3.75 stars

I liked but didn’t love this book. While I always appreciate the writer and the way they incorporate diverse gender identities and specialities into historical fiction, this book just wasn’t my favourite of theirs. I enjoyed the story, liked the range of characters, and appreciated the Jane Eyre vibes, but I just couldn’t get into it the same way I did with their other novels. But, ah well. I’m still looking forward to seeing what they write into the world next!

I thoroughly enjoyed Croucher’s other two Regency-era novels, so I was very excited about the opportunity to read this one. If anything, my high expectations were exceeded: this delightful homage to The Sound of Music is full of queer joy and acceptance.

From the very first pages, Emily won me over, although I’m sure she’d be annoyed by my admiration. She spends a good deal of time engaged in duplicity, but that doesn’t make her any less endearing. After all, she’s only pretending to be a governess to earn money to pay for medicine for her sister, so she’s lying for a GOOD reason, right?

The narrative unfolds from a single perspective (Emily) and this is usually the point in the review where I say something about single perspective being necessary because sometimes when the reader knows more than the protagonist, it diminishes the effect of Big Moments. However, in this case, Captain Ben Edwards’ perspective would be far too gloomy and brooding. It would throw off the vibe, as the kids say, with the brooding and the angst. So much brooding. Brooding for days.

Ultimately, this is a beautiful tale of love and acceptance. The servants, who are fully rounded enough to support a spinoff, accept Emily almost as soon as she arrives at the house. Captain Edwards accepts his children for who they are. And of course, he also accepts Emily even though she doesn’t think she deserves acceptance or love, but the captain will not be dissuaded from declaring his love.

I would absolutely recommend Trouble. While this book does deal with some serious issues, its light tone is what makes the book so enjoyable. Croucher’s books are all funny, and this book is no exception. The banter is top notch, and it’s so refreshing to read a Regency era book in which the characters are not always polite and defy the rigid conventions imposed upon them based on those who would naively believe that any deviation from Austen and Heyer is anachronistic. I am already looking forward to Croucher’s next book.




I received a digital ARC of this book from St. Martin’s/NetGalley

Really enjoyed this new Lex Croucher title. Amy Laurence has just accepted a postion at Fairmont House as a governess, but before she can assume the title, her chronic illness prevents her. Her sister, Emily agrees to take her place as a governess, only she doesn't tell the Edwards Family or their staff that's she's Emily. In order to get the money her family needs to care for Amy, Emily is willing to lie to her sister and her new employers. Things get messy quick as Emily's lies start catch up with her especially when her initial plans of stealing from the rich to help her sister become increasingly more difficult as she grows close to the Edwards and their staff.

When I initially started this title, I was thrown by our main protagnists being seemingly a heterosexual presenting couple, and I was pleasantly surprised to find that was not the case. I love Croucher's ability to demostrate the spectrum of sexuality and gender identity in her stories in ways that feel so genuine. There's this misconception that queer people are a 20th century phenomenon or something that just happened one day so I like that Croucher's historical romances have them at the forefront of the story thriving and living lives.

Not my favourite Lex Croucher book unfortunately! I didn't love the actual pairing I felt they weren't very well suited but that's okay!

This was a good Regency Romance book but I think that Ben Could have been more developed and his relationshwith Emily more described. But other than that it was a good book with some amazing scenes.
4 stars for this book. It kept me entertained.
I just reviewed Trouble by Lex Croucher. #NetGalley
[NetGalley URL]

I think this is my favorite book by Croucher so far. I'm a big fan of theirs and their fun, queer historicals be it YA or adult. The plot of this one reminds me of Sanditon (the tv show), but with a twist. Emily is sent as governess to Captain Edwards and his two children, but what they don't know is they sent for her sister Amy and Emily is going instead because Amy is too sick. Desperate for the money, Emily disguises herself as her sister with the intent on getting some wages and maybe stealing from the wealthy Navy captain. What she doesn't anticipate is falling in love with the captain's children, the staff of the house and maybe even the captain himself.

Emily is stubborn and sassy with a mean streak but it just makes everyone (including the reader) like her even more. This book had a lot of the trappings of a great historical romance while also being slightly anachronistically funny. I loved the other staff members that do their best to inculcate Emily into their antics despite every attempt to stay away. The Captain's children were adorable and salty and everything you want from precocious historical romance kids. The romance was a bit of a slow burn if only because we only see it from Emily's point of view and she is adamant to not fall in love with any of them.

