Okay… I will try and make this review as ‘serious’ as I can but ughhh!! Just love it, please more! I am sad that this book has ended! Lex croucher writes in the way my brain just breathes, the humour, the inner turmoil, the bantering conversational jousting and the hopeless romantic! This book focused on Emily, whose sister, Amy, was supposed to be staring a new employment as a governess for Captain Edward’s children. But Amy is ill and the family needs money, so Emily goes instead but under the disguise of her sister. Emily has a firey temper, has next to no knowledge about teaching and has no plans to get to know the family and all the plans to make some money to help look after her sister. What I loved most about this book is the way that all the people around Emily loved her fierce character and her love but the book focuses on the inner turmoil of never feeling good enough, diminishing one’s character as a joke to others but inside thinking that how could anyone like you. The book is so much about love and open your heart to others, and not being afraid to let your guards down. Oh yes and it does help that Captain Edwards is somewhat rugged and handsome… I loved all the characters in the story and how their own personalities shone through. I love how Lex does a great job at creating historical fiction with that modern twist… but let’s be honest the modern twist is so modern… it just depends on the narratives written. I liked that the focus of chronic illness was talked about throughout, something that needs to be talked about more. I also loved how the frustration and anger and inner turmoil was something I could feel too. Lex has done a great job at portraying the emotions of her characters and I feel like the come alive so easily. Now if you want me, I will be on the Porpoise.

I’d only read the first couple of (impactful) sentences but I already knew I was going to enjoy Trouble – and I did, greatly, but perhaps not for the reasons I first thought. After reading the blurb, I believed I had a good idea of what was to come (I was thinking Bridgerton-esque) and I sat very comfortably in that knowledge for a good few chapters. Then, without giving anything away and spoiling it for you, there were some unexpected surprises. While Lex Croucher’s latest book is set in Regency England, with some of the airs and graces of that society, it also felt thoroughly modern (in a good way). This book is lively, exciting, funny, emotional and unexpected. Prickly Emily is a wonderful character; desperate to play the villain but her big heart gets in the way. The members of the Edwards Family soon endear themselves to the reader, even troubled Aster, and the rest of the supporting cast have so much personality they probably all deserve their own stories – I know I’d read them. A big part of me wished I was in a book club so I could discuss the ‘reading group suggestions’ at the end. I haven’t read any of Lex Croucher’s other books but I will be doing so now. Thanks to the publisher (via NetGalley) for the ARC.

Trouble has all the hallmarks of Lex Croucher's previous works. It is historical with a modern rom-com feel to it, it has seamless queer representation, and of course it is full of hilarious, colourful, witty characters that are ever so flawed, but more loveable for it. Lex Croucher has honestly cemented themself as an 'auto-buy' author for me, and I don't often love a lot of real world historical fiction. I'll admit I read the premise of Trouble and thought that whilst I was sure I'd like it, I wasn't going to love it as much as their previous works. I was so wrong! Reading about the characters of Fairmont House was a joy. Recommended for anyone who enjoyed the author's previous books, and anyone looking for historical fiction that's full of sass.

It’s a little under a year since I read @lexcanroar’s first book and, honestly? They just keep getting better. Compulsively readable, hysterically funny, and touchingly relatable casting genuinely human characters who are clearly more than a little Neurodiverse chafing against the stifling manners of regency England. I loved this story - think Jane Eyre meets Bridgerton, but more difficult eldest Child than mad wife in the attic plus it’s forty years earlier and with a supporting cast who are comedy gold. Oliver in particular is a total sass master. The book is full of brilliant moments, touching, tender, hilarious, and heart wrenching. You sympathise with all the characters except Charles, some one boil him in a pot, From Emily and her spiky defences determined to be the villain as she tries to save her sister, Aster a 16 year old so prickly, hugging a cactus would be less intimidating, Grace the exact opposite of Aster, and of course the handsome, dark, and brooding widower, Captain Edwards.

i absolutely ADORED this book!! this is very much character driven, and you fall in love with every single individual. we follow emily who takes up a position in a large country house as a governess in place of her sister. working under false pretences, and hoping to smuggle a few trinkets along the way, emily is soon drawn into the family politics of upstairs, as well as a group of servants who are determined to see her as one of them. it also doesn’t help the fact that she is growing increasingly attracted to captain edwards, whilst trying to maintain a low profile. this book was filled with enough humour and warmth that i found myself savouring it until the last page. emily is standoffish, witty and so relatable in every aspect! i admired how she held family to such high regard, and her love for her sister amy was undeniable. the found family element with the group of servants was so heartwarming, i felt like i was in the kitchens with them during the dinners and gossip! grace and aster were such a fantastic link between emily and captain edwards, both polarising in their own ways, i couldn’t help but fall in love with their personalities as the book went on. the slowburn interactions between emily and captain edwards was executed perfectly, their feelings for each other were realistic and the pining was just top notch. i find when it comes to regency novels the male character is always brooding and unwilling to communicate, i cannot tell you how refreshing it was to read a love interest who made his feelings clear! i’m still thinking about this book weeks after finishing it and i couldn't recommend it more!!