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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Once again I have been completely swept off my feet and into Dogwood Lane. I have been eagerly awaiting Penn’s story and I could not have been more thrilled at how it all unfolds.
Penn Etling is first and foremost a player. Settling down is not even remotely close to registering on his radar. Enter Avery Perry. Penn is determined to have Avery notch his bedpost but over and over she turns him down flat. Little does Penn know if he could get her to say yes it would be a second chance because he doesn’t remember that they’ve already had a first night together.
Avery fled LA to find herself and to find her place in the world away from her famous family and the tabloids of Hollywood. She wants what every girl wants; a good man to settle down with and she won’t be setting on anything less. Even though she’s still drawn to Penn she repeatedly turns him down. Eventually he wears her down and she gives in. But she still hasn’t told him about their past and wonders what will happen when he finally finds out.
I love small town romance and there’s no better place to get lost in than Dogwood Lane.
** Received an ARC through NetGalley. Voluntarily reviewed **
Man, this series just keeps getting better!!! Adriana Locke has me hooked on these books and her characters.
Our third trip to Dogwood Lane sees Penn Etling meet his match in Avery Perry!!
I loved that this pair had a history, even though Penn couldn’t remember her or their night together.
In previous books we’ve seen that Mr Etling is a good guy but definitely not on the path to settling down any time soon but, in Trouble, we saw a different side to the sweethearted playboy.
The guy is sweet, hardworking, funny AF, loyal and dependable but he’s got a deeper side to him that he doesn’t want anyone to find and my heart hurt for him when we discovered how truly thought of himself when it came to commitment and relationships.
Avery was like a female Penn, without the playboy attitude obviously… She was funny, snarky, down to earth (which given her folks and the life she’d been raised in was refreshing). I loved that she didn’t fall for Penn right from the get go but was honest enough with herself when it came to their chemistry and her attraction to him. Being friends with him, for me, gave them a deeper connection and made their potential relationship more real, and man, how I was rooting for them.
This book was laugh out loud funny, so damned addicting and, quite probably, my favourite book in the Dogwood Lane series so far.
5 big hearted stars for Penn & Avery!
I don’t know if there are enough words for me to describe how much I love Penn!! He reminds me so much of my best friend with that sexy confidence, slight cockiness, hard working, fun loving sense of humor, but a heart of gold that cares more than he wants to let on.
Penn is used to getting what he wants……and right now, women don’t turn him down, but all he wants is a little fun, nothing serious. Avery wants serious. The connection and chemistry between them is immediate and intense. Penn can’t seem to stay away from her even though she won’t give into him. I loved seeing this side of Penn, the serious Penn, not the funny guy Penn. Avery brought out a side to him that I don’t even think he knew existed.
When the line gets drawn in the sand, can they both give and bend a little or will they ruin the best thing that’s ever happened to both of them?
Penn and Avery were great in this friends to lovers, contemporary romance from Adriana Locke, her third installment of the Dogwood Lane series. This book can be read as a standalone within the series as it features two new main characters. Told from dual perspectives, Trouble finally gives us Penn’s story. And he definitely meets his match since Avery gives as good as she gets while simultaneously and completely upending Penn’s precariously built world. Their dialogue and banter both are witty, hilarious, and fun to read as Adriana Locke navigates the both of them with precision among the chaos, low angst, and lovely storytelling.
As with the previous works in the Dogwood Lane series, the setting, storytelling, and characters are full of charm and effortless romance. It’s quite easy to fall into these books and be transported away in the slow burn love stories by Locke. I’m entertained while reading them and in Trouble especially I laughed a lot at Penn’s quick wit and goofy antics. I’m so glad for the woman that came into town to shake things up. There was something special about this couple and how their story played out. And as with the previous two, the friendships and secondary characters of Dogwood Lane play a huge role in the charm of the story.
At long last Ms. Locke returns to Dogwood Lane with Penn’s story. While Trouble stands perfectly fine on its own, Penn is by far the most memorable secondary character from the first 2 books in the series so I definitely recommend them. I was tickled to learn that it was FINALLY his turn!
Penn has quickly become of my favorite heroes. With his charm, humor and bad boy ways, the sparks fly immediately upon “meeting” Avery. Great chemistry, a swoon-worthy hero and an interesting plot made this a great addition to the series!
