Trouble A novel

Croucher (Infamous) brings a wonderfully modern aesthetic to the Regency setting of this energetic and lighthearted romance. Millworker Emily Laurence intends to masquerade as her much more refined and compassionate sister Amy in the role of governess to the teen daughters of widower Captain Ben Edwards just long enough to make sure Amy doesn't lose the position while recovering from an illness. She also hopes to steal a few things from the household along the way. Emily has her work cut out for her: her younger charge is a chatterbox desperate for attention, while the older sister is morose and prone to disappearing at the first provocation. Meanwhile, the rest of the small staff determinedly involves her in their socializing, the attractive Captain proves a strange mix of aloof and casually hands-on with running his household and raising his children, and a stranger in the local pub presses her for answers behind the Captain's departure from the Navy. Croucher excels in building quirky, sympathetic characters and social dynamics which, even when antagonistic, brim with warmth and a familial feel. In incorporating the queerness of several of the characters, Croucher hits the right balance between an easy and accepting attitude within the Edwards household and a recognition of more general social censure typical of the era. A similar balance concerning class issues gives the eventual romance between Emily and the Captain just the right amount of tension. Fans of come-as-you-are romance will find this a delicious, and not too guilty, pleasure. (Mar.)

A widowed captain and a sharp-tongued fake governess fall for each other in Regency England in Croucher's latest (after Infamous). Emily Laurence takes a position as a governess at Fairmont House with one thing clear in her mind: she's not there to make friends. She's masquerading as her sister Amy, in the hopes of stealing all she can carry to pay for her sister's medical care. However, she soon finds out that the staff are more like family than servants, the teenaged children she is meant to teach are more wayward and sympathetic than she might have imagined, and the captain infuriates her and compels her in equal measure. All of these things start to weaken Emily's resolve and threaten to bring down her prickly exterior for good. This is a thoughtful, funny novel with a slow burn toward romance between the proud, wounded Emily and the gruff yet sad Captain Edwards. Croucher takes care in their portrayal of queer people, chronic illness, and cross-class romance; humor and laughter is present throughout. VERDICT Recommended for readers who enjoy found family, working-class historical romances, and stern sea captains with hearts of gold.--Sierra Wilson