Review: Beg, Borrow, or Steal - No Spice Books Newsletter

I dream of being an author. I have the utmost respect for those who take the time to sit down and write - without ever knowing if anyone besides their mom will read it.

One of the things I love about reading is that there’s truly something for everyone - a book, a genre, an author. But that also means not every book is for everyone.

Unfortunately, Beg, Borrow, or Steal by Sarah Adams wasn’t for me.

Sarah Adams was the first no-spice adult romance author I discovered - thanks to my friend Bethany! I immediately fell in love with her books. Then last year, The Rule Book introduced her first spicy scene. It was just one chapter and easily skippable. This year, her latest book was said to have two spicy chapters - double the amount, but I appreciated her honesty in letting readers know upfront.

After reading, though, it felt like more than just two chapters. There were constant innuendos and allusions, plus two additional scenes I felt needed to be skipped. Overall, the book was just too spicy for my taste.

Beyond that, I noticed more language than in her past books. I don’t always avoid language, but I think it is worth noting that the volume and intensity felt stronger this time.

Finally, a few references to church and the Bible rubbed me the wrong way. One mentioned that everyone in town attends church except the Walker siblings - the books’ main characters - and it was framed as a positive thing, almost like a “good for you” moment. Another scene had a character ask if someone was reading the Bible they had given them, and the response was, “Oh no, I use it to prop up a wobbly chair,” which struck me as a dig at Christianity.

Any of these things on their own, I might have overlooked. But together - along with an overall shift in her writing style - I no longer feel like Sarah Adams’ books align with what I’m looking for.

I plan to keep an open mind about what she does next, but for now, it seems like it’s time for us to part ways as reader and author. That being said, I’m still so grateful to her for introducing me to the world of no-spice romance and giving me some of my favorite stories.

I’m sharing this not to be negative or tear anyone down - I deeply respect authors and the work they do. My heart behind this newsletter has always been to be the guide I wish I had when I first started my no-spice romance journey.

I hope you always see that in what I share.

If you have read Beg, Borrow, or Steal or have chosen not to read it for a particular reason, I would love to hear your input and thoughts! Leave a comment, message me, or reply to this email!