A super sweet rom com with some really touching moments!

Now this is very much your typical “boy and girl “hate” each other but actually secretly don’t and end up in love” story with lots of growth and development along the way.

It’s super sweet and will give you that loved up wholesome feeling and is perfect if you just want a fluffy pick me up (though couple of not so fluffy moments throughout)

I adore the "When in Rome" series and I promise you, the third instalment is just as fun and genuinely heartwarming (if not funnier) as the previous two! Sarah Adams always does a amazing job with small-town charm, and Rome, Kentucky, feels more like a place I've visited than just a setting in a book. I loved seeing familiar faces from the earlier books, but Emily and Jack's story easily stands on its own.

It's forced proximity/co-workers/enemies-to-lovers, but what I appreciated here was how evenly matched the romantic tension was. It wasn't one of those "I've secretly loved you for years" situations-both Emily and Jack clearly couldn't stand each other, and watching that slowly shift into mutual respect and then something more was really satisfying. Their banter is hilarious, but there's real emotion and growth underneath it, too.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal had me laughing and smiling all the way to the last page. I will read anything Sarah writes at this point and can't wait for the next one!

Thank you to to the team at @ and @netgalley for also giving me a eARC for this one! I swear I'll get my life together and read them quicker next time! 🫣

I loved this book so much! It was swoony and funny and the banter between Emily and Jack was elite. I would absolutely recommend!

LOVED this book! It was 5/5 for me instantly. I've really enjoyed all of Sarah Adams books, but this is by far my favourite. Emily and Jacks' story and their chemistry is perfection. Would highly recommend!

This book is enemies-to-lovers PURE GOLD! Emily and Jack’s banter is too funny, the chemistry is off the charts, and the secret identity twist? Chef’s kiss. Romance readers are eating this up. Sarah Adams is surely to never diasppoint.

I will read anything and everything by Sarah Adams. Her writing is easy to read and stay engaged with, the story telling is captivating and her characters are always so relatable.

This is a rivals to lovers, slow burn romance with the best kind of banter. Without a doubt, one of my favourite books by Sarah Adams so far.

Working my way though my Netgalley shelf and this was the top of my list.

This is a rivals to lovers story that spans years, from Emily and Jack’s first meeting at college where the pair got off on the wrong foot, all through college, and then through their careers as second grade teachers. Jack is returning after a period away, and now he and Emily are also neighbours. their rivalry picks up where it left off.

The book is gentle romance in terms of the romance aspect though titillating in terms of the banter between Emily and Jack. Emily’s treatment of Jack initially seems a little snarky having the townspeople treat Jack poorly on his return, but Emily isn’t as cold as she tries to be, and acknowledges everyone likes Jack (even though it’s one of the things that used to irk her about him). To Jack’s credit he’s honest with himself about his feelings and we see him unpacking this as the book progresses.

Whilst both characters are adults, it’s a great coming of age story for Emily, who is able to live a little through her own experiences, after having so much responsibility for so long. A really pleasant book to read, reasonably low level act three conflict that really suited the story and the characters.

I really enjoyed this one.

4.5 stars rounded up

4.5 stars
Sarah Adams has quickly become one of my favourite romance writers. Since falling in love with THE RULE BOOK, it’s been a joy to dive into her backlist and with the recent release of BEG, BORROW OR STEAL, I was excited to read it as soon as possible.

Readers, this 3rd book in the Rome series did not disappoint! Sarah Adams writes the most adorable MMCs and I quickly fell in love with Jack Bennett. The flirtatious motorbike scene just further cemented my crush.

Everything I want in a romance is in this book. The enemies! The lovers! The neighbourly forced proximity. The secret author life! The banter, the flirting, the vulnerability. The meddling small town folk & adorable Walker fam! I just loved it all.

BEG, BORROW OR STEAL will give readers all the warm & fuzzies. It’s a book that will leave you in the best of moods.
There’s always room on my shelves for a feel good Sarah Adams read and it’s just made me so much more excited for book 4 (I love a he-falls-first unrequited crush! I’m ready!)

