NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER • 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 • IN YOUR DREAMS (Coming Soon!)
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“Feuding second-grade teachers learn they make a great team in this cute rivals-to-lovers romance, the third in Adams’s When in Rome series. This charms.”—Publishers Weekly
Praise for the novels of Sarah Adams
The Rule Book
“The sporty second-chance romance of your dreams! So much tension! I LOVE Nora and Derek forever and ever.”—Tessa Bailey, #1 New York Times bestselling author of It Happened One Summer
“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—and this a really fun, chemistry-filled sports romance you don’t want to miss!”—Hannah Grace, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Icebreaker
“Sarah Adams takes us on the perfect second-chance romance roller coaster while giving us heart, banter, and two characters you’ll immediately root for. Fantastically swoony, sweet, and sexy, The Rule Book has many of my all-time favorite tropes: accidental marriage, fake it till you make it, a revenge plan, and an oh-so-delicious boy that had my heart singing from page one.”—Elena Armas, New York Times bestselling author of The Spanish Love Deception
Practice Makes Perfect
“I want to stay in the pages of this book forever. Whimsical and swoony, with unmatched banter, you’ll be rooting for Will and Annie from the very first page.”—B.K. Borison, author of the Lovelight series
When in Rome
“This modern take on the Hepburn classic Roman Holiday is a quick, fun, slow-burn romcom.”—Abby Jimenez, New York Times bestselling author of Just for the Summer
“My Audrey Hepburn loving heart is so happy! When in Rome is a delectable romance, sweet and satisfying as a slice of warm apple pie.”—Chloe Liese, author of the Bergman Brothers series
Overall rating: 4.52 / 5 from 25 reviews.
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Reviews
Balanced read
"A touching, funny, and heartfelt romance with real, relatable characters. Susie Tate delivers humor, emotion, and redemption in a perfectly balanced read."
— Marouane (3/5)
Beg, Borrow or Steal Review
"Feel good book, exciting and fun to read. Absolutely loved this book!"
— 13 M. (5/5)
Could be a little more interesting
"So well written and amazing detail for someone who knows a lot about this!"
— Payton (4/5)
Hooked after the first chapter!
"I love a good enemies to lovers and this one was top tier!!"
— Pia C. (5/5)
Beg, Borrow, or Steal. . . The certainly stole something <3
"5 stars I'm so in love with this book, I might throw up because it just ended. This book was such a starlight experience for me, I can't describe how much it meant to me. Emily Walker, Nora Stephens, and me need to be put in a group chat together because it would be GOLD."
— Ramy (5/5)
This book stole my time
"Sarah Adams did it again with Beg, Borrow, or Steal! If you love a Hallmark-style romance with minimal spice, this one's for you. I didn’t click with Emily right away—she felt a bit too harsh on Jack—but eventually, I warmed up to their story. Not my favorite in the series, but still a quick, lighthearted read with some funny moments! 1🌶️ 2 stars"
— @Mybookboyfriendmademe (2/5)
Sarah Adams did it again!
"Sarah Adams books have never failed to get me out of a reading slump but also I love her books so much that sometimes I struggle to find something afterwards that compares. This third book in the ‘When in Rome’ series is probably my favourite one because of how the FMC views her life and how she handles her struggles. I saw a lot of myself within her so at times I got quite emotional but she was always able to bring me back. I cannot wait until the final book in this world is out but I’m also gonna be debated to not have another story about the Walker siblings afterwards."
— Jordan (5/5)
Meh
"This book is a 3/5 for me, and a couple of my favourite books are by Sarah Adams. The reason this one didn’t like really pull me in, I felt there was a lot of depth that could’ve been more dug into but it seemed like ‘surface’ level. Also, I think there was too much foreshawdoing for the next book in the series, I prefer to focus on the now couple and THEN add in the foreshadow at the end. It’s a maybe for me but probably no. But I did really enjoy Practice Makes Perfect that came before this one."
— Jul H. (4/5)
Loved My First Sarah Adams Book!
"Loved this book so much, such good witty banter, small town romance and emotional depth!"
— Lauren M. (5/5)
Love!
"Love this author! Her books are some of my favourites!"
— Sarah (5/5)
Q&A
Published date: Jan 07, 2025
Language: English
No. of Pages: 400
Publisher: Random House Publishing Group
ISBN: 9780593723692
Dimensions:
5.11" W x
0.81" L x
8.01" H
Sarah Adams is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Rome, Kentucky series and the Los Angeles Sharks duology. She writes tender, joyful romances from Nashville, Tennessee—almost always with a cat curled up in her lap. Known for crafting stories full of heart, humor, and swoony slow-burn chemistry, Sarah’s books are a cozy escape for the romantics, the dreamers, and the deep feelers. Her Southern roots shape her voice, her characters, and her love of big emotions told with warmth and charm.
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