Oh my gosh what a book to start 2025 off with!!😆

Beg, Borrow or Steal follows Emily and Jack who have been rivals for nearly a decade. Starting in their college years following them to the school where they both currently teach at!

This book was GIVING exactly what I need and love! Banter that turns a bit flirty🙂‍↕️ oh and the scene blocking scene, yes maam🧎🏻‍♀️

The book is said to follow the storyline of Emily sending an email that could reveal her secret career and she now needs Jacks help to fix it.

But I believe the book is so much more than that! This book explores the relationship between two individuals who have the own struggles but are continually drawn back to their safe space, each other!✨

It follows the characters personal growth and journey to following what makes them happy and learning to accept and love themselves no matter their flaws. It shows self acceptance and vulnerability while opening yourself up to someone and letting down your walls🥹

The story follows Emily who is the oldest sibling and after their parents died she took on the responsibility of looking after all her siblings. She constantly feels the pressure to always be there for her siblings and to never put herself first. Emily can sometimes come off as quite cold as she terrified of opening herself up to people as they always seem to leave. She just wants someone to see and love her for who she is. My relatable girl🫂

cue Taylor Swift I thought I was better safe then starry eyed✨

“I don’t like to get too close to people. I always have this feeling like something will go wrong if I do—so it’s been easier to keep to myself.”

Now Jack my man, if I’m a sucker for anything it’s a man with glasses!😚

Jack grew up with a narcissistic father but that does not stop him from being determined to break the cycle and be the best person he can be! Jack is aware he has flaws but everyday he fights to be better. He is also the sweetest! He wears beaded necklaces that his students give him🥹

“Because I may be a lot of things, but I never want to be the kind of person who can’t apologize when I’m in the wrong”

Jack has also had to hide his writing career due to the large spotlight his father has. This has meant he has always had to hide himself and his successes! His never been able to scream look at me, I did it!

To see both these characters be able to let down their walls and be themselves with each other was beautiful. They accept and support each others dreams and goals and always back each other no matter what.🫂

The banter was my favourite part of the book! It had me giggling and kicking my feet! Then when it turned flirty and both characters started going, wait is this more AHH I LOVED IT!🙂‍↕️

This book was the perfect mixture of fun and exciting but also full of emotion.

This book was feeling like a 5 star but unfortunately the last 20% fell short for me. This 100% could just be personal preference but I was just hoping for more! Nonetheless this was an amazing read and I cannot wait for everyone to read it!

Tropes:
Rivals to lovers
Small town
Neighbours
He falls first
Found family
Both teachers and writers!

Thankyou Netgalley and Hachette for the ARC!! 🤭🫶🏻💌

♾️ stars! this might be a bit too early to say but this might just be THE small town romcom of the year!

dare i say this is probably my new favourite sarah adam’s book!! there is just something in the way she writes & is able to incorporate lighthearted banter with serious topics & such real characters! i really think this story will resonate with so many others as it did with me!

i’ve been craving a good rivals to lovers for the LONGEST time & this was just so well done. the pacing was *chefs kiss* & seeing emily & jack’s growth & overcoming issues together was just wholesome! perfectly bingeable with the best slow burn! and don’t even get me started on the banter!! so witty i couldn’t stop giggling & kicking my feet!

there are so many moments within this story that have been engrained in my brain & picking up right where we left off in the second book of when in rome, you just grow so attached to every single character! we got little snippets for the final book & just know i’m going to EAT IT UP!

this book was everything & more - it felt like a second home & i can’t wait to annotate it properly when i get my hands on a physical copy!

Thank you so much to Netgalley & Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the arc!

OMG, I literally could not put down Beg, Borrow or Steal. Emily and Jack's witty banter had me actually laughing out loud. Watching these two go from totally-not-crushing rivals to something more in their cozy small town setting was so cute. - like seriously, the tension was PERFECT. I really recommend this read this because the way this romance is written is just “chef's kiss”. If you love that small-town charm where everyone knows everyone's business and rivals-to-lovers, you absolutely need to read this book.

Okay this was sweet 😭 I absolutely loved being back in my favourite small town with the most gorgeous & loveable & wholesome characters !!! they all make my heart so happy and I’m simultaneously so so so excited for the next book but so so SO sad that this series and our time with the Walker family is almost over (crying actually) 🥹🥲

I liked the character depth in this one - it definitely tugged on my heart strings and helped me see a few things with new perspectives. If you’re an eldest/only daughter, I’d recommend having those tissues handy.

4 ⭐️s !!!! I thought it was sweet and fun! Not my favourite in the series - my only criticisms would be that I would have liked for the mental health elements to be further developed and I also didn’t love the way the rivals aspect was portrayed (I was hoping for a bit more tension if I’m honest!) - but I enjoyed it!

Warning: you will want to listen to James Taylor on repeat, find out how to recreate Mabel’s famous casserole, have an Audrey movie marathon with your besties & move to Rome, Kentucky after reading this book. Also you’ll probably want pancakes & pie (& lots of it !!).

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the ARC!

Beg, Borrow or Steal Review

This book perfectly emanates rivals to lovers romance.
The book follows the FMC Emily Walker, and MMC Jack Bennett. Both are secondary grade teachers who are all time rivals and can’t stand each other. Knowing each other since college and both writers, it only makes sense for them to end up being neighbours.

This book is packed with angst and tension and I really loved the way the rivals to lovers was executed. Emily ends up needing Jacks help and when they work together their energy and chemistry is everything.

Emily is a character you will immediately relate to and love if you also are an eldest child/ sibling yourself. If you’ve ever had the responsibility and weight of always putting others first. Jack had a wonderful charismatic personality, and despite his personal struggles and history with his upbringing he is always his utmost best self; and charms everyone. This book was bingeable and the perfect mix of Beach Read by Em Hen and a good Ali Hazlewood book.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book

Beg, Borrow or Steal is a 5/5 read and an instant favorite for fans of slow-burn, enemies-to-lovers CONTEMPORARY romances.

Emily and Jack, two feuding second-grade teachers deliver sizzling CHEMISTRY. black cat/golden retriever dynamic—her precise and guarded, him playful and CHARMINg.

With its small-town charm, secret identities, and forced proximity, Beg, Borrow or Steal checks every romance box while adding Sarah Adams’ signature wit and heart. This is the kind of book that makes you laugh, swoon, and want to reread immediately.

3 stars

In this rivals-to-lovers romance, Emily Walker and Jack Bennett are second-grade teachers who can’t stand each other—and to make things more complicated, they’re neighbours. Emily’s world is shaken when Jack returns to town after breaking off his engagement, and now he’s not only her neighbour again but also her colleague. As they clash over everything, things take an unexpected turn when Emily accidentally sends an email to the principal that could reveal her secret career as a romance writer. Needing help to retrieve her manuscript, she reluctantly turns to Jack, and as they team up, their rivalry quickly turns into something much more heated.

I did find this book enjoyable, but honestly, it felt pretty mid—nothing too groundbreaking. I’m a little embarrassed because my expectations were pretty high going in. I gave the first two books in this series great ratings a year ago, so I assumed I’d love this one too. But after reading it, I realised my taste has changed quite a bit since then. I honestly can’t even remember the characters from the first two books. 💀 That being said, Sarah Adams’ writing is still nice and enjoyable. It’s lighthearted, sweet, and makes for a breezy read, but it didn’t leave a lasting impression or feel all that memorable. She’s great for a fun, easy read, but sadly, that’s about it for me right now.

It was very bingeable, though—I ended up reading most of it in one sitting. But by the time I reached the last 30%, I kind of zoned out and had to push through to finish. It just didn’t have that wow factor to keep me fully engaged all the way through.

When it comes to the characters, Emily as the oldest sibling constantly feels the weight of responsibility constantly on her shoulders, and it often leaves her feeling disconnected from others. She’s the one everyone turns to, always putting their needs before her own, which leaves her with little time or energy to focus on herself. This has made it difficult for her to open up, especially when it comes to love. Deep down, she’s afraid to get too close to anyone, worried that no one will truly love her for who she is beneath her "perfect" exterior. Instead, she feels like people only put up with her because of the role she plays, making it even harder for her to be vulnerable and authentic.

Jack, on the other hand, was shaped by a narcissistic father, which left him with a deep need to seek approval and always try to please others. At first, it seems like he’s always trying to win people over with charm, but what stood out to me is that he doesn’t let this need for validation control him entirely. Despite the emotional baggage from his upbringing, Jack is actively working to overcome it, striving to become a better version of himself.

As much as I appreciate Sarah Adams trying to make these struggles feel real and relatable, I couldn’t help but feel like it was a bit underdeveloped. Things wrapped up too quickly, and while I get that this is meant to be a lighthearted romance, I just needed more depth. It didn’t deliver for me on that front. I should’ve lowered my expectations based on my previous ratings from a year ago because my tastes have shifted, and I need a bit more from a book these days. But that’s just a personal thing.

The romance was cute and fun—nothing that really blew me away, but it definitely did the job. I enjoyed the playful banter between Emily and Jack; it was lighthearted and funny, which made their interactions enjoyable to read. While the chemistry between them wasn’t exactly electric, I found myself rooting for them as a couple, especially as their rivalry turned into something more. The slow burn and their moments of vulnerability added a nice layer to their dynamic, even if it wasn’t anything too extraordinary. Ultimately, it wasn’t the most memorable romance, but it was sweet and definitely kept me engaged enough to want them to get their happy ending.

Overall, I would still recommend this book. It’s heartwarming, light, and sweet, with that cozy small-town charm. It’s a perfect pick if you’re looking for something easy and fun to read, but just don’t go in expecting a ton of depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Hachette Australia & New Zealand for the ARC.

Beg, Borrow or Steal by Sarah Adams has the perfect cosy, comforting vibes you want in a romcom. I looked forward to picking up this book at the end of my day.

The story follows Emily and Jack who have been enemies and rivals throughout there lives yet continue to be thrown together, at uni, at work and then Jack permanently moves back to Rome, Kentucky and continues to run in to Emily at every moment and they form an unlikely (and very flirty) friendship.

The story captures such depth and understanding to Jack and Emily's characters, I thought I could see and understand them so clearly and I liked that there was clear and logical understanding around why they were rivals in the first place and acted the way they did for so long.

It is definitely one of Sarah Adams' more "spicy" books and there are a few open door scenes, but I'm not sure I would exactly call it spicy but more that it beautifully captures being in an intimate relationship and navigating that.

I think that it also beautifully captures the feeling of being an aspiring author (which I also am) and the struggles and fears within that, and made Emily such a relatable character to me.

I'm so happy to say that this is a five-star! It's a wonderful asset to the When in Rome series and definitely one of Sarah Adams' best books! I could not highly recommend this book more, and can simply not capture just in this review how amazing this book is! It was in my top ten books of 2024 and can't wait to see the finished copy on shelves!

Rating: 3.5
My first read from Sarah Adams and it was good! Classic Enemies to lovers, a sprinkling of trauma to overcome and a dash of secrets.

It was a super light fun read, I especially enjoyed the emails and texts (maybe because it appeals to my nosey need haha!) and theres a few really amusing easter eggs from movies and other literature that really loved!

The plot has its ups and downs, i would have liked a little more depth put into both characters traumas for the length of the book, but in no way did i find myself forcing to finish! Just wanted to hit a little deeper.

Overall its a decent read with decent banter and the dual POV really worked for this style of story.

Thank you NetGalley and publishers for the opportunity to read and review!

This was a really cute story and a very easy, enjoyable read.

The enemies to lovers banter was top tier in the first half of the book, however then took a back seat to the characters back stories. Which was nice, but just wasn’t my favouriteeee.

What I did adore was the found family in this book and the small town.

I hope there is a book 4, because I really need Madison and James’ story.

Enemies to lovers perfection!!
This was so much fun to read, adored the dynamics between Emily and Jack - their banter was so freaking good. I could feel the connection and tension between these two through the pages and the fact that this is mostly a closed-door romance and I can still feel that tension. SO GOOD!

While this was cute and fluffy, a few deeper topics were also covered and man they were covered well!

If I was a fan of Sarah Adam's before I'm even more of a fan now - Can't wait for the next one!

It’s hard to start a review in a series when it’s book three or more because do I started by telling other readers it’s a complete standalone novel and not to worry if you’ve not read books one and two. Or do I convince you to definitely go back and start from the beginning with Noah and Amelia, then Annie and Will which was my favorite until now. It’s such a great series and I would highly recommend reading them all but now I’ll focus on why this book is worth the five stars.

The main reason I read rom-coms is for the banter, and I connected with the way Emily and Jackson interact with each other, so that was a great start. I also adore vulnerability in any character as I feel it isn’t a sign of weakness but the total opposite, it also means you have the capacity to have empathy for others and have a huge lovable heart. Both Emily and Jack had these qualities as well as her siblings. Another thing I appreciated about this story was no added drama for fake angst, they had to deal with enough before becoming a couple to then pile more on top. And most importantly, I just loved the way they looked after each other in their time of need. Normally we fall for the hero more so in a romance novel, but I loved these two equally because of their personalities and loyalty. Don’t get me wrong, you’re going to swoon about Jackson as much as any other BBF, maybe even more than Will!

If you are a fan of Sarah Adams, then you know she writes mostly closed door or fade to black romances, where the intimate moments are left up to your own imagination. This series, she is stepping it up a little with a couple of chapters more detailed than her normal. I for one can take these scenes either way. I will say it was written well and needed in this book to express and cement the growing bond between Jack and Emily without being smutty.

4.25⭐️

This was just so cute!! I’m obsessed with the small town and found family in this series 🥹. The banter between Emily and Jack is SO GOOD I was cracking up ❤️

Let me tell you I bloody love a rival turned romance book and lord did this book deliver!!! 😻 The balance of witty banter, character development and pacing of storyline was SPOT ON. Would highly recommend this read to all romance lovers.

This ARC was a gifted copy provided by Hachette Australia & New Zealand - thank you so much! These thoughts and opinions are wholly my own.

This may be my favourite Sarah Adams book?!

Emily has curated the perfect life for herself. A teacher who is compassionate yet firm, her house is in order, and best of all: her nemesis, Jack Bennett, moved away to another town. When Jack moves back, fiancée-less and not entirely sad about it, Emily's perfectly crafted world falls apart. Jack is eager to get into renovating his new house (conveniently next to Emily), and working on his next best seller. But as Emily makes a mistake that could cost her her career, Emily begs for Jack's help.

As I've come to expect from Sarah, Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a swoony, sweet romance with two adorable and loveable main characters. Emily & Jack's banter was my favourite, but as they become closer and sweeter I was kicking-my-feet giggly happy!

The blocking out of the scene in her book - AAAAAA! (IYKYK)

Thank you Hachette Australia for an e-arc of Beg, Borrow, or Steal! All opinions are mine.

Loved it!
I am yet to read others in this small town series, but it didn't matter. It can easily be read as a standalone.
I ADORED Jack and Emily.
Sarah Adams is quickly becoming a favourite romance writer of mine.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I was so excited to receive an ARC of this book after reading Practice Makes Perfect, this book made me a Sarah Adams fan ❤️ I loved going back to Rome and seeing the dynamic of the entire community & of course the banter and rivalry between Emily & Jack.

