Thank you St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the eARC of Trouble! All opinions in this review are my own.

It is hard to top Gwen & Art Are Not In Love, but Trouble is easily tied for my favorite novel of Lex Croucher's! Croucher masterfully creates loveable characters that you can't help but root for. I have enjoyed every book I have read by them so far!

The romance is such a slow burn that there is no indication that it exists at all until more than 50% of the way through the book. The entire romance plot felt like the unearned subplot, while the main plot was found family. Emily finds her family with the other servants, Grace, and even Aster, well before there’s a “relationship” with Captain Edwards. As for Captain Edwards, he felt like a much more emotionally constipated Mr. Darcy or Captain Von Trapp.

I did love the found family, Aster’s transition, Oliver, Grace’s obsession with dogs and even Ben’s reasons for leaving the navy, but Ben and Emily’s relationship was a true nothing burger.

Im not usually drawn to historical/regency romances but when I read the synopsis to this book I felt drawn to it. I knew from the first page it would be a fun ride. its definitely a more modern regency story and I think that is why I had such a great time reading this book. it was funny, entertaining and had just the right amount of spice. the diversity in this book was excellent and just added to the whole story telling. this book being my introduction to author Lex was perfect and I'm def gonna check our more of her writing.

I really enjoyed this!! Emily and the Captain had such great chemistry, and all of the characters were interesting and made me want to learn more about them. I'd definitely love to read more from Lex Croucher in the future.

3.5 stars

You can read all my reviews at Nerd Girl Loves Books.

This was a fun historical romance with a lot of diverse characters. Emily's sister Amy is sick and they don't have money for a doctor. So, Emily poses as Amy and takes Amy's new position as a governess at Fairmont House. But Emily isn't like Amy. She's not polite, she's not polished, and she has never taught a child in her life. She is, however, determined to make this job last long enough to get a few paychecks, and maybe a few trinkets to pawn, so Amy can get the treatment she needs.

But, despite her reluctance, she gets drawn into the Edwards family's drama. Grace is young and talkative and immediately takes to anyone that pays her attention. Aster is the complete opposite. She's surly and angry, but a witty and a talented artist. Emily is confused by the family and servants acting more like a family than master/servant, and doesn't trust that it's real.

I really liked all of the characters in the book. Emily is central to the story, and even her main love interest, Cpt. Edwards, is a side character. I can understand where Emily is coming from. She's never caught a break in life and has had to scrabble for everything she's gotten. She's tough, she's naturally suspicious of everyone's motives, and she keeps people at arm's length. It was fun seeing her growth throughout the book. It came on gradually and even when she did begin to soften, she still bristled at being treated kindly.

Cpt. Edwards was a swoon-worthy MC who treated everyone with respect and kindness. He looked past Emily's tough exterior and saw someone that cares deeply for her loved ones and isn't afraid to fight for what she needs or wants. The bi and transgender representation was wonderful to see in a historical romance. I think the casual acceptance by most of the characters is a bit unrealistic for the time period, but it's nice to think that could have happened. I marked this down 1/2 a star because the story really lagged in the middle and I don't like third act breakups. But, that's just me. Others may not be annoyed by that.

I was provided a complimentary e-copy and audio book from NetGalley and MacMillan. All opinions are my own.

Dnf-ing at 50% because I am still unclear who the love interest even is? It was advertised as queer and none of the characters have identified themselves as so thus far. For a romance, I can’t figure out who falls in love and where the love story is?

Ahhhh i love everything ive read by lex croucher! I love a good reading places romance. And the fact they are both bi is chefs kiss. This is a top recommendation for my friends this pride month.

I love the trope of an identity switch, and Amy/Emily is fantastic in her role as a governess for the Edwards children. She further steals my heart by being an undercover thief.

This is a sweet, endearing romance that is a slow burn with a headstrong FMC and a sweet heartthrob MMC.

I liked the story overall, but I didn't quite understand how Emily and Captain Edwards fit together as a couple. I loved Aster's journey.

Thank you so much to NetGalley for this ARC!! Lex Croucher NEVER fails to disappoint. I’ve been sitting on this book for entirely too long and finally decided to continue it this week - after the first half of Bridgerton, season 3 I needed all of the regency feelings! They never fail to disappoint with witty writing and hilarious scenes. I can’t wait for the next book of Lex’s to be released in November in the US! The entire character lineup will live rent-free in my head forever, as they have come to life by being written so well and fleshed out. Definitely recommend to anyone wanting something of this nature to read!

Lex Croucher did it again! I really enjoyed this book, which somehow managed to work as a mash-up of Jane Eyre, The Sound of Music, and Dickens' Hard TImes. Emily and her sister Amy are young unmarried women who have fallen into reduced circumstances after the death of their father. While the physically delicate Amy has found work as a governess, the more robust Emily has gone into the mills. When we meet them at the opening of the story, the harsh conditions have taken their toll on Emily. Her hands in particular are now those of the lower class and her spirit has become just as rough and bitter. Her sister is too ill to work, so Emily takes Amy's identity and place as the new governess at Fairmont Hall to the two daughters of the widowed naval Captain Edwards.