Although a m/f romance, the casual queerness of so many of the characters pervades the story in a really lovely way and I am just so delighted with this book.

Thank you so much to St. Martin's Press and NetGalley for the opportunity to read an E-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book was a fun read. This is my third Lex Croucher book and it did not disappoint. Lex Croucher has moved onto my must read authors list.
The #1 thing about this book is the characters. The characters were very well developed. Emily is a tough nut to crack. She works very hard at not letting anyone in, but one by one each of the other characters peels away one of the brick layers that she has built up around herself. The side characters are great and my favorite has to be Akia - she was just so unexpected. That being said, the rest are also fantastic. I thought that the development of Aster - the trans character - was well done. The banter throughout is entertaining. I think I would have liked a little more Captain Edwards though. The ending was satisfying.
Basically, if you sit down to read this book, just sit back and enjoy the ride.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Griffin for the digital review copy. The opinions expressed are honest and my own.

I have a review written and ready to post for the future. At this time I am withholding a full review in solidarity with the SMP boycott and this is a st martins press title. Thank you.

2.5 rounded down. A decent read from Croucher, but not my favorite. While I enjoyed Emily's dynamics with Edwards's children, I feel like I didn't really believe in the romance between the two characters. but the writing style did. It was definitely an easy breezy read and Grace is really my favorite. I did appreciate Captain Edwards as a character, but wish we got to see more of him. It felt like we got more with Emily and the bigger plot as well as the staff that the buildup didn't quite work for me. Aster and Grace were definitely the highlight though.

I really enjoyed this one. Lex Croucher has such a fresh voice. Emily is prickly but a fun heroine. We don't get to know the captain as well, but the other secondary characters are great. I loved the interaction between the characters, even if the romance was a little too low key for me. I also really liked the subtle references the Sound of Music. Looking forward to reading more from this author.

I loved this. The writing was clever and fun. I loved every single character. I do not care how accurate to regency times it is, I do not think it supposed to be. It’s fiction. The FMC Emily was grumpy hilarious secret teddy bear. The side characters were so fun and the dialogue was very funny. Such a good read.

I will read any novel Lex Croucher touches! A slow burn romance, with a wonderful ensemble, that is a delight at every turn. Grief and chronic illness and familial trauma are beautifully interwoven, bringing some heft and tenderness to this well-rounded novel. Trouble is a bit more mature than Lex's other novels (in that the central characters have more life experience), in a way that I really appreciated. The range!

I'm having trouble (ha!) writing this review. Overall I really liked this book - the opening sucked me right in with the tone, the pace, the sense of place and the characterizations. Plus it started off with a strong "eat the rich" vibe I love. And I knew it was going to be a slow burn for the romance component so I can't tell if it was the book's pacing or mine that make it a total slog for me to get to the halfway point. (You know, some days you can focus on your book and others you can't.) Because the thing is, I enjoyed pretty much every moment of the book. I am still into Croucher's anachronistic language, the incidental diversity (which feels better than neutral rep, if not productive), and the low-key hijinks. And this book had a found family feeling that was the warmest of all their books (probably because of the teenagers and the focus on the household help). Also, It was interesting because, having only just recently read Jane Eyre, I was seeing echoes of it left and right. I wholeheartedly recommend this book and will likely re-read soon with my ears - which I think will let me move through it at the faster pace that would serve it well.

"Trouble" by Lex Croucher is a refreshing and witty journey through the tumultuous years of adolescence. With a unique blend of humor, insight, and relatability, Croucher navigates the complexities of growing up with charm and authenticity.

One of the book's greatest strengths is its ability to capture the essence of teenage experiences in a way that feels both familiar and enlightening. Croucher's candid storytelling invites readers to reminisce about their own awkward encounters, embarrassing moments, and heartbreaks, while also offering a fresh perspective on the universal struggles of youth.

Through a series of personal anecdotes and reflections, Croucher tackles a wide range of topics, from navigating friendships and romantic relationships to grappling with self-identity and societal expectations. What sets "Trouble" apart is Croucher's ability to infuse each chapter with humor and wit, even when addressing more serious themes. Her sharp observations and witty commentary add depth and resonance to the narrative, making it a joy to read from start to finish.

