A Touch of Trouble

by Jordan Bloom

A man who shuts out the world. A woman who lets everything in. Can they get in touch with what they need?

Caroline and Anton once made a pact. They would be friends for life but would never, ever date. They’re clearly all wrong for each other.

Aren’t they?

Caroline is tender-hearted and sensitive, caring deeply for the residents of the nursing home where she works. Anton is a gruff paramedic, unaffected by the danger and heartbreak of his job. He refuses to let anything get through his defenses. Not even Caroline.

When they rediscover their long-lost bucket lists, Caroline leaps at the chance to reinvent herself. Anton isn’t so sure. Finishing the lists is one thing. Ignoring the chemistry between them is something else.

From a grown-up prom, to modeling in the nude, to one unforgettable night in a treehouse, each task brings them closer. As they walk the fine line between friendship and love, Caroline discovers that beneath Anton’s tough exterior, there’s a heart longing to be awakened, while Anton learns that Caroline is braver than he ever knew.

But the final item on his list might tear them apart. Do they dare risk the safety of their friendship for the uncertainty of a future together?

A Touch of Trouble is a story of taking chances, discovering the power of vulnerability, and realizing that sometimes, a touch of trouble can lead to a lifetime of happiness.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2024

Reviews

[Crystalclearwpg · Rating 4 out of 5]

Anton and Caroline, best friends since childhood, have finally come to terms with the fact they had deeper feelings for each other than just friends. Both scared it would ruin their life long friendship, had been fighting their feelings for the other but could not hold out any longer. Ms. Bloom did a great job with showing this and I bet there are quite a few of us who can relate to this. The difference here is both had feelings instead of just one.
I found the book progressed at a good pace and didn't just jump right into the relationship from friendship, while still showing how knowing someone as well as they did they went past a lot of exploring new relationships go through. It did bother me how Caroline would call Anton heartless thought knowing he fought in the army. Anyone who knows someone that has gone through that should know they will be cut off from most things because of what they endured. This I found a bit unsettling and is where a star was lost.
I am quite happy with this ending of the series and look forward to the next adventure Bloom decides to write about.
I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

⭐⭐⭐ .5

[Ashley Carrillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline and Anton are the best of friends who have known each other forever. They're so different, Anton, with his closed off heart who doesn't let anything or anyone fully in and Caroline, with her big open heart, but they just work. They made a pact to be friends forever but to never date even though there are feelings there and have been for awhile. So when they find the bucket list they made as kids Caroline is up for crossing everything off their list and reinventing herself but Anton isn't so sure but he goes along with it. This leads to vulnerable moments and longing feelings and opens them up to more if only they're brave enough to go for it. Caroline shows Anton what its like to open up and be able to have someone see you and he learns that Caroline is braver she thinks. Anton is always right there for Caroline giving her a safe place in him and allowing her to open herself up. This was a touching story of taking chances and realizing theres more out there if you only let yourself look. And the fact they found that and so much love with their best friend is beautiful. I hate third act break ups but I feel it was necessary to their growth as a couple and individuals and shows that they'll always find their way back to each other.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Cait's Reading Nook · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Touch of Trouble by Jordan Bloom tells Caroline and Anton’s story and is the seventh book of The Seven Senses series.

They both have been life long friends. They rediscover their bucket lists and over the course of trying to finish the list, they find their way to each other. The story builds, and they both consider whether to take the next step from friends to more than friends.

Anton and Caroline’s chemistry is evident from the start of the story and I enjoyed reading the growth of their relationship and each trying to help the other in completing their lists.

This story also shows how Anton and Caroline take individual risks and become more vulnerable. These themes are woven well throughout the book.

This is was the first book by Jordan Bloom that I’ve read and look forward to reading more. While part of a series, this book can be read as a stand alone novel as well.

Readers of friends to lovers and grumpy sunshine stories will enjoy this book. This book has open door scenes.

4.5 / 5.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Evy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book so much. It’s the perfect end of this series. You can read this book as a standalone, so no worries.
The vibe between Anton and Caroline was everything, they are so at ease with each other like when they were eating in her kitchen and he got attacked by one of her plants: hilarious. The names she gave her plants are even funnier: “Vincent Van Grow”….
Anton might be a grumpy kinda guy but he could be the sweetest guy as well when he told Caroline “ I figured out how to move my body because I want to move my body with yours. I want to do everything with you. “
I guessed his nr 10 on his bucketlist but my heart, so sweet, swoon!
I loved that we got to get reacquainted with the previous characters in the epilogue.
The only thing I can say: read these books and enjoy!

I received a copy and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[DreadQueen CinnamonRoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best friends with a pact to never date... what could possibly go wrong?

This book was so good. With a perfectly broken MMC and a hyperemotional FMC who have known each other for literally ever, the bucket lists they made as kids open doors they might have never had the courage or opportunity to explore behind.

I, for the most part, don't always love a third act break up. But OH DID I FEEL THIS ONE. It was heartbreakingly perfect, and honestly way too relatable... but for the book? Narratively necessary and well employed. The wrap up was beautiful, and I honestly haven't had a book put me through all the feels like that in a while, in all the best ways.

This was the first book of the series that I read, and now I definitely want to go back and read the other 6.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's such a cliche to say "this series keeps getting better and better." And yet, here I am to say that Jordan Bloom ends the Seven Senses series on the highest possible note with Anton and Caroline.

Anton is a DREAM. He's the very best friend a woman could want, while at the same time, he's been quietly pining for Caroline for years. A Touch of Trouble is the perfect mix of soaring (and sexy!) highs and emotional valleys as the two of them muster the courage to admit how they feel and grapple with their history to figure out how to move forward together.

As the series comes to an end, I'll miss Cannondale and everyone in it, but I'm utterly delighted that the series ended with this gorgeous couple and their hard-earned, deeply satisfying happy ending.

[Marie Bourgery · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline and Anton are best friends but different in their personalities. She is emotional and openly shows her feelings while he is closed off, which helps him in his parametric career but not so much in his personal life. I wouldn’t have had the courage to complete some of the items on Caroline’s time capsule bucket list. But doing so brings them closer and makes them rethink their pals only pact. It seemed to me like Anton should have seen a therapist after getting out of the military since it was still affecting his life and response in situations. He is more open to things after starting a romance with Caroline and makes a swoon worth gesture after he screws up. His mother is a riot.

[L H · Rating 4 out of 5]

Friendship is such a good thing generally. Unless it is the thing that a pair of folks who seem like they would be good together. Anton and Caroline gave themselves a gift by finding and working their way through their respective bucket lists which gives them a chance to work their way to a new level of the relationship that they have with one another. This was a neat story about two very different people coming to realize that they work well together.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Alex · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline & Anton: Book 7 of The Seven Senses Series: Standalone. Grumpy-sunshine/ friends to lovers/ nurse-paramedic/ bucket lists/ small town RomCom: Great end to an amazing series. Each book in this series can be reads as a standalone. I found Jordan Bloom’s writing style to be captivating and entertaining. I enjoyed the characters and the storyline.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Colleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an entertaining book that grabs your attention and holds it throughout. The storyline is interesting as the elements unfold. The characters are well written with depth to their personalities. Their chemistry helps them develop their relationship. I enjoyed this book.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kaitlyn Raasveld · Rating 5 out of 5]

Caroline and Anton Are complete opposites. I love that they’re so different but they try to come together to make their lives whole. I loved how the story itself flowed and how it eventually ended up was just wonderful. It was a great read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[B · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was sweet, simplistic, and well written.
Long time friends to lovers; he falls first, with him pining for years.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Nati · Rating 4 out of 5]

"Your openness has shown me the beauty in vulnerability, and the strength that comes from letting someone see the real me." Anton and Caroline had been best friend forever. Can they be more or will they lost their friendship?

[Sandrina Rodrigues · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was a very good story
I really loved it
I enjoyed reading it
I really like the characters and their friendship.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Rachel Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great read, as friends to lovers romance, the story of Caroline and Anton. I like how it caught up with the other couples from this series at the end. Makes me want to re-read the full series now!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Lindsey Kramer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was funny, sexy, and swoon worthy!

[Esme Greiner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Caroline and Anton are best friends and agreed that they can't cross the line for the sake of their friendship. Will they finally admit how they really feel about each other and give love a chance?