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Maya's Blog #6
Stir Crazy
Maya’s built her life in the Umbrafore world - her blog, her marriage, and her found family. But the rift between Scorpion and Dax is the one crack she can't seem to fill, no matter how many times she stirs the pot.
Meanwhile, Genevieve is armed with a business plan, zero experience, and entirely too much confidence; she plans to open the Umbrafore's first ghostly detective agency.
What could possibly go wrong?
Apparently everything.
Meanwhile, Genevieve is armed with a business plan, zero experience, and entirely too much confidence; she plans to open the Umbrafore's first ghostly detective agency.
What could possibly go wrong?
Apparently everything.
327 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 29, 2026
About the author
Lara McKenzie
8 books66 followersLara McKenzie writes quirky, heartfelt stories brewed with humour, magic, and a splash of rebellion.
With a love for sharp wit, morally grey characters, and slow-burn tension, Lara blends the cosy and the chaotic into stories that linger like your favourite cup of coffee.
When she's not writing, you’ll find her researching weird folklore, chasing plot bunnies, or perfecting her latte art (with mixed success).
With a love for sharp wit, morally grey characters, and slow-burn tension, Lara blends the cosy and the chaotic into stories that linger like your favourite cup of coffee.
When she's not writing, you’ll find her researching weird folklore, chasing plot bunnies, or perfecting her latte art (with mixed success).
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
May 31, 2026
Good but not great
I was so excited when I found out we were getting another book. The Charlotte episode was a fantastic addition to the originals. This one felt somewhat forced. Still funny in parts, still emotionally supportive in others, but did not feel as genuine as all the others. It was cute. Just not as much depth as I have become accustomed to with Lara’s books.
I was so excited when I found out we were getting another book. The Charlotte episode was a fantastic addition to the originals. This one felt somewhat forced. Still funny in parts, still emotionally supportive in others, but did not feel as genuine as all the others. It was cute. Just not as much depth as I have become accustomed to with Lara’s books.
June 3, 2026
I think I'll always find comfort in Maya's world, even when things seem bleak.
June 10, 2026
love the series, not my favorite however
Rating: 4⭐️
Stir Crazy is book 6 is Maya’s Blog, one of my all time favorite series.
Lara McKenzie has taken her main character on a tremendous personal journey of self discovery and growth. She’s gone from someone who fled a strict religious home environment that was destroying her sense of self and wellbeing to finding a new place where she slowly became a woman who through a new life, barista job and found family of paranormals, who she is today.
Someone who has undergone an enormous transformation into a paranormal herself, found a mate in a battle demon, and now has a family, that includes a demon merchild, Sabine, and a ghost mantis shrimp, Genevieve. And a blog of millions of followers.
It’s been a great journey.And it’s not over yet.
After Little Bean, the birth of her baby, the battle with the Project Purity people who threatened their lives, now comes the fallout.
And how she, Scorpion (her husband and mate) , Sabine the baby, and the rest of the household are doing after the fighting is over and the ramifications is setting in.
Not well. Especially for Scorpion as Dax, his best friend and co-hort in the field, left for the Rift over his own actions. And nothing has been the same. Tension is high and effecting everyone around him. Leaving Maya to try and figure things out.
I thought this was a good book but not the strongest one in the series. Several things I found works against it for me.
Genevieve, the ghost mantis shrimp, is a unique character and voice. But here McKenzie makes the decision to give Genevieve a larger audience and role in Maya’s blog. Which is the book’s format. So we get Maya’s perspective and her story about what she’s going through with trying to fix the torn dynamic between Scorpion and Dax.
Then it’s switched to Genevieve and her new sidekick Myrtle the Turtle, and her new PI business she’s setting up. Then the cases she and Myrtle actually take.
Then we start to see alternating blogs for Maya and Genevieve, which I found a less interesting and enjoyable format. Genevieve is fine in small doses but doesn’t work for me here in a larger capacity. Unlike Charlotte who got her own story, and it was outstanding.
There’s a few things left open, like the sentient car who left Maya because she felt unappreciated/unheard. This was another element that I found underwhelming. It came out of nowhere.
Maya was quick to blame herself for not listening but the prior circumstances, a desperate battle, constant fighting and threats, a demolition of her home, none of which seemed to be taken into account by the car. Was no one else around her who could have intervened (friends/family) or even the car talking to someone about it? To say an intervention was needed? To a mother overwhelmed with her current circumstances?
Seems like a bit unfair to me. That Maya is the only one able to hold everything together. New mom to a child whose very vocal cords can shatter buildings who’s starting preschool ? And a husband who is having trouble with his rage and frustration that he’s scaring people? And a ghost shrimp who wants to start a business and bring in a turtle? So let’s add an unhappy car to that.
So yes, I found that Stir Crazy was good but not fantastic. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Absolutely don’t miss out on Charlotte’s book Kiss My Ash, it’s incredible.
I listed them all below.,
The series is highly recommended!
Maya's Blogs (6 book series):
Espresso Yourself #1
Brew Diligence #2
Uncharted Grounds #3
Flat White Flag #4
Little Bean #5
Stir Crazy #6
Kiss My Ash: An Umbrafore Standalone Novel
Rating: 4⭐️
Stir Crazy is book 6 is Maya’s Blog, one of my all time favorite series.
Lara McKenzie has taken her main character on a tremendous personal journey of self discovery and growth. She’s gone from someone who fled a strict religious home environment that was destroying her sense of self and wellbeing to finding a new place where she slowly became a woman who through a new life, barista job and found family of paranormals, who she is today.
Someone who has undergone an enormous transformation into a paranormal herself, found a mate in a battle demon, and now has a family, that includes a demon merchild, Sabine, and a ghost mantis shrimp, Genevieve. And a blog of millions of followers.
It’s been a great journey.And it’s not over yet.
After Little Bean, the birth of her baby, the battle with the Project Purity people who threatened their lives, now comes the fallout.
And how she, Scorpion (her husband and mate) , Sabine the baby, and the rest of the household are doing after the fighting is over and the ramifications is setting in.
Not well. Especially for Scorpion as Dax, his best friend and co-hort in the field, left for the Rift over his own actions. And nothing has been the same. Tension is high and effecting everyone around him. Leaving Maya to try and figure things out.
I thought this was a good book but not the strongest one in the series. Several things I found works against it for me.
Genevieve, the ghost mantis shrimp, is a unique character and voice. But here McKenzie makes the decision to give Genevieve a larger audience and role in Maya’s blog. Which is the book’s format. So we get Maya’s perspective and her story about what she’s going through with trying to fix the torn dynamic between Scorpion and Dax.
Then it’s switched to Genevieve and her new sidekick Myrtle the Turtle, and her new PI business she’s setting up. Then the cases she and Myrtle actually take.
Then we start to see alternating blogs for Maya and Genevieve, which I found a less interesting and enjoyable format. Genevieve is fine in small doses but doesn’t work for me here in a larger capacity. Unlike Charlotte who got her own story, and it was outstanding.
There’s a few things left open, like the sentient car who left Maya because she felt unappreciated/unheard. This was another element that I found underwhelming. It came out of nowhere.
Maya was quick to blame herself for not listening but the prior circumstances, a desperate battle, constant fighting and threats, a demolition of her home, none of which seemed to be taken into account by the car. Was no one else around her who could have intervened (friends/family) or even the car talking to someone about it? To say an intervention was needed? To a mother overwhelmed with her current circumstances?
Seems like a bit unfair to me. That Maya is the only one able to hold everything together. New mom to a child whose very vocal cords can shatter buildings who’s starting preschool ? And a husband who is having trouble with his rage and frustration that he’s scaring people? And a ghost shrimp who wants to start a business and bring in a turtle? So let’s add an unhappy car to that.
So yes, I found that Stir Crazy was good but not fantastic. I’ll be looking forward to seeing what happens next.
Absolutely don’t miss out on Charlotte’s book Kiss My Ash, it’s incredible.
I listed them all below.,
The series is highly recommended!
Maya's Blogs (6 book series):
Espresso Yourself #1
Brew Diligence #2
Uncharted Grounds #3
Flat White Flag #4
Little Bean #5
Stir Crazy #6
Kiss My Ash: An Umbrafore Standalone Novel
June 5, 2026
Okay book in the series. This one was ‘slice of life’ than the others. The book adds in Genevieve’s blog so you move between the 2. A light fun read but lacks the excitement of the others.
May 31, 2026
This series continues to surprise me
Every single installment in this series has been amazing and this book is holding up the quality expectations.
Things to know:
It's a fantasy romantic story
The doors are closed but suggestions are made
It has emotions and humor in equal measures. Both are elite.
If you don't want to watch the warrior antics while drinking coffee, we should not be friends.
This is not a standalone book. Don't even think about skipping books 1-5.
The entire series is written in a blog format (not Charlotte's book, but all of Maya's). It's apparently neurodivergent friendly, and I definitely find it a very well paced and spaced format. The chapter breaks are very convenient for readers with distractions or fidgety tendencies. The editing is pretty elite without many noticeable errors (honestly, I think there was one dropped word that made me double back but nothing beyond comprehension). Where some authors can't hold their own details from one sentence to the next, Lara McKenzie has everything organized and consistent.
The characters are ones that I can't help but love. Maya, Scorpion and all of the side characters just fit well into their roles. I keep getting slightly anxious that the author will go a book too far and break the universe quality but at the same time there are at least 3 side characters that I desperately want stories for. I believe she has one in the works and I'm waiting impatiently to read it!
Every single installment in this series has been amazing and this book is holding up the quality expectations.
Things to know:
It's a fantasy romantic story
The doors are closed but suggestions are made
It has emotions and humor in equal measures. Both are elite.
If you don't want to watch the warrior antics while drinking coffee, we should not be friends.
This is not a standalone book. Don't even think about skipping books 1-5.
The entire series is written in a blog format (not Charlotte's book, but all of Maya's). It's apparently neurodivergent friendly, and I definitely find it a very well paced and spaced format. The chapter breaks are very convenient for readers with distractions or fidgety tendencies. The editing is pretty elite without many noticeable errors (honestly, I think there was one dropped word that made me double back but nothing beyond comprehension). Where some authors can't hold their own details from one sentence to the next, Lara McKenzie has everything organized and consistent.
The characters are ones that I can't help but love. Maya, Scorpion and all of the side characters just fit well into their roles. I keep getting slightly anxious that the author will go a book too far and break the universe quality but at the same time there are at least 3 side characters that I desperately want stories for. I believe she has one in the works and I'm waiting impatiently to read it!
May 31, 2026
Oh THANK YOU!!!
Maya is back, can you hear a 60 yr old woman squee???? If it broke the sound barrier, I won't apologise 😏 I do know it made my hearing aid squeal. 😂😂😂
Life is moving on in Maya's world. Sabine is adorable ❤❤ whilst learning she can be in charge of ANYTHING her little heart wants or demands.
She has DADDY Scorpion wrapped around her little pinky. He'll burn the world for her, especially the boys 😲😲😂😂
But Scorpion is in rough shape. He's getting more and more angry at things. Mainly after hearing from Dax.
Lara, I do love the writing style, it's something my brain didn't know it needed.
But if you need to release more Maya, cause she won't stop talking to you, I wouldn't be adverse to her popping back 😏😁😁
Thank you xx
Maya is back, can you hear a 60 yr old woman squee???? If it broke the sound barrier, I won't apologise 😏 I do know it made my hearing aid squeal. 😂😂😂
Life is moving on in Maya's world. Sabine is adorable ❤❤ whilst learning she can be in charge of ANYTHING her little heart wants or demands.
She has DADDY Scorpion wrapped around her little pinky. He'll burn the world for her, especially the boys 😲😲😂😂
But Scorpion is in rough shape. He's getting more and more angry at things. Mainly after hearing from Dax.
Lara, I do love the writing style, it's something my brain didn't know it needed.
