Thank you to NetGalley, Dell Romance, and Sarah Adams for the ARC of Beg, Borrow, or Steal! All opinions are my own. This story is about two teachers, Jack and Emily, who have years of history through being enemies. They both have a lot of personal growth to go through while also learning more truth about each other. I loved how much they both grew, their snippets of emails and growth, and of course heading back to Rome with the Walker family! This was a great story about being the oldest sister, importance of family and such great main characters who grow and support each other eventually. I recommend this book and highly recommend the rest of the Rome series with it!

This is the 3rd book in the When in Rome series. It’s the story of Emily, eldest sister of her family, and Jack. The two met in college and have been frenemies ever since. They’ve always known exactly what buttons push to annoy each other. They end up teaching at the same elementary school, and eventually Jack buys a house, not knowing it’s next door to Emily.
They get closer and closer and it turns out that they (secretly) have more in common than they knew.
If you’re looking for a spicy feel good romance that will make you smile, this book is for you. I was sorry when the book had to end! 5 stars.

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley, I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

Obsessed. Emily and Jack have the perfect amount of banter and love between them. Emily has my heart with a tough exterior and a super soft inside who just wants to be seen and not left and Jack is the only one who sees her and loves her for who she is.

4.5 ⭐️

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is my favorite so far of the Rome series. I felt seen reading this coming from a family with a similar background in grief and family struggles. The characters were relatable and I loved their banter/playfulness throughout the story. Their romantic tensions and friendship was built up in a way that wasn't rushed but enjoyable, making the book hard to want to put down. The communication between characters and their vulnerability with one another added grrat emotion to the story and futhered its relatibility. Im glad that there was no third act breakup leading to a rushed conclusion as well as very little explicit intimacy scenes. I loved getting to be back in Rome, Kentucky and getting to see into Emily's world. Sarah Adams doesn't disappoint with her romances and I'm looking forward to the next book in the series!

Review left on Fable & Goodreads
4.5⭐️
I love Emily & Jack's story. Both of them are incredibly relatable characters with their struggles with perfectionism, people pleasing, grief, loneliness, and difficult parents. (trigger warning present at the beginning ld the book) From the beginning their banter is addictive and made the book hard to want to put down. Their banter, turned playfulness, then friendship, and finally romance was done with great pacing that wasn't rushed or made parts of the story feel unnecessary. This wouldn't be a small town romance without gossip and enjoyable characters within the town that help add to Emily & Jack's rivalry (similar to the blue and pink ribbons in Stars Hollow following Luke and Lorelai's breakup).

Spice was mostly close door with minimal description plus a warning advising readers if they are uncomfortable or prefer to skip spice to skip chapters 25 & 32.

The lack of third act breakup between characters paired with their ability to communicate through problems and acknowledge what to work on is refreshing and made the characters more likable/relatable.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and think Sarah Adams never disappoints. I'm excited for the next Rome story!

Such a fun rom-com. This is Sarah Adams’s best book to date. Both Emily and Jackson were so lovable, even though Emily is the “prickly, but soft hearted” lead. There were so many fun and tender moments in this book that had me swooning and kicking my feet. This is a perfect read for someone wanting to read a typical rom-com with more emotional roots.

4.5/5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for giving me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!

When in Rome’s best yet! And I’m definitely not just saying that because the FMC and I share the same name 🤭 My biggest gripe with this series for the longest time was the INCREDIBLY trope-y presentation of the small town. The townspeople were often the aspect of these stories that really rubbed me the wrong way. Thankfully, Emily’s story had this in limited supply and in a much funnier and more digestible way. Aside from that, I LOVED the main story line. Nothing felt too forced beyond the first few chapters, the characters’ connection felt genuine, funny, and sweet, and the communication was healthy (in the PRESENT of the story 🥲) . and don’t even get me started about the tension built during ✨THAT✨ chapter 🤭

The first two installments in this series didn’t excite me much. They were plenty enjoyable and super cute but nothing to go wild for. But Beg, Borrow or Steal made me SO excited for the eventually release of Madison’s story.

Don’t think I can reasonably give this a full 5 stars because I do still struggle with some dialogue and grammar, but Sarah Adams does keep pulling me back with these, so what does that say about me really? 😭

Such a cozy, warm hug of a book. Sarah Adams excels at writing witty banter between her two characters and making them feel like they are close personal friends of your’s. This third book in the “When in Rome” interconnected stand-alones follows Emily (the oldest sister) as she reconnects with her college rival/workplace nemesis, Jackson, after he breaks off his engagement. They begin to understand one another better when he moves in next door to her and they learn that they’re not so different from each other after all. You truly fall into their story and more into this town as the reader, and it makes me want to move to Rome and befriend all of these characters.

A classic Sarah Adam’s rom-com! Enemies to lovers in the best way!! I personally find her books as such easy mindless reads that are super entertaining and this one falls right under that category. I love the characters in Rome, Kentucky & each book makes me fall in love with them more and more. I did feel it could’ve had a little bit more depth.

Sarah Adams does not disappoint!! I was so excited to go back to Rome, Kentucky.
I may have not loved Emily in the previous books, but once you get to read her POV it makes her so endearing and relatable! Jack is so dreamy in my mind. I loved watching the relationship between them evolve and grow, and I love that they were always there for each other! *heart eyes*

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

Sarah are you kidding me 😭😭

5 stars, no notes. Favorite book by Sarah Adams to date.

📖 enemies to lovers
🤞🏼 second chance
✨ small town
☎️ chemistry & banter & a closet 😮‍💨

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

Returning to Rome, Kentucky with Sarah Adams feels like coming home.

I had the pleasure of listening to this one, and it felt like I was experiencing firsthand. I loved getting an inside look at Emily, her longtime rival, Jack, and how their rivalry exists on top of a deeper sense of care and passion for one another.

I loved the animosity they held between each other because of events that had transpired between (and around) them over the years. I loved the banter that jumped off the page as Emily and Jack are constantly thrown together And I absolutely loved when the truth comes out—all of their truths—and they realize just how perfect they truly are together.

I cannot recommend this series enough. I would move to this town, if I could.

Check this out if you enjoy:
- Romcom
- Banter
- Rivals to lovers
- Childhood crush
- Second chance
- Secret identities
- Neighbors to lovers
- A heist!

ALL the scorching chemistry and playful, flirty banter to have you giddy and giggly the whole way through!❤️

📖 Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
Release Date - January 7, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️⚡️

I will be swooning over Emily and Jack forever. Sarah Adams has a magic wand in her keyboard that immediately spells you with all the comfy cozy, calming and giddy feels. Therapists will be recommending it in their arsenal of coping tools.

I adore every single one of Sarah's books. Beg, Borrow, or Steal is officially among my favorites. The flirty, playful banter is unmatched. Emily Walker and Jack Bennett are rivals to lovers, second grade teachers and now - neighbors. In a twist of errors, they team up together in a hilarious heist.

This is book #3 in the When in Rome series. This visit to Rome, Kentucky brings extra special moments in the Walker family that I adored.

I rate character chemistry for a reason - this book is why. The chemistry is off the charts and worthy of being an example in the craft.⚡️

This is a must read, friends. But start with book one in the series first.😉

Beyond excited to celebrate this book and see @authorsarahadams in January.🫶

Thank you to @netgalley, @dellromance and @authorsarahadams for the advanced copy.

I’ve been SO excited to head back to Rome, Kentucky for a while now, and Beg, Borrow, or Steal still somehow exceeded my expectations.

Second grade teacher Emily Walker is immediately peeved to find out that not only is her longtime rival and former colleague Jack Bennett coming back to town after calling off his wedding, but he’ll be closer than ever as he works to refurbish the house next door to her. As they get into the familiar rhythm of low-stakes sabotage of each other, she suddenly finds that she needs his help to stop their principal from reading the (very secret) romance manuscript she accidentally emailed. As they work together, they find they may actually be turning into friends…or something more?

As called out in the dedication, this one is DEFINITELY for those perfectionist eldest daughters, as Emily has a lot of stuff to work through that will break your heart while also making you swoon. Both characters have a lot of baggage to deal with, particularly involving relationships with their families, and it’s wonderful to see how they work through those dynamics and support each other in the process. That’s not to say that their relationship development is only emotional though! While this one is definitely steamier than Sarah Adams romances have been in the past, the scene that will have everyone fanning themselves doesn’t even involve the characters touching each other. Whew.

Can’t recommend this one enough, and am mainly just sad that this means we only have one more return planned to Rome!

✨ ARC review ✨

Beg, Borrow, or Steal 👩🏼‍🏫📚 by Sarah Adams
Romance
Pub day: 1/7/25
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫 (4.5)

“You are not alone, Emily. I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time.” 🥹♥️ - Jackson Bennett, everyone!

Wow…Sarah, you reached right through into my soul with this book. I related to both Emily & Jackson in deep, deep ways. Some reasons I won’t share since they’re private…but I related to Emily being the oldest daughter, which I am, and the characteristics that role creates. I am also an elementary teacher, like both main characters, and became a teacher for the exact same reasons as they did. Although I love teaching, I am glad the story took place during the summer. Although I like my job, I don’t need to read about it!

The TENSION between these two could’ve been cut with a knife. I loved how Emily and Jackson are opposites, but complement each other perfectly. I ate up how much they cared for each other deep down, even before they admitted it. Gah… *SWOON*

And finally….i am a romance girly at heart and the fact that Emily not only loves reading the genre, she wrote one herself.

I absolutely adored this story. THANK YOU Dell Romance and NetGalley for my gifted advanced copies, in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts are my own!

My handle is @stephlovesbooksss on Instagram and TikTok. My Instagram review was posted on 12/29/24, and is here:
https://www.instagram.com/p/DELhiX5yGAc/?igsh=NXJnZDFnNTljMnN0

third book in the series, third five-star read for me 🌟

This book has all the staples I’ve come to expect from the Rome series: the charming townspeople, the heart-warming relationship between the Walker family, the lighthearted feeling of the writing, the comedic moments.

This book also deals with heavier topics than previous book, and a little more in-depth, but still it’s very much a rom-com.

Because of the way Emily presents herself, I can see how the beginning of the story might not cast the best light on her, but it’s the journey of discovery the reader needs to go as we are getting to know this character, and, imo, it’s done very well. (All of this to say: if you find her a little bit annoying or overbearing at first, please stick with it!)

There’s nothing else to say except go read this book and this entire series because it’s worth it!!

Thank you Netgalley for this advanced reader copy of Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams. In exchange for this ARC, I agreed to give my honest review. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own. So buckle up, we’re heading back to Rome, KY!
In the third installment of the When in Rome series we find ourselves following Emily Walker, the eldest daughter of the Walker siblings. Emily is the Queen Bee of Rome and has been holding her family together since the death of their parents in childhood.
Emily is known to be a strong-willed, a fixer and a perfectionist. To all of Rome, Emily is the rock the wave crashes upon. But once we get a look into Emily’s head it becomes clear that Emily is barely holding herself together.
Enter her archenemy, Jackson Bennett.
Jackson “Jack” Bennett and Emily Walker have been archenemies since the moment they met 10 years ago. And yet, the universe is doing all in her power to keep bringing them back together.

What I have loved since the very first book in this series is the dual POV. I especially enjoyed this in Beg, Borrow, or Steal because we get to connect more with Jack, who is also struggling with his own trauma.
Beg, Borrow, or Steal is by far the heaviest book thus far in the When in Rome series. Sarah Adam delicately writes about depression, anxiety, and the aftermath of having a narcissistic parent. In many ways, I found this to be the most relatable book in the series because of it.
Even with some heavy topics, Sarah Adams manages to keep Beg, Borrow, or Steal entertaining and comedic with small town shenanigans and Emily and Jacks dialogue.
I especially enjoy that we are still getting cameos from our other Walker siblings and beaus. I am eagerly looking forward to Madison’s story in the next book. And all I can say to Sarah is you better not do anything to Mabel except maybe to make her even more sassier and wise!

The way that I kicked my feet and was so happy when I was approved for this ARC ! ! ! !

Reuniting with the character in Rome, Kentucky feels like coming home.

I never worry that Sarah Adams won't deliver in this or any series of hers, but holy smokes, I love Emily and Jack SO MUCH! The banter begins in Chapter 2 and doesn't let up even a little. I instantly loved Emily; she is everything to everyone and I love that EVERYONE thinks she is the most kind, sunshine-y person there is, but underneath she is lonely and just wants more. And honestly, Emily is just my kinda gal; maybe because I see a lot of myself in her. Perfectionist, Type A... anyone else?

~

"When I'm not moving, when I'm not busy, when I'm not needed, it's so, so lonely."

"As all good and unbearable perfectionists know, if you want something done right, you mostly have to do it yourself."

