Some books come into your life at exactly the right time, and Beg, Borrow or Steal by Sarah Adams was one of those for me.
I laughed, swooned, and even cried buckets while reading it. I picked it up without realizing it was part of the When in Rome series, so finding familiar characters was an unexpected delight. But even if you haven’t read the previous books, this one stands strong on its own, delivering a heartwarming romance filled with humor, deep emotions, and a love story that feels achingly real.
Author: Sarah Adams
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Comedy
Series: When in Rome #3 (Can be read as a standalone)
Themes: Love and loss, self-discovery, second chances, enemies-to-lovers, found family, slow-burn romance
Trigger Warnings: Grief, loss of a parent, emotional burnout
**This was a gifted copy by Hachette India There was no obligation to post/give this book a certain rating.
Emily and Jack are high school teachers who have spent years in a love-hate dynamic, constantly pushing each other’s buttons. But what they don’t know is that they’re both secretly writers, pouring their hearts into words hidden from the world. When an unexpected opportunity arises that could change everything, Emily and Jack find themselves entangled in a hilarious manuscript heist.
Forced to spend more time together, their playful rivalry turns into something deeper. But with Emily struggling to keep it all together after losing her mother and Jack dealing with his own past, will they be able to let down their walls and take a chance on love?
Book Review: Beg, Borrow or Steal by Sarah Adams
A Love Story That’s More Than Just Enemies-to-Lovers
At its core, Beg, Borrow or Steal follows Emily and Jack- both teachers, both secretly writers, and both navigating personal struggles. Their dynamic is full of witty banter, teasing messages, and a hilarious manuscript heist that had me grinning from ear to ear. The enemies-to-lovers trope is there, but this book goes beyond it, offering a rich, layered relationship that grows through forced proximity and deep emotional connection.
You are not alone, Emily. I would walk through my worst memories to get to you every single time.
Jack and Emily’s chemistry is off the charts, but what truly made this book stand out was how real they felt. They weren’t just characters on a page; they were people I could imagine meeting in real life. Jack is charming and protective but not overbearing, while Emily’s struggles with responsibility, grief, and the need to hold everything together resonated with me on a personal level.
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A Character Who Stays With You
Emily’s character hit me hard. As the eldest daughter who recently lost her mother, she’s used to being the one who keeps everything together for everyone else. Her emotions- her grief, her exhaustion, her quiet resilience- felt so raw and relatable. She reminded me that sometimes, being strong means allowing yourself to be vulnerable.
Jack, on the other hand, is her perfect match- not in the sense of fixing her, but in the way he sees her, truly sees her, and encourages her to put herself first for once. Their slow-burn romance is not just about attraction but about learning to trust, to lean on someone, and to believe in love even when life has been unfair.
A Story That’s Funny, Romantic, and Full of Heart
While the book has its deeply emotional moments, it’s also incredibly fun. The banter between Jack and Emily is sharp and hilarious, and their email interactions are some of the best I’ve read in a while. The manuscript heist subplot adds an extra layer of excitement and kept me hooked from start to finish.
Sarah Adams’ writing style is light and engaging, making it easy to breeze through the pages while still feeling deeply invested in the story. The pacing is perfect, balancing humor and heartache, making you laugh one moment and tear up the next.
In a gist, here’s what you can expect from this book.
💫Heartfelt 💫Witty 💫Emotional 💫Slow-burn romance
Beg, Borrow or Steal by Sarah Adams is the kind of book that stays with you long after you turn the last page. It’s a beautifully written romance about love, loss, and the courage to let someone in. If you love slow-burn romance, witty banter, and characters who feel like real people, this book is an absolute must-read.
I can’t wait to dive into more of Sarah Adams’ books, and if you haven’t picked this one up yet, I highly recommend adding it to your TBR!
Where to Buy Beg, Borrow, or Steal
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I read this for the 2025 #ReadingWithMuffy Feb prompt – read a book with a pink cover.
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Shalini, I loved the cover of this book.Of late I too find myself gravitating towards well written romances and this one (going by your review) seems to be a lovely one) Thanks for the trigger warning too, after Dad I appreciate these warnings.
I really liked how you highlighted the character dynamics and the feel-good factor without giving away too much. A good rom-com with depth is always a win, and your review captured that perfectly.
I’m quite selective when it comes to romance reads. Predictable and cheesy romance is a major turn-off for me. However, based on your review, it seems this book touches all the right emotions. The cover looks fantastic, and I’m definitely adding it to my TBR!
I like romantic tales, especially with good endings. This one seems like a happy read. Bookmarked this and I like the bookmark that you shared with it too.
A good romance is what is my poison 🙂 Thank you for sharing this wonderful review. I am looking forward to curling up on the swing in my balcony with this book.
Writing a review is an art where you need to bring every aspect of the book without even losing the track and not disclosing the whole story. Wonderfully penned review and I loved it.
I love how romance novels can make us laugh, cry, and swoon all at once! This book sounds like a perfect mix of emotions and fun. Adding it to my reading list!
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I not just enjoyed your book review but Loved the post design too! I haven’t read anything by Sarah Adams. I think I need to get my hands on some of her books soon.
Rom com – not yet reached to this GENRE. I like the cover and your review too. I like the way you described the characters and plot without spoiler. Want to check out this new genre soon.
Sounds like a perfect read for when the blues hit! Love your review, how your love for the book and the characters come through so beautifully.
I love stories. And I like to alternate between different fiction genres. Though romance is not at top, I like to read them after especially heavy reads. This looks like a perfect option for a light read.
This review just made me want to grab the book right away! A mix of laughter, swooning, and tears—sounds like the perfect kind of romance. Also, the title made me so nostalgic. My geography ma’am always used to say, I want a map on every table—you people, beg, borrow, or steal. Definitely adding this to my reading list.
I love love love the title! And the cover is pretty too! Your review and the above said things are enough to convince me to pick up this book!
This series sounds interesting. I wasn’t too much into the romance genre, but I started reading last month and loved it. I love your props–they elevate your posts to another level.
“Emily’s struggles with responsibility, grief, and the need to hold everything together resonated with me on a personal level.” 🫂
You’ve definitely made me interested in checking this one out coz this is totally the kind of book I’d love to read on vacation. Will keep it on my reading list for my next trip 😀
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Lovely review of what seems to be a lovely book.
I’ve come across Sarah Adams’ name a few times but haven’t read any of her books yet. Slow-burn romance with sharp, hilarious banter is something I truly enjoy reading. Will check this out as well as the When in Rome series.
Oh my God this is typically my kind of read. I loved the cover design too. I will look this up