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jaydionne's review
2.0
I really did not like this book. The ending was thee worst. But somethings aren’t for everybody
kaydawn's review
4.5
4.5 stars. Dual POV. Ages: both 25. Rivals to lovers. I love it even more when the rivals would actually complement and help each other super well if they would just kiss already. Instant attraction for both but they are, of course, rivals so it’s mainly just throwing barbs back and forth and mentally thinking how hot the other person is (so basically perfection). And yes, some of the banter does hit a bit too close to home since they don’t really know each other so they do, in fact feel bad about it later. Could have used a tad more angst/pining during the 3rd act break. Only note is yeah, clearly on the cover they are in a car but not having a forced proximity road-trip in the synopsis is really underselling the book.
smalltownbookmom's review
3.0
Not quite the same magic as the first book in the series had for me. I still really did enjoy this reality tv show, road trip, enemies to lovers romance between two rival BBQ sauce makers fighting to win money to help fund their cooking dreams. The story had great banter and chemistry between the two main characters but this one is a closed-door romance so be warned if that's not your thing. Recommended for fans of stories like For butter or worse or The romance recipe. Much thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an early digital copy in exchange for my honest review.
bewitched_bibliophile's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
A book with enemies to lovers trope, road trips and forced proximity.
Simone Blake wanted to take over her grandfather’s restaurant and want to the restaurant in the local farmer’s market for that she has to prove her worth. Finn wanted to sell his homemade barbecue sauce Finn’s Secret Sauce.
The book started off slowly but as the plot progressed, I started liking it.
At first, I didn’t like Simone Blake, but by the end, I started liking her. Finn was a likeable character from the beginning.
Simone and Finn’s bickering was entertaining but could have been more chemistry between them.
The road trip part is my favourite in the book.
Overall I liked reading this book.
*ARC provided by Netgalley in the exchange for an honest review.
A book with enemies to lovers trope, road trips and forced proximity.
Simone Blake wanted to take over her grandfather’s restaurant and want to the restaurant in the local farmer’s market for that she has to prove her worth. Finn wanted to sell his homemade barbecue sauce Finn’s Secret Sauce.
The book started off slowly but as the plot progressed, I started liking it.
At first, I didn’t like Simone Blake, but by the end, I started liking her. Finn was a likeable character from the beginning.
Simone and Finn’s bickering was entertaining but could have been more chemistry between them.
The road trip part is my favourite in the book.
Overall I liked reading this book.
*ARC provided by Netgalley in the exchange for an honest review.
aprilalwayswithabook's review against another edition
3.0
3.5? maybe? I kept going between 3 and 4 but I kept getting to where I had no idea the logistics of some of the restaurant and reality tv stuff and things stopped making sense, and that took away from what overwise was a standard fun and easy romcom.
amyka's review against another edition
1.0
Technically, I can't say I've read this one because about halfway in, I just couldn't finish it. It was that bad. Poor writing and zero character development. The author just stated the same 3 character traits for both characters OVER and OVER again. The plot was the only thing keeping me hanging on as long as I did. And the hope that it would get better - no back story to tell me why the characters were this way and sweeping generalizations and stereotypes abound. It was like a Hallmark movie in terms of depth and quality except that those are at least entertaining.
abbiesreading_'s review against another edition
3.0
I normally don’t like follow up books of the same series like this but this one was actually cute!
lifeasmrsbaker's review
3.0
Set in small town Illinois, Stirring Up Love follows two individuals, Finn and Simone, both in the food industry through their journey from trying to win a deal on a fictional version of Shark Tank to falling in love. This book was honestly, pretty boring as far as romance novels go. There are no spicy scenes and the plot is pretty tired. I liked the characters, but the plot was pretty unbelievable, with lots of inconsistencies. It took me many sittings to get through this novel as I couldn't get into the plot. I liked the author's prose, so I would definitely try another of her books, but this one was just not for me.
Read if you love: enemies to lovers, books about food, roadtrips
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
Read if you love: enemies to lovers, books about food, roadtrips
Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC copy of this book in exchange for my honest review!
emerald_valley's review against another edition
funny
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
strawhatlaur's review
5.0
Rivals, Simone and Finn, want nothing to do with each other, but fate has other plans.
Simone takes over the family BBQ restaurant and wants to put her small town on the map by selling their signature sauce. Finn sells his homemade BBQ sauce hoping to kickstart his dream of opening a culinary school. Their feud begins when they meet at the local farmers market, but it all changes six months later when they compete on the same reality TV show. Will they be able to work together to achieve their culinary dreams?
This enemies to lovers, forced proximity rom-com book was such a fun read. The two main characters had fantastic chemistry, and I loved how Simone and Finn's relationship developed throughout the book and how the plot also focused on their goals and dreams. This book will be sure to put a smile on your face - Plus food and romance, what's not to love!
I look forward to other work by Chandra Blumberg. Thank you, Chandra Blumberg and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book.
Simone takes over the family BBQ restaurant and wants to put her small town on the map by selling their signature sauce. Finn sells his homemade BBQ sauce hoping to kickstart his dream of opening a culinary school. Their feud begins when they meet at the local farmers market, but it all changes six months later when they compete on the same reality TV show. Will they be able to work together to achieve their culinary dreams?
This enemies to lovers, forced proximity rom-com book was such a fun read. The two main characters had fantastic chemistry, and I loved how Simone and Finn's relationship developed throughout the book and how the plot also focused on their goals and dreams. This book will be sure to put a smile on your face - Plus food and romance, what's not to love!
I look forward to other work by Chandra Blumberg. Thank you, Chandra Blumberg and NetGalley, for the opportunity to read this book.