Such a great love story. Hunter and Emerson's story tugged at my heartstrings. I loved it.

I have only started reading books by Ms Kincaid in the last year or so, and in each story this talented author surpasses my expectations.
Crossing Hearts is the first book of her new series title The Cross Creek Series. We have three hard working and stubborn brothers managing a farm with their father. In this first book, we have Hunter Cross. A man who loves the farm, and worries about how to make it successful. He fell in love in HS with Emerson and the day he proposes , she turns him down and leaves town. She broke his heart, and he has never wanted to love like that again. Emerson returns home, after leaving a position as a respected physical therapist in the sports arena, to the town she never wanted to return . Hunter gets injured and becomes her first patient. Emerson has secrets, which she keeps from everyone, including her overpowering parents. The two begin to forge a new , and very cautious friendship that will lead to more though neither wants to be hurt again.
But the story is more than that. It’s about heartaches, misunderstandings, secrets that can cause a great deal of pain, family dynamics or lack thereof, the trials and tribulations of a degenerating chronic disease , and how others and the individual affected deal with it.
And above all it’s a reminder that love , support, and hope can overcome everything.
Kudos to Ms Kincaid for such a touching and thought provoking story.
I was gifted this book by Netgalley. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

I received this from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed the story. I knew Emerson was hiding something but I didn't guess right away what it was. She returns to her hometown after staying away for 12 years and immediately runs into her old boyfriend. We learn that she left her job and man she was dating to return home. Normally I don't seek out a book where someone has a debilitating disease as I tend to stick with the HEA type. However this story was good and it wasn't depressing. I felt that it ended abruptly without trying up some lose ends. Specifically, I wondered what was really getting between Eli and Owen, what would happen to Daisy and would Emerson and Hunter stay together. I would definitely recommend the book and still gave it 5 stars.

Good story! Definitely a page turner worth the read

Haven’t you ever wondered what if………..

The always amazing Kimberly Kincaid kicks off a new small town series with Crossing Hearts and does so with a book that will worm its way into the heart of every reader who reads it for the simple reason that it’s so beautifully written.

Yes, I admit to being totally biased when it comes to this authors writing. I have been there from the start and watched as she has settled into her writing mojo and written book after book that has gone straight to my keeper/re-read shelf. With this start to a new series, she has absolutely found her small town romance stride and kicks butt as she does.

This book…. I FREAKING LOVED IT. Once again, I am envisioning packing my bag to move to yet another fictional new town, (damn you Kimberly Kincaid, stop doing this to me!!!), where the men are hot, the women feisty, the gossip flows freely and I can totally see myself fitting in.

While this is the first book in the series, so there is a lot of world building, you forget that very quickly as you start to feel like you’ve known these characters and this town forever and a very long day. That makes this reader very happy.

Add in the wonderful love story that evolves from an accident that brings high school sweethearts Hunter and Emmerson back into each other’s lives and asks the question, haven’t you ever wondered what if? I think Hunter answers that perfectly, even if it made me spring a leak.

These two have a history that will call to every romantic bone in your body, teenage lovers who break up only to be brought back together by fate. The passion between Hunter and Emmerson is evident from the first and I loved seeing it grow as they learnt the new sides of each other they carry now as adults and how that first blush of love is re-ignited and burns strong.

I absolutely have fallen head over heels for the Cross men (yes, all of them. Just you wait and see, you will too.) and I have a huge girl crush on Emmerson. Yes she’s got the wrong idea about how to handle her illness, but it just made me love her more. She is so tough, strong and hard headed, LOL. But that’s what makes her lovable and Hunter too for being the man that he is and standing beside her. Cue the swoons.

Sorry if I’ve rambled on, but my head is spinning with too many words about how much I loved this book and how much I am already anticipating the next one. I need to know why Hunter’s brothers Eli and Owen snipe at each other and okay, I want to see Mr Cross again. I’m more than ready to move to Cross Creek just to stalk those Cross men.

What a way to kick start a new series Kimberly Kincaid. Well done indeed. I already hear Hunter and Emmerson calling for a re-read. Do yourself a favour small town romance lovers and read this book, if you aren’t already addicted to this author, you will be soon. Trust me, it only took one book to hook me and I couldn’t be happier.

Oh, Emerson and Hunter how I love you. Both characters were amazingly well written and very real. I loved the interplay between them and the small town. Everything really, really worked. I am really looking forward to the next books in the series as I am DYING to know what happened between Owen and Eli.

This was my first book by Kimberly Kincaid, but won't be my last!

A good story overall, but starts slow and a bit disjointed. I almost gave up, but glad I stuck with it. Both have issues, but Emerson has the most to overcome, as she is struggling with recently being diagnosed with MS. The ending is a little quick too, but that was minor. I liked the story, characters and the writings for the most part, and do recommend this book and author. Just wish the beginning and end were a bit stronger.