Moreover, Croucher's writing is incredibly accessible and engaging, making "Trouble" a perfect read for both young adults and older readers alike. Whether you're a teenager grappling with the challenges of adolescence or an adult looking back on your own youth, there's something in this book for everyone.

✨ Review ✨ Trouble by Lex Croucher; Narrated by Ell Potter

Thanks to St. Martin's Griffin, Macmillan Audio, and #netgalley for the gifted advanced copy/ies of this book!

Just like Reputation and Infamous, these books exist in the same world but don't really connect together -- you can read them in any order!

This is hard to review because it's marketed as a historical romance but it's not very romance-y...more than half of the book transpires before the seeds of the romance are even really planted. And then it happens slowly and sometimes as an almost side plot to the book, at least until the last 25% or so.

With that said, I didn't dislike the book at all. Emily takes a governess role her sister Amy was supposed to take (but was too sick to go) to earn money to help her sick sister. She finds two quirky teens, both with very different interests and personalities.

The book has great but subtle queer rep (though again, it appears later in the book), amazing found family via a lovely and kind staff of servants, and some class transgressing (though I think this could have gone even further).

I enjoyed it and for sure will read more of her books, but overall, I could have done with a bit more romance, a bit more even scattering of themes, and maybe a bit more editing for length. Overall an enjoyable historical fic read in the style of Croucher + solid audio narration!

⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: historical m/f romance with subtle queer themes
Setting: rural coast of England
Reminds me of: Croucher's other books
Pub Date: March 5, 2024

Read this if you like:
⭕️ subtle integration of queer topics and themes
⭕️ mixed class romance
⭕️ quirky kids + governess

Emily Laurence is exactly the type of heroine I didn’t know I needed. She’s grouchy, doesn’t like children (or people really for that matter), is a thief, a liar, and yet I still found her one of my most favorite characters ever. Emily doesn’t care what people think about her and has little disregard for societal norms, but she cares tremendously for her ailing sister Amy whose place she has taken as a governess for Captain Edwards and his two children. In fact, Emily has assumed Amy’s identity in order to become the governess of Fairmont House (lie number one), and is prepared to only be with them for a matter of months—just long enough to send money home to Amy.

This is my second Lex Croucher book and if you have read and enjoyed the comic hilarity of Croucher’s friend groups or side characters, then Trouble will absolutely become a favorite. Grace and Aster (Emily’s pupils) could not be more different and I loved every scene with their dialogue. Grace is inquisitive, earnest, and exudes joy whereas Aster is a brooding artist who puts Emily through the wringer, challenging her very reason for being at Fairmont. Croucher’s books are known for being queer friendly which puts a wonderful modern twist on historical romance. The household staff is full of big personalities and each character is written so perfectly that I felt like each servant could have their own novel. This book is wonderfully queer and also deals with chronic illness of not one but two characters. In fact readers will see how very different illness is treated from one wealth bracket to another.

As a romance, the love story is much quieter than a typical historical romance. One character is completely in denial while the other initially hides their feelings. If you’re looking for on page heat it happens more at the very end, but that definitely didn’t keep me from loving this book. The story is more about Emily which is in part to it being a single POV, but I still felt like I got a good sense of Ben’s feelings towards her. The thing that I love about Croucher’s books is that they’re page turners that always keep my interest and I never can predict what shenanigans will happen. I received an advanced copy from St. Martin’s Griffin in exchange for a review. All opinions are my own.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟
🪭
Plot told through emojis:
🚨🐎🙅🏼‍♀️🦶➡️👄🏯👩🏼‍🏫👯‍♂️🤬🫙💰🎁👨🏻‍🦰🕵️🍴🎉🍷💤🌅💪👨‍👧🍺🪙🧺☀️🥃🧍🏽‍♂️👀🗣️🌊⛵️💥🍲👗💇🏻‍♀️💃👩‍❤️‍💋‍👨✉️🤒🚫👧🏼❤️❓🛏️💨💼👊🏼🏇🏽💖🏥👰🏼‍♀️🏴‍☠️⛵️

Another brilliant Regency romance from Croucher! Absolutely transporting in its tone with such beautiful and beautifully simple LGBTQIA representation.

Emily is prickly and pained and Ben is guarded and grieving, but they send sparks from moment one. I think you’ll love their slow but electric burn and all of the vibrant characters who join them.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s Press for my copy. These opinions are my own.

In all honesty? I really did not love this book.

I mean, I should have, right? Troublesome children? Check! Hot single father? Also a check! And a valet who may or may not be gay (I refuse to accept anything else, I can FEEL the vibes!) CHECK.

So why didn't I love this book? Because...only the valet part was true. TRUST ME, Captain Edwards is single, thank God. No, he's just so...shallow.
I mean, he HAS his moments. I mean, when he met her? She thought he was a groom, and asked him if Captain Edwards is self-obsessed. He only thought for a minute and said "Yes." PRECIOUS. But he was terrible with his children, and not in an adorable way. He doesn't try to reign in their rudeness, and lets them be terrible human beings for no other reason than [Dramatic falling of the head] "I don't know how."
And your point is?
LEARN, EDWARDS, I SWEAR TO GOD.
The children were demons.
Literal.
Express Amazon from hell.
Demons.

[Unholy screeching rents the air]

Grace is portrayed as sweet, but she's also ridiculously spoiled. And not in the material sense. She's rude about Emily's gown in the FIRST FEW CHAPTERS and is so dim, I refuse to accept her as one of the Bibliophile's Association of Intelligent Women in Literature.
Aster....was so STEROTYPICAL I COULD SCREAM.
The writing was very well done, but the characters were flat. Aster was NOT justified in her treatment of everyone simply because, "boo-hoo, my mom died, and now I'm going to take my pain out on everyone like an emo."
SERIOUSLY.
NOT.
OKAY.
What happened was....sad? I guess? But still, that does not give her the right to openly insult, degrade, and humiliate people for her own satisfaction.
FINALLY.
Captain Edwards caught Emily stealing. I HATED EMILY. I swear, that woman! She's been given the opportunity to make HONEST money, but instead of merely settling for that, she decided, "Hmm, that looks pretty. But it would look even better in my POCKET!"
Excuse me while I go bang my head against a wall.
That scene reeked of second-hand embarrassment that stuck with me throughout the whole book.
Oliver carried the whole book though. FROM THE FIRST MEETING, Olvier was my dream husband, but sadly, I was getting too many gay vibes to ever ruin his happiness.
[Tell me he's straight, and I will pull up SO MUCH EVIDENCE, your argument will sink faster than stock prices in the Great Depression]
So...yeah. Feelings? Not many good ones. Emily is a terrible person, Aster is a stereotype, Captain Edwards is flat, and Grace is spoiled.
I would give this book 2/5 stars, BUT, I think I would enjoy reading another of this author's books.
The style of the writing was well-done, and the dialogue was well-maintained. If she merely had an idea that was less...this, I think I would like it.
Enjoy!

Thank you, Netgalley, for this ARC.

Do you love Hallmark channel romance movies but wish they were a bit more...,. queer? Then you should already know that Lex Croucher's romances are exactly what you are looking for. These are fairly typical regency-era romances but with queer twists.
In this one, we follow Emily as she takes her ill (and much better-mannered) sister's place as a governess in the unconventional Fairmont House. Von Trapp vibes abound, but with much more reasonable numbers of children, including precocious and loving Grace and taciturn and contrary Aster. We might think we know what to expect in this story, and we would be completely correct, but the story is a fun romp with a few small surprises that make it a whip-smart romantic comedy of sorts that fits in perfectly with Croucher's other novels. I do want to remark that this book includes a character who comes out as trans mid-novel and is immediately accepted and flawlessly and immediately gendered correctly for the rest of the novel, and that makes my heart so happy.

When Emily’s sister becomes too ill to travel, Emily steps in to take her place as a governess despite having no experience and no real affection for children. Will she escape without giving her heart to the children or their father?

What I loved:
-sense of found family
-queer, trans, and chronic illness representation
-character growth for Emily’s character

This was a really fun read and I adored Emily’s character and seeing her character growth. I would definitely recommend this book to Regency romance fans.

Thank you to NetGalley and St Martin’s for the advanced reading copy!