A fresh outlook on sports romances? Of course Esha Patel has it covered.

Firstly, it is so nice to read a sports romance that isn’t just the typical hockey romance. It’s so refreshing and makes this an even more enjoyable read. That being said, let’s focus on specific elements of the book.

This is fake dating done right! Yes it’s obvious there are feelings there, but the two MCs don’t give in to it straight away and don’t immediately change into a “real” relationship. There is still a breakup, and still dilemmas in the relationship that build suspense at times.

The female empowerment element is written well and doesn’t feel like tokenism as it does in some other books. There’s a true message of empowerment and representation within typical male fields, which I hope will encourage more people to go into women’s sports.

Overall, a 4 star read. I would recommend to anyone who loves sports romances and/or fake dating, or is looking for something new to read. Esha Patels books will never let you down.

Cross My Heart by Esha Patel is a delightful sports romance that balances heart, humour, and a touch of drama. May Velasco has worked hard to secure a scholarship and join her college’s lacrosse team. Her focus is on proving herself on the field, but her plans are derailed when her childhood nemesis, CJ "Colt" Bradley, turns up as a training assistant for the team.

Colt, now a star of New Haven's pro lacrosse team, is the last person May wants advice from. Their tense history makes working together uncomfortable, but things take an unexpected turn when they're photographed in what appears to be a very intimate moment at a bar. The fallout from the photo isn't what May expects—while she's furious, the college sees it as an opportunity for publicity and the women’s lacrosse team gets more attention than it’s ever had before.

To keep her place on the team, May and Colt strike a deal to pretend they’re dating for the sake of the sport’s publicity. What starts as a staged romance soon becomes more complicated as the two find themselves in deeper emotional waters than they anticipated.

With its focus on female sports and its diverse representation, Cross My Heart is a breath of fresh air in the sports romance genre. Patel has crafted a fun and engaging story that mixes witty banter with real emotional stakes. The chemistry between May and Colt is electric, and their evolving relationship is both touching and entertaining.

If you're looking for a light-hearted, yet heartfelt read with a compelling storyline and great character dynamics, Cross My Heart is a fantastic choice. It's a book I’d recommend to anyone in need of a pick-me-up, and I’d love to read more from this talented author.

Read more at The Secret Book Review.

I'm not gonna lie, I DNFed this book at about 30%

I love a good sports romance, so I was excited for this one. But after starting it... The use of Spanish words in the prologue felt forced, but I could let that go.

Really though - I just did not like this writing. I don't know how to explain it well but the sentences felts choppy. It felt like someone was repeating an event that happened rather than telling me a story that allowed me to immerse myself into the world. I kept hoping at any point I would feel more connected to the story or characters, but it was not happening. The dialogue was mid and that really can make or break a book.

Overall, this book was not for me.

3/5!

First time reading a lacrosse romance for me and what a great start. Sports romance, rivals to lovers AND fake dating what more could you ask for.
I found the focus on female sports a breath of fresh air and loved the diverse representation.
A solid fun book and would love to read more work from this author.

Thank you to NetGalley and Avon for the Arc!

Cross My Heart by Esha Patel had all the ingredients for a fun, engaging sports romance—college lacrosse, a fake dating setup, and a childhood rivals to lovers dynamic. The premise was strong: May, a dedicated college athlete, is forced into a PR stunt with her childhood nemesis, CJ "Colt" Bradley, a pro lacrosse star. I loved the focus on women’s sports and how the fake relationship played into the larger conversation about media attention and funding for female athletes, as well as POC representation.

That said, while I enjoyed the setup, the execution felt a little uneven. May’s stubbornness, while understandable given her situation, sometimes bordered on frustrating, and I wish we’d seen more emotional depth in her character arc. Colt, on the other hand, was charming but could have used more development beyond his "cocky athlete with a soft side" persona. Their banter was fun, but I wanted a bit more tension and chemistry to make their romance feel truly earned.

Overall, Cross My Heart is a solid sports romance with an engaging premise, but it didn’t fully engage or impress me. If you love fake dating, sports settings, and childhood rivals forced to work together, this could still be a fun read—just don’t expect anything groundbreaking.

Thank you to NetGalley, Esha Patel, and Avon for the eARC of this book.