Sarah Adams has unsurprisingly done it again. I've officially had to don her the queen of romance, because she has NEVER EVER missed

Rated 3.75

It's definitely an enjoyable read from Sarah Adams.
Third book in this instalment following oldest sibling Emily.

Emily and co-worker Jack make snide jabs at each other, at any chance they get.


Enemies to lovers

Thanks to netgalley for the chance to review an arc copy

This was too cute!

I’ve been hyped for this ever since these two were hinted at in Practice Makes Perfect. I truly didn’t think there could be competition for my favourite Sarah Adam’s book but here we are. This is definitely her best book yet!

This book follows Emily and Jack, who have been rivals since their college days and work at a school together. Emily doesn’t expect to see Jack again after he got engaged but now he is newly single and just moved in next door to Emily. While they may not be thrilled by this new arrangement, the realized they’d missed each other and realize that their feelings for each other might be stronger than your ordinary rivalry.

Enemies to lovers isn’t my go to trope so it says a lot that I was super excited for this one when it was just being hinted at in Practice Makes Perfect. It not only lived up to my expectations but fully exceeded them and blew them out of the water! I knew this book was going to be good but it was even better than I was expecting!

I loved the development of their relationship. The pacing was absolutely perfect. There was such good romantic tension between them that got to simmer and develop over the course of the story. Their banter was a lot of fun and I loved the peek into getting to see some of their email and text interactions as well. Their romance was so beautiful and sweet. These two really complement one another well. I like that their cute bickering didn’t go away when they got together.

I also found the characters relatable. I mean I am an older sister named Emily who would also like to one day write my own romance novel and also has a crush on Jack. Emily’s story and character growth was beautiful to see and you could tell the author put a lot of heart in it. She’s this closed off person who believes she’s unlovable but she gets proven wrong by that by every character in this book.

I also found Jack relatable in his people pleasing tendencies. I loved his sunshiny charm. He was so loveable from the get go. I loved seeing the way he started opening himself up to Emily and how he let her see parts of himself he hadn’t been comfortable sharing with other people. He also has a secret in this book and I like the way that was handled with how it eventually comes out.

One of the reasons this series is so loveable is the characters. I love the sibling dynamics and I love how Amelia has been adopted into that as their sister in law. I’ve enjoyed every book in the series so seeing the side couples makes me so giddy! Especially Will and Annie! They were so sweet in this book so I loved being able to see how their lives have been since Practice Makes Perfect ended.

I absolutely can’t wait for the next book! The couple seems to be hinted at in this one as well as prior books I think so I’m excited to see their story and how everything wraps up for the series!

If you haven’t given this series a shot yet, I highly recommend it, and this is coming from someone who doesn’t like small town romances. You need to read this series! It’s so cozy and fun! I can’t recommend it enough.

I enjoyed this one. Not my favourite in the series.
Nothing will top Annie and Will's story for me but I really enjoyed being back in this small town. Emily and jack are really sweet characters. I loved the tension between them to start with. Over all a cutesy easy read.
Sarah Adams never fails in my opinion. Want a cute fluffy romance then this is it.

Thank you to NetGalley, Headline and Sarah Adams for an early copy of Beg, Borrow or Steal.

It was an absolute delight! I seriously couldn't put this one down. From start to finish, it had me hooked with the perfect mix of humour, tension, and heart.

The enemies to lovers trope in this book? Chef's kiss 🤌 The chemistry between the main characters was everything. The way they went from total adversaries to something much deeper was a wild, fun ride. I’m a sucker for that slow-burn transformation, and Sarah Adams delivered it flawlessly!

What I loved the most was how this book ties into the interconnected series—it's hands down my favorite so far. Each character’s journey feels so real, and Adams just knows how to make you root for everyone.

If you're looking for a feel-good, hilarious, and swoon-worthy read, this one is a must!

I haven't read the rest of the series, but still enjoyed this very much. It can definitely be read as a standalone.

Beg, Borrow, or Steal was everything I want in a rom-com. It's sweet, hilarious, and the rivals-to-lovers is on point. If you like tension between two characters who hate (but obviously secretly like each other), then this book has plenty of that.

Overall, I found this super enjoyable and unputdownable. Highly recommend!

Amazing!!!!! Sarah Adams can do no wrong in my eyes! I’ve loved all of the books in the ‘When In Rome’ series, but I have to say I have a particular soft spot for Jack(son). He is just adorable! I loved watching his and Emily’s romance develop from frenemies, to Lovers! I not usually the biggest fan of a slow burn, but I adored this one and I’m glad it wasn’t forced or rushed! I’m extremely hopeful that Sarah will be doing another book in this series and it will be Maddie & James!! 🤞🏻
Although I’ve read this on Netgalley, I’ve already placed an order for a physical copy to add to by Sarah Adams collection of read books!
I did not want this book to end and I’m already excited for Sarah Adams next new release (whenever that is)!!

First of all, thank you so much for this ARC! I absolutely loved this book and it's rare that I feel this connected to characters to be honest! It made me laugh, made me sad and made me giddy because of the lovey Dover stuff. I'm definitely recommending this book to everyone I know and I'm so ready for the next book already!

Oh, my heart! Sarah Adams has done it again with "Beg, Borrow or Steal"! This book gave me everything I didn’t know I needed—a perfect blend of humor, heart, and swoon-worthy romance.

Jack and Emily, rival second-grade teachers (and neighbors!), are the ultimate frenemies-to-lovers duo. Their banter is sharp, their chemistry is undeniable, and their journey from feuding to falling for each other was everything I hoped for and more. I laughed, I teared up, and I may have audibly gasped during THAT scene (if you know, you know).

Emily’s journey was so relatable and beautifully written—her fears, her loneliness, and her determination to be everything to everyone. And Jack? Absolute perfection. He’s grumpy, thoughtful, and quietly head over heels for Emily in the most heart-melting way.

This story isn’t just about romance; it’s about finding the courage to be vulnerable, the power of someone believing in you, and the beauty of letting people in. Add in the cozy charm of small-town Rome, Kentucky, and it’s impossible not to fall in love.

If you’re looking for a feel-good, laugh-out-loud, emotionally rich romance, this is it. Sarah Adams, take a bow—you’ve written a new favorite!

Thank you to NetGalley and Headline for the ARC.

#BegBorroworSteal #NetGalley

sarah adams always knows how to deliver.
i am always such a fan of her books and this was no expection.

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

I absolutely LOVED this book. I absolutely devoured it and was so so sad anytime I had to put it down for adult responsibilities. There were some grammatical or spelling errors in a few spots but I didn’t even care because the plot line and writing overly made up for it! As a 2nd grade teacher I was immediately drawn to the fact it was a story about two teachers. However, I found that since it took place over summer break, it made it more relatable for those not in the profession. I absolutely loved the depth in the characters and their backgrounds. I followed it up with “Funny Story” by Emily Henry and honestly I’m still thinking about Beg, Borrow, and Steal. I think it may end up being one of my favorites of 2025!!!

This was cute...but it was not as great as the first two books in the series.
I feel this one dragged on a little more towards the end but it was still a cute, fun read.

Firstly, a huge thank you to NetGalley, Headline Publishing and Sarah Adams for an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I read this book in less than 24 hours. Needless to say, this book charmed me off my feet! - Book 3 in the When in Rome series, which is a series that follows each sibling in the Walker family and their journeys finding love in the most unexpected places. You can read this one without having read the others (this is what I did!), but I imagine you get more out of it having enjoyed books 1 and 2 :)

This story follows Emily Walker, the oldest sister of the sibling group - perfectionist, teacher, mother figure, local heroine, secret writer and Jack Bennett's own personal nemesis.
Jack and Emily's rivalry and feud dates back to college and continued all the way to working together as colleagues. Having not had him in her life for a while, she suddenly discovers he is back in town after a failed engagement. Not only is he back in her small town, he's now her neighbour too! And the animosity/tension between them is as palpable as ever.

But when a drunken night turns into her secret manuscript ending up in the wrong person's hands, she knows it is only Jack that can help her make it right. As they work together, Jack has secrets of his own he is keeping, but they can't fight the feeling that maybe there is a emotional plot twist ahead for them both...

It's been a while since I found a couple that I grew to love so quickly, aside from all my favourite authors who can do no wrong. And Sarah Adams is now in that same group :D
Emily, although portrayed as prickly and uptight at times, was so easy to come to love and sympathise with. The way Sarah writes Jack too, with his family background and growing feelings for Emily, and how together, they help each other open up, become vulnerable was just chef's kisses.

The humour laced in throughout had me giggling like a school girl again and I got all the feels. I loved the side characters and the overlapping of the other sibling's lives as well. You felt pulled in and included in all the small town gossip from the first chapter.

Absolute 5 star read for this! And I can't wait to pick up the rest of the series.

I adore Sarah Adams writing and storytelling and this is no exception!!
I’ve loved the small town and the Walker siblings of Rome, Kentucky and I didn’t think anyone could top Annie & Will, but they did (Sorry, I still love you both though).

