Cross my heart a gripping thriller that explores the intertwining lives of a heart transplant recipient and the donors late husband. After connecting through an anonymous site for donors, Rosie becomes infatuated with the man who was married to the woman that gifted her the heart that beats inside her. It’s full of Taylor swift references (10/10) and had me on the edge of my seat wanting to know what would happen next, it’s full of twists and turns and you need this book!

Holy smokes! This book had me flipping through the pages. I loved the premise, and Rosie was undeniably my favorite character of the year. She was so well written, even to the last page. The twists and turns had my head swimming. Must read!

I am a huge fan of Megan Collins books and was so excited to be gifted an ARC of her upcoming novel, Cross My Heart. I was immediately invested in the story as soon as I started reading. I easily could have finished this in a day but it was a busy week and I couldn’t get back to reading for a few days. Which in one way was good because it put off the book being over. I thought it was going to go a certain way and then the ride took a different turn and from there it was a non-stop flow of pure, riveting enjoyment!! This was such a fun read!!! Mark your calendar for January 14, 2025 so you can rush to your bookstore and pick up a copy of Cross My Heart!! Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for the ARC!!!

Twisty turny thriller that kept me guessing. Something fell flat for me but I overall enjoyed the book. It has some good characters, banter and I fodnt guess the ending.

I think my students will enjoy this one, both for the mystery and a lot of them will identify with the main character and many of the other women in the story who change themselves for love, who feel their whole identity is about being loved and the devastation when it is not returned. Even in this day and age this is still so prevalent. There are also lots of ethical issues to discuss re trauma and writing and recognition. A good read with some hidden depth

A fast moving twisty read. A woman who is the recipient of a donor heart gets obsessed with the husband and with his dead wife. We think we are reading one story, a love story destined to fail between an unstable woman and a man who is possibly a murder and then it turns into many other things. Lots of unreliable narrators and thought provoking ideas are explored. 4.5

4 stars

CROSS MY HEART by Megan Collins (publishing January 14, 2025) has a really unique premise as a thriller, and I enjoyed it, particularly the first half. Main character Rosie has undergone a heart transplant, and she’s figured out her donor’s husband is famous author Morgan Thorne. She strikes up a correspondence with him through an online service that connects donors’ families to the organ recipients. The author included this correspondence as well as some other emails, and I thought this choice was extremely well done. They captivated my attention.

Rosie has a certain amount of romantic obsession, and she’s the type that suffocates the target of her affection. She was recently dumped after she was in a Dark PlaceTM. I identified with her friend Nina, who is often trying to temper Rosie’s affections and get her to slow her roll before she alienates guys.

Some other characters are introduced into the narrative, including Morgan’s long-time friend Blair, a woman Edith who comes into Rosie’s bridal shop, and Edith’s friend Piper.

As this online friendship develops between Rosie and Morgan, Rosie learns that someone suspects that Morgan killed his wife. Will this information deter Rosie, or will she not be dissuaded?

My interest waned slightly in the back half of the novel. 1. The correspondence and emails stopped, which I had really enjoyed. 2. Like most thrillers, it got a little zany in the back half.

If you’re in the mood for a thriller, I think this one has a unique premise. And I will definitely check out the author’s backlist!

I enjoyed this book so much. After I closed the book, I still didn't know what to say. This was a psychological thriller that was written very well. It had so many twist and turns, that by the end of it you were questioning which way is up. I think this book was well written with an excellent plot and list of characters. I will be recommending this one to other to read. Thank you Net Galley ARC!

This is bringing to fruition "I Look in People's Windows" by Taylor Swift IN THE BEST WAY. I loved this book. I am not typically a thriller fan being that I can point out the twist chapters ahead, but this one had me STUMPED. I was shocked right up to the moment it hit, an easy page turner. This book takes female obsession and online dating (in a way?) to an entire new level. I hated Rosie in the beginning (in the nicest way), then loved her toward the middle and hated her again in the end. My girl just DOES not get it. This book forefronts the desperation that some will take for the love, the sacrifices we give up for love even if those sacrifices are losing pieces of ourself in the process and really highlights how unhealthy an obsession with love can become. This was just wow, so well done as a thriller; unhinged in the absolute best way. Plus the Taylor Swift easter eggs??? I mean come on a writer after my own heart. My only negative if that my own life got in the way of me being able to binge this book in one sitting. 11/10 Megan Collins, fantastic work.

Interesting plot, but the execution fell flat for me.

None of the characters were likable and it was very easy to see what was going to happen next. Although it did drag on and on.

NetGalley/ Atria January 14, 2025

I am at a loss for words when it comes to reviewing this book, as it was a mind-bending psychological thriller that has left me trying to make sense of all the craziness. The story is filled with twisted and dysfunctional “relationships,” yet I found myself captivated and thoroughly enjoying it. It makes me question what that says about me! I can’t spill all the tea without ruining the surprise, but let me tell you, the plot had more twists and turns than a pretzel. Just when you think you have it all figured out, another layer of madness is revealed. It was so good though! Thanks NetGalley and Atria books for the ARC!

I've really enjoyed Megan Collins' previous books, but this one didn't quite engage me like her prior books had. I didn't love any of the characters and considered DNF-ing a few times. But I will say I didn't see where the story was going at all - it was well executed, even if I didn't super connect with the characters or general story line. And I did like the ending. So overall, 3.5 stars.

All I can say is WOW! The premise alone sucked me in, but it was the sympathetic view of a truly lonely, heartbroken person that kept me reading. We’ve all been there, and the way Collins handles those messy emotions grounds the story once the twists began. And, oh boy, do the twists deliver! I loved it.

Rosie was dumped in her wedding dress and then had an emergency life saving heart transplant. A year later she begins chatting with her donor’s widower. As she gets to know him, she wonders if there’s more to his past marriage.. and his wife’s death.

While Rosie is not quite the loveable character, I was hooked from the beginning. Maybe that is what I liked about this. Rosie is a morally grey character; obsessive and clingy, but still endearing to the reader. There were a lot of twists and you can tell from the very beginning that not all is as it seems. I had a few ideas but was completely wrong!

“And maybe sometimes what looks like crazy is just an attempt at taking back control.”

Cross My Heart comes out 1/14.

This was easily the best book I read in September and will be a favorite of 2024.

I have never read anything like this! I LOVED THE PREMISE with DonorConnect and the story was just masterfully written, devised and kept me guessing the entire time. I’ve read other Collins’ books, but this was easily her best - this was truly a masterpiece!

Rosie Lachlan, a heart transplant patient, becomes romantically obsessed with her donor's husband, Morgan Thorne. After receiving a life-saving heart transplant, Rosie suspects her donor is Daphne Thorne, Morgan's late wife. She begins messaging Morgan anonymously and believes they are meant to be together now that she has Daphne's heart. As Rosie and Morgan communicate, secrets are revealed about his past marriage, leaving Rosie to question his involvement in his wife's death and whether she is in danger of another broken heart.

This novel offers a captivating blend of suspense, intrigue, and unexpected plot twists that will keep readers on the edge of their seats. As I delved into the story, I found myself swept away by the fast-paced narrative, making it difficult to fully grasp the unfolding events. However, upon closer examination, the true depth and potential of the story became apparent.

The protagonist, Rosie, is a relatable and endearing character who faces challenges with grace and resilience. Despite encountering unsavory individuals along her journey, Rosie's unwavering kindness and reliability shine through. The unexpected twist in the plot took me by surprise, adding an extra layer of complexity to Rosie's character.

The underlying message of the story is a powerful one - kindness is a priceless virtue that can make a significant impact on others. Rosie's unwavering commitment to helping those around her serves as a poignant reminder of the importance of compassion and understanding.

For readers who enjoy a thrilling mix of suspense, drama, and mystery, this book is must-read. Prepare to be captivated by the intricate plot twists and engaging narrative that will keep you guessing until the very end.

Thank you, Atria books for digital ARC copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

2.5 ⭐️ (Rounded down to 2). I know I’m in the minority with this one but ughhh, I just didn’t like it. I literally hated every single character, especially the main character Rosie. The story itself actually starts off pretty good, then begins to drag midway through and the end…it was a just a big unrealistic mess. I guess you could say there were some twists here and there. I will also give props to the author for the fact that even though I hated the characters and found it to be unrealistic, I was still curious to see what would happen. I hate to say it but I don’t think Megan Collins books are for me. While I enjoyed The Family Plot (gave it 4 stars). I hated Thicker Than Water (gave it 1 star). Sadly this will probably be the last book of hers that I read.

Thank you to NetGalley and Atria Books for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

To see other reviews I’ve left, check out my Instagram and Goodreads pages:
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Thank you Atria Books & Netgalley!

I am such a fan of Megan Collins writing, so I was super excited to get an early copy of this one! It’s a quick & unique thriller that kept me guessing through the book. I thought I for sure had the plot twist figured out but I didn’t. Definitely recommend this one if you’re looking for a quick thriller with depth.

This book was a pleasant surprise. The first half was a little slow, but once the 2nd half started I was hooked. I also had no idea the ending that would happen and was so surprised when we got there.

Twisted, kept my attention. I wasn't sure which way it was going to go in the beginning but i was pleasantly surprised.