This was quite the thriller! It was engaging and full of twists! I could not stop reading once I started reading it! I definitely recommend to any fans of suspenseful thrillers!

A great start to Bree Taggert. Secrets and deception, sometimes to find the truth you will need to uncover what others have buried. An engrossing thriller that had me glued, and one I definitely recommend. I look forward to reading what comes next

An excellent beginning to a new series by Melinda Leigh. As always, Ms Leigh does not disappoint. Bree Taggert is a whipsmart character you’ll grow to admire and love.
The Taggert family is mired in trauma. When Bree is a child, she is present when her father murders her mother, then turns the gun on himself. This isn’t her first brush with violence, growing up in a household with an abusive man.
As an adult she chooses to become a police detective, saving lives.
Now her sister is in trouble and she must go back to Greys Hollow, where it all began.

If you love romantic suspense, you will love Melinda Leigh. This is her seventh series, I think, and she’s definitely a solid and consistent author and always delivers.

Cross Her Heart is book one of a new series and is loosely connected to her Scarlet Falls and Morgan Dane series. I was so excited to meet this new character, Bree Taggert, a homicide detective in Phillidelphia and jump into the sad, dark murder that brought her back to her hometown after so many years away.

Bree Taggert is precisely the kind of heroine I love to read about in romantic suspense novels, she is not dumb but smart, strong, and competent. She didn’t let a hard childhood hold her back. She grew up, became a police officer, and is a productive member of society. She did, however, stay away from her hometown because of the bad memories they invoked. But she comes home when her sister reaches out, unfortunately, she arrives too late and Erin is dead. Bree is relentless in hunting down the killer while also trying to support her sister’s children.

It’s a great book one for a series and promises to be just as well written and addictive as Melinda’s other works. I was able to immediately connect with Bree, she’s a very sympathetic character but very resilient and empathetic - you root for her right from the start.

Matt Flynn, Bree’s possible love interest, balances Bree out and there is huge potential for the romance between them. A lot of secondary characters were also introduced – a brother, former partner, niece, nephew, etc that I am looking forward to having them more fleshed out as the story continues. The murder in this book is done very well - although I did end up guessing who the killer was shortly after they were introduced to us. But the journey to solve it engages you, it's a rollercoaster of angst, frustration, and sadness for the characters, as they work the case and you feel it all right along with them.

I find there are some similarities in this series and the Morgan Dane series. Morgan is a widow who has live-in help who is part of the family to help with the children and has stalwart Grandpa to lean on. Here Bree becomes a single guardian, acquires live-in help in the form of her former partner/like family, and has a rich brother to lean on for financial help. But I suppose if the formula is not broken, don’t fix it.

I am very much looking forward to book two (See Her Die) in the series coming out this September!

I received this book free from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you NetGalley for the ARC of Cross Her Heart by Melinda Leigh that I read and reviewed.
This book was the first book in the new Bree Taggert series by Leigh. It was a pretty good book that started off with the emotional punch with the murder of Bree’s younger sister. This brought Bree back to her hometown to face old demons and try to find a killer.
For a new series this was an interesting way to start. It also opened up a few doors for upcoming books to go through. I look forward to see where Bree and the rest of the characters will go.
As for this book it was a really good introduction to the series. Bree seems to be one of those kick butt female characters that has a few imperfections that makes her understandable. This story was fast moving with a number of suspects that I am sure we will see again.
Cross her hear gets four out of five stars from me.

A powerful new start to this series by Ms. Leigh. Bree Taggert, homicide detective in Philadelphia, had an abusive childhood. She feared her father and her parents fought constantly leading to her father killing her mother then taking his own life. She was the protector for her younger sister and brother and is stunned to learn that her sister, Erin, has been murdered. Is this history repeating itself? Bree returns to Grey Hollow, N.Y. and with the help of former sheriff’s deputy Matthew Flynn will search for her sister’s killer. Even though the town holds such painful memories for Bree, can she remain there for the sake of Erin’s two children? What will she do when the children’s absentee father returns to seek custody? I look forward to the next book in this exciting series! I received an advance review copy at no cost and without obligation for an honest review. (by paytonpuppy)

I'm a total addict when it comes to mystery/thriller novels, so I can be super picky. This was a solid 4 stars! Maybe even a 4.5.

The mystery wasn't a gasping moment, but it was delivered perfectly. Every chapter gave just enough to keep you wanting more

Cross Her Heart is Melinda Leigh’s new book from her Bree Taggert series. I’m a big fan of Leigh’s books and I was really looking forward to start this new series after finishing Morgan Danes. It’s well written and has a good plot to keep you engaged. Totally understandable that seen as this is a new book in a new series, that the characters will have to been presented to us. Still that make the story a bit slower and took away from the thrilling action pack book we are costume to get from Leigh.

Cross Her Heart is the story of Bree Taggert. A homicide detective that suffer a traumatic event in her childhood along her siblings. Years later she is force to come back home to discover that life and her past are repeating itself.

The mystery was pretty great and well developed making you question many people and guessing who was the actual killer. I was not expecting that ending and reveal, which was a plus for me. I love been completely cut off guard and have a bomb drop to me but still I felt like there weren’t enough motives for this killer to be THE KILLER. That took away from me actually loving this book.

Overall it was a good start to a new series and I do want to continue reading more about Bree.

***I voluntarily read and review an advance copy of this book provided by Netgalley. #netgalley #crossherheart #melindaleigh

Cross Her Heart by Melinda Leigh is the first installment of her new Bree Taggert series. As always, Melinda does not disappoint. The book is well written and interesting. I can't wait to see where this series goes.

Another great start to a new series for Melinda Leigh. I am almost positive this author can do no wrong and is headed to becoming the next Mary Higgins Clark.

The characters are well developed the pain they experience the readers will experience too.

The story flows page after page as readers find themselves over come with the need to help Bree find her sisters killer.

The story is well paced as readers will be pulled into another Melinda Leigh Mystery series that will have readers demanding more.



Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the advance copy of Cross Her Heart by Melinda Leigh.

The start of what I’m sure to be a great series of books. This was a easy read with Likeable characters. I look forward to read more and see how Bree and Matt’s characters develop together.
Bree sister is murdered so she move in with her sister kids and with the help of ex cop Matt, they went about investigating the murder.
While the twist were not very shocking and I guessed the killer very early on, I still enjoyed the read.

There is just something about Melinda Leigh book (series) that completely pulls you in. This book was so good. I loved the characters and premise of the story line. I figured out the culprit half way through but that did not disappoint the ending. There were so many characters that I loved and that I truly disliked. I’m so excited to read more in this series and I’m sure it will become a favorite for me.

Review: I love it when a favourite author creates a new series in an already established world. If you have read Melinda’s other series called the Morgan Dane series you will like this just as much, for me I liked it but I was not wowed by it. I wanted more romance more then what we were given, this is categorized as romantic suspense there was NO romance like in at all. I know from previous books that there will be some slow burn romance eventually, but at least gives us a bit more then what we got. OK so now that my only complain is out of the way, lets talk about this new series.
Bree Targert is an exciting new character to read about she is a homicide detective living in Philadelphia, until she gets a phone call from her sister Erin who leaves her a message saying that she is in trouble. But by the time she gets to her hometown Grey’s Hallow, Which I think is in the town Scarlet Falls as we already know from the Morgan Dane series the sheriff is an acting deputy sheriff. Anyway, she gets there to late as Erin has been shot and killed, discovered by her (Erin) husbands Justin’s, best friend Matt who is an ex K-9 investigator. Bree and her siblings come from an awful situation, where their Father killed their Mum. So, when she gets a call from her sister, she immediately thinks the husband did it, and brings her past into the mix.
As this is the first book in the series, sometimes things are written way for you to either love it or hate it , I guess like for example in this book we are really focused on the murder, missing person investigation and then the romance between Bree and Matt is on the back burner you know it’s there and going to happen but it never does.
In saying that I didn’t hate this book, I really did enjoy the story and how it was written, the way Melinda writes is fantastic. She has a formula that I personally really enjoy, a strong kick ass heroine, a great mystery that makes you think everyone is the killer, a supporting cast that consists of a close knit family and in this story we have Erin’s children Luke and Kayla. Then Bree’s brother Adam, and Bree’s retired police partner who comes and helps with everything. The murder mystery is neatly done and the reader will be able to follow each step and question the possibility of who done it. I really did enjoy that Bree was able to investigate her sisters murder, I think personally it added a special touch. Overall Cross her Heart is going to be a great new series to read and get excited about. Especially knowing what is to come with Bree and the future, I hope we see some other characters from her other series sprinkled throughout the books to come. I was/ am so grateful for my arc copy that was generously provided to me by the publishers.
When you do check this novel out, it will be available with kindle unlimited and I highly recommend that subscription, as you can get to read it for free but what I love most is that with all her titles on KU you can read and listen for free. Defiantly check that out, I have read most of her work like that. I look forward to the next one, I love that this a new series in a world I love.
3.5 Stars
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Homicide detective Bree Taggert is working a case when she gets a message on her phone from her younger sister Erin. Bree listens to the message of "I'm in trouble and need your help!" Erin has never asked for help nor does she live the type of life that would put her in danger. Bree and Matt, Erin’s husbands best friend and currently on medical leave from law enforcement, work together off the books. Thankfully with the new acting Sheriff's blessing to find out answers. Twists and turns lead them on a search for answers where there are nothing but questions so far. Lots of action, budding love, pain of death and needing to find the truth keeps you tied to this book and Melinda Leigh doesn't give the answers away too soon. Thank you NetGalley, Melinda Leigh, and the publishers for allowing me to read this ARC this is my honest opinion.

Once again another series by Melinda Leigh that I'm in love with. The characters and the story line, I'm hooked! Sisters and brother have lived with abuse from their father for all of their short lives. One cold night Bree's father goes too far. He shoots his wife and then himself. Years later they are living their lives when tradegy hits. Bree and Adam's sister Erin is brutally murdered. Bree a detective with the Philadelphia police department heads home to find out what happened. She's now responsible for her sisters children. Luke and Kayla. She runs into Matt who wants to help solve the murder and find his friend Erin' s husband Justin. While detectiving they have to deal with the children's father Craig. He's a liar, abuser and a worthless father. After solving the murder and getting Craig in jail Bree's offered the position of Sheriff. Can't wait for the next book to find out what happens.

I have read a couple of Melinda Leigh’s books but this is by far the best so far. It was about a homicide detective who after a traumatic childhood ends up back in her childhood town having to solve a crime which is very close to her heart.
Well written with a great storyline.

I love it when a favorite author begins a new series!

Bree Taggart misses a phone call from her sister Erin. The message tells Bree that her sister needs her, so when she is unable to reach her, she heads to her sister's house. When she gets there, a nightmare is waiting. A nightmare that flashes back to her childhood and raises old memories of her parent's deaths when she was 8 years old. Now her one thought is to find her sister's killer. The only suspect is her brother-in-law Justin. But his best friend Matt, who found Erin, doesn't believe that Justin is a killer.

Together they search for clues to who killed Erin. With unofficial support from the sheriff's department, they dive right in. As time passes and they are no closer to finding the murdered, Bree gets increasingly impatient. And when she starts to get too close, the killer decides that she may be a threat he needs to eliminate.

A rock solid plot, with enough twists and turns to make you think, this book is a fantastic start to the Bree Taggart series. I cannot wait for book two!

I received a complimentary copy of this book. Opinions expressed in this review are completely my own.

This was my first Melinda Leigh and while it was a great mystery and an enjoyable story it is incorrectly coded as romantic suspense. I like the red herrings and the honest grief portrayed by the characters and am intrigued where the series is going.

I am a recent Melinda Leigh fan, but a dedicated one. Cross Her Heart is the first book in her new series and it is just as good as her other series have been. Introducing a new series while building the characters and their communities can slow down a first book, but not this one. Bree's story has a life altering event when she is young, you could say a once in a lifetime event. It sets her up to become a policeman who is determined to solve crimes and help families stay safe. Then horror touches her family again. Bree must put aside her grief and follow the clues where they take her to bring justice and healing to the children she must now guard with her life. An absolutely great start to what I hope is a long series.

Bree is a cop, a cop with a past that haunts her from time to time when it gets out of its hidden place in her head. When Bree’s sister is murdered, the first person always looked at is the husband! Did he do it? It’s Brees job to find out what really happened! I enjoyed reading this author!

I read and reviewed this advanced complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley