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All Stirred Up
Susan Napier's family once lived on the success of the high-end restaurants founded by her late grandfather. But bad luck and worse management has brought the business to the edge of financial ruin. Now it's up to Susan to save the last remaining restaurant: Elliot's, the flagship in Edinburgh.
But what awaits Susan in the charming city of Auld Reekie is more than she bargained for. Chris Baker, her grandfather's former protégé--and her ex-boyfriend--is also heading to the Scottish capital. After finding fame in New York as a chef and judge of a popular TV cooking competition, Chris is returning to his native Scotland to open his own restaurant. Although the storms have cleared after their intense and rocky breakup, Susan and Chris are re-drawn into each other's orbit--and their simmering attraction inevitably boils over.
As Chris's restaurant opens to great acclaim and Susan tries to haul Elliot's back from the brink, the future brims with new promise. But darkness looms as they find themselves in the crosshairs of a gossip blogger eager for a juicy story--and willing to do anything to get it. Can Susan and Chris reclaim their lost love, or will the tangled past ruin their last hope for happiness?
But what awaits Susan in the charming city of Auld Reekie is more than she bargained for. Chris Baker, her grandfather's former protégé--and her ex-boyfriend--is also heading to the Scottish capital. After finding fame in New York as a chef and judge of a popular TV cooking competition, Chris is returning to his native Scotland to open his own restaurant. Although the storms have cleared after their intense and rocky breakup, Susan and Chris are re-drawn into each other's orbit--and their simmering attraction inevitably boils over.
As Chris's restaurant opens to great acclaim and Susan tries to haul Elliot's back from the brink, the future brims with new promise. But darkness looms as they find themselves in the crosshairs of a gossip blogger eager for a juicy story--and willing to do anything to get it. Can Susan and Chris reclaim their lost love, or will the tangled past ruin their last hope for happiness?
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 8, 2020
58 people are currently reading
1483 people want to read
About the author
Brianne Moore
2 books64 followersBorn into a family of chefs, Brianne grew up baking, spinning tales of bold princesses and gutsy ladies, and developing a deep love for British history and authors.
After receiving a degree in English Literature from Macalester College, she embarked on a career in journalism and web publishing.
Nearly 10 years ago, she moved to the history-soaked city of Edinburgh and felt like she'd finally come home. She now lives by the sea in East Lothian with her husband, sons, and crazy bulldog.
After receiving a degree in English Literature from Macalester College, she embarked on a career in journalism and web publishing.
Nearly 10 years ago, she moved to the history-soaked city of Edinburgh and felt like she'd finally come home. She now lives by the sea in East Lothian with her husband, sons, and crazy bulldog.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 372 reviews
October 2, 2020
I liked it! I didn’t read it as a retelling because it is impossible not to be judgmental and tough grader when you read any re-writing or modern version of Jane Austen novels! I coded yourself to compare it with the original book, you start to nod your head in disapproval, tsking, creating negative thinking patterns and this is not fair for your reading.
I acted like I have no idea about “Persuasion” because a month ago I’ve read another Indian retelling of the story which was a solid, mediocre three starred read for me and I did my best to keep my objectivity, too. But interestingly this version of the story is also about restaurant business and popular chief. ( I think only this year I’ve read nearly 10 different chef and restaurant romance stories, it seems like this turned into favorite romcom topic is chosen by the several authors or screen writers!)
Susan is our heroine, carrying the burdens of her family, suffering from heartbreak she still resents herself and her wrongdoings to let go her love of her life when she lost her mother and she didn’t handle the emotional pressure. Now they declare their bankruptcy, losing their high-end restaurant they’d inherited from her grandfather and move to Edinburgh. But she didn’t except to meet her ex-love of her life Chris: now a popular TV star and New York chef who decided to open his restaurant at the very same town they’ve just moved.
I loved both hero and heroine: they both suffered from tragedies. Chris’s past drug addiction cost him more he could handle and his resentment against Susan who dumped her years ago turns into hearth ache. He is still too proud not to forgive her but their attraction is so obvious and there are so drama, angst, family secrets. Susan’s over sacrifices turned her into a martyr and it was great to see her character’s changing and evolving by facing with her family members including her neurotic sister Meg and spoiled brat, self-centered sister Julia, and let’s not forget Aunt Kay and her over protectiveness, over indulgence.
Overall: even though at some parts I wanted to scream about lack of communication and misunderstanding of the hero and heroine, the writing was captivating, intriguing and conclusion is well-done. So I’m giving four shiny, promising, heartfelt, emotional stars.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books/Alcove Press for sharing this lovely ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
I acted like I have no idea about “Persuasion” because a month ago I’ve read another Indian retelling of the story which was a solid, mediocre three starred read for me and I did my best to keep my objectivity, too. But interestingly this version of the story is also about restaurant business and popular chief. ( I think only this year I’ve read nearly 10 different chef and restaurant romance stories, it seems like this turned into favorite romcom topic is chosen by the several authors or screen writers!)
Susan is our heroine, carrying the burdens of her family, suffering from heartbreak she still resents herself and her wrongdoings to let go her love of her life when she lost her mother and she didn’t handle the emotional pressure. Now they declare their bankruptcy, losing their high-end restaurant they’d inherited from her grandfather and move to Edinburgh. But she didn’t except to meet her ex-love of her life Chris: now a popular TV star and New York chef who decided to open his restaurant at the very same town they’ve just moved.
I loved both hero and heroine: they both suffered from tragedies. Chris’s past drug addiction cost him more he could handle and his resentment against Susan who dumped her years ago turns into hearth ache. He is still too proud not to forgive her but their attraction is so obvious and there are so drama, angst, family secrets. Susan’s over sacrifices turned her into a martyr and it was great to see her character’s changing and evolving by facing with her family members including her neurotic sister Meg and spoiled brat, self-centered sister Julia, and let’s not forget Aunt Kay and her over protectiveness, over indulgence.
Overall: even though at some parts I wanted to scream about lack of communication and misunderstanding of the hero and heroine, the writing was captivating, intriguing and conclusion is well-done. So I’m giving four shiny, promising, heartfelt, emotional stars.
Special thanks to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books/Alcove Press for sharing this lovely ARC with me in exchange my honest review.
November 7, 2020
2 stars
I was so excited to listen to this book mainly because I loved the cover. I also read the blurb and it sounded super cute. I was hoping this would be a fun second chance romance, but sadly it didn’t work for me. My biggest issue was that I was so bored while listening. My mind constantly wandered and it couldn’t keep my attention at all. Plus, the romance was on the weak side. This could have very well just been my mood, but this one didn’t work for me.
I was so excited to listen to this book mainly because I loved the cover. I also read the blurb and it sounded super cute. I was hoping this would be a fun second chance romance, but sadly it didn’t work for me. My biggest issue was that I was so bored while listening. My mind constantly wandered and it couldn’t keep my attention at all. Plus, the romance was on the weak side. This could have very well just been my mood, but this one didn’t work for me.
Audio book source: Netgalley (Alcove Press)
Story Rating: 2 stars
Narrators: Mary Jane Wells
Narration Rating: 3.5 stars
Genre: Fiction
Length: 9 hours and 39 minutes
November 19, 2020
All Stirred Up by Brianne Moore is a cute second chance romance.
All Stirred Up is a really cute second chance romance. It is lighthearted and was nice to read between all the heavy books I’ve been reading. As the story progresses you hear more about the past as well as the present. There are many things that happened that the other was not aware of. I enjoyed All Stirred Up. Susan and Chris were fun characters with personalities. Their relationship is complicated. Even though their relationship ended on bad terms, they both still have feelings for each other, but neither of them is willing to say it. Will Susan and Chris get the second chance they both want or will they be too stubborn to fight for each other?
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Mary Jane Wells and thought she did a good job. I loved her British accent. At times it was hard for me to concentrate on listening to the accent for long periods of time but I still enjoyed it.
I recommend All Stirred Up to anyone looking for a cute lighthearted second chance romance.
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press/Dreamscape Audio.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
All Stirred Up is a really cute second chance romance. It is lighthearted and was nice to read between all the heavy books I’ve been reading. As the story progresses you hear more about the past as well as the present. There are many things that happened that the other was not aware of. I enjoyed All Stirred Up. Susan and Chris were fun characters with personalities. Their relationship is complicated. Even though their relationship ended on bad terms, they both still have feelings for each other, but neither of them is willing to say it. Will Susan and Chris get the second chance they both want or will they be too stubborn to fight for each other?
I listened to the audiobook narrated by Mary Jane Wells and thought she did a good job. I loved her British accent. At times it was hard for me to concentrate on listening to the accent for long periods of time but I still enjoyed it.
I recommend All Stirred Up to anyone looking for a cute lighthearted second chance romance.
Thank you NetGalley and Alcove Press/Dreamscape Audio.
Full Review: https://justreadingjess.wordpress.com...
August 19, 2020
tw: death of a parent; death of a grandparent; former drug use; death of a friend
This was pitched as a Persuasion retelling set in Edinburgh between a woman trying to revive her family restaurant and the chef that she had a relationship with years ago who has a competing restaurant.
Sadly this was much less romance than I wanted and much more of a contemporary fiction. The majority of the focus is on Susan's life, the restaurant, and her family drama. When I read a Persuasion retelling, I want pining and angst. The two characters didn't even start interacting until more than 50% of the way into the book. The scenes we got with them were very good, but I wanted so much more than we got. I pulled for them, but would have loved for the story to be more centered around them.
Also, the writing was a little long winded in its descriptions of the city. I found myself skim reading over paragraphs of description about the city layout, because as someone who had never been there, I had no context. It seems to be just rattling off various landmarks without giving me the atmosphere or feeling of the city, so it didn't add to the story for me in any way.
This was pitched as a Persuasion retelling set in Edinburgh between a woman trying to revive her family restaurant and the chef that she had a relationship with years ago who has a competing restaurant.
Sadly this was much less romance than I wanted and much more of a contemporary fiction. The majority of the focus is on Susan's life, the restaurant, and her family drama. When I read a Persuasion retelling, I want pining and angst. The two characters didn't even start interacting until more than 50% of the way into the book. The scenes we got with them were very good, but I wanted so much more than we got. I pulled for them, but would have loved for the story to be more centered around them.
Also, the writing was a little long winded in its descriptions of the city. I found myself skim reading over paragraphs of description about the city layout, because as someone who had never been there, I had no context. It seems to be just rattling off various landmarks without giving me the atmosphere or feeling of the city, so it didn't add to the story for me in any way.
July 4, 2024
This is Women's Fiction/Chick-Lit/Romance. I could not get into the storyline or the characters. The narrator of the audiobook was good. This was said to be chick-lit, but it read more like family issues. The same issues kept coming up. I just the characters had more to say other then the family issues. We really did not get to know the characters as a person, but more as a family. I received an ARC of this book. This review is my own honest opinion about the book like all my reviews are.
September 30, 2020
*Quick Take*
Fun foodie fiction. Engaging characters, enchanting setting, entertaining storyline. The focus of the story is really on the restoration of this family restaurant as well as the family dynamics. The second chance romance between Susan and Chris was sweet, but definitely not at the center of the story. This is billed as a Persuasion retelling and having never read Jane Austen‘s Persuasion I did read the spark notes and I have to say it did follow the general outline as far as I can tell. Women’s fiction filled with food and family with a splash of romance.
*** Big thank you to Crooked Lane for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
Fun foodie fiction. Engaging characters, enchanting setting, entertaining storyline. The focus of the story is really on the restoration of this family restaurant as well as the family dynamics. The second chance romance between Susan and Chris was sweet, but definitely not at the center of the story. This is billed as a Persuasion retelling and having never read Jane Austen‘s Persuasion I did read the spark notes and I have to say it did follow the general outline as far as I can tell. Women’s fiction filled with food and family with a splash of romance.
*** Big thank you to Crooked Lane for my gifted copy of this book. All opinions are my own. ***
July 18, 2020
The pacing was too slow, with no romantic development between the protagonist. It was mostly focused on foods and restaurant. The side characters were irritating. I was bored throughout the whole book.
It was weird that the romance doesn't even start until the first half of the book. It might appeal to people who like food or remodeling?
The only good thing I like the cover. It's cute.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
It was weird that the romance doesn't even start until the first half of the book. It might appeal to people who like food or remodeling?
The only good thing I like the cover. It's cute.
Thanks to NetGalley for the advanced review copy in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2020
A modern-day Persuasion retelling set in Edinburgh against the backdrop of the high-end restaurant world. What could be more delicious? I eagerly picked up this book by a debut author who knows her way around a professional kitchen and resided in Edinburgh. It was quite obvious the author made these, along with her love of literature, the superb ingredients she stirred into a low-heat second chances romance.
Susan Napier closes up the restaurant in London and her life there. The failure hadn’t been her fault- that lay with her father who knew nothing about food and even less about business. She is flying ahead of her family to Edinburgh and back to her grandfather’s original Elliott’s to take over this flagging restaurant that once was the gem of the Royal Mile and, hopefully, can turn it around again. Unfortunately, this return brings with it all the regrets and painful memories of her past. It was at this Elliott’s under her grandfather and her mother’s tutelage in the kitchen where she met and fell in love with both food and a certain red-haired up and coming chef her grandfather gave a chance to. Then she lost her grandfather, her mother, and, because she gave up in a weak moment, the only man she could love. Years have passed and her dad has handed over the baton when the situation has grown dire. She has to shake off the past and forge ahead with an innovative menu, updated restaurant, and a motivated staff behind her if she is to save her grandfather’s legacy and prove to herself, her family, and beyond that she has what it takes.
She no sooner sets foot in Edinburgh than she runs smack into her still handsome ex, Chris Baker, and her biggest regret. Chris went on to become a celebrity chef and amazingly successful from his humble roots in the rough streets of Leith. Now, he seems to barely notice her existence and can’t think of a good thing to say about her family’s restaurant. Susan needs to step up her game whether it’s joining forces with her fashionable older sister to redo the restaurant interior, helping her younger sister through her neurosis and marriage troubles, keeping her dad’s spending in check, fighting off a sharkish reporter who wants to see something more than food sizzling, or taking on a celebrity chef in a cooking contest.
All Stirred Up took the bones of Jane Austen’s Persuasion and built its modern equivalent in a new place and setting. It takes it’s time and doesn’t rush through the setup of characters, their backgrounds, the professional kitchen world or a slice of life in Edinburgh. I enjoyed how the author had Susan come into her own from her under-appreciated, dull looking, and lacking in self-confident self to a woman who set her goals and pressed forward with grit and hard work. The deck was stacked against her on all fronts and I loved seeing her quietly step up and meet the challenges.
Most of the book is narrated from Susan’s point of view, but I liked that there were a few scenes with Chris doing the narrating so I got a good picture from both perspectives. This was necessary because I probably wouldn’t have liked Chris without them. He feels he was wronged in the past and it has festered a bit so contact with Susan or those around her produce some bitter remarks. But, it doesn’t get over the top making it tough to root on the potential of romance for this pair. I liked them both working separately toward their goals and working out the past.
I think the most welcome surprise was what the author did with the surrounding cast of characters. They might be flawed or quirky, but they are fully-fleshed out and not just fillers. Susan might have been at odds with her family, but when the chips are down, they are there for her. I enjoyed the flamboyant personalities in her kitchen staff that she, like her grandfather, gave them their chance. On Chris’ end, he has some equally engaging kitchen staff, a hilarious sister, and a dog that is oh so adorable.
The author doesn’t let her description of Edinburgh take over, but I enjoyed how it was organic to the story weaving in and out of the characters and the plot. The people feel like they really live there and the Edinburgh of the story was easy to picture in my mind.
The story is slow going and slow building, but the conflict is steadily building with some good tension moments throughout. The ending left a huge smile on my face and I thought the epilogue was a good balance to all that came before it.
All in all, I loved this foodie lovers nod to a classic that crosses over between women’s fic and contemporary romance.
I rec'd this book through Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
Susan Napier closes up the restaurant in London and her life there. The failure hadn’t been her fault- that lay with her father who knew nothing about food and even less about business. She is flying ahead of her family to Edinburgh and back to her grandfather’s original Elliott’s to take over this flagging restaurant that once was the gem of the Royal Mile and, hopefully, can turn it around again. Unfortunately, this return brings with it all the regrets and painful memories of her past. It was at this Elliott’s under her grandfather and her mother’s tutelage in the kitchen where she met and fell in love with both food and a certain red-haired up and coming chef her grandfather gave a chance to. Then she lost her grandfather, her mother, and, because she gave up in a weak moment, the only man she could love. Years have passed and her dad has handed over the baton when the situation has grown dire. She has to shake off the past and forge ahead with an innovative menu, updated restaurant, and a motivated staff behind her if she is to save her grandfather’s legacy and prove to herself, her family, and beyond that she has what it takes.
She no sooner sets foot in Edinburgh than she runs smack into her still handsome ex, Chris Baker, and her biggest regret. Chris went on to become a celebrity chef and amazingly successful from his humble roots in the rough streets of Leith. Now, he seems to barely notice her existence and can’t think of a good thing to say about her family’s restaurant. Susan needs to step up her game whether it’s joining forces with her fashionable older sister to redo the restaurant interior, helping her younger sister through her neurosis and marriage troubles, keeping her dad’s spending in check, fighting off a sharkish reporter who wants to see something more than food sizzling, or taking on a celebrity chef in a cooking contest.
All Stirred Up took the bones of Jane Austen’s Persuasion and built its modern equivalent in a new place and setting. It takes it’s time and doesn’t rush through the setup of characters, their backgrounds, the professional kitchen world or a slice of life in Edinburgh. I enjoyed how the author had Susan come into her own from her under-appreciated, dull looking, and lacking in self-confident self to a woman who set her goals and pressed forward with grit and hard work. The deck was stacked against her on all fronts and I loved seeing her quietly step up and meet the challenges.
