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Cross My Heart: A Women’s Fiction Novel About Losing Everything—and Finding What Matters Most
One promise. One death. Two lives forever intertwined.
Tessa De Santis is comfortable with the life she’s created—a stable marriage, child-free, and a thriving career. But the sudden death of her childhood best friend, Skye, sends Tessa reeling into uncharted territory when she must honour a promise to take in Skye’s ten-year-old daughter, Grace.
As Tess navigates life in an isolated country homestead, she discovers the joys and challenges of connecting with Grace. But beneath the serene landscape lies the truth of Skye’s struggles—and a hidden secret from their past that refuses to stay buried.
Cross My Heart is a standalone novel in The Homecoming Collection – a heartfelt, emotionally resonant women’s fiction story about friendship, loss, and the unexpected ways we find connection in the face of grief.
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Praise for Cross My Heart:
★★★★★ One of the best books I have read.
★★★★★ A beautiful exploration of grief and friendship.
★★★★★ Beautifully written.
★★★★★ I was hooked on this book right from the start.
★★★★★ This book is on another level … I loved it.
Tessa De Santis is comfortable with the life she’s created—a stable marriage, child-free, and a thriving career. But the sudden death of her childhood best friend, Skye, sends Tessa reeling into uncharted territory when she must honour a promise to take in Skye’s ten-year-old daughter, Grace.
As Tess navigates life in an isolated country homestead, she discovers the joys and challenges of connecting with Grace. But beneath the serene landscape lies the truth of Skye’s struggles—and a hidden secret from their past that refuses to stay buried.
Cross My Heart is a standalone novel in The Homecoming Collection – a heartfelt, emotionally resonant women’s fiction story about friendship, loss, and the unexpected ways we find connection in the face of grief.
________________________________________
Praise for Cross My Heart:
★★★★★ One of the best books I have read.
★★★★★ A beautiful exploration of grief and friendship.
★★★★★ Beautifully written.
★★★★★ I was hooked on this book right from the start.
★★★★★ This book is on another level … I loved it.
342 pages, Kindle Edition
Published June 25, 2025
273 people are currently reading
66 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 13, 2026
Cross My Heart by Pamela Cook is an emotional, beautifully written story and truly one of the best books I’ve read.
This is the kind of book that draws you in gently and then hits you right in the heart. Pamela Cook handles grief, friendship, and love with such care and honesty. Tessa’s journey feels deeply real, and the weight of her loss — along with the responsibility she never expected — is written in a way that feels raw, tender, and very human.
I loved how many layers this story has. The themes are rich, the emotional depth is strong, and the smaller subplots are woven through so thoughtfully. Nothing feels unnecessary. Everything has purpose, and watching it all come together by the end is incredibly satisfying. The relationship between Tessa and Grace is especially moving — complex, heartfelt, and beautifully handled — and the rural setting adds another quiet layer to the story.
This is a deeply affecting, meaningful novel that is so well written from start to finish. Pamela Cook has created something special here — a story full of heart, emotion, and truth.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars.
This is the kind of book that draws you in gently and then hits you right in the heart. Pamela Cook handles grief, friendship, and love with such care and honesty. Tessa’s journey feels deeply real, and the weight of her loss — along with the responsibility she never expected — is written in a way that feels raw, tender, and very human.
I loved how many layers this story has. The themes are rich, the emotional depth is strong, and the smaller subplots are woven through so thoughtfully. Nothing feels unnecessary. Everything has purpose, and watching it all come together by the end is incredibly satisfying. The relationship between Tessa and Grace is especially moving — complex, heartfelt, and beautifully handled — and the rural setting adds another quiet layer to the story.
This is a deeply affecting, meaningful novel that is so well written from start to finish. Pamela Cook has created something special here — a story full of heart, emotion, and truth.
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Five stars.
January 31, 2026
This book brought me to tears more than once, especially at the very end. A beautifully crafted story, raw and real at times, that touched my heart and soul. Well done, Pamela Cook.
January 23, 2026
I cried
A beautiful sad story. Fiction but in far too many lives sexual abuse and intimidation are facts.
I loved the characters. Grace the beautiful little girl, her life made “small” because of her Mother’s fears. Tess, dear Tess, willing and unwilling. I loved her realness.
Don’t want to spoil this book for you. Read it, think about it, perhaps be a different person-a braver person.
A beautiful sad story. Fiction but in far too many lives sexual abuse and intimidation are facts.
I loved the characters. Grace the beautiful little girl, her life made “small” because of her Mother’s fears. Tess, dear Tess, willing and unwilling. I loved her realness.
Don’t want to spoil this book for you. Read it, think about it, perhaps be a different person-a braver person.
February 26, 2026
A Little Unexpected Treasure
Friendships do not have to be built on daily contact, nor even monthly conversations.
The best friendships come back together seamlessly, no matter the circumstances, no matter the silences.
True friendship is rooted so strong, nothing can diminish it.
Friendships do not have to be built on daily contact, nor even monthly conversations.
The best friendships come back together seamlessly, no matter the circumstances, no matter the silences.
True friendship is rooted so strong, nothing can diminish it.
February 24, 2026
Really enjoyed the book.
Trigger warning: child sex abuse. Well written with likable characters. Heroine rises above her past to help a grieving 10 year old girl Nice to see equine assisted recovery.
Trigger warning: child sex abuse. Well written with likable characters. Heroine rises above her past to help a grieving 10 year old girl Nice to see equine assisted recovery.
March 15, 2026
Powerful story!
A powerful story about love and courage and loss! Two women, friends since childhood, bound by a promise! A promise that neither would have expected to have to be fulfilled!
A powerful story about love and courage and loss! Two women, friends since childhood, bound by a promise! A promise that neither would have expected to have to be fulfilled!
January 27, 2026
beautiful
It was hard to face the problems the characters faced. But they triumphed and were better people as a result.
It was hard to face the problems the characters faced. But they triumphed and were better people as a result.
February 3, 2026
A Good Read—Solid
This book dealt with fragile emotions.
It was not your run of the mill book. It kept me interested.
It was clean, while dealing with assault.
This book dealt with fragile emotions.
It was not your run of the mill book. It kept me interested.
It was clean, while dealing with assault.
February 5, 2026
Wow!
Well written story that tugs at the heartstrings. Descriptive characters and surroundings. A reminder that when you say “cross my heart” it’s a binding promise.
Well written story that tugs at the heartstrings. Descriptive characters and surroundings. A reminder that when you say “cross my heart” it’s a binding promise.
February 23, 2026
Review
This book as excellent . I love the characters of grace & tess. How they grew up up loving each other & they needed each other to overcome their fears. Highly recommended
This book as excellent . I love the characters of grace & tess. How they grew up up loving each other & they needed each other to overcome their fears. Highly recommended
February 24, 2026
a really good read
This is not my normal book. I like murder mysteries and honestly thought I would be bored by the second chapter. On the contrary, I enjoyed every word.
This is not my normal book. I like murder mysteries and honestly thought I would be bored by the second chapter. On the contrary, I enjoyed every word.
February 25, 2026
Thoughtful read
No idea i was starting a book on abuse until farther into the story. We'll written with feeling and bringing in the horse therapy was informative.
No idea i was starting a book on abuse until farther into the story. We'll written with feeling and bringing in the horse therapy was informative.
April 15, 2026
Real and wonderful
Tears in my eyes as I finished reading. Characters so real. Painful, joyful, hopeful, honest.
Best work I've read in a while.
Tears in my eyes as I finished reading. Characters so real. Painful, joyful, hopeful, honest.
Best work I've read in a while.
April 15, 2026
Cross my heart.
Such a good story. Had everything. Love, sad times, and A mystery. Loved the characters and the camaraderie between the folks in the story.
Such a good story. Had everything. Love, sad times, and A mystery. Loved the characters and the camaraderie between the folks in the story.
April 17, 2026
Loved this book
Loved the book. I had a hard time putting it down. It was the first book I read from Pamela Cook and looking forward to reading more.
Loved the book. I had a hard time putting it down. It was the first book I read from Pamela Cook and looking forward to reading more.
April 24, 2026
What a story. Fabulous characters and pulled on powerful emotions. Tears flowed freely at the end. Well done, Pamela Cook.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews