TW: Trauma, Mental Health. Kind of feels weird to write that at the beginning of a review, especially since there are some light moments in the book, but it is needed. Thank you #NetGalley and #RandomHouse for the #ARC! I finished #BegBorroworSteal fairly quickly, but with the holidays hadn’t realized I didn’t publish my review. But that doesn’t reflect how good the book actually is. I love that it’s a continuation of the Walker siblings story and I can’t wait for Madison’s story to get told.

What I like about this series is that it is not formulaic. It would be really easy to repeat the same story with different siblings over and over again and to have the leading characters be flat. Instead, Ms. Adams gives flesh and bone to everyone she writes about. They are complex and layered. I also liked how much was discussed about Emily regressing emotionally from the last book and her journey toward recognizing what’s going on with her mental health isn’t something she can leave unaddressed.

Although the haters to lovers theme is a popular trope, I do think that she also think she writes authentically problems people experience and problematic people that are real to life. I value that as a reader, and it makes me want to read her books more.

Thank you Random House- Ballantine Dell for the ARC!

This was just classic Sarah Adams in all the best ways. Lovable characters, adorkable moments, sweet side relationships, layers of deeper emotions beneath all the sweetness. I loved it! Sarah Adams is such a 00’s romcom movie vibe and it just makes my heart so happy when I get to disappear into her books 🥰

Welcome back to Rome, Kentucky where the pies are hot, the gossip is good, and the teachers moonlight as pseudonymous authors!

This was fun. I’ve really enjoyed the Rome series because I love a good small town setting with quirky characters and traditions.

What I really didn’t like was Emily. Goodness she was rude and hostile and not very likable. I cannot even imagine being as rude and nasty to a human person as she is to Jack, and for what? He literally did nothing to her. And I didn’t like Jack much either; he kind of felt like a stereotypical book crush. Like he was fine, just not overly interesting.

Overall — fun! Definitely read if you’ve enjoyed When in Rome and Practice Makes Perfect, because our favs make many appearances here. Looking forward to whoever’s story is next (but hoping it’s Maddie’s!). ❤️

Beyond thankful that I received this as an ARC. Sarah Adams never seems to disappoint.

I’ve been enjoying this series and the small-town romances in Rome, Kentucky.

The banter and romance between Jack & Emily had been delightful to read.

A few of my favorite tropes are in this book.

*He falls first
*Found family
*Enemies to Lovers

I loved this book so much! The characters were so relatable. It was the perfect book to read post holidays!

I have no idea how this was the first Sarah Adams novel I've read, because my friends have raved about her books for a while. However, I can confidently say that it will not be my last, and I can't wait to go read her backlist now! Beg, Borrow, or Steal was the perfect mix of funny and sweet, and I loved the banter between Emily and Jackson. Perfect for fans of Abby Jimenez and Christina Lauren.

This wasn’t my favorite read by this author but still a great one! I don’t think I could fully connect with the characters to love their story, but that is definitely a me problem and nothing to with the author. I love Sarah Adams and her writing style. She puts a lot of witty humor and emotion into her books. I will be recommending this book to all my friends nonetheless!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random house for official introducing me to the wonderful Sarah Adam’s and her gorgeous words on paper!

When I first picked up my kindle I did not expect a piece of fine art to land in the palm of my hands, but here we are. Beg, Borrow, Or Steal was such a joy to read.

Relatable characters are the way to my heart, Jack and Emily’s story was what kept it beating. If you enjoy witty comebacks and banter in an enemies to lovers rom-com you will love this one! It was the right amount of plot and tension to last me the entire read. I still can’t get enough!

As a fellow older sister, I connected so much with Emily. Especially when you have to accept that everyone is getting older and that responsibility isn’t on your shoulders anymore, but is so ingrained into who you are, it’s hard to accept that you are no longer needed in that capacity. The overall banter between Emily and Jackson was HILARIOUS. They never let up and their determination to one up each each other was so comical. The only part I wished we got more information on was how Jackson ultimately decided to handle what his father did. I know it mentions the option he would have chose, but to actually get information of what transpired would have been amazing. All in all, between all the banter and wholesome moments, this book definitely became one of my favorite Sarah Adams books of all times 💜



Thank you to Netgalley, and Sarah Adam’s for the opportunity to read this ARC 💜

This book was cute enough and provided a delightful reading experience. The protagonist, Emily, felt relatable and genuine, which made it easy to connect with her journey. The series as a whole has a consistent tone of sweetness and warmth, offering a nice escape from more intense or complex reads.

While the plot doesn’t necessarily break new ground, it’s heartwarming and comforting, with a nice blend of lightheartedness and emotional moments. The characters, including Emily, are easy to root for and their relationships feel authentic. It's the kind of book that you don't mind picking up after a long day or when you're in the mood for something easy and uplifting.

What really stands out in this series is its charm. The writing is accessible, with a flowing narrative that makes each book enjoyable without feeling too heavy. This is a series I would continue to read, as it offers a perfect mix of simplicity, relatability, and comfort that I look for in lighter reads.

If you're in the mood for something sweet and easy to get lost in, this series is definitely worth checking out. It might not be groundbreaking, but it’s undoubtedly heartwarming and satisfying for fans of feel-good romcoms.

I will forever love Sarah’s work! This series has been an incredibly fun ride in Rome thus far, and Beg, Borrow, or Steal kept that feeling going. Sarah has an incredible knack for balancing humor and banter with deep moments that really make you fall in love with her characters, and that really shows here. Emily and Jack were so perfect, I can’t wait to experience this again on audio!

