Cross

Publisher's Summary

Cross Jacobs was a screw-up. Everyone knew it, especially him, and the point was hammered home when Kallie Welch drove herself right out of his life. But she’s back. 

Seeing Cross wasn’t on Kallie’s to-do list. She didn’t think she could avoid him forever, but trying never hurt anyone. One minute she’s standing by herself, and the next she’s accosted by a rich, velvety scent that could belong to only one man: Cross. At face value, he’s divine. All rugged and confident, with a smile that melts her right where she’s standing. It doesn’t take long to find him to be charming, witty, and the owner of a few legitimate businesses. Not at all like the mischievous boy she left. He laughs and her heart flutters. With a touch of his hand, she’s dizzy. She’s fairly certain she’s going to die when he pulls her into an embrace and touches his lips to her forehead. It feels right. It feels so right. But is it? 

Cross is a novella, originally published in the Team Player Anthology. Cross includes three chapters not included in the original story. There are also two Gibson Boy short stories, "Restraint" and "Crash", included at the end for your enjoyment.

©2017 Adriana Locke (P)2018 Adriana Locke

Short and Sweet Novella

The duet narration by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross is so perfect for Adriana Locke's books! They always bring just the right amount of fun and sexy, but they also pack an emotional punch too. I loved this short and sweet novella about Cross and Kallie.

Cross is a sexy and sweet childhood sweethearts second chance romance. Cross may not be a Gibson (he's Machlan Gibson's best friend), but he is just as sexy and charming. I fell in love with him and Kallie right from the start and couldn't help but root for them to find a way back to each other even when old fears and insecurities resurface. I don't know what it's like to grow up/live in a small town, but I imagine the gossip and having everyone up in your business would be extremely difficult. Like all Adriana Locke books, there are lots of laughs and steamy times, but also wonderful supporting characters too (loved Nora). I wish that it was longer because I couldn't get enough of these two, but I'm really excited for Machlan's book next!

*Note: The audiobook does not contain the short stories Restraint and Crash that are featured in the ebook version.

3 of 3 people found this review helpful

Sweet and charming story! Loved it!

I have been listening to The Gibson Boys by Adriana Locke on audio and I am loving this series! The men in this series are tough, confident and at the core, very caring men. This time around we get Cross’s second chance romance. He is Machlan’s best friend and very close to the family.

I absolutely loved this novella. For a short, sexy and sweet story, it packed quite the punch. Cross Jacobs had the woman of his dreams in his grasp, but then he lost her. He had years to think about her and what he would do different. In that time he made something of himself. I loved Cross. Once he had that second chance, nothing was going to get in his way. He was ready to lay his heart out for Kallie.

Kallie walked away from the man she loved because she wanted better. But now she is back for a fresh start when her past is standing in front of her. Can she trust her heart to Cross again or will it be more of the same? Kallie was sweet, honest and caring, but not sure if some things deserved a second chance.

Like I mentioned, I am loving this series and cannot wait for more. Cross was a charming and sweet second chance romance and I could not stop listening. I highly recommend both this book and this series!

4.5 stars! Loved it!

Happy listening!

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

My least favorite book by Adriana Locke

Storyline was boring. I expected it to be short but still expected it be exciting and have that spark that the first two books Crank and Craft had. It just didn't. Definitely not worth wasting a credit. You won't miss much by skipping this book. I am looking forward for the next book in this series , Crave it's Machlan Gibson and Hadley's story

Enjoying this whole series.

I was so impressed by how much story we got in this novella. I usually struggle with short stories but this one felt so complete. It might be because it was in the middle of a series and you had the other books to draw on for a connection with the characters, but I really think there was a lot of meat here. It's a second chance, small town story that is so hot and full of emotion. The narration as usual was brilliant. These two make quite the audiobook team.

Second Chances

It was a nice story. Second chances and taking risks, of not letting what others say affect you and it's what Kelly will have to learn to be able to be with Cross again.

Kelly and Cross were great, and I'm glad they got another chance to be together again.

I really like all the Gibson Boys and love when they are in the story, they are great.

The narrattion was really great as always. I love Kai and Wen work.

Short & sweet!

This is a mini novella that is part of the Gibson Boys Series. This is book 2.5 and can be read alone but I totally recommend reading them all! Cross grew up and is best friend with the Gibson boys. This is his story and the girl that got away, Katie Welch. Katie up and left one day with good reason. Cross was on the road to nowhere with nothing good on the horizon on his future. Enough was enough and Katie and she decided she need a new start somewhere else.
Well now, years later, Katie’s back.
She never intends to see Cross but she knows she can’t hide forever. One scent and she knows it’s him! She tries to fight their attraction but so much is still there. The mores she’s around him she can’t seem to fight it.
It took Katie leaving to for Cross to get his life in order. And now that she’s back, he isn’t giving up without a fight. Can these two put aside the past to find their future?!
Love this second chance romance!! Can’t wait for more of the Gibson boys!!
I listened to to audiobook and love the narration! Dual narration is my favorite!

Duet narration! My favorite style!

I loved meeting the Gibson Boys in Crank, which was released last fall, and I was so excited that the author treated us to another guy from that crowd of rowdy boys in Cross. I devoured it! Cross was a fabulous second chance romance set in a small town that doesn't sound too different from the little town I grew up in. Kallie and Cross came across as so real, and even though this was a novella, the characters felt well-developed to me. These two had immediate off-the-charts chemistry, even after many years apart. I also adored getting to meet Kallie's mom- she is so sweet and charming. Can't wait to get to know Kallie and Cross better in future Gibson Boys novels. This series is definitely one of my favorites!

I was so excited to see that the audiobook was done in duet style! If you aren't familiar with duet narration, here's a quick definition of the two different style of multiple character narrations.

Duet narration = narrators alternating reading the male and female parts in a chapter.
Dual narration = narrators reading entire POV chapters.

Duet has become my favorite style of narration and I definitely seek out audiobooks done that way- I love that Adriana Locke does hers that way! As they have done in the other Gibson Boys audiobooks, Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott KILLED IT again! They are PERFECT and do such a fabulous job together. Looking forward to more Gibson Boys audiobooks!

Quick and sexy novella!

Cross Jacobs is an honorary Gibson boy, having grown up with the Gibson’s and being best friends with them. Once upon a time, Cross was in love. He had the best girl around and he screwed it up. Kallie left town and they were done. Now, a job and family have brought Kallie back to town. And seeing Cross isn’t high on her list, but she runs into him almost immediately.

The spark between these two is still there, and it’s obvious to Kallie that Cross has changed in a lot of ways. Still, she can’t forget the Cross of the past. She has to decide if she can trust her heart and fall back in with Cross, or if it’s a mistake to give him a second chance…

I adore second chance romances. This story was sweet, quick, and sexy. I enjoyed listening to the audiobook, which was narrated by Kai Kennicott and Wen Ross, who always do a phenomenal job together. I’m really enjoying what I’ve listened to with this series and I’m dying for Mav’s book! I hope it’s coming soon!

Cross My Heart

Kallie and Cross hearts are going down for the count. Kallie knew that moving back to Linton wasn’t going to be smoothest homecomings but with her job basically imploding, personal life on the outs, and her mother needing needing her its seems like a good time to get out of dodge. Its seems from the moment she gets back to town - fate, with a little aid from Kallie’s friends, are pushing back into the arms of Cross. Linton’s bad boy with a Peter pan complex, it broke her to leave Cross behind years ago and seeing again makes her ache. When Kallie girl left him, it was a was a wakeup call for Cross. He knew that needed to become a man worthy of her if she would ever deem to give him a second chance. When she comes back and he’s gotten his life on track there is no way he is letting his angel get away this time.

Narration: As usual, Wen and Kai did a fantastic with the bringing to life Addy’s Charcters. They effortlessly make her words come to life and really draw you in to the story!!

wow

A story your mind gets lost in, where you feel what the characters feel isn’t enough to listen to just once. It’s something you want to experience over and over. The love, lust… everything. A good book can get your heart pumping, your belly dipping, and your body tingling. It’s something a person can experience, no matter how many times you listen to it.

Second chances

The Gibson Brothers are so much fun to get to know, and this quick novella of their friend Cross just adds to the perfection. Adriana Locke has given Cross the second chance with his high school sweetheart Callie. When Callie realized Cross was not ready to settle down, she took matters into her own hands and left, ending their relationship. Now back in town, the two cross paths and the sparks ignite. But is it just residual feelings come to life? Is their love that strong to have withstood their separation? So much is shown in growth and maturity with Callie, it's easy to root for them to succeed! This is a quick listen, but is full of all our favorite characters from the Gibson Brothers series, always love running into their cousin Peck! The emotions are high and give a feeling of love and hope.

Narrated by Wen Ross and Kai Kennicott, this duo continues to amaze me with their performances. It's easy to get pulled in and feel like these characters are familiar by the portrayal they give. They make each listen an enjoyable experience.