Series: When in Rome #3 (Standalone)
Publication Date: 07th Jan 2025
Genre: Contemporary Romance
3.8 Stars
One Liner: This was fun!
Emily Walker doesn’t like disruptions or changes. She also doesn’t like her nemesis, Jackson Bennett, her fellow second-grade teacher in the local school.
When Jack left Rome, Kentucky, to live with his fiancée, Emily was delighted. Her loving hometown was free of him at last. She could focus on completing her secret romance novel.
Jack returns to Rome after breaking off his engagement. He is happy to be back in the small town that charmed him even if Emily doesn’t want him around. He has his own secrets to keep and would do what he could to make Rome his home.
When Emily mistakenly sends her manuscript to their school principal instead of a literary agent, she needs Jack’s help to steal back her manuscript. Their interactions soon show that they may not have hated each other for so long!
The story comes in the first-person POVs of Emily and Jack.
My Thoughts:
This is my first book by the author. It is the third in the series and works as a standalone. One day, I’ll read the previous two.
The book starts with a short note about triggers and the chapter numbers for those who want to skip spicy scenes. A clear idea indeed!
We get the story from both POVs, though Emily’s is more than Jack’s. That’s fine since they cover the base pretty well. The first-person voices are distinct enough to not create confusion about who narrates the chapter (there are clear headers too).
The little email and SMS interactions placed between the chapters not only add to the fun but also give more insight into the characters and their past. I enjoyed reading these.
It took a while to warm to Emily but I liked her as I got to know her. Jack was easier to like (everyone in the book likes him too!). Emily’s family and her relationship with them were heartwarming and bittersweet. There’s some joint trauma there but much love too.
The book deals with some heavy themes like parental loss, parentification of a child, toxic family, narcissistic parent, etc. These influence the main characters in many ways. There are some intense moments but the book stays true to the genre and keeps things from becoming too overwhelming. I prefer it this way.
Writing is another part of the plotline. Some good insights are provided. I related to some of the emotions the characters feel when they write.
One aspect I wanted more was the teaching part. They talk a lot about teaching, students, school, etc. but we don’t get to see them in the classroom or with their students. Yeah, it’s set during the holidays. Still, I needed at least one scene. After all, they take their professions seriously!
The second half is slower than the first half, probably coz it packs more stuff. There’s a teeny epilogue but I admit I wanted more. Also, one important element has not been detailed, and I needed to see it after having to deal with such an annoying character. It should have been included in the epilogue.
To summarize, Beg, Borrow, or Steal is an entertaining enemies-to-lovers story with good banter and interesting supporting characters.
The next book will belong to Madison (the only unmarried Walker sibling). I hope she impresses me coz I’m already rooting for the guy (Team James). Excited to read it!
Thank you, NetGalley and Random House (Dell), for eARC.
#NetGalley #BegBorrowOrSteal
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