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Stirred Up
From the author of The Special Delivery duet comes a new sweet, cozy, emotional, and steamy standalone set in the same universe!
Gage Cabrera is married to his work running his family’s beloved bar, El Abrevadero. His past has him not wanting to commit to any relationship, he’s content to go home to his funny birds. That is, until his ailing dad sets an ultimatum: get married, or I won’t turn ownership of the bar over to you when I retire. Gage is at a loss, until Celeste comes charging into his life with a personality as fiery as her hair.
Celeste Martino is trying to get her life back together and moving forward after a four month stint in prison on an unjust charge. The trying experience has made her endometriosis flare up, but she has no healthcare. After commiserating with Gage, who she has started to like visiting at his bar, he comes up with a plan: get married so he can inherit his bar, and she can go on his healthcare.
As with any carefully laid plan, it goes off script and lines start to get stirred up when they find everything they could have ever wanted in each other. Can these two people who are so scared of romance make a marriage work for real?
Stirred Up is a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, contemporary romance that will make even the biggest skeptic believe in real love. Expect fun cameos and callbacks from The Special Delivery duet!
Gage Cabrera is married to his work running his family’s beloved bar, El Abrevadero. His past has him not wanting to commit to any relationship, he’s content to go home to his funny birds. That is, until his ailing dad sets an ultimatum: get married, or I won’t turn ownership of the bar over to you when I retire. Gage is at a loss, until Celeste comes charging into his life with a personality as fiery as her hair.
Celeste Martino is trying to get her life back together and moving forward after a four month stint in prison on an unjust charge. The trying experience has made her endometriosis flare up, but she has no healthcare. After commiserating with Gage, who she has started to like visiting at his bar, he comes up with a plan: get married so he can inherit his bar, and she can go on his healthcare.
As with any carefully laid plan, it goes off script and lines start to get stirred up when they find everything they could have ever wanted in each other. Can these two people who are so scared of romance make a marriage work for real?
Stirred Up is a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, contemporary romance that will make even the biggest skeptic believe in real love. Expect fun cameos and callbacks from The Special Delivery duet!
ebook
Published December 9, 2025
About the author
Leigh Suznovich
4 books47 followersIntroverted, but always willing to talk books and cats, Leigh writes cozy, emotional, and steamy romances that will make you want to dance. She lives in NJ with her incredible husband Marc and their three beloved cats. When she’s not writing, she can be found cooking, baking, enjoying local theatre, and loving being the fun wine auntie to her nieces and nephews. The shore and NYC are her two happy places!
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October 26, 2025beta read 🫶🏻
💍 marriage of convenience
🫂 found family
🏡 roommates
🦜 includes birds
🐈⬛ black cat fmc / golden retriever mmc
👏🏻 no third act breakup
dual POV
💍 marriage of convenience
🫂 found family
🏡 roommates
🦜 includes birds
🐈⬛ black cat fmc / golden retriever mmc
👏🏻 no third act breakup
dual POV
January 4, 2026
TL;DR review: A worth it slow burn with two unique, relatable main characters trying to survive who learn how to thrive together.
Tropes/Themes:
⦁ Friends to Lovers
⦁ Slow burn love story
⦁ He falls first
⦁ Marriage ultimatum/marriage of convenience
⦁ Endometriosis, treatment and coping
⦁ Foster care family, Abuse
⦁ Anger management therapy
⦁ Found family
Gage is a friendly face for Celeste at El Abrevadero, his family's restaurant/bar, and he is secretly smitten with Celeste, an imperfect woman fresh out of jail after her sentence for punching a guy (who deserved it) was reviewed and she's trying to get her life on track - including diagnosing and treating her endometriosis.
While the two may have eventually, maybe gotten the courage to connect and date, Gage's father plants the ultimatum that pushes the characters forward: you won't take over full control of El Abrevadero until you're married. Since Celeste needs health care to lessen the financial burden of her endometriosis treatment, Gage proposes a marriage of convenience.
With the premise set, we get the best part of the book - Gage and Celeste finding their way to each other. Their tentative but visceral response to each other is sweet and relatable. While the feelings are there for both of them, their individual traumas keep them from jumping wildly together which is incredibly refreshing in a book. Once they do find their spicy sides connecting, those moments are about as delicious as the unique margaritas and secret family recipe arepas on the menu at El Abrevadero...
Even without having read the other books related to this one, the support characters feel well-established and whole as well. Celeste's foster sister Tania and her partner Carlo, Gage's father, brother and extended family all felt like I was meeting old friends. (I can't wait to go read those books and experience more in this series.)
As this is the first book by Leigh Suznovich I've read, I don't know if all of her stories feel as steeped in real life or not - but I am incredibly appreciative that Stirred Up was more than just a fluffy cutesy romcom. Yes, on it's surface it has a basic premise, but the deeper relationship building, communication even when difficult, and emotional and physical healing that occurs between and for these two characters made me really love this book.
I can confidently say that this won't be the last book by Leigh Suznovich that I read.
I was provided an early copy of this book for an honest review of it.
Tropes/Themes:
⦁ Friends to Lovers
⦁ Slow burn love story
⦁ He falls first
⦁ Marriage ultimatum/marriage of convenience
⦁ Endometriosis, treatment and coping
⦁ Foster care family, Abuse
⦁ Anger management therapy
⦁ Found family
Gage is a friendly face for Celeste at El Abrevadero, his family's restaurant/bar, and he is secretly smitten with Celeste, an imperfect woman fresh out of jail after her sentence for punching a guy (who deserved it) was reviewed and she's trying to get her life on track - including diagnosing and treating her endometriosis.
While the two may have eventually, maybe gotten the courage to connect and date, Gage's father plants the ultimatum that pushes the characters forward: you won't take over full control of El Abrevadero until you're married. Since Celeste needs health care to lessen the financial burden of her endometriosis treatment, Gage proposes a marriage of convenience.
With the premise set, we get the best part of the book - Gage and Celeste finding their way to each other. Their tentative but visceral response to each other is sweet and relatable. While the feelings are there for both of them, their individual traumas keep them from jumping wildly together which is incredibly refreshing in a book. Once they do find their spicy sides connecting, those moments are about as delicious as the unique margaritas and secret family recipe arepas on the menu at El Abrevadero...
Even without having read the other books related to this one, the support characters feel well-established and whole as well. Celeste's foster sister Tania and her partner Carlo, Gage's father, brother and extended family all felt like I was meeting old friends. (I can't wait to go read those books and experience more in this series.)
As this is the first book by Leigh Suznovich I've read, I don't know if all of her stories feel as steeped in real life or not - but I am incredibly appreciative that Stirred Up was more than just a fluffy cutesy romcom. Yes, on it's surface it has a basic premise, but the deeper relationship building, communication even when difficult, and emotional and physical healing that occurs between and for these two characters made me really love this book.
I can confidently say that this won't be the last book by Leigh Suznovich that I read.
"Nope. Not letting you talk about my wife like that." - Ch 15, Gage
"I owe myself hope, no matter how scary it is" - Ch 21, Celeste
I was provided an early copy of this book for an honest review of it.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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December 26, 2025DNF. I would try this again in the future. But it didn’t capture my attention at all, and I had a hard time with the writing and getting into the characters. I think this needed more editing — so many drawn out scenes and dialogue that didn’t feel necessary and dragged out the story even more. That said, I think there's potential, so I'll give it another go in the future, and I think readers should still try the book for themselves. I really appreciated the diversity of characters in the book and the author's empathetic approach to their individual situations, even if it didn't totally land for me.
December 10, 2025
When a Marriage of Convenience Becomes A Safe Place
I really enjoyed this book. It pulled me in right from the start and gave me a story that felt emotional, grounded, and genuinely hopeful. I love when a romance lets the characters be human without stripping away their strength, and this one did that so well.
Gage was such an easy character to fall for. He listens, he shows up, and he cares in a way that feels steady and intentional. His relationship with his dad and his birds added so much heart and personality to his character. His determination to take over the family bar and honor the legacy behind it made him someone you root for immediately.
Celeste was the standout for me. The way she is rebuilding her life, finding stability, and learning to trust again made her feel layered and real. I loved watching her step into her own power while still allowing herself to be vulnerable. The way she opens up to Gage and lets him meet her where she is felt so brave. Her desire to help women who shared similar experiences added even more depth to her character.
What surprised me most was how natural their connection felt. It starts out as something practical and mutually beneficial, but you can feel the shift as they build trust, communicate, and show up for each other in ways that matter. Their dynamic is gentle, supportive, and full of emotional growth. It is the kind of romance where both characters make each other better without forcing change.
The heavier topics in the story were handled with care. Nothing felt brushed aside, but it also did not overwhelm the relationship. Instead, it showed two people trying to heal in healthy ways and choosing to move forward instead of staying stuck in old patterns.
Overall, Stirred Up is a heartfelt marriage of convenience story with found family, vulnerability, and characters you genuinely want to see happy. I closed the book feeling soft and satisfied, and now I want to go back and read the other connected stories in this world.
I really enjoyed this book. It pulled me in right from the start and gave me a story that felt emotional, grounded, and genuinely hopeful. I love when a romance lets the characters be human without stripping away their strength, and this one did that so well.
Gage was such an easy character to fall for. He listens, he shows up, and he cares in a way that feels steady and intentional. His relationship with his dad and his birds added so much heart and personality to his character. His determination to take over the family bar and honor the legacy behind it made him someone you root for immediately.
Celeste was the standout for me. The way she is rebuilding her life, finding stability, and learning to trust again made her feel layered and real. I loved watching her step into her own power while still allowing herself to be vulnerable. The way she opens up to Gage and lets him meet her where she is felt so brave. Her desire to help women who shared similar experiences added even more depth to her character.
What surprised me most was how natural their connection felt. It starts out as something practical and mutually beneficial, but you can feel the shift as they build trust, communicate, and show up for each other in ways that matter. Their dynamic is gentle, supportive, and full of emotional growth. It is the kind of romance where both characters make each other better without forcing change.
The heavier topics in the story were handled with care. Nothing felt brushed aside, but it also did not overwhelm the relationship. Instead, it showed two people trying to heal in healthy ways and choosing to move forward instead of staying stuck in old patterns.
Overall, Stirred Up is a heartfelt marriage of convenience story with found family, vulnerability, and characters you genuinely want to see happy. I closed the book feeling soft and satisfied, and now I want to go back and read the other connected stories in this world.
December 12, 2025
3.5 stars
Thank you to Luna Literary for selecting me to read the ARC.
For the writing style, I found there were a lot of modern references, and sometimes too many expressions that I found took away from the moment. The ending was a bit predictable but was still feel good.
I find it strange that MMC’s dad pushes him into marriage so that he has a life outside of taking over the family business. I am trying to sort out how this makes sense. However, I think the author does do a decent job navigating this in trying to not make this weird.
There are sometimes where I felt things were a little rushed and it would benefit from slowing down, but this makes sense given the shorter length of the book. I’m accustomed to a slower pace since I typically prefer and read duologies or series rather than stand alone books.
I really loved the dual points of view, getting to explore both perspectives of Gage and Celeste. The author does a good job balancing both characters. The chemistry between them is undeniable and I secretly loved the fact that they’re basically thinking similar things each step of the way. They were a fun couple.
I enjoyed the bird shenanigans more than I would have thought originally. I loved the dynamic they add to Gage and Celeste’s home life together. It’s such a contrast from Gage who comes off as being married to their job.
Celete our FMC is a messy, vunerable, independent whirlwind. But she feels real and honest to herself. I have to say, I’m a big fan of her.
Gage our MMC is a golden retriever and married to his work until Celeste walks into his life and they jump into a marriage of convenience together.
From a story perspective, there’s a lot of mentions of various traumas. Readers should be aware of this before embarking into this book. The author does well in navigating this in a realistic way, in my opinion.
Overall, I did like this one even if it wasn’t my usual style. It offered a good palette cleanser from all the romantasy I’ve been reading recently and was fun.
Thank you to Luna Literary for selecting me to read the ARC.
For the writing style, I found there were a lot of modern references, and sometimes too many expressions that I found took away from the moment. The ending was a bit predictable but was still feel good.
I find it strange that MMC’s dad pushes him into marriage so that he has a life outside of taking over the family business. I am trying to sort out how this makes sense. However, I think the author does do a decent job navigating this in trying to not make this weird.
There are sometimes where I felt things were a little rushed and it would benefit from slowing down, but this makes sense given the shorter length of the book. I’m accustomed to a slower pace since I typically prefer and read duologies or series rather than stand alone books.
I really loved the dual points of view, getting to explore both perspectives of Gage and Celeste. The author does a good job balancing both characters. The chemistry between them is undeniable and I secretly loved the fact that they’re basically thinking similar things each step of the way. They were a fun couple.
I enjoyed the bird shenanigans more than I would have thought originally. I loved the dynamic they add to Gage and Celeste’s home life together. It’s such a contrast from Gage who comes off as being married to their job.
Celete our FMC is a messy, vunerable, independent whirlwind. But she feels real and honest to herself. I have to say, I’m a big fan of her.
Gage our MMC is a golden retriever and married to his work until Celeste walks into his life and they jump into a marriage of convenience together.
From a story perspective, there’s a lot of mentions of various traumas. Readers should be aware of this before embarking into this book. The author does well in navigating this in a realistic way, in my opinion.
Overall, I did like this one even if it wasn’t my usual style. It offered a good palette cleanser from all the romantasy I’ve been reading recently and was fun.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2025
We all know I am a serial four star giver but there was genuinely nothing I disliked about Stirred Up so it gets an instant five stars from me.
I read, and loved, the Special Delivery duet - The Parcel and The Care Package - and was delighted when I heard that there was actually going to be another book focusing on the sister of a character in The Care Package. From what we heard of Celeste, I knew she would be an interesting character to delve into and boy, was I right! Suznovich has developed this character perfectly.
Celeste has recently been released from prison after her charge of breaking a man's nose after he inappropriately touched her, was reduced to a misdemeanor and has to attend anger management classes. She has also been recently diagnosed with endometriosis and requires a operation to help with her pain but with no health insurance, that will prove difficult.
Gage runs his father's bar and is good friends with Carlo, the boyfriend of Celeste's sister. He knows he will become owner of the bar soon due to his father's declining health, but his dad doesn't want the bar to be his life. He wants Gage to find love and get married and for everything to be balanced.
He needs a wife, she needs health insurance - the two could help each other out surely?
I absolutely adored these two. Celeste is probably my favourite FMC I have read about in a while. She is so headstrong and her issues with anger, trauma, trust and endometriosis are tackled fantastically. I love how her relationship with Gage changes her for the better and she learns to trust someone other than her sister.
Gage's family dynamic and all of their support for them, taking Celeste in so she feels like a part of them too is beautiful. Especially for someone like Celeste who has never really felt that.
In true Leigh Suznovich style, there are some of the most mouth-watering descriptions of food and I feel like I want to go to El Abrevadero immediately!
Everyone needs to go read not just this book, but The Parcel and The Care Package too.
I read, and loved, the Special Delivery duet - The Parcel and The Care Package - and was delighted when I heard that there was actually going to be another book focusing on the sister of a character in The Care Package. From what we heard of Celeste, I knew she would be an interesting character to delve into and boy, was I right! Suznovich has developed this character perfectly.
Celeste has recently been released from prison after her charge of breaking a man's nose after he inappropriately touched her, was reduced to a misdemeanor and has to attend anger management classes. She has also been recently diagnosed with endometriosis and requires a operation to help with her pain but with no health insurance, that will prove difficult.
Gage runs his father's bar and is good friends with Carlo, the boyfriend of Celeste's sister. He knows he will become owner of the bar soon due to his father's declining health, but his dad doesn't want the bar to be his life. He wants Gage to find love and get married and for everything to be balanced.
He needs a wife, she needs health insurance - the two could help each other out surely?
I absolutely adored these two. Celeste is probably my favourite FMC I have read about in a while. She is so headstrong and her issues with anger, trauma, trust and endometriosis are tackled fantastically. I love how her relationship with Gage changes her for the better and she learns to trust someone other than her sister.
Gage's family dynamic and all of their support for them, taking Celeste in so she feels like a part of them too is beautiful. Especially for someone like Celeste who has never really felt that.
In true Leigh Suznovich style, there are some of the most mouth-watering descriptions of food and I feel like I want to go to El Abrevadero immediately!
Everyone needs to go read not just this book, but The Parcel and The Care Package too.
December 5, 2025
ARC Review!!
You will find:
-Marriage of convenience
-Forced Proximity
-Found family
-Funny Birds
-Black cat x Golden Retriever
This book definitely stirred up some emotions in the best way possible. I love how honest and understanding all the characters are in this book. The vulnerability and empathy shown in this book melt my heart.
Gage is a man who LISTENS. He's attentive, caring, understanding, determined, and most of all, a family man. Not to mention a bird dad. He plans to take over his father's bar and take it to new heights. His passion for his family and the family business is something to admire. Gage's commitment phobia is put to the test when his father gives him a condition before handing over the family bar. Enter Celeste.
Celeste is a force to be reckoned with. She might not realize her strength, but she is a superwoman. I have so much respect for her, and I'm glad that she was able to make a change in her life. Her being vulnerable with Gage to share her past shows so much bravery and trust. I love the fact that she's a girls girl and wants to help women who were incarcerated get back on their feet. She's an advocate for mental health and therapy. She is also an amazing bird mom. Accepting and stepping up to care for Gage's parrots healed a part of her past. Adding Tink to the flock is a bonus. I'm glad she was able to find a sense of family with her husband's family and friends. She deserves every good thing.
Overall, the book is amazing. With the marriage of Gage and Celeste being beneficial to both, they showed that they care about each other on another level. Their relationship is a great example of what healthy communication looks like. The trust they built allowed them to confide in one another so they could better themselves. What started as flirting quickly turned into a marriage of convenience to a marriage of love and trust.
You will find:
-Marriage of convenience
-Forced Proximity
-Found family
-Funny Birds
-Black cat x Golden Retriever
This book definitely stirred up some emotions in the best way possible. I love how honest and understanding all the characters are in this book. The vulnerability and empathy shown in this book melt my heart.
