Book Review: Beg, Borrow, or Steal

I just finished Sarah Adams’ latest book in her Rome, Kentucky series – Beg, Borrow, or Steal last night and it is my favorite of the series! I also think it is her best work yet, but that’s just my opinion.

The novel follows the second eldest Walker sibling, Emily, and Jack Bennett. Emily is a second grade teacher in Rome and Jack is as well. He has been her rival/enemy since college, but a few months ago he left his job to move with his fiancée to another state. Emily thinks this is great, he’s finally out of her hair, but at the same time does miss having someone to bicker with and be brutally honest with. Fast forward to the end of the school year and not only is Jack back all of a sudden, but he’s not just coming back to her school, he’s moving to Rome. And not only is he moving to Rome, but he’s moving next door to Emily.

Emily is determined to get the town to turn against the charismatic Jack and run him out of town. But when Emily accidentally sends her not suitable for work manuscript to her principal instead of a potential agent, she needs Jack to help her fix the situation. The two begin to get closer and understand each other more the more time they spend together. Will the two realize and admit that they don’t really want to be enemies?

I absolutely loved this book. As mentioned before, I think this is Sarah Adams’ best writing so far (of what I’ve read of hers). I loved Emily and Jack and their past emails between chapters was the perfect touch and often hilarious. I really enjoyed watching how they pretend they hate each other but have been quietly enjoying each other’s company for years. I identified with Emily in so many ways. Obviously, not in the family tragedy way, but in how she feels anxious and bottles things up inside and especially in her feeling of being stagnant and left behind while others are moving ahead in their lives. I also loved Jack. He was funny and top tier book boyfriend material.

I can’t wait for the next book about Madison and James, but I’m sad for it to be the last Rome, Kentucky book!

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