5/5 ⭐️
1/5 🌶️
Release Date 01/07/2025
SARAHHHHHHHHH!!! I loved every word of this book! We are back in Rome, Kentucky and I truly missed this quirky small town 🥰 Emily and Jack are magical! I feel like I’ve read a lot of broody, grumpy MMCs recently and it was a breath of fresh air that Jack wasn’t like that at all!! And Emily’s journey through her grief was real and needed for me as I deal with some of my own grief this holiday season. I found that I identified with both Jack and Emily in very different ways which was really fun to reflect on while reading. The shenanigans were hilarious, the TENSIONNNNN ( 🥵🥵🥵) was built perfectly, and the characters were grounded and real!
Now, seriously, go preorder this book! If you like nemesis to lovers, quirky small town romcoms, then this is the PERFECT book for you!
Thank you @netgalley and @dellromance for the ARC 😍

This has been my favorite story out of Rome, Kentucky yet. The bickering and bantering between Jack and Emily was hilarious and they made such a great pair. The deeper stories with each of their characters made them very relatable. And the biting at another story for Maddie has be so excited!

Cannot recommend this book or this whole series enough!

Review: Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
Book 3 in the When in Rome series

I’ve really enjoyed the When in Rome series, even though there were elements in the first two books that didn’t completely align with my preferences. That’s a testament to Sarah Adams’s writing—it kept me invested regardless! Beg, Borrow, or Steal, however, was very much my kind of book, and it was such a delight to have all the pieces come together.

I absolutely love rivals-to-lovers, and Emily and Jack delivered in every way. Their dynamic was believable, entertaining, and filled with the perfect "will they, won’t they" tension that so many books lack these days. The slow burn was beautifully done—every moment felt earned and kept me hooked.

My only critique is the ending, which softened a bit too much for my taste. It's a bit ironic because Emily even mentions not wanting to lose the banter with Jack, but I felt the writing lost some of its spark as the tone shifted to sweet and basic. It just felt less exciting compared to the earlier tension and banter. As for the epilogue, it was definitely fun and sweet.... but I would have preferred the main book to end with that part, then use the epilogue to focus on just Emily and Jack... That would have been more satisfying for me anyway.

That said, there’s nothing I’m upset about. Beg, Borrow, or Steal was a lovely read and an easy one to recommend to others. If you love rivals-to-lovers, slow burns, and well-developed characters, pick this one up!

Thanks to NetGalley for an ARC of this book

I am so glad to have discovered Sarah Adams this year and so grateful that I was able to read an eARC of Beg, Borrow, or Steal after loving the previous books in this series 🥹

There was something special about Jack and Emily’s relationship and how they went from rivals/enemies to friends to lovers. I love how Sarah Adams incorporates healthy communication in her couples — this one was no different. They both supported one another and became each other’s biggest cheerleader.

The balance between the tension, pining, and tender moments was UNMATCHED. All of it delivered and the execution was nothing short of perfect.

5 stars!!

I am such a huge fan of Sarah Adams and she just keeps getting better. Practice Makes Perfect is one of my all-time favorites so I love getting to stay in Rome and see a little more of the previous couples. When it comes to a Sarah Adams book, I know I'm going to swoon and I am GOING to laugh. I'm going to feel and I might even cry. IMO, absolute QUEEN of the romcom novel.

The banter: sometimes mean but in a very funny way. The communication during the relationship: peak (thank goodness, I hate a miscommunication trope). These two are just perfectly matched in my eyes. So glad I got to end out 2024 with this amazing and highly anticipated novel.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Title: Beg, Borrow, or Steal
Author: Sarah Adams
Series: When in Rome #3
Rating: 4.5 stars

I didn't think this series could get any better, but boy was I wrong! BBoS was one of my most anticipated reads for Jan 2025, and I am so so happy I had the opportunity to read this one early.

Emily and Jack, our classic frenemies to lovers. Gosh, how I loved everything about them, especially all of their banter and heists! If you have read Sarah's other books, you will know that they don't contain much spice, but even without it, this book was *chefs kiss*

I hope we will return to Rome, KY soon to hear more about our favorite chef and farmer.....

Read this book if you enjoy:
- Rivals to lovers
- Small town
- Forced proximity
- Second chance
- Slow burn
- Closets
- Tobasco sauce

Make sure to check this one out when it is released on January 7, 2025!

A HUGE thank you to Dell Romance, Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine, NetGalley, and Sarah Adams for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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