Beg, Borrow, or Steal: A Novel (Rome, Kentucky)
NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • Two feuding second-grade teachers (and neighbors) find themselves teaming up in this new rivals-to-lovers romance set in Rome, Kentucky—from the New York Times bestselling author of The Rule Book and Practice Makes Perfect.
“Sarah Adams writes books with heart and soul. They speak to the people finding their way and being unapologetically themselves in the process. I love her style.”—Hannah Grace, author of Icebreaker
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 fiancée. The last thing Emily saw coming was Jack’s return at the start of the summer after calling off the wedding and ending his relationship, but he’s here to stay—as her colleague and her neighbor.
Jack is glad to be back, eager to renovate his house and work on the next mystery novel under his bestselling pen name. But when he realizes he’s now neighbors with the one woman who has always pushed his buttons, he discovers something he’s even more excited about—thwarting Emily and 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 hustle. She needs to steal back her manuscript, and Jack—she hates to admit—is just the man to help her. Surprisingly, he agrees. Will their unlikely alliance put an end to their rivalry? Or could it lead to a steamy plot twist they never saw coming?
Look for all of Sarah Adams’s When in Rome books:
WHEN IN ROME • PRACTICE MAKES PERFECT • BEG, BORROW, OR STEAL • IN YOUR DREAMS
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Readers say reviews agree that 'Beg, Borrow, or Steal' is a charming, feel-good rom-com with sharp banter, slow-burn chemistry, and small-town charm. ...
Sarah Adams delivers another charming, feel-good romance filled with sharp banter and slow-burn tension. This rivals-to-lovers story nails the “I can’t stand you” to “oh no, I’m in love” progression, with Emily and Jack being both flawed and deeply likable. Their chemistry is undeniable, and the emotional buildup feels natural and earned rather than rushed.
Perfect for fans of enemies-to-lovers, cozy rom-com vibes, and stories that make you smile long after you finish the last page.
This was my favorite so far of the series of Rome, Kentucky. It may be because I've gotten to know all the Walker siblings in the family by now in this, the third book. Emily is the oldest Walker girl in the family, and by far, the bossiest. She's also hyper-competitive, and is a perfectionist to the core, as she wants to be THE BEST 2nd grade teacher in the elementary school where she teaches. Jack Bennett is one of the other 2nd grade teachers there, and everything he does irks Emily. She and Jack have long been rivals, competing for top grades and assignments since they were in the same English BA program at their local college. And taught at the same elementary school when they graduated. When Jack moves away in the middle of the year to be with his fiance, Emily breathes a sigh of relief. But suddenly, Jack returns at the start of summer, after he and his fiance have split. And not only that, he moves in next door to Emily. Emily doesn't like the way he dresses, or that he relates so well with his fellow teachers, the principal, the office staff, and even the students. And, why is he driving a Range Rover on a measly teacher's salary? Emily's inquiring mind wants to know. So she tries to make his life miserable, by enlisting her friends and family to ostracize him and make things generally difficult as he returns to Rome. This includes enlisting on her side the only contractor in town to cancel-out on renovating Jack's run-down house - leaving Jack to ineptly try to do it himself. After some situational proximity and mis-start, they both begin to warm-up to each other, ever-so-slightly. Until the warmth turns into something else a little more heated. During the course of story, the reader learns that Jack has been writing under a pen name for years in a wildly-successful book series - which is the reason for his seemingly extravagant lifestyle and outward success. But it takes a critical point in the story before all is revealed to Emily - who also wants to be a writer, and is working on her own project in the romance fantasy genre. The build-up of their eventual friendship and feelings for each other, made this a very enjoyable read.
I absolutely love all of Sarah Adam’s Rome, Kentucky novels. Mild spice, engaging and heartfelt. I love having both perspectives, and the journeys the characters navigate together and how the banter she writes in is unique to each character and book. I could relate to Emily and was rooting for her through the whole book. I laughed and swooned. Great story and I love hearing the continuation of the couples from prior books. I can’t wait to read the next in the series!
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