2.75/5 stars! This book was a sweet historical romance. But the key word is sweet. It was so over-the-top sweet that it lacked genuineness. Emily is in a position lacking power in a man's world and I don't believe she would have forgotten the importance of just making some money and getting out so easily. If you think of it as one of those 1990s romance novels, it is likeable.

DNF'ed at 40%. Unfortunately this plot is too slow for me and the characters don't grab my interest enough to love the relationships between them.

Thank you to Netgalley and SMP for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Another hit from Lex Croucher.

While I didn’t enjoy this as much as Infamous, I do think that this is a great read for anyone who loves the Regency era, women doing their own thing ™, and a diverse cast who don’t just fill the quota.

Emily is an interesting main character, and she reminds me a bit of Jo from Little Women, as she fiercely loves her sister, and only wants the best for her family. She really takes things into her own hands, and doesn’t let society tell her what to think. Her relationship with Grace and Aster, as well as Meera, Akia, Oliver, and Joe are very well fleshed out, and propel her in the right direction for her character’s plot.

Captain Edwards is a very likeable character, and does draw parallels from Captain Von Trapp, who, along with the rest of The Sound of Music, is likely the inspiration for the story. I didn’t find the ending of his relationship with Emily very believable though, and that is my only criticism for this novel.

Thank you to NetGalley, St. Martins Press, and the author for allowing me to read an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I loved this book and I love Lex Croucher. This is my third book by Lex, and I continue to be amazed. This was such a fun look into the historical romance genre, with a lot of mischief tossed in! Absolute blast.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

I adore Lex Croucher and all of her books have been so amazing, and this one did not disappoint either! She has always been an instabuy author for me!!

I really enjoy Lex Croucher and this one was super well done! I think this series takes the typical historical romance genre and flips it on it's head. Can't wait to read more from her!

When Amy falls ill, her sister Emily steps up to go nanny a family. Emily, however, is not what the family ordered. She has no manners and surely can't teach the girls their studies. To her redemption, she has compassion and has inventive ways to solve problems. When the girls dad takes notice of her though, she may be in over her head.
Opinion
I love to read a Lex Croucher book. They always tell a tale that can keep me interested from start to finish. Even though they are romance, and we know the couple will get together in the end, the journey is well worth the time devoted to reading the book. (Dare I say that Croucher's books would also make good movies?)
This book was no exception. I fell in love with Emily's spirit. The girls she was charged with were quite opposites but endearing in their own ways. I think Emily's relationship with the girls was more magnificent than that with their father.
Many thanks to Net Galley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with an ARC of this book.

This books is a captivating dive into the murky waters of early 20th-century England, combining historical intrigue with a masterful narrative. Set against the backdrop of a luxurious estate in the 1920s, Croucher weaves a tale brimming with suspense, deception, and the ever-present specter of scandal.

The novel centers on Amelia Hawthorne, a young woman whose life takes an unexpected turn when a high-profile guest is found dead under mysterious circumstances at her family’s estate. Amelia, who should be enjoying the privileges of her social standing, finds herself entangled in a complex web of secrets and lies that challenge her understanding of those around her and, ultimately, herself.

Croucher’s character development is exceptional, bringing Amelia to life with depth and nuance. As the protagonist navigates the treacherous waters of family loyalty and personal justice, readers are drawn into her journey with empathy and engagement. The supporting cast is equally well-crafted, each character harboring their own secrets and adding layers to the unfolding mystery.

The author’s historical setting is meticulously researched and vividly portrayed, immersing readers in the opulence and underlying tensions of the era. The atmospheric descriptions enhance the novel’s sense of place and time, making the world of **Trouble** feel as rich and layered as its plot.

The pacing of the story is well-handled, with suspense building steadily as Amelia uncovers shocking truths. Croucher skillfully balances the mystery with moments of introspection and emotional depth, keeping readers on edge while also exploring themes of trust, betrayal, and self-discovery.

This is a compelling read that fans of historical mysteries and intricate family dramas will find irresistible. Lex Croucher has delivered a novel that is as intellectually stimulating as it is entertaining, ensuring that **Trouble** will leave readers eagerly anticipating her next literary adventure.

Highly recommended for readers who enjoy a well-crafted historical mystery with strong character development and a gripping plot.

I’m finding that Lex Croucher may just not be the author for me. This was the second Croucher book that I’ve read. I felt like this was less a historical romance than a historical fiction novel (which is ok! Just not what I was looking for). The writing style is great and the storytelling is top notch.

Lex Croucher was a new to me author when I requested this read. I am sure glad I did! I am always on the hunt for authors who write in the Regency period that don’t always feature exclusively the ton. I was draw to the storyline by Emily’s taciturn outlook on life and her attraction to her unwanted employer, Captain Edwards. I love stories that feature a strong sisterly bond and I loved Emily’s determination to help Amy by going in her place to ensure her sister would get well. Croucher’s writing is funny and witty! I can’t wait to dive deeper into her catalog.

I enjoyed the book overall but I honestly feel like the best part of the this book wasn’t even the romance - it was Emily’s relationship with the kids. I felt like there was barely any chemistry or build up between the two main characters and by the end of the book I wasn’t even sure why they were together. Her relationship with Aster and Grace, however, was well fleshed out and developed.

The side characters and plot over all were good and I enjoyed the queer representation, I just wouldn’t read this for the romance.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for granting me free access to the advanced digital copy of this book.

This is a quirky, lovely story. Emily is a wonderful grumpy loyal friend to her charges and Ben is a clueless father with two interesting children. The people that work for the family are all kind and delightful. Enjoyed this book immensely.

I'm excited about this book, but I am waiting to review this one until the SMP boycott is over! I'm a bit sad to not be able to review this at the moment.

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.