Boys and girls can’t be just friends. A lie made up by overprotective fathers afraid of the illustrious teenage boy and his uncontrollable hormones. Reid and I were the exception to the rule. Best friends. A friendship bound with the spit in our palms and the gospel of a crossed heart. I lasted four years before the cliche caught me. Another four before my truth surged forward with an attempt at … with an attempt at a kiss and a drunken confession.
Ten years on, Reid Rivere is Hollywood’s golden boy. Ten years on, and I, Roxy Monroe have found myself embroiled in another cliche… at least I’m consistent.
Men and women can’t be just friends. I’m starting to learn that the hard way.
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I CROSS MY HEART YOU WILL LOVE THIS BOOK!
Cross your Heart by Haley Jenner is Phenomenal! Not enough stars available for this book. It is so much more than young love between best friends that progresses to hate and then back to building that trust and friendship again to the ultimate soulmate love. The best piece of this book is the message about spreading love and kindness.
Reid is a sexy loner who broke Roxy’s heart when she confessed her love for him and he cut all ties with her. Roxy is so much like a lot of us who wear our heart on our sleeves. People were so hateful to her but she tried to ignore it and focus on the positive. I loved that Roxy was a strong heroine. My heart broke for Reid and Roxy’s relationship. It was like I was there with them feeling the love, pain and growth. When these two finally get together, the chemistry was like pouring gasoline on a fire. Their love undeniable.
My favorite quote from the book:
As dark as this world can seem at times, diamonds exist in the shadows. Small beacons of light that prove love is stronger than hate. It’s more powerful and it’s more resilient. To the people who offer compliments without agenda, to the people who choose to build others up instead of pulling them down. I see you, fireflies. I see you lighting the way. I love you. I appreciate you. You are the future.
My poor heart feels like it has been stomped on but thankfully it was picked back up and pieced together and overflowing with love and kindness. This is definitely a 1-Click Must Read Book!!
I don’t know how they continue to do it. 9 books. Literally, 9 books and Haley Jenner consistently provide stories that rock you to your core. As they stretch across new subgenres they amaze me in new ways that I didn’t know was possible… while keeping the fundamentals of an HJ book: a swoon-worthy hero, a vulnerable, yet strong heroine, supportive and essential friendships, and a storyline that shreds you in best ways possible before putting you back together again. Cross Your Heart possesses all of these qualities and more: a glimpse into Hollywood life (which few ever see), a new dynamic – friends-to-enemies-to-lovers, and a message that is so incredibly powerful and essential in today’s society.
Reid and Roxy have that friendship that everyone craves. They truly complete one another, even if you only consider the platonic portion of their relationship. It begins with the innocence and trust only a child seems to be able to give. But as they grow things change, which is to be expected. Feelings evolve into more. But, rarely is happily-ever-after easy to attain.
When these two are reunited emotions are still very raw despite the time that has passed. But, love is not so easily ignored and in some ways, inevitable. “It’s taken me ten years too long to realize, but Roxy Monroe is my [f*cking] heaven.” Their relationship is hard to handle sometimes, but so worth it in the end.
The fact that this is a magnificent romance is probably one of the more insignificant details of this book. Because Haley Jenner offers us something even more spectacular: the message within this story. Finding worth within oneself. And spreading that love to others. “The world has forgotten the beauty in a compliment, how easily it can turn someone’s day around.” I don’t think I’ve ever read a book with such a profound and moving message as this.
Thank you Haley Jenner for releasing this beauty in the world. Thank you for being the incredible ladies you are and spreading love instead of hate. While I recommend all HJ books, this one must be read. If only to continue to spread this message.
Once again Haley Jenner does what they do so brilliantly, which is giving us ALL THE FEELS.
This is a friends – to enemies – to lovers romance, but with unique touches that makes it different from the rest.
This story depicts the relationship between Roxy Monroe and Reid Rivere from its very inception. We travel with them through their childhood, through their teenage years, and to the final demise of their very strong friendship. We rejoin them years later when they are reunited and journey with them as they try piece together the broken pieces of their friendship and hearts.
“We may have found forgiveness, but our minds won’t ever let us forget the pain we inflicted on one another”
The angst and heartbreak between Roxy and Reid is palpable. At times, it feels like living breathing entities that sit heavy on your chest while you navigate your way through their story.
We also, travel with Roxy through her struggle with acceptance; with herself and the public. We see her battles with social media and how “trolls” can eat away at ones feelings of self-worth and bring out ones inner demons. But, what we also see is her strength and resilience.
“My faith is held in myself”
HJ has a way of bringing very real social issues to light in their storytelling in a way that doesn’t overpower the main plot-line. This adds an extra layer of emotional depth to an already well defined story that hits us where it hurts.
Roxy and Reid! A story of how hearts can be forever changed, when you find that special someone that completes you; whether friend or lover.
“…my closest friend stuffed my heart full of him, leaving no room for anyone else.”
This is a beautifully written story about a love so deep that even 10 years of separation could not diminish it.
5 BRILLIANT STARS for Cross Your Heart!
I was blessed to be able to read this book as an ARC for an honest review. Guys, this book was EVERYTHING! I mean EVERYTHING! Roxy and Reid are forever my top couple because after I finished the book, I literally sat and cried because it was over. I couldn’t fathom a world without more Roxy and Reid in it.
The book centers around Roxy and Reid. Two best friends from the age of 10, who made a pact to never fall in love with each other. We all know how this goes, she fell in love with him but hid it until she got drunk… and at age 18, eight years later, he walked away. It hurt my heart, stuck a knife into it and twisted until all I could feel was nothing at all. I cried so hard when he walked away from her. I literally had to go grab a box of tissues and ball my eyes out because I didn’t understand how he could just walk away.
Ten years later and they aren’t even acquaintances anymore. He’s an amazing A-list actor and she’s in the middle of a scandal that broke out. But fate brings them together when Reid decides to produce the movie that was inspired by and for her.
I rooted for her when she told him she wouldn’t take his pity. I cried for her over the harsh and bullying comments on her social media. I laughed with her when she used her sass and spunk to put anyone in their place. The undeniable tension is between them and you can literally cut it with a knife.
When they finally come together, its beautiful and breathtaking. The sparks that fly are so deep and immense that even the best fireworks show in the world couldn’t compete with them. Reid and Roxy were MADE FOR EACH OTHER! I was so freaking deliriously happy that they finally came together. Not to mention, their ending! IT WAS PERFECTION! I can’t even put into the words how big my smile was at the ending! I won’t give anything away, but I promise, it will give you all the feels while you smile so big that you can’t feel your cheeks anymore!
This is my first book that I’ve read by Haley Jenner and this book makes me want to say forget my list of books I have to read and just go dive into every single book she’s written. Trust me, I got it on my list because once I have some free time — IT IS HAPPENING!
Cross Your Heart is a beautifully written Best Friends to Enemies to Lovers romance that will have you swooning, crying, laughing, angry and swooning all over again. Seriously, do yourself a favor and READ THIS BOOK!
OHMYGOD!! I finished Cross Your Heart by Haley Jenner last night and it was BRILLIANT! I am in love with this incredible story. Reid and Roxy’s story was filled with angst, romance, heartbreak, and all the feels. This writing duo is hands down one of my favorites and trust me when I say, you need to get your copy on release day. I didn’t want it to end. Pure perfection!!!
Cross Your Heart is worthy of more than a five star review and I’d give it ten if I could. This dynamic duo knows how to pack a punch with their writing and characters. Roxy and Reid has me up late at night because I just could put their story down. This book touches on a tough subject that isn’t spoken about much in society but is very real. Bullying of any kind is one of the lowest things that anyone can do to another.
As with other Haley Jenner books once you get to the end you’ll want to start over! It’s that good! So well written and characters that leave you wanting more…it’s a perfect example of their amazing writing style.
I am still fairly new to Haley Jenner but I have to say this was my favorite read so far. The message about bullying was awesome to read. Most celebrities know the life they chose and how much is in the public, but they are humans to and there are trolls who are out there who still feel it is there right to cyer bully them.
I loved reading this and just about binged it within a day. Crossing the line between friendship to relationship is tricky and sometimes the loss can be worse than the denial. Haley Jenner did this story so much justice for these 2 subjects.
I am excited to continue this journey with these authors and can’t wait for more.
This story is so good and original. It starts with the love of best friends, so real I think everyone can relate. Then when feelings change my heart was already going crazy for this couple. I swooned, I cried, I wanted to scream, and oh man things got hot. This book is so good I really want the authors to write a part 2 for these characters.
Cross Your Heart is great friends to lovers romance with characters who have known each other since childhood. One kiss separated them them for 10 years. 10 years without any contact. How will they deal with emotions when they meet again? How much a broken promise from years ago will affect their current relationship? Guess, you have to read it to find out. Haley Jenner wrote a story with all the feels. This second chance romance also deals with the topic of bullying on a social media. Ladies showed how words can hurt and destroy the self-esteem of another person. Screenshots of posts from Instagram between chapters have given credibility to the topic. Loved this book!
Wow! This book is a rollercoaster ride that will break you apart and put you back together. This is an angsty heartbreaking romance that you won’t be able to put down. It will pull you in from the very beginning and keep you wanting more with all the back and forth.
5 movie stars for this love story.
Yes, it’s my first book by the authors but won’t be my last.
This story is not only about a childhood friends to lovers, it’s about overcoming what the society has become, all the made up stories about a celebrity life and what’s actually happening in that time. The old say Don’t believe everything you read online it’s true to a core. Bulling has many forms and faces in everyone’s life. It’s up to you to stand against it.
As for our characters, I love them both, they’re fire together and prove that no matter how much time has past, love it’s more powerful than anything.
You know when a book just sits with you after you finish reading it? Yeah, Cross your Heart is definitely one of those books for me. It’s a keeper folks. Likely a keeper for life.
CYH is a story spanning decades. It’s about friendship and love, and most importantly, accepting self-worth and fighting for kindness. Right from the first few pages we get a clear picture of who Reid and Roxy are, and their jump into a lasting friendship is wonderful and fun. Fast forward to those pesky teenage years and things get real. Reid has a plan that will have both he and Roxy sharing a lifetime of true platonic friendship pursuing their dreams in Hollywood. Roxy unintentionally interrupts this path by finally voicing her deeper feelings for Reid. Insert painful heartbreak when Reid’s stubbornness leads him to walk away.
Fast forward again and we find that both Reid and Roxy are living “the dream” acting in Hollywood. Life is total aces for Reid—he’s America’s mysterious heartthrob and he can do no wrong. Something is missing in his life though, and he quickly admits that it’s Roxy, and their broken friendship has left a permanet hole in his heart. He finds a surefire way to get Roxy back in his life, only it’s not so clear-cut to Roxy. You see, unfortunately this star life hasn’t been kind to Roxy, like with so many women before her. A devastating betrayal has thrown her to the wolves, i.e., the insatiable tabloids and social media bullies and trolls. She’s more than reluctant to throw herself back in the spotlight by working with the adored Reid Rivere but the opportunity is too great, and she is still drawn to Reid. Their work together leads to a bumpy cordiality and it’s clear there are intense feelings on both sides even though those feelings are hard to define. An angry encounter leads to a fiery explosion of intimacy. Everything changes for Reid, but those loud voices of the internet come swinging and poor sweet Roxy has a difficult time embracing their new relationship.
Embedded in this phenomenal friends-to-enemies-to-lovers story is a vital message about the often vitriolic voices of social media. I truly feel for Roxy on a deep level because although it can be an amazing tool giving reach and connection to so many people more than ever before—social media also allows the haters and trolls that same luxury under the protection of anonymity. And there’s really only so much a person can take before the hurt and pain start to overpower your confidence and psyche. It takes Reid’s and other close family members and friends’ support to empower Roxy to take back her strength and stand up for kindness.
Cross your Heart is a fantastic story about two extraordinary characters on an at times devastating path to their happy ending. The icing on top is the thought-provoking message within about how simple acts of consideration and kindness take so much less energy than those of hate. This message is not written in a grandiose way. It’s written honestly and with relevance to the story and the real world. So many more than 5 radical stars for this book! I love Reid Rivere. I love Roxy Monroe. I love Cross your Heart. You’ll love all of those things too. Cross my heart.
An important and beautiful must-read!!!!!!
This is a perfect story, and whether the writing duo, Haley Jenner, intended it to or not, it’s an important social commentary of our times. Too important not to read, and oh-so beautifully written. I’ll apologise now for the long review!!!!
Cross Your Heart combines my favourite dual POV with second chances and the friends to lovers tropes that I just love to read. They set scene of the book in the first chapter, and then set about breaking my heart before that chapter had ended. My feelings were Roxy’s, and I fell in love with Reid alongside her, and she hadn’t even described him yet! My tears of sympathy for her started right then.
The feelings that Roxy had for Reid just radiated from this book in the most heart-breaking of ways as she talks about being loved so completely – as a friend. Then, as she crossed that line, Reid uttered the most hateful of words and disappeared from her life as precisely as a surgically removed limb.
Fast forward 10 years, and we’re thrust into the lives of Reid and Roxy as they are now. Golden Boy versus PR Nightmare. One has no idea what it is like to flounder within the midst of a media storm like the other has.
How can I convey how much I loved the beautiful and sensitive way, illustrated with the Instagram snippets, that Haley Jenner showed just how trolls can tear an otherwise strong person apart piece by tiny piece. That it will in the end destroy someone as surely as a swarm of piranhas will consume a bovine beast within minutes. The pen is mightier than the sword they say, but today the pen is our social media keyboards, and it is causes Death By 1000 cuts. Each wound in itself not deadly, until it becomes all too much.
I don’t believe that Reid fully understood the effect that his leaving had on Roxy 10 years ago, nor can anyone appreciate the devastating hurt that is inflicted by trolls unless they have been under fire. Through Roxy’s voice, HJ has done exactly that.
This is truly a story for our times. Social media is here to stay, and we need to learn to be responsible for our words. All of us. Haley Jenner, I love the book that you guys have written, and I thank you. BTW, I loved the little Instagram snippets, and your little cameo comment #friendship goals.
For everyone else, I recommend this as a must-read. A second chances best friend to lovers must read that overflows with emotion and love between the two characters who found being without the other was ‘doable’, but have discovered an emptiness within them that comes from actually doing so. 5 over the top socially important stars!!!
This book is epic! It has so much going for it! It’s beautiful, heartbreaking and angsty all at the same time! I went through so many emotions while reading this book! The author really knows how to suck the reader in! Definitely one of my top 5 romance reads this year!
Childhood friends Roxy & Reid have always been there for each other, making a pact when they were kids to never fall in love. When the pact is broken, years of separation lead up to an emotional reunion, but not of the best kind. Both have achieved their dreams, but while one is radiating in a positive light, the other has been struggling to stay afloat mentally & emotionally. Will they be able to overcome the obstacles thrown their way together, or will they continue to watch each other’s lives from afar?
My first book from this amazing writing duo was Impact, which was fantastic. Unsurprisingly this book surpasses my expectations of being phenomenal. The story of Roxy & Reid, two best friends who made future plans together, had their lives abruptly changed forever when one drunkenly tells a secret to the other one night. Throughout their separation they both grew up to become what they aspired to be, never forgetting one another & discreetly following each other’s career & personal lives. These two must find a way to leave the past in the past & decide if they will create a new future together, all the while dealing with heartbreak, betrayals, guilt, & forgiveness. This was an emotionally great read & I can’t wait to see what’s next!
Beautiful Story About Friendship and Love!
This is one phenomenal and beautifully written story about friendship and love with a very strong and important message hidden within. Roxy and Reid’s story will have you utterly captivated and enthralled! They are two very intense characters with lots of wittiness and powerful love to give. They are two souls that were made to be together even though it might take them longer to get there and to get past some of the darkness that has a hold of their hearts. When these two beautiful souls get together it is definitely explosive and extremely sexy.
Everything about this story really resonated with me. The way that negativity and bullying can really effect oneself and life is written into this story in a very heartfelt and honest way that will make you think.
Absolutely most favourite quote: “Love is a sneaky f**ker. The way it worms its way into your heart without your permission or knowledge. You’re hopelessly and happily oblivious until it hits like a grenade, right in your face. The shrapnel of your own feelings piercing in a way that you know you’ll never recover. They either stay, lodged within you forever, keeping you alive. Or you painstakingly pull them from your soul over time, bleeding with the loss of something so significant, death seems imminent.” I mean WOW that is powerful!
These two amazing authors know how to write a story that digs its way into your heart and gives you all the feels and emotions imaginable. They are a powerhouse that not many can compare too.
Do you ever finish a book that took you on such a journey that you immediately think “I want to read that again”? Well that is how I am feeling about Cross Your Heart by Haley Jenner. It is no secret that I am a HUGE fan of the friends-to-lovers story so this book was right up my alley. I expected a bit of unrequited love…. some angst…. what I did not expect was for it to hit me so freaking hard before I was even through 25% of the book that my eyes were in tears and I felt like my heart had plummeted into my stomach. Yeah! That hard hit! And the story also touches on a subject that people don’t really associate with adults…. but bullying of adults is real! This story takes you through Roxy’s journey making her way through the touch criticism of Hollywood…. and then there is Reid… swoon-worthy, jerk face, infuriating Reid! This book had my heart from the very beginning. Reid and Roxy as best friends was really the cutest way to start…. then the feelings come in…. and I was taken on this ride with Roxy. When she was heartbroken, so was I. When she was laughing, so was I. And when she was mad, angry and crying….. SO WAS I!!!! Great book!
5 Captivating STARS!! I was captivated with this story all the way through. It had me flipping pages so quickly I could barely control myself. It was gorgeously written, with characters I simply adored. Roxy and Reid have been best friends since they were ten years old. They vow to always be friends and never to develop feelings for each other or their friendship would end. A drunken kiss ruins everything!! A decade later and their paths cross again, what will happen next? Read and find out for yourself, I know you will enjoy it as much as I did. It’s definite must read!
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Wow! I am never going to be able to put into words how amazing this book was! This is my first Haley Jenner book, it won’t be my last! A friend’s to lover story is always a winner for me. Cross Your Heart had everything friendship, love, happiness! Roxy and Reid are best friends forever and first met when they are both 10. They promised each other then that they wouldn’t fall in love with each other. Fast forward 8 years and Roxy broke that promise. 10 years later they cross paths again. There were tears, this book broke me at times, but I would read all again in a heartbeat!
This was my first Haley Jenner book and I’m not sure I could have picked a better one to pop my HJ cherry.
Reid and Roxy’s story is told in dual POV from the time they are just 10 years old. I loved the friendship they formed it was sweet and innocent. We see them as best buddies until feelings get in the way and they don’t see each other for 10 years.
This book is emotional I laughed I cried and I got angry. The story also got me thinking hard because of the things Roxy has to deal with. A very well written relevant storyline.