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Cross My Heart
The perfect fake-dating college sports romance for fans of Bal Khabra and Hannah Grace
May Velasco has always wanted to be a lacrosse player, and she’s finally achieved her joining her college team on a scholarship. Now she's got to give her all to keep her hard-fought place on the team.
But then CJ "Colt" Bradley shows up at her college to help with training. He's a professional player, but he was also her grade school nemesis, and the last thing May wants to do is take pointers from him.
So when they're photographed having what looks like – but definitely isn't – an intimate moment at a bar, May's outraged. But the college is thrilled that women's lacrosse is getting press.
May and Colt will have to pretend they're dating until the lacrosse team is happy. But it doesn't take long before this fake relationship starts to feel all too real, and May begins to question if she really wants this relationship to be fake after all…
May Velasco has always wanted to be a lacrosse player, and she’s finally achieved her joining her college team on a scholarship. Now she's got to give her all to keep her hard-fought place on the team.
But then CJ "Colt" Bradley shows up at her college to help with training. He's a professional player, but he was also her grade school nemesis, and the last thing May wants to do is take pointers from him.
So when they're photographed having what looks like – but definitely isn't – an intimate moment at a bar, May's outraged. But the college is thrilled that women's lacrosse is getting press.
May and Colt will have to pretend they're dating until the lacrosse team is happy. But it doesn't take long before this fake relationship starts to feel all too real, and May begins to question if she really wants this relationship to be fake after all…
316 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 22, 2025
34 people are currently reading
319 people want to read
About the author
Esha Patel
10 books122 followersEsha Patel is a contemporary romance author with a love for diverse romances and empowering stories. She is a full-time college student in the Midwest, and loves spending time with family and friends, dancing, watching sports (Ferrari and Real Madrid are her favorites), and baking lots and lots of stuff that can probably feed multiple eleven-man soccer teams.
Feel free to follow Esha on Instagram and TikTok @eshapatelauthor!
To contact: email at authoreshapatel@gmail.com with any inquiries.
Feel free to follow Esha on Instagram and TikTok @eshapatelauthor!
To contact: email at authoreshapatel@gmail.com with any inquiries.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
May 23, 2025
i don't have anything to say. just no. wish i wouldn't have spent my time on this one, but at least i binged/skimmed a decent portion bc... no.
thank you to netgalley & avon books for the arc! all opinions are my own <3
thank you to netgalley & avon books for the arc! all opinions are my own <3
May 20, 2025
DNF’d @45%
The writing was boring and the dialogue felt drier than sand.
The story had potential but I just couldn’t bring myself to be interested.
I liked the fmc more than the mmc. The guy had no unique quality about him that stood out to me.
This book was a miss for me unfortunately.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC! ♥︎
The writing was boring and the dialogue felt drier than sand.
The story had potential but I just couldn’t bring myself to be interested.
I liked the fmc more than the mmc. The guy had no unique quality about him that stood out to me.
This book was a miss for me unfortunately.
ೃ⁀➷ Thank you NetGalley and Avon Books UK for the ARC! ♥︎
July 29, 2025
*ੈ✩‧₊˚Rating*ੈ✩‧₊˚
DNF 21%
˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗Tropes˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
🥍 Fake Dating
❤︎ Grumpy x Sunshine
🥍 2nd Chance
❤︎ He Falls Harder
💭 Thoughts-
-ˋˏ✄┈┈Honestly I really wanted to like it and I tried so hard to keep reading it, but I literally could not bring myself to read it…
-ˋˏ✄┈┈It was also just boring for me and bland sadly. I wish it was otherwise though because I love a good fake dating trope in a book, but it just wasn’t.
DNF 21%
˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗Tropes˗ˏˋ ♡ ˎˊ˗
🥍 Fake Dating
❤︎ Grumpy x Sunshine
🥍 2nd Chance
❤︎ He Falls Harder
💭 Thoughts-
-ˋˏ✄┈┈Honestly I really wanted to like it and I tried so hard to keep reading it, but I literally could not bring myself to read it…
-ˋˏ✄┈┈It was also just boring for me and bland sadly. I wish it was otherwise though because I love a good fake dating trope in a book, but it just wasn’t.
April 13, 2025
Rating: 2.5, rounded up to 3
With lacrosse being a somewhat obscure sport in certain geographic areas, I found myself needing more context to fully connect with the story. I also think the setting would’ve been more effective in a region where lacrosse is more culturally ingrained. Oklahoma and southern universities just don’t resonate with the sport in the same way the East Coast does.
While this was perfectly fine and cute, it ultimately fell flat for me. The fake dating trope can be fun when done well, but here it didn’t feel believable. The details of the situation were borderline outrageous—I don’t think there’s a head coach alive who would encourage an athlete to date someone on the coaching staff. There was also a bit too much miscommunication for my taste. A few simple conversations could’ve resolved a lot of the tension. This is a YA book, and I think it was just a little too YA for me.
It’s
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the advanced copy
With lacrosse being a somewhat obscure sport in certain geographic areas, I found myself needing more context to fully connect with the story. I also think the setting would’ve been more effective in a region where lacrosse is more culturally ingrained. Oklahoma and southern universities just don’t resonate with the sport in the same way the East Coast does.
While this was perfectly fine and cute, it ultimately fell flat for me. The fake dating trope can be fun when done well, but here it didn’t feel believable. The details of the situation were borderline outrageous—I don’t think there’s a head coach alive who would encourage an athlete to date someone on the coaching staff. There was also a bit too much miscommunication for my taste. A few simple conversations could’ve resolved a lot of the tension. This is a YA book, and I think it was just a little too YA for me.
It’s
Thank you to NetGalley and Avon Books for the advanced copy
March 23, 2025
Thank you to Net Galley and Esha Patel for the advanced copy of Cross my Heart. All opinions remain my own!
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.
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.
April 20, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
I have now realized I know even less about Lacrosse than I thought I did 😂 I kept needing to google to figure out what certain things meant to I wasn’t just glossing over it.
I love sports romance, I love fake dating, but something fell flat for me here. I’m not 100% what it was, I just needed more. Like parts of the faking dating didn’t feel believable. But overall a very cute book!
If you like YA sports romance this is a great book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.