This is the first book of a brand new series from this author. If this book is any indication of what we have to look forward to in the rest of the series we have some seriously good books to look forward to. There was absolutely nothing I didn't like about this book. Small town romance, slightly flawed but intriguing characters, nice slow build second chance relationship, and a wonderful heartwarming HEA. All the components of a great read. This is one for the must read list. I highly recommend it.

For a city girl, Kimberly Kincaid can sure write country.
Crossing Hearts is the first story in a new series that deals with the Cross family from Cross Creek Farms and their small town neighbours. When Hunter Cross aggravates an old football injury during a farm mishap, the doctor suggests he see the new physiotherapist for rehab. Thing catch is that the new therapist is Emerson Montgomery, the girl who broke his heart when she left town right after high school. He needs her help, but he's not about to lose his heart again which suits Emerson just fine. She came back to work, and to hid secrets she doesn't want anyone in town to know about - even Hunter.
Crossing Hearts is a sweet and sometimes steamy second time around story that will pull you in and not let you go until the last page. It's central characters are both strong - one might even say stubborn yet both are vulnerable passionate and thoroughly engaging and they are complimented by a supporting cast of characters including the the Cross patriarch and Hunter's two brothers, Emerson's demanding doctor dad and society mom and a whole cast of Milhaven small towners including newly divorced fledgling entrepreneur Daisy, sherriff Lane Atlee and the gossip girls at the Hair Lair.
Ms Kincaid says in her Acknowledgments that she's a city girl, but as a small town farm girl, I can tell you she's done her homework. For me, Crossing Hearts was like a trip home. The Cross boys, the townies, the Watermelon Festival, and even the endless stress of farmers worrying about bad weather, manpower shortages and the uncertainty of the supply chain felt very real and immediate to me. They felt like old friends and I loved getting reacquainted.
If you're a small towner, or if you've ever wondered what falling in love in a small town might be like, you need to read this book.

I received this book via Netgalley in return for an honest and unbiased review.

(Goodreads and later Amazon)
This is an outstanding story from the perspective of the old flames reunion and the siblings relationship tropes. The author does an amazing job portraying how high school sweethearts fall in love (again) and also dramatizing familial love (a widowed father and his three sons). In fact, I loved all that family dynamics and the love and conflicts they have, it was very realistic and heartwarming. Mixed with the farming life, its hard work, uncertainty and difficulties, this made for a very pleasant read.
I also liked the approach to the heroine’s clinical condition, it looked well-researched and credible. However, her resistance to divulge it was exaggerated (but it's understandable what with her familial background).
I must say that the story was a bit slow for me in the beginning, but characterization, dialogue and setting soon became quite appealing and now I’m waiting for the next books in this Cross Creek series. Besides the brothers (I loved the glimpses we had of both of them), there are other male characters that are screaming for an independent story, namely Dr. Ortiz and the hero’s father - yes, why not an older hero? He’s a charmer!

This is the first novel in a new series by Ms. Kincaid that is a winner as far as I'm concerned. Set in a tiny farming town, it focuses on Cross Creek farm, it's owner Tobias and three sons Hunter, Owen and Eli. This first novel features Hunter.

Hunter Cross loves his families land and farming more than just about anything. It's hard work, exhausting and the weather can wreak havoc, but he wants no other life. "Town" was a bit relative in Millhaven since the closest thing to a stop light in the entire zip code was the flashing amber caution marker outside the fire station." But, he never wanted to live anywhere else.
After re-injuring a torn rotator cuff, he knows recovery will be a struggle. But he had no idea the struggle would be his heart and his new physical therapist.

Emerson Montgomery grew up in Millhaven and left after high school hoping to never return. In the process she knew she broke her first love's heart ( Hunter) after he proposed and she left. She worked for her Ph.D in PT and was working for a champion football team, had a gorgeous boyfriend when her world fell apart. She's reluctantly back, working with the local M.D., and keeping her secrets. Hunter and Emerson are shocked to see each other so soon after her return. They resolve to trust each other and move on. But their attraction has never gone away.

Very enjoyable love story, with feuding brothers, overbearing parents and Emerson's need to keep some life changing news to herself. One interesting fact that is not addressed. The constant anger between Owen and Eli Cross is never investigated. I have a feeling it will be in Cross Creek #2.
Definitely not a cliffhanger but something to keep your attention until the next story.
I received this very enjoyable read from the publisher and NetGalley for an honest review.

Pat Fordyce

This book is going to grab your heart and run away with it! Hunter and Emerson story is beautifully written with deep feeling and understanding of what it takes to truly love a person with a chronic illness. It is heartfelt, tender with a little sexy thrown in at the perfect time. Great kick off to a new series for Ms. Kincaid! Can't wait to read the next book!!

