Cross-Checked by Julia Connors Summary, Characters and Themes

Cross-Checked by Julia Connors is a contemporary sports romance set in the high-pressure world of professional hockey. 

It centers on Alessandra “AJ” Jones, the NHL’s first female general manager, and Ronan McCabe, the grizzled, emotionally guarded captain of the Boston Rebels. What begins as a tense power struggle soon evolves into a story of mutual respect, redemption, and unlikely love. Against the backdrop of intense playoffs, media scrutiny, and personal demons, AJ and McCabe must confront their shared past and build trust in order to rewrite their futures—on and off the ice.

Summary

AJ Jones is a trailblazer in the NHL—a sharp, no-nonsense general manager determined to lead the Boston Rebels to another Stanley Cup. Despite her success, she faces constant scrutiny, battling gender bias in a male-dominated field.

Tensions spike when she must work closely with Ronan McCabe, the Rebels’ rugged, opinionated captain and a single father. Their history is complicated: years ago, AJ traded him under murky circumstances, and he’s never forgiven her.

As the team prepares for the playoffs, friction between AJ and McCabe is palpable. He questions her leadership, she doubts his discipline, and their confrontations are frequent.

McCabe juggles the pressure of leading his team with the demands of raising his baby daughter, Abby, often without reliable childcare. When AJ moves into an apartment unknowingly across the hall from him, their proximity adds fuel to their simmering tension.

Despite personal conflict, the Rebels start winning. AJ sees growth in McCabe—he plays smarter, leads better.

McCabe, in turn, sees the relentless pressure AJ faces and begins to admire her resilience. Gradually, their animosity gives way to a hesitant truce and moments of emotional connection.

McCabe starts opening up about his struggles as a father. A night spent talking during a blackout leads to their first kiss, a line neither expected to cross.

From there, their relationship deepens behind closed doors. They steal moments—private, passionate, and risky.

But AJ remains fiercely protective of her reputation and career. She fears that being romantically involved with a player could unravel everything she’s worked for.

McCabe respects her hesitance but refuses to hide his feelings. He’s falling for her—for the strong leader and the vulnerable woman beneath.

Their bond is tested when Abby falls ill and AJ drops everything to help. McCabe, overwhelmed by her loyalty, realizes how much she means to him—not just romantically, but as a co-parent and partner.

In the chaos of the playoffs, he finally learns the truth: AJ never wanted to trade him. Her abusive ex-husband, then a major figure in the organization, manipulated her hand.

The revelation shifts McCabe’s long-held resentment into empathy and renewed devotion. Meanwhile, AJ faces increasing public pressure.

Critics question her decisions, fans speculate about the team’s future, and rumors about McCabe’s contract swirl. Through it all, AJ holds firm—balancing emotion and professionalism with remarkable composure.

When the Rebels reach Game 7 of the Stanley Cup Finals, McCabe scores the game-winning goal, bringing them ultimate victory. In that moment, AJ sees not just a captain, but a man who’s grown into someone she deeply trusts and loves.

After the win, AJ is honored as GM of the Year. Her powerful acceptance speech becomes a statement of inclusion and resilience.

McCabe, offered a transfer to Nashville, declines. He chooses Boston—Abby’s stability, the team, and AJ.

They finally go public with their relationship, facing mixed reactions but ultimately receiving overwhelming support. In the epilogue, one year later, AJ and McCabe are married in a quiet ceremony surrounded by teammates and loved ones.

AJ, now a league advisor on gender equity, continues breaking barriers in hockey. McCabe remains her steady supporter.

Abby, now older, calls AJ “Mama,” sealing their bond as a family. Their journey, once filled with bitterness and blame, becomes a testament to growth, forgiveness, and love forged in the fiercest of arenas.

Characters

Alessandra “AJ” Jones

AJ is the central protagonist and the first female General Manager in the NHL. Her character is defined by her resilience, ambition, and the immense pressure of operating in a male-dominated sport.

Throughout the book, AJ struggles with the scrutiny that comes with her position, particularly as a woman. She is constantly torn between the demands of her career and her personal desires.

AJ’s leadership is marked by a sharp strategic mind, but she often feels isolated, both because of her gender and her position of power. As the story progresses, we see her vulnerability emerge.

Her complicated history with her ex-husband and the emotional weight she carries from that relationship influence her choices and interactions. AJ’s character evolves from a determined, somewhat rigid leader to someone capable of softness and personal connection, especially in her developing relationship with McCabe.

Her evolution embodies the challenges and victories of a woman navigating leadership in a male-dominated environment.

Ronan McCabe

Ronan McCabe is the team captain of the Boston Rebels, and his character is built around the struggles of being a single father and a professional athlete. McCabe’s initial resentment toward AJ, especially regarding a past trade, forms the core of his character’s early development.

As a father, McCabe is deeply protective of his daughter, Abby, and this paternal love softens his tough, alpha-male persona. His character is riddled with internal conflict, as he grapples with his past, his feelings for AJ, and his role as a team leader.

His relationship with AJ is complex and initially antagonistic, with old wounds influencing their interactions. However, as the story unfolds, McCabe’s depth as a person becomes evident.

He demonstrates loyalty, vulnerability, and emotional growth, particularly in his evolving understanding of his own feelings for AJ. McCabe’s transformation from a man embittered by his past to one who embraces love and responsibility is central to the emotional heart of the book.

Frank Hartmann

Frank Hartmann, the owner of the Boston Rebels, serves as a guiding figure in AJ’s professional journey. He represents the traditional male authority in the sport but also becomes one of AJ’s allies.

