Book Review: Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams
One of my most anticipated reads … and it did not disappoint. Oh boy, where do I even begin with this review? To start with, I loved it. I loved every page. I enjoyed every page. At some parts, my heart was longing for these characters to be together, and at some parts, I was even laughing along with Jack and Emily (the main characters) and the other characters whom I’ve come to love from the previous books.
When In Rome (Book 1), Practice Makes Perfect (Book 2), Beg, Borrow, or Steal (Book 3) — by Sarah Adams
Synopsis:
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?
When In Rome (Book 1), Practice Makes Perfect (Book 2), Beg, Borrow, or Steal (Book 3) — by Sarah Adams
My Review:
I love visiting Rome, Kentucky. Practice Makes Perfect is probably my favorite book of all time — I’m not even being dramatic when I type that. The characters and setting that Sarah Adams created for this series. She put magic in these books. Each book in the series, so far, has been from the POV of a Walker sibling. When In Rome was the eldest Walker sibling, Noah Walker, and pop star Rae Rose (or Amelia, as we know her). Practice Makes Perfect follows the youngest Walker sibling, Annie Walker, and the love of my life, Will Griffin. This newest release in the series follows Emily Walker, the eldest daughter and second-to-oldest Walker sibling, and her “arch nemesis” Jack Bennett.
Let’s talk about Emily. She is the eldest daughter and a perfectionist. Right off the bat, we soon discover she’s the one “handling” most things — whether it’s at her job as an elementary school teacher, as the eldest daughter in her family, or around town. She’s always busy with something and helping others. She’s always busying herself with something. Typical eldest daughter, right? But then we dive more into her story. We, the reader, learn that she is writing a romance novel in secret. For fun! It’s her happy place. The one place where she can escape to. (Cue, I Hate It Here by Taylor Swift!) Plus, one of her sisters, Madison, has moved out of their home to pursue her dream of culinary school in New York. So Emily feels lonely, and she finds herself coping by filling her to-do list and writing her romance novel. (Especially as she’s on summer break from school.)
And so Jack Bennett comes to town. Or rather, returns to town after he broke off his engagement with his then-fiancee, Zoe. Jack returns to town and lands his old job at the elementary school — the same school that his nemesis, Emily Walker, works at. Emily finds it strange that Jack has returned, and vows to make him leave town. But then something happens. They start to grow closer (especially as they discover they’re next door neighbors). I really loved that! They started out as enemies — since college — but the ease into being friends was refreshing to read. They slowly became friends, especially as Emily enlisted the help of Jack to retrieve the manuscript she accidentally sent to her boss, the principal. (Hence, the title of the book.) I won’t say anything else as it spoils the rest of the book, but the progression from enemies to friends to lovers was natural and slow. It took its time. I wasn’t impatient like it was a slow burn. But it wasn’t rushed. The plot and flow was just right.
Jack Bennett! Come to the front. Jack is swoon-worthy! That nerd. I love him. I loved his story. There was a lot of depth to his character, something that I liked a lot about Will’s character in Practice Makes Perfect, but I think that Jack’s character was fleshed out even more. He was dealing with a narcissistic parent. That led him to hide his identity as a mystery writer. So that leads me to…
Two writers. Falling for each other. Jack hiding his identity as a writer. I really liked the story of two writers bonding over their shared love of writing! Although, that wasn’t the main conflict of the story, it was surely enjoyable. I always enjoy a book with one or more writers.
Overall, I loved Jack and Emily. Their banter was so much fun to follow along with, and their individual character developments had me both crying and laughing — sometimes at the same time! I really love this author’s writing. I’ll read anything she writes.
Can’t wait for the fourth book! If the publisher is reading this, please visit my contact page and email me an advanced reading copy of it when it’s available. I’d really appreciate that.
Rating: 4.5/5
Buy on Amazon, Bookshop.org.
When In Rome (Book 1), Practice Makes Perfect (Book 2), Beg, Borrow, or Steal (Book 3) — by Sarah Adams
Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams