The banter as always was top tier reading and I was cackling away endlessly. This is an amazing book, and I'm so grateful I get to read it ahead of its release. You bet I'll be getting my hands on a physical copy as soon as it's out in the world.
I thought Will and Annie's story was my favourite but I think this one just tops it!

Jack and Emily's story was a lot of fun and I absolutely love these characters. This rivals to lovers felt genuine to me, I don't always love when it is just a miscommunication. Our MFC is dealing with perfectionism, being strong for other, and trust issues, I thought it was very well done. We all know that person in our life that suppresses their feelings for other. I love this entire series and struggle to choose one over the other, but I have to say that I absolutely adored this one and it is sitting on the top of the series for me so far. I will be posting this on the blog most likely for the month of February of 2025.

Sarah Adams is quickly becoming one of my favorite authors! She just can’t miss. I love that Jack and Emily were second grade teachers and writers. I loved the small town vibe and sweet cast of characters. The witty banter and the enemies to lovers trope was perfection. 5 stars!

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House Publishing Group for an ARC copy of this novel in exchange for honest feedback.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is yet another fun and heartfelt installment in Sarah Adams' "When in Rome" series. I really enjoyed the first and second installments; and I was not disappointed by the third!

Something I especially love about this small town romance series is each protagonist's unique inner struggle along with the development of the romance. I enjoy seeing them work through their challenges and the ways they grow as individuals throughout the story.

Our main character Emily works through themes of grief and depression and learns how to lean on her family for support during crisis. It is represented beautifully and I felt as though I was able to connect deeper with Emily's character because of it.

The romance was also fantastic, as always with Sarah Adams' books. This one in particular was a very sweet, rivals-to-lovers plot line between characters who realize they have much more in common than their workplace feuds! I enjoy the fact that the romance is based on emotional connection and friendship rather than open-door intimacy scenes - though there are a few sprinkled here and there as well!

Thanks again to Netgalley and Random House Publishing for the free advanced copy of this novel!

Emily is a perfectionist. She wears her “oldest-daughter” batch loud and proud. As her siblings grow and making lives of their own, her presence is not needed anymore. The only thing that is keeping her sense of direction alive is writing her very top secret, raunchy romance novel. After a night of sorrow and too many wine glasses, Emily sends the manuscript to the person that could end her career. Enter Jack. His longtime feud with Emily is the reason he comes back to Rome, Kentucky after his failed engagement. He’s willing to help his former nemesis just to see the smile that recently he’s started to like more and more. Working together allows them to bridge that fine line between love and hate.

I thought the book was appropriate for a Sarah Adam’s book. However, Jack and Emily lack chemistry. Their jump from hate to love felt rushed and brisk. I would have liked to see more bonding scenes that add tension and sweetness to the relationship.

As always, I am a fan of Sarah Adams. She's one I've recommended to all and I will recommend this one.

Emily and Jackson: competitive rivals to lovers…. Ummm yes, I’m here for it! This was such a cute romance that I quite literally wanted to Eat. It. Up.

I fell in love with Emily from chapter one where she takes over finishing her own hair dye job in the salon because the hairdresser is too slow due to the town gossip happening around her. I relate so hard to the “do it yourself” personality that Emily gives off. She is the sweetest gal in town, but people do get in her way when she wants to accomplish something. Not being able to let anyone else help?? Yeah, I might slightly relate to that😂

And Jackson…. Oh my. I was drooling over him the entire book. From the glasses and trendy style to the way he would show up for Emily, physically and emotionally… *insert heart eyes*

Couldn’t have enough great things to say about this small town romance🥰

Love Sarah Adams. I love her lighthearted writing style. Appreciate the warnings for open door scenes. While I wouldn't purchase for my library, due to age restrictions, I would recommend to coworkers.

Another great romance from Sarah Adams. Emily and Jackson are both teachers (and I love how they speak about their profession) in a small town. As book 3 in the series, I loved revisiting familiar townspeople and family members. Their rivalry, shenanigans, and relationship is a lot of fun.

Emily and Jack’s chemistry is electric, and their reluctant partnership to save Emily’s secret life as a romance writer sets up plenty of hilarious and steamy moments. The witty banter and slow-burn romance add charm, though the story does take its time building up to the inevitable spark between the two. Some readers might feel the book runs a little long, especially with the setup for the next installment involving Emily’s sibling, but the humor and heart keep things entertaining.

Fans of the series will enjoy the gradual increase in romantic tension and spice, while new readers will find a sweet enemies-to-lovers story full of fun twists. Sarah Adams continues to deliver a delightful blend of humor, romance, and small-town charm in this latest installment.Emily and Jack’s chemistry is electric, and their reluctant partnership to save Emily’s secret life as a romance writer sets up plenty of hilarious and steamy moments. The witty banter and slow-burn romance add charm, though the story does take its time building up to the inevitable spark between the two.

