My Kind of Trouble by L.A. Schwartz
Rating: 3.5/5
Release Date: 8 October 2024

Harmony Hale, a seasoned conwoman, has made a career out of selling deception and fleeting encounters across California. Now, she's set her sights on Brookville, with a vendetta against its wealthy mayor—the man who destroyed her father's life by stealing his music-streaming algorithm. Harmony's plan? Execute her trusty con of peddling a non-existent music festival. But to pull it off, she needs the cooperation of the man who owns the potential festival site.

Preston Jones, an autistic librarian and piano teacher, is constantly battling against those trying to shut down his library programs. He's the sole caretaker of his selectively nonspeaking little sister and must concentrate on safeguarding his job. Romance isn't on his agenda, especially not with the bold festival promoter aiming to turn his land into "Coachella North." Preston sees the world in stark contrasts, and he views Harmony—charismatic and alluring though she may be—as nothing but trouble.

Yet, when Harmony offers to help him rally public support and preserve his youth programs, Preston begins to question whether this hustler with a hidden kindness could be the person he's been searching for. As their relationship heats up amidst the library stacks, and with Harmony's con reaching its climax, she faces a crucial decision: pursue revenge and flee once more, or embrace the unexpected happy ending that awaits.

L.A.'s writing exudes a special charm, and witnessing the unlikely romance between an autistic librarian and a confident conwoman was truly heartwarming.
Seeing these two characters find comfort and connection in each other warmed my heart.

The representation in this book was executed exceptionally well, encompassing themes such as autism, LGBTQIA+ identities, and body positivity with sensitivity and authenticity. The portrayal of a healthy relationship was incredibly uplifting and powerful. Preston, in particular, resonated deeply with me—his inner struggles and journey towards self-confidence, as well as his nurturing approach to caring for his sister, were both relatable and heartwarming.

It was refreshing to see Harmony's body representation handled so naturally, without unnecessary focus or commentary—she simply existed in her body with pride, confidence, and allure, as she rightfully should. The supporting characters were well-developed and added depth to athe story, enhancing the overall reading experience.

This may have been my first encounter with this author, but it certainly won't be my last.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Alcove Press, and the author, L.A. Schwartz, for providing me with a copy of this book in exchange for an honest and fair review.

A rare 5 ⭐️ review from me but I really enjoyed this gender swap homage to “The Music Man” Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

✅ A curvy FMC
✅ Realistic Autistic representation
✅ Non ableist approach to disability
✅ Diverse characters
✅ Romance with the right amount of spice

Other than the book being very predictable there really was nothing to complain about with this book! I read it in a few hours because ai couldn’t put it down. I enjoyed reading autistic characters who were not simply defined by a stereotyped quirk or being stuck only in their needs. It also showed representation of two autistics who had similarities but also differences which was refreshing.

I loved how it tackled the very real issue of parents trying to ban books with queer or POC characters and why it’s so important to have them available to those who want to read them. It also had the cheeky references to classic books which get a pass from such people despite content that would make their toes curl if they actually opened a book.

I can’t wait for this book to come out . I have put it in my calendar to remind me when it does so I can continue to tell folks about it.

While it’s probably in the Romance or NA genre officially, older YA readers would be very content reading it if they are of the age to handle some light spice.

My rating system since GoodReads doesn’t have partial stars and I rarely round up.

⭐️ Hated it
⭐️⭐️ Had a lot of trouble, prose issues, really not my cup of tea (potentially DNF’d or thought about it)
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Meh, it was an ok read but nothing special
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Really enjoyed it! Would recommend to others
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ Outstanding! Will circle back and read again

From page one, Preston captivated me. The excitement of having a character with autistic representation was amplified when I realized he had also been forced into masking. As a neurodivergent reader, I found this incredibly meaningful. L.A. Schwartz portrayed Preston as believable, relatable, and utterly adorable. His care for his little sister, his advocacy for the town’s teenagers, and his general kindness made him the Clark Kent superhero of this book—no cape required.
Harmony is funny, witty, and incredibly smart. She uses her talent for manipulating men to earn money and support those hurt by one man's greed. She's a modern-day, plus-size, female Robin Hood. Her deep care for people, immediate defense of a bullied teen, and quick research into autism when she learns about Preston and his sister are commendable. Despite her initial deception, she strives to be honest with those around her.
Preston’s younger sister, Lacey, is the epitome of adorability. She loves the stars, struggles to make friends, and is selectively mute. The author’s nuanced portrayal of female autism makes Lacey one of the best characters in the book.

