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The Trouble with Love and Exposure

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Margo Thatcher is supposed to be at work, not Feather Festival. So, she does what any red-blooded American birder would do—plays hooky. Unfortunately, her excuse doesn’t hold when a photographer from the magazine, Exposure, snaps her picture, landing her on the cover.

As a nature photographer, Trevor Hansen knew getting attacked by wildlife was a possibility. However, his greatest threat currently stems from a birder who is ready to bludgeon him with her binoculars. She might have a motive, considering his photograph did get her in trouble.

As a peace offering, Trevor offers her a job as his birding guide. Margo reluctantly accepts, and their journey travels over the wilds of a remote island and under crystal chandeliers at a lavish gala. As their animosity towards each other turns to shared secrets and overheard conspiracies, one thing becomes abundantly clear: Nothing ruins quite as thoroughly as love and exposure.

326 pages, ebook

Published May 12, 2026

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About the author

Harriet Ashford

5 books113 followers
Harriet Ashford has been addicted to writing since the fourth grade and has become increasingly serious about it. Her other passion is reading romance and catching that second-hand falling-in-love feeling.

She lives in Houston with her husband, two boys, and a rambunctious blue
heeler. When she’s not reading, writing, or herding the boys, you can find
her embroidering semi-inappropriate messages onto her latest cross-stitch project.

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 66 reviews
Profile Image for Jessie.
191 reviews15 followers
April 22, 2026
The Trouble with Love and Exposure

I don't even know where to begin with this review because it has been a week since I finished and I STILL cannot stop thinking about it. I have actually had to talk myself out of rereading it 3 or 4 times in the past week because I have other books with due dates. This is Harriet’s best book yet and I absolutely loved the other two. The entire time I read this, I was blowing up her DM’s telling her how perfect it was.

This one is a bit different than her others because there is an added element of suspense intertwined with her perfectly hilarious rom-com. When I say, I want to hang out with her on a daily basis, that is an understatement. These books literally make my cheeks and abs hurt from smiling and laughing so hard. The quick wit and humor of these characters is top-notch.

Let’s start with Trevor who we know from The Trouble with Love and Coaches. He is April’s cousin. The depth of this character is incredible. While broken and carrying a lot of emotional turmoil, he is just a bundle of nerdy joy and the perfect golden retriever x sunshine for Margo. He is a protector when he does not feel strong. He has finally landed his dream job at Exposure and his very first featured photo just happened to be cover worthy. Little does he know, the woman in the photo would quickly become someone he cannot live without.

Which leads us to Margo. She is hilarious but also comes off a bit brash. She is for sure the grumpy to the “grumpy x sunshine.” Like Trevor, she too is dealing with family trauma that she is allowing herself to believe. When Trevor’s front-cover worthy photo lands her fired from her job, she really starts to believe all the things her mom has always said to her or about her.

It takes the two of them together to start to understand that they are not broken and they are beautiful souls that belong together. The banter in this book is some of the very best I have ever read. The situations these two get themselves into will literally make you laugh out loud on one page, cry on another, and have you sitting on the edge of your seat biting your nails.

Before this book, I despised birds. I am terrified of them. The bird puns and jokes were hilarious. You can tell that Harriet did some extensive research to make this book possible. I was running to Google to search for birds so many times and now my feed has a generous amount of bird watching and birds popping up.

I like to take notes as I read and here are just SOME of my favorite things recorded that I can share without spoiling too much:
-the bird puns
-the subtle nod to the dislike of baby beauty pageants, come on, we do not need to put makeup on our littles
-Trevor stole my heart by chapter 2 when he was taking pictures of dogs in a shelter to help them get adopted
-Trevor tying himself to a bed because of his dangerous sleep walking habits. My little brother was the same way and we used to have to put a tower of pots and pans outside his bedroom door so my parents would hear him leave his room. Of course, this was before they made those fancy door alarms for sleepwalkers.
-Margo eating pistachio ice cream. I do not like ice cream but the only kind I will eat is pistachio ice cream.
-The way he reacts to his cousin’s life changing news 🙂
-Johnson's Picks and Birding with Margo…just pick my melted heart up off the floor please…

I CANNOT WAIT TO HOLD THIS PHYSICAL BOOK IN MY HANDS! I will be buying at least two copies because I want to annotate the heck out of one!
Profile Image for Celina Rangel.
64 reviews1 follower
March 24, 2026
4.5⭐️ Got super lucky to ARC read this book… And I loved it just like I knew I would! Harriet Ashford just knows how to write fun, sweet, and entertaining romances! The characters were so in depth, and the plot was fun and daring and flowed amazingly! I laughed and was surprised and fell in love with Trevor and Margot! I didn’t want it to end! ❤️ Can’t wait for her next one!
Profile Image for Fran Zeoli.
4 reviews
April 11, 2026
I had the honor of being an ARC reader for this book! I got to meet Trevor in The Trouble with Love and Coaches and it made me excited for his story.

What do you get when you mix a Birder and a Photographer?
An entertaining story with laughs, friendship, a few tears, love, birds, dogs and a few twists I didn’t totally see coming! Definitely a story that made me want to keep turning the page to see what happens next!

I definitely found myself looking up pictures of the birds Margo talks about, especially the Kirtland’s Warbler and the Island Scrub Jay. They are both beautiful birds and total worthy of being photographed by Trevor!

From the smallest to the biggest attention to detail that Harriet Ashford includes in all her books I find myself feeling like the characters are friends!
Getting to visit with Beck, Emily, Gabe and April again was such an added pleasure.

I can’t wait for the audio version to be able to hear Margo and Trevor come to life outside my head!
Profile Image for Cheyenne Oleson.
186 reviews2 followers
May 15, 2026
I genuinely think The Trouble with Love and Exposure is Harriet Ashford’s best book yet, and considering how much I already loved the first two books in this series, that is saying something. This book completely stole my heart from the very first chapter and never gave it back.

This story had everything I love: laugh-out-loud banter, emotional depth, found family, slow-burn romance, birding chaos, and even a layer of suspense that kept me glued to the pages. I honestly didn’t want to put it down. One chapter had me giggling over ridiculous bird puns and awkward flirting, and the next had me emotional over the characters’ fears, insecurities, and family trauma.

Trevor was absolutely everything. Sweet, nerdy, protective, emotionally vulnerable, and somehow both sunshine and complete disaster at the same time. I already liked him in the previous book, but getting his full story here made me adore him even more. The way he sees the world through photography, the way he cares so deeply about animals and people, and the way he immediately falls for Margo without ever trying to dim her personality made him one giant walking green flag. The sleepwalking storyline also added such an emotional layer to his character and made some scenes both heartbreaking and unexpectedly funny.

And Margo? I loved her so much. She comes across prickly and guarded at first, but underneath all of that is someone who has spent so long believing the worst things about herself that she doesn’t know how to let people love her properly. Watching Trevor slowly help her realize she isn’t broken while she helped him carry his own emotional burdens was beautiful. Their relationship developed so naturally, and the chemistry between them was incredible. The banter alone deserves awards.

One of my favorite parts of the book was how alive everything felt. Harriet Ashford has this way of writing characters and friendships that makes you feel like you’re sitting right there with them. The found family dynamic was perfection, and getting to revisit characters from the previous books made everything feel even warmer and more connected.

Also… I never expected to become emotionally invested in birdwatching, yet here we are. The passion Margo had for bird conservation was contagious, and you could tell how much care and research went into every detail. Somehow this book made birding feel romantic, exciting, and ridiculously fun.

And that suspense element? SO GOOD. I wasn’t expecting the mystery side of the story to hook me as much as it did, but it added such a fun layer of tension to the romance and kept the pacing moving perfectly.

By the end, my heart felt completely full. This book was funny, emotional, romantic, comforting, and genuinely unforgettable. Harriet Ashford continues to create characters that feel so real they almost step off the page.

Thank you to NetGalley and Phillips House for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Profile Image for Evelyn (S'more Books Please).
262 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 5, 2026
Thank you to the author for an advanced copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

Margo's passions are birdwatching and bird conservation. Unfortunately, those don't pay the bills right now. So, she takes a job as a receptionist at a spa to make ends meet. But when the opportunity to attend Feather Festival comes up, Margo has to work. So she lies, thinking her employer will be none the wiser. Trevor, a wildlife photographer just hired at the magazine Exposure, comes to take pictures. He is captivated by Margo, and his photo of her and a bird is selected as the next magazine cover. Margo's boss is not happy, and she is let go. When Trevor attends Margo's next birding class, he learns the truth and feels terrible. So he asks her to be his guide to photograph a special bird, which comes with a stipend from the magazine. Margo doesn't think she can ever forgive the photographer who cost her a job, but the more time she spends with him, the more she realizes she has misjudged him. Perhaps they won't only find birds in the woods: they'll find a chance at love.

