Trouble by Adriana Locke is a twist on a second chance romance. Not gonna lie-the beginning of the story had me cringing in uncomfortable-ness. Penn is such a man whore he doesn't even remember sleeping with Avery. He hits on her during their "first" meeting and it was so over the top I was a little uncomfortable. Like, if a guy acted that way in real life, I would be creeped out because it was nothing but innuendo and double entendre.

Penn is a little difficult to like. He really just seems to think that life is one big party and monogamy is a bad word. However, you do see that when no one is watching, he isn't always THAT guy. Avery is much more relatable as a character. She is running from her problems back in Hollywood. I think that Avery was a little like Penn when she was living in LA but she has realized that life doesn't work for her. And I felt so much sympathy for her when she realized Penn didn't even recognize her.

Obviously, Penn is trouble, but this is a romance, so even the bad boys can be brought to their knees by the right woman. While I found Penn kind of cringeworthy at times, the story is interesting and its a unique twist on a second chance story. Plus, if you haven't met the townsfolk of Dogwood, you are in for a treat! They are perfect secondary characters that provide lots of entertainment.

Love, love, love this!

Penn and Avery are wonderful characters. Avery is the female character that we all want to be friends with and Penn is absolutely hysterical. Oh yeah and gorgeous.

Avery is the new girl in town, Penn is the town heartbreaker. Not interested in a relationship he’s not the serious type. Not until Avery that is.....

These two are funny, sweet and sexy. It’s a great addition to a series I love. The town, the people, they bring a smile to my face and I’ve really enjoyed reading their stories. Check it out!

4 1/2 out of 5 stars

I love this author! She writes romances that just feel like I'm watching my friends fall in love every time. From their first (or is it a second) meeting, Penn and Avery have something they can't fight. I loved reading their story and getting to know them. For a "bad boy", Penn was swoony as heck! The charm of Dogwood Lane continues in Penn's tale and I only wish we would never run out of characters to hear about here. Ms. Locke writes from her heart and you can feel it on every page. I don't think there was a single page in the novel where I wasn't smiling and enjoying the read. Everything about Penn and Avery made my heart sing.

What happens when two people, one who is completely disillusioned with life and love (Avery), and the other has issues with commitment, doesn't want or need a relationship and is fully prepared to spend his life filling it with meaningless one-or-two night stands (Penn) meet at the perfect time? Trouble by Adriana Locke is what happens....and it's SPECTACULAR!!!

I fell so hard and so fast for Penn after I realized that he WASN'T just a man-whore who had no idea how to love! When Avery arrived to stay with her aunt in Dogwood Lane after she'd had enough of life with her empty, unfulfilling life in California and she meets Penn...it was like two very different worlds colliding and the GLORIOUS aftermath is this EPIC love story!

I can't say enough about this book...just that you MUST read it and I KNOW you'll love it as much as I did! Adriana Locke has done it again...just when I thought she couldn't make me love two characters more than the last, Penn and Avery are my NEW AL faves!!!

“People who are ridiculously attracted to one another can be friends…right?”

4.5 fantastic stars!

I love this series of standalone small-town romances, and from the very beginning I’ve been waiting to see town playboy, Penn, meet his match, and OMG, it was just what I was hoping for! Fun, flirty, full of chemistry and with a beautiful, heartfelt romance, this is just the story I wanted for Penn, and I absolutely loved it!

Having come from a troubled background, Penn doesn’t really understand the concept of love, and he honestly doesn’t have any interest in it. He’s perfectly happy engaging in quick and easy hook-ups without getting involved, and it works pretty well for him. Because he’s Penn Etling, and he’s God’s gift to women… yes, he truly thinks that, but in a way that is endearing rather than conceited, and with the skills to back it up, he can pretty much have any woman he wants. And then Avery comes to town…

"I’m in lust. Pure unadulterated lust.
Avery has captivated my attention. I don’t know what that fucking means, but I’m here for it."

