Rick and Emily have a years-old history that is known only to them. Flash forward to the start of the book and Rick, a former/still alpha hunky SEAL, returns to his family's ranch where Emily is a vet treating their animals. I looked forward to A Whole Lot of Trouble with great anticipation because: strong woman and military hero on a ranch. What's not to love? I enjoyed it but it's not my favorite Hart book. I struggle with intelligent, savvy women who spend time sharing "stuff" with everyone except the one person with whom they should. While I liked both Emily and Rick, they often reminded me of middle school students in the first throes of love.

All of that said this book is definitely worth 4-stars imho. The characters are engaging, the intimate moments are consistently well-written (hot, hot, hot), and you've gotta love the loyalty and love between Emily and Rick. The words that Rick strings together when talking about his feelings with Emily will make you wish he was talking to you. What would have made it 5-stars for me would be replacing some of the repetitive emotional angst with a good old-fashioned conflict that the leading couple works together to resolve. I say this often, but if Ms. Hart writes it, I'll read it. This review is based on an ARC courtesy of NetGalley but I always buy her books, a practice started after reading her the first time.

I enjoyed Rick and Emily and their story. There was a lot of realistic small town action, i.e. gossip and interference which added to the plot. Sometimes the story seemed a bit discombobulated but was still interesting. Tension also came from Rick's high-handed ways toward Emily. She's worked hard to become a vet and has proved herself very capable so she doesn't take well to Rick trying to always protect her. Though at one point, it turns out to be a very good thing. There's enough action that I'd call this a romantic suspense and I was glad there was more depth to the story. This was definitely a good diversion for a few hours.

This story had a little bit of everything and it had me loving every minute of reading it. This is a new to me author and I look forward to reading more from them. This story had suspense and humor and lots of heart. I was completely pulled into this story and could not put it down.

Despite the massive screw-up from when he was younger, Rick is a man who can be depended upon for security, for honesty and for his strength. But once burned, twice shy Emily is not sure she really wants to take a chance on him. However, when passions flair and danger lurks, her reliance on his help, in spite of his high-handedness, is essential to her health. "You are my person. Always have been. Always will be." Rick's emotional breakthrough is part of the reason he succeeds in, just possibly, in earning his way back into her life. Emily shows courage, stubbornness and passion in her manner, especially when dealing with a man who is a Leader and an Alpha personality

This was an okay read for me. I struggled quite a bit, not only to get invested in the story, but also to connect with the characters. I also had to stop and check to see if this book is part of a series (it's not) because I felt like I was missing a lot of backstory with each and every character.

There just didn't seem to be any emotion involved. When I was reading from each character's POV I would read about their emotions, but I never really felt it. A lot of flowery description that just did not land with me. There were also a few instances where the writing felt better suited for an historical romance because no modern person speaks like that.

I think a lot of it had to do with spending so much time in each person's head, where they mulled over their actions and ruminated about their feelings, but then they failed to share with the other character. There was a disconnect between what they were supposedly feeling and their actions. Very dry, very cut and paste. For example, at one point Emily is "Preparing herself for the inevitable conversation, the sat down on the bed and folded her hands." Is she nervous? Angry? Scared? Resigned? Who knows?

(Speaking of which, the sex scenes became repetitive fairly quickly. I mean, it read like the exact same moves in the exact same order. No variation. No surprises. No passion.)

Finally, the ending was rushed and a lot of the set-up just didn't make any sense to me. There was a lot of hand waving that was meant to distract from the implausibility of everything that happened.

While I do enjoy new-to-me authors, overall this was just a disappointment. I won't be looking at the author's backlist, nor will I be reading any future books.

**I received a copy of A Whole Lotta Trouble from Entangled Publishing and Net Galley in exchange for a honest review**

A Whole Lotta Trouble by Lea Hart was truly enjoyable as I have never read Lea Hart stories so I have a new author to read now.

Emily Conner has returned home as a mobile vet service she knows that impressing the owners of Blakely Ranch will be a huge contract. Even though Rick Blakely is home again after serving as a SEAL maybe she can put their past to rest. They were the ones who got into the most trouble as kids until a rumor caused her a lot of pain while Rick left to join the Navy. But even though the town has a bet to see what will happen both Rick and Emily will have to work through the past to get to the future. Rick must work through his nightmares of his last SEAL mission while making sure to keep the horses breeding program on track.

When accidents start to happen a former classmate tries to show his interest Emily but when she's kidnapped Rick will have to dust off his SEAL skills to rescue her before it's too late.

The battle between Rick and Emily!

