I love Sarah Adams books. This book is the 3rd in the "When In Rome" series. Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the story of Emily (who is featured a bit in the previous two books) and an enemy-to-lovers romance featuring a colleague/neighbor of Emily. It is funny and heartwarming at times. I rated it three stars because it lost my attention a bit and fell flat in the last third of the book. I found myself less engaged in the outcome of the story than I did in the previous "When In Rome" books. Thank you to Dell for providing me an advanced copy of this book!

As if I thought this book couldn't get any better... Nelson Hobbs and Brittany Pressley bring Jack Bennett & Emily Walker to life flawlessly. The audio just gives you a whole new experience.

I love these two so much. The crazy antics, the emails, the bickering and banter, the boy of tension, THE WALKERS 🥹🤭😍 This book feels like your favorite early 2000s comfort movie-- It's the kind of book you could read over & over and ust never get tired of.

I love this series and was so excited to get approved for this arc! Honestly, I experienced more emotions than expected with a rom-com. Emily was complex but relatable, and Jack- I couldn't help but want someone like him and the way he noticed every detail. I think they were the definition of right people, wrong time when they were in college but their souls were always connected. Emily being the sibling who always feels like she has to take care of things is so relatable for me. Super adorable and a very easy read.

Favorite Quote- “You think you’re unlovable, but I think I’ve never known how to love until knowing you.”

I kicked off my Bookstagram journey with a review of "When in Rome," So I to say I was thrilled got my hands on the ARC for "Beg, Borrow and Steal!" would be a gross understatement. Sarah Adams just keeps leveling up with every word she scribbles. Jack and Emily? Oh, I'm head over heels! Their enemies-to-lovers saga is like a delicious slice of nostalgia that I’ll gobble up again and again. The sparks between them? Totally electric! I was kicking back and doing a little happy dance while devouring this book—it's like stepping into a rom-com from the early 2000s! I literally had to wrestle with myself to put it down because I was bursting with glee. Some scenes felt like they were straight out of a movie, complete with rain-soaked kisses. Their banter? Top-tier! And beneath that playful chatter lies a connection so real it made my heart smile. I'm ready to jet off to Rome, Kentucky, and dive headfirst into Sarah Adams' beautiful, little small town every single opportunity I get.

Eldest daughters, this one's for you.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams is a heartwarming and delightful romantic comedy that will get readers onto the emotional growth, love, and second chances of protagonists Emily Walker and Jack Bennett amid unexpected collisions while setting in the charming small town of Rome, Kentucky. Merging Emily's secret life as a romance writer and Jack's return after a broken engagement sets the stage for a delightful enemies-to-lovers tale with depth. What really works for this book is the perfect blend of laugh-out-loud banter and heartfelt moments. Relatable fear of change, placing others' needs before her own, and a beautifully rendered heroine make for a great read. But Jack is a really great book boyfriend-kind, considerate, and strong-rising above the wounds of a narcissistic parent to be the antithesis of his upbringing. The chemistry leaps off the page in witty exchanges and emotional vulnerability that just feels so real and is so satisfying.

Adams has a knack for balancing lighthearted romance with heavier topics. The book touches on grief in its many forms: the loss of loved ones, the grief over relationships that never were, and self-doubt. Both characters are compelled to face their fears, take risks, and change, a message which lives beyond the romantic plot.

The small-town setting is charming, and the cameos of those beloved characters in the When in Rome series make this a treat for longtime fans. It completely stands on its own, though, and new readers will have no problem jumping in. Another bold move by Adams-when it comes to romance scenes, she leaves the door slightly ajar, giving tastefully written intimacy that rounds out the relationship.

With its rich character development, heartfelt themes, and sparkling humor, Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a masterful addition to the rom-com genre. It’s not just a story about love but a celebration of personal growth, courage, and finding joy in the unexpected. If you’re a fan of charming small-town romances with emotional depth, this book is a must-read.

Im a huge Sarah Adams fan, have read every book she’s written and I have to say this is in the top two best she’s published. The characters are witty, smart, and relatable. Their romance is fun and light hearted while also dealing with real human issues. They communicate beautifully after they finally decide to give the relationship a chance and I LOVE a book without a third act break up!

This was an absolute pleasure to read. I have read the previous books in the When In Rome series, but this one might my new favorite! (Until we get the James and Maddie book of course)

The enemies to lovers was perfect, I could spend the rest of the day talking about how much I loved reading about them realizing how they have always loved each other. And even when they were enemies, they are always wanting each other and the best for the other.

The only thing I wish we would have some more of, is those close moments between them as they go through all their moments togethers, a little more into a peak into their previous enemy relationship. The emails were a great way of doing flashbacks, but I would have loved to see them discuss between the two of them.

The ending though, with Annie! I absolutely squealed!

Thank you NetGalley and Sarah Adam’s for the advanced copy read!

Such a heartwarming read🤭 I’ve been reading a lot of dark romance recently, and this was a much needed change in pace. I can absolutely see this becoming a comfort read for me because I really loved it!

“𝙒𝙚 𝙘𝙤𝙡𝙡𝙞𝙙𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙢𝙞𝙙𝙙𝙡𝙚 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙞𝙩’𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙪𝙩𝙞𝙛𝙪𝙡 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙤𝙨. 𝙎𝙝𝙚 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙚 𝙧𝙚𝙘𝙠𝙡𝙚𝙨𝙨𝙡𝙮. 𝙄 𝙠𝙞𝙨𝙨 𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙡𝙞𝙠𝙚 𝙖 𝙙𝙚𝙝𝙮𝙙𝙧𝙖𝙩𝙚𝙙 𝙢𝙖𝙣.”

Emily is finally enjoying life now that her longtime academic turned workplace rival has moved across the country. She exudes oldest sister energy, and while I’m the youngest and can’t relate, it was an interesting perspective to read from.

“𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙄 𝙢𝙚𝙖𝙣 𝙞𝙩. 𝙄𝙩’𝙨 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙨𝙤𝙢𝙚 𝙖𝙨𝙥𝙚𝙘𝙩𝙨 𝙤𝙛 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙣𝙤𝙩 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙬𝙝𝙚𝙣 𝙮𝙤𝙪’𝙧𝙚 𝙞𝙣 𝙖 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙 𝙢𝙤𝙤𝙙... 𝙄 𝙘𝙖𝙧𝙚 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙮𝙤𝙪 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨. 𝙄 𝙬𝙖𝙣𝙩 𝙮𝙤𝙪, 𝙖𝙡𝙬𝙖𝙮𝙨. 𝙏𝙝𝙚 𝙜𝙤𝙤𝙙, 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙗𝙖𝙙, 𝙖𝙣𝙙 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙞𝙣-𝙗𝙚𝙩𝙬𝙚𝙚𝙣.”

Jack is what you get when you open my brain and look for all the perfect qualities. He’s got a cinnamon roll/golden retriever personality, is a biker, has a sense of style, and devilishly charming. After ending his engagement and moving back to his old job, he finally realizes how he feels about Emily.

🏍️ rivals to lovers
📖 forced proximity
🏍️ he falls first
📖 slow burn

Adams banter is unbeatable!! This book might be my favorite in the when in Rome series, the blurb doesn’t do it justice! The character development was phenomenal, the banter was delicious, the enemies to lovers was cutesy, the pacing was killing me but also perfect, the angst, I could COMBUST.

Sarah Adams's writing keeps getting stronger and stronger! I absolutely loved this book and can't wait for the fourth book in this series! She's been wanting to write a romance novel? He's secretly a best-selling author?! As someone who works in education and loves to read romance, there were countless things I enjoyed while reading this title. The rivals-to-lovers trope is one of my favorites and Sarah did not miss with Beg, Borrow, or Steal! Thank you to Dell and Ballantine Publishing for granting me this ARC

You can never go wrong with Sarah Adams! Their banter was deliciously enjoyable & I really loved the layers to the characters! I would say this story was definitely character driven, and the main female character experienced a lot of growth throughout this story 💕 Overall, I was super impressed & loved it! Jack was the sweetest, but also held his own against Emily’s tactics & ultimately helped her stop pushing people away! I will always recommend Sarah Adams!

I think this is my favorite of the Rome series! And I say that as someone who adores Annie (and Will). This story was so lovely and detailed. Emily is wildly relatable, as I myself am an eldest daughter. It's no joke the amount we carry and seeing Emily come to terms and learning to allow other people to shoulder some of the burden was definitely something that I saw a lot of myself in. Of course, getting to see the characters we know and love pop up here and there is always a treat. Rome feels so real and it feels like a place I know well at this point.

The banter between Emily and Jack is so delicious. Even when they "hate" each other, you know there is underlying current of finding more there. Watching their relationship find its footing and grow into what it ends with is just chef's kiss. Sarah Adams never disappoints. A wonderfully cozy read.

2.5 ⭐️

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the third book in the When In Rome series and follows Emily Walker and Jack Bennett in their rivals to lovers romance.

I have read the two previous books in the series as well, but I fear just like them, BBoS will be completely erased from my memory in a month's time. I was invested and enjoyed the start, but then it got to a point where I just wanted to be done with it...

I did like the rivalry aspect of the story, which gradually became this slowburn chemistry. And even though they were rivals, their banter was sort of a familiar comfort for both of them.

Both of the mc's have a bit of emotional vulnerability, which I really wish the author spent more time on exploring. I'm aware this is a lighthearted romance, but I was craving that depth.
I enjoyed their romance enough; it was cute with bits of humor, and even though the story progress didn't do it for me in the end, I still wanted to see them have their HEA.

Sarah Adams' writing remains delightful and enjoyable. Perfectly lighthearted and sweet, and provides a comforting reading experience; however, there's just nothing groundbreaking or highly memorable for me.

Read if you like:
♡ rivals to lovers
♡ feuding teachers (and neighbors)
♡ a heist
♡ second chance
♡ secret writers

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
Format: eARC
Genre: contemporary romance
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Gah I love this series! Each book follows a different sibling in the small (fictional) town of Rome, KY.

❤️ Small town
❤️ Dual POV
❤️ Rivals to lovers
❤️ Writers
❤️ Teachers

I have to admit - enemies/rivals to lovers isn’t my favorite because it gets too immature in my opinion. So at first I really wasn’t sure about this one. However, Emily and Jack quickly grew on me!

I loved seeing this couple’s relationship grow and how Jack so fiercely loves Emily 🥹

The sibling relationships in this series are so sweet! I love getting to see my fave characters from previous books.

I think Emily will be such a relatable character for my perfectionists and eldest daughters out there. I think that’s part of the reason I love this series - you’ll find a character you strongly relate to. For me, it was Annie in book 2 (Practice Makes Perfect).

Thank you so so much to Dell Romance for my eARC! Beg, Borrow, or Steal is out 1/7!

Emily is fresh off a breakup, when Jack literally runs into her. She decided right then and there he was her nemesis. These two disliked each other for years, always competing and one upping each other. The banter was bantering in this one.

Because they were always aware of what the other was doing, they got to know each other really well over the years. So, when the rivalry slowly turned into friendship, it was very natural.

Overall, it was a good time. A very sweet, low angst read!

Read if you like:
Rivals to lovers
Both teachers
Neighbors
Small town
MMC wears glasses & drives a motorcycle

“You are not alone…I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time.”

Returning to Rome, Kentucky with Sarah Adams feels like coming home.

I had the pleasure of listening to this one, and it felt like I was experiencing firsthand. I loved getting an inside look at Emily, her longtime rival, Jack, and how their rivalry exists on top of a deeper sense of care and passion for one another.

I loved the animosity they held between each other because of events that had transpired between (and around) them over the years. I loved the banter that jumped off the page as Emily and Jack are constantly thrown together And I absolutely loved when the truth comes out—all of their truths—and they realize just how perfect they truly are together.

I cannot recommend this series enough. I would move to this town, if I could.

Check this out if you enjoy:
- Romcom
- Banter
- Rivals to lovers
- Childhood crush
- Second chance
- Secret identities
- Neighbors to lovers
- A heist!

I love Sarah Adams and she more than delivered in the third book of this series! This was hands down my favorite one so far and such a fun way to start 2025!

Rome, Kentucky is one of my favorite fictional towns and you will fall in love with it all over again reading this book. The two main characters are dueling second grade teachers who have been feuding since college. The emotional baggage they brought to the story was so relatable…especially Emily’s need for control! 🙃

It’s definitely an open-door romance with mild spice but you can bypass it by skipping two chapters she mentions in the beginning of the book. Although it’s a part of a series it can definitely be read as a stand-alone book.

This book is being released January 7th and I’m so thankful to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for this advanced copy in exchange for my thoughts.

I don't know where Sarah comes up with all of the wonderful banter between her characters, but it is the BEST! I manage to get so attached to her people in every. single. book! Beg, Borrow, or Steal had me literally laughing out loud multiple times, and I wish I could read it again for the first time! Thank you NetGalley and the publishers for an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!

This book was the perfect enemies to lovers, small town romance. I loved the relationship between the two main characters before they even realize what is going on between them. The dynamic was incredible and I was truly rooting for them. There were so many complex family dynamics that really made the story so much more interesting and complicated. I thought the pace and writing were perfectly executed and there is nothing better than a story that brings in writers to the plot and makes the world of publishing and the process of being published a key conflict and pain point. I can't say enough about how much I enjoyed and recommend this book!

Practice Makes Perfect is still my all-time favorite of Sarah Adams, but I'm always happy to spend time in Rome, Kentucky with this funny crew.