Beg, Borrow, Or Steal (When in Rome #3) by Sarah Adams
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?
Summary (from the publisher): I love this series, that follows the Walker siblings in interconnected standalones novels. This book follows oldest sister Emily who is known for being prickly and liking everything just so. Her world is a bit disrupted when she finds out that her rival, Jack Bennett, is returning to Rome to join her as a second-grade teacher but also has bought the house next door to her. Little do they know how much they have in common - Jack is a best-selling author under a pen name. And Emily dreams of publishing her book. But when she accidentally submits her spicy manuscript to the school principal instead, Jack agrees to help her intervene, so their boss doesn't find out.
This was cute! I love the history and tension between the characters and how much they have in common. I especially love that they both are interested in writing, because I thought it was clear that the author's firsthand experience with this helped inform these sections. I also liked that they have to allow themselves to be vulnerable with each other through sharing about their pasts, their families, and their writing.
This was great on audio with dual narration. I loved getting to hear from both characters' perspectives. And I loved how this book sets us up for the next book in the series with some scenes featuring Madison, the last sibling to get their own book.
I have no real complaints about this. I liked it. It was cute. I have read so many romances in the last couple years, and I don't know that this had anything particularly noteworthy that makes it stand out or differentiate it and I wonder how well I'll remember it with time. But a fun, quick listen.
Stars: 3.5
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