Jump to ratings and reviews
Rate this book

Trouble in the Making

Rate this book
Johnny Trouble. He’s a commanding presence in leather and tattoos, both on stage and off. He’s had more than his fair share of groupies and lovers, but it’s time for a change. He reconnects with the woman whose memory has driven him crazy since high school. Liz.
She’s a quiet, shy romance author who likes her comfort zones. But when Johnny comes back into her life, Liz’s lust-filled private fantasies shift into overdrive and she nervously asks him to fulfill them.
Just one weekend is all she proposes, but the sparks flying between them aren’t temporary. She’s the particular brand of trouble he wants in his bed, bent over or crawling all over him. Forever. A Romantica® contemporary erotic romance from Ellora’s Cave

156 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 3, 2013

2 people are currently reading
202 people want to read

About the author

Lissa Matthews

71 books423 followers

Ratings & Reviews

What do you think?
Rate this book

Friends & Following

Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!

Community Reviews

5 stars
9 (13%)
4 stars
15 (22%)
3 stars
30 (44%)
2 stars
9 (13%)
1 star
4 (5%)
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews
Profile Image for Rain Hart.
177 reviews161 followers
May 14, 2013
Johnny and Liz have known each other since high school. But, they weren't in touch, and met again at the high school reunion twenty years later. One kiss, and five years of talking, chatting, emailing bring them where they are now. And they are about to fulfill one particular fantasy. It's suppose to be just one-weekend-stand... like that ever actually worked!

Trouble in the Making is a short, hot read. It's got all the right elements - friends to lovers theme; hot, long-haired, tattooed rock star; a bit shy, Plain Jane type of heroine... and they are both over 40! That was my favorite part!

Maybe it's me... maybe I just wasn't in the right mood at the time, but... Despite all things mentioned, that sound really awesome, it kinda felt just too... average, I guess. I kept thinking there's something missing. Something that would help this story be way better.
Well, it's still great, if you're up for a light, hot one!
Profile Image for Simply Love Book Reviews.
7,046 reviews870 followers
June 19, 2013
Slick‘s review posted on Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Review copy provided for an honest review

4.5 STARS

I have to say that I really enjoy books about aging rock stars, maybe it’s because the musicians Ilistened to in high school and college are all to that point, or maybe it’s because it’s interesting to see how their lives change as they move from being the one everyone is talking about to the one sometimes mentioned in the gossip rags. What I loved about Lissa Matthew’s Johnny Trouble from Trouble In The Making is that he’s accepted his star isn’t burning so brightly anymore and he’s okay with that, in fact he’s ready to move on but now he has to convince the woman he’d like to move on with that he’s a good risk. It was fun to watch this man who has pretty much gotten everything he’s wanted over the last 20 years have to work to prove his worth to the somewhat shy romance author, Liz.

Liz and Johnny have known each other since high school. Liz along with every other girl in school had a crush on Johnny but she was his friend, his confidant. As Johnny moved on and became famous they lost touch but at their reunion 5 years ago, they reconnected and have kept in contact ever since. Now Liz has decided she wants Johnny to teach her about great sex and to provide some inspiration for her work. Johnny’s agreed but he wants more and he plans to get it.

I really loved these characters. Johnny is just so larger than life with his long hair, tattoos, and leather. He seems so full of himself but we learn there’s a whole other side to him and it’s refreshing to see. I love that he thinks Liz is sexy even when she’s dressed in sloppy clothes and no make-up. The fact that he sees all of her is quite telling of the man he wants to be for her. Liz has always wanted Johnny and she loves all of him and she quite readily admits that the tats and leather turn her on. I honestly think that surprised Johnny a little but he’s willing to show that side of himself to her as well as his private side.

Liz goes into their weekend thinking that’s all it’s going to be but Johnny is playing for keeps. It was so fun to watch these two spontaneous combust together. Johnny’s confidence that the sex will keep Liz around so he can work on her and Liz thinking there’s no way she’ll ever be enough for Johnny makes for some very entertaining scenes. It was refreshing to see an older couple enjoying each other and helping each other obtain the balance in their lives they both so desperately needed.

I can’t say enough good things about Trouble In The Making; the characters were intriguing, the plot entertaining, the love scenes stimulating, and the ending satisfying. In this book Lissa has managed to help us see past the glitter and glam of being in the public eye and shown us that underneath, most people want what everyone else has someone who understands, needs, and loves them for the person they are
Profile Image for Nina.
606 reviews56 followers
June 1, 2013
*ARC provided by the publisher, Ellora's Cave, in exchange for an honest review.

*3.5 Stars*

I've read several of Lissa Matthews works in the past & have enjoyed them. When Trouble in the Making released, I just had to read it. Plus, I love the sexy cover and the blurb. I won't go into the summary of the story since the blurb summarized it perfectly so I'll just dive into my review.

Honestly, it was a little hard for me to get into the first part of the story. It was harder for me to connect with the characters. The story started out with Liz and Johnny meeting and then going straight to the sex. At that point, I was worried that this was just going to be purely sex with no story. But, I continued reading and was glad I stuck it out. I actually enjoyed the second half of the story so much more.

Liz and Johnny's relationship was explored more in depth during the second part of the story and I enjoyed their playful banter and open communication. They were complete opposites with Liz being an introvert and Johnny being an extrovert who was also a larger than life rock star, yet they complemented each other well. Johnny was really very sweet in his ways with Liz. Liz was doubtful that they could have a relationship because of the two different worlds that they live in, but Johnny was very convincing in showing her that they belonged together.

At first I couldn't feel the chemistry between Liz and Johnny. That was a part of the reason why I didn't enjoy the first half of the story. However, as the story progressed sparks were flying and it became clear that Liz and Johnny were compatible. The sex was hot and even naughty with spanking and anal play involved ;)

Overall, Trouble in the Making was a cute, fun, playful, and erotic friends to lovers story that I enjoyed. The storyline was typical and not very different, but it still entertained me nonetheless. I'll recommend Trouble in the Making to fans of erotic romance who are looking for a light and short read to pass the time.
Profile Image for Romancing the Book.
4,420 reviews221 followers
October 29, 2013
Reviewed by Melissa D
Book provided by Ellora’s Cave
Review originally posted at Romancing the Book

Trouble is the Making by Lissa Matthews is not part of a series yet but I hope we get to see these characters again in the future. I would love to know what the future hold for these two. I chose this book because of the summery. It was interesting and I wanted to see if the book lived up to the summery or not. Boy did it!

Liz is not what I expected she is quiet and shy. She is what I would expect a romance author would be. Therefore, when she propositioned him it seemed out of the norm for her. She has known Johnny since high school and always had a crush on him but when they reconnect at their high school reunion, they become friends again.

Johnny is a rocker complete with leather and tattoos and long hair. Johnny seems grateful to Liz to proposition him because now he gets to act on his feelings for her. I loved that he did not come with the ego that many celebrities seem to have and he thought Liz was sexy even when she was in messy clothes.

The chemistry between Liz and Johnny was scorching hot. These two are a great match for each other. They can communicate with each other very well, a benefit of their friendship over the years. The sex scenes were amazing and realistic.

Nothing could have made this story any better than it was I just wished it was longer than the 93 pages it was. I loved it. It was the right mix of hot and sexy. I also like that the characters were very down to earth. Overall, I loved this story. I really hot we get to see these characters again in the future.
272 reviews2 followers
July 20, 2014
Friends since their days in high school, Johnny Trouble went on to become a world famous rock star with all the groupies, tattoos, and leather anyone could imagine. Liz made her dreams come true as well with a successful career as a romance author.

Over the years the platonic friendship flourished. After seeing each other at their high school reunion feelings changed, maybe it was time to take a chance on something more between them. Definitely the more reticent of the pair, it is Liz nonetheless who asks Johnny to meet her for a weekend of pleasure, no strings attached. Only thing is, Johnny wants more. Seeing Liz again at the reunion made Johnny realize they are meant to be. Convincing skittish Liz will take finesse. Then again Johnny didn’t earn his name by accident.

A matter of patience and seduction win out in Trouble in the Making. Liz takes a leap and leaves her comfort zone in this sexy story. Their long time friendship develops over the years and takes a step both secretly want. Johnny and Liz mature to the point where Trouble in the Making becomes a serious adult relationship. All the promise of love shines in this sexy romance.

This book was reviewed by Lisa for Joyfully Reviewed (JR), and was provided by the publisher/author at no cost to JR for the purpose of being reviewed.
805 reviews
April 22, 2013
Johnny Trouble and Liz have known each other since High School. Liz had a crush on him and his leather back then but Johnny kept his distance from Liz. Both went on with life after High School only to meet again at their 20th class reunion. One kiss sparked something. After 5 years of Johnny “wooing” Liz. Liz stepped out of her comfort zone and asked Johnny to spend one weekend with her to fulfill her fantasies. To which Johnny was all on board to do and more.

This was hot and steamy and all I can say is WOW! The “price of admission” to his hotel room was oh my! I loved the fact that Johnny made Liz make the first moves, tell him what she wanted, gave her the opportunity to back out and pulled her out of her shyness.
1,354 reviews
June 21, 2013
I enjoyed the premise of this book very much. I like friends to lovers stories, and having a rock star fall in love with a bookworm was just icing on the cake. The writing fell a little flat for me. I wanted to feel more of what Johnny and Liz were feeling. Their sex scenes were hot, but very repetitive. Liz and Johnny were 40-somethings and yet sometimes they came across as much younger. Likeable characters and a good storyline weren’t quite enough to allow this book to live up to my expectations.

Full review here.
Profile Image for Emily.
5,832 reviews543 followers
July 3, 2013
Rock and Roll superstar Johnny Trouble is one lucky man. His closest friend Liz has asked for one weekend of no holds barred sex, stepping out of her comfort zone. Johnny is in love with Liz and although she doesn’t realize it, when he saw her again at their class reunion, he has been slowly courting her for the last five years. Now with all the assurance that the feelings are mutual, Johnny has a plan to keep Liz by his side forever.

Full review on Sensual Reads
http://sensualreads.com/?p=12211
Profile Image for Brianna (The Book Vixen).
678 reviews6 followers
December 21, 2018
DNF

Got 14% into the book before deciding not to finish. I couldn't get into the story; it wasn't holding my attention.
Profile Image for Cc.
1,203 reviews148 followers
Read
February 9, 2017
*DNF*
These are notes for myself, not a review. I couldn't connect with characters. Male MC didn't seem to be a rock star and female MC did not seem to have a personality.
Displaying 1 - 14 of 14 reviews

Can't find what you're looking for?

Get help and learn more about the design.