Cross

Cross is one of my favorite book boyfriends of all time. He is gentle with Alexa (unless they are in bed) and he is not afraid of wanting to keep her. There is also just something about a guy obsessed with fire and ready to burn the world down for her.

This installment follows Cross and Alexa.

Despite Grave telling Cross at Tristan and Emilee's wedding that Alexa if off-limits (because Grave doesn't want anything bad to happen in April's and Alexa's friendship), Alexa is a hard woman to resist especially when she has been drinking and seems to be a woman who knows what she wants (and that happens to be him) and isn't shy about letting him know about it. Alexa swears that it will only be for one night. Then two nights. Then three nights. Before she knows it, she is spending a lot more time with Cross and, what's more, he doesn't seem to mind one bit! Then before either one of them is aware, they are falling for each other and trying to keep what they have developing a secret from everyone around them. Especially Grave! When Alexa is threatened/put in danger by her ex-fiance and the woman he cheated on her with (who just so happens to have slept with Cross and wants to keep her claws dug into him), Cross realizes that his love for Alexa is kind of hard to hide as, one by one, his friends start to notice.

I mean, it didn't have too much going on, but it was entertaining nevertheless! There could have been so much more with the ex-fiance (whose name I seem to have purged from my mind) and the woman he cheated on Alexa with (Rachel) making things difficult for Cross and Alexa! More danger. More drama. Otherwise, it was just alright. Entertaining and sexy in places. A quick read.

very good - great plot and kept engaged for the whole book - end resolved the case

A Must-Read: Cross by Austin Duffy… Austin Duffy's Cross is a masterfully written novel that pulls you into the complex world of a small Irish border town during the Troubles. Don't be fooled by the backdrop of a supposed ceasefire; this story crackles with tension, secrets, and violence. Duffy’s characters are brilliantly drawn. Francie, a seasoned IRA operative, grapples with the shifting political landscape and the moral compromises he’s forced to make. He is deeply involved in the planning and execution of the killing of a police officer, an act he justifies as a necessary step in the fight for Irish independence. He relies on volunteers to carry out the operation, and afterward, he meets with them to debrief. Francie is meticulous in his planning and known for his attention to detail. He spends weeks, sometimes months, surveilling his targets. However, as he rises in the ranks, he finds himself questioning the motivations and methods of the movement he has dedicated his life to. Handy Byrne is another character who will stay with you long after you finish the book. He is a young, skilled soldier, almost revered for his abilities, but capable of chilling brutality. He is known to have shot a British soldier from over 500 meters away. However, Handy’s loyalty is called into question when rumors of him being an informer begin to circulate. The Widow Donnelly is the heart of the story. She is a mother driven to desperate measures after her son, Darren, disappears following a botched IRA operation. She stages a hunger strike on The Square, a public display of defiance that exposes the hypocrisy and dark undercurrents of the community. Cathy Murphy, a young woman, becomes entangled in The Widow's struggle, witnessing firsthand the town's complicity in the events surrounding Darren's disappearance. What makes Cross so compelling is its exploration of moral ambiguity. No one is purely good or evil. Characters operate in shades of gray, their actions driven by a mix of loyalty, fear, and self-preservation. Duffy doesn't shy away from depicting the violence and brutality of the conflict, but he also shows the human cost, the lasting scars on individuals and the community as a whole. The writing itself is sharp and evocative. Duffy captures the atmosphere of the border town with vivid descriptions and dialogue that rings true. He masterfully builds suspense, keeping you guessing until the very end. If you're looking for a novel that challenges you to think about the complexities of conflict and the resilience of the human spirit, Cross is a must-read. The full Deep Dive review of this book can be watched from our YouTube channel... https://youtu.be/0Ib1xIzM7Ls

One of the better ones in the series. Still lacking.