I’m definitely in my romance era! I am really enjoying my foray into romance.
This is book 3 in the When in Rome series, I will say that as I haven’t read the others, this does stand alone well. So don’t put off reading it if you haven’t read the ones before it.
Two feuding primary school teachers who have always been competitive. So I’m guessing you’ve got the trope already of enemies/rivals to lovers.
Emily is highly strung, competitive and is loved by the town. Jack is new to town and just trying to fit into a town where Emily is beloved. Can their rivalry be overcome so that there is peace? Will one of them take it too far? You’ll have to read to find out.

Are you down for some witty banter? Because you will certainly get that with Beg Borrow or Steal and hands down that is what I loved the most about this one. Paired with a rivals to lovers trope and the blazing tension! Snap Crackle Pop!

Meet Emily Walker and Jack Bennett, second grade teachers, rivals and... neighbours!
Its one thing being fueding colleagues but to be neighbours as well! Oh the humour of it!

It really makes for some entertainment especially when Emily makes a stuff up and she needs Jack to help her out of the situation! Will Emily see another side to Jack when he agrees to help and the chemistry between them becomes undeniable?

Read it to find out!! 😍

Ugh, she does it again. I love this little series from Sarah Adams 👏.

We have here our third Walker sibling story and it may be my fave yet! Small town vibes, enemies to lovers, teachers, writers, emotional arcs for both. Dual POV, and slightly spicier than the previous two which I was on board with - the ‘scene-blocking’ scene anyone!? 🔥

I really loved Emily, sure she can come across as slightly abrasive but her heart is kind and I loved that Jack knew that.

Thank you, thank you, thank you to @netgalley for an ARC of this one - I believe it is out now and I will definitely be getting a copy for the shelf!

*4.75 stars

I ADORED this book. Everything from the pacing, banter and character development is utter perfection. I had high expectations after how much I loved Practice Makes Perfect and this did not disappoint! Sarah Adams is amazing at developing characters and relationships that feel so real, whilst dealing with actual problems and not just chucking the miscommunication trope in at the end which I appreciate so much.

Rome, Kentucky has truly stolen my heart, and Emily and Jack's story is bound to resonate with readers whilst making them giggle and kick their feet. I can't wait for the next book but I don't want this series to be over!!

Thank you so much to Hachette Australia and Netgalley!

*Beg, Borrow, or Steal* by Sarah Adams is a delightful romance that captures the heart with its witty banter, charming characters, and a perfect mix of humour and emotion. The story follows Emily and Jack, two rival teachers whose relationship evolves from playful enemies to sweet lovers. Set in the cosy town of Rome, Kentucky, the book offers a warm, feel-good atmosphere that is both comforting and relatable. With its engaging plot and well-developed characters, this novel is a wonderful choice for anyone looking for a light-hearted and uplifting read.

This is the first of Sarah Adams books that I have read but I will definitely be picking up more.

Emily and Jack are both 2nd grade teachers at the same school and have been nemesis since they collided with each other back on the first day of college. Now Jack is back in town and moved into the house next door to Emily.

This book is full of so many romance tropes that I tend to love including small town romance, forced proximity and enemies to lovers.

Emily and Jack are both characters that on the surface look like their have their lives together but in reality they are similar in more ways then they realise. The side characters are great and some of the couples from the previous 2 books in the series make an appearance as well as what I assume is some fore-shadowing for the 4th book.
I loved this book and read the second half in one sitting in the middle of the night because I just wanted to see how it would all play out. Can't wait to read the rest.

The queen Sarah Adams can do no wrong, this book was *chefs kiss* honestly could not put it down! I love this universe and each book just makes me fall more in love with Rome, Kentucky!

Did I stay up all night to start and finish this book in one sitting? Yes, yes I did!
Any regrets? None!

