This was charming.

Emily is perhaps the grumpiest character in the history of grumpy characters. She bears everyone ill will, holds grudges, assumes the worst, and goes into her position subbing in for her sister as a governess with a mentality of 'eat the rich' and a determination to steal as much as she can in her short time at the house. She also hates children.

Needless to say, she makes a marvelous governess and charms the entire unconventional and informal household (though it takes her much longer to admit that she is charmed by them in return). And the journey to get there is beautifully written and an absolute delight.

I loved each and every character. All were vibrant and three-dimensional and felt real. By the time I finished, I wished they were my friends.

I also love love LOVED the casual queerness. A character comes out as trans and everyone embraces him immediately and offers nothing but love and acceptance. Major characters casually mention being bisexual or gay. It was wonderful.

The children are each terrors in their own way, and utterly charming. I loved them both and it was wonderful seeing Emily coming around to loving them as well. When she points out what a terrible governess she is, no one believes her, because she may not be teaching etiquette lessons and foreign languages, but she isn't trying to change them either.

The audiobook performance was excellent. The narrator managed to give each character a unique voice and mannerisms, and also capture all the humor in the text. I kept snorting with laughter as I listened (an achievement, as I was in bed with a migraine at the time).

Every book I read by Lex Croucher further cements them on my must-read authors list. And with every book they get better and their characters get more personality and become more charming. And of course the casual queerness is a definite plus. 10/10 highly recommend.

*Thanks to NetGalley, St. Martin's Griffin, and Macmillan Audio for providing an early copy and early audio copy for review.

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, St. Martin's Griffin and NetGalley for the advanced readers copy!

Lex Croucher is the best at writing authentic LGBTQ+ characters just existing in the world as they always have. I have really enjoyed this and her other regency books! Such a fun plot with plenty of twist and turns to keep the reader interested.

A very cute read! Even though I kind of hate consuming any kind of media where a main plot point is a character lying about something, I still decided to read this based on all the “Sound of Music vibes” reviews and I’m glad that I did. Some of the characters took a bit to grow on me, but by the end I was so glad they all got good, if maybe a bit rushed, endings that they deserved. All of the side characters were sweet and made a wonderful found family. The chronic illness rep was also a nice part of this and I thought Grace was such a sweet side character who I loved reading about.

Although Ben and Emily’s relationship didn’t really start to develop until about halfway through the book, I did enjoy when it did. Their banter and arguments were fun to read, and I thought the love confessions were perfect for their characters. They worked very well for each other as a couple and I liked their dynamic a lot.

I wish I’d gotten to know Ben better, since I felt like by the end of the book I didn’t really know too much about his character and backstory. He’s obviously supposed to be a very closed off person due to his past, but I felt that even with him developing into being more open I still knew less about him than I’d wanted to. He’s a great love interest in concept and what I knew of him I liked a lot, I just wish there’d been more. I also did feel that the ending wrapped up a bit too neatly and quickly, and I would’ve liked for that part of the story to be more in line with how the rest of the book was. But also it’s a cute romcom that isn’t supposed to be the most realistic thing in the world.

If you’re looking for a fun historical romcom that you can get through pretty quickly (I literally read the last 43% of this in one day) then I’d recommend!

Lex Croucher is becoming one of my favourite authors! This book is must read! If you haven’t read it yet you need to now. All the characters are so likeable and each is unique and special in their own way. I loved the plot the twist and turns and I found a lot of what happened was unexpected keeping me enthralled. I really can’t wait to read more by them!

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC!

I loved Lex Croucher’s previous book, Gwen & Art Are Not in Love. I knew going into this book, it would be hard to follow it up. I liked Trouble, but not as much as Gwen & Art. The banter between the romantic leads was fun and mostly charming, but did sometimes feel like they actually did not enjoy each other’s company. Their relationship was reminiscent of Captain von Trapp and Maria from The Sound of Music, and Captain Edwards definitely walked the same line between stern and endearing.

I loved that there were so many different types of queer identities represented in this book! Well-written as always, Lex Croucher books are always stellar!

I've really enjoyed everything I've read by Lex Croucher. Like, immediate-request-of-any-new-titles-before-reading-the-summary level enjoyed. "Trouble" was no exception.