I have now realized I know even less about Lacrosse than I thought I did 😂 I kept needing to google to figure out what certain things meant to I wasn’t just glossing over it.
I love sports romance, I love fake dating, but something fell flat for me here. I’m not 100% what it was, I just needed more. Like parts of the faking dating didn’t feel believable. But overall a very cute book!
If you like YA sports romance this is a great book for you!
Thank you to NetGalley, for providing me with an ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review. All thoughts are my own and are in no way influenced by early access to this title.
May 18, 2025
Thank you Netgalley for the eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book just fell a little flat for me - I didn’t engage well with the characters and wasn’t really sold or rooting for their romance! May and Colt are childhood “somethings” who both play Lacrosse and end up having a “Second Chance Romance” topped up with some fake dating on the lead up to a big championship. I enjoyed the sports element and some of the side characters but a lot just felt lacking.
This book just fell a little flat for me - I didn’t engage well with the characters and wasn’t really sold or rooting for their romance! May and Colt are childhood “somethings” who both play Lacrosse and end up having a “Second Chance Romance” topped up with some fake dating on the lead up to a big championship. I enjoyed the sports element and some of the side characters but a lot just felt lacking.
May 23, 2025
Cross My heart
‘All that matter is that I am unconditionally and unabashedly in love with her.’
May Velasco knows a few things in life, the most important one being lacrosse, after working towards it for years, May knows this is her last chance with her scholarship if she wants to declare at the end of the season, and after the rough season she had last year, she’s ready to give it her all. Enter Colt ‘CJ’ Bradley. May has tried very hard not to think about him since he left to play lacrosse at New Haven 5 years ago. But when e returns after an injury puts his career at risk to help coach her team, May finds letting go of the past more difficult than she can imagine, and when her and Colt look like they’re sharing an intimate moment in a bar, the post goes viral. May wants to shut the whole thing down, but the press it’s bringing to women's lacrosse is something May can’t deny. They can put the past behind them and pretend a little longer, right?
I really enjoyed this book. In general I am a big fan of sport romances, and my sport tends to be F1. The most I really knew of lacrosse was watching Teen Wolf, but having this sport be a forefront meant that it was a really refreshing read. I enjoyed learning more about a sport that I know nothing about, and it gave me a greater appreciation for it. One of the things I think I underestimated was how adrenaline racing playing it can be, and the writing during the games was so good at making you feel like you were in the middle of the action, and I was desperate to keep going to find out if they were going to win or not.
I love May’s character. May and Colt together have that grumpy/sunshine vibe which is an absolute weakness of mine. Having May be this strong character and be so protective of her loved ones, that you can see that she is ready to give up on her biggest dream to stay and make sure that they are okay is one of her best traits. I love seeing strong female characters in the books I read and May is one of the best. You can see how caring she is for everyone around her. Her stubbornness definitely got in the way in some cases but it made the moments between her and Colt so much sweeter.
Colt is a whole other matter. I loved him so much! The way he was so down bad for May just melted my heart. Going down injured and her being your first thought? Just absolutely perfect, that he fully set the bar. One of the sweetest things about him is that it’s rarely ever just May to him, in his inner monologue, he calls her May Velasco so often, it’s as though he doesn’t want to deprive himself of her name. Sometimes I feel like it can come across as cringey but with Colt you can tell that its very genuine and it just had me rooting for them even more.
I really enjoyed the way that it being women in a male dominated field (quite literally) was written. There was no shade thrown at men lacrosse, and it wasn’t trying to be like we’re better than men because we’re women. It was written with such care that you could tell that they didn’t really think about the fact that there’s a difference, and more that it was empowering for these women to be playing a sport that they loved, and you could tell that they were playing for the love of the sport. You can also see the difference that although many people showed up because of Colt initially, many people stayed because of the sport because of the team , and it just left me with such a feeling of hope that it was so enjoyable.
There are a lot of my favourite tropes in this, grumpyxshunshine, second chance romance, not quite enemies to lovers, he falls harder, and they are written so well. I’m a sucker for these tropes and when they are written well, like they are here, they are just some of my favourite tropes to read, and I was tearing through it.
All in all, this was such an enjoyable read, and it’s another book by Esha Patel that just knocks it out of the park.
Thank you to NetGalley, Esha Patel and Avon Books for the Arc, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
‘All that matter is that I am unconditionally and unabashedly in love with her.’
May Velasco knows a few things in life, the most important one being lacrosse, after working towards it for years, May knows this is her last chance with her scholarship if she wants to declare at the end of the season, and after the rough season she had last year, she’s ready to give it her all. Enter Colt ‘CJ’ Bradley. May has tried very hard not to think about him since he left to play lacrosse at New Haven 5 years ago. But when e returns after an injury puts his career at risk to help coach her team, May finds letting go of the past more difficult than she can imagine, and when her and Colt look like they’re sharing an intimate moment in a bar, the post goes viral. May wants to shut the whole thing down, but the press it’s bringing to women's lacrosse is something May can’t deny. They can put the past behind them and pretend a little longer, right?
I really enjoyed this book. In general I am a big fan of sport romances, and my sport tends to be F1. The most I really knew of lacrosse was watching Teen Wolf, but having this sport be a forefront meant that it was a really refreshing read. I enjoyed learning more about a sport that I know nothing about, and it gave me a greater appreciation for it. One of the things I think I underestimated was how adrenaline racing playing it can be, and the writing during the games was so good at making you feel like you were in the middle of the action, and I was desperate to keep going to find out if they were going to win or not.
I love May’s character. May and Colt together have that grumpy/sunshine vibe which is an absolute weakness of mine. Having May be this strong character and be so protective of her loved ones, that you can see that she is ready to give up on her biggest dream to stay and make sure that they are okay is one of her best traits. I love seeing strong female characters in the books I read and May is one of the best. You can see how caring she is for everyone around her. Her stubbornness definitely got in the way in some cases but it made the moments between her and Colt so much sweeter.
Colt is a whole other matter. I loved him so much! The way he was so down bad for May just melted my heart. Going down injured and her being your first thought? Just absolutely perfect, that he fully set the bar. One of the sweetest things about him is that it’s rarely ever just May to him, in his inner monologue, he calls her May Velasco so often, it’s as though he doesn’t want to deprive himself of her name. Sometimes I feel like it can come across as cringey but with Colt you can tell that its very genuine and it just had me rooting for them even more.
I really enjoyed the way that it being women in a male dominated field (quite literally) was written. There was no shade thrown at men lacrosse, and it wasn’t trying to be like we’re better than men because we’re women. It was written with such care that you could tell that they didn’t really think about the fact that there’s a difference, and more that it was empowering for these women to be playing a sport that they loved, and you could tell that they were playing for the love of the sport. You can also see the difference that although many people showed up because of Colt initially, many people stayed because of the sport because of the team , and it just left me with such a feeling of hope that it was so enjoyable.
There are a lot of my favourite tropes in this, grumpyxshunshine, second chance romance, not quite enemies to lovers, he falls harder, and they are written so well. I’m a sucker for these tropes and when they are written well, like they are here, they are just some of my favourite tropes to read, and I was tearing through it.
All in all, this was such an enjoyable read, and it’s another book by Esha Patel that just knocks it out of the park.
Thank you to NetGalley, Esha Patel and Avon Books for the Arc, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 13, 2025
pros: as someone who fits into a niche category of people aka someone who covers pro men’s lacrosse — yes that is a thing you can do — I was excited to see a lacrosse romance book
cons: literally everything else oh my god
cons: literally everything else oh my god
May 13, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley, Avon books and the author for the advanced copy of this book! Opinions are my own.
I rated this book 4.25 ⭐️
It was cute and fast paced and very easy to read. I love love love my sports romance books and this one was just as good.
We follow May, who wants to be a pro lacrosse player, and Colt, who is a pro lacrosse player, and their fake dating journey. With the female lacrosse team getting good press and outreach, they pretend to date until the team is happy.
But what happens when the feelings aren’t fake anymore?
Overall this was a good read, if you’re looking for something to get you out of a book slump this is the book for you!
I rated this book 4.25 ⭐️
It was cute and fast paced and very easy to read. I love love love my sports romance books and this one was just as good.
We follow May, who wants to be a pro lacrosse player, and Colt, who is a pro lacrosse player, and their fake dating journey. With the female lacrosse team getting good press and outreach, they pretend to date until the team is happy.
But what happens when the feelings aren’t fake anymore?
Overall this was a good read, if you’re looking for something to get you out of a book slump this is the book for you!
May 22, 2025
Yessss! Just yes! This book was just..everything.
Big thank you to the Avon Books UK and the author for the ARC via NetGalley!
Second Chance romance, fake dating AND It’s a sports romance, oh man YES I loved every second! I especially loved that it was a different sport than the usual romance’s we get, I LOVED hearing about all things lacrosse.
May is full of anger and sadness over the heartache she endured over a guy she once loved. She’s a big lover of lacrosse and it shows, she’s an absolute powerhouse on the field and a badass babe! She’s strong, loyal and feisty especially when it comes to a certain someone.
Colt, oh he melted my heart. He’s made mistakes and he owns up to them. He’s a true golden retriever hero. He’s kind, he’s caring but he doesn’t know how to handle some of the bigger feelings but when he does…gah swoony!
Watching these two grow and develop throughout the book has been one of my favourite things, to see them go from the sadness they both felt to the happiness they both deserve, I’m in awe. It was worth all the heart ache that some parts brought.
This author brought us two fantastic characters with a bunch of wonderful side characters who I would LOVE to get to know more about in the future. I had fun exploring the world of lacrosse, reading about the Holi celebrations and everything in between.
Cross my Heart is a second chance sports romance. It’s a book filled with fun and a touch of heart ache. It’s cute, it’s addictive and it’s one you’ll definitely want to read.
Big thank you to the Avon Books UK and the author for the ARC via NetGalley!
Second Chance romance, fake dating AND It’s a sports romance, oh man YES I loved every second! I especially loved that it was a different sport than the usual romance’s we get, I LOVED hearing about all things lacrosse.
May is full of anger and sadness over the heartache she endured over a guy she once loved. She’s a big lover of lacrosse and it shows, she’s an absolute powerhouse on the field and a badass babe! She’s strong, loyal and feisty especially when it comes to a certain someone.
Colt, oh he melted my heart. He’s made mistakes and he owns up to them. He’s a true golden retriever hero. He’s kind, he’s caring but he doesn’t know how to handle some of the bigger feelings but when he does…gah swoony!
Watching these two grow and develop throughout the book has been one of my favourite things, to see them go from the sadness they both felt to the happiness they both deserve, I’m in awe. It was worth all the heart ache that some parts brought.
This author brought us two fantastic characters with a bunch of wonderful side characters who I would LOVE to get to know more about in the future. I had fun exploring the world of lacrosse, reading about the Holi celebrations and everything in between.
Cross my Heart is a second chance sports romance. It’s a book filled with fun and a touch of heart ache. It’s cute, it’s addictive and it’s one you’ll definitely want to read.
May 12, 2025
thank you Avon Books & Esha for the e-arc!
Six stars, up there with my top books of all time. This is absolutely phenomenal and I don’t know where to start.
How do you even begin to describe a book that’s crept its way into your soul???
My darling May. She is so angry, she’s the epitome of female rage and an absolute powerhouse. I can absolutely see why Colt was in love with her because she’s just the most beautiful person. Family oriented, a team player, passionate, fiesty, loving, loyal…wow. And so fucking talented.
Colt…sweet golden retriever Colt. He is the most wonderful, gentle man. I loved seeing his character development and his love for May truly was untouchable. The way he would ride or die for her. He WEARS HER JERSEY!!!!!!
CMH is not only a beautiful depiction of second chance love but it’s just the most pure, wonderful representation of girlhood and being a woman, paving the way for those who came before you and those who will come after.
It’s the same feeling as seeing the thousands packed into football stadiums for women’s football during the euros, the same feeling when the crowd goes crazy for the first female running a marathon.
That deep unapologetic, emotional pride that cracks you open and reminds you how fucking wonderful it is to be a woman. It also serves as a harsh reminder that there is still miles to go.
But as long as we’ve got women in the world like May, I think we’ll be alright.
Six stars, up there with my top books of all time. This is absolutely phenomenal and I don’t know where to start.
How do you even begin to describe a book that’s crept its way into your soul???
