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A review by mspilesofpaper
Trouble by Lex Croucher
emotional
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
Emily hates children. Yet, she starts as governess at Fairmont House because her sister - who should take up the position - is too ill to do so. So, she pretends to be someone she is not. Her plan was to last long enough in the Edwards household to earn a couple of month's wages and switch with her sister when she would feel well enough. Her plan did not include getting involved in the family's dramas and getting too involved with the children and the servants in general. Especially not with her brooding employer Captain Edwards who does look rather fetching without a shirt on.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
Trouble is my second novel by the author but unlike Gwen & Art Are Not In Love, this one is for adults. It is a historical romantic comedy though it isn't 100% accurate on the historical parts but ehhh ... I don't read historical romances for their accurate portrayal of history but to be entertained. Trouble did exactly that: it entertained me. It's a fun, fast-paced romance with queer characters and excellent banter.
Both main characters are adults. Emily is 28 and Ben (Captain Edwards) is in his 30s, which is always a plus in my opinion. Aside from the two children (12 + 14), everyone else are adults as well (and older than 25, I think), so the only teenage-like behaviour does come from the actual children but also not as often as they should or could.
By the end of the book, Emily is still the prickly character and didn't become a completely different person after falling in love. Of course, she softened a bit but she doesn't do a 180 degree turn in behaviour. While Ben actually opens up during the cause of the book but is also still the broody and grumpy man who has no idea how to deal with his own children.
Fair warning though: the humour might not be for everyone because it has a very dry tone. It might be really a miss for you if you know that you don't enjoy such humour.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
TWs & CWs: blackmailing, homophobia (mentioned, historical accurate), alcohol use, sexual content (very fade-to-black), death of a parent (mentioned), chronic illness
Trope(s): heart of gold under grumpy exterior
Genre: Historical Romance
Representation: Indian side characters (male and female), Black side character (female), bisexual main character (male), pansexual main character (female), demiromantic main character (female; read between the lines), FtM transsexual side character, gay side character (male)
Heat/Spice: 1 🌶️
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
Trouble is my second novel by the author but unlike Gwen & Art Are Not In Love, this one is for adults. It is a historical romantic comedy though it isn't 100% accurate on the historical parts but ehhh ... I don't read historical romances for their accurate portrayal of history but to be entertained. Trouble did exactly that: it entertained me. It's a fun, fast-paced romance with queer characters and excellent banter.
Both main characters are adults. Emily is 28 and Ben (Captain Edwards) is in his 30s, which is always a plus in my opinion. Aside from the two children (12 + 14), everyone else are adults as well (and older than 25, I think), so the only teenage-like behaviour does come from the actual children but also not as often as they should or could.
By the end of the book, Emily is still the prickly character and didn't become a completely different person after falling in love. Of course, she softened a bit but she doesn't do a 180 degree turn in behaviour. While Ben actually opens up during the cause of the book but is also still the broody and grumpy man who has no idea how to deal with his own children.
Fair warning though: the humour might not be for everyone because it has a very dry tone. It might be really a miss for you if you know that you don't enjoy such humour.
✧･ﾟ: *✧･ﾟ:*
TWs & CWs: blackmailing, homophobia (mentioned, historical accurate), alcohol use, sexual content (very fade-to-black), death of a parent (mentioned), chronic illness
Trope(s): heart of gold under grumpy exterior
Genre: Historical Romance
Representation: Indian side characters (male and female), Black side character (female), bisexual main character (male), pansexual main character (female), demiromantic main character (female; read between the lines), FtM transsexual side character, gay side character (male)
Heat/Spice: 1 🌶️