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Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die
Win a free print copy of this book!
22 days and 07:37:12
15 copies available
U.S. only
One isolated cabin. One cheating boyfriend. One plan to get even.
When Nora, Ruby, and Cham discover that they've each been dating the same man, what starts as outrage quickly spirals into a plot for revenge. Together they hatch a plan to lure their boyfriend to a romantic getaway in a secluded cabin at the top of a snow-covered mountain.
Only what was meant to be harmless payback soon takes a chilling turn when their not-so-adoring boyfriend is found dead in the cabin.
Stranded and snowed in, the women begin to look at each other with increasing suspicion. And as tensions rise, hidden motives come to light. To survive, each woman must confront her own demons as they fight to uncover if one of them is the killer, or if something else lurks in the freezing wilderness, waiting to pick them off one by one.
When Nora, Ruby, and Cham discover that they've each been dating the same man, what starts as outrage quickly spirals into a plot for revenge. Together they hatch a plan to lure their boyfriend to a romantic getaway in a secluded cabin at the top of a snow-covered mountain.
Only what was meant to be harmless payback soon takes a chilling turn when their not-so-adoring boyfriend is found dead in the cabin.
Stranded and snowed in, the women begin to look at each other with increasing suspicion. And as tensions rise, hidden motives come to light. To survive, each woman must confront her own demons as they fight to uncover if one of them is the killer, or if something else lurks in the freezing wilderness, waiting to pick them off one by one.
352 pages, Paperback
First published July 14, 2026
About the author
Mallory Arnold
5 books380 followersMallory Arnold is an editor and writer who resides in Nashville, Tennessee with her husband and three cats. She's part of the Women's Fiction Writer's Association and enjoys writing drama, thrillers, and horror.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,461 reviews
July 31, 2026
3.5 ⭐️s rounded up for now because I did have fun with it, but this could always change the more I think about it.
During a chance meeting, Nora, Ruby, and Cham discover they're all dating the same man. Furious over the deception, they hatch a plan to lure him to a secluded cabin atop a mountain in the dead of winter and scare him senseless. Unfortunately, their plan goes horribly awry, and tensions quickly mount when he's found dead in the cabin.
The premise and excellent title immediately caught my attention because I do love a good revenge plot. Add in the slasher vibes, and I was sold.
Nora, Ruby, and Cham each had distinct personalities, making it easy to keep them straight since the story is primarily told from their alternating POVs. I found all three women likable, and I thought the bond that developed between them felt genuine and was well written.
Jason, on the other hand, was a complete douchebag. It took me less than a chapter to hate him. I couldn't believe the three women overlooked so many glaring red flags, and at times it made them seem a little naive. Every time he asked one of them for something, I was practically yelling at my Kindle for them to say no. Needless to say, I was more than ready to see karma catch up with him.
One of the twists felt a little far-fetched and didn't quite land for me, but the final reveal worked, even if it wasn't particularly surprising, and I found the ending satisfying. It started off strong but lost its footing a bit as it went along, and the story definitely veers into the land of the unbelievable toward the end. Still, it's a fun, bingeable read if you're willing to suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride.
Now available! My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley for my advanced digital copy.
During a chance meeting, Nora, Ruby, and Cham discover they're all dating the same man. Furious over the deception, they hatch a plan to lure him to a secluded cabin atop a mountain in the dead of winter and scare him senseless. Unfortunately, their plan goes horribly awry, and tensions quickly mount when he's found dead in the cabin.
The premise and excellent title immediately caught my attention because I do love a good revenge plot. Add in the slasher vibes, and I was sold.
Nora, Ruby, and Cham each had distinct personalities, making it easy to keep them straight since the story is primarily told from their alternating POVs. I found all three women likable, and I thought the bond that developed between them felt genuine and was well written.
Jason, on the other hand, was a complete douchebag. It took me less than a chapter to hate him. I couldn't believe the three women overlooked so many glaring red flags, and at times it made them seem a little naive. Every time he asked one of them for something, I was practically yelling at my Kindle for them to say no. Needless to say, I was more than ready to see karma catch up with him.
One of the twists felt a little far-fetched and didn't quite land for me, but the final reveal worked, even if it wasn't particularly surprising, and I found the ending satisfying. It started off strong but lost its footing a bit as it went along, and the story definitely veers into the land of the unbelievable toward the end. Still, it's a fun, bingeable read if you're willing to suspend disbelief and just go along for the ride.
Now available! My thanks to Poisoned Pen Press via NetGalley for my advanced digital copy.
July 15, 2026
Finding out you’re not the only woman dating the same man is bad enough… but finding him dead is a whole different story. From the moment I picked this up, I was completely drawn in and couldn’t wait to see how it would all unfold.
Ruby, Nora and Cham are three women who have never met before, until they discover they’re all in a relationship with the same man, Jason. Instead of walking away, they decide he’s going to learn a lesson he’ll never forget. Their revenge leads them to a secluded cabin surrounded by snow-covered mountains, but things take a shocking turn when Jason is found dead. With no idea who the killer is, the women are forced to question everything—and everyone.
I loved the premise of this book, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The mystery kept me engaged throughout, and I was forever trying to work out who was telling the truth. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something happened to make me rethink my theory.
I really liked the three main characters. They were all different, and each brought something to the story. Their relationships with one another changed as the plot unfolded, and I enjoyed seeing how they dealt with the impossible situation they found themselves in.
The isolated, snowy setting was one of my favourite parts of the book. It created such a tense atmosphere and made the story feel even more unsettling. It had that classic locked-room mystery feel where no one seemed completely innocent, and I loved the constant sense of uncertainty.
Mallory Arnold’s writing flowed effortlessly, making this a quick and enjoyable read. The short chapters and steady pace kept the story moving, while the twists kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. It was one of those books where I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter.”
If you enjoy psychological thrillers packed with secrets, revenge, suspense and plenty of unexpected twists, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read. It was an entertaining story that kept me guessing until the end and was a lot of fun to read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Mallory Arnold for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: 14th July 2026.
