melcee1180 's review for:

Cross-Checked by Julia Connors
4.75
emotional lighthearted medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: No
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
This was the intersection of two of my favorite tropes: enemies to lovers and single dad. I loved every minute of it. By far, my favorite in the series. It’s a standalone so you don’t have to, but I was grateful I had read the prior ones to get a good sense for the cast of characters. 

Ronan McCabe is the reluctant captain of the Boston Rebels and father to a nine-month-old daughter, Abby. Alessandra Jones, aka AJ, is the general manager for the Rebels.  She’s been with the team for six years but her path crossed with McCabe back in St. Louis when she was assistant GM and married to the assistant coach. McCabe had a crush which turned to animosity once some stuff went down so they’ve had this tense relationship ever since. AJ gets injured protecting McCabe’s daughter and since she can’t be on her own, he strong arms her into staying with him. And we all know what happens when forced proximity comes into the mix. She’s his boss and he’s her employee, and they absolutely should not cross that line, but where’s the fun in that?

The chemistry between these two was off the charts, both in the bedroom (and office and the stick room) and out of it. 

AJ is a real boss babe, holding her own and then some in a male-dominated field. It hardened her but deep down there is a vulnerability to her that I found to be tremendously endearing. 

Ronan is layered in the very best way. He comes off as this grumpy, uncaring A-hole, but it’s not that. He’s just quiet, constantly observing, taking the time to stop and just listen to those around him. He’s so soft with his little girl, and eventually with AJ when she lets those walls down a bit, but at the same time he does have a little bit of that beast of a man, domineering, possessive, protective, “good girl” thing going on. He’s all growly and gruff and it was wonderful. 

They were absolutely perfect for one another. And a true testament to the fact that vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. 

Tropes:
Enemies to lovers
Found family
Older woman/younger man
Single dad
He falls first
🌶️🌶️🌶️

Thank you to Julia Connors and Wordsmith Publicity for the advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review. 
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