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.

I'm always excited to read a new Lex Croucher book, and Trouble was no exception. While Gwen and Art are Not in Love remains my favorite title of theirs, Trouble is definitely my favorite adult release so far. The thing I love most about Croucher's books is how flawed and likeably unlikeable the main characters are. Emily struggles with self worth and sharing her vulnerable side -- and she's a self-admitted thief. The Captain has withdrawn himself from his life and his children while grieving his deceased wife. By bringing out the worst in each other, these two make each other better. Somehow, I always go into Croucher's books thinking they're going to be a simple love story, and I always end up surprised when they're so much more than that. This is a story of found family, identity, and illness. I will definitely be buying a copy of Trouble upon release and encourage everyone to pick it up.

This one was too allllll over the place for me. And the historical inaccuracies really bugged me.

I also flat out didn't like Emily, nor could I sense any romantic inclination or growing affections between the two main characters.

I wasn't the right reader for this one.



Thank you to St. Martin’s Griffin and NetGalley for the DRC

OH ITS PERFECT OH I LOVE IT. THE SOUND OF MUSIC STAN IN ME HAS LOST ITS COMPLETE MIND.

This was everything I hoped it would have been and then some. I instantly fell head over heels for Emily, her snark and dry humour were absolutely delightful, and this entire family’s dynamic is perfection. I really love the way this story is told, where Emily is clearly the only person unaware that she’s in a romance novel. Her narrative voice is equal parts hilarious, heart-wrenching, and aggravatingly obtuse. She’s so blinded by her own opinions that she has no idea how obvious everything is around her. It’s amazing and I love her.

I also love the way this book tackles sexuality, gender, and chronic illness. Historical fiction isn’t always the place one might seek easily relatable stories if they’re not a cis straight white person, but Croucher has made Fairmont House and all its occupants feel like a safe space for all. It rounds out the story wonderfully

As always I adore the way Croucher writes, their prose is perfection and their characters are so loveable it hurts. I know I can dive into every book they ever write and always find a fabulous experience every time.

Thank you to NetGalley for the arc of this wonderful book!

A delight! Emily’s sister is ailing, so Emily poses as her to take on a temporary role of governess and earn some much needed wages. Despite having no experience and not being fond of children, Emily finds herself eager to fleece the family though she starts to soften as she gets to know the characters at Fairmount House.

Emily is wonderful and had me laughing from the first page onward. Every character (except for Charles) has their charms and adds to the story. Overall, this was a lot of fun and I’d recommend it to anyone looking for a humorous and compelling romance.

Thank you very much to St. Martin’s Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read a copy.