📚 Book Review 📚
Rating: 4🌟

A big thank you to NetGalley and Canelo for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This book follows Lexi, a documentary director, who is tasked with taking over the filming of a boy band, Rebel Heart's reunion documentary after the previous director is fired. Lexi isn’t thrilled about the project, as it’s a far cry from her usual educational documentaries. However, as she spends more time with the band, she becomes particularly close to Aidan, though their growing connection is complicated by unresolved traumas from their past.

While this book wasn’t mind-blowing, it was still an enjoyable read. There were a few unexpected twists that kept me intrigued throughout. The writing of the steamy scenes is brief and to the point, though I found the language used a bit repetitive at times.

I already have Love Game on my physical TBR, and after reading this, it’s definitely moving up to the top of my list. Overall, it was a light, easy read, and I couldn’t wait to see how things would unfold for Lexi and Aidan.

This is a perfect fast-paced read. The life on tour was really fun to see and experience. This book may feel a bit unrealistic but it’s fun following the boy band and the film crew. The banter is witty and humorous. I could feel the chemistry between Lexi and Aidan through the pages. The band aspect was a really great found family background to the book. It’s a perfect book to escape reality with. Even though Aidan at first was a real ass I just couldn’t help but fall for him. He may have been stand-offish but underneath all that was a guy with heart of gold and a really loving boyfriend. From the beginning you know that the hidden cameras Lexi uses are going to come out and it’s going to blow up, but it just add to the tension. Every time I thought it was the last. Normally I’m not a fan of song lyrics in books but the ones here were quite good and I actually wouldn’t mind listening to them for real.

In I Knew You Were Trouble, Lexie, a grounded and mature professional, takes on a documentary project following Aidan’s boy band. Unlike the typical fan-turned-love-interest trope, Lexie is focused on doing her job well, bringing empathy and depth to her work while navigating the chaotic world of fame. Aidan, a dedicated and loyal bandmate, shares a natural and growing chemistry with Lexie, resulting in a romance that feels genuine and heartfelt.

Beyond the love story, the book offers a captivating glimpse into the high-paced, emotional life of a boy band, exploring the challenges, joys, and camaraderie that come with fame. The supporting characters, including the band members and close friends, add warmth and charm, creating a family-like dynamic that enhances the story.

Charming yet grounded, mature yet lighthearted, the novel balances romance, character growth, and deeper themes, making it a refreshing and engaging read—even for those who don’t typically enjoy celebrity romances.

Oscar winning documentarian Lexi is forced by her production company to take over a project following a world famous boy band on their latest world tour. The band is uncooperative, no one more so than unofficial band leader Aidan.

"I Knew You Were Trouble" delivered on its premise with an enjoyable Romance and some engaging side characters. I enjoyed seeing the members of the band get to have their own storylines developed. The relationship between Lexi and Aidan started with classic enemies to lovers vibes. By the end, the narrative wrapped up how I expected, but it was an enjoyable experience getting there.

Thanks to Netgalley and Canelo for the opportunity to read this ARC

Thank you NetGalley, Hera Books and Emma Rae for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5⭐️ I found this book really fun. I kept looking forward to when I could pick it up again.

Lexi is an Oscar winning documentary director who is forced to jump into a project covering the popular boy band, Rebel Heart. This is her nightmare- she knows next to nothing about the band and her documentaries focus on much darker topics.

Aiden is the unofficial leader of the band and super protective of the group. He leads the fight against the documentary and tries to sabotage Lexi’s efforts.

Lexi is shocked when she not only starts to enjoy the 5 members of the band but also finds a way to help several of them and make an impactful documentary. I liked the side storylines.

Third act breakups are not my favorite but this one was well done.

Open door.
Small reverse age gap.
Hidden/workplace romance.

This is a pretty predictable book about boy bands. Each band member has a personality type, and of course the leader of the band, the grumpy protector, turns out to be the one the female lead falls for. What’s difficult about this book is that the relationship never makes much sense. They are so mean to each other at first. Aiden is mean for no reason. And then they start kissing and he’s suddenly kind. I am all for enemies to lovers tropes, but there has to be character development as well. This book’s premise had promise, but it was really just a pretty flat portrayal of a boy band.

Thank you NetGalley for the free digital ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

4/5🎤 this is my second ARC with emma and i can definitely say i have loved this book even more than the first i’ve read of hers. i want to thank emma, NetGalley and Hera books and for allowing me to read her ARC- i loved it!

short summary:
after finishing up an oscar-worthy documentary, lexi hart is now tasked with a job that she doesn’t think she wants: go on tour with the biggest boy band in the world, rebel heart and film their own documentary. she’s not exactly thrilled about her new endeavor, and neither are her new subjects, especially (unofficial) band leader, aiden mcarthur. while on tour, aiden and lexi find themselves being brought together, in more than one way. question is, can they put up with each other long enough for lexi to finish her job?

things i loved:
🎥the red shirt project actually sounds really cool and i hope she goes on to make that documentary 😌
🎥there were so many times i felt the nostalgia of loving a boy band -AIDEN IS A DREAM
🎥I loved how funny and also UNIQUE each band member was- the fact that they were all from different countries was so fun and along with their specific struggles, they were well rounded characters
🎥lexi being a little matchmaker for the boys was so cute, I loved all the mini HEAs for the side characters

the entire book felt like i was waiting for lexi and aiden to JUST. BE. TOGETHER. very on again off again which can be frustrating, but the author wrote it so well this time around. i felt like lexi really grew as a character through her time on tour—her life was being changed through the band and her relationship with each of them.

tropes:
enemies to lovers
filmmaker x pop star
slow burn
forced proximity

would i recommend? yes!

As my first Emma Rae book, I Knew You Were Trouble did not disappoint.

These characters are so complex and written so well. Aiden and Lexi are the mcs you hate and love all at the same time. Despite my love for the mcs I loved all the side characters possibly more. The addition of a boy band gave this enemies to lovers romance the found family vibes.

My biggest complaint is the single pov, I wanted to connect more with Aiden and it just didn't feel possible without his insight

Although I’m usually not one for celebrity romance, I found myself binge-reading this one in less than 24 hours.

The writing flows effortlessly, with a perfectly balanced pace that keeps you turning the pages without feeling rushed or dragged down.

The protagonist, Lexie, is a breath of fresh air. At thirty, she's grounded, mature, and genuinely passionate about her work. It's rare to see a character like her in this genre—not a fan caught up in the glitz, but a professional determined to do her job well. Despite her initial hesitation about the documentary project, her empathy and understanding of the challenges the band faces shine through, and she brings a depth and subtlety to her work that’s refreshing to see.

Aidan is equally compelling. His dedication to his bandmates and his mature outlook create an appealing dynamic, and his chemistry with Lexie builds in such a natural way. Together, they make a perfect match, with a romance that feels genuine.

Beyond the central love story, Rae gives us a captivating look into the band’s high-paced world, whisking readers to new places and into the chaos, joy and pain of boy-band life. The side characters, from the band members to Duncan and Meredith, add warmth and charm, creating a tight-knit family dynamic that is both endearing and believable.

This is a love story that’s charming without being overly sweet, mature while still lighthearted, and unafraid to touch on deeper themes. I Knew You Were Trouble stands out as a refreshing and thoroughly enjoyable read that I highly recommend—even if celebrity romance isn’t usually your thing.

Picture it: you're a "serious" Oscar-winning documentary filmmaker tasked to follow around a Backstreet Boys or *NSYNC-level boy band which is absolutely the LAST thing you want to be doing at this point in your career...you want to create hard-hitting work! Well, that's what happened to FMC, Lexi. Eventually, Lexi becomes invested in the lives of almost ALL of the Rebel Heart members, especially Aidan. One thing though - this romance has to stay spicy AND secret (what's hotter than that??). In the end, I ended up fully invested in all of the romantic subplots of this story and boy band, not just Lexi's and Aiden's, and didn't want this book to end.

I Knew You Were Trouble is the perfect spicy enemies-to-lovers rom com!

Thank you, NetGalley and Hera books, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I Knew You Were Trouble is a romance featuring Lexi, a documentary filmmaker who is forced by the money men to make her next picture about a very One Direction-y boy band. She sulks and goes to meet them overseas, and immediately is put on the defensive by Aiden, the nominal leader of the group. While it doesn't reinvent the obvious tropes in this set up, it moves the pieces along well, and kept me entertained. Recommended. But do yourself a favour, and skip her earlier book. I picked that up after reading this one and it was very offputting. This one, however, shows the author is improving.

An ARC was provided by NetGalley in exchange for an unbiased review. All opinions are my own.

3.75/5⭐
1.5/5🌶️

Such a cute storyline! Hats off to Emma Rae! I couldn't put this down. I loved Lexi as our fiesty FMC, completely unphased by our boyband. The characters are well-developed, and the scenes are written in a way that it’s easy to visualize. I also like that each boyband member gets their chance to be in the spotlight. Such a fun world tour!
I was skeptical because I usually prefer a Dual POV for enemies to lovers, but this was done so well. I'm a girls girl and was riding with Lexi every step and turn. I backed it all and still have fun peeling back Aidan's layers.

Cons: Third act break up.

Blurb:

He’s the world’s most famous frontman. She couldn’t care less.

Lexi is already an Oscar winning documentary director at just 30-years-old. But when she is asked to ditch her current project in exchange to film Rebel Heart - a reunited boy band - she is disappointed to say the least. She didn’t work this hard to follow a boy group on tour and document their every manufactured move for teenage fans.

But after meeting Aidan, the unofficial ‘head’ of the band, something new stirs inside her. She thinks he’s egotistical, entitled, and impulsive. Equally, Aidan thinks Lexi is high-strung, secretive, and emotionally devoid.

Tensions rise, and as Lexi blends work and pleasure, she can’t let go of her difficult past with the father that abandoned her. She doesn’t expect people to stay in her life for long. Especially the lead of a boy band. But is this project about to prove all of her expectations wrong…?

This book follows Lexi who is a documentary director. She is asked to follow a famous boyband to film their reunion tour. Which she is not quite happy about. Especially not after meeting band member Aidan, who she doesn’t get along with. He is on the same level as Lexi and doesn’t agree with the documentary.

I really, really enjoyed this book. The tension between the characters and the bond between Lexi and some of the band members. At times Lexi frustrated me with some of her choices but in the end it worked out really well. Thank you Emma Rae for this fun read, I hope to see more of the characters.

Boy band on tour, enemies to lovers, celebrity romance, what more could you want?! This was such a quick read for me, reading it in two sittings, as I was unable to put the book down needing to know what happened next. I loved that the MFC was messy and felt real, just trying to do her best. And that all the characters in the book, not just the 2 leads, went on their own journey with the help of the leads giving the story more depth. The MFC and MMC’s relationship went from hot to cold too many times (and maybe a little too quickly) for my preference, but otherwise this was a fun quick read I would recommend! Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC of this book!

This was well written and I did enjoy the storyline but it was very obvious what was going to happen!
I did love how lexi managed to connect with all members of the band and even get them to open up.
She goes from being enemy number one to there number one fan!
She’s got a documentary to make but at what cost!!
It’s an easy read and a good book to pick up if you’ve just read something deep and need a cleanser!

I Knew You Were Trouble follows Lexi, an Oscar-winning filmmaker, who’s reluctantly assigned to document Rebel Heart, a reunited boy band, on tour. Despite her initial resistance, she’s soon intrigued by Aidan, the band’s charming but frustrating frontman, sparking an unexpected romance that challenges her guarded heart.

This book offers a fun twist on the enemies-to-lovers trope. The dynamic between Lexi and the band feels vivid and real, and her strong-willed personality adds an edge to the story. The romance is the perfect mix of tension and sweetness, keeping you hooked until the end.

Overall, I Knew You Were Trouble is an engaging, well-written read with memorable characters and a delightful romance. Can’t wait to read more from this author!

‘I Knew You Were Trouble’ by Emma Rae is a charming and engaging romance that kept me hooked from start to finish. We find our Oscar winning documentary filmmaker forced by her management to step in as director to finish an ongoing documentary on a massively successful boyband. The chemistry between the FMC & MMC, is plain to see and their journey from enemies to lovers unfolds with plenty of witty banter and emotional tension. I appreciated the way the author explored themes of trust and personal healing.

While I enjoyed the overall plot, some parts felt a bit predictable, and there were moments where the pacing dragged. Still, the heartfelt moments and well-developed relationship between the band members kept me invested. A fun read for fans of light-hearted romance with a dash of drama and redemption.

Overall, a solid read!

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

Soooo cute! A wonderful love story!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for allowing me to read this arc in exchange for an honest review!

I originally judged this book by its cover, but wow, Emma Rae proved me wrong. "I Knew You Were Trouble" is a delightful blend of romance, fun, and most of all, heart. The story follows Lexi, an Oscar-winning career-driven filmmaker who's determined to make artistic and deeply exploratory documentaries. Her contract, though, sends her to film a boy band's documentary as they tour across the globe. Lexi is adamant on getting the footage she needs and moving onto bigger, better projects that involve significantly fewer screaming teenage fangirls, and more amicable film subjects. But then she meets the arrogant, infuriatingly-attractive, Unofficial Band Leader, Aiden.

While the plot is predictable at times, it's the characters (especially the band) and their interactions that truly shine. The supporting cast adds depth and humor to the story, and the author's ability to capture the nuances of friendship and romantic relationships, with a touch of career and family dynamics, is heartwarming. Lexi is an authentic lead -- she struggles, she's self-centered sometimes, and she makes mistakes and not only learns from them but owns up -- and I admired her throughout the story. I especially admire how Rae wrote the character, as well as the authenticity and individuality of the entire cast.

Overall, "I Knew You Were Trouble" is a fun and lighthearted read that's perfect for anyone looking for a quick escape -- I read it in three sittings. If you're a fan of romantic comedies with strong female leads, a bit of spice, and a heartwarming, authentic cast, you'll enjoy this book. 4.5 stars, rounded up!

He's the frontman of a boyband, she an Oscar winning filmmaker. Lexi must film a documentary about the hottest boyband of the moment, Rebel heart, if she ever wants funding for her next big proyect. Aiden is the frontman of the boyband and he and Lexi slowly fall for eachother.
I think I liked this one do much because Lexi is so relatable, which makes the story very realistic. It's a slow burn romance, but that suited the story so well!
I must say I'm not the biggest fan of third act break-ups, but this one really added to the story so I didn't mind it that much. The spice is exactly enough and there's also enough drama. So I totally recommend this one.

*Thanks to Netflix, Hera and Emma Rae for entrusting me with writing an honest review in exchange for this ARC*