I would like to thank Storm Publishing, NetGalley, and Dana Hawkins for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

This book was cute! In my opinion it was more of work place rivals instead of enemies to lovers which was a bit off for me. It was a very simple/easy read and very enjoyable/cute at times! Maya in my opinion was adorable! I felt for her and everything going on with her family.. Remi really bothered me at times.. she just had so many deep rooted issues within her and never got the help she desperately needed.. the ending was very predictable and nothing special. The chapters being written after drinks was pretty cool!

2.5 rounded to 3 stars!

"In Walked Trouble" by Dana Hawkins offers a delightful enemies-to-lovers romance that had me sobbing in the third act.

Remi James, a determined bartender, is on the verge of achieving her dream—until a wrench is thrown into her plans by the arrival of Maya Marek, a stunning competitor with her own goals. Tensions rise and sparks fly when they are forced to work together. Readers are taken on their journey. Hawkins skillfully weaves together a tale of love and family, drawing readers into the lives of Remi and Maya as they navigate their complex feelings and fears. The chemistry between the two protagonists is palpable, and their evolving relationship is both sweet and satisfying to witness.

What sets "In Walked Trouble" apart is Hawkins' ability to create deeply-layered characters and compelling dynamics. From Remi's salty attitude to Maya's determination and care for her family, each character feels authentic and relatable.

Throughout the novel, Hawkins explores themes of perseverance, vulnerability, and the pursuit of happiness in the face of obstacles. The emotional depth of the story is enhanced by moments and introspective reflections.

Overall, "In Walked Trouble" is a captivating romance novel that will leave you smiling and longing for more. Hawkins' engaging storytelling, combined with memorable characters and a satisfying romance, makes this a must-read for fans of the genre. Whether you're drawn to enemies-to-lovers tropes or simply enjoy a well-crafted love story, this book is sure to delight.

3.5

Overall, I did enjoy this book. The characters felt real and sincere, with flaws and depth, and I found the narration light and entertaining. I liked how the chemistry between Maya and Remi built, a slow burn enemies to lovers if that makes sense? As an asexual person I prefer the tension building than the explicit scenes per se, so I did enjoy that said tension to the fullest.

Regarding the characters, I liked how the past of both protagonists is covered. It is done with understanding and patience, although I would have liked Maya to be a little more assertive. During the arguments they have, it is always Maya who has to give in, even in the fight towards the end of the book.

Aspects I didn't like so much were the denouement and the narrative. The denouement felt rushed and I got a bit frustrated with how the whole thing was handled. Some parts of it felt a bit too over the top or unnecessary. Also, I have the same problem as before, Maya is always the one who has to give in and reach out Remi. On the other hand, I found the narrative too obvious in the sense that most things are given chewed up. Things that could be implied implicitly through devices like behaviors and dialogue are explained directly from the narrative and in this case took me out of the story a bit.

All in all, I found it a quick and entertaining read. I wonder if at some point Dana will write Sophie's story!

In Walked Trouble is the sister novel of Not In The Plan but can be read as a standalone. Along that vein, it was so fun to see Ben again and a small cameo from Charlie and Mack.

The story is dual pov and follows Remi and Maya. Remi has been working at Nueve’s for four years and is finally getting the promotion she’s been working towards, except there is no promotion. Her boss hired a new bartender and they are competing for a cash bonus.

Remi wants the money so she can buy a home and have roots for the first time in her life. Maya is desperate for the cash because she’s racked up quite the student loan bill and is attending a masters program in the fall.

While Remi and Maya get off on the wrong foot and really embrace their role as rivals for the cash prize, their relationship slowly turns to more. The characters deal with some heavy topics/trauma both from their past and present, but the author works hard to keep the tone of the novel on the lighter end and to really highlight queer joy.

Personally, I found the character’s early snark at each other to be childish and it took away the fun that rivals-to-lovers banter normally has. I understood Remi had a traumatic childhood but the way she treated Maya was annoying in the beginning and pointlessly cruel during the third act breakup. Although a lot of the conflict towards the end felt inflated for the sake of conflict.