Gage is a man who LISTENS. He's attentive, caring, understanding, determined, and most of all, a family man. Not to mention a bird dad. He plans to take over his father's bar and take it to new heights. His passion for his family and the family business is something to admire. Gage's commitment phobia is put to the test when his father gives him a condition before handing over the family bar. Enter Celeste.
Celeste is a force to be reckoned with. She might not realize her strength, but she is a superwoman. I have so much respect for her, and I'm glad that she was able to make a change in her life. Her being vulnerable with Gage to share her past shows so much bravery and trust. I love the fact that she's a girls girl and wants to help women who were incarcerated get back on their feet. She's an advocate for mental health and therapy. She is also an amazing bird mom. Accepting and stepping up to care for Gage's parrots healed a part of her past. Adding Tink to the flock is a bonus. I'm glad she was able to find a sense of family with her husband's family and friends. She deserves every good thing.
Overall, the book is amazing. With the marriage of Gage and Celeste being beneficial to both, they showed that they care about each other on another level. Their relationship is a great example of what healthy communication looks like. The trust they built allowed them to confide in one another so they could better themselves. What started as flirting quickly turned into a marriage of convenience to a marriage of love and trust.
December 1, 2025
I just chugged a gallon of feelings and half a shot of tequila from El Abrevadero.
Stirred Up owns my heart. Leigh Suznovich walked up, kicked down the door, and handed me two characters so beautifully messy, tender, and stubborn that I am STILL thinking about them hours later. Gage and Celeste??? PERFECTION. I want to wrap them both in a blanket and also shove them together harder because OMG the chemistry.
Gage Cabrera is the grumpy, overworked, emotionally guarded bar owner of my DREAMS. He’s married to his job, in denial about EVERYTHING, and then suddenly he’s proposing a marriage of convenience like it’s the most logical Tuesday afternoon plan ever. And the birds. THE BIRDS. His soft little home life contrasted with his closed-off heart? I was a puddle.
And Celeste—MY GIRL. She is fierce, vulnerable, exhausted, hopeful, sarcastic, hurting, healing, and just struggling to breathe again after life knocked her flat. She walks into that bar with her fiery hair and her big heart and Gage never stood a CHANCE. Their connection felt so natural, so earned, and so freaking tender it left me in shambles.
The way their fake marriage becomes real???
The slow unfurling of trust???
The late-night confessions, the soft moments, the accidental intimacy that wasn’t REALLY accidental???
I swear I melted into my couch. MELTED.
This book is:
🔥 marriage of convenience done RIGHT
🔥 forced proximity with ALL the delicious tension
🔥 real, raw emotion that punches you in the chest
🔥 swoony, slow-burn steam that pays off BIG
🔥 cozy vibes with deep feelings and even deeper love
And the cameos from The Special Delivery duet??? I fangirled. Loudly.
Stirred Up owns my heart. Leigh Suznovich walked up, kicked down the door, and handed me two characters so beautifully messy, tender, and stubborn that I am STILL thinking about them hours later. Gage and Celeste??? PERFECTION. I want to wrap them both in a blanket and also shove them together harder because OMG the chemistry.
Gage Cabrera is the grumpy, overworked, emotionally guarded bar owner of my DREAMS. He’s married to his job, in denial about EVERYTHING, and then suddenly he’s proposing a marriage of convenience like it’s the most logical Tuesday afternoon plan ever. And the birds. THE BIRDS. His soft little home life contrasted with his closed-off heart? I was a puddle.
And Celeste—MY GIRL. She is fierce, vulnerable, exhausted, hopeful, sarcastic, hurting, healing, and just struggling to breathe again after life knocked her flat. She walks into that bar with her fiery hair and her big heart and Gage never stood a CHANCE. Their connection felt so natural, so earned, and so freaking tender it left me in shambles.
The way their fake marriage becomes real???
The slow unfurling of trust???
The late-night confessions, the soft moments, the accidental intimacy that wasn’t REALLY accidental???
I swear I melted into my couch. MELTED.
This book is:
🔥 marriage of convenience done RIGHT
🔥 forced proximity with ALL the delicious tension
🔥 real, raw emotion that punches you in the chest
🔥 swoony, slow-burn steam that pays off BIG
🔥 cozy vibes with deep feelings and even deeper love
And the cameos from The Special Delivery duet??? I fangirled. Loudly.
December 10, 2025
Stirred up is a contemporary romance between Celeste, recently released from prison, and Gage, a bar manager who has briefly been introduced to our FMC during her prison release day celebration in a previous book in the series. They have an instant connection but neither is looking for commitment.
I was a little skeptical at first with how the childhood traumas, abandonment issues, and history of sexual assault would play out in this book as these are all individually heavy topics let alone one or both characters going through multiple incidents. I think for the length of this book, these topics were handled with significant care, they were not glossed over, they did not disappear with one conversation, they were addressed and not necessarily resolved but we had two characters with the desire to change things, to do better, and to grow together and help one another. I do think the timing was quite fast paced but that is usually the case with marriage of convenience story line, and it is wholly unrealistic, but that’s why people enjoy reading these types of romance books. I think the behavior of these two main characters was beautiful, emotionally intelligent, willing and open to learn coping skills, go to therapy, and be vulnerable, present, and consistent. It was as ideal as you can get for two people meeting, having similar backgrounds and concerns about trust and commitment, and both being on the same page with how to move forward together.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and thought the story blossomed beautifully by the end.
There were a couple of instances where the 1st person point of view felt more like I was reading a description from a 3rd POV writing style and it kind of took me out of the story momentarily and some vague statements that just didn’t seem to fit and left me rereading the sentence a couple times.
I was a little skeptical at first with how the childhood traumas, abandonment issues, and history of sexual assault would play out in this book as these are all individually heavy topics let alone one or both characters going through multiple incidents. I think for the length of this book, these topics were handled with significant care, they were not glossed over, they did not disappear with one conversation, they were addressed and not necessarily resolved but we had two characters with the desire to change things, to do better, and to grow together and help one another. I do think the timing was quite fast paced but that is usually the case with marriage of convenience story line, and it is wholly unrealistic, but that’s why people enjoy reading these types of romance books. I think the behavior of these two main characters was beautiful, emotionally intelligent, willing and open to learn coping skills, go to therapy, and be vulnerable, present, and consistent. It was as ideal as you can get for two people meeting, having similar backgrounds and concerns about trust and commitment, and both being on the same page with how to move forward together.
Overall, I really enjoyed this and thought the story blossomed beautifully by the end.
There were a couple of instances where the 1st person point of view felt more like I was reading a description from a 3rd POV writing style and it kind of took me out of the story momentarily and some vague statements that just didn’t seem to fit and left me rereading the sentence a couple times.
December 14, 2025
Note: I received an advance copy of this book so this is my honest review. I will also being doing my best to avoid spoilers for this book as I want folks to read it.
I seem to have this habit of discovering stories that take place in a universe series, but luckily this standalone is a good way to be introduced to the characters of the Special Delivery series. Now I should note there's some cameos from "The Parcel" and "The Care Package". So if you want to learn more about Lyra, Taran, Tania, and Carlo I recommend you check those titles out.
It surprised me how much I would enjoy this as convenience marriage stories tend to get super messy. This one surprisingly didn't, and I adore that. Both Gage and Celeste seem relatable in both of their backstories, and it's not so farfetched either. Their chemistry also has a great foundation in the "Friends to Lovers" category. Gage is protective, sweet, but guarded due to events prior to the story. Celeste has her walls up due to being an orphan, but after some events that placed her in prison she just wants to move on to find her happiness. So there's some realistic stakes here. Another aspect is that while they prepare for this "fake marriage" they also respect each other's boundaries. I happen to find this refreshing as most of the time you discover that one partner's mask of sanity hides a narcissist.
It does have some trigger warning especially with mentions of child abuse (off page) and alcohol, so make sure you are aware of these before diving in. Other than that, I do recommend this title as it's cozy, but not a soft read.
I seem to have this habit of discovering stories that take place in a universe series, but luckily this standalone is a good way to be introduced to the characters of the Special Delivery series. Now I should note there's some cameos from "The Parcel" and "The Care Package". So if you want to learn more about Lyra, Taran, Tania, and Carlo I recommend you check those titles out.
It surprised me how much I would enjoy this as convenience marriage stories tend to get super messy. This one surprisingly didn't, and I adore that. Both Gage and Celeste seem relatable in both of their backstories, and it's not so farfetched either. Their chemistry also has a great foundation in the "Friends to Lovers" category. Gage is protective, sweet, but guarded due to events prior to the story. Celeste has her walls up due to being an orphan, but after some events that placed her in prison she just wants to move on to find her happiness. So there's some realistic stakes here. Another aspect is that while they prepare for this "fake marriage" they also respect each other's boundaries. I happen to find this refreshing as most of the time you discover that one partner's mask of sanity hides a narcissist.
It does have some trigger warning especially with mentions of child abuse (off page) and alcohol, so make sure you are aware of these before diving in. Other than that, I do recommend this title as it's cozy, but not a soft read.
December 8, 2025
This is the first book I have read by Leigh Suznovich. It’s her 3rd ever book!
The first thing I loved about this book was the authors note it explains where the book fits into the world you are about to enter. I hadn’t read the other two books and was totally able to still enjoy this one. I will however be off to read the other two and get a better picture of the couples that are mentioned.
I also loved that it wasn’t your typical girl meets boy blah blah fest. Celeste had been incarcerated and was getting her life back on track and Gage was abandoned by his mother and is a bird dad! He has two very smart parrots.
There are some difficult issues raised in this book so please read the content warnings before diving in.
But I actually adored this book. Celeste has had a shit start in life she was a foster kid and had some really horrible foster parents. She need surgery for Endometriosis but doesn't have health insurance
Gage is the manager of his family’s bar, and his dad has just been diagnosed with Parkinsons. He is hoping to take over the ownership of the bar when his dad retires, His dad gives him an ultimatum he must get married before he passes on ownership of the bar.
So, Gage and Celeste come up with the perfect plan to both get what they need……a fake marriage. It doesn’t stay fake for long and it's so delicious how Gage goes at Celestes pace and doesn’t force anything.
The first thing I loved about this book was the authors note it explains where the book fits into the world you are about to enter. I hadn’t read the other two books and was totally able to still enjoy this one. I will however be off to read the other two and get a better picture of the couples that are mentioned.
I also loved that it wasn’t your typical girl meets boy blah blah fest. Celeste had been incarcerated and was getting her life back on track and Gage was abandoned by his mother and is a bird dad! He has two very smart parrots.
There are some difficult issues raised in this book so please read the content warnings before diving in.
But I actually adored this book. Celeste has had a shit start in life she was a foster kid and had some really horrible foster parents. She need surgery for Endometriosis but doesn't have health insurance
Gage is the manager of his family’s bar, and his dad has just been diagnosed with Parkinsons. He is hoping to take over the ownership of the bar when his dad retires, His dad gives him an ultimatum he must get married before he passes on ownership of the bar.
So, Gage and Celeste come up with the perfect plan to both get what they need……a fake marriage. It doesn’t stay fake for long and it's so delicious how Gage goes at Celestes pace and doesn’t force anything.
December 10, 2025
I enjoyed this book! I’ve read the first in the series but haven’t made it to the second yet - it’s definitely going to move up on my forever long TBR list! I loved how the author clued you in on where these characters fit from the other stories though - this is a standalone.
Celeste was incarcerated for her hotheaded temper - assault is unfortunately frowned upon. Her past traumas and current health issues just make sour sometimes. She gets out early and is starting fresh - she’s living with her foster sister and trying to make the best of starting from the ground up.
Gage is running his family’s bar El Abrevadero - he loves it and has all intentions of taking over when his dad steps away from it. He has a poor opinion on commitment after his mom left them when he was 4 - he loves his dad and brother so much though. The ultimatum his dad gives him to take over the bar is the be married which has always been a big negative for him.
After talking with Celeste one night, he comes up with the idea of getting married for convenience for the both of them - it quickly becomes more than just convenience though. I loved how patient he was with Celeste and the bond they create. You watch them grow not only as separate characters but together - their chemistry could not be denied.
If you love a story of found family, forced proximity and marriage of convenience- this book is for you! Thank you to the author and at @lunaliterary for the early read! All opinions are my own.
Celeste was incarcerated for her hotheaded temper - assault is unfortunately frowned upon. Her past traumas and current health issues just make sour sometimes. She gets out early and is starting fresh - she’s living with her foster sister and trying to make the best of starting from the ground up.
Gage is running his family’s bar El Abrevadero - he loves it and has all intentions of taking over when his dad steps away from it. He has a poor opinion on commitment after his mom left them when he was 4 - he loves his dad and brother so much though. The ultimatum his dad gives him to take over the bar is the be married which has always been a big negative for him.
After talking with Celeste one night, he comes up with the idea of getting married for convenience for the both of them - it quickly becomes more than just convenience though. I loved how patient he was with Celeste and the bond they create. You watch them grow not only as separate characters but together - their chemistry could not be denied.
If you love a story of found family, forced proximity and marriage of convenience- this book is for you! Thank you to the author and at @lunaliterary for the early read! All opinions are my own.
December 9, 2025
Celeste is trying to rebuild her life after spending time in prison, related to unjust charges. On top of life stuff, is also dealing with endometriosis, but doesn't have health insurance. Gage’s life focus is his family’s bar, and taking over after his father’s Parkinson's diagnosis. Dad drops a bomb, saying he can only inherit the bar if he gets married! Enter the good old marriage of convenience trope, which I do love.
I very much enjoyed this book. The author did a great job of writing characters that were vulnerable, and relatable without feeling like there was unnecessary drama thrown in. Both were dealing with hard things in life, but working through it. I loved the birds and the tidbits of bird ownership sprinkled in. The anger management classes were also an interesting part of the story, and learning about that process. I also enjoyed the mentions of food, it felt very genuine, the appreciation Gage had for his abuela & the family recipes. I appreciated how the intimacy between Celeste & Gage was handled, with Celeste’s history of trauma & assault. Celeste is also working through some well warranted hyper independence which I think Gage handles with grace.
This is a new to me author, but I have already started The Parcel which is in the same world. Definitely recommend checking her out!
Thank you Luna Literary for the ARC!
I very much enjoyed this book. The author did a great job of writing characters that were vulnerable, and relatable without feeling like there was unnecessary drama thrown in. Both were dealing with hard things in life, but working through it. I loved the birds and the tidbits of bird ownership sprinkled in. The anger management classes were also an interesting part of the story, and learning about that process. I also enjoyed the mentions of food, it felt very genuine, the appreciation Gage had for his abuela & the family recipes. I appreciated how the intimacy between Celeste & Gage was handled, with Celeste’s history of trauma & assault. Celeste is also working through some well warranted hyper independence which I think Gage handles with grace.
This is a new to me author, but I have already started The Parcel which is in the same world. Definitely recommend checking her out!
Thank you Luna Literary for the ARC!
December 27, 2025
Stirred Up is a charming, feel-good romance that blends flirty banter, emotional depth, and just the right amount of heat—all served up behind a bar. From the very first interaction, the chemistry between the leads is undeniable, crackling with tension, sarcasm, and moments that feel both playful and real.
What I loved most about this story is how grounded it feels. Beneath the cocktails and late-night conversations is a romance rooted in vulnerability, personal growth, and learning how to let someone see the messy parts of you. The characters feel relatable and layered, and their connection develops in a way that feels earned rather than rushed.
The setting adds such a cozy, intimate vibe—late nights, quiet confessions, and the kind of conversations that only happen when the rest of the world has gone quiet. Leigh Suznovich does a wonderful job balancing lighthearted moments with emotional ones, making this an easy book to sink into while still packing an emotional punch.
If you love bartender romances, slow-burn chemistry, and heartfelt connections with a splash of spice, Stirred Up is absolutely worth picking up. Perfect for readers who want something sweet, swoony, and satisfying. 🍸✨
What I loved most about this story is how grounded it feels. Beneath the cocktails and late-night conversations is a romance rooted in vulnerability, personal growth, and learning how to let someone see the messy parts of you. The characters feel relatable and layered, and their connection develops in a way that feels earned rather than rushed.
The setting adds such a cozy, intimate vibe—late nights, quiet confessions, and the kind of conversations that only happen when the rest of the world has gone quiet. Leigh Suznovich does a wonderful job balancing lighthearted moments with emotional ones, making this an easy book to sink into while still packing an emotional punch.
If you love bartender romances, slow-burn chemistry, and heartfelt connections with a splash of spice, Stirred Up is absolutely worth picking up. Perfect for readers who want something sweet, swoony, and satisfying. 🍸✨
November 30, 2025
This is my first time reading a brand new book as an arc reader! I’m so grateful to have been selected to review “Stirred Up”. I liked the storyline of the book. There were a couple things that I noticed that were hard for me to get into, or things that didn’t “click” right away for me, that I thought would be explained earlier. But otherwise, the writing was smooth, and I could tell there were a couple different “messages” that were trying to be conveyed. I liked how the characters were all really personable, and you could picture them in real life, in addition to their thoughts and feelings being relatable.
I didn’t give 5 stars because it did take me a while to get into the book, and there were multiple times that I put the book down, as I hadn’t felt connected. But I think once the story was over, I felt good about the book as a whole.
I didn’t give 5 stars because it did take me a while to get into the book, and there were multiple times that I put the book down, as I hadn’t felt connected. But I think once the story was over, I felt good about the book as a whole.
December 1, 2025
ARC review
I haven’t read the previous two books set in the same universe as Stirred Up, but I had no trouble following the story, and now I’m excited to read the others. (The Parcel & The Care Package)
I think I fell a little in love with Gage on page one. He’s so kind and caring: toward his father, his birds, and of course, Celeste.
I also related to Celeste in several ways. Her vulnerability, and her willingness to share her story and work through her trauma, felt incredibly heartwarming.
One of my favorite things about this book is how neither Gage nor Celeste tried to change the other; instead, they encouraged each other to grow. Their relationship felt supportive, healthy, and beautifully written.
Overall, this was a fantastic read.
TW: child abuse, sexual abuse and harassment, foster care, Parkinson’s, and endometriosis.
I haven’t read the previous two books set in the same universe as Stirred Up, but I had no trouble following the story, and now I’m excited to read the others. (The Parcel & The Care Package)
I think I fell a little in love with Gage on page one. He’s so kind and caring: toward his father, his birds, and of course, Celeste.
