The Story
The perfect fake-dating college sports romance for fans of Bal Khabra and Hannah Grace
May Velasco has always wanted to be a lacrosse player, and she's finally achieved her dream: joining her college team on a scholarship. Now she's got to give her all to keep her hard-fought place on the team.
But then CJ "Colt" Bradley shows up at her college to help with training. He's a professional player, but he was also her grade school nemesis, and the last thing May wants to do is take pointers from him.
So when they're photographed having what looks like - but definitely isn't - an intimate moment at a bar, May's outraged. But the college is thrilled that women's lacrosse is getting press.
May and Colt will have to pretend they're dating until the lacrosse team is happy. But it doesn't take long before this fake relationship starts to feel all too real, and May begins to question if she really wants this relationship to be fake after all...
Readers are loving Cross My Heart!'Couldn't put it down!' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Everything you want in a romance' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Cross My Heart has my heart!' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Author: Esha Patel
Publisher: Avon Books
Published: 03/24/2026
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.48lbs
Size: 7.83h x 5.26w x 0.81d
ISBN: 9780008749064
Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 01/26/2026
Library Journal 11/01/2025 pg. 59
About the Author
Esha Patel is a contemporary romance writer with a love for diverse romances and empowering stories. She is a full-time college student in the Midwest, and has a knack for overbaking so greatly that the resulting yield can probably feed multiple eleven-man soccer teams. When she's not writing, you can find her drowning in papers, spending time with family and friends, dancing, or watching Real Madrid matches. You can follow Esha on social media @eshapatelauthor or visit her website at eshapatelauthor.com to learn more.
Description
The perfect fake-dating college sports romance for fans of Bal Khabra and Hannah Grace
May Velasco has always wanted to be a lacrosse player, and she's finally achieved her dream: joining her college team on a scholarship. Now she's got to give her all to keep her hard-fought place on the team.
But then CJ "Colt" Bradley shows up at her college to help with training. He's a professional player, but he was also her grade school nemesis, and the last thing May wants to do is take pointers from him.
So when they're photographed having what looks like - but definitely isn't - an intimate moment at a bar, May's outraged. But the college is thrilled that women's lacrosse is getting press.
May and Colt will have to pretend they're dating until the lacrosse team is happy. But it doesn't take long before this fake relationship starts to feel all too real, and May begins to question if she really wants this relationship to be fake after all...
Readers are loving Cross My Heart!'Couldn't put it down!' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Everything you want in a romance' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
'Cross My Heart has my heart!' NetGalley reviewer, ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Author: Esha Patel
Publisher: Avon Books
Published: 03/24/2026
Pages: 320
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.48lbs
Size: 7.83h x 5.26w x 0.81d
ISBN: 9780008749064
Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 01/26/2026
Library Journal 11/01/2025 pg. 59
About the Author
Esha Patel is a contemporary romance writer with a love for diverse romances and empowering stories. She is a full-time college student in the Midwest, and has a knack for overbaking so greatly that the resulting yield can probably feed multiple eleven-man soccer teams. When she's not writing, you can find her drowning in papers, spending time with family and friends, dancing, or watching Real Madrid matches. You can follow Esha on social media @eshapatelauthor or visit her website at eshapatelauthor.com to learn more.
