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The Trouble with Love and Exposure
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 Nothing ruins quite as thoroughly as love and exposure.
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 Nothing ruins quite as thoroughly as love and exposure.
- GenresAudiobook
Audible Audio
Published June 10, 2026
About the author
Harriet Ashford
3 books121 followersHarriet Ashford is hopelessly addicted to the second-hand falling-in-love feeling from reading and writing romance novels. She lives right on the line between Houston and Pearland with her husband, two boys, and sassy blue heeler.
If she’s not with her guys or working on your next book boyfriend, she’s probably engaged in one of her many grandmotherly hobbies, which include, but are not limited to: bird watching, diamond painting, chess, and cross-stitch.
If she’s not with her guys or working on your next book boyfriend, she’s probably engaged in one of her many grandmotherly hobbies, which include, but are not limited to: bird watching, diamond painting, chess, and cross-stitch.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 112 reviews
May 27, 2026
I know. It's super tacky for an author to review her own book, but listen. I'm not here to comment on the plot or the writing. I am here to talk about that performance. And what a performance it was.
Marie Mitchell is (and always will be) the queen of romcom. She has that voice that is somehow both calming and will also knock you on your a** when you least expect it because she can really hit hard with those emotional beats. Like, I don't think it's fair that she should make me unexpectedly cry, especially at scenes that I had sort of swept under the rug. She truly brought Margo to life and did such a great job portraying this hardened black cat who happens to be a softie for conservation and blond men who wear backward caps and carry their dachshund in their backpacks like a baby on a hiking trip.
Then we get to Gabriel Michael. Yes. That one. The one who plays Xaden Riorson in the Empyrean series, Stark Therion in Dire Bound, Lucien in ACOTAR, and Samkiel in Book of Azrael. How did I convince him to narrate my adorable romcom and play a golden retriever of a character? Well, a virgin was sacrificed under a blood moon. Anything for my readers. No, but in all seriousness, he did such a great job as Trevor. He was playful and sweet when he needed to be, he was growly the few times it was required and then we got to the intense scenes and holy sh*t if I didn't have my hand slapped over my mouth for an entire scene like I wasn't the one who put that character in that situation because when Trevor is hurting in this book, Gabriel makes you believe it, and you almost feel it with him. That and how the villains were portrayed. WOW. Gave me all the goosebumps.
Not to mention their scenes together. The back-and-forth of the banter and the arguments is so zingy. And don't even get me started on the romantic parts. They make it so intimate that it almost feels like you are interrupting something by listening in.
Also, shout out to our engineer/publisher Jonny Tompkins! Engineers don't get enough love, but he had to stitch this together, keep us all organized, and then work his magic to make it sound like the narrators were in the same room. What he does is black magic, and you'll never convince me otherwise.
So please, if you enjoy romcoms with a little bit of spice, a lot of banter, some suspense, and audiobooks that are straight up cinematic (this is duet, btw), then check out this title.
Marie Mitchell is (and always will be) the queen of romcom. She has that voice that is somehow both calming and will also knock you on your a** when you least expect it because she can really hit hard with those emotional beats. Like, I don't think it's fair that she should make me unexpectedly cry, especially at scenes that I had sort of swept under the rug. She truly brought Margo to life and did such a great job portraying this hardened black cat who happens to be a softie for conservation and blond men who wear backward caps and carry their dachshund in their backpacks like a baby on a hiking trip.
Then we get to Gabriel Michael. Yes. That one. The one who plays Xaden Riorson in the Empyrean series, Stark Therion in Dire Bound, Lucien in ACOTAR, and Samkiel in Book of Azrael. How did I convince him to narrate my adorable romcom and play a golden retriever of a character? Well, a virgin was sacrificed under a blood moon. Anything for my readers. No, but in all seriousness, he did such a great job as Trevor. He was playful and sweet when he needed to be, he was growly the few times it was required and then we got to the intense scenes and holy sh*t if I didn't have my hand slapped over my mouth for an entire scene like I wasn't the one who put that character in that situation because when Trevor is hurting in this book, Gabriel makes you believe it, and you almost feel it with him. That and how the villains were portrayed. WOW. Gave me all the goosebumps.
Not to mention their scenes together. The back-and-forth of the banter and the arguments is so zingy. And don't even get me started on the romantic parts. They make it so intimate that it almost feels like you are interrupting something by listening in.
Also, shout out to our engineer/publisher Jonny Tompkins! Engineers don't get enough love, but he had to stitch this together, keep us all organized, and then work his magic to make it sound like the narrators were in the same room. What he does is black magic, and you'll never convince me otherwise.
So please, if you enjoy romcoms with a little bit of spice, a lot of banter, some suspense, and audiobooks that are straight up cinematic (this is duet, btw), then check out this title.
April 19, 2026
Re-read Review!
Thank you to the author for the audio ALC! Absolutely adored this book just as much as I did the first time! Gabriel and Marie did such an amazing job as always. I loved the way Gabriel captured the sweet Golden Retriever that is Trevor! Marie is the perfect voice for Harriet's FMC's. I can't imagine them any other way!
Read #1 Review
Catherine Cowles and Devney Perry had a baby and named her Harriet Ashfordå 👏
This was my favorite book ever of Harriet’s and is officially a top read of 2026! I absolutely loved every second. If you’ve read Harriet’s other two books you’ll know they are hilarious, romantic, and full of emotional depth. This book takes all that and adds the perfect amount of suspense! The amount of times I giggled, snort laughed, and gasped is unreal.
If you’re a fan of The Eden’s or Sparrow Falls books, you won’t regret picking this up! Utterly obsessed!! I can’t wait to reread when the audiobook drops!
Thank you to the author for the audio ALC! Absolutely adored this book just as much as I did the first time! Gabriel and Marie did such an amazing job as always. I loved the way Gabriel captured the sweet Golden Retriever that is Trevor! Marie is the perfect voice for Harriet's FMC's. I can't imagine them any other way!
Read #1 Review
Catherine Cowles and Devney Perry had a baby and named her Harriet Ashfordå 👏
This was my favorite book ever of Harriet’s and is officially a top read of 2026! I absolutely loved every second. If you’ve read Harriet’s other two books you’ll know they are hilarious, romantic, and full of emotional depth. This book takes all that and adds the perfect amount of suspense! The amount of times I giggled, snort laughed, and gasped is unreal.
If you’re a fan of The Eden’s or Sparrow Falls books, you won’t regret picking this up! Utterly obsessed!! I can’t wait to reread when the audiobook drops!
June 11, 2026
Thank you to Harriett Ashford for the ALC!
I had such a good time with this audio. Marie Mitchell and Gabriel Michael were the perfect narrators for this cute RomCom! In full transparency, I listed to this audio at 1.8 (and usually listen between 1.8 and 2.0) and it worked for me. There were a couple of longer transitions even with the sped up audio, but not enough to take away from the overall production quality.
As an elder millennial in my 40s, I really enjoyed the birding aspect of this book. Not sure what that says about my stage of life, but I ate it up. This story kept me entertained and made me giggle at times. If you are a RomCom fan, then you should definitely add this one to the list!
I had such a good time with this audio. Marie Mitchell and Gabriel Michael were the perfect narrators for this cute RomCom! In full transparency, I listed to this audio at 1.8 (and usually listen between 1.8 and 2.0) and it worked for me. There were a couple of longer transitions even with the sped up audio, but not enough to take away from the overall production quality.
As an elder millennial in my 40s, I really enjoyed the birding aspect of this book. Not sure what that says about my stage of life, but I ate it up. This story kept me entertained and made me giggle at times. If you are a RomCom fan, then you should definitely add this one to the list!
June 3, 2026
The audiobook is absolutely wonderful! Having Gabrial Michael and Marie Mitchell bring Margo and Trevor to life was chef's kiss!!!! I had the opportunity to be an ARC Reader for the book so to get to come back and listen to how the narrators put in the emotions for each character was great. Definitely worth the listen/ read
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!
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!
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!
May 23, 2026
This book!!!!!!! Oh my goodness, I loved it so much. There was so much going on but it flowed so perfectly. Trevor Hansen is my new favorite MMC!! He has to be the sweetest guy on this fictional planet. The connection between him amd Margo was so good. I was smiling almost the entire time!!
My favorite book, so far, in the series!!
My favorite book, so far, in the series!!
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!
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!
June 21, 2026
This audiobook is so good.
I read this book for the first time as an ARC when it was released a couple months ago and now it's available as an audiobook so I reread it!!
The narrators are fantastic. I think I enjoyed it even more the second time with the narration. Thank you Harriet for the ALC.
What's the book about?
A nature photographer and a birdwatching guide walk into a forest. One gets photographed and fired from her job and the other wears glasses and a small dog like a baby in a carrier on his chest.
Pick this up if you like:
Romantic suspense
Birdwatching
Black cat x golden retriever
BANTER
Girls with sharp teeth
Obviously, I'm partial to the audiobook, which is available now.
I read this book for the first time as an ARC when it was released a couple months ago and now it's available as an audiobook so I reread it!!
The narrators are fantastic. I think I enjoyed it even more the second time with the narration. Thank you Harriet for the ALC.
What's the book about?
A nature photographer and a birdwatching guide walk into a forest. One gets photographed and fired from her job and the other wears glasses and a small dog like a baby in a carrier on his chest.
Pick this up if you like:
Romantic suspense
Birdwatching
Black cat x golden retriever
BANTER
Girls with sharp teeth
Obviously, I'm partial to the audiobook, which is available now.
June 1, 2026
I listened to the audio while I read along, Gabriel and Marie absolutely rocked it!! Gabriel is my all time favorite male narrator for audiobooks/graphic audios and Marie is among my favorite female narrators! Their voices compliment each other so well, I loved them in The Trouble With Love and Coaches and love them just as much, if not more in The Trouble With Love and Exposure. The story with Trevor and Margo was so much fun - loved the suspense element in this book - and had so much fun adventuring with them. Cannot recommend this book, the others in the series, or Harriet Ashford highly enough. Can’t wait to see what comes next in her career - I just know it’s gonna be amazing!
June 6, 2026
First and foremost: Thank you to Harriet Ashford for the ALC! I had the most fun revisiting this story through the talented voices of Gabriel Michael and Marie Mitchell.
This audiobook felt less like listening to a book and more like sitting around a fire or cup of coffee, hearing two friends recount the story of their meet cute and all the adventures that followed. The narrators did a phenomenal job making the reader feel like part of the story. It made an already amazing story feel even better!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
This audiobook felt less like listening to a book and more like sitting around a fire or cup of coffee, hearing two friends recount the story of their meet cute and all the adventures that followed. The narrators did a phenomenal job making the reader feel like part of the story. It made an already amazing story feel even better!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!
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!
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
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
May 27, 2026
✨️ARC REVIEW✨️
4.25🌟
1🌶
⚠️Check your triggers⚠️
Thank you to Harriet Ashford for the opportunity to read this fun story.
Trevor Hansen finally got his spot at his dream job, nature photographer for Exposure Magazine. His first assignment lands him the cover photographs for the month's issue! The problem? The subject of the photo, Margo Thatcher, was supposed to be at work, not leading a series of birdwatching activities. While Trevor is riding high, Margo loses her job. A yearly contest leads Trevor to unknowingly sign up for Margo's new birding class. Little did the pair know that chance encounter would land them in the shadows to overhear a criminal conspiracy and on a path to tear down the walls their hearts hide behind.
Overall Thoughts & Emotional Reactions:
Harriet blew it out of the water with this one. When she says “Check the content warnings,” check them. I loved Trevor in The Trouble with Love and Coaches. His quick wit and big heart made him so enduring. So, when Harriet announced he got his own book, I jumped at the chance! There is so much more to Trevor than the wisecracking cousin. He perfectly balanced Margo, who plays it so close to the vest that she finds it hard to connect with Trevor at first. I loved their banter, the tension, and the pay off! That trip to Texas, gah, so good! Promise you won't regret this one!
Tropes:
🐦romantic suspense
🩵golden retriever/black cat
🐦forced proximity
🩵granny bestie
🐦trauma bonding
🩵hurt/ comfort
🐦you are enough
🩵one bed
🐦Slow burn
🩵sizzling chemistry
🐦open door
🩵birding
🐦adventures
🩵he falls first
🐦overheard conspiracies
Favorite Quotes:
“I needed to get my ass to a therapist because I liked it when the pretty girl was mean to me.”
“You told me that as a nature photographer, I should be getting photos of nature, but that’s why I was so drawn to you. You have this wild energy. You are nature, Margo.”
“She was so beautiful. She always was, but it was a different kind of beauty when she was in her element.”
“I cannot believe that anyone who has seen you— and I mean really seen you, Margo— has any choice but to love you.”
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The above opinions are my own.
4.25🌟
1🌶
⚠️Check your triggers⚠️
Thank you to Harriet Ashford for the opportunity to read this fun story.
