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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Trouble is the third novel in the Dogwood Lane series. Trouble could not be a more perfect name for this story and the hero it follows.
Penn Etsling is on the construction crew with Dane and Matt. He is the ultimate player in Dogwood Lane and everyone knows it. He has a reputation he cannot and doesn’t deny.
Avery Perry has runaway to Dogwood Lane. On a whim and with no pre-planning, she has had enough of LA. Living with her Aunt in town, she started working at the hair salon while she got used to the slow life in Dogwood Lane.
I absolutely adored this story. Penn is so fun, such a bachelor, but so real. His growth through the story is truly inspiring. Avery had a lot to learn too and it was fun to get to know them all a lot better! I hope there is more to come from Dogwood Lane.
What happens when two people, one who is completely disillusioned with life and love (Avery), and the other has issues with commitment, doesn’t want or need a relationship and is fully prepared to spend his life filling it with meaningless one-or-two night stands (Penn) meet at the perfect time? Trouble by Adriana Locke is what happens….and it’s SPECTACULAR!!!
I fell so hard and so fast for Penn after I realized that he WASN’T just a man-whore who had no idea how to love! When Avery arrived to stay with her aunt in Dogwood Lane after she’d had enough of life with her empty, unfulfilling life in California and she meets Penn…it was like two very different worlds colliding and the GLORIOUS aftermath is this EPIC love story!
I can’t say enough about this book…just that you MUST read it and I KNOW you’ll love it as much as I did! Adriana Locke has done it again…just when I thought she couldn’t make me love two characters more than the last, Penn and Avery are my NEW AL faves!!!
Penn is the good kind of Trouble with a capital T! Elizabeth @ Carolina Chic’s Read
Penn Etling is the quintessential one night playboy… good looks and a good heart he is also a magnificent friend. When Avery Perry comes to town she runs into the boy she knew ten years ago… mum is the word when he doesn’t remember her. Her choice is to befriend him instead… we all know this is not what Penn wants…
He is insanely attracted to her. What unfolds is downright entertaining.
5 Stars
I really think that there is not much that Adriana can write that I won’t like. Penn Etling is a shameless flirt and playboy. He has no desire to settle down with one person. That is until Avery Park arrives in Dogwood and refuses to fall for his charms, Avery just moved in with her aunt leaving the life she hated in LA. Instead of getting Avery in his bed, like he really wants, Penn settles on he and Avery become friends. The spark between Penn and Avery is undeniable but Avery refuses to fall for Penn’s charm since she has been hurt before. It is soo great to watch the ones who swear they do not want a relationship slowing realize that’s with the right person, a relationship can only add to your life. Such a good read. Their chemistry is electric, and so is their banter. Loved this book
The perfect small town romance. Heart, heat, friendships and lots of laughs.
Penn Etling is the carpenter playboy of Dogwood Lane. He’s a charmer with his looks and likes his life just fine. He’s not a relationship type of guy. Avery Perry is new to town, escaping from her old life in LA. Penn is instantly attracted to her but she’s looking for something real and knows Penn isn’t the guy for that. She holds out as long as she can before finally giving in to Penn’s southern charm.
I loved these characters so much!! The secondary characters are awesome too. Matt is the perfect best friend to Penn and the only guy to knock sense into him when needed. Southern charm and small town friendships at it’s best.
Oh Penn!! I have loved him from the beginning. His humor, lovable personality and overall good nature had me swooning. All of the Dogwood Lane books have been great but Penn holds a special place in my heart. Trouble can be read as a stand-alone but trust me, this series shouldn’t be passed by!
Avery came back to Dogwood Lane to escape the hustle and bustle of city life. The last time she was in town, a single night gave her a sliver of hope, but would they have that same connection all those years later? Unfortunately, they do, but not in the way Avery wanted it.
Penn may think Avery seemed familiar, but he doesn’t remember why. When his charm did not immediately work on her, how far outside his playboy ways would he willing to go? For some reason, he can’t get her out of his mind. Would he be able to figure out what he wanted before it was too late? Would their second chance work out better than their first? Something that everyone else could clearly see was a mystery to Penn! Would he be able to see past his inner insecurities or give up on the best thing he had ever experienced?
Penn and Avery’s connection was so deep; it was something that came natural to both of them. It was so great to see just how far Penn was willing to go!! By far my favorite book of the series!! Can’t wait to see what’s next for Dogwood Lane!
