Great thriller! The first twist gave me whiplash 😵‍💫. The ending was sort of predictable, but I really enjoyed the book overall.

I think there was a missed opportunity to dive deeper into the idea of a donor organ recipient gaining the interests, feelings, or characteristics of their donor. That concept was the hook that drew me in and I was a little disappointed in its execution.

However, I would recommend Cross My Heart. The plot and character development was good and one of the twists really got me, which is always a plus! Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to receive an advanced copy!

I couldn’t get into this. I liked the opening but after that… it lost my interest. Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for this arc ebook in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

This is my first book to read by Megan Collins and definately won’t be my last! I absolutely loved this book! It had me guessing the whole book and the twists were perfect! Thank you so much NetGalley for a copy of Cross My Heart! Such a great read!

Book Review: Cross My Heart by Megan Collins

I had the opportunity to read an advanced copy of Cross My Heart by Megan Collins, thanks to Atria Books and NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review. With a publication date set for January 14, 2025, this suspenseful and unique novel is sure to captivate readers.

The story centers on Rosie, a heart transplant recipient who becomes infatuated with the spouse of her donor. This is a storyline I haven’t encountered before, and I found it refreshingly original. Collins demonstrates remarkable creativity in exploring the emotional and psychological complexities of such a situation, weaving a tale filled with intrigue, obsession, and unexpected connections.

While I did anticipate some twists—likely due to being an avid reader of suspense novels—the ending still managed to surprise me. The buildup to the final reveal was skillfully executed, keeping me engaged throughout.

Rosie, the main character, was compelling yet challenging at times. Her actions and emotions occasionally felt overwhelming, but this only speaks to Collins’ ability to craft deeply flawed, multi-dimensional characters. Rosie’s perspective was vividly described, making it easy to feel immersed in her journey, even when her choices were questionable.

Overall, Cross My Heart is a gripping and thought-provoking read. Megan Collins has delivered a story that stands out with its originality and emotional depth. I recommend this novel to readers who enjoy suspenseful, character-driven tales with a psychological edge.

4/5 stars.

This book had me utterly hooked from page one! With its blend of family drama, dark secrets, and jaw-dropping twists, I was completely drawn in; I simply had to know how it all unfolded.

That said, there were a few moments that stretched believability to its limits. Some of the twists had me raising an eyebrow and muttering, “Oh, come on—what are the chances?” But honestly, I was so engrossed I didn’t mind too much. I just buckled up and enjoyed the ride.

The characters? Absolute chaos—messy, flawed, and wonderfully human; they kept me on my toes the entire time.

All in all, a cracking read. Solid 4/5 from me!

Thank you for the ARC Copy of Cross My Heart. This was a fun read and I liked that I never knew what was going to happen when I thought I would. Was definitely a great thriller read! I really enjoyed Rosie's character and what she wanted out of this story. Then you get the love interest in the story too which made it even better to add in the drama. I wont give anything else away but definitely great book and great ending. Def be sure to check this one out.

WOW, I flew through this! Gripped from page 1, I couldn't put this down. Super fast paced, unhinged characters & short chapters made this one very readable. A great popcorn thriller.

Cross My Heart is a sufficiently suspenseful mystery whose true virtues lie in its ability to engender empathy for messy but authentic female characters, augment understanding of underrepresented human experiences, and expose the not-so-sneaky ways misogyny works to discredit women and dismantle their self-confidence. Though absorbing and binge-able, this book is a triumph for more than just its entertainment value. Alongside the work of fellow authors such as Jacqueline Bublitz and Gillian Flynn, Collins’s fifth novel helps shape a new generation of thrillers that furthers the conversation about who gets to tell women’s stories and what kinds of women are deemed worthy of compassion.

A quick easy read with lots of twists and turns! The pacing towards the seemed a bit off to me and the ending felt a little rushed but it was still a fun twisty read!

Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and author for the chance to read this ARC.

Thank you Netgalley for the early read!

Rosie received a heart transplant and got to connect with the husband of her donor, sweet? Not so much. When people accuse him of killing his wife, Rosie puts herself in charge of investigation and finds trouble along the way..

I was not prepared for the twists and turns that this book had!

