Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a semi-closed-door contemporary romance about the multiple-year rivalry of two second-grade teachers and their quest to battle their evolving affection for each other.

I honestly am very speechless right now, because I did not think I would love this book as much as I did. It actually might just be my most highlighted and annotated book and I am very proud to admit that! This book was very close to perfect, and I barely had any critiques about it.

Firstly, the banter was AMAZING. Emily and Jack had a great conversational flow right from the beginning. The jokes weren't cheesy and cringe but felt so perfectly THEM. I found myself grinning in my bed whilst reading because I was having so much fun reading about their conversations. Sarah Adams wrote about the development of their relationship flawlessly. The tension was amazing, and I could clearly see the basis of a strong friendship before it turned romantic. Many authors tend to rush that "intermediate zone" of a romance book, where they aren't clearly friends but they aren't lovers either. But Sarah Adams perfectly articulated that murky area and the angst made it 1000 times better!! This book honestly has the blueprint of how I want every contemporary romance book to be paced: and that is not even an exaggeration.

One thing that always differentiates a four star book to a five star book, is how connected I feel to the characters. It is one thing to write a romance book, but it is another thing to write a romance book where the characters genuinely feel human to me. Emily and Jack had a lot more to them than just their romance with one another. They were so rounded and raw that I felt genuine emotion and empathy when reading about their lives. They were beautiful as individuals, so when they came together...UGH. I'm not ashamed to say I was teary-eyed a lot of the time whilst reading them fall in love.

I'm not an older sister, but I know a lot of older sisters would resonate deeply with Emily's character. She held so much depth to her and I felt so proud to see her be loved the way she deserved. And Jackson Bennett?!?! JACKSON BENNETTT. I honestly think I am in love with this man. He made me sob, cry and feel so alone that I wanted to extract him out of the pages and turn him into a real individual. Sarah Adams knew what she was doing and she deserves a round of applause for it too! These characters were really loveable, there wasn't a single flaw I could pinpoint.

Honestly, all the critiques I have are quite small and trivial and don't deserve to lower the five-star rating for this book. I do wish there was a LITTLE more Jack chapters (because I loved him so much) and the "cliquey small-town" trope is NOT my favourite, but I am glad that it didn't last too long in the book. And now, I will say I am very tired of reading about the main characters being authors, BUT I HAVE TO MAKE AN EXCEPTION FOR THIS BOOK! It was executed so well, I could not hate that plot-line.

But all in all, amazing book. I loved it, and I will be purchasing the paperback to annotate once the book comes out. UGH, this was so amazing!!!!!

The first half of this book was really slow for me and then I couldn't put it down. I found Jack's early admission of falling for Emily, just undermined the enemies to lovers trope.

I really liked the exploration of grief and mental health.

Was a sweet read but I'd expect nothing less from Sarah Adams.

This BOOK!!! This book took me for a ride that I will never ever get over and one i never expected. I stayed up an entire night to finish this. Once I hit the 20% mark, i could not stop!
I had to truly sit on my review before writing this out because i fear I won’t be able to do it justice.

This has my golden ratio:
🖤 Strong characterization, including a complex and unlikable female main character
🖤 BIG BIG BIG emotions with incredible mental health representation
🖤 ANGST and banter!! CHEMISTRY PEOPLE!!!

And to top it all off, A REASON FOR ✨THEM✨

This book isn’t for everyone, but it’s for the girls like me. Maybe you have a narcissistic father or parental figure in your life. Perhaps you are petrified of being vulnerable from fear of people leaving - people no longer finding you useful. So you always make yourself useful, at the expense of yourself and your needs.

This WRECKED me. And both Jack and Emily are prefect for one another. Their strengths and weaknesses were reflected within one another in a way that made them so full of understanding and chemistry. Sometimes to their detriment. Sometimes their own trauma made them better for each other.

I wish I could go back to the start to read this all over again with fresh eyes. I never thought that this romance would turn into something so tender and kind.

