Really enjoyed this book! Some bits felt slightly drawn out BUT it didn't take away from the overall story for me. I loved the development of the characters and found myself wanting more books with some of the teammates as Main Characters (Rod for example!) Overall a great book and it's refreshing to see a sport that is so often overlooked

Loved this book, the lax story of lifelong crushes, and the diverse characters. It’s definitely more tame than the author’s F1 books and felt more like YA. They didn’t hook up until 70% in of the book and half was closed door. I still thought it was great and would give it 5 stars, but I found some areas that need addressing:

Was Colts injury in August or October? A subheading of how many months later would be helpful when he returns to OKC. At several points in the book he says back in August or back in October when referring to his injury. Or if he’s referencing different events please clarify.

Can May’s major be clarified when she first says she loves what she’s studying? I had no idea what instrumentation was and we don’t find out it’s a class that’s a part of her meteorology studies.

I think May was extremely hard on Colt for taking the opportunity for a better life on the East coast and another character needs to tell her that. It was also odd how she confided in Colt’s mom about the “old Colt.” When she ultimately chooses to follow her dreams in the end, can we find out what happens to the farm? Like have a convo with her parents saying it’s okay for her to pursue a career in lax?

At one point, May says she’s “ready to throw fists” when she sees Colt after a bad morning (Loc 827). I think this line should be removed because it so casually implies intimate partner violence, which is already overlooked as an issue facing teens and college students.

I think the book also kind of condones drinking before driving after the tornado and hookup scene where Colt had been drinking beer in both instances.

I read the ebook on my kindle and the formatting did not translate well. I wasn’t sure if the chapter titles were supposed to be puns with their names on one line or separate. For example: Y’all Had Your Moments May. I think having each chapter start on a new page with a little doodle under the name of a heart with lacrosse sticks would be cute.

May references her quincenera as being in middle school but it’s at age 15, so it’s high school (Loc 2841)

Here are all of the needed grammar/spelling corrections I found:

me, I have two n ow. (Loc 53)

my gaze st r a y. (Loc 299)

chanting.They're (Loc 661)

loved M a y. (Loc 1227)

right, thought. (Loc 1742, should be though)

hard.Well. (Loc 1822)

repeat 17 7 Mrs Bradley's (Loc 1831)

home in on (Loc 2001, should be hone)

'Man.What a prick.' (Loc 2146)

field.There (Loc 2162)

phone.Fuck.It's (Loc 2404)

with M a y. (Loc 2669)

regroup.Shit.They're (Loc 2946)

longer, hellish d a y. (Loc 3049)

It's everything you want in a romance. The tension, fake dating (which is one of my favorite tropes), and banter. Read it!!

This book was very cute! I love sports romance books and this one was just what I wanted in one. Everyone who loves sports romance books should read this!

Cute sports romance centring around two Lacrosse players. A nice easy read and good character development. Loved the the FMC was the captain of the team and a WOC. Would have maybe liked a bit more spice but nonetheless a good read. Finished in one sitting.

First
Thank you Netgalley for the arc! This is my opinion!

It was good but not great. I liked it but honestly the miscommunication trope needs to find its way out. This might sound weird but I don’t mind it. It can help move the plot but the problem is that it can’t be over stupid things.

I loved May. The plan thing that made me want this book a POC on the cover.

I loved that it was lacrosse. There is so much hockey and baseball. I love we see another sport

I’m not a big second chance romance person. I always think it didn’t work out the first time then there’s probably a reason but this worked out.

The book kept me entertained during my other reads. I did find myself putting it down to get read other stuff though.

I was really interested in reading this because sports romances involving lacrosse are not ones you see too often! I liked the premise of the second chance romance, and thought the writing was good and well researched! I enjoyed the dual POV aspect of the book. However, there were some parts I had trouble buying in to. I had a hard time with the head coach supporting a fake relationship between a player and a visiting coach, and pushing for it to turn real. Even with May and Colt being the same age and knowing each other previously, there is still a power dynamic there that is created by Colt being her coach. Their miscommunication issues were also a little too much for me at times, and also contributed to parts where I felt they lacked chemistry. Overall, there were things I liked about this book and things that made it a bit of a miss for me.

This was an adequate sports romance but failed to grip me unfortunately. I really wish I was able to get more invested in the plot, but the characters just didn’t speak to me the way they needed to.

Thank you so much to Esha Patel and Avon Books UK | Avon for the eARC of this title. I love a good sports romance and this was no exception. I loved that the college sport it was centered around was not football or hockey or basketball. It hard to find those sometimes. Although it took me a few to get into to the book I really thought it was a great story.

This was such a cute romance!! I love Esha’s work and this one was no exception! Such a nice story line with relatable characters and an interesting plot. Definitely will be recommending to my friends.

Love, Love, Love. If you're into fake dating, enemies-to-lovers, and college sports romance, Cross My Heart is one you’ll want to pick up ASAP. It’s got all the best tropes—slow-burn chemistry, banter that crackles, and just enough tension to keep things interesting.