Since I first met Penn, I was in love with his ridiculous swagger, and never thought in my wildest dreams he would settle down, let alone make me swoon the way he did. So many parts of this book had me giggling, even one part I read and re-read a dozen times because it was so funny!! The progression of this couple was both maddening, and intoxicating, I wanted it so bad for them, but boy…they made me work for it. The characters are so crisp and clear, the story so engaging, I felt as if I was skipping along in Dogwood Lane with the whole crew, and I sincerely love this Author’s books because of that. This town, these people, these stories will hold a special place in my heart always.
~~~Erika, Book Haven Book Blog
“People who are ridiculously attracted to one another can be friends…right?”
4.5 fantastic stars!
I love this series of standalone small-town romances, and from the very beginning I’ve been waiting to see town playboy, Penn, meet his match, and OMG, it was just what I was hoping for! Fun, flirty, full of chemistry and with a beautiful, heartfelt romance, this is just the story I wanted for Penn, and I absolutely loved it!
Having come from a troubled background, Penn doesn’t really understand the concept of love, and he honestly doesn’t have any interest in it. He’s perfectly happy engaging in quick and easy hook-ups without getting involved, and it works pretty well for him. Because he’s Penn Etling, and he’s God’s gift to women… yes, he truly thinks that, but in a way that is endearing rather than conceited, and with the skills to back it up, he can pretty much have any woman he wants. And then Avery comes to town…
“I’m in lust. Pure unadulterated lust.
Avery has captivated my attention. I don’t know what that fucking means, but I’m here for it.”
Avery has just left her superficial life in LA to move to Dogwood Lane with her beloved (and hilarious) Aunt. Desperate to escape the toxic patterns of her past and enjoy a slower pace that is all about building towards the life she wants for herself, she’s determined to make smart decisions, and that doesn’t include hooking up with the town playboy. Especially because she’s been there and done that years ago, and in a delicious twist on a second-chance-romance, Penn doesn’t remember.
It’s a fabulous set-up, especially with Penn bringing his A-game and Avery thwarting him at every turn.
“Ooh, she doesn’t want your number,” Matt jokes. “Let’s write this one down in the record books, boys.”
“Will you shut the hell up?” Penn sighs. “Give the girl some time. It’s probably pretty overwhelming to meet me.” He turns slowly, his eyes full of salaciousness. “I’ll give you some time. No worries.”
Penn’s unique sense of humour is so freaking entertaining, and his constant joking, flirting and smutty inuendo had me laughing so many times.
“I imagine a paintbrush in her hand and find myself curious about a lot of things. How talented is she? What else does she like to do? What is she good at?
Is she the ultimate package? I don’t know. But I’d sure as fuck like to give her mine.”
But underneath it all is a damaged man who is truly struggling with everything that he is feeling.
“Can I be more for her? Do I have it in me? Or should I let her go?”
It’s an absolutely beautiful journey as Penn and Avery, both wanting different things but unable to stay away from each other, become close friends. Of course that deepens their attraction, and I loved watching their relationship shift and change as they figure it all out.
“Being with you makes me feel like I’m seen … You don’t look at me and see the goofy guy that everyone knows I am.” He looks up at me with a hesitation that stops my breath. “You see the guy I think my grandpa told me I could be.”
*clutches heart*
Penn and Avery are wonderful characters. Both very real, I could understand where they were at and how they were feeling, and I felt it all along with them. My heart ached for them when they hurt, and I was in a world of swoon as they came to accept and acknowledge their feelings. It’s not all smooth sailing and they have things they need to work through and hurdles to overcome, and they make mistakes along the way, but that just makes the emotion hit so much harder, and the journey all that much sweeter. Their background together adds a wonderful dimension to everything between them, and I loved watching them come together.
“I don’t want to hurt her. I don’t want to fail her. I don’t want to make her anything other than happy every day of her life.”
The characters from previous books appear, and there is a nice little set up there for Matt, but you can absolutely read this one as a standalone.
Funny, sexy, romantic and emotional, this is such a great read, and I loved it.
What a sweet, wonderful story! I was drawn in right from the start and absolutely loved these characters! Penn is the towns cocky playboy and Avery is new to town and not about to fall for his charm (again)! This book has great chemistry between the characters and a fun story line that kept me wondering how things were going to work out.
A must read book for sure!by Alisa
Be still my freaking heart! Adriana Locke unleashed the beast of feelings and I had no defense against it! Penn and Avery’s sweet, heartaching and emotional story has won my heart fair and square! Trouble was trouble for my heart and soul!
I have a weakness for small town romance. Because they have this vibrant, warm and intimate experience with all the little adorable details and great people. And Adriana Locke nailed the feeling in Trouble. Avery has escaped to Dogwood to her aunt leaving behind her suffocating and lonely life with her controlling celebrity parents and fake friends. And she meets Penn. The proverbial manwh@re. Gorgeous. Charming. Firty. Funny. With a good heart and devil’s sex appeal. But Penn has a bad upbringing that made his sceptical about relationship. In fact he actively avoids them. But Avery fascinates him. He wants to know her, make her happy and be with her. They becomes good friends but what about the complicated feelings in their heart? Will Penn face his issues or will Avery be in trouble for falling for the bad boy?
First of all, the slow burn in this story is pure torture. Seriously. Adriana Locke took me through each curve, each up and down and each twist in an absolutely maddening pace. Their chemistry starts with playful banters and somewhere down the line they slip into this easy friendship. They become open and trusting and close. But the undercurrent of desire and passion was put in everything so beautifully! Penn is so amazing! He can be a real a$$hole with his ways regarding women but he is actually a vulnerable guy hiding behind all light and silly talks. And my heart is breaking for him. Avery is so adorable! I love how she showed courage to give her life a new start and how she values her self worth above everything. She did not get herself carried away by Penn’s charm even when her body and heart wanted it. But she also stood by him and understood him and was patient with him. They had their share of mistakes and misunderstandings but that’s what made me love this story even more.
Trouble by Adriana Locke was full of delicious passion, soul deep emotions and true characters. The writing was just brilliant. I am in love with everything in Trouble.
Received ARC for honest review.
Here comes Trouble..
Oh Penn..
I have seriously loved Penn since I first met him, there’s something about his character that drew me in from the very beginning, needless to say I was so happy when he got his book ( Finally!)
I honestly can’t even put into words how much I loved getting to know him and his past to truly understand what has made him the person he is.
Avery is a wonderful person and she matches Penn in all the right ways. I highly recommend reading this book and the rest of the Dogwood Lane series.
Does anyone write small town romance with such heart as well as Adriana Locke? I think not. Case in point, Trouble. I’ve been waiting for Penn’s story since my first trip to Dogwood Lane and I was not let down at all.
He’s always been in the periphery. Putting a smile on everyone’s face with his jokes and lightness. However, below the laughter and good time was a man who had been hurt and felt deeply. But that was a side he didn’t let anyone see, not even those closest to him. He didn’t want to let anyone see it, until Avery showed up in town.
I loved that Avery didn’t bow to Penn’s charms. But she wasn’t immune. Little by little he wore down her defenses. It was his kindness. His wit. His ability to make her laugh even when she didn’t want to. But Avery had a secret, one that was bound to come out sooner or later. When it did, Penn’s defenses all went back up.
Cue the misty eyes and aching chest. Gah! I am just so enamored by this small town and the people that dwell there. The sense of community. The friendships (and let me take a moment to say GO MATT! He was a rock star in this book). Penn and Avery’s slow-burning romance gave me all the feels and made me swoon for days.
Trouble is the third book in Adriana Locke’s, Dogwood Lane Series. Trouble can be read as a standalone read, but in my opinion, books are always better when read in series order.
Adriana Locke, is an author who is new to me, and is quickly becoming one of my favorites.
Trouble has everything I look for when reading a book. The characters are well written and compliment each other to make the book very enjoyable to read, and the story line flows nicely.
If you are looking for your next, new read, I recommend Trouble l, by Adriana Locke.
Penn is his own worst enemy when it comes to finding true love, folks. Despite having friends quick to point out what he’s doing wrong, it still takes this knucklehead quite a while to come to his senses.
Avery does a good job at first of repeatedly turning down this Casanova, confirmed bachelor/ONS, perpetual flirt, player, which only makes him want her more. As you can imagine, the game is on and both have their minds and hearts set on controlling the outcome. The back and forth banter was amusing as she kept putting him in his place.
