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Pig & Barley #2

Borrowing Trouble

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This is an alternate cover edition for B013AR0QO4

Juggling a new boyfriend who is constantly MIA for work, his mom who likes her just a little too much, a best friend whose husband might be sneaking around, and a busy career saving clients from sexual harassment lawsuits is pulling Marisa Tanner apart at the seams.

Being with Trip is good, but is it real? Will he bail on her like her past boyfriends or for once in his life will Trip be able to maintain focus longer than the time it takes to close a business deal?

A follow-up to Risking Ruin, Borrowing Trouble maintains Mae Wood’s distinctive style of smart and sexy chick lit.

294 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 1, 2015

36 people are currently reading
93 people want to read

About the author

Mae Wood

9Ìýbooks437Ìýfollowers
Professional sassypants and novelist, Mae Wood has been a bookworm her entire life.

She loves cheeses, complicated crafts that she'll start but never complete, and puns.

A while ago Mae decided that she needed to give up the fear that she couldn't write "great literature" and write what she wants to read.

And she wants romance. And laughter. And real life.

She wants heroines who are brave. Brave enough to be themselves and brave enough to fall in love. She wants men who are strong and kind.

So, what do you want to know about Mae? Drop her an email, ask questions, and she'll respond.

Visit her website for bonus content, including deleted scenes, sneak peeks, and
behind-the-scenes treats.

[email protected]

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5 stars
99 (46%)
4 stars
77 (36%)
3 stars
32 (15%)
2 stars
3 (1%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
Profile Image for ItaPixie.
1,213 reviews136 followers
February 3, 2017

In Borrowing Trouble we find Marisa and Trip exactly where we left them at the end of the first book in the series.

Our heroine has some problems to keep our Hero in check,he is always so driven it isn't easy to keep up with him and his ideas but he is swoon worthy and lovable and f*ckable she can't never resist himand his charm.

I've really appreciated the chance to read more about these characters journey.
It was a funny,lighthearted story with a lot of family love and emotions.

I've enjoyed it so much I can't wait to read what's coming next.

Profile Image for Morgan Reeves.
AuthorÌý7 books28 followers
August 31, 2015
Borrowing Trouble was a great conclusion to Trip and Marisa’s story. It hit almost all of the major points for me, and was, in turns, sweet, spunky, and little bit steamy.

Like the first book, Risking Ruin, the dialogue really carried this book for me. It was a true joy to read the interactions between Marisa and Trip, and I found myself chuckling at several points in response to their banter.

Borrowing Trouble did really well at highlighting the problems you find in a typical relationship. The problems were believable and relatable, while still maintaining enough flare to keep you engaged and eager to turn the pages. Mae Wood balanced it quite nicely, creating a story that was witty, engrossing, and realistic.

The only problem I had with the story, and I hesitate to mention it because it wasn’t even a major problem, was the lack of a major conflict. There were a couple of small bumps that could have become bigger, but they didn’t culminate into anything that left me worried for the state of their coupledom. And, honestly, it worked for this book. While I, personally, like a bit more conflict in my story, Trip and Marisa balanced well. They were both mature adults, without any of the young or new adult angst that is dominating right now. It may not have been what I was expecting for the second book in a duology, but it was surprisingly refreshing, lending a light hearted, adult read that focused on the solutions rather than the problems themselves.
All in all, I would definitely recommend this book, and this series. Mae Wood wrote a wonderful Contemporary/Chick Lit series that left me satisfied and smiling.

***I was contacted by the author and was provided an ARC in return for an honest review***
Profile Image for Pam.
316 reviews23 followers
August 15, 2015
Borrowing Trouble starts off where it left off, with Marisa and Trip still together. Like the blurb states, Marisa is becoming a bit overwhelmed with everything, and feels like she is being pulled at all angles. Trip seems so sure about their relationship, and Marissa isn’t quite as sure. Can love really happen that fast? She is a bit insecure as to how Trip feels about her, and how she feels about Trip. Totally normal emotions in a new relationship.

Trip’s mother loves Marissa, and Marissa just isn’t quite sure how to act. Plus Marissa’s best friend is having marriage problems.

As you can see, there’s a lot going on in the book, and other things that I won’t give away. With that said, though, I do feel like the book was missing a major climax. There were a bunch of conflicts happening and being overcome, but I just didn’t feel much of a climax in the book.

All in all, it was a good book! If you’re looking for a contemporary romance read, give this series a try.

My Rating: 3 1/2 stars


***I received a free copy of the book from the author in exchange for an honest review.***
Profile Image for Suzi (Obsessive Reading Disorder).
2,194 reviews
February 6, 2017
This is the follow up to the first book in the series. You will need to read that one first. Marissa and Trip have gotten his dad's blessing to be in a relationship but things are more difficult than either of them expected. This one has a little more intrigue to it. Exes, absent husbands, s3xual harrassment suits, longing, trust issues and falling in love.

Both Marissa and Trip need to decide if together is the place they want to be. The chemistry is still there, can love hold them together through the rough patches?

Great conclusion to the story. Pulled at the heart strings a bit. Wonderful epilogue full of so much promise. Another lovely read by this author.

*Complimentary copy provided for an honest review.
Profile Image for Mary.
120 reviews1 follower
August 27, 2015
Borrowing Trouble continues from where we left Trip and Marisa in Risking Ruin.
I really enjoyed the story, it was fun and had the perfect ending. There wasn't loads of drama but they had to work at their long distance relationship and also learning to be part of each other's families. Marisa's best friends had some issues though and this actually showed Marisa that Trip cared as he wanted to help out and went further than she thought he would.
This was a feel good story and I would rate it between 3.5 and 4 stars xx

Profile Image for Gina Sheldon.
AuthorÌý3 books99 followers
December 30, 2015
GAH I love this couple so much! Seriously I was left dying for more after finishing Risking Ruin (book 1)and Mae Woods gave us more! I devoured this story just like I did with book 1. Trip and Marissa were finally together but they now needed to figure how to be in a relationship.

Borrowing Trouble was perfect in my eyes. There was enough drama to hold my attention but not too much where I wanted to strangle the author for tearing apart a couple I adore. I can't wait for more by Mae Woods!

I definitely recommend this series. <3
Profile Image for Maggie Schuler.
AuthorÌý18 books107 followers
August 2, 2016
Again Wood brings on the strength and structures of her already romantically witty characters with Marisa and Trip. Borrowing Trouble only helps ground Wood's as a witty, humor filled author with the skills to tie in a sold plot, and continue the beauty of examining what happens in real life. Her strength as a writer only shines brighter with book two and both Risking Ruin and Borrowing Trouble are well worth the reads.
Profile Image for Laura.
1,475 reviews18 followers
July 28, 2017
I loved Risking Ruin so much that as soon as I finished, I had to start Borrowing Trouble. Book two picks up where book one leaves off.

I love everything about Marisa and Trip. They are both smart and confident. They have amazing chemistry. They are similar in a lot of ways but their differences are perfect complements.

This author quickly became a favorite, auto-buy for me. I can't wait to see what's next!
Profile Image for Mae Wood.
AuthorÌý9 books437 followers
Read
January 8, 2020
I hope you enjoy Borrowing Trouble as much as I enjoyed writing it. I wanted to write an honest love story and this felt right for Marisa and Trip. Happy reading! Looking forward to your feedback.
Profile Image for Mae Wood.
AuthorÌý9 books437 followers
Read
August 26, 2015
Paperback version now available!
Profile Image for E-Reader Addict.
1,273 reviews46 followers
February 16, 2018
There’s nothing that takes me higher than finding an author who makes me fall in love with every single one of their written words. The downside is the crash that happens when I’ve read everything they’ve written (I read Ms. Wood’s books backwards from the way they were released, reading This Time Is Different first, then Plus One, then Risking Ruin followed by Borrowing Trouble). And that’s where I am right now with Mae Wood. I’ve scoured her website just to read anything else of hers I may have missed - hooray for bonus scenes! - and devoured all her blog posts. There’s no word of anything else she’s working on, and now I’m in a total funk.

Despite knowing Borrowing Trouble is the last book of Mae Wood’s for me to read, I still plowed through it in a single day. Despite not typically liking first person point-of-view books, I was glad to see that we were getting this story from Marisa’s POV. This is one author who does an amazing job of getting us into the mind and heart of their characters. Where most authors will have their hero or heroine repeat the same thoughts ad nauseum (which gets annoying), I find being inside the mind and heart of these characters to be fun and fascinating places to be. I truly wish we could have gotten this book also from Trip’s POV, because the things that came out of his mouth during his conversations with Marisa were hilarious and I can only imagine what other things he was thinking but didn’t say!

When we pick up Borrowing Trouble, Marisa and Trip are officially and legally able to have a relationship. They now get to deal openly with two very busy careers, meeting each other’s friends and family, and navigating life as a couple. Trip is the swooniest of swoony men - handsome, smart, thoughtful, and knows what he wants. And he wants Marisa - totally, completely, permanently.

Marisa also wants Trip, but she was burned badly by her last relationship, which has her very hesitant about things with Trip. Are things going too fast? Maybe a little� Do they know each other well enough? Probably not� And that’s the one issue I have with Trip and Marisa’s relationship. Yes, they got along well. Yes, they dealt with the issues in their relationship in a mature way (I love seeing a fight where one person blows up, acts like a buffoon, the other person doesn’t throw fire on the flame, then they apologize, you know - like adults do). But Marisa had some very reasonable concerns about their relationship which I feel like Trip just brushed away instead of taking the time to talk them over. I would have liked to see them spend more time talking and working through Marisa’s legitimate concerns. I have to confess though, mostly I would just like more Trip and Marisa.