"I'm all too happy to voice my opinions. In fact, I have to hold back ninety-eight percent of the time, and that two percent can still be too much."

~

Then entire Jackson Bennett from stage left please. He can get under her skin like nobody's business but to Emily's distress, the entire town also loves him. As soon as he leaves (not a spoiler, it happens in the very first chapter), she realizes that she misses him... even if it's to give him as much grief as possible. But when he returns, that's when all the fun begins. I loved all of the angst, the town coming to back Emily, all of the past characters' appearances, the vulnerability that both Emily and Jack show in their journey's of growth, and of course that closet scene. This series is so so good, and I definitely recommend to anyone who loves the small town vibes and characters you can't help but wish were in your own town/family.

Thank you to Sarah Adams, NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this ARC.

Also to all my closed door romance girlies:
Sarah Adams usually writes closed door romances, but this one is an exception. If that is your thing, just skip chapters 25 and 32 and you will be all good. If you don't mind, enjoy in it's entirety!

Pub date Jan 7! Thanks to Dell and NetGalley for the early copy. Special thanks to Dell for also sending a physical copy. It’s my most prized possession now.

This one is for the eldest daughters. The ones taking care of everyone else so they can avoid stopping and thinking about their own needs and wants. For those that desperately cling to their people in the hopes they won’t get left…again. Unclench your hands. Open your heart. Know that you can hold space for joy and change AND loneliness and dark days.

If you’re unfamiliar, this is the 3rd installment in an interconnected standalone, small town romance series. This book follows Emily, the oldest daughter, although not the oldest sibling. She has a plan and agenda for everything, even when you think she doesn’t. She’s the fixer, the care taker, not the one that needs some care and support…right?

I love a book where it’s rivals to lovers but they’re clearly down bad, sweet, little idiots. Emily and Jack have been rivals since college but what happens when she starts to realize her nemesis might actually be her friend. Even more than that, what if she starts to learn that even though she’s always thought she was difficult to love, he loves her as easily as breathing. Even in the midst of her secrets, loneliness, and sadness.

Sarah Adams writes a breathtaking romance novel about two traumatized people fighting their way to something better. This is also such a wonderful ode to the importance of the romance genre. Pick this one up, you certainly won’t regret it!

Sarah Adams proves, once again, that she writes with heart, humor, and wit. With Beg, Borrow, or Steal, readers that are all-too-familiar with being the titular "strong" one in the family will find a piece of themselves in Emily Walker and discover an extra level of care given by our male lead, Jackson Bennett. The story unfolds with discussions of grief, family, and vulnerability while still delivering the charm that can only be found in Rome, Kentucky.

Sarah Adams does it again. She's brought another cute, endearing, emotional, heart-warming and hilarious rom-com that I simply couldn't put down. The main characters, Emily & Jack, had the best banter I've read in a while, and also simultaneously gave us these beautiful character arcs as they learned to overcome their struggles.

Emily took on a lot of responsibility as a child after their parents passed and she took on the role of caregiver for her younger siblings. Now she struggles with feeling needed by her siblings as adults, and this overwhelming sense of pressure she puts on herself to be the strong, independent one who doesn't need any help. I couldn't help but get teary-eyed a few times as Emily navigated learning how to let her emotions out and that real strength comes from asking for help from those around her. I think her overall story was just so relatable and I found myself rooting for her from page 1.

Meanwhile, Jack struggles with his people-pleasing tendencies because of his childhood growing up with a narcistic father. Because of that, he learned to read people and modulate people's emotions. Like with Emily, it was really beautiful to see Jack figure out how to suppress his people-pleasing tendencies and put himself first to protect his emotional well-being when it came to his father.

And outside of the great character arcs of the MCs, they just had the absolute funniest banter. Sarah really knows how to write these comical scenes that you can picture with perfect clarity in your mind. I always feel like I'm watching a movie when reading her books. Plus, the town of Rome, KY where this series is set, was inspired by Gilmore Girls and you can see that influence all over the cast of side characters living in town. Each of them is quirkier and sillier than the last, and it really makes for a book you can get lost in as you imagine living in this town. For that reason I would recommend reading the first 2 books in the series first, but you can most certainly read this book as a standalone with no issue.

Overall I highly checking out Beg, Borrow, or Steal as soon as it comes out, and most especially if you're wanting a fun small town, witty banter, and emotional character growth story.