Inviting Trouble

Happy Endings Book Club #2

by Kylie Gilmore

A best friend's little sister romance...
Madison Campbell has worshipped her older brother’s best friend Parker Shaw for as long as she can remember. So the night before he leaves for the Air Force, she decides he’s leaving town with her virginity. All she has to do is transform her tomboy self into a sexy woman with a bit of borrowed makeup and some creative fashion choices. The results? One drunken kiss that Park doesn’t even remember.


Ten years later, no man has ever gotten close to her heart the way Park did. And now that he’s back, the very unfeminine Madison refuses to blow her second chance. But when her bold attempts to snag his attention (“Oops! Dropped my towel.”) fail miserably, she does something completely insane—she caves to a makeover from the meddling matchmaker in charge of The Happy Endings Book Club. Hey, Park, you want some of this? Madison is about to find out.


For more humorous contemporary romance, check out all of Kylie's books!
Happy Endings Book Club Series
Book 1: Hidden Hollywood
Book 2: Inviting Trouble

Clover Park Series
Book 1: The Opposite of Wild
Book 2: Daisy Does It All
Book 3: Bad Taste in Men
Book 4: Kissing Santa
Book 5: Restless Harmony
Book 6: Not My Romeo
Book 7: Rev Me Up
Book 8: An Ambitious Engagement
Book 9: Clutch Player
Book 10: A Tempting Friendship

The Clover Park STUDS Series
Book 1: Almost in Love
Book 2: Almost Married
Book 3: Almost Over It
Book 4: Almost Romance
Book 5: Almost Hitched

Genres: Romance, Contemporary, Contemporary Romance, Friends To Lovers, Amazon, Adult, Ebooks

320 pages, ebook

First published January 10, 2017

About the author

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***THE SEXY PART is out now!***

Kylie Gilmore is the USA Today bestselling author of over fifty humorous contemporary romances. Her series include Happy Endings in Clover Park, Unleashed Romance, the Rourkes, the Happy Endings Book Club, Clover Park, and Clover Park Charmers. With more than three million downloads of her books, readers all over the world love escaping into her hilarious feel-good romances featuring strong bonds with family, friends, and community.

Kylie lives in New York with her family, a demanding cat, and a nutso dog. When she's not writing, reading hot romance, or dutifully taking notes at writing conferences, you can find her happily crafting what will surely be future family heirlooms.

Join the Gilmore Goddesses Readers Group to chat about Kylie's books in a non-spoilerly way. Also, man candy. Click here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/Gilmo...

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KYLIE’S BOOKS

HAPPY ENDINGS IN CLOVER PARK
The Kissing Part (Book 1)
The Sexy Part (Book 2)

UNLEASHED ROMANCE
Fetching (Book 1)
Dashing (Book 2)
Sporting (Book 3)
Toying (Book 4)
Blazing (Book 5)
Chasing (Book 6)
Daring (Book 7)
Leading (Book 8)
Racing (Book 9)
Loving (Book 10)

THE ROURKES
Royal Catch (Book 1)
Royal Hottie (Book 2)
Royal Darling (Book 3)
Royal Charmer (Book 4)
Royal Player (Book 5)
Royal Shark (Book 6)
Rogue Prince (Book 7)
Rogue Gentleman (Book 8)
Rogue Rascal (Book 9)
Rogue Angel (Book 10)
Rogue Devil (Book 11)
Rogue Beast (Book 12)

HAPPY ENDINGS BOOK CLUB
Hidden Hollywood (Book 1)
Inviting Trouble (Book 2)
So Revealing (Book 3)
Formal Arrangement (Book 4)
Bad Boy Done Wrong (Book 5)
Mess With Me (Book 6)
Resisting Fate (Book 7)
Chance of Romance (Book 8)
Wicked Flirt (Book 9)
An Inconvenient Plan (Book 10) 
A Happy Endings Wedding (Book 11)

CLOVER PARK SERIES
The Opposite of Wild (Book 1)
Daisy Does It All (Book 2)
Bad Taste in Men (Book 3)
Kissing Santa (Book 4)
Restless Harmony (Book 5)
Not My Romeo (Book 6)
Rev Me Up (Book 7)
An Ambitious Engagement (Book 8)
Clutch Player (Book 9)
A Tempting Friendship (Book 10)
Clover Park Bride: Nico and Lily’s Wedding
A Valentine’s Day Gift (Book 11)
Maggie Meets Her Match (Book 12)

CLOVER PARK CHARMERS
Almost Over It (Book 1)
Almost Married (Book 2)
Almost Fate (Book 3)
Almost in Love (Book 4)
Almost Romance (Book 5)
Almost Hitched (Book 6)

Reviews

[Dísir · Rating 3 out of 5]

'Inviting Trouble' should have been a fun read, and as a sucker for most unrequited love tales, I waited impatiently to see how two people would finally level out their emotions to find themselves on common ground by the end of it.

The bottom line is I'm not too sure what I feel about the story at all, because there didn't seem to be too much of a growing process beyond the reiteration of how much Mad wanted Parker - as the guy who'd always defended her but saw her as his little sister to protect - to see her as the grown up woman whom he should be wanting. But a decade of very limited interaction had hindered this process and much of the book felt like a concerted effort to corral Parker into something he had to be 'taught' how to feel.

I alternated between grimacing at Mad's desperation to get Parker to notice her and applauding her determination to do so. Yet it was so difficult to like a heroine who mostly behaved like the abrasively childish, petulant and brash teenager she wasn't and all too often I wondered if she'd really grown past the angsty stage that she'd carried with her all into adulthood. Through sheer persistence then, Mad turns Parker's head finally, but it merely left me asking if he'd only done so because of her efforts or whether he would have had done anything on his own. Needless to say, the declarations of love felt rather forced to me as Parker played catch up by the end of it, let alone the quick proposal that left me wide-eyed with surprised disbelief.

Somehow I feel as though a disclaimer should be put right at the end of this review: it's by no means a bad book though, only one that I couldn't quite get engrossed because of my own healthy dose of scepticism about the characters and their compatibility.

[Cherry Bob*omb · Rating 4 out of 5]

There were two clashing elements in this story that didn't quite work for me. The insistence by herself and her friends that the heroine needed a makeover to get the guy to like her and her repetitive angst that she "didn't know how" to be a girl- absolute bs. You know, because boys apparently don't like girls who play sports and wear pants. (that's sarcasm. they do. it's the 21st century). But I found his side of the story quite lovely, as someone whose tragic history kept him from feeling he could be in this relationship. he was an abandoned foster kid, and her father took him into the family and he was scared to lose the only loved ones he had after already losing so much
3.5 stars

[Cali Jewel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fully entertaining and heartwarming childhood friends struggle to become so much more kinda story (while fighting their feelings for all the wrong reasons). So real it just pulls you in and takes hold of your heart.

Mad is my all time favorite hero, the tomboy raised by a single dad with nothing but a rowdy group of boys to relate to (hits so close to home). Parker is from a broken home and was taken in by the Campbell family at a very young age making them the only family he has really had. These two made me laugh, cry and downright happy.

The girls from the Happy Endings Book Club feel so much like family now it is crazy. Looking forward to the next session.

[Sara Jo · Rating 2 out of 5]

Very immature for people in their late 20s.

[Marissa Chavez · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely loved Madison and Parker! It had a little bit of everything! I loved how Madison was sassy and bad ass. I also love how Parker was always looking for her which was so sweet! It was perfect!

[Samsboeken · Rating 2 out of 5]

Het verhaal blijft oppervlakkig en de ontwikkelingen voelen afgeraffeld aan…

[Jess Schagberg · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did like this one, a quick read and I can't believe I forgot I had another one in this standalone series.

[Jennifer · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book was a little bit disappointing... the author does not explain Park’s reasons for everything until mid-book.... considering their history a little bit more ‘perspective’ could be given if she switched to Park sooner... ramping up the anticipation of their finally becoming a couple. Second the heroine is really really whiny for a tough girl...I mean come on... and the hero is a dang wimp... and he supposed to be this awesome army guy who throws his hands up when his ‘bro’ gives him some tough love. Also there isn’t much said about his relationship with the brothers especially Ty that would help make their exchanges more believable. I like the main storyline but it definitely could use some work. On that line, I also felt like their was too many cliffhangers... as the ending is sudden... like wow when two pages before there was not even a hint that maybe that’s what they would do... because two pages before they weren’t even together...Also brothers (at least mine) never treated me the way her brothers did and I think they would have been more protective since they lost their mom. I think this book was thrown together... I hope the author will revisit in the future and flesh out it more. There is a lot of character building missing... and don’t get me started about long lost mom... I think it served a specific purpose but you made their dad look so stupid because of how he reacted to the whole thing. So some good for thought... thus a two star rating...

