Thank you so much Netgalley and Dell Romance for allowing me to read this story in exchange of my honest opinion!
Beg, Borrow, or Steal is the third installment in the famous series When in Rome by Sarah Adams. It"ll be out very soon now in January 7 2025.
Emily Walker’s orderly life is upended when her longtime rival, Jack Bennett, returns to town after calling off his engagement. Now neighbors and colleagues, their mutual annoyance reaches new heights as Jack thwarts Emily’s petty schemes to drive him away. When Emily accidentally risks exposing her secret career as a romance author, Jack surprisingly offers to help her fix the situation. As their reluctant partnership unfolds, their fiery animosity turns into an unexpected connection that might rewrite their story entirely.
This was funny and cute and everything you expect from a book by Sarah Adams, I'm sure the fans of the previous books will be delighted by Emily and Jack's love story!

First off… thank you to Sarah and her team and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC. This was one of my most anticipated releases for 2025 and I am tickled pink that I got to live this story before its release.

This might be my favorite Sarah Adams book of all time. You can tell how much she has grown as a writer and the stories just keep getting more deep and thorough and wonderful. Jack and Emily are to die for. I love how flawed they both are, but they go through such growth from their first meeting through the end of this novel. I was seriously mad when I had to go to work because I did not want to put this book down to sleep, work, eat, or function at all. I absolutely adore the Walkers and Rome, Kentucky and I am low key sad there will be only one more book in this town. I’m also thrilled we still got to get more of the future from Will and Annie and Noah and Amelia. I never want to leave these characters and their lives behind. What a magical world she has built…

Oh and Sarah… you had me ✨blushing

🥺🥺🥺 I DID NOT expect Emily AND JACK to make me so emotional as characters! 5 STARS OF PERFECTION.

Thank you so much to Dell Romance for an ARC of this amazing book. These are my honest thoughts....

I'm not sure how she does it, but ever new book of Sarah Adams' becomes my new favorite. And this book is ABSOLUTELY NO EXCEPTION.

I fully expected Annie and Will to be my forever favorite couple from Rome, KY, but from the first moment I started this book (literally from the dedication), I was HOOKED on this story! We meet Jackson when Emily introduces him as "if Mr. Rogers had tattoos and was secretly a devil," and I was SOLD. These two frenemies have quite the history... from an meet-disaster (that should've been a meetcute) in college on their way to their very first class all the way to present day where they were teachers at the same school, Emily and Jack are constantly dishing out jabs.

"Jack... why are you wearing glasses?"
"So I can see your jealous scowl more clearly."

UGH. MY HEART. SEE??? SEE?!!!! It's a beautiful frenemieship between two people with baggage too heavy for either one of them to carry on their own.

So, they went to the same college and now teach the same grade at the same elementary school, and GET THIS? THEY'RE BOTH AUTHORS. One is a well established best seller and one is a debut novelist in the making... and THEN THEY'RE NEIGHBORS. It's just the best story for little forced proximity situations. They're rivals, but they're really not. Their bickering is really just tension building and building until...

I will not spoil anything about this story, because the magic is in the mystery of discovering where this story goes. There's so many tender moments of vulnerability, sadness, grief, mourning, and also many moments of joy, growth, celebration, and leaning into the hard to discover who we are underneath it all. And it's learning to let someone else in when you're scared because people you love either leave or die.

*THOUGHTS ON THE BOOK YOU SHOULD NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO BE SPOILED*

Things I absolutely loved about this book:
- Chapter 16
- The EMAILS
- The TEXT MESSAGES
- THE BICKERING
- *THE BANTER*
- he fell first, and he is DOWN BAD
- DUCKY
- They're both bossy... and it works ;)
- How well Jack reads Emily and anticipates her needs and the things she's not asking for but telling him
- the other Walker siblings and their SO making many cameos
- hints and easter eggs about book 4 in Rome, KY????????????? *squeeeeee*

This one is out in early January and gets literally the most perfect 5 star rating of all time.

When I started this book I was ready for a cute romance, I wasn’t quite ready for the depth of some of the moments in this book, but wow did they add to my experience with it. If you are an oldest daughter who took on some parenting roles for your sibling(s) &/or you’re the child of a narcissist, be prepared for some feels because there were definitely some moments that hit the mark.
Emily is a perfectionist, she fell into the role of parent to her siblings, she’s resigned to spending her life single, she cares about her family more than anything else, oh & she HATES Jack Bennett!
Jack Bennett is charming, sexy, intelligent, & goes out of his way to get under Emily’s skin. Emily & Jack have been one upping & sabotaging each since freshmen year of college to the point that they’ve reached enemy levels of spite & hatred, yet there’s also a connection they can’t deny. Jack & Emily reach a tentative friendship, which gets stronger when Emily gets drunk & makes a big mistake, then must enlist Jack’s help to undo it before disaster strikes. The dynamic between Emily & Jack provides some intense tension right from the start! There were points in this book that had me giddy & literally kicking my feet.
The town is full of fun side characters, I didn’t realize this was a standalone untwined with the When in Rome series, but I look forward to picking up the previous books after reading this one! Basing my rating on this being a small town, cute, romance, I have no notes, it was perfect! I couldn’t even choose favorite quotes among the mass that I highlighted.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is officially my favorite in the When In Rome series. Emily just completely resonated with me. She is the backbone of her family and therefore she cannot show the vulnerability that she encourages her siblings to share. She is left behind as she encourages her family to go out and grow and explore. Jack and Emily are school teachers who secretly write great books also really hits home with me as a school teacher who loves to read great books! They are delightful as rivals to lovers and their chemistry is off the charts. I also love how the entire town of Rome stood by Emily because that’s what community and love is all about! I can’t wait for the next book, but I don’t want this series to end at all.

Thank you #netgalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I feel like Sarah Adams’ books keep highlighting things she needs to work through with her therapist. I loved the first chapter but then we go down her usual road of the FMC is perfect and quirky and cutesy and the MMC is perfect and quirky and cutesy (his retro clothing and the weird kid tattoos and the necklaces he wears). All her characters feel largely the same from book to book. Easy reads, same lather, rinse, repeat. For having a trad deal, I expect her to push herself as a writer more than she has.

This series just gets better and better with each book!! I loved getting the next Walker sister's story in emotionally closed off/takes care of everyone/romance novel enthusiast Emily!!

Emily Walker and Jackson Bennett have hated each other for a decade. There's nothing more fun than having a nemesis, and these two take it to the extremes- which makes the adorable small town of Rome, Kentucky not know what to do or whose side to take! Emily's fiercely protective of her loved ones, her town, her cat, and basically everyone she meets. Jack's a smooth charmer, a truly good guy who had to adapt to reading emotions with a manipulative parent. Emily is all confrontation all the time, and Jack won't confront anyone- except for Emily!! When circumstances bring him back to town (those circumstances including his inability to forget his nemesis), and circumstances make these two next door neighbors, they get more than they bargained for on the emotional level!

I absolutely adored this story and these two perfectly imperfectly matched people. I laughed out loud at their arguments and pranks, kicked my feet when they were talking about Emily's book, and felt all the feelings when our two main characters were going through it emotionally and grappling with their pasts and hopes for the futures. This was spectacular, and I loved how much we also got of the other Walker siblings living their happy ever afters!!

Thank you so much to Sarah Adams and NetGalley for a chance to read this in exchange for an honest review!

I have really enjoyed all the Rome books in the series but this one may have snuck into my favorite of all three. I am loving the plot and the characters. Set in the charming town of Rome, Kentucky (i got fooled with book 1 thinking Rome, Italy LOL), the story follows second grade teachers Emily Walker and Jack Bennett, who have been feuding as enemies for years. When Jack returns to town after calling off his wedding, their rivalry reignites, but a surprising turn of events forces them to team up in an unexpected mission. This book is filled with tension and undeniable sparks in this steamy and small town romance!

As the oldest child of six siblings and with a dad’s that’s passed away, I really connected with Emily’s character. She takes on the weight of the world and holds herself to a high standard. The way she felt safe with Jack to be vulnerable and express her emotions was really powerful. Another beautiful addition to the Rome series. I’m really excited for Madison’s story line!

Emily and Jack's story was a sweet, silly time. The very strong disdain that they have for each other proves to be a great vessel for plot progression, but it felt immature and depthless. Their romantic connection, once it starts building, also lacked nuance and depth. If you're looking for a fun and unserious read this is great for that, but the book missed the mark as something that inspired strong emotional responses or the audience's connection to the characters.

I've loved some of Sarah Adams' past work, but I have learned that her books are very hit or miss for me personally, which is totally okay! This one felt like a miss for me, but I know that this book will find its audience and be loved by a different type of reader.

I’m so sad to report that I did not enjoy this book at all. :( being inside Emily’s head had me constantly cringing and I had to put it down.

“You think you’re unlovable, but I think I’ve never known how to love until knowing you.”

“As all good and unbearable perfectionists know, if you want something done right, you mostly have to do it yourself.”

* Oh, good old Rome, Kentucky
* I can already tell that Emily is me and I am Emily
* Not the emails while they’re sitting at the same table 😅
* He’s just so likable hahaha
* Oh nooo
* Not him and the cat just so cozy at her house 😭🫶
* These siblings are just the best and I love them
* Jack is so swoony I can’t handle it
* Nooo Emily, don’t listen to her!
* We love an adult conversation about needing to process emotions 👏
* THAT JERK
* Awwww. I love them all so much

Content: moderate swearing (including some f-words), skip the spice: chapter 16, chapter 19 (a pretty heated make out), chapter 25, chapter 32, chapter 36 first few paragraphs

Here are a few more quotes that will probably convince you to read it more than any review I could write:

“I want to make up for every day of every year I spent fighting with her instead of loving her.”

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

“Life can be a little shit sometimes. But shit also makes great fertilizer.”

“Emily . . . when I told you I care for you, I mean it. It’s not that I care for some aspects of you, not that I care for you when you’re in a good mood . . . I care for you always. I want you, always. The good, the bad, and the in-between. I. Want. You. Sharp edges, hot tempered, fiercely protective, gooey heart . . . all of it. All of you.”

I just.. wow. I relate to Emily and her struggles with perfectionism and feeling like she’s too much for people, too hard to love. Those fears and feelings just went straight into my soul.

I was so happy for Emily, seeing her grow and stretch, and start to be okay with change. Watching her let herself love and care for someone outside of her family. So good.

And Jack? I LOVE him. He’s such a sweetie and so good for Emily. They’re good for each other. I loved getting to see him work through his issues with his family and learn how to love Emily.

And I just love all the Walker siblings and getting to see them together was so good. 🫶 I can’t wait for Maddie’s story!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the early copy. A positive review wasn’t required and all opinions are my own.

Loved the slow burn and banter between the main characters! Despite Emily going out of her way to run Jack out of town, he shows up for her when she needs him. Sarah does a great job pulling in characters from previous books. Definitely add this to your TBR list!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams gave me butterflies! I couldn’t wait do dive back into the When in Rome series.

Second grade teachers Emily and Jack are long time nemesis when Jack moves back to Rome, KY and buys the fixer upper next to Emily.

The characters are so lovable you couldn’t help but cheer them on and the tension between Emily and Jack was oozing off the page. The dialogue in Beg, Borrow, or Steal had me laughing and smiling so big my cheeks hurt. I also really enjoy the side characters and town of Rome, which is almost a character in itself!

I’ll read anything Sarah Adams writes— every book just keeps getting better. Looking forward to the final trip to Rome next year!

Highly recommend picking up Beg, Borrow, or Steal— but don’t miss the first two books in the series first!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Ballantine- Dell for an advanced copy of this book!

Sarah Adams did it again: Beg, Borrow, or Steal is an amazing addition to the series. Rome and its residents are a soft place to land and this installment was no different. Emily is the epitome of eldest daughter, ultimate protector and defender. Her sheer love for her siblings was soooo palpable. This book came to me at the right time when I was in dire need of a comfort read.

Emily Walker hates having her carefully crafted world disrupted by anyone, most of all her legendary nemesis, Jack Bennett. He's the opposite of the wonderful heroes she dreams up in her double life as a romance writer, which is why Emily was perfectly happy when Jack left Rome, Kentucky, mid-school year, with his fiancée. The last thing Emily saw coming was Jack’s return at the start of the summer after calling off the wedding and ending his relationship, but he’s here to stay—as her colleague and her neighbor.

Jackson Bennett is glad to be back, eager to renovate his house and work on the next mystery novel under his bestselling pen name. But when he realizes he’s now neighbors with the one woman who has always pushed his buttons, he discovers something he’s even more excited for—thwarting Emily and her petty plans to sabotage his return.

Emily’s tightly wound personality contrasts perfectly with Jack’s easygoing charm, creating a dynamic filled with playful pranks, sharp banter, and romantic tension. Their battle of wits takes a turn when an accidental email threatens to reveal Emily’s secret, forcing her to team up with Jack in a hilariously unexpected alliance. As they work together, their animosity evolves into a slow-burn romance. The chemistry between them is undeniable, and they balance their witty exchanges with moments of genuine vulnerability. The small-town setting and lively side characters add extra charm, making the story even more engaging.

Emily and Jack are both such incredibly relatable characters (for those of us with jilted love lives and messy families), but I love how this doesn’t stop them from openly and maturely communicating with each other through it all. Especially Emily deserves all the love, attention, and dedication, and Jack really shows up to make sure she gets it alllll *winky face*. This is such a cute yet emotionally deep read that I really enjoyed and blew through within a day. It really does feel just like a big hug you could drown in.

I absolutely adored this book. The characters. The setting. The banter. The growth. THE ENDING!! All of it was done so perfectly. I loved how Emily and Jack treated each other with grace and kindness while also being honest and having a fun time. It’s definitely one of my favorite romances I’ve read recently and I cannot wait to get my hands on the physical copy on January 7th!!

