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It's Complicated #1
Trouble
Brilliant criminal defense attorney Mike Baldwin follows the highest ethical standards. In his career and his personal life.
Until a fascinating—and off-limits—woman named Dara Williams shows up and ignites a scorching passion that threatens Mike’s career and everything in its path.
Including Mike’s tenuous relationship with his brother. Who also wants Dara.
If you enjoy emotional and sexually charged love stories that end happily ever after, pick up this tale of forbidden love now!
Career. Family. Romance.
It’s Complicated.
What’s an AC CLASSIC? An updated and pumped-up version of one of Ann’s earlier books, with new scenes, a never-before-seen epilogue and author commentary! Even if you read (and hopefully loved!) the original version, you won’t want to miss the AC CLASSIC version…
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ASIN B014JPJ9R6 here.
Until a fascinating—and off-limits—woman named Dara Williams shows up and ignites a scorching passion that threatens Mike’s career and everything in its path.
Including Mike’s tenuous relationship with his brother. Who also wants Dara.
If you enjoy emotional and sexually charged love stories that end happily ever after, pick up this tale of forbidden love now!
Career. Family. Romance.
It’s Complicated.
What’s an AC CLASSIC? An updated and pumped-up version of one of Ann’s earlier books, with new scenes, a never-before-seen epilogue and author commentary! Even if you read (and hopefully loved!) the original version, you won’t want to miss the AC CLASSIC version…
Librarian's note: See alternate cover edition of ASIN B014JPJ9R6 here.
384 pages, ebook
First published July 1, 2006
790 people are currently reading
797 people want to read
About the author
Ann Christopher
61 books248 followersA recovering lawyer, Ann Christopher has been published since 2006 and writes steamy contemporary romance.
When she’s not writing, Ann likes to do the following, in no particular order: read; cook; eat; hang out at Target looking for new stuff she doesn’t need; play with her 2 rescue dogs
and 2 rescue cats; and travel the world with her family. She lives in Ohio.
If you’d like to recommend a great new TV show or share a recipe for homemade cake of any kind, Ann would love to hear from you!
Stay in touch with Ann!
AnnChristopher.com
ann@annchristopher.co
When she’s not writing, Ann likes to do the following, in no particular order: read; cook; eat; hang out at Target looking for new stuff she doesn’t need; play with her 2 rescue dogs
and 2 rescue cats; and travel the world with her family. She lives in Ohio.
If you’d like to recommend a great new TV show or share a recipe for homemade cake of any kind, Ann would love to hear from you!
Stay in touch with Ann!
AnnChristopher.com
ann@annchristopher.co
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Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews
November 10, 2019
2 Immature Stars
A hot and popular defence lawyer Mike and smart and beautiful law student Dara find themselves drawn to each from the first look, but of course the path to HEA is never smooth sailing, especially given she is his intern, his younger brother, Sean, wants her two and Dara is afraid of being hurt by another man.
When it came to this story, I was distracted by how very immature the two were – particularly Mike. Mike’s mood and attitude shifts started to give me mental whiplash – the man seriously needed I kick several times throughout the book. Plus, I seriously think some of what he said at the start to Dara required an explicit apology/grovelling but it all gets brushed under the rug as they continue to painfully make their way to their HEA. Dara for her part could have dealt with the brother much better than she did.
I love a couple who bicker, but here it just had me rolling my eyes, their reactions felt childish rather than amusing.
Thank goodness this was a freebie. I won't be re-reading this.
Freebie 17th October 2019.
A hot and popular defence lawyer Mike and smart and beautiful law student Dara find themselves drawn to each from the first look, but of course the path to HEA is never smooth sailing, especially given she is his intern, his younger brother, Sean, wants her two and Dara is afraid of being hurt by another man.
When it came to this story, I was distracted by how very immature the two were – particularly Mike. Mike’s mood and attitude shifts started to give me mental whiplash – the man seriously needed I kick several times throughout the book. Plus, I seriously think some of what he said at the start to Dara required an explicit apology/grovelling but it all gets brushed under the rug as they continue to painfully make their way to their HEA. Dara for her part could have dealt with the brother much better than she did.
I love a couple who bicker, but here it just had me rolling my eyes, their reactions felt childish rather than amusing.
Thank goodness this was a freebie. I won't be re-reading this.
Freebie 17th October 2019.
