Beg, Borrow, Steal by Sarah Adams is a laugh-out-loud, enemies-to-lovers romance set in the heartwarming small town of Rome, KY. While it shares the cozy charm of Practice Makes Perfect, this standalone story shines on its own.

When the grumpy new neighbor moves in next door, sparks (and plenty of insults) fly. Their chemistry is electric, their banter sharp, and as walls come down, the tension slowly gives way to something deeper and irresistible.

Adams delivers everything you want in a romance—humor, heart, and characters you can’t help but fall in love with. Thank you, NetGalley, for this ARC—Sarah Adams continues to deliver!

I loved this one, just not as much as the others in this series. I always have kinda a hard time with enemies to lovers because in some cases, like the one, I felt like there wasn’t enough yearning like there was just a switch slip and they wanted each other. I am here for the yearning. Other than that I loved Emily, very eldest daughter coded.

A huge thank you to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the third book from the Rome, Kentucky series, however I would consider it a stand alone novel as you can read this without having read the first two. This book follows the heartwarming story of two elementary teachers, Emily and Jack, as they realize their true feelings for each other after 10+ years of being sworn enemies. As luck would have it, Jack returns to Rome, single after ending an engagement, and buys a home right next door to his enemy, Emily. Their hilarious meetings about town and neighborly quarrels suck you into the book and have you on the edge of your seat waiting for them to realize how perfect they are for each other. If you are a fan of Lucy Score, Megan Quinn and Christina Lauren, you have to check out Sarah Adams!

First I'd like to thank the author, publisher (Dell) and NetGalley for an advanced copy in exchange for my unbiased review. I love Sarah Adams, and I have loved every book she's written. This one was no exception! I had so much fun returning to Rome, Kentucky this time to explore Emily's story with her nemesis Jack. I'm so happy that Sarah has started exploring open door romance, and feel like she handles it very tastefully. This book was fun, despite me getting a bit annoyed with Emily a few times, and anyone who is a fan of Sarah or the Rome KY books will absolutely love this! 4/5 stars!

Leave it to me to discover a 'new to me' author on the third book of a series. Despite starting on the penultimate book of the series (aka there's only one more book coming for the series), you won't find yourself lost if you choose to start with this one. It tells the story of Emily Walker, school teacher by day and romance novelist by night. Her nemesis, Jack Bennett left four months before the end of the school term to move to Nebraska with his fiancee... only to return at the beginning of the summer much to Emily's disappointment. While determined to keep him from moving into the house next door (and taking residence at her favorite table at the local coffee shop), Emily soon finds that maybe they aren't enemies after all.

I absolutely loved the Gilmore Girls meets Hart of Dixie feel that this book had. There were heartwarming moments and laugh out loud moments especially in the early part of Jack's return to Rome, (Kentucky) that made me enjoy the book even more with the turn of each page. I definitely plan on going back and reading the first two books of the series.

I just started reading Sarah Adams books. She’s such an incredible writer and this book did not disappoint. I love that the story was about writers and how they fell in love.

Thank you @dellromance, @authorsarahadams, and @netgalley for the ARC of Beg, Borrow, or Steal! I audibly cheered when I got the email letting me know I was approved to read this one. 😝 I’ve been anticipating the third book in the Rome, KY series and been so excited to read Emily and Jack’s story. 💘

Sarah Adams has come to be one of my favorite romance authors. 💕 I first read When In Rome in July 2023 and once I read that I continued on to read Practice Makes Perfect (second book in the Rome, KY), The Cheat Sheet, and Sarah’s other backlist titles. Totally binged and loved them all. This one could totally be a stand alone, but definitely read the first two for the best reading experience. 📚

Now, to Emily and Jack. 🥰🥰🥰 Emily Walker (Noah from When in Rome and Annie from Practice Makes Perfect’s sister) is beautiful, bold, the typical Type A big sister in her family, a teacher at the local elementary, and a secret aspiring romance novelist. She’s had a rivalry with Jackson (Jack) Bennett since college and he continues to get under her skin. Jack is the son of a famous mystery author and went on to become an elementary school teacher, at Emily’s school. He’s also a highly successful mystery writer under a pen name and nobody knows his secret. He moves away from town to get married to his fiancée, but then returns to Rome, KY when he calls off the wedding…and moves in right next door to Emily.

This was truly chef’s kiss and Emily and Jack are my new favorite couple in Rome, KY. Their chemistry and banter is truly A++. I absolutely loved the secret writers storyline and the fact that they were neighbors (forced proximity at its best). I don’t want to give too much away, but like most of Sarah’s novels, I loved the personal growth each of the main characters had made, with Bennett and the boundaries he had to make with his family and with Emily and her confidence in herself and letting others in. All the stars, I loved this one so much. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sarah Adams stan account here. I adored this book! I related deeply to Annie's story in Practice Makes Perfect but there is just something about an eldest daughter experience. The main characters were so cute, it was a dang delight to be back home in Rome, Kentucky, and I loved the inclusion of emails to help shed light on the history between the main characters. (Also did I mention I read this in one sitting on a 4 hour flight? Just perfection.)

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for the eARC of this book which releases in January 2025. Further reviews to come on @alexaisreading__ on Instagram.

Sarah Adams has become an auto-read/buy author for me, and her books have grown so much in the time I've been following her. I would say this is definitely her most mature writing to date, and I loved the balance of humor with big, hard life stuff. I also loved that she took a woman, who by those around her, could be deemed unlikeable -eye roll at the desperate need to make women likeable all the damn time- and make her worthy of time and effort, and in the end, a solid romance. The slow burn and chemistry was A+!

✨ "One book or twenty - it doesn't matter. You put words on paper & created a world that readers aren't going to realize they even needed until they read it & it fills something up in them." If there was ever a line from a book that describes how I feel about Sarah Adams creating Rome KY, it's this one. I didn't think anyone could top my love of Will Griffin, but Jack absolutely did. The story gave us not only an enjoyable FMC & MMC, but also let us have glimpses into the daily lives of our favorite citizens of Rome. Jack & Emily are independent characters who thrive as adversaries, while also bringing an intensity and chemistry as lovers that you won't expect. This one shows us their individual journeys and their journey as a couple, while also showing how they fit into the community of Rome. From the beginning scenes, I was hooked.

I blazed through this book, only stopping before the last three chapters. Why? I didn't want it to end. I didn't want to say "See you later" to the wonderful people of Rome, KY.

Thanks to #netgalley & #RandomHouse for the advanced digital copy. It made my year & I can't wait for the rest of the world to join me in Rome. 💜

In the best way possible, Sarah Adams is the best to read when you're tired and stressed, because her books are a comfort don't take a lot of focus. I like how we keep checking in with the Walker siblings, but it isn't a big deal that I don't remember everything from the previous two books.

Ever since her parents died, Emily is used to being the strong person on whom people relied. That includes tacking the rivalry she's had with a rival teacher since their college days. When Jackson moves away, Emily rejoiced figuring it was done. Until he moves into the house next door.

It did get a bit tiring to suspend my disbelief and think "Oh, of course that worked," but again, Sarah Adams.

Thanks, NetGalley!

This book was perfect. My favorite Sarah Adams book to date. The banter, the tension, the vulnerability…perfection. The characters had so much depth and balanced each other beautifully. One of my top reads of the year.

Sarah Adam’s has quickly become a must read author, so I was SO excited to receive an advanced copy of her newest book due out January 7, 2025!

This is the third book in the “When in Rome” series and this time we are treated to Emily’s love story! I love the small town vibes of Rome, Kentucky and the Walker siblings are always a lot of fun!

This rivals to lovers romance was the perfect balance of humor and heartfelt emotions. The chemistry between Emily and Jack oozed off the pages and had my heart fluttering. Jack was a truly swoon worthy male main character. I just loved everything about him! There’s a mild amount of spice in this book but nothing super open door about it!

I also really enjoyed getting more of Noah/Amelia and Annie/Will’s stories from the first two books. Can’t wait to hopefully read the rest of Maddie’s story when the final book in this series comes out!

