She wants something real. He wants something now. Together they’re trouble in USA Today bestselling author Adriana Locke’s sexy and funny twice-in-a-lifetime love story.
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 … 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?
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Loving this series- book 3 did not disappoint. Loved Penn and Avery their banter was great. Such a fun read. love all the characters. Cannot wait for more.
This book made me laugh and shake my head with it’s antics. It’s witty and the banter between Avery and Penn is perfect. It will have you rolling your eyes to the back of your head. But beneath that strong personality lies a vulnerability in these characters that makes them sweet. It humanizes them. Who doesn’t want something better for themselves? Who doesn’t build up walls to protect themselves? Who doesn’t have self doubt from time to time? Even if it’s the cockiest man alive like Penn. This is a great story with very good characters where their personalities are inverted and different from what you normally see.
Can this small town romance get any better. Man I just love how when stories come to life and you devour each emotion.
See more of my reviewhttps://youtu.be/eVJFuangeew
Penn is so swoony!
I really, really loved this book! It was my first visit to Dogwood Lane, and I’ve since had to go back and read the rest of the series! Since I read these books out of order, I can absolutely tell you that they are all stand-alones, although I personally feel that you get the most richness from the overall community story threads if you read them in order.
Penn Etling is the confirmed bachelor, consummate flirt who’s never going to be tied down. Until he meets his match in Avery – new (again) to town, with a sassy wit, a creative spirit, and an amazing heart. Penn has never met anyone like her! Right…?
Penn’s character is SO well presented. You can’t help but love him even though he’s a bit of a player. He’s not jerky or dishonest, so it comes through as charming, with an undercurrent of true caring about his small-town community that he tries to hide beneath his happy-go-lucky exterior. Avery is here to escape her past and forge a new path for herself, embracing the small-town life with both arms open. I love these two together! A few war wounds from their experiences thus far, but they have so much in common (that they don’t even know!), and come out the other side 100x stronger together. A true winner, combining small town romance, witty dialogue, and sexy fun. What a perfect read!
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing an ARC copy of this book, for which I’m voluntarily providing an honest review.
My general rating rationale:
3 – Perfectly fine story, perhaps some minor editorial errors. Entertaining. Typically with this rating I feel like there could have been MORE – be it believably/relatability, character development, internal dialogue, explanations or depth, richness to the overall storyline, etc. May lose a bit of engagement here and there but always finish reading.
4 – A very good book. Engaging, with well-developed characters, a great plot, relatable scenarios; keeps you invested to the last page. Would recommend to reader friends.
5 – Can’t say enough amazing things, loved the characters, fabulously detailed plot, a quick hook, intense investment in both story and characters (including supporting characters) throughout the book. Will tell anyone who will listen that they should read it.
This one was great! Penn was the happy go lucky one who joked his way through life until he walks into the salon and sees Avery on a ladder and catches her. There is something about her. She recognizes him but he doesn’t her. She looks different than she did when she was in town before. When she was, he had just called the cops on his father and was a confused kid and she was running from her parents but they came together for one hot and steamy night that rocked both their worlds. Now, in present day, Penn tries all the crazy come-ons and they settle on friendship until they tip into more. This one was very good and I hope this series keeps going. Matt definitely needs someone!
Trouble is the third standalone in the Dogwood Lane series by Adriana Locke. I have been waiting for Penn’s story and it was so worth the wait. I just love a man-whore with a heart who finds a woman to bring him to his knees.
Avery was over the fake-ness of her life so on a Wednesday she decided to move away from LA and by Friday she was on her way to Dogwood Lane to live and work with her Aunt Harper. She was there to be real. Real to herself. To be real with her job as hairdresser. To be with someone real in a relationship. Not to be with someone who wants something in return then to leave when they get it. And on her first day of work, he walks in. Her one-night stand from ten years ago. He was no longer a boy who fumbled through the night. He was now a man with swagger and a sexy grin. A man who makes her melt. A man who doesn’t recognize her.
Penn wanted her. Bad. The new girl had an ass that wouldn’t quit and a sassy mouth made for sin. The kicker? She turned him down. Flat. And that only turned him on more. she intrigued him like nobody else. He saw in her eyes that there was a chance and he would do anything for just one. And if that chance was only in friendship then he would take it. He had to have this woman no matter what he had to do. She was that awesome.
Aw…I love these two! They both don’t want to be judged by who their families are. They just want to be real even if Penn doesn’t see what everyone else sees in him. What Avery sees in him. A man who is so sweet, giving, and unselfish. And Penn sees her. A woman who wants something real. She wants to be happy. Together, they are hilarious with their banter. Hot with their chemistry. And deeper than I would have imagined. I have fallen for Penn over the series but damn…I have completely fallen now.
I can’t wait for the next book!! There are two single men who I would love to see have stories so who will be next? Hmmm….
Quotes:
“Look—if you’re gonna tell me you’re a woman who likes to skip feelings and get right to the good stuff, I might marry you right fucking now.”
“She just told him no,” Claire gasps. “Matt. Did you hear that?”
“Shh . . . ,” Matt says. “Let’s watch and see what it looks like when Penn gets turned down.”
“Every part of me hurts,” she says. “Parts of me hurt that I didn’t know could hurt.”
“Those city boys don’t know how to put it down, huh?” She smacks my chest.
Truly amazing!!! I knew Penn’s story was going to be fantastic, but WOW…..I fell even harder for him than I could have imagined. His constant refusal to fall in love, made the “falling” truly epic!
An absolute MUST READ!!!
Welcome back to Dogwood Lane, Adriana Locke! And boy did she do it with a bang. I thoroughly enjoyed Trouble and can’t wait for more from this spectacular series! Its the one I have been waiting for since I first read Tumble! Trouble was amazing!! Penn’s story was everything I had hoped it would be and more, he’s my new favourite from this series. Penn is the charmer who is full of one liners, cheeky innuendos and trouble (in the best way possible) with a capital T. But he has met his match with Avery and it’s one journey you don’t want to get off of, as you find out how these two fabulous characters get their HEA. Also it’s always lovely catching up with the rest of the Dogwood Lane residents and can’t wait for the next one in the series, I am keeping my fingers and everything else crossed there is another book in this spectacular series. Happy reading!!
I love the hometown feel of Adriana Lockes Dogwood Lane books. The small town comfort of everyone knowing each other & the casual banter between close friends is fun. Although I liked Penn as the fun friend in previous books, I had some trouble connecting to him as the romantic lead. I guess I’ve known too many man/child Romeo’s to see his appeal, but that’s just me. On a whole it was a good book from an entertaining series.
I’ve read this book a while back but forgot to post the review – this story was (for me) about coming into what you were destined to be. Penn was a boy trapped in a man’s body. As his relationship with Avery began to develop we get to see why he is the way he is. As for Avery; she really was a great person with a big heart. It was hard to read how she felt when he wouldn’t “claim” her in front of the world.
But as usual; when both characters got their head on straight HEA was inevitable and I was left feeling happy.
This is the 3rd book in this fantastic series from Adriana and I knew it was going to be one of my favourites as I loved Penn from the minute we met him. He was hot, swooning and had some seriously panty-melting swagger. I also knew that it was going to take one hell of a woman to make him settle down and Avery was perfect for him.
Avery has moved back home from Los Angeles. She had met Penn before when she had a one-night stand with him but he doesn’t recognise her when they meet up again. I absolutely loved Avery she was so real. It would be such an ego blow that he didn’t recognise her but she wants more then a one-night stand this time and Penn will have to get over his commitment issues to win the girl.
This is definitely 1-click entertaining must read.
Oh my gosh! Avery and Penn were everything I expected and everything I didn’t know I needed in this book!
Adriana Locke writes small town, steamy romance like nobody else. And there was a lot of steam!
The chemistry between Avery and Penn was so tangible, you could literally feel the heat between those two.
Love and adore Adriana Locke’s writing and can’t wait to see what she has for us next.
Definitely recommend this book & all the other books in the Dogwood Lane Series.
This is book 3 in the Dogwood Lane series and I would definitely read the previous books before reading this one. In this one we get Penn Etling and Avery Perry’s story. Penn is the king of one-night stands and Avery knows this from experience. They had one, and Penn doesn’t remember it. So when he starts making his signature moves on her, she refuses to play that game again. Penn believes Avery is a challenge, and that she is the one person who can see below the surface to the man he truly is. But is she the woman to make him change his ways?
I really liked this one! Penn is this guy that even though you dislike his way, you can’t help but like him personally. There is definitely more to him than most people even take the time to see, more than even he, himself, thought he was capable of. Avery is the complete opposite of Penn but she is someone you definitely love from the get go. And you know what they say about opposites! The attraction is off the charts! My only drawback was the fact that he doesn’t remember her. It kinda put me off at first because for all his player ways, he never really struck me as the type who wouldn’t at least remember that he had been to bed with a woman. That part threw me. But on a whole, I liked it! There was laughter and of course drama, but above it all, a great love story!