Avery has just left her superficial life in LA to move to Dogwood Lane with her beloved (and hilarious) Aunt. Desperate to escape the toxic patterns of her past and enjoy a slower pace that is all about building towards the life she wants for herself, she’s determined to make smart decisions, and that doesn’t include hooking up with the town playboy. Especially because she’s been there and done that years ago, and in a delicious twist on a second-chance-romance, Penn doesn’t remember.

It's a fabulous set-up, especially with Penn bringing his A-game and Avery thwarting him at every turn.

“Ooh, she doesn’t want your number,” Matt jokes. “Let’s write this one down in the record books, boys.”
“Will you shut the hell up?” Penn sighs. “Give the girl some time. It’s probably pretty overwhelming to meet me.” He turns slowly, his eyes full of salaciousness. “I’ll give you some time. No worries.”

Penn’s unique sense of humour is so freaking entertaining, and his constant joking, flirting and smutty inuendo had me laughing so many times.

"I imagine a paintbrush in her hand and find myself curious about a lot of things. How talented is she? What else does she like to do? What is she good at?
Is she the ultimate package? I don’t know. But I’d sure as fuck like to give her mine."

But underneath it all is a damaged man who is truly struggling with everything that he is feeling.

"Can I be more for her? Do I have it in me? Or should I let her go?"

It’s an absolutely beautiful journey as Penn and Avery, both wanting different things but unable to stay away from each other, become close friends. Of course that deepens their attraction, and I loved watching their relationship shift and change as they figure it all out.

“Being with you makes me feel like I’m seen … You don’t look at me and see the goofy guy that everyone knows I am.” He looks up at me with a hesitation that stops my breath. “You see the guy I think my grandpa told me I could be.”

*clutches heart*

Penn and Avery are wonderful characters. Both very real, I could understand where they were at and how they were feeling, and I felt it all along with them. My heart ached for them when they hurt, and I was in a world of swoon as they came to accept and acknowledge their feelings. It’s not all smooth sailing and they have things they need to work through and hurdles to overcome, and they make mistakes along the way, but that just makes the emotion hit so much harder, and the journey all that much sweeter. Their background together adds a wonderful dimension to everything between them, and I loved watching them come together.

"I don’t want to hurt her. I don’t want to fail her. I don’t want to make her anything other than happy every day of her life."

The characters from previous books appear, and there is a nice little set up there for Matt, but you can absolutely read this one as a standalone.

Funny, sexy, romantic and emotional, this is such a great read, and I loved it.

Be still my freaking heart! Adriana Locke unleashed the beast of feelings and I had no defense against it! Penn and Avery's sweet, heartaching and emotional story has won my heart fair and square! Trouble was trouble for my heart and soul!

I have a weakness for small town romance. Because they have this vibrant, warm and intimate experience with all the little adorable details and great people. And Adriana Locke nailed the feeling in Trouble. Avery has escaped to Dogwood to her aunt leaving behind her suffocating and lonely life with her controlling celebrity parents and fake friends. And she meets Penn. The proverbial manwh@re. Gorgeous. Charming. Firty. Funny. With a good heart and devil's sex appeal. But Penn has a bad upbringing that made his sceptical about relationship. In fact he actively avoids them. But Avery fascinates him. He wants to know her, make her happy and be with her. They becomes good friends but what about the complicated feelings in their heart? Will Penn face his issues or will Avery be in trouble for falling for the bad boy?


First of all, the slow burn in this story is pure torture. Seriously. Adriana Locke took me through each curve, each up and down and each twist in an absolutely maddening pace. Their chemistry starts with playful banters and somewhere down the line they slip into this easy friendship. They become open and trusting and close. But the undercurrent of desire and passion was put in everything so beautifully! Penn is so amazing! He can be a real a$$hole with his ways regarding women but he is actually a vulnerable guy hiding behind all light and silly talks. And my heart is breaking for him. Avery is so adorable! I love how she showed courage to give her life a new start and how she values her self worth above everything. She did not get herself carried away by Penn's charm even when her body and heart wanted it. But she also stood by him and understood him and was patient with him. They had their share of mistakes and misunderstandings but that's what made me love this story even more.

Trouble by Adriana Locke was full of delicious passion, soul deep emotions and true characters. The writing was just brilliant. I am in love with everything in Trouble.

Received ARC for honest review.

