Cross My Heart (a Novel)

By (author) Collins, Megan
Description:
From Megan Collins, a twisty and “terrific” (The New York Times) novel about a heart transplant patient who becomes romantically obsessed with her donor’s husband.

She has his wife’s heart; the one she wants is his.

Rosie Lachlan wants nothing more than to find The One.

A year after she was dumped in her wedding dress, she’s working at her parents’ bridal salon, anxious for a happy ending that can’t come soon enough. The recipient of a life-saving heart transplant, Rosie knows her health is precious and precarious. She suspects her heart donor is Daphne Thorne, the wife of local celebrity author Morgan Thorne, who she begins messaging via an anonymous service called DonorConnect, ostensibly to learn more about Daphne. But Rosie has a secret: She’s convinced that now that she has his wife’s heart, she and Morgan are meant to be together.

As she and Morgan correspond, the pretense of avoiding personal details soon disappears, but as she digs deeper into Morgan’s previous marriage, she discovers disturbing rumors about the man she’s falling for. Could Morgan have had something to do with his late wife’s death? And can Rosie’s heart sustain another break—or is she next?
Review quote:
“Part (possible) murder mystery, part deep dive into out-of-control social media addiction and part sleight-of-hand trick by the author ... terrific.”
—The New York Times

“[S]pine-tingling… Collins expertly homes in on her characters’ complexities, nailing the way Rosie’s vulnerability gradually slips into obsession. With a pulse-pounding finale and plenty of exciting plot twists along the way, this is difficult to put down.”
—Publishers Weekly
Review quote:
“Collins, who specializes in fiendishly clever psychological thrillers (including The Family Plot, 2021) outdoes herself here with a jaw-dropping premise that tightens into a deadly cat-and-mouse game… Collins keeps the suspense at cauldron-bubbling intensity throughout. A bravura performance.”
—Booklist (starred review)
Biographical note:
Megan Collins is the author of Cross My Heart, Thicker Than Water, The Family Plot, Behind the Red Door, and The Winter Sister. She teaches and mentors authors through Jericho Writers and is the editor-in-chief of 3Elements Review. She lives in Connecticut, where she obsesses over dogs, miniatures, and cake.
Excerpt:
Chapter One
From: DonorConnect Communications

To: Morgan Thorne

Date: May 3, 2025

You have received the following message from your loved one’s organ recipient. As a reminder, DonorConnect encourages both organ recipients and donor families to refrain from sharing identifying information (including name, address, and personal email) until a time when both parties have consented to giving and accepting those details.

Hi.

I’ve decided there’s no way to begin this message that isn’t either (1) creepy or (2) awkward, so I’m just going to dive right into the Creepy/Awkward Pool and hope I don’t drown.

One year ago today, your wife saved my life. And it breaks my heart that, in order for me to live, she first had to die.

Actually, I shouldn’t say that. I know it’s just an expression—breaks my heart—but it feels a little reckless for me to use it. Because, this time, I plan to be careful with my heart. With your wife’s, I mean. I plan on keeping it whole.

I don’t remember a lot about the day of the transplant. For that whole week, I’d been in and out of consciousness. But I remember the light in the operating room, just before they put me under, so sharp and bright it felt like a slap of sunlight. I remember realizing, then, that it