We are given the full details on how this couple first met as teens. With a ten year separation, it’s not surprising neither were celibate during that time. Avery has had enough of lying, wayward men and is determined to settle only for a Mr. Forever Good Guy, who wants her for her alone. Penn starts to feel trapped between a rock and a hard place because he doesn’t want to let her go, yet doesn’t believe love lasts. Fortunately for us, he loses his heart but ultimately stomps on Avery’s in the process. Yeah, this guy’s got some groveling to do.
Title: Trouble, Series: Dogwood Lane (Book 3), Author: Adriana Locke, Pages: 296, stand-alone but part of a series, turns him down repeatedly, steamy late in book, no OM drama, no significant OW drama, stomps on her heart, briefly grovels hero, HEA, both not celibate during ten year separation, had a ONS as teens, writing flows.
Book 1 – Tumble
Book 2 – Tangle
Book 3 – Trouble
(I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced reader copy of this book via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own. I was not given any payment or compensation for this review. There is no affiliation or relationship between this reviewer and the author/publisher/NetGalley.)
Sweet heat and witty banter that instantly draw you into Penn and Avery’s story.
Trouble is an enjoyable addition to the Dogwood Lane series, but I was really expecting to fall in love with Penn’s story since he’s such a dynamic character in Tumble and Tangle. He’s a shameless flirt and I really expected the repartee between Penn and Avery to build up more steamy tension, but the story kind of got stuck in a repetitive loop that didn’t allow Penn and Avery’s story to reach it’s full impactful potential.
Matt, Claire and Jake make for some great secondary characters and I really hope the Dogwood Lane series will include their stories – especially Matt, who shined in Trouble!
An easy read with great banter and just a touch of steamy, Trouble is sure to entertain.
I always think I’ve found my favorite Addy character and then in her next book I’m proven wrong. Penn, oh wow. He’s got himself a heart of gold. And I think my favorite thing about Penn is that he doesn’t even know how special and amazing he is. And Avery, she’s a sweetheart and just what Penn needs in his life. And not to mention this town. I love the towns that Adriana writes. That probably sounds kind of ridiculous but I can’t help it. When I’m done reading her books I want to go jump between the pages and not only meet the characters but visit the town. This trip to Dogwood Lane was another success for me. I loved this book and I really truly adore and love Penn!
The small town of Dogwood Lane is just where Avery wants to be, away from the superficialness of L.A. with a slower pace. Avery is looking for a new start. Penn, born and raised in Dogwood, the town’s consummate bachelor player with a charm guaranteed to make the panties go *poof*. Throw these two together and you get off-the-charts chemistry but people who are coming from polar opposites of the life spectrum. One looking for forever, one looking for a good time.
Trouble is a sweet easy read that is a quintessential contemporary romance. A smart, sassy heroine who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid of who she is and a slightly broken hero who has to come to terms with his past to get the future he deserves. There is a bit of heat, interactions between both the leads and the secondary characters which are, at turns, flat out funny and heartfelt and a happily ever after to make you smile as you close out the book.
Ms. Locke’s Trouble is a good addition to her catalogue of sweet, sexy romances.
This is book 3 in the Dogwood Lane series but each can read as a standalone. This is the first that I have read of the series and I really enjoyed the book. Loved Penn and Avery. The chemistry between them was so good. I can’t wait to go back and read the first 2 books of this series and to read more of her work.
I received an ARC of this book from NetGalley and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
Penn and Avery have completely stolen my heart!! This story was terrific from start to finish. Their chemistry together was funny but with so much steam. Penn is a total playboy that you’ll love, but there’s a whole other side to him that will leave toy wanting a Penn of your own. And Avery is perfect for him. She’s a very strong heroine who knows what she wants but can’t deny how her heart feels. The storyline was romantic and completely a 5 star all the way!
This is it, this was the story I was waiting for and it was worth the wait. Penn has been the player, the comic relief for the past two stories in the Dogwood Lane series. He always had me laughing out loud, but toward the end of Haley’s story, he started to show another side. Did we want him to clash with Grace? Sure!! But this story was even better as far as I’m concerned. Kind of brings in a second chance, with a truly wounded character…because that is what Penn really is. He doesn’t really believe in love because he doesn’t remember ever really having it. His story was painful to read….Avery and Penn’s history was both beautiful and painful. Seeing Penn become MORE was worth every word.