Cross My Heart

Patel (Offtrack) turns from Formula 1 to college lacrosse in this cute if light sports romance. When CJ “Colt” Bradley left Oklahoma to play professional lacrosse, he broke the heart of May Velasco, a friend of many years who always hoped they might become something more. Now, after a horrendous knee injury, Colt takes a medical break from his team, the New Haven Woodchucks, and returns to Oklahoma to work as an assistant coach at the University of Oklahoma City, where May is currently in her senior year and captain of the women’s lacrosse team. May’s furious to see him at first, but when the pair are photographed together and mistaken for a couple online, the school urges them to keep up a PR relationship to draw attention to their lacrosse program. The conceit somewhat strains credulity and the leads’ flirty banter feels a bit stiff, but Patel does a good job capturing her characters’ athletic ambitions and Colt’s complicated feelings in the wake of his injury. Readers looking for easy, tropey fare will be pleased. (Mar.)