Easily my favorite book in Sarah Adams’ “When in Rome” series! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

In this story, two second grade teachers (and authors) fall in love after overcoming their tumultuous past. It is told in alternating past and present timelines. (And there are emails!!!)

The author tackles topics of grief, perfectionism, narcissism, depression, and more. Each topic is handled with care and compassion while adding a lot of depth to this cute rom com.

The small town, found family vibes are so strong in this book. And the sexual tension between Jack and Emily was UNREAL!!

This will be very easy to recommend. It has Sarah Adams’ usual charm and witty banter, while simultaneously feeling new and different from her other books. It can be read as a standalone (important characters/ plots from previous books are briefly explained). And, the spice scenes are mentioned in the beginning, so readers can choose whether they want the book to be open or closed door.

Jack and Emily are literally everything for enemies to lovers. While they had their misunderstanding between them, their relationship bloomed into something so beautiful! From watching Emily go through her struggles and eventually overcoming them little by little truly warmed my heart. Thank you Sarah for putting in biker Jack. He was short lived but deeply appreciated. Five out of five read <3 I will always love little town books with big family vibes.

I feel like this book is the epitome of, we need more joy in our lives right now. And wherever we can find that joy, we should enjoy it with our entire being.

Would I be happy in a small town in the middle of nowhere, Kentucky? Absolutely freaking not! But maybe, just maybe, if all of these wonderful characters were there with me, it could be one of the best places on earth. This series has always felt so comforting to me, like a giant, sweet, small-town-shaped hug. And this one was truly for the eldest daughters in the family, there were some parts that hit just a little too close to home and nearly made me cry. Which I simultaneously appreciated the outlet but also hated the call out. 😂

I actually liked that this took place over the summer vacation and not while they were in school. It felt like we got to see more of their authentic selves, and it lent itself more to the plot. However, for me, it tends to feel a little too meta for me when the plot of a romance book is writing romance. Honestly, this might be a bit of EmHen ruining it for everyone else because she set that standard so high. Another aspect (again for me personally) is that Sarah Adams writes heroes that are just too soft and gooey for me. Listen, the motorcycle scene did something for me, but beyond that, his almost tattooed Mister Rogers dressing vibes didn't quite hit for me. But Jack was absolutely perfect for Emily, which matters more than me finding him attractive!

All in all, this was so much fun to read and brought me comfort during the year that was January. Solid 4.5 stars, and it's still my favorite series of hers! And I feel like I've been waiting with bated breath for the last book, and I cannot wait!

This fun romance puts a fresh spin on enemies-to-lovers. The banter between characters works well, and the family drama adds depth to a light story. A solid beach read that delivers both humor and heart.

I really enjoyed this sweet and captivating romance! The enemies to lovers plot was very cute and enjoyable. I’m a big fan of this series overall and am very attached to the likeable and charming characters. Highly recommend this read (almost like a Hallmark romance in a book but add some fantastic spice!)

My new favorite Sarah Adams book!!!

Emily + Jack is the combo I didn’t know I needed in my life. The depth and banter was top notch! I adored everything about their relationship.

I also love how Adams manages to weave the siblings stories together. They have show up for each other, imperfectly and continue to learn, grow, and support each other better!

Teachers—keep tissues handy!

Thank you to Sarah & Dell romance for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

6/5 - This series just keeps getting better and better!! I love the found family of it all and Jack & Emily were everything. I cried more than twice and I laughed so much. The romance was hot but not spicy. There were still dynamic side storylines and I adored how this one had snippets from all the other siblings' stories too. I'll be weeping when this series ends.

Amazingly sweet enemies to lovers story! Everyone has that person at work that you love to hate, just as Emily does with Jack. After Jack moves next door, they are pushed together in a series of events that allows them to show their true colors and the feelings between them come to life. Wonderful - left me with all the warm and happy feelings.

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.