A tale of vengeance, love, and survival in the heart of Miami.
After serving seven hard years in FDC Miami, Kross Domonique Hunter walks out a free man—only to find his world destroyed. The woman he loved, Cassie Andrews, has been ruthlessly murdered. Their young son is fighting for his life. Everything Kross dreamed of while behind those prison walls—family, peace, redemption—is gone in a single heartbeat. Now, all that remains is vengeance. And Miami will bleed for it.
Across town, Remedy Ariel Harris is barely holding her world together. A 27-year-old caregiver forced into adulthood too soon, she’s juggling a teenage brother, a mentally ill mother, and an abusive relationship that’s crushing the life out of her. Pain is the only thing she knows—and it’s the only language she speaks.
When Kross and Remedy collide, it isn’t love at first sight—it’s war. But beneath the rage and heartbreak, something begins to burn… something neither of them expected. As secrets unravel, they realize their lives are entangled in ways neither could’ve imagined.
With bullets flying, bodies dropping, and loyalty tested at every turn, Kross will have to choose between revenge and redemption—and Remedy will learn that sometimes the wrong man is the only one who can save you.
In the blood-soaked streets of Miami, love and war are one and the same. And when the smoke clears, only one question remains… Will they survive being KROSSED?
3.5 ⭐️ For this to be Rose second published book I’m not mad at it. I enjoy the story of Kross and Remedy’s journey. Kross and Remedy were imperfect. I think this book shows how grief and pain can cloud your judgement. Both were stubborn and impulsive but somehow found comfort and healing in one another. I like the twist at the end I just wanted more details. We had a good foundation on Kross and his background I just wanted the same effort on Remedy. If this was a 500 page book I would have gave it 5 stars. The plot and ending was good I wouldn’t change it. I just wanted little fillers of detail like we got in The love of Priest to expand the story and the characters.
The synopsis alone was enough to pull me all the way in, and the story absolutely delivered! This gritty, emotional, and unforgettable read centered around Kross, a man trying his best to walk the straight path after being released from prison… but life had other plans. The moment those unforeseen circumstances hit, I knew he was about to paint the city red!
What truly stood out was the amazing character development, especially for Kross. Watching him navigate loyalty, danger, and love while not knowing who he could genuinely trust made the tension hit even harder. His growth felt raw and real.
Aniyis, though, completely stole my heart. For him to be so young, his resilience was unmatched. He was the perfect blend of Kross and Cassie, and every scene with him added depth and emotion to the story.
And I can’t forget about Kross and Remedy. I loved seeing their love story blossom amidst all the chaos. Their dynamic added a softer layer to the gritty storyline, and their connection was one of my favorite parts of the book.
Overall, this was an addictive, fast-paced, and well paced read. Rose M. delivered a story full of heart, danger, tension, and unforgettable characters. I devoured it and highly recommend it!
Good, action packed read that kept me turning pages. Kross kept my blood pressure up lol, and the book left me with a few questions. Overall great read though.
(2.75⭐️) If you’re thinking (like me) that this was an urban romance, you’ll be disappointed and will feel as if it fell flat. The romance to me takes a back seat & most of the focus is on Kross who is on his John Wick for the whole book. I mean it was 35% in before we even get the FMC’s POV. And there was so much happening in her life that we didn’t get to experience (including a majorly plot point that would have made for VERY GOOD material). I was slightly disappointed by it because I really did enjoy the peeks into Kross & Remedy’s relationship, especially because they couldn’t stand each other initially. I would have loved to see more of them, and more of Remedy coming into herself.
As just a regular story, it’s enjoyable. Kross is a flawed MMC… an arrogant hothead who has every reason to crash out. But I do wish more was done in regards to him confronting Cassie’s killer. For it to be a primary focus for at least 70% of the book, the confrontation was anticlimactic and the whole plot point left me with questions.
Kross-31 came home on a mission, and he did exactly what he said he would, avenge his family. No hesitation, no excuses, pure determination. I love a man who means what he says and handles business, representing that "street boss" label in actions, not just words.
It’s honestly refreshing to see a male lead who knows what he wants and actually communicates it. No emotional whiplash, no running around sleeping with anything that breathes just because he can’t process his feelings.
Was he perfect? Not even close. He’s a hothead, reckless, stubborn, and probably could’ve made a few better choices. But that’s what makes him feel real. Flawed but loyal. Intense but grounded.
Remedy-27 is a woman carrying more than her fair share of pain. She’s grieving, trapped in a relationship that should’ve ended long ago, and suddenly thrust into her father’s world, trying to manage all the responsibilities. It’s a lot for anyone, yet she moves through it with strength, grace, and a heart that refuses to harden. Even after everything she’s endured, she still loves deeply and gives selflessly. That’s what makes her exactly what Kross needs.
This was a good standalone. It also has spice at the appropriate times and not overly done, definitely worth the read. There are a few errors but they don't take away from the story. I think this is my only read for Rose M. but I will be checking out her other books.
What a beautiful rollercoaster! This book hooked me fast, dragged me through the drama, and closed out with the perfect happy ending. We love a happy ending! If you are an urban fiction girlie, you will love this story! Secrets, betrayal, redemption, survival, street wars, love, a little spice … it’s all there. Every time I thought the story was over, there was more!
Kross is definitely a resilient man. My boy just couldn’t catch a break. Just when you thought things were looking up, something else tragic happened. But in the end he came through like D’jango and did everything he said he would! The way he loved Remedy back to life will forever stick with me.
Remedy Ariel Harris was my girl! She went through hell and back but didn’t give up on love! She was so understanding of Kross’ situation and loved on Aniyis as if he was her own. I could relate to her in more ways than one.
Cassie …. wheeew! All the secrets and lies made me want to hate her so bad! But in my opinion she was just young, dumb and in love. We have all been there! Maybe not to her extreme lol
Would you hold a man down after you’ve only known him for 6 months??
With a title like Don’t Cross Me, I came in expecting pressure, chaos, and real consequences. The threat was there, but the impact wasn’t.
This read was okay—it had its moments, but it didn’t fully take me where I expected. This was my first time reading this author, and once I seen that the story was based in Miami, I was excited… but it didn’t really give Florida vibes at all.
Remedy and Kross were solid characters, but I wanted more background on both to really feel connected. The storyline started off like ultimate betrayal was coming, and I stayed ready for it, but it never truly hit. Kross dealing with such heavy grief was handled better than expected. He definitely gave off BDE—confident, steady, with a subtle softness—but I still wanted a twist to shake things up.
Aniyas’ recovery stood out, especially her journey after being shot at such a young age—it felt real and emotional. Overall, there were missed opportunities and the plot was predictable, but I appreciated that Remedy and Kross pushed through the obstacles and found their happiness.
What a rollercoaster. This book had me locked in from start to finish. It’s urban romance thru and thru. It’s raw, emotional, and real. Kross couldn’t catch a break, and Remedy was fighting her own battles, but the author made it all come together perfectly. Every question got answered, and there weren’t any loose ends left hanging.
This ain’t no fairytale kind of love. It’s the real, street-tested kind that survives through pain and loss.
The only thing I didn’t love was that it was written in third person, but even then, it pulled me in deep. I can only imagine how much more I would’ve loved it if it had been written from each character’s point of view.
Still, this story hit. The emotion, the grit, the love…it all came together and left me satisfied in the best way.
Rose M., you did it again girl. I love me some Kross. He almost had me in a chokehold like Priest.
I was so happy this book ended with no cliffhangers. Thank you!!
Kross was not only fine, smart, and a man of God, he was that Guy. Kross wanted peace after doing his bid, but peace was not to be had. Finding out his girl was killed and son hanging on by a thread is enough to make anyone crash out. And crashed out he did.
It wasn't until he finally gave Remedy a chance that he realized she was his peace. Things happened, the city was painted red, questions needed answering, family being killed, Whew Chile...a lot. The get back was real.
But as always, love always wins. I truly enjoyed this story and I am a fan of Ms. Rose M.
Omggggg Rose done did it again! I have so much I want to say but i’ll be here forever. I have read so many books and I must say this is definitely in my top ten! I have to go ahead and buy the copy now to add to my bookshelf. LOVE IT! from wattpad (I’m username kikiuniqee) to Amazon , i am so proud of her growth and skills. Rose gives the details so good that you can actually see the vision and scene playing out in front of you. I always feel like I’m apart of the book when I’m reading! Sometimes I have to prepare myself for the next page bc I know a bombshell will be dropped. GREAT READ!
This is a new to me author who I found via social media. The overall concept for the story was good. But the switching between 1st and 3rd POV was really annoying.
It felt more like Kross’ story rather than a romance. Remedy is introduced after several chapters and even then it’s with minimal interaction with him. Their story was definitely trauma bonding. There was a lot of drama going on and plots that either fell short or turned out to not really matter.
Cassie’s secret was a big thing and yet when the reveal happened it was almost anticlimactic.
I never read anything from this author. It was written well and it was a good book. I just couldn't connect with these characters. Also the MMC is going through a loss and I never really saw the real love he had for the FMC. The MMC speaks of his past partner throughout the entirety of the book, which is understandable because the main conflict of the book surrounds her completely but I thought there should have been more scenes with the FMC. Also you don't get the first FMC's chapter until like 35 percent into the book and there was a lot of things going on with her that I thought could have been dove deeper into.
This was a decent story….um my issue is the pacing. The story started slow but then towards the end it just feels like everything was thrown at you. Also I don’t understand why Remedy needed more trauma on top of the trauma she already had. There are also so many questions for instance how would Tone know about the safe in her shop? Did she tell him? Had he been following her? Why was the Scrap character not fleshed out more? And of Kross chose to take the paternity test for his son why wasn’t the result revealed? Umm it was a good decent read just some holes I need to be filled.
Kross was not on my list as book bae. To say he was a leader the pressure had him doing ALOT of reckless stuff. He didn’t strategize just acted off pure emotion to say he was a boss. He created storms shooting in an open club full of patrons was most def lil boy behavior. Then was angry when los was killed but it was retaliation, that’s the game. Making the businesses pay him a fee to keep youngins from tearing it up (not boss behavior). He the boss, the leader so all it takes is his word. Shaking down your own community, I just couldn’t get with that. In the end the story came together because I almost stop several times. Glad there’s no part 2.
Kross & Remedy got each other in the end. I got to read this early for free as an arc read through publication. I usually love me a good revenge story but I felt like kross deserved grace. Like the mans have just got out and life was kicking his ass back to back. Not gonna lie I thought he had snakes in his camp but everyone proved loyal. Also can I say I know kross had got to remedy once he had her spread butterfly on that desk. Neither one knew the was creeping in the enemies camp. Glad that didn’t stop them from getting each other.
The way this book started, I was like ohhh nooo…and I knew I was in for a rollercoaster ride that was gonna give me whiplash. I read this book in 4 hours, that’s how much I wanted to get to the end because baby, the drama was top tier, the mess was the messiest! Kross did not play for one second and my baby, Remedy, she got the life she deserved! This was a great read, Ms. Rose! Thank you!
What an emotional rollercoaster! This story was so good! Kross and Remedy definitely deserved this happy ending after all the mess they’ve gone through. I’m not go lie I really thought Kross had a snake in his crew. I was side eyeing them all.
My only gripe is I wished we got more of Remedy’s story early on. I didn’t feel connected to her as much as I did Kross. Overall this was good read and kept my interest.
I liked this story but a lot more things could’ve went into detail and got deep. Instead the story felt surface level in certain areas. This story explores grief and revenge. Definite slow burn and I appreciated that but it was hard to believe that deep feelings had evolved between the two.
How did Tone know she had work at her shop? Also, if Renedy was in school in Tallahassee, how did she end up stripping in Chicago?
This is my first book by this author and I enjoyed the story telling and the build up for the relationship between the mmc&fmc however, when they finally got together I felt like we should have got some more literature of them being together so we can witness and connect with their love for each other. Nonetheless I’ll give this author more reads because her plot was good, well written story and I really love a slow burn to a relationship.
What these two went through only the strong can survive !!! This book was written for people that want real ! Not just cute and fluffy . But show you can go through some stuff you think suppose to break you and come out stronger, better, and brighter ! REM man she deserved the world !!!
I received a advance copy for this book. It was my first read by this author. The book was written with a lot of telling versus showing. It had minimal dialogue and the story line was pretty predictable. It was a decent read but I think a developmental edit could have shortened the book drastically. I would try another book by this author.
It was just the right amount of grit, and although I would consider it a slow burn between the two main characters, there was enough happening in the story line to keep me interested. Amazing.
This book took through all of the emotions and kept my interest throughout. I couldn’t even go to sleep without finding out how it ended. This was a great read for a standalone.
This was ARC read in exchange for an honest review from Grand Penz Publications.
Google those words before you start reading. Other than those odd descriptive words this was a good book. I felt the midway to the end was rushed. But it was a good read.
Thank you Ms. Rose for my first good read of 2026. Even though you took us the long way round, Kross was a real man, his ex had my mouth open a few times and. I for sure thought thy son was Kross brother, or Rem crazy ass ex. Congrats on ur story