[Jennifer Lara · Rating 1 out of 5]

Again I tried to like the books in this series. I didn't care for the first book but since I had the first three books I forced myself to continue because maybe, just maybe, it would get better. Boy was I wrong! Madison "Mad" Campbell is not like any woman I've known. She is crass and blunt. And it was annoying. I have known women who were raised as as the only girl in a house full of brothers and none of them talk the way Madison does. In the opening chapter she, as a 15 year old, shares a room with her 18 year old brother! YUCK!!! Pass

[Baca Buku · Rating 1 out of 5]

Unlikeable MCs, uninteresting story-telling.

[Sharon Moritz-rosenthal · Rating 5 out of 5]

**I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy of this book.**

Mad is related to Josh and Jake from the first book in the series.If you remember she is their sister total tomboy who grew up without a mother and tons of brothers. Park was an adopted brother to the family and when he was 18 he left for the military. He has been gone ten years and the story opens up as Mad and her friends are decorating for his coming home party.

Park loves the family but Mad was always very special to him. His sister that died that he replaced with Mad. He has a terrible fear of anything happening to her. And because he heard how bad she did when he left ten years before he kept his distance.

This book was sweet but I would not characterize it as hot. Its much less hot than other books in the series. There are a few hot sex scenes but Park and Mad have a friendship and more than that Park is part of the family. With tons of real brother Park is a little afraid of getting involved with Mad because her blood brothers have threatened him a lot. He also really wants Mad but he doesn’t feel he is good enough for Mad and since he doesn’t see a future he has been told to stay away and so he tries but Mad chases him hard.

I really enjoyed this book mostly because it felt more like chic lit than a romance. I LOVED the girls and I loved Hailey.Mad and her make magic together when they have scenes together. They are funny, out there and so real I want them to be my best friends too.IT was really the highlight of this story.

Park as a leading hero, well he is definitely not my favorite leading man. At times he felt very weak and he is definitely no Alpha male. He is more of the sweet, kind, gentle leading man type. Largely he came from a background with crappy parents, a baby sister who died and one of alcoholism. So he really is all about taking care of Mad but it a quieter way. He totally loves her but he really doesn’t think he is all that and he thinks he doesn’t deserve such a great woman. And to be honest he ran away from Mad way too much for my liking and I agreed he didn’t deserve her.

But the heart wants what the heart wants and I really think that is the message of this story. Park tries to deny Mad at every flirtation. He really tries very hard to resist her. And Mad she never ever ever gives up. He hurts her over and over and she still comes back for more.

Even with Mad’s friends helping Park still resists and we start to see that its not him, its actually Mad’s brothers and the only family Park has ever known that really is the reason Park resists. Park has very low self esteem and really that is the problem. If he thought he was worthy of Mad he would be there.

Now I loved this story. It was different than other books in the series and different from the first book. It was more about girl power and showing Park that he really is a good man. He has to learn to stand besides Mad instead of running away. When he finally gets that well that’s when I fell in love with him and this love story.

[Busybeth76 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fighting for a Happy Ending

Madison Campbell grew up with a houseful of men, her dad, brothers and adopted brothers were her family and role models. One of those boys was Parker Shaw. With no mom to guide her (mom abandoned her family when Mad was one), Mad has been a rough and tumble tomboy all her life. She is petite and athletic, and always had a soft spot for protective, sweet and gorgeous foster brother Parke, but he's been distant to her. He's back after ten years as a Air Force mechanic. Madison is determined to win him over and get him to recognize what is between them. Although they both fight through insecurities that have festered all these years, and the going is a bit slow at times, the interactions between the Campbell siblings, the Happy Endings book club friends and their exploits are enjoyable. An elegant wedding, the mystery of an intruder in downtown Clover Park and the reigniting of a romance never quite ignited are interesting. The touching scenes and emotions between Mad and Park really make this book heartwarming. Their insecurities and stubbornness can sometimes slow things but their love for each other is constant and winning. The love, energy and determination of the Clover Park population make this story enjoyable and entertaining.

[Margaret · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love the Happy Endings Book Club. These girls all have each others back. I love Hailey and Josh and their ongoing feud and I am looking forward to their happy ending as I am sure they have to get one. Mad is one of my favourites. She is the typical tomboy who never figured out how to be a girl. I mean what do you expect of one lone girl raise in a household of alpha males. Her dad, her brothers and her adopted brothers all treated her like a guy and while they looked out for her she did not have any female input. I was not surprised that she wanted nothing to do with her mother when she turns up twenty five years too late. I hope that in the future she manages to get over some of her anger and have some sort of a relationship with her mum, but I know they will never be close. Parker has always loved Mad and he kept his distance because Ty told him to. Ty was just being an overprotective brother but he should have had more trust in Parker. Mad and Parker finally get together and maybe Mad will learn to let someone help her. I love this series and look forward to the next book.

[Lauren Seiberling (Romance Novel Giveaways) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I'm SO happy Mad got her happy ending!

I was introduced to Mad in the previous book of the series (NOT necessary to have read that one to enjoy this one!), and I wasn't sure what to think of her. But this book shines a much more flattering light on her.

Park and Mad had a history, and the flashback at the beginning of the book sucked me right in and had me flying through the pages to see if and how these two got reunited.

I, personally, found Mad easy to relate to. At some point or another, haven't we all felt that we didn't quite fit in? I liked her adaptability and willingness to try the things the Happy Endings Book Club ladies suggested to help her snag Park.

This book is written in typical Kylie fashion, with plenty of steam, a storyline that flows steadily and juuuuuust enough humor to make it realistic. Like all of her other books, I absolutely LOVED it and can't wait to read more!!!

(I received a copy of this book in consideration of an honest review)

[Slick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted Mad to get her guy badly, Parker the boy now man that moved in with her family and was always there to keep her safe and make sure she was included but at times this romance frustrated me. Madison was determined I'll give her that but at times her actions reeked of desperation or immaturity. Parker supposedly left because he felt too much for 15 year old Madison and didn't want to disrespect her father or his "brothers" but then comes home and makes decisions for THEM, not including Madison in them because he's "not good enough" for her. The only saving grace was he did get his act together but I honestly wanted more romance not that sex isn't great but they were friends and seeing Parker put forth a bit more effort would have been nice. Not a bad book, but not one I'd really recommend as a must read, and certainly not re-read material.

[Cait M · Rating 3 out of 5]

Had potential in an "unrequited love with my almost-adopted brother" kind of way, but in the end, I wasn't buying it.

Madison (Mad) is an extreme tomboy, thanks to growing up with a single father and 4 older brothers and their friends. She's had a decade-long crush on Parker, a boy who was taken in by her father when he was 9 in a quasi-foster situation when Parker's addict parents became unable to care for him.

Parker has always cared for and protected Mad. He knew she had a crush on him when he left at 18 to join the air force and now after 10 years he's back.

This was insta-love, but with a bit of angst from Parker about not being worthy of Mad, and pressure from her brothers to stay away. Mad was an annoying, abrasive character who didn't interest me in the least. I couldn't see what Parker saw in her tbh...

This book contains descriptive love scenes.

[Sue Parker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Madison is a tomboy and she has been in love with Parker since she was a child. Park is her older brothers best friend and her dad took him in to save him from his parents. She tries to give him her virginity the night before he was leaving for the service. But he pretended to be drunk so she wouldn’t get hurt. All grown up Mad is a force to be reckoned with. She hasn’t had any female influence in her life so the girls in the book club decide to give her a makeover for her brothers wedding. This is of course to drive Park crazy which it does. But he wants to put her in the friend zone after her brother warns him he doesn’t want them together. Gotta say I love this girl. She is a spitfire and a lot of fun. Loved this book. My favorite so far in the series.

