Cover Image: Crossing the Line

Crossing the Line

Pub Date:   |   Archive Date:

Member Reviews

What a great and fun read! Claire happens to run into her high school crush Aiden at a bar after breaking up with her boyfriend and decides she needs to go be spontaneous and go to Florida, on a train in the middle of the night. Aiden, despite not being interested in her, can’t help but follow along to make sure she gets there in one piece. I loved the intereactions between Claire and Aiden and it gave them such natural chemistry. Claire is such a strong and brave female main character and I loved her playfulness when she’s with Aiden. I did find the romance was a bit too fast paced but I get that with most romance books. I still finished this in one day so I loved it a lot. The chapters were also very short, I would have preferred a bit longer to dive into their thoughts a bit more rather than switching POVs so quickly. I would definitely read more work from Heather Garvin.

Thanks to NetGalley, Heather Garvin and Tuskan Publishing LLC for this arc in exchange for an honest review

Was this review helpful?

I want to start off by thanking NetGalley and the publisher for giving me the opportunity to read the ARC of Crossing the Line by Heather Garvin. I have to be honest, I requested this book without fully reading the description. I was skimming and saw Beacon, NY mentioned and thought that was really cool because that is close to where I live. I also saw that it was in the most requested category and the genre is typically what I like to read... so I thought, why not? Let me tell you... I am SO glad that my request got approved, because I loved this book!
I loved so much about it, but the relationship that develops between the two main characters might be my favorite part of the whole story. Both characters, Aiden and Claire, are "broken" as they mention during the story in many ways. They've been part of bad past relationships that have made them feel and act certain ways towards the opposite sex. The way the author was able to have these two characters help each other become whole again was heart warming (and also funny due to her writing), and what's better than that?
I enjoyed the quick, fast-paced nature of the book (the short chapters were an excellent idea... they made me not want to put the book down). This book is definitely a little above the normal spice/steam level that some people might be able to handle... but I think it fit the book appropriately.
If you're looking for a serious, but funny, quick, Rom-Com read... I highly suggest this book! Thank you again to NetGalley and the publisher for my chance to read an ARC of this book.

Was this review helpful?

I love easy beach read romances, but I have to admit that I struggled with this. While I liked Claire and her narrative, I really disliked Aiden. On top of this, the short, choppy chapters that skipped between the two POVs was disorientating and didn't give enough time for me to fully get into their perspective - some of the chapters were less than a page long.

I feel like this book would have worked much better if it were over a longer period of time rather than a couple of days. The conflict at the end felt very forced as well.

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for sending me an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Was this review helpful?

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
you guys ARE NOT ready for this book!!! heather garvin you are an absolute GENIUS for putting me through all of the emotions with this story i am forgiving you to make me cry because this book is absolutely amazing!! i would just like to give a huge thanks to netgalley and victory editing for sharing this ARC with me! i really loved the grumpy x sunshine trope, it really stood out in this book which i loved and i absolutely loved the dual povs; i love reading from both sides in a book. this book is the perfect grumpy x sunshine read

Was this review helpful?

i loved this book! i literally couldn’t put it down. it’s sweat, lighthearted and funny. i really liked the past the main characters shared and how it shaped them as adults. i would’ve liked to see more of the friendship and banter between the florida friends, but, as it is, it was really wholesome and fun to read.
i’m always up for a bit of spontaneity, and this book was the dose i needed! long trips, friends reunion, and second chance romance, it’s the perfect mix, and this book had it all. i really enjoyed it!!

Was this review helpful?

Crossing the Line was unlike any book I've read so far! I loved how the dual POV was created and the suspense around the main character's past relationship. It kept me on my toes trying to figure out just what connection they might have shared, and it didn't disappoint. The book was fast-paced, and though everything happened in a short span of time, it didn't feel rushed or unnatural. Many swoon-worthy moments, and even managed to make me cry. I'm also particularly fond of chapter 79 - literally belly laughed. I also appreciate the subtle mention of Bucks County, PA considering that’s where I live - so major bonus points for that.

Was this review helpful?

I’m such a sucker for a grumpy sunshine romance, I do have a love hate relationship with slow burn, but I found myself loving this one. I was obsessed with the story line, and let’s be real Aiden might be a top book boyfriend in my opinion.

This was cute and flirty and still steamy. I loved the dual POV, it was beautifully written. I loved their banter. I really loved most everything about this book.

My only confusion came from the description made it seem like there was more of a dramatic/complicated past between Aiden and Claire so I got a bit excited for that and the way that has previously known each other wasn’t how I expected it would have been.

Overall, I did think it was a great book.

Huge thanks to NetGalley and Victory Editing for sharing this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review

Was this review helpful?

I adored this book! I was drawn in by the cute cartoon cover and am so glad I received the ARC. This grumpy sunshine love story was so fun to read. I had such a good time and loved Aiden and Claire!

Was this review helpful?

this book was amazing and addictive
the characters were real and I loved them
Aiden top 1 book boyfriends, he is the perfect boy, he makes mistakes but he would do anything to fix them
my girl Claire I love her and her personality and I wish I was more like her
her boyfriend the worst character in the book, he was useless and annoying
and as I said the characters were real, there were real problems and they acted like a normal person would act, there is no romanticization and that is what I loved about this book, how the solve them and how they develope a healthy relationship
I can say that they have become one of my favourite couples, I loved then since the beginning
I'm so happy for receiving the arc and having the privilege to read this book
It has been the first time reading this author and now I want to read more of her books

Was this review helpful?

5/5 ⭐️
2/5 🌶

I fell in love with Aiden and Claire. I really enjoyed their story and how it unfolded.

Claire find her boyfriend of 2 years cheating on her and ends up at a bar where Aiden her high school crush is at. She gets drunk and he ends up going to Florida with her because she insists she isn’t drunk and can make the trip alone. Aiden has been numb and a zombie after his breakup a year ago, but Claire is the first person to make him feel something and that’s why he goes with her to Florida for an adventure.

Was this review helpful?

This book captured me within the first two minutes. I loved the First person narrative and the short chapters. I absolutely was captivated by Claire and Aiden. Being acquaintances from high school who had feelings for each other but never acted upon them then meeting again under negative circumstances. I loved the adventure Claire and Aiden embarked on through the story. I hope in the future there will be a second book so we can see where things take Claire and Aiden in the future. I would 100% recommend this book to all romance book lovers. In my opinion it was a fairly easy read thanks to the short chapters. With every word and every page turn a cat needing to know more and when I was busy with no time to read I kept thinking about this book and when will I have time to get back to find out what’s happening with Claire and Aiden.

Was this review helpful?

This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, from Tuscan Publishing, LLC and #NetGalley. Thank you for the opportunity to preview and review. Opinions expressed are completely my own.


Sweet, charming, fun.

Was this review helpful?

A charming and fun read that I definitely recommend for those that enjoy slow burn romances and character driven stories.

Claire and Aiden haven't seen each other since high school. A chance encounter in a hometown bar reunites the two, sending them on an adventure they never saw coming. Aiden is grumpy, guarded and closed off due to his past, and Claire's very recent breakup has left her upset and looking for freedom and spontaneity she's never had before. Claire's impulsive overnight trip to Florida has Aiden concerned and as much as he doesnt want to revisit his past he cant resist following her along. This train ride pushes them together and sets them on a course of revisiting past tramas, self-insight, growth and a bit of romance too!

Crossing the Line was a delightful slow burn romance with a character driven plot and themes focusing on overcoming the past. Both Aiden and Claire have past relationship trauma that fuel the internal struggles and desires for these two characters throughout the book. It was nice seeing the characters grow to overcome their traumas and how strong they each were by the end of the novel.

The story is medium paced and there was never a section that felt slow or drawn out. Chapters are short and switch between each of the main characters' point of view so you get insight into their thoughts. I particularly like this type of storytelling as I find that it draws me more into the story and makes me want to keep reading to find out what happens next or what each character is thinking.

Overall, this novel is a quick and easy read that has some interesting internal struggles for both of the main characters. The slow burn is done well and isn't so slow that you get frustrated that the characters aren't together yet. The semi-spicy scenes were a nice touch as well that I feel adds the spice elements people want in a romance novel without taking away from the character development.

Themes: slow burn, grumpy/sunshine, overcoming the past to move forward

Story Elements: character driven plot, dual POV

Thank you NetGalley and Tuskan Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Was this review helpful?

This was a sweet and quick read with a whole lot of will they, won't they angst.
.
Claire and Aiden happened to graduate from the same high school not too long ago. Claire went to college in NYC and Aiden stayed in their hometown of Beacon. Their lives and paths couldn't be more different.
.
Aiden is very closed off emotionally and is very much a grump but Claire only remembers the quiet popluar guy from school. Claire, despite recent events, is sweet with a generally sunny disposition but Aiden finds her a bit uptight. So how is it they end up on a train headed to Flordia together? Rules will be set and rules will be broken.
.
I enjoyed the banter that they have with one another. At times you can feel the palpable need for each other when they are just talking. They do have a shared experience from high school that neither wants to discuss but maybe that's what can ultimately bring them together. Although, the sun and beach of Flordia does have a way with people.
.
Heather has created a fun story with characters that don't come across as far fetched; I feel like they are people that I easily could have gone to school with. The quick pace of the story is both good and bad. It's nice to have a story that flows but at the same time, all of this happens with a couple of days. Yes it's fiction, but still seems a smidge rushed.

Was this review helpful?

Thank you to Net Galley, Tuskan Publishing, and Heather Garvin for the ARC for Crossing the Line!
Claire shows up at her boyfriend's apartment to surprise him, but she is the one who is surprised to find her boyfriend with another girl in his apartment. She enters a bar in her hometown, where she runs into a high school acquaintance, Aiden. On a drunken whim, Claire decides to venture to Florida. Aiden drawn to her, decides to accompany her and we find out he has a past and friends in Florida. On the long train ride there and throughout the weekend, Claire and Aiden reacquaint themselves.

Really liked this slow burn romance. At first, I did not love Aiden, but as the book continues and as he and Claire spend more time together, he softens. I felt very invested in the story and the short chapters had me flying through this book. The short chapters, from frequent POV changes, had you constantly aware of what Aiden and Claire were feeling at every moment throughout the book, and the frequent changes also allowed for the reader to sense the hesitancy and the all in/ holding back nature of their relationship.

Would definitely recommend!

Was this review helpful?

This was a charming and endearing slow-burn romance. My attention was initially drawn to this book's cover. I adore illustrated book covers. The book started out a little slow for me, but as it went on, I found myself unable to put it down. I wanted to read the next chapter right away since the short chapters were so engrossing and compelling. This novel had an excellent steam level as well. Prepare yourselves because Aiden has a tremendous knack for shocking you with his dirty talk.

I will be posting the full review on my Instagram @justaromancereader on 6th December 2022 (release date). Thank you @Netgalley for this amazing e-ARC.

Was this review helpful?

Amazing, intimate, love, passionate everything u need is in this story. I wish story should be long. Write more like this.

Was this review helpful?

I loved heather's first two books, so when I found out she was writing a new adult romance I was THRILLED and let me tell you, I was not disappointed.

I'm usually a big fan of dark, super spicy romance books but I also love a cute slow burn now and then and this was just incredible.Also, who doesn't love grumpy sunshine! Aiden and Claire hold a special place in my heart right now. I love how Aiden went from not having seen her in years to having to know she's okay and insisting on taking the train with her to Florida despite every bad memory he has there.. and him being the grump he is 😂

I just enjoyed everything about this book, the sexual tension killed me, the characters were so loveable and don't even get me started on the spice 👀 Heather did it right and I can't wait for this book to pop off 😍

Was this review helpful?

I loved the characters of Aiden and Claire. They were both really likeable characters who bought out the best in each other. But I wasn't a fan of The ex boyfriend. He was an unlikeable character who walked all over Claire.

Overall, this is a well written book!! It's super cute with a great cast of characters and would make a great addition to a summer reading list!!

Thank you to Netgalley, the publisher and the author for the opportunity to read this book.

Was this review helpful?

The last thing Claire Ackerman needs is to run into Aiden Lewis right after learning her boyfriend has been cheating on her. The two have not interacted since high school.

It's been three years and they're living in different places and have both been through awful breakups. Aiden is your typical brooding, quiet, grumpy man who really doesn't want to revisit his past and Claire Ackerman showing up is taking him back to feelings he shoved down a long time ago. Claire is ready to leave her cheating ex behind and go on an adventure... like immediately.

Despite the memories that Florida holds, Aiden can't help but follow Claire, at the very least see her safely through on her train ride. It's not as easy walking away as he thought, and they're both wondering if there's something there that's worth putting their hearts on the line for.

This was a cute read! The timeline of this book is basically a handful of days, and it felt like everything was moving super fast. I enjoyed Claire's character the most. It's fantastic seeing a female character put her foot down when she's being treated badly and to stand up for herself. She doesn't give her ex a second thought after she discovers he's been cheating on her. She just knows that she needs to move on.

Aiden is an assss, but can't deny the feelings that are surfacing for Claire after all these years. He was pretty rough around the edges for basically all the book, but hearing about his past definitely makes a lot more of his nature understandable. It felt like he needed more character development at the end of the book.

I think they balance each other out well and have that grumpy x sunshine vibe going on. I just wish they had more communication throughout the entire book. There were small chunks of it that referred to their small interactions in the past, but not enough talking about their present selves. I would have really loved this if there was more communication and connection.

Overall a solid very quick read with short chapters that you are likely to fly through.

Thank you Netgalley, Heather Garvin, and Tuskan Publishing for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

↠ 3.5 stars

Was this review helpful?