Otherwise, this book was romance perfection. I love everything about Mae Wood’s books - her characters are fun and funny, their dialogue is witty and entertaining, the stories compelling and heartfelt. The plots move quickly with interesting storylines without using cliched or overused plot devices. The heroes are manly, but not ridiculous alpha-males; the heroines are smart and strong, but completely relatable. I am SO glad Mae Wood came across my reading path, and I can hardly wait for whatever her next book may be!
Profile Image for Phoenix.
1,198 reviews1 follower
December 11, 2020
I was totally prepared to be disappointed and maybe annoyed with Marisa after finishing Risking Ruin which was the first in this duet but Wood turned it around for me and I was able to empathize with her with her thoughts when Trip asks if she wants a family of her own one day: “You can't ask a thirty-six, almost thirty-seven, year old woman who isn't even married if she wants to have a family someday...There are some things in life that you can’t control, can’t plan. And that is one of them. Did I ever think I’d be my age and single? No. Did I ever think I’d be Holly Homemaker, living in the suburbs and homeschooling a flock of kids? No. I never really thought about it. I just figured it would fall into place. It hasn’t. So, does that answer your question? Because I can’t say anymore on that topic.�
This is essentially how I felt at that age, and still feel, except, I have no desire to have kids...I don't think I ever really did.
I also never really thought of Trip as a cinnamon-beta hero but he's just so sweet and caring and certain that she is the one for him while Marisa always doubted, and I found it hilarious that she started to believe that it was real because he cleared out his garage of all his cycling gear to make room for her car.
Profile Image for Michelle.
3,125 reviews36 followers
October 10, 2017
3.5-4 stars. Borrowing Trouble picks up from where Risking Ruin ends. Now that Marisa and Trip are an official and publicly open couple, this seals the deal as far as how potentially serious they are. Although Marisa still isn't fooling herself into thinking Trip is thinking of a long term future, his mother seems to have that idea. And as Marisa and Trip share more of the deeper parts of themselves, it becomes apparent that even with Trip's constant absence from traveling, they have something worth keeping. Marisa is still the same from the previous book, always on guard with her doubts. What I do like about Marisa is how independent and strong willed she is, where she doesn't cave in to false expectations and is always realistic. Not to mention that she can handle things by herself without help. And I love how Trip is always wanting to prove to her that he is not going anywhere. I do like how they have to iron out the obstacles being two people who are very successful in their careers with busy schedules and must find a way to merge their lives together.
Profile Image for Savsandy.
706 reviews8 followers
December 4, 2018
Double Trouble

No doubt in my mind, Trip Brannon deserves to be #1 on the list of Book Boyfriends. A world-class hottie who’s an astute businessman with impeccable ethics, is kind, considerate of others AND a great lover? Yup! Marisa is a chronic worry wart and as much of a tiger in the courtroom as in the bedroom, which pleases Trip no end. Author Mae Wood hit it out of the park in book 2 of the Pig & Barley series, “Borrowing Trouble�. Great romance, witty dialogue, a bit of intrigue to keep things interesting and a story that moves along nicely. Now if Ms Wood could just get a good copy editor to catch the numerous typos and questionable word choices (chicka vs chica and adverse vs averse as 2 examples) readers wouldn’t be saying “What? Nuh uh!� Otherwise this would be a solid five stars instead of only four.
Profile Image for Pansy.
584 reviews8 followers
April 16, 2018
It was good

I would not say that it is my fav of the two books or even my fav series but it was good. Trip and Marisa were perfect together. Strong personalities, lawyers, and athletes. Perfect. Marisa’s pessimistic view kind of got on my nerves but I could understand why she felt uneasy with dating Trip but there were time the inner whiny dialogue was overwhelming. I am not going to say too much and spoil the storyline. I did like both books and because I read another book first before which mentioned these two characters I wanted to try. Recommend but no high expectations.
57 reviews
July 3, 2021
Really good reads!

First, I suggest reading Risking Ruin, then Borrowing Trouble, Plus One and finally This Time is Different. I read them out of order, because I didn’t realize there were Pig and Barley books (1 & 2) that preceded Plus One and This Time is Different.
The stories are great, sex scenes are hot, and you will fall in love with the characters. It’s a “feel good read�, but now I’m afraid I won’t be able to find another series to read next that will compare with Mae Woods� books.
The stories are set in Memphis, Tennessee, so y’all girls raised in the South will appreciate the references to sweet tea and SEC football.
Profile Image for Joyce.
989 reviews32 followers
March 13, 2018
Impetuous, meet immovable
I loved Trip so much in this book! So impetuous, he thrives on showering Marisa with all his love and attention. If only Marisa would get out of her own way to accept what he offers! I confess to wanting to smack her a couple times, but this is such an aptly named book. For Marisa constantly borrows trouble with her doubts and fears. She has nothing to worry about where Trip is concerned, though. They settle each other, Trip and Marisa are such a great couple! I loved this book!
Profile Image for Susan.
1,002 reviews12 followers
December 6, 2018
Borrowing Trouble is the conclusion to Trip and Marisa's story. I fell in love with these two in Risking Ruin. I loved how independent Marisa was, and how strongly Trip felt about her.

In this second book in the duet, the two now have permission to persue a relationship. Trip goes at it hard, while Marisa is a little more hesitant. She fears for her job, as well as her heart.

I really loved the characters in Borrowing Trouble- especially Trip. I also loved the side plot with Erica and Josh. This was a well-written book, and I look forward to more from Mae Wood!
Profile Image for Amy Malek Concepcion.
1,436 reviews69 followers
December 11, 2020
3.5 starts for this book, 4 stars for the duet overall

I enjoyed this little duet but this second book moves a bit slow. It didn’t have a lot of depth in the plot to make me turn the pages faster. Once they told everyone they were together that was it. There was a bit going on with some of the supporting characters that was just enough to keep me interested. But since I’ve read other May Wood books before this I know she has evolved a lot since this debut and I will continue to pick up her books.
Profile Image for Michelle.
1,773 reviews
July 7, 2017
Oh Trip, how I love thee. Let me count the ways....
1. Your dirty mind.
2. Your high sex drive.
3. Your love for "Runner Girl".
4. Your love for your family.
5. That dirty mind again.

While I found that Marisa over thought a lot of things, I liked that she thought things through. I loved that she had Erica to turn to to help her with her self doubt thoughts. I wanted to smack her a few times and be all "LOOK at what Trip is doing for you".

I FLOVED the "I mean it"'s.
Profile Image for Jill Oates.
943 reviews
July 9, 2018
Closer to 4.5 stars

Risking Ruin didn't do it for me but I really loved this book - it brought it altogether and was such a lovely story. I loved Erica and Josh, Marisa's talking to herself really worked in this book, where in Risking Ruin it fell flat for me.

All of Mae Wood's books have been so enjoyable (particularly love Bert!). A brand new author for me and loving her books - and her writing on Books + Main!
Profile Image for Gina Marie.
1,778 reviews10 followers
September 8, 2019
Trip & Marisa Part 2

I enjoyed reading more about Trip and Marisa’s journey to happily ever after. Trip is so sweet and he pursuit of Marisa is very determined, he knows who he wants and is doing everything he can to prove it. Marisa is hesitant and seems to be second guessing everyone’s words and actions, especially Trips until she realizes that he truly isn’t playing games that is.
725 reviews4 followers
January 3, 2017
Book 2 in the series. The relationship between Marisa and Trip is building in its intensity but life throws in conflict for family and friends. This whirlwind romance has some things to overcome. As with book 1, Risking Ruin, this book is very well written and contains some really great characters. I highly recommend this great series.
16 reviews
July 11, 2018
The Best

The characters, the storyline, the feelings! All of these lead to the 5 stars! Trip and Marisa basically fall into each other so unsuspecting, they are perfect together. He helps overcome her relationship fears after a not so nice history. She calls him on his bull. Absolute perfection.
Profile Image for Brenda Walters.
179 reviews1 follower
July 2, 2018
Mmmmmm

So good! Absolutely loved this and Risking Ruin. Mae Wood tells an amazing story. Her characters come to life and you wish you could either be them or their best friend. Amazing!!
Profile Image for Elizabeth Evans.
279 reviews3 followers
October 31, 2017
Oh my

I absolutely LOVED trip and Marisa storyline! I kept wanting more!!!when the epilogue came up I read and all I could say was "oh my" ! Please give us more on them!!!
Profile Image for Jan Whitmarsh.
214 reviews1 follower
May 25, 2020
Brilliant !

Wonderful story ..... No surprise at the end but lots of great touches before getting there.... Just love this series of books ..delve in and enjoy !
Profile Image for Sara.
1,401 reviews165 followers
October 14, 2016
4/5 Stars!

Borrowing Trouble gives us more of Marisa and Trip! Their story continues with Marisa feeling less than confident about her relationship with Trip. Trip, on the other hand, is confident and sure about what they have together.

I was quite impressed at how real the relationship between Trip and Marisa felt. They had real life complications and fears. Reading them work things through and find their HEA was pretty great.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews

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