I think this is Harriet Ashford's best work yet! If real life didn't get in the way, I could have easily read this in one day. I absolutely adored Margo and Trevor, both separately and together. Their relationship develops so organically, and when they get together, the spice is perfection. I am genuinely disappointed these aren't real people because I want to be friends with them. I also want to learn more about birds now; Margo's passion was contagious! Her character growth was incredible, and I really enjoyed how she reclaimed her power. Trevor is every green flag, and I will accept no criticism about him. There is also a suspense element to this book that was very exciting and had me putting my son to bed late so I could finish reading. I truly enjoyed this book and cannot recommend it enough! While this can be read as a standalone, I encourage you to read The Trouble with Love and Ink and The Trouble with Love and Coaches first, so you get the full effect and appreciate the character appearances in this book. I can't wait to see what trouble is coming next in this series!

Follow me @smorebooksplease on Instagram for more bookish fun!
Profile Image for Lindsey Adams.
1,316 reviews26 followers
May 13, 2026
⭐️⭐️⭐️️⭐️/ ️🌶️🌶️🌶️

The Trouble series has released book 3 and this may be Harriet Ashford’s best book yet. The Trouble with Love and Exposure is everything I have come to love from Harriet’s writing, but add in a dash of suspense, and I couldn’t put this book down. Every one of her books is full of heart and passion, easily felt in the character development and storyline progression. It is easy to know Harriet’s love for writing stems from her soul and is truly what she was born to do.

I was so happy to get to know Trevor more in this book. After meeting him in book 2, you knew he was going to show up again. His zest for life is inspiring, especially as you see the inner battle he is going through. He doesn’t let his brokenness keep him from capturing life in his photography, which lands him his dream job. This leads him on a journey he never expected, possibly finding the person who is absolutely perfect for him. Getting her fired from her job though was not what he wanted when he snapped a beautiful photo of her.

Margo never thought she would be caught when she called out of work to attend the Feather Festival. A total bird enthusiast, she couldn’t miss this opportunity. How would her boss find out anyways? Well when a picture she is in lands the cover for a popular magazine, her boss finds out and lets her go. When Trevor finds out, he feels terrible and is determined to make it right. Offering her a job to help him find and photograph a rare bird, she takes it, but will not forgive him. Famous last words! The more time they spend together, the more she realizes he isn’t what she thought.

Both Trevor and Margo struggle with seeing the good within themselves. This was hard to read, as I know this thought process all too well. The way Harriet handled this was beautiful and really provided great development for both of them as they got to know each other. The added bit of suspense was perfect, while not overshadowing the romance, but rather adding to the plot line that pushed our MCs closer together. Of course, I love seeing characters from previous books and while this can be read as a standalone, I fully encourage you to read the whole series if you haven’t. Harriet is an author that you want to read and won’t be able to put down.

As always, review any author notes before reading.

What to Expect:
📷Dash of Suspense
🐦Enemies to Lovers
📷Forced Proximity
🐦One Bed
📷You Are Enough
🐦Granny Bestie
📷Shocking Twist
Profile Image for Rachel Nahabedian.
907 reviews26 followers
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
May 11, 2026
Rating: Obsessed

I’m honestly shocked this is only Harriet’s third book because I’ve been obsessed with every single one so far, and somehow they keep getting exponentially better each time. By the grace of Johnson, I need to know who’s coming next. And if it’s Anderson? I’m going to need time to emotionally prepare myself.

This one had a touch of mystery/suspense woven in, and I was completely on board for all of it. Between that, Margo’s family storyline, and Trevor’s sleepwalking, this book took me through basically every emotion possible in the best way.

I also loved getting bits of both Emily/Beck and April/Gabe again 'cause I've missed them. The dynamic between April, Gabe, and Trevor (and now Margo) is one of my favorite parts of this book. There’s so much love there, and even though they’re cousins, they feel more like siblings. Some of the Trevor and April moments genuinely felt like home to me.

Trevor had my heart almost immediately. The second he accidentally snapped that incredible picture of Margo, I knew this golden retriever man was going to wreck me, and he absolutely did. His sleepwalking storyline was heartbreaking at times, but Harriet balanced it so well with moments that were genuinely hilarious.

And then there’s Margo. Once we finally got the full picture of her past, I’m not saying I cried…but I’m also not not saying that. She’s tough because life made her that way. She can come across harsh, but this black cat heroine doesn’t have claws...she has teeth. And she’ll absolutely use them to protect the people she loves.

Watching these two help each other realize they aren’t “broken” or “unlovable” was such a beautiful journey. The burn was slow-ish, but when it finally ignited? Oh, it burned bright.

Also, I giggled like a 12-year-old boy at every single bird pun because swallows, tits, and breasts will apparently never stop being funny to me. Johnson absolutely stole the show (WWJD? IYKYK).

Thank you, Harriet, for the ARC and for Team Trouble 💛
Profile Image for Nicole.
246 reviews10 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 13, 2026
What do you get when you cross a textbook black cat FMC with the greenest flag, goldenest retriever MMC? 👇

✦Series: Trouble, 3
This MF interconnected standalone is a delightful addition to the series.

✦POV: Dual, first-person
We met Trevor in book 2 and getting his story is a gift! He’s so sweet and the way he falls for Margo on sight is less insta-love, more swoon. He’ll do anything to get her on his side. He’s layered, and willing to be vulnerable which made me love him more.

Margo reluctantly accepts Trevor’s attention and moves naturally from cynical to protective. She has hurt that runs deep and guards her heart. She’s lovable and easy to root for as you get to know her. Her snarky wit made for excellent banter.
❝❞
“If I’m a golden retriever, what does that make you?”
Instead of inching closer, I turned on my side, a hand under my head as I spoke to him. “Oh, I’m a textbook black cat.”
He chuckled. “Maybe I am a cat person, then.”
❝❞


✦Spice: Open door
That one bed magic always does the trick! Harriet develops sizzling chemistry between her characters that feels organic, and when that slow burn finally ignites: Yes please, and thank you, ma’am!

» There’s a compelling suspense element in the plot that kept me hooked. Trevor and Margo overhear something they shouldn’t which puts them in danger. The development of that arc was exciting.

» Harriet’s writing is super enjoyable. The dialogue is natural and funny, characters are well developed, settings come to life with vivid descriptions, and the pacing is just right.

✩ Trevor has a one-eyed wiener dog named Johnson (naturally 😂) who is “twenty-seven pounds of disdain, disappointment, and disinterest.” How can you not love that?

♡ If you’re in the mood for something that’s emotional but still light-hearted, with a premise that educates just as well as it entertains (birds! nature!), this one’s for you. HEA guaranteed!

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️½ rounded up!

✨ Thank you to Harriet for the ARC to review!

→ Connect with me on Instagram!
Profile Image for Kristina L. | bookinandcookintx.
182 reviews13 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 29, 2026
Not me, over here googling the Kirtland Warbler... (side note: they’re absolutely adorable!)

* Nature photographer/bird conservationist
* Houston connections, but based in California
* A mix of romance with a pinch of thriller
* The third book in an interconnected series
* Houston based author

Harriet Ashford is a must-read for me, and The Trouble with Love and Exposure shows exactly why. As a local fav for me, she always delivers. This time, she took me on an emotional rollercoaster...laughs, swoons, and that warm, fuzzy feeling she nails every time...plus a thrilling twist that kept me on my toes.

Margo and Trevor are seriously lovable, and their banter is pure gold. Harriet has this amazing knack for creating characters who are genuinely funny yet full of heart, and these two are no different. Margo, a dedicated bird conservationist, and Trevor, a passionate nature photographer, start off very rocky but soon find common ground. I was grinning one minute, holding my breath the next, totally hooked the entire time. This is the 3rd book in an interconnected series, so I got to catch up with some of my favorite characters from the first two books, which is always a win for me. You could totally read this as a standalone, though, you would be missing out skipping The Trouble with Love and Ink and The Trouble with Love and Coaches.

I'm already counting down the days until Harriet and this awesome book get the party they deserve at @booksbythebaytx’s release event next month because this story (and this author) deserves all the love!


Thanks to Harriet for sharing her story with me a little early! Out on May 12th!
Profile Image for Jayme Ball.
363 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 8, 2026
Book 3 in interconnected standalone rom-com series.

Margo and Trevor are two people that feel things deeply but it manifests very differently. We have black cat vs. golden retriever energies. Their lives intertwine as bird conservationist (Margo) and nature photograper (Trevor). The romance that blooms made me giggle and swoon. They both slowly share the pieces of themselves they protect the most and it's hard to share those vulnerable, dark places inside ourselves. Is there anything more beautiful than being seen and wholly accepted for who you are? No, no there is not.

For me, this book was a good time from start to finish. I stayed up too late and then as soon as I came home from work, I picked it right back up. It feels cozy. It feels real.

Harriet does an incredible job packing a punch in under 300 pages. I have read all 3 of the books in this series and they do connect characters that you remember in ways that make your heart sing. The characters have flaws and fears that feel real. I highly recommend these books if you want to laugh, perhaps cry... The amount of emotion and energy she puts into making the depth of the world she is building is remarkable.

I'm HOPING Anderson gets his love story next. *Fingers crossed* The Treble with Love and Fame. haha. (yes that's intentional, he's a musician). But I need it.

I did receive an eARC and these opinions are entirely my own.
Profile Image for Kell X.
347 reviews6 followers
May 12, 2026
This is truly an amazing story. I loved everything about it.
I can’t quite explain how, but these words worked like magic. The writing flowed so effortlessly that it was easy to get lost in the story and devour it in just a few hours.

This book has a bit of everything. It gave me plenty of laughs through the witty dialogue and banter. It made me angry on Margo’s behalf, especially when it came to her mother and the money scam. It delivered swoony moments through Margo and Trevor’s romance, woven together with a touch of pining and a strong foundation of friendship. It brought all the warm, found-family vibes as Trevor’s friends showed up and became even better than family. And it added mystery and suspense with the hidden danger lurking in the background. See? It has so much to offer.

But the real highlight is the main couple and the way they interact. They are there for each other every step of the way. The way they truly see one another, support each other, and gradually learn to love is incredibly beautiful.

“I cannot believe that anyone who has seen you—and I mean really seen you, Margo—has any choice but to love you.”

One of the biggest surprises for me was how the author made birdwatching feel so vivid and compelling. I never expected to be so invested in it, but it added a unique and charming layer to the story.
Profile Image for Ana.
62 reviews
March 27, 2026
I absolutely loved this contemporary romance from beginning to end! 💛 It completely pulled me in, and I found myself smiling, laughing, and swooning the whole way through.

One of my favorite parts was getting to revisit characters from the first two books: Beck & Emily and April & Gabe. It felt like catching up with old friends, and the little glimpses into their lives now were the cutest. I was especially excited about the news April has to share. I loved getting to know Trevor more in this story!

You can really tell how much research Harriet put into this book. The birding details were woven in so naturally—never overwhelming, just genuinely interesting and engaging. Honestly, it made me want to take a birding class myself!

And the banter? SO good. Margo and Trevor’s dynamic is everything. Watching her feelings shift from dislike to longing was done perfectly, and I loved that Trevor fell first. His persistence and care for Margo made their relationship feel so genuine and earned. And yes, they have chemistry and it gets spicy - another reason why I enjoyed the book. 😁🌶️

This book had me laughing out loud more times than I can count—with witty bird jokes and hilarious “would you rather” questions.

What I really appreciated is that it’s not just romance—there’s also workplace drama that builds and leads to a big twist at the end!

If you’re on the fence about picking this one up—do it. You won’t regret it. And while you can read it as a standalone, I highly recommend starting from the first book to fully enjoy all the character connections. Trust me, it’s worth it!
Profile Image for Brittany Bookstabritt.
152 reviews1 follower
April 23, 2026
⭐️ 4.5 🌶️ 2

First of all, thank you to Harriet Ashford, Phillips House, & NetGalley for the ARC of this book! The review below is my personal opinion and is given freely!

This was my first introduction to Harriet Ashford, and it definitely won’t be my last. From the first page to the end I was completely enraptured. The characters felt very natural and authentic while maintaining their individuality. I loved the FMC’s black cat energy. But Harriet was able to paint her in a way that showcased the raw vulnerability that is always lurking beneath the surface. I loved seeing more of that come out as the character got to know (and feel safe) around the MMC. And the MMC?!? One of my new faves. Definitely has ADHD (lol), wears slutty little glasses, and has the energy of Russel or Dog from UP! He is just the greenest flag man and I will be honest, that doesn’t usually do it for me, but this guy had me falling in love from page 1.

This one had me laughing (multiple times), gasping (multiple times), blushing (multiple times), and just generally having a grand ol time (the whole time). I want a Netflix adaption of it now, please.

If you like contemporary rom com with a subplot of mystery/suspense, I think you’ll really enjoy this one!

Profile Image for Kim.
23 reviews2 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 8, 2026
This was the BIGGEST surprise because I thought this sounded so good and it was even BETTER. It was funny but also heartwarming, suspenseful but also cozy?? How?? I was in love with this book 2 pages in with a one-eyed Weiner dog named Johnson.

The Trouble with Love and Exposure starts off with our MMC, Trevor, heading to photograph a bird watching festival for the nature magazine he works at. He meets our FMC, Margo, as she’s leading the group through the festival. Trevor takes a photo of Margo and it makes the cover! But Margo accidentally, on purpose lied to her boss about why she wasn’t able to work… and gets fired. As an apology, Trevor enlists Margo in becoming his bird guide as he’s on another assignment. They have to spend time together, oh no!

Immediately I loved Trevor, he goes to animal shelters to take photos of dogs to help them get adopted. Could there be a greener flag? He also has some really heavy backstory and deals with sleepwalking. I audibly gasped at some of his experiences and my heart broke for him. Margo is definitely the grumpy one in this relationship. She has her own history with her brother overdosing and an unhealthy relationship with her mom.

Their banter together is HILARIOUS. Trevor just lets everything roll off his back when Margo is snarky. Harriet even slipped in an Inside Out reference, which is only the best Pixar movie ever (why I have a Sadness tattoo).

This is the third in a set of interconnected standalones, I have not read the previous 2 and I still loved this book, but now I want to go back and get their history! I cannot recommend this book enough, especially if you love to laugh out loud and are looking for a book with real heart.

Thank you so much Harriet Ashford for allowing me the privilege to ARC read this book!

Tropes:
Grumpy x Sunshine
Forced Proximity
One Bed
Banter
Am I into birding now?
Profile Image for Dee Jacob.
38 reviews1 follower
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 14, 2026
Margot is a birder, and passionate about protecting them.

Trevor is a photographer, and passionate about photographing... Margot's ocean eyes.
Which accidentally gets her fired.

This book made me so emotional. In every way. I had tears, I was angry, I was worried. I love a good romance, but I enjoy it even more when there's outside conflict/drama. It had perfect banter, with the right amount of angst & spice. I love how I laughed & felt stressed in the same book. Hands down, her best one yet! Trevor & Margot were so fun to get to know. Harriet (the author) gave much depth to her characters which made them feel so real. I did not expect the story she gave us; I ate it up! I cannot wait for the next story. I just know it's gonna be good. ♡

Oh, and now I'm into birds?

P.S. Her other two books* are also amazing! Definitely worth reading as well!

*The Trouble With Love & Ink, The Trouble With Love & Coaches (this one is narrated by Gabriel Michael)
Profile Image for Ashley (andtheniwasbookish).
450 reviews21 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
April 19, 2026
ALL THE STARS!! What is the appropriate amount of time to wait in between books before you reread them?

Harriet Ashford knocks it out of the park....again!! I have loved this series since day 1, and the books are only getting better.

Trevor, Trevor, Trevor....I ADORE him. He is a peak golden retriever book boyfriend, and is a walking green flag.

Margo. She thinks she's the black cat, and maybe she is. But she's also fluffy and sweet and passionate and resilient.

The chemistry between these two is so strong, and I was so lost in their world, that when the spice did eventually hit....I didn't realize I had been missing it. I was just happy to be in their orbit! That's how fun this book is!

Add some suspense and danger to it?!? Holy smokes.

I have about a million more nice things to say about this book, but you'll just have to trust me on this....want a good time? Read The Trouble with Love and Exposure.

Overall: highly recommend
Spice: open door
Profile Image for Danielle.
Author 1 book2 followers
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
May 8, 2026
I have never read anything by this author before but I love all things STEM, so a biologist FMC that works on bird conservation, I’m sold. And then I started reading, and I wasn’t even to chapter 5 yet and I was in love with the MMC that’s a photographer. Within a few chapters I was able to already begin rooting for each MC.

I loved their banter! The amount of sass from Trevor and every pointy-canine smile he pulled out of Margo - I ate it up!

There were times the story slowed after the fundraising gala, but I really enjoyed going on hikes with the two main characters.

(Spoiler ahead)
It felt like a light hearted book throughout, until we got to the gala and learned about the embezzling. Then, toward the end, it got a little dark which was unexpected for a romance novel. There were no trigger warnings for guns or (attempted) murder or physical violence.

Thank you to NetGalley and Phillips House for the ARC!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Dallas B.
43 reviews
May 12, 2026
Such another great contemporary romance novel by Harriet Ashford! Absolutely loved Trevor and Margo. Dare I say they are the best couple yet from the Trouble with Love series?? 🙊 Trevor is so optimistic and compassionate, which just makes you have to love him. Margo is such a force to be reckoned with. She’s strong and not afraid to stand up for herself. Together, they both share traumatic pasts and show how love with worth the risk.

Beside the heartfelt story, there was so much explored from bird watching, nature, photography, and some hilarious grandmas 😂. We also got to revisit the characters from the first 2 books, April and Gabe, and Beck and Emily! I love when we get to catch up with characters from prior books.

Extra special mention for the banter because that was absolutely everything and I live for it. Thank you Harriet Ashford for the ARC. I can’t wait to see what you have in store for us next 💕.

The Trouble with Love and Exposure releases May 12 (tomorrow) on paperback and ebook!!

#troublewithloveseries #nature #bookreview #photographer
Profile Image for Kaitlyn  Messerschmidt.
5 reviews
May 12, 2026
I was super lucky to be chosen to be an ARC for this book. I have read all of the Trouble series and each one I can relate to in some way. This book had my attention captured (see what I did there) right away. I really enjoy that all the books are interconnected yet you don’t need to read all of them, but it certainly helps! I liked how this book brought up some problems right away and one was always in the back of your mind, like how is this going to play out. Without giving away spoilers, I had an idea of who was involved in the situation, but not until closer to the end and I certainly didn’t see it going the way it did! There were some lines that both characters said, that you can bring with you in your everyday life and live by. I am similar to Margo with being attracted to the wearing of hats backwards! Harriet definitely keeps her readers hooked. I can’t wait to see what she writes next!
Profile Image for Celina.
305 reviews11 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 31, 2026
This is by the best novel so far by Harriet and honestly this whole series is incredible, but this one is golden. Love and Exposure is the perfect blend of banter and romance with a dash of suspense. I was not expecting that ending at all.

The banter and teasing between Trevor and Margo was perfect. My goodness don't get me started on Trevor. He was such a sweetheart! I mean he volunteers at the animal shelter getting the happiest photos of dogs so they can be adopted. His swoony sweetness just doesn't stop the whole way through.

Margo, oh I love you. The sassy, bird loving woman who is so serious and yet you find yourself laughing with her. Her little smirks when Trevor softens her slowly - one joke at a time.

Favorite quote: “I wasn’t sure if the Inside Out franchise had a character to play disdain, but if not, they could draw inspiration from the look Margo gave me.”
Profile Image for Gabby.
1 review
April 8, 2026
Harriet Ashford’s book are always 5 ⭐️s for me. She is such a talented writer. I love the witty banter she writes between her characters. I laughed so much during this book. Trevor, the MC, in this book is so swoon worthy. He is an empathy, which I always relate to but beyond that he cares about what Margot cares about just because he loves her. This book has a little bit everything- there are moments where you are blushing, laughing, outraged, shocked and bursting with joy. I loved the cameos of previous MC & FMC from her previous books. On top of all that goodness, Ashford writes some truly beautiful sentences that left me in awe. I love the way she describes simply things with such detail and poetic language- it is an art form. I highly recommend anything Ashford writes but I think this is her most dynamic work yet.
Profile Image for Zoe.
214 reviews4 followers
May 11, 2026
The fact that I'm terrified of birds in real life (I will flinch/duck even when I'm in a car) but was so intrigued by them in this book, should be proof of how good this book is. This was the perfect exposure therapy, pun intended.

Aside from that, Trevor and Margo had me non-stop laughing with their quick wit, banter, and all the bird jokes. I really enjoyed reading the depths of both characters and how they developed and became stronger, better versions of themselves. Especially their acceptance of each other's imperfections (in their own eyes) and how they opened up to each other. They truly complimented each other. Honorable mentions, Johnson and Bea, were amazing side characters with so much character and sass, you wouldn't believe one of them was a one-eyed Weiner dog.

Pacing and the flow of the story were perfect, as well as the balance between romance, comedy, and suspense.
Profile Image for Heather Rubin.
17 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
May 12, 2026
This is a standalone book in a series of 3 books. I was curious who the FMC would be after meeting Trevor in the previous book (The Trouble with Love and Coaches). Margo is the PERFECT fit for Trevor. I was immediately hooked with the enemies to lovers trope and all of the heated banter between the two characters. Just when you think their relationship is going to take off…BOOM! There is drama (not cheating) and suspense that is added to the plot line. I was very intrigued with the twists and turns that were happening while rooting for the main characters to find their HEA. I am a nature and animal lover, so I enjoyed having Johnson and the birds adding humor in the story. I will be grabbing trophy copies of this series because they are all so wonderfully written. Can’t wait to read more books from Harriet Ashford.
Profile Image for Paige Woodrow.
421 reviews42 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
January 25, 2026
By golly Harriet has done it again! This is the best one yet! Filled with banter, heat, depth, and heart pounding excitement; this book will keep you up reading way past your bedtime.

I was lucky enough to be an Alpha reader for this incredible book. Harriet has put so much of her heart and soul into this and it shows. I don’t want to give anything away but know that this book is for you if you love:

🩵One sided enemies to lovers
🩵 He falls first
🩵 Emotional growth
🩵 Childhood trauma
🩵 Laughing
🩵 Crying
🩵 Shocking twists
🩵 A dash of suspense
🩵 Only one bed
🩵 Forced proximity
🩵 Camping
🩵 Adventure
🩵 Birds
🩵 Spice
🩵 Meaningful deep relationships
🩵 Incredible Banter
🩵 Hurt/comfort
🩵 You are enough
🩵 Sizzling chemistry
🩵 Granny besties
4 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
February 26, 2026
This is the best one yet in the Trouble With Love series! Harriet does such a remarkable job creating such realistic characters that come to life on the page. Trevor, the MMC, is an altruistic, compassionate optimist and will become your next book boyfriend! Margo, the FMC is strong, opinionated, and beautiful. Both have a past so tender to share, but is it worth the risk? So many emotions were felt as I read this book; I laughed, cried, and cheered. As an author, Harriet takes you places you wouldn’t otherwise explore-and this one is full of nature, photography, birding, and conservation! If a book provides you tangible emotions and provides realistic knowledge (and this one sure does) it’s well worth reading! This is a 5 star romance sure to bring you joy!
Profile Image for Bethany Lepretre.
Author 7 books5 followers
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 18, 2026
I recently have completed the Trouble series and I am so glad I did!
This one was a little darker, but I was HERE for it! The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat, and I devoured this book.
There is some past trauma and some tense scenes, that contrasts and helps grow the absolute love you see between the two main characters.
They truly do go through so much together in a short amount of time- I felt for them, man! Roller coaster of emotions for sure!
I loved this book and I do believe it is my favorite of the three!
I would recommend reading the two books prior to this, because those lead characters make more than just a cameo in my opinion. They do play big roles in this book- our leads’ support systems!
Profile Image for Logan  Blankenship.
28 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Author
March 21, 2026
I was lucky to get to be an ARC Reader!

By gosh Harriet has definitely done it again! I do believe this one is my favorite so far in The Touble with Love Series. This book has a little sprinkle of a few different things.
💙We got Trevor our MMC who is compassionate, automatically just someone who gets a long with everyone, very optimistic and lovable.
❤️ Margo, our FMC, I related to so much, rough around the edges, not afraid to stand up for herself and just wants to feel seen and that she is enough.
💙Forced Proximity
❤️Wonderful Banter
💙Funny Grannies (I mean who doesn't just crack up at Grannies cracking jokes)
❤️Past Tramua
💙Unexpected plot twist
❤️Adventure/Camping
And so much more! Definitely a 5 star read
Profile Image for Jasmin.
51 reviews
April 2, 2026
Margo skips work for a birding festival but ends up on a magazine cover after Trevor, a wildlife photographer, snaps her photo. She gets fired for lying but blames Trevor (of course lol). She agrees to guide him in order to win a contest at work, and their tense partnership turns into something deeper as secrets, danger, and unexpected feelings unfold.


My ARC review: I love this universe!!!!! Harriet never disappoints. It was so fun catching up with April, Gabe, Beck, and Emily. That plot twist completely caught me off guard! I think Harriet might need to write some thrillers in the future!

While this works as a standalone, do yourself a favor and read the Trouble series to fully appreciate the beautiful relationships between all these characters. They have my heart!

#TeamTrouble
Profile Image for Jennifer.
3 reviews1 follower
May 4, 2026
Harriet did it again! I had never really thought of birding but let me tell you, now every time I see a bird I think of this amazing story and wonder if I can snap the perfect picture like Trevor!
The dynamic between Margo and Trevor is so lush with depth and complexity. Enemies to lovers is one of my favorite troupes but this did one better in adding the academic angle of conversation AND art angle of photography! *chef's kiss* Bonus was this was my first "mystery" book since my dystopian reading days and man could I not put it down!

Having read Harriet grow as a writer book to book I am more of a fan now than ever! I can only imagine where the next book will take us (but I do have my speculations).

Highly recommend! 5/5
🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦/🐦🐦🐦🐦🐦
Profile Image for Meg.
380 reviews
May 12, 2026
Thank you to the author for an ARC of this beautiful story.

Wonderful third book in an amazing series by Harriet Ashford. I didn’t want to put this book down!

Loved the banter between the two main characters, Johnson was an adorable side character, and the mystery was a fun addition to the story. Go pick this up tomorrow!

Trevor and Margot were an unlikely pair when they first met but I loved how their story and relationship evolved over the course of the story. The glimpses of Gabe, April, Emily, and Beck were fun to see, especially as their stories continue as well.

The suspense added an extra element to a normal rom-com that had me needing to read just one more chapter to see what was next.

I hope this series continues!
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