4.5⭐

I have been eagerly awaiting Penn Etling's story, and honestly, it didn't disappoint, as this guy is everything, and as he liked to remind Avery eight inches to boot ;) And I loved the connection and chemistry him and Avery created, yet what I adored most was how charming, and kind Penn is, although he tried hard not to show it, he just couldn't help himself and the dichotomy of this particular character really was perfectly written and awesome to read.

As was the small town setting, the friendships, the banter, and the lightness of the story, that really enveloped me from the beginning. And as much as I love Dane, Neely and Mia, Penn and Avery have quickly become my favourite Dogwood Lane couple. Not to mention this story left me wanting more, not just of Penn and Avery but all the other wonderful characters and I can't wait to read more from this series in the future.

Would happily recommend.

Romance, heart, and small town charm are the hallmarks of Locke's writing. The author paints a vivid picture that makes me want to live in Dogwood Lane. Penn's southern charm had my heart swooning and his sense of humor is spot on to delight not only the reader but Avery. Avery Flynn is a breath of fresh air and Penn Etling has taken notice. She's a great balance to this sweettalker and adding in that this is a second chance romance (unknown to Penn - trust me on this original plot twist) and Locke has scored another winner as well as solidified her place in this genre as a one-click-worthy author.

Five PENN Stars!

I absolutely loved Trouble and getting to take another trip to Dogwood Lane!! The characters. The story. Truly, there was nothing that I didn't love. Avery and Penn's romance was such a sweet, fun, and light-hearted story that I couldn't put down. Flirtatious banter, witty dialogue, and chemistry galore - these two were just perfect together and I had a smile on my face the entire time I was reading!

Next up......can we get Matt please? I need more of him!!

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.

This one started off promising for me, but I just could not get into it. I did not like Penn. At all!
I did quit this one at 16%.

I was so excited when I found out that Penn would get to tell his story! I loved Penn in the previous two books in the series. I did enjoy Penn & Avery's journey, but didn't love it as much as I wanted to. It was a great story overall, but I still wanted more.

I look forward to more by Adriana Locke in hopefully this series and other works.

I voluntarily reviewed this book.

5 “Hometown Feels” Stars

Finally! I got my hot little hands on the deliciousness that is Penn Etling. Penn, the loveable man-whore of Dogwood Lane. The man that carries so much guilt from his past that he’s written off ever falling in love. The man that has stolen the show throughout this entire series. The man who completely swept me off my feet and has stolen my heart. Avery has moved to town to get away from her famous family and a fresh start to find that person to spend her life with. She just didn’t think that person was going to be Penn Etling. These two have major chemistry and just can’t seem to stay away from each other no matter how hard they try. I loved both these characters individually, but as a couple, they made my heart sing. Adriana Locke knows how to write small hometown romance and Trouble has all the hometown feels.

Angela - Alphas Do It Better Book Blog

I couldn't wait for Penn's story. When you read books 1 and 2 in the series you will absolutely fall in love with him. He's sweet, funny, loyal and a major Playboy but with a heart of gold. You don't have to read one and two but I definitely recommend that you do. In this story you get to really know Penn. You learn about his past and his inner feelings. You fall in love with him all over again. Avery is perfect for Penn. She's sweet, sassy and drives Penn crazy. She's tired of life in California and how fake the people are in her life. So when she sees Penn again she turns him down. She down with smooth talkers and that's exactly what she thinks he is. But her aunt Harper has other ideas you keeps throwing them together. There chemistry is off the charts. Absolutely love these two together there bantering and how they grow and change together. Love how strong and loving they both are. Can't wait for Matt's story.


I received a Advanced Readers Copy and I'm leaving a voluntary review

I've been looking forward to Penn's book since I read "Tumble". Adriana Locke has a way of allowing you to get to know her character that just leave you hanging on and waiting for the stories. I'm so glad she didn't wait too long to let us get more of Penn.

Penn is the ultimate playboy in a small town - which means everyone knows everything. He isn't ready to settle down, to have a relationship, or anything remotely similar to it. And most people in town know why.

Enter Avery. Avery moves into town to stay with her aunt and the attraction between her and Penn is instant. But she isn't interested in one night only.

Penn has never had to work for hard for a girl and he finds himself wanting to spend more time with Avery. But it will all fall apart eventually, because that's the way it works, right?

Jump in and hang on because you are in for a fun ride.

Adriana Locke has done it again. Every time she comes out with a new book it's my new favorite. Trouble is no different. I fell in love with Penn.Trouble by Adriana Locke is the third book in the Dogwood Lane series. This book is about Avery and Penn. We met Penn in the first two books. This book is a duel point of view from both characters. I really like books that are told between both characters so you can think what they are feeling.

Penn is a small town guy. He isn't ready to settle down. Avery is from a big city and wants to get away so she goes to stay with her aunt in Dogwood Lane. They meet and Avery realizes she's met Penn before, but under a different alias. Penn has no idea he's met her before, but feels an instant connection.

I fell in love with this story. Avery wants to settle down, Penn wants to live the same lifestyle he's always lived. I loved seeing Penn and Avery come together, through their own battles.

I'm hoping there is at least one more book in this series about Matt :).



#Trouble #NetGalley
** I received a complimentary copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

5 stars! This is my first book by Adriana Locke, so I am joining the Dogwood Lane series at book 3. This can absolutely be read as a standalone. I look forward to reading the first two books in the series, but didn't feel that I missed anything by not having read them.

I found both Penn and Avery to be relatable and I enjoyed reading their story. It was a great combination of humor, some self-reflection, some growth, connection, and fun. Penn is perfectly happy with his rep as a ladies' man and no serious relationships. Avery impulsively decided to move to Dogwood Lane and live and work with her aunt. She needed a lifestyle change and the decision felt right. When Avery and Penn first cross paths, Avery immediately recognizes him from an encounter from a visit a decade earlier. She is a little dismayed that Penn doesn't recognize or remember her. While neither of them are looking for a relationship, they keep getting thrown together and sparks fly. It's a fun, satisfying read.

Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake Romance for an advance digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Avery had me at hello and in the end I loved Penn just as much. It took me a few chapters to get into Penn. He came across as slightly narcissistic, juvenile, and well…couldn’t put together a sentence that was not dripping with innuendo. All of this would have been fine because his actions do speak to his obviously big heart but even his internal monologuing wasn’t all that charming. And then I realized that my issue with Penn was his worst enemy as well, himself! The walls he built to protect that big old heart of his and the way he had been hurt in the past and was so scared of being hurt again had him acting all kinds of crazy. I really appreciated that Avery gave him leeway and wanted Penn for Penn without losing sight of what she wanted and needed in the relationship. She never came across as naive or stupid or any of the things that cause heroines to occasionally make ridiculous decisions. I was team Avery the entire time. I wish she had a bit more support from her Aunt who I realize was push push pushing Penn on her for all the right reasons but also made me feel a little lonely for her. It also made me like and respect her even more because Avery did what she knew was right for herself. Penn shows some serious growth and once he turns the corner…wow! Get ready to melt! He is trouble alright and I want all of it!
This is exactly what I like to see from Adriana Locke. Light and easy to read with the right amount of heart, drama, and steam.

I love everything about this book! I love that Avery wasn’t easy on Penn, and the more she pulled back the harder it was for him to let go. They both had growing to do, but all of that they could do together. I loved how thoughtful he was. He was always taking care of other people. This book felt like it could have been set in my hometown. I loved it!

I was so excited to read Trouble! I am an avid Adriana Locke fan/reader and once again I loved every word of this book. I swear it, Adriana Locke is the QUEEN writer of small town living and the people in it. She paints a picture so vivid that your mind can't help be immersed into her world or words.

Trouble is the perfect second chance romance. It's funny and sexy without being vulgar; its full of angst and sensuality that will make your pulse quicken. I loved the chemistry that grew between Penn and Avery but all of this is just the surface. Underlying it all, Adriana does what she does best and makes readers dive further into a more mature backstory of the characters giving a depth you didn't see coming and by the end of the book you have a sense of nostalgia for the people and places you've come to love.

Broken and wall building Penn. I knew it was more to his story than the playboy attitude. I never guessed it to be as deep as it was though. I was kind of in awe of how Adriana had his back story. You would have never gotten that from the guy we met in the other stories. Through in Avery and you have a recipe for fun and emotional rollercoaster.

I enjoyed the push and pull. The sly way Penn put himself out there and the hard realities coming from Matt. I totally got where Avery was coming from but in reality she knew the man, he just had to know himself. He got there growling and all.

I have loved reading the Dogwood Lane series, and particularly Penn Etling. He's the guy you can't help but love from the get-go, even when he is infuriating and frustrating. He's gorgeous and funny, and self-deprecating. He's cocky to the point of arrogant, and let's face it, every woman lusts after him. Except Avery. She's seen way too many guys like him in LA, and she doesn't want to have anything to do with that.

I loved seeing Avery rebuff Penn at every turn. He was beside himself with her, because he just didn't know what to do with her. No woman turned him down - ever. And normally, that would be no big deal for Penn, there's always another woman out there. But there's something different about Avery.

Adriana is such a master at writing the small town romance story. I am so ready to pack up right now and move to Dogwood Lane! I've been saying that since book 1 and if it were a real town, I'd be bugging the hubby to find us a place there!

There's a serious side to Penn that we haven't seen until now, and my heart went out to him for what he went through as a kid that has molded a lot of who he is today. Avery sees it, and sees the man that Penn truly is, even though he doesn't see it himself. Avery hasn't had the best upbringing either, her Aunt Harper the only one who she can count on. She wants a stable and long term relationship and she wants it with Penn. Can these two find a future together?

I loved seeing the whole gang and catching up with what's going on in their lives. I'm trying to decide who I'd love to see a story about next. I'm thinking Matt, but maybe Jake, or maybe Claire... any of them would be great!

Thank you, Adriana, for bringing us Penn's story!

Ever finish a book and you're not really sure how much you liked it? I know that I liked Avery, but I would have liked to have had her background a bit more fleshed out. While we know she felt "used" in California, couldn't we have had one relationship explained to show how she had been used? And as for Penn, I liked him and I didn't like him. (That's because he was wishy-washy. SO frustrating!) So the plus of this book is that it is very well written, not lots of grammatical errors and the premise for the story is strong. It just didn't totally win me over. I was really looking forward to the book and it didn't really deliver .

Oh Penn! From the moment he was introduced to us in Tumble, the first book in the Dogwood Lane Series, I knew his story would make me laugh and make me cry and he did just that. Adriana couldn't have written a better counterpart to Penn's over-the-top, crazy, mischievous, sweet and sexy personality than Avery. I loved Penn's innocent innuendoes and Avery's witty comebacks and their surprisingly slow burn romance. This author certainly knows the small town romance genre because she nails it every single time. Another 5-star read in the Dogwood Lane Series. I voluntarily read and reviewed an ARC for NetGalley.

Ugh. Penn!! I’ve been waiting for this one and it was my favorite!!!
I loved the banter between Avery and Penn.
He is so sure he knows what he wants and Avery knocks him on his behind!
Another great Dogwood Lane book!!

In case you are wondering whether this can be read as a standalone, it definitely can! I have not read the other books in the series, in fact I've never read anything by this author before but I was in the mood for a romance that wasn't too angsty and had a mischievous hero with a twinkle in his eyes and that's exactly what I got in Penn. Don't get me wrong, he had hidden depths and a backstory that kept me from giving up on him when he ran away from his feelings, but overall, he was sweet and a genuinely kind and caring guy, just what I was in the mood for.

I also loved Avery. After years of putting up with marginal relationships with both her family and her friends in LA, she had the courage to completely change her life and go looking for what she wanted - a real connection to other people. She didn't sit around and whine, she got out there and did something positive to improve her life. She knew what she wanted and wasn't willing to settle for less. That's my kind of heroine. These two together were a really great couple, both seeing the best and bringing out the best in each other.