Something is mysterious about Captain Edwards and Fairmont Hall. He is on a break from the navy. His elder daughter keeps sneaking off. His younger daughter is determined to have a relationship with the standoffish new governess, and the staff notice that all is not as it should be with the governess, but accept her anyway. Meanwhile, Emily is determined not to like Captain Edwards. He's rich. He doesn't act or react like he's supposed to. Plus, he doesn't have to worry about going into a mill or falling even further in status. In her bitterness, Emily rashly makes a pact with a stranger at pub. If she finds out the secrets of Edwards and Fairmont Hall, she will be paid a liberating sum of money. Yet her time with the people of Fairmont eventually starts to heal Emily's spirit, and she's faced with the dilemma of being blackmailed by her partner in bringing Edwards down or betraying the people she has learned to love as a found family.

The Captain's elder daughter provides a bit of interesting actual history that I thought was just a bit anachronistic. Aster, the captain's eldest daughter, eventually begins living her life as a man with a desire to go to sea like his father. I learned from Philippa Gregory's Normal Women that this was actually accurate. Some women did openly live as men and even were something called "female husbands." One in particular dressed as a man and went to sea. I wonder if Aster was loosely based on her autobiography.

I read Trouble in two days. I could not put the book down to save my life. I think Lex's books are FUN, they're raw and emotional as well. However, after you're finished you're left with a profound happiness. As much as you get frustrated with Emily, she's acting as any older sister would (as the oldest of five girls, I can say this with so much confidence). Not only is Emily trying to protect her sister, she's trying to provide for her family. Anyone can relate to that. I also want to say, that even if you found Captain Edwards to be immediately cold and less-than-charming, you would also be lying if you said you didn't immediately like him. Lex gives us the best of the best, a queer MC, found family, betrayal, and love. I confidently will be picking up any book they write.

Emily Laurence's sister is very ill and cannot fulfill the position as a governess to
Captain Edwards at Fairmont Hall. They need the money, so Emily takes Amy's place. Confronted with a fourteen and sixteen year old, Emily's next dilemma is what does a governess do? Be clever! Unfortunately that doesn't extend to being blackmailed. Captain Edwards has secrets concerning his relationship with the Royal Navy and the blackmailer wants to know what they are. There in lies the trouble. Unexpected revelations may surprise you and leave you with more questions. An interesting read. Implied sex.
I voluntarily read and reviewed a copy of this book from NetGalley.

Once SMP get's it together, then I'll post my real and full review because I had many thoughts and opinions!!!!

I requested this for consideration for Book Riot's All the Books podcast for its release date. After sampling several books out this week, I decided to go with a different book for my review.

Book 17 of 2024 - ☑️! Thank you so much to NetGalley, St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin & Lex Croucher for the ARC of Trouble by Lex Croucher in exchange for my honest review.

I’ve seen Lex Croucher’s books at many book stores, and have always been intrigued by their covers. This Regency-era rom-com was inspired by The Sound of Music, with a feminist and queer spin + throw in some found family, forbidden romance (class differences) and a grumpy/grumpy relationship between the main characters. In an effort to help her sister Amy, who is chronically ill, Emily Laurence pretends to be Amy at Amy’s new job - the governess at Fairmont House. Emily also happens to be a thief, a liar and all-around unpleasant. In attempting to not get close to the family and do whatever it takes to get money & whatever she needs back to Amy, she continually finds herself in trouble - either directly in it, or surrounded by it. Despite her attempts to not get close to Edwards family, she does — and must figure out how to get out of trouble before it’s too late. The banter in the book between all of the characters is top-notch. Bonus points for representation - LGBTQIA+ (both the FMC & MMC + many of the supporting characters), race & ethnicity as well as chronic illness.

Croucher is a very vivid writer. As someone who doesn’t generally love slow-burn romances, I very much enjoyed this. 3/5 🌟 overall, and this was generally closed-door, save a scene toward the end of the book, so I’ll give a 1.5 on the 🌶️ scale. 🐎 💐 📚 #NetGalley #Trouble

I loved loved loved this book. The FMC is grumpy with an absolutely loyal marshmallow center and the MMC loves that about her. A fabulous supporting cast and an all-around fabulous read.

My favorite Lex Croucher book to date! I loved the cast of characters and how they all got on with one another. I was worried at first that the protagonist was a little too similar to a lot of Croucher’s characters from past books and while I think they do like to write to a specific type of person it didn’t take away at all from the story or my enjoyment of it. Overall a really exciting read and I can’t wait for their next book.

More in depth review to come on my site/goodreads.

Absolutely loved this one. Emily is a complicated protagonist to love, but I still found her endearing nonetheless and Captain Edwards was the perfect love interest. I loved this cast of characters, I loved the queer themes woven throughout, as well as thoughtful commentary on class that was important to this story. And what an absolute slow-burn of an enemies-to-lovers romance (my favorite). The character development that accompanies both of them through this story made it easy to root for their romance and for them as characters as the story continued and they grew as people. Lex Croucher continues to write witty historical fiction that captures the time and feels devastatingly modern all at once. Highly recommend this one to all.

**Many thanks to the publisher for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

I loved Gwen and Art are not in love but this one by the same author was not as absorbing of a read and I found more characters to be unlike able.