**ARC received from the publisher via Netgalley**

I really adore Adriana Locke’s ability to transport you into the worlds of her books with words. The small town vibe was quaint and homey and you felt it.

Penn Etling is the bad boy of Dogwood Lane. The forever bachelor with a string of “friends” he’s not looking to settle down. Not until Avery blows into town and shakes everything up for him. Now he’s acting jealous and thinking about the future.

Their relationship was so real and easy to believe. I wanted to cheer for them because I loved them as characters. They struggled and came together honestly. I loved how invested I became in them.

Penn Etling now has a piece of my heart.

Wow. Adriana Locke’s done it again. Trouble, the third book in the Dogwood Lane series, is everything a romance novel should be: a sweet but strong heroine, a charming and cocky hero with a vulnerable side, a little drama, and set in a gorgeous small southern town with great secondary characters too. I loved it!

Avery has moved to Dogwood Lane to escape the stress and pressure of her life in LA. As the daughter of a famous actress, she hates not knowing if people are using her for her mother’s connections so loves the anonymity of Dogwood Lane. She moves in with her aunt Harper, who she visited years ago when she was eighteen. On that visit, she met a boy, who she opened up to and spent the night with, and never saw again. The last thing she expects when she arrives on her first day at Harper’s salon is to run into him again.

Penn Etling is the resident playboy of Dogwood Lane, known for never wanting to settle down or commit to anyone. He is the joker of his friendship group and always sweeps ladies off their feet the first time they meet. So, imagine his surprise when he meets Avery, a woman he feels he already knows, and she refuses his advances. Avery has promised herself to not settle for anything less than what she wants and Penn’s philosophy on casual relationships are not that. She tells him from the start that they can only be friends.

Friends is not a word Penn knows when it comes to women but he knows there is something different about Avery so he agrees. AS they begin to get closer, they open up about their pasts and childhood, having both not had the most pleasant of time. Their chemistry grows, especially as they are working everyday together, until they finally give in and wow, is it explosive. However, when it all gets a bit much for Penn, can he push through his past hurt to really and truly let Avery in, especially when he realises who she is, or will he let his past continue to dictate his future?
These characters are great. Avery is amazing. I absolutely adored how she stood up to Penn at first and turned him down every time he asked her out, even when she knew she wanted him. She wasn’t afraid to stand up and put herself first, when she knew she should be treated better. I loved how she made sure to build a friendship with Penn before anything happened, it made their story that much better.

Penn, I didn’t expect him to be so three-dimensional. He had so many layers behind the façade he put out to the world and I loved seeing him reveal each one slowly to Avery as he began to trust her more. There were times when my heart ached for him and I wanted to jump inside the book and give him a hug. It was impossible not to fall in love with him and his heart of gold. Avery and Penn were perfect for one another and I loved watching as they navigated their new relationship together.

The friendships in Trouble were also a highlight, especially between Matt and Penn and Penn and Harper. Matt was there for Penn whenever he needed him, as a sounding board for his feelings but also to give him a kick up the backside when he needed it. You could feel how strong their friendship was and I can’t wait for Matt’s story, which I hope is next. Harper was there for both Penn and Avery too, but I think her banter and friendship with Penn was my favourite, you could see his charming ways come out when he spoke to her!

Trouble is a fairly easy read with little drama which I devoured in a day. It’s well written with great characters and a storyline that pulls you in, making you say just one more chapter until suddenly you’ve finished it. I can’t wait for book four!

*I received a copy of Trouble in exchange for my honest review.*

4 - "Roll with it…" Stars!

New author to me; Adriana Locke gives the perfect blend of chemistry, banter and sexy-times in book three; Trouble from her Dogwood Lane series.

I loved Penn and Avery, and because of that was rooting for them from the get-go to get together. The writing style was easy to get along with and the drama/angst was kept very much on a low boil, add in an entertaining cast of secondary characters and I have absolutely nothing negative to say about this book!

Amazon have done me a solid as well because the first two books in the series, at the time of writing this review are currently 99p, so that’s my weekend sorted too!

Does anyone write small town romance with such heart as well as Adriana Locke? I think not. Case in point, Trouble. I've been waiting for Penn's story since my first trip to Dogwood Lane and I was not let down at all.

He's always been in the periphery. Putting a smile on everyone's face with his jokes and lightness. However, below the laughter and good time was a man who had been hurt and felt deeply. But that was a side he didn't let anyone see, not even those closest to him. He didn't want to let anyone see it, until Avery showed up in town.

I loved that Avery didn't bow to Penn's charms. But she wasn't immune. Little by little he wore down her defenses. It was his kindness. His wit. His ability to make her laugh even when she didn't want to. But Avery had a secret, one that was bound to come out sooner or later. When it did, Penn's defenses all went back up.

Cue the misty eyes and aching chest. Gah! I am just so enamored by this small town and the people that dwell there. The sense of community. The friendships (and let me take a moment to say GO MATT! He was a rock star in this book). Penn and Avery's slow-burning romance gave me all the feels and made me swoon for days.

Trouble is the third book in Adriana Locke's, Dogwood Lane Series. Trouble can be read as a standalone read, but in my opinion, books are always better when read in series order.
Adriana Locke, is an author who is new to me, and is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Trouble has everything I look for when reading a book. The characters are well written and compliment each other to make the book very enjoyable to read, and the story line flows nicely.
If you are looking for your next, new read, I recommend Trouble l, by Adriana Locke.

Adriana Locke writes small towns that just steal your heart. Trouble is third in her Dogwood Lane series but could easily stand alone.
Avery Perry, the daughter of a famous actress, moves to Dogwood Lane because she is completely done with LA. Penn Etling is a sexy and confident man local to Dogwood Lane who is known for outrageously flirting with every woman around but never getting serious. When Penn walks into the hair salon where Avery is working, their connection is instant. Avery remembers Penn from an impactful visit to Dogwood Lane years ago, but he doesn’t seem to remember her.
I really enjoyed watching Avery and Penn’s friendship develop, and their emotional growth. The innuendo and jokes were great fun, and as always, Ms. Locke’s town and characters feel tangibly real. The friends and supporting characters serve as a lovely foundation for this couple. After the build up of Penn’s playboy ways in the prior books, the payoff of his deeper thoughts and feelings does not disappoint. These two have a lot in common and they find a match in each other that goes deeper than physical attraction. We get to see them be flawed and real. This story was very sweet (sometimes almost too sweet) and rewarding.

Penn!! Yes! I've been waiting and waiting for this one. I knew he'd be Trouble when he first graced us with his presence.
This is the quintessential Adriana Locke book. You'll love the small town, you'll love the characters, and you'll love this book.

Penn is everything I've been waiting for.

The perfect small town romance. Heart, heat, friendships and lots of laughs.

Penn Etling is the carpenter playboy of Dogwood Lane. He's a charmer with his looks and likes his life just fine. He's not a relationship type of guy. Avery Perry is new to town, escaping from her old life in LA. Penn is instantly attracted to her but she's looking for something real and knows Penn isn't the guy for that. She holds out as long as she can before finally giving in to Penn's southern charm.

I loved these characters so much!! The secondary characters are awesome too. Matt is the perfect best friend to Penn and the only guy to knock sense into him when needed. Southern charm and small town friendships at it's best.

Penn is his own worst enemy when it comes to finding true love, folks. Despite having friends quick to point out what he’s doing wrong, it still takes this knucklehead quite a while to come to his senses.

Avery does a good job at first of repeatedly turning down this Casanova, confirmed bachelor/ONS, perpetual flirt, player, which only makes him want her more. As you can imagine, the game is on and both have their minds and hearts set on controlling the outcome. The back and forth banter was amusing as she kept putting him in his place.

We are given the full details on how this couple first met as teens. With a ten year separation, it’s not surprising neither were celibate during that time. Avery has had enough of lying, wayward men and is determined to settle only for a Mr. Forever Good Guy, who wants her for her alone. Penn starts to feel trapped between a rock and a hard place because he doesn’t want to let her go, yet doesn’t believe love lasts. Fortunately for us, he loses his heart but ultimately stomps on Avery’s in the process. Yeah, this guy’s got some groveling to do.