I also related to Celeste in several ways. Her vulnerability, and her willingness to share her story and work through her trauma, felt incredibly heartwarming.
One of my favorite things about this book is how neither Gage nor Celeste tried to change the other; instead, they encouraged each other to grow. Their relationship felt supportive, healthy, and beautifully written.
Overall, this was a fantastic read.
TW: child abuse, sexual abuse and harassment, foster care, Parkinson’s, and endometriosis.
December 2, 2025
I was very kindly given an ARC copy of this adorable story. This is my first novel by Leigh Suznovich, and although it is a third in a series, they are interconnected standalones that can be read separately.
I was really pleasantly surprised by this story! Gage and Celeste are an adorable couple who each have their own baggage, and they enter into a marriage of convenience in order to achieve their respective goals.
Their chemistry is there from day one, and I was totally here for the ways in which they showed up for each other despite being afraid of getting hurt. And of course we cannot forget the most important of the supporting cast, our feathered friends! The birds were adorable, our main characters were adorable, the family they all pulled together was adorable, and this was genuinely just a totally heartwarming read. ❤️
I was really pleasantly surprised by this story! Gage and Celeste are an adorable couple who each have their own baggage, and they enter into a marriage of convenience in order to achieve their respective goals.
Their chemistry is there from day one, and I was totally here for the ways in which they showed up for each other despite being afraid of getting hurt. And of course we cannot forget the most important of the supporting cast, our feathered friends! The birds were adorable, our main characters were adorable, the family they all pulled together was adorable, and this was genuinely just a totally heartwarming read. ❤️
December 10, 2025
Stirred Up is a contemporary romance following the story of Gage, a sweet, patient and truly thoughtful bartender/manager, soon to be owner and Celeste, a sassy, kind hearted woman full of fire who comes in and sweeps Gage off his feet. Yes, she sweeps him off of his feet!
This story is about trauma, healing, loss (not in death) and love. It's about facing their fears and not letting the past stop them from having a good present and future. Finding the strength to take the necessary steps to seek help and bettering themselves for themselves and also for the relationship they both wish to progress.
Gage and Celeste complement each other so well, their fun banter and loyal support shine throughout. And the side characters, their friends and family offer steady warmth and love, showing how much the right village truly matters.
ARC Review - 4⭐️
This story is about trauma, healing, loss (not in death) and love. It's about facing their fears and not letting the past stop them from having a good present and future. Finding the strength to take the necessary steps to seek help and bettering themselves for themselves and also for the relationship they both wish to progress.
Gage and Celeste complement each other so well, their fun banter and loyal support shine throughout. And the side characters, their friends and family offer steady warmth and love, showing how much the right village truly matters.
ARC Review - 4⭐️
December 12, 2025
Third in the series but not the best, not the worst of the bunch. Hence, the three star rating.
"The Parcel" introduced me to this author. She carefully tended to her main character, Lyra, in that book. Similar to her, Celeste is also dealing with a female medical condition. She's also a recent parolee. So, there's an extra layer of vulnerability in this new character.
With that, feel that more could have been done to flesh out the incident that led to her short stint in prison. There's more focus on her unstable childhood and the dangers she faced and while helps to understand her, there could have been more explored as to the incident itself.
Found Gabe to be more interesting than her with his strong family ties to his brother and father but the loss as to his mother seems surface level.
"The Parcel" introduced me to this author. She carefully tended to her main character, Lyra, in that book. Similar to her, Celeste is also dealing with a female medical condition. She's also a recent parolee. So, there's an extra layer of vulnerability in this new character.
With that, feel that more could have been done to flesh out the incident that led to her short stint in prison. There's more focus on her unstable childhood and the dangers she faced and while helps to understand her, there could have been more explored as to the incident itself.
Found Gabe to be more interesting than her with his strong family ties to his brother and father but the loss as to his mother seems surface level.
November 27, 2025
*ARC REVIEW*
I was kindly given an ARC of Stirred Up and this was good! was so interested in how Celeste’s story would be after seeing bits of her in the previous book and this was a well deserved story for her and Gage. they were both so sweet and caring to each other and they were so kind and I loved how they both felt safe with each other. they understood each other and got on so well and they were a good match and I enjoyed seeing their friendship build to what it became. loved Celeste’s relationship with Tania, it was a beautiful sisterly bond and the friendships in this were sweet. it was a sweet and wholesome read, a good book! (thank you to Leigh Suznovich and Luna Literary Management for the ARC, all opinions are my own)
Stirred Up releases December 9!
4⭐
I was kindly given an ARC of Stirred Up and this was good! was so interested in how Celeste’s story would be after seeing bits of her in the previous book and this was a well deserved story for her and Gage. they were both so sweet and caring to each other and they were so kind and I loved how they both felt safe with each other. they understood each other and got on so well and they were a good match and I enjoyed seeing their friendship build to what it became. loved Celeste’s relationship with Tania, it was a beautiful sisterly bond and the friendships in this were sweet. it was a sweet and wholesome read, a good book! (thank you to Leigh Suznovich and Luna Literary Management for the ARC, all opinions are my own)
Stirred Up releases December 9!
4⭐
December 10, 2025
This is my first book by Leigh Suznovich and it will not be my last. This was such a wonderfully sweet and inspiring read. I enjoyed the characters. Both Gage and Celeste are relatable and easily to care about. Celeste has a very complex and heartbreaking past and Gage is exactly who she needs to grow and overcome her history. Gage has his own baggage and battles to conquer and I truly enjoyed the ride. This book is engaging with absolutely the best characters (including the feathered variety). I look forward to reading more books by this author and I highly recommend this to anyone who is looking for a book with marriage convenience, found family, forced proximity and black cat golden retriever vibes.
December 27, 2025
I love a good marriage of convenience type book. And this one nails it. Gage wanting to own the bar has to get married or he won’t inherit it. Say so by dad lol. Then enters Celeste. A woman that just got out of prison in unjust charges. She’s in need of heath care for her endometriosis and Gage needs a wife. He puts together a plan of them getting married so he can get the bar and she can get his health insurance. Sounds like a plan! LOL I loved this idea, and the way they connected along the way. What should’ve been only for convenience turned into something more. But hey, we saw that coming right? Or at least that’s what we were hoping for. I know I was. I truly enjoyed this story. It was fun and warm and loving. I can’t wait to see what comes next from this author.
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December 29, 2025I really enjoyed this book. It pulled me in right from the start. When you find that Celeste was in legal trouble and faced jail time normally you would think she did something awful, in reality she defended herself. This book touches on so many things that are real world issues. Working through trauma and abandonment also fears of being in a relationship this book has them all.
Gage was such an easy character to fall for, he's the perfect man. His relationship with his dad and his birds added so much heart and personality to his character, made him relatable. Celeste is rebuilding her life, finding stability, and learning to trust again. To watching her step into her own, while allowing herself to be vulnerable.
Gage was such an easy character to fall for, he's the perfect man. His relationship with his dad and his birds added so much heart and personality to his character, made him relatable. Celeste is rebuilding her life, finding stability, and learning to trust again. To watching her step into her own, while allowing herself to be vulnerable.
December 2, 2025
Another cute, feel good romance from Leigh Suznovich. I’m glad she decided to write Gage’s story. I always felt something was there with him as a character in his short scenes in the Special Delivery Duet. Gage and Celeste are perfectly imperfect for each other. Both have such hard things to work through, especially a strong sense of abandonment, and I’m glad they work through them together and not away from each other. The found family trope is strong here, which I love. Add in a marriage of convenience (add a little bit of spice!), and that’s a great formula for a book.
Thank you to Leigh for the ARC!
Thank you to Leigh for the ARC!
December 31, 2025
A delightfully cozy romantic comedy filled with humor, chemistry, and lighthearted yet steamy chaos. My first Leigh Suznovich delivers witty dialogue and a fast-paced romance that’s both fun and satisfying. Thanks for the ARC, Luna Literary!
Gage and Celeste were amazing characters, both as individuals and as a couple. They carried the book so well with their highs and lows, just like any of us! I mean, Stirred Up was perfectly written, and the MCs were even better! Their marriage of convenience was top notch!
Stirred Up is a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, contemporary romance.
Gage and Celeste were amazing characters, both as individuals and as a couple. They carried the book so well with their highs and lows, just like any of us! I mean, Stirred Up was perfectly written, and the MCs were even better! Their marriage of convenience was top notch!
Stirred Up is a marriage of convenience, forced proximity, contemporary romance.
March 16, 2026
Stirred Up is playful, charming, and full of the kind of chaos that turns a practical arrangement into something a lot more complicated. Watching two very different personalities learn to navigate closeness creates both humor and heartfelt moments. What starts as a situation of convenience slowly builds into real affection, and the found family element adds warmth that makes the story feel cozy and satisfying. This one is fun, swoony, and perfect for readers who love opposites attracting in the most entertaining way.
Tropes:
• Marriage of convenience
• Forced proximity
• Found family
• Funny misunderstandings
• Black cat x golden retriever
Tropes:
• Marriage of convenience
• Forced proximity
• Found family
• Funny misunderstandings
• Black cat x golden retriever
December 3, 2025
Arc review! Stirred Up is a marriage of convenience who doesn’t love a good marriage of convenience! Gage love running his family bar but his dad wants him to get married before he will hand over the family business to him. Celeste needs medical so they come up with a plan to get married. Will they fine love or will everything fall apart? You will have to read it to find out! No spoilers tor you! Lol but I definitely recommend.
What you will find inside this book:
Marriage of Convenience
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Funny Birds
Black Cat x Golden Retriever
What you will find inside this book:
Marriage of Convenience
Forced Proximity
Found Family
Funny Birds
Black Cat x Golden Retriever
December 5, 2025
Can a marriage of convenience break the barriers holding Celeste and Gage from finding love. Celeste has just gotten out of prison (she was unjustly charged), and Gage has an unconscious commitment phobia because of his mom.
This story follows them as they get married to help each other out but ending up with so much more than they ever agreed on.
Tropes:
Found family
Slow burn
He falls first
Marriage of convenience
Thank you to Luna Literary Management and Leigh Suznovich for this ARC read opportunity.
This story follows them as they get married to help each other out but ending up with so much more than they ever agreed on.
Tropes:
Found family
Slow burn
He falls first
Marriage of convenience
Thank you to Luna Literary Management and Leigh Suznovich for this ARC read opportunity.
December 13, 2025
4.5⭐️
When the fake marriage starts to feel real ❤️
Tbh I was a skeptic going into this romance! But I fell head over heels with the story. The way Celeste and Gage open up to each other throughout the story is so refreshing, they truly see and listen to what each other needs and provides it without question. I was honestly afraid for a 3rd act breakup that most romance books have, but this had no breakup in sight! It was everything I could have wanted in a romance and more!!
Thank you Leigh and Luna Literary Management for an eARC!
When the fake marriage starts to feel real ❤️
Tbh I was a skeptic going into this romance! But I fell head over heels with the story. The way Celeste and Gage open up to each other throughout the story is so refreshing, they truly see and listen to what each other needs and provides it without question. I was honestly afraid for a 3rd act breakup that most romance books have, but this had no breakup in sight! It was everything I could have wanted in a romance and more!!
Thank you Leigh and Luna Literary Management for an eARC!
December 27, 2025
“She’s not a step-bird mom, she’s the bird mom who stepped up” 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
-marriage of convenience
-found family
-black cat fmc/golden retriever mmc
-she’s fresh out of jail 🤭
A lighthearted comfort read that also touches on personal growth. I loved the angry daughter doing her healing and the personal growth both mcs had. And the birds, oh the birds! They were darling and Gage was such a good bird dad
Pick this up if you enjoy down to earth mcs, no third act breakup and a HEA
Thank you to Luna Literary & Leigh for the eARC
-marriage of convenience
-found family
-black cat fmc/golden retriever mmc
-she’s fresh out of jail 🤭
A lighthearted comfort read that also touches on personal growth. I loved the angry daughter doing her healing and the personal growth both mcs had. And the birds, oh the birds! They were darling and Gage was such a good bird dad
Pick this up if you enjoy down to earth mcs, no third act breakup and a HEA
Thank you to Luna Literary & Leigh for the eARC
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