First, a big thank you to NetGalley for the ARC of Sarah Adams’s novel “Beg, Borrow, or Steal" – “Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this rivals-to-lovers romance by the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.”

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 neighbors. I love this trope and absolutely adored it in other books that I’ve read.

I really enjoyed this book for what it is, a cute, standalone romance that is enemies-to-lovers. Overall, it was pretty mid, there wasn’t anything groundbreaking or outstanding. Sarah Adams’ writing is 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. This is the kind of book that gets me out of a reading slump. It’s bingeable but not too deep and could be read in one sitting.

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. Jack, however, was raised by a narcissistic father, which left him with a deep need to seek approval and always try to please others. Despite the emotional baggage from his upbringing, Jack is actively working to overcome it, striving to become a better version of himself. Overall, I felt like the issues each character faced was a little underdeveloped. Everything was wrapped up with a little bow too quickly and while this is a lighthearted romance, I wanted just a little more from it.

I enjoyed the playful banter, it was lighthearted and funny, which made Emily and Jack’s interactions enjoyable. The slow burn and moments of vulnerability added a nice layer to the overall dynamic, even if it wasn’t anything too extraordinary. Overall, I would recommend this book. It’s heartwarming 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, this is the kind of book that gets me out of a reading slump.

I received an ARC through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I liked how the romance built up slowly in this story. I got to see the characters slowly get to see each other in a new light and realize their feelings. This was funny and emotional and I think it’s my new favorite book by this author.

welp I have a new favorite Sarah Adams book. This book was absolute perfection. The thing with Sarah's books I can always count on is that it will be heartfelt, make me feel all warm inside and I'll finish with a smile on my face.

This book had me in a permanent goof ball grin the entire time. Emily and Jack's interactions and their banter between email had me giggling so much. These two had so much tension and I ate it up!!
I LOVE Jack...not only is he a sexy glasses wearing author...he tatted and he rides a motorcycle...seriously bring a mop I'm a puddle. I absolutely loved how he was with Emily so patient with putting up with her chaos. He deserves a reward for real.

I am loving this series and cannot wait for Maddie's story.

Overall: 5
Spice: .5

Tropes:
Rivals to Lovers
Workplace
Neighbors
Small Town
Slow Burn
Found Family

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Swoon!! This is the most adorable book!!

Emily and Jack are two teachers who can’t stand each other. Jack is now her annoying neighbor after a failed engagement had him moving back to town. Emily secretly writes romance novels and when she accidentally sends an email that could reveal her secret, she needs Jack’s help.

The chemistry and banter was off the charts! So so good!! This could easily be a movie. Sarah Adams is an auto buy author for me. Her books are funny, sweet, and just overall lovely. They make you so happy, and it’s such a wonderful escape. I couldn’t put this book down and truly enjoyed this entire series (although they can be read as a standalone). There is no way that you can’t smile after reading this book. Another five star read from Adams!

📘: Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
🗓️: January 7, 2025

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Adams, and Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine for this ARC!

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I'm really regretting not reading book 2 in the series. I had no idea when I started, that I'd read number 1 already and loved it! Will have to go back and catch up, as Will and Annie sound so sweet!
Back to Jackson and Emily. I loved this so much! Working as a teacher and always dreaming of being a writer, this book had me salivating! I want to be like them.
The chemistry and the heart. What a great story. I loved their relationship and how they worked through everything.
Looking forward to the last book in the series. Bring on Maddison and James!

How does each book get better and better. I loved this one. I not only personally related to Emily a lot (older sister syndrome, even though Em is technically not the oldest), but felt like this book had the most depth. As always SA always writes the best book boyfriends. Couples that you root for as they get to know each other, and build a connection. I loved seeing everyone else from the series, and look forward to Madison's book! The only gripe I had was the reason they were "rivals/enemies", it felt a bit silly to me, especially for 10 years. Other than that, I ate this book up. 4.75 stars!

Back to Rome, KY!! I love the adventures of this town! We get to read the story about overachiever eldest daughter (but second born) Emily! This is a nemesis to lovers trope! Her nemesis, Jack has been in Emily’s life since their first day of college. They had the same major and were always competing for top of the class, top placements, etc! I loved the relationship building between Jack & Emily! This was one of Sarah’s slow-burn romances with just a couple spicy scenes! Highly recommend!

Sarah Adams is an autobuy author for me, I’ve loved all her books. I can always count on her stories to be heartwarming and romantic and this was no different. There was a lot of relatable feelings and characters in Beg, Borrow, or Steal and it just made the story that much more emotional for me. Jack’s willingness to always help Emily was just so swoon worthy and the closet scene was the star of the book! I loved this one and cannot wait to see what Sarah Adams has in store for the rest of the series.

Oh Jack 🥺 I get it, I really do.

Sarah Adams did it once again, making me giggle and kick my feet before even reaching 10% in the book. I really enjoyed the plot of this being two writers and of course the banter and the bickering between Jack and Emily.

The motorcycle scene was so flippin good I could have done a backflip - I’m confident this will be the general consensus amongst everyone who reads this.

I really loved seeing the dynamic of all of the Walker siblings through Emily’s perspective and seeing how hard she loves them and the way she wants to make sure nothing could ever hurt them.

The grocery store scene could have literally happened in Stars Hollow and I could picture it so vividly. It was hilarious.

I can’t wait for book four to get to really know Madison but I’m not prepared for this series to end 😭