Most of the book is narrated from Susan’s point of view, but I liked that there were a few scenes with Chris doing the narrating so I got a good picture from both perspectives. This was necessary because I probably wouldn’t have liked Chris without them. He feels he was wronged in the past and it has festered a bit so contact with Susan or those around her produce some bitter remarks. But, it doesn’t get over the top making it tough to root on the potential of romance for this pair. I liked them both working separately toward their goals and working out the past.
I think the most welcome surprise was what the author did with the surrounding cast of characters. They might be flawed or quirky, but they are fully-fleshed out and not just fillers. Susan might have been at odds with her family, but when the chips are down, they are there for her. I enjoyed the flamboyant personalities in her kitchen staff that she, like her grandfather, gave them their chance. On Chris’ end, he has some equally engaging kitchen staff, a hilarious sister, and a dog that is oh so adorable.
The author doesn’t let her description of Edinburgh take over, but I enjoyed how it was organic to the story weaving in and out of the characters and the plot. The people feel like they really live there and the Edinburgh of the story was easy to picture in my mind.
The story is slow going and slow building, but the conflict is steadily building with some good tension moments throughout. The ending left a huge smile on my face and I thought the epilogue was a good balance to all that came before it.
All in all, I loved this foodie lovers nod to a classic that crosses over between women’s fic and contemporary romance.
I rec'd this book through Net Galley to read in exchange for an honest review.
December 8, 2020
A very cute modern reimagining of Jane Austen's Persuasion. The fun in the plot was seeing which events and characters from the original novel were subtly (or overtly) altered, deleted, or (in one notable case) made fun of. The love story is sweet but and the inside baseball of the food industry is fun, but something about the modern setting and the frothy plot falls a bit flat. That said, the author does a great job with the characters. With few exceptions the are three dimensional and treated with more love and respect then Austen did to her comedic targets. Fun, cute, but a bit insubstantial.
*Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
*Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for a free copy in exchange for an honest review.
August 11, 2020
I was seduced with the cover and the blurb. Sadly, the actual book wasn't as delightful as promised. This is a woman fiction book, nothing wrong in that, as long it is promoted as such. And as for that kind of book, it has romance more on the back burner. I don't mind I read the genre. My issue is ore with the pace of the story and characters. I just couldn't get into it. And all that I had left is boredom.
Thanks to the NetGalley & the publisher for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
2,5 stars
Thanks to the NetGalley & the publisher for the copy of this book in exchange for an honest review!
2,5 stars
dnf
October 13, 2020All Stirred Up is a retelling of Jane Austen’s novel Persuasion. I never read that book so I can’t speak on whether or not they are similar but as its own novel, this didn’t work out for me and I am DNFing. The story revolves more around remodeling a restaurant and changing its menu. The romance took a very long time to be introduced so I felt like despite the adorable cover, it’s a little misleading. It does revolve a little bit more around family relationships which I usually love but for some reason these characters seemed one-dimensional and I couldn’t care less.
Mary Jane wells did a great job at narration and was able to switch between a British and Scottish accent which is impressive to me and also entertaining. Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook but I couldn't complete this one unfortunately.
Mary Jane wells did a great job at narration and was able to switch between a British and Scottish accent which is impressive to me and also entertaining. Thank you to Netgalley for the audiobook but I couldn't complete this one unfortunately.
September 8, 2020
4.5 stars.
This book delivers a saucy- second chance romance, and a striking chemistry along with an uncanny resemblance to Persaussion by Jane Austen. I cherished every moment reading this amazing book.
This focuses on the lives of two former lovers,
Susan Napier who comes from a well-established family, her grandfather was the founder of Elliot's(a chain of restaurants). In her twenties, she met Christopher Baker, an aspiring chef,while he was working at her family restaurant. The two met, fall in love and start a beautiful relationship. But their happiness doesn't last long, soon misunderstandings and miscommunication are thrown in and the two part ways without any closure.
10 years later, Eliot's is on the road to bankruptcy, Susan is in charge to save or sell the family business. In devotion to her family and late grandfather, she moves back to Edinburgh from London, to save Elliot's from going out of business.
But as the fates would have it, her competitor turns out to be none other than her former beau, Chris, now a famous celebrity chef, returns from New york and opens his own restaurant Seòin in Edinburgh. And thus, the bittersweet tale of reconciliation begins.
○The food refrences in the book made the *foodie me* so hungry throughout the book lol.