Ruby, Nora and Cham are three women who have never met before, until they discover they’re all in a relationship with the same man, Jason. Instead of walking away, they decide he’s going to learn a lesson he’ll never forget. Their revenge leads them to a secluded cabin surrounded by snow-covered mountains, but things take a shocking turn when Jason is found dead. With no idea who the killer is, the women are forced to question everything—and everyone.
I loved the premise of this book, and it certainly didn’t disappoint. The mystery kept me engaged throughout, and I was forever trying to work out who was telling the truth. Every time I thought I had it figured out, something happened to make me rethink my theory.
I really liked the three main characters. They were all different, and each brought something to the story. Their relationships with one another changed as the plot unfolded, and I enjoyed seeing how they dealt with the impossible situation they found themselves in.
The isolated, snowy setting was one of my favourite parts of the book. It created such a tense atmosphere and made the story feel even more unsettling. It had that classic locked-room mystery feel where no one seemed completely innocent, and I loved the constant sense of uncertainty.
Mallory Arnold’s writing flowed effortlessly, making this a quick and enjoyable read. The short chapters and steady pace kept the story moving, while the twists kept me turning the pages to see what would happen next. It was one of those books where I kept telling myself, “Just one more chapter.”
If you enjoy psychological thrillers packed with secrets, revenge, suspense and plenty of unexpected twists, I’d definitely recommend giving this one a read. It was an entertaining story that kept me guessing until the end and was a lot of fun to read.
Thank you to NetGalley, Poisoned Pen Press, and Mallory Arnold for the advance copy in exchange for my honest review.
Publishing date: 14th July 2026.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
— 3.5 / 5 stars
Okay, can we talk about this plot for a second? Because the moment the book told me that three women find out they’ve all been dating the same cheating asshole and decide to get revenge, I was SOLD. Immediately. Sign me the fuck up. I didn’t even need another sentence, I was already invested.
And honestly? The book was ridiculously bingeable. I picked it up and barely wanted to put it down because I needed to know how these women were going to expose this man and make him pay. Watching them team up instead of turning on each other was genuinely satisfying.
Now… here’s where my complaints begin.
The biggest missed opportunity in this entire book was the cult subplot. The second the author mentioned it, my ears perked up. I’m fascinated by cult psychology, the recruitment, the manipulation, the escape, the power dynamics, all of it. So when the story casually dropped the existence of this creepy cult, I was like, “Oh hell yes, we’re about to get into something dark.”
And then… absolutely fucking nothing.
No deep dive. No meaningful backstory. No explanation of how it worked, how people got trapped, how they escaped, or what life inside actually looked like. You cannot dangle a creepy cult in front of me like a shiny toy and then snatch it away. Give me lore. Give me trauma. Give me chaos. Give me something more. I mean there were moments but they didn't really satisfy me because we didn't really knew the full backstory and sadly i wanted that
The twist itself? I hate to say it, but I saw it coming from miles away. After reading so many thrillers, it just didn’t catch me off guard. I kept hoping for that jaw-dropping moment where I’d have to put the book down and stare at the wall, but instead I was mostly nodding like, “Yep… figured that.” It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t surprising.
That said, the characters absolutely carried this story for me. One thing I really appreciated was that each woman had such a distinct personality that they never blended together. You could tell exactly who was speaking without needing dialogue tags every other line.
Cham was an absolute icon.Her sarcasm? Elite. Every time she opened her mouth, I knew I was about to be entertained.
Ruby, on the other hand, was quiet, gentle, and incredibly perceptive. People underestimated her because she wasn’t loud, but honestly, she might’ve been the smartest person in the room. Watching others mistake kindness for weakness frustrated me so much.
And Nora? What a powerhouse. The fact that she kept going despite everything life threw at her especially while carrying the weight of motherhood, made me admire her even more.
Still, there were a few moments that made me raise an eyebrow so hard it nearly flew off my face. The escape sequence felt a little too convenient. You’re telling me these women are severely injured, exhausted, one of them is pregnant, they’re dragging a body around, and somehow they manage to trek what feels like an impossible distance? Girl… be serious. I know fiction asks for suspension of disbelief, but that part really tested mine.
Then there’s Jason, who was an absolute fucking piece of shit from beginning to end. No notes there. And Thalia—Becca—whatever name she was going by, I wanted more. She seemed like she had all this knowledge about the cult, all this potential to add depth to the story, and yet when it mattered most, it felt like the narrative barely scratched the surface.
So no, I didn’t hate this book. In fact, I actually had a lot of fun with it. It was fast, entertaining, and easy to devour in a slump. But I also walked away feeling like it could have been so much more. Flesh out the cult, make the twist hit harder, tighten up the ending, and this could’ve easily been a five-star read for me.
— Overall, it landed somewhere in that frustrating middle ground where I genuinely enjoyed myself while simultaneously yelling, “YOU HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL!” every few chapters. 💌
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 26 June , 2026
women taking revenge on their cheating boyfriend? Yeah, sign me the tf up 🤌🏻🤌🏻
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Okay, can we talk about this plot for a second? Because the moment the book told me that three women find out they’ve all been dating the same cheating asshole and decide to get revenge, I was SOLD. Immediately. Sign me the fuck up. I didn’t even need another sentence, I was already invested.
And honestly? The book was ridiculously bingeable. I picked it up and barely wanted to put it down because I needed to know how these women were going to expose this man and make him pay. Watching them team up instead of turning on each other was genuinely satisfying.
Now… here’s where my complaints begin.
The biggest missed opportunity in this entire book was the cult subplot. The second the author mentioned it, my ears perked up. I’m fascinated by cult psychology, the recruitment, the manipulation, the escape, the power dynamics, all of it. So when the story casually dropped the existence of this creepy cult, I was like, “Oh hell yes, we’re about to get into something dark.”
And then… absolutely fucking nothing.
No deep dive. No meaningful backstory. No explanation of how it worked, how people got trapped, how they escaped, or what life inside actually looked like. You cannot dangle a creepy cult in front of me like a shiny toy and then snatch it away. Give me lore. Give me trauma. Give me chaos. Give me something more. I mean there were moments but they didn't really satisfy me because we didn't really knew the full backstory and sadly i wanted that
The twist itself? I hate to say it, but I saw it coming from miles away. After reading so many thrillers, it just didn’t catch me off guard. I kept hoping for that jaw-dropping moment where I’d have to put the book down and stare at the wall, but instead I was mostly nodding like, “Yep… figured that.” It wasn’t bad, it just wasn’t surprising.
That said, the characters absolutely carried this story for me. One thing I really appreciated was that each woman had such a distinct personality that they never blended together. You could tell exactly who was speaking without needing dialogue tags every other line.
Cham was an absolute icon.Her sarcasm? Elite. Every time she opened her mouth, I knew I was about to be entertained.
Ruby, on the other hand, was quiet, gentle, and incredibly perceptive. People underestimated her because she wasn’t loud, but honestly, she might’ve been the smartest person in the room. Watching others mistake kindness for weakness frustrated me so much.
And Nora? What a powerhouse. The fact that she kept going despite everything life threw at her especially while carrying the weight of motherhood, made me admire her even more.
Still, there were a few moments that made me raise an eyebrow so hard it nearly flew off my face. The escape sequence felt a little too convenient. You’re telling me these women are severely injured, exhausted, one of them is pregnant, they’re dragging a body around, and somehow they manage to trek what feels like an impossible distance? Girl… be serious. I know fiction asks for suspension of disbelief, but that part really tested mine.
Then there’s Jason, who was an absolute fucking piece of shit from beginning to end. No notes there. And Thalia—Becca—whatever name she was going by, I wanted more. She seemed like she had all this knowledge about the cult, all this potential to add depth to the story, and yet when it mattered most, it felt like the narrative barely scratched the surface.
So no, I didn’t hate this book. In fact, I actually had a lot of fun with it. It was fast, entertaining, and easy to devour in a slump. But I also walked away feeling like it could have been so much more. Flesh out the cult, make the twist hit harder, tighten up the ending, and this could’ve easily been a five-star read for me.
— Overall, it landed somewhere in that frustrating middle ground where I genuinely enjoyed myself while simultaneously yelling, “YOU HAD SO MUCH POTENTIAL!” every few chapters. 💌
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
-ˋˏ✄┈┈┈┈
౨ৎ pre-read:
⤿ started - 26 June , 2026
women taking revenge on their cheating boyfriend? Yeah, sign me the tf up 🤌🏻🤌🏻
— Thank you to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2026
Enjoyed this! A bit far fetched, and at times felt like two completely different storylines happening but I still had fun.
May 27, 2026
Three women discover that they’ve all been dating the same man. Not only has he been cheating, they each gave him money, unknowing it was a con. They decide to turn the tables on him, and what better plan to do so than an isolated cabin at the top of a mountain? The only way in (or out) is via a janky gondola. What could go wrong?! You will have to pick this book up to find out!
I liked how the novel spent a good deal of time from each of the women’s perspectives. It gave us a good glimpse into their lives as well as their relationship with Jason. My only complaint is that I kept getting confused between Ruby and Nora. I don’t know if it was because their professions were kind of similar, but I had a hard time keeping them straight. I had no problem following Cham’s perspective; her personality traits were written perfectly and distinctly. Once the action started, it was relentless and didn’t really follow a structured formula, which was nice. Was it completely absurd? Absolutely! Did I like it? Yep!
I need to swing back to the author’s previous book!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
I liked how the novel spent a good deal of time from each of the women’s perspectives. It gave us a good glimpse into their lives as well as their relationship with Jason. My only complaint is that I kept getting confused between Ruby and Nora. I don’t know if it was because their professions were kind of similar, but I had a hard time keeping them straight. I had no problem following Cham’s perspective; her personality traits were written perfectly and distinctly. Once the action started, it was relentless and didn’t really follow a structured formula, which was nice. Was it completely absurd? Absolutely! Did I like it? Yep!
I need to swing back to the author’s previous book!
Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for my advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.
June 28, 2026
**3.5-stars**
Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die follows three women, Cham, Ruby and Nora, who through a very odd twist of fate, all discover that they're dating the same man.
None of the three had any idea, or suspicions. He's that good of a liar, apparently. Furious and disappointed, the three get together and over drinks hatch a revenge plot.
They lure him to a remote cabin at the top of a snow-covered mountain, planning to scare the living daylights out of him. Things don't go quite as planned, and he's killed, but no one is admitting to the dastardly deed.
They're stranded at this cabin now, at least for the overnight and suspicions are starting to grow. How well do they even know each other? They just met.
With pressure mounting, they need to figure out if one of them is a murderer, or if they're not as alone on this mountain as they thought they were.
I had fun with this, I did. The beginning, in particular, I found so intriguing. Did Arnold ultimately do too much, though? That's the question I'm asking myself.
When do we cross from camp to cheese? I feel like at a certain point, this novel sort of crossed that line into less enjoyable territory for me.
There's no denying that it's an entertaining story and I did enjoy it more than Arnold's last book. I love an upward trajectory with an author. I think this had a fun concept and some truly gripping scenes.
At the end of the day, it was a bit uneven for me though, as far as my enjoyment level. Therefore, I feel like the 3.5-star rating is the most fair.
This is purely an assessment based on personal taste though, and I know so many Readers have loved this one. I'm down for anything Arnold writes next. This had a lot of great aspects, and is sure to bring some chills into your life.
Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Overall, I had a good time with this. It's a fun Winter Thriller!
Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die follows three women, Cham, Ruby and Nora, who through a very odd twist of fate, all discover that they're dating the same man.
None of the three had any idea, or suspicions. He's that good of a liar, apparently. Furious and disappointed, the three get together and over drinks hatch a revenge plot.
They lure him to a remote cabin at the top of a snow-covered mountain, planning to scare the living daylights out of him. Things don't go quite as planned, and he's killed, but no one is admitting to the dastardly deed.
They're stranded at this cabin now, at least for the overnight and suspicions are starting to grow. How well do they even know each other? They just met.
With pressure mounting, they need to figure out if one of them is a murderer, or if they're not as alone on this mountain as they thought they were.
I had fun with this, I did. The beginning, in particular, I found so intriguing. Did Arnold ultimately do too much, though? That's the question I'm asking myself.
When do we cross from camp to cheese? I feel like at a certain point, this novel sort of crossed that line into less enjoyable territory for me.
There's no denying that it's an entertaining story and I did enjoy it more than Arnold's last book. I love an upward trajectory with an author. I think this had a fun concept and some truly gripping scenes.
At the end of the day, it was a bit uneven for me though, as far as my enjoyment level. Therefore, I feel like the 3.5-star rating is the most fair.
This is purely an assessment based on personal taste though, and I know so many Readers have loved this one. I'm down for anything Arnold writes next. This had a lot of great aspects, and is sure to bring some chills into your life.
Thank you to the publisher, Poisoned Pen Press, for providing me with a copy to read and review. Overall, I had a good time with this. It's a fun Winter Thriller!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
Three women + one boyfriend = one BIG Mess!!!!! Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die was a fast fun and entertaining read that ventures into chilling OTT territory, and I was there for every page of it! During a chance encounter, Nora, Ruby, and Cham discover that they are dating the same man and he has been scamming them all for money. That rat! Together they come up with a plan to confront in a secluded cabin. Best laid plans and all that.... Soon things take a turn and well, the you-know-what begins to hit the fan!
Readers get to know each of the women and we are given glimpses into their relationship with Jason. Relationships in which each woman believed she was the only one he was dating. This book has a nice amount of tension, suspense, and drama. The women are understandably angry and want to get back at him and hatch a plan that they feel will work!
This book read like a tame horror movie for me! I'm going to repeat myself by saying that Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die is a fun, entertaining, and dramatic book. I love that it doesn't take itself too seriously. Readers can have some fun while reading this book. I enjoyed the pacing and how once things started happening, the action did not let up!
I can't wait to read what Mallory Arnold writes next!
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
Readers get to know each of the women and we are given glimpses into their relationship with Jason. Relationships in which each woman believed she was the only one he was dating. This book has a nice amount of tension, suspense, and drama. The women are understandably angry and want to get back at him and hatch a plan that they feel will work!
This book read like a tame horror movie for me! I'm going to repeat myself by saying that Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die is a fun, entertaining, and dramatic book. I love that it doesn't take itself too seriously. Readers can have some fun while reading this book. I enjoyed the pacing and how once things started happening, the action did not let up!
I can't wait to read what Mallory Arnold writes next!
Thank you to Poisoned Pen Press and NetGalley who provided me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All the thoughts and opinions are my own.
July 15, 2026
As long as you go into Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die with an open mind, you’re going to fall for it hook, line, and sinker. Well, as long you like your thrills with quite a bit of gore. You see, Arnold’s newest novel was a rollercoaster ride of lightning-fast pacing, nonstop thrills and chills, and bloody feminine rage. Bringing together three women as they took revenge on a badly behaving man, I was blown away by the natural-feeling twists in this messy but fun revenge thriller-slash-horror book mashup. After all, we’ve all been in these women’s shoes and who hasn’t dreamt of settling the score? Okay. So maybe I’d never think of taking things quite this far, but the deliciously unhinged quality to this one-sitting read was only over-the-top in the best possible way. Campy, cathartic, and laced with dark humor, it was like crossing The Final Girl Support Group and John Tucker Must Die…but oh so much darker. After all, things really went off the rails towards the end. So if you love an isolated locked-room setting, untrustworthy characters, and classic slasher vibes, grab this one now. Just be sure to read this twisty—and twisted—novel with the lights on… Rating of 4.5 stars.
Read if you love:
- Thriller-meets-horror storylines
- Short chapters
- Unhinged storylines
- Tons of thrills
- Lovable characters
- Campy reads
- A locked-room setting
- Dark humor
- Cult-like elements
- Fast pacing
- A character you’ll love to hate
- Nonstop twists
- Unreliable narrators
- Multiple POVs
- A popcorn-esque feel
SYNOPSIS:
When Nora, Ruby, and Cham discover that they've each been dating the same man, what starts as outrage quickly spirals into a plot for revenge. Together they hatch a plan to lure their boyfriend to a romantic getaway in a secluded cabin at the top of a snow-covered mountain.
Only what was meant to be harmless payback soon takes a chilling turn when their not-so-adoring boyfriend is found dead in the cabin.
Stranded and snowed in, the women begin to look at each other with increasing suspicion. And as tensions rise, hidden motives come to light. To survive, each woman must confront her own demons as they fight to uncover if one of them is the killer, or if something else lurks in the freezing wilderness, waiting to pick them off one by one.
Thank you Mallory Arnold and Poisoned Pen Press for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 14, 2026
Content warning: murder, death, body horror, violence, gore, death of a parent, child abuse, physical abuse, gun violence, infidelity, toxic relationship, stalking, drug use, mention of: child death, pregnancy
Read if you love:
- Thriller-meets-horror storylines
- Short chapters
- Unhinged storylines
- Tons of thrills
- Lovable characters
- Campy reads
- A locked-room setting
- Dark humor
- Cult-like elements
- Fast pacing
- A character you’ll love to hate
- Nonstop twists
- Unreliable narrators
- Multiple POVs
- A popcorn-esque feel
SYNOPSIS:
When Nora, Ruby, and Cham discover that they've each been dating the same man, what starts as outrage quickly spirals into a plot for revenge. Together they hatch a plan to lure their boyfriend to a romantic getaway in a secluded cabin at the top of a snow-covered mountain.
Only what was meant to be harmless payback soon takes a chilling turn when their not-so-adoring boyfriend is found dead in the cabin.
Stranded and snowed in, the women begin to look at each other with increasing suspicion. And as tensions rise, hidden motives come to light. To survive, each woman must confront her own demons as they fight to uncover if one of them is the killer, or if something else lurks in the freezing wilderness, waiting to pick them off one by one.
Thank you Mallory Arnold and Poisoned Pen Press for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.
PUB DATE: July 14, 2026
Content warning: murder, death, body horror, violence, gore, death of a parent, child abuse, physical abuse, gun violence, infidelity, toxic relationship, stalking, drug use, mention of: child death, pregnancy
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
”Love and loss, right and wrong, soon it will be true. Sleep tonight and live to fight, till another day dawns anew.”
i loved this authors debut, so i’m just disappointed with this one. when you pitch something as a more slasher version of John Tucker Must Die, safe to say i’ll be expecting that from the actual story. we do have the 3 timing, loser boyfriend and the women gathering together to get revenge but the outcome was a bore.
i felt like the decision to make this take a cult turn was so unoriginal and didn’t match well with the set up. Cham, Nora and Judy were fine but i was getting them confused at first cause nothing about them stood out to me. more random things just kept getting added to their backstories too, i just thought the second half fell apart.
➜ thanks to NetGalley, the author and Poison Pen Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
i loved this authors debut, so i’m just disappointed with this one. when you pitch something as a more slasher version of John Tucker Must Die, safe to say i’ll be expecting that from the actual story. we do have the 3 timing, loser boyfriend and the women gathering together to get revenge but the outcome was a bore.
i felt like the decision to make this take a cult turn was so unoriginal and didn’t match well with the set up. Cham, Nora and Judy were fine but i was getting them confused at first cause nothing about them stood out to me. more random things just kept getting added to their backstories too, i just thought the second half fell apart.
➜ thanks to NetGalley, the author and Poison Pen Press for the arc, all opinions are my own.
July 19, 2026
I really could NOT have LOVED this book more!!! I knew it was going to be great as soon as I started it!! Don’t you love when that happens?!! 😍 Thank you so much to @poisonedpenpress #partner for the gorgeous gifted copy!! 🫶 Thank you @sourcebooks.audio #partner for the free audiobook!! 🥰🥰🥰
Guys… this book put the F in FUN!!! I highly recommend the audiobook! So entertaining!!! This is my first @malwriteswords book so I didn’t know what to expect!! Wow! 🤩 Hands down five stars!! ⭐️
Meet Jason… Charming… fun.. witty and a complete🤬🤬🤬 Insert word of your choice. 😂 He is.. quite the piece of work. He is juggling three girlfriends.. YES… three! Can he manage to pull that off?! You be the judge. 😂🤷♀️ It’s best to go in blind!!
I mean I loved EVERYTHING about this book. I took this audiobook everywhere with me. The characters literally came to life with this very animated audio!!
If you love a twisted thriller… revenge fueled … with some snark and sass… which BTW is my favorite… then this is for you!! OH and that ENDING! 😳 Absolute perfection!! 👏
I preordered @malwriteswords last book… WHY haven’t I read it yet?! You can bet I will be doing that ASAP!! 😍
Guys… this book put the F in FUN!!! I highly recommend the audiobook! So entertaining!!! This is my first @malwriteswords book so I didn’t know what to expect!! Wow! 🤩 Hands down five stars!! ⭐️
Meet Jason… Charming… fun.. witty and a complete🤬🤬🤬 Insert word of your choice. 😂 He is.. quite the piece of work. He is juggling three girlfriends.. YES… three! Can he manage to pull that off?! You be the judge. 😂🤷♀️ It’s best to go in blind!!
I mean I loved EVERYTHING about this book. I took this audiobook everywhere with me. The characters literally came to life with this very animated audio!!
If you love a twisted thriller… revenge fueled … with some snark and sass… which BTW is my favorite… then this is for you!! OH and that ENDING! 😳 Absolute perfection!! 👏
I preordered @malwriteswords last book… WHY haven’t I read it yet?! You can bet I will be doing that ASAP!! 😍
July 22, 2026
What a freaking joy ride! 4.5 ⭐️’s! This was an amazingly fun thriller that made no sense with a lot of bad choices, and I loved it for it. The characters had me so hooked and I just couldn’t get enough of their dialogue and inner monologues among each other! I almost didn’t want this to end until it did, and then all I could think is…Oh no 😂
Looking for a humorous thriller you can just enjoy and won’t have your head spinning 😵💫 with insane twists? Then stop right here. This is the kind of storytelling that reminds you why love books and reading them and for that I say…..Thank you!!
Looking for a humorous thriller you can just enjoy and won’t have your head spinning 😵💫 with insane twists? Then stop right here. This is the kind of storytelling that reminds you why love books and reading them and for that I say…..Thank you!!
Review of advance copy received from Netgalley
Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die by Mallory Arnold is an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. The eerie mountain setting and secluded cabin create the perfect backdrop for a story packed with tension, secrets, and jaw-dropping twists. From the first few chapters, I was completely hooked.
The suspense builds relentlessly, and every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, the plot took another wild turn. Arnold keeps the pressure on with sharp pacing and a creeping sense of dread that never lets up. The characters are messy, complicated, and fascinating to watch as everything slowly spirals out of control.
This is the kind of book that makes you say “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s the middle of the night. Dark, addictive, and incredibly entertaining, it delivers the perfect mix of mystery and psychological tension.
If you love twisty thrillers that keep you guessing until the very last page, this one is a must-read. Absolutely unforgettable.
The suspense builds relentlessly, and every time I thought I knew where the story was heading, the plot took another wild turn. Arnold keeps the pressure on with sharp pacing and a creeping sense of dread that never lets up. The characters are messy, complicated, and fascinating to watch as everything slowly spirals out of control.
This is the kind of book that makes you say “just one more chapter” until suddenly it’s the middle of the night. Dark, addictive, and incredibly entertaining, it delivers the perfect mix of mystery and psychological tension.
If you love twisty thrillers that keep you guessing until the very last page, this one is a must-read. Absolutely unforgettable.
August 4, 2026
The first half of this book was really good and promising, the second half was just so ridiculously far-fetched and over the top it really took away from my overall enjoyment... Oh, what could have been!
August 4, 2026
What an irresistible premise. Three women discover they're dating the same man, lure him to a remote mountain cabin for revenge... and then he ends up dead. From that moment on, Cross My Heart, I Hope You Die never lets its foot off the gas. Mallory Arnold builds the tension beautifully. The snowbound setting creates the perfect pressure cooker, where paranoia, buried secrets, and fractured trust become every bit as dangerous as the killer. I found myself constantly changing my mind about what was really happening. What makes this novel stand out is its intensity. Every chapter raises the stakes, every revelation deepens the mystery, and the isolated cabin becomes a prison where no one can be trusted. It's the kind of thriller that keeps whispering, just one more chapter. Fast-paced, suspenseful, and impossible to put down, this is exactly the kind of thriller I love to read. A gripping, icy nightmare with a killer premise and flawless execution. This is it, friends!
July 14, 2026
*2.5 stars// This was okay but definitely not a book that will stick with me. It’s very basic. Following 3 women who find out they’re dating the same man. They conspire to get revenge on him that involves a secluded cabin in the mountains. Of course things go awry and not at all according to plan.
I did like the 3 women. They were so different from one another, almost to a stereotypical level. A shy Kindergarten teacher, outgoing athletic coach, and a tough no bullshit mechanic. Though I feel like they should’ve seen all the red flags much sooner in the relationship they thought they had with this man but for the plot, I understand. A few other things irritated me but they’re too spoilery to mention.
A very easy and fast cult thriller. Something you can quickly fly through if you’re curious what happens at the end.
Full review to come on my YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@hollyheartsbooks...
I did like the 3 women. They were so different from one another, almost to a stereotypical level. A shy Kindergarten teacher, outgoing athletic coach, and a tough no bullshit mechanic. Though I feel like they should’ve seen all the red flags much sooner in the relationship they thought they had with this man but for the plot, I understand. A few other things irritated me but they’re too spoilery to mention.
A very easy and fast cult thriller. Something you can quickly fly through if you’re curious what happens at the end.
Full review to come on my YouTube channel: https://youtube.com/@hollyheartsbooks...
July 25, 2026
"One isolated cabin. One cheating boyfriend. One plan to get even."
Nora, Ruby and Cham find out they are dating the same guy, so they plot for revenge. When they lure him to a secluded cabin in the snowy mountains, their plot thickens. When they find him dead, they begin to accuse one another. Each one is leery of the other's intentions. The tension, suspense and the room grows stifling as accusations hang heavily in the air. Every sideways glance feels like a threat, and every whispered word sounds like a conspiracy. Trust has completely evaporated. There is no way out at this point.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
Nora, Ruby and Cham find out they are dating the same guy, so they plot for revenge. When they lure him to a secluded cabin in the snowy mountains, their plot thickens. When they find him dead, they begin to accuse one another. Each one is leery of the other's intentions. The tension, suspense and the room grows stifling as accusations hang heavily in the air. Every sideways glance feels like a threat, and every whispered word sounds like a conspiracy. Trust has completely evaporated. There is no way out at this point.
Thank you NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.
April 8, 2026
3/5 Stars — 🔪 Trash Men, Cult Ties, and the Power of a Group Chat
Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! This book was absolutely bananas. I’ve heard of scammers, but a man successfully dating three women at once for six months to three years? That is a level of "trash man" behavior I wasn't prepared for.
The Breakdown:
The Trio: I actually really liked Cham, Nora, and Ruby. They were all so different and had their own unique voices, which made it easy to root for them as they bonded over getting bamboozled. The "women sticking together" energy was easily the best part of the book.
The "Wait, What?" Factor: This story goes from 0 to 100 very fast. We have fugue states, adoption mysteries, and potential cults, which was a lot to take in. While it was definitely original, there were so many twists that it actually felt like it took me forever to get through, which is rare for me with this genre.
The Ending: The main conclusion was earned and I liked how it wrapped up... but then there was a potential cliffhanger at the very end that made me majorly eye-roll. I’m happy with where it ended; I definitely wouldn't read a sequel.
A solid "popcorn" read if you want to see three women take down a world-class jerk, just be prepared for a lot of plot.
Huge thanks to NetGalley for the ARC! This book was absolutely bananas. I’ve heard of scammers, but a man successfully dating three women at once for six months to three years? That is a level of "trash man" behavior I wasn't prepared for.
The Breakdown:
The Trio: I actually really liked Cham, Nora, and Ruby. They were all so different and had their own unique voices, which made it easy to root for them as they bonded over getting bamboozled. The "women sticking together" energy was easily the best part of the book.
The "Wait, What?" Factor: This story goes from 0 to 100 very fast. We have fugue states, adoption mysteries, and potential cults, which was a lot to take in. While it was definitely original, there were so many twists that it actually felt like it took me forever to get through, which is rare for me with this genre.
The Ending: The main conclusion was earned and I liked how it wrapped up... but then there was a potential cliffhanger at the very end that made me majorly eye-roll. I’m happy with where it ended; I definitely wouldn't read a sequel.
A solid "popcorn" read if you want to see three women take down a world-class jerk, just be prepared for a lot of plot.
August 13, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Poisoned Pen Press for the advanced copy. I also bought it on release day (though I kind of regret it - my sister will probably enjoy it more though so I'll pass it on to her!)
3.5 *
So this was nothing like I expected it to be... I was expecting some paranormal/supernatural twist but there isn't really one. There is still a fun twist, it's just not magical like I was hoping it would be, which was a surprise after the author's previous book, How To Survive a Horror Story, which while not perfect I think I liked better and why I feel I can't give this one the same rating.
My biggest issues with the book is how disjointed it felt. There's multiple POVs, shifts in the timeline, book parts... it was all just a lot and didn't necessarily feel, well, necessary. I think adjusting some of this would have made for a more enjoyable reading experience but as it was I kept being taken out of the novel. I also found the first half kind of drags and it takes a while for the excitement to pick up - which I'm guessing is why we get the occasional timeline shift to the future while we're early in the book, to tempt you to stay for when things go wild, but even when they did eventually go wild it was more... meh. I was expecting more craziness based on those few future parts.
What I liked? I liked the characters, though they could feel a bit trope-y at times. I thought they were all interesting women. Jason was a great antagonist - the nice guy bum who changes for every girl he dates (or does he?). There's a random third act twist that really left me thinking, just like, WHAT even. What even is or was the point of that twist, it felt random and was ultimately unimportant? But the twist after that I liked! There were a couple in here, some that are easy to spot coming but they lull you into thinking you know what's going to happen, then that final twist happens and you're like "Oh!" lol
Overall not a bad thriller story, I'm just unfortunately not really into straight up thrillers like this. Mallory Arnold is a decent writer and I get she was trying something with how the novel was set up, I just don't know that it was successful for me.
If you're into twisty thrillers about jerky guys, then this is for you lol
3.5 *
So this was nothing like I expected it to be... I was expecting some paranormal/supernatural twist but there isn't really one. There is still a fun twist, it's just not magical like I was hoping it would be, which was a surprise after the author's previous book, How To Survive a Horror Story, which while not perfect I think I liked better and why I feel I can't give this one the same rating.
My biggest issues with the book is how disjointed it felt. There's multiple POVs, shifts in the timeline, book parts... it was all just a lot and didn't necessarily feel, well, necessary. I think adjusting some of this would have made for a more enjoyable reading experience but as it was I kept being taken out of the novel. I also found the first half kind of drags and it takes a while for the excitement to pick up - which I'm guessing is why we get the occasional timeline shift to the future while we're early in the book, to tempt you to stay for when things go wild, but even when they did eventually go wild it was more... meh. I was expecting more craziness based on those few future parts.
What I liked? I liked the characters, though they could feel a bit trope-y at times. I thought they were all interesting women. Jason was a great antagonist - the nice guy bum who changes for every girl he dates (or does he?). There's a random third act twist that really left me thinking, just like, WHAT even. What even is or was the point of that twist, it felt random and was ultimately unimportant? But the twist after that I liked! There were a couple in here, some that are easy to spot coming but they lull you into thinking you know what's going to happen, then that final twist happens and you're like "Oh!" lol
Overall not a bad thriller story, I'm just unfortunately not really into straight up thrillers like this. Mallory Arnold is a decent writer and I get she was trying something with how the novel was set up, I just don't know that it was successful for me.
If you're into twisty thrillers about jerky guys, then this is for you lol
February 9, 2026
I loved it! I was a huge fan of the authors previous book and I knew this one would be good.
Three women’s POV leading up to their paths crossing with one common denominator.. they all have the same BF and he has lied, cheated and stolen from all of them. What starts out as a bid to get a confession of his crimes turns into a ploy for revenge and things get messy!
Short fun chapters, fast read, entertaining loved it!
Three women’s POV leading up to their paths crossing with one common denominator.. they all have the same BF and he has lied, cheated and stolen from all of them. What starts out as a bid to get a confession of his crimes turns into a ploy for revenge and things get messy!
Short fun chapters, fast read, entertaining loved it!
July 14, 2026
Thank you to Libro.fm for the ALC of this book.
I really enjoyed this one. Although each of the women had their own personalities, and there was a narrator for each of them on the audiobook, I did still get confused on occasion who we were following in each chapter. However, the plot of this one was really good and I was so intrigued. I listened to most of this in one evening, finishing it off the next day. A really gripping thriller that I enjoyed from beginning to end.
I really enjoyed this one. Although each of the women had their own personalities, and there was a narrator for each of them on the audiobook, I did still get confused on occasion who we were following in each chapter. However, the plot of this one was really good and I was so intrigued. I listened to most of this in one evening, finishing it off the next day. A really gripping thriller that I enjoyed from beginning to end.
September 4, 2026
What started as a light hearted easy to read thriller, turned rather complicated (in a good way) about halfway through. It got twisty and there were several complex but believable surprises. It’s my first time reading anything from this author and they did a good job with characters, dialog and the story line. I hope to read more from them in the future!
August 28, 2026
A strange town, an isolated snowy mountain, decrepit cabins, a cult, a cheating man, and vengeful women? Also murder, but that's already a given. This was captivating from start to end, and like any good thriller, I didn't anticipate any of what was to come. I was thoroughly at the edge of my seat, and that is all I could truly ask for.
I do wish I had read this during winter, though.
I do wish I had read this during winter, though.
March 5, 2026
LOL. This book is just ridiculous, silly, unhinged fun. It starts off pretty grounded by quickly establishing how the three very different (but I think all likeable) GFs of Love Fraudster Jason meet, discover his perfidy, and consider whether and how to seek collective vengeance. Anyone who consumes a lot of romance scam content will appreciate this premise, as did I. From there, the book admittedly goes off the rails in a few entirely different directions, with additional and seemingly random subplots and characters, but I’d say in an overall enjoyable and unobjectionable way where you’re like, Well… alrighty then. Whatever you say! I was sick when I read this, and it all felt very fever dreamy, like “…wait, what is even happening right now again…?” — so I waited until my own literal fever subsided to review it, but it seemed to hold up okay. This was a good couch and Kleenex, reading-while-ill book, which I imagine is akin to a beach, airplane, or popcorn read? There was a bit of uncertainty and perhaps even sweetness in the end that I appreciated. 3.5 all-over-the-place stars. And please keep the wonderful dad joke punny titles coming!
Many thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of this book, scheduled for release on July 14, 2026.
Many thanks to the author, NetGalley, and Poisoned Pen Press for the ARC of this book, scheduled for release on July 14, 2026.
February 7, 2026
This was nonstop female revenge fun! Three women unknowingly were dating the same man. How far will they go to get back at him?
This book didn’t skip a beat! Multiple POV, short chapters, and I loved the police transcripts scattered throughout!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This book didn’t skip a beat! Multiple POV, short chapters, and I loved the police transcripts scattered throughout!
Thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
Want to Read
February 11, 2026thanks to Poisoned Pen Press for access this ARC
August 19, 2026
In no way did I anticipate how much I was going to enjoy this book! It was the perfect combination of fun, dark, twisty, outlandish, and atmospheric. The pacing of this book was so perfect. Right when I was having so much fun, it would take a dark turn and throw me off guard and I loved it. It let me get just the right amount of comfortable before it threw me for a loop. It did have kind of a lot going on and was a bit all over the place, but Mallory Arnold made it work. I did have to suspend belief at points but I didn't mind at all, that just fed into the more fun side of this book.
Our three FMCs were PHENOMENAL. I loved them so much. They really made this book what it was. They all had their strengths and they were all so different but worked together so well. Each had a complicated backstory that played into the plot at some point and I just thoroughly enjoyed this cast of characters. It goes without saying, but I highly recommend this one!
PS- This was great on audio so if you are debating eyeball reading or listening, I encourage you to listen :)
Our three FMCs were PHENOMENAL. I loved them so much. They really made this book what it was. They all had their strengths and they were all so different but worked together so well. Each had a complicated backstory that played into the plot at some point and I just thoroughly enjoyed this cast of characters. It goes without saying, but I highly recommend this one!
PS- This was great on audio so if you are debating eyeball reading or listening, I encourage you to listen :)
June 7, 2026
THANK YOU SO MUCH TO NETGALLEY FOR THIS ARC.
John Tucker Must Die but there’s a murder mountain with a possible cult commune.
Three girls find out they’ve all been dating the same guy. Not only do they discover he’s betrayed them but he’s also convinced each of them to “gift” something of great value to him. While this no-good, cheating scoundrel is dodging their calls, the girls begin to bond and concoct a plan to get back at this heartbreaker. But the plan takes a terrible turn….
This was very, very good. The beginning adds a great background into not only the ladies but the environment they’ve found themselves in. And the rest is a non-stop thrill. 4 stars ✨
John Tucker Must Die but there’s a murder mountain with a possible cult commune.
Three girls find out they’ve all been dating the same guy. Not only do they discover he’s betrayed them but he’s also convinced each of them to “gift” something of great value to him. While this no-good, cheating scoundrel is dodging their calls, the girls begin to bond and concoct a plan to get back at this heartbreaker. But the plan takes a terrible turn….
This was very, very good. The beginning adds a great background into not only the ladies but the environment they’ve found themselves in. And the rest is a non-stop thrill. 4 stars ✨
July 24, 2026
It took me a couple of days to finish this book. I liked the multiple POVs and the complicated plot. The author did a great job of creating distinct personalities, and I think it worked well because we get to be inside each woman’s head and understand their mental state.
A lot of people say this is John Tucker Must Die on paper. I watched that movie once when I was a teenager, and yes, it does have a similar premise: one guy dating and deceiving three women. The only difference is that the guy in the movie didn’t die.
It was okay. There was nothing particularly shocking or original about it. There were times when the POVs started to blend together, the twist was underwhelming, and it included a trope I’m not really a fan of.
Overall, this is a decent mystery thriller. It’s a little generic, but I still enjoyed most of it.
A lot of people say this is John Tucker Must Die on paper. I watched that movie once when I was a teenager, and yes, it does have a similar premise: one guy dating and deceiving three women. The only difference is that the guy in the movie didn’t die.
It was okay. There was nothing particularly shocking or original about it. There were times when the POVs started to blend together, the twist was underwhelming, and it included a trope I’m not really a fan of.
Overall, this is a decent mystery thriller. It’s a little generic, but I still enjoyed most of it.
July 12, 2026
This was such a fun thriller and one I’d absolutely recommend for Summerween or to save for your fall TBR. The isolated mountain cabin, relentless snowstorm, and growing sense of paranoia created the perfect creepy atmosphere, giving the whole book strong slasher vibes from beginning to end.
What immediately sold me was the premise. It has a John Tucker Must Die energy, with three women discovering they’re dating the same cheating jerk and teaming up for revenge. Of course, everything spirals spectacularly out of control, and watching the revenge plot unravel into complete chaos made this such an entertaining ride.
You’ll definitely have to suspend your disbelief as the story escalates, but I honestly didn’t mind because I was having so much fun. I loved the themes of female rage, empowerment, revenge, and the constant feeling that no one could be trusted. The frantic pacing and mounting paranoia kept me invested, making this a perfect popcorn thriller for readers who love over the top suspense with plenty of twists.
The audiobook was an absolute vibe. Since the story is told through multiple points of view, the multicast narration was the perfect choice and made each woman feel distinct from the others. Victoria Connolly, Stacy Gonzalez, Alexandra Hunter, and Gary Tiedemann all delivered fantastic performances, capturing the wide range of emotions the story demanded—from betrayal and anger to fear, suspicion, and desperation. It’s one I’d definitely recommend experiencing on audio.
Perfect for Readers Who Love
* Isolated cabin thrillers
* Slasher inspired suspense
* Female rage and revenge stories
* Unhinged, morally gray characters
* Snowed in survival mysteries
* Fast paced popcorn thrillers
July 25, 2026
Very easy, popcorn horror-thriller.
The premise was honestly so intriguing, but the execution just didn’t fully deliver. It almost felt like there were 3 different stories happening at the same time and they never really intertwined properly: the revenge, the twist, and the cult. So much potential, but it needed a little more depth and nuance.
That being said, the characters were interesting, and I really liked having the 3 women’s POVs. I loved Cham a lot, but Ruby and Nora? Not so much. I kept confusing the two of them, which is a problem considering Ruby is supposed to be the main heroine.
Overall, it was a fun and fast read, but very basic. Enjoyable for what it was, just don’t expect anything too mind-blowing.
The premise was honestly so intriguing, but the execution just didn’t fully deliver. It almost felt like there were 3 different stories happening at the same time and they never really intertwined properly: the revenge, the twist, and the cult. So much potential, but it needed a little more depth and nuance.
That being said, the characters were interesting, and I really liked having the 3 women’s POVs. I loved Cham a lot, but Ruby and Nora? Not so much. I kept confusing the two of them, which is a problem considering Ruby is supposed to be the main heroine.
Overall, it was a fun and fast read, but very basic. Enjoyable for what it was, just don’t expect anything too mind-blowing.
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