I love a regency-style romance, but I also love it when LGBTQ+ people get to exist. This book was charming and witty. My favorite part was definitely the relationship between Emily and the kids- Grace is very sweet but not lacking in agency and Aster gets a much more interesting story than they 'bratty teenager' you first meet.

I do wish the Capitan's character was a little bit more developed (and I wish the sex scene was more explicit, but maybe that's just me).

Overall- great! Lots of characters who got to have their own things going on without taking away from Emily's development. Will reread and am excited for the audio version.

In this latest historical novel from Lex Croucher, Fairmont House gets a prickly new governess, and while she isn’t who the household is expecting, she may just be exactly what they need.

Emily Laurence does not know what she’s doing. She’s not really a governess, you see, but when her sister, Amy, gets sick and is unable to fulfill her position as the new governess at the captain’s estate by the sea, Emily goes in her place because, well, needs must. The thing is, though, Emily doesn’t so much tell them that she isn’t Amy. And she doesn’t really know anything about children. Or what they need to study. Or how to be gentle and kind and a guiding hand for them.

Luckily for Emily, the children are both in their teens. Unluckily for Emily, the fourteen-year-old tends towards verbosity and the sixteen-year-old leans into irascibility. And although Emily wants to keep her distance, the relaxed atmosphere of the household makes that nigh impossible. The staff seems to like her in spite of her attempts to be unlikable and there is something about Captain Edwards that gets under her skin. She wants to hate him based on his position alone, but she just can’t. How utterly frustrating for her.

This one is smart, witty, and queer with care—and by that I mean with an awareness and understanding of the ramifications of being openly queer or suspected as queer during that time period—with a good balance of heartfelt (but not saccharine) moments, swoon, and utterly ridiculous stories and comments that will make you giggle, if not outright guffaw—I’m looking at you housemaid Akia. I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Is there a bit of a sub/side plot used to enhance the drama that I felt perhaps wasn’t entirely necessary? Yes. Did it detract from my enjoyment of the story? No.

I received an advance copy of the ebook from St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley. All review opinions are my own.

I normally say I'm not a historical romance person (or any type of historical fiction) but between this book and don't want you like a best friend maybe I have to read more because I loved them both. this book has so many tropes that I love: found family, nanny (kinda she's a governess), hidden identity, etc. their relationship was such a slowburn the first time they talked was 44% into the book and then they didn't talk again for another 2 chapters. this is one of the first books I've read where I picked up on the British accents and started reading with a British accent. we love lgbtq+ rep especially in a historical romance and 3 (im counting her too) of 4 in tbe main family being lgbt kinda shocked me ngl.

Trouble is such a sweet, fun regency romance. I loved every supporting character, and they each added depth to the story. And there was great humor and witty banter. My only small mark against is the fmc was a bit of a drag at times, though I do understand her hesitations. But after a while you do want to shake a girl into realization

What a delightfully fun romance with a strong dash of queerness! I loved how the queerness was so normalized - it didn't need to be talked about or remarked on, it just was. A great enemies-to-lovers regency romance. If you enjoyed Bridgerton etc then you'll like this one too! Excited to read more by this author.

Loved this book. My first book from this author. Made me a total fan with this book. would read this again and again

In the captivating novel "Trouble" by Lex Croucher, readers are introduced to a new governess who brings chaos and unpredictability to the serene Fairmont House. Emily Laurence, the protagonist, steps into a role she is ill-prepared for, assuming the position that was originally meant for her more capable sister, Amy. As the story unravels, we discover that Amy is unwell, leaving Emily with no choice but to impersonate her in order to secure their financial stability. Right from the start, it becomes clear that Emily is a skilled deceiver. She lacks the expected charm and grace of a governess, and her frustration and recklessness often get the best of her. With a cunning plan in mind, she intends to maintain her façade long enough to earn a steady income and perhaps acquire a few luxurious items along the way. However, her aspirations of a smooth deceitful journey are challenged when she is inadvertently drawn into the intricate dramas of the Edwards family. Against her better judgment, Emily finds herself surrounded by individuals she initially refuses to care about - the spirited and talkative Grace, who wears her heart on her sleeve, and the enigmatic and witty Aster, whose presence both intrigues and intimidates Emily. Additionally, she becomes entwined with the close-knit staff, who show unwavering loyalty to one another despite their hierarchical positions. Amidst all this, Emily fails to recognize the captivating allure of her employer, the brooding and silent Captain Edwards, despite his undeniable appeal. As Emily grows more connected to Fairmont House, her web of lies begins to unravel. The question arises: can she mend her mistakes before the consequences become irreversible? Lex Croucher skillfully navigates the complexities of deception, family dynamics, and personal growth, weaving a tale that keeps readers on the edge of their seats. "Trouble" is a delightful and engaging novel that delves into the intricacies of human relationships and the consequences of deceit. Croucher's writing effortlessly brings the characters and their dilemmas to life, evoking both empathy and curiosity in readers. With unexpected twists and a touch of romance, this book is a captivating journey that keeps readers gripped until the very end. In conclusion, "Trouble" by Lex Croucher is an enthralling tale of deception, self-discovery, and the power of human connection. Through Emily's captivating journey, readers are reminded that the consequences of our actions can be far-reaching, and that true redemption lies in accepting our mistakes and striving to make amends. This novel is a must-read for those seeking an immersive and thought-provoking literary experience.

