Note - This book is open door, but has modifications included in the author's note.

Thanks to Dell and Sarah Adams for providing the book in exchange for my honest review.

We're back in Rome Kentucky for the third book in the series. This story centers around Emily Walker, the oldest Walker sister. Emily is an elementary school teacher just starting her summer break only to find out that her arch nemesis Jackson Bennett is back in town after a failed engagement. Emily tells herself she's unaffected by his charm, but her limits are tested as the two become neighbors when he move in to fix up the house next door. The pettiness between the two reaches a crescendo, and will it dissolve into love or hate?

Both characters are authors and that adds a fun, bookish element to the story. The pettiness made me laugh so many times throughout as Jack and Emily torment each other. Emily is brash and doesn't hold anything back, so this book contains more language of the cussing and slightly crude variety than Sarah's other books. This is also, in my opinion, Sarah's spiciest book yet. It's relatively low-mid spice for open door contemporary romance readers in general. This book has more bit than her previous novels.

I loved the book, and even though it was a slight deviation from her normal style, I was hooked from page one.

I LOVED this book just as much as the previous book in the series. Emily and Jack were everything I wanted in an enemies-to-lovers romance. Their dynamic was so fun to watch evolve—from tension-filled standoffs to moments of vulnerability that absolutely melted my heart. Sarah Adams nailed their development perfectly, and by the end, I was completely obsessed with them as a couple.

I’ve always related a lot to Annie from the previous book, but there were parts of Emily that hit home for me, too. And Jack? His backstory was so raw and eye-opening—it added so much depth to his character and helped me understand why he acted the way he did. It made all the little moments where he let his walls down hit even harder.

And can we talk about the scene blocking? The tension was chef’s kiss. It felt like you could cut the air between Emily and Jack with a knife. Every interaction had me holding my breath, just waiting to see what would happen next.

Sarah Adams delivered the perfect enemies-to-lovers romance here, and I’m hoping the next book (if there is one) will focus on James and Madison. I need their story ASAP!

I read this book over Christmas break and ugh, it was so cute, as usual for Sarah Adams. After LOVING Practice Makes Perfect (and The Rule Book), I was so excited (and honestly honored 😂) to receive this ARC of Jack and Emily’s story.

Two second grade teachers who have been nemeses since their first day of college together and all along their somehow matching life paths are thrust back together by the universe once again. What ever could occur?

There were multiple laugh out loud moments and so many cute lines that I was ✨glowing✨. There were also so many scenes where I was like WOW this is perfection: the scene blocking, the manuscript, the pancakes, the bar 🥰. Found family vibes are really popping off at this point in the series, and I can’t wait for the next book after the set up in this one. My only complaint is that I wish the characters’ past trauma would’ve been fleshed out a little more, but overall the love story itself was great.

Thanks so much to Sarah and team for the ARC!! This book releases TOMORROW 1/7/25.

Thank you Random House Publishing-Ballantine for an ARC of one of Adams' best work yet!
Enemies to friends to lovers?? In the perfect small town setting of Rome, Kentucky?? I was hooked before I even started, but Emily and Jackson had THE PERFECT storyline and chemistry. I loved getting to visit Rome again, and yes, I still want to move there and hangout with everyone in town, at all the best shops. This whole story captured the magic of community and how small support can change everything.

Not only were Jackson and Emily perfect for each other, their support for each other's self journeys had you swooning the whole time. I think these characters were also the most relatable because of their familial struggles, i.e. narcissistic parents and eldest daughter mindset, and how they approached both situations.

There was nothing cheesy or faulty with Beg, Borrow, or Steal, only heartwarming laughs and warm hugs from the perfect storyline. Grab some pie and visit Rome, Kentucky!

ARC REVIEW: Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell Publisbing for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review. This is HANDS DOWN my new favorite Sarah Adams book!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the third book in Adams’ When In Rome series, set in the small town of Rome, Kentucky and following the love lives of the Walker siblings. The central characters Emily Walker and Jack Bennett, two feuding 2nd grade teachers who have been at each other’s throats since their first day of college years ago. One summer threatens to change their dynamic as Jack unknowingly becomes Emily’s neighbor, and their proximity ignites a spark between them.