Veterinarian Emily Conner had heard the news that former SEAL Rick Blakely had returned to family’s ranch but when she was asked to check on some horses she found out that the attraction between them was still there even though she was ignoring it. Emily and Rick had fought like all through school getting into trouble together but now everyone in town was taking sides on whether they got together or killed each other.

Rick Blakely helped to run the family ranch and figure out his relationship or the lack of a relationship with Emily but his training meant that he was over protective and that was causing problems. Rick had to figure how to love Emily without and still let her have her freedom.

A Whole Lotta Trouble is a fun book to read between Emily and Rick and their battle to between freedom and being overprotective.

P.S. I’m hoping the next book is about Jack and Vanessa.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

3.5 stars

Rick and Emily have a history. The important part of that history, is known only to themselves, leaving everyone in their home town gossiping for years.

After years in service to his country and battling demons, Rick is back and staking his claim.

In the intervening years though, Emily has followed her dream, or at least part of it, and doesn't take kindly to Rick's overprotective and high handed ways.

As you might expect with an alpha male and a strong independent woman, fireworks ensue and not in celebration!

After these fizzle out, Emily and Rick eventually ride off into the sunset together en route to their HEA.

As a new to me author, Lea Hart has certainly piqued my interest...her cowboys are sexy alpha men! I hope to meet more of them in the future.

I volunteered to read and review an advanced readers copy of A Whole Lotta Trouble through Netgalley . I absolutely loved reading this story . The characters are fantastic. The story is humerous but it's also suspenseful and intriguing . Rick Blakely and Emily Conner have quit a history . They were best friends as children , partners in crime , first loves and first heart breaks . Rick broke Emily's heart when he broke up with her then left for the
Navy . Ten years later Emily is a veterinarian upon heading to the Blakely Ranch Emily and Rick come face to face after not seeing or hearing from each other for ten years . Rick decides he's ready to get back to life after the trans he went through in the Navy . He sets his sights on the woman he's never stopped loving. Emily is not easily swayed . Rick really has his work cut out for him because of his pushy take charge alpha ways . Emily is a strong capable woman and definitely stubborn . The snarky relationship between the two has the town folks taking bets of will they or won't they get together or kill each other in the process . Emily finds herself in danger , Rick will do anything and everything to keep her safe whether she likes it or not . I highly recommend taking the time to read and enjoy this fabulous story .

Rick Blakely had been away for ten years in the Navy SEALs. He spent another year working through the trauma he faced. Now he's enjoying being back on the family ranch. Emily Conner has been called out the Blakely Ranch. She's hoping that she won't run into him.

Both characters are strong-willed. Em is no push-over and doesn't easily give in when Rick pushes. Rick wants her to understand that he's willing to wait for her to realize that they are meant to be together.
I was not expecting the actions towards the end of the book but it was pretty good.
I don't want to give anything away. But you should definitely go and pick this book up if you like military heroes, cowboys and southern charm.

This ARC provided by Entangled Publishing via NetGalley

Emily and Rick have known each other since they were kids and were friends who got into a lot of mischief together. But after something happened, they lost touch and are now meeting after 10 long years. Rick knows Emily is the one for him but convincing Emily of that is not going to be so easy.

A whole lotta trouble is heart-warming love story with a strong Alpha hero and a successful, sassy, take no prisoners heroine. If you add some danger into the mix you get one entertaining and enjoyable read.

Take one veteran, Badass Navy SEAL. Add one small town vet with a history of causing him to doubt his sanity. Add the inhabitants of same small town, way too interested in taking bets on the outcome of the sparks between them. Et Voila - one kick ass, small town, cowboy romance!

Rick may be all Alpha all the time but Emily is strong, smart, independent and in no mind to put up with his crap!

Highly enjoyable with great lead characters. Some of the secondary characters are well worth books of their own!

This is a sweet and sexy romance that I thoroughly enjoyed. Rick is the badass former SEAL who returned home and wants to claim the woman he's loved most of his life. The problem arises when Emily informs her that she has a mind of her own and isn't going to go along with his ideas just because he decreed it.

There are lots of sparks between the characters, along with a bit of suspense when Emily finds herself in danger. Add in the whole town placing bets on what will happen between them, and you have an entertaining book.

If you enjoy the genre, you'll want to read this one. I'd give it a solid 4.5 starts, however will round up to 5 stars. This author is new to me and I'm looking forward to reading more of her work.

A second chance for Rick and Emily. She doesn't want to end up heart broken again so will she give him a chance. He is trying to protect her, but as he becomes overbearing and bossy will he just push her away?

A great read, am hoping there will be more books to follow on from this one!