While I haven't read the first two in the series, I fell hard for the town of Rome, Kentucky and its inhabitants. A fabulous rivals to lovers story that is meant for all the emotionally guarded women and oldest daughters in your life.

4.5 stars. From an overworked teacher in the education world who hates showing emotions and covers everything with banter this one hits home.

Second grade teacher Emily Walker is horrified to learn that her arch nemesis Jack Bennett has broken up with his fiancé and moved back to her hometown of Rome, Kentucky. Not only does Jack return to his teaching position at her elementary school, he also moves into the house next door.

Emily and Jack’s sparring is laugh-out-loud funny and Jack is everything a girl could want in a guy: handsome, charming, and secretly a best-selling author. Emily is beloved by everyone in her hometown, devoted to her siblings, and keenly observant, especially when it relates to uncovering Jack’s secrets.

With the exception of one hard-to-believe scene, this book was a delight. The characters were well-developed and I didn’t want the story to end.

Refreshingly unique and clever, this book belongs on every rom-com lover’s beg, borrow, or steal list.

Now I have to go back and read the other books in the When in Rome series!

Thank you Random House Publishing Group, NetGalley, and Sarah Adams for providing me with an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jack and Emily are 2nd grade teachers who have been each other’s nemeses since college. Jack moved away with his fiancée but moved back after calling off the wedding. Jack ends up buying the house next door to Emily’s and over time they slowly become friends.

Emily is a deeply caring person who struggles with depression and has a hard time letting others get close to her. She spends a lot of her time being there for her siblings, but Jack becomes the person Emily didn’t realize she needed. She’s used to supporting everyone and Jack is able to do that for Emily now.

I loved the flirty banter between Emily and Jack! I love how Jack is such a good listener and has a natural gift for reading people. I also liked how Jack felt comfortable being his true self around Emily.
One thing that didn’t sit right with me was Jack was moving away with his fiancée even though he knew something was off in their relationship. This is such a huge decision, getting married and moving away, it just felt out of character for someone as thoughtful and perceptive as Jack.

If you enjoy small-town settings or enemies to lovers this book is for you!

A special shout to Sarah Adams for including a note at the beginning of the book with what chapters to skip if you prefer closed-door romance. I thought that was thoughtful and helpful!

This might be the perfect rom-com novel.

I would read ten more books about Emily and Jack. That’s how much I love these characters. I love the first two books in this series but this one takes the cake.

Emily and Jack have been competitive nemeses since college. They became second grade teachers at the Rome, KY elementary school with some series Anne and Gilbert vibes. He relocated to Nebraska with his fiancé Zoe; who was unfaithful and canceled their nuptials. So now Jack is back in town and happened to buy the house next door. Emily hasn’t told anyone that she has been secretly writing a romance novel for years. She struggles with depression and is careful not to let anyone get too close.

This is the best banter I have read in years, it was so obvious that these rivals were in love for the reader, but also very believable that they didn’t realize it themselves. I laughed, I cried. One of my favorite things about Sarah Adams is that she lets the reader know up front which chapters to skip if you “prefer to keep the bedroom door closed,” it’s so accessible if the steamy scenes aren’t your thing.

Perhaps my favorite thing is how well Sarah Adams is able to describe what depression feels like, Emily was extremely relatable. There is something so healing about reading in a book EXACTLY how you feel, seeing on a page the words that you have never been able to find.

Thanks to @netgalley and @randomhouse for the ARC. Book to be published January 7, 2025; you bet I preordered this from Barnes and Noble.

Where is the 6th star?

#booksbooksbooks #booktok #bookstagram #arcreader #bookreview #bookrecommendations #BegBorrowOrSteal

Emily and Jack met in college where they immediately became rivals. Both characters have past trauma that contributes to understanding their personalities. The playful banter, attraction and tension builds until they realize they never really hated each other at all. They enjoy someone who can match their energy/intellect. Emily is extremely relatable and Jack is A+ boyfriend material. I love a text thread and/or email chain in books and Emily and Jack’s messages back and forth did not disappoint. This book had me giddy, giggling and swooning. Absolutely recommend!

My first Sarah Adams book and it will definitely not be my last.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine, and the author for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.

This story was about Emily and Jack who claimed to be each other's archnemesis since college. During mid-school year, Jack left Rome, Kentucky with his fiancée and moved to Nebraska. Emily never saw him returning, but he did, and he was there to stay for good—as her neighbor.

I have read the first two books of this series and absolutely loved it. It was so unexpected that I received the ARC of this, but I am ecstatic to have the privilege of providing an early review. I knew from the start that I would enjoy this book. Beg, Borrow or Steal by Sarah Adams was not just about finding love when you least expect it, it was also about the emotional and heartwarming journey about grief and learning to accept change.

"And I never realized until this moment how much I needed someone to do that for me. How good it feels to be on the receiving end of a person believing in you."

Emily. She's at a point in her life where everything changing, and it feels as if she's frozen in time while the world moves on without her. Her loneliness and self-doubt made her incredibly relatable, and I loved seeing her push through her doubts and fear. What stood out to me the most was her personality—her tenacity, strength and determination.

"Grow from your experience, don't let them smother the light out of you."

Jack. He became quickly one of my favorite book boyfriends for sure! He's kind, thoughful, and quite charming. Although beneath all that, he's someone who has carried so much pain. His relationship with his father is so heartbreaking to read. Some people aren't meant to be parents, and his dad is the perfect example of that. That's why I felt so proud of him when he finally decided to do something for his own well-being.

"It's a weird thing to let yourself grieve your parent who is still living, but I've done it—do it regularly, actually."

It explored how grief takes many forms—grieving those who are no longer with us and those who are still alive but have hurt us enough. Another theme of this book was the importance of taking risks, even when the fear is taking over. Both the main characters had their moments where they had to step out of their comfort zones. It showed that while it can be painful, it's still a chance to learn, and grow. It acts as a reminder that no matter how scary something may look like, the only way to move forward is to try.

Overall, this book was more than just about Emily and Jack's love story—it's about growth, the courage to face change, and to see the beauty in taking risks. They left me thinking about how every step forward that I take—no matter how hard—is worth it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House - Ballantine, and the author for the ARC in exchange of my honest review.

Wow, I thoroughly enjoyed Emily and Jack. The things each of them had to overcome in their lifetime was inspiring to see how well they turned out, even with such trauma. I loved Emily's siblings and their partners. I was especially in love with Emily's cat and her nemesis, Jack. Jack had his own past issues but was truly remarkable as an adult. I loved the way their story blossomed, and the universe kept putting them in one another's path. I laughed so many times due to Emily and her sisters quirky behavior. And Jack made me swoon! (Though I still hate his father)

I received this ARC from NetGalley and Random House - Ballantine to read/review. All of the statements above are my true opinions after fully reading this book.

This was utter perfection. The easiest five stars I've ever given.

I am just such a fan of the When In Rome series. This story and the people of the small town in Rome, Kentucky are just a warm hug wrapped in a book. Sarah continues to excel and I personally believe that this is her best book yet.

The dialogue! The tension! The coziness! The pining! It all delivered on such a strong level and the execution was absolute perfection.

I loved Jack and Emily. My favorite trope is rivals to lovers and I really loved their competitive dynamic throughout the book. Jack is literally SO HOT. So many insane things happen in this book (that I won't say now, because I don't want to spoil anything) and I loved every single second of it. Just physically prepare yourself for Chapter 16. The pining and tension is absolutely immaculate and Sarah had my jaw on the floor. I fear I will never forget that chapter.

Overall, it is truly the perfect read. Sarah's balance of tension, pining, and tender moments make this an unforgettable read.

Thank you PRH Audio, Dell Romance, Sarah Adams, and Netgalley for this eARC in exchange for my honest review.

Good gravy. My heart.

I’ll be honest, wasn’t massively excited about Emily. I didn’t love her character in another the other books very much. Just kinda gave me the eww/annoying vibe.
As I read and grew to understand her actions, I related so much to inner turmoil and understood a lot of her decision making. Turns out I give myself the annoying vibe too😂😂😂
I absolutely loved her by the ending and loved the emotional tenderness between her and Jack.

Jack is just A+ for me. How can anyone not love a little teasing banter that ends with enemies turned friends turned lovers?

This was my first introduction to the When in Rome series as well as to Sarah Adams’ work. To put it succinctly, I really loved this book! This year has been my year of Romance Comedy and Beg, Borrow, or Steal was a perfect addition to that. It became one of my favorites from the genre (and that is saying a lot). I loved how well balanced all of the components were. The characters are funny, witty, relatable, and real while also having great chemistry together. This was probably the most realistic enemies to lovers I have ever read. Adams didn’t chalk up their ten-year long beef to “he’s so sexy so i hate him :(“ it was well-thought out, multilayered, and well-executed at that. I also really loved the emotional health and self-awareness exhibited by both characters. All the characters had so much depth that even as I entered the series on the third book, even side characters felt so well-formed. I fell in love with Emily’s whole community. This book made me feel held and uplifted all at once. I can’t wait to read the others in this series! Madison & James up next ;)

✨ e-ARC Book Review ✨

🌷 Beg, Borrow or Steal - Sarah Adams 🌷
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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Swipe for GR synopsis ➡️

When I say I screamed when I was approved for this e-ARC I’m not exaggerating!

I adore Sarah Adams books and was so excited when she announced there would be a 3rd book in the When in Rome series. And oh I loved being back in Rome, Kentucky. This whole series is the epitome of small town and I loved being reunited for our favorite characters and seeing where they were in life!

Okay onto my review…

We are finally really introduced to Emily Walker and I immediately liked her. I resonated with her character in alot of ways in that she always seems to have a smile on her face even though she may not actually feel like smiling. She is the caretaker of the family and it shows with how fiercely she loves everyone around her. Now enter Jackson Bennett: college nemesis, turned co-worker and now neighbor. From the moment these two interact you can just feel the tension oozing off them and it was SO good! I loved that writing and books were also such a big part of this story too, especially how Jackson was so supportive of Emily’s writing and was willing to help her in so many ways! This was truly an enemies to friends and then friends to lovers scenario and I loved it. I mean the scene in the closet of the principals house had me cackling, it was SO GOOD!

I just adored this book and it may be my new favorite in the series! So if you’re looking for a small town romance full of banter, tension, and a little spice add this to your TBR immediately!

This one is coming out 1/7/2025 so be sure to grab your copy!

This review was posted to Goodreads on 11/28/24

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a dual POV centering on Emily and Jack, 2nd grade teachers(who both moonlight as writers) at the same school who have a long history of competing with each other since college.

I love a good enemies to lovers and this didn't disappoint. Emily and Jack have a great chemistry and I like that they both admitted that their rivalry is unhinged but they can't seem to stop. I found myself laughing and cringing with the pair of them over some of the things they said/did to each other.
In addition to Jack and Emily spending their summer break working on their books, renovating Jack's home, and living in small town Kentucky, we also get another look at Emily's sibling's relationships(Noah and Amelia/Will and Annie from the first books in the series) and how they're growing together as pairs and their family unit.

I appreciated that this book discussed both Jack/Emily's struggles with anxiety, feeling stagnant and childhood traumas impacting their adulthoods. I also appreciated that instead of having a third act breakup, the author had the two discuss their issues like mature and reasonable adults(totally on brand for both of them).

My biggest beef was the closet hijinks. How big was this closet. The entire scene, I could not wrap my head around the absurdity of the situation/trying to figure out if this closet is a walk-in type of situation.

This is not my first Sarah Adams book but it's the first book I've read in the When in Rome Series. I don't think you miss much as a standalone, however, I loved reading about Emily's family and I am going to go back and read the first two now.

Rating: 4.25/5 Stars
Spice: 2 Open Door Chapters, Author provides closed-door modifications

Wow, I felt seen in this book. Emily and I are kindred spirits in the fact that we've always taken care of people, but sometimes there is no-one to take care of us. She takes care of her family, her students, and the only person that she ends up letting her guard down around is Jack, her rival for over a decade. I can see myself in Emily, which always bring me joy to see her navigate that feeling of being alone.

Overall, this story was a fantastic investigation into the "oldest" sibling finding their place once everyone else finds what they need. Sarah did a fantastic job of navigating her story, and how she relates to Jack and feels seen by him.

Thanks to Dell Romance and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for my honest review!

Beg, Borrow or Steal

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

Oh my heart this book. Jackson + Emily are everything. I adored their story and could not get enough of the banter! Their quips were top notch, their chemistry undeniable and their love story just SO MUCH FUN.

Rival second grade teachers who are now suddenly next door neighbors and accomplices. Emily mistakenly emailed her explicit romance novel manuscript to their very conservative principal, and Jack is exactly the person to help her. Spending time together in their adventure just shows how sizzling their chemistry is and ohhhh the butterflies from Jackson Bennett.

Highly recommend this one, especially if you’re looking for:
❤️ Rivals to lovers
❤️ Forced proximity / neighbors / coworkers
❤️ Amazing banter
❤️ Hilarious cast of supporting characters
❤️ Small town vibes
❤️ Open door
❤️ BUTTERFLIES

Thank you to Dell Romance for this ARC! My opinions are my own. Beg, Borrow or Steal is on shelves January 7, 2025!

Thank you so much to Sarah Adams and Dell Romance for the E-ARC of this book!! I truly cannot thank you enough for letting me read this masterpiece early! 🫶🏻

I honestly don’t know if I have the words to express how much I LOVED this book! It was so funny, and so sweet, and it was just honestly perfect!✨ I was constantly laughing throughout the book, but then there were also sweet moments that made me cry 🫶🏻 I loved that this book was about 2 teachers, because I’m in school to be a teacher, so I was able to relate to them SO much! I am absolutely gone for Jack Bennett and am already wishing I was back in Rome, Kentucky 🤍✨

Also, I’m so excited for Madison’s book! Sarah has been teasing her and James for SO LONG and I am SO READY!! The only downside is that it will be our last trip to Rome 🥲 I don’t think I will ever be ready to let go of these characters 🫶🏻

Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC.

I have a bunch of Sarah Adams books on my tbr list but this is the first one I've read and definitely won't be the last. This Author does rom-com perfectly.

This is a perfect example of Enemies to friends to lovers in a story.

This book has some of my favorite tropes:
❤️ Workplace Romance ( They work together as and grade teachers).
❤️ Forced Proximity ( After a failed engagement Jack moves back to be neighbors with Emily)
❤️ Enemies to Friends to Lovers- ( Emily and Jack met in college and have been cold and antagonizing to eachother since. When Jack returns afyer moving away they grow closer and Jack calls her his best friend ).
❤️ Family Drama ( Emily is the oldest sister to several siblings and has been a Mother figure in her siblings Drama. Jacks father is a famous author who is a raging drunk and narcissist).

Jack and Emily are both undercover writers and 2nd grade teachers. Jack is successful and Emily is hoping to get published one day. They have always had a precarious spite fueled relationship. When Jack moves away with his Fiancée and doesn't say goodbye to Emily, she's mad. When he returns to his job and moves next door she's even madder. However the more time they spend together, she becomes confused about her feelings.

When Emily accidently sends her smitten romance novel draft to her principal, she asks Jsck to get it back.

Will their teamwork lead to a realization of their feelings? I highly suggest reading 📚 to find out.

Told in 1st person , alternating povs.

Emily Walker is an independent woman who teaches second grade in her hometown of Rome. She is shocked when her college nemesis moves to Rome to also teach second grade. Jack moves into the house next door to Emily, which just annoys her!

Jack wants to renovate his house, teach second grade, and work on his next mystery novel. Instead, Emily wants to sabotage his life!

Emily accidentally sends the principal her risque steamy romance. Jack will help her, if she will stop sabotaging him. They begin to feel the chemistry.

What a great novel!

This was so stinking cute! Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a delightful romance that thrives on the sizzling chemistry and witty banter between its two main characters, Emily Walker and Jackson Bennett. The strongest aspect of the story is the back-and-forth between Emily and Jack. From their exchanges and inner thoughts throughout the book, it’s clear they share not just an attraction but a playful rivalry that makes their interactions feel fresh and engaging. The author does an amazing job at balancing the simmering tension with the tender moments of vulnerability between the two to help them learn how to trust each other. Their relationship evolves in a way that’s both heartwarming and emotional, making this novel an enjoyable and satisfying read! Thank you NetGalley & Random House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars!! I want to live in Rome! This was my favorite of the series so far. These two are the most well developed characters yet. It was a perfectly paced slow burn. I do wish we got a little resolution with his parents but wow did I love this!