Thank you SO MUCH to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine-Dell for the ARC of this book! ❤️

Thank you to Dell and NetGalley for the ARC! This was a dream come true ARC for me. :)

I ADORED this book. Every time I think I’ve found my favorite Sarah Adams book, the next one I read blows me away. Beg, Borrow, or Steal quickly became one of my favorite romances of all time.
Both Jack and Emily were crafted with such care and felt so real to me. I loved seeing Emily’s struggles as an oldest daughter, feeling like she needed to hold her siblings together. Seeing her learn to ask for support and open up to each of her siblings was one of my favorite things about this book.
I don’t often find fictional men that I just adore. Jack is a major exception. The way he treated Emily (even when they “hated” each other) was so thoughtful and endearing. I think I loved him more with every chapter.
The relationship development in Beg, Borrow, or Steal was phenomenal. Once Jack and Emily moved past their “hatred” of each other, they communicated so well that at times I was a little shocked. They both expressed when they needed to take time alone and easily admitted their wrongs and worked together to create a healthy relationship. I also loved seeing them both develop as writers.
This book had me giddy on multiple occasions but I have never read something that got me quite like chapter 16. 🙊

I love Sarah Adams’ books, I’ll read her new releases pretty much no matter what at this point. I loved this one so much. Both Emily and Jack were excellent characters, I adored both of them so so much and they were great as a couple as well. It was great to return to Rome as well. The enemies to lovers vibe but ohh oops we are actually just super similar people who might actually be super into each other underneath it all is always fun to read. Loved it, definitely would recommend.

I absolutely love anything Sarah Adams writes. And the story was so sweet and funny like I expected! I loved the meddling town and the family dynamic. Practice makes Perfect is my favorite but this comes close! Read it I know you’ll love it!

Thank you NetGalley and Dell for the e-ARC.

I absolutely adored Beg, Borrow, or Steal!

Give me 1,000 Jack Bennetts. I loved Emily and Jack's chemistry and banter. One of the best parts of the novel was watching Emily's growth as she realized that just because people needed her less didn't mean they didn't still want her around. As someone who constantly feels they need to fix things or please people, I struggle with this as well and felt so seen by her character.

Jack's ability to care for Emily and also reflect on his own shortcomings in their relationship was perfect. I'm not kidding when I say give me 1,000 Jacks.

Thank you to Ballantine and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

First things first, thank you Dell and NetGalley for the eARC. I was absolutely GIDDY when I saw I was approved 🎉

Beg, Borrow or Steal was a perfect continuation to the When in Rome family. You’ve got all the good stuff you already love from Rome - banter and sweet romance, meddling town’s members, the exploration of complex family dynamics/personal development - but with a new fresh twist, featuring older sister Emily & nemesis Jackson Bennett.

In the two previous books, Emily was never my favorite. She seemed to steam roll the other siblings and was very one dimensional, but BBS brought new insight to why she is the way she is. I really enjoyed the romance, but equally enjoyed seeing Emily discover herself in the midst of her life changing around her.

Definitely recommend to anyone in the mood for a cute small town romance with a happily ever after 😊

The third book in the When in Rome series by Sarah Adams was a lot of fun to read! It was a blast to go back to Rome, Kentucky with some of my favorite book characters. I loved the banter between Emily and Jack in the first half of the book and couldn't help but smile. Emily and Jack met in college, but it wasn't a good meeting and they have been enemies ever since. Jack returns to Rome after a failed engagement, moves in next door to Emily, and they slowly become friends and more. This was a feel good book that also had emotional depth, making the story more realistic.

Spiciness: 2/5 🌶️

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC!

Thank you to PRH Audio for the ALC of Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams. All opinions are my own.

It’s no secret that Sarah Adams is my favorite author, so getting the opportunity to read this book early was amazing!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is book three in the When in Rome series. It can be read as a standalone, but there are spoilers from books one and two.

This is definitely Sarah Adams’ spiciest book. She does give a warning at the beginning of the book about open door scenes, but I would say that there is dialogue throughout the book pertaining to intimate topics, so do be aware of that going into this book. Also, as far as content goes, this book does contain grief pertaining to the death of close family members. There is also an emotionally abusive relationship that takes place in a very small portion of the book.

I enjoyed this book a lot, but it definitely felt a bit different from Sarah’s other books in the content included. It did, however, still contain her humor and adorable romance moments that I’ve come to expect in her books.

Jack and Emily were such a fun couple to read about because they had great emotional depth, and they had such great banter. I loved watching them go back and forth in their conversations, and they also had a lot of scenes filled with tension.

I listened to the audiobook for this, and I loved both narrators so much! They felt like the perfect voices for these characters, and I thought they did a great job.

Overall, I would recommend this book, but just know that it’s a little different than this author’s other works.