Brody and Charlene have their work cut out running the Golden Glove restaurant. A bad hiring move has garnered them a scathing review and while they've got a new chef it remains to be seen if they can turn the publicity around. ALONG CAME TROUBLE starts as they organise a relaunch. Brody McDermott is the manager of his hands-off father's business, while Charlene, a good friend, is assistant manager. They've fed the small town of Trouble, Wyoming for just over a decade, but times change.

The photographer who arrives is female and Brody finds her oh, so attractive. Elisa Cardoso accepts a Caesar salad but isn't very impressed with the temperamental chef. She does return Brody's interest, and seriously considers a date. However she's determined to take travel shots, and a few days later gets an assignment from Time Magazine to go to Mongolia. Sounds perfect! Meanwhile diners have complained about the Golden Glove on websites, and Brody's father decides to fire the chef. How much more trouble can Brody have? Then Anthony, their bartender, turns out to have an unexpected and self-taught flair with food preparation. He's quite shy, a coloured ex-army pilot, and takes some persuading to step in among the sous-chefs. And Brody's father tells his son that this is his last chance.

There were almost too many situations erupting at once, with Brody's young son needing care because his ex-wife was busy, Elisa stepping in, and various other family members getting introduced. Elisa has an issue with a website selling her images and not giving her payment. All this means it can be hard to focus on the developing relationship between Brody and Elisa, which becomes an adult romance doomed to separation as Elisa takes on the challenge of work on the other side of the world. Can Brody sort out his troubles and decide if the photographer means enough to him to leave Trouble behind?

Erin Kern has built a busy modern picture of her town, and peopled it with lively individuals. I liked Elisa who knew her technical photography and had reachable ambitions beyond small-paying shoots, but cared enough to help out friends by babysitting when she hadn't a clue about kids. Try ALONG CAME TROUBLE for a good introduction to this author and an enjoyable read.