Katie Klein

True love can blossom in unexpected places. This is Jaden pretending not to notice. . . . Jaden McEntyre and Parker Whalen are a wrong fit from the start. Jaden is driven and focused, Harvard Med School within reach. Parker has a past—a reputation—and the rumors about his mysterious habits abound. So there’s no reason why, when they're assigned to work together on a project in English, they should discover they have anything in common, or even like each other, and they definitely shouldn't be falling in love. As they bond over Edith Wharton’s tragic novella, Ethan Frome, the “bad boy” vibe Parker plays begins to dissipate. Soon, Jaden finds herself shedding her own “good girl” image: sneaking around to be with him, confiding in him, and ultimately falling hard for this leather-wearing, motorcycle-driving loner who plays into the rebel stereotype. Still, Jaden can't shake the feeling that there's more to Parker than he's letting on. He's hiding something from her, and discovering the truth means reconciling the Parker she's grown to love with the person he really is. Because it's possible that his life inside the classroom—everything Jaden knows—is one massive lie. CROSS MY HEART, told from Jaden's point of view, is a 76k-word/300-page contemporary romance for young adults. Bonus features include the official playlist and an interview with the author. * In addition to spending more than 100 days on the Amazon Teen Top 100 Bestseller List in its first year of release, CROSS MY HEART was also a 2011 Goodreads Choice Awards Nominee for Best YA Fiction. keywords: contemporary YA, teen drama, bad boy romance, romantic love story, coming of age, strangers to lovers

Cross My Heart

Julie D.

Kinsey

3.5 Expect the Unexpected Stars!



“I think you fall in love with someone when you least expect to. When it’s the last thing you want. That’s what’s so great about it.”

  Not only am I a liar . . .
I’m selfish.
Selfish enough to want it all.
And I know if I don’t have you . . .
I don’t have anything.

and I’m not going to give up . . .
until I can prove to you . . .
that you are the only thing that matters.
So keep sending me away . . .
but I’ll just keep coming back to you.

Cross My Heart, was a pleasant surprise! While there were some things that I would change,(everything happened really fast in the 2nd half, didn't like lack of reaction after plot twist) there was also a lot that I liked about it as well. It was shocking, sweet, romantic, mysterious, and beautifully written. While this wasn't a novel that I broke down crying while reading, it's still a worthy story to read, and I'd recommend it to anyone that isn't bothered by the YA romance genre. 


  
    "I could get in so much trouble,” I practically mouth. He grins easily—that signature, lop-sided, Parker smile, and I melt. “I won’t get you in trouble,” he promises. “Cross my heart.” He draws an X across his chest with his finger."
  

Cross My Heart was the story of a girl named Jaden McEntyre. Daughter of a general contractor. Cheerleader. Human rights activist. Best friend of Savannah Wainright. Girlfriend of Blake Hanson. She volunteers for Cancer Walks. Gives blood. Raises money for the poverty stricken children of Bangladesh. Gets straight A’s. Is Ivy League bound. In short, Jaden McEntyre is looked at by many to be the safest, most boring person at her school..until she meets Parker Whalen...People don't even recognize that Jaden.


When Jaden and Parker Whalen get partnered in English class to do a report on the tragic book Ethan Frome together, people think they're a wrong fit from the start. Especially because of Parker. Parker has a mysterious past--one that causes rumors to abound, mainly the rumor that Parker is a drug addict who was kicked out of his last school. The whole town knows of him...and avoids him. He drives his motorcycle and remains by himself never venturing into Jaden's inner circle. But these two opposites are about to be put together under normal circumstances, and will come out of a simple English project changed forever...

  
    The entire world goes weightless, his arms wrapping protectively around me as I face this irrational and crazed longing to keep him close to me forever. Because there is no one else. There is nothing. There is no Harvard. No Blake. No Ethan or Mattie or parents. There’s only Parker . . . and me. A wave of satisfaction washes over me. And suddenly my world is dizzy with promise, with the only dream that matters: us.
  




Parker turns Jaden's life upside down. Jaden finds herself doing and saying things that she normally never would. She's taking risks, enjoying life, making mistakes, and falling in love with a boy she shouldn't be falling in love with. He's all wrong for her. At least, she thinks he is. She doesn't know much about him...are they meant to be? Or is Parker's past much more troubled than she realized? 

  
    "That whole thing about timing? You were right: there is no such thing as perfect timing. And this is the worst timing ever, actually, because you’re going to go on, you’re going to graduate and leave. And that’s fine, but I’m telling you, right now, at this moment, I think . . . I think I love you.” My voice breaks, cracking as I say the words. “I love you more than I’ve ever loved . . . anything. And you have been on my mind for weeks. And being late that day—you being my partner —is the best thing that ever happened to me. And forgive me if I thought that maybe you felt the same way...
  

Again, I'm not going to keep rambling on about this one, since there is a MAJOR plot twist towards the end of the novel, and I don't want to spoil anything for anyone. I think you'll be surprised. by it, and while I liked it, I felt the ending was a little rushed, and another 50 pages should have been spread throughout. I know that a sequel was just written from Parker's POV, so I'm gonna go pick that one up now! 


  Some Quotes I Like:


“Are you saying you’re clueless? Because I don’t want an idiot for a partner.” 

"You have to feel bad for a guy who wanted so much for himself and ended up with ...nothing.”

"To me, the story is tragic because nothing ever comes of their feelings for each other. To Parker, the story is tragic because Ethan has potential he never lived up to. Same story. Two entirely different interpretations."

“Thanks for letting me borrow your heater,” he says, grinning at me. I crack a small smile. “Thanks for stalking me,” I return. Parker pushes the door open and climbs out. Cold air rushes inside. I shiver. He bends down, leaning his arm against my roof, peering in. “Maybe I can stalk you again sometime.” “Absolutely.” “I was thinking of stalking you Monday afternoon around three."



  
    "I trace an invisible X across my chest, crossing my heart. He eyes me carefully for a moment, his expression softening—hurt registering in his features. And so I wait, silent, as he climbs down that huge, black oak tree, then watch as he hurries away,disappearing into the smoky fog.

Haleemah Sadiah

Rianne van der Wiel

Kaitlin Cassell

Candice

Jaden McEntyre and Parker Whalen are a wrong fit from the start. Jaden is driven and focused, Harvard Med School within reach. Parker has a past, a reputation, and the rumors about his mysterious habits abound.

Cross My Heart

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