○The three Napier sisters Julia,Susan and Marg were all well-written characters and had a depth in them. I loved the blooming sisterhood, Julia,Susan and Meg are different from each other and but share their same devotion for their mother that even after 10 years they are still not recovered and handle the grief in different ways.
○Though I agree, Philip's involvement in the story was necessary for adding spice to the story. But, I felt we got more of Philip and Susan's relationship than with Chris.
○Both Chris and Susan have complicated past and family dynamics, Chris's shocking revelation by the end of the book made me awestruck.
○ I LOVED THE HATE TO LOVE TROPE IN THIS ONE.
This was a amazing book, I devoured myself into each page reading their cute banter and daydreaming about the foods described which flaunted the main character's Culinary talents.
Susan the modern day Anne, is compassionate, passionate about baking and loves her family. She clearly had a close bond with her mother and grandfather. Even after 10 years of her mother's demise,neither Susan nor her family overcome the pain of losing her. It had left some sort of scar in the lives of Napier family.I had an amazing time reading about the minor characters, they were all interesting each with nice background with them.
Chris, the very handsome, talented, celebrity chef who was a great snob at the start owing to all the misunderstandings, was actually a soft hearted guy.
Susan had her sassiness at her professional life, I enjoyed the part where she handles the restaurant and loves doing it. But when it came to her family, she endured everything for the sake of it.
It was slow paced still I loved it and by the end of the book, I was smitten. Definitely recommend it!
**Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the eARC**
This book delivers a saucy- second chance romance, and a striking chemistry along with an uncanny resemblance to Persaussion by Jane Austen. I cherished every moment reading this amazing book.
This focuses on the lives of two former lovers,
Susan Napier who comes from a well-established family, her grandfather was the founder of Elliot's(a chain of restaurants). In her twenties, she met Christopher Baker, an aspiring chef,while he was working at her family restaurant. The two met, fall in love and start a beautiful relationship. But their happiness doesn't last long, soon misunderstandings and miscommunication are thrown in and the two part ways without any closure.
10 years later, Eliot's is on the road to bankruptcy, Susan is in charge to save or sell the family business. In devotion to her family and late grandfather, she moves back to Edinburgh from London, to save Elliot's from going out of business.
But as the fates would have it, her competitor turns out to be none other than her former beau, Chris, now a famous celebrity chef, returns from New york and opens his own restaurant Seòin in Edinburgh. And thus, the bittersweet tale of reconciliation begins.
○The food refrences in the book made the *foodie me* so hungry throughout the book lol.
○The three Napier sisters Julia,Susan and Marg were all well-written characters and had a depth in them. I loved the blooming sisterhood, Julia,Susan and Meg are different from each other and but share their same devotion for their mother that even after 10 years they are still not recovered and handle the grief in different ways.
○Though I agree, Philip's involvement in the story was necessary for adding spice to the story. But, I felt we got more of Philip and Susan's relationship than with Chris.
○Both Chris and Susan have complicated past and family dynamics, Chris's shocking revelation by the end of the book made me awestruck.
○ I LOVED THE HATE TO LOVE TROPE IN THIS ONE.
This was a amazing book, I devoured myself into each page reading their cute banter and daydreaming about the foods described which flaunted the main character's Culinary talents.
Susan the modern day Anne, is compassionate, passionate about baking and loves her family. She clearly had a close bond with her mother and grandfather. Even after 10 years of her mother's demise,neither Susan nor her family overcome the pain of losing her. It had left some sort of scar in the lives of Napier family.I had an amazing time reading about the minor characters, they were all interesting each with nice background with them.
Chris, the very handsome, talented, celebrity chef who was a great snob at the start owing to all the misunderstandings, was actually a soft hearted guy.
Susan had her sassiness at her professional life, I enjoyed the part where she handles the restaurant and loves doing it. But when it came to her family, she endured everything for the sake of it.
It was slow paced still I loved it and by the end of the book, I was smitten. Definitely recommend it!
**Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Netgalley for the eARC**
June 11, 2020
Yup. Nope. I gave this a go and I wasn't a fan.
The pacing was too slow for me and at least ½ the novel was based on the restaurant remodel that I care less about and could have easily found something similar on the Food Network/DIY channel if I wanted a bite, there was barely any interaction between Chris and Susan until ⅓ mark and by then I was no longer invested in their relationship, the side characters were annoying as fuck, and the tedious details on what was being done to save the family restaurant just about put me to sleep.
This culinary second chance romance novel nearly made me weep in displeasure and was an utter waste of time and energy. I had skimmed more than what was actually read and I was left with no desire to make it to the big finale. So with that being said, off to my dropped pile you go!
Want to read
September 7, 2020arc provided by the publisher via netgalley and edelweiss in exchange for an honest review
DNF @ 22%
This was looking to be around a 3 star just based on what I have read so far but the love interest kept thinking about how hot this 20 year old girl was when he’s in his thirties I believe and it just made me extremely uncomfortable. I won’t be finishing this one unfortunately.
DNF @ 22%
This was looking to be around a 3 star just based on what I have read so far but the love interest kept thinking about how hot this 20 year old girl was when he’s in his thirties I believe and it just made me extremely uncomfortable. I won’t be finishing this one unfortunately.
March 15, 2022
CW: Previous drug addiction discussed.
This a reimagining of "Persuasion" rather than a retelling, set in Edinburgh’s gourmet restaurant scene - he’s a famous chef and she’s working on renovating her family’s restaurant and rekindles her love of working with pastry as part of that. The characters came to life, including secondary characters like her father and sisters; they came across as real people instead of caricatures. I usually steer clear of books written in the present tense, but this one was so good that it didn’t bother me at all.
This a reimagining of "Persuasion" rather than a retelling, set in Edinburgh’s gourmet restaurant scene - he’s a famous chef and she’s working on renovating her family’s restaurant and rekindles her love of working with pastry as part of that. The characters came to life, including secondary characters like her father and sisters; they came across as real people instead of caricatures. I usually steer clear of books written in the present tense, but this one was so good that it didn’t bother me at all.
August 27, 2020
Once upon a time, Susan's family had a restaurant empire, but gross mismanagement following her grandfather's death had led to near bankruptcy. With only one restaurant left, Susan was determined to keep her family legacy alive, but she never planned on a blast from her past complicating things.
I had a lovely time cheering for Susan as she attempted to salvage her family's place in the restaurant world, and here are five things I really loved about ALL STIRRED UP.
• It's a second chance romance, and anyone who knows me is well aware that this is one of my favorite tropes. Susan and Chris were very much in love back when Chris was first starting out. While dealing with overwhelming grief after her mother's untimely death, Susan cut ties with Chris. Their reunion was bumpy and fraught with hurt feelings and guilt, but I found myself hoping for a reconciliation the whole time. It was easy to see the spark was still there, and oh, the history they shared! There was also more to the story, and I was eager to learn each and every detail.
• It's about family - both blood and found. I enjoyed getting to know Susan's family. They were far from perfect, and all seemed to still be grieving the loss of her mother in some way. It was beautiful watching them heal together and grow closer. I also adored the restaurant family. You work that hard, for that many hours, you tend to form some strong bonds. They were an interesting and eclectic bunch, who supported and encouraged each other.
• I loved being in Scotland. Moore showed us some of the sights and incorporated some local color which I always appreciate. I liked the way she worked the festivals into the storyline as well.
• Foodies will love the endless meals served in this book. The descriptions were mouthwatering, and there were also some really sweet food memories in there too. I got to watch Susan train a young pastry chef, concoct new and fresh desserts, and compete in a cooking showdown. I enjoyed it all, however, I wish the book had pictures and smells to round out my experience.
• Though this book dealt with multiple losses, it was also a lot of fun. There were a few secondary characters who often stole the show, and I must admit, Susan's nephews provided some sweet and giggly moments for me. I was a fan of those rom-com bits that kept popping up as well. I found I smiled a great deal as I read this book, and for me, that's a win.
Overall, I had a wonderful time rooting for Susan as she took her second chance at saving the restaurant and her second chance at getting her happily ever after. The book was fun and sweet and filled with many touching moments which left me with a smile on my face.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
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I had a lovely time cheering for Susan as she attempted to salvage her family's place in the restaurant world, and here are five things I really loved about ALL STIRRED UP.
• It's a second chance romance, and anyone who knows me is well aware that this is one of my favorite tropes. Susan and Chris were very much in love back when Chris was first starting out. While dealing with overwhelming grief after her mother's untimely death, Susan cut ties with Chris. Their reunion was bumpy and fraught with hurt feelings and guilt, but I found myself hoping for a reconciliation the whole time. It was easy to see the spark was still there, and oh, the history they shared! There was also more to the story, and I was eager to learn each and every detail.
• It's about family - both blood and found. I enjoyed getting to know Susan's family. They were far from perfect, and all seemed to still be grieving the loss of her mother in some way. It was beautiful watching them heal together and grow closer. I also adored the restaurant family. You work that hard, for that many hours, you tend to form some strong bonds. They were an interesting and eclectic bunch, who supported and encouraged each other.
