Sarah Adams ability to make you laugh out loud and swoon during every page is unmatched. We always look forward to Sarah’s novels and Beg, Borrow, or Steal did not disappoint. It’ll be the book we think about at least once a day!

This is my Gaborone Sarah Adams book so far, for sure. While I’ve found her books a little TOO sweet and the characters a tinge unbelievable, Jack and Emily had enough flaws to make them realistic. I loved their backstory and banter. Was it all a little too predictable? Yes. Did they end up super cheesy in the end? Also yes. Entertaining, though, and I’m sure Ms. Adams’ fans will gobble this one up.

“I’m the oldest daughter, I’m not scared of anything.”
5/5 ⭐️
Every type A, oldest daughter, teacher needs to read this book. When Emily Walker realizes her life long enemy Jack Bennett is back in town, she does everything in her power to get him to leave. Nothing like small town to make a person feel welcome. Or in his case, not welcome. But when their hate turns to like, the chemistry between these two is fire 🔥 The shenanigans to see two get into had me cracking up.

I have never related to a book more. From the feelings and guilt of parental loss, to the loss of identity when summer hits as a teacher to the pressure of being an oldest daughter and feeling like you have to old everything together. Sarah Adams does an amazing job creating such a realistic character and her journey in finding herself in relation to her family, her career, her passion and love life. Emily felt like a work bestie and sister. I found myself rooting for her along the way.

While this can be read as a standalone, Rome, Kentucky is such a charming town and I never want to leave. Having not read any of this series before, I’m excited to jump back to the other Walker siblings to see their characters bloom. It would have been helpful to have read them first as it gives some spoilers of the end game for Noah and Annie but understanding of this book was not hindered by that.

Thank you Random House Publishing for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

4.5 stars

Thank you to PRH Audio for the complimentary audiobook.
Thank you to Dell Romance for the advanced readers copy. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Book three in the When in Rome series. I haven't read the first two books yet, and I don't like to read books out of order, but such is life. I had no trouble reading this book out of order, though. If anything, it makes me want to go back and read the first two books ASAP.

This book is about Emily and Jack. two co-worker teachers who have loved to needle each other since college. Jack moved away with his fiancée a few months ago and never said goodbye to her. For some reason, that bothers her more than she would like.

Emily doesn't know how to react when Jack moves back to town without his fiancée-- AND, in the house right next to her. When she accidentally emails her manuscript, Jack helps her to get it back, and in the process they become closer.

I mainly listened to the audiobook, and it narrated in dual POV by Brittany Pressley and Nelson Hobbs. They are both so good, but especially Brittany. Her narration had me laughing more than once. I definitely recommend the audiobook.

”you are not alone, emily. i would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time.”₊ ⊹

my thoughts ┊this was so cute!

the first two books in this series have been sweet, but ultimately nothing too special for me. this book, however, is definitely the best in the series!

i really related to emily, as a fellow oldest daughter who is struggling with no longer having people needing to lean on her, so her journey and development was really fulfilling! and jack, ugh. i loved his character so much; the banter between the two of them and the reluctant friendship they build up initially was just soo good.

definitely enjoyed and highly recommend!

This is one of those books that just grips you from the first page, I knew from the get go I was going to love it. I was so happy to go back to Rome and visit old friends and meet some new ones. It's funny, it's sad, it's emotional, it's adversaries to lovers so the banter is bantering. Absolutely loved it and I cannot wait for the next one :)

emily & jack are so cute! the way they were subconsciously pretending they hated each other when really they cared.. had me 🤭 this book feels like a warm hug, sarah's writing has a way of doing that 🫂 as always, this was adorable but had some emotional depth which made the characters and their relationship seem more real. rivals to friends to lovers / neighbors .. i loved it. there's something special about the small town of rome, kentucky.. i love each of the couples & the side characters and i was so happy to be back in this world.

"i would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time." 🥺

thank you so much random house & netgalley for the arc in exchange for my honest opinion!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal was my FIRST Sarah Adams book and I was NOT disappointed. I have heard the hype about When in Rome and Practice Makes Perfect, so I was very excited to read this one even though I hadn't stepped foot into this territory.

Emily and Jackson (Jack)'s banter is unmatched. I was able to lose myself in their world and feel their feelings surrounding one another. While both characters share they are one another's "nemesis," it was also very apparent that they were passionate about each other. They loved seeing each other fired up, riding on the high of feeling open and vulnerable to one another even when it was just fighting about mundane things. As readers, we watch their, sometimes unwanted, love for each other grow and it was refreshing to see two people grow closer without a damaging, third act conflict.

As individual characters, Emily and Jack had such depth to them that I feel like I personally know them and/or see parts of myself in them. Sarah Adams discusses sensitive topics such as grief, anxiety, and dealing with difficult parents, and does it in a way that makes the readers believe that IT"S OKAY to struggle sometimes. Jack and Emily are empathetic, kind-hearted, passionate, and loving characters and it was written beautifully. I haven't even mentioned Emily's family and the city of Rome and they played a HUGE part in creating the cozy, tender setting of the book.

All in all, I loved this book. I can't wait to rave about it once it has been published on Instagram, Goodreads, and Snapchat. Five stars, no questions asked, will be recommended to everyone who wants to indulge themselves in an easy read.

Emily and Jack ❤️

Who doesn’t love a good small town romance?
(I mean… I’m sure someone doesn’t but well they’re wrong)

I wasn’t sure what to expect going into this as I haven’t read the first two books in the series but I did see a lot of people talking about this book. I figured I’d give it a try and then was sold when I saw small town romance.

As the child who isn’t actually the oldest but takes on the role of oldest child… I get it girl. I get it. And the mental health representation just added so much to the story.

Thank you so so much for approving me for this book. It's made me so happy to be able to read this book in advance because I absolutely love the Rome, Kentucky series by Sarah Adams.
I love a good rivals to lovers and this book did not disappoint (Sarah Adams never disappoints though). I loved the pacing of this book and just everything about it. this whole book was just wow. i loved it so so much.
i was so excited to read about emily’s story after sarah adams announced it and i was not disappointed in jackson bennett. i love them so much.
i loved being able to read about emily changing & how she was dealing with it especially when she was still dealing with recent events in her life. i saw myself in emily through the book & for that, it made me like her even more. being able to relate to a character is the best feeling, even if it is a bit sad.
and jack bennett, i need him in my life. the way he was with emily, being so caring, sweet and tender with her about everything was so nice. not only that, but the descriptions we got about his looks & how he dresses (especially the necklaces) reminded me of harry styles, minus the glasses. jack is one of the best book boyfriends.
i loved emily & jacks bickering & banter. i loved the emails / texts at the end of some of the chapters. i also loved that we got to see messages from when they were in college & just starting to teach. i love it really tied everything together. emily & jack had me giggling & kicking my feet.
one thing i love about this series is the sibling dynamic that sarah adams puts into these books. the sibling moments are one of my favorites. i loved that we got to see noah & amelia from the first book & them being happy. & i especially loved seeing annie & will (they’re my favorite) from the second book & them being EXTREMELY happy at the end. i can’t wait to read about madison’s story in the forth & final book in the rome, kentucky series.
every book by sarah adams feels like being wrapped in a warm blanket on a snowy winter day while drinking a cup of tea. her books give me that sort of comfort that i love so much. i just love her books so much (as you can see by this long review tehehe)
thank you again for this arc & i can’t wait for this book to be released in january. it was amazing <3

This was one heck of a way to return to Rome, Kentucky. This may just be my new favorite book of the series. The banter and humor in this book was nothing short of perfection. Sarah Adams knows how to write amazing characters.

Emily and Jack are perfect together. Their chemistry was written so well. I cannot get over their story.

Jackson, oh Jackson. This glasses wearing, swoony man. I refuse to believe that he is fictional. Everything about him just had me in a puddle.


Thank you so much to Dell Romance for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

My favorite of the Walker siblings! Emily was so relatable as a fellow eldest daughter. I love her, and I want to be her when I grow up.

I absolutely adored Beg, Borrow, or Steal! As the third book in Sarah Adams' Rome series, it was such a delightful read. As the "first born daughter," Emily's personality and sense of responsibility were so relatable, and I connected with her right away.

One of my favorite aspects of this series is the continuation of the entire family’s stories. Sarah Adams has a gift for making readers feel like they’re part of the family, and every time the sisters are together, it’s like joining one of their girls' nights. It made me want to plan an Audrey Hepburn/reading weekend with my friends right away! I also love the ongoing shenanigans in the town, and Jack’s introduction to everyone was seamless—staying true to each character’s personality.

