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?
Beg, Borrow, or Steal is a heartwarming and hilarious rival-to-lovers romance and the latest installment in the “When in Rome” series, set in the charming small town of Rome, Kentucky. The story centers on Emily Walker and Jack Bennett, two second-grade teachers whose longstanding rivalry takes an unexpected turn when they unknowingly become neighbors. Emily, a meticulous and secretly aspiring romance novelist, finds her world upended by Jack’s return to town after a broken engagement. Jack, a secret bestselling mystery author writing under a pseudonym, is eager to renovate his new home and rekindle his writing career. Their dynamic is further complicated when Emily accidentally sends a mistaken email to their school principal, leading her to seek Jack’s assistance in retrieving it. As they collaborate, their chemistry evolves from antagonistic banter to genuine affection, resulting in a compelling and steamy romance. The story features several popular romance tropes, including enemies/rivals to lovers, forced proximity, slow-burn romance, and grumpy vs. sunshine.
What makes this novel stand out are its relatable characters and its brilliant, witty banter. Emily is depicted as someone who, at a surface level, has it all together—a perfectionist, fiercely independent, and slightly neurotic. Underneath the surface, she‘s plagued by insecurities about her work life, relationships with her sisters, and her attempt at being a romance novelist. Jack is much more easygoing and open but struggles with vulnerability, which makes their enemies-to-lovers romance compelling and emotionally resonant. Emily and Jack have a long history of being rivals, but their chemistry is palpable from the very beginning of the book, which will make readers root for them right away! There are several scenes where Emily and her sisters discuss all the town’s drama/gossip and her evolving relationship with Jack, which adds further intrigue and humor to the story. The hilarious and flirtatious email exchanges between Emily and Jack will also have readers smiling and feeling the tangible chemistry between them.
The cozy, small-town setting of Rome, Kentucky, is the perfect backdrop for this story, and its colorful characters are always aware of Jack and Emily’s evolving relationship, adding another layer of humor. The book does include a third-act conflict that is a bit over the top, especially from Emily’s perspective—but it’s well executed and resolved rather quickly in a very feel-good manner. By the end, Jack turns out to be the perfect book boyfriend that romance lovers will swoon over—his mature and communicative attitude is refreshing and extremely attractive. Both Jack and Emily’s character arcs are well pronounced by the end of the story, making for a satisfying read.
Overall, Beg, Borrow, or Steal masterfully balances humor, heartwarming romance, and close-knit family dynamics in an entertaining story. It’s witty banter and undeniable intense chemistry between its protagonists that make it a must-read for contemporary romance lovers. The audiobook, narrated by acclaimed narrators Brittany Pressley and Nelson Hobbs, is the ultimate format for enjoying this story as the characters are brought vividly to life, and their banter quickly becomes an emotional and hilarious, unstoppable listening experience! For anyone who enjoys enemies-to-lovers romance, small-town charm, and swoon-worthy moments, this book is the perfect choice!
