🤍Thank you Dell Romance and PRHA for the arc🤍

The Rome, Kentucky series has been such a delight, and my love for it only grew with this book!

Sure! Here’s the text transcribed:

Emily’s character resonated with me on so many levels. She embodies the struggle of bearing immense burdens while believing she must face them alone, convinced that her strength means she’s not “soft enough” to be worthy of love.

Then there’s Jack—his dynamic with Emily adds a delightful spark to the story. Their banter is perfection, and the chemistry between them is 🔥.

By far my favorite aspect is how well they understood each other. Rather than attempting to change or fix each other, they realize that sometimes all the other person needs is to not face all the things alone.

“Beg, Borrow, or Steal” is deceptive from the get go. The title is ill fitting and the cover is clearly made by someone who did not read the book. At best character descriptions were skimmed and are still wrong. This is a light enemies/rivals to lovers contemporary romance about two elementary school teachers during summer break. I read it in one day. The FMC is Emily and the MMC is Jack.



I’m not even going to talk about Emily. Someone else can.



The character development of Jack has a lot of issues that should’ve been noticed and changed entirely or tweeked. You can tell the author wanted Jack to be a certain kind of person and didn’t know where to put him in the story to make him fit and be in the FMC’s life.



Jack is a second grade teacher. In reality 11% of elementary school teachers are male. Male general classroom teachers are super rare compared to P.E., music, art/ specials teachers. Many kids have all female teachers until middle school. It is practically unheard of to have a male general classroom teacher before grade 3. I’m not saying I agree with this. I’m saying, does Sarah Adams know this and she’s making some kind of social commentary or did she not know where to put a character?



He has many tattoos that resemble children’s school stickers. Like the ones your teacher will put on your worksheet to show you’ve done a good job. We can unpack that as Jack telling himself he’s done a good job via tattoo choice over and over again, which is crushing and a bit pathetic. He wears necklaces that resemble candy necklaces the whole book (I see you editing that out cover artist and I’m intrigued). We find out it’s not a candy necklace, rather a few plastic beaded ones gifted to him by students- even though Emily refers to it as a candy necklace multiple times. 



So he is covered in sticker tattoos and wears a “candy” necklace and he’s a second grade teacher; and if you say this to any grandparents they will say this dude sounds like a pedophile. He sounds like red flags and schools would not hire that no matter how charismatic he is. He comes off like the author wanted to make “the perfect male elementary school teacher” that would “appeal to kids”. Danger, danger! But making a grown man seem like <i>he’s trying</i> to appeal to kids makes him veer too close to predatory. Is he trying? Is the author trying? Someone is trying too much. Sticker tattoos and a candy necklace, like, you are killing me Sarah Adams. The combo is an ick. What is this guy and how come the guy on the cover looks nothing like him? 



I love that someone wrote in a review that the author gave Jack tattoos and a motorcycle to distract the readers from how ”white bread” his character actually is. I think having tattoos is now more common than not. Almost everyone has at least one so it isn’t really the symbol of edgyness or rebellion it once was. So many “white bread” people have tattoos. This was actually something I liked about his character, the having of tattoos and it not fitting his personality, as is the case for many people. 



Imagine poor Jack over here wanting to be edgy and rebellious, sitting down at a tattoo parlor not really knowing what to get. He’s doing it to stick it to his garbage dad; and what is he never going to be? Good enough. So he’s going to give himself all the stickers and gold stars his dad never gave him. Over and over again. Make them permanent. He is like this successful confident man with a lonely broken boy living inside him; and it is like, done so sloppily.



Listen up, it’s a third book in a series and they can pretty much all be treated like standalones if you want so no hard feelings. I’m still going to read the fourth one if she writes it. Hopefully she won’t do the last book in the series thing where they waste so much time on the side characters to tie up their past stories at the expense of the current one. The best was “Practice Makes Perfect”, the second one, hands down. If you only read one, that’s the one.

<b>4 🌟</b>

<i>: ̗̀➛ started on 1/01/25
: ̗̀➛ finished on 1/02/25</i>

my first book of 2025!!

this book was heartbreakingly beautiful. i was crying, giggling, and smiling all at once. this is probably sarah's most emotional book yet and it really hit home. i related so much to emily, and it made my reading experience worse. (hear me out)

as someone who is/was a people pleaser and puts everyone before themselves, it was tough to read about emily's struggles and think about how hard i used to struggle just like her. i went into this expecting a cute little rom-com. and it was cute, but it was tough to read about and sympathize with emily through past experiences.

that being said, i still did enjoy this book A LOT! the banter, the teasing, the tension?? sarah adams knows how to write a book 🤭 i was sobbing because i wanted someone like jack, but i don't want jack because him and emily are absolutely perfect together 🥲

<i>thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this arc an exchange for an honest review! </i>

--

take #2 of my first read of 2025 😂 nothing better than to start with sarah adams!!

I always forget there is no real spice in Sarah Adams books, which with most authors I would find disappointing but here I somehow do not mind at all. Watching these two work out their complicated history and fall in love was SO perfect. More, please.

I mean rivals to lovers always brings out the best banter! I have read a couple others by Sarah Adam's and this one definitely lived up to my love for her writing. I was laughing and crying and just so hooked that I started and finished this one on the same day. It takes a special kind of writing to make me hooked from the very beginning and these twos story was it. Definitely fits so well in the series and I mean who doesn't love when the build up leads to that explosive revaluation between the two characters?

Thank you Net Galley for this e-arc!

I read and loved Practice Makes Perfect and thought, there is literally nothing else that Sarah Adam’s could write that will make me love anything more than this book… Well, I was terribly WRONG! I absolutely loved Beg, Borrow, or Steal so much more. Being in Rome, KY just makes me feel like life is fun and backroads and love and gossip in the best way and supportive and everything I would want my hometown to be.

I cried, laughed, swooned, and kicked my feet while reading this ARC. The banter was to die for, OMG! I highlighted like I’ve never highlighted before because this book had the best moments and lessons. I felt so connected to Emily and Jackson as I should, but how Mrs. Adam’s managed to make me feel connected to the side characters was like nothing I’ve experienced before! I mean there isn’t a comment or review that could do this book justice. What I love most about this book was its ability to transport me to the passenger seat of every truck, at the table of every kitchen, and on the streets of Rome in June. I loved the romance, but the deep emotional topics and lessons you leave with are unmatched. You see raw vulnerability and emotions from the characters and how they overcome a lot of the issues any real person would go through. I long to be supportive and able to communicate my feelings and thoughts the way Jackson can… “That’s a good man Savanah”!

5 million ✨♾️
Read it, Buy it, Love it! 🩷🩷🩷🩷

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!