May Velasco is living her dream as a college lacrosse player, but keeping her scholarship means staying focused. Enter CJ “Colt” Bradley—her childhood nemesis turned pro lacrosse star—who suddenly shows up to help train her team. She can’t stand him, but when a picture of them looking way too close goes viral, she’s basically forced to fake date him for the sake of the team’s PR. Simple, right? Yeah… not so much.

May is fierce, determined, and easy to root for, while Colt is the kind of cocky, charming athlete you can’t help but fall for. Their dynamic is hilarious, their tension is chef’s kiss, and the slow-burn build makes every moment worth it. Plus, the sports setting actually feels real, which makes it even better.

Overall, this book is fun, flirty, and full of feels. If you love a good sports romance with plenty of sass and heart, Cross My Heart totally delivers!

I'm so sorry, but this book is not it. The characters have no chemistry, the plot is so boring, and I felt like I was drowning the whole entire time.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the arc!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for an early copy.

Cross My Heart was definitely an interesting read. It was a unique take on a college sports romance with lacrosse at the center. I also liked that this was a second chance romance with both characters caring for the other. However, beyond this the story was hard to enjoy. I found May to be rather unlikeable for most of the book and couldn't help but question her motives half the time. It made almost no sense that once they seemingly reconciled their initial falling out she immediately put walls between them again. I also had trouble suspending my disbelief over their fake relationship- in no world is a college coach helping creat a fake romance between a visiting coach and a player and then having them room together.

This was a 2.5 to 3 star read

Overall, Cross My Heart is a solid sports romance with an engaging premise, but it didn’t fully engage or impress me.

I really enjoyed seeing the characters progress in this story. The story was well paced and well written. I was hooked from the beginning and devoured it in just a few sittings. I wouldn’t call this a Enemies to Lovers book though, more of a second chance at love.


Thank you NetGalley and Esha Patel for the Arc 💜

the sweetest second chance romance i was instantly obsessed with. these two are perfect for each other and seemed so deeply in love, the emotion was so raw and passionate I was about to melt. The main stand out point of this book for me is the positive representation of female sports, the team scenes made me tear up. This showed a true family- not just a sports team. This was my first lax romance and gosh it didn’t disappoint. The sport is unlike anything in used too but still so exciting. The ending of this one and May’s victory was actually one of the most memorable scenes I’ll probably read. It was written with such support and dedication, and you can tell so clearly how deserved this triumph was. These two were each others support systems to get over their fears despite not confessing feelings was absolutely adorable to read and they made me scream and question why they weren’t together since the start!!! The only thing I found faulty with this book was that their backstory didn’t seem expanded upon enough. In a second chance romance I like seeing the sugary love scenes innocent youth brings but i felt that they were lacking. Ultimately, this is a very beautiful story with the best characters and such a supportive atmosphere

AHHH I DNFED!!!! I wanted to love this so much guys I really did!! I managed to push to 56%.
So they’ve already started ‘fake dating’ but I don’t see it anywhere. This really bored me and I was just not into it.
Colt and may have NO CHEMISTRY whatsoever. I’m dying.
Guys please the cover was so cute and don’t even get me started on the blurb but ahh i cannot. I should have listened to the reviews, they warned me

Thankyou netgalley for this ARC

I have to say, it completely caught me off guard. I don’t usually pick up romance novels, but this one had me hooked from the first chapter. The chemistry between the two main characters was electric—it wasn’t just about the physical attraction, but the way they challenged and supported each other. I found myself rooting for them, even when they were making mistakes or letting their insecurities get in the way.

What really stood out to me was how real the story felt. The dialogue was sharp and natural, and the emotional moments hit hard without feeling overly dramatic. I could see pieces of myself in the male lead, especially in how he struggled to open up and be vulnerable. It made me think about my own relationships in a way I didn’t expect.

The pacing was perfect, with just enough tension to keep me turning the pages. And while there were moments that felt predictable, the journey was so enjoyable that I didn’t mind. By the end, I was smiling like an idiot—it was that satisfying.

This book was like a little ray of sunshine?! I've never read a lacrosse sports romance before, and it was so refreshing. The balance of sports to romance was excellent, with a fake dating, 'second chance' kind of theme going. It was sweet, a little spicy, and the kind of book that makes you feel all warm and fuzzy.

- sports romance (lacrosse)
forced proximity
-fake dating
-second chance

This was an enjoyable read. I found the characters May and Colt likable and relatable, although I felt their relationship lacked chemistry. Additional backstory would have enhanced the narrative. I appreciated the departure from typical sports romance tropes, particularly the focus on a less common sport and the inclusion of both characters as athletes. While the miscommunication trope, present in this book, is not a personal preference, readers who enjoy this trope will likely find it satisfying.

Overall, this was a pleasant and engaging read.