Finally, Penn is mine…(rolls eyes and huffs out) okay, OURS
4.5 stars
Penn Etling is the best friend you need. He’s kind, caring, and wildly inappropriate. He is my dream BFF because he’s also real pretty to look at! Under that devil may care attitude and innuendo is a man afraid. He’s afraid of love, letting others down, and not being enough. Penn, darling, you are more than enough!
My unrequited love affair with Penn began in Tumble. No matter how you try and label Penn, “resident bad boy” just doesn’t work. You can call him Don Juan… You can call him a lot of things scoundrel, manwhore, playboy but none would be accurate. Penn is more complicated than a label. Of course labels tend to get Penn in trouble any way.
While you dont need to have read Tumble and Tangle before diving into Trouble, I highly recommend it. To get the full Penn experience and to fall in love with my favorite Dogwood Lane resident, you need more of his interactions with his friends – the external perspective. Whether or not our lovable rake is your kind of guy, Penn has my heart. I gave it to him back in Tumble and I never asked for it back. I’m just glad he finally gave his heart to someone who will keep it safe.
See! Love means caring about them more than yourself. His happiness means more to me than his 8 inches ever could….probably. I mean it feels like a dare…Lol. Pre-Avery, I might have gotten him to accept that challenge.
I hope that Adriana Locke has more Dogwood Lane coming because I can’t get enough.
This is the third book in this series and tells the story of Penn. A story that I have been waiting for for a while now and was very excited to read. I really can’t say it disappointed me ‘cuz I just loved Penn in the other books and we finally get more of the background of who he is. There are a few surprises and you can’t help to fall even deeper for the boy next door! Think we all would love to have a Penn in our lives 🙂
Avery moves back to the town she lost her heart in and just wants to get away from the life she had in L.A. In the small town Dogwood Lane is, she feels more at home and having her aunt in her life, makes it even better. When she and Penn meet again, he doesn’t recognise her and tries his best to make his move on her but she won’t have none of it. The more time they are spending together, the more her feelings start to change and so does their relationship in the process. But Penn does not want anything long lasting and soon it’ll start a rift between them. Will Penn finally be able to let go of his fears and see what is right in front of him in the end?…
This is the third book in the Dogwood Lane series. It has loveable characters, easy to read and a page turner. Its wonderful written and a wonderful storyline. I thought Penn and Avery are wonderful I enjoyed reading their story. I loved the secondary characters. I was hooked from the first chapter and it held my attention throughout the story.
Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for letting me read this story.
I read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book All thoughts and opinions are of my own.
To say I loved this book would be an understatement! I absolutely love this series, and I’ve been dying for Penn’s book. This did not disappoint.
Penn is definitely the sweet talker with an easy swagger we’ve come to know and love, but there is also a lot more to him. I loved seeing his sensitive side and finding out so much more about his backstory. Avery is perfect. I loved getting to know her and watching her make Penn work for what they both really wanted.
This series really has it all. From the sweet small town you can’t help but fall in love with, to the friendships that make you want to be part of them, to the melt your heart romances I couldn’t love these books more! Penn and Avery are sure to capture your heart and leave you wanting more from Dogwood Lane!
This is part of the Dogwood Lane series, but it can be read as a standalone. However, expect to be completely sucked in by this town and prepare to binge them all!
I am utterly smitten with Dogwood Lane.
A sucker for these sort of quirky, small town stories – my heart is delighted every time I get to go back and visit this charming little town and its colorful cast of delightful characters.
And then?
Enter Penn Etling.
And now my heart doesn’t even know what to do with itself. It’s in a full-on swoon. And that’s despite the fact that I wanted to knock him upside the head a couple times (an urge that was satisfied by some equally wonderful secondary characters in this story). Y’all this is the cutest, sweetest, most banterific thing ever. I smiled so hard. I laughed out loud. And I fell in love with Penn and Avery as they fell in love with each other.
I adored Avery too. She’s the perfect match for Penn and I admired her commitment to herself and the way she was never willing to sacrifice her own dreams or self worth for Penn. And yet, she was patient and understanding and strong enough to walk him through uncharted territories. I loved the subtle emphasis on how equally they shouldered the load. This was just a completely lovely love story.
On top of that? The secondary character game is still so very strong. The banter between Avery and Penn was fantastic, but the banter between Pen and his friends was even better. Ms. Locke writes these characters with such an authentic voice, I wanted to pull up a chair and join them at the table – laughing, making fun, and reveling in their friendships.
Trouble is another Dogwood Lane hit for me. It’s that perfect mixture of humor, heart, and heat that keeps me coming back for more, and leaves me happy and satisfied in the end. If you haven’t been introduced to this fantastic series yet, this seems like the perfect time to start!
Oh Penn!! This man was definitely trouble for sure, but in a really good way. Adriana has been showing us Penn’s love ‘em and leave ‘em ways since the start of this Dogwood Lane series. So seeing that Penn had so many more layers was all I had hoped for and more. Initially I thought okay this is gonna be your typical ‘man/boy figures his crap out when he falls in love’ story, which all on board for but Adriana threw us a surprise. Avery was the surprise because from her we learn that this is a second chance, even if she’s bound and determined to not give into the Penn Etling charm.
I loved the dual pov. I loved both Penn and Avery’s inner dialogue and their interactions with friends. Both of these characters are struggling with their feelings for each other, their pasts, and for Penn trying to let go of all the negative things he thinks about himself. Avery is struggling with the feelings she has for Penn and what she wants for herself. With all these things working against them, can they push past the doubts and trust in their feelings?! That was the question, and Penn broke my heart at times and surprised me in others. In the end he’s truly the best kind of trouble.
A great trip back to Dogwood Lane.
Penn is a familiar character from the prior two Dogwood Lane books, but each book can be read as a standalone. Penn is the classic ladies man that has yet to grow up, and he’s “allergic” to monogamy. Avery decides to leave the hustle and bustle of LA to return to the small town where her aunt lives. Note that I said “return.” It seems one-night-stand-only Penn and Avery have met before, although Penn doesn’t remember. Sure, Avery seems familiar to him, but he doesn’t remember their one night from 10 years ago.
Avery is on a hiatus from men, and Penn is not a relationship guy, so the form a friendship, but the attraction is always there. The relationship, however, takes a long, long time to move from friendship to more, not for Penn’s lack of trying. The slow burn and Avery’s reluctance to move their relationship along, make this a realistic romance.
The story is filled with lots of heart, heat and humor. Witty bantor abounds in this small-town rom-com that has you laughing all along their journey to their happily-ever-after.
This is book three in the Dogwood Lane series and I have to say that no one writes small town romances like Adriana Locke.
She has a unique and incredible talent of making you feel that you’re right there amongst the characters and their crazy lives.
I live for her storylines and seeing what antics the characters get up to next and this story was no different.
There’s never a dull moment!
This story is up there as one my all time favourites and I can’t wait for more from this author.
I absolutely loved this read!!
Avery moving to Dogwood Lane has shaken up Penn’s carefree, bachelor lifestyle world. While Avery is looking to start over & eventually meet a stable guy who wants the same things as her, Penn wants to get the cute new girl in his bed. As they get to know each other Penn realizes she’s not the type of girl he usually goes for, and Avery is well aware of his playboy ways. They manage to become friends but it gets harder to not blur the lines the more time they spend together. Can they battle their own insecurities to see if they have a future together?
Penn and Avery are absolutely adorable together! Even though they want different things in life they can’t deny their feelings for each other. They must deal with hidden secrets & issues from the past before they can move on together. This was a great read & I look forward to reading the next one!
This is the third installment in Adriana’s Dogwood Lane series, and it’s the one we’ve all been waiting for: the elusive playboy who vows to never be monogamous, Penn Etling. But when a newcomer moves to town and makes him feel the things he swore he never wanted, will he let her in his heart? Or is the carefree man too vulnerable to let love in?
Goodness, Penn stole my heart. Even when he kept going back and forth with his feelings for our leading lady, watching him evolve and accepting that relationships aren’t always doomed before they begin, and that someone can be in love and stay that way — even when you fail– was truly amazing to witness.
Our heroine, Avery, is such a wonderful character. When she moves from LA to Dogwood Lane to live with her aunt (who is more like her mother than her actual mom) she finally feels like this is where she belongs. She knows what she wants out of life when it comes to men, and she won’t settle for anything less, and even though she may be attracted to Penn she knows that he’s only interested in her for a good time. She knows that he doesn’t do relationships, and she wants someone that wants the things that she wants.. but when they get closer to one another, and their past is brought to light, will they be able to find love with one another? Or are they just two different people who want two totally different things?
This book was amazing, just like all of Adriana’s books!! She absolutely nails the small town feel, and excels at making us fall for her flawed, but so real characters! The side characters were all so amazing too, and I hope that Matt gets his own book! That big old teddy bear needs to find his happiness too! 🙂
Although it is a standalone, I encourage you all to read the first two books in the series! You don’t want to miss out on this magical place that Adriana Locke created!
**I received an ARC of this book and these are my honest opinions!**
Avery Perry finds herself back in her happy place of Dogwood Lane with her Aunt Harper, after finally realizing that living in Los Angeles, where her parents were well-known, wasn’t the kind of life she wanted to live anymore. She could make a living working with Harper at her salon and make friends who didn’t want to get a leg up in the business thanks to Avery’s connections. What she didn’t count on was running into Penn Etling, the same guy she hooked up with the night before she left years before. And what’s even worse, he didn’t remember her, even if she did give him a fake name.
Penn is all that and a bag of chips. He’s devilishly handsome, good with his hands (he’s a carpenter, after all) and he loves women. However, he refuses to commit. Then he meets Avery. She gives back to him just as good as he gives. She turns him down every time he asks her out. Penn can’t understand why Avery’s not falling for him.
They agree to be friends with no benefits. The more they are around each other, the more the attraction builds. But it also gives them time to really know each other. As Penn’s walls start coming down, Avery realizes that she needs to tell Penn who she really is. There still is the issue of Penn not wanting to commit. Once everything’s out in the open between them, are they strong enough to find their Happily Ever After? Do they deserve this second chance? Or is it going to be too much trouble?
I was so excited to finally get to know Penn. I knew his story would be fantastic and when he falls he would fall hard. I loved that these two had a history but Penn had no idea. I loved the banter and chemistry between them. Although, they had a past I am glad that Avery made him work for her and that she didn’t fall at his feet like everyone else did. Avery was awesome and I really liked her. I enjoyed catching up with the rest of the crew as well. I can’t wait to see what’s next.
I received an ARC for an honest review.
I love Adriana Locke. She is one of my go to, super reliable for a great read authors! I loved Tangle & Tumble, books 1 & 2 in the series so much…loved Penn too who we met previously too. Dogwood Lane is about to get much more interesting now that Avery is in town.
Penn and Avery have amazing chemistry.
Penn is quite the playboy. He’s fun loving and sweet beneath that gorgeous package though.
Avery moves to be with her Aunt and escape her forced lifestyle in California. She’s ready to slow down and live without all the pressures of Hollywood. She loves the community she found and then she sees Penn, again…only she’s the only one that remembers their night together.
These two are both super attracted but do they want the same things?
I loved this one from this fabulous author! I kept reading and reading, the banter alone kept me hooked! Highly recommend
Love, love, love this!
Penn and Avery are wonderful characters. Avery is the female character that we all want to be friends with and Penn is absolutely hysterical. Oh yeah and gorgeous.
Avery is the new girl in town, Penn is the town heartbreaker. Not interested in a relationship he’s not the serious type. Not until Avery that is…..
These two are funny, sweet and sexy. It’s a great addition to a series I love. The town, the people, they bring a smile to my face and I’ve really enjoyed reading their stories. Check it out!
*Review by Michelle
Love, love, love this!
Penn and Avery are wonderful characters. Avery is the female character that we all want to be friends with and Penn is absolutely hysterical. Oh yeah and gorgeous.
Avery is the new girl in town, Penn is the town heartbreaker. Not interested in a relationship he’s not the serious type. Not until Avery that is…..
These two are funny, sweet and sexy. It’s a great addition to a series I love. The town, the people, they bring a smile to my face and I’ve really enjoyed reading their stories. Check it out!