Sarah Adams can do no wrong! I am an absolute sucker for enemies to lovers when he has loved her the whole time and this one really delivers on that niche trope! I also loved that they were both writers, that always makes it even more fun as a reader!

4.5 stars rounded to 5. This book was the polar opposite of miscommunication and I was here for it. I loved that Jack and Emily didn’t hold back, always telling the truth of their feelings. Enemies to lovers is hard in a contemporary and I would call this more rivals to lovers but it worked. The progression of the romance was so well done and Emily is a very relatable character for me personally. I loved that Jack saw through her tough outer shell and continued to pursue her even in those imperfections. Both have past trauma to work through and the support they give to each other was endearing. The banter was fantastic and I laughed multiple times. This is my favorite of the When in Rome books. The Pop Star plot in Noah’s book just isn’t my thing and I had a hard time with the tone in Annie’s book. This one was great though and felt a lot more like Sarah’s older books (which I love!). I did want a slightly longer epilogue and felt that ended abruptly.

This is open door romance but the author gives you some guidance on skipping certain chapters to avoid the spice. I do think she should have added Chapter 16 as well to that warning and that there are enough thoughts/innuendo sprinkled throughout that true closed door readers will still find this to be too much.

I received an advanced copy of this book via NetGalley. The thoughts and opinions in this review are my own.

Available on January 7th.

Content Notes: 2-3 open door scenes (low detail), some strong language

Utter perfection! I adore this series and this was no exception! I read the whole book in one day and am planning another reread shortly! Magnificent. I really identified with Emily and found her to be so relatable. Now if only I could find a Jackson…

Thank you to netgalley for the ARC of this book.

I fully enjoyed this book by Sarah Adams. I loved the story and the characters. The story line was something that you could relate to, and thus a read that I could not put down.

I also enjoy that this is not fade to black but closed door. You still get all the romance feel without the sex. Which every once in a while when I get feed up with the sex, I love to read one of Sarah's books. I would 100% recommend this book! Can't wait to get the physical copy to add to my collection.

Wow, just wow! If I can’t move to Rome, Kentucky right now I’ll cry! Sarah Adams is the QUEEN of rom coms and I love her and them! This may have been my favorite one yet! You MUST preorder!!

Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House / Dell for this ARC! I was so excited when I got approved!

If you are a oldest daughter, type-A, world on your shoulders girlie, this book will reach into your soul and heal things. I needed it more than I realized. Oldest sister and Rome KY's independent queen bee is struggling after her grandma's death and her siblings growing up and spreading their wings. She likes to feel needed and busy, and lately her secret novel is the thing keeping her going. When Jack, her long-time nemesis and universally loved golden boy comes back to town, she busies herself with getting rid of him again... only to find maybe she likes having him around after all. They may butt heads, but she trusts him as the only person as competent as her, and the perfect person to help her erase the consequences of late night drunken email mistake!

This book is fantastic!! The banter is so fun and spunky and hilarious. The romance is sweet and tenderhearted and honest and deep and meaningful and foot-kicking high-pitched-giggling adorable. I loved everything about this book. The pacing was perfect. Jack is my ideal book boyfriend, bar none. Emily is easy to understand and connect to. This is top five romance read of the year FOR SURE. I blasted through it because I loved it so much. I can't wait for everyone to get their hands on it on January 7th! This is ~technically~ open door but, like all precious Sarah Adams books, it's very very mild on the spice, and very easy to self-edit into a closed door, which I love that Sarah lists the chapters in the authors note at the beginning. She's so thoughtful and amazing. Perfect for everyone!

This was another Sarah Adams hit. I am thoroughly enjoying this series and can’t wait for the next one / any of her future books. I didn’t know what to expect following Practice Makes Perfect, and while I didn’t like this one quite as much, this book really solidified that I love her writing. She captures such specific moments and human experiences so well that help develop a bond between the characters and the reader to the characters. I find this style of writing to be cinematic because I can picture the small moments and specific imagery. There’s so much humor in these books, which I love. Her characters are so witty and have great banter, which helps me connect to them. I liked that in this book they actually addressed why they were “enemies” and acknowledged that it was kind of silly and there was more going on than meets the eye. I have a hard time in romcoms when there is an enemies to lovers plot line and the enemies is simply that they don’t get along or bicker or one of them just decides off the bat that they don’t like the other for no reason. I liked that there was a reason and it was acknowledged that maybe it wasn’t entirely warranted. The only negative I can say about this book is for being non-closed door, the sex scenes were not very explicit at all. Which is okay. I loved her writing enough that I don’t think it’s necessary, but I was just expecting more. The scenes were also quite short and I think the physical intimacy could have been explored more. But last note, I loved the motorcycle scene hehe.