Trouble: Dogwood Lane Novel
By Adriana Locke
Penn, Penn,Penn what can I say about Penn.You know the saying don’t judge a book by its cover well that should be said about him as well. He comes across as a cocky player with sexual one liners with a definite relationship phobia that is terrified to show love. Yet if you really sit back and study him he is funny, passionate, giving and loving especially to his close friends and elderly even if he doesn’t like people to see that side of him. Well he definitely met his match in Avery when she turned down his advances because “nobody” has ever told him NO before.
Avery has her own issues that brought her from LA to Dogwood Lane some of them including she is tired of being used by family and men.She is over the one night stand or temporary fling. She is looking for a meaningful relationship when the time comes someone who will respects her, who wants to share their day,their dreams, get to know “her” and what matters in life.
I absolutely loved the back and forth banter between Penn and Avery.Yet I adored how Matt gave him hell for his attitude as he attempted to talk sense into him. Yet Penn gave back just as much attitude to his friend about other things. The whole small town vibe was endearing,charming and uplifting.
I was so excited when I won this book on the Goodreads Giveaway especially since I was dying to read about bad boy Penn.
Five beautiful emotional
I sure enjoyed Trouble, Penn we seen him in the two previous Dogwood Lane books and I always knew he was a sweetie and he his story was everything I wanted it to be, just loved this couple!!
Penn is exactly the type of hero I love to fall in love with. Arrogant, sarcastic, flirty, and someone you want to be with 24/7. Penn is also the type of guy that Avery has been running away from. But there is something different about Penn compared to the other guys she’s dated. He has a heart. He doesn’t care who her family is, he really clicks with her on a totally new level.
The problem is that Penn is a serial playboy. He’s never had a girlfriend and he definitely isn’t looking to settle down. The exact opposite of what Avery is looking for. Plus Avery has a little secret that once Penn finds out, he may never want to talk to her again.
Penn and Avery’s story left me with a huge smile on my face. I laughed and even shed a tear here and there. Overall, I adored this book. Such a fun and flirty book. I highly recommend this series!
sweet and fun read!!
I loved this one even more than book 1.
I have to confess that I don’t remember Penn from book 1. I’ll have to go back to book 2 to
see about his back story -and the other couples in Dogwood Lane.
I also was able to listen to the audio for a most of the time. I do love Adriana Locke’s writing.
Such colorful descriptions. I love a character driven book, and the town of Dogwood Lane was definitely a character in this story.
I was surprised that Penn’s manho ways did NOT bother me. As the ladies in Steel Magnolias say,
“There’s a story there!”
Avery comes to town to get away from her mom and the Hollywood scene. Avery’s mom has gone off the rails after Avery’s dad leaves her mom. Thankfully, Avery’s mom is just talked about in the story.
The chemistry is red hot between Avery and Penn. Avery resists Penn’s charms. It just drives Penn crazy. He can’t figure out why. Several years ago, they had a one night stand. Avery remembers Penn but does he remember her?
I love how Avery brushes him off.
Avery’s aunt Harper is a great sounding board and a great supporting character. Matt is also a great supporting character. He gives Penn a lot of great advice. Penn is scared by his dad’s horrible abuse
when Penn was young. Penn doesn’t think that he’s worthy. He has to come to his own realization.
He does do some sweet and kind things, especially to the elderly folks in town.
This was so fun to read. I loved the audio too. Rock Engle is so good. Absolutely great casting for Penn.
I have to say that I didn’t like the audio/sound for Laurie West’s audio. I liked it more and more as the story went on.
I will definitely reread/relisten to this story. This can be a standalone. You can start on this book-no problem. 5 stars!
I voluntarily offered to review this book with no obligations and my opinions are honest!
This was a great book !
Avery knows that Penn is only good for one-night stand kind of relationship.
Penn wants to prove Avery wrong.
Let the wooing begin !
Loved the characters + the storytelling !
It has all the ingredients that you need for a great book!
Penn was a favorite of mine from the minute we met him. I knew it would take a special woman to win his heart and Avery was the one. They both had their hang ups about relationship but together they were able to over come them. Another great book by Adriana!!