Crossing Hearts is a fabulous start to the Cross Creek series. Emerson and Hunter are a great and this heart felt story captured me from the very first page. I know readers are going to love this story as much as I did.

I can’t believe this was my first Kimberly Kincaid book! I don’t know how I missed her up until now. Well it definitely won’t be my last, that’s for sure!
I am a huge fan of second chance romance and I just adored Hunter & Emerson’s story. I also like small town romance and this was that as well. So right off the bat I was drawn into the scene that was set.
I am also so happy this is the first book in a series, because I can’t wait to get to know the other Cross brothers too!!
This story was so down to earth and realistic. I like that the author took a real life disease and wove it into this beautiful love story. It really deepened the connection I felt with these characters. Both our hero and heroine are loving, passionate and just really good people. Together they are amazingly sensual and steaming hot and just so incredibly good for each other in every way.
5 heartfelt stars for Crossing Hearts!

Enjoyable read. Stubborn yet strong, Emerson is a character you fall for immediately. Struggling with pressure from parents to be perfect and failing to conform to their wishes, Emerson changes her life she leaves a place and a person she loves dearly. Hunter is the strong hero working on his family farm nursing a decade old heart break.

When Emerson comes back to town harboring a secret, she soon finds its one that won't be hidden.

You fall in love with the Cross men, especially Tobias, the patriarch. Such a lovely town and story. Hope this is a first in a series.

Three and a half stars.

Emerson Montgomery has returned to her hometown of Millhaven after vowing never to return. She's left behind her prestigious job as a physical therapist to the Las Vegas Viking football team and her star running back boyfriend Lance Devlin. Emerson has returned to her hometown and her overbearing parents because she is sick, her exact diagnosis is not revealed for a while so I won't spoiler it, but she doesn't want anyone to know. Her rationale is that her parents already treat her like a child who doesn't know what is best for her, if they fond out she was sick they would be relentless.

Emerson's first patient is Hunter Cross, her high school boyfriend who proposed to her the day she left Millhaven - talk about the awks! As Emerson works with Hunter on his shoulder, which he injured falling out of a barn loft, they set aside the pain from all those years ago and develop a friendship. But how far can Emerson take the friendship when she is hiding such a big secret.

I felt as if this was three books mashed together and the joins were a bit too clear. The first book is the second chance romance, coming home to your first love. The second, which took up a solid chunk of the middle of the book (from about 45% to 65% on my Kindle) was non-stop sex (which apparently was never affected by Emerson's illness). I have to confess I just skimmed over this bit because there was so little plot to go with it. The final, was dealing with Emerson's illness. Now I initially thought that the author also had this illness because it took up so much of the book (I read a book last year in which the author had suffered from the illness and she brought a LOT of detail and realism to the novel, although I felt it slightly off-balanced the story), but on reflection I think that Emerson's illness was a bit too Hollywood (twinges at work and forcing her to go to bed at 7:30 in the evening but doesn't stop her having vigorous sex or helping Hunter's family) and overlooked when not necessary for the plot.

I also felt that the plot was a bit busy. There was the rekindled romance between Emerson and Hunter, the tensions between Hunter's brothers, the tensions with Emerson's parents, the problems with Hunter's father and the farm, the unpleasantness from other women when Emerson returned - maybe if there hadn't been the sexterlude in the middle these storylines could have been fleshed-out more?

On the positive side, Kimberly Kincaid writes interesting characters, there's no manufactured angst and her writing draws you in. I will definitely be looking for other books in the series.

Recommended for lovers of second chance romances, small towns and medical dramas.

A sweet story with a very relatable hero and heroine. I am a sucker for small town stories, and this one fit the bill nicely.

Emerson and Hunter were high school sweethearts that were head over heels in love. So in love that Hunter proposed to Emerson when they were just 18 years old. Unfortunately, Emerson declined the proposal and shortly there after left town to pursue college and eventually moved on to a very successful career as a physical therapist for a Super Bowl winning pro football team. But it's 12 years later and Emerson is back in her hometown working at a PT. As fate would have it, Hunter ends up being one of her first patients!!! From the moment they saw each other sparks, heck fireworks started exploding!! These two definitely have unfinished business and I love where Kimberly Kincaid took them!!

What a charmingly sweet read!! I love second chance romances and Crossing Hearts is the perfect example of why! I enjoyed the fact that this novel went a little deeper and pulled at my heartstrings! Both Emerson and Hunter were both awesome people, I was just keeping my fingers crossed that they would trust each other enough to let down their guards!! I really enjoyed reading this 4 star novel and I look forward to reading many, many more of books is this great series!!

well written, ok read