Trevor Hansen finally got his spot at his dream job, nature photographer for Exposure Magazine. His first assignment lands him the cover photographs for the month's issue! The problem? The subject of the photo, Margo Thatcher, was supposed to be at work, not leading a series of birdwatching activities. While Trevor is riding high, Margo loses her job. A yearly contest leads Trevor to unknowingly sign up for Margo's new birding class. Little did the pair know that chance encounter would land them in the shadows to overhear a criminal conspiracy and on a path to tear down the walls their hearts hide behind.
Overall Thoughts & Emotional Reactions:
Harriet blew it out of the water with this one. When she says “Check the content warnings,” check them. I loved Trevor in The Trouble with Love and Coaches. His quick wit and big heart made him so enduring. So, when Harriet announced he got his own book, I jumped at the chance! There is so much more to Trevor than the wisecracking cousin. He perfectly balanced Margo, who plays it so close to the vest that she finds it hard to connect with Trevor at first. I loved their banter, the tension, and the pay off! That trip to Texas, gah, so good! Promise you won't regret this one!
Tropes:
🐦romantic suspense
🩵golden retriever/black cat
🐦forced proximity
🩵granny bestie
🐦trauma bonding
🩵hurt/ comfort
🐦you are enough
🩵one bed
🐦Slow burn
🩵sizzling chemistry
🐦open door
🩵birding
🐦adventures
🩵he falls first
🐦overheard conspiracies
Favorite Quotes:
“I needed to get my ass to a therapist because I liked it when the pretty girl was mean to me.”
“You told me that as a nature photographer, I should be getting photos of nature, but that’s why I was so drawn to you. You have this wild energy. You are nature, Margo.”
“She was so beautiful. She always was, but it was a different kind of beauty when she was in her element.”
“I cannot believe that anyone who has seen you— and I mean really seen you, Margo— has any choice but to love you.”
I received an advanced copy of this book and I am leaving this review voluntarily. The above opinions are my own.
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
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 💛
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 💛
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
✦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!
✦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!
Review of advance copy received from Author
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!
* 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!
Review of advance copy received from Author
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.
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.
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.
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.
March 24, 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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from Author
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?
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?
June 1, 2026
I love Harriet Ashford’s romances, and I don’t love anyone’s romances. Her stories are funny and clever and are full of heart and The Trouble with Love and Exposure is no different. Crisp, funny banter. Backstory with some pathos and substance. I loved her first, The Trouble with Love and Ink, in similar fashion. That was the book that made me first go “Oh, that’s what ‘kicking and screaming’ means.” 😂
I picked this one up because I am a bird lover, not to mention that I also used to be a professional photographer, and so I understood immediately the allure of the premise. Ashford also has good balance in her characterizations. Margo is a smart, capable, and independent woman with vulnerability from the start. I like that. That feels real to me. Likewise, Trevor is ambitious, hot, and funny, but also emotionally intelligent and never a tool. What a relief to be able to cheer for two great people!
Pleasantly surprised to find a slightly darker element threading through the story as well. Not enough to make it “not a romance,” but enough to make it feel different, and an added element of interest.
If you aren’t a “romance girlie,” give this author a try. If you are a romance girlie, then Ashford is a slam dunk, no-brainer. Enjoy!!
I picked this one up because I am a bird lover, not to mention that I also used to be a professional photographer, and so I understood immediately the allure of the premise. Ashford also has good balance in her characterizations. Margo is a smart, capable, and independent woman with vulnerability from the start. I like that. That feels real to me. Likewise, Trevor is ambitious, hot, and funny, but also emotionally intelligent and never a tool. What a relief to be able to cheer for two great people!
Pleasantly surprised to find a slightly darker element threading through the story as well. Not enough to make it “not a romance,” but enough to make it feel different, and an added element of interest.
If you aren’t a “romance girlie,” give this author a try. If you are a romance girlie, then Ashford is a slam dunk, no-brainer. Enjoy!!
June 5, 2026
If you need a book that feels like a breath of fresh air and a little summer escape, The Trouble with Love and Exposure by Harriet Ashford should be on your list 🎧☀️
This audiobook was light, fun, and full of those kick your feet up and giggle moments, but still had moments of tension and a few “wait… what is going to happen next?” moments that keep me fully engaged.
Margo was supposed to be at work, but was at a birding festival instead, and one unfortunately timed photograph sent her life upside down. Trevor, a nature photographer snapped a photo that changed her life when he got lost in her eyes, and happened to get a picture of a really great bird too. Their paths cross again later when she steps into her passions and begins a bird guide business and he just happens to attend her session. The story had a beautiful blend of banter, tension, mystery, and a few bird jokes too. 😉
The banter had me smiling constantly, but what really made this shine was the audio performance. Marie Mitchell and Gabriel Michael brought so much personality to these characters. I am a sucker for nonverbal moments. The sighs, the little giggles, the pauses before a joke lands. All of those little moments culminate to add so much texture and tension and the jokes hit even harder.
