Review: Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams – Chemistry, Humour, and Heart #SarahAdams @AniaRandomAudio

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a witty and heartwarming rivals-to-lovers romance filled with chemistry, humour, and engaging characters.

Summary:

Emily Walker’s orderly world is thrown into chaos when her long-time nemesis, Jack Bennett, returns to Rome, Kentucky, after calling off his engagement. Now her colleague and neighbour, Jack is ready to renovate his house and focus on his bestselling mystery novels, but he also can’t resist provoking Emily at every turn. Their fiery rivalry takes an unexpected turn when Emily accidentally risks exposing her secret career as a romance author and must enlist Jack’s help to retrieve her manuscript. As they team up, their antagonism begins to shift, leading to a surprising connection that could change their story forever.

My Thoughts:

Sarah Adams delivers a charming rivals-to-lovers romance in Beg, Borrow, or Steal, the third book in her “When in Rome” series. While I haven’t read the previous books, this story stands perfectly well on its own, offering a delightful mix of chemistry, humour, and heart.

Emily Walker thrives on order and control – qualities that are constantly tested by her long-time nemesis, Jackson Bennett. Their rivalry dates back to their university days, where they studied education together, and carried over into their teaching careers when they found themselves working at the same school. But everything changed when Jack abruptly left Rome, Kentucky, mid-school year to follow his fiancée.

Years later, Jack is back – now single, renovating the house next door to Emily’s, and resuming his teaching role. Sparks fly as their competitive banter resumes, but it’s not long before their animosity evolves into reluctant friendship. When Emily accidentally sends her steamy romance manuscript to their school principal, she has no choice but to enlist Jack’s help in recovering it. What follows is a hilarious and heartwarming journey that might just lead to more than either of them expected.

I loved the chemistry between Emily and Jack, which was palpable throughout the story. Their witty banter and competitive antics kept me thoroughly entertained, particularly during their escapades to retrieve Emily’s manuscript. The humour was spot-on, balancing the romance and emotional depth beautifully.

There are a couple of steamy chapters in this book, and I appreciated that the author thoughtfully included a foreword guiding readers who prefer to skip these scenes. This added a considerate touch to the reading experience.

The Narration:

The audiobook format further enhanced my enjoyment of the story. Nelson Hobbs and Brittany Pressley delivered vibrant, energetic performances that truly brought Emily and Jack to life. Their enthusiasm made the character’s emotions and dynamics even more engaging, and I highly recommend listening to this version if you enjoy audiobooks.

Final Thoughts:

Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a delightful addition to the “When in Rome” series and a must-read for fans of witty, heartwarming romances. Sarah Adams has a knack for creating relatable characters and laugh-out-loud moments, and I’m eager to explore more of her work.

Another Book I’ve Reviewed Written by Sarah Adams:

The Enemy