Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for allowing me to read and review this book! I am giving this book a 3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4. I loved that this was a sports romance and I have never read a lacrosse romance before so that DEFINITELY perked my interest. Then an enemies to lovers and fake dating book as well?! Sign me up! There were definitely some super sweet and fun moments in this book and I loved the best friend relationship between Jordan and May. I also loved learning about Mays family but wish we could have learned more about her heritage and family, we were only given a glimpse and I wanted more. I also LOVED the twister reference as that is one of my favorite movies (actually the first and second one, I truly love both) but it also gave an idea of the heart break and turmoil that people on tornado alley face, which I enjoyed. As someone who lives in a southern state that we have to worry about hurricanes all the time, I understand the fear that comes during those “seasons”,
So it was good to shed some light on that. I also truly enjoyed the end of their story but also wish there was more or a different ending if that makes sense? I’m glad they were getting married and happy together but in the same breath the ending almost felt unfinished ? I also wish there was alittle bit MORE in their relationship. It was clear as day they loved each other and wanted to be together but their story also felt incomplete and yeah the bed of the truck happened and a few kisses but other than that it was more like they hated each other then loved each other…I just wished I got alittle more is all but overall the writing was great and an overall good story!

Cross My Heart is an emotional, beautifully written story that pulls you in with its raw honesty and unforgettable characters. Patel delivers a gripping blend of romance, heartache, and self discovery, wrapped in prose that feels both intimate and powerful. The relationships are tender yet complex, and the tension builds in a way that keeps you fully invested from start to finish. It’s the kind of book that lingers with you long after you close it moving, addictive, and full of heart. A must read for anyone who loves character driven stories that make you feel every page.

cute romcom that requires a LOT of suspension of disbelief but if you're willing to do that (which I was) it worked. 4 stars.

📚Cross My Heart
✍🏻Esha Patel
Blurb:
The perfect fake-dating college sports romance for fans of Bal Khabra and Hannah Grace

May Velasco has always wanted to be a lacrosse player, and she’s finally achieved her joining her college team on a scholarship. Now she's got to give her all to keep her hard-fought place on the team.

But then CJ "Colt" Bradley shows up at her college to help with training. He's a professional player, but he was also her grade school nemesis, and the last thing May wants to do is take pointers from him.

So when they're photographed having what looks like – but definitely isn't – an intimate moment at a bar, May's outraged. But the college is thrilled that women's lacrosse is getting press.

May and Colt will have to pretend they're dating until the lacrosse team is happy. But it doesn't take long before this fake relationship starts to feel all too real, and May begins to question if she really wants this relationship to be fake after all…
My Thoughts:
Cross My Heart by Esha Patel had all the ingredients for a fun, engaging sports romance because it has college lacrosse, a fake dating setup, and a childhood rivals to lovers dynamic.These two missed their chance at a young age to be with each other, so many years later when Colt returns, he has a lot of making up to do for May to even talk to him again let alone trust him. You could almost class this as a second-chance romance.May is full of anger and sadness over the heartache she endured over a guy she once loved. She’s a big lover of lacrosse and it shows, she’s an absolute powerhouse on the field Colt, oh he melted my heart. He’s made mistakes and he owns up to them. He’s a true golden retriever hero. He’s kind, he’s caring but he doesn’t know how to handle some of the bigger feelings but when he does…gah swoony! They are so in love and everyone around them knows it.
Thanks NetGalley, Avon and Author Esha Petel for the advanced copy of "Cross My Heart" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Avon
#EshaPetel
#CrossMyHeart
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⚠️Trigger Warnings: Abandonment