Every time I go to write a review for a Lex Croucher book, all it ends up being is me yelling at the public about how delightful Croucher’s books are, the happiness they bring me, and each one makes me more of a super fan of their work. TROUBLE is no exception. 🗣️ “Please go read this new historical romcom! Okaythankyoubye✌🏻”

That would be my teeny TROUBLE review, but it’s me, so I’ll say more. It’s a governess historical romance in which the new governess is described as a liar, not polite, and not polished. Oh! I can’t forget the best part—she has never taught a child in her life! Emily Laurence is one of the best book characters ever. Think: you thought you hired Mary Poppins or Maria von Trapp when you hired Cameron Diaz from Bad Teacher.

If you listen to audiobooks, Ell Potter is an exceptional narrator. We are in Emily’s head the entire time, and I can’t imagine anyone else being Emily!

I also can’t picture this book written any other way. I’m a fan of multiple characters narrating, but I think it was a fantastic plot choice to be in Emily’s mind the entire time. She came to the Fairmount House with a purpose, and it was neat to see how she processed and adapted without trying to lose herself as her purpose and feelings changed. 

I know I only gushed about one character in the book, but TROUBLE has many dynamic ones and an entertaining plot. I’ll wait for the thank you for the happiness it brings you, too!

Thank you, Macmillian Audio, for the gifted audiobook!

Content Warnings: (per the author’s website) multiple characters with long-term chronic illness, sudden downturn of health during illness, homophobia, struggles with gender identity, parental deaths (historical, not on-page), threatening and coercive behavior, mentions of past sexual harassment