I don’t want to summarize any more because the book is SO GOOD when you pick up all the enthralling tidbits about Emily and Jack as the story continues. Emily and Jack are both individually dynamic characters who suit each other well without being 2 perfectly matched puzzle pieces or needing to change their personalities to fit one another.

Also, this is by far Adams’ steamiest novel! I think it suited Emily’s character to provide a more detailed focus on the sexual side of her attraction to Jack, as she struggles to be vulnerable and intimate. I also think you should be mindful of trigger warnings before diving in. I am a very empathic reader though not typically a crier, but I cried 4 separate times in this book. The way Adam’s conveys Emily’s emotions really hit home in my heart in the best way.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal will be published January 7th 2025!

This was my first book of 2025 and I am so glad it was! Thank you to Random House Publishing and NetGalley for an advanced copy. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

I love this series! I want to spend a long weekend visiting Rome, KY and the town Sarah Adam’s has created there. This book was bingeable, had me giddy smiling at the banter, and the slow burn was perfection. The email/text exchanges every few chapters? LOVE. Dual POV? LOVE. This is the 3rd book in the series and has more spice than the previous two.

Emily is the queen bee of Rome and eldest-daughter, and Jack, Emily’s rival since college, recently returned to town.

Emily and Jack’s story started during an ill-fated meet-cute in college, and they have been leading competing, parallel lives since. When Jack returns to town after his failed engagement, and buys the house next to hers, Emily is determined to not let Jack take her town from her. They both share a similar secret (Emily has a romance writer side gig and Jack writes mystery under a pen name) and are both dealing with grief. Can they work through their personal trauma, form an alliance on the professional side, and turn it into romance?

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams was everything I wanted it to be and more! I love Sarah’s writing and this to date is my favorite, each book just keeps getting better ❤️

I was thrilled to receive the EArc of this book and it didn’t disappoint. I absolutely love the heartwarming, small-town charm of Rome, KY and the Walker siblings.

The banter between Emily and Jack was so fun and watching them go from sparring partners to something more was seamless and genuine. I loved that even with all the ribbing they were really friends at heart.

I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a sweet, funny, romantic story with a healthy dose of sarcasm.

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review Beg, Borrow, or Steal in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley + Dell Romance for this ARC in exchange for my honest review!

I. Love. Sarah. Adams.

I love her so much. I love her writing, I love the way she crafts characters, and I love the Rome, Kentucky series. In fact, this may be my favorite of the 3 so far (and I've truly loved them all).

I related to Emily so much as I'm also the oldest daughter. I understood the pressure she placed herself under to carry the weight of the world on her shoulders, I empathized with feeling like she needed to swallow her feelings so she could be present for everyone else. It broke my heart to watch her struggle to open up because she didn't want to burden anyone, didn't want to look 'weak.' But the right people will never fault you for falling apart, instead providing a safe space for you to unravel — and Jack was absolutely the right person for Emily.

Jack is proof that hurt people don't always turn around and hurt people. He chose to become a better man, a better person than his father, and I loved watching him grow as the story unfolded.

Change is a major theme throughout the book and I think Sarah did such a great job of depicting how we all navigate change differently — and how change isn't always traumatic. The most significant change Emily has ever known is the death of her parents, which was a traumatizing, sudden change that altered the course of her life entirely, so it makes sense that she's resistant to change as a whole. But as her relationship with Jack shifts, as she watches her siblings live out their dreams (even when it's scary), she learns that change can be beautiful, rewarding, and positive. I really loved watching that journey unfold for her.

Reading a book written by Sarah Adams is like drinking the yummiest warm beverage while cuddled up under a blanket. It's comforting, cozy, and an instant mood lifter — even when heavy topics are tackled. When I tell you I never giggle and kick my feet as much as when I'm reading one of her books, I mean it. I devoured this book and I can't wait for the world to experience this kind of joy when it officially releases tomorrow!

4.5 stars! (rounded up)

I had a good feeling I was going to love this one as soon as I read the dedication, and that proved to be true. It was so fun to be back in Rome, Kentucky with the Walker Siblings!

Sarah Adams does an excellent job balancing humor with moments of heartfelt emotion, making the characters feel real and relatable. The chemistry between Emily and Jack jumps off the page, and I was rooting for them from their first interaction, even if they were supposed to "hate" each other. I'm also such a sucker for a romance where the main characters are writers, so that made me adore this story even more.!

This was my first time reading a book where the fmc has the same name as me which was fun LOL. On the surface Emily and I have a lot of differences but I ended up relating to her so much more than I expected. Her struggles with embracing change and her deep desire to be loved and chosen particularly resonated with me.

Jack was so dang charming! & Chapter 16 ... wow.

“Maybe not everything will end in hurt. But we’ll never know if we don’t try.”

Thank you to Netgalley & Dell Romance at Random House Publishing for the ARC!

Hey so this book is incredible.

I won’t lie, the first 25% of this book was a littleee slow for me. It was just the fact that every time our MCs were together they were just at each other’s throats. HOWEVER THIS ACTUALLY TURNED INTO ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THIS BOOK. Having these moments of just pure rivalry allowed for us to root harder for this couple and we got to see how this pair is probably viewed by the small town of Rome, Kentucky.

Emily is easily one of my favorite Sarah Adams characters to date. She is just painfully relatable for all the girlies who have just grown up in the eldest daughter role. She was just so well written so GOOD JOB SARAH because sometimes that eldest daughter fmc just feels cliche but Sarah created the most genuine character.

Then there’s Jack. Holy freaking moly is he just everything. He’s so funny and also sooo caring and aware of Emily’s feeling. I LOVE HIM.

Finally this rivals to lovers is a genuine RIVALS to lovers. Sometimes that trope is displayed but they aren’t real rivals, but, no, Jack and Emily were going at it and I just ate. it. up.

All in all, 5 strong stars. It releases tomorrow (1/7) so clear your schedules please. Thank you Dell and Netgalley!!

Sarah Adams,

You are The Queen of romcoms. Your ability to produce stories with the quickest wit, the swooniest characters, and the funniest scenarios, is just unmatched.

This book is everything, and I'll be pushing it on anyone who will listen, and even some of those who won't.

Here's why I loved this book so much:
- the author's online presence somehow makes everything she writes even that much more wonderful and special
- the cat
- the rivalry and how well enemies to lovers is done here
- the surprisingly wonderful spice
- the dynamics between siblings
- teachers as the main characters
- a little B&E

I LOVED THIS BOOK.

This is such a fun premise for me, because I am also a teacher. I also love the city of Rome and all of its residents, quirky as they are.

I was rooting for these characters to just shut up and kiss already the whole stinkin' time!

The scene in the closet. OMG.

Just absolute perfection, TBH.

Thank you to Sarah Adams, Netgalley, and Dell Publishing for the ebook ARC!

THIS IS MY NEW FAVORITE SARAH ADAMS BOOK, OMG.

An absolute fuc*ing delight!

It’s spicy, it’s sweet, it’s got TWO TEACHERS (they’re rivals until they’re not), it’s got close proximity, it’s got a sweet family of side characters, and it’s the best trip back to Rome, Kentucky!

10/10 no notes.

Here's the thing: the first two books in this series are among my favorite contemporary romances I've read, and Sarah Adams is one of my go-tos. So I was so excited to read Beg, Borrow, or Steal. But for me, this one just didn't live up to its predecessors.

Emily and Jack are work nemeses. Or they were, until Jack moved away with his fiancée. She should be relieved. But the real relief is when he comes back to Rome, KY, wedding called off. Except then it turns out that he's purchased the rundown house right next door. Which means that it's war. Right? Or maybe war that turns into something a little different?

