I Knew You Were Trouble: A YA sapphic grumpy x sunshine romance meets high-stakes thriller - Softcover

Simmonds, J. L.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0241708168 ISBN 13: 9780241708163

Publisher: Penguin, 2026

Synopsis

She's trying to solve a murder. Not fall for the girl she just met.

From the author of Run Away With Me comes a YA sapphic grumpy x sunshine romance combined with a high-stakes scavenger hunt thriller, set against the backdrop of New York City. Perfect for fans of Casey McQuiston’s queer love stories and Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ twisty, puzzle-filled mysteries.

Kendra Walker is no stranger to the criminal underworld. Trained from young to take over the family antique business, she’s well aware they specialize in trading stolen goods. So when Kendra’s mom is ‘accidentally’ killed on the streets of New York, she suspects foul play.

Months later, Alice De Lacy Mulligan visits Walker Antiques, searching for jewelry burgled from her family home. Frustrated by the police’s inaction, she’s committed to scouring every antique and pawn shop in the city.

Kendra remembers the jewelry but finds it missing from the safe. With no record of sale and only a mysterious ticket for a Grand Central Station tour left behind, Kendra soon realizes her mom created a scavenger hunt across New York that she needs to follow and solve. Could there be a connection between the jewelry and her mom’s murder?

Joining forces with Alice, the girls work to solve the mystery. But it soon becomes apparent an infamous crime mob are interested in locating the jewelry too. Forced to use their wits and skills to stay one step ahead, the girls grow closer. But with Kendra at risk of meeting the same fate as her mom, how long will their romance last?

PRAISE FOR J. L. SIMMONDS' RUN AWAY WITH ME:

‘Bold and romantic, Run Away With Me is a road trip thriller that starts at high speed and doesn’t let up.’ Erik J. Brown, author of All That’s Left in the World

‘A thrilling joy ride of unexpected twists and turns.’ Benjamin Dean, author of How to Die Famous

‘A thrilling, evocative coming-of-age story. I devoured it.’ Cynthia Murphy, author of Win Lose Kill Die

‘Run Away With Me is the emotionally – and literally – high-stakes road trip book I never knew I needed. Buckle up, because you’re in for one heck of a ride.’ Kayvion Lewis, author of Thieves’ Gambit

‘Don't start Run Away With Me late at night as you won't be able to stop reading. A sublime debut. A perfectly executed road trip romance with lots of thrills.’ Elle McNicoll, author of Some Like it Cold

‘What a ride! What a thrilling, soulful, life-affirming ride!’ Simon James Green, author of Noah Can’t Even

‘Jessie and Brooke are a modern day Thelma and Louise. I raced through this book! The tension, the adventure, the swoon – a brilliant debut!’ Abiola Bello, author of Love in Winter Wonderland

‘Run Away With Me is a high octane coming-of-age YA romantic thriller. A read-in-one-sitting, turbo charged drive across America that will have your heart pounding and your pulse racing right till the very last page.’ A. J. Clack, author of Lie or Die

About this title

About the Author

J. L. Simmonds grew up by the seaside but now lives in Bristol. She studied English Literature and worked in marketing and communications for ten years before returning to Bath Spa for her MA in Writing for Young People. She writes joyful LGBTQ+ YA, bad poetry and text messages with too many emojis. Her debut novel, Run Away with Me, published in June 2025.

Edition details

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 2026
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0241708168
• ISBN 13: 9780241708163
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 352