Borrowing Blue

A Made Marian Novel

By: Lucy Lennox

Narrated by: Michael Dean

Length: 8 hrs and 55 mins

Publisher's summary

Blue: When my ex walks into the resort bar with his new husband on his arm, I want nothing more than to prove to him that I've moved on. Thankfully, the sexy stranger sitting next to me is more than willing to share a few kisses in the name of revenge. It gets even better when those scorching kisses turn into a night of fiery passion.

The only problem? Turns out the stranger's brother is marrying my sister later this week.

Tristan: I have one rule: no messing with the guests at my vineyard resort. Of course, the one exception I make turns out to be the brother of the woman my brother's about to marry. Now we're stuck together for a week of wedding activities, and there's no avoiding the heat burning between us.

So fine, we make a deal: one week. One week to enjoy each other's bodies and get it out of our system. Once the bride and groom say I do and we become family, it'll all be over between us. Right?

Fair warning: Blue and Tristan's story contains smoking hot scenes of man parts touching, pee-in-pants descriptions of grannies cursing, and the sweet improbability of two strangers finding their happily ever after when they least expect it.

Borrowing Blue is the first in the new Made Marian series. Each book tells the story of one of the Marian brothers' search for true love and can be listened to as standalone or as part of the series.

©2016 Lucy Lennox (P)2016 Lucy Lennox

Good story but.....

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Yes, the story is well written, fun, and the narration by Michael Pauly is top notch.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Borrowing Blue?

The bar scene when the two main characters meet for the first time. This scene sets the pace for the rest of the book.

Which character – as performed by Michael Pauley – was your favorite?

Tristan, he was the most complex of the bunch and that's saying a lot.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Another gay movie with good looking white privileged men that have no real problems.

Any additional comments?

I liked the story, it was fun and the narration took it to another level. The problem I have is the main characters; while likable it's the same old tired formula: two successful and incredibly good looking white guys, with amazing bodies, great personalities find each other and make a connection in their perfect privileged worlds. Throw in some trivial self-worth obstacles to make them seem like their three-dimensional and you've got another white-washed story about gay true love. Way to mix it up folks.

✫✫ 4 Stars ✫✫

Oh I love a really sweet MM romance and this one was that. When it started I wasn't sure if it was going to be for me because I'm not a big fan of GFY but this felt genuine and the characters stole my heart. I will be continuing this series for sure.

The narration was good.

Utterly charming!

Any additional comments?

I was utterly charmed by both the story and the narration. I liked both Blue and Tristan very much. I loved that even though this is a super fast insta-love sort of story, I totally bought into it.

But, most of all, I absolutely adored Michael Pauley’s narration. Terrific character voices, good pacing, and he’s brilliant at conveying the emotional moments. I just loved the narration!

If you like Alexa Land and/or like stories with big families, zany older folks (behaving sometimes completely inappropriately), humor, lots of hot sex, low angst, and oodles of romance…then you need to check this out.

As for me, I’m definitely going to pick up the second in the series and whispersync the deal to get Michael Pauley’s audio performance as well.

A- rating overall

My Review:
Overall: 4.25
Performance: 4.5
Story: 4.0


This is the first book I've read by this author and I really liked it. On the surface, this is not a romance that should happen. Tristan isn't gay...at least not that he's ever admitted. Yes, he did a bit of experimentation in college, but then he met his wife, and then the interest in men was never there...until Blue.

Blue is at Tristan's vineyard for his brother's wedding. He immediately is drawn to Tristan, but doesn't understand how Tristan can be so new to all this, but yet so accepting and adventurous about it all. Note...I kind of loved that about Tristan. He really is a laidback guy who's up for anything.

The book was fun. The setting was incredible...hello, sexy vineyard. The dichotomy of both families being here was interesting, especially in the contrasts between Tristan's and Blue's acceptance. I loved the whole Marian clan and can see how this series is setting up so well. Note: the scenes that make up Tristan's 'coming out' were hilarious and unexpected. I kept laughing out loud.

I liked this one and am immediately going to go grab book #2.

Introducing...The Marian Clan

Would you listen to Borrowing Blue again? Why?

Yes, I would listen to Borrowing Blue again. It was a fantastic story and beginning to a franchise. This review comes after listening to the first 3 books in this franchise. The outcome of this book is pretty predictable, but it's really good getting there.

Who was your favorite character and why?

Blue is my favorite character in this book. I connected with him and his reactions to everything happening in his life. I really like how Blue is pretty much the central character of the family.

Which scene was your favorite?

I liked when Blue finally finds out Tristan's connection to Simone and the wedding.

If you could rename Borrowing Blue, what would you call it?

I wouldn't change the name of the book.

Any additional comments?

I think that this story is a great listen. It's an easy listen with a happy ending. It's a great introduction to a large family, all with a story to tell.

So HOT & SWEET...a favorite listen! ❤️❤️

Audiobook Nov 2020:
This must be my 4th listen to one of my all time comfort books. I still love it to pieces ❤️❤️


Original audiobook review Jan 2017:
Hot hot hot!,

"I kissed a boy and I liked it."

And boy, did he ever like it! This is the very sweet, very sexy story of straight Tristan and heartbroken Blue. A surprise kiss changes both of their lives. The novel is not full of angst nor drama. The MCs are so damned likeable that I didn't really miss the big lack of conflict in the story. Together Tristan and Blue are smoking hot!

I listened to most of this novel on audiobook and I have to tell you that Michael Dean’s voice is so sexy it should be illegal. Really.

A fun, hot read! I can't wait to read the next two books in the series.

Starts out great, the last 3/4 was a mix

I loved how this story started out, but the rest of the book was a struggle. The story itself had the potential of being fine, but I found a few significant distractions. First, I don’t see why 2 people who are so in love, miss no opportunity to call each other MFers, or a**holes, or say f***y**. It’s continual. And Blue had a tendency to overreact, and if he got really upset, which happened a number of times, to literally turn around and run away. Really? Who, over the age of 4 does that? Also, after the first 10 or 12 sex scenes, I started skipping over them because they got boring. Even with all this, there were some good parts to the last 3/4 of the book, but I wouldn’t have spent the credit.

This was my first Lucy Lennox book, and I don’t know if I’ll read another.

Great story, bad audio

As much as I love this author, I tried giving the full book a listen, and I just couldn't get into it. The voice sounds almost like a Mac robot reader, but somehow even more into the uncanny valley at points: Certain vowels are extended, and the tone wiggles in ways I've only heard a robot speak. White at other points in the dialogue it does sound like "Michael Pauley" is a real person, and that it might just be the editing that's made the robotic sounding word endings. It distracts greatly from my ability to enjoy the story.

what a great story with sweet characters!

I loved it! romantic and sweet with enough family drama to relate to all of us. never have I experienced the "laugh out loud" moments as I did with this story. looking forward to more Marian!

I Kissed A Boy & I Liked It!

What a sweet contemporary fake-boyfriend romance set in Napa, the wine country of California.

The setting of the story, being that it’s supposed to be a wedding, was perfect. It also set the intimate, “secluded bubble” that allowed Blue and Tristan to get to know each other better. Blue was there for his sister’s wedding and Tristan was too, his brother is the groom. Oh and Tristan owns the vineyard!

The clincher was Blue’s ex, Jeremy was invited to the wedding too & Jeremy brought his new boy toy to the event. Tristan met Blue during those story-defining moments. The first scene of the book is exactly this.
Seeing your ex with a new guy, Blue sitting there trying to keep his wits about him, talking to a handsome straight stranger. One thing lead to another and there was a kiss and well.. the story unfolds.

It was such an enjoyable listen. No unnecessary drama between characters, Blue’s insecurities were relatable and Tristan’s steady presence was so comforting. What I love more about their story is that these two actually communicate. They talk it out, even when it’s not the easiest thing to do.

Blue came from a big, warm and loving family. It’s such a contrast with Tristan’s smaller one and how his mom and his brother are homophobes. His dad was aight.
I love stories with big families filled with zany characters. They make the best hysterical moments.

Of course, there’s also family drama. But Blue and Tristan managed to overcome those, albeit shakily at first.

The pace of this one was perfect. The resolution of a major challenge Blue and Tristan were facing was carried out well. It did not feel rushed and it was just as how it should be.

Michael Dean’s narration gave this book life. The characters’ voices were distinct and the narration was well done.

What a fun, sweet and romantic story. I’m late to the Made Marian party but I’m here for it now. All of it.

A joy to listen to

This was excellent full of tropey pretend boyfriend goodness and just enough angst to make you worry about the boys getting their HEA. The narrator handles the story with gusto and distinctive voices for all concerned.
Will definitely be picking up the next book in the series.

Enthralling

This series is really enjoyable and I love the way each book, character and background intertwine. You do start feeling like one of the Marian family...or wishing to be a part of it. It’s easy to associate yourself with certain characters. The narration is wonderful and bolsters each character so well that they bounce out of the book and into your imagination.

Fanstatic

What did you like most about Borrowing Blue?

It was gripping right from the very start really great sex scenes within the book got me hard on more than one occasion, really great caring and balance within this book

What was one of the most memorable moments of Borrowing Blue?

The sex

What about Michael Pauley’s performance did you like?

the lot

Insta-love but it works for this story.

A fun and passionate tale with some angst. OTT at times and I anticipated some plot points, but it kept my attention.

Wonderfully narrated by Michael Pauley. He made a clear distinction between Blue and Tristan and matched his voices to the personalities of these two men.

Loved it

I have never really taken to audio books but I've had a few days of waiting outside college to pick up my son so thought I'd try this one and it completely hooked me. I was particularly impressed with the way the narrator was able to make each character unique without trying too hard

Love in a vineyard

loved this story. another fab write from Lucy and brill narration by Michael. 5 stars

You will fall in love with this family

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Absolutely, this family will make you fall in love with them and you won't be able to get enough

What was one of the most memorable moments of Borrowing Blue?

You will not only love the main characters, but ALL the side characters as well.

What does Michael Pauley bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you had only read the book?

He really brings these characters to life. It felt as if you were there.

Did you have an emotional reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I had many moments where I just burst into laughter. People thought I was mad

Loved it. Totally.

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

Oh yes. I loved the feel of the voices of both the main characters.

What did you like best about this story?

I felt the story could see it when you hear it. loved it.

Have you listened to any of Michael Pauley’s other performances? How does this one compare?

First one I have heard and now im on Lost and found.

If you made a film of this book, what would be the tag line be?

Banging blue.

Any additional comments?

Lucy am so proud of you, for your first year you have come so far and a total inspiration for other writers. You knocked it out the ball park and a tough act to follow. Blue sounded just like I expected. great team well done <3

Loved it!

I absolutely love this series. I have read them multiple times. However, this audiobook brings a new life to the story. More than happy to recommend.

Love by accident

A fun story of two strangers who meet and instantly click with all the fun and snark only to discover they're in the same wedding party. Featuring coming out, horrible exes, and homophobic family members.

The narration is good until it gets to the parts where the characters speak French. I speak French and the phrases were so mangled I couldn't even recognize the language used let alone what was said. It really pulled me out of the story.