Sneak Peek: Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams

**ON OUR BOOKSHELF**

*Beg, Borrow, or Steal*
by Sarah Adams
A pre-release review of Book #3 of the When in Rome series.

The third installation of the When in Rome series.

Full transparency: I adored Book 1 of this series, When In Rome (Amazon), but Book 2 fell a little flat for me Practice Makes Perfect (Amazon). But that dip didn’t diminish the light that is Rome, Kentucky. This little town is truly a gem that reels you in a la Stars Hollow, so calling all my Gilmore Girls fans! Everyone knows everyone and they’re wonderfully entangled.

So when Sarah announced this book, well, let’s just say: Beg Borrow and Steal. That basically sums up what I was willing to do to get my hands on a copy of this book ASAP. Thank the powers that be that I didn’t have to resort to that because it likely wouldn’t have been pretty. So I am oh so grateful I was able to receive an Advanced Reader’s Copy of this book via NetGalley.

The Sneak Peek

A series of unfortunate events led to Emily and Jack to become rivals from their very first meeting on the first day of college. Swoon! A meet cute after my own heart because that’s exactly when I met my husband. Luckily for them (or unluckily, for Emily), the universe had other plans for them, bringing them together at every twist and turn. But that just means, we (the readers) are in for a beautiful journey.

The story picks up right at the end of the school year, and Emily is ready for a fresh start. She’s mapped out her ideal summer right down to her favorite corner table at the Hot Bean (yes, that’s the name of the town’s coffee shop — welcome to charm of Rome, KY, if this is your first time visiting). But that beautiful dream lasts about the length of a haircut when her carefully curated summer is interrupted by her long-time nemesis, Jack, who just happens to be back in town and moving into the house next door. As these two spend more time in close-proximity, it’s really only a matter of time before they start to peel back the layers and realize all is not what they original thought… and maybe, that hate looks a little closer to love.

What Victoria Loved

VICTORIA’S RATING: 4.5/5

Now, you know I love a next-door romance. Mix that in with some fiery enemies-to-lovers with juicy secrets, pranks and a blossoming friendship, and that’s pretty much a recipe for success in my book. BUT this story is also a workplace romance (these two are both teachers and it’s actually a pretty big part of their personalities, in the best way).

In classic Sarah form, the dialogue is crisp, the banter is witty, the quips are refreshing. Much like the town of Rome! The characters are dynamic, beautifully complex, yet insanely relatable. The chemistry is off-the-charts and their friendship makes you wish you lived in their neighborhood just so you could witness their exchanges IRL (and maybe even partake in the hi-jinx).

The dynamic between these two characters honestly reminded me so much of my relationship with my husband — it’s playful, competitive, but built on supporting one another so thoroughly to achieve everything the other desires, you just want to wrap it up and live in their skin (IYKYK - but seriously, read the book so you’ll know). While Emily and Jack push each other’s buttons, they’re also each other’s biggest cheerleaders — whether they realize it, or not. While their relationship may not have started on the highest note, their mutual respect for each other sets the foundation for a strong friendship that just continues to blossom into the sweetest love.

I’m really so excited for y’all to read this book. I’ll definitely be re-reading this when it’s officially released!

Pre-order your copy of Beg, Borrow, or Steal (Amazon) and read with me!

Favorite Scene

“Now you decide if she’s worth it to you to go slow or not. To give her strong, fierce soul space when she needs it, and to trust she’ll invite you in when she’s ready. To let her heart love you softly until it’s ready for something bigger.”

- BEG BORROW OR STEAL by Sarah Adams

Similar Reads & Recommendations

NEIGHBORS FROM A DIFFERENT SMALL TOWN: Reckless (Chestnut Springs #4) by Elsie Silver (Amazon)
Chestnut Springs is another beautifully quaint small-town, and this series features friends and siblings who are every bit as chaotic and wonderful as the crew from Rome, KY. Reckless is a stand-alone romance, but you might want to start from Book 1 for the full context because this second-chance western romance is full of surprises (*wink*) and a whole lotta cowboy.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
NEIGHBORS AT WAR: HOA EDITION: Back in the Burbs (The Burbs #1) by Tracy Wolff, Avery Flynn (Amazon)
Have you ever dealt with an HOA? Have you received a violation? Imagine 47… This little rom-com stars a hot-mess middle-aged divorcee seeking a fresh start and a stickler who just happens to be charming, handy, and very attractive. But underneath the enemies-to-lovers trope, there’s a lies a beautiful message about learning to love and value oneself.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
WORKPLACE + NEIGHBORING ENEMIES, BUT SPORTS: Everything for You (Bergman Brothers #5) by Chloe Liese (Amazon)
In our Haus, when we say “football” this is what we mean (aka soccer). If you aren’t a fan of the sport but you have seen Ted Lasso and loved it, look no further. Oh, and if you like this one, you’ll be glad to know this is #5 in the Bergman Brothers series, so that means there is plenty more where that came from and it’s ALL just as wonderful.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
SPEAKING OF COLLEGE & CHEERLEADERS…: The Dixon Rule (Campus Diaries #2) by Elle Kennedy (Amazon)
A little tension between new neighbors and a whole lottle fake dating. Diana Dixon and Shane Lindley can’t seem to live in peaceful harmony, especially when Shane can’t keep his hands off of Diana’s cheerleading squad, and their chemistry is fire. But when it matters most, these two show up big for each other. Trigger warning: one of the characters has a history with an abusive partner.
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

THE CLOSEST PROXIMITY - SHARED WALL: Wallbanger (Cocktail #1) by Alice Clayton (Amazon)
Fair warning, this is a spicy read. I think this might actually be the book that got me into forced-proximity / neighbor romances back when I first dove into this genre. Caroline hasn’t had the best luck when it comes to partners in bed, so she’s on a mission to recover her sexuality. It’s funny, it’s sexy. It has a solid side character named Clive (aka a scene-stealing cat).
VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5

BY THE AUTHOR:
- When in Rome (When in Rome #1) by Sarah Adams (Amazon)
  Do you identify as an I-go-to-sporting-events-for-the-food type of person? Well my foodie friends, I chose this one for you! This has everything you loved about Sarah Adams’ writing, but with a topic that gives you home field advantage.
  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5
- The Rule Book by Sarah Adams (Amazon)
  An HoH Book Club Pick! I’ve read many sunny characters who shine bright. But Sarah Adams has written Nora Mackenzie so blindingly beautifully that I felt her sunshine energy pulse through my own veins and her optimism emboldened the colors of my reality. And Derek. Oh, Derek Pender - anyone would be so lucky to have a man pine for them so furiously, so fully. Sarah carefully peels back the layers on their love story in a way that made my heart ache and convinced me that love will always find a way.
  VICTORIA’S RATING: 4/5