Hockey, Heat, and a Heroine to Root For—Cross-Checked Delivers It All!

Oh. My. God. Julia Connors, you have officially made me your biggest fan! Cross-Checked had me hooked from the very first page, and let me tell you, I was shaking when this book was released. No way was I shutting up about it; I just knew this was going to be epic. And guess what? It delivered on every single expectation I had.

Let’s start with our incredible leads—AJ and Ronan McCabe. The tension? Off the charts. The chemistry? Electric. The grudge? More like an obsession.

AJ, our fierce and fabulous female lead, is the first-ever female general manager of the Boston Rebels hockey team. She’s driven, insanely talented, and up for the league’s GM of the Year award. She’s built this team from the ground up, and she is not about to let anyone take that away from her. But guess who’s making her life a little (read: a lot) harder? Team captain Ronan McCabe.

McCabe is the ultimate swoon-worthy single dad. He’s got the skills, the attitude, and a very complicated history with AJ. Oh, and he hates her... or at least, that’s what he tells himself. The banter between them? Top-tier. The way he slowly realizes that maybe he’s not obsessed with hating her, but just... obsessed with her? Chef’s kiss.

The push-and-pull dynamic between AJ and McCabe had me feral. It’s grumpy x grumpy but in the best way possible. Every moment between them felt real, raw, and completely unputdownable. And when AJ gets injured protecting McCabe’s daughter? That was it. I was a goner. Watching McCabe take care of her, realizing how much he cares? Heart-melting.

And can we talk about AJ and Abby? Because, let me tell you, the way AJ and McCabe’s daughter bonded was the cutest thing ever. I adored their little moments, and it made AJ’s walls come down in such a natural and heartwarming way.

Now, let’s get into what Julia Connors nailed in this book:

✅ A powerful, successful FMC who refuses to be underestimated.

✅ A single dad hero who is soft for his girls but still alpha as hell.

✅ Banter that made me cackle out loud.

✅ Slow-burn romance with insane tension

✅ Respectful and mature relationship growth

✅ A sports romance where the woman is in charge (YES!)

✅ Realistic conflicts that make sense and don’t rely on unnecessary drama

I also love how Julia tackled gender stereotypes in professional sports. AJ has been through it, and watching her fight for her place in the league while also dealing with the emotions of falling for McCabe? So, so well done.

BUT—and this is a small but—the one thing that broke my heart? Luke. Oh, Luke. I was so shipping him with Sloane, and now my heart physically aches. I’m sure Evie is amazing, but I need some time to recover before I dive into their story. That being said, I am very excited for their book because, hello, reverse age gap hockey romance where the FMC is in her 40s. We need more of that!

Final Thoughts: This book felt like a warm hug on a cold day—comforting, heartfelt, and exactly what I needed. Ronan McCabe was everything I wanted in a hero. Protective, sweet, and an incredible father. AJ was the total boss bitch I aspire to be, and I adored every single one of her chapters. Their journey was angsty, emotional, and perfect.

If you’re looking for a sports romance where the woman is in charge, the banter is top-tier, and the romance is fire, Cross-Checked is a must-read. Julia Connors, you have officially made me a lifelong fan, and I am so ready for whatever comes next!