[Christina Montminy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was really looking forward to reading this book & it didn’t let me down. The angst of young love turning into forever love was great. I really loved the character of Mad, she was bold, brash, funny, sweet, sassy & down right vixen at times, her character was so complex she was amazing. Park, the ever protective boy turned into super sexy Air Force veteran & still ever protective of Mad. The chemistry & history between them was nothing short of combustible. I loved the up & down of the relationship, with the intrusion of a brother & the pushing forward from her book club friends this relationship started & stopped more than once. Recommend to read.

[Yvonne Cruz · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once again, Ms Gilmore delights us with her storytelling. This time with Inviting Trouble.
I loved revising with characters from the previous book and getting tomboy’s Mad’s and Park’s story.
Both have feelings for each other. Mad is determine have Park pay attention to her. Little does she know that Park HAS noticed the grown up Mad.
You will laugh, cry, at times want to give them a shake but in the end you too will be happy for their HEA.
Can’t wait to read the next book.
I was gifted this copy. The opinions expressed are solely my own.

[RLV · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn’t enjoy this one so much. Found the heroine immature and the hero clueless. Couldn’t connect with either. Also lots of cliches in this book (as was the case with the first) and again the author lacks creativity. The pace in this book is slow - too slow for my liking. It’s not a terrible book, it’s simply not original: the storyline, the main characters, the writing. It’s all very basic. Giving this one 2.5 stars. I’ll still read the others in this series because they were gifted to me but I may not have otherwise.

[Aletha · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed Mad’s story. I wish she didn’t have such a big chip on her shoulder and I wish elements of the novel were more developed: Park’s feelings for her, her feelings about her mom. I feel like it was lacking a little depth. Some definite toxicity and unhealthy habits in relation to Mad’s view of relationships and her self-worth as well as how she ends up with Park after her mom enters the scene. The author did a good job of setting the scene for Ty and Charlotte, so obviously I have to read their story now… ha

[Maria Cecília · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book we get to know the story of Mad and understand better her tomboy manners and fierce love for Parker. What we didn’t know is how Parker felt for her and his self esteem issues. Here we also get to enjoy Jack and Claire’s wedding from the first book in the series: Hidden Hollywood and enjoy the whole family Christmas time! An unexpected appearance of Tina, the Campbell’s mother is startling too! Advice: this series is addictive!!

[Brandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an interesting romance. Girl has always been in love with her foster brother. But they didn't ever really have a brother/sister type of relationship. This story covers their eventual separation once he moves away as an adult and comes back a decade later. She's still pining for him. I was a little nervous a few times thinking things would go a different direction than I thought they would. So, the story kept me on my toes. I really enjoyed seeing their relationship evolve.

[PollyAnna Joy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Petite for the win!

Mad and Park are such fun! She is so cute! It's maddening how he is protective of her rather than simply tender. Protectiveness can be overbearing and smothering especially when the one being overly protected has no idea about the motivation behind it. I'm glad Parker is finally able to share himself with her and they could have their HEA. :)

[SynergyQuest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty God, but...

This is a pretty good read, but not worth the 4.99 I spent. There are endless equally good books (and maybe better) out there for 2.99. My advice is to go to BookBub, place a deal reminder for this author and wait until this one is on sale before you buy.

[Nikki · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! Mad is feisty and loyal and Park is adorable and unselfish...
So thrilled to see these two get their happy ending...with the bonus of a few giggles and updates on the other bookclubbers along the way 💗

[Quinn Fforde · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am glad that Mad got her story close to the beginning of the series because she has a fascinating backstory. I was totally pulled into her investment in Park. He was a sweetheart, and their HEA is just perfect.

[Angie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Parker and Madison have such a history together. Loved the Happy Endings Book Club gals. This book had you hoping that Park and Mad could have their own happy ending. The friends and family of Mad's are great!

[Jane Drager · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intense story with an awful lot of subplots, namely unrequited love, unrecognized love, and false love. You name it. Well written with strong characters. Sexual situations. Use of F word. Happily ever after ending.

[April Neal · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hot Mad

Sassy, strong and madly in love with Park. Mad is going to need all the help she can get if she wants to be successful in opening Parks eyes to the love they have. Another great read. Love the friendship support.