But if you need to release more Maya, cause she won't stop talking to you, I wouldn't be adverse to her popping back 😏😁😁
Thank you xx
October 10, 2026
I didn't click as much with this latest book. It still was a great read and had the usual wonderful descriptions, funny lines, and lively new additions (I love Myrtle) - but something was just off for me and I didnt enjoy it as much as the others. Maybe it was too much in the main emotional dramas, what with Scorpion going off the deep end in the way he did and Nyx naffing off - it just wasn't as cozy chaos as usual - but instead just devastating chaos. Still well worth the read though, and I am hoping that we get a conclusion to some of the things, like her scorpions name and whether Nyx comes back and forgives her in the new spin off series (as I have read this is the last in this series).
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 18, 2026
5 Stars ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Another hit from Lara McKenzie! The Maya’s Blog series has officially become one of my comfort reads.
I have to admit, Myrtle the ghost turtle has stolen the show for me. Every scene with her makes me smile. I was surprised Maya’s brother was barely mentioned, though, especially since they’d seemed to be working on repairing their relationship.
This series never fails to leave me happy, and I really, really hope there are more books to come. I’m not ready to let these characters go!
Another hit from Lara McKenzie! The Maya’s Blog series has officially become one of my comfort reads.
I have to admit, Myrtle the ghost turtle has stolen the show for me. Every scene with her makes me smile. I was surprised Maya’s brother was barely mentioned, though, especially since they’d seemed to be working on repairing their relationship.
This series never fails to leave me happy, and I really, really hope there are more books to come. I’m not ready to let these characters go!
August 13, 2026
I have read all the other books in the series so I decided to finish the series. This last book deals more with and . While that’s all fine, I just didn’t find this volume as engaging as previous ones. Many of the problems I’ve had with the previous stories like all the characters having the same snarky speech patterns and the excessive use of the word “tactical “ hold true for this book. I needed a diversion while traveling and this was fine but not riveting.
July 24, 2026
the end of Maya era for now.
I love this ending, but I also know that it isn’t the ending. I ended up reading kiss my ass before book 6 because when I started a certain someone had helped Charlotte with a problem, I think that was the best way to read the series. And I can’t wait for other Umbrafore soldiers to find their happily crazy after!
This series is a whole vibe and I am ready to live it.
I love this ending, but I also know that it isn’t the ending. I ended up reading kiss my ass before book 6 because when I started a certain someone had helped Charlotte with a problem, I think that was the best way to read the series. And I can’t wait for other Umbrafore soldiers to find their happily crazy after!
This series is a whole vibe and I am ready to live it.
May 31, 2026
Did I grab this immediately? Of course I did!
I love this whole series so much and new this book would be no exception.
The way Lara writes these characters, her depth of feeling she brings to each story is truly amazing.
They are filled with emotions, humor, banter and absolute genuine care.
Do yourself a favor and read this series...you won't regret it.
I love this whole series so much and new this book would be no exception.
The way Lara writes these characters, her depth of feeling she brings to each story is truly amazing.
They are filled with emotions, humor, banter and absolute genuine care.
Do yourself a favor and read this series...you won't regret it.
June 10, 2026
laugh and cry in the same breath.
As always, darling and daring Maya shares her life with her readers. I absolutely love this format - which as I’ve said before I hadn’t expected to like at all. If you’re reading this and trying to decide if you should give the series a go, grab book one and try it. You won’t be disappointed.
As always, darling and daring Maya shares her life with her readers. I absolutely love this format - which as I’ve said before I hadn’t expected to like at all. If you’re reading this and trying to decide if you should give the series a go, grab book one and try it. You won’t be disappointed.
May 29, 2026
Such a fun addition to the series! I will say I do feel slightly emotionally exhausted after finishing it, because there was a lot going on, but I did enjoy it. The chaotic fun vibes are def there and I adored Gen’s additions to the blog!!!
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 30, 2026
Fantastic As Always
I don't have the words to describe how much I love Maya's Blogs. Lara Mckenzie you are so talented and amazing! You have become my first and only no questions asked author. Any book you write, I'm buying.
I don't have the words to describe how much I love Maya's Blogs. Lara Mckenzie you are so talented and amazing! You have become my first and only no questions asked author. Any book you write, I'm buying.
May 31, 2026
More please!!!
The only problem with finishing one of these books is I’ve finished the book. I love Maya’s world; the characters feel fully realized, the situations are only occasionally outlandish, and the humor and heart are real.
The only problem with finishing one of these books is I’ve finished the book. I love Maya’s world; the characters feel fully realized, the situations are only occasionally outlandish, and the humor and heart are real.
June 1, 2026
I’d give 10 stars if I could!
Somehow, a new installment in this lovely little world arrives just when I need it! I usually fly through Lara’s novels but I tried to take my time with this one. Still finished it in 3 days. This world feels like home, only better.
Somehow, a new installment in this lovely little world arrives just when I need it! I usually fly through Lara’s novels but I tried to take my time with this one. Still finished it in 3 days. This world feels like home, only better.
June 13, 2026
Love This Series
I do not feel as if I ought to, but I do love this series. I didn’t expect there to be an addition to Maya’s Blogs, so this was a delightful surprise. Highly recommend.
I do not feel as if I ought to, but I do love this series. I didn’t expect there to be an addition to Maya’s Blogs, so this was a delightful surprise. Highly recommend.
July 20, 2026
exactly what I needed as always
I saved this for my next reading slump and that was the right call. This book made me laugh, go “aww” silently, and wiggle happily while kicking my feet.
I saved this for my next reading slump and that was the right call. This book made me laugh, go “aww” silently, and wiggle happily while kicking my feet.
September 3, 2026
Soo good but I have questions
***Spoilers!!!!***
What happens with Nyx? What about the Scorpion guardians- do they get to see any action? What happens in Edinburgh ? Does Dax find love ?
***Spoilers!!!!***
What happens with Nyx? What about the Scorpion guardians- do they get to see any action? What happens in Edinburgh ? Does Dax find love ?
September 19, 2026
McKenzie Delivers... again!
The Maya's blog series and the Charlotte books are stellar snark, heart, and make ya go 'huh' all at once. I laugh out loud exactly when I think life's got me by the ovaries! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
The Maya's blog series and the Charlotte books are stellar snark, heart, and make ya go 'huh' all at once. I laugh out loud exactly when I think life's got me by the ovaries! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
September 21, 2026
Absolutely a great read
There are so many fabulous characters in this book. These maybe my favorite series. The family you chose Maya is the best. I hope b more of them get their own series.
There are so many fabulous characters in this book. These maybe my favorite series. The family you chose Maya is the best. I hope b more of them get their own series.
May 29, 2026
Can’t Get Enough
I love this series. The humor. The snark. The emotionally devastating one-liners. This latest installment has it all and I never put it down. Highly Recommended.
I love this series. The humor. The snark. The emotionally devastating one-liners. This latest installment has it all and I never put it down. Highly Recommended.
May 30, 2026
I love the latest book about Maya and Scorpion and love hearing about Sabine growing up. So so good and I hope there will be more. Absolutely adore the short chapters and Gen's bog posts are superb
June 1, 2026
So Good!
As usual this series delivers all the goods. Funny, romantic but not over the top, the blog format is genius! I’m gonna go back and read them all over again.
As usual this series delivers all the goods. Funny, romantic but not over the top, the blog format is genius! I’m gonna go back and read them all over again.
June 2, 2026
She does it again!
Stir Crazy is just as unhinged as the rest of this series (Kiss My Ash included) and I could not be happier.
Stir Crazy is just as unhinged as the rest of this series (Kiss My Ash included) and I could not be happier.
June 19, 2026
Another good one
Yes, another grand story which I thoroughly enjoyed and will reread again because it was that good. I love all of this series.
Yes, another grand story which I thoroughly enjoyed and will reread again because it was that good. I love all of this series.
August 23, 2026
Loved it!
I didn't think I would see another book in this. I really enjoyed reading about characters that I missed.
Thank you author so very much!
I recommend you start with the first book in the series.
I didn't think I would see another book in this. I really enjoyed reading about characters that I missed.
Thank you author so very much!
I recommend you start with the first book in the series.
August 6, 2026
Excellent story full of humor. I enjoyed it very much.
June 16, 2026
Omg I loved that Genevieve got her friend back and she lives with them now. I ugly cried when Vex came back with his family and they claimed Maya and their daughter. I love this series!!
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews