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A review by readwithev
Cross My Heart by Roxy Sloane
dark
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
3.0
I was pleasantly surprised. I saw this book hyped on TikTok, Facebook, and Instagram so i just had to know if it was good. Overall, the smutty scenes are very steamy without being too cringy. I love the clues Tessa finds. Each one elevated the danger and increased Tessa’s desperation. I empathized with Tessa’s grief, frustration, guilt and fear.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of professor+student kinks I think if Saint were also a grad student like Tessa their meet cute and love story would still work and there would be the same power dynamic.
I was really moved by Tessa’s determination to find clues about her sister. The party invitation, the failed rendezvous at the party, redacted news articles, her assault, etc. All a great build up.
I am a confused how her “mediocre” school performance allowed her to get a scholarship to an elite university. I think the author could have tweaked that detail a bit. maybe instead of Tessa lying a lot to get into the school, she relinquished a dream job or even broken off a serious relationship. Something like that would have made more sense to me and increased the idea that Tessa was desperate for answers. She was willing to give up her “good life” to investigate Wren’s death.
I think the author could have added 1-2 scenes of Tessa and Saint bonding over something other than their dead siblings. It felt like #traumabonding What else do they have in common? Do they like the same books? Do they enjoy the same movies? Can they bond over an activity other than sex? It’s just playful banter, Saint falling head over heels for Tessa, and sexual sparks? We’re just supposed to believe Saint thought she was mysterious and attractive and that’s why he feels protective and caring towards her? This aspect of their relationship is why the book does not get 4⭐️ Their relationship is still missing substance beyond the physical.
Also, the scene where Saint walks in the bathroom and forgives Tessa after finding out she was using him and lying to him? It seems suspicious to me that he forgave her in less than a day.
After Tessa moved out Sloane does not circle back to Tessa’s roommates Kris and Jai who were making snarky, passive aggressive comments about her dating Saint. I wonder if that was thrown in to put pressure on Tessa or if they will comes back in book two.
Personally, I am not in a rush to read book 2. The “meh” love story is why this book only gets 3⭐️ I am more invested in the mystery society at Oxford, the political power each member has, and what they use their influence for.
Personally, I am not a huge fan of professor+student kinks I think if Saint were also a grad student like Tessa their meet cute and love story would still work and there would be the same power dynamic.
I am a confused how her “mediocre” school performance allowed her to get a scholarship to an elite university. I think the author could have tweaked that detail a bit. maybe instead of Tessa lying a lot to get into the school, she relinquished a dream job or even broken off a serious relationship. Something like that would have made more sense to me and increased the idea that Tessa was desperate for answers. She was willing to give up her “good life” to investigate Wren’s death.
I think the author could have added 1-2 scenes of Tessa and Saint bonding over something other than their dead siblings. It felt like #traumabonding What else do they have in common? Do they like the same books? Do they enjoy the same movies? Can they bond over an activity other than sex? It’s just playful banter, Saint falling head over heels for Tessa, and sexual sparks? We’re just supposed to believe Saint thought she was mysterious and attractive and that’s why he feels protective and caring towards her? This aspect of their relationship is why the book does not get 4⭐️ Their relationship is still missing substance beyond the physical.
Also, the scene where Saint walks in the bathroom and forgives Tessa after finding out she was using him and lying to him? It seems suspicious to me that he forgave her in less than a day.
After Tessa moved out Sloane does not circle back to Tessa’s roommates Kris and Jai who were making snarky, passive aggressive comments about her dating Saint. I wonder if that was thrown in to put pressure on Tessa or if they will comes back in book two.
Personally, I am not in a rush to read book 2. The “meh” love story is why this book only gets 3⭐️ I am more invested in the mystery society at Oxford, the political power each member has, and what they use their influence for.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content
Minor: Death, Suicide, Violence, and Blood