Title: Trouble, Series: Dogwood Lane (Book 3), Author: Adriana Locke, Pages: 296, stand-alone but part of a series, turns him down repeatedly, steamy late in book, no OM drama, no significant OW drama, stomps on her heart, briefly grovels hero, HEA, both not celibate during ten year separation, had a ONS as teens, writing flows.

Book 1 - Tumble
Book 2 - Tangle
Book 3 - Trouble

(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)

This is book 3 in the Dogwood Lane series but each can read as a standalone. This is the first that I have read of the series and I really enjoyed the book. Loved Penn and Avery. The chemistry between them was so good. I can’t wait to go back and read the first 2 books of this series and to read more of her work.

I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

This is it, this was the story I was waiting for and it was worth the wait. Penn has been the player, the comic relief for the past two stories in the Dogwood Lane series. He always had me laughing out loud, but toward the end of Haley's story, he started to show another side. Did we want him to clash with Grace? Sure!! But this story was even better as far as I'm concerned. Kind of brings in a second chance, with a truly wounded character...because that is what Penn really is. He doesn't really believe in love because he doesn't remember ever really having it. His story was painful to read....Avery and Penn's history was both beautiful and painful. Seeing Penn become MORE was worth every word.

I hadn't read any of the other books in this series and I wasn't lost at all. Penn is funny and made me laugh pretty much throughout the whole book. He could turn any conversation into a naughty one, everyone thinks he's this player and he is BUT there's more to him. When he first lays eyes on Avery he REALLY wants to know her.

Avery just moved to town and is working on who she wants to be. She doesn't need any distractions not even good looking ones that make her laugh. She turns him down for a date on many occasions and I have to laugh with his reactions and his friends reactions.

I love small town romances where everyone knows who you are, and what everyone's business is. Throw in laughter, good advice and love and I'll read it. This book runs through your emotions and I freaking loved Penn and Avery, separately and watching them grow throughout the book. I will definitely be reading the previous books in this series!!!

I love small town romances and Adriana writes these so well. Back we go to Dogwood Lane in this book for Penn and Avery's story and how wonderful this trip was. Once I started it there was no putting it down.

Penn is the gorgeous and he knows it stud around town. He has women falling at his feet but fortunately he is not too much of an ass about it, he seems to take it as his due, and makes sure that he just wants to have fun with no ties. Avery is the daughter of a famous actress. She leaves behind the fake world of Hollywood and arrives in Dogwood Lane to live with her Aunt. But it is not the first time she has been here, ten years ago she met Penn in what became a night changing night by the lake for both of them, but at the time she told him her name was Abby.

When Penn and Avery meet again there is immediate off the charts chemistry. Though Penn thinks he has met her before he is not sure because her name is different. Avery is so upset that he doesn't remember her and because she is sick of feeling used and unforgettable to men, that she refuses his advances time and again.

Fate has other ideas for them and they keep running into each other and finally decide to compromise and become friends, but with no benefits. Penn cannot believe that he is doing this, but he is willing to do anything to spend time with Avery but is terrified of it becoming more. Avery wants a future with someone who will see only her, and she refuses to compromise.

This story is both heartbreaking and hilarious as these two dance around each other, both of them having suffered in their pasts are unwilling to admit their feelings for fear of hurt and rejection, even if their friends and the rest of the town think that they are an item. Adriana paints such a realistic picture of a small town and it's residents with everyone cheering them on just as I was. A very enjoyable installment to the Dogwood Lane series, probably the best one for me. I might just have to go back and read them all again!

Penn is a one-night stand kinda guy. Avery is a forever kinda girl. The two have crossed paths before and had one incredible not, but Penn has no memory of it. He's working hard to get a yes out of her, but she's resisting as hard as she can. She says yes and gives him a chance and shows Penn that there's more to her than what meets the eye. Soon they both want more, but can they both get what they both want?

This was a sweet, small town love story. There was great chemistry between Penn and Avery. It could also sorta be considered a second chance romance. Loved being back in Dogwood Lane! Such a great read!

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for an eARC is this book in exchange for an honest review.