“If you let me, I’ll figure out the right balance of taking care of you and pissing you off when you want me to”

My first Sarah Adams book and I can’t believe I haven’t read her books before. If there is one thing I absolutely LIVE for in a book it is banter and boy did this book deliver. Pair that with the small-town setting and a rivals to lovers trope and you have me HOOKED. At its core, this book is a romantic-comedy but I love how the characters were able to connect and come together through their own deeper personal journey.

The MMC, Jack (or Jackson) was a walking green flag. A charming, considerate man with intelligence and sharp wit - yes please 😍 We love a self-aware King and Jack really delivered on all fronts.

The FMC, Emily, was complex and written as a 3 dimensional character with flaws and quirks that so many of us can relate to as well as find ourselves in her. As much as I got frustrated with her at times, the author really made me understand why she was the way she was. When I found myself confused by her actions, she herself was confused with her own actions so the author really put you in the FMC’s head.

The slow but steady evolution of this book is satisfying but I did find myself wanting a little more from the end which is why I couldn’t rate it higher. I found myself wanting to know how things unfolded more with certain storylines. The epilogue also sadly left me a little dissatisfied and just felt rushed.

Tropes:
✨ neighbours/forced proximity
✨ rivals to lovers
✨ found family
✨ he falls first

All in all, would recommend for a cute, fun and easy read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Hachette Australia for providing an e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: 4.5 ⭐️
Spice: 🫑

Thank you for letting me ARC-read this book! Beg, Borrow, or Steal is another delightful romance from Sarah Adams, filled with her signature charm, humor, and heartfelt moments. The characters were engaging, the banter was top-notch, and the story had the perfect mix of swoon-worthy romance and emotional depth.

I especially loved the slow-burn romance between Jack and Emily. Their chemistry was undeniable, and watching their relationship develop over time made every moment feel even more rewarding. Sarah Adams has a way of making her stories feel both lighthearted and meaningful, and this book was no exception

Overall, I give it 4.5 stars and highly recommend it to anyone who loves a feel-good romance with plenty of laughs and heartwarming moments!

Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams is exactly what you’d expect from her—a charming, feel-good rom-com with the perfect mix of humor, heart, and sizzling chemistry.

The story follows Elena, who finds herself in a bit of a mess when she needs to "borrow" a vintage truck from her ex-boyfriend, Jack, to help her family. But, of course, Jack isn’t just going to hand it over. What follows is a delightful mix of banter, tension, and that slow-burn, second-chance romance that Adams writes so well.

Jack is your classic grumpy-but-soft-on-the-inside love interest, while Elena is headstrong, determined, and impossible not to root for. Their past adds so much depth to their interactions, making every moment between them feel charged—whether they’re fighting, flirting, or both at the same time.

This book is perfect if you love small-town romance, laugh-out-loud moments, and characters you can’t help but fall for. It’s lighthearted but still has just enough emotional depth to make it feel real. If you’re a Sarah Adams fan, you’ll definitely love this one.

This was such a great plot for a small town enemies to lovers. A very strong first half had me gripped that I ended up reading this in only a day. The second half dropped a little for me, it felt like it became a different book and that the only reason these two characters weren't confessing their feelings was because of constant interruptions but overall a very fun light-hearted book and an excellent complement to the series

This one was so cute!

I loved that Emily and Jack are each other’s nemesis. It made for such fun banter and interactions, but definitely could feel the underlying attraction! I loved seeing how they moved hating each other to realising that line is very thin. The forced proximity of them is so damn good! Their chemistry is amazing and I love that Sarah is adding a touch of steam and open door to her books! Just added that extra element!

How she handled more sensitive topics of depression and a narcissistic parent was so well done. It didn’t go too deep, but enough that you felt the impact. I loved both characters growth and awareness. Plus those message bits at the end of some chapters just gave a bit more to the story!

I loved all the side characters and the bits thrown in about the next book! Can’t wait!