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Truly in Trouble
Not yet published
Expected 24 Mar 26Luke and Hazel don't have a lot in common, except for the word no.
He hasn't heard one from a woman yet.
She has trouble saying one to anyone who needs her help.
But Hazel is in a pickle—her past keeps turning up uninvited. So when Luke offers her a half-baked proposition beneficial to both, against her better judgment, Hazel agrees.
What starts as a simple favour becomes an ill-advised trip to Portugal, layered banter between found family and an attraction
they're both resisting like hell. As secrets surface and feelings complicate, both must confront their fears and past wounds to determine whether opening up to love is worth the trouble it might bring, because the rules both of them have lived by don't seem to fit anymore.
Truly in Trouble is a heartfelt story about taking chances, embracing uncertainty and the courage it takes to choose something you want—especially when you've spent years convincing yourself you don't need it.
About what happens when two people see each other for exactly who they're trying to hide.
Because falling in love isn't the hard part.
Choosing to stay is.
For anyone who's ever fallen for someone at exactly the wrong time-and hoped they'd stay anyway.
He hasn't heard one from a woman yet.
She has trouble saying one to anyone who needs her help.
But Hazel is in a pickle—her past keeps turning up uninvited. So when Luke offers her a half-baked proposition beneficial to both, against her better judgment, Hazel agrees.
What starts as a simple favour becomes an ill-advised trip to Portugal, layered banter between found family and an attraction
they're both resisting like hell. As secrets surface and feelings complicate, both must confront their fears and past wounds to determine whether opening up to love is worth the trouble it might bring, because the rules both of them have lived by don't seem to fit anymore.
Truly in Trouble is a heartfelt story about taking chances, embracing uncertainty and the courage it takes to choose something you want—especially when you've spent years convincing yourself you don't need it.
About what happens when two people see each other for exactly who they're trying to hide.
Because falling in love isn't the hard part.
Choosing to stay is.
For anyone who's ever fallen for someone at exactly the wrong time-and hoped they'd stay anyway.
472 pages, Paperback
Expected publication March 24, 2026
2 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Madeleine Pines
1 book5 followersHi! I’m Maddie. I love love—so naturally, that’s what I write about. But it's not just the dreamy kind of love. I write about the messy, complicated love, about the you-can-break-me-but-you-can't-take-away-how-much-I-love-life kind of love. Ahh, I love those (too much love? ok, Im gonna stop.)
But I also can’t live without laughter, sarcasm, and finding humor in life’s chaos, so my stories often carry a playful twist alongside the heart. They’re about being brave enough to feel every emotion we humans are capable of and somehow surviving them.
When I’m not writing, you can usually find me talking to my one plant (the rest of them seem to die somehow), collecting more books than I could ever read, or pretending I have time to read them anyway. Life is slow, but busy here in Wales with my husband and our baby boy, but somehow, between the chaos and the coffee, I still find time to dream, laugh, and write stories that make me love (sorry) life.
But I also can’t live without laughter, sarcasm, and finding humor in life’s chaos, so my stories often carry a playful twist alongside the heart. They’re about being brave enough to feel every emotion we humans are capable of and somehow surviving them.
When I’m not writing, you can usually find me talking to my one plant (the rest of them seem to die somehow), collecting more books than I could ever read, or pretending I have time to read them anyway. Life is slow, but busy here in Wales with my husband and our baby boy, but somehow, between the chaos and the coffee, I still find time to dream, laugh, and write stories that make me love (sorry) life.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
March 11, 2026
Save this book for your next summer vacation or beach days ☀️🏖️
I really enjoyed the easy language and the smooth, flowing storyline. I found myself comparing me to Hazel quite often and thinking about how I would act in the same situations. It made the story very easy to connect with.
Luke, on the other hand, didn’t completely convince me. I wasn’t really rooting for them as a couple. For someone who is supposed to be such a complex character, he sometimes felt a bit too soft and considerate. And the fact that he knows Taylor Swift’s song lyrics… who is this man?
What I loved the most, though, was the whole group of friends. Their dynamic was amazing and honestly made me wish I could join their friend group.
P.S. The ending was very dramatic — didn’t expect that 😅
I really enjoyed the easy language and the smooth, flowing storyline. I found myself comparing me to Hazel quite often and thinking about how I would act in the same situations. It made the story very easy to connect with.
Luke, on the other hand, didn’t completely convince me. I wasn’t really rooting for them as a couple. For someone who is supposed to be such a complex character, he sometimes felt a bit too soft and considerate. And the fact that he knows Taylor Swift’s song lyrics… who is this man?
What I loved the most, though, was the whole group of friends. Their dynamic was amazing and honestly made me wish I could join their friend group.
P.S. The ending was very dramatic — didn’t expect that 😅
Review of advance copy received from Author
this book... I am absolutely obsessed.
First of all, I would have never guessed that this is a debut novel with how well it was written, how well the story flows, the plot is perfect, and the romance is beautiful. I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to read an arc copy of this book.
Hazel and Luke both have a lot of family grief, and they both deal with it in different ways. But honestly, they both deal with it like adults. I didn't dislike how either of the characters reacted to anything during the novel, it seemed very mature and never once annoyed me (which sometimes happens with other books). I loved the way they loved each other. I loved reading them both fall for each other more and more with each look they had. The spice was perfectly done, not too much and the slow burn was done perfectly imo. They had such good flirting throughout the whole book too... ugh.
I loved the plot, I loved the build up with them, I loved the friend group & her best friends. I loved getting to see a bit of their family backgrounds in some scenes. This book had me crying near the end. This book had me on the edge of my seat and wanting more and more.
Thank you for writing such a well done book. Congratulations on your debut novel, I absolutely cannot wait for another book to be released by her. Thank you for being a 5 star read for me.
Favourite quotes:
"People often say love is enough. Enough for what? Enough for a week, a month? To stop the ache? TO keep someone from leaving? Maybe for a while."
"I tried to get Luke's handsome smile and strong jawlines out of my head before turning into a teenage girl with a One Direction poster."
"You look like fall." "You look like the sea."
"B.r.e.a.t.h.t.a.k.i.n.g."
"Thank you was the closest we allowed ourselves to feel"
"Meeting you." - this part killed me.
First of all, I would have never guessed that this is a debut novel with how well it was written, how well the story flows, the plot is perfect, and the romance is beautiful. I am so grateful to have gotten the opportunity to read an arc copy of this book.
Hazel and Luke both have a lot of family grief, and they both deal with it in different ways. But honestly, they both deal with it like adults. I didn't dislike how either of the characters reacted to anything during the novel, it seemed very mature and never once annoyed me (which sometimes happens with other books). I loved the way they loved each other. I loved reading them both fall for each other more and more with each look they had. The spice was perfectly done, not too much and the slow burn was done perfectly imo. They had such good flirting throughout the whole book too... ugh.
I loved the plot, I loved the build up with them, I loved the friend group & her best friends. I loved getting to see a bit of their family backgrounds in some scenes. This book had me crying near the end. This book had me on the edge of my seat and wanting more and more.
Thank you for writing such a well done book. Congratulations on your debut novel, I absolutely cannot wait for another book to be released by her. Thank you for being a 5 star read for me.
Favourite quotes:
"People often say love is enough. Enough for what? Enough for a week, a month? To stop the ache? TO keep someone from leaving? Maybe for a while."
"I tried to get Luke's handsome smile and strong jawlines out of my head before turning into a teenage girl with a One Direction poster."
"You look like fall." "You look like the sea."
"B.r.e.a.t.h.t.a.k.i.n.g."
"Thank you was the closest we allowed ourselves to feel"
"Meeting you." - this part killed me.
Review of advance copy received from Author
**I received an ARC from the author and this is an honest review. Thank you Madeleine!!**
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am actually screaming a little bit over this one.
This being a debut?? From an author who has never published before?? I’m genuinely in shock because what do you MEAN this is your first book?! Madeleine Pines came out swinging and she did not miss.
Truly in Trouble completely exceeded my expectations. The tension was there, the chemistry was there, and I was hooked almost immediately. I kept thinking “okay just one more chapter” and suddenly it was 3AM and my eyeballs hurt but I was in way too deep and fully emotionally invested lol. So much so that I had to find the author on IG and figure out where the heck I could preorder a copy 😭
The characters were real and layered, and their connection built in a way that made everything hit harder. I love reading from multiple points of view. Luke and Hazel were perfect. I get so annoyed reading the same love story over and over, but this was refreshing. There was trauma that was real and relatable. Found family. Banter. Lovey moments that made my eyes water. A healthy amount of GOOD spice, but not over the top. All the things you want in a romance book.
But truly, I cannot get over the fact that this is a debut. The writing felt confident, detailed, and so easy to fall into. It never felt clunky or unsure. This is the kind of book that makes you excited to watch an author’s career unfold because if this is the starting point? Girl whatever comes next, I’m here for it. 👏🏻
Absolutely a 5 star read. No notes. Just happiness and a little bit of emotional attachment. 🩷 GO PICK THIS BOOK UP!!
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
I am actually screaming a little bit over this one.
This being a debut?? From an author who has never published before?? I’m genuinely in shock because what do you MEAN this is your first book?! Madeleine Pines came out swinging and she did not miss.
Truly in Trouble completely exceeded my expectations. The tension was there, the chemistry was there, and I was hooked almost immediately. I kept thinking “okay just one more chapter” and suddenly it was 3AM and my eyeballs hurt but I was in way too deep and fully emotionally invested lol. So much so that I had to find the author on IG and figure out where the heck I could preorder a copy 😭
The characters were real and layered, and their connection built in a way that made everything hit harder. I love reading from multiple points of view. Luke and Hazel were perfect. I get so annoyed reading the same love story over and over, but this was refreshing. There was trauma that was real and relatable. Found family. Banter. Lovey moments that made my eyes water. A healthy amount of GOOD spice, but not over the top. All the things you want in a romance book.
But truly, I cannot get over the fact that this is a debut. The writing felt confident, detailed, and so easy to fall into. It never felt clunky or unsure. This is the kind of book that makes you excited to watch an author’s career unfold because if this is the starting point? Girl whatever comes next, I’m here for it. 👏🏻
Absolutely a 5 star read. No notes. Just happiness and a little bit of emotional attachment. 🩷 GO PICK THIS BOOK UP!!
Review of advance copy
This book was fun, had a little adventure, a little protective MMC, and a little FMC finding her voice again. The FMC was happy in her life and didn't need a knight to come save her, but even independent people need a helping hand and won't ask for it. She had some personal things going on in her life that made her help avoidant, and the MMC had some personal issues that made him love avoidant, a match made in heaven.
I enjoyed that both parties didn't go out searching for love, there was no heartbreak (due to unrequited love anyways), but they found each other anyways. They left as friends (who found attraction...) and came back as heartbroken friends, and eventually in love! The ending, while a little surprising, wasn't a crazy shock to me, it felt like it was being set up for a large portion of the book, but still made me say, no way! Would be willing to read the next book for sure!
I enjoyed that both parties didn't go out searching for love, there was no heartbreak (due to unrequited love anyways), but they found each other anyways. They left as friends (who found attraction...) and came back as heartbroken friends, and eventually in love! The ending, while a little surprising, wasn't a crazy shock to me, it felt like it was being set up for a large portion of the book, but still made me say, no way! Would be willing to read the next book for sure!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Review of advance copy received from Author
Knowing the fact that this is author’s first published book, I was mesmerized by how good and smooth the storyline was. It felt like reading any other author’s 50th book in this genre. The plots, emotions, spiciness, AND ending… When I tell u I was LOCKED IN! The ending made me want to continue to read more but… WHERE’S THE REST?!?! I need answers NOW!! I will definitely be looking forward for more publishings from this author. Really recommend this book 🤌 The story had a bit of everything what makes a story good and all together satisfied my little brain
I hope author is not allergic to gluten because the author deserves not just any cookie, but a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie that melts in your mouth, for such a great first book 🍪
I hope author is not allergic to gluten because the author deserves not just any cookie, but a warm, gooey chocolate chip cookie that melts in your mouth, for such a great first book 🍪
Review of advance copy received from Author
I. LOVED. IT. Hazel is incredibly relatable - I found myself rooting for her from the very first page.❤️ If you like Emily Henry you sure will love Madeleine Pines. Truly in Trouble will absolutely get you into trouble - so clear your schedule, because once you start, you won’t be able to put it down.
Review of advance copy received from Author
💥arc review💥
this was such a good read. Hazel is a very relatable character for me and I loved seeing her develop through the book.
this was such a good read. Hazel is a very relatable character for me and I loved seeing her develop through the book.
Review of advance copy received from Author
This was such a cute little romance.
Although that ending definitely turned it into a form of a mystery.
I is definitely a fun read.
Thank you for the ARC.
Although that ending definitely turned it into a form of a mystery.
I is definitely a fun read.
Thank you for the ARC.
Review of advance copy
OMG that ending! Please tell us we are getting more on Mady!
Acquaintance to friend to lover. I was all in for Hazel and Luke's story, but a friend group that makes you also want to know all of their stories is where it's at. Hope we get more!
Acquaintance to friend to lover. I was all in for Hazel and Luke's story, but a friend group that makes you also want to know all of their stories is where it's at. Hope we get more!
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews