Wow, what a great start to a series.  Even though this is a new series you feel like you have known these characters forever.  This book takes off from the beginning and doesn’t stop until the last page.  I was sucked into a world of suspense and mystery.  I loved it.  I look forward to the next one.

I love Melinda Leigh’s books and have read every one of these interwoven character’s stories. Cross her heart lived up to expectations with the added sadness of the victim being a family member. Murder, family, quest for the truth and justice. Can’t beat it!

Really enjoyed meeting homicide detective Bree Taggert in this powerful opening series. Her childhood was destroyed when her father killed he mother and then turned the gun on himself. Bree returns to her childhood town Greys Hollow after receiving a call for help from her younger sister who is separated and lives with her two children. What Bree finds makes her wonder if history is repeating itself. She teams up with former sheriff’s investigator and K-9 handler Matt Flynn to investigate a murder and disappearance of the suspect. This is a pacy, formidable thriller with a cast of well-developed, believable characters . Bree and Matt are excellent characters and the scene is set for the follow up - can't wait to read it and read more from Melinda Leigh.

The first chapter was a cracker and the rest of the book was just as good.. There was sadness and loss, great detective work and a really emotive storyline. There were some really great characters that hey felt like friends and a fantastic conclusion. Burned the midnight oil to finish reading and loved it from beginning to end.

I was so happy to be asked to be part of the blog tour for Melinda Leigh’s latest thriller: Cross Her Heart which was published 3/31/20 by Montlake Publishing. This was a thrilling and suspenseful read and I could not put it down! I really liked the main character of Bree, and it looks like this is the first in a series that centers on her – yeah! I always like a mystery that gives a deep look at the main character (e.g. their past, their family, how they keep house, their pets, etc.) so this was a good choice for me.


I highly recommend this book if you like a well-written mystery!

Thank you for making me part of the tour and for my kindle copy!

full review at Beth's Book-Nook Blog

Gripping opening and I was hooked. Story proceeded too develop in a formulaic way, however almost unaware, I soon became invested in the protagonists. The plot was not particularly unique but the characterisations were well rounded and believable. The setting was interesting and well conceived. The book laid down a really strong foundation in back story, central characters, relationships and future  storylines. Hopefully the first in a series and one that I would buy, recommend and follow. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Cross Her Heart is the first book I've read by Melinda Leigh and it is a winner. 

I love a police drama but tend to avoid American ones as very often American English can come across as a foreign language and you can easily get lost, but this is not the case here. This is the best book of this genre that I have read in a long time.

 The characters are three dimensional and the plot is totally believable and it came to a conclusion at just the right point, leaving me hungry for more. I felt anger, frustration and a lot of sadness along the way, just the way you should when a great writer draws you in.

I will definitely be on the look out for other titles by this and hope to meet up with Bree and her family and friends at some point too.

An absolutely brilliant read! This is one of those books you don't want to put down. The story is very well written and the characters very believable.

When Bree was 8 her father killed her mother while she was hiding away with her younger sister and baby brother to try and protect them. It is now years later and her sister is killed maybe also by her husband. Is history repeating itself or are there other forces behind this brutal killing? What happened to Erin's estranged husband Justin?

Bree is now a homicide detective and she vows to find out the truth. Together with Justin's friend and ex-police officer Matt, they start unravelling the truth.

A brilliant start to a new series. I can't wait for the next book!

Thank you to Netgalley and Montlake Romance for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion

What a wonderful Book 1 in Melinda Leigh's new Bree Taggert series.  Melinda has written numberous books and multiple series.  This is a winner.  Set in Philadelphia, Bree Taggert is a detective with the Police Department.  She has repressed her family's violent family history as a child but when her sister is murdered it brings the memories to the forefront.  The story is swift and concise with a perfect ending for book 1 of a new series.  Bree teams up with Matt to help solve her sister's murder and her current police partner Dana who is retiring lends a hand.  Bree's younger brother Adam also shows up to help.  Read this one and get on the wait list for book 2, See her die.  I received a copy of this ARC in exchange for a fair and honest review.

You will fall in love with Bree Taggert.  She is a Philadelphia homicide detective. who came from a horribly troubled childhood.   This is a great thriller that will take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions.  She is not terribly close to her younger sister as a result of those childhood traumas, but steps up when her sister is in danger.  You will root for Bree's safety and success in solving the mystery and defending her family.

Brilliantly written. Kept me guessing right to the end. This author is new to me and I hope to read more.

Cross Her Heart grabs you from the very first page and doesn’t let go. This thriller kept my complete attention even when there was no action at the moment. The characters and their individual problems are all so believable that you truly feel for what they are going through. It sounds like this may be the first book in a series and I am really looking forward to more of Bree Taggert.

I'm already a big fan of Melinda Leigh, and to say I jumped at the opportunity to review this book on Netgalley, was an understatement.

I've now read it twice, cover to cover, along with the odd page over and over (It's easy to get distracted with the kids at home full-time).

Leigh writes strong women. Thankfully, not the men hating kind, but women we respect and wish were our best friends and will root for till the end.  And Bree Taggert is no exception, I'm totally enthralled with her already and her old partner, Dana.
There is a familiarity with this story, that instantly draws you in. This by no means takes away from the novel, but allows you to relax and enjoy the story as it unfolds. 
There is not too much relaxing to do though, as the unravels and keep you on the edge of you seat, heart in mouth as you wait for Bree and Matt to make their discoveries and solve the case.
Bree's promise to her family makes you sniffle, it's such a childish act, that everyone has at some point done and can relate to solemnly.

This is a heart and soul book, don't read if you are hoping to sleep soon. As Bree accepts her knew role, I am one who looks forward to how she will handle that choice going and how she will be tested.

If you enjoy a good crime novel but want something a bit extra, then this is not just the book but the author for you.

5/5

I read Melinda Leigh's 'Cross Her Heart' which is the first story in the Bree Taggart series of books. I was immediately gripped from the start. I love a good strong female lead and this had one for sure with Bree.  It's a very fast paced story but easy to follow too. At times it could really be imagined as to being on tv like many popular police and crime drama. 

Bree already has a family history of tragedy and now she is investigating another murder of her sister. There was a lot in this first book but just the right amount of content and it didn't feel overwhelmed. I have seen that the 2nd book is out later this year too so we won't have to wait long to find out what's in store next for Bree!

A great thriller that kept me interested. Really liked the main character Bree Taggart and will be looking out for future Bree books by Melinda Leigh.

This book is a great start to the new series following Bree Taggart, a homicide detective with a very traumatic family background.  

As well as enjoying the actual crime storyline, I enjoyed all the back stories which are used to develop the reader’s understanding of each of the main characters’ personalities.  There is definitely more to find out about each of them and their background.

I found this book an easy read which I finished over a few days and I am looking forward to the next book in the series.

This book grabbed me from the very beginning. It’s a fast paced, edge of your seat police mystery/ thriller full of suspense and intrigue. It held my attention throughout and kept me wanting more. A definite read for fans of thrillers and/ or crime novels.

I absolutely loved this book. A well written murder mystery. This is the first book I have read by this author but it definitely will not be the last

Melinda Leigh does it again! Another superb book! This is a start to a new series and I can't wait to read the next books.

Omg! I loved this book and couldn’t put it down. Such a great thriller to occupy my time. 
This is gonna be an excellent series. The main character Bree has to find out who murdered her sister. She already has had so much trauma in her life and now her world has been uprooted again. 
Can’t wait for the next book in this series to be released. 
Thanks NetGalley for the arc in exchange for my honest review.