One of my favorite things about Sarah Adams is that she lets you pick your spiciness level, which helps me feel more comfortable and confident recommending books to friends and library patrons. This one was a cute story and a comfort read for me. Not earth shattering, but sometimes that’s good and needed.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal
by: Sarah Adams

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

We journey back to small town Rome, Kentucky, in this romantic comedy about a teacher who’s a secretly writing a romance book and her obnoxious former coworker who is now her neighbor. As they are forced to work together in a series of mishaps, the undeniable chemistry between them becomes apparent and they have to decide if it makes sense to continue fighting each other or if maybe, they could be something more. The tension and banter is off the charts in this one and I loved every second of Emily and Jack’s journey to find each other. ♥️

A must read if you like:
📔 Nemesis to Lovers
✏️ Competent Men
📔 Small Town Romance
✏️ Forced Proximity (Neighbors!)

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for providing me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Thank you to NetGalley, Dell Romance, and Sarah Adams for the eARC in exchange for my honest opinion.]

I didn't realize how much I missed Rome, Kentucky until Adams brought us back!

After ending his engagement, Jackson "Jack" Bennett decides to return to Rome, where he's a second grade teacher, and plant some roots. Fate keeps throwing him into the orbit of Emily Walker, a fellow teacher and his new neighbor. Emily and Jack have been at odds (or nemeses) since their first day of college when Jack spilled coffee on Emily and then stole her seat.

While Emily and Jack are always competitive, it comes from a place of mutual respect (not that either would willingly admit that). Their playful banter is perfection and their chemistry is off the charts. It's a delicious slow burn as Emily and Jack lower their walls of self-preservation, call a truce, and begin to share moments of vulnerability.

After reading this story, I cannot wait for Maddie's book - even if saying goodbye to Rome will hurt.

I absolutely ate this book up. The sexual tension between the two main characters was insane. I loveeeeeee a good enemies to lovers trope and then add in their coworkers and now neighbors. I devoured this one in less than 48 hours. My favorite Sarah Adam's book to date

I truly never thought Sarah could out-do practice makes perfect (simply because I am PMP’s biggest fan!!!!), but y’all— I think she might have!!!!

Back in Rome, KY, Beg, Borrow, or Steal follows Emily, the oldest of the Walker sisters, as her number one rival moves back to town— right next door. Jack and Emily have been rivals since the moment they met, and that definitely did not change when they both became second grade teachers at the same school- now that he’s back, everything is about to change.

The rivalry, the banter, and now they’re NEIGHBORS!!!! I cannot tell you the amount of times I squealed while reading this book.

Emily is the oldest daughter through and through, and I absolutely adore her- the love she has for her family, her town, and her people is unmatched!! Getting more of Noah and Amelia and Will and Annie (my babies) was just the icing on top!!!!

To Sarah Adams, I can’t wait to thank you in person in January for writing these books 🥹🥹 Cannot believe there’s only one last trip left to take to Rome, KY 🥹

Thank you thank you thank you to @netgalley and @dellromance for the arc!!!! brb going to reread practice makes perfect bc now I miss Will and Annie too much!!!

Sarah Adams’ has weaved another heartwarming tale of love and relationships in a small town. The characters were so lovable and relatable. I loved that Jack and Emily’s relationship started early, not just in the last few pages. What a fun addition to our Rome, Kentucky series. This book is a must-read!

I loved this book and will have it as a staff pick when my romance book store opens in the spring!


Review Posted to Goodreads on 11/24/24

The third installment in the “When in Rome” series, Beg, Borrow, or Steal, is an enemies to lovers romance that follows Emily, a second grade teacher and the eldest of the Walker sisters. Emily’s sworn nemesis, Jack returns to Rome, Kentucky, shaking up her life in unexpected ways. Not only does Jack reclaim his job at her at her school, but he also moves in next door, forcing Emily to confront the possibility that her long standing animosity toward him might actually be attraction.

Watching Emily and Jack grow as individuals and as a couple was a lot of fun. Their chemistry felt authentic, and the slow build of their relationship kept me interested. I loved being back in Rome, Kentucky and catching up with the characters from the first two books added another layer of interest.

This was my favorite book in the series so far, and it’s exciting to see Adams continue to evolve as a writer. Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a fun read that I’d highly recommend to fans of small town romance and enemies to lovers tropes.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams is another hit in her line of amazing novels!

This one was just so cute! I have so many good things I could say about this one. I did not want to put it down for a second!

In this novel we are focusing on Noah and Annie’s sister, Emily, and her nemesis, Jack. Both are second grade teachers who have been rivals since college. From fighting over jobs to teaching placements, they both end up in Rome teaching the same grade at the same school. A few months ago Jack moved away to be married, but now he’s back, single, and moving into the house next to Emily’s. While Jack is smitten with the idea of being neighbors, Emily has wicked plans for how to get him out of her town. Will these two eventually put aside their differences and see the spark hidden between them?

I loved this story. It was especially nice to see Annie, Will, Noah, and Amelia again. These two couple will live rent free in my head for years.

Emily was a complex character, but I could relate to her in many ways. She was the person in her family/town who always put others first, even above her own happiness. She didn’t let herself express her true feelings, which eventually built up inside.

Jack was so adorable. I liked how when they first met he instantly liked her and was flirting but she wasn’t having any of it. She made him work for it, and he figured out his feelings before he made a mistake that would ruin his life/happiness. I was cheering for him the whole time. I’m adding him to my never ending list of Book Boyfriends ASAP.