March 29, 2016
Mike and Dara. Both of them were very immature. The author calls him an alpha, but he's actually just immature. They argue about EVERYTHING! There were a couple of turnoffs for me from the get-go. 1) The word 'titties'. Just no. Personally, I think that's a terrible word and I find it hard to believe that a successful attorney would think in those terms. 2) 'man'. Mike addressed his brother as 'man'. Brother addressed mike as 'man'. Criminal addressed Mike as 'man'. You get the idea...use another word! I saw Dara as a tease. She knows that Sean wants to be more than friends, yet thinks of him as one of her best friends and continues to spend more time with him, even with him saying that he wants more. The back and forth by her with Mike was giving me whiplash. "I want to be with you". "I never want to see you again." Sheesh!
Want to read
October 5, 2019🎁 FREE on Amazon U.S. & on iBooks today (10/5/2019)! 🎁
December 19, 2020
1.2🌠
I had a hard time trying to figure out if this was a BWWM novel. The picture does not match the description of Mike, and no information is given to deduce Sean’s or Dara’s race. Also, Mike is just the sort of alpha I don’t like. I hate books that make me work hard to determine the races of the main characters, only to be still throughly flummoxed. It’s just too exhausting. For now, I’m not going to finish it, although I may give it a try at a later date.
May 8, 2017
This. Book. Pissed. Me. Off!
The lead characters were not likeable AT ALL. And whats with the plot?? as a matter of fact what plot????? not to mention ive probably read this backstory like a million times already. Uggh!
And this likkle dutty gyal name Dara! For a good portion of the book shes been pushing Mike away all because him nah express him "love" for her .. but when him tell her and ask if she love him, she cant even fuckin say it! So why u houndin the dude girl!!! Kmft
Sigh.
The lead characters were not likeable AT ALL. And whats with the plot?? as a matter of fact what plot????? not to mention ive probably read this backstory like a million times already. Uggh!
And this likkle dutty gyal name Dara! For a good portion of the book shes been pushing Mike away all because him nah express him "love" for her .. but when him tell her and ask if she love him, she cant even fuckin say it! So why u houndin the dude girl!!! Kmft
Sigh.
April 9, 2016
57% and I'm out...DNF
Everyone had a breaking point. For me it was the use of the word "beyotch" (bitch) in a novel that reads like it was written by high school girls at a slumber party. Slow pacing, repetitive scenes, lots of internal musings of unfulfilled lust...I could go on. I just couldn't muster the stamina or the interest to continue.
Everyone had a breaking point. For me it was the use of the word "beyotch" (bitch) in a novel that reads like it was written by high school girls at a slumber party. Slow pacing, repetitive scenes, lots of internal musings of unfulfilled lust...I could go on. I just couldn't muster the stamina or the interest to continue.
June 17, 2011
I usually love Ann's books, but this one was just Ok for me. It seemed like it dragged on a bit, I was constantly waiting for a climax, and I don't know if it ever really came. Don't get me wrong. I guess since reading so many of her later works that were fantastic I was expecting more.
April 23, 2017
Didn't Finish!
Actually, I didn't get past the first three pages. It annoys me to read about pushy mama's that want to force the responsible child to always help out the irresponsible child that is a grown adult. So with that being said, I could not get past what I read.
Actually, I didn't get past the first three pages. It annoys me to read about pushy mama's that want to force the responsible child to always help out the irresponsible child that is a grown adult. So with that being said, I could not get past what I read.
August 9, 2008
I LOVED THIS BOOK ITS MY FAVORITE BOOK OF ALL TIMES
April 25, 2012
I was a little angry with Dara but overall it was a good book.
January 24, 2016
Good book. Dara and Mike's story was the typical "I like you, but I don't want to. So I will either avoid you or be an asshole" I was glad when that was done.
October 10, 2016
This book did nothing for me. Ended up just reading dialogue and skimming over 60%.
Read
March 26, 2016terrible. Cute premise, but the characters are extremely unlikable.
April 27, 2016
Ridiculous
I have never read a book so too long and redundant in my life! Annoyingly sickening back and forth forever!!
I have never read a book so too long and redundant in my life! Annoyingly sickening back and forth forever!!
October 22, 2017
DNF
Can't remember the last time I read a romance novel with the word "titties" in it. I took it as a sign to abandon ship.
Can't remember the last time I read a romance novel with the word "titties" in it. I took it as a sign to abandon ship.