Frank supports her during moments of self-doubt and helps her navigate the political and media pressures she faces. His relationship with AJ is one of respect, as he recognizes her abilities and stands behind her even when others question her leadership.

While Frank doesn’t undergo significant personal growth in the story, his role as a mentor to AJ highlights the contrasting dynamics of male-female relationships in leadership within professional sports.

Jules

Jules is the fiancée of one of the Rebels’ players, Colt. Although she doesn’t play a major role in the plot, Jules serves as an important confidante for AJ.

Their conversations allow AJ to open up more about her insecurities, her struggles with authority, and her fears of personal vulnerability. Jules represents the feminine energy that AJ often has to suppress in her professional life.

Through their interactions, AJ learns the value of letting her guard down and embracing the support of others, especially other women.

Abby McCabe

Abby is Ronan’s young daughter, and although she’s a child, her presence is pivotal in the story. She softens McCabe’s tough exterior and becomes a point of emotional connection between him and AJ.

Abby’s health struggles, particularly when she becomes ill, draw out AJ’s nurturing side, revealing a softer, more compassionate side of the typically tough GM. Abby also plays a crucial symbolic role, representing the new family that McCabe and AJ begin to build together by the end of the novel.

Themes

The Struggles and Triumphs of Women in Power Within a Male-Dominated Environment

In Cross-Checked, AJ Jones, as the first female GM of an NHL team, faces constant challenges in a male-dominated industry. The book intricately explores how she must constantly prove herself, balancing the weight of her legacy and her aspirations to shape the future of the Boston Rebels.

AJ’s journey reflects the double standards women often face in leadership positions, where their every move is scrutinized and criticized more harshly than that of their male counterparts. The novel delves into her emotional and professional isolation, highlighting how difficult it is for women to maintain authority while also being viewed as approachable.

As AJ navigates these obstacles, her resilience and strategy in transforming the team’s dynamics serve as both a personal and professional triumph. The complexity of her position as a female leader in a traditionally male arena is explored through the nuanced interactions she has with her players, media, and staff, where every decision carries additional weight due to her gender.

Fatherhood, Vulnerability, and the Burden of Masculinity

Ronan McCabe’s character arc revolves around his struggle with fatherhood and the vulnerability he hides beneath his strong, tough exterior. As a single father to his young daughter Abby, McCabe is portrayed as someone deeply invested in his child’s well-being, but also conflicted by the demands of his career.

The novel explores how his masculine identity, traditionally associated with strength and emotional control, contrasts with his internal vulnerabilities and the challenges of raising a child on his own. McCabe’s relationship with his daughter and the emotional toll it takes on him offers a layered portrayal of masculinity, not as an unwavering, stoic figure, but as someone who also needs help, support, and emotional connection.

The themes of fatherhood and vulnerability invite readers to reconsider what it means to be a “man” in the context of modern relationships, highlighting the difficulty men face when reconciling traditional masculine roles with the demands of family and emotion.

Revenge, Redemption, and the Complexity of Forgiveness

The evolving relationship between AJ and McCabe embodies themes of revenge and redemption, as both characters grapple with past betrayals, misunderstandings, and personal grievances. McCabe resents AJ for trading him years ago, and AJ, in turn, harbors guilt over her actions, which were influenced by external pressures, including her abusive ex-husband.

The novel intricately portrays how these past wounds shape their present interactions, often clouding their ability to trust one another fully. However, as the story progresses, both characters begin to understand the circumstances that led to their conflicts and start the slow process of redemption.

McCabe’s journey involves recognizing AJ’s past actions were not meant to harm him but were, in fact, a form of self-preservation. For AJ, the novel explores her healing from her abusive relationship, and how she moves forward by confronting the pain of her past. In this way, the book shows that redemption is not merely about seeking forgiveness but understanding the complexities that shape one’s actions and decisions.

The Complexity of Professional and Personal Boundaries in High-Stakes Careers

Cross-Checked also delves into the delicate balance between professional obligations and personal relationships, particularly in high-pressure environments. Both AJ and McCabe struggle with maintaining their roles within the team while simultaneously navigating the burgeoning romantic tension between them.

The book explores the complications that arise when personal feelings collide with professional responsibilities—AJ’s role as GM means she must remain detached and objective, but her growing attraction to McCabe complicates her ability to make unbiased decisions. McCabe, on the other hand, must navigate the fine line between loyalty to his team and his evolving feelings for AJ.

Their secret relationship, though deeply emotional, threatens to disrupt their professional lives. The book examines how both characters deal with the risks of their growing bond, dealing with issues of privacy, media scrutiny, and internal team dynamics.

The exploration of boundaries speaks to the universal struggle of maintaining a sense of professionalism while acknowledging the complexities of human emotion.

The Redefinition of Love, Legacy, and Leadership

As the narrative unfolds, both AJ and McCabe undergo profound transformations that redefine what it means to love and lead. AJ’s journey is marked by her shift from a career-focused leader to someone who recognizes the value of connection, both personally and professionally.

Her development as a leader takes a turn when she learns to embrace vulnerability, acknowledging that being open and emotionally engaged can enhance her leadership. McCabe, too, redefines his role not only as a hockey player but as a partner and father.

The climax of the story, with McCabe’s decision to stay in Boston for his daughter and AJ, signals a commitment to both personal and professional growth. In the epilogue, AJ’s legacy is solidified, not just through her career achievements, but also through her capacity to challenge norms and create a more inclusive and supportive environment for future generations.

Their shared leadership is not about dominance or authority; instead, it is about mutual respect, emotional intelligence, and the willingness to support one another.