Teddy

Made Marian #2

by Lucy Lennox, Lorraine Cocquelin (Translator)

Teddy : s’il y a une chose que je ne fais pas, c’est m’engager. Vous ne devenez pas un photographe primé en restant au même endroit. Je suis toujours sur la route, à la recherche de la photo suivante, du prix suivant, du corps brûlant suivant. C’est ainsi que j’ai atterri sous le porche de M. James Marian au milieu de nulle part en Alaska. Il est connu sous le nom de « l’homme qui murmurait à l’oreille des animaux sauvages », et je veux le photographier en action. Il est réticent au début, mais je peux être persuasif.

Rapidement, je l’ai dans mon lit en train de dire « oui » encore et encore, mais mon habileté à ficher le camp est entravée par une tempête de neige à Denali.

Jamie : Je me suis toujours considéré du genre à me marier. Jusqu’à ce que je sois abandonné au pied de l’autel. Maintenant, j’ai une nouvelle devise : ne jamais s’engager et ne jamais tomber amoureux. Alors, quand un photographe animalier arrogant décide que je suis la clé pour son chef-d’oeuvre suivant, cela semble être l’arrangement parfait : le professionnel n’est en ville que pour une brève mission, puis il partira. Pas d’engagement, pas d’attaches, et aucune chance que mon coeur soit brisé à nouveau.

Il n’y a qu’un problème : je pense que je suis en train de tomber amoureux. Maintenant, je crains d’être peut-être du genre à me marier, après tout. Et il ne l’est certainement pas.

Genres: M M Romance, Romance, Contemporary, LGBT, Audiobook, Enemies To Lovers, Contemporary Romance

232 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 11, 2016

About the author

I write M/M romance with humor, heart, and heat. Check out my backlist here on GR for a selection of series and standalone or visit www.LucyLennox.com!

I only keep a small list of my very favorite books and series in my bookshelf here. I read A LOT and it's hard to keep the list updated!

Reviews

[Carol [Goodreads Addict] · Rating 4 out of 5]

Taming Teddy is book two in the Made Marian series by Lucy Lennox. This is Blue’s brother, Jamie’s book, and Teddy, the wildlife photographer that might have finally met his match. This can be read as a stand alone. The characters in the books are interconnected.



Dr. James (Jamie) Marian is known as the Wildlife Whisperer. He studies animals in their own habitat and is currently working in the Denali National Park near Fairbanks, Alaska. If you did read the first book, Borrowing Blue, then you already know that Jamie has been hurt, left at the alter, actually. So now he’s sworn off love. Maybe he’ll just be a one night stand, love em and leave em kind of guy. Only that’s not him either. So he’s out in the middle of nowhere, alone, which so far, has been just fine. A certain photographer has been hounding him relentlessly to allow him to come out and photograph him while working but Jamie wants no part of it. Until said photographer just shows up on his front porch.



Theodore (Teddy) Kodiak is an accomplished wildlife photographer. There is a major award that Teddy would like to be able to submit something for to be considered but it’s got to be just the perfect photograph. And Teddy knows that the perfect photo would be of the reclusive Jamie Marian with his animals. Only Jamie is not being cooperative. So it’s time for Teddy to step up his game.

“Jamie Marian was a study in contrasts. He was snarky and feisty but he also moved with a soft fluidity that begged to be admired.”



To say that these two got off to a rough start would be an understatement. But, there was also an immediate chemistry between them, one that they found impossible to ignore. And it didn’t take long for them to act on it.

Teddy is anti relationship. He lives on the road, going from one photo shoot to another. So he can’t let his heart get involved. Jamie is also anti relationship from his broken heart. So why can’t they just be friends with benefits? Only when Teddy leaves, he leaves a little bit of his heart behind. He can’t get Jamie off his mind. And Jamie is the same way. Each time they are together, separating becomes just a little bit harder.



This was a sexy, fun, banter filled story of two hearts coming together, finding that missing piece of themselves that they never even realized was there. I did love these two together. I do have to admit that I loved the first book so much, Borrowing Blue. I was so excited to get started on this one but that special something wasn’t there this time. So, while I did enjoy it, it didn’t pack that WOW factor for me that the first book did. But, I am very excited about going on to book three, Jumping Jude, which is Jude the rock star’s book. I am also reading the short stories that go with these first three books, Made Marian Shorts. It’s so much fun getting these little extra side stories that go along with these books.

For more about this book and so many others, come and visit me at Carol's Crazy Bookish World.
https://www.facebook.com/groups/Carol...

[Kati *☆･ﾟ · Rating 5 out of 5]

re-read February 2025

Ugh, that award speech gets me every time. 🫠


re-read December 2023

My enthusiasm about this book hasn’t waned one bit. Still very very much in love with Teddy and Jamie. ♡


4.5***** stars


I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS ONE!! This book was just right up my alley. The whole (wildlife) photography thing was fascinating for me (I freaking love photography in real life, too).

He was a natural beauty and the light coming through the clouds loved him.

Their animosities with each other in the beginning and their banter, the sudden hook-up, the denial, the long-distance pining and developing a friendship over the phone.

Teddy [drunk]: I mean, who sells blow pops on a Manhattan street corner after midnight?

Jamie: I don’t think he said blow pop, Teddy Bear. You should go home.

I so looooved that pet name!! Theodore Kodiak = Teddy Bear.
(a kodiak is a brown bear)


And then the feeling of crisp winter air, cozy nights in front of a fire place, hot sexy times and tender touches. Ugh! I’m such a goner for this whole Alaskan setting.

I tried to act nonchalant. It didn’t work. I wanted to express my appreciation. “Mmmmhhhh…fhhhtthhh,” I told him.
He chucked and replied, “That good, huh?”

This was true Lucy Lennox goodness. Beautiful, lighthearted love story. A comfort-read all over.


And even if everyone is raving esp about book #3 and Jude, I think I found my favorite in the series already - right here. ♡♡♡

“The moment I captured in this photo turned out to be a collection of love stories. The love between Dr. Jamie Marian and the animals he looks out for in the wild, the love of a photographer pursuing the elusive magical shot, the love between two beaver kits brought together by chance, and finally, the love that jumps out and grabs me now every time I look at the photo. My love for Jamie.”

And I mean all that lovey dovey shit at the end on top of this made my heart expand to the fullest! With the full Marian family experience. ♡



************
Made Marian Series:

Book 1 - Borrowing Blue - 4.25 stars
Book 2 - Taming Teddy - 4.5 stars ♡
Book 3 - Jumping Jude - 4 stars
Book 4 - Grounding Griffin - 4 stars
Book 5 - Moving Maverick
Book 6 - Delivering Dante
Book 7 - A Merry Marian Christmas - holiday tbr
Book 8 - Made Mine

[Erth · Rating 5 out of 5]

Taming Teddy is a bit more serious. It has more weight to the story. The banter in this book is a little less jovial and fun loving and more sarcastic and dry. The MC's were both lovable great guys but they didn't hit it off immediately. They didn't have that lightning strike moment like Tristan and Blue did where from the get go it was easy and just meant to be. Teddy and Jamie had to work a little for their relationship. And speaking of work! It was really interesting to have both of their careers incorporated in the story. It was a nice and interesting extra element and was conveyed in such a way that it felt like the author has personal experience with it all.

Now Taming Teddy can be read as a standalone technically. It's not until nearer the end that elements of Borrowing Blue (the family) emerge. Will you still enjoy it? Yes, just not nearly as much and why would you want to deprive yourself of the full experience? Borrowing Blue is the book you're going to smile throughout the whole thing and just fall in love with absolutely everyone. Taming Teddy is going to make you smile, make your heart hurt a little, broaden your wildlife horizons, and of course also make you fall in love. They are two different books, for two different reading experiences, and they're both awesome. Now I await eagerly for the next story!

[Jamie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Alaska & snowed in at a cabin- I would read any book that has these two things 🤣

Another good addition to this series, and excited to read Jude's book next

[Deborah · Rating 3 out of 5]

Having loved the previous book 'Borrowing Blue' I moved straight onto this one, if I'm being honest it was Jude's book I really wanted to read and I'd hoped this would be his but I happily started this.
I really liked Jamie and this is a nice cute read but it wasn't, for me anyway as good as the previous book. While I didn't dislike Teddy I just never really felt the connection between them this wasn't helped by the fact that they constantly referred to each other by their names, it just seemed odd when there's only two of them to constantly call each other by name and it seemed to put a distance between them.
The real strength with 'Borrowing Blue' was not only Blue and Tristan but Blue's crazy family and that was missing here. I know it's a different book, Blue's was the first in series and therefore introduced all the characters and Jamie's life is a lot more isolated but the family and the humour they brought made the difference between a normal 3* romance and the 4* I gave Blue.
Since Jude intrigued me so much I'm going to continue on and read his book 'Jumping Jude' next.

[Denise H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

*** Here we have book 2 in the "Made Marian" series. *** I love the diverse Marian family.
This is an amazing story of longing and loving. Two lonely men who merge into happiness.
We see Jaime, 30ish, working with wildlife,

a "whisperer" in Denali Alaska. We see his ability to communicate and speak to them.

Older Teddy has used a deception

to get to see Jaime in Alaska, because he needs a photo for a prestigious award, so they start out badly, and Jaime only tolerates this man that wormed his way into his quiet. They do embark on a photo shoot, where Teddy views Jaime with wild animals and can understand his gift. Teddy's in awe.


The guys begin to get along, both are snarky and feisty, and enjoy each other's company. Pasts are compared, where Teddy has friends, Jaime has close family, even though some are nutty. Much is going on, with an injury, a death in the family, holiday plans, and their feeling getting deeper.


Teddy doesn't want commitment; Jaime is afraid to be hurt again. The complicated characters are wonderful, so well written and full of life. The plot is terrific as it flows along, and we get the super sexy times, the loving moments plus the non-communications that lead to hurt.


But we also see the ending and epilogue which are fabulous. Highly recommended.

ENJOY !
=========
each book can stand alone.
========

[Meags · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 Stars

This series is hitting all of my romance buttons. It's sappy and fluffy and the drama is sometimes OTT, but I can't seem to get enough! I daresay a slight obsession may be forming where this series is concerned.

In this sequel to Borrowing Blue, wildlife photographer Teddy Kodiak (yep, that's his name) wiggles his way into the life of wildlife consultant Jamie Marian.

What begins as a professional endeavour - photographing Jamie "the wildlife whisper" in gorgeous scenic locations and in close proximity to wild animals - quickly develops into a sexual relationship between Teddy and Jamie when they acknowledge their fierce attraction and intense chemistry.

Initially, a friends-with-benefits situation seems to suit them both fine; not only do they live thousands of miles apart, but Teddy notoriously doesn't do relationships and Jamie is still getting over a recent failed engagement.

Though, as these things generally seem to go, Teddy and Jamie don't take much time to admit to themselves (but not to each other - DRAMA!) that their feelings run much deeper than those of a quick fling. It takes them both a bit of time (and a few ridiculously wasteful cross-country flights) to get their shit together, but they eventually get their HEA in spectacular fashion.

Much like with the last book, the passion and chemistry between the MCs is palpable. The characters engage in a lot of sex in these books and it could be (and probably is) considered gratuitous by some, but I must admit that I've quickly become quite the fan of the way Lennox writes these delicious scenes and I personally wouldn't change a damned thing.

For a story that I genuinely found light-hearted and angst-free, I must admit that I found myself getting misty-eyed a time or two (or three). I was overcome by the depth of the feelings experienced by Teddy and Jamie at moments throughout their story, which is a testament to Lennox's writing because she has definitely triggered an intense emotional response in me.

I truly enjoyed Jamie and Teddy's romantic and sexy romp through the wilderness, and I very much look forward to reading more about the lives and loves of the Marian men.

************************************

Audio Edition:

This is just a quick note to once again say how delighted I was by Michael Pauley's narration. I said above that Lennox pulled an emotional response from me and the same can very much be said about Pauley. He's definitely a narrator that I wouldn't hesitate to listen to from now on. <3

[Wendys Wycked Words · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the first book in this series and I was looking forward to reading this second one very much. Unfortunately I didn't enjoy it as much as book 1.

Maybe it was because I didn't feel onnection with the characters. I liked Jamie but I didn't really care a lot for Teddy. He wasn't a bad guy, but he didn't leave a big impression on me either. Maybe it was because I missed all the other crazy characters from the previous book. They were funny and they made me laugh. That's something that I missed in this story, it didn't make me laugh...



Now don't get me wrong, I didn't think it was bad and I still enjoyed reading it. It just didn't meet my expectations.

I also got annoyed with the writing a bit. I found it very irritating that they kept saying each others name, while talking to one another. Whenever I'm in a conversation with someone and we are the only two people there,....why would I keep repeating that persons name ??



So, this book is about Teddy, Wild Life photographer and Jamie, Animal Whisperer. Teddy needs a special kind of photograph to win an award he is after and a picture of Jamie interacting with wild life, would be perfect.

Jamie has been blowing him off for some time now and being sick of waiting, Teddy jumps on a plane to Alaska to confront the man in person.

These guys don't start of on the right foot, but they do jump each others bones pretty fast. After that, there is a lot of internal denial of feelings, because both men have relationship anxiety. It takes them some time to come to terms with the fact that they are in love, but all ends well..

Just like in the first book, the steam was very nicely done.



Like I said, I missed the humor, and I didn't really connect with the MC's, but that won't stop me from reading Jude's story. I'm very curious about his story....


This review has been posted on Dirty Books Obsession

[Shile (Hazard's Version) on-hiatus · Rating 4 out of 5]

5 stars for the audio-book
3.5 for the story

Michael Pauley's enthusiastic narration gave life to this book. I skipped this due to mixed reviews, i am glad i decided to read it because i actually liked it. This series sometimes can be OTP but for some reason i don't mind. The Marian clan have become special to me.

I Loved

- Jamie the nerdy animal whisperer Marian brother. He was polite, sweet, caring and an animal lover.

- I liked Teddy when he was not being a chicken-shit Jerk, he had his good moments.

- Catching up with the Marian family.

-Jamie stumbling on a hot make out session between Jude and the bodyguard. I wil be rereading Jude's story.

- The Alaska scenery, i wanted to be there with Jamie and Teddy.

- The sex.. this author can write some hot smexy scenes, and with Michael Pauley's narration the hotness level went up.

- The banter, the texts between Jamie and Teddy.

and Sister the dog

What i did't like

- Teddy when he was being a jerk to sweet Jamie.

- The miscommunication, thank God it did not last long. This plot trope should just stop already,it is really getting old.

- The Pervy Grannies.

Overall i liked this, this series is not for everyone. As for me:



and

[Christelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

**4 well deserved stars**
I was pleasantly surprised when I stumbled on this series. I loved the banter and the steam level was so good and, despite being a bit OTT, I had a great time. I don’t know why I skipped Teddy and Jamie’s story. So far, it’s the one I really preferred out of the three I read.

We were introduced to the Marian family in book 1 and this time, we get the story of Jamie, a wildlife consultant, nicknamed the “animal whisperer” and leaving for the time being in Alaska. A famous photographer, Teddy, decides to pursue Jamie and get some pictures of Jamie interacting with animals. No middling of the crazy family here (well, almost none), no OTT moments : just two guys that learned to know each other while hiking, surrounded by many animals (I did learned a few English words, LOL) or while stranded in an Alaskan cabin or while texting when separated.

It was fun (did I mention I really enjoy the banter !!), full of nice feelings, and with two great characters and the appearance of good friends and of course, the Marian family.

I stand to my opinion : an enjoyable, light and sexy series so far, when in need of no complication and of a good time.

[* A Reader Obsessed * · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 Sequel Stars!

Whelp. I’ve got to say that the second book in this series was just as wonderful as the first!

Teddy is a pretty darn good wildlife photographer, and he only wants to up his prestige. What better way to do that than to get the animal whisperer of all whisperers to help him achieve his goal. There’s just one little snag. Said whisperer Jamie, wants nothing to do with the persistent and pesky photog. His job and ability is not effortless, and Jamie doesn’t want to misrepresent reality by giving civilians the wrong impression thinking dangerous animals are tame. It’s happened before and unfortunately, someone paid dearly.

Suffice it to say, these two don’t exactly hit if off. It’s definitely irritation at first correspondence and as Teddy steadfastly pursues Jamie in all the ways, it becomes quickly clear that despite them clashing, the mutual attraction ignores their antipathy and sparks fly.

Overall, this was low on the angst but quite high on the sexy. Jamie is trying to move on from the breakup from hell, aiming for noncommittal sex. He knows Teddy isn’t relationship material, especially when Teddy himself makes it blatantly clear that feelings just aren’t his thing due to his nomadic, gallivanting lifestyle. Try as they might, these two make an effort at being just friends, but we all know that’s total B.S.

This had less smex in comparison to the 1st book, but it was still hot and possessive and most importantly, fun. Michael Pauley narrates again, and he continues to be his very enthusiastic self. What stands out the most here is that this sort of storyline has surely been done a hundred times over, but Lennox somehow brings the funny, the smart banter, and the gleeful snarky moments, all peppered with some good emotions that keeps it from devolving into trite boredom and the feeling of having been there, done that. I mean, we’ve been there and done that, but once again, it works here despite a bit of cheese and sap and dramatics. I for one, continue to be impressed.

[Ben Howard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Taming Teddy has me pretty conflicted. There's a lot of things I love about it. The Marian family, the setting and Jamie's job specifically. Jamie's and Teddy's romance was cute, after the meet-cute was over at least.

But there were a lot of things that annoyed and frustrated me. Mainly Teddy being absolutely insufferable for the first section of the book. I honestly don't know why Jamie didn't tell him to do one. Well I do know, it's because this is a romance because there's now way anybody would put up with his shenanigans in real life. Thankfully his pushiness subsided and I could eventually get behind their relationship.

Aside from that, my main issue was the conflict (which seems to be a problem I'm having a lot with the romances I pick recently). It was too messy and predictable. And that scene with Jamie's ex showing up with his family for thanksgiving was ridiculous. It wasn't even funny weird, it was just weird and a clunky plot device to create more drama.

[BWT]

Let me explain quickly why I tapped out of this at 10% and will probably not go back to it without someone assuring me of certain things:

Consent. It's a trigger point for me.

And by 10% almost every conversation is Jamie refusing in some way and Teddy ignoring, steamrolling, or outright going against Jamie's expressed wishes.

There's stalking behavior that's ignored because Teddy is "beautiful" - and I'm just not down with any of it.

It all drives me nuts. So even though the narration for this was shaping up to be awesome, I'm definitely going to tap out at this point for this one.

[Shin Mon Thway · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely adore this book too. How in the hell Lucy Lennox nails with the cover models every time? Teddy the Kodiak bear is suuuppperrr hot!

The story is quite different from the first book and I love it. While the first book was all about a dramatic wedding with so many funny and lively characters, the second book is about two lonely souls who are afraid of getting hard from being in a committed relationship but managed to overcome their fears and eventually get their ultimate HEA. Though not as funny as the first book, the banter between Jamie and Teddy is still hilarious. It's really sweet and lovely.

I totally love Teddy character. Despite the fact that he was a bang-vanish type, he overcame his fear and sticked with Jamie to prove that he's all in. I mean the man flew over 15000 miles in 3 months to be with Jaime. I wish I had scored such a sexy and caring bastard. Jaime character was very adorable too. The naive and shy guy who's not used to interacting with a lot of people and enjoy being in the wild. The moments when Jaime was in the wild interacting with wild animals and Teddy taking picture of him were so breathtakingly and beautifully written.

And when Teddy received Gramling award and publicly acclaimed his love for Jaime, awwnnnnnnn .. sooooooo cute and sweet and heartmelting. I love it. And every time I read about those ladies trio, aunt Tilly, Irene and granny, haha, those ladies really are solid gold.

I have to say I think Lucy made a great job researching about wildlife and national parks. The facts are accurate and it's not boring to read. You know what I mean .. When most authors try to include facts and try to educate us readers in terminology, it's usually boring. But somehow, she made me feel excited about learning new things that I didn't know. Such a great job.

I really can't wait to read book3. Actually Jude character really called out to me since book1 and I seriously considered skipping book2 and read that one first because I knew that I'm really going to enjoy Jude's story. Call that an intuition. I just know. But I'm glad I didn't skip this one because it's just simply a great love story. Can't wait to read more adventures of mischievous Marians.

Well deserved 4.5 stars
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️💫

[*J* Too Many Books Too Little Time · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 Stars!

I held off on reading this one because I didn't get a very good impression of Teddy for some reason. But I ended up liking Teddy quite a bit more then Jamie honestly.

I really like this series, for what it is. It's light, easy, enjoyable, fun, steamy.

I've liked all of the books about the same honestly but the conflict towards the end of this one - with Jamie's ex Brian really pissed me off. It was so out of the blue and ridiculous I almost DNFd at that point.

But then Teddy's speech made me happy.

So rounding down on this one.....but looking forward to reading about some of the other Marian boys.

[Dia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3,5 stars actually

As much as I enjoyed the writing, something felt off. I loved the first book in the series, Borrowing Blue much more!
I can't say I understood Teddy's actions and some things felt forced.

The ending was too sugary sweet for me and well, I can't say I am curious enough to continue the series. The love declaration we get in the end felt so cheesy. Ugh!

[Gigi]

I just wasn't able to finish this one. It wasn't like books 1 and 3 and bored me a little. Will read books 4 and 5 and hope for better luck!

[Michael S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

The feelz.... I need to take a break from books like these, or my husband is going to think something is seriously wrong with me. Staring at a screen with your eyes welling up isn't an auspicious look. Happy tears, though.

This series is shaping up to be gold. I loved the first book, and this one didn't disappoint, either. Disclosure: I grew up in Alaska, so I might be granting a few extra points for the nostalgia factor.

Again Lennox does a very good job of making intense, fast-developing romance plausible and exciting to read about. I think that readers who might not have identified fully with Tristan and Blue's condensed courtship in the first novel (I was onboard with it, but some readers' comments expressed skepticism) will have an easier time making sense of Jamie and Teddy's relationship since the bigger picture develops over weeks rather than days.

If you're looking for a fun and heartfelt romance, this is one worth picking up.

[Jenni Lea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even after all my bitching and moaning about the stupid Big Misunderstanding trope, I ended up loving this. I thought it was even better than book one. I loved both Teddy and Jamie.

Still coulda done without the BM though.

[Aղցela W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was book 2 in the "Made Marian" series. Teddy Kodiak is an award-winning photographer who doesn't do commitment. Dr. Jaime Marian is known as the Wildlife Whisperer he is a wildlife vet who is stationed in Denali, Alaska he is also nursing a broken heart he was stood up at the alter by his ex Brian who turned out to be married to a woman. When Teddy begins sending him emailing and calling him asking to take photos of him he says no until Teddy shows up at his cabin he goes behind Jaime's back to get what he wants. Teddy is cocky and arrogant and I liked him right away in fact I liked them both Jaime is sweet and caring. These two have some good hot sex until Teddy opens his mouth he doesn't want commitment Jaime doesn't know how to do casual sex. When his ex Brian shows up with his family I wanted to slap him. When Teddy gets a call about his father he leaves Jaime after taking some really good shots of him with different animals. Jaime tries to go out and date and it doesn't go like he want it to. Jaime goes out on a date with his co-worker Josh but he doesn't like him like that but Josh didn't take advantage of him. I loved that they text and email each other and although he wasn't there in person for Teddy when his father died Jaime was still with him. This was a pretty good read. This book was well written with no errors in grammar or spelling. I am looking forward to reading about Jude and his bodyguard.

[Michelle Dee · Rating 1 out of 5]

I really wanted to give this 4 Stars. I really did. But while I generally claim to not really have much of a conscience - much less a good one - what conscience I had left wouldn't allow me to award those extra stars.

Let me start from the beginning. So, I enjoyed Taming Teddy more than Borrowing Blue in almost every way. Pretty much all the problems that I found in Borrowing Blue were present in Taming Teddy, but just to a much lesser degree.

There was way less instalove (well, no instalove actually - thank fuck), somewhat less sex (if that seems like a weird thing to celebrate, read my review for Borrowing Blue), only one occasion in which they fuck in the middle of an important D&M, and slightly less overt bi-erasure vibes (it's mentioned that Teddy likes women too, but that aspect of who he is isn't really mentioned again, so him being bi is pretty much glossed over). Also, for most of the book the sappy-ness was kept to a blessed minimum, but then it was like the author felt like they had to make up for all that missed cheese so she included so much of it at the end. Like, so much. I felt like I was drowning in a vat of cheese. But otherwise - it has much more interesting lead characters and storyline and setting and yeah, pretty much everything was better.

