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!

Sarah Adams has done it again! Beg, Borrow, or Steal was such a lovely return to Rome, Kentucky.

Emily and Jack have been enemies since college and both taught second grade at the same school before Jack moved away. But when Jack returns to Rome after breaking off his engagement, they both find themselves relieved to be sparring again and start spending more and more time together.

This was such a delightful rivals-to-lovers romance with heart and humor. This third book delved into deeper topics, including narcissistic parents and grief, and I think Sarah handled them well. We also got the classic Rome shenanigans that everyone loves, including townspeople.

Overall, I loved seeing Emily and Jack grow as people and become a safe place for each other. I can't wait for the last book in the series!

I loved this book just as much as the first two! It was also nice getting updates on some of the other characters!

Spice: 🌶️🌶️🌶️
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (+ 1/2) rounded to 5

Thank you to NetGalley and the publish for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Jackson (Jack) was so cute. After running into Emily at college and spilling his coffee on her, they become frenemies. But their meet cute!?

They always wanted to one up each other which made me get into the banter and how they found a common ground where they could love each other and still be each other’s competitors at the same time.

Jack was such a book boyfriend too! He cared so much for Emily that he was even willing to sell his motorcycle for her!

My favorite part was reading old emails from their past throughout the book so you got more of their background on why and how they ended up together. Super cute and super fun read!

sarah adams did her big one with this one! this book was a wonderful experience. I loved every second of it! I could not put it down and I could not stop myself from smiling whenever Jack and Emily were bantering. I think everyone needs Jack Bennett in their life! I loved his character so much and he had me laughing the most. I loved our main character, Emily, as well. I connected with her so easily. I can’t wait to see what Sarah does with Maddie’s story!

Thank you to NetGalley for an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review.

What would you do if your arch nemesis moved in next door?

That is what Emily Walker is asking herself when Jack Bennett drives back into her life. Their story is a classic grumpy/grumpy story on the surface, but deep down Emily and Jack are much more than they seem.

I really enjoyed this story of one of the Walker siblings. The Walker siblings are absolutely wonderful and it was great to follow another one of their stories. Emily is the one who has always been there for others, but won't let others be there for her. It was a joy to see Emily open up as a character and learn how to be comfortable in who she is. Jack was also a great character and I enjoyed the back and forth between him and Emily.

There were some great moments of self reflection that Sarah Adams does such a great job of putting to the page. She always finds a way for the characters to grow and she did a particularly great job of that in this story.

I'm excited for what I hope will be the fourth book soon.

Thank you to NetGalley, the author, and Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine/Dell for the eARC, all opinions are my own.

Everything you could want in a return back to Rome, Kentucky.

I love Sarah Adams and her ability to bring her stories together. You get to learn more about the oldest Walker sister and meet the not so new guy in town, while also getting breadcrumbs of what is happening in her past character lives, Noah & Amelia and Annie & Will.

The banter that accompanies Emily and Jack is top tier.

"Ducky is my cat."
I find this endlessly amusing. "Why do you have a cat?"
"To cook in my soup for dinner tomorrow." She rolls her eyes dramatically. "She's my pet! Why else would I have a cat?"

You get to learn their past history in the usual way of flashbacks and conversations. However, Adams also included past emails from their time in college and as colleagues when they both taught 2nd grade.

They both have their own secrets and hurdles they need to face. Emily is the self-appointed caretaker in the family and you can see how that has lead her to her perfectionism, sharp edges, and reluctance to let others in. I will say in the beginning I found Emily to be abrasive and unfoundedly rude to Jack. However, the more I learned more about her and her life, the more that changed and I saw the full picture of the armor she wore. I loved Jack’s character straight away. He was always looking out for Emily, even though they were enemies.

“I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time." ~Jake

"But if you don't want to hate her, fine. I'll hate her enough for the both of us." ~ Emily

Everyone deserves to be loved like they loved each other. 💕

I’ve adored Sarah Adams books for a long time now. They always make me grin and laugh and always make my heart happy. And Beg, Borrow or Steal is no exception.

Short Summary:
We’re back in our favorite Rome (Kentucky, not Italy) and this time following my favorite Walker sibling - Emily. Emily is the epitome of oldest daughter - she’s a caretaker, she’s anxious, she believes she’s hard to love. But she has the biggest heart. And only her college nemesis can see her beyond her smiles and caretaking.

My Thoughts:
I highlighted soooo much of this book. I LOVED IT. Jack and Emily were utter perfection. Their banter was so so good. It was witty, and sweet, and Sarah’s spiciest book. 👀 But so much emotion and love and I just can’t say enough good things about this book. Please read it. It might have surpassed my top favorite Sarah Adams book….just don’t tell Will Griffin.

What You’ll Find:
🔥Forced proximity
🖤Enemies-to-lovers
🗣️All the banter
🔑A little B&E
📚Books about books
🤓MMC with tattoos…and glasses

“It’s okay that time is moving and changing. Maybe it’s okay if I move and change too.”

💋📚🍒🛻☕️❤️🐈🌺🏚️♥️💄

Emily and Jack’s love story has my whole heart. When Jack returns to Rome, his long-time feud with the town's Queen Bee, Emily Walker, picks right back up where it started. Arguing over who gets the best table at the coffee shop, bickering over their past, and banters that just make the tension OH SO GOOD. I mean it, the tension is sizzling. Not until Ms Emily Walker makes a huge mistake that puts a big secret of hers at risk of being exposed, does she (drunkenly) run to Jack for help.

*cue the *ahem* TENSION

And the rest, well, you’ll just have to see.

But Emily Walker, the woman that you are.

I resonated so deeply with this book. It’s funny, because when I read Practice Makes Perfect, I thought to myself wow I’m so much like Annie.

But then I read about Emily and found myself relating to her feelings MUCH more than I thought I would. The oldest sister who wants to protect and who is afraid of change because what’s familiar is so comfortable, but it’s all slipping through your fingers and there isn’t a thing you can do about it. Now I wish I could be as bold as Emily, that’s where I think the “Annie” in me comes in. Unfortunately, I know I’ll resonate with Madison in the next book too with how she was described in this book, which means I’ll never know which Walker girl I am because ALL OF THEM ARE JUST SO RELATABLE.

And Jack, oh man, he was hot in this book. I'm not going to lie I thought it would be hard connecting to him for some reason, but I ended up really liking his character. He's almost too much of a green flag in like, every area of his life haha! Plus the GLASSES, JUST YES. YES, ALL THE WAY.

There was one scene in this book that, while great, I couldn’t wrap my mind around: The steamy scene in the closet. The scene just felt slightly inappropriate. Not the kissing, but the fact they decided that was time to start kissing with their boss in the next room, after illegally breaking into his house haha. The tension was drool-worthy though, and I did like the element of "we could get caught" in that scene, which maybe was the purpose of why the author wrote it that way.

Overall, I read this book in just a few days. This story describes grief in such a unique but relatable way, and I appreciated the author for not skipping around writing the hard things (like grief). It needs to be written about because it’s well, real.

Love love LOVED this book!!!!!

Thank you, NetGalley and Sarah Adams for an eARC of this incredible story in exchange for an honest review!

Thank you @dellromance and @authorsarahadams for my gifted ebook. This was one of my anticipated reads of 2025 and I couldn’t wait to read it!

Emily likes things done very particularly. She loved routine and things in order. She has also begun writing a romance novel in her spare time. But all of that goes awry when her least favorite person not only moves back to Rome, but directly next door. He also back at the same school she works at! Jack is happy to be back and he’s working on renovating his house and writing best selling mystery novels under a pen name. He’s also excited to be back annoying Emily!

After Emily enlists Jack’s help with a top secret mission, they become closer and they see different sides to each other. Maybe there’s more than just the surface level?

I absolutely loved this story. Each book in the series is better than the last! Emily and Jack have such good chemistry. There are several laugh out loud scenes and the one in the closet is STEAMY. 🔥 The town of Rome is also so charming. I loved how all the townspeople were so fiercely protective of Emily and had to be told it was okay to like Jack. The rest of Emily’s family is also lovely, especially the scene with Amelia’s cooking!

This might be one of my favorite covers ever. I love the colors and the outfits! We are just missing Ducky! 🐈 This book is the third in the series, but you can read as a standalone. Can’t wait for the 4th book!