Another great read by Adriana Locke! I have fallen in love with the small town of Dogwood Lane and the wonderful characters that call it home. This is the third book in this series of stand-alones, and I just can’t get enough. I adored Penn and Avery. How could anyone not fall in love with Penn? It was so much fun to watch him fall for Avery. His inner monologue had me laughing out loud. Who would have known how genuine and romantic Penn could be. He was not only sexy and fun, he was swoonalicious! It was great to see their story come together and to feel the love between them. Avery’s Aunt Harper was a hoot and of course it was great to hear from Dane and Trevor. I’m hoping Matt and Jake get a story. Sweet Matt and cocky Jake deserve a Dogwood Lane romance too! Whatever Adriana Locke decides to write next, I can’t wait to read it. Until then, I highly recommend this book, this series!

~ Review by Lys

5 She Gives Him A Run for His Money Stars!!!

I absolutely LOVED this book so much!! It reiterates why I love Ms. Locke’s writing and her ability to tell a small-town story with romance and laughs along the way to a fabulous HEA!!

Penn isn’t a man that’s used to being turned down but when Avery moves to his small town he’s ready to “put some moves” on her…except he doesn’t realize they’ve already met and Avery isn’t in the mood for romance right now…and so it begins!

I loved these two together especially with how she keeps turning him down for dates! And don’t think his friends don’t give him a tough time because they’re just as bad as women and their gossiping sometimes!!

What’s really clear to me is that these two just need to find the perfect moment to reignite the passion they shared that one night and once it does, will it lead to a forever or will they not be able to get out of their own way?

Ms. Locke has created characters and a town that I’d love to meet and live in and these are books that I’ll definitely be reading again because I can never have too much of Dogwood Lane!

4.5 Stars
Title: Trouble
Author: Adriana Locke
Series: Dogwood Lane #3

Wow!!! Trouble was everything I thought it would be but it was much more than what I was expecting. After reading the other books in the series, I couldn’t wait for Penn’s story. Like-Could. Not. Wait. I knew there was so much more to him than what meets the eye and I was completely right.

So without giving much away-Penn is the ultimate playboy. Never settling down or ever wanting to. He had some history with another character and I honestly thought that would be who he’d wind up with. But I was wrong. When he lays eyes on the heroine, BAM! He wants her. Little did he know that she would be the ultimate challenge and it wouldn’t be like every other woman he’s met.

I loved this book so much! The banter between the characters was hysterical and their journey was incredible. I highly recommend reading this story!

This book was a quick, simple read with characters that had genuine chemistry and went through believable conflict. I hadn't actually read the previous books in this series, but you don't really need to. This book would be the perfect, breezy beach read.

Trouble was a very pleasant surprise. It was a quick read. Avery’s insecurities were so relatable. Penn’s too. I think their feelings will strike a chord for many readers. This is actually my first book in this series and by Adriana Locke, but I have to say I’ll definitely be checking out her other books.

Penn Etling….oh how I've waited for this book. And Adriana Locke did not disappoint!

This book is aptly named. Penn is the best kind of trouble. He’s cocky, charming, and seemingly doesn’t have a serious bone in his body. He makes you laugh as much as he makes you swoon. And once he lets you get a glimpse of the man he is underneath all that sexual innuendo? You don’t stand a chance. Penn will melt your heart and melt your panties in equal measure. He’s absolutely irresistible.

Avery is fantastic. She’s so strong, much stronger than she gives herself credit for. And I love that she’s finally doing things that make her happy instead of focusing her attention on pleasing everyone else. She’s got a charm that matches Penn’s and can definitely keep him on his toes. She always gives back as good as she gets.

These two had palpable chemistry from the start. There’s never a dull interaction between them. Snark, wit, and sarcasm run rampant but it’s the slow-burning desire that will keep you reading. I loved watching these two change and evolve over the course of their story. This book is beautiful, sweet, fun, sexy, and amazing all rolled into one. I’d definitely deem it a must-read.

A book like this one is why Adriana is one of my favorite authors.
Trouble is the third book in the Dogwood Lane series and tells Penny’s story. I have been dying while waiting for this book.
Adriana makes you fall in love with every single detail in this book. The chemistry between the main characters is fire. Also, the dual POV was amazing because we are able to see their internal fight with themselves and understand. I really felt what they were going through. I just love this book
I can’t wait for Matt’s book because Adriana wrote so amazing secondary characters that you want to know more about them.