Super charming and fun. Another great edition to this series. Emily and Jack were so fantastic and I can't wait for the next book.

I was very excited to revisit the Rome, Kentucky series. I really enjoy Sarah Adams’ characters, and am always happy to return to the “stars hollow esque” town that this series takes place in. While this wasn’t my favorite of the series (Practice Makes Perfect edged this one out for me) I think Emily is my favorite heroine. She’s sharp-edged and fierce but a softie where it counts. I really enjoyed reading her story, and seeing her through Jack’s eyes especially. It’s definitely a great addition to the series- if you liked the previous books, you will like this one too. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the e-arc.

I absolutely adored this book! I have loved Sarah Adams' new books, but now I'm working my way through her back list thanks to this one! It was hilarious, swoony, and so fun to read. I almost dreaded finishing it I enjoyed it so much!

I’ve enjoyed the previous installations in this romance series, and this was no exception. I think Emily and Jack’s story was probably my favorite so far. It had an extra depth to it with their individual struggles and in particular, Jack’s dynamic with his narcissistic father, that made it a rom com with substance, not just a bit of fluff. For an enemies to lovers book, I would have liked more tension and build up (and maybe a bit more spice if I’m being honest!), but at the same time, their rivalry was so small in the scheme of things that maybe that wouldn’t have been believable. I won’t be ordering it for our school library, but I’ll recommend it to romance reading friends.

After how much I enjoyed “Practice Makes Perfect”, I was excited and endeared by the plot of this book; however, I finished it feeling a bit disappointed.

For starters, this was very insta-lovey which I am never a fan of, especially in enemies to lovers. Sure, if the man was secretly in love with her the whole time I can make exceptions, but that was not the case here. He’s meant to be marrying another woman but he can’t figure out why he keeps thinking about a woman he’s never gotten along with—idk it just really didn’t work for me. The characters themselves were fine—I found her more interesting than him and would’ve rathered a single POV where her character would get to be a bit more fleshed out. The MMC felt a bit like a caricature. The prose was also extremely repetitive, which got annoying after awhile.

Jack and Emily are two second grade teachers in the town of Rome, Kentucky who just cannot get along! Jack is Emily’s honest-to-God nemesis - everyone in town knows about their feud, but even as he moves away to get married, she realizes maybe he may have been her nemesis, but she cannot get him out of her mind. Throw in some writing-hikinks-secret-identity and an accidentally sent email and they find themselves working together, finding common ground, and of course, staring down a happily ever after.

I adore Sarah Adams and I love the town of Rome, Kentucky. I think this novel is really good at showing how we get stuck in our ways and decide to dig in rather than grow up. Thankfully, these two characters begin to learn to let go and trust someone else, and along the way, they have absolutely delicious chemistry. The world that these novels live in is a living, breathing place - and Adams manages to combine hometown charm with slow-burn rival romance and a few steamy interludes. I will read anything she writes and I love how she showcases real-deal character development with a side of rom-com.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for this ARC.

I loved this third installment in the When in Rome series! I was so excited to be picked by NetGalley to read this ARC of Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams. I devoured it in a weekend. I love the tie-in with the other Walker siblings to get an update on their lives as well as some of the people from town. I also love the enemies-to-lovers trope. Emily is the sibling who is a mother hen who tends to and takes care of her siblings and their needs. This book focuses on her strengths as well as her struggles in an honest way. I like how the POV switches between Emily and Jack so we understand each of them better. It was great how well they related to each other and shared experiences such as attending college together and now both being 2nd-grade teachers who teach across the hall from one another. They each voice their insecurities, and those insecurities are relatable. They both have secrets and are scared to reveal them, especially to each other. The characters are relatable and endearing. This book did not disappoint!

thank you to the publisher for letting me read this early. i love this series, it's so fun and sweet. Cannot WAIT for the Madison book. :) yay!!!!

I really enjoyed this book! As an avid reader of romance, the tropes do begin to get tired from time to time, but Sarah Adams made this enemies to lovers story fresh and engaging throughout. It was a quick, fast-paced, plot-heavy read, full of witty banter and small town joys. Although spiciness was pretty mild, there was some, and the book was super sexy anyway. I read this in just a couple of sittings, and I think romance fans are going to love it.

This whole Rome series is adorable. Beg, Borrow and Steal is no different.
Jack and Emily have been “enemies” since college….antagonizing each other to greatness.
Emily is the oldest sister and the glue that holds the family together. She takes care of everyone. Now is finally time to focus on herself and her book.
Cue Jack to re-enter the picture. He has moved back to Rome after a tragic break-up and bought the house next door to his nemesis, Emily. Hilarious points of contention between these two and they end up falling for each other. It’s a little messy but all good things are.
Such a great book series. It’s flirty, funny and romantic. A nice light read to make you smile.