Sarah Adams does it again. I honestly didn’t know if she could top Annie and Will (who will always be my favorite Rome MMC), but she has outdone herself with Emily and Jack. I flew through this book so fast. Emily is officially my favorite Rome FMC. Her character has so much depth and is so well developed, I really related to her and felt for her throughout the book. The relationship between her and Jack was so fun, raw and real. Sarah does such a good job of immersing you into this world with her beautiful writing. I love this little cast of characters and can’t wait for the final book in this series.

4.25/5 ⭐️ This is my favorite book of the series so far, and probably my favorite by Sarah Adams so far! The character development in this book really set it apart. We got to know them well as individuals who fall in love as opposed to just getting to know them as a unit. The communication was great between Jack and Emily, and they were so supportive of one another and really listened to the needs of the other. I feel like the insights into their past and their constant competition showed us so much about their feelings. I know fans of this series will eat this book up!

Sarah Adams and Rome, KY are my literary happy place. Reading any of the When in Rome books feels like coming home or sitting down with those friends that no matter how much time passes just get you. I've been looking forward to Beg, Borrow, or Steal since she announced it's release... and fan girled HARD when I received an ARC copy from NetGally and Random House (THANK YOU!!)!

Let me tell you... this book was sooo good. I cannot wait to read it again - honestly going to re-read the whole series again! I was nervous I would have a hard time with Emily, the FMC, because in the other books in the series I struggled to relate to her character. Sarah did a wonderful job of pulling the reader into the story and showing another side to the characters, and I found myself so invested in their story.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a fantastic enemies to lovers book. So much chemistry between Jack and Emily! Their banter is incredible, the small town vibes are amazing....the whole book is just chefs kiss! 5 STARS!!!

I loved this book so much! The story was so cute! The main characters were so fun and had great character development throughout the book and the romance was so cute!

4.25 Stars Overall

Thank you so much to Sarah Adams and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an early copy of this book. This was one of my most anticipated books of 2025!

Third book in the When in Rome Series, follows the oldest sibling Emily and her long time rival Jack who moves into her town. The book had top tier banter between the two main characters that had me rolling. We get glimpses into Noah and Amelia's and Annie and Will's relationships. Also some insight, in the 4th sibling who I assume is going to be the main female character of book 4. Past the banter, and a short heist, we get to see Emily and Jack open up with each other revealing traumatic childhoods and wonderful moments of healing. I was rooting for Emily and Jack and loved their storylines. Easily the best book in the When in Rome series. I can't wait for the next one.

Are you kidding?! What a way to start my 2025 reading log.

⭐️: 4.5/5
🌶️: .5/5

“Good. Life can be a little sh*t sometimes. But sh*t also makes great fertilizer.”

It’s always such an honor to ARC read a Sarah Adams book. And as always going back to Rome, Kentucky felt like coming home.

So, I’m not gonna lie the first few chapters I wasn’t sure I was going to enjoy it. I am not a huge fan of the enemies to lovers trope where they remind us they’re enemies every 3 paragraphs but as the book progressed I found myself not really caring. I absolutely loved Emily and Jack!

The more we saw Emily and Jack interact, reveling their true feelings, the more I moved past the reminder that they hated each other at one point. I strangely related to both characters a lot so it was sort of an emotional read for me but that’s why I love Sarah Adams.

I really enjoyed getting to know them both little by little. Knowing what shaped them into the adults they became. And seeing how they could only really trust each other to be completely vulnerable and honest even though they claimed to be nemesis was exactly what I loved make about this read. It was heartbreaking and yet strangely comforting to feel so seen within the pages of a book.

I hated Jacks dad. UGH. I’ve never wanted to punch a guy more in my life. And as always I LOVED the side characters. I can’t wait for the next book because I have a feeling it’s gonna be my favorite!

Definitely give this one a read! Thank you so much to Sarah Adams, Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the eArc in exchange for my honest review!

Loved this book! I loved the banter between Emily and Jack in the beginning of the book.

I could relate to Emily, as far as putting others first. I think as moms we tend to do that too. Her relationships with her sisters is sweet. I’m also glad she didn’t give up on her dreams.

I absolutely loved Jack. His relationship with Dad broke my heart and made me mad at the end. I don’t wanna give away anything but I could have punched his dad 😂.

I was expecting there to be more spicy 🌶️ scenes throughout the book and was a little disappointed there wasn’t more but it wasn’t a deal breaker. I did like that we could see their email conversations throughout the book too.

Now to go back and read Sarah Adam’s other books.

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for allowing me to read this book as an ARC.

Sarah Adams does it yet again! Sarah transports us back to our favorite small town of Rome, Kentucky. Sarah’s writing is witty and clever and she brilliantly draws us in.

This book had me staying up late because I could not put it down. I’m pretty sure that my sudden bursts of laughter that I tried to keep muted woke up my husband more than once, The book is that good.

Love this little town Sarah created and looking forward to her fourth novel in Rome.

I absolutely loved Emily and Jackson's story! I loved the first two books in the series, and was looking forward to this one.

I could relate so much to Emily, a teacher who always puts herself before others, but not getting back the same love she deserves. I loved watching her character come out of her shell and grow throughout the book, learning how to make herself a priority.

Jackson, having his own inner struggles that he was battling, I appreciated his character to see how he could become more self aware through the book, and show his true colors and what a gentleman he truly is.

Watching Emily and Jackson's relationship grow in an enemies to lovers trope, was so well written, and I love that the characters and townspeople of Rome, Kentucky, continue to be written into each book and you get to see how the Walker family members evolve with each story.

I'm looking forward to the fourth and final book in the series, and to see what's next to happen in Rome!

Sarah does it again. 5 big, fat, shiny stars. Going back to Rome, KY always feels like a warm hug and Jackson and Emily wrapped me right up and didn’t let me go. These two had the most amazing, quick, witty banter but then when they finally let themselves be truly vulnerable, they opened themselves up to something beautiful. We saw them go from challengers to friends to lovers. If there is one thing Sarah is a master of her craft at, it is relationship *building*. There is no insta-love here. And we’re all better for it. We get to learn these characters inside and out and watch them build beautiful foundations for love that will last a lifetime. Job well done.

What a way to start my 2025! I love this book so much. This is enemies (hate) to lovers done right. You can actually see the progression of the relationship in the book which I love because it did not feel rush at all. We see our main characters, Emily and Jack go from enemies to friends to lovers and it was beautiful. I relate with Emily so much being the eldest daughter and having that massive responsibility and pressure of that role to your siblings. I love how honest and how she has raw emotions. Her fears in going into relationships are valid especially after what she had gone through with her parents and her first love. Jack was an amazing MMC as well. Love how aware he was of Emily and what she was going through. Best thing about this book for me was the quality bickering and banter. It made for such a sweet and heartwarming story.

I also love the side characters (the Walker siblings and their partners) and everyone in Rome. I have not read the first two books in this series but you bet I have added it on my TBR to read soon.

My favorite quote:
“People may like me, but they don’t know me. I don’t think anyone has ever known me quite like you have. And that’s part of why I wanted to move back to Rome. Because of you. Because through our strange, twisted relationship, you’ve made me feel less alone. I wanted to be part of this town because I know that for you to love it, it has to be pretty spectacular. And I swear to you, I would never try to steal their love away from you. Couldn’t even if I wanted to. They love you more than you know. Believe me, I’ve seen firsthand how much this town worships you and your spikes.”

5⭐️ for my first book of 2025 and so well deserved. Thank you Sarah Adams, her publisher and NetGalley for the advance copy in exchange for this review.

I LOVE this series! Sarah Adam is one of my favorite authors and this book may be my favorite one yet. Being a teacher, I loved that the two main characters were teachers. I loved everything about this book until the end. The end felt very rushed to me and felt like the author may have been trying to wrap everything up at the last minute.

If you, like me, were headed into this book looking for the Sarah-tonin we usually can expect from Sarah Adams' books then you will be very happy with the results!

Sarah knows how to infuse happiness into her books and I am always here for it! The small town vibes of Rome Kentucky are always excellent. The cameos from past favorite characters, as well as hints of future favorites, were the best and of course our main characters got their time to shine!

Jack Bennett honestly was my very favorite part of this book, he is a gem and should be protected at all costs! He is perfect for Emily and watching their story come together was a delight!

Emily was very hard for me to read about in the beginning but I absolutely think that was the point! Seeing her work through some of the tough stuff and learn to love herself while everything was changing around her and also seeing Jack love her even at her worst was my favorite!

My only complaint with this book was the rivals/hate to love in the beginning felt very over the top BUT still read it if you have loved Sarah's other books! You won't be disappointed!