So I was thinking "Oh, looks like this author is living up to the potential shown in Borrowing Blue. Perhaps this one is worthy of its high rating." But then there was this one unforgivable moment that made me unable to award it higher than 1 Star.

Well okay, there were a couple of things that really got my back up. One of them was when Teddy says to Jamie that if he'd been naked in his apartment, nothing would have stopped him from fucking Jamie. And I'm like alright there, mate, hold on a second. I should hope that there would be things that would stop you from fucking Jamie - like Jamie's consent or lack of it, for example. I'm just so damn over this whole 'uncontrollable lust' thing being made out to be something romantic. If you fuck - or do anything with - someone without getting their active consent first just because you can't help myself, they're so hot, I love them so much, that's not sexy. That's not even sex. That's rape.

So that was bad enough. But then there was this time Teddy and Jamie started playing Truth or Dare. And as part of his Truth, Teddy was telling Jamie horrible dating/hook up stories. And then he told Jamie about this:

[Teddy]"Then there was this time I was dancing with a woman at a night club in Miami. When I pulled her closer to me I felt her erection."
[Jamie] "Shut the fuck up. You're a liar."
[Teddy] "Nope. Want more?"

So, Teddy, dancing with a trans woman with a hard-on counts as an example of "...your worst date or hookup"? And Jamie, too, thought that was hilariously horrifying? And why is that? Because you're both being transphobic as fuck? Hmm, yes, thought so.

Another thing I'm so fucking done with is trans people - particularly trans women - being used as the punchline of unfunny, insensitive jokes. This whole exchange gave me flashbacks to The Hangover II. You know, when Ed gets fucked by a trans woman and it's meant to be oh my god so horrifying and shocking but hilarious in the way that we laugh at terrible things and ha ha ha. Hell no. It wasn't funny then and it isn't funny now. It's not funny because it's turning the existence of trans women and their lives and bodies into a joke, invalidating them and their feelings. They are turned into stereotypes, instead of being considered as individuals, as people. Making them into a joke like this only serves to further the stigma they already face, and it's so arrogantly insensitive.

Also, why the fuck is the idea of a woman with a penis so horrifying or funny anyway? Because women aren't 'meant' to have penises? I thought we did away with that notion the same time we did away with the idea that people are only 'meant' to be attracted to and love people of the opposite sex. So I really, really didn't appreciate seeing an example of such transphobia in this book, just like I don't appreciate seeing it anywhere.

After all that, I've come to the conclusion that this series, and this author, is problematic. Probably one of the most problematic M/M authors I've come across, actually. It's a shame because the books are very readable. It makes me feel as though this author is writing these books for the smut-value, not because she actually cares about the lives of LGBT people. I feel like she's just sensationalising the idea of same-sex love and attraction. I could be wrong, I don't know her. I hope I am. But whether that is the intent or not, it's the impression I've been left with nonetheless.

The next book, about Jude, will be real test of this because Jude is closeted due the homophobia of the country music industry. How Lennox deals with that issue will say a lot about just how problematic she is. I can't help but hope for the best and expect the worst.

My reviews for other Made Marian books:

Borrowing Blue - Book #1
Jumping Jude - Book #3

[Bitchie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Reader's edit- 10/14/18: I've been told the author edited the scene in question since I read the book. Better, but still not sure if I'll be reading this author again.

Reader's edit- 10/13/18: apparently, I missed/blocked out a scene with some pretty messed up transphobia, so I'm adjusting my rating down 2 stars, and warning, there *was* a scene of pretty messed up transphobic comments, laughed off as a joke, but still, not cool, author. Not cool.

This author was already on my maybe, maybe not list, as I find some of the humor to be a bit juvenile, but this, added in with recent behavior I've seen on twitter, and I think it's time for this author and I to part ways.


This was sweet, a bit less zany than the first book in the series, which wasn't a bad thing, just different. I enjoyed the build of a relationship between these guys, although I thought there was a bit too much sex in the first half of the book, and then too much time spent apart.

I also think that this author relies a bit too much on the "remorseful ex" trope, because I've read two books in the series, and both of them had an ex show back up after treating the guy horribly, suddenly begging for forgiveness, and trying to manipulate the situation. Hopefully, book 3 doesn't have this one.

ETA: Well, shit, I just looked at the blurb for book 3: "Reaching the top of the country music charts brings out the crazy, and there’s no one crazier than my ex." Doh!

[Heather the Queen of (Smut)Books · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whoa this author REALLY gets down on the sex scenes. This book is more emotionally passionate than the first but still hot af. Again OTT with a bit of the turmoil but it was over quickly and ended with a really lovely and funny epilogue. I know some reviewers had a problem with Teddy because in the beginning before meeting he's a bit pushy and after their first encounter he says something highly insensitive that totally came out wrong. He got a bad rap, trust me. He more than makes up for it. He's actually very sweet to Jamie.

*This series also has lewd and crude Granny lesbians and a crazy 80 year old Great Aunt that steal the show in every scene that they're in.

[Gustaf · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reread May 2021:
It shows that this is one of Lennox earlier books. It's not quite flowing as natural as you expect her books to do and the story itself is quite predictable.
However, this might be one of my favorite books in the Marian series. Mostly because of the grannies being very low key in this book. God knows, I couldn't stand them in some of the later books.

[Janja · Rating 4 out of 5]

When the author in the story describes nature and animals that you can present them live, besides adding two men who still write their love story, I think we can say that it is the top book

[Ariana (mostly offline) · Rating 3 out of 5]

*3,5 stars*

I really really enjoyed this book until the last quarter or so.
Up to then the 'enemies to friends to lovers' theme was well done:
good banter, snarky conversations, sexy scenes and some mild heart-ache. Not to forget adorable wildlife on top of it all!
The last bit of the book was far too sweet, unrealistic and over the top. Which is a shame because this could have been more.

All in all a good fun, light romance, but be aware of the overdose of sugar at the end.

[Kaity · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

Loved the wildlife aspect with the photography and all that jazz but the push pull of Teddy and Jaime was annoying at times… I did like their banter and getting to watch them get together was nice but some of the miscommunication I could have done without.

I think I am going to reread Jude’s book maybe I’ll like it more the second time we will see or I will skip it to read the 4th book, who knows!

[TrippyBooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was really cute. I enjoyed it more than the first book, and I was so excited that all the audiobooks were on hoopla. Soon as I try to listen to the next one they took them off. 😭😭😭😭😭😭

[Trio · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mmm, I can see why most people say this isn't their favorite book in the series. I really didn't like Teddy. What he does to Jamie in the beginning... I never got over it and held it against him for the entire book.

I did like the ending, but there was just a bunch of unnecessary angst.

I enjoy the way the stories overlap, so as far as a series goes I'm down... there was a ton of research in this one and Lucy Lennox really is a gifted author. It's taking me awhile to get through the whole series, but I'm gonna do it. I just need something next that's not going to make my teeth hurt.

Loved the audio - the narrator (Michael Pauley) makes the stories.

[Cat the bookworm (semi hiatus ish) · Rating 3 out of 5]

Two of the three stars in my rating are for the parts about wildlife and photography. Not very promising for the romance part, right?

A shame really, because it could have been a really good book. It’s the story of Teddy, a wildlife photographer, who tries everything to convince Jamie Marian, who’s an “animal whisperer”, to agree to let him take pictures of him while interacting with all kind of animals.

Jamie has been left standing at the altar by his ex, Brian, and kept away from anything that looks like a relationship. So when Teddy turns up on his doorstep in Alaska, he plans to convince him to leave as soon as possible.

You see? All the ingredients for an entertaining enemies to lovers romance. Sadly, there’s not much of that. Instead the book is comprised of a few sexual encounters with a lot of denial and miscommunication and distance in between. How 2 men in their thirties can end up behaving like teens, without any real drama happening, is beyond me. The only tiny drama happening (the Brian/thanksgiving incident) feels forced.

I’ll still rate it with 3 stars because they had cute moments, especially towards the (admittedly slightly cheesy) end.

But right now I feel like I need to step back from Lucy Lennox for a bit, unless someone assures me that Jude’s book is A LOT better than this one.