Thank you to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for a copy of this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Remi is a former foster kid who aged out of the system and wants nothing more out of life than to buy a house and achieve the permanency that she has been dreaming of for over a decade. She works as a bartender at Nueve, a restaurant in downtown Seattle where Remi feels like she has a home and family. Remi has been working for a promotion that she has been promised which will enable her to get the loan to buy her perfect house. She comes in to meet her boss one day, expecting to get the promotion, but instead is told it’s now a one time bonus and she is in competition for it with the random new girl, Maya. Maya is taking a break from nursing school to make some money for school. Maya’s true passion is nursing and helping kids like her sister, Harper, who has Type 1 diabetes. Maya and Remi clash immediately and strive to outdo each other in a bid to win the money they both desperately need. Soon, though, their attraction overcomes them and romance ensues. The thing that I had to keep reminding myself of as I read was that Remi and Maya are barely in their 20s. A lot of things were so life and death that weren’t that big of a deal, but at 23, that’s how it seems. One of the things that I really liked about the book was that Hawkins seemed to capture that I-grew-up-too-fast-in-the-system-but-I’m-still-a-kid thing that a lot of foster kids have. I was a foster parent for a while. The system sucks. Remi’s abandonment issues and self-sabotage are 100% realistic and really pulled me in. There was a section in the middle where Remi and Maya get together that almost lost me. This is just my thing, and probably nothing to do with the story at all. The characters went from one night of sex to I love you like 24 hours later. I’m not a fan of instalove, but then the 3rd act break-up happened and the depth of emotion in Remi was stunning. Totally brought me right back into the story and made me feel for Remi. It also made me happy for the resolution because Remi deserved it.
As an aside, I really disliked Gabriella. She was a horrible boss. You don’t dangle a full time, salaried position in front of someone and then rip it away last minute to make it a competition for some cash. She knew Remi would do anything for her and she used it, repeatedly. She also made them both come in on their day off, which I’m pretty sure is illegal in Washington. She screamed at them for no reason. Every time Remi was like I can’t lose my job, I was like leave the gaslighting b!tch. On the other hand, this really feeds into the foster kid psyche because any amount of care and concern was worth it for Remi. Overall, the storyline was fun and interesting and the characterization of foster kids was spot on. You should grab a copy when it comes out.

Amazing book!
I was thoroughly engaged throughout this book and I didn't want to put it down! The author captured my attention from the get go! Five stars from me :)

Recommended for: LGBTQ+ romance book lovers with minimal spice; Also people looking for new and creative alcoholic drink combinations

Summary: Remi is an experienced bartender at a local restaurant when a newer bartender, Maya, joins the staff. The owner gives them a cash incentive to work hard and compete against each other. What starts out as a competitive relationship between the two, soon turns into a kindred friendship and maybe more!?

Review: I loved the characters in this book including the younger sister of Maya the most! There was one very spicy scene that was very descriptive and appreciated. However, the will they/won’t they part of this romance was way too drawn out! I was about to give up on the relationship when it finally commenced!
I also loved the drink combinations that they described throughout the whole book!

Favorite quote: “God, she had a face that begged to be smashed with a pie!”

This was a fast heartfelt lesbian romance that will make you giggle and cry. Was a little too quirky and millennial feeling at times but Maya and Remi had such great chemistry that I could push through. They both feel really fleshed out and their flaws were on display like Remi's wall around her heart and Maya's control over everything in her life. I felt like I was on their emotional roller coaster with them. But both girls figured out that life doesn't always go according to plans and you end up falling in love with the competition.

Overall I thought this book was okay. It was an easy read with alternating points of view which I enjoy. I really enjoyed Maya's character throughout the book, I had a little difficulty with Remis character. As I know she had a difficult upbringing and held lots of trauma I think there were ways that could have been addressed to help the growth of the character.

Honestly, the first couple of chapters I was skeptical about if I was going to like this book. But I pushed through and I'm so glad I did! This is such a cute romance. Remi and Maya complimented each other very well. I will definitely be reading more books by Dana Hawkins in the future!

Thank you so much to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for this ARC.

I recently delved into "In Walked Trouble" by Dana Hawkins, and overall, it was an enjoyable read. The story unfolds as an enemies-to-lovers narrative, a trope I particularly adore. The narrative is straightforward, making it easy to follow, and I found myself rooting for the main characters to come together.

Special thanks to NetGalley and Storm Publishing for providing an advance copy in exchange for an honest review. The book had its merits; I appreciated the clever chapter titles inspired by drinks and the alternating points of view that propelled the story.

Maya stood out as a likable character with depth, and the supporting cast added charm to the storyline. However, Remi, one of the main characters, proved challenging to connect with. Her abrasive nature and lack of significant character growth by the end left me wanting more. The resolution, relying on the cliché "love will conquer all" theme, felt a bit too predictable.

Additionally, the advertised enemies-to-lovers theme seemed more like workplace rivalry, a deviation that bothered me. The central competition, teased at the story's beginning, concluded with minimal impact, which left me wanting a more substantial resolution.

While I considered putting the book down around 25%, I'm glad I continued. The middle portion became a highlight for me as Remi and Maya's relationship developed, showcasing heartwarming moments. Despite my frustration with certain conflicts and character reactions, the sweet and endearing moments ultimately prevailed, leaving me satisfied with the overall storyline.

In summary, "In Walked Trouble" offers a duel point of view, workplace rivalry, sapphic romance, filled with both heartwarming and occasionally frustrating moments. It's a journey worth taking, with Maya being a standout character, though some aspects may test your patience.

A big thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for providing an electronic ARC of "In Walked Trouble" in exchange for an honest review.

This book fell short for me unfortunately. I was so excited to read this book as it’s my first ARC, but this slow burn was SLOW. There wasn’t enough angst or tension to make up for it either and keep me hooked in the story. I enjoyed Remi and Maya as characters and think they could’ve been more fleshed out to make for a more engaging novel. I really had to push to finish this one. The ending felt really rushed after the third act break up and I didn’t particularly enjoy the writing style either. I’m not sure if this is Hawkins’ usual style as this is my first book of hers I’ve read, but I’m definitely willing to try her other titles! This story is still a really cute concept and follows one of my favorite tropes, forced proximity, to a tee!

Definitely give this a read if you enjoy sapphic romance, rivals to lovers, mostly closed door romance, and a slow burn!

I wasn't sure about this one at first. The beginning of the book started off slow for me and it felt like I was reading the same book I've read a thousand times, nothing really special. However, once Remi and Maya started to warm up to each other, the book got instantly better. I loved seeing their relationship develop from disliking each other, to becoming friends, and then romantic partners. I enjoyed that both characters had fully fleshed out backstories and had their own issues they were dealing with outside of the relationship. I particularly enjoyed the way the author handled Remi spending the night for the first (and second) time. It wasn't like the typical sex scenes you've read a million times, but more of a realistic scenario. I do have a few minor complaints, such as the drama towards the end of the book where the two characters make decisions without consulting each other, then both get mad for doing the same thing. As well, I didn't like the way that Remi reacted on the phone after Maya called her. It seemed a little over the top and too self-sacrificing for my taste. But overall, I'd give this one a solid 4.5 stars. It was an enjoyable read, and I would recommend giving it a try.

This book took awhile for me to get into, but once I did I was hooked! The characters were so easy to love and the plot was fun to follow. While it felt very low stakes, it was still enjoyable

Dana Hawkins is back with another sapphic romance in the Single in Seattle Series…IN WALKED TROUBLE

Bits…
Downtown Seattle swanky bar 🍸
Bad ass bartenders
Workplace Rivals to lovers
You have to train her
Just trying to make some 💵
Just for the summer ☀️
The boss can’t find out
Walk in refrigerator
Camping trips to Fort Worden ⛺️
Dealing with Grief
Abandonment issues
Found family
Pomegranate lip balm & cherry lollipops 🍒

This can 💯 be read as a stand alone but I recommend picking up NOT IN THE PLAN first because I 🫶🏻 it and because you get an introduction to some of these characters and fun places I wish I could visit.

In this one you get Remi… big heart but with a guard up and for good reasons… you get a glimpse into how she was brought up in the Foster Care system and the found family she has created from it and then in walks Maya home from college and NEEDING to make enough money to cover her costly school bills while being there for her mom and sister (I adored Harper)🪐

I loved the chemistry between these two and they both had major growth throughout the book as well as human reactions. We also get visits from my favs… Charlie, Mack and Ben! I can’t wait to see what Dana writes next! She is definitely on my author radar!

Thank you Storm Publishing
Releasing 3/26

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This author has now become one that I'll anxiously wait for their new book. I loved the enemies to lover trope and Hawkins knocked it out of the park.

Remi James is a bartender that grew up in foster care. She has dreams of owning her own home for the stability she believes it will provide. The only family she really has is her best friend, Ben. When her boss tells her about a cash bonus, Remi is determined to get it, She didn't expect to have to compete for the prize.

Maya Marek is back in Seattle for the summer after leaving for college. She gets a bartending gig from a family friend. She needs to the money to pay for school, but she doesn't expect to both loathe and like her new co bartender. Sparks fly and attraction zings between both of them, but neither wants to give up the prize.

I loved the slow buildup here. The tension was off the charts as was the chemistry and it was so well written, it had me craving for me. When they finally kissed, it was like...finally. I loved this book and am eagerly awaiting the next.

I received an ARC from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

In Walked Trouble by Dana Hawkins is a duel point of view, rivals to lovers sapphic novel that is full of heartwarming, as well as frustrating, moments. Remi shows up to her job at Nueve’s bar thinking she is about to get a long awaited promotion, finally earning the income she needs to be approved for a loan to buy her dream home. Instead, she walks in to find out that her boss, Gabriella, has actually hired new girl Maya, and while co-bartending they will be competing against one another for a cash bonus, not a promotion. Will Remi be able to prove her worth and “win” the money she so desperately wants to buy her dream home? Or will the tricks Maya has up her sleeve help her stand out and earn the money she needs to go to grad school?

There were many aspects that I loved about this book as well as a few situations that I found slightly over-exaggerated and frustrating. I loved that the book was written in a duel point of view, providing the reader with the emotional journey of both Remi and Maya. The chapters do not consistently go back and forth between the two points of view, so I did have to double check at the beginning of each chapter whose POV I was expected to read. I also found the drink inspired chapter titles to be a really fun way to foreshadow the mood of the chapter. I absolutely loved Maya throughout the book. Her reasons for wanting the money, her loving and caring nature toward her mom and sister, her insecurities, everything. Remi, on the other hand, was more difficult for me to root for. I had a really difficult time justifying the way Remi treated Maya in the beginning of the book, and several times throughout, but as the story developed, she did grow on me a little. Although, I didn’t feel like she had as much character development than she could have by the end.

I almost DNF’ed the book around 25% but I am glad I didn’t. I would say that the middle third of the book was my absolute favorite. Seeing Remi slowly let her guard down and watching Maya let herself relax was really heartwarming. Their relationship that developed was very sweet and I thought they were good together. I was, however, quite frustrated with the first “conflict” that occurred and how certain characters (especially Gabriella) handled the situation. I was so frustrated that I actually needed to stop reading and give myself a break so that I wasn’t continuing to read in anger. The reactions seemed over the top and unnecessary. Thankfully, in the end, I was overall pleased with the storyline and the sweet, endearing moments outweighed the frustrating ones.

Thank you to Storm Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and electronic arc of In Walked Trouble for my honest review.

I loved the characters in this book. They were insightful, interesting, and had great interactions with each other.
The storyline was different than any novel I’ve ever read. This is a love story; doesn’t matter if you’re straight or gay or bi, even thought it is categorized. The love and caring that develops between the two main characters is highly relatable. The setting is different and fun. It’s an easy read, not something you need to go back to previous chapters to figure out what is going on.
Thoroughly enjoyed this book. This author will go far!

This is my first Dana Hawkins book, their second, and as soon as I finished I immediately downloaded the first book. I would consider this book a stand alone, however it is set in the same space as Not in the Plan and it is a lovely space so I am looking forward to reading more. Speaking of reading more, the only thing I would really like to see is at least a bit more of Maya and Remi, to see how they are doing. I loved them. I loved how they changed each other for the better without losing themselves. I loved the side characters, Sophie and Ben, their support was amazing and everything you would want in a best friend. Each character brought their best selves to the table and yet showed growth throughout with room for more at the end. So relatable and fun and steamy! Definitely recommend and look forward to more from this author!

This was a really good enemies fo lovers novel. From the very beginning you couldn't help but feel the attraction between the two characters but also the animosity that slowly faded away. I couldn't stop reading!