I tell ya. The happy sigh that left me upon finishing Beg, Borrow, or Steal was the most satisfying. Gosh. This book is perfect. It made me feel so good. Even when the emotions bubbled and tears threatened, this story remained such a comfort. There is much laughter, swoons, and all the happy, dreamy sighs.

Needless to say: I loved it.

Protagonists Emily and Jack have years long history-- of rivalry. They don't want the other to evade their space, they exchange biting words, they purposely push each other's buttons. And they take a mutual delight in doing so. Because it's clear very quickly: their rivalry underlines a most addicting, mutually shared heat.

The second they are apart they know something is off, something-- someone-- is missing. And it's each other. Their feud reads like a vital life force that connects the two, and they need it to survive. And to thrive.

Something I love that this narrative does is immediately have the audience feel they are well aware of the decade long rivalry between Emily and Jack. It doesn't feel like a history we need to catch up on, or forced in any ways, rather it's a history that is ready accessible to us in a way that never once did I feel I skipped a beat with it. I hope I explained that well, because this is truly one of my favorite features in the story. Having their history matter and feel engaging.

Another thing I loved, loved, loved, is that we don't have to wait too long for the feud to shift into something else entire. Jack has a magnificent line (that I shan't spoil) where he realizes there's something more than a feud he wishes to chase when it comes to Emily. The slow burn commences and it's oh so delicious, my friends! We-- and they!-- work for that romance and it's most worthwhile! I really appreciated the pace their rivalry-to friendship-to romance developed. It only increased my desire to cheer them on. Seeing them slowly but surely open up to one another, to become each other's person, to overcome personal fears for the other, was the exact stuff of romances. They encompassed a love story that hits at the physical, mental, and emotional levels. They become more than just a couple. They're partners in trust, in confidence, in joy, and, of course, in love.

They challenge one another, uplift one another, and see one another in a way that brings so much comfort.

Aaand the sexiest non-smut sex scene to ever exist in a book is delivered right here, folks!
Like WHEW! I had to turn on the fan, hike up the a/c, after that scene. If you know you know! Nope, I will not say more! I'm honestly always a bit shy to bring up spicy scenes, but I haaaave to bring this one up because what Sarah Adams does with it is genius. Where's that Blanche spraying herself with water gif?! Because that was meeee during this scene! Just you wait and see!

Alsooo! I adored the interludes featuring emails and text message exchanges! God, it was so dang sweet and funny-- and also at times very revealing when it came to the years/months-old ones. There were unsent ones that really emphasized the mutual longing with the sender themself realizing it. They needed each other in every way from the start and seeing their relationship evolve as it did, was pure joy.

As for quibbles? Nitpicks? Qualms? Nope, nay, none! Not a single dang complaint. This is a true 5 star read in my heart.

I stayed immersed, engaged, and entirely excited from start to end. Every turn of the page heightened my emotions, caused me squeals and giggles, tears and cheers...it brought it all out in a way that ensures this book stays on your mind long past its completion. The best kind of reads!

This is a gorgeous, memorable story that will undoubtedly become the favorite for so many, as it certainly did for me!

Thank you kindly to Dell Romance for the complimentary advanced copy, I leave this honest review voluntarily.