Other notable mentions include Nina, Alice, and Will—each wonderful in their unique ways.

Too often, authors attempt to represent various minorities, disabilities, and sexualities without genuine understanding. L.A. Schwartz, however, excels in this area. From meltdowns and stimming to representing sapphic relationships, the author does not disappoint. The portrayal of cis people advocating for trans rights, changing minds about sexuality and beliefs, and the gentle, kind representation of plus-size women are all noteworthy. Preston teaches Lacey to embrace her autism and advocates for her passionately. Harmony is unapologetically herself, embracing her looks, body, and sexuality despite others' judgments. The teenage characters' exploration of first love and LGBTQIA+ challenges in a small town is heartwarming and skillfully done.

I am obsessed with this storyline. The anticipation of Harmony outsmarting the antagonist and finding love kept me hooked. The interactions between Harmony and Lacey, and Preston reading to the children, were highlights. Every scene and sentence felt purposeful, contributing to the book's engaging narrative. The creative premise, impeccable characterization, beautiful writing, and constant twists make this book worth every penny.

This book is definitely 18+, with mature themes and scenes. Preston’s strong sense of right and wrong was evident from how he treated Lacey, ensuring consent and respect in every interaction with Harmony. Their chemistry is palpable and butterfly-inducing. Preston’s admiration for Harmony, comparing her to a Rubens painting, and his focus on her beauty and smile, were delightful. Harmony’s attraction grew as she got to know Preston personally, adding depth to their relationship.

The first kiss scene was phenomenal, filled with detailed, realistic emotions. Their subsequent encounters, particularly in the library, balanced sweetness and spice perfectly. The realistic portrayal of intimacy, emphasizing emotional connection alongside physical, was refreshing.

In conclusion, this has been one of my favorite reads of the year. If I had to recommend one romance book that combines all these elements, it would be this one. I preordered a physical copy almost immediately after finishing the ebook.

📚 My Kind of Trouble
⭐ 4/5
🌶️ 2/5
.
💌 REVIEW:: I loved everything about this book! It was so good, where do I even start? The characters, Harmony and Preston are so cute! I loved the representation in the book. Preston having autism was described so perfectly. Harmony, as a con woman was so interesting to read about. The way she uses her charm to trick people, eventually to get her revenge from the BAD GUY.

Preston and Harmony were so relatable throughout the book. Preston, specifically, was so adorable, kind, believable and relatable character in the book. He cares about his specifically mute sister so much and advocates for the teenagers in the town and that just shows how big his heart is.
Harmony, was so witty, funny and smart and she used her charms so cleverly to trick people and earn money AND give back to the people affected by one single person's selfishness. She was hooked on Preston from the first chapter and she cares so deeply for everyone around her that she started learning about autism as soon as she knew Preston and his sister have it.

The representation in the book was absolutely amazing!! Apart from the plus sized FMC and autism representation, we got to see so many other ones too. The way the author described everything - all the things people struggle to understand in their real lives was really descriptive and I loved every minute of reading it. 💕

The chemistry between Harmony and Preston definitely have me butterflies and found myself giggling and smiling most of the book. The book is definitely a 18+ age rating but the fluffy, cutesy moments was more enjoyable for me. 🤧

Thank you to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for providing a free ebook in exchange for an honest review.

"Drawing her into a kiss she wanted more than she deserved."

'Harmony arrives at a small town intent on going forward with a con to take away all the money she can from Travis, the mayor and the man who stole her dad's livelihood. All she needs to do is get the town on her side and persuade the tall, geeky, and admittedly strange librarian to allow her use of his land. Easy, right? Wrong. After a case of mistaken identity, an interrupted meeting that could have cost the librarian his job and that little pesky thing called feelings getting involved, Harmony discovers that this small town has so much more than she bargained for. Will she be able to carry out the con, or will she give into breaking the rules she never breaks?'

Excuse me whilst I go and scream into the abyss about this book.

Dramatics aside, there are so many reasons this was a five-star read, and I'm about to get into every single one. So buckle up, buckle down, grab yourself a snack, and get ready for an extensive list of reasons you should buy and read this book.

THE CHARACTERS:

We'll start with Preston because I was obsessed with him from page one. I was already excited about the fact that this book had autistic representation, but when I realised we were also getting representation from someone who had been forced into masking, I was even more obsessed. As a neurodivergent girlie, I love to see it in books and characters, and L.A Schwartz did not disappoint. Preston was believable, relatable, and the most adorable character in the entire book. From the way he treated his little sister to the way he looked after everyone around him and advocated for the teenagers of the town, Preston was the Clark Kent superhero this book needed and he didn't even need to turn into Superman!

Harmony as a character was funny, witty, and smart as hell, using her own ability to manipulate men as a way to earn money AND give back to the people affected by one person's greed. A modern day, plus size, female Robin Hood if you will. She cares so deeply for people, from immediately jumping to the defence of a teen being bullied by adults to immediately researching autism as soon as she discovered Preston and his little sister had it. She handled his overstimulisation beautifully and, despite lying at first, really did her best to be as upfront as possible with the people around her.

Lacey. Lacey is Preston's younger sister, and she is the embodiment of adorability. She loves the stars, struggles to make friends, but tries anyway and is selectively mute. I loved that the author was able to write the nuances between male and female autism to such a good degree, making Lacey completely realistic and, frankly, one of the best characters in this entire book.

Other honourable mentions are Nina, Alice and Will - all of whom were absolutely wonderful in their own individual ways.

REPRESENTATION:

Too often, I read books by people trying to represent multiple minorities, disabilities and sexualities without ever understanding how to do it kindly, gently, and with heart. The author blew this out of the park. From the autism moments - the meltdowns, the not understanding social cues and stimming to the representation of sapphic relationships, the author did not fail in this book. I loved that we got to see cis people advocating for trans rights, that people's minds were changed throughout the book regarding sexuality and beliefs and the gentle, kind representation of plus-size women. Preston taught Lacey to own her autism. He stood up for her in every way she needed him to, yelling at teachers, teaching her that consent is not just about touching and showing her that no matter what poeple thought of her 'additional needs' she was loved completely. Harmony owned her looks, her body, her sexuality and her brains. She was unashamedly herself in every situation, even when people thought she was being too much or too annoying. To see two teenage side characters engage with the stumbling over first love and the difficulties of being LGBTQIA+ in a small town was so heartwarming and rendered me speechless at times. The author couldn't have done a better job with representation if she tried.

STORYLINE:

I am obsessed with this storyline. I wanted to know what was coming next, how Harmony would beat the bad guy, AND get to fall in love at the same time. I lived for the scenes where we got to see Harmony interact with Lacey or where Preston was reading out loud to the children. Nothing in the storyline of this book was left to chance. Every single scene, moment, and sentence felt purposeful and meaningful. Nothing was there as a filler. The creativity of the premise of the storyline was interesting by itself but inlcude impeccable characterisation, beautiful writing, and a never eneding twist and turns backstory, and you have a book worth every penny. And this book is worth every penny.


THE CHEMISTRY/SEXUAL TENSION

I left this one for last because seriously, I have so much to say. Let me preface this by saying that this book was definitely an 18+, with mature scenes and subjects being covered.