I didn’t realize when I got this ARC that this was the third installment of an interconnected series. I will definitely be reading the first two because I’m hooked.

I loved the chemistry and dialogue between the FMC and MMC. Their connection felt authentic and the humor was perfect. I would’ve preferred them staying enemies a little longer but that’s just because it’s my favorite trope.

I did think the emotional aspects of the book fell a little flat. Both characters are dealing with family trauma/anxiety. While it was represented pretty well, Emily’s anxieties were introduce a bit abruptly that I almost had to catch up on her emotions. The ending also wrapped it up a bit too easily. Like Love Cured Then too easily.

Thank you to Netgalley, Sarah Adams and Random Publishing House group for the opportunity to review this book.

This was such a great addition to the story of the Walker siblings and the cute town of Rome, Kentucky. I'm a sucker for grumpy x sunshine and any version of enemies to lovers (in this case rivals to lovers). The underlying tension between two characters who seemingly hate each other but obviously really like each other was so well done with the banter and the emails sent back and forth. It added a cute, quirky element of humor while also building on the plot and how James and Emily eventually begin to mean more to each other.

With the Walker family history, Emily feels the weight of the world on her shoulders. I think the author did a wonderful job of describing how Emily is continuing to process her grief over time, and the pressure she feels to be the friend, sister, teacher and partner to all those she cares about. Jack's story of overcoming an abusive background and the pressures of feeling like you need to live up to someone else's expectations was also well written.

I've only read one other book in this series (Practice Makes Perfect) but I am excited to read more!

A fitting addition to the When in Rome series. This was all about contrast and conflict--the career choices, the enemies-to-lovers, the family dynamics (my plot quibble is that I would have like the family drama on both sides to be given more attention).

Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Adams, and Dell for this arc!

When I tell you I squealed when I got approved for this arc, that was an understatement. I stumbled upon Sarah’s work earlier this year when I entered a Goodreads giveaway for Practice Makes Perfect. Once I found out I didn’t win, that didn’t stop me from seeking out my Libby app and was able to listen to both When In Rome and Practice Makes Perfect back to back. I realized immediately I vibe perfectly with Sarah’s writing and characters. For me, her characters always have relatable issues (Okay maybe not like Amelia being a pop star, but you get it).

I had initially been expecting this to be Maddie & James’ story, but I was pleasantly surprised to fall in love with both Emily and Jack from the moment I read their snarky emails being sent between them through their school’s work accounts. I love a good bickering every once in a while. And the academic and workplace rivalry taking place over T E N years was a different kind of hit for me. The pining and forced proximity were a win for me, too.

On a deeper note, Emily’s processing of her feelings of grief and how she’s the eldest daughter was like looking in a mirror. It hurt but made me feel less alone. Jack’ dealings with his narcissistic father was a punch to the gut. The balance between loving your mom and wishing she would leave, but having to create boundaries with the abusive parent is not an easy job. In my opinion, Sarah did both issues justice. This book had me laughing, jaw dropping (I’m looking at you, chapter 16), and crying. I couldn’t ask for more from a romance novel than what this one accomplished: a HEA and to feel all the feelings.

Sarah, so excited to see you again at Parnassus on January 6th!! Beg, Borrow, or Steal releases January 7th.

I loved Beg, Borrow, or Steal so much. Around the 35% mark, I felt this deep tug to Emily and really saw so much of myself in her. She is the embodiment of the older sister: always taking care of everyone around her and hiding her struggles from the people she loves so that she doesn't burden them. The bickering and banter between Emily and Jack was spot on. I loved the quick emails or texts between chapters, especially the ones from years ago. Their chemistry was perfect - Sarah set such a good pace for Emily and Jack building their friendship and acknowledging they've always had a spark of feelings for each other.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

I was SO excited to get access to an early copy of a Sarah Adams book. She is one of my FAVORITE "behind closed doors" romance authors. This is the perfect third installment for her "When in Rome" series. In fact, I'm ready to pack up my bags and move to Rome, Kentucky! This quote says it all; “And to think you consider yourself hard to love.” I kiss her temple. “Loving you is the easiest thing I’ve ever done.”

I'll be sitting by my door for the next week waiting for my preorder!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams is a fun romantic comedy between two college rivals turned work rivals.

This story follows Emily Walker, a teacher starting her summer break, working on her historical romance manuscript, and bonding with her new kitten. She is shocked to find her workplace rival, Jack Bennett, sitting at her usual table at the local coffee shop. He had left Rome, Kentucky to move to Nebraska with his now ex-finace. Jack is charming and open whereas Emily is prickly and closed off. Tension increases when Emily discovers Jack has purchased the rundown house next to hers, making them neighbors.

Jack is charming and delightful from the start, trying to break down the emotional walls Emily has put up. Emily has great character growth throughout the book and deals with things she has not acknowledged before.

Jack and Emily have chemistry from the start and always have a quip for each other. At times there is a lot of focus on the physical attraction and I would have loved to read more of the emotional connection.

This is a fast-paced read, that will have you turning the pages to see what Jack and Emily will be up to next. It is always fun to come back to Rome and reconnect with the characters from the previous books in the series.


Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I love you Sarah💕


I loved Emily and Jack so much💕, the fact that they have a “rivals/enmity” relationship for 10 years is totally crazy, I love it 🤣💕, their whole dynamic, the tension they have together omg, it was so good. (I love that they are neighbors🤣)
Also, the fact that he is a writer and she wants to be one (and she does) is really nice how they help each other. 💕I like them a lot. (I also felt identified with Emily's personality, I love her🥹)

I also missed my Walker family a lot, I LOVE THEM!! I'm so happy that they appeared a lot in this book, I love the siblings series and that they appear in every book.🥹

(My favorites are still Will and Annie, I love them so much and I'm happy with their content here🥰)

And I CAN'T WAIT TO READ MADDIE'S BOOK!! SARAH I NEED IT NOW!!😫😫

-Rivals to lovers
-Second chance
-Secret writers
-Feuding teachers (and neighbors)
-Small town
-He falls first


Thanks netgalley and Random House for the arc ✨

⭐️ 4.5/5

Okay, so, I was NOT ready for the feels this book threw at me. Seriously, I'm still reeling. Emily and Jack? PER-FECT 🤌🏻.

Like, Emily is the older sister soul, you know? Always taking care of everyone. I totally saw myself in her, it was kinda freaky. And honestly? Jack is her perfect match. He gets her, he sees her, and he actually appreciates her. That's huge. I want one of those, please and thanks.

Their chemistry? Forget about it. I was grinning like a Cheshire cat the whole time. The banter? Pure gold. And those emails? Don't even get me started. They were already head over heels, even though neither one would admit it. Classic.

I could go on and on, but I'll spare you. Fun fact, I started this series BACKWARDS (we listen and we don’t judge), lol, but this book is a total game-changer. I need to go and read the two previous books like, yesterday.

Huge thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for sending me the ARC!

Such a great read! I was so excited to get an advanced copy of this book. I have read all of the other books in this series and this definitely lived up to the expectations I had. I love how she develops the characters and unfolds the relationships. Great read, highly recommend.

📚 Book Review 📚
|| Beg, Borrow, or Steal ||
|| Author: Sarah Adams ||
Format: ARC ebook
Release Date: January 7, 2025
Read from: December 24-27, 2024
2024 RG: 153/150

When I got the email saying that I got the ARC I was EXCITED. And the book did not disappoint.

MCs: Emily and Jack

🐈 A cat named Ducky
🐈 Rivals to lovers
🐈 Neighbors
🐈 Forced Proximity
🐈 Secret writers
🐈 Small town
🐈 He falls first
🐈 Banter
🐈 Family drama

Emily and Jack have been rivals for over a decade. But the universe just doesn’t care because it keeps throwing them together. And now, Jack is back in Rome, Kentucky. And he’s called off his wedding to his ex. But he’s supposed to be in Nebraska, not moving into the house next door to Emily.
One night, the emotions and the wine intake are high and she accidentally sends the draft of her book to her boss. The one person who she can think is able to help her is Jack. And he agrees? Now where does this leave their rivalry?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ 5/5

“Maybe not everything will end in hurt. But we’ll never know if we don’t try.”

Sarah Adams never lets me down I absolutely love love love her. She brought me back to life after a really rough period in my life. This book was everything.

I loved this so much! I have not read the first two books in the When in Rome series, but I will definitely go read them immediately. I loved all of the characters and how they grew throughout the story. So much emotion in this book and I loved how the Walker family are always there for each other and encourage one another to feel their feelings. Jack and Emily are so cute and I love all of their bickering. Will recommend this for sure.