I started this audiobook and finished it in just a couple of days because it was so easy to get lost in.
This audiobook was light, fun, and full of those kick your feet up and giggle moments, but still had moments of tension and a few “wait… what is going to happen next?” moments that keep me fully engaged.
Margo was supposed to be at work, but was at a birding festival instead, and one unfortunately timed photograph sent her life upside down. Trevor, a nature photographer snapped a photo that changed her life when he got lost in her eyes, and happened to get a picture of a really great bird too. Their paths cross again later when she steps into her passions and begins a bird guide business and he just happens to attend her session. The story had a beautiful blend of banter, tension, mystery, and a few bird jokes too. 😉
The banter had me smiling constantly, but what really made this shine was the audio performance. Marie Mitchell and Gabriel Michael brought so much personality to these characters. I am a sucker for nonverbal moments. The sighs, the little giggles, the pauses before a joke lands. All of those little moments culminate to add so much texture and tension and the jokes hit even harder.
I started this audiobook and finished it in just a couple of days because it was so easy to get lost in.
June 10, 2026
Book Review⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Thank you to the author @harrietashfordwriter for the #gifted e-book.
This was my third Harriet Ashford book, and once again she completely pulled me into the story! She has such a gift for writing the excitement, uncertainty, and sweetness of new relationships, and I absolutely loved the not-so-cute meet cute that kicked everything off.
Set against the backdrop that includes a variety of places such as a feather festival, this story combines birding, wildlife photography, forced proximity, shared secrets, and plenty of conspiracies with a healthy dose of romantic suspense. The banter between the characters was fantastic—full of teasing, chemistry, and laugh-out-loud moments. And Trevor? He delivered all the swoony softness I could possibly want in the MMC.
What I especially enjoyed was how Ashford balanced the romance with genuine danger and suspense. Just when I thought I knew where things were headed, another twist or complication appeared. The details of the characters’ lives made them feel incredibly real and easy to root for.
This one is definitely spicier than I typically prefer, but Harriet Ashford’s storytelling keeps me coming back every time. If you enjoy romantic suspense with humor woven throughout, lovable characters, and plenty of heart, this is one to add to your TBR!
Thank you to the author @harrietashfordwriter for the #gifted e-book.
This was my third Harriet Ashford book, and once again she completely pulled me into the story! She has such a gift for writing the excitement, uncertainty, and sweetness of new relationships, and I absolutely loved the not-so-cute meet cute that kicked everything off.
Set against the backdrop that includes a variety of places such as a feather festival, this story combines birding, wildlife photography, forced proximity, shared secrets, and plenty of conspiracies with a healthy dose of romantic suspense. The banter between the characters was fantastic—full of teasing, chemistry, and laugh-out-loud moments. And Trevor? He delivered all the swoony softness I could possibly want in the MMC.
What I especially enjoyed was how Ashford balanced the romance with genuine danger and suspense. Just when I thought I knew where things were headed, another twist or complication appeared. The details of the characters’ lives made them feel incredibly real and easy to root for.
This one is definitely spicier than I typically prefer, but Harriet Ashford’s storytelling keeps me coming back every time. If you enjoy romantic suspense with humor woven throughout, lovable characters, and plenty of heart, this is one to add to your TBR!
May 21, 2026
I have read Harriet’s two previous books and adored each one; however, I was not jumping with excitement about this book. I never really thought I cared much about bird watching and honestly, it sounded like such a boring topic. Wow, was I ever wrong! This by far is Harriet’s best book to date. I was fully engaged from the beginning to the end. What I loved about this book is that the romance between Trevor and Margo happened quickly. There was not a long drawn out build up to the two of them realizing how much they cared for each other. This allowed us to experience their relationship throughout the entire book. We were able to witness how the two of them grow in their relationship while baring their souls to each other. I absolutely loved these two as a couple. The suspense part of the book was equally as fun to follow. The ending gives the reader a true sense of what a real family is. Last, I will now look at every bird that lands in my backyard in an entirely different light. On my way to buy some binoculars!
Review of advance copy received from Author
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)
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)
Review of advance copy received from Author
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
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
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
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.
May 11, 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
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
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