To begin with, Preston had a wonderful sense of right and wrong. I knew he would be attentive to consent from the get go because of how he treated Lacey when she was being bullied, but in every scene where he was being physical in any way with Harmony he checked in with her every step of the way. He reassured her, checked that what he was doing was ok, and only moved forward when he had explicit consent. I loved seeing this represented in a book. I love seeing people have the right conversations, the right boundaries, and explicit consent in romance books, and this so delivered on that.

Beyond that, the chemistry between these two was butterfly inducing. Not only did Preston compare Harmony to a Rubens painting (OMGG!!?) but he went on to spend paragraphs talking about how beautiful she was and the way her smile lit everything up and hyperfocusing on her and the dresses she wears. Throw in the fact that he calls her 'sweetheart' without even realising it, and you have sizzling chemistry coming from Preston. Harmony was attracted to him from the beginning, but she was a tougher nut to crack. However, I loved that she finally gave into her attraction to him after getting to know him on a personal level. Getting to know his personality before getting to know his body (wink wink, nudge nudge).

"Let's see how articulate you are in a minute"

The physicality between these two was on fire. The first kiss scene was absolutely phenomenal. All the little details of their first kiss made for an absolutely phenomenal scene that had me putting the book down so I could recover. At first, it seems this kiss scene is a one-off. They avoid each other, and they are embarrassed and shy. But then she finds him in the back of the library and, per every reader girlie's dreams, they end up getting a little spicier than a first kiss between the shelves. Too often sex scenes in semi public spaces are cringe and a little OTT, but this scene was the perfect mix of sweet and spicy. The way he spoke to her, his tone of voice, and her reactions to him were all so realistic. That is what I loved most about the spicier parts of this book - they were realistic. Too often romance books hyperbolise sex scenes and make them into something real sex is not, further romanticising certain kinds of sex in relationships. This book did the opposite. Instead of romanticing a super activie/virile sex life, the author romanticices emotional intimacy AND physical intimacy - including the all important note that physical intimacy does not exist properly outside of emotional intimacy.

CONCLUSION

To conclude this essay that I could turn into a dissertation, this has been one of my favourite reads of the year so far. If I could recommend one romance book that combined all the elements this one does, I would recommend this every time. I preordered a phsycal copy almost immediately upon finishing the ebook.

Easiest five stars.

I love inclusivity in romance, and hearing that this featured not only a plus sized protag but also an autistic love interest made me SO excited!! And this book absolutely was everything I enjoy in a romance. Chemistry, humor, and above all, a grounded depiction of realistic characters whose diverse qualities really inform their lives and personalities. I love romance stories where the romance can be both healing and a respite, so this book made me grin a ton. I'd like to read more of Schwartz's books in the future!

Plus sized FMC and an autistic MMC make for such a sweet and inspiring story! The inclusivity of this book really caught my interest and it didn't disappoint! I loved the chemistry between Harmony and Preston and I had no idea this was a Music Man re-telling! Overall this is a great read and I'm so glad I was able to read this ARC!

Thank you to Netgalley and Alcove Press for an advanced copy of this book.

I'm in love with Preston and Harmony! They work so well together. They're complete opposites, but their relationship works so well. I feel like the author put in so much effort to give her characters so much depth and personality (especially Harmony and Preston).

The pacing of the story was great. Everything moved at a good pace. I was desperate to know what was going to happen next, and there were no lulls in the storytelling. The subplots added so much to the story, and all of the side characters were utilised well

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

I loved theatre in high school, and this was a fun book exploring musicals and acting. I liked Schwartz's storytelling and thought the characters in this story were well-developed. It flowed and was a good read. Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.

"My Kind of Trouble" by LA Schwartz is one of those romance novels that just pulls you in from the first page. It’s about two people who, despite their own personal issues and complicated pasts, find themselves deeply connected in a way they didn’t expect.

What I loved most about this book is how real the characters felt. Schwartz does an incredible job at making you care about them—flaws and all. You really get to see what makes them tick, and their chemistry practically jumps off the page.

The story is paced really well; there are enough twists and turns to keep you hooked, but nothing feels too out of left field. The dialogue is sharp and feels like real conversations you might overhear in a coffee shop or on a late-night walk.

Overall, "My Kind of Trouble" isn’t just a love story—it’s about navigating life’s ups and downs and figuring out what really matters. If you’re into contemporary romances that offer more than just fluff, this one’s definitely worth picking up. It’s heartfelt, engaging, and full of the kind of emotional depth that sticks with you long after you’ve finished reading. It had me once again kicking my feet and giggling!

🌶️🌶️/5
🥰🥰🥰🥰/5
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️/5

Conwoman Harmony Hale has sold lies up and down California for years, never looking back at her crafty scams or one-night stands. Now she’s come to Brookville, California, with her sights set on its wealthy mayor—the man who stole her father’s music-streaming algorithm and ruined his life. Harmony is finally ready to take him down, with her trusty con of selling a nonexistent music festival. All she needs is the cooperation of the man who owns the potential festival site.

Autistic librarian and piano teacher Preston Jones spends his days fighting book challengers trying to shut down his library programs. He’s responsible for raising his selectively nonspeaking little sister and needs to focus on keeping his job. He doesn’t have time for a romance like the ones in his books—and certainly none for the brassy festival promoter who wants to use his land for her “Coachella North.” Preston sees things in black and white, and he sees Harmony—amazing curves, flashy smile, and all—as nothing but trouble.

But when Harmony promises to help him win the public over and save his youth programs, Preston finds himself wondering if this hustler with a heart of gold might be the someone he’s been waiting for. Soon things are getting steamy in the stacks, and with her con coming to a crescendo, Harmony needs to choose: revenge and running again or the happy ending she never saw coming.

I really enjoyed this one! Granted, I'm a little partial to books about books (and libraries, and librarians), but this was a total treat. I loved the characters, watching their relationship change and grow, and watching them work together to solve their problems. I also loved the representation in this book. So much fun!

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

Small Business BookTok ARC Reviews: “My Kind of Trouble” by L.A. Schwartz

Note: This ARC was given to me for free by the author and I am reviewing this book voluntarily.

Harmony Hale is a con woman who has prepared all of her life for the biggest con yet—to bankrupt the man who ruined her father’s life and the mayor of Brookville, California, Travis Weaver! How will she do this? Why, come up with a fake music festival and convince him to put the funds into it, of course! All she needs to do is charm the town’s librarian, Preston Jones, into letting her use a piece of land he owns for the location of the festival for said plan to look convincing! Piece of cake, right? It’s not like sparks will fly and she’ll start catching feelings! Unless..

From the author that brought you “To A Darker Shore”, this ingenious Contemporary Romance, Gender-Swapped retelling of “The Music Man” is a love letter to many; a love letter to the next generation, to activism for equality, to disabled and LGBT communities, and to the wonderful impact books have on providing visibility, escapism, and safety for many individuals! This book does not pull punches in tackling the harmfulness and ridiculousness that is the book banning and censorship of representation in media, providing important commentary for today's climate as to why representation in literature matters! Harmony and Preston’s chemistry was truly something wholesome to read as throughout the novel, their romance grows through the knowledge they learn from each other, building each other’s character arcs in the process. Through Preston, Harmony learns to be selfless and does what she can to help support Preston and the Public Library.

Through Harmony, Preston learns that his voice and actions to protect others matters and he shouldn’t have to make himself feel small or apologize for existing because of the closed mindedness of others! Honestly, Preston is one of my favorite characters in this book! Not only is his character another instance of thoughtful and grounded Neurodiverse representation by Neurodiverse representation, but I can truly relate to his love of reading and emotional connection to books and his need and passion to share his knowledge with others! If he weren’t fictional, I wouldn’t hesitate to be friends with him and take him book shopping! If you’re looking for a fun read with a powerful literary message that combines musical homage and feels reminiscent of books by Olivia Dade and Talia Hibbert, then don’t miss out on this book when it hits online and in store shelves on October 8, 2024!

Rating: 5/5⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice Meter: 3.5/5 🌶🌶🌶

-Tropes to Expect: Contemporary Romance, Musical Retelling, Anti-Book Banning Activism, Neurodiverse Representation, LGBT Representation, Con Woman x Librarian, Opposites Attract, Small Town Romance, Slow Burn, Saving Drag Storytime, Hurt/Comfort, Plus-Size Representation, and Library Spice!

-Trigger Warnings: Discussions of Book Banning, Depictions of Attempted Hate Crime, Family Conflict (Side Characters), Forced Comphet/Homophobia (Attempted by Family of Side Characters), Ableism, Discussions of Alcohol Addiction, Discussions of Betrayal, Toxic Societal Group Think, and Abandonment Anxiety.

A breath of fresh air is what I can only describe this book as. Anything less than 5 stars would be a injustice. The pace of the romance was perfect. No unnecessary drama was thrown my way and the characters were true to themselves. I was transported to another world yet I was able to relate to both of them. Loved it

I will start by saying that everyone deserves a Preston jones in their life. Wow. This book was an emotional rollercoaster in all the good ways . While reading all I could think off was Taylor swift song “the alchemy “ especially the quote that says” who are we to fight the alchemy “ and that song is so Preston and harmony related. None of them thought that they were going to catch feeling but ultimately, they both did . Opposite attract at full force. All I wanted to do while reading was to get inside my kindle and give Preston a hug. Oh man , him and harmony melted my icy heart. Absolutely loved this book , would definitely reread . 100 stars for me , thank you 🤭

In Schwartz's captivating novel, My Kind of Trouble, conwoman Harmony Hale returns to Brookville, California, with a vendetta against the corrupt mayor who stole her father's music-streaming algorithm. Harmony's plan involves selling a nonexistent music festival, but she needs the cooperation of Preston Jones, the autistic librarian and piano teacher who owns the potential festival site. Preston is a well-developed character with a complex inner life. His portrayal of autism is both authentic and empathetic, showcasing the challenges and strengths of his condition. Harmony, on the other hand, is a charismatic and cunning protagonist who defies expectations. Her determination and resilience are admirable, despite her questionable profession. The romance between Harmony and Preston is a slow-burn delight. Their initial clash of personalities is gradually replaced by a mutual respect and undeniable chemistry. The steamy scenes in the stacks add an extra layer of spice to the narrative. The story's musical theater influences are cleverly woven into the plot, particularly with Harmony's con being a gender-swapped homage to 'The Music Man.' The themes of community, redemption, and the power of music resonate throughout the novel. Overall, this is a winning combination of romance, suspense, and social commentary. Schwartz's characters are relatable and engaging. Romance readers and musical theater fans alike will find much to love in this heartwarming and entertaining novel.

This was a fun book. I enjoyed Preston's point of view. Harmony was not always a likeable protagonist.

A curvy conwoman + a sexy neurodivergent librarian = loads of steamy and sweet chemistry! Harmony is a very successful conwoman but she doesn’t run an average con. She is all about sticking it to the a-holes of society and saving the voiceless. All of her cons have culminated in the biggest con yet where she attempts to take down the man that ruined her father. She just needs to help of the local librarian to do it. Preston is a 27 year old autistic librarian who is raising his 10 year old younger sister who is also on the spectrum. He is absolutely fascinated by this vivacious and persistent woman but he can’t let himself be distracted as he is trying to stop his library from being overhauled by the homophobic, racist and book banning wife of the mayor.

I loved the representation of neurodiversity of the hero and the representation of a body positive plus sized heroine. Harmony helped Preston become more assured of himself in his community and Preston helped Harmony realize that she could be loved for exactly who she was. As a reader, I have trouble with a book premise centered around a lie (probably for the same reason that I can’t enjoy Disney’s Aladdin-stop lying to Princess Jasmine, Aladdin!!) because the inevitable unveiling of the truth stresses me the *You Know What* out, but Schwartz does a great job pulling the reader in. Harmony was a master of a people/situation manipulator and I loved watching her work. Because her cons are always centered around giving the jerks their comeuppance, and she gives back the majority of the money to the people that were harmed by said jerk, she was really someone that we could root for. I absolutely loved her! I also adored Preston and watching the townspeople come around him to silence the very loud but very small population of “haters.” It was such a relevant story point in our current climate and it was very well done. AND, the twist at the end?! *Chef’s Kiss*

Thanks to Alcove Press for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

*I know we're not rating the formatting but the formatting for this book was not great. A lot of the dialogue lines between characters ran together so it made it challenging to read at times. Just FYI*

I had the privilege of diving into an advance copy of this charming romance novel. It's a delightful, quirky twist on The Music Man, with the roles reversed. Picture a plus-sized conwoman as the fearless female lead, exuding confidence and swagger, and a nerdy librarian serving as the male counterpart, endowed with musical talent, autistic traits, and an irresistible charm. 🎶📚

The storyline is a joyful ride. Harmony's knack for deception injects just the right amount of drama into the blossoming romance between her and Preston, the endearing librarian.

What truly shines in this book is its exceptional representation. From the sensitive portrayal of autism to LGBTQIA+ and body positivity themes, the narrative skillfully navigates various aspects of identity and relationships. Preston's journey, in particular, is heartwarming to witness as he learns to embrace his own worth and kindness, despite the challenges he's faced.

Harmony's body positivity is celebrated authentically; she's portrayed as confident, proud, and undeniably sexy without the need for a drawn-out narrative. Their dynamic as a couple is both adorable and spicy, with playful banter and moments that set the pages on fire. 🔥💑

The supporting cast is equally well-developed, enriching the overall reading experience.

I devoured this book in a single sitting, thoroughly enjoying every moment spent with these characters. It was my first encounter with L.A. Schwartz's work, but it certainly won't be my last.

In "My Kind of Trouble," Harmony Hale, a seasoned con-woman with a vendetta, finds herself in Brookville, California, on a mission to right a wrong. However, her plans take an unexpected turn when she crosses paths with Preston Jones, a nerdy librarian with a heart as vast as his book collection. Their unlikely encounter sparks a tale of love, trust, and unforeseen twists in this charming small-town romance.

Schwartz's debut novel is a rollercoaster of emotions, blending romance with revenge in a narrative that grabs hold of you from the start. Harmony's sharp wit and Preston's unwavering kindness create a dynamic that keeps you invested, rooting for their unconventional love story.

What makes this book stand out is its clever reimagining of the classic Music Man story, offering a fresh perspective that appeals to both romance aficionados and fans of musical theater. 🎭

"My Kind of Trouble" takes readers on a captivating journey through the unpredictable twists of love and redemption. With its blend of charm, humor, and steamy romance, it's a must-read for anyone in search of an original and immersive literary escape. Bravo, L.A. Schwartz! 📖👏

I absolutely loved this story!!! It is such a unique plot with lovable and diverse characters! Preston's whole character was so funny and so lovable and so incredibly special to read. Not only is he a loving and deeply caring brother but he's also so deeply, loving and caring with Harmony once they become close. And Harmony was such a special character to read - she's known some in deep pain her life, and has channeled it into revenge. Meeting Preston & Lacie and finding true home, connection, and long lasting love gives her a beautiful, well deserving happily ever after.

Overall this is just a truly funny, beautiful story filled with so much love and acceptance, while not glossing over the crueler parts of life. The honest representation of being a librarian in this closed minded world, being neurodivergent, and “different” (not my word) in any way is handled honestly and tendered lovingly with the main characters. Thank you for the arc!!!!

3.5🌟
I love the way Preston was not even ready to look at Harmony in the beginning 😂, it was so funny.
I wish there was more chapters with just the two of them because their banter was refreshing.
Preston is autistic but I love how he cares for his sister.
I felt like Harmony was delulu in so many instances but I still love how tips and tricks on how to manipulate humans were infused in here POV.

Although I enjoyed the plot, I felt like the story dragged in the middle.

Thanks to Netgalley for this ARC.