I don’t think that Sarah Adams can write a book that I would not love. Being back in Rome was everything I imagined it would be when we got this book. The characters, the banter, the love interest. I loved it all.

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

🍎Small Town Romance
🍎Elementary Teachers
🍎Secret Writers
🍎Enemies to lovers
🍎Forced Proximity

Rome, Kentucky is becoming a place I love to visit! I was able to read When in Rome before starting this book which made it even better because I already knew and loved the characters. I love how Sarah Adams is able to immerse you into the world she creates. Both characters go through major changes and growth through out their stories that are very powerful and makes you feel a connection to them. When Emily finally broke down I will admit some tears were shed. I loved the banter between these characters and the underlining of tension which later they realize is affection for each other. Overall I loved this book and am hoping that book four is on its way because I want more! 👀
Thank you NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group- Dell and Sarah Adams for the ARC. I was so happy to receive this one and it did not disappoint!

I loved it SO much! My favorite in the series so far!
Emily is the tough, independent, motherly older sister of the Walker siblings. Emily and Jack bumped into each in college and it was there their rivalry began and has continued to go strong even years later as they teach at the same school. It’s the beginning of summer and Jack has moved back from Rome after calling off his engagement. It isn’t until the dotted line is signed on his new home that he finds out he moved in right next door to Emily. There is a fine line between love and hate and the two are realizing maybe it isn’t hate they feel for each other after all. The banter between the two was soo good. I loved how sweet and caring Jack was towards Emily. The chemistry between the two was soo good. Sarah Adams did not disappoint with this book.

Read if you like:
💕Enemies to Lovers
🏘️Small Town Romance
😏Banter
🔥Slow Burn

Emily and Jackson are frenemies who both teach in Rome, KY. Jackson moves away to get married but unexpectedly comes back having broken it off. He buys a fixer upper home next door to Emily and as neighbors and co-workers, the two feud. But when they start needing each other, their not-friendship turns into something more.

This is the latest in Sarah Adam's rom com series set in the small town of Rome. It feels a little like the Runaway Bride. I liked the setting and all the side characters, but I didn't love these two and their relationships. I found lots of the plot points kind of dumb and just wanted something more. This was light and fun but it's starting to feel like Adams' books are all basically the same. This one is a nice read but not my favorite.

Thank you to Netgalley for the advance copy for review.

I couldn’t resist returning to Rome, Kentucky, so was especially excited to get an ARC of "Beg Borrow Steal" and enjoy another Walker sibling romance. This time, the story delivers a perfect mix of enemies-to-lovers and forced-proximity tropes that had me hooked - plus the banter is a classic Sarah Adams!

Emily Walker thrives on order and control, so it’s no surprise that Jack Bennett—her childhood nemesis—drives her absolutely crazy. She was more than happy when he skipped town mid-school year with his fiancée. But just when Emily thought she was safe, Jack comes back to Rome, single and sticking around for good. The dynamic between these two is full of sparks, banter, and undeniable chemistry, making every interaction between them a delight.

I love when a main character is a romance reader, it feels like a nod to US! Thank you, Sarah and Random House, for another lovely story!

(A full review will be on my instagram @BeckaFreeWrites after attending a release event with Sarah Adams on January 15!)

emily and jack were such great characters because they were so relatable! i wasn't sure about the rivals trope when i started the book, but as the characters developed, i couldn't get enough! sarah's latest books have her
becoming an auto-buy author in my world!

Beg Borrow or Steal
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much Netgalley, Sarah Adams, and Dell Romance for the LOVELY AND MOST AMAZING opportunity to read this book as an ARC. I am so happy I got to read and feel so warm and relaxed back in Rome Kentucky.

IM SORRY ??? SARAH??? This was absolutely hands down incredible. I gobbled it up and I loved every moment of it.

I am officially now a Jack Bennett fangirl. I have a new book boyfriend added to my list. He’s never leaving. He’s staying for a long time. I am just wow. I enjoyed his character so much.

Emily Walker, I also throughly enjoyed reading as well. Her personality and her aura was just the energy I needed to read. I also felt a little bit at home with her (which is funny considering she loves to make kids feel at home when she’s teaching her class, guess I felt like one of her students because I felt so at home with her)

I loved the slow burn, the banter, the characters, every flipping thing. I am just in awe. I knew this book was going to be good from the cover and title, but actually getting to read it before release and it being a BANGER and INCREDIBLE. Yeah I feel like the book gods must love me right now for sending me this opportunity my way knowing I would die for Jack Bennett.

ALSO, I highlighted so many things. I want to spill them, but yall will have to read and understand why I’m so down bad for this man. You will thank me.

always a good book when Sarah Adams is involved! i am so thrilled to be back in the Rome, Kentuckys series, this book is absolute perfection in every way! I read the dedication and immediately knew I was in for a treat.

Funny thing about requesting books from netgalley, I don’t always think to check if it’s part of a series 🤦‍♀️ I also don’t always realize it in time to get the first two books before reading the 3rd installment in time for pub date 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️ BUT since Sarah Adams is an awesome writer and Beg, Borrow, or Steal is such a fun book, it didn’t really matter! I still absolutely adored this story.

Some facts about Emily Walker - she is fiercely protective of her siblings, she loves being a teacher, she has the cutest cat in the world, the people in her hometown of Rome, Kentucky would do anything for her, and her nemesis is Jack Bennett. A few facts about Jack Bennett - he moved to Rome recently after a broken engagement, his father is a narcissistic ass, he is charming AF, he’s secretly a best selling author, everything about Emily Walker drives him crazy. When Jack buys the rundown house next to Emily and begins renovations the two cross paths frequently with tensions building higher and higher. Except eventually what they both considered to be hatred starts to feel a bit like attraction.

This book has sooooo much chemistry! I loved how Adams took her time to build up this romance and gave us a glimpse into their college years for context. Beg, Borrow, or Steal is funny, sexy, and enjoyable in every way. I am diving right into the first two books because I want more of Rome asap!

I have been thrown right back into Rome, Kentucky and right into the arms of the Walker family and I am so happy. (yes, we get cameos from all our beloved previous Walker characters)

This town, this family, these characters just turn me into goo. I love them, this series, and this book so much. Happy pub day, Beg, Borrow, or Steal!

Absolutely loved this new edition to Rome Kentucky! Such a great enemies to lovers story with Emily and Jackson. I loved to see the addition of the main characters from the other two novels as well! Emily and Jackson are both school teachers that have had a battle going on between them since they went to the same college and obtain the same education degree. They are constantly competing and when he moves away, she has a slight twinge of what might be sad sadness to no longer have that interaction. Along with that, her sisters have moved out of the house and she is alone for the first time in a long time. But… When Jackson moves back sparks are flying and I loved the banter between those two. I can’t wait to see. Maddie‘s love story next.

Reading a book from Sarah Adams feels like cookies fresh from the oven, a warm hug from a loved one, a book in hand on a rainy day, and no plans on a peaceful weekend.

Beg, Borrow or Steal was a masterpiece. It had Sarah’s clever humor, lovable side characters which were the townspeople of Rome, a slow burn which was blazing by the end of the book, and two characters with very real life situations that many people can relate to.

So many times throughout the book I found myself relating to Jack’s situation with his narcissistic father and Emily feeling like she always needing to put on a strong front, even on her weakest days. Both of these characters showed such incredible strength in their own ways and to see them both overcome it was incredible.

Also, it would be a crime to not mention Jack and his glasses and candy necklaces. That alone deserves 5 stars.

I truly with all of my heart loved this book and I thank Dell Romance for gifting me a copy! I am forever grateful!

This book is amazing!!! I loved reading this one so much!! Getting to go back to Rome, KY is always great, and this was no exception! Emily's battle with her own emotions and needs was so real and raw, and I absolutely saw so much of myself in her! I just loved getting to see her grow and learn to rely on those around her more. And Jack was such MMC perfection! I loved that he had his own emotional journey that he struggled with, and wasn't afraid to open up about it all! These two had all the best banter, and I absolutely ADORED getting to watch them battle it out! And the Walker siblings never disappoint! Not to mention all the perfect Rome citizens! I love small towns like this, and seeing how they all love Emily so fiercely is so beautiful! I loved this one so much, and I cannot wait to get a trophy copy so I can read it again and tab it!! Maddie's book cannot come soon enough!! 5 stars; 2.5 chili peppers

Tropes:
- Small Town
- Nemeses to Lovers
- Meddling Siblings
- Secret Identity
- All the Banter
- Neighbors

Book Review: Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

This rivals-to-lovers romance is everything I hoped for and more! Of the When in Rome series, this one stands out as my absolute favorite. Emily and Jack’s chemistry-fueled banter, unlikely alliance, and the hilarious, heartwarming moments had me hooked from start to finish.

Sarah Adams perfectly blends humor, swoon-worthy romance, and small-town charm in this irresistible story. I couldn’t get enough of Emily and Jack’s journey—it’s a must-read for fans of enemies-to-lovers romances! 💕📚

ARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher—Random House Publishing Group/Ballantine—for an honest review. 😊

I love Sarah Adams! Every single one of her books is a must read. The Rome serious is by far my favorite and I cannot wait for book four! Definitely laughed out loud a few times reading this one.

4.5 stars!

Emily and Jack have competed in everything academic and career-wise since they met in college 13 years ago. When Jack moves back into town after calling off his engagement, Emily does her best to drive him out. But when she drunkenly sends her secret romance manuscript to her boss, she needs Jack to help her fix it.

What a GREAT book to kick off the new reading year with! I was in a reading slump all last year, and this was one of the few books I could finish without listening to the audio. It had my attention from the very beginning. Their banter and emails were hilarious and also gave us a glimpse into their relationship throughout the years. I love it when I can relate to both of the characters and this one was in a PAINFUL way. I teared up so many times throughout the book. I think this is the deepest book I've read from Sarah Adams so far.

This book also made it into a category I like to call ✨inevitable✨ , which means the characters are so meant to be, that nothing will stop them from getting together but they have to go through a lot to get there. Sarah Adams has yet to disappoint with this series and I can't wait for the next one!

Thank you so much to the publisher and Sarah Adams for this ARC. It made my year last year!

I'm a big fan of the second book in this series, and also enjoyed the first, but this one missed the mark for me. I don't think I"m the biggest fan of the rivals to lovers trope, and while I enjoyed the main characters growing closer, the original tension wasn't something I felt as much as I would have liked. While not my favorite, it was an easy read, and I'm still looking forward to Sarah Adams's next book! I'm hoping I'll be able to relate to the characters and their thought process a little bit more. Thanks for the eARC!

WOW!!! Sarah Adams outdid herself with this one. This is hands down her best book to date and I have loved all of her books. I saw so much of myself in Emily. I loved how Jack loved her despite her inability to sometimes even love herself. He loved her flaws. I found that incredibly beautiful. The email exchanges that popped up throughout the book were my favourite - the banter they had back and forth had me laughing and swooning. Cutest couple of booktok 2025!!

Visiting Rome, Kentucky always feels like a warm hug, and this book was no exception. This may truly be Sarah's best work. The banter, the slow burn, the way the main characters support and handle each other's challenges and darker moments, it's all truly lovely. Devoured this book when I meant to savor it slowly, but I could not put it down.

Superstar teacher, proud Rome, Kentucky resident and all around powerhouse, Emily Walker has been feeling a bit lost and lonely. Her siblings don’t seem to need her help anymore, her love life is at a standstill, and her nemesis and favorite snark buddy has moved away, leaving Emily at loose ends. Then she hears that not only is the decade long thorn in her side, Jack Bennett returning to his position teaching the other second grade class, but he’s bought the house right next door. The news lights a fire in Emily she hasn’t felt in months and all her energy goes into making Jack’s life as uncomfortable as possible. She even ropes the rest of the town into her hijinks. But Emily has yet again underestimated Jack and his magnetic personality. Soon he’s won over the town and has even wormed his way into Emily’s life. Jack has always been the one person Emily has never been afraid to show all aspects of her personality, the good, the bad, and the sad. When Emily finds herself in a bind at work, Jack is the only one she trusts to help with her shenanigans. The new neighbors find themselves spending more and more time together and start to realize they’re not enemies, but they just might be each other’s happily ever after.

Sarah Adams’ Rome, Kentucky series is fresh , fun, and truly special and Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the best book yet. Adams is a master with characters and character development. Emily and Jack are just amazing with deep, well formed personalities. Emily is so relatable. She feels like she’s being left behind by those she loves and that she’s no longer important to them. As a recovering control freak, she’s learning to give her loved ones the space they need to live their own lives. In the process she’s found herself adrift. I think we all feel like this at some point, lonely or like we’re not important or are being left behind. Jack is an absolute sweetheart who’s lost himself too. Dealing with a narcissistic parent has turned him into a people pleaser, someone who never shows his true feelings. It’s only with each other that they let their masks drop and their truth out. We also get to see all our favorites from the first two books in the series. Rome is the town where everyone wants to live and its residents are who you want for friends and family. Adams has written such a warm, comforting book that deals with hurts and traumas, but gives the reader hope with humor and love. Full of sexy banter, playfulness, joy, and deep connections, Beg, Borrow, or steal is pure magic!