Penn and Avery have intense chemistry from the first scene in her aunt's beauty shop. Problem is, he wants something casual like he's always done, and she's not looking for anything having just moved to town, but if she were, casual definitely wouldn't be it. I struggle with the description of Penn being a "bad boy." I can't recall anything that happened to earn him that label - he's really just a ladies man but he does have a good, caring personality. I really enjoyed this book, seeing two characters who so deeply understood each other and cared for each other.
While this could be read as a standalone, I highly recommend starting with the first two books in the series for a better understanding of both Penn and a bunch of the friend characters.
I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Such a lovely story from one of my favorite authors! She brought great dialogue and chemistry to this one! Loved reading this book. Looking forward to reading more soon.

Penn believed he was god’s gift to women. The king of one night stands is a total playboy and has finally met his match. Avery has already had her one night of pleasure and it changed her entire life. Giving Penn a different name when she met him was to protect her. Finding him again would be destiny. He would slowly come to realize he is capable of love and Avery would make him feel like he mattered. Loved this series!

It's hard to write characters who are both sexy and adorable but this is Penn. Hes also sweet, hysterical, charming, cocky, and a ton of other things that make him my current BBF. Penn and Averys chemistry was off the charts and some great sexual tension in this one. Love this author and love this series. Cant wait for more!!

Avery can tell that Penn is trouble, and she has decided that she deserves more than trouble. So, despite her attraction to him she vows to stay away. She is also hurt that he doesn’t recognize her when she recognized him instantly.

Penn doesn’t do relationships. However, there is something about Avery that gets to him, even though she keeps turning him down. There is also something familiar about her...

With a big secret between them, can Penn and Avery trust themselves and each other enough to make a relationship work?

Ahh I've waited for this book. Devoured this in a day.
This book was very good and highly recommend this to everyone. This series is a good one

A lot of fun! From the first scene with Penn and Dane, and then being introduced to Avery the story just rolled along at a very good pace. Both Penn and Avery are good people both trying to live their best lives in one quirky little town.

One of the most eagerly awaited books by Adriana Locke - Trouble brings to the table every thing that Ms. Locke is famous for - witty, endearing characters, a setting that you can not only see but feel, touch, and hear, and dialogue that has you laughing out loud one minute, crying the next. Penn was everything that I was hoping for, and that says a lot. If you have read Adriana's books before - you won't be disappointed (except to get to the end, isn't that always a let down?) and if you have NOT read her books, definitely pick up Trouble and prepare to be entertained!

I rarely give five star ratings, but trust me when I say that Trouble deserves it. Enjoy!

Here comes Trouble!Truest words ever spoken and when trying to keep your heart in check and in walks Penn Etling with his southern boy charm,smooth talking ways,good heart and amazing manners who also happens to know his way around tools a girls heart is definitely in Trouble!!

Avery comes from a family where everything is about never having privacy, everyone wanting to know you and use you to get what they want. This was a part of her life she hated and wanted away from, so she returns to the one place she had where no one knew who she was, Dogwood Lake.
Penn was born, raised and still living in Dogwood Lake. Having always wanted to escape from his own life, he often reflects on the one time someone truly looked at him, listened to him and made him matter. It was only one night, but the memory has lived on in him. That night  he met Abby and she changed his life in ways she will never know. They only had that one night, or so he thinks
Fate brings Penn, Avery, and Abby together. Are they able to work through the past to get to a future? Or will the baggage from their pasts and their scared hearts be to much for them to overcome?
Adriana Locke knows how to create characters that will make you fall for them, root for them, and cry over them. While you may never know what emotions Locke is going to unlock within you trust that she will reach you in ways you have yet to be touched.

Avery and Penn stumble upon each other when they are still in their late teen years—he is having the worst day of his life, and she is tired of being used, and just wants someone to like her for her, not for her family connections (her mother is an actress; her father is a director). They are both miserable, and spend the night commiserating, connecting, and understanding each other. Then they have sex. The next day, she gets called back to CA, and Penn never sees her again—or so he thinks—but he feels a very strong connection to her, and the memory of her helps him get through some difficult times.

Fast forward ten years later, and Avery moves into her aunt’s home to try to figure out what she wants in life. She’s finished with being used for her family connections and she is hoping to experience unconditional love. One of the first people she sees is Penn—and he doesn’t remember her at all. To protect her heart, she pretends to not know him as well, and rebuffs his flirtatious advances. She’s through with settling! Penn can’t figure out why his legendary charm isn’t working and his friends are enjoying his discomfiture.

This leads to some fun and interesting banter, and the cause of much of the tension...Will she succumb? When? Has Penn finally met his match? Why are they so comfortable sharing deeper truths with each other? Will he ever figure out who she is?? The pacing is spot-on and holds the interest of the reader throughout the story. The characters have depth and are fleshed out adequately, although I wanted more details on Penn’s past and on Avery’s present.

Penn’s friends and their acceptance--of his foibles, and of Avery as a newcomer to their circle--is a thing of beauty. The banter between the guys is a good part of what elevates this story. It’s just so darn fun to read! It’s believable for the most part and much of it is just the way young men often talk to each other. It’s irreverent and crass at times. When it matters, his friends come through for him.

Penn’s character arc is well-done. He does grow into his character, but it takes much of the book. Avery starts as a strong character, and only gets better. Her relationship with her aunt has a profound impact on her life. Her parents will never win any parenting awards, but her aunt fills the gap of mother and confidant beautifully.

Trouble by Adriana Locke

I knew Penn was going to fall like a ton of bricks and I knew it would be phenomenal to witness. I was not disappointed.

I've been waiting for Penn to fall hard the first time he appeared in Tumble. There is something about the manwhore with a heart of gold that I just adore. And Avery was just the right girl to make it all happen. A charming Penn is difficult for the girls to resist, but Avery does, and she definitely has her reasons. While I wished that those reasons came to light earlier than they did, it worked for the story. That being said, I loved Avery from the moment she was introduced. I just wanted to wrap her in a big hug. She was vulnerable, and a bit self-loathing, but Dogwood Lane was the place for her to find herself.
Dogwood Lane is such a wonderful place. I love everyone in it and everything about it. The town is its own side character and I really hope we get to read more stories about its residents.

4 STARS

Rather immature:
Penn is adverse to anything other than the physical, casual side of things and has a lot of growing up to do. However he also has a vulnerable and insecure side which is rather endearing. Meanwhile Avery has had a tough upbringing in LA and is looking to start over in small town Tennessee. She is longing to find a place to belong and to be loved for who she is.
Overall I found this book to be rather crude and immature. While I get it was supposed to be about reforming a bad boy, it took a long time to get there. I didn't like how everyone was pressuring Avery to have a one night stand despite her having stated on numerous occasions that she didn't want to as she was looking for a deep, meaningful relationship instead. I ended up enjoying the final third of the book much more as it felt authentic and real and I also thought the ending was well done.
I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review. All opinions expressed are solely my own.

**I received an arc in exchange for an honest review.**.
I find this all third writing very engaging. The feel of this world is familiar. In some way, I know these characters. I might pass them on the street in my hometown.
Penn is a good time and he’s never t afraid to tell you. A lot. Like if you can hear him. He’s full of innuendo and understands 8 inches and is that kind of charming that college boys tend to be. Except he’s not a college boy. He’s a grown ass man with real big commitment issues. He doesn’t believe in it.
Averyet Penn once upon a time and he doesn’t even remember. She has moved away from fake land to start looking for her HEA. She’s tired of manipulation, lies, and men afraid of commitment.
Hmmm
I wonder if that means there’s a problem brewing???
The spark is immediate. Pen can’t help but innuendo all over the hot new chick. Avery can’t help but punch him back with a pocket full of No.
I loved the push and pull and the constant verbal sparring was my favorite part of the book. I would have been happy if they never hooked up because this level of verbal warfare is not often well done.
However, the rest of the book was not as great for me. The “issue” was a bit ridiculous as was the apology. I understand the need for conflict but this just fell flat for me. Avery deserved better. Hell Penn deserved to be better.
I enjoyed the story but did not like the drama that seemed to be blown way out of proportion.

Miss Locke introduces us to Avery and Penn who shared an unforgettable one night stand when Avery was a teenager ,but which now eludes Penn's memories.They both were coming from a bad place in their life at that time and found release and acceptance with each other that night. Now Avery is back ten years later and while she's offended Penn does not recall the incident,she valiantly tries to resist his attempts to charm her,thinking "been there,done that, no repeat ,thank you." She severely miscalculates his persistence and belief that there isn't a woman out there who won't succumb to his advances and his "tape measure."They get thrown together often due to the meddling of others around them and develop a friendly relationship with benefits.The conflict occurs during a tender moment and a standoff ensues while they each struggle to come to terms with their emotions.Will this conflict break them because of the connotations attached to it or is it just a trivial,insignificant fluff of enough? The book is well written,the plot is solid with a bit of mystery thrown in and the secondary characters are funny and caring and helps the protagonists sort through their feelings.This is a must read if you want to find out the ending, sorry,no revelations here.My unbiased review came courtesy of Netgalley.

I really, really, really liked Trouble. I didn't love it though, and I've spent a bit of time trying to put my finger on why. I'm not totally positive, but I think it had to do with the pacing. There were parts where I felt a little like, move it along, and parts where I really wanted more. As always, the writing was fantastic and the characters were really engaging. I thought to myself several times throughout what a treat it is to read this author's work. There was just a little something that kept it from being pushed over the top to amazing for me - minor to the point where I wonder if it was just my mood when I was reading. There's a decent chance that if I read it again I'd love it.

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?

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.

5 Star review of Trouble (Dogwood Lane #3) by Adriana Locke

Trouble was well written and full of love, romance, laughter and is a second chance at love story about Penn Etling and Avery Perry. I’ve been intrigued by Penn ever since he was first mentioned in the series with some of his shenanigans making me laugh

I really liked Penn and Avery, both separately and together. From the first chapter to the last, I was absolutely hooked by the story that Adriana Locke wove.

I love small town romances and when you add in characters like Penn and Avery it is a joy to read. I loved how swoon worthy Penn was, he ticked all the boxes for me and I loved Avery, she is funny, smart and sassy.

I love Dogwood Lane and Adriana Locke really brings it to life for me. Avery certainly gave Penn a run for his money and they were well suited to one another and their story made for an entertaining read.

I received a copy from the publisher through Netgalley.

“Trouble” by Adriana Locke is the third book released in the Dogwood Lane series and can be read as a stand-alone.

Avery has moved to Dogwood Lane to get away from all the Hollywood self centered people who have only ever used her for her connections. Even her family use her to move forward against each other.

This book is sassy, smart and fun. It has memorable and sweet characters that you will not forget