🎙️AUDIO REVIEW 🎙️ 

🏒 Enemies to Lovers 
 👩‍💼 Boss/Employee 
 🔥 Forced Proximity 
 💔 Second Chance 
 👶 Single Dad 
 💪 Strong Female Lead 
 🛑 Forbidden Romance 
 ❤️ Slow Burn 
 🏆 Workplace Tension 
 🧊 Ice Queen Meets Hot-Headed Hero 

Star: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5 

Narrators: Sebastain York | Angelina Rocca 

If you're a fan of enemies-to-lovers romance with high emotional stakes and sizzling chemistry, Cross-Checked will absolutely deliver. 

This instalment dives into the fiery dynamic between the team captain and his boss—Alessandra “AJ” Jones, the league’s first female general manager. Their history is complicated, their present relationship is contentious, and their attraction? Off the charts. The tension between professionalism, personal history, and irresistible chemistry sets the tone for a gripping, heartfelt journey. 

Julia Connors masterfully balances heat and heart. While the banter and romantic tension are front and centre, what really elevates this book is the layered emotional depth—particularly how AJ’s bond with the captain’s daughter softens both characters and gradually chips away at their armour. 

AJ is a standout character: ambitious, trailblazing, and vulnerable beneath her steely exterior. The captain’s internal struggle—torn between protecting his heart and surrendering to a love that refuses to be ignored—is deeply relatable. 

The trope of forced proximity (thanks to a heroic injury) is used to great effect, and the story doesn’t shy away from exploring power dynamics, personal growth, and redemption. Plus, fans of the series will enjoy the familiar locker-room camaraderie and glimpses of past couples. 

Cross-Checked is a slow-burn romance that blends spice, emotional baggage, and redemption in the best way possible. It stands strong on its own, but fans of the series will love the continuity and character arcs. Expect swoon-worthy moments, solid hockey action, and a romance that earns its happy ending.