I enjoyed these two characters their feud romance blossoming into a real love. Its witty, funny and cute read. I had fun reading it. It is a page turner. I would definitely purchase it for my light romance series When in Rome. I enjoyed the charming characters. I would highly recommend it for young adults.

Short Synopsis: Emily Walker and Jack Bennet have always been rivals, ever since their college days. Now he’d moved back to town, renovating the house next door.

My thoughts: I’m pretty sure at this point I will l read (and love) everything that Sarah Adams writes! The banter, the chemistry, the tension, the SWOON!

I love how we get into the characters heads, and watch them really see themselves. Emily especially went through some really great growth, and I loved how Jack helped her see herself!

I really love how Sarah writes a small town, and the interconnection between characters from previous books was so well done! I loved revisiting some of my favorite people!

Read if you love:
- Rivals to lovers
- Swoony moments
- Workplace romance (both teachers)
- Secret occupation (writers)
- Dual POV

I had such a blast going back to Rome, KY with this book! I loved Noah’s and Annie’s stories, but I think Emily’s was my absolute favorite.

I saw a lot of myself in Emily, especially her drive/need to care for others over herself.

Jack is so perfect! I love a MMC with glasses!

I was planning to head to NYC tonight for to see @authorsarahadams but the stomach bug is taken hold at our house. I’ll just have you catch you the next time you’re in NYC!

Beg Borrow or Steal is the 3rd book in the When in Rome series and in my opinion the best one so far!

Emily Walker is a perfectionist teacher who likes when things go her way. She is upset when her rival Jackson Bennett not only returns to town, but buys the house right next door to hers! Their animosity and banter cause fireworks that slowly shift toward having new feelings for each other.

This book was absolutely delightful. I found Emily deeply relatable. She is the older sister who feels the need to fill the nurturer role. She is there to comfort her siblings but doesn't admit to needing comfort herself from time to time. She describes herself as being hard to love because she is prickly like a porcupine, which is exactly how I describe myself. Many romantic female leads are sweet and kind or witty and badass, but some of us are just a little prickly. Jackson is similarly loveable in such a real way. And their relationship is beautiful and made me so happy to read. Plus I loved revisiting the rest of the Walker family and the Rome townies!

Tropes:
* Rivals to Lovers
* Secret Identities
* Neighbors
* Nosy family
* Small Town Romance
* He Falls First
* Teachers

5 stars

Sarah Adams is back in the little town of Rome, Kentucky with all of our favorite people. This was a lovely (and honestly the BEST) addition to the series with amazing chemistry between all the characters (both romantic tension and family/friend platonic love) written so incredibly well. For me, a romance hits the mark when the CHARACTERS are well drawn and the chemistry just explodes and Sarah Adams does an amazing job with this. I loved Emily and Jack, the siblings and their relationships, and, really, the whole freakin' town of Rome. I cannot wait to return next time for the last sibling's story!

I received an ARC from NetGalley in exchange for my honest review.

This book… So, so, so, good! I absolutely loved how Sarah Adams dealt with the characters childhood traumas, the in between stages that were a result of that and the eventual healing that took place. It was funny, romantic, heartwarming and sweet, without being formulaic or forced.
I so appreciate the opportunity to read this book in exchange for feedback. A define recommend for everyone I know!!

From the moment we met Emily Walker in When In Rome, I knew her story was going to be special to me. Now, 2+ years later, I was more correct than I even knew and have been fundamentally changed by the pure and potent magic that exists between these pages.

I genuinely believe that Beg, Borrow, or Steal might be a perfect book and I'm 1000% positive that it's Sarah's best work to date. It has quickly become my favorite romance novel OF ALL TIME and one of my favorite books ever written.

When I tell you that Emily Walker and Jack Bennet own my whole entire heart, I mean it! Emily is fierce and protective and full of a vicious care for those she loves but is also deeply sad and lonely and trying to find her place in a world that has dramatically shifted beneath her. So many parts of her personality and personal journey-including her struggle with mental health-made me feel more seen and understood than almost any other book I've ever read. Her story has given me the strength to face my own personal difficulties which I think is the best gift a story can give. And JACKSON BENNET!!! Never have I ever been more utterly and completely obsessed with a fictional man! His journey of self-acceptance and unburdening himself from his people-pleasing responsibility for others was something I deeply connected with.

And the connection these two characters share is nothing short of PURE MAGIC!!! Phenomenal banter, electric chemistry, and a rivalry/antagonism built on a deep knowledge and care for each other and decades of shared history. Jack and Emily are two imperfect individuals who come to know exactly what each other needs and how to support, uplift, and make one another better at every turn. They are the DEFINITION of soulmates and I ADORE them more than words can say!

Just like all of Sarah's books thus far, Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a ray of sunshine you can hold in your hands. This story is so incredibly FUN!! Set in the wonderfully quirky and real-feeling town of Rome, KY with a loveable ensemble cast we've gotten to know throughout the series, I truly never wanted this book to end. Sarah's writing is so vivid and expressive and immersive and makes this reading experience one I want to have over and over and over again.

That's not to say that this book doesn't pack an emotional punch, because it absolutely does. Complex explorations of grief and family and perfectionism and depression and loneliness and responsibility are sure to tug on your heartstrings but believe me when I tell you that the way Sarah weaves these deep emotional threads together with happiness, hilarity, hope, and swoon is utterly masterful and leaves you with story that is incredibly satisfying on every single level.

Even after all of that, I still feel like I don't have adequate words to express how much this book means to me. I connected to this story on a soul-deep level and can say with certainty that my life is better for this book existing. Sarah's books have always been a source of light and comfort for me, but this one has reached another level entirely, and I'm more grateful for it than words can say.

This is me BEGGING you to please, please, please read Beg, Borrow, or Steal.

Overall funny, cute, quick read! - 4/5 stars

I love a good enemies to lovers/rivals to lovers romcom, this story was fun and the banter and barbs between the FMC and MMC genuinely made me laugh throughout. I felt like Emily and Jack were well fleshed out and relatable. The issues and secrets they had to work through were understandable but they also thankfully didn’t let their background traumas be their only personality trait or a cause for any frustrating miscommunications between them. I loved all the side characters, the relationship dynamics as a group and the quirky townspeople. I haven’t read any of the other books in this series but I am definitely gonna go back and add the other Walker sibling romances to my TBR!

Sarah Adams and the town of Rome, KY can do no wrong. Sarah has become a must-read writer for me, and I was excited to read Emily’s book to discover why she’s considered the most jaded Walker. Emily is like a golden retriever wrapped in thorns; I love her fierce loyalty and the effort it takes to earn her trust. However, once you gain that trust, she will go to great lengths for you. She has become one of my favorite sisters in the Walker family, and this book did not disappoint. Run, don’t walk, to buy this book!

3.5 ⭐️ rounded up. Loved Jack and Emily’s personalities, they were a really lovely pair. Had more issues with the plot than the romance itself, but still a good read! Felt it was a bit weird how the initial selling plot point of them breaking into the principal's house had very little follow through in terms of 1) it was only like 10 pages of the book total, 2) there wasn't great follow through about what happened in the aftermath of their scheme 3) really expected to see more scenes of them WORKING together at the school!!

Yet again, Sarah Adams creates characters who are incredibly relatable. I felt like I was a part of the eccentric Rome community and couldn’t wait to see what else Emily and Jack got into. I also very much appreciated the note at the beginning letting readers know which chapters to skip if they preferred to leave out the intimate scenes (nothing lost, nothing gained if you choose to skip those two).

Sarah Adams does it again! It was so much fun to return to Rome and the beloved town characters and Walker family members we have come to love. Each new book in this series serves as a mini epilogue for the books and couples who have come before, so it's a delight to see where Amelia and Noah are now and where Will and Annie are now.
Emily and Jack's story was ripe with delicious tension and banter and surprising tenderness and vulnerability. There were laugh-out-loud moments and beautiful, swoony moments and I thoroughly enjoyed going on this journey with them.
Great for readers who love:
- Adams' Rome, KY series
- enemies-to-lovers
- Found family
- great banter and scheming
- watching characters follow their hearts

My gratitude to the publishers and NetGalley for this advanced review copy. All opinions are my own.

Sarah Adams never disappoints! Beg, Borrow, or Steal is my new favorite from her with this return to Rome, Kentucky, to the Walker siblings. Emily and Jack’s story is special with their enemies-to-lovers, workplace romance, book lovers, and forced proximity tropes.

⭐️: 4
🌶️: 2

👩🏼‍💻 enemies to lovers
🍎 secret identity
👨🏻‍💻 small town
🐈 dual POV
🔨 part of a series

Rome, Kentucky didn’t let me down with another sweet, xx romance from Sarah Adams. Emily and Jack delivered a banter filled enemies-to-lovers decade long feud filled with secret longing and even more secret identities.

Emily was strong, independent and the rock that her family needed. But even someone as strong as Emily needs someone to lean on sometimes. And Jack, I know Jack was supposed to be our arch nemesis but I just couldn’t possibly find a bad bone in his body to hate. They were an adorable pair.

The story itself was a little bit insta-lovey for my taste, but considering their long past, I was able to overlook it. I honestly could have done with a bit more tension and denial of attraction. Otherwise, the story was everything I expected from this series and more.


🌶️🌶️ = open door, minimal detail

♥︎ Thank you NetGalley, Dell Romance and Sarah Adams for the ARC of Beg, Borrow or Steal.

I recently finished Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams, and it did not disappoint! This book is the third in her interconnected standalone series set in her iconic small town of Rome, Kentucky, and it follows Emily Walker, a second-grade teacher who has a long-running rivalry with Jack, who is also a second-grade teacher at the same school.

The dynamic and tension between Emily and Jack was incredible! Especially as it evolved from a rivalry into something deeper.

Also Jack is the ultimate mmc! He was kind and caring even when he was supposed to be Emily’s rival. The dual pov was so necessary for the story and it made it that much better.