Jack brought such a fun dynamic to the story, and through his POV, I could immediately see why he and Emily were such a perfect match.

Thank you to netgalley for providing the review copy in exchange for an honest review.

I swear every book in this series just keeps getting better and better. Emily's struggles with mental health and feeling like you'll never be loved or enough is too close to home. I love the way she grew into herself and did what makes her happy finally after being the biggest supporter for everyone else. Jack is nothing less either, his difficulties growing up with a narcissistic/alcoholic parent and having to deal with not wanting to rock the boat is the truest thing ever with having to deal with those kinds of parents.
And eventually having to cut them out of your life.
Then to them together, they see each other so clearly, I can only hope to find someone who knows me the way they know each other.
This book did wonderful and awful things to my heart and I loved every second of it. 🩷

I was born bitter, with a cold heart so once in a while I need to read a snappy rom com to make me feel things. Also it has been a while since I read a rom com that didnt make me roll my eyes and cringe. I really liked Beg, Borrow or Steal, it was a enjoyable enough read. I liked that the main characters Emily and Jack had good communication skills like normal adults. I normally do not go for enemies to lovers anymore, but sometimes the story works out. Like this one. I liked Sarah Adams too, it was consistent and not cringe at all.

I was so excited to get to head back to Rome, Kentucky! Approved for the ARC and can’t wait to post my review when we get to publication day. Emily is one of my favorite characters and she did not disappoint.❤️

Rome, Kentucky is my happy place. The weather is great, the people are friendly, and love is always in the air. After experiencing the magic between Amelia and Noah and Annie and Will, I couldn’t wait to see what Sarah Adams had in store for Emily and Jack.

Emily is the oldest Walker sister and self-appointed pillar of the family. She’s beloved by all of Rome, even if she can sometimes be hyper-focused and a bit inflexible. When Jack, her arch nemesis and fellow second grade teacher, returns to Rome after a broken engagement, sparks fly between them. And that’s just the beginning.

Sarah Adams displays incredible talent in developing characters who feel real. Both Emily and Jack have been hurt by people closest to them and, as a result, erected walls to isolate themselves as protection against further heartbreak. Emily and Jack have a history going back to their college days. They trade barbs and insults, and are ridiculously competitive with each other. All of which belies their growing attraction. The slow build of their relationship is exquisite. Ms. Adams combines tenderness and vulnerability with strength and character growth and I am here for all of it.

Each trip to Rome finds me falling more in love with the characters in this series. BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL is everything I hoped it would be and more. No notes.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for the advance copy in exchange for my unbiased review

4.5 stars.

This was beyond cute! Possibly my favorite in the series so far. Emily and Jack are teachers who have been rivals since college. He moves back to town during summer break after a broken engagement, only to end up buying the dilapidated home next door. He’s charismatic and everyone loves him. She’s more prickly and reserved.

This book was so funny and full of hijinks. When Emily needed to steal the principal’s laptop to delete a mistaken email? Hilarious. Also, she’s got a cat. <3

It’s dual POV and first person.

The author included a trigger warning section, along with what chapters to skip if you prefer closed-door. I think that’s an awesome note for readers.

Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for my advanced digital copy!

4.5!
I just love this small town of Rome, Kentucky SO much 😭

I have fallen in love with this series & I’m incredibly sad that there’s only one more book left 😢 I loved this one! Sarah Adams’ metaphors are *chef’s kiss* & her writing has evolved so much!

As the older sister of 4 & someone with a history of anxiety & depression, I really related to Emily’s & I loved how beautifully mental health was addressed. The romance was romancing & the banter was so fun! My favorite aspect of the whole series has been the found family & this book definitely delivered on that 🥹

I recommend this book (+all of Sarah Adams novels) a million times over!

Oh Rome, Kentucky! How I’ve missed you!! This was an absolutely incredible read. I was SO loud reading this, I kept gasping, laughing, and crying along with our characters. There are points in this book that will have you yelling “YES!! THANK YOU!!! THANK YOU SARAH ADAMS!!” at your ceiling because it is that enjoyable. It’s hard not to when the story is this fun and feels so grounded. Also, as an eldest daughter there’s some parts of this that hit so close to home. I loved, loved, loved every second of it!! Sarah Adams did an incredible job. I went on a huge binge with her books earlier this year, so it’s only right to close it out with a (very special to me!!) ARC provided by NetGalley. Thank you so much!!!