Right up front, I should probably say that enemies-to-lovers isn't my favorite trope. So maybe this book just was never gonna be my jam. But from the start, I found Emily and Jack and their whole thing more annoying than tantalizing. Childish, rather than sexy. When the switch flipped into lovers territory, it didn't feel totally earned or maybe it felt too obvious - I'm not entirely sure. I also found Emily's romance novel writing subplot to be weirdly shoehorned in, rather than something that felt uniquely and intrinsically hers. More like a pale copy of Emily Henry's Beach Read, meant to give Emily and Jack something else to be opposites about instead of a subplot that fit. And where Rome, KY really sparkled in the first two books, it felt a little less unique in this installment (except for Mabel, who remains A Star).

I think without the knockouts that were the first two books, I would have probably been neutrally positive about this one. But with the bar set so high by those five-star reads, this one just couldn't compete. Still, it's a solid contemporary romance, even if it doesn't sparkle.

3.75/5

First book of 2025 and it's a 5 star read !

This follows Emily and Jack and the first time they meet Emily cannot stand him. He is now coming back to Rome, Kentucky and is moving in right next door. When push comes to shove, Emily ultimately needs help from Jack and they are going to create a "friendship".

When I tell you I was giggling, kicking my feet, and crying at the same time I am not joking. There are so many quotes that I highlighted that had me swooning. I am OBSESSED with Jack. His one liners and how he was able to get under Emily's skin so quickly had me cackling. I loved Emily's character soo much. Her hard exterior but how mushy she was on the inside had me melting for her. I love this small town and being immersed into this world.

PLEASE give me book 4, I deserve it we share the same name

🗓️ 01/07/2025

Rome, Kentucky. Oh, how I have missed you!!!

Beg, Borrow or Steal is the third in the When In Rome series featuring the eldest sister Emily and her college nemesis, Jackson. They go on to work at the same school as educators and frenemies who know exactly what buttons to push. Jack decides to relocate, unknowingly next door to Emily and the sparks and competition fly!

I love the whitty banter between Emily and Jack and the tender relationship they eventually develop. Learning you have more in common than you originally thought can bring you closer together but both have secrets they hold deep in their heart.

You know you enjoyed a book when you feel like it ended too quickly but excited to read that there’s another siblings story in the way!

Thank you @netgalley and @dellromance for a eARC copy in exchange for my honest review!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

#begborroworsteal #sarahadamsauthor #netgalley #dellromance #romekentucky #romekentuckyseries #arcreview #kindlereads #firstbookof2025 #bookreview #newrelease #bookstagram

The best book to end 2024 with. The series just keeps getting better with each book, I think Emily’s book is now my favorite. The rivalry was chef’s kiss good, so many good insults were thrown I was laughing so hard.

First read of the year and it was the best choice.🥰 Sarah Adams is the goddess of romance and I will bow at her feet! 🫡
Seriously though, this may be my absolute favorite book by her! I was hooked instantly and was a giggly mess throughout the entire book. I loved both the main characters and their banter was 🔥. Their feuding relationship to friendship to love was done so perfectly that you won’t want to miss this story. HIGHLY recommend!
Forever wishing I could go to Rome, Kentucky 🫠

🥀Dual POV
🥀Rivals to lovers
🥀Forced Proximity (neighbors)
🥀Teachers AND Secret Writers
🥀🔥Banter
🥀Perfectionist FMC
🥀Small Town Romance
🥀3rd book in the series!
🥀How to Steal a Million Vibes

Thank you for an advanced copy of this book ❤️

4.50 stars

Thank you Netgalley for the ARC.

The town of Rome gets it's own star in this rating because I am obsessed with this town! She has perfected the small town Gilmore Girl vibes, but made the characters memorable and their own. These books would not be the same without them and all the tom-foolery they bring.

Now Jack and Emily. JACK AND EMILY. This is my favorite couple. Sarah Adams brings some realism into each book as we dig deeper into some inner struggles with each Walker sibling, as well as the love interest. Personally for me, I felt more connected to Emily and Jack's struggles and fears individually more than any other character so far.

"When there's nothing but gaping darkness, the word alone seems to pulse around me. It's a salivating monster in every corner."

I love the pace of relationship progression and Jack was at times literally swoon-worthy. I can't wait to get glimpses of them in the next book because I wanted more!

"I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time."

This was the perfect first read of 2025.