Cross Check Themes
by Chelsea Curto
Underneath the romance and hockey drama, the novel wrestles with how gender double standards and institutional control shape love and ambition. It asks whether a woman can be respected professionally and openly loved without being punished, and how much of a relationship should have to be sacrificed for a career.
On this page you'll find each major theme tied to concrete moments from the book, from Amelia facing sexist insults to friends showing up in crisis, plus the vulnerability that lets her and Grant truly connect. You'll also see recurring symbols: the notebook, tattoos, jersey, and matchbooks, each carrying the weight of hidden affection and devotion.
Major Themes in Cross Check
Gender double standards and sexism
Amelia faces repeated sexist treatment simply for being a woman in hockey, from dismissive dates to insults from players and harsher league discipline. The book contrasts this with how men in similar positions are treated, emphasizing the unfair double standard.
- Amelia's date dismisses women in hockey as a 'quota' and tells her to 'play the sport, and shut up about the rest.'
- Brady Williams calls Amelia a whore and implies she slept with players, prompting Grant to punch him.
- For the same relationship, Amelia receives an eight-game suspension while Grant gets only one game, and Grant calls out the league's sexism.
Love versus career and institutional control
Amelia and Grant's relationship is repeatedly threatened by their professional roles and league rules. They must hide, separate, and ultimately change the system to be together without sacrificing their careers.
- Amelia tells Grant they need distance because her career is 'on the cusp of taking off' and she cares about herself and her future first.
- After their relationship is exposed, the NHL suspends Amelia for eight games and orders no contact with Grant.
- Grant works with lawyers and teammates to draft a CBA addendum so relationships like theirs are no longer punished.
Friendship as support and found family
Teammates and close friends repeatedly show up for each other in moments of crisis, providing practical help, emotional comfort, and legal brainstorming. Their chosen family becomes the backbone of the story.
- Grant's teammates fly to Italy to check on him after the relationship is exposed.
- Amelia's friends fly across the country, clean her apartment, bring groceries, and brush her hair after she isolates herself.
- Grant's teammates spend six hours helping draft the CBA addendum.
Breaking barriers for women in hockey
Amelia's career arc is defined by breaking ceilings, from associate coach to head coach to Olympic head coach, while also creating opportunities for girls. The book celebrates women's achievements in male-dominated spaces.
- Amelia is promoted to associate coach and later becomes head coach of the Sea Crabs.
- Amelia plans a hockey camp for girls and later runs the Girls in Hockey holiday camp with 150 girls.
- Grant announces Amelia has been named head coach of the men's Olympic team, the first woman to hold that role.
Vulnerability, communication, and intimacy
The relationship deepens when both characters risk emotional exposure and learn to ask for what they want, whether in friendship, grief, or physical intimacy. The book repeatedly shows that honesty and attention to each other create true closeness.
- Grant confesses to his teammates that he is a virgin and asks for advice, and they respond with supportive, practical guidance.
- During sex, Grant and Amelia repeatedly check in and ask for what they want, including 'Can I?' and 'Can I come?'
- Grant shows Amelia five notebooks filled with years of daily notes about what he loves about her.
Sacrifice, delayed hope, and reunion
Amelia and Grant are forced apart by rules and reputation, but their separation is framed as temporary, not final. Their love persists through sacrifice, and the story ends with hope and reconciliation.
- Lia tells Grant this is 'not a goodbye, but a see you later' and suggests they might meet again in ten years.
- Grant promises he will never close the door and will find Lia in ten years and love her loudly.
- After the bylaw passes, Amelia says they can now have both their careers and each other, and Grant says no one can tear them apart.
Symbols and Motifs
Notebook
Represents Grant's devoted, attentive love and his commitment to knowing Amelia completely.
- Grant starts a notebook listing Amelia's favorite things and resolves to be the best friend he can be.
- Everett secretly writes observations about Amelia in his notebook during their snow day.
- Grant shows Amelia five notebooks filled with daily entries of what he loves about her.
Tattoos
Commemorate Amelia's touch, their shared time, and Grant's identity as her partner.
- Grant gets a tattoo of the star Amelia drew on his hand, saying he'll know she's the reason it's special.
- Everett gets a badger and hourglass tattoo, and Amelia gets seven stars representing the seasons she has known him.
- Grant gets a 'Mr. Green' tattoo and declines his Olympic roster spot so Amelia's achievement can have the spotlight.
Jersey
A love token and public declaration of pride, support, and rivalry turned into intimacy.
- Grant wears an Amelia Green jersey on Heroes and Legends Night and posts it on Instagram.
- Grant and Amelia make a wager that the loser must wear the other's jersey in bed.
- Grant brings Amelia a USA jersey with 'Green' stitched on the back when he announces her Olympic coaching role.
Matchbooks
Small keepsakes that symbolize their long-distance connection, thoughtfulness, and private romance.
- AG says a dozen new matchbooks arrived in her mailbox and she saves them in a glass jar in her office.
- Grant sends matchbooks, and Amelia notes the cowboy matchbook is her favorite because red is her favorite color.