Is there anything better then trouble. Penn and Averys story is everything that I was hoping for and more. The relationship is great I could not put this down. Watching as their friendship becomes more and then having to deal with their past which they don’t full know each other’s and their combined pasts. Adriana Locke did not disappoint and this is a great read.

DOGWOOD Lane is one of my favorite small towns. With a wide range of characters, charming and irresistible heroes, I always enjoy visiting.

Penn and Avery are so much fun. The friendship they have is fantastic, the joking and bantering allows as to see the Seth to depth their characters. The chemistry between them is subtlety potent ( yes, that is a contradiction) because it isn’t in your face and yet you still feel it.

The premise of the plot is so great & original, and while I love the conclusion of the plot it wasn’t shocking or seemingly hard fought, which is not my personal preference. I want the conflict to have a bigger impact.

Another great read form Adriana Locke. This story is light, fun, and it was so well written, I couldn’t get enough of Penn and Avery.

Penn was incredibly gorgeous, a terrific person, and a consummate flirt. He lived for today, took nothing seriously, and he was absolutely allergic to relationships. It's not like he didn't know how to love because he adored his friends/family. He just couldn't picture and seriously avoided an actual partnership with a woman. That sort of arrangement came with expectations and he had no doubt he'd fail. With his background and inability to see his own greatness, he was his own worst enemy. Avery may have been the one woman to shake him up a bit, but not even she was invincible to his self-destruction. While breaking my poor heart (and his), Penn made me laugh, melt and fall in love with him hard!

Once again, Adriana Locke nailed some sweet small town romance. There was so much fun to be found in these pages and trouble was just the tip of the iceberg when it came to Penn Etling. He, his friends, and even Avery gave me tons of feels and I found that I couldn't get enough. I'll definitely be reading more about the Dogwood Lane gang!

Trouble by Adriana Locke is a fun small town, second chance romance and is the third standalone in the Dogwood Lane series. I have enjoyed reading this sweet and steamy series since I first picked up Tumble, book one in the series. Staying up to date with all of the previous characters while delving deeper into each of the newer characters is my favorite aspect of series’ like these.

Penn Etling has been one of my favorite Dogwood Lane characters from day one, so finally getting my hands on Trouble was like Christmas in July for me. Penn is everything I expected him to be and more. He is the perfect combination of fun and cocky with the a massive, loving heart. Alexis was his perfect match. The banter between her, Penn, and Matt had me constantly laughing. Adriana Locke creates characters that are so real and easy to connect to that I felt like I was drinking a beer and giving Penn a hard time right along with everyone else.

I voluntarily received an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars - I loved Trouble. It’s a feel good contemporary romance with a hero and heroine who haven't witnessed healthy love in their parents' marriages. She knows it’s possible and knows that’s what she wants for herself. He sees it in the lives of his friends, but doesn’t think he can do it without fouling it up. What we get to witness is both of them falling in love, him being an awesome boyfriend, but fouling it up because he’s afraid to call it what it really is. Of course, all things come right in the end and I caught myself sporting a ‘showing all my teeth’ smile.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Such and amazing book! I had a book friend introduce me to this series just a few weeks ago! I read book 1 and 2 within a matter of days and then found Trouble was coming out! I could not put this book down, just like the first two! I am so excited to read more work by Adriana Locke!

This book talks about the play hard to get romance between Avery and Penn. I enjoyed it because of the sense of humor, the play hard to get parts, and of course the ending. Penn reminded me of Zach Morris on Saved by the bell. When you read this book you will see why I made this reference . I give it five stars and i am glad I got this book for an exchange for an honest review from Netgalley.

I enjoyed this book. I loved Penn’s banter. It was acute story & I couldn’t help but pull for him & Avery.

This is book 3 in the Dogwood Lane series and this small town romance brought the “Oh no he did-dnt” into the mix!
Funny lighthearted and flirty, Penn and Avery have a history that wasn’t too pleasant.
Can people change?
Their story was somewhat over the top with the stereotypical sexual innuendos, and predictable plot line.
However, overall it was well written and their story was enjoyable. It was a light read to sit back and enjoy on a cold dreary day and sometimes that’s just what you need!
3.5 stars!

I've been waiting to read Trouble since I finished Tangle back July of last year. I was late getting an ARC but I started it as soon as I finished another ARC I had. I liked Avery from the start. She was strong, confident, willing to do what she needed to do to be happy, and vulnerable as well. I could empathize with her even though I didn't have a similar childhood and it made sense why she'd fled to Dogwood Lane to get away from her old life. She wanted something real and wanted a change. I liked how she stood her ground with Penn. She knew what she wanted which was a long term relationship, not just one night or a week. She held strong for a long time which made this a delicious slow burn with stolen touches and kisses that frustrate me and thrill me at the same time. I liked Penn too. His past I could relate to more and it was clear he thought the way he grew up and what his parents told him, made him think he'd suck at relationships and he needed to just stay single. I understood his hesitation because I share the same thing when it comes to relationships. Adriana did an amazing job of making real characters that you could empathize with no matter what they'd gone through.

I liked the storyline for the most part. Wanting to know when Avery would share her secret with Penn, made it hard to put the book down. And I also wanted to know if Penn remembered the girl he met ten years ago even though Avery gave a false name and looked different back then. I loved when they finally gave in to their attraction to each other but it wasn't all perfect after that. Avery still needed to admit her secret and Penn needed to believe he was capable of love and worthy of receiving love. Eventually, they figured it out and I loved seeing the two of them together.

As always I like seeing past characters show up. It was nice to see more of Matt who wasn't as big a character in the first two books. It was nice to see Trevor and Haley along with Claire, Dane, Neely, and Mia. I even enjoyed seeing Meredith and Jake again along with some other minor characters that make up Dogwood Lane and meeting Harper, Avery's aunt. This was a fun read and I hope there will be more books in this series. In the meantime, I'm going to go read some of Adriana's other books!

Penn and Avery were such a fun way to spend my afternoon off. Avery is the average child of Hollywood, who comes to a small town to get away from the fake life. Penn is the small town Romeo who doesn’t see any relationship as long term. Together though sparks fly and a little mud too.

What did I like? The attraction was spectacular and Penn just oozed dreaminess..... if that’s a word. This was the first in the series that I’ve read so author does a great job of making it stand alone. I liked Avery and her struggle to find her place in a small town, and her fighting her attraction towards Penn was just hilarious. I hope Matt’s story is coming.

Would I recommend or buy? The blurb pretty much cinched it, and the cover was cute. I wasn’t disappointed in any way with this book. The candor and the characters were pretty much spectacular and very little drama. Just an overall enjoyable book. For anyone who loves romance.

Thoughts for the author? Congratulations on your new release! I enjoyed this wonderful five star book.

I received an ARC from the publisher to read and give my honest opinion.

Second Time’s the Charm!

Trouble by Adriana Locke is a small town, second chance story. Avery knows what she wants in her life and she is not going to settle for anything less than perfection. Penn is a ladies man who only wants a little fun. And Penn generally has no trouble getting the women he is interested in. But Avery won’t fall for his charms ... again ... even though he doesn’t remember the first time!

I really enjoyed Avery and all the characters we meet from their town. Penn, however, seemed to act more like a teenager than his almost thirty years. He seemed too confident in his looks and ability to bed his target, than someone who has a heart below the surface. I wanted Avery to walk away too often to count! But when he became more mature and serious, I started to like him more. I couldn’t shake the “gotcha” feeling though.

Overall, this was a well-written book, with great secondary characters (many of which I hope will get their own love story).

I received an ARC of this book courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. All opinions expressed in this review are my own and given freely.

Trouble
By: Adriane Locke

📚💕⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💕📚

He trouble and she’s looking for love!

In the third book Dogwood Lane series we get to see Penn the goofy good guy carpenter get brought to his knees. He doesn’t go down easily. Avery is the girl who wants the proverbial unicorn even though growing up in LA she’s skeptical love exists. The writing is flawless, and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shocking moments. I really enjoyed this book and it kept me engrossed throughout. I really loved the characters and the way they interacted with each other. This is a fun, hot, romantic must read book and I would definitely recommend this book to anyone.


Authors Blurb: With his shameless grin and let’s-play swagger, carpenter Penn Etling leaves women wanting in Dogwood Lane. What do they get? Avery Perry knows: a one-night stand. She’s been there. She remembers every hot pulse as if it were yesterday. But Penn? He doesn’t remember a thing. Now he’s making new moves, and Avery’s not falling for trouble…again. Is she?
How could the beautiful stranger resist him? Avery is going to be a challenge for the bad boy. She’s the kind of woman who digs deep, deep enough to see there’s more to Penn than meets the eye. But first she has to give him a chance. She has to say yes. Could she also be the woman to make him change his playboy ways?
When these two come together, it’s hard to pull them apart. But with love and trust on the line, can Avery and Penn get what they both want? This time for keeps?

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