I am a huge fan of an enemies to lovers story line and Sarah Adams did it right with this one! I fell in love with Emily and Jackson and was seriously laughing out loud at their banter. I loved how there was a little bit more tension and spice added to this one versus some of her other books. Really loved these characters and their chemistry. Truly hooked from the beginning and I now want to move to Rome, Kentucky and live out the rest of my days! Such a heartwarming story!

This was a great way to finish off my year. Thank you NetGalley and Sarah for this eARC in exchange for my honest review! Can’t wait for the next one!

This is the third in the When in Rome series; this can be read as a standalone but I recommend reading them in order because there are great backstories and story continuations from characters from the first two books. 

Emily Walker and Jack Bennett are college rivals and are now second grade teachers at the same school and neighbors. Emily is secretly a romance novelist; Jack left their school mid year with his fiance and has returned to town single.

I love being back in Rome, Kentucky! This is one of my favorite fictional small towns. The town itself is so charming, full of meddling neighbors and a sense of community. Sarah Adams absolutely shines in the contemporary romance lane - her banter is spot on, character interactions are sharp and swoony, and while this book is a touch more open door than most, she still builds really great chemistry without a lot of steam. I loved seeing Emily and Jack's relationship progression. Their decade long history adds depth to their relationship, their past email exchanges and bickering were so fun, and I loved their snarky comments. In their present day relationship they were so supportive of each other and had healthy communication.

Recommend if you enjoy:
Rivals to Lovers
Any Sarah Adams book!
Small town romances
He falls first
Health communication
Secret authors

Sarah Adams and Rome, Kentucky do it again. Loved Emily getting her story and i smiled throughout thr book. Great book.

First, let me say thank you soooo much to NetGalley for this ARC!!!! This was phenomenal! My favorite book of the series thus far!

The book was cozy yet sexy. The tension between our main characters is EXACTLY what an “enemies to lovers” trope should have! Top tier banter!

I cannot wait to read the next book!!

I seriously love Sarah Adams. I’ve never been disappointed by one of her books. The fact that she started this book off by telling readers that if they wanted a closed door romance experience that they should skip two specific chapters. I love that she gives her readers the option to experience a closed door romance, if they prefer or an open door romance. This book was so funny and had me laughing out loud multiple times throughout reading it. But it also talked about heavier topics which I also enjoyed and had some depth to the characters and their back stories. Such a great way to start off the year with a five star book! This is definitely a book our library will be purchasing for our patrons!

This was CUTE!! It was a super quick and easy read that sucked me in. Every once in a while the MFC rubbed me the wrong way but I can’t even put my finger on exactly why. I really liked the way their relationship played out though and their back and forth was adorable.

“Even when I’ve hated you, I’ve always liked you.”

Rating:⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/ 5

Another Sarah Adams book, and oh my heart, this was such a great way to start the year! It is always a treat to be back in Rome, Kentucky, and especially seeing Mabel and all the amazing moments she is in, whether she is supporting these characters or giving them the push they need.

Emily’s portrayal as someone who struggles with letting others help her, wanting to protect those she loves, and pushing down her emotions hurts my heart with how relatable it was. Jack was such a sweetie I adored the “he falls first” vibes anytime we were in his POV. The parental dynamics were something that surprised me with Jack and I wish we got more with his mom and more information throughout about his relationship with his dad, however, the integral scenes where there were confrontations were well done.

A dislike to love/ rivals to lovers will never not hit and this did not disappoint. The inclusion of texts and emails, past, present, and unsent, was such a great way to convey how they communicated (aka bickered) throughout the story. Loved all the banter and so much tension. The slow burn is always well done in Sarah’s books and this did not differ. Let’s just say some scenes will live rent-free (looking at your book-blocking scene 🤭) I love Sarah’s balance of having romantic-filled moments while maintaining a closed-door format because this option is not in enough adult contemporary and sometimes this is the right about of spice for the story.

If the book had taken place during the school year, I would have loved to explore more of Emily and Jack’s dynamics in a school setting and their similarities when writing their books. It was touched on, but I would have loved to have dived more into Jack’s past with writing and his process like what we saw with Emily.

Overall, thoroughly enjoyed yet another Sarah Adams book and going to be not-so-patiently waiting for the next time we are in Rome to see Madison’s story unfold.

*thank you to Netgalley and Atria Books for this copy in exchange for an honest review