My darling May. She is so angry, she’s the epitome of female rage and an absolute powerhouse. I can absolutely see why Colt was in love with her because she’s just the most beautiful person. Family oriented, a team player, passionate, fiesty, loving, loyal…wow. And so fucking talented.
Colt…sweet golden retriever Colt. He is the most wonderful, gentle man. I loved seeing his character development and his love for May truly was untouchable. The way he would ride or die for her. He WEARS HER JERSEY!!!!!!
CMH is not only a beautiful depiction of second chance love but it’s just the most pure, wonderful representation of girlhood and being a woman, paving the way for those who came before you and those who will come after.
It’s the same feeling as seeing the thousands packed into football stadiums for women’s football during the euros, the same feeling when the crowd goes crazy for the first female running a marathon.
That deep unapologetic, emotional pride that cracks you open and reminds you how fucking wonderful it is to be a woman. It also serves as a harsh reminder that there is still miles to go.
But as long as we’ve got women in the world like May, I think we’ll be alright.
May 1, 2025
⭐️⭐️.5
Now I am very well acquainted with fake dating romances, however a lacrosse romance was a new one for me. Cross My Heart was both of these things which lead to an interesting read.
I feel as though if this had been another sport, I might have been more invested with me knowing marginally more about hockey let’s say, but let’s be real we aren’t reading these books for the accuracy of how the sport is represented (although I do enjoy a well researched book). Fake dating may be one of my favourite tropes so I was’t amazed with the way this book turned out. Whilst I understand this is all fiction, the fake dating scenario wasn’t as believable as it could have been. The inclusion of the scholarship angle did redeem this book somewhat and helped me push through to the end.
Overall this is most definitely a college sports romance book, and absolutely does include fake dating, however I wouldn’t be rushing to read it again.
Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This review was left honestly and voluntarily.
Now I am very well acquainted with fake dating romances, however a lacrosse romance was a new one for me. Cross My Heart was both of these things which lead to an interesting read.
I feel as though if this had been another sport, I might have been more invested with me knowing marginally more about hockey let’s say, but let’s be real we aren’t reading these books for the accuracy of how the sport is represented (although I do enjoy a well researched book). Fake dating may be one of my favourite tropes so I was’t amazed with the way this book turned out. Whilst I understand this is all fiction, the fake dating scenario wasn’t as believable as it could have been. The inclusion of the scholarship angle did redeem this book somewhat and helped me push through to the end.
Overall this is most definitely a college sports romance book, and absolutely does include fake dating, however I wouldn’t be rushing to read it again.
Thank you to Avon Books and NetGalley for the eARC of this book. This review was left honestly and voluntarily.
May 4, 2025
It was my first Lacrosse romance and it actually made me want to watch a Lacrosse game 🫣 I really enjoyed how we went through many games and practices. It was refreshing to read about a new sport and, for me, it was the perfect balance between sports and romance!
I gotta say I am a sucker for second chances and I did love May and Colt's story. I love how they got reunited and then "had to" fake date to help May's team. I was hit with Colt's longing from the very beginning. It took me a bit more time to feel anything on May's side, aside from a lot of resentment. She brought back the breakup story a bit too often in my opinion and it got me a bit frustrated at some point.
That being said, I didn't expect the country vibes and I was here for it!!! Who doesn't like a hot cowboy? Who knows how to line dance ? I know I do 🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️ I had such a fun time with this book!
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion 🫶🏽
I gotta say I am a sucker for second chances and I did love May and Colt's story. I love how they got reunited and then "had to" fake date to help May's team. I was hit with Colt's longing from the very beginning. It took me a bit more time to feel anything on May's side, aside from a lot of resentment. She brought back the breakup story a bit too often in my opinion and it got me a bit frustrated at some point.
That being said, I didn't expect the country vibes and I was here for it!!! Who doesn't like a hot cowboy? Who knows how to line dance ? I know I do 🙋🏽♀️🙋🏽♀️ I had such a fun time with this book!
Thank you Netgalley for an ARC copy of this book in exchange for an honest opinion 🫶🏽
April 14, 2025
Firstly, a huge thanks to Netgalley, but Esha and her team for allowing me the chance to read this arc! I don’t think I have been more excited for a sports romance book in awhile. It’s about time someone starting exploring other sports (and it’s one I play!!!!). I absolutely adored this book soooo much, and overall I would say the accuracy of the sport aspect rings true. I loved how strong May was as a person, and how Colt had his own imperfections. I related to Colt sooo much, and saw him to be similar to me. Right off the bat he faces a significant injury, one of which I have related to in the past. Him overcoming that injury felt so raw and real, and I could relate to him so much for that. I reallyyyyy want a physical copy of this book, and I think it’s one that will join my rotation of sports romance book recs! Esha is easily one of my top romance authors and I hope she considers writing more in this little sports universe she just started!
December 17, 2025
DNF at 20%
I don't see the connection between lacross and the western stuff. The sport is so particular and not well known and there is so zero introduction to it.
Colt and May have very little chemistry. While I might have been intrigued to find out what had happened seven years prior, I couldn't be bothered to keep up with how boring this book is.
Thank you NetGalley
I don't see the connection between lacross and the western stuff. The sport is so particular and not well known and there is so zero introduction to it.
Colt and May have very little chemistry. While I might have been intrigued to find out what had happened seven years prior, I couldn't be bothered to keep up with how boring this book is.
Thank you NetGalley
May 21, 2025
4.5/5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5
Let's start by saying that I enjoyed this book and got an ARC from the author, so I want to thank her for that. It did take a little bit to get into with school and finals happening, but 4.5 is a solid rating from me.
First, I love the representation of women's sports taking off and getting the recognition they deserve. It has become a trend, especially with Caitlin Clark and all her success at the University of Iowa, and now with the Indiana Fever. So reading about that was very fun to see. We've both seen its effect on little girls and people getting women's sports.
Second, the romance was gorgeous and very realistic in my opinion. Colt is so down bad for May, it's not even funny, and sometimes May did get on my nerves for not seeing what was right in front of her. It is a slow burn, so just be aware of that, but I liked the storyline's fake dating aspect. I will say that May and Colt were "bad" at the "fake" part of their dating to get this sport well-known within the sports world. At one point, I was about to steal Colt for myself; he is such a golden retriever, it's not even funny. Put me in, Coach, May, if you won't take me, I will!!!
