I loved this book. Emily exudes oldest daughter energy and her need to care for and clear the path for her siblings is tangible. I was simultaneously annoyed by and self-aware enough to identify with her on a personal level. Her ability to internalize her feelings was like looking in a mirror 😬

The banter between Emily and Jack was great. I loved the evolution of their relationship and appreciated the various email exchanges peppered throughout as a flashback perspective. Spice level was moderate but I wasn’t expecting to be slapped in the face with it. I like that Sarah is giving readers the option to see behind the door (but I’m always going to want to open it!)🚪

I would be remiss not to mention the cameos from the other Walker siblings and their significant others l. These were familiar, expected and exactly what I needed. Amelia and her pancake crusade, Noah and his big brother scowling, Annie and Will (!)… perfection! Mabel continues to be perfect in every way. Rome is like a character itself. I want to go there, or watch a tv show set here. It gives “Stars Hollow” vibes and I’m here for it.

Getting a glimpse at the last Walker sibling’s story (I hope 🤞🏼) was also a bonus. Maddie and James need their HEA too!

Bottom line: read it; it’s great!

Rome Kentucky STAYS at the top of my list of favorite fictional towns.

I love a rivals-to-lovers, and this one delivered exactly what I wanted. Emily and Jackson are true academic rivals and have been for YEARS. Ugh I love a couple with a history.

If you've every fallen victim to the motorcycle side of tik tok (I'll admit, I have), there is a scene she wrote in there just for us. It delivers.

The "wah wah I'm the eldest daughter" rhetoric always annoys me but I'm a youngest sibling so it's possible I just don't get it aka I'm not going to let that really impact my opinion on the book as a whole. I am glad Emily's siblings gave it to her straight though and let her know she can stop trying to protect them from their own lives.

Jackson is a precious and patient man. I adore him. The ideal man truly. Exactly the right combination of calm but also so goofy and funny, while being incredibly attractive ;).

I think the connection between these two was so genuine and fun. They really said, "wait why have we hated each other this whole time? it would actually be so much easier to support each other." and I LOVED it.

It was such a little thing, but the two of them just bursting into each other's houses when they had something exciting to tell each other was so precious. Sorry, can't knock it's too important and I need to tell you so immediately (because I love you but I'm only pretending I hate you for the bit at this point).

The cameos from the last two books were great. Glad to see Amelia is still trying her best. Will is still the undisputed best guy ever. I love consistency. Also, the foreshadowing for James and Madison?????????????? I'm sat.

Oh my goodness. Emily and Jackson forever.

I love how these two went from true nemesis to friends to more. They bickered and bantered about everything. Pushing each other in so many ways.

This book was just chock full of emotion. I really enjoyed seeing Emily coming to recognize how she needed Jackson. How he was able to support her. I also loved seeing her development with the way she approached her relationships with her siblings. She made changes, but also it wasn’t a complete 180 at the end of the book. She recognized what she would always do.

Then Jackson. He was just so sweet and lovely. I really liked seeing him address how his father impacted his relationships - how much he opened up to people. I loved that he found comfort with Emily.

This book was just lovely and moving and cute and funny. And I loved it so much.

Thx Dell for the early copy.

It’s very possible I say this about every subsequent Sarah Adams book I read, but it’s always true, this one is my new favorite. And I think it’s because Emily is my favorite of all of her protagonists.

OK, admittedly, when we first met her in When In Rome and Practice Makes Perfect, I liked her the least. I thought she was pushy and distant but NOW, I get her and I see that I am Emily! 🫣😂

Rivals to lovers/enemies to lovers will forever be my favorite trope and when I tell you that this was solid gold, I looooved the dynamic between Jack and Emily. It was perfection.

The only thing I loved more than their story, is the entire town of Rome—I love seeing how all of the characters are developing and I’m anxiously awaiting our final chapter with Madison.

Anyway, this book. Love! Six stars. So funny! Hot Bean. mental Jack-a-thon. LOL! Too much highlighting. Too much cute!

And as a teacher—Sarah, thank you for the shoutout in the acknowledgments! We really do love what we do!


Thank you to Netgalley and Dell for this eARC! I am beyond lucky to have read it!

