Ahhhh. This book.. I swear, Adriana Locke knows how to leave me on the edge of my seat while the brooding hero decides whether or not he’s going to allow for a happily ever after. This is the third installment in the Dogwood Lane series and it just keeps getting better and better. From the moment I met Penn in the second book, I knew he would be TROUBLE and guess what? He totally was. His heartbreaking past as well as Avery’s Hollywood filled childhood make these two the perfect candidates to end up together. Avery who starts out with an inability to trust and Penn who doesn’t think he’d be good at love just leaves you wondering just what will happen.

These two characters prove just how right a relationship can be when it starts out as a getting to know you friendship. These two characters reconnected in so many ways, showing just how powerful fate can be at times especially when it comes to love. I loved these two characters and it was nice getting to visit Dogwood Lane again, I can’t wait to see what else this author has in store for us surrounding this heartwarming town.

Adriana Locke hits it out of the ballpark again with a sweet small-town romance. Penn is the bachelor from Dogwood Lane that I've been waiting the longest to see if he would fall. I mean, of course he does! And it was worth the wait. Penn has his demons, of course. But they only make him more likable.

I'm not sure why, but it took me longer than I hoped to get trough Trouble. It was hard for me to come around to liking Penn, he was funny at times, but his womanizer ways were a bit too much during this read.

I have nothing against the writing because I love Adriana's books to pieces, but I think this just wasn't my kind of read.

As we're well acquainted with Penn, it was a constant cycle and a bit repetitive. I was hoping for more character development especially with him. And just more from their relationship, in general.

I did enjoy their banter and always a fan of seeing the secondary characters. I'm definitely looking forward to the next read by Adriana.

When the charming Penn with his shameless grin meets the only woman who didn’t fall under the spell, all bets were off. What started like a challenge turned out to be something more real, more scary that just fooling around for fun. Avery had such a great poker face when it came to Penn… almost, trying so hard not to fall and to be a notch on his bed, a long list of conquests who haven’t kept his attention for so long, until her.

All this attention and efforts to wear her down was entertaining, since Avery was giving him a run for his money. The banter was exquisite and charming with a smoking hot chemistry.

Light-hearted at first but not only. This time around, Penn was going to find out what it looked like to fall for someone, to meet his match and I was a delightful sight. He was really good to deny his feelings, a sweet and kind man hidden in spite of that reputation he couldn’t get rid of.

Avery was looking for a relationship with the right person, someone who would make her head spin, someone she could trust and imagine a future with, and her fresh start in this lovely town was a good thing but not for her sanity.

But trouble never felt so good with these two. The back and forth was awesome and perky, with communicative spirit and good sense of humour. Sometimes sweet and tender but flirting with this thin line of hate/lust that they seemed to thrive in, and I adored it. Watching them fighting their feelings so hard it was almost ridiculous, driving each other crazy.

When it’s time to play for keeps, they will have to fight for what they wanted, and I have to say it was about time to risk their hearts for the real thing. This story was full of charm with endearing characters I loved to meet again, and discovering new ones. The Dogwood Lane series will melt your heart, make you swoon and freaking smile, and this one was no exception.

Trouble by Adriana Locke is book Three in the Dogwood Lane Series. This is the story of Avery Perry and Penn Etling. I have read the previous books which added to my enjoyment of this one but I did feel you could make it a standalone book if you wish to do so. Avery and Penn had a hot one night stand about 10 years ago when they were really young. Now in their present day we see that Penn is somewhat of a man-whore who doesn't do commitments. Avery is at a point in her life that she is done playing games and just wants to settle in so she moves to Dogwood Lane where her Aunt lives. So of course she ends up meeting Penn again who doesn't remember her at all. But he is putting on the charm to try to get with her but Avery is working to resit him.
This was a good second chance at love read.

This was wonderful! The characters were perfect! The relationship between the characters was steamy and sweet. Has some funny parts to it too. I basically flew through this book but I was sad to see it end. This was so much fun!

I was so looking forward to Penn's book! Always a funny and flirty hottie in the previous installments, I couldn't wait to see him finally fall in love. Overall, this was a sweetly romantic read, but there were some issues that I could not overcome,

Sadly, I did not feel the connection nor chemistry between the couple. There were way too many sexual innuendos, that were comical at first, but seem to consume the entire read. In addition, the MCs spoke and behaved very immaturely, to the point that it seemed as if I were reading a high school romance rather than a love story between a couple in their 30s. So disappointed that TROUBLE did not work out for me.

I am truly a fan of Adriana's characters and the worlds she dreams up for us!
Penn charmed his way into our hearts throughout this series but this time Trouble is all about him. Shall we say that he has swagger for days, undeniable charm and al the ladies in town are vying for his attention. Penn is so much more than a handsome face and you will soon see the many layers that make up Penn !
Avery is doing a complete 180 when it comes to life changing steps. She is a transplant to Dogwood Lane from LA . She has come to escape the craziness that makes up her high profile family. She is no stranger to this sleepy little town. When she was a teenager she came for a Summer visit but that was 10 years ago and it certainly feels like a lifetime!
Avery and Penn have such amazing chemistry but Avery is more than wise of this players ways and she came her for something real. Penn has lived his relationship life with no commitments. His reputation precedes him but Avery is now sparking something in him that is a mystery. Such a beautiful emotional journey with Avery and Penn !!
~~Michele McMullen ~~

4.5 stars for the Trouble Maker of Dogwood Lane.

Penn is the eternal playboy and happy in that role. He believes this is all he can ever be. But now he’s hooked on the new lady in town. Avery knows something he doesn’t know. How will he respond when it comes to light? And will he be willing to have a relationship or will he walk away, with his playboy status in tact?

Spoiler-ish

The .5 missing star is that although he needs to stake his claim in public, I wish his big ah-ha with her wasn’t in front of others. Otherwise it seemed genuine and heartfelt.

This is the third book in the Dogwood Lane series. They are standalones, so if this is your first, it's completely fine.

Penn is the town man-whore. He does have his reason for not wanting a relationship. They are valid because of what he's been through. Emotional abuse is no joke. You see him change in this book.

Especially when Avery blindsides him and shows him love.

Avery just wants love. She packed up and lefter her home in LA and moved in with her aunt in Dogwood. She's sick of being used by "friends" and others because of who her parents are. She doesn't want that life anymore. She knows exactly what she does want.

I have loved Penn since the start. I love how Avery made him make some tough realizations.

This is a great read.

I was provided a copy via Netgalley.

Trouble has so many feels, it’s a beautifully written “slow burn” that will keep you glued to your seat!! You really need to One Click this one.

Awww, first of all Penn Etling is definitely one of a kind. Tons of swagger, a smile that could slay and an insatiable talent for dirty talk. But he was also so likeable, thoughtful and just darn sweet. How could you not fall in love with him? ~sigh~ His biggest fault is that he was a player…. a one-night kind of guy who was not ready to commit to anyone. Needless to say, he had no problem with that.

Avery Perry has returned to Dogwood Land after ten years. Tired of the Hollywood lifestyle. Tired of being used to advance other’s careers. Tired of living her life in the shadow of her rich parents. Tired of the endless dead ends with men. This time she was here to find what she had experienced the last time she was there…small town life. With hope to find what she was truly looking for in life, a real relationship.

From the moment that Penn laid eyes on Avery she was on his radar!! Try as he might with his playboy charm, good looks and that sexy smirk, he just could not get the response he wanted from her. Which of course was a huge jolt to his libido, after all he had never had problems with women turning him down before. But there was something about Avery that he could not let go of. Something about her that seemed familiar, but he couldn’t figure it out. Whatever it was didn’t deter him because all he knew is, he wanted her to like him.

The chemistry and banter between Penn and Avery are off the charts hot. It’s fun to watch them interact with each other and just how totally compatible they truly are. There are so many belly laughs so be prepared!!

Yet, there is also a secret that Avery has been keeping.
What happen when the secret is out of bag?
Will she and Penn find their HEA or will this lead to a dead end?

Adriana Locke is my go to for small town romances. She knows how to write them and have us fall in love. I have been looking forward to Penn's story since the beginning and I was not disappointed. Avery and Penn's story has us back in Dogwood Lane and we catch glimpses of all our favorites from the previous books as well as getting to know more people from this cute little town.
Penn met his match with Avery in the best of ways and it was really fun seeing this feel good story come to be. This story is a definite must read as are all of Ms. Locke's books. LOVED IT!

This is the third book in the series and it reminds me why I love this series so much. I love this small town of Dogwood Lane. It makes me want to go visit. I loved Avery. She has spirit and bravery for making such a big life choice to better her life for herself. I give her major credit for taking herself out of a toxic life that was holding her back from enjoying life. Not that's it's going to smooth sailing especially when temptation like Penn is walking around. Penn is a ladies man and he knows it. He lives up that image in spades and keeps feelings far away from him. Too bad he has his sights on the newest resident of Dogwood Lane who is all how something meaningful and real. Don't let the playboy side of Penn fool you because there is more to the man then meets the eye. Avery is going to open his eyes to a side himself he thought he's never see. That's what wins me over for Penn. We start to see the man that's underneath the surface. He has some swoon worthy moments. I loved the humor in the book and the banter between Avery and Penn was one of my favorite parts of the book. I can't get enough of this series. I'm looking forward to more.

Oh how I love to see the town's playboy fall. It's always the hardest, sweetest fall. I absolutely adore this book. Trouble was every bit the charming, flirty, heart-happy read I've come to expect from Adriana Locke's small town romances. With Penn and Avery's amazing chemistry, fun back and forth banter, and great character growth, I couldn't help but fall in love with these two.

Trouble is my new favorite book in the Dogwood Lane series. I can't wait to see what's next, especially with Matt.

I have been dying to get my hands on Penn's story from the start of this series. And WOW! Locke did not disappoint!
Oh Penn! My sweet, cocky, fun loving Penn. I fell hard and fast for him. He was absolutely everything I hoped he would be and more.
Avery had me wanting to be her friend from the start and I found myself rooting for her immediately.
The chemistry between these two characters had me fanning myself and worried the pages might catch fire.
I could not put this one down and I cannot wait to see what Locke brings us next with this series!

I have been waiting not so patiently for a long time for Penn's book. It was everything I was hoping it was going to be. There was great relationship development between the two main characters. Adriana Locke is an instant buy for me and this book did not disappoint. I'm excited to see what comes next from her.

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!

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!

When I read the blurb for this book I knew it was gonna be my kind of thing. Its the 3rd book in the Dogwood series which I didn't realise but you definitely don't need to have read the others to get this one.
Penn.. What is there to say about Penn? He's a hot single guy who is happy to stay that way. He was hilarious, charming and flirty with bags of personality. He had me snorting with laughter a fair few times. When Avery rocks up to Dogwood he instantly feels a pull towards her and rightly so as he slept with her years ago and now doesn't recognise her.... Whoops! Avery recognises him straight away and at first is a bit put out that he doesn't remember her but as she gave him a fake name who can blame him. Penn trys so hard to charm her but her walls are well and truly up but being the charmer he is he slowly starts bringing them down brick by brick.
This was a really sweet story, no major drama, no cheating just a nice slow burn.
Will definitely check out the other books in the series

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!