This book is absolutely adorable. It’s charming, it’s sweet, it’s tender, it made me laugh, and feel giddy - all the things you want from this genre! This book is about two rival elementary school teachers in a small town who by crazy happenstance end up as neighbors. Their journey from nemesis to friends to more is lovely. I love this series, and Beg, Borrow, or Steal does not disappoint!! 10/10 would recommend.

I love Sarah Adams. I don’t think I’ve had a book of hers ever disappoint me and this might be my new favorite. She’s so good at writing insecurities, vulnerability, and building up great tension. Beg Borrow or Steal was no different except we had some pretty great banter added in!

Emily and Jack were so great together. Their banter was fun, funny and just everything I needed when I was reading this. I loved seeing their past interactions and how all the tension came to be. Emily is a beautiful character with so much emotion it’s hard not to love her and Jack is her perfect counterpart.

I can’t wait to go back to Rome for the next Walker sibling!

The following review will be posted on Amazon on January 7th .

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for this DRC!

Sarah Adams is quickly becoming one of my “if she writes it, I’ll read it” authors. And she did not disappoint with this third installment of the When In Rome series.
Beg, Borrow, or Steal follows the eldest Walker sister, Emily and her nemesis, Jackson. These two bickering second grade teachers must put their fighting aside to retrieve an email their Elementary School principal was never supposed to see.

I’ll admit, I was a little hesitant to start this book because I didn’t know if I was ready to part ways with Annie and Will from Practice Makes Perfect, but I am so glad that I gave Emily and Jackson a chance. I finished much of this book in one sitting.
Emily, the fixer, and Jackson, the people pleaser, are both well-developed characters. The story is an entertaining read with a touch of spice and heartwarming moments that make it a delightful addition to the series.

I’m not ready to say goodbye to Rome, Kentucky just yet!

I absolutely loved this book! Sarah Adams just keeps getting better and better. Emily and Jack have amazing chemistry, the banter is 10/10, and both characters have so much depth and growth. I loved getting to know Emily more in this book and seeing her struggles with grief and allowing others to take care of her (while she is always taking care of everyone else). I identified with so many fo her struggles and see so much of myself in her. Jack is a great addition to the beloved characters of Rome, KY. He is caring, thoughtful, and fits right in with everyone else we know and love from the series. I devoured this book and did not want it to end.

Back to Rome, Kentucky for Emily’s story and the third book of the series. It’s a slow burn, rivals to lovers (they have “disliked” each other since college and are both second grade teachers at the same school), with some forced proximity (he moves into the only house available in the whole town, which is of course next to hers). Emily and Jack both had trouble sharing their true selves because of past experiences and losses, and a Jack’s agreement to help retrieve an embarrassing email forces them to work together. The bickering was delightful when they were pretending they were not into each other. The way their relationship developed was sweet, but some parts of the story felt a little clunky. It’s not my favorite of the series, but overall it’s a super cute small town romance that is worth reading!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for this advance copy in exchange for an honest review. Sarah Adams is one of my favorites and was so excited to get the opportunity to read this book.

typing this with the happiest tears in true Emily fashion.

As a self proclaimed fixer and big sister this book hit home in so many ways!

I had the chance to read “Beg, borrow & steal” as an ARC read with NetGalley and while I’m not normally a big romance reader, I’ve never been happier to have a chance to read a book like this.

Emily- you’re me, just 10 years ago. Stubborn, type A & in desperate need of someone that just gets you

Jack- any woman would be lucky to have someone so attentive but that can also give them all the true banter & shit they need 😉

This book was incredible & I loved our main characters as much as I did the side characters. Not only do I need to go back and read Noah & Annie’s stories…but I have a feeling Madison and James are getting a story and I can’t wait to read it!

Thank you NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group Ballantine and Sarah Adams for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Book #3 in the series and I was surprised that I think I liked this one the best so far. Enemies to friends to lovers is such a good trope but can be difficult to pull off and this one worked for me.

Emily came across controlling (since she fills in for the mom role with her siblings) and closed off so I wasn’t sure how her story would go but learning more about her was very eye opening. I loved her self reflection and would love if she would have embraced a little professional help considering all she’s been through.

Jack was a really fun character as well and loved how he not only held his own against Emily but pushed her buttons and could read her so well. Thrilled we got to know how he decided to address his father’s announcement (who is a terrible human).

Sarah Adams is known for closed door romance but cracked the door a bit on this one and I was. Here. For. It. In my humble opinion, it helped understand the connection between Emily and Jack.

Tropes:
Small town
Enemies to friends to lovers
Slow burn
Forced proximity (neighbors)

Thank you to the publisher for my gifted review copy. My opinions are my own.

Emily and Jack had been feuding for a decade when Jack leaves to get married, but now he's back in town, very much not married, and Emily's new neighbor. Both of them are afraid to move away from the comfort of the feud, but when Emily accidently emails her boss the spicy romance novel she's been writing, she turns to Jack to help her get the email back. There may have been some banter, questionable breaking in, there's only one closet, and family interference.

This was my first Sarah Adams book, so dropping into book 3 of a series, I was thrown in the deep end by my own actions. I struggled initially to like Emily, but I persisted and finally started to like her about 25% into the story and I was in love with Jack by the end of his first chapter.

Emily isn't for everyone, and her position with her family as the fixer causes some grief and stagnation. I grew up as an only, so not having that sibling dynamic made it harder to understand Emily, but I completely understood Jack, with his traumatic past and standing in the shadow of a narcissist. I really loved the fact that there is dual points of view, and plenty of steam, but also some absolutely amazing conversations about the power of being seen as you are and not for what you can provide.

Highly recommend. And I will be going back and reading more of Sarah's books.

Emily and Jack, mortal enemies since college, have been present for more things in each other’s lives than they care to acknowledge. From classes to summer jobs to teaching at the same school. Now fresh off a broken engagement, Jack has decided to return to Rome Elementary AND to purchase a home in Rome. As a Walker sibling, we know how revered the town of Rome is among them, particularly Emily who is still weighed down by the sorrow of all the things she has lost. With the typical hilarious banter of Sarah Adam’s, hate starts to turn to friendship, and possibly more.

I love Sarah Adams, but I haven’t loved her Rome series thus far. However, Emily and Jack turned the tide for me. Maybe I relate more closely to Emily and her lack of warm gooey-ness, than I have the other Walker sibs. Beg, Borrow, and Steal was a fun, quick read that hits on depression and narcissistic family members. I would definitely recommend this book to anyone who loves a LOL romcom. Plus, Sarah has been adding a little open door spice to her books now. Like 2.5 🌶️. Anyone who likes the heart of Abbey Jimenez and the humor of Christina Lauren, it not quite so spicy would really enjoy Beg, Borrow, and Steal by Sarah Adams.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for the ARC. All opinions are my own.

The following review will be posted to Amazon, BookBub, and Goodreads. Goodreads and BookBub are both live, Amazon will be submitted Jan 7.

I really wish Rome, Kentucky was a real place because every book set there makes me love it a little more! Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the third book in the When In Rome series by Sarah Adams. I thoroughly enjoyed the banter and the pettiness between Jack and Emily. Rivals to lovers indeed! Can we also give a hand for teachers?! Love love love.

I was snickering to myself and laughing during this whole book. It’s so lighthearted and fun at times while also relatable, with real pain and sorrow woven throughout the story.

I loved the underlying messages that feelings are not the enemy, hard things are worth the transitional period of discomfort, and just because you can put up with it doesn’t mean you should. They all resonate with so many people, myself included.

While it wasn’t my favorite of the series, I’d still buy a physical copy.
I have yet to read anything by this author I don’t like!

Thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️

My First Five Star Read of 2025 and boy is this one worth the five stars!

I didn't think it could get better than book two but boy was I wrong. These two had the best enemies to lovers banter I couldn't get enough of! The small town or Rome, Kentucky has all the charm everyone loves in a small town setting. These people live and breathe for their community and when one of your one doesn't like someone....well so does the town and it was the perfect setting for Emily and Jack.

I love the balance between all the humor and the enduring heart filled charming small town romance. With the laugh-out-love moments mixed with irresistible characters this novel will have you smiling all the way through. It's hard to not get invested in each of these characters that have been with us since book one. They are all so embedded in each others lives that each book adds even more depth to each of the siblings love stories and I love to see it.

I can't wait to see Maddie, the final sibling get her HEA. I will be said when Rome, Kentucky is no more because I have found myself so connected to this small town and all the characters we've met along the way.

Read if you Love:

Rivals to Lovers
Workplace Feud
Next Door Neighbors
Small Town Charm
Hidden Vulnerability
MCs who are writers
Slow Burn
Grumpy / Sunshine
Found Family

Thank you to Sarah Adams, NetGallery and Headline Eternal for my ARC

Favorite one of the Rome series yet. Obsessed with this one and want to read it again soon. As the oldest daughter, I felt Emily so deeply and appreciate my save space even more. Will truly be sad after the final book comes out.

Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Adams, and Dell Publishers for early access to this book in exchange for my honest opinion.

This book was so sweet! I'm a huge sucker for enemies to lovers type books so I read through this so fast! Both of the main characters have lots of deep resided trauma to deal with as adults so reading how they work through these challenges while their relationship evolves over time was so heartwarming!

Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this new rivals-to-lovers romance.

^^from the publisher - thanks @dellromance for the digital copy to review!

My initial review was this:
Can relate to the loneliness. Cannot relate to the absolutely fine a$$ man who banters with you and BLOCKS YOUR SEX SCENE WITH YOU!!!!????