I’ll be going back to read all of Sarah Adam’s books now.

Yes!! I love Sarah Adams romance, they are so sweet and swoony. This is such a great finale to the sisters finding love!

How amazing was it to go back to Rome for Emily and Jack’s book.

Emily is the eldest sister in the family and is fiercely independent. She is pretty much a boss in this small town and runs the show. Everyone adores her as their own daughter. Even though she will never admit it, life is getting quite lonely as all her siblings have grown up and don’t rely on her anymore.

Jack is now single and moving to Rome after calling off his wedding. He realised he was missing something in his life, which might just be the woman he despises.

These two have a long going feud going back to the first time they met in college. Jack fell immediately in love, but Emily being recently heartbroken pretty much threw it in his face.

The heat that develops between these two is fierce. I don’t know how she does it, but Sarah Adam’s pours so much emotion into her pages, I get goosebumps reading. The passion they both share for writing really deepens their relationship.

Once again the side characters are hilarious and add so much to the book. I love that Mable plays such a big part again.

I can’t wait to revisit this small town again. 4.5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley and Hachette for the ARC

"And to think you consider yourself hard to love. Loving you is the easiest thing I've ever done."

- small town
- workplace (teachers)
- neighbours to lovers
- college rivals to lovers
- both secret writers
- black cat x golden retriever
- slow burn
- 🌶️/5 (but can be closed door)
- dual pov

Sarah Adams's books are truly a hit of serotonin. I don't know how else to explain it. Every book in this series has been five stars, and I wouldn't change a thing! Emily and Jack's romance is soft and tender, with funny banter and fun-filled moments that'll have you giggling and kicking your feet, perfectly balanced with sweeter, more poignant ones.

Emily is the quintessential eldest daughter black cat. Now that everyone has flown the coop, she doesn't feel needed and, therefore, alone. Jack comes along at the perfect time, shaking things up.

"You think you're unlovable, but I think I've never known how to love until knowing you."

The tension in this book is SIZZLING because they're rivals AND neighbours. But when Emily accidentally sends her secret spicy historical romance manuscript to their boss, she enlists Jack's help to get into his laptop. Oh, and then he reads the script, and they "block" a spicy scene 🫠. I was a goner after that!

Jack is Emily's opposite, the golden retriever who's a little in love with her. But he's dealing with his own secret writing identity and a narcissistic father. I love Emily's reaction when she finds out the truth. "Turns out I didn't need long to process. I want you."

Their slow burn burns beautifully as they go from I can't stand you to reluctant friends to more. Their relationship is built on honesty, trust, and vulnerability, and it's a joy to read about.

"I guess I'm saying I don't actually want to go slow with you. I love you, Jack. I don't want to be friends with benefits. I want to hug each other when we're sad and help each other find the bright side of things when all we can see is the dark."

What else can I say but READ THIS BOOK!

Thank you to Hachette ANZ for the early copy.

Sarah Adams is one of my favourite authors. This book had some twists I didn’t see coming! Absolutely loved every second of if. Highly recommend and I will be buying the physical copy asap!

This was my introduction to Sarah Adams and it won't be my last!

Romance is not my prefered genre but Sarah Adams character development and plot makes this so much more. While you don't need to read the first two novels in the series, you do meet characters from these.

* Charming
* Small town romance
* Rivals to lovers.

Beg, Borrow or Steal centress around two characters who find themselves in a quirky and unexpected situation, leading to a series of humorous and touching moments. As they navigate their growing feelings for each other, the book explores themes of love, trust, and personal growth. I really enjoy the relatibility of the characters and that the male protagonist is a genuine person.

The writing is light, easy to read, and filled with charming moments. The plot has a nice balance of humor and emotion, making it an enjoyable read for anyone looking for a feel-good romance.

