ASAP Sarah!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️ (2 out of 5)

This is an absolutely perfect rom-com that I flew through in 3 days. It’s laugh out loud funny, heartfelt, and HAPPY. Sarah Adams is the queen of happy reads. Even though the characters deal with trauma, loneliness, and grief, there is so much joy permeating the whole thing. I also love how creative her books are. The crazy shenanigans these characters get up to are just so unexpected and fun!!

I was hooked from the beginning - the rivalry plus the obvious attraction (that they’re hardcore in denial of) was like a lit stick of dynamite and I was on the edge of my seat waiting for it to explode. Emily and Jack were both so relatable and feel like real people I could be friends with. I also loved both Emily and Jack’s passion for teaching and empathy towards the kids. They both have a secret they’re hiding - the sense of anticipation in this book is off the charts!!

The town of Rome, Kentucky is definitely a character. You NEED to read the first 2 books in the series (When In Rome and Practice Makes Perfect) before you start this one. There are cute cameos of Amelia and Noah, and Annie and Will, plus foreshadowing to Maddie’s story!👀 The town’s reaction to Jackson’s arrival was hilarious because it was the opposite of a hallmark movie. 😂

Sarah Adams books are lighthearted while still having depth, and BBS is no exception. However, I feel like this one is a bit more grief-heavy than her others. Emily is really going THROUGH IT - grief from loss of a loved one, plus the loneliness of feeling like her siblings don’t need her anymore. Jackson also deals with a pretty intense traumatic family dynamic. I really loved seeing how these experiences shaped both of them, left them with walls up, yet they were still able to begin to heal together.

Spice warning: one short open-door scene. There are a couple of other steamy scenes too. Sarah provides a content warning at the beginning which includes which pages to skip for closed-door readers. (Love this!! Wish more authors would include!)

I loved this so much that I'm going to preorder a copy! It's so good, I don't know where to start first: the rivalry to romance, the big sister rep, a man with actual backstory. How about Sarah Adams incredible gift of writing the small moments in a way that gives you big feelings? (think of the Mr Darcy hand-flex scene and times it by a thousand).

Emily is everyone's go-to girl to get the job done. She's the eldest daughter and pseudo mother of her orphaned siblings. But no one has written an older-sister story quite like this. Emily is constantly noting the similarities and differences between them, maybe like a mother would and like I definitely have with my own siblings. She's their biggest champion but she's struggling because encouraging them to chase their dreams means allowing them to leave her behind. Rather than reach out for help, she's drowning alone.

Not that anyone notices because Emily is not the mild, down-to-earth school teacher you might expect. She's firey! And though she tries to keep it herself, all bets are off when it comes to her nemesis Jackson. He's the other second grade teacher and the two have been battling side by side since college. Pursuing the same degree, applying for the same jobs, fighting for the same coffee nook. And just when they thought the competition was at it's end, Jackson calls off his wedding and returns to Rome... permanently!

The timing of the story is perfect because their rivalry has been going on for years but you catch them right at the tipping point. When both of them realize that maybe this competitiveness is more bonding than animosity. They each have moments of vulnerability that lead to an eventual truce. And secrets they'd rather not share. This is what I would wish for as my own love story. Jack and Emily are the best kind of push-and-pull. There's a little hot neighbor next door, drunken confessions, hidden identity, motorcycle flirting and small town meddling. But the romantic relationship really outshines any single trope. I loved it so much!

SARAH ADAMS DOES IT AGAIN!!
I am so utterly and completely obsessed with this series and Sarah Adams never fails to make me love it even more. I will always be (un)patiently waiting until the next one

4/5⭐

SARAH ADAMS DOES IT AGAIN.

This story had immense amount of heart in it. Rather than being just a cutie romance, it had deep themes.

This is a book for the oldest daughters.
This is a book for those who feel like they have to carry everyone else's weight on their shoulders.
This is a book for the children who had to carry their parents relationship on their backs.
This is a story written for people that need someone to tell them they don't have to carry everyone else's burdens. That they are enough. That they can rest without feeling like the world is going to fall apart without them.

JACKSON BENNET is a new book boyfriend. Just you wait. I can't say much but his hobbies, his banter, they way he treasures Emily, the GLASSES. I adore this man so much.

The story unfolded in a beautiful way. Emily and Jack slowly transition from rivals to lovers in such a satisfying way and their COMMUNICATION WAS UNMATCHED.

I love every single Walker sibling so much and that pancake scene was perfection.

I will say that Sarah once again made this one open door with 'modifications'. In my opinion, some scenes that were not listed in that list were still too much, and I skimmed through the open door scenes because they talked about important character growth moments which I found frustrating. And there were a few other scenes that I just didn't get why they needed to be there? Like a random scene when Emily hands Jack her pen and he smokes? And another almost-chapter long scene talking about how they don't go to church/how their church's in their town is a mix of religions/denominations. Those both really bothered me because they were not necessary to the plot or the story and felt very strange.

Overall this was such a cute story that had me both crying and giggling. But I don't think it is my favorite Sarah Adams book.
I cannot WAIT for James and Madison's book!!

Thank you NetGalley, Dell Romance, and Random House Publishing Group for the eARC in exchange for an honest review!!

Adams does it once again! A highly entertaining story that kept my attention right from the beginning chapter. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC. The banter between the main characters was enjoyable and well-written..