I'd recommend it to anyone who loves fake dating and slow-burning romance. Overall, great book.
Let's start by saying that I enjoyed this book and got an ARC from the author, so I want to thank her for that. It did take a little bit to get into with school and finals happening, but 4.5 is a solid rating from me.
First, I love the representation of women's sports taking off and getting the recognition they deserve. It has become a trend, especially with Caitlin Clark and all her success at the University of Iowa, and now with the Indiana Fever. So reading about that was very fun to see. We've both seen its effect on little girls and people getting women's sports.
Second, the romance was gorgeous and very realistic in my opinion. Colt is so down bad for May, it's not even funny, and sometimes May did get on my nerves for not seeing what was right in front of her. It is a slow burn, so just be aware of that, but I liked the storyline's fake dating aspect. I will say that May and Colt were "bad" at the "fake" part of their dating to get this sport well-known within the sports world. At one point, I was about to steal Colt for myself; he is such a golden retriever, it's not even funny. Put me in, Coach, May, if you won't take me, I will!!!
I'd recommend it to anyone who loves fake dating and slow-burning romance. Overall, great book.
March 17, 2025
I had a bit of a rocky start with this book. For the first 10%, I was a little confused about the characters’ ages—there seemed to be a mix between high school and college students, which threw me off at first. It also took me a while to figure out the setting, as the book didn’t clearly mention the location. I found myself wondering if it was in New Haven, Connecticut, but there was no confirmation until later. A simple mention of the state would have made things much clearer.
That said, once I got past the confusion, I really enjoyed the book. The focus on female sports was refreshing and empowering, especially as it revolved around lacrosse—an underrepresented sport in the professional world. The idea of women playing professionally in a sport like lacrosse was an interesting “fantasy” concept that I really appreciated, even if it did stretch the boundaries of realism a bit.
The protagonist’s stubbornness did get a little frustrating at times, as it felt like she was her own worst enemy in some situations. Still, it made sense for her character’s arc and added depth to her personal growth.
Overall, the book was a unique and engaging read once I got past the initial confusion. If you’re a fan of sports fiction with strong female leads, this might be right up your alley!
Out May 22, 2025
Thank you to net galley for providing me with this ARC!
That said, once I got past the confusion, I really enjoyed the book. The focus on female sports was refreshing and empowering, especially as it revolved around lacrosse—an underrepresented sport in the professional world. The idea of women playing professionally in a sport like lacrosse was an interesting “fantasy” concept that I really appreciated, even if it did stretch the boundaries of realism a bit.
The protagonist’s stubbornness did get a little frustrating at times, as it felt like she was her own worst enemy in some situations. Still, it made sense for her character’s arc and added depth to her personal growth.
Overall, the book was a unique and engaging read once I got past the initial confusion. If you’re a fan of sports fiction with strong female leads, this might be right up your alley!
Out May 22, 2025
Thank you to net galley for providing me with this ARC!
December 30, 2025
📚Cross My Heart
✍🏻Esha Patel
Blurb:
The perfect fake-dating college sports romance for fans of Bal Khabra and Hannah Grace
May Velasco has always wanted to be a lacrosse player, and she’s finally achieved her joining her college team on a scholarship. Now she's got to give her all to keep her hard-fought place on the team.
But then CJ "Colt" Bradley shows up at her college to help with training. He's a professional player, but he was also her grade school nemesis, and the last thing May wants to do is take pointers from him.
So when they're photographed having what looks like – but definitely isn't – an intimate moment at a bar, May's outraged. But the college is thrilled that women's lacrosse is getting press.
May and Colt will have to pretend they're dating until the lacrosse team is happy. But it doesn't take long before this fake relationship starts to feel all too real, and May begins to question if she really wants this relationship to be fake after all…
My Thoughts:
Cross My Heart by Esha Patel had all the ingredients for a fun, engaging sports romance because it has college lacrosse, a fake dating setup, and a childhood rivals to lovers dynamic.These two missed their chance at a young age to be with each other, so many years later when Colt returns, he has a lot of making up to do for May to even talk to him again let alone trust him. You could almost class this as a second-chance romance.May is full of anger and sadness over the heartache she endured over a guy she once loved. She’s a big lover of lacrosse and it shows, she’s an absolute powerhouse on the field Colt, oh he melted my heart. He’s made mistakes and he owns up to them. He’s a true golden retriever hero. He’s kind, he’s caring but he doesn’t know how to handle some of the bigger feelings but when he does…gah swoony! They are so in love and everyone around them knows it.
Thanks NetGalley, Avon and Author Esha Petel for the advanced copy of "Cross My Heart" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Avon
#EshaPetel
#CrossMyHeart
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Abandonment
✍🏻Esha Patel
Blurb:
The perfect fake-dating college sports romance for fans of Bal Khabra and Hannah Grace
May Velasco has always wanted to be a lacrosse player, and she’s finally achieved her joining her college team on a scholarship. Now she's got to give her all to keep her hard-fought place on the team.
But then CJ "Colt" Bradley shows up at her college to help with training. He's a professional player, but he was also her grade school nemesis, and the last thing May wants to do is take pointers from him.
So when they're photographed having what looks like – but definitely isn't – an intimate moment at a bar, May's outraged. But the college is thrilled that women's lacrosse is getting press.
May and Colt will have to pretend they're dating until the lacrosse team is happy. But it doesn't take long before this fake relationship starts to feel all too real, and May begins to question if she really wants this relationship to be fake after all…
My Thoughts:
Cross My Heart by Esha Patel had all the ingredients for a fun, engaging sports romance because it has college lacrosse, a fake dating setup, and a childhood rivals to lovers dynamic.These two missed their chance at a young age to be with each other, so many years later when Colt returns, he has a lot of making up to do for May to even talk to him again let alone trust him. You could almost class this as a second-chance romance.May is full of anger and sadness over the heartache she endured over a guy she once loved. She’s a big lover of lacrosse and it shows, she’s an absolute powerhouse on the field Colt, oh he melted my heart. He’s made mistakes and he owns up to them. He’s a true golden retriever hero. He’s kind, he’s caring but he doesn’t know how to handle some of the bigger feelings but when he does…gah swoony! They are so in love and everyone around them knows it.
Thanks NetGalley, Avon and Author Esha Petel for the advanced copy of "Cross My Heart" I am leaving my voluntary review in appreciation.
#NetGalley
#Avon
#EshaPetel
#CrossMyHeart
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
⚠️Trigger Warnings: Abandonment
December 7, 2025
Thank you NetGalley and Harper 360 for allowing me to read and review this book! I am giving this book a 3.5/5 stars rounded up to 4. I loved that this was a sports romance and I have never read a lacrosse romance before so that DEFINITELY perked my interest. Then an enemies to lovers and fake dating book as well?! Sign me up! There were definitely some super sweet and fun moments in this book and I loved the best friend relationship between Jordan and May. I also loved learning about Mays family but wish we could have learned more about her heritage and family, we were only given a glimpse and I wanted more. I also LOVED the twister reference as that is one of my favorite movies (actually the first and second one, I truly love both) but it also gave an idea of the heart break and turmoil that people on tornado alley face, which I enjoyed. As someone who lives in a southern state that we have to worry about hurricanes all the time, I understand the fear that comes during those “seasons”,
So it was good to shed some light on that. I also truly enjoyed the end of their story but also wish there was more or a different ending if that makes sense? I’m glad they were getting married and happy together but in the same breath the ending almost felt unfinished ? I also wish there was alittle bit MORE in their relationship. It was clear as day they loved each other and wanted to be together but their story also felt incomplete and yeah the bed of the truck happened and a few kisses but other than that it was more like they hated each other then loved each other…I just wished I got alittle more is all but overall the writing was great and an overall good story!
So it was good to shed some light on that. I also truly enjoyed the end of their story but also wish there was more or a different ending if that makes sense? I’m glad they were getting married and happy together but in the same breath the ending almost felt unfinished ? I also wish there was alittle bit MORE in their relationship. It was clear as day they loved each other and wanted to be together but their story also felt incomplete and yeah the bed of the truck happened and a few kisses but other than that it was more like they hated each other then loved each other…I just wished I got alittle more is all but overall the writing was great and an overall good story!
May 22, 2025
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ - Such an amazingly cute small town second chance romance with rivalry tension and an adorable MMC 🥹
🥍 Fake dating
🩷 Childhood Friends
🥍 Sports romance
🩷 Women in sport
🥍 Hate to Love
🩷 Small Town
🥍 One bed
🩷 Second Chance
🥍 Interracial Romance
🩷 Slow Burn
MayColt forever 🩷
Colt is such a damn cutie. He gives off major golden retriever energy and you cannot help but love him even through his faults!
May’s sass had me laughing so much. She is soo damn stubborn and loves so deeply that you cannot help but love her. She is strong and determined and through all the setbacks she does not falter. She is selfless and determined to path the way for the women in sport! We all need a May in our lives!🥹
Esha’s writing is so much fun to read. She expresses so much through the characters adding real struggles on both sides in a lighthearted and genuine way. The writing style makes it so easy to say one more chapter at 1am making it addictive and have you smiling so wildly at the characters and their interactions.
I will forever have so much love for Esha. She is an amazing person to get to know both through her writing and through our conversations. I really hope one of these days we get to meet 🩷
Thank you so so much to Esha and Avon for the ARC and a finished copy of this book. I am forever grateful 🩷
🩷 I’m going to need 5 working days to recover from the Acknowledgments 😭
🥍 Fake dating
🩷 Childhood Friends
🥍 Sports romance
🩷 Women in sport
🥍 Hate to Love
🩷 Small Town
🥍 One bed
🩷 Second Chance
🥍 Interracial Romance
🩷 Slow Burn
MayColt forever 🩷
Colt is such a damn cutie. He gives off major golden retriever energy and you cannot help but love him even through his faults!
May’s sass had me laughing so much. She is soo damn stubborn and loves so deeply that you cannot help but love her. She is strong and determined and through all the setbacks she does not falter. She is selfless and determined to path the way for the women in sport! We all need a May in our lives!🥹
Esha’s writing is so much fun to read. She expresses so much through the characters adding real struggles on both sides in a lighthearted and genuine way. The writing style makes it so easy to say one more chapter at 1am making it addictive and have you smiling so wildly at the characters and their interactions.
I will forever have so much love for Esha. She is an amazing person to get to know both through her writing and through our conversations. I really hope one of these days we get to meet 🩷
Thank you so so much to Esha and Avon for the ARC and a finished copy of this book. I am forever grateful 🩷
🩷 I’m going to need 5 working days to recover from the Acknowledgments 😭
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 26, 2025
What a sweet new adult second chance romance! I adored May and Colt's story.
While not a big sports fan myself (unless it's swimming) and someone who doesn't normally read sports romances, I loved the sound of the premise of this book and wasn't disappointed. And I've learned a fair bit about lacrosse!
Both MCs felt real, with their hearts sliced wide open, their vulnerabilities and fears exposed. I love when books show real people instead of cookie cut versions of what a perfect character would feel like. We all make mistakes, it's only human; the way we go about fixing them is what matters. Reading about May and Colt's paths to that was so satisfying.
Colt, gosh - what a green walking flag. He was literally the greenest flag MMC possible. Amazing golden retriever energy. The way he worshipped May? It'd break the swoon meter. The care, the patience, the softness between these two when they got their second chance - and the moment the "fake" relationship stopped being fake.
Loved it all. The Oklahoma setting, the ranch backdrop, Holi, the nod to Twisters - and to The Longest Ride! - Jordan! 🫶🏻 Jordan has a huge main character energy. She was such a fantastic friend to May and I just found her awesome.
Though I fear I won't be able to look at strawberries again and not think of May's pain.
While not a big sports fan myself (unless it's swimming) and someone who doesn't normally read sports romances, I loved the sound of the premise of this book and wasn't disappointed. And I've learned a fair bit about lacrosse!
Both MCs felt real, with their hearts sliced wide open, their vulnerabilities and fears exposed. I love when books show real people instead of cookie cut versions of what a perfect character would feel like. We all make mistakes, it's only human; the way we go about fixing them is what matters. Reading about May and Colt's paths to that was so satisfying.
Colt, gosh - what a green walking flag. He was literally the greenest flag MMC possible. Amazing golden retriever energy. The way he worshipped May? It'd break the swoon meter. The care, the patience, the softness between these two when they got their second chance - and the moment the "fake" relationship stopped being fake.
Loved it all. The Oklahoma setting, the ranch backdrop, Holi, the nod to Twisters - and to The Longest Ride! - Jordan! 🫶🏻 Jordan has a huge main character energy. She was such a fantastic friend to May and I just found her awesome.
Though I fear I won't be able to look at strawberries again and not think of May's pain.
July 10, 2025
⭐️ 2.75
This was a decent romance! I wasn't really sure to expect with this one but it ended up being better than I thought it would.
However, it missed the mark in a few spots for me personally. It was really hard to get into and I found myself not wanting to pick it up like I normally would a romance novel. I think there a couple reasons for this. First, I just don't know the sport of lacrosse very well, so it was difficult for me to get a grasp on what was happening because of that. Also, I just found myself confused at times? I think it was the setting, the jumps from chapter to chapter seemed off, and it just generally felt a bit disjointed at times.
The romance between the two main characters also didn't feel fully resolved to me either. It all felt a bit surface level at times and I wish we could have gotten to dive just a bit deeper into their relationship and emotions.
I also wish the author's note would have been at the beginning of the book. I was a bit confused while I was reading because I couldn't get past the fact that these lacrosse players were, like, famous? 😂 But in the author's note Patel explains that she wanted this book to be in a world where professional lacrosse players were as famous as other professional athletes, and then it all made a bit more sense to me, I just wish I would have known that going in.
Overall, this was an okay read! It wasn't one of my favorites, but I didn't dislike it either.
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for the ARC.
This was a decent romance! I wasn't really sure to expect with this one but it ended up being better than I thought it would.
However, it missed the mark in a few spots for me personally. It was really hard to get into and I found myself not wanting to pick it up like I normally would a romance novel. I think there a couple reasons for this. First, I just don't know the sport of lacrosse very well, so it was difficult for me to get a grasp on what was happening because of that. Also, I just found myself confused at times? I think it was the setting, the jumps from chapter to chapter seemed off, and it just generally felt a bit disjointed at times.
The romance between the two main characters also didn't feel fully resolved to me either. It all felt a bit surface level at times and I wish we could have gotten to dive just a bit deeper into their relationship and emotions.
I also wish the author's note would have been at the beginning of the book. I was a bit confused while I was reading because I couldn't get past the fact that these lacrosse players were, like, famous? 😂 But in the author's note Patel explains that she wanted this book to be in a world where professional lacrosse players were as famous as other professional athletes, and then it all made a bit more sense to me, I just wish I would have known that going in.
Overall, this was an okay read! It wasn't one of my favorites, but I didn't dislike it either.
Thank you to Avon and Netgalley for the ARC.
March 24, 2025
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
May 24, 2025
I personally just didn’t vibe with it at all. The writing is very juvenile (more like high school rather than people in their early 20s). And I honestly found May just very very annoying. This whole fake relationship was SO unneeded too. And it’s SO unrealistic for the coach to even encourage a relationship between a player and someone on the staff. Beyond ridiculous. Why is everyone so mad at Colt for going away? May literally acts like her and colt were in a long term relationship and he just left when they literally were just friends who didn’t tell each other how they felt. What does she want from him? He literally had a dream and pursued it and everyone is mad at him? Okay so he didn’t contact as much as he should have (he is a guy) but what did they do to try and keep the relationship too? Absolutely nothing. Beyond infuriating. Jordan is literally the most level headed character in the book and I love her. I also kinda wish that May would stick to one name for Colt. One second she calls him Colt the next it’s CJ. Have some consistency. I just felt that May and Colt lacked any chemistry and I didn’t think they should have ended up together. Overall disappointed as I was excited to read a different type of sports romance
June 2, 2025
I did enjoy this book, it did take me a few tries to get into it but I did finish, it did feel a little flat for me, something was missing but overall i did like it!
Following the story of two childhood lovers with a trope of faking dating. I do think the main FMC did have a lot going for her, she was funny, tough but also stuck in this past life with the MMC, I am not normally a second chance romance reader and this did remind me why I struggle with that particular trope. This story is following both of them learning to let go of the past and being able to move forward to see if this is actually something real.
I liked some of the side characters and the sports element but overall this book did feel like it was missing something, However this could just be as I struggle with second chance romance, if you want to follow a story of a MMC who's a bit of a tormented soul and a FMC who doesn't understand how to let go of the past but does try to remember that not everything is so black and white (with the help of her friends, family and her bestie). I would recommend this book.
I rated this book a 3/5 stars
Thank you Netgalley and Esha Patel for letting me read this book for an honest review.
Following the story of two childhood lovers with a trope of faking dating. I do think the main FMC did have a lot going for her, she was funny, tough but also stuck in this past life with the MMC, I am not normally a second chance romance reader and this did remind me why I struggle with that particular trope. This story is following both of them learning to let go of the past and being able to move forward to see if this is actually something real.
I liked some of the side characters and the sports element but overall this book did feel like it was missing something, However this could just be as I struggle with second chance romance, if you want to follow a story of a MMC who's a bit of a tormented soul and a FMC who doesn't understand how to let go of the past but does try to remember that not everything is so black and white (with the help of her friends, family and her bestie). I would recommend this book.
I rated this book a 3/5 stars
Thank you Netgalley and Esha Patel for letting me read this book for an honest review.
May 4, 2025
Cross my Heart by Esha Patel
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Cross my Heart was a cute, wholesome read about 2 Lacrosse players, May and Colt, who reconnect in their small town by having to enter a fake dating situation.
This was a really interesting read as I have never seen a Lacrosse romance before but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved that we got to see the passion between both May and Colt for their sport and for the ones we love. I also really enjoyed that it had a little mix of the Twisters movie in too with Oklahoma being in the setting for this story.
The relationship between Colt and May progresses with them working through their feelings from the past as well as the future. I enjoyed the extra parts of May’s journey and how she has to deal with the small town farm element and the women’s sport being lower than men’s element. I enjoyed how Esha Patel wrote these subjects and gave them the insight that was needed.
Overall, Cross My Heart is a delightful read that will leave you rooting for the characters and their happily-ever-after. Perfect for fans of heartfelt romances and sports-themed stories!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
🌶️
Cross my Heart was a cute, wholesome read about 2 Lacrosse players, May and Colt, who reconnect in their small town by having to enter a fake dating situation.
This was a really interesting read as I have never seen a Lacrosse romance before but I was pleasantly surprised. I loved that we got to see the passion between both May and Colt for their sport and for the ones we love. I also really enjoyed that it had a little mix of the Twisters movie in too with Oklahoma being in the setting for this story.
The relationship between Colt and May progresses with them working through their feelings from the past as well as the future. I enjoyed the extra parts of May’s journey and how she has to deal with the small town farm element and the women’s sport being lower than men’s element. I enjoyed how Esha Patel wrote these subjects and gave them the insight that was needed.
Overall, Cross My Heart is a delightful read that will leave you rooting for the characters and their happily-ever-after. Perfect for fans of heartfelt romances and sports-themed stories!
May 17, 2025
I’ve read hockey and football and soccer and rugby, but I haven’t read lacrosse! And boy am I glad I added that to my “read” pile.
THOUGHTS 💭
🥍 This was a really good sports romance read with teammates and line dancing and second chances and friendship.
🥍 There are complex feelings of duty to one’s family and multi-generational livelihood, dreams that feel unattainable, and a grudge that our FMC holds against our MMC (who seemingly “easily” left our FMC and his family behind).
🥍 I simply adore a fake dating trope. It’s always SO good and then when real feeling develop (or rekindle)? Perfection.
🥍 I loved that a quinceañera and a Holi celebration were woven into this story! Having a half Mexican / half South Asian FMC enriched the story.
🥍 There’s this push and pull between May and Colt; the book features a slow burn that was frustrating, but exceedingly satisfying once they decided to be together “for real.”
🥍 This book was a bit slower than some of the others I’ve read by this author, but I still really enjoyed it!
Thanks so much to Esha Patel and Avon Books UK for the ARC of this book!
THOUGHTS 💭
🥍 This was a really good sports romance read with teammates and line dancing and second chances and friendship.
🥍 There are complex feelings of duty to one’s family and multi-generational livelihood, dreams that feel unattainable, and a grudge that our FMC holds against our MMC (who seemingly “easily” left our FMC and his family behind).
🥍 I simply adore a fake dating trope. It’s always SO good and then when real feeling develop (or rekindle)? Perfection.
🥍 I loved that a quinceañera and a Holi celebration were woven into this story! Having a half Mexican / half South Asian FMC enriched the story.
🥍 There’s this push and pull between May and Colt; the book features a slow burn that was frustrating, but exceedingly satisfying once they decided to be together “for real.”
🥍 This book was a bit slower than some of the others I’ve read by this author, but I still really enjoyed it!
Thanks so much to Esha Patel and Avon Books UK for the ARC of this book!
May 22, 2025
ARC Review:
This was my first lacrosse romance, and it was very enjoyable. I would give it 3.5 stars, but Goodreads doesn't allow half stars. Colt and May's slow burn romance surprised me but also made sense in the context of the story. I did end the book wanting more of them, but I also appreciated the journey those characters took to get there. I do wish we got more scenes of them from the past because at times I didn't fully understand the hostility in the present. I was intrigued by their past and just wanted a touch more. May was such a great character, and I liked seeing her hold her own in every aspect of her life. Colt really was a golden retriever, and I liked how much he supported May, but I wish we got a little more of his story and dealing with rehabbing the injury. His mental block regarding lacrosse and how that affects his coaching ability was interesting, but I wish we got a little deeper into it. This book really felt like Mays, which I didn't mind, but in terms of the development for both parties I felt Colt's was lacking. I would recommend this book, especially to those who want a low-spice, slow burn romance, and I want to check out Esha Patel's other books.
This was my first lacrosse romance, and it was very enjoyable. I would give it 3.5 stars, but Goodreads doesn't allow half stars. Colt and May's slow burn romance surprised me but also made sense in the context of the story. I did end the book wanting more of them, but I also appreciated the journey those characters took to get there. I do wish we got more scenes of them from the past because at times I didn't fully understand the hostility in the present. I was intrigued by their past and just wanted a touch more. May was such a great character, and I liked seeing her hold her own in every aspect of her life. Colt really was a golden retriever, and I liked how much he supported May, but I wish we got a little more of his story and dealing with rehabbing the injury. His mental block regarding lacrosse and how that affects his coaching ability was interesting, but I wish we got a little deeper into it. This book really felt like Mays, which I didn't mind, but in terms of the development for both parties I felt Colt's was lacking. I would recommend this book, especially to those who want a low-spice, slow burn romance, and I want to check out Esha Patel's other books.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 19, 2025
I had the pleasure of reading Cross My Heart as an arc!
I loved that this book surrounded Lacrosse which was refreshing since most sports romance books surround hockey or football! I enjoyed that they focused on the women's side of sports since you don't see that all too often. I think the fake dating trope was fun but maybe a little unrealistic for social media to be following a college lacrosse players relationship. You could tell they had feelings for each other but they didn't give into those feelings right away. There was drama and a break up in their relationship before they could come together. I loved how Esha portrayed female empowerment and the challenges women go through while living in a "man's world".
This is my first read from Esha Patel and it was written well. The story was heartwarming and an easy read. Overall it was a 4 star book and if you love a fake dating, sports romance - you'll likely enjoy this book!
Thank you NetGalley and Esha Patel for the opportunity to read this arc!
I loved that this book surrounded Lacrosse which was refreshing since most sports romance books surround hockey or football! I enjoyed that they focused on the women's side of sports since you don't see that all too often. I think the fake dating trope was fun but maybe a little unrealistic for social media to be following a college lacrosse players relationship. You could tell they had feelings for each other but they didn't give into those feelings right away. There was drama and a break up in their relationship before they could come together. I loved how Esha portrayed female empowerment and the challenges women go through while living in a "man's world".
This is my first read from Esha Patel and it was written well. The story was heartwarming and an easy read. Overall it was a 4 star book and if you love a fake dating, sports romance - you'll likely enjoy this book!
Thank you NetGalley and Esha Patel for the opportunity to read this arc!
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