Cross My Heart had me hooked from the beginning.

Rosie Lachlan seems to be the definition of crazy. Everyone wants to find their true love but Rosie takes it to the next level.

She starts messaging the husband of the donor heart she received, on DonorConnect, trying to get him to fall for her. As the messages continue she starts stalking him. Rosie learns that he might have just had something to do with his wife's death.

Is it murder or fate that Rosie received her heart and finally has the opportunity for love.

Thank you to Atria Books and NetGalley for the ARC.

This book blew me away! The suspense build-up was so good that I couldn't put it down, and once the twist was revealed, I was on the edge of my seat needing to know what was going to happen. I had three different suspects and still ended up being wrong! I also love the FMC, Rosie, so much. She has been through a lot, and I think her resilience is inspiring. It also has a cat and a dog, which I loved, but I appreciated that they were spoken about throughout the book. Overall I just loved this book and will be recommending it to my fellow thriller lovers!

If you are looking for a quick thriller, Cross My Heart is a great one to pick up!

I fairly quickly felt sucked into this book. The main character definitely made me feel pretty uneasy at first with some of her behaviors so if you like unreliable narrators this book has this going for it!

Once I hit the second part I really didn’t want to put it down. I was very surprised by the twist at the beginning of the second part and while I guessed some of how the plot in advance, I was mostly surprised by how it unfolded.

I think thriller fans will enjoy this one and I’m excited to dive into her backlist!

Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for the arc.

Cross My Heart was the first novel I’ve read by Megan Collins. This was popping up all over my socials as a “must read” and I was grateful for the ARC I received.

Rosie is a girl, recovering from a bad breakup and a heart transplant. Rosie has a history with her exes. Rosie connects with Morgan, her heart donors husband, online and starts an online correspondence that has her weak in the knees- figuratively. But over time, Rosie starts to wonder if everything is as it seems or if Morgan may have had something to do with his wife’s death. That’s where the twists start coming!

This book was full of twists and distractions. Again, set aside rational thought and suspend belief temporarily if you want to enjoy this book. Overall, it did not speak to my heart (all the pun), but the writing was smooth and the story kept me guessing! Thank you NetGalley and Atria Books for this ARC!

This was a DNF at 50%, but not for any bad reasons, this book's style just wasn't for me. I'm giving it a three because I can see a lot of people liking it, but I just don't like the "tell" not "show" style of storytelling. I also found that I just don't like the whole "e-mails tell the story" plot device. I didn't like it in The Coworker or The Appeal and I definitely didn't like it here either, so I think I just need to avoid books that tell the story with that type of narrative.

Other than the above mentioned, the storyline is intriguing and the writing is really good. It just didn't fit my style personally and was just a tad too slow paced.

I received a complimentary copy from the publisher and all opinions expressed are mine.

I did not expect this book! The premise was intriguing and some of the characters quite unlikeable: The book is perfect for fans of books that feature an author ,bookstore ,dog and organ donor. I was hooked to be honest and I cannot wait for more Megan collins books.

I loved Winter Sister and was excited to see this new book from Collins! It definitely threw me for loops and kept me guessing until the end! I thought she did a great job in this book of giving just enough information to keep me coming back for more!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for an eARC in exchange for my honest review.

If you got a heart from someone else, would you go to certain lengths to find out who they were and who they left behind?

Rosie wants to know more about the woman who saved her life. So, through DonorConnect, she gets to messaging the woman's husband. Rosie is also someone who loves hard and big, following her heart almost always and praying for the one to show up. So is it any surprise that she starts to fall for the husband of her organ donor?

This book was fun and twisty and had me shaking in my boots. I wanted to toss my Kindle across the room while simultaneously not taking my eyes off the page. Without giving anything away, this is a definite must for thriller lovers.

Big thanks to the publisher for an early copy!

Cross My Heart was a twisty, absorbing thriller that had me constantly guessing. Rosie has had it rough this past year - a devastating breakup followed by a heart transplant. After she discovers whose heart she received - and connects with her spouse on a donor’s app - she’s convinced her heart (and her life) belongs with him, too. But who can you trust? And what is real? I don’t want to give too much away…you’re in for a wild ride with this one! I received an advanced reading copy, receipt of which did not impact my review.