3.8 Stars
One Liner: This was fun!

Emily Walker doesn’t like disruptions or changes. She also doesn’t like her nemesis, Jackson Bennett, her fellow second-grade teacher in the local school.
When Jack left Rome, Kentucky, to live with his fiancée, Emily was delighted. Her loving hometown was free of him at last. She could focus on completing her secret romance novel.
Jack returns to Rome after breaking off his engagement. He is happy to be back in the small town that charmed him even if Emily doesn’t want him around. He has his own secrets to keep and would do what he could to make Rome his home.
When Emily mistakenly sends her manuscript to their school principal instead of a literary agent, she needs Jack’s help to steal back her manuscript. Their interactions soon show that they may not have hated each other for so long!
The story comes in the first-person POVs of Emily and Jack.

My Thoughts:
This is my first book by the author. It is the third in the series and works as a standalone. One day, I’ll read the previous two.
The book starts with a short note about triggers and the chapter numbers for those who want to skip spicy scenes. A clear idea indeed!
We get the story from both POVs, though Emily’s is more than Jack’s. That’s fine since they cover the base pretty well. The first-person voices are distinct enough to not create confusion about who narrates the chapter (there are clear headers too).
The little email and SMS interactions placed between the chapters not only add to the fun but also give more insight into the characters and their past. I enjoyed reading these.
It took a while to warm to Emily but I liked her as I got to know her. Jack was easier to like (everyone in the book likes him too!). Emily’s family and her relationship with them were heartwarming and bittersweet. There’s some joint trauma there but much love too.
The book deals with some heavy themes like parental loss, parentification of a child, toxic family, narcissistic parent, etc. These influence the main characters in many ways. There are some intense moments but the book stays true to the genre and keeps things from becoming too overwhelming. I prefer it this way.
Writing is another part of the plotline. Some good insights are provided. I related to some of the emotions the characters feel when they write.
One aspect I wanted more was the teaching part. They talk a lot about teaching, students, school, etc. but we don’t get to see them in the classroom or with their students. Yeah, it’s set during the holidays. Still, I needed at least one scene. After all, they take their professions seriously!
The second half is slower than the first half, probably coz it packs more stuff. There’s a teeny epilogue but I admit I wanted more. Also, one important element has not been detailed, and I needed to see it after having to deal with such an annoying character. It should have been included in the epilogue.
To summarize, Beg, Borrow, or Steal is an entertaining enemies-to-lovers story with good banter and interesting supporting characters.
The next book will belong to Madison (the only unmarried Walker sibling). I hope she impresses me coz I’m already rooting for the guy (Team James). Excited to read it!
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine (Dell), for eARC. This review is voluntary and contains my honest opinion about the book.

I liked this book. Was it the best in the series? No. I lived the love story between Emily and Jack. Something just felt like it was missing. Both characters suffered with two types of grief. I appreciate covering the topics, but Jack was just too perfect in how he went solving his and her problems. This was a very entertaining read and I can’t wait to see what else Sarah Adams has in store.

This was by far the best book in the When in Rome series. I loved the entire relationship between Emily and Jack and how it evolved over time. It started with the banter between the two during their “rivalry phase” and slowly morphed into one of the greatest loves of all time. An excellent addition to this novel was their ability to each overcome their different childhood traumas and develop into such amazing humans. I loved the emotional intelligence that was depicted throughout the novel in each of these characters. I also felt like the pacing of this book was spot on — their relationship didn’t feel too slow nor did it feel rushed — it seemed to develop very naturally. I thought the snippets of the texts & emails sprinkled between chapters was an amazing touch.

A big thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine for providing an advanced copy of this book in exchange for my honest review.

This was my first Sarah Adams book, I know I’m reading them out of order 🙈, and I was happily surprised. I was worried it was going to be too cheesy for my taste but NO, I was wrong. The cheese was just perfect!

You get to know these characters slowly, and their hate-to-love development was just *chefs kiss*. Jack was giving Miles Novak in a way 🥰 while Emily reminded me of Nora Stephens. Sarah Adams brought in family trauma and dynamics to add to the character development and you feel like you KNOW Emily and Jack. Their “hateful” bickering was the sweetest way of flirting. (their unsent emails got me🥺)

All in all, this reminded me of Emily Henry and I say that in the best way, not in a competitive way that one is better than the other, but in the way that it provoked the same feelings as an EmHen book. I related to the characters, the story development was excellent, and you are close to tears while it’s a comfort read at the same time. I am them, they are me!! I want to move to Rome! I want to go to Hank’s on Fridays! Sarah Adams said she took inspiration from Stars Hollow and you feel that small-town charm in this book.

I can’t wait to read the two previous books (When In Rome and Practice Makes Perfect) in this series now. And I hope 🤞🏼and wish that the next book is about Maddie and a certain farmer boy 👀

Forever grateful to Dell, Random House Publishing, and NetGalley for this eARC in exchange for a review! Thank you so much!