Emily and Jack are my new favourite couple from Rome, Kentucky. This is an enemies to lovers romance between two teachers, who end up becoming neighbours (a recipe for romance really). I absolutely love Emily and related to so much about her character. I fell in love with Jack immediately, THE MAN WEARS GLASSES. I can’t wait to get a paperback copy to annotate! I loved it so much that I couldn’t help but make a journal spread for it 😍

I was so excited to be transported back to my favourite small town of Rome, Kentucky with the Walker siblings. I have absolutely loved this series so far and this book was no exception.

I really enjoyed Emily and Jack’s love story, it had the perfect blend of enemies to lovers and forced proximity tropes. They were such a fun and cute couple to root for with their constantly banter and bickering to start off with and then the sweet and tender romance.

There were so many laugh out loud moments and the found family vibes in this series is just perfection. I desperately hope we get a fourth book about Madison next🤞🏼

TRULY MY FAVE BOOK IN THIS SERIES YET 🥹🥹
just happened to receive a final copy from Hachette today and it has made my week!

I love the connection between Jackson and Emily!
I loved Emily’s character so much, I truly related to her so much, the way she doubted herself and holds so much to herself and doesn’t let people see her down or upset. It can be hard being a sunshine girl all the time, and seeing her slowly open up to Jackson and let him in completely was so beautiful.
Jackson’s own struggles with his family and upbringing and keeping his own secrets was written so well. The dynamic between him and Emily was built so well, and ugh the scene in the cupboard *swoon*.
Every Sarah Adams book I read, is an improvement on the last, her writing has grown so much.
I adore the When in Rome characters so much and can’t wait for our final book to see James and Maddison together - finally 🙈

A big, giant 5 stars!!!
Reading this book was like getting a big, warm hug— the banter was top tier and the characters were so authentic and fleshed out with genuine problems and insecurities.

My first Sarah Adams book set in the When in Rome universe but I felt like I’d known the small town and it’s people for years.

One of my most favourite reads. Cannot recommend enough!

5! ⭐️
"When I told you I care for you, I mean it. It's not that I care for some aspects of you, not that I care for you when you're in a good mood... I care for you always. I want you, always."
***
Oh my GOODNESS!
~
Beg, Borrow, or Steal follows our two main characters - Jack, and Emily. They are old rivals, who quite honestly can't stand each other. Emily is the eldest of her siblings, and after a tragic accident took their parents, she has adopted that motherly approach to always looking after her family, and ensuring they're happy.
A teacher, who secretly writes romance in her spare time, enjoys her quiet life in Rome. Until Jack moves into town after a breakup, and we see him move in, right next door.

~
Admittedly, I haven't read any of the other When In Rome books, I'm SORRY! But, this was sat in my NetGalley recommended and I couldn't resist delving into Adams' work.

Her way with words is one that I have been craving to read for so long now. The lack of effort it took me to be hooked and thinking about these characters and this little story was just wild. I can usually think about a book when reading it, but when I tell you I LITERALLY could not put this thing down, I'm not kidding.

~

I absolutely adored how Emily grew as a character. Being a serial and chronic people pleaser myself, and an eldest sibling, I could relate to Emily on so many levels. Her lack of self confidence and how that blossomed was beautiful to read.
I adored the banter and the growth between Emily and Jack, and Jack was a beautiful character himself, too. He bent over backwards for Emily, and equally made her an even better person.

You can technically read this as a stand alone from what I have seen from other reviewers, but ultimately reading the rest of the series is now on my immediate TBR!!

"You think you're unloveable, but I think I've never know how to love until knowing you." SORRY?!?!? BRB whilst I SOB.

Let me tell you that the slow burn energy this book gave was just yummy. I LOVED the pacing of this story, and watching our characters realise that actually, they could make this work, and that actually, they get on quite well!
"Suddenly, chasing this old feud doesn't seem nearly as appealing as chasing that smile."

I can't tell you how much I adore a small town romance, slow burn, and rivals to lovers, especially when each character has such a vulnerable narrative like our two main characters did.

