Trouble

A Novel

By: Lex Croucher

Narrated by: Ell Potter

A Regency-era romantic comedy with a deliciously feminist and queer twist, from the New York Times bestselling author of Gwen & Art Are Not in Love.

There's a new governess at Fairmont House, and she's going to be nothing but trouble.

Emily Laurence is a liar. She is not polite, she's not polished, and she has never taught a child in her life. This position was meant to be her sister's—brilliant, kind Amy, who isn't perpetually angry, dangerously reckless, and who does (inexplicably) like children.

But Amy is unwell and needs a doctor, and their father is gone and their mother is useless, so here Emily is, pretending to be something she's not.

If she can get away with her deception for long enough to earn a few month's wages and slip some expensive trinkets into her pockets along the way, perhaps they'll be all right.

That is, as long as she doesn't get involved with the Edwards family's dramas. Emily refuses to care about her charges - Grace, who talks too much and loves too hard, and Aster, who is frankly terrifying but might just be the wittiest sixteen-year-old Emily has ever met—or the servants, who insist on acting as if they're each other's family. And she certainly hasn't noticed her employer, the brooding, taciturn Captain Edwards, no matter how good he might look without a shirt on . . .

As Fairmont House draws her in, Emily's lies start to come undone. Can she fix her mistakes before it's too late?

A Macmillan Audio production from St. Martin’s Press.

©2024 Lex Croucher (P)2024 Macmillan Audio

Critic reviews

"Croucher takes care in their portrayal of queer people, chronic illness, and cross-class romance; humor and laughter is present throughout…a thoughtful, funny novel."–Library Journal

"Croucher’s simultaneously sharp and subtle prose boasts delicious banter and a propulsive story populated by intersectionally diverse characters whose interactions feel fresh and vital."–Publishers Weekly (starred review)

Sarcastic, Queer and Real

This was so much fun! I absolutely love grumpy, anti-social Emily. I had so many moments where I was laughing out loud at her inner monologue or the conversations between her and others. Absolutely everything I want in a historical romance, with a perfect balance struck between escapism and acknowledgement of the hardships of poverty that many faced. It wasn't all parties and ball gowns. The chronic illness representation was an amazing thing and it's so important, so many women suffer from invisible illness; there's a major lack of rep in romance as a whole. Also the queer rep was so well done! Bi, gay and trans rep in one book? Be still my heart. I can't wait to read everything else that Lex Croucher has ever written! I highly recommend it if you're looking for a rom-com and enjoy sarcastic, mean women (who are actually defensive marshmallows). Not to mention the Captain's overall swoon factor.