Even if you haven’t read the rest of the Rome series or even a book by Sarah Adams, you need this one on your TBR pile. It’s just a feel good book (even though it somewhat covers deep themes). I’ve been in such a book slump and this one pulled me right out of it.

Tropes:
Enemies to Lovers
He Falls First

**An ARC was received from Dell and NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

This was such a great addition to the When in Rome series. Emily who’s the most empathetic and wonderful second grade teacher found her sworn nemesis her first day in college, and that rivalry continued even as Jack came to small town Rome, Kentucky to teach in the same school as Emily. The banter in this book was amazing. The love and respect they showed each other was so great as well. I’m excited for the world to read this one.

Sarah Adams has done it again! This third installment of her Rome, Kentucky series might be my favorite yet! What's not to love with enemies to lovers 2nd grade teachers, pen names, small towns, dysfunctional families, and romance! Seriously loved this one and can't wait for the next!!!

I absolutely adore Sarah Adams, but for me this book was just ok. I loved Emily! Her character growth was excellent and really felt genuine, but Jack’s was a little flat for me. Unfortunately this disconnect bled into the way I viewed Emily and Jack grow together in their relationship, and it ended up feeling a little forced. I appreciated what Adams was trying to do here, but ultimately I didn’t connect with this story in the same way that I have her other books—-and maybe that’s a me thing.

LOVEDDDDDDDDDD I've loved this series and to get an arc of this book... I WAS EXCITED!! Literally gasped when I got the notification! Finished this book in 2 days and it was everything. I loved Practice Makes Perfect and this one comes a close second to it. Just something about a guy who notices all the girls quirks/feelings just by a look or their body language <3 Oh how I love you Jack! I'm excited for the next and sadly last book in the When in Rome Series. I'm ready for Madison and hopefully James :P

4.5

Probably my new favorite Sarah Adams book. The story was sweet with just the right amount of crazy to keep things entertaining, and the banter was excellent.

I liked that the characters had depth and personal growth and that our oldest daughter finally got what she needed 😇 Aside from a love story, there was a lot to unpack in this book.

If you are a Sarah Adams reader who picks up her books because of the low spice, be prepped that in this one the spice is definitely kicked up. Closed-door edits are provided in the front of the book under the content warnings.

Making the third trip to Rome, Kentucky feels like coming home. 🫶🏻🫶🏻 Spending time with the Walker family and their friends never disappoints and leaves you feeling full of hope and a little bit happier than when you arrived.

Emily Walker and Jack Bennett seem to be true enemies. But underneath all the hate lies so much more than anyone could possibly imagine. What is it like when no one really “sees” you? And what is it like when someone finally does? And what if that person is your sworn enemy? ♥️♥️

This book was heartbreaking at so many times but Sarah Adams just seems to know how you feel, how you think, and what you need. What a beautiful story of hope even in the midst of darkness and despair.

But don’t let the themes of heaviness stop you from reading. It is still a wonderfully amazing Sarah Adams & Rome, Kentucky book. Noah & Amelia and Will & Annie are here and just as marvelous as you remember them. Townsfolk are just as meddlesome as ever and the banter and laughs are utter perfection.

We’ve got one more trip to Rome…sister Madison is getting her book next and the crumbs that we’ve been left are scrumptious! 😉

Jack and Emily were super adorable rivals/enemies. They both had me laughing several times with their banter. I loved their emails and text messages back and forth and they both had beautiful characters that shone through each page with great growth throughout the novel.
I loved their story and I had a fun time reading through it. I'd highly recommend to anyone wanting a flirty and fun romance with some hilarious banter.
I like the biker nod since my reels are full of it right now because apparently booktok girls need bikers. Haha. While I'm not into bikes I thought it was cute and I could relate to it well enough.

I loved this book! When in Rome was my first Sarah Adams book and this had all the same vibes. Emily and Jack’s banter was perfect. I loved their bickering and jabs. They had great character development as the book went on. I also loved the realness of their own personal struggles that most people can probably relate to.

I adored this book! Sarah Adams never disappoints. The banter was top notch and I loved everything about this book

I am obsessed with SO MUCH of this book, I love Will so much and getting to know more about Emily changed my perspective of her completely. She pissed me so off in the first two books lol.

Will and Emily’s chemistry is OFF THE CHARTS and I was eating up their rivalry. 🤭 nice women who are nice to everyone BUT him >>>

I really enjoyed the pace of this book, it didn’t feel like there was a bajillion things going on to keep the story going, it was natural and I absolutely flew through this book. I highly suggest visiting Rome, KY when this books come out, whether it’s your first visit or you’re coming back! Read if you enjoy:

❤️‍🔥Rivals to lovers
🌼Second chance
❤️‍🔥Small town
🌼Teacher MCs

Sarah Adams gets better and better with each book in this series! I loved Practice Makes Perfect, but I'm going to have to admit that this one might even be better! This book has so much depth. Enemies to lovers is not usually one of my top tropes, but this was perfection. I loved the banter and bickering between Jack and Emily.

My only critique would be that I noticed some grammar/spelling errors throughout the book.

Thank you so much for the chance to read the ARC.

This may be my favorite Sarah Adams book yet. Emily and Jack have been nemesis for years now and are always at each other with their bickering. Jack has returned to Rome after breaking off his engagement and buys the house next door to Emily. Lots happen and over time as they spend more time together and get to know each other they realize they are both hurt people. Their bickering turns into open honest communication and encouragement. Loved how they were always there for each other. Great read!