Thank you to Dell Romance, NetGalley and PRH Audio for the ARC and ALC.

I know it is early to say this but this book may very well be one of the best romance books of 2025. Seriously, I fell head over heels for this novel! And I'm sure I say this every time as well, but this may very well also be one of my favorite books in the Rome, Kentucky series by Sarah Adams as well. But I am sure I'll probably say that about the next book as well. LOL. :)

I also highly recommend the audiobook narrated by Brittany Pressley and Nelson Hobbs. I think these two voices were a match made in heaven so to speak. Seriously, I loved their voices together.

I highly recommend that you don't sleep on this book...trust me you will love it!

Many thanks again to NetGalley, Dell Romance, and PRH Audio for the ARC/ALC!

What a delight to return to Rome, KY! And this was my favorite trip yet. I was eagerly anticipating Emily’s story and it did not disappoint.

This installment of Sarah Adams “When in Rome” series follows the oldest Walker sister, Emily, who is always taking care of her three siblings. She is a second grade teacher and secret aspiring romance writer who has had a decade long feud with her nemesis, Jack Bennett. The preciousness of the Walker family dynamic and their love for each other, the quaintness of Rome and all the salty, yet lovable characters in the town are back with a hint of enemies to lovers with a sweet as pie backdrop of Rome, KY. This book also expertly dealt with some heavier topics like childhood trauma while keeping Adams signature positive, happy guaranteed HEA style. Cannot recommend this highly enough!

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

This has become my favorite Sarah Adams book ever. Just when I thought Annie from Practice Makes Perfect was the character I related to the most, along comes Emily and I’m absolutely floored. I have NEVER resonated with a character and seen so much of myself in a character until this book. I connected to this book right off the bat from the dedication. I tend to give out five star reviews often but I honestly believe that this book changed my life. It’s a love story, of course, but it’s also a story of change, following your dreams, and learning self-love. I want to cry just thinking about it. This is my favorite read of 2024. There’s no doubt about it. It made me so happy to see all the characters together. Emily and Jack have my heart forever and ever. I cried at multiple points throughout the book and then again when it was over. I cannot wait for everyone to read this in January and give it the love it so definitely deserves.

I haven't read any of Sarah Adams's books before, so I don't have the attachment to this setting or the series characters that other readers may have. However, I still really liked this story and thought that it managed to be a charming, funny, cute romance while having characters that have big things in their lives that impact how they go through the world and the story is honest about those effects. I will absolutely go back to read other books by the author.

I had a hard time getting into the book, it was a little all over the place and some of things that occurred left me wondering why it was even there (ie: the whole principal situation) The banter between the two characters was 100% funny and had me laughing out loud! I loved the small town, sibling love, and the banter in the book.

This third installment of Sarah Adams “When in Rome” series, and follow up to the wildly popular “Practice Makes Perfect” does not disappoint. Jack and Emily’s characters are fun and relatable. I am not a perfectionist, but could relate to Emily in other ways. Jack is a cinnamon roll and their interactions are great. I love that they are neighbors, rivals, coworkers, and known each other since college. There’s just a lot to like in this easy to read rom com. This book is definitely more spicy (like Adams’ “The Rule Book”) and not fade to black/closed door like a lot of her other novels.

In this book:
Small town
neighbors
Rivals to lovers
Coworkers
Writers

Thank you NetGalley, Sarah Adams, and Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine/Dell Romance for an advanced digital copy of this book.

As a teacher, I was very excited to see this title and that the 2 MCs are teachers. Although teaching doesn't play a huge role in the novel, the idea that teachers must have some sort of calling related to a past tragedy or whole in their life felt very sad. Not every teacher has a broken past that they are trying to fix through their career. It is just as respectable as other jobs.
The enemies to lovers was great, the banter was sweet, there was so much about this book that I loved, but the way that it approached the teaching profession made me sad.

Ekkkkk I was so excited for book 3 and it didn’t disappoint! I love all of the walker siblings and each of their stores. I look forward to Maddie’s - and James’?!!!

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


ARC PROVIDED BY NETGALLEY IN EXCHANGE FOR AN HONEST REVIEW


Welcome home, welcome to Rome, Kentucky!!!

You have no idea how absolutely happy I am that I had the honor and privilege to read BBS early because I couldn't wait, I literally was waiting at the edge of my seat. And I'm so glad and thankful I read it because omg my belovedsssss I loved this book so much.


Emily and Jack get behind me right now I'll defend you with my life. My two lovely babies who hid themselves behind two sides of the same coin. Emily by putting a though exterior that only fooled those that weren't close to her and Jack by being nice to everyone even at his expenses.

But how amazing it is, how lovely, what privilege is to have someone that sees al of you, even what you don't want to show. That loves all of you even when you don't love yourself that much. And that's willing to face their deepest fears because love is their force and light.

That's what jackemily will discover. Alongside the lovely side characters we all know and adore. I can never get enough of noahamelia, willannie, madison, james and mabel.

I swear I can't wait to be back with this beautiful characters, I'm dying to read Maddie's book and I'm hoping praying to all my lucky stars that my guess is correct and her li is ........


Thank you thank you thank you Sarah for putting your heart and soul in this books, for being one of my comfort authors. I'll always be in your corner.


Beware of potential spoilers in these two of my favorite quotes (I have a lot of those but I'm just sharing two down here)




““I was scared that you’d think you wanted me, and then you would get close to me and realize that I’m too tough to love. Hell, I’m difficult to even be around some days, and now I can add sad to the list too.”She shrugs. “I guess I’m saying I don’t actually want to go slow with you. I love you, Jack. I don’t want to be friends with benefits. I want to hug each other when we’re sad and help each other find the bright side of things when all we can see is the dark.””


““I love you too, Emily . . . I don’t need anything from you other than for you to unlock the door for me so I can come lie with you when the darkness is too heavy to crawl out of. And if you need to fight, you can fight with me. And if you want to make love, make it with me.”I kiss her once more. “You think you’re unlovable, but I think I’ve never known how to love until knowing you.””

*Title: Beg, Borrow, or Steal-When in Rome Book #3

*Release date: 1/7/25 | Read: 12/19/24

*Author: Sarah Adams

*Format: eBook 384

Thanks to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group Ballantine |Dell, and Sarah Adams for this ARC💙! I voluntarily give an honest review, and all opinions expressed are my own.

*Setting: Rome, KY

*Genre: Adult Fic, Contemporary Romance

*Tropes: small town, forced proximity, cover lover, book lovers, enemies to lovers, workplace romance

*Look out for: cheating (H cheated on), emotional abuse, grief, depression, toxic parent (H)

*Synopsis: Emily and Jack have been nemeses since college to now as second grade teachers at Rome Elementary. Jack moved to Nebraska with his fiancée Zoe but returns when they break up. Emily and Jack love to push each other's buttons, but things change when Emily accidentally sends her conversative principal her sexually explicit manuscript. Emily asks Jack to help retrieve it and form a truce that becomes more.

Characters
* Emily Walker-teacher who secretly wrote a highlander romance, but won't let anyone read it
* Jackson "Jack" Bennett-teacher with author pseudonym A.J. Ranger. His father Frederick is a famous writer
* Noah, Maddie, and Annie-Emily's siblings. Emily is closest to Maddie, but she doesn't call or visit much
*Frederick Bennett-Jack's father, a world-renowned mystery writer, treats Jack's mother Diana badly as a functioning alcoholic
*Bart-the school principal
*Mabel-Emily's grandmother figure/HER grandmother's BFF
*Ducky-Emily's cat

*Review: I really felt for Emily's Treasure of Doom. Her siblings didn't need her anymore, so she lost her purpose. Emily hid her sadness but cried to herself. When Jack came back and they became friends, he lifted the veil on her feelings of abandonment and uselessness. I liked the setup for the next book with Maddie and can't wait to read it!

*Rating: 4/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐

*Spice level- 4/5 🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

Sarah Adams can do no wrong. I knew I needed to go back to Rome, Kentucky the moment she announced this third book. And academic rivals to lovers??? I didn’t stand a chance. Emily and Jack were the definition of chemistry from page one. I felt like I was on pins and needles waiting for either one of them to make even the smallest move. I also loved the way that the small town felt like its own character here. The way the entire town backed Emily until she was ready to accept Jack was hilarious. And like always, the walker siblings all had the funnest dynamics and it was so great to see how their lives are changing.

I was laughing, blushing, and having the best time. Sarah can take all of my stars.

4.5 ⭐️ I loved this book so so so much!! It definitely became my favorite in the series 🩷

I don’t think I went a single chapter without laughing bc the dynamic between Emily and Jack is perfect, the town and the side characters are also everything to me. Tbh I felt like it was gonna be a 5 star until about 60%, for me the only flaw was that the 3rd act drama dragged on a bit more than I would’ve liked but still ended up being one of my favorite reads of the year. If you’re looking for a book that’ll have you smiling from start to finish, this one is perfect for that.

Very cute. It's my favorite of the series. Small town/ rivals to lovers/ sunshine/ sunshine
I wasn't anticipating loving Emily as much as I did but she really evolved and showed her depth. I stayed in the moment the whole book. No skimming.So much fun!!

This is a very cute book that is set in Rome, Kentucky. I enjoyed the familiar characters/ family members from her other books. I loved that Emily and Jack are both teachers and the difficulties that come with that important job. The storyline and steam is really great, hello play acting! The town reminds me of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls and wish the townspeople would have been used more in the second half of the book.

Unfortunately, enemies to lovers is not my favorite trope, especially when there is a miscommunication issues as to why they are enemies. I didn't get the pining but them still being so mean to each other in the beginning. I enjoyed it but didn’t absolutely love it. 3.5 stars rounded up.

It was so nice to go back to Rome, Kentucky, and catch up with the Walker siblings. I really loved the relationship that developed between Emily and Jack. Both characters had depth and I loved the dual POV. It was also nice to see how each grew over the course of the book.
The little insights into the other Walker siblings lives was also a perfect addition to this 3rd installment of the series.

I loved, loved, loved this book! I know a lot of elementary school personnel (teachers, aides, psychologists, principals, etc) so I could imagine some of them in these scenes and I just cracked up laughing.

This might be my favorite book in this series so far. While still retaining the series' signature charm, "Beg, Borrow, or Steal" feels less cheesy than the last book.

The characters are wonderfully flawed, making them incredibly relatable. Their constant bickering provides a healthy dose of humor, keeping the story lighthearted and entertaining. However, beneath the surface, we witness genuine character growth as they navigate their challenges and learn to appreciate each other.

"Beg, Borrow, or Steal" is a delightful read that will appeal to fans of contemporary romance with a touch of witty banter and heartwarming moments.

Rating: [5 out of 5 stars]

Always love a good Sarah Adams book. Loved the character development throughout the book and the ending was heartfelt.

Sarah Adams is my comfort blanket when it comes to romance. No matter what, I am guaranteed to feel good, giddy, happy reading one of her books and “Beg, Borrow or Steal” more than delivered on that expectation. Emily and Jack and their teacher feud, and the small town of Kentucky, and their secret identities, and their banter and chemistry? 10/10, no notes, smash.

Jack and Emily were so perfectly suited together and made me cry on more than one occasion. While sweet and heartwarming, this story had so much depth to it - it talks about the benefit of letting people in and asking for help. It talks about how important it is to believe in yourself but how powerful it can be when someone else believes in you, unequivocally. It talks about seeing the benefit of being your true self with someone and finding the people that not only value that, but demand it of you. Most of all, it talks about how two people who spent so long needling at one another can actually be two sides of the same coin and complement each other if they just got out of their own way.

Sarah does tension and banter like no one else - she’s built this world in Rome, KY that’s fun and light with all its small-town-isms, but has let it rest on top of a feeling on familiarity and comfort - all of us have something we can relate to in that small town, even if we don’t come from one. I absolutely adores Emily as the Walker sibling that’s starting to feel a bit left behind (but is too afraid to say it out loud). She’s everything to everyone, the forever people pleaser, except when it comes to Jack - where she’s always been ok to show him more of her unpolished side. And Jack, oh this down bad (before he even knows it) man. Trying to break free of his toxic family dynamics, in constant awe of Emily’s tenacity and mouth. Their frenemies chemistry was delightful, and then when they give in to their feelings? Explosive. (also, that blocking scene!? WHAT!?)

This was a ray of light and sunshine, a sense of hope and love, and a love letter to romance in the best way. I would follow you into the dark, Sarah, but I am so happy we get to live for one more book in Rome.

Y'all this was perfect. Absolutely perfect, no notes. This is one of my favorite series and I was so excited to jump back into this little world. You can truly see Sarah's growth in her writing, especially with this Emily and Jacks story.

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

You have rivals to lovers, forced proximity (they're neighbors), they're both writers and the tension between them is sooooo good! Emily is very much 'I Can Do It With a Broken Heart' by Taylor Swift and I just wanted to hug her so badly when she would spiral alone in her head. There's something about two rival characters who "hate" each other but when one is vulnerable for just a second, the other is there to comfort them without hesitation. I! Eat! It! Up! I honestly can't believe Jack is a fictional character, like I need him biblically!! There are quite a few hot moments that I don't want to go into too much detail, but be prepared y'all!

This series is like a warm hug and I love everyone in the small town and the found family aspect. Just everything about this is cozy and funny and the best thing I've read in awhile. The bond between the Walker siblings are everything to me and I'm so excited for Madisons book!!

Thank you Dell Romance/Random House and NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review!