Cross My Heart (Ty and Hunter, Book 1) [Mass Market Paperback]

Carly Phillips (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 1, 2007

Ten years ago Lilly Dumont was the ultimate poor little rich girl, complete with a huge inheritance—and an uncle determined to take it from her. With the help of her first love, she faked her own death and ran away to New York City, leaving behind everything, including her own name. Lilly Dumont was gone, but Lacey Kincaid was going to make it. Only, neither one ever forgot Ty Benson.

Now Lacey's back to claim her inheritance. And her sizzling reunion with Ty has made her homecoming something to remember! Though not everybody's thrilled to see Lacey alive and well—. And it's up to Ty to make sure his childhood sweetheart doesn't disappear again—this time for good!

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Lilly Dumont, a presumed-dead heiress, has been living as successful New York working girl Lacey Kinkaid, but she must confront her smalltown past in this formulaic entry from Phillips (The Bachelor), more romance than chick lit. At 17, Lilly's friends Tyler Benson and Daniel Hunter ("Hunter"), her childhood companions at the foster home Ty's mother ran—and where Lily was dumped by evil uncle Marc Dumont—helped her run her uncle's car off a cliff, faking her death so that she could escape his abuses. Years later, her uncle, who tried to get at her trust fund and plotted the trio's ruin, renews his attempts to get at her money. Hunter, now a lawyer in the upstate New York town, gets wind of Marc's legal maneuvers; he tips off Ty (now a town PI), and they find Lilly, who returns (leaving behind Alex Duncan, the investment banker whose proposal she can't seem to accept). Complicating Lacey/Lilly's identity issues are her feelings for Ty (explored physically in a chapters-long encounter), and the fact that her now fully AA'ed uncle Marc is engaged to be married to the gold-digging mother of Molly Gifford, the attorney that Hunter has had a crush on since law school. The plot falters, but the proceedings have enough emotional crispness to engage. (Aug.)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Booklist

Threatened with a return to her abusive uncle Marc, 17-year-old Lilly Dumont and her two foster brothers hatch a plan to fake her death and relocate her from their small upstate town to New York City, reluctantly agreeing they must never meet again. Ten years later, Ty, now a private investigator, and Hunter, a well-respected lawyer, agree that Lilly must be told about her uncle's plan to declare her dead and usurp her trust fund. But Lilly has taken the name of Lacey Kinkaid and built a new life for herself, complete with an almost-fiance and a thriving business, and her return to Hawken's Cove triggers attacks upon her life and upon the careers of those close to her. Popular Phillips' first attempt at romantic suspense should be eagerly received by her loyal readership, and the denouement hints at a future romance for Hunter as well. Lynne Welch
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin Books (July 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0373772084
• ISBN-13: 978-0373772087
• Product Dimensions: 6.5 x 4 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (20 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #786,708 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

New York Times bestselling author Carly Phillips tossed away her legal briefs and a career as an attorney to become a stay at home mom. Within the year, she turned her love of reading into an obsession with writing. Over 25 published novels later, Carly writes sexy contemporary romances, striking a balance between entertainment and emotion, and giving her readers the compelling story they have come to expect and enjoy.

Carly is a New York Times bestseller, USA Today Bestseller and Publisher's Weekly bestseller. The triple play earned her a spot on Romance Writers of America's coveted Honor Roll. In 2002, Carly's novel, The Bachelor, became Kelly Ripa's "Reading with Ripa" pick on Live with Regis and Kelly, making it the first romance ever chosen on a nationally televised bookclub.

Carly received her undergraduate degree from Brandeis University and is a graduate of Boston University School of Law (J.D.). To date, Carly has over twenty-five novels to her credit, all available wherever books are sold.

When not writing or playing online, Carly loves to read, to knit, and to spend time with her family. She lives in Purchase, New York with her husband, two daughters and two soft-coated wheaten terriers who act like their third and fourth children.

For more information, visit Carly's always updated web site at www.carlyphillips.com where she has monthly contests, excerpts and much more.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Fast Sexy Read for the Beach, August 7, 2006

By 

M. Rondeau (West Springfield, MA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cross My Heart (Hardcover)

Carly Phillips writes the type of books that are fun and sexy romantic reads, perfect for taking along to the beach on a relaxing summer day and this book fits pretty much into that mold.

The prologue sets the story up nicely showing Tyler Benson and Daniel Hunter, two young teens, conspiring to save their best friend Lillian Dumont from further abuse by her guardian uncle. By faking her death she would be leaving them, but they all agreed the sacrifice was worth the risk in keeping her safe from the clutches of her greedy alcoholic uncle.

Ten years later Lilly, who is now known as Lacey Kincaid, has a new life and a successful business in New York city when Ty her best friend, childhood sweetheart and co-conspirator from Hawkens Cove, has turned up on her doorstep. Ty learned that her uncle was getting ready to claim her inheritance by declaring her officially dead and urged her to come home to claim it for herself. Lacey had never intended to return to the place that held such unhappy memories but seeing Ty again rekindled the flames of a childhood passion that had never completely left her. In order to see where these newly aroused feelings would progress she decided that maybe returning home and becoming the Dumont heiress wouldn't be too hard to take. Unfortunately, it became obvious that someone from Hawkens Cove doesn't want to see Lacey claim that inheritance and Ty would have to keep Lacey alive long enough not only to claim her inheritance but to claim her heart.

*** This was an interesting and fast paced read with a lovely romance for the main characters as well as featuring a blossoming secondary romance for their best friend Hunter and his new gal pal Molly. The plot itself was relatively simple with no big surprises. Motivations and character actions are well defined and the romance is sweet and tender showing the characters taking the time to get reacquainted before immediately falling prey to their physical attraction. Although Phillips is known for her off-beat humor in previous novels the seriousness of the storyline did not call for, nor was humor a major factor in this story. Other than references to Lacey's odiferous dog, I did not find much humor at all in the story. Judging by the cover, I was under the impression that this would follow Phillips signature lighter fare. So I would caution the reader that if you are picking this book up by looking cover, you might be misled when you discover that humor was not a primary ingredient in this story. A fast and sexy read - just in time for great summer beach reading.

Marilyn Rondeau, RIO - Reviewers International Organization

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Heart Tugging Read, July 17, 2006

By 

Cryna Palmiere "bluebroom" (Calgary, Alberta) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Cross My Heart (Hardcover)

Carly's newest book is a heart warming read dealing with lies, deceit, truths uncovered and second chances.

After her escape from Hawken's Cove with the help of her two closest friends, Tyler Benson and Daniel Hunter, Lilly Dumont goes under an assumed name of Lacey Kincaid in New York City. Fast forward 10 years and the appearance of Tyler at her door, who she has never forgotten and the fledging love that never had a chance to see where it could or would go. He is requesting that she come back and claim her trust fund and inheritance, before her abusive Uncle, who was her guardian when both her parents were killed, has her declared dead and takes it and everything that is rightfully hers. Now the problems start to compound, attempts are made on her life. The sexual tension between Tyler and Lacey is so tangible but both are afraid to let down their walls and see where this might lead. Tyler, more so than Lilly, has lots of baggage to overcome but even so he is her most fierce protector and supporter. Along with this you have the sub plot and characters of Hunter, their best friend, and Molly Gifford, the soon to be step-daughter of her Uncle. This book will move you to tears, make you smile and have you turning pages from the moment you open the book till the last page because you are anxious to find the answers to resolve this highly charged emotional roller coaster. It is skilfully weaved and your heart strings are tugged as each chapter unfolds and issues resolved. I highly recommend this book, and hope that Hunter and Molly get their own story as well, because I am sure there is more that needs to be told. Hopefully you will agree with me.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Cross My Heart, July 24, 2007

By 

M. Nix - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Cross My Heart (Hardcover)

With the help of her two best friends Daniel Hunter and Tyler Benson, Lillian Dumont faked her death to escape her abusive Uncle. She disappeared, becoming Lacey Kincaid and neither Ty nor Hunter has seen her since.

Ten years later Hunter discovers that Lilly's uncle is going to have her declared legally dead and claim her family fortune, so he and Ty decide to try and convince her to claim what is rightfully hers.

Ty and Lilly had something special when they were teenagers. With them being too young and not enough time to figure it out, nothing became of it, but now as adults, the attraction is stronger than ever. Hunter is dealing with an unrequited love of his own as well. Unfortunately Molly is tangled up in the danger surrounding Lilly. These four friends have to work together to find out what is going on and who is involved before the threat to Lilly turns deadly.

Cross My Heart is a charming love story. The special bond between Ty and Lilly stirred my romantic heart. Cross My Heart has a common theme where some danger and the uncertainty of their relationship mix and yet I was still easily entertained. There is also a clear setup for Hunter and Molly's story, which I am very eager for! I really enjoy this author's fun, witty, and sensual writing style. In Cross My Heart, Carly Phillips creates a sexy, passionate and endearing story where a hometown hunk and a woman with a troubled past get back the love they thought was lost forever.

Nannette reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed