Melina Rodriguez is a pop star who needs a place to lay low from her abusive ex-boyfriend and somehow deliver on her musical obligations. Thanks to best friend’s husband, she finds a place to stay with a hunky roommate. The Fire Chief for the Bristol Fire Department, Declan Everhart, offers a place to stay. As soon as she meets him and his equally good-looking best friend, Goalie Coach for the Boston Bolts Cade Fitzgerald, she starts to look forward to the perks of her new living situation. As one might expect, sparks fly. While flirty and free-loving Cade is quick to have his fun, reserved and serious Declan initially puts his attraction aside to focus on Melina’s safety. There’s also the fact that Cade has harbored feelings for his best friend for years. But thanks to Mel, the chemistry between the two best friends can’t be ignored. And once they begin to cross those lines, there’s no going back. Trouble by Brittanée Nicole is an adult sports romance that explores how a polyamorus relationship can help all three of them find healing, growth, and even love.
Book
Cade and Melina act on their mutual attraction right away. And while they certainly have their fun, they both make it clear that Declan is more than welcome to join. Cade has never been the commitment type, mostly because of his secret feelings for his best friend. But Declan, being the reserved person he is, remains closed off where matters of the heart are concerned. He has his own traumatic past to work through, which effects any potential relationships. Yet as he and Mel begin to explore their own feelings, he can’t ignore the effect his best friend has on him. Slowly but surely they push the boundaries of their friendship and explore what that means for the future.
Review
Nicole reminds readers why romance sells in Trouble. She doesn’t shy away from sensitive issues such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, and unexplored same-sex attraction. All three of our characters find healing and personal growth. Melina overcomes her writer’s block with the love she finds with her men. Cade grows more serious feelings for his lovers and no longer shies away from commitment. And our no-nonsense Declan overcomes his trauma and opens up to those who care for him the most.
While I’ve enjoyed all previous books I’ve read from the author with her Revenge Era and Boston Bolts Hockey series thus far, Trouble fell a bit short for me. Melina’s ex-boyfriend and his actions were a huge plot point in the beginning, but his sudden disappearance from the plotline seemed too convenient. It’s almost as if he served his purpose and the author didn’t need him anymore, so a cop-out was needed to shift the focus on the three main characters and their relationship.
While the bedroom scenes were fun and plenty steamy, it felt unbalanced with the non-spicy parts. For example, Declan’s initial discomfort at Cade’s participation during bedroom scenes made things awkward. Which I suppose is realistic, in a sense. Also, the tone kept shifting between sexy, heartwarming, and serious, and it didn’t quite flow as expected.
Perhaps the author had set the bar high with her previous works. Either way, I enjoyed their story and how they navigated their developing relationship. And I read the bonus content as soon as it became available. Overall, readers will definitely enjoy this MMF romance, and I’ll still be waiting for the next book in the series.
