Melinda Leigh's "Cross Her Heart"
Or: How to Manifest a Protective, Dog-loving Book Boyfriend (A Scientific Investigation)
Melinda Leigh - Romantic Suspense Book Review
Client Crisis
When my latest client complained that no man would ever understand her untrained Yorkshire Terrier's "creative spirit" (read: destroying expensive shoes), I knew it was time to conduct some research. As the Great Avant-Garde, my scientific pursuit of romance manifestation requires rigorous literary analysis, which led me to Melinda Leigh's "Cross Her Heart."
🔮 The Case File
Detective Bree Taggert's life implodes when her sister Erin is murdered - a case that hits too close to their shared history of domestic violence. Now responsible for her sister's two children, Bree finds an unexpected ally in ex-K9 cop Matt Flynn, who's been watching over them. And by "unexpected," I mean the universe's idea of a cosmic joke: pairing a dog-phobic detective with a K9 handler. (My client's Yorkie situation suddenly seems manageable.)
🚨 Why This Specimen Breaks The Mold
Unlike my usual romance prescriptions, this isn't your typical hearts-and-flowers affair. Bree handles her trauma with admirable composure - perhaps too much for readers seeking relatable heroines who occasionally ugly-cry into their ice cream. The story prioritizes solid police work over swooning, though I admit to some unexpected heart palpitations during certain stake-outs. (Purely for scientific observation, of course.)
Evidence that even the most serious K9 investigative book boyfriends can be successfully rendered in fondant and sprinkles. Effectiveness against criminals remains untested.
🐕 The K9 Factor
German Shepherd Brody proves that some emotional support comes with four paws and superior investigative skills. Watching Bree navigate her fear of dogs while Brody gradually wins her trust... well, let's just say I had to check my crystal ball for dust when it got mysteriously cloudy.
Romance Under Investigation
The slow-burn chemistry between Bree and Matt simmers beneath a surface of professional collaboration. And while I can't reveal my findings without compromising future experiments, let's say their tension builds more naturally than my client's collection of "authentic" love potions from my shop.
Field Notes
- Refreshingly kitsch-free
- The children add heart without becoming plot devices
- Perfect for readers graduating from cozy mysteries to something grittier
- Mystery elements are solid (though seasoned crime readers might solve it early)
Final Analysis
Look, I started this investigation to help my Yorkie-challenged client find love. Instead, I discovered a series that had me canceling three fortune-telling sessions just to finish it. (Sorry, Mrs. Henderson, but your future with that Gemini can wait.)
While my client might need a different kind of manifestation ritual (and a dog trainer), I'm prescribing this book to anyone who believes the best relationships - and the best mysteries - are worth the slow burn.
Adjusts crooked laboratory goggles while booking next week's clients around optimal reading time
"For science, I started reading. For the sheer thrill of it, I ordered book two."
Author's Personal Notes:
Melinda Leigh's "Cross Her Heart" impressed me with its well-constructed mystery surrounding Detective Bree Taggert's investigation into her sister's murder. Leigh clearly knows how to build tension and weave family secrets into a compelling thriller framework. What I found myself craving as a reader was more access to Bree's internal world—those messy, contradictory thoughts that make characters feel fully human. I'm always drawn to characters who let us see their doubts and fears alongside their strengths. I would have loved to see more of her vulnerability and self-questioning moments, especially given the deeply personal nature of the case. However, this is a suspenseful read that definitely kept me going and I love how Leigh handled the very natural romance with the strong, sensitive ex law- enforcement love interest and the traumatic family dynamics without making them overly dramatic.
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