Cross My Heart

Broken Hearts #1

by Avery Maxwell

From Amazon best-selling author Avery Maxwell comes a small-town billionaire, single dad nanny romance filled with emotional scars, healing hearts, three kids who steal the show, and a love that refuses to be denied.

A single dad and a damaged soul…

Three kids. One ex-wife. And a seven-figure business to run. My world is absolute chaos. I don’t have time to breathe, let alone grieve the loss of my father. Not when nanny number three quits and everyone is demanding something from me.

When Lanie walks into my life—and the guest room across the hall—she’s the breath of fresh air the kids and I need. Smart, sassy, and beautiful, she refuses to be intimidated by my scowls. For the first time, I feel like someone finally has my back.

But I see the shadows in her eyes. The more I learn about Lanie’s dark past, the more I want to protect her. She’s the missing piece to my fractured family, and I need to convince her to stay. To make her choose us. Choose me. And I’ll do that one grand gesture at a time.

Dexter Cross will never understand my kind of damaged…

I’ve learned to be the kind of cautious that never lets a man close enough to hurt me again. It doesn’t matter that Dex makes me feel like I’m someone special, someone who deserves to be protected. It doesn’t matter that his kids have burrowed their way into my heart.

Some souls are just too damaged to love. I need to leave soon before someone gets hurt.

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Small Town Romance, Forced Proximity, Billionaire Romance, Fiction

346 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 1, 2023

About the author

Hi, I’m Avery!

I write steamy small towns with big found families—the kind of romances that make your heart race and your soul sigh.

My books, like The Westbrooks, Single Dad Hotline, and Happiness Ever After series, are filled with swoon-worthy heroes, messy but lovable heroines, and small towns you’ll want to call home.

When I'm not writing, I live in joyful chaos with my husband and four kids. You can usually find me cheering on the sidelines at their sporting events, sneaking in writing sprints, or slipping into coffee shops for my daily caffeine fix.

I luv connecting with readers, so join me in The Luv Club (my reader group): https://www.facebook.com/groups/Avery...

Or through my weekly newsletter, The Luv Notes—because in my world, there’s always room at the table for one more luv story: https://geni.us/TheLuvNotes

You can also find me on Instagram and TikTok:
https://www.instagram.com/averymaxwel...

https://www.tiktok.com/@averymaxwell_...

Reviews

[CeCe · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/3 stars.

I know many enjoyed this one, but I found myself skimming a lot of pages.
The writing style did not work for me.

[G · Rating 4 out of 5]

Reread: 15/3/2023
4 stars.
Really loved this book. Tate however stole the show. He was my favourite character. I can't wait to read the rest of the series..

[Carol (StarAngel's Reviews) Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars

A story full of broken people and families. A story dealing with healing and loving. It was so adorable the relationship Lanie had with Dex's son Tate and how she pulled him out of sadness and got him to live again...bit that wasn't all the healing that took place. Lanie had her own demons from the past that Dex helped her overcome. This was sweet and had all the aww moments!

[Melissa J (Book Addicts Reviews) · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 beautiful stars!!

This is book one the “Waverley-Cay” series and can be read as a stand alone.

This book is about finding the one when you aren’t even looking. Getting a second chance at life.


Let me say this first, this book was this author’s DEBUT novel. To clarify, that means her very first book. Omfg it was PERFECT!! This book was heartfelt, sexy, romantic, cute, tragic and freaking adorable.

I am in love with the entire cast of characters. The end was a bombshell (but I will say I saw it coming). I can’t wait to read everyone’s books. My favorite parts were the texts between them all. These group of friends are more then anyone could wish for, for a family. They made this story that much better.

I am definitely head over heels for Dex. Oh man did he raise the bar for men. He is everything any girl needs. Swooooon!! I didn’t expect the depth I got from him and his kids are the cherry on the top.

Laine is Wonder Woman. Yes, she tends to run but given her past she is a fighter. I’m in awe of her. I love how she jumped in and took on a strange family just because she is a good person.

I teared up many times in this book. It was just so right. The most perfect of love stories. I love how they mended each other. How they shared scars.

For being her debut novel this author hit it out of the park. Great job! This is a MUST read!!

**I received this book as an ARC and in return gave my honest review**

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Get it here:
Amazon US * Amazon UK

[Flavs is Mrs David Gandy♥~♥’ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved every minute of this story. Hooked from the first page till the end

Dexter was just the sweetest in this story. Dex's wife decided she wanted a divorce while pregnant with his twin girls and they had a little boy. She signed over all parental rights after the birth of their babies. Now Dex is struggling, his just lost the 3rd nanny and his secretary might quit any minute. And then in walks Lanie Heart. And she just took over. From the minute she walked into his house everything just seemed right. His son who has been having a hard time, and hasn't spoken since his mom left has more life and his babies are blossoming. But Lanie has some issues and its going to be an uphill convincing her that she belongs with him and his kids. Especially as she is adamant she is only staying for a year.

Lanie Heart has not has the easiest life. It seems just as things are going well something else happens. Now a year later after she was brutally attacked she needs to get her life in order. So she takes a job as a nanny for Dexter Cross. From the moment she met him and his kids she lost her heart and knew that walking away after a year was going to be tough. But she couldn't stay, she was broken already she couldn't do anything to mess up this family, no matter how much she's already in love with Dexter Cross or his kids.

I fell in love with Dexter and his kids and when I met Lanie I knew it was gong to be a good story. My heart broke for her and what she went through and she deserved this family. Dexter and what he did to convince her that she belonged with them was just so romantic I couldn't get enough. Don't event talk about his amazing friends and Lanie's friend Julia. And that group chat was just epic. I can't wait to read all their stories.

Read on behalf of
Fay's Corner

[Jenn the Readaholic · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m pretty sure this is the debut novel from this author...at least, based on what I’m finding, it is. And that blows me away because WOW. I didn’t want to put it down! Dexter and his MLM scheme, the family by choice, Lanie’s pain, Tate. All of it did NOT feel like the first work to me. Regardless, it’s the first foray I’ve had into this author’s mind and now I want more.

Dexter doesn’t believe in love, and he’s got the scars on his heart to prove it. Lanie doesn’t believe she’s worthy of anyone, and she’s got the scars on her heart and body to prove it. But these two have undeniable chemistry and could be truly happy together. All Dex has to do is convince Lanie to make the leap. And he’ll pull out all the stops and involve anyone he can to help maker her his. These two led me through a minefield of loss, longing, love, and recovery from guilt that couldn’t have felt more perfect for them to endure. I just want to know what the deal is with Trevor and Julia next...

[Melanie Moreland]

A single father, struggling to find his way. A woman trying to find her life. Fate brings Lanie into Dex’s life and he is determined to keep her there. A tale of love, moving forward, letting go of the past and accepting you can be loved just for being you. Lots of cute banter and wonderful kid moments will make you smile.

[Rebmay · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! I would give this book 100 stars, if I could! This story tugs at your heartstrings as well as your funny bone. Dexter (Dex) and Lanie have become my favourite couple, bar none. He is the kind of guy every woman wants in her life. He is not just handsome....he is a doting father, a great friend and not afraid to show his love. His romantic, over-the-top gestures to show Lanie that she is the love of his life had me laughing and crying at the same time. His crew of helpers, including her best friend and pseudo sister Julia, are so loyal, lovable and sometimes crazed. They stand by Dex as he works hard to convince Lanie that she is worthy of love, that she is loved and that she can stay with him and his kids. Lanie is a survivor. She survived the pain and neglect of her disinterested and nasty mother, as well as a horrifying physical attack by a drug addled father of a child she was protecting. Through it all, she had the support and love of Julia, Julia’s parents and the people of her small hometown. Which is why Dex didn’t hesitate to try to win them over in his bid to claim Lanie’s heart. It did take long for Dex to realize that he loved the beautiful, sassy and so capable nanny he hired to care of his three kids. Right from the beginning, Lanie showed his kids more love care and devotion than their mother ever could. You can’t help but to fall in love with Dex and Lanie as well as their crazy and wild support crew. And Tate, Dex’s son ....he will steal your heart, just like he stole Lanie’s. The ending of this story left me beaming with tears streaming down my face. This book will always hold a special place in my heart. I can’t wait to read Julia and Trevor’s story!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Somia · Rating 4 out of 5]

The day Dexter's (Dex) dad dies his wife leaves him, signing away her parental rights to their son and the twins she is carrying, without blinking. Forward ahead a bit and he is badly in need of a new nanny, what he doesn't expect is gorgeous Laine - she has shadows in her eyes, yet settles his kids like no one has before, producing smiles from his son, smiles that he so desperately wanted to see.

Laine has gone through a hell of a lot in her life, and has spent the last few months physically recovering from a brutal attack, needing time to regroup she takes a job as a nanny, giving a commitment of only a year, she never expected the connection she would develop between Dex and his kids - the question is will she stay or go once the year is up?

One thing I don't get is why the hell Laine wasn't taken away from her mother when she was a kid, sounds like Julia's parents would have taken her in.

The kids in this are fab, in particular Tate.

The group chat, where Dex kept updating everyone on how he was trying to win Lainey over had me smiling a fair bit.

I was a bit peeved with the strand of the tale with the Senator wanted him to suffer more on page!

Potential Triggers: Child neglect and child abuse - emotional and physical. Physical assault and bullying occur on page. PTSD is touched upon.

Freebie on amazon 5th July 2020.

[Carly · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ffs. I got to 19% with an awful lot of effort and frankly one thing bothered me so much I simply could not continue reading. It seems so simple. Something that surely I should have been able to overcome but it thoroughly disrupted the flow of the story far too much and far too frequently. It was this: The main characters kept referring to each other as Mr Dexter Cross and Ms Lanie Heart. It was cute at first but by now it is ridiculous. Just stop. I hate it. Why? Why would the author do this??

[T Rojo · Rating 1 out of 5]

Omg this was the kitchen sink of cringe! The writing was so cheesy and childish. I figured out the secret and the second books couple like 30% in. I skimmed the 50% of the book because it was so predictable. Save yourself the time!

[Victoria · Rating 5 out of 5]

If ever there was a book that deserved more than 5 stars, it is this one in my opinion. I have smiled and cried and laughed so much that I actually snorted a time or too!

This is so amazingly written, the story was so funny at times and so heartbreaking at others. The group messaging is hands down one of the best things I have read recently, my child asked me what was funny as I sniggered to myself. I loved the characters, how honest they felt and how much they made me fall in love with them. There were times that I wanted to hug them, dry their tears, protect them, love them and cheer them on. There were times my heart wept reading this story and times that it rejoiced, what a truly amazing debut novel Avery Maxwell has written, sign me up for book two! Now I've read the extended epilogue I need more, as soon as you can please!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG! Loved this wonderful book and would give it more than five stars if I could. I was hooked from page one and it ripped my heart out from beginning to end. Dex is a single father to a non-verbal son due his abusive mother leaving him and toddler twin daughters. Laine has suffered a horrific attack as a child social worker now looking for a stress free job so she takes the nanny job with Dex to care for his children. He is attracted instantly and wants to keep her for his own so he starts a text group with his friends to help him with his task called MLM (make Laine mine). This is absolutely the best book I have read in a while. I could not put it down causing me to stay up to early morning to finish.

[Wendy Livingstone · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a debut novel and I must say I will certainly be looking out for her work in the future. Dexter is a single dad to 3 children who he needs a nanny for. Lanie applies for the position. Lanie is a survivor who has had a horrific past, and Dexter has his work cut out for him to prove that she is worthy of being loved. Add is some great and crazy secondary characters and this is a true gem of a story. This is a beautifully written tale which is an emotional roller coaster throughout, and with heartbreak, humour, and love. I was totally captivated throughout this moving story and I look forward to reading more from this author. I recommend for all who enjoy a story which pulls at the heartstrings.

[Patricia (Spellbound Stories Trish) · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly emotional read that I couldn’t put down! Labor and Dec have wounds that run deep! When fate pulls them together Lacie finds herself slowly healing as she spends more and more time with Dez and his family!

This story was one about the power of friendship, family and love! I loved seeing how patient Dex was with Lanie and how much everyone rallied around them! It goes to show that sometimes we need to lean on others for healing and that is ok!

The ending definitely has me looking forward to Maxwell’s next release because this group of friends/family is one I’m not ready to leave yet!

[Ioana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 Cross stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
2🌶

"When you hurt, I feel it deep in my soul. When you are happy, I feel like I could float away. When you smile at me, I feel like the king of the God damn castle."

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dexter and Lanie both have wounded hearts that they are set never to allow someone to hurt again. But the more time that Lanie spends as the nanny to Dexter's 3 children, the more the two are drawn to each other. The chemistry was beautifully written, as was the storyline.

It is almost too hard to believe that this is the inaugural work of this author. If this is proof of what's to come, the literary world has a new best seller on their hands. Avery Maxwell has a way with words that I have not seen from a new author.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Adrienne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lanie is broken she was brutally stabbed and it changed her she is afraid to get close to anyone besides getting stabbed she was emotionally abused by her drunk mother but was raised by her friends loving famly.... She takes a job as a Nanny for Dexter who no good wife walked out on him and his kids a cute little boy who was left with emotional baggage and 2 twin baby girls ..... The minute Dexter meets Lanie there are sparks but not going to spoil anything but they go through a lot and with the help of his friends and her bff get their happy ending...... I cant wait to read the next book about Trevor and Julia .... I voluntarily read an arc .......

[Mary Fazzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lanie is on her own. She is recovering from the an attack and needs to leave to get better for a bit. She becomes a nanny to Dex’s kids. There is Tate and he is close to 6 years old and doesn’t talk much. They there are twin girls Harper and Sara. They need her help to get throughout the day but what happens when a broken girl helps a little bent family they become healed together. This is an emotional roller coaster of a book. Everyone wants it to work and is helping Dexter to make Lanie his but there is a lot of things he is going to have to help her cope with to make it. Will they become a big family or will Dexter lose his love? Great and amazing book.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cross My Heart is the first book I’ve read by Avery Maxwell and o really enjoyed her style of writing. This book was really easy to read, with characters you can gel with straight away.
This book follows Dex and Lanie. Dex is a single dad to a young boy Tate and two baby twin girls. His wife left him and abandoned the children as soon as the twins were born. Lanie, joins them as a nanny, after a traumatic event in her own life. The story follows the 2 of them helping to put each other back together with a few twists and turns along the way. It also sets up the next book in the series.

[Linda Rea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This story was funny, heartwarming and heartbreaking but Dexter and Laine were great characters. The beginning of the story when Laine and Dexter meet for her interview is priceless and I just loved how it progressed from there. This is not all hearts and flowers there are some serious issues here but it’s done really tastefully. The book is a standalone but it looks like it will be connected to new stories and I can’t wait.

[Fi · Rating 1 out of 5]

Awkward, clumsy and poorly written. Backstory shoe horned in repeatedly to the narrative, no suspense/build to the relationship. Male MC is supposed to have an older child but doesn’t know anything (like nothing at all??) about raising his younger ones? Within 24 hours of the female MC starting a new job working in male MC’s home, the main characters are already trading explicit banter?

[Mo ♡ · Rating 2 out of 5]

I tried, I really really tried to enjoy this book. I feel like I'm the only one who didn't like it, judging by all the great reviews. 😭😭

I was just sooo bored, I tried making it through the end and then like halfway through, I just skimmed through it. There was nothing bad about the plot, not really anyway. I just felt so bored and I wanted it to be over.

Not sure if I'll continue with this series. I will admit, the writing style was kind of annoying. It needed editing. And just felt like a wattpad book to me. 😬😬🤷🏻‍♀️ Also everytime the heroine and her bsf spoke they ended the call with "luvs" like yuk 🤮 anyways not sure why that gave me the ick. AND the H was useless, he couldn't do ANYTHING by himself to get the girl, he had to consult with her bsf and his own friends for EVERYTHING. Ridiculous.

[abire]

dnf at 25%.

if i'm rolling my eyes 25% into the book, chances are, this isn't gonna get better and i'll just end up losing my eyes in the process.
the writing was just not... good. i mean, she goes to interview for a nanny job and from the get she acts like SHE's the boss? the kids magically all fall in love with her immediately, and she acts like she's the mother and knows better than their own father? and he's just fine with it because she's hot and he wants to bang her and immediately starts thinking of her as his, after barely finding out her name. this honestly had insta-everything, it was cringey to say the least! I tried to push through, but I can't do this anymore...

[Brayzen Bookwyrm · Rating 5 out of 5]

How does an author create an instafan? With a debut novel like Cross My Heart. Lanie & Dex are both trying to recover from trauma created by circumstances beyond their control. Could they be the key to each other's HEA? Well, when you add in some nosy friends & framily, they just might be. Avery creates a character-rich story that will make you laugh, smile, and even tear up a bit. Lanie lays the groundwork for a pack of strong, talented, supportive women, while Dex proves that a little Prince Charming and a great group text can go a long way toward building forever.

[N Pierou-Parperi · Rating 5 out of 5]

The fact that this is the authors first book is astounding. Her writing is so well developed I honestly thought she was an established author. This book has everything. The warmth that Lainey has jumps off the page and Dex is one of the most romantic hero’s I have read in a long time. I love the banter between them and absolutely love the inclusion of their ‘friends’ via texts. There are beautiful scenes between each adult and the children too. This series is definitely worth the read and five stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[Lauren · Rating 2 out of 5]

Bestie this was just not good. I love a good garbage read but this just was not it. Too many tropes that didn’t fit together and no character development whatsoever. I didn’t like any of the characters and why were Dex’s friends just there? All? The? Time? Bro. Also the dialogue and texting was so unrealistic I was cringingggg. The two stars are for Tate, he was cute. But otherwise, just no.

[Nate · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved Dexter & Laney's book. Good characters. Lots of chemistry. This one gave me all the feels. And another new author for me. I received a free copy of the book. And am voluntarily leaving my honest opinion.

[Coco.V]

🎁 FREE on Amazon today (7/5/2020)! 🎁