I would quite literally read a grocery list that Lex Croucher puts together. I LOVE LOVE LOVED this book so much. I like to describe her writing style as if Bridgerton and Gossip Girl took place in the same time period. I loved the petulant main character and I love a captain. BIG swoon.

Lex Croucher does it again with a super fun regency romance. Like their other books, they started with a borrowed trope, in this case Sound of Music, and expands on it until it’s a completely different story all together. This book has a great cast of characters who bring depth and comedy to the book. One thing that diverges from Croucher’s previous work, our heroine… isn’t very bright. Blinded by pride and an inferiority complex (dressed up as revolutionary fervor), her decisions are erratic and poorly thought out. My spent most of the book deeply frustrated by her.

Thanks to St. Martin’s for the ARC. This is an unbiased review.

3.5 stars — I’ve become a huge fan of Lex Croucher’s characters and writing and this book was no different! It was a sloooow burn but filled with top-notch personalities & representation, what I’m coming to know and expect as this author’s signature style. Not my favorite of their catalog, but that is just because their other works are that good -- I enjoyed this still!

Emily is not governess material. She’s not even sure she likes children. But when her sister Amy falls ill, she impersonates her to take the governess posting and the paycheck her family desperately needs. She tries to stay unattached and do her job so she can get out unnoticed, but the close knit and welcoming staff at Fairmont House are making that increasingly hard to do.

She also finds herself liking her charges, 14 year old Grace and 16 year old Asher, more than she anticipated. And most surprisingly of all is her simmering attraction to Captain Ben Edwards, the widowed patriarch of the house.

I loved that the children were older and added so much to the plot points. The other staff members were all so engaging and charming as well. Nothing overly groundbreaking in here but just fun to read!

This is a historical romance with a very diverse cast and great LGBTQIA+ representation. Lex Croucher always infuses a good mixture of humor with some very serious themes: chronic illness, persecution of LGBTQIA+ people and class inequality. I did not love the heroine (I don't think we are supposed to though) and I felt like the male lead character could have been better fleshed out. I did love the supporting characters: all of the servants in the house and the two children. I would recommend this to readers who love a book with diverse representation embedded in a historical romance.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

Things I loved:

Side characters : representation of the LGBTQ community plus multiple ethnicities. All were people I would love to know.

Dialogue: wonderfully witty, colourful, and actual funny banter

Main characters: both male and female lead were financially broke. In other such novels, at least one is disgustingly wealthy beyond belief.

Captain Edwards: very swoon-worthy male lead

Things I didn't love:

Emily was a bit of an unenthusiastic wet rag much of the time. Yes she was plucky and strong, with a sharp and sassy tongue. But someone fell in love with her????

Aster: while Aster's story was interesting and relevant for our current times, back in the Regency period, I think things would have gone down a little bit differently. While his story line was handled in a sweet and loving way, I think it would have suited a modern novel more than this one.

Bridgerton-wanna-be: ugh, please don't.

The declaration of love: I saw the interactions between Ben and Emily become more involved as the novel progressed, but there seems to be a big chunk missing because it suddenly lept forward to Ben's admission of his feelings for Emily.

It was still a very enjoyable novel, I'm a sucker for Regency period books. Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This historical romance was amazing! The romance was very well done and the setting drew me into the world. I would highly recommend this book!

Another great queer period romance from Lex Croucher with a wide range of queer identities represented.