The premise of this book has a lot of potential—a woman who receives a heart transplant starts to form a connection with the husband of the woman whose heart she now carries. It’s a unique concept that promises emotional depth and suspense, but unfortunately, the execution doesn’t quite deliver on that promise.

One of the key elements of the plot is a twist, but it falls a bit flat. Instead of letting the twist unfold naturally, the story spends too much time explaining it in detail, which makes it predictable early on and takes away from the suspense. It’s a bit of a missed opportunity for something more thrilling.

The main character is difficult to connect with, coming across as immature and, at times, unlikable. Sadly, the rest of the cast doesn’t fare much better. Most of the characters feel shallow and more suited for a YA drama than a mature thriller, which makes it hard to invest emotionally in the story.

There’s also a romance subplot that feels out of place. Rather than adding to the overall narrative, it distracts from the thriller elements and makes the story feel disjointed.

That said, if you’re looking for a light, fast-paced read without needing much in terms of character development or plot originality, this book might work as a quick escape. Just don’t expect it to be emotionally gripping or deeply engaging—it’s more of a breezy read than anything that will leave a lasting impression.

Atria eARC
This had a bit of a slow start, but I am glad I stuck with it. If you want a slightly unhinged and majorly surprising story, I recommend this one. For the first part, I thought I knew what was going on, and I liked how Collins surprised me and kept the story fresh. Rosie was such an intricate character, and I liked how we learned about her slowly to build the suspense. It was a fun and bingeable story.

Megan Collins’ Cross My Heart is a captivating and emotionally charged psychological thriller that explores love, obsession, and identity. The story follows Rosie Lachlan, a heart transplant recipient who becomes fixated on Morgan Thorne, the husband of her donor. The unique premise, along with the organ donor email communication through DonorConnect, instantly grabbed my attention and set the stage for a deeply compelling narrative.

I was hooked by how quickly the story drew me in. As Rosie’s correspondence with Morgan deepens, she uncovers unsettling truths about his past, including suspicions surrounding his late wife’s death. Collins crafts a narrative that keeps readers on edge the entire time, blending suspense with emotional depth. The pacing is excellent, and the characters feel real and relatable, making it easy to get invested in their journeys.

This book is not just a mystery; it is a heartfelt exploration of human emotion and the lengths people will go to in search of connection. The raw, emotional moments hit hard, but they are handled with care and nuance, leaving a lasting impact.

For fans of super twisty thrillers that explore the darker facets of human relationships, Cross My Heart is a must-read. It is a story that stays with you long after you have turned the final page.

Thank you Netgalley, author and Atria Books for the ARC.

Rosie Lalchan dreams of finding her perfect soulmate. But when she begins anonymously emailing a local celebrity thriller author—her heart donor's husband—her romantic hopes take a darker turn. Questions arise about his wife’s death and the heart Rosie now carries. Is she following her heart, or is she on the brink of heartbreak and danger?


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This was such a wild ride! Megan Collins crafts a gripping, emotional thriller that starts slow but builds into a whirlwind of suspense. The first half immerses you into Rosie’s life—her transplant surgery, her vulnerabilities, and her yearning for love. I loved the mixed media format with email exchanges and texts; it made the story feel dynamic and engaging.

The second half? Absolutely thrilling! Twists kept coming, and the arrow of suspicion shifted constantly, keeping me fully invested. Rosie’s character is raw, flawed, and real. Her growth throughout the story stood out, which is rare in thrillers. I rooted for her even when she felt unreliable, thanks to her mix of charm, vulnerability, and determination.

The FRIENDS and Taylor Swift song references were a delightful touch, offering moments of levity amidst the darker themes. If you love a character-driven thriller with emotional depth and shocking revelations, this book is for you!

It's a 4/5 ⭐ read for me.

A fast-paced, immersive thriller with a flawed yet compelling narrator. Rosie’s journey of love, loss, and self-discovery was an emotional rollercoaster, and I loved every twisty turn! Highly recommend.

Final rating: 3.75. It took me longer than I would've liked to finish this book because I had finally started it right before the holidays and life got crazy. It didn't help that the first half of the book moved a little slow for me. Around 50% it finally picked up and I enjoyed it. The only reason I won't give it 4 stars is because I actually predicted the ending. I was hoping for more of a plot twist. Overall, good story and definitely had me mixed up at some parts.

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for sn advanced reader copy of Cross My Heart in exchange for my honest review.

What a creepy, crazy, stalker story this book turned out to be! My first book by Megan Collins and now I definitely need to check out more of hers.

I will sure be picking up more by this author. I thought I had the twist figured out and I was wrong. It was surely unhinged, there were many Swifty refences throughout. I would consider this over the top, but boy was it fun. Popcorn thriller, wild ride that I read in 24 hours. Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
4.5 stars

The premise of this book is undeniably intriguing: a heart transplant recipient begins to form a connection with the husband of the woman whose heart she received. It’s a fresh and exciting concept that promises plenty of emotional depth and suspense. However, while the idea shines, the execution left much to be desired.

One of the story’s key elements is its twist, which had potential but ultimately fell flat. The twist becomes predictable early on, and instead of allowing readers to unravel it themselves, the narrative dedicates time to a character explaining it in detail. This not only felt redundant but also detracted from the thrill.

The main character is challenging to connect with, coming across as immature and unlikable. Unfortunately, the rest of the cast isn’t much better. Most of the characters feel shallow, obsessed, and more suited for a YA drama than a mature thriller. This lack of depth makes it difficult to invest emotionally in the story.

Adding to the disconnect is a romance subplot that feels misplaced and unnecessary. Rather than enhancing the narrative, it distracts from the thriller elements and leaves the story feeling disjointed.

That said, the book might still appeal to those looking for a light, quick read. If you’re not overly concerned with character depth or originality in execution, this short thriller could serve as a breezy escape. Just don’t expect a deeply layered or emotionally gripping experience.

**Verdict:** An intriguing concept that falters in its delivery, but it may work for fans of easy, surface-level thrillers.

This one had such an interesting plot! She’s falling for her heart donor’s husband?! A twisty romance psychological thriller that kept me guessing. You have to suspend some belief, and be ok with the main character making dumb decisions over and over, but I liked it overall.

Cross My Heart was a thought-provoking, crazy and twisted book that delves into the difficulties of love, loss, and obsession. Megan Collins weaves a darkly romantic story that will keep you on the edge of your seat while exploring the emotional and ethical problems that surround heart transplants and the connections that they can form. Rosie Lachlan is a woman whose life takes a strange turn after receiving a heart transplant. Of course, she isn't only recovering from the heart transplant but also being left at the altar a year prior. However, Rosie is determined to find her "happily ever after." Her life takes another weird twist when she suspects that her heart donor is Daphne Thorne, the wife of a local celebrity author, Morgan Thorne. Through an anonymous messaging service called Donor Connect, Rosie reaches out to Morgan to find out more about Daphne and to make a connection between her new heart and the famous author. This book has so many twists that you soon won't know who is telling the truth and who might be delusional. As Rosie's begins to correspond with Morgan, she soon learns that he may have been the cause of Daphne's accident, and she has this need to find out the truth. Rosie believes that having Daphne's heart somehow links her to Morgan, and they are destined to be together. Now, she just needs to uncover the truth about the disturbing rumors about Morgan's past. As the truth about Morgan and Rosie both start to be revealed, it will soon leave you wondering WHAT THE FREAK is going on?! You soon learn that not everything is as it seems and those you think are your friends may actually be foes. Cross My Heart is a book that will keep you guessing until the VERY END. This is the book for you if you enjoy psychological thrillers with a romantic twist.

This book was delightful. It was a propulsive, twisty read that left me guessing the whole time. I don't always love an unreliable narrator, but Rosie's quest for love at literally all costs feels authentic in its insanity. We've all done crazy things in the name of "love," right??