He’s a single dad. She’s a damaged soul. When sparks ignite, will it be enough to heal their broken hearts?
One chance encounter broke me; another could set me free.
The moment I meet the incredibly sexy Dexter Cross, I know I’m in trouble. His intensity is electric, and I express a sass I thought was long extinguished. It’s a shock to my system, but teasing him appears to be my new favorite … to be my new favorite pastime.
Accepting the nanny position for Dexter’s three children will be my fresh start in life, but the closer I get to him and his children, the harder I know it will be to leave. I can only stay for one year, but all too quickly, he becomes determined to break down my walls.
He thinks I can choose them and stay, but I know better. Dexter doesn’t understand my kind of damaged. My scars run deep, but so does his determination. He has his eyes and heart set on me. Even our friends are joining in on this battle, a crazy bunch of misfits who cause chaos at every turn.
Am I strong enough to let go of my past and choose love? Or are some hurts too damaging to heal, even for Dexter Cross?
A page-turning emotional rollercoaster; can Lanie learn to accept love? Click the BUY NOW button to enter the world of Broken Hearts and find out!
*Cross My Heart is a HEA stand-alone that is book 1 in the interconnecting series, Broken-Hearts.
**This book deals with the aftermath of physical abuse that may be a trigger for some readers.
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Dexter and Lanie both have wounded hearts that they are set never to allow someone to hurt again. But the more time that Lanie spends as the nanny to Dexter’s 3 children, the more the two are drawn to each other. The chemistry was beautifully written, as was the storyline.
It is almost too hard to believe that this is the inaugural work of this author. If this is proof of what’s to come, the literary world has a new best seller on their hands. Avery Maxwell has a way with words that I have not seen from a new author.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
I’m pretty sure this is the debut novel from this author…at least, based on what I’m finding, it is. And that blows me away because WOW. I didn’t want to put it down! Dexter and his MLM scheme, the family by choice, Lanie’s pain, Tate. All of it did NOT feel like the first work to me. Regardless, it’s the first foray I’ve had into this author’s mind and now I want more.
Dexter doesn’t believe in love, and he’s got the scars on his heart to prove it. Lanie doesn’t believe she’s worthy of anyone, and she’s got the scars on her heart and body to prove it. But these two have undeniable chemistry and could be truly happy together. All Dex has to do is convince Lanie to make the leap. And he’ll pull out all the stops and involve anyone he can to help maker her his. These two led me through a minefield of loss, longing, love, and recovery from guilt that couldn’t have felt more perfect for them to endure. I just want to know what the deal is with Trevor and Julia next…
Fantastic first read of this author! Review to follow…..
My first introduction to Avery Maxwell was with her book, One Little Lie. I fell in love with not only Hattie and Rylan but also the whole Westbrook family and knew I needed to read more. So, I went back to the beginning with Cross My Heart. The very first book in the Westbrook series and the first book that Avery ever published! Dexter Cross is in desperate search for a nanny for his three kids so that he can focus on his business and in walks Lanie Heart.
Lanie Heart is trying to move on from a horrific ordeal that she went through and has been staying with her best friend, Julia and Julia’s son, Charlie. Thinking that a change of scenery might do her good, she packs up and moves from Vermont to North Carolina where she takes a job as a nanny for a single father.
Dex and Lanie’s “meet cute” is rather funny and adorable. I loved Lanie’s bond with Tate and how she got him to open up. The group text messages were absolutely hysterical and had me cracking up while reading! They also got me really invested in the other characters; particularly Julia and Trevor, and Preston. I had it figured out where Avery was going with Julia and Trevor and the ending has me anxious to read their story next. Preston, I don’t remember him being so snarky in One Little Lie so I’m interested in reading what happened to him, and also find out who manages to capture his heart.
If you have not read this before and you like reading family sagas and are into the single dad/nanny trope, I’d definitely would recommend you check out Cross My Heart. I will suggest you bring tissues with you when start to read because Avery touches on some heavy topics. Cross My Heart, as well as all the other books in the Broken Hearts and Family Ties series are currently on Kindle Unlimited too if you want to try her out before you buy the book. Each book in the Westbrook series is a standalone but they are interconnected.
Wow this story was beautifully told from beginning to the end. There were multiple pieces to this story being told and it flowed flawlessly. My only criticism would be that it moved a bit slower than it needed to.
