Review: Trouble by Talia Carmichael

Reviewed by Hannah
Trouble (Something In Common #5) by Talia Carmichael
Dreamspinner Press
Novel: 164pgs
3.5 Pants Off

Blurb:
Alex Hayes doesn’t get involved. He’s been hurt before and has no desire to repeat the experience. Besides, his friends are his family. He doesn’t need anything else. Or so he thinks until he comes face-to-face with Leslie “Maestro” Hannigan… again.

Two years ago, Alex was the one that got away. But now Leslie knows his name and he isn’t going to lose him twice—especially when it’s plain to see that Alex is interested in Leslie too. Alex may think Leslie is trouble… but he’s the very best kind.




Review:
I really enjoyed reading this book and learning about the lives of Alex and Leslie. This is a couple that make you smile as you see their friendship blossom as well as their passions.

However, I will say this book can get a little hard to follow. A lot of names are thrown at you quickly and many characters seem to walk in and out before they become permanent factors, making details hard to keep track of. There is a story in Alex’s past, effecting his present relationship with Leslie, and although it is part of the book to slowly draw this out, it can be confusing trying to pick up on the hints of the deeper details of the characters life.

This book is a sequel, so it may be that I was reading blind, and someone coming into this off of the first book may be able to find a smother read. So with that in mind, this is still a really enjoyable book for a new reader, one not familiar with the characters. The chemistry between Alex and Leslie is clear on the page, and their interactions in the garage as they get to know each other’s personalities is endearing and at times, sexy as hell.

I feel that out of the two, it is Leslie that will keep you reading this book. You learn there is more to him than first described, as his hard, stubborn side, gives way to patience and caring, that although growing frustrated with Alex’s secrets, he always comes from a place of understanding, and just wanting to be there for his lover, allowing the reader to have patience with Alex also.

It is Leslie’s patience and growing feelings for Alex that project onto the reader, to allow you to keep reading this book and enjoying it even through the missing details that you are trying to piece together. You pick up on the sentiment from Leslie, and find empathy for Alex. In portraying the relationship evenly from both sides Carmichael allows you to stay engrossed in this love story, instead of growing annoyed with hitting so many bumps in the road, you are constantly encouraged to understand the motives, and where each character is coming from. The comical interjections from the surrounding characters also infuse this book with enough family tenderness and camaraderie that you can read this book and reach the end easily, instead of struggling through the chapters, as can often happen in a book filled with secrets.

This is an enjoyable read, and I loved the characters of Alex and Leslie, but I would advise that a reader may get more from this book if they are going into it having read the previous book.

3.5 Pants Off