Emily & Jack have my heart in this rivals/enemies to lovers rom-com. The undeniable chemistry and angst between these two made it such a fun read and Jack, the softest most wonderful man, was so good to Emily. I enjoyed reading Emily’s growth in allowing herself to put herself first as the eldest sibling.

Overall, a sweet, banter filled, swoon worthy romance.

I was absolutely thrilled to receive this ARC! 🥹 After adoring When in Rome and Practice Makes Perfect, I had high expectations, and let me tell you—this book did not disappoint! It’s officially my new favourite Sarah Adams novel. 🫶🏼

Returning to Rome, Kentucky felt like coming home, and the characters completely stole my heart. Emily and Jack? Obsessed. 🥰❤️ Their chemistry, their banter, their growth—everything about their journey was just so lovable. And it was such a treat to revisit the other Walker siblings and characters from previous books in the series.

This story had me laughing out loud one moment and wiping away tears the next. The way Emily and Jack’s pasts shaped their present was raw and deeply moving. The writing was spot on, capturing both the lighthearted moments and the emotional depth of their experiences. And the communication between the two of them? Top notch. 🙌🏼 Seriously, this book is just perfection.

Thank you Sarah Adams for consistently crafting characters and stories that make me fall in love over and over again.

Rivals to lovers
Small town charm
Hilarious banter
Dual POV
Stories that make you laugh and cry!!

Then trust me, you need this book in your life!

I absolutely adored and devoured this book! I had to go back and read the two books in the series first before diving into Beg Borrow or Steal when i got my galley wish approved (my biggest thank you to headline) so I could get the full immersive experience and I'm so, so glad that I did! I believe this is Sarah's best work in the series. 10/10 would highly recommend. In just five weeks, I've fallen in love with Rome, Kentucky, the tight knit community that reminds me of Stars Hollow from Gilmore Girls and also the Walker siblings. I have a feeling that even if I decided to wing it and just read this without reading the first two books, I would've still fallen in love with it.

This was a wonderful read! I've been really enjoying this series by Sarah Adams, and this was a great third installment.

Things I liked:
- The small town setting and how all the side characters were so unique
- The slow burn of Emily and Jack's relationship - the nemeses to neighbours to best friends to lovers. I liked how their friendship took the time to grow before they gave into their attraction.
- Emily's character. I found her easy to relate to, especially being the oldest daughter and feeling alone. I don't agree with how mean she was to Jack at the start, but I like that she changed her tune quickly. The power of a pair of glasses lol.
- Lots of cameos from the other couples from books 1 and 2. I love Annie and Will, so I loved seeing them again in this book.
- The build up for the next book, and the challenges we can expect Maddie to face when she's the FMC in her own book. And I love James. Poor, lovesick James

This was a really solid romance. The characters were great, the relationship felt real, and the character growth made the third act conflict make sense, especially with Emily's insecurities and Jack's fears. It made sense for them to revert to these feelings before overcoming them. I love how self-aware they both were!

So excited for book 4! I'm assuming there's a book 4...

After loving the other two books in this series, this one is no exception and will probably become an all-time favorite! I ADORED both the FMC and MMC which is so rare for me in romance. Emily as a heroine is so prickly and closed-off but has such a big heart underneath. I really felt for her and could easily connect to a lot of her struggles. Jack was such a breath of fresh air in a sea of grumpy, broody romance heroes - he was so fun and complex. And their banter was TOP TIER! There also were a lot of deep emotions handled, and Sarah Adams handled all of them masterfully.
I also really enjoyed the side characters and the town setting as always in this series. I think we have one book left after this one and I‘m already so sad that this series will then be over.
Sarah Adams usually writes closed-door romance, but I was pleasantly surprised that this one was a little bit spicy! She mentions in her author‘s note in which chapters this happens, so if you would like to skip these scenes because you haven‘t come to expect them from Sarah, you can easily do that.
I highly recommend this one for fans of enemies to lovers and quirky small towns!

This is my favourite Sarah Adams book to date.

This book follows Emily and Jack. Both are teachers and they are each other's nemesis. Jack moved away from the small town to get married and Emily thought she wouldn't see him again. However, the wedding didn't go ahead and Jack has moved back to town. Emily is going to be seeing a lot of him as he is her new neighbour.

I loved this book. The relationship between Emily and Jack was perfect. I liked the banter between the two and I liked seeing their romance develop. This was a slow-burn romance and I couldn't get enough of this.

This book had all the emotions. There were some funny moments such as when Emily accidentally sends her spicy romance manuscript to her boss and the two had to break into his house to stop him from seeing it. There were also some emotional moments. Emily feels the burden of having to look out for her siblings and Jack has a very difficult relationship with his father.

This is my favourite book from this series. I can't wait for the next book which I suspect is going to be Maddie and James' romance which was teased in this book. I can't wait for the next one.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/ ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️🌶️/🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️🌶️

First of all, I’d like to thank NetGalley and Sarah Adams for the ARC of Beg, Borrow, or Steal. This book was such a great time! As the third instalment in the When in Rome series, it follows Emily Walker, the second eldest of the Walker siblings. I haven’t read the first two books, and while you don’t need to read them to dive into this one, I suspect you’d enjoy the series even more if you did. Emily shoulders the heaviest burden after the loss of her parents and, more recently, her grandmother. She thrives on being needed and bases her self-worth on how much her siblings rely on her. It’s not healthy, but it makes her so relatable and human. Emily loves her routines and being in control, so seeing her siblings pairing off—boyfriends, marriages, dream jobs—leaves her feeling stuck. She’s happy for them but can’t help feeling stagnant. Honestly, I relate to Emily a lot—not just because we share the same name, but because we have so much in common. We’re both romance readers, and Emily’s even trying her hand at becoming a romance writer. Plus, she and I probably share a touch of OCD or ASD, which added another layer of connection for me. The story follows Emily and Jackson “Jack” Bennett. Jack, a teacher at the same elementary school as Emily, has been her rival since university. They’ve competed over everything: grades, internships, parking spaces—you name it. But here’s the kicker: Jack’s always been drawn to Emily. While he doesn’t shy away from their arguments, there’s always been an undeniable pull between them. Jack’s a people-pleaser, constantly trying to make others happy—except when it comes to Emily. Around her, he can let that guard down, which I loved. Before the events of the story, Jack was engaged and planning to move to Nebraska to be with his fiancée. When the engagement fell apart, he returned to Rome, Kentucky, determined to put down roots. And that’s where things start to heat up. Emily tries to keep their rivalry alive, but Jack’s vulnerability and charm make that impossible. What follows is a love story that unfolds through their shared moments, mutual growth, and undeniable chemistry. Let me just say this: Jack is a sweetheart. Yes, he’s a people-pleaser, but it stems from past trauma. He’s kind, thoughtful, and oh—he rides a motorcycle. Picture this: tall, tattooed, wearing glasses, a golden retriever-type guy with a dirty mouth and a bike. There’s a scene where Emily talks about the “helmet effect,” and I couldn’t help but feel it too—for this fictional man! The care they have for each other is heartwarming. Jack is always there when Emily needs him, and their relationship feels so real. It’s a beautifully written slow burn. They don’t even kiss until 60% in, but the tension is chef’s kiss. From rivals to neighbors to friends to lovers, the progression of their romance is so satisfying. Jack, by the way, is a mystery writer who publishes under a pen name to avoid riding the coattails of his narcissistic father, a famous author. Meanwhile, Emily dreams of publishing a romance novel. Jack offers to help, citing his father’s connections (without revealing that he’s a famous writer). One swoon-worthy scene has Jack helping Emily write an intimacy scene through a bit of role play, and let me tell you—the tension is palpable. Sarah Adams packed so much story, plot, and trauma into this book, but it never felt overwhelming. Even though I hadn’t read the earlier books, I could follow along just fine. The story is wholesome, funny, and charming, with a third-act conflict that had me groaning in frustration. Seriously, I had my head in my hands, muttering, “Just let them be happy already!” Thankfully, it resolves quickly, and I loved how everything came together in the end. Both Emily and Jack have healing to do, and their individual growth is so satisfying to watch. They learn to lean on each other and the people around them who love and care for them. Side note: Jack’s father is the literal worst. What he does at 95% through the book is diabolical, and I wanted to scream. Poor Jack! But Emily takes care of him, and seeing how they support each other is so heartwarming. Jack even makes Emily dinner afterward, which is adorable. I like how everything is wrapped up in the end, the only thing that would have made it better would’ve been that if we saw Jack’s dad get his comeuppance I would’ve revelled in his downfall or whatever came out of the resolution to the shitstorm he caused. Other then that I really enjoyed this book. It is definitely a must-read for fans of slow-burn romance, rival-to-lovers tropes, and characters who feel real. It’s sweet, funny, and filled with just the right amount of tension. I can’t recommend it enough!