Thank you SO much to NetGalley and Hachette Aus & NZ for the opportunity to read this wonderful Advanced Readers Copy.

5 stars

Anything Sarah writes, I just love. Her previous 2 books had me completely invested. This one was the same - once started, l just couldn't stop!! It's such a cute read and one that can be easily devoured in a day!!

The best way to spend a sun shiney day is amongst these pages.

It's:
Small town, Chemistry that is hot,
Rivals to lovers, Sibling love,
Sunshine vs. Sunshine,
Mental Health representation, Jack ( my new book boyfriend),
Teachers Vs. Authors,
Dual POV,
Heart & so much soul,
Swoonworthy,
Fun rom - com,
Just lovely..

"You are not alone. Emily, l would walk through my worst memories to get t o you every single time."

Emily Walker hates having her carefully crafted world disrupted by anyone, most of all her legendary nemesis, Jack Bennett. He's the opposite of the wonderful heroes she dreams up in her double life as a romance writer, which is why Emily was perfectly happy when JAck left Rome, Kentucky, mid - school year, with his fiancee. The last thing Emily saw coming was Jack's return at the start of the summer after calling off hte wedding & ending his relationship, but he's here to stay - as her colleague & her neighbour.

Jackson Bennett is glad to be back, eager to renovate his house & work on the next mystery novel under this bestselling pen name.. When he realises hes now neighbours with the one woman who has always pushed his buttons, he discovers something he's even more excited for - thwarting Emily & her petty plans to sabotage his return.

With their chemistry - fueled animosity at an all-time high, Emily accidentally sends an email to their school's principal that could reveal her secret literary side hussle. She needs to steal back her manuscript, & Jack - she hates to admit - is just the man to help her. Surprisingly, Jack agrees. will their unlikely alliance put an end to their rivalry?Or could it lead to a steamy plot twist they never saw coming?

Thank you so much, @authorsarahadams, @hachetteau & @netgalley, for this early release copy in exchange for an honest review

Rome, Kentucky has my entire heart and I would never dream of asking for it back. I truly and wholeheartedly adore everyone in this town - they feel so vivid and real and ugh I want to be best friends with all of them.

Beg, Borrow and Steal has completely swept me off my feet. Emily and Jack have one of the most beautiful, poignant stories I've ever read, and whilst I struggled with Emily's character at the start, I can now say that I would do anything for that woman. They both shared tender, sweet moments, and learnt what it meant to trust someone else with not only the good parts, but the messy and dark parts as well.

"You are not alone Emily. I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time."

Emily Walker hates having her carefully crafted world disrupted by anyone, most of all her legendary nemesis, Jack Bennett. When Jack left Rome, Kentucky, with his fiancée, Emily was happy. Yet when he returns at the start of the summer, after calling off the wedding and ending his relationship, Jack announces that he is not only here to stay but he will also be her neighbour. Jack is happy to be back, eager to renovate his house and work on the next mystery novel under his bestselling pen name. When he discovers that Emily is his neighbour, he is determined to sabotage Emily’s plans to make his life miserable. As a result of Emily accidentally sending an email to their school’s principal that could reveal her secret literary side hustle, she has to steal back her manuscript and ask Jack to help. Soon their alliance becomes quite steamy.
This book is more than just a romance, as it explores many concepts such as grief, family dynamics, and the discovery of self-worth. Jack is such a sweet character that it was a delight to see his character overcome his painful past. Likewise, it was lovely to be a part of Emily’s journey as she overcomes her fears. Their relationship sees them both grow in self-confidence. A great read.
I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book from NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Having read book 1 and 2 in this series I was so excited to return to Rome, Kentucky with Beg, Borrow or Steal. In complete honesty I struggled a bit with the first 30% of this book, because it was peak enemies to lovers pettiness - enemies to lovers fans would be in absolute heaven with the start of this book, but Emily gave me the absolute s**ts with how immature she was towards Jack - trying to run him out of town because of a coffee he accidentally spilt 10 something years prior then "flirted with her" when she was going through a breakup - girl grow up! but once they discovered that *shocker* they actually are attracted to each other, I lapped this book up and couldn't put it down hahaha. I loved how they helped one another and kept each others secrets - it was so cute and wholesome. I really hope that we get a book 4 in this series (the book certainly felt like it was setting up for Maddie's story so here's hoping)

I loved everything about beg, borrow or steal. it holds the place of my favourite sarah adams book.

this book. it had me giggling & kicking my feet, and also tearing up because it made me feel SEEN. beg, borrow or steal follows emily and her rivalry with her workplace nemesis. at its core, this book is for the eldest daughters, the girls who don’t want to talk about their feelings, the girls who consider them a little hard to love and want to always rescue their loved ones.

for me, this book was absolutely a right book, right time kinda moment. absolutely got me out of my slump & gave me everything I was looking for in a book. it was messy & real and the communication between emily and jack was so good.

pick this up if you love:
eldest daughter narratives
a small town found family
audrey hepburn movies
workplace rivals to lovers
right where you left me by taylor swift

highly recommend this series for a sweet romance. thank you so much for the arc!

Beg, Borrow or Steal
Sarah Adams

“The villain is always the true hero in a romance.”

Omg this was EVERYTHING!
It has soul, chemistry, tension, humour, connection and it flowed so perfectly. It was sit back and kick your legs, you’re so giddy with the banter happiness. And there was so much genuine life advice woven into the storyline that you instantly felt comforted. Living in this town was a revelation, life is wonderful, bad circumstances and bad luck will always inevitably happen, but community and connection will always ensure there’s something good to strive towards.

“Good. Life can be a little shit sometimes. But shit also makes great fertilizer.” She pays the back of my hand that’s holding hers. “Grow from your experiences, don’t let them smother the light out of you.”

Two feuding second grade teachers find themselves teaming up in this rivals-to-lovers rom com. There’s chemistry fuelled animosity and petty high jinx. Emily embarks on a Campaign to run Jack out of her town, ostracised and belittled. Meanwhile Jack is stuck having to renovate his dilapidated house. And we have the Manuscript heist. 😮‍💨

‘Because even if everything around me is swirling into chaos, at least I have this: My house. My routine. My cat.’

This was absolutely incredible and my rom com lovers, get your copy!

“It doesn’t matter.” The wine I drank pours itself out of my eyes. “My life is over. O.E.V.E.R.”
“I’m glad you also know the super-secret way to spell ‘over,’”

Thanks to @authorsarahadams and @hachetteaus for my advanced copy. I truly loved every single second of this read! Beg, Borrow or Steal is released tomorrow, 7th January!

‘Reassuring me that even in unfavourable circumstances, even when it feels like all odds are against me, that with hope and care, good things find a way to thrive.’

(Review Posted 6th January 2025)

*Thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.*

Three out of three hits for this series (so far!). I loved this book. I love a prickly, forthright, insecure main character, and that is what Emily is. She loves deeply, she fights for those people she loves even in the little fights (helping her sister renegotiate her phone bill? my heart was stolen), and she struggles to process her own feelings. And there are perfectly plausible (and sad) reasons for her character to be this way (if you've read the other books, then you know). And she also grows and develops over the course of the story.
I loved all of her interactions with her siblings; their family dynamic is fantastic. I felt so much for Emily in all the times she felt like they were leaving her behind, how it devastated her, but she is also happy for them and proud at the same time.
Then there was Jack. I loved his characterisation as well. He felt like such a well-rounded, thought-out character. The reason behind why he is such a charmer and so good at making people like him. Why he loves sniping and bickering with Emily. How they know each other so well, but they also don't? Yeah. I loved it.
The progression of Emily and Jack's relationship felt well-paced. Any scene where he interacted with her family, or the townspeople, was perfect.
Now, just need to get my hands on Maddie and James' book. The hints of them in this book were tantalising. I can't wait!