Crossed

The forbidden romance at the heart of this book pulled me in right away. Father Cade’s inner turmoil and Amaya’s strength made for such an intense, emotional pairing. Their story is messy, painful, and so full of tension—and that’s exactly what I look for in a dark romance. I couldn’t stop reading because I had to know how it would play out.

Emily McIntire really leans into heavy themes here—faith, sin, obsession, and redemption—and I thought she handled them in a way that was both raw and compelling. It’s definitely not a “light” love story, but that’s what made it stand out for me. Some parts were almost too intense, but overall it kept me hooked and left me thinking about the characters long after I finished.

For me, Crossed was 5 stars: dark, emotional, and beautifully written. If you like your romances complicated and haunting, this one will hit the mark.

Who Should Read It

• Readers who love dark romance with morally gray, emotionally wounded leads
• Anyone drawn to classic literature retellings—especially those who appreciated the heartache and complexity of The Hunchback of Notre Dame
• Fans of tension: forbidden love, strict moral codes, faith vs. desire
• People who enjoy romance with hard emotional edges, where relief comes slowly and redemption isn't guaranteed
• If you're comfortable with difficult themes (mental health struggles, guilt, obsession, power imbalance), then this one will sink in deep

Quotes

It's not my fault, I remind myself. I'm only human. And she is…all-consuming… Like hellfire.

It's a cruel place here on earth, filled with people who don't get it. Who choose not to understand that just because someone is different, it doesn't mean they're less than.

If she is a succubus, then seduce me. If she is my devil, then I will gladly burn.