Title: The Off Limits Rule
Author: Sarah Adams
Publisher: Dell
Genre: Romance
Pages: 336
My Rating:

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The Off Limits Rule

Lucy is a single mom going through a rough patch—she just lost her job, ended things with her boyfriend, and had no choice but to move back in with her brother, Drew. When Drew invites her to spend some time on the water with him and his friends, she meets Cooper. She was hoping he wouldn’t be as good-looking as the rest of Drew’s friends, but of course, he’s absolutely gorgeous. And to make things worse, every time she’s around him, she turns into a clumsy, awkward mess.

From the moment Cooper lays eyes on Lucy, he’s completely taken with her. But there’s one big problem—Drew has made it very clear that Cooper should stay away from his sister. He doesn’t think Cooper is good enough for her, and Lucy deserves someone better.

Review

I absolutely love Sarah Adams’ books. In January, I read Beg, Borrow, or Steal, and now I’ve picked up another one by her. I had no idea this book even existed until it popped up as a recommendation while I was looking for books online. Turns out, it was published back in 2021—better late than never!

And let me just say, this book was another hit for me. I enjoyed every single moment of it and flew through the pages. Lucy is a single mom looking for a serious relationship, but whenever she’s around Cooper, she completely forgets how to act normal. Honestly, I found that so relatable. I mean, who doesn’t get a little awkward around ridiculously good-looking people? Cooper, on the other hand, was a total gentleman. I liked him from the start—he was kind, patient, and genuinely cared for Lucy and her son, Levi (who, by the way, is absolutely adorable).

This is the kind of book you want to read in one sitting. The story was sweet, with a mix of insta-love and forbidden romance, thanks to Lucy’s overprotective brother, Drew. And while I get the whole big brother looking out for his sister thing, Drew took it way too far, which made him pretty frustrating at times. But then, toward the end, he met Lucy’s best friend, Jessie (who happens to be pregnant), and suddenly, I found myself shipping them together. And guess what? Their story continues in The Temporary Roomie!

Overall, I absolutely loved this book—well, almost. The only thing that kept me from giving it a full five-heart rating was how fast they got married. I mean, I get that some people are eager to tie the knot, but these two took it to another level. Blink, and suddenly, they’re married. I just don’t understand the rush!

It’s funny how the last book I read didn’t impress me at all, even though the reviews were glowing. But this time, it’s the opposite—I loved this book (except for the rushed wedding), yet the reviews were more mixed. Just goes to show that you should never let reviews decide what you read. A book might have bad reviews, but you could end up loving it!

And now, I can’t wait to read The Temporary Roomie! I’m planning to pick it up in March, and I have a feeling I’m going to love it just as much.

The post The Off Limits Rule – Sarah Adams | Book Review first appeared on Bettie Toon.

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Title: Bed, Borrow, or Steal
Author: Sarah Adams
Publisher: Dell
Pages: 384
Genre: Romance
My Rating:

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Beg, Borrow, or Steal

Jackson Bennett didn’t exactly charm Emily Walker on their first day of college—spilling coffee all over her and snagging the best seat in class didn’t help. Years later, they’re still bitter rivals. Emily was thrilled when she learned Jackson was moving away with his girlfriend to get married. But now he’s back, newly single, and living right next door. To make matters worse, he’s already claimed her favorite table at the café where she secretly works on her novel.

When Emily finally finishes her manuscript, she accidentally emails it to the principal of the school where she works—a mistake that could cost her everything. Desperate to retrieve it before he reads it, she reluctantly turns to Jackson for help. To her surprise, he agrees. But as they team up, Emily starts to wonder if there’s more to Jackson than the infuriating nemesis she’s always known.

Review

This is the third book in Sarah Adams’ When in Rome series, but you don’t necessarily need to read the books in order. That said, I think it’s better if you do. So far, I’ve read books two and three, but for some reason, I still haven’t read the first one. Looking back, I wish I had tackled them in order—it feels like I missed some context.

The last book I read (The Rom-Commers by Katherine Center) was a five-star gem. Sometimes, when you follow up a five-star read, the next book feels like a letdown. However, I still really enjoyed Beg, Borrow, or Steal. For a brief moment, I thought it might be another five-star read, but it didn’t quite hit that mark for me. While I found the story delightful and engaging, a five-star book needs to evoke deep emotion—whether it’s laughter, tears, or something else—and this one didn’t quite do that consistently. Maybe for a moment, but not throughout. Still, it was a solid, enjoyable read.

Sarah Adams’ writing style is fantastic—her books are perfect for when you want something light and easy to read. They’re hard to put down, and her knack for crafting entertaining stories shines here.

I’m a huge fan of the enemies-to-lovers trope, and this book delivers on that front. The banter between the two main characters is so much fun, and the chemistry is evident right from the beginning. It’s clear they don’t really hate each other—they’re just pretending not to like each other while secretly caring a lot. Watching them navigate that dynamic made the book all the more enjoyable.

I also loved seeing characters from the first two books make appearances. Rome is such a charming small town where everyone knows everyone, and gossip spreads like wildfire. While I’d hate living in a place like that in real life, I love it in books—it adds a fun layer to the story.

This year, I’ve decided to focus on finishing some of the book series I’ve started, and When in Rome is on that list. Since Beg, Borrow, or Steal just came out in January 2025, I suspect there’s a fourth book in the works, which means another year of waiting. In the meantime, I plan to circle back and read the first book (When in Rome) later this year.

Overall, I’d recommend this book—and the entire series, really. I adored book two (Practice Makes Perfect), and while that one is still my favorite, Beg, Borrow, or Steal comes pretty close. If you enjoy witty romances with lovable characters and small-town charm, this series is definitely worth picking up!

The post Beg, Borrow, or Steal – Sarah Adams | Book Review first appeared on Bettie Toon.

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