Cross Checked

Cross Checked by Julia Connors. 

Series: Boston Rebels

Rating: ★★★☆☆ (6.85/10)

Overview

Cross Checked returns readers to the Boston Rebels universe, centering on two compelling but combustible figures: AJ, the league’s first female NHL general manager, and McCabe, the team’s captain. While the premise promises tension, taboo dynamics, and emotional depth, the execution ultimately lands unevenly—making this installment the weakest entry in the series for me.

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Characters – 8/10

AJ is a formidable presence: the first woman to hold a GM position in the NHL and the driving force behind transforming the once-forgotten Boston Rebels into perennial contenders. Their competence, authority, and ambition are undeniable, and they anchor the story with confidence.

McCabe, the Rebels’ captain, brings emotional complexity. A former colleague of AJ’s from St. Louis, McCabe harbors a deep resentment toward the person now signing the paychecks. That tension is further complicated by a life-altering surprise—a newborn daughter left on the doorstep—which adds vulnerability and stakes to an otherwise guarded character. The friction between AJ and McCabe is the novel’s strongest asset.

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Atmosphere & World-Building – 7/10

Julia Connors continues to expand the Rebels’ world by elevating side characters previously mentioned only in passing. While the setting remains familiar, these additions subtly reshape the landscape, making the world feel more layered and lived-in. It’s the same universe—but slightly altered, which longtime readers will appreciate.

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Writing – 6/10

The writing is serviceable but inconsistent. The emotional push-and-pull between AJ and McCabe is conveyed well, especially the love-hate dynamic simmering beneath every interaction. However, the adult scenes tend to feel repetitive and overextended, occasionally disrupting the pacing rather than enhancing intimacy. Still, the author makes a clear effort to immerse the reader fully in this world.

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Plot – 7/10

The story leans into several trope-heavy but intriguing elements: an age gap where AJ is older, a boss/employee power dynamic, and the inevitable ethical gray areas that follow. These choices may make some readers clutch their pearls, but I appreciated the author’s willingness to explore them rather than shy away. The plot is engaging, if not groundbreaking.

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Intrigue – 6/10

Coming off Fake Shot, expectations were high. While Cross Checked held my attention, it didn’t demand it. My reading pace slowed noticeably, and this wasn’t the kind of book that kept me up past bedtime. Enjoyable—but not unputdownable.

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Logic & Consistency – 7/10

The narrative remains internally consistent and true to its own rules. While the story raises ethical questions, particularly around workplace dynamics and power imbalance, the author handles these issues as thoughtfully as possible within the genre.

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Enjoyment – 7/10

The novel makes a valiant effort to entertain, delivering moments of genuine engagement alongside noticeable lulls. There are peaks and valleys throughout, and at times the story drifts into “just okay” territory.