"It's okay that time is moving and changing.
Maybe it's okay if I move and change too
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
Release date: Jan 7th, 2025
Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Age rating: 17+
Spice: ch 25 and ch 32
Thank you Sarah Adams and Netgalley for this arc! This book was INCREDIBLE! I instantly fell in love with the story.
1 wish I could live in these books. Emily is such a great character I could read about her for ages. As an eldest daughter I found her so relatable. I felt so connected to her I'm convinced we'd be friends lol. Oh and I LOVE Jack so much. I don't know how Sarah keeps writing these
INCREDIBLE men but I'm obsessed with all of them. He is so kind and I loved learning about him. The banter between him and Emily was SO GOOD! And the TENSION! I highlighted so much and I can't wait to get my physical copy in January! You should definitely read this one when it comes out!

What a treat to get to visit the town and people of Rome, KY, once again. Emily and Jack's story was equally sweet and spicy!

What I loved most about this story was that it was not about finding someone who will tolerate your flaws; it's about finding someone who relates to, sees, and loves all of you, perhaps not despite your quirks and traumas but because of them.

"...She told me to find someone someday who will hug me when I'm sad and then help me look on the bright side of things when all I can see is the dark."

I've long been a fan of Sarah Adams, and her new books will always get bumped to the top of my TBR stack!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing/Ballantine/Dell for an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

This book was a delight. I absolutely loved the characters and the plot. The banter was so good and the enemies-to-lovers was done so well! With Adams still getting a start in spicy scenes, I didn't have very high expectations for that aspect. The tension was very good, but the spice didn't really have a ton of payoff. The book definitely made up for it in other ways, though! Such a fun read, and I can't wait for her next installment in my home state!!!

I loved this book! The theme of depression for one main character and the narcissistic parent on the other are done in a way that isn't too heavy but also is very relatable.

Oh, I am just so happy to be back in Rome!

When I tell you, I literally couldn’t put this book down. The obsession was so real. I was locked into Jack and Emily’s story and couldn’t wait to see what happened next.

It felt like Emily was constantly just taking all the thoughts in my head and saying them out loud which (how dare she) just had me deep in my feels.

This is the kind of rivals to lovers I live for. The banter, the tension, the slow burn…it all makes the payoff so worth it.

This was a love story for eldest daughters so prepare to feel seen!

Absolutely adored this book from the When in Rome series. This is one of my top favorite romance series of all times.

Each book has made me read with such giddiness along with an understanding of real life circumstances. Sarah writes in a way where you can feel seen and understood on a deeper level with the comfort of a close friend. This story is sweet and swoon worthy. Reading the books in this series is like cuddling on the couch with your favorite blanket and a cup of coffee. A million stars for this book and each on in this series!

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211164792

A cute and easy to read romance! Emily and Jack hate each other, but isn’t hate just another form of love? This was a truly great “enemies” to friends to lovers. You root for the couple the whole time. This book will be a romance book club staple. It has some pearl gripping moments, but nothing that will make you feel like you need to go to confession. Truly a fun romcom that makes you feel good after reading!!

I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much while reading a book! The playful banter between Jack and Emily was pure gold!

“Just how often do you picture me, Jackson?”
“More than either of us is comfortable with.”

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is hands down my new FAVORITE Sarah Adams book!

Jack and Emily have been rivals since college where they met over a spilled coffee incident and shared much of the same ambition. They pushed each other’s buttons and competed for everything in their field until Jack moved away from the school they taught at mid-year with his fiancé. Now it’s the beginning of Summer and Jack has returned after calling off his wedding and ending his relationship. To Emilys surprise, her college nemesis is now her new neighbor.

Emily is the oldest sibling and after losing their parents, she’s sacrificed everything to love and support her siblings, but in the process closed herself off to anyone else emotionally.

“I happily take on the responsibility of everyone’s burdens because I only ever feel good when I’m being useful to someone.”

Having grown up with a narcissistic father, Jack has learned to read other people, especially Emily and although she drives him absolutely crazy, the more he’s around her the more he comes to understand the heart under all that sass.

Sarah’s ability to blend humor with emotional themes creates a perfectly balanced RomCom.

What you’ll find:
Rivals to lovers
The best banter ever written
Two teachers
Two secret writers
Red cowboy boots
He wears glasses and has tattoos

Romance content: The story is open-door with 2 scenes, but Sarah wrote the book with a closed-door modification, listing the 2 chapters to skip to make it closed-door - and it won’t affect the plot. I love that she took into consideration all readers!!

Pub Date: January 7, 2025

Thank you Dell Romance, Random House Publishing, and Sarah Adams for my #gifted ARC.

Sarah Adams is back with another charming small town romance set in the delightful Rome, KY! I accidentally read this series out of order and absolutely loved Practice Makes Perfect. Unfortunately, this story didn’t hold up to that one in my opinion, but it was still a fun, quick read and there were a few scenes I really loved (two words: scene blocking!). If you’re looking for a cute rivals-to-lovers romance between two teacher who are also secretly writers in a Stars Hollow-esque town, check this book out!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy.

Sarah Adams has the ability to wrap my heartstrings around characters like no other! This enemies to friends to lovers is so different from other similar tropes. The characters feel like people you know from your home town, the Walker family makes me want to join in on movie nights and Jackson… makes me want to read more thrillers 😉
Something about the way Sarah writes conversations and emotions from her characters (main and side) makes you feel like you know these people. They’re your co-workers, your best friends sister, the owner of your local coffee shop- and you fall in love with each of them.

I can’t wait to get my hands on this physical book and highlight, tab and underline the shit out of it! 🫶🏼