I was so happy to go back to visit Rome, Kentucky! I love the first two books in the series so I had no doubt I would love Beg, Borrow, or Steal as well (and I was right).

Jack and Emily are the best kind of rivals to lovers. Right from the start, their feuding is laced with the question of if there are actually deeper feelings there. The everyday annoyances become flirty banter and eventually turning to each other for comfort and support. They have so much in common, including being secret writers, and even though it takes them a while to realize that’s what would make them work, eventually they get there. Jack and Emily eventually understand that they can be their truest selves with each other and be loved for it.

What I didn’t expect was to feel so much so deeply while reading this book. It’s like Sarah looked straight into my soul and made me face all the feelings I push deep down (just like Emily). If you’ve ever found yourself pretending you’re fine when you’re not, thinking you don’t need anyone and you’re ok all alone, feeling like your purpose has shifted and now you don’t know how to define yourself, you will see yourself in Emily.

One of my favorite things about this series is the family relationships. I love the interactions anytime the whole family is together. It makes me happy to see the couples from the previous books thrive. The close-knit community of Rome plays an important role too, and the charm of the small town helps pull me in to the story every time. The pancake scene towards the end of this book with the whole family had me crying laughing and was one of my favorite parts of the entire book.

*Review will be posted to my Goodreads!
https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/109520164-amanda

I will be posting my review to my instagram @ohmorebooks closer to pub date!
https://www.instagram.com/ohmorebooks/profilecard/?igsh=MWd5MXhpNGQ5NXphZw==

Each time I step into Rome, Kentucky I fall even more in love with it. This book had me hooked from start to finish. Jackson Bennett is possibly my favorite man Sarah Adams has ever written. He is kind and patient and so, so gentle. Emily Walker also might be my favorite woman Sarah Adams has ever written. She's an eldest daughter who would do anything for any one of her siblings. She loves a routine, is fiercely independent, handles everything with so much grace, and I just loved her so much. Something I have always loved about reading and books is being able to find myself in the characters. I found so many pieces of myself in Emily. The progression of their relationship was perfect. Their banter was effortless, their communication even more so. They are the epitome of "to be loved is to be seen" and there is truly nothing more special than that. This has become my favorite book in this series and easily one of my favorites of the year!


I post reviews on both Instagram and Goodreads. The Goodreads review is available now and the Instagram review will be available @kays.reads_ after December 11.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
“I happily take on the responsibility of everyone's burdens because I only ever feel good when I'm being useful to someone.” so this book wrecked my soul then healed me and put me back together. welcome back to rome kentucky ladies and gents!!!! on this trip around the town we get to follow emily walker as she navigates her new living alone life. which is extremely difficult when you’ve never been alone. but emily’s got this! she always does! that is until her nemesis moves back into town, and to make it worse, he’s her neighbor. jack bennett is loved by all. well except for emily. but when he gets back to rome and arguments turn into pleasant conversation and quips turn into compliments, emily and jack might beg borrow or steal each others hearts. GAH BRO. THIS BOOK. i have never. and i mean NEVER. felt so personally touched by a book then i did with this one. bc. wdym emily is me i am her. wdym me and jack are literally the same person. i have never sobbed reading sarah adams. GUYS I WAS HICCUPING. i cried i laughed i giggled (jack is my bae) and all in all loved this book. i didn’t want to put it down. emily was so feisty and loving and LOVABLE. she is THE argumentative antithetical dream girl. and jack. JAAAACKKK🤭🤭🤭🤭 he felt like a warm hug. he felt like sunshine in the summer while eating a smoothie bowl and a shower after being at the beach all day. this book changed me. like i’m not joking. it made me realize so many things. it helped make a hard decision easier. it helped quiet the noise in my brain. and it just made me feel good. like everything would work out. anyways i cannot wait for the world to receive this book because sarah has outdone herself with this one.
songs i thought of while reading:
hits different by taylor swift
right where you left me by taylor swift
good graces by sabrina carpenter

I hadn’t read the other books in this particular series, and it turns out I didn’t need to! What a sweet story, beautifully told. The characters were complicated but real.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Omg I absolutely loved this one! It’s my favorite in the series so far! Obsessed with Jack & Emily! 5 stars! Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!!

when i saw this acceptance email come through on Friday i literally screamed i was so excited to get accepted for this arc. i have loved the when in rome series and was so excited for this book. sarah did not disappoint. if you write a rivals to lovers romance i will eat it up every time. i LOVED emily and jackson!! they were so sweet to each other. i really related to emily a lot as the oldest sister and wanted to give her the biggest hug. how jack loved her was seriously so heartwarming and i loved their relationship progress. the character development in this was incredible and I'm so excited for release day so i can go get my copy!! i already want to reread it i miss them so much.

My third visit to Rome, Kentucky did not disappoint! Sarah Adams does it again with a cozy cast of characters and some delectable scenes between Rome's favorite teachers, Emily and Jack. Visit Rome feels like coming home after a long, hard day.

Sarah Adams doesn't miss! Emily's story is the one I've been most interested in throughout this series, and it didn't disappoint. Adams' knack for writing charming dialogue sprinkled with humor shines with these two at the center of the story. Her grounded style also makes the small-town element feel real and homey. Another win from Rome, Kentucky.

4.5 stars!

I have been looking forward to this book since Sarah Adams announced that it was happening and I was NOT disappointed!

Enemies to lovers is one of my favvvvv tropes, so I was eating up all of this book. The banter was absolutely incredible, I was giddy basically any time the two main characters were “fighting” with each other.

I also love that it was dual POVs. Being able to hear both sides makes me more invested a lot of times.

Can’t wait for the next one!!!

This book is by far Sarah Adams best work! I loved every aspect of this book!! I won't ever stop swooning over Jackson Bennett. He's the golden retriever and she's the black cat is my absolute favorite trope and this book does it so well! I had butterflies the entire time reading this!! Thank you NetGalley for this arc!!

Favorite Quotes:
“You are not alone, Emily. I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time.”
“You think you’re unlovable, but I think I’ve never known how to love until knowing you.”

Screaming that I was able to get an ARC! Love Sarah Adams and the When in Rome series.

Jack and Emily (not biased even though this is also my name) might be my favorite couple of the When in Rome series. They are kind of a reverse sunshine/grumpy; rivals to lovers trope. Jack is openly charming and friendly - easily liked by everybody he meets (except Emily), but is hiding a double life as a famous author because of his relationship with his father. Emily prioritizes organization and doing things in a particular way - she sees herself as the caretaker of her siblings after their parents and grandmother's deaths, but struggles with how her siblings seem to be moving on with their lives and leaving her behind. They both have a lot of vulnerability and depth to their characters, and they each are going through their own struggles. But they are stronger together than apart and their relationship is like coming home. Jack is the perfect book boyfriend - he has his flaws but has such a big heart and is devoted singularly to Emily, giving her the love and patience that she craves and deserves. I loved seeing Emily gradually view Jack in a different light and eventually learn to lean on him when she's struggling. The dual POVs with Jack's perspective on their relationship just added another layer to their love-hate relationship.

My favorite quote - I was swooning when I read this: "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...You think you're unlovable, but I think I've never known how to love until knowing you." Jack, you are a wizard with words.

CANT WAIT FOR LAST BOOK in the series (presumably Madison and James?)!!! I'm so ready. But for now, I will definitely be re-reading this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Dell for the ARC.

From the moment I started this book, I was captivated. It's not just the plot that draws you in, but the emotional depth behind each character, the nuances in their relationships, and the perfect balance between humor and heartache. The author has a rare ability to create a world so immersive that it feels impossible to leave. Even though there’s only one book left in the series, I already feel a sense of loss, knowing I’ll have to say goodbye to these characters soon.

What I truly appreciated about this book was its honesty. There was no attempt to sugarcoat anything — the love, the pain, the humor — it all felt real. The way the characters navigate their lives, deal with their struggles, and share moments of lightness is what made me so invested. It wasn’t just the drama that kept me turning the pages, but the genuine, often messy humanity of the characters that felt so relatable.

The humor isn’t just there to ease the tension; it’s woven into the fabric of the characters and their interactions, making the emotional moments even more powerful. This wasn’t just a love story, nor just a drama; it was a deep exploration of what it means to connect with others, to love, to grow, and to face the challenges life throws at you.

