Cross-Checked (Boston Rebels Book 3)

4.8 4.8 out of 5 stars | 37 ratings

Price: 4.99

Last update: 01-31-2025


About this item

Some people might call it a grudge, but in reality, hating Alessandra Jones is more like an obsession.

AJ is the league’s first female general manager, and my boss. As the team captain, I have to play nice with her—in public, at least.

But in private, the gloves come off. And then one time, our clothes do too.

We vow it won’t happen again.

Not only can we not stand each other, but we’re in tense negotiations over my contract right now, and AJ is up for the league’s GM of the Year award. Getting involved wouldn’t just be a PR nightmare—it would be unethical.

It doesn’t help that we have a history, or that she and my daughter adore each other. When AJ is injured protecting my baby, there’s no choice but to move her into my place.

Taking care of someone I hate shouldn’t feel so right. Getting to know her better shouldn’t break down my defenses. She’s hurt me once before, and I’d be a fool to trust her again.

But the more time we spend together, the more I realize that maybe I’m not obsessed with hating her . . . maybe I’m just obsessed with her.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Cross-Checked is book 3 in the Boston Rebel series, which features interconnected standalones about the players on a fictional professional hockey team.

Tropes:
* enemies to lovers
* single dad
* reverse age gap
* forced proximity
* workplace romance
* she’s his boss


Top reviews from the United States

  • Melissa
    5.0 out of 5 stars AJ and Ronan have chemistry for days!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2025
    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
  • greg
    5.0 out of 5 stars I loved this book
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2025
    Another deliciously written MMC, that will consume my brain for the foreseeable future! We have seen AJ and McCabe through the first three books in this series and I couldn’t wait till they got their book! AJ is this badass, strong, independent, first female hockey GM who is a workaholic. McCabe is the unexpected single dad who is grumpy and quiet and is always just taking things in and listening to everything going on around him. They always had this animosity towards each other but we didn’t know why until now!! Seeing Ronan get to know AJ and realize there is sooo much more to her than the ruthless boss he always known her as had me giddy! And then seeing AJ realize she can actually have a life outside of work. She can let herself live her life instead of hiding behind her job. She always felt the pressure to be the best at whatever she did and through herself into work to make her way to the top, but spending time with McCabe has her taking a step back and finally seeing that maybe work isn’t all she needs. Let me just say that I love how he calls her Alessandra instead of AJ! It’s so much more intimate and with the way he feels about her, it just works! I love how she seemed to let herself be vulnerable around Ronan and let herself be taken care. I just love how she melts for McCabe, she’s so strong and powerful but when it come to him, she relinquishes control over to him. She feels safe with him and he’s her safe place. The instant connection that Abby and AJ had from their very first time meeting had me melting, especially since McCabe and AJ still “hated” on another!
    All Julia’s FMC are strong and fierce and AJ wasn’t an exception! She was fierce and strong and took no one shit even in a male dominated career. This book was 100% AJs book and I loved it!

    I am sooooo curious for Luke and Eva’s story!!
  • Gabby Murray
    4.0 out of 5 stars Loved this duo!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 31, 2025
    “God, I just want to possess you. I want to worship you and own you at the same time. I want to respect you at work and disrespect your body at home.”

    Ronan and AJ are truly a power couple. AJ is the GM of the Rebels hockey team and is seen as fiercely dedicated to her job but she’s also so sweet and has a big heart. Ronan is the captain of the Rebel’s team, comes across as grumpy and focused on raising his baby girl. These two have a history that leads to a lot of tension but underneath it all they understand each other in a way no one else does, there is trust and lots of feelings. As wrong as their relationship may seem when it comes to their jobs, everything felt so right for them. Ronan is very protective and loves hard. He was stopping at nothing to make AJ his girl and proving it to her. Despite her fears, AJ pushed forward and finally put herself and happiness first. I really enjoyed their dynamic and how everything played out for them while they always stood by each other’s sides.

    • Best Sellers in

     
     

    My Dark Prince: An Enemies-to-Lovers Romance (Dark Prince Road)

    4.4 4.4 out of 5 stars 2,334
    4.99
     
     

    The Secret of Secrets: A Novel (Robert Langdon Book 6)

    0 0 out of 5 stars 0
    15.99
     
     

    The Lord Of The Rings: One Volume

    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 12,803
    15.99
     
     

    The Rose Code: A Novel

    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 54,720
    1.99
     
     

    Not Catching Love (Accidental Love Book 5)

    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 179
    5.99
     
     

    Bad Little Bride

    4.3 4.3 out of 5 stars 2,032
    5.99
     
     

    Treasures Lost, Treasures Found

    4.2 4.2 out of 5 stars 3,399
    1.99
     
     

    Comeback (The Holland Brothers Book 3)

    4.5 4.5 out of 5 stars 229
    5.99