My actual full review is:
Really really enjoyed this one. The rivals to lovers was just SO FUN and full of great banter. The moments where Emily and Jack started to let their guard down were so incredibly sweet. Their light flirting was fantastic. When Jack flirts with her on the **** I was dying! It was so adorably sweet yet hot??

Loved seeing our favorite Rome Kentucky people including Mabel because she is everything to me.

Oldest daughter energy was way too relatable as someone who also lost a parent younger than any kid should. Who focused on taking care of everyone else and never fell apart. Who pushed fo be strong and wants to be needed… who has siblings surrounded by family while feeling lonelier than ever. I had to mentally slap myself to snap out of it.

Okay we HAVE to talk about the sizzling chemistry and that BLOCKING OF THE SEX SCENE LIKE!???? I was *sweating* because it was SO incredibly sensual. They were barely even touching, and I wanted MORE. The longing.

When they finally kissed I was!!!!!!!! Like this!!!!!!!! And when they kept getting interrupted!!!!!! I love them. Their conflict felt real and that ending was so incredibly perfect. Like.. the ****!? Jack really loves her so much!!!!

I’m already excited for the next (and final) story in this series!

Sweet, romantic comedy about two feuding teachers who met in college. It wasn’t until Emily needed Jack’s help getting her unpublished manuscript deleted from her conservative principals computer.
Along the way, Sarah Adams lets us into the hurt and pain both Emily and Jack have been carrying since childhood.
I liked the enemies to friends to lovers theme. It was all believable and had me rooting for the couple.
This is the second Sarah Adams book I’ve read and was not disappointed.
I liked her acknowledgements and this quote gave me all the feels. “No one should face scary feelings alone. You are loved, you are brave, you are strong...”
Thank you NetGalley.

Emily and Jack have been archnemeses since college - constantly competing with each other in every area of their lives. That is until distance between the two after Jack moves away from Rome, Kentucky really does make their hearts grow fonder. They don't know exactly what it is between them, but they both know their lives feel off without the other's presence. In the end, they find the have a lot more in common than originally thought.

I feel like I say this after each book in Sarah Adams's Rome, Kentucky series, but this one was my favorite yet! The connection between Emily and Jack is electric. You can't help but root for them through all of their antics, including an all-out email retrieval heist that concludes in breaking and entering (which seemed very off-brand for the two high-achieving rule followers).

I think it goes without saying that I recommend all of the books in the series! You could absolutely read Beg, Borrow, or Steal as a standalone feel-good romance, but you will have a deeper understanding and connection with the characters if you start with the previous two books. Also, as a native Kentuckian, it just feels good to have my home state get some positive representation.

Thank you to NetGalley for the free ARC of this new release!

I was so happy to receive this arc! I’m a Kentucky girl, so I was excited to get to return to Rome, Kentucky. I love the small town with the quirky characters. It gives me Gilmore Girl’s vibes and that is one of my all time favorite shows. I love how Sarah writes her characters with so much personality and depth and I couldn’t get enough of Emily and Jack. I also always enjoy when mixed media is included in a book, so the email exchanges were an awesome added bonus. I definitely recommend.

Another great story from Rome, Kentucky - this time focused on oldest sister Emily and her long-term enemy Jack. Each has professional aspirations in secret, as well as their perspective on their history - and in a small town you can't help but run into each other.

Great character development which kept me reading! Thank you to Netgalley and to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for an ARC.

I had such a wonderful time with this book. It was so nice to see inside of Emily’s head and get to see the characters of Rome as we continue to fall in love with them. Giggled, kicked my feet, and cannot wait for the last installment.

Thanks to NetGalley, Sarah Adams, and Ballantine Books for the eARC of Beg, Borrow, or Steal in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Spice: 🌶️🌶️

*ARC Review*

Sarah has done it again. Jackson and Emily are simply amazing.

We headed back to Rome, Kentucky to get the story of Emily, the oldest girl of the Walker children. She is a type A control freak, who needs everything done her way and she is always right. But under the surface, she is a lonely woman after watching two of her siblings find the loves of their lives and the other chasing her dreams in NYC. Her emotions are so realistic, and as an older sister, I could relate to her a lot.

Jackson is charming to every single person he’s ever met, except Emily. He even charms the residents of Rome even after Emily has made it clear that they should not accept him. He has a secret though, he is a bestselling mystery author, using a pen name to distinguish himself from his narcissistic father, who is also a bestselling mystery author. His charming personality is clearly a coping mechanism from his childhood and trying to deal with his father. Only Emily ever truly gets to see the real him.

Their decades-long feud was so entertaining. Their antics were so funny, and you could feel the underlying tension between them that was anything but enemy-like. When Emily needs Jackson’s help after accidentally sending her spicy manuscript from their very conservative boss, he accepts without hesitation. Their chemistry was palpable and that scene blocking was 🥵 There was a little spice, but it was very well done and not over the top. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

The growth in both characters throughout the book was amazing and I can’t wait to go back to Rome, Kentucky again.

Thank you Dell and Sarah for the ARC! ❤️