As this book marks the penultimate entry in the series, I can’t help but feel the anticipation building for the final story. There’s one sister left, and it’s clear that sparks are about to fly. I’m already bracing for an explosive, thrilling conclusion, and while part of me is sad to see it end, another part of me is eager for what’s to come.

What am I going to do with myself?! This book doesn't even come out until January and I need more of Emily and Jack! Sarah Adams does such an amazing job of evoking that butterflies in the stomach feeling. I cannot wait to return to Rome, Kentucky to see what's going on between Maddie and James.

Thanks to Dell and Netgalley for my copy to review!

P.S. Not that this affects my rating at all, but Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a tad spicier than past Sarah Adams books.

Emily Walker’s world is upended when her nemesis, Jack Bennett, returns to Rome, Kentucky, as her neighbor and colleague. Determined to sabotage his plans, Emily finds herself forced to team up with Jack to retrieve a misfired email that threatens her secret identity as a romance author. Rivals turned reluctant allies—could this partnership rewrite their story?

“He was excellent at playing the part of a Mr. Rogers wannabe. Maybe if Mr. Rogers had tattoos and was secretly a devil.”

I giggled.
I blushed.
I cried.
I kicked my feet and sighed.

Sarah Adams is a mastermind—not just because this is cute, charming, and laugh-out-loud funny, but because she masterfully balances character depth, relatability, and just the right amount of heat. Her books are sophisticated yet silly, hot yet heartfelt, and filled with characters that feel so real I think it’s me. Somehow, she manages all of this with such perfection that I’m certain I’ll be in a book slump for weeks. No contemporary romance will measure up in the meantime. (Where’s Emily’s historical romance when I need it )

There were just about a hundred of things I loved, but here are my top 10:

Jackson Bennett:
* His high-maintenance taste is adorable
* “He looks so sexy in glasses it physically hurts.”
* “My hands are very competent, Emily.”
* He rides a motorcycle
* He could give Clark Kent a run for his money

Emily Walker:
* We both can’t sleep without our silk pjs (I literally ordered more @slipsilk while reading; my hair can’t touch another scrunchie).
* James Taylor 🫶🏻
* We both spend all out free time reading romance
* We’re both strong, independent, and often find it easier to just be alone
* She’s hysterically funny

Is this my favorite Sarah Adams romance? 🤔🧐🤭 I guess we’ll find out on release day.

I’ll be at @wildgeesebookshop in Franklin, IN, on January 9th for the book tour!

Similar to:
The Enemy by Sarah Adams
How to Plot a Payback by Melissa Ferguson
Perfect fit by Clare Gilmore

⛔️chapters (16?) 25 & 32 contain explicit romance scenes (open door)
⚠️explicit language (infrequent), narcissistic father, previous death of parents

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams is hands down one of the best books I’ve read in a long time! It was an easy five stars for me, and I couldn’t put it down. Sarah Adams delivers a masterclass in romance with this delightful rivals-to-lovers story that blends humor, tension, and heartfelt moments perfectly.

Emily and Jack's banter is everything I love in a romance—sharp, witty, barbed, and laced with just the right amount of longing. The tension between them was absolutely electric, and I couldn’t get enough of their push-and-pull dynamic. While they’re rivals on the surface, their undeniable chemistry reveals just how much they truly like each other, and that slow-burning realization is pure magic.

The plot is perfection: fast-paced, engaging, and filled with laugh-out-loud moments. I loved the unique twist of Emily’s secret life and Jack’s role in helping her, which added a fun layer of vulnerability to both characters. Sarah Adams’ writing is superb, effortlessly blending humor, heart, and heat.

This book is the perfect blend of fun, tension, and romance, and I’m still swooning over Jack and Emily’s journey. I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a well-written romance with unforgettable characters. I loved being back in Rome, Kentucky and absolutely adore this series. I cannot WAIT for Maddie's book!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sarah Adams, and Dell for the eARC of this book.

The third book in the When in Rome series and another 5 star read for me! Love the Walker siblings and was so excited for Emily’s story. This one was a rivals to friends to more trope. Small town neighbors. Sweet and swoony with a little dash of spice.

Can’t wait for book four!

Thanks to NetGalley for this ARC in exchange for my honest review. Watch for Beg, Borrow, or Steal to come out January 7, 2025.