April 21, 2022
This could have been an OK romance, but the characters were just too hard to like. Mike was an a$$ much of the time, and Dara was childish and irritating. It also really disgusted me that all Mike could think about was having sex with Dara when he first saw her. I got so annoyed with them that I honestly didn't really care if they found their HEA. This one gets 2 stars from me.
I found it absolutely disgusting that Mike's initial reaction to Dara was to think about how her body was perfect and how he wanted to have sex with her. He later said he fell in love with her then, but I disagree -- he fell in lust, not love. He was also really mean to her lots of times, often when she had done nothing wrong -- yelling at her, accusing her of being a slut, etc. With an attitude like that, is there any wonder she doubted that he really loved her?
Dara's behavior alternated between childish and spoiled. She lusted over Mike, but didn't trust him, so she was in a constant internal debate over having a relationship with him. It got really annoying.
I didn't believe they were in love. They were definitely in lust, but I just didn't see any evidence of real love until almost the end of the book. By that time, I was so sick of both of them, that I didn't care if they found their HEA.
This may not be the author's fault, and it didn't affect my review, but I really hate it when the people on the book cover don't match the descriptions of the characters. The cover indicated that Mike and Dara were an interracial couple, but they were not. That seems like false advertising to me.
I won't be reading the rest of the books in this series. There was way too much bad behavior from the couple. If this is the author's idea of a mature relationship, I don't want to read about it.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
I found it absolutely disgusting that Mike's initial reaction to Dara was to think about how her body was perfect and how he wanted to have sex with her. He later said he fell in love with her then, but I disagree -- he fell in lust, not love. He was also really mean to her lots of times, often when she had done nothing wrong -- yelling at her, accusing her of being a slut, etc. With an attitude like that, is there any wonder she doubted that he really loved her?
Dara's behavior alternated between childish and spoiled. She lusted over Mike, but didn't trust him, so she was in a constant internal debate over having a relationship with him. It got really annoying.
I didn't believe they were in love. They were definitely in lust, but I just didn't see any evidence of real love until almost the end of the book. By that time, I was so sick of both of them, that I didn't care if they found their HEA.
This may not be the author's fault, and it didn't affect my review, but I really hate it when the people on the book cover don't match the descriptions of the characters. The cover indicated that Mike and Dara were an interracial couple, but they were not. That seems like false advertising to me.
I won't be reading the rest of the books in this series. There was way too much bad behavior from the couple. If this is the author's idea of a mature relationship, I don't want to read about it.
My rating system is below.
1 star -- Hated it, or did not finish. I usually only give this rating if some of the content is truly objectionable to me, like if one of the main characters does something really awful, and gets away with it.
2 stars -- Didn't like it. This rating usually means that I thought the writing wasn't very good, the editing was terrible, I didn't like the characters, or it had other major flaws.
3 stars -- I liked it, but had some minor issues with it. This rating means that there were minor editing issues, the story needed more character development, it was just too unrealistic, or had some other fairly minor issue. The majority of books I read get this rating – I do not consider it a bad rating.
4 stars -- I liked it a lot. This is a high rating for me, and I rarely give a higher one.
5 stars -- I loved it, and will probably read it again. Very few books are good enough to get this rating from me. The ones that do are usually classics.
August 15, 2020
It's lust at first sight for Mike Baldwin and Dara when they first meet at a party given for first year law students. One fly in the ointment: Sean, Mike's younger brother, has already declared that she is his. Added to this is Mike's and Sean's mother is sick again; her breast cancer has returned, and she wants Mike to help Sean in any way he can, AGAIN. In other words, from the start, there is Trouble!
When Dara is assigned to be Mike's intern for the semester, their mutual attraction rears its head again. It conflicts with Mike's desire to stay away from Dara even as he pulled toward her. Will they or won't they succumb to their desire for the other? Can Mike respect Sean's feelings and stay clear of Dara?
Mixed messages abound throughout the story. Dara goes from hands-off to love to hurt, and back again. Mike is older and more concerned about his fledgling law firm staying solvent, all the while fighting his growing love (but it can't be love because he is firmly resolved to never marry, etc.) for Dara. Can the two ever be on the same page?Can they ever admit to their love for the other?
Loved the character of Jamal. He was a welcome relief to the angst of Dara and Mike talking past/acting out with each other over and over again.
Per usual, there were a few WTT trends (chiseled cheeks and body, smirks), and one continuity issue with clothing (wasn't he in shirt sleeves and suddenly has his tuxedo jacket on???), but overall an enjoyable romance.
The author included some edits that she cut from this version. Actually, I think she should have left a few of them in (particularly some of the sections that featured Jamal) as they were some of the most honest passages to show the interactions between the mentor and the protege.
When Dara is assigned to be Mike's intern for the semester, their mutual attraction rears its head again. It conflicts with Mike's desire to stay away from Dara even as he pulled toward her. Will they or won't they succumb to their desire for the other? Can Mike respect Sean's feelings and stay clear of Dara?
Mixed messages abound throughout the story. Dara goes from hands-off to love to hurt, and back again. Mike is older and more concerned about his fledgling law firm staying solvent, all the while fighting his growing love (but it can't be love because he is firmly resolved to never marry, etc.) for Dara. Can the two ever be on the same page?Can they ever admit to their love for the other?
Loved the character of Jamal. He was a welcome relief to the angst of Dara and Mike talking past/acting out with each other over and over again.
Per usual, there were a few WTT trends (chiseled cheeks and body, smirks), and one continuity issue with clothing (wasn't he in shirt sleeves and suddenly has his tuxedo jacket on???), but overall an enjoyable romance.
The author included some edits that she cut from this version. Actually, I think she should have left a few of them in (particularly some of the sections that featured Jamal) as they were some of the most honest passages to show the interactions between the mentor and the protege.
August 6, 2020
Here's to finally getting it right
Its hard to keepoving someone who continually throws you away but Dara mastered it throughout the book. When you have to decide between being stubborn and being happy you have to be direct and make some tough choices. I love the way she never shied away from Mike bit faced him head on looking him into eheues and speaking her truths. Mike tried to do the right thing and went back and forth between stupid and stubborn. No matter what he did though he could not get her out of his mind or heart. On the end he proved his love was strong and his choice was her. Loved Mike's mom. Great suplorting character.
Its hard to keepoving someone who continually throws you away but Dara mastered it throughout the book. When you have to decide between being stubborn and being happy you have to be direct and make some tough choices. I love the way she never shied away from Mike bit faced him head on looking him into eheues and speaking her truths. Mike tried to do the right thing and went back and forth between stupid and stubborn. No matter what he did though he could not get her out of his mind or heart. On the end he proved his love was strong and his choice was her. Loved Mike's mom. Great suplorting character.
July 30, 2023
Trouble
I started reading this authors 📚 in 2008 (Excellent); although I saw the previous books in 2006 but did not read them (don't know why). Mike, a successful, intelligent lawyer that takes care of his family that he loves dearly and still grant his sick mother her wish to help the spoiled adult younger brother. Mike, who is caught in the middle of a situation and trying to keep everyone happy and himself miserable. Dara, a person who is supposed to be intelligent, was slow at times and played a game with the brothers knowing how each felt; including several times she was warned/I formed and saw situations. Glad for the HEA.
I started reading this authors 📚 in 2008 (Excellent); although I saw the previous books in 2006 but did not read them (don't know why). Mike, a successful, intelligent lawyer that takes care of his family that he loves dearly and still grant his sick mother her wish to help the spoiled adult younger brother. Mike, who is caught in the middle of a situation and trying to keep everyone happy and himself miserable. Dara, a person who is supposed to be intelligent, was slow at times and played a game with the brothers knowing how each felt; including several times she was warned/I formed and saw situations. Glad for the HEA.
July 13, 2018
Let's hope the 3rd time is a charm!
I really wanted to like this book because the author was so excited about the rewrite. However, it was too long and too repetitive. I did not feel that the characters were authentic and by the end of this book I was ready to throw the female character out the window. Both characters were so indecisive and got on my last nerve. I ended up skipping pages to get to the end. The book was well-written and I may give this author one more chance in the future.
I really wanted to like this book because the author was so excited about the rewrite. However, it was too long and too repetitive. I did not feel that the characters were authentic and by the end of this book I was ready to throw the female character out the window. Both characters were so indecisive and got on my last nerve. I ended up skipping pages to get to the end. The book was well-written and I may give this author one more chance in the future.
February 16, 2022
I think what I loved so much about this was Ann Christopher's style of writing and voice. I tend to find free books with literally the absolute worst writing imaginable. It's like letting a middle schooler loose on wattpad for the first time.