Some of the tropes included were next-door neighbors, opposites attract, secret writers. It is one of those books that kept me entertained from the beginning!

Overall, this book was both fun and entertaining but with some deeper topics done in such a beautiful way. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the digital arc.

This book was absolute perfection. As a teacher waiting for summer break, this was the perfect way to imagine myself running away to a small town and finding a work rival who I can fall in love with.

The longing and the chemistry between Emily and Jack was so good. I truly loved their banter so much and the way that they were unafraid to show each other the parts of themselves that they normally hid from the world. The glimpses into their text and emails really added in pieces of their personality that are only seen by each other.

I thought that the mini heist that they pulled off was so funny to watch, and it really helped move their relationship along in a positive way. I love everything about Rome, Kentucky. The found family. The actual family, and the gossip mill are some of my favorite things. It was funny to see how the “newcomers” were now completely a part of the town in how they acted (Amelia and Will).

Thank you so much to Random House for the ARC on NetGalley!

Thank you @prhaudio for the #gifted audiobook! And NetGalley and Ballentine for an eARC.
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I was so happy to be back in Rome, Kentucky. Just adore this series. Emily and Jack both teach (& both write unbeknownst to the other) in this enemies-ish to lovers story.
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Emily is the oldest sibling. Always cared for everyone. And her biggest fear is people leaving her or no longer needing her. Jack is back in town after a broken engagement and returns to his teaching job. And he’s Emily’s neighbor. Her annoying, hammering at all hours neighbor. They butt heads and they bicker.
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When Emily has an email go awry, she reluctantly enlists his help to delete it before it can be read. And things just escalate from here.
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I loved seeing their friendship develop and then their romance blossom. Their banter was amazing. And when he helped her with scene blocking 😮‍💨 Loved them as a couple.
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The narration by Brittany Pressley and Nelson Hobbs really brought Emily and Jack to life. The banter was well done.
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Fun fact: my maiden name is Hobbs and I don’t think I’ve even seen an author or narrator with that name before.

BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL is Sarah Adams at her absolute best. This will hands-down be one of my favorite romance books of 2025!

As a teacher, it was fun reading a book where both the main characters are teachers and care so much about education. Emily and Jack are second-grade teachers and rivals. Emily couldn't be happier when Jack moved mid-school year -- so the last thing she expected was Jack to move back to town. Right next door.

The witty emails that were sprinkled between the chapters were a blast to read. The characters have great banter and chemistry.

I loved heading back to Rome, Kentucky. It was so much fun revisiting this small town and the characters from the first two books, WHEN IN ROME and PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT.

<3 enemies to lovers
<3 forced proximity
<3 small town romance
<3 found family

Another swoony romance from Sarah Adams, and this is her steamiest book yet!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal has got to be one of the most swoon worthy books I have read in a long time! It is the third in Sarah Adam’s “When in Rome” series, but it can easily be read as a stand alone. While I have read most of Sarah’s other books I have yet to read any in that series, but now that I have completed this one I need to remedy that.

Emily and Jack (Jackson) are long time enemies whose antagonistic relationship started during one fateful encounter in college and has continued over a decade into the small, quirky town of Rome, Kentucky. Not only are they forced to work together as second grade teachers in Rome Elementary, but also become next door neighbors when Jack unknowingly buys the dilapidated house next door to Emily. This man has PLAGUED Emily’s life since college, but is her heart starting to thaw just a little now that he is back in town and fresh from a break up?

Emily, a lover of books and movies, especially romantic ones, secretly has harbored the desire to become a published author. In a moment of drunken bravado, she emails her completed manuscript to a book editor in hopes of securing her first published novel. Almost immediately after sending it she realizes she accidentally sent her smutty romance novel to her buttoned up principal. In a moment of panic, she enlists Jack’s help to delete the email before her principal can read it and fire her. As the unlikely duo team up to save Emily’s career, they begin to realize they have more in common than being antagonistic rivals.

What I loved about this book:
-enemies to lovers who are not such HATEFUL enemies that you cannot see them eventually falling for each other
-close proximity trope
-characters who experience an emotional revelation and growth
-quirky town characters who don’t overtake a story and slow down the plot by being too involved or too quirky
-sharp, witty banter
-sizzling sizzling chemistry! It’s not an easy thing for authors to convey, but Sarah Adams does it fantastically every single time!

While Sarah Adams normally writes closed door romances, she opened the doors just a touch for these character. It’s not a doors off the hinges open door romance but there are a few spicier chapters. She does give warning which ones to avoid if you don’t like reading such things, but honestly they are part of showing the growth and connection between the two main character and not just there to titillate the readers.

My favorite quote from this book: “You are not alone, Emily. I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time.” Jack ❤️❤️❤️

Excuse me while I go read the first two book in this series and enjoy more of this charming town of Rome, Kentucky!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House- Ballantine-Dell for this advanced copy in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this read a great deal. The characters and plot were strong. I found myself unable to put it down. I will absolutely recommend!