Beg, Borrow, or Steal

A Novel

By: Sarah Adams

Narrated by: Nelson Hobbs, Brittany Pressley

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 (Coming Soon!)

©2025 Sarah Adams (P)2025 Random House Audio

Not my favorite

Emily acted like a spoiled child through out the entire book. It drove me crazy. And it felt like Jack was trading one dysfunctional adult in his life for another one.

I like strong women characters

I love romance stories that address more than the romance. The mental health themes were not the primary focus but enhanced the character development and story line. I also love books about teachers and teaching, even though there wasn’t much about that.

Just loved it so much!

Great, heartfelt and so wonderful! Sarah Adams you’ve done it again, can’t wait for Maddie’s story next.

Loved it!

Loved the storyline, character development, narrators, all of it!
This has to be my favorite romance series and I’m so thankful to have another one to listen to!

My new favorite Sarah Adams book!

I can’t remember the last time I laughed so much while reading a book! The playful banter between Jack and Emily was pure gold!

“Just how often do you picture me, Jackson?”
“More than either of us is comfortable with.”

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is hands down my new FAVORITE Sarah Adams book!

Jack and Emily have been rivals since college where they met over a spilled coffee incident and shared much of the same ambition. They pushed each other’s buttons and competed for everything in their field until Jack moved away from the school they taught at mid-year with his fiancé. Now it’s the beginning of Summer and Jack has returned after calling off his wedding and ending his relationship. To Emilys surprise, her college nemesis is now her new neighbor.

Emily is the oldest sibling and after losing their parents, she’s sacrificed everything to love and support her siblings, but in the process closed herself off to anyone else emotionally.

“I happily take on the responsibility of everyone’s burdens because I only ever feel good when I’m being useful to someone.”

Having grown up with a narcissistic father, Jack has learned to read other people, especially Emily and although she drives him absolutely crazy, the more he’s around her the more he comes to understand the heart under all that sass.

Sarah’s ability to blend humor with emotional themes creates a perfectly balanced RomCom.

What you’ll find:
Rivals to lovers
The best banter ever written
Two teachers
Two secret writers
Red cowboy boots
He wears glasses and has tattoos
Scene blocking 🔥🔥🔥

Romance content: The story has 2 open-door scenes, but Sarah wrote the book with a closed-door modification, listing the 2 chapters to skip to make it closed-door - and it won’t affect the plot. I love that she took this into consideration.

Pub Date: January 7, 2025

This was so charming!!

I was so excited to read about another Walker sibling! This was such a cute story of Emily! Loved the narration and performance. Couldn’t put it down!

My Heart!!

I fell in love with this series all over again. Emily and Jackson's is such a sweet and genuine love that develops between two very real feeling people. Bringing hope to all the rest of us, and reminding us to feel and heal tthrough our challenges in life. ALSO... can I go live in THIS version of Rome Kentucky?

Cute, fluffy, formulaic

3.5 stars, a cute, fun read, but predictable. Overall, great narration! I like reading Sarah Adams books when I need a cute escape

clever, creative, real, deep, and sooo fun

Gotta say this is my favorite book in several months and I read a lot of books, and all the rom coms I can find. I never imagined Sarah could write a book that topped Practice Makes Perfect for me but gosh darn it she did. I LOVED this book.

Emily and Jack(son) are both teachers, caretakers, writers and recovering over-functioners in their families. They’ve competed throughout most of their history - but with circumstances throwing them into the same town they both begin to feel ALL the feelings for one another. I knew this book would be good because of her other two in this series but this is by far the most romantic, clever, creative, sexy and phenomenal story I have read in a long time.

Chapter 14 with the motorcycle almost stopped my heart. It was like real, live butterflies took over my insides. I had to listen to it twice. It was so vulnerable and real and so empowering and full circle.

Finally, I love how Jack has such an unwavering dedication to Emily even when she’s prickly because he knows what she really is is afraid she won’t be loved for who she is. She is not spoiled by any means. She’s a classic older sibling and a nurturer. I wonder if the person who said that even read the book because that review was honestly soooo off base!

Sweet return to Rome

Loved the return to Rome, KY. And loved Emily & Jack’s chemistry. Already looking forward to Sarah’s next book!