But this had a decent plot, if not a little stretched out. Most of it could have been resolved in the first stretch. The reviews ripped this one to shreds and to be perfectly honest Dara and Mike do not deserve all the hate! I've read this plot many times but this has to be the most well written. Not perfect, but not horrible either.
But this had a decent plot, if not a little stretched out. Most of it could have been resolved in the first stretch. The reviews ripped this one to shreds and to be perfectly honest Dara and Mike do not deserve all the hate! I've read this plot many times but this has to be the most well written. Not perfect, but not horrible either.
September 10, 2019
Cover dosen't reflect the characters
First of all the cover is deceiving. I thought this was an IR romance but I read it anyway. Something happened to the main characters Michael and Dara along the way. They started out as stable and competent but Michael turned into a simpering whipped moron. While Dara, just not enough words to describe her abhorrent behavior. Towards the end the characters were so unlikable you stopped caring about them. Plus there were editing errors . Probably won't continue the series.
First of all the cover is deceiving. I thought this was an IR romance but I read it anyway. Something happened to the main characters Michael and Dara along the way. They started out as stable and competent but Michael turned into a simpering whipped moron. While Dara, just not enough words to describe her abhorrent behavior. Towards the end the characters were so unlikable you stopped caring about them. Plus there were editing errors . Probably won't continue the series.
September 26, 2019
I didn't like the male protagonist, Mike Baldwin in the beginning but he eventually grew on me. The female protagonist was justified in her actions due to Mike's arrogance. I felt, however, that as a contemporary romance, that one part of the story didn't quite fit in with the genre. In spite of that, I loved the romance, intimacy, and connection between the characters and enjoyed the deeper conflicts within the characters' hearts and minds. It's well worth a read.
February 15, 2020
Lots of angst, attraction, family woes, HEA
Dara and Mike have to deal with a lot of attraction and angst before they get to their HEA. First, there’s Mike’s brother, Sean, who thinks he’s in love with Dara and is one of the biggest stumbling blocks to the burgeoning attraction. Then there’s the complication and major roadblock that Dara is pushed onto Mike as an intern in his loan office.
Dara and Mike have to deal with a lot of attraction and angst before they get to their HEA. First, there’s Mike’s brother, Sean, who thinks he’s in love with Dara and is one of the biggest stumbling blocks to the burgeoning attraction. Then there’s the complication and major roadblock that Dara is pushed onto Mike as an intern in his loan office.
August 6, 2017
Trouble (It's Complicated Book 1)
The love story of Mike and Dara. Dara is a law student who is intern at Mike's law office. When she meet him if was love at first sight. Mike Baldwin is a well know uber-attorey who has many hangup. OK love story but I just did not feel anything for the characters.
The love story of Mike and Dara. Dara is a law student who is intern at Mike's law office. When she meet him if was love at first sight. Mike Baldwin is a well know uber-attorey who has many hangup. OK love story but I just did not feel anything for the characters.
April 23, 2019
The back and forth was exhausting. Either be together or don’t. Those two found the dumbest things to fight over. Also, Dara knowing Sean had feelings for her and encouraging it without reciprocating was so dumb. Also, without spoiling it, I really hated the ending where it sounded like she made a decision without talking to him first.
September 25, 2021
"Trouble: It's Complicated" was a wonderfully written novel. The plot was filled with romance, intrigue, and hilarity. I must admit that Dara, one of the main characters, got on my last nerve at times. Nevertheless, I loved the imagery, other vivid descriptions, and bits of levity the author used which helped to convey a lively tone. Overall, I really liked the narrative.
February 28, 2018
Great read
Although this is a reboot, it is very well written and the characters are well fleshed out. I enjoyed the bantering with Jamal, and wished for more background on Data's family overall good read. What happened to Sean? His part just fizzled out.
Although this is a reboot, it is very well written and the characters are well fleshed out. I enjoyed the bantering with Jamal, and wished for more background on Data's family overall good read. What happened to Sean? His part just fizzled out.
April 19, 2018
Complicated
Great story, but the back and forth will she or will he leave me was exhausting. The characters were wonderul.
I would love to see what happens to Jamal and Sean and the mother
Great story, but the back and forth will she or will he leave me was exhausting. The characters were wonderul.
I would love to see what happens to Jamal and Sean and the mother
Displaying 1 - 30 of 70 reviews