I absolutely adored Jack from the beginning & loved seeing both of our MC’s working towards healing while providing a safe space for each other.
The characters, the setting, the banter, the plot, the romance - the perfect rom-com.

Definitely read this if you’re a fan of:
🖋️ Rivals to Lovers
🖋️ Forced Proximity (neighbours)
🖋️ Amazing Banter
🖋️ Close knit Community
🖋️ Rom-Com

I’m super grateful to have gotten an ARC of this book, but I had mixed feelings overall. At first, Emily’s hatred toward Jackson felt a little over the top, but I started liking the book a lot more once they stopped being enemies and actually became friends. Their banter was so fun, and I really appreciated how honest they were with each other—it made their relationship feel real.

I also really liked the storyline about Jackson’s family; it added some nice depth to the plot. That said, I didn’t feel super connected to the characters, which made it harder to fully get into the story.

I’d recommend it if you’re a fan of Sarah Adams or enjoy light, cute romances with a bit of family drama thrown in.

FAVOURITE BOOK OF THE YEAR!!! Definite favourite book by the queen Sarah Adams.

I wanted to both speed read this but also savour it. I adored every single moment. I loved both characters so so much, and I loved the relationship between them.

The emails back and forth from the past to present were a great addition.

I can't wait to get this book in paperback so I can read it again and tab the absolute shit outta it!

Bravo to Sarah!!

Sarah Adams crafts a delightful rivals-to-lovers romance in Beg, Borrow, or Steal, set in the charming town of Rome, Kentucky. The story centres on Emily Walker and Jack Bennett, two second-grade teachers whose longstanding feud takes an unexpected turn when circumstances force them into an uneasy alliance.

Emily is a meticulous and passionate educator who secretly writes romance novels in her spare time. Her orderly life is disrupted by the return of Jack, her infuriatingly charming neighbour and colleague who left town abruptly months earlier. Jack, a successful mystery novelist writing under a pseudonym, is back to renovate his home and resume teaching, much to Emily's chagrin.

The chemistry between Emily and Jack is palpable, fuelled by sharp, witty banter that showcases Adams' talent for dialogue. Their interactions are laced with humour and underlying tension, making their evolving relationship engaging and entertaining.

At first, their relationship is defined by tension and miscommunication. Emily is frustrated with Jack's carefree attitude and lack of responsibility, while Jack finds Emily's uptight nature too much to handle. But when Emily accidentally sends a revealing email to their principal, she enlists Jack's help to retrieve it, which forces them to spend more time together. This unexpected partnership gradually shifts their dynamic from antagonism to mutual understanding.

As they work together to solve problems and cover for each other's blunders, Emily and Jack begin to peel back their walls. Emily, who is used to being in control, starts to see Jack in a new light—realising that beneath his charming exterior, there's someone more vulnerable and earnest than she initially thought. Jack, in turn, begins to understand the reasons behind Emily's guarded nature. He sees how her past has shaped her, which softens his approach to her, showing that he values more than just her outward appearance.

Their development isn't just about romantic attraction—it's about trust, vulnerability, and breaking down preconceived notions. Emily's willingness to loosen her grip on control and let Jack in and Jack's commitment to proving he's more than just a carefree flirt make their relationship feel both authentic and heartwarming. Spurred by their growing bond, these personal transformations make the eventual love story feel earned and satisfying.

Supporting characters—quirky townsfolk and family—add depth and warmth to the narrative, enriching the small-town atmosphere that Adams portrays so well.

While the plot follows familiar romantic tropes, Adams infuses it with fresh energy through well-developed characters and genuine emotional arcs. Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a heartwarming tale of love, redemption, and the unexpected paths leading to where we belong.

**I received an eArc of this book from Hachette Australia and New Zealand and Netgalley in exchange for my honest opinion. **