I read a book eerily similar to this recently and so I had a slight struggle keeping them straight. I really enjoy Ms. Collins writing style and so the book was really well done for me. The beginning was really spectacular though and had me not wanting to put this down. Rosie was crazy, but a fun crazy and I really enjoyed her as a character.

Rosie gets a heart transplant and starts corresponding with the husband of her donor. She believes that fate has brought them together and forms an obsession with him. Unhinged af. Rosie is really unlikable at times and she definitely had her "Rosie colored glasses on"

I wasn't sure what to expect from a thriller revolving around a heart transplant but this was entertaining. I loved the ending. She's crazy.

Thank you to Atria and NetGalley for the e-arc.

This was an interesting book. I'm just going to say it, maybe I wasn't paying enough attention, but the first half was good, then the second half threw me....like I missed something. Either way, it was a really good story. I really enjoyed Rosie, flawed as she was, just like the rest of us. Good, easy read.
Thanks to netgalley, the publisher and author for the chance to read this ARC.

I absolutely loved the premise of this book and the first 80%! The big twist was epic and I did not see it coming. The last 20% felt rushed and a bit disconnected from the writing quality of the majority of the book, which influenced my overall feelings a bit. The email format of the book was a fun POV switch up and kept the book very engaging. For thriller lovers who like plots to be a bit deeper and more meaningful!

Wow! Another fantastic read by Megan Collins. This one starts with a bang and just never lets up. Great cast of characters that kept me flipping pages long into the night. Dark and creepy and I totally enjoyed it.
Thank you NetGalley, Megan Collins and Atria Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

What great concept, that tagline about having his dead wife’s heart was enough to grab my attention and what follows was even better than that somehow. It immediately hooked me as Rosie starts emailing with Morgan, it was like a train wreck I couldn’t look away from. Rosie comes off as slightly unhinged immediately but you can’t help but feel for her, she had a heart transplant AND was dumped in her wedding dress so I just went with her crazy. Plus, an unhinged character is always an interesting character to me and Rosie was downright fascinating. I don’t wanna say too much more about the plot because there were some seriously delicious and wild turns here but if you like sound of this try it because I don’t think you’ll be disappointed.

3.5 - this one definitely surprised me, and I love that!! Unfortunately, aside from the twist, this felt like more of the same. Rosie is obsessed with finding love after a big break-up and who better to try and connect with than your organ donor’s husband?

The premise is fun and the twists were successful, I just found the parts in between and after to fall a little flat. I felt like we were repeating the same things over and over and it was really being pushed on us hard to suspect different people at different points.

I received an eARC via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review

This novel delivers an intriguing premise with plenty of emotional weight, though its execution sometimes feels uneven. Rosie Lachlan’s story—rooted in heartbreak, recovery, and a search for love—is compelling, and the heart transplant adds a unique layer of tension to her character. Her correspondence with Morgan Thorne starts as a fascinating connection but occasionally veers into melodrama, which may not work for all readers.

The mystery surrounding Daphne Thorne’s death is engaging, and the twists keep the narrative moving, though some of the reveals feel predictable. Rosie’s belief that she and Morgan are destined to be together because of her new heart is an intriguing concept, but it sometimes feels underexplored, with more focus on her growing obsession than the ethical or emotional implications of her actions.

The pacing is somewhat inconsistent, with moments of gripping suspense interspersed with sections that drag. While the story raises interesting questions about grief, identity, and love, it doesn’t always delve as deeply into these themes as it could. Still, the blend of romance and mystery makes for an entertaining read, even if it doesn’t fully satisfy.

Overall, it’s a solid read with some standout moments, but it falls just shy of its full potential.

The publisher provided ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

Megan Collins is a must read author for me. Her books are highly entertaining and Cross My Heart is no different. Rosie received a heart transplant from a famous author’s wife and that is just the beginning. Filled with lots of twists, turns, and oh wow moments, Cross My Heart is a book that will satisfy both mystery and thriller readers a like.

This book was so good! I was glued to the pages from the very beginning. This one is best going into blindly. It's a wild ride with some major and shocking twists. I don't want to say much because I don't want to give any spoilers. Do yourself a favor and grab this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and Atria Books for a digital ARC in exchange for my honest review.