Dexter is a single father to a son and twin girls after his wife decided to leave him the day his father passed away. Now Dexter is on his own with 3 kids and he is having a rough time, especially getting his son to communicate. Lanie has been barely living since she was brutally attacked so she decides to make a change for awhile and goes for a nanny position. From the moment she walked into Dexter’s house to interview, she took charge of the kids and of Dexter. Dexter could not even believe this woman coming into his house bossing him around. Quickly Lanie’s presence was clear to be paramount to the family. She took care of the kids but also helped Dexter’s son open up and start talking again. Dexter soon realized that he couldn’t live without Lanie and he made his mission to win her over. Then started the hilarious text chain and the swoon worthy behavior. It was impossible not to love Dexter with how sweet he was and how devoted he was to making Lanie feel like this was her family forever.
There are so many emotions layered into this story. From the very beginning, your heart will be heavy as you meet Dex and then it will break when you meet Lanie. But with all of that, Avery Maxwell has created a world filled with grieving, healing and hope.
‘The smile on her face sends a bolt of sunlight straight to my blackened heart.’
Dex and Lanie’s initial interaction is electric. They are two lost souls trying to find their way in the world and they recognize that in each other. Their journey is long and complicated but their happily ever after is pure bliss.
This was a great start to the series!
What a wonderful debut novel that I could not put down! I related to Lanie because like her I too am a nanny. I loved how she took charge in taking care of the kids right away. She took the job working for Dexter, taking care of his son & twin daughters while also dealing with past trauma. Not only does Dexter like Lanie but his close friends who are like his brothers also like Lanie as well. I also loved Lanie’s best friend who does a lot to help heal Lanie.
Second book I’ve read by Avery Maxwell and she just gets better. By the second paragraph I had leaking eyes. Grab tissues. I wasn’t warned that I would go through a variety of emotions but I did. Be prepared and do not throw your kindle. I can not tell you how many times I wanted to go into the book and hug everyone. Did I want to cut a biotch? Several of them. I really am not a killing type but was I feeling murderous? Shiplak Yes! Also there was so much love and steam in this book. The emotions are overwhelming at times.
Dexter is everything wrapped in a sexy DILF. Everyone needs a Dex in their life! Sexy, caring, protective, giving and so damn funny.
Lanie is the girl you want to be around. She is so easy to love and root for. She has had such a horrible life that you want her to get her hea! She loves with her whole heart and so giving, protective and sassy at times. She is strong.
Lanie is hired by Dexter to be his nanny for a year. It was basically lust at first sight, to friends to lovers. It was wonderful watching their relationship grow. The entire family and friends were unique and added so much to the story. You will fall in love with each one.
Favorite quote – “If you spend the rest of your life expecting things to end, you’ll miss all the beginnings, all the good.”
“Do you know the difference between Mary Poppins and Maria?”
This is the first book in the Broken Hearts series and boy does it set the bar for the other three books.
About 18 months ago Lanie Hart went through a very traumatic experience and is still in the process of healing and decides to head to her family’s beach front house in North Carolina. She needs to find a job and applies for a nanny position. Little does she know that job is about to change her life.
Dexter Cross has his hands full with 11 month old twin daughters and a seven year old little boy. He needs help and he needed it months ago. He has gone through nanny after nanny after nanny and then in walks this woman full of sass and spunk and he knows after one look he is a goner.
As Lanie tries to adjust to taking care of Dex’s kids and healing herself Dex sets out to make her his or MLM (Make Lanie Mine) with the help of their friends and family. The extreme tenderness he shows Lanie really sets new standards for book boyfriends. Dexter is amazingly perfect and just what Lanie needs and deserves.
I don’t know where Avery comes up with the ideas for her men but they have got to be the most alpha and sensitive all at the same time and I absolutely love it. The epilogue to this book answered my suspicions about a certain part of the storyline and I cannot wait to dive into the second book.
Debut book by Avery Maxwell. I love this story! Dex is a single dad raising a 4 year old son and twin infant daughters. He needs more help than his 3 best friends can provide. Lanie is healing from an event that left her physically and emotionally broken. She takes the nanny job literally whisking in the door taking care of a screaming toddler, getting little Tate to help, cleaning up the girls and getting them settled all while Dex stands with his mouth wide open! The best part is as she is going by with the toddler, she pushes his chin shut. LOL
He calls her Mary Poppins and she says she is more like Maria (Sound of Music).What I love besides the banter, the steam and storyline, is the underlying theme that family, by choice or blood, is what life is all about.
Dexter and Laine are the spark that lights a forest fire. This book is HOT, angsty, and full of wonderful side characters. I mean I love a large family in books, there’s nothing better (and it’s not always blood that makes a family) I loved this book from page 1 to the end. I could barely put it down, and I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the gang. This was my first Avery book, but I’m hooked and will be a reader for life now!
This is not your typical billionaire book, it’s so much more. Dexter Cross is in need of help, not only with his three very young children, his heart needs healing. Lanie is up for the job! She swoops right in and take control of his house and while she has his heart, hers is walled up. With the help of a great cast of characters, friends who are more like family, Dexter sets to win her over.
I loved the group texts, Lanie’s best friend Julia and GG, and all the heat! Excited to read more in this series!
This was my first Avery Maxwell book, so I had no idea what to expect going in. I decided to check her out before the 2021 Indies Invade Philly book signing event in November. It did not take a full chapter before I needed to know everything about these characters, all of them! Dexter and Lanie’s story was very unexpected and refreshing. Lanie’s almost instant friendship with Tate made my heart so happy. Dexter’s group of friends are the types of friends we would all be lucky to have. These guys have each other’s backs at every turn. These characters are so relatable, well except for the being a billionaire part. The storyline for Dexter and Lanie’s relationship alone was enough to warrant 5-stars, but when Maxwell went and created approachable and complex side characters, I knew I was in for a long binge read.
Needing to regroup and start over, Lanie decides that becoming a nanny in NC is her best bet at overcoming the tragedy her life has become. With his ex-wife walking away not only from the marriage but from his young son and twin baby girls, Dexter needs to find a nanny that can not only watch his children but also help heal their broken hearts. But when the two meet instant sparks are felt and the beginnings of a romance is blossoming. Will Dexter be able to open his heart to another woman? And can Lanie get past the scars she walks around with from her brutal attack to allow someone to get close to her again? With an adorable cast of characters and emotions that leap off of every page this was a fabulous read. Not only is the reader given a beautifully written love story but they are also given the best interconnected friends and family saga that I have read in quite some time. I cannot wait for the next book in the series.
Powerfully emotional!
I loved this stunning debut by Avery Maxwell, she’s a promising new author!
Lanie Heart is recovering from a horrific tragedy when she applies for a position as nanny to Dexter Cross’s three children. Instead of a broken shell of a woman, we see a feisty firebrand who barrels in and takes charge of the children and Dexter. Of course, Dexter falls immediately in love with her and vows to make her his own with a little help from their friends. The ensuing mission (unfolding through group text messages) to make Lanie fall in love is equal parts pure comedy and heartfelt drama. For all her bravado, Lanie is troubled and a little broken, knowing she needs to fix herself before she can love Dexter fully. Their story is stunning and breathtaking, and I loved every minute! This book is full of a wonderful extended family that I couldn’t get enough of!
Loved the characters. It pulled me out of a book slump, and I couldn’t put it down. Will definitely read more from this author.
Small town + single dad + broken heroine + great side characters (who it seems will get their own books)
How does an author create an instafan? With a debut novel like Cross My Heart. Lanie & Dex are both trying to recover from trauma created by circumstances beyond their control. Could they be the key to each other’s HEA? Well, when you add in some nosy friends & framily, they just might be. Avery creates a character-rich story that will make you laugh, smile, and even tear up a bit. Lanie lays the groundwork for a pack of strong, talented, supportive women, while Dex proves that a little Prince Charming and a great group text can go a long way toward building forever.
This is the first book I read by this author and I was blown away. Lanie and Dexter were amazing together. I loved the text threads with Dexter’s friends and Julia. I found myself laughing out loud and getting strange looks from my husband. I have eagerly awaited every book Avery Maxwell has written and have not been disappointed!
Cross My Heart is book one of the Broken Hearts series from Avery Maxwell. This is a Nanny and the Billionaire story, a jaded single dad meets his broken, sassy savior. This book has a little love at first sight, a little slow burn ending in some great sexy times, and a super cute six-year-old. Dexter Cross is possibly the most romantic Hero I have read. His texts with his friends throughout the story are such a great way to show his feelings. I am currently upset with my husband because he never made me a book describing every romantic thing he did to win me over and all his feelings about each date. But then again, I wasn’t as hard to get as Lanie so that may be a little bit on me. I highly recommend this book. It is just the right mix of drama and romance, and it is a great start to hook you into the characters in the rest of the series.
Dex has been hurt by the women close to him – his mom and his ex-wife – that he imagines he will never let anyone close again. Lanie has suffered terribly, both as a child and as an adult, and feels like she is too broken to ever have someone love her. When Lanie interviews to be Dex’s nanny, the sparks fly immediately. From there, Dex starts on a journey to “Make Lanie Mine” – it is one of the most romantic, touching stories you will ever read. Slowly, they accept that family is not always the people who are blood relations and families come in all shapes and sizes. They are rich in friends and family and choose to embrace it instead of focusing on what they lost or do not have.
This book is setting you up for the next books in the series so lots of characters are introduced, including Dex’s best friends, who will have their own books later. I am looking forward to reading the rest of them!