SO FREAKING GOOD! It was SO cute!! 😍😍😍 Sarah Adams continues to get better and better as a writer and she continues to be at the top of my favorite authors list!

I read this one without realizing it was part of a series, but I found it very enjoyable. This is definitely a great summer read for at the beach or a weekend read when you're curled up on the couch. I love a good rivals-to-romance trope story, and this one did not disappoint. The characters were lovable and entertaining, and the author didn't have to over-write to get the characters this way.

4 ⭐ || 2 🌶️
SARAH. MARIE. ADAMS. She clearly has been on biketok because whooweeee she fed us with this one. I very much loved Emily and Jack's story. The fake hate. The banter. The raw reality of being the oldest daughter. The hurt of familial traumas. The tenderness of peeling back all those layers.

I do not *need* spice to enjoy a book, however, Adams has once again successfully demonstrated that it can be added in such a passionate, loving, and respectful way that it truly adds to the story without being too much. I love that she incorporates intimacy in a way that's realistic and allows room to skip these scenes for those that wish. That has my absolute respect.

"I'll be so careful with you Emily." Swoooooooooooon.

The return to Rome, KY was a wonderful one and I think each book in this series is better than the last. I am beyond ready for James + Madison omg!!!

But first, Jack + Emily. These two gave me actual butterflies and I absolutely loved their dynamic from start to finish. The banter, the hidden softness, the communication!!! I saw a lot of myself in Emily (aside from sharing a name!) and I loved how Sarah wrote about a prickly, perfectionist, fiercely independent woman and the man who loves every single piece of her. It was an absolute delight. This book cracked the door open to some of the intimate scenes (the first two in the series are closed door), and it feels like a natural progression of Sarah's writing. This book and series is perfect for anyone who enjoys sugary sweet romances and small town shenanigans. Thank you to Dell Romance and NetGalley for an ARC to read and review.

This completely met my expectations of another Sarah Adams book! I was always so excited to pick this back up and was constantly thinking about how much I loved both characters and related both in different ways. I love a good enemies to lovers and I loved that they had some actual history. Jack is dreamy and smart and funny and perfect. Even in his mean moments, he's not really mean. He was such a good listener and observer of everything around him, making him endearing and showing how much he really cared about Emily. Emily is the quintessential female who has her life together, takes care of others, and is just finally trying to do something for herself but can't quite seem to be fully vulnerable to it, which I 100% related to and I think a lot of women can. She was a good mix of mature but also fun. I really couldn't find anything wrong with book and think it's a true gem.
I can't wait for When in Rome #4!

Absolutely adorable. Sarah Adams had me hooked from the start. It was fun, romance read that I enjoyed and have come to expect when read a Sarah Adams book.

This was pretty mid. Which I expect from the author so my hopes weren’t too high. This is the third in an interconnected series. The love interests are initially enemies who then become lovers. The romance is closed door.

Sarah Adams continues to be a favorite, returning to Rome, Kentucky, with an enemies to lovers story that made me fall in love with this small town even more.

I'm not a lover of clean romance, but Sarah Adams does such a great job! I loved the characters, the fun banter, and the overall vibe of the story.

This series just keeps getting better. When in Rome was fine. Practice Makes Perfect was good. Beg, Borrow or Steal was great!

I'm officially invested in these characters, the town and all the kookiness that goes down. I think with this one in particular, Sarah Adams really struck the perfect balance between humor and heart. There were some emotional moments in here that I was not expecting, but it made the main characters so much more compelling.

Really looking forward to the next one! I'm already dreading this series ending!

This book!!!

Sarah Adams has always been hit or miss for me but this book was just so cutesy. The banter, and all the moments shared between our main characters - held something so sweet. I love a good enemies to lovers and this just hit the spot completely!! I feel like this book would be an amazing palette cleanser or if you’re looking for a light romance, that’s easy to read and fast paced. Truly a good one!

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

Ugh my heart. 10/10 would recommend!

I will literally read everything that Sarah Adams writes and this was no different. As the third installment in the Rome series, I can absolutely see how much grown that Sarah Adams has had with her books. I love the Emily and her whole personality. I loved her chemistry with Jack, their banter, their interactions - it was all perfection. The only complaint that I have is that reading the third book means that we won’t have many more left of the series. This may have been my favorite of the whole series so far.

Thank you to NetGalley and Dell Publishing for the E-arc in exchange for my honest review.

I love love loved this return to Rome! I could really identify with being the sister who feels the need to take care of everyone, and then in turn feels like she can never fall apart. I am glad that our Emily Walker found someone who she would let take care of her and someone that she could show all of her messy pieces to.

4.5 Stars ★

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

This was so cute and gave me the perfect amount of comfort that I was looking for!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the third installment in the When in Rome series. This easily became my favorite so far with the rivalry at every turn to the friendship and onward to lovers. This is not just a book filled with witty banter, tension, and romance. It delves into heavier topics of grief, depression, and narcissistic parent into a journey of healing. This had me giggling, kicking my feet and feeling downright sad during some moments but loving it all the same.

The story follows Emily and Jack, who have been each other's nemesis since college. A decade later, teaching at the same school they compete with each other over everything until Jack moves away. Suddenly, he is back in town after breaking off his engagement and is now Emily's new neighbor. She tries everything to get him out of town until she needs his help after sending an email mistakingly.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sarah Adams has done it again with Beg, Borrow, or Steal! This enemy-to-lovers romance is an absolute delight from start to finish. The chemistry between the main characters is electric, and their journey from antagonists to lovers is beautifully written and deeply satisfying. Adams’ ability to weave humor, heart, and heat into her narrative makes this book a standout in the romance genre. The witty banter and unexpected twists kept me glued to the pages, and the emotional depth of the characters made their story incredibly engaging. Oh, how I love this series, and I can’t wait for the last book to come out! Leave it to Taylor Swift and Sarah Adams to take care of the eldest daughter. If you love a good enemy-to-lovers trope, this book is a must-read. Highly recommend!

Okay, so I was fully invested in this book, and I did enjoy the back and forth between our main characters. I also love being back in this quirky town. Where this book fell a little short for me was our female main character. I don't know if I just didn't jive with her oldest daughter vibes or the way she reacted to situations, but I did find her a little off-putting. Definitely still a worthwhile read if you liked any of the other books in this series, but not one I would consider a favorite.

There is absolutely nothing that Sarah Adams can write that I will not read. She is an automatic read author for me and I love and adore all her books. I was so anxious to have this sisters story because she carried so much and I think Sarah gave her a beautiful story.

I enjoyed this book. It was cute! Told a lovely enemies to lovers romance plot. I appreciated the way that the characters came together. Some parts were a little corny, but overall, I enjoy Sarah Adam's writing style!

Another great addition to the When in Rome series. Perfect mix of cozy characters you'll love while dealing with topics of grief, narcissistic parenting, and the pressure you can put on yourself for family. I liked that this was a bit spicer for Sarah Adams but still extremely mild like maybe a half pepper in comparison to other books in this genre. Loved reading about the author journey as the characters are writers as well. It is evident that Sarah Adams loves her characters and when you read this book you will too.

I know it's only March, but I'm calling it early: Beg, Borrow, or Steal is my favorite romcom of 2025! I loved it so much I've already reread it. Sarah Adams has created this perfect little universe in Rome, Kentucky. Returning to Rome is like receiving the most comforting hug from a best friend you haven't seen in a while. As with the other books in the series, Beg, Borrow, or Steal is loosely based on an Audrey Hepburn movie and this time, it's one of my favorites - How to Steal a Million. And just like in How to Steal a Million, the chemistry and banter between the main characters in Beg, Borrow, or Steal is perfection! This is my favorite book of the series and I cannot wait for the next installment!