• I loved being in Scotland. Moore showed us some of the sights and incorporated some local color which I always appreciate. I liked the way she worked the festivals into the storyline as well.
• Foodies will love the endless meals served in this book. The descriptions were mouthwatering, and there were also some really sweet food memories in there too. I got to watch Susan train a young pastry chef, concoct new and fresh desserts, and compete in a cooking showdown. I enjoyed it all, however, I wish the book had pictures and smells to round out my experience.
• Though this book dealt with multiple losses, it was also a lot of fun. There were a few secondary characters who often stole the show, and I must admit, Susan's nephews provided some sweet and giggly moments for me. I was a fan of those rom-com bits that kept popping up as well. I found I smiled a great deal as I read this book, and for me, that's a win.
Overall, I had a wonderful time rooting for Susan as she took her second chance at saving the restaurant and her second chance at getting her happily ever after. The book was fun and sweet and filled with many touching moments which left me with a smile on my face.
*ARC provided in exchange for an honest review.
BLOG | INSTAGRAM |TWITTER | BLOGLOVIN | FRIEND ME ON GOODREADS
May 19, 2021
What a delectable story.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator does an absolutely fantastic job of bringing the characters to life.
The story is just the perfect amount of sweet and dramatic and by god those descriptions of dishes made my stomach growl nonstop.
I listened to the audiobook and the narrator does an absolutely fantastic job of bringing the characters to life.
The story is just the perfect amount of sweet and dramatic and by god those descriptions of dishes made my stomach growl nonstop.
September 29, 2020
I thought this was a rom-com and was surely disappointed that it was more of a contemporary fiction/family drama book.
Susan's grandfather Eliot ran a restaurant. Susan later tried to bring it back to the popular place it had been. There is one problem. She has to compete with an ex-lover, Chris (Susan's grandfather's protege), as he opens his own restaurant. Theirs was a brief fling but ended abruptly.
Susan has a mess of a family. Her mom died, her father only pays special attention to one sister, and sister Meg is a hypocondriac.
I actually liked the first half better when Sudan and Chris didn't even see each other again (after years) into around 43% of the book and then I just sruggled a bit to get through it.
Susan's grandfather Eliot ran a restaurant. Susan later tried to bring it back to the popular place it had been. There is one problem. She has to compete with an ex-lover, Chris (Susan's grandfather's protege), as he opens his own restaurant. Theirs was a brief fling but ended abruptly.
Susan has a mess of a family. Her mom died, her father only pays special attention to one sister, and sister Meg is a hypocondriac.
I actually liked the first half better when Sudan and Chris didn't even see each other again (after years) into around 43% of the book and then I just sruggled a bit to get through it.
June 18, 2020
Persuasion is my second favorite Austen novel after Pride and Prejudice! Though I love Austen retellings, I try to not go in with any expectations while reading them. And I was pleasantly surprised by this one!
All Stirred Up follows the story of Susan Napier, who has come to Edinburgh to save the only Elliot's restaurant that remains standing, the one that was started by her grandfather. All the others have been closed down due to financial mismanagement and other issues. It's upto Susan to hold on to what's left of her grandfather's legacy.
But it's not just Susan who has come to Edinburgh. Her ex-boyfriend Chris, who's now a famous celebrity chef is back here as well and he plans to open his new restaurant. And he's not too pleased to see her, with the way she broke things off between them after her mother's death. Though she tries her best to avoid meeting him, circumstances keep throwing them into each other's paths. But will these two acknowledge their past mistakes and give into the attraction that still simmers between them or will they end up hurting each other more than before?
This was a lovely second chance romance with such amazing food descriptions! I think this is the second book that I've read this month that is centered around food, and it managed to make me hungry once again lol!
It took a while for me to get used to the writing (as the book is written in present tense) but I was quickly immersed in Susan and Chris' story!
And to be honest, I didn't really like most of the secondary characters at first. Susan's family seemed quite self-absorbed and I was prepared to hate all of them as they always expected Susan to deal with everything.
It was quite hard to like them when literally everyone from Susan's family to her friends expects her to fix things for them(and this kinda goes on till the very end). But the further I read, the more I learnt about them and it was pretty hard to dislike them completely.
We could see how Susan and her sisters were affected by her mother's death. I also liked the fact that Susan was no pushover. She bent for her family and made some concessions, but she was also wily and clever enough to maneuver them too! And I couldn't really dislike her aunt Kay for her role in Susan and Chris' break-up either, as she had cause for concern.
Chris was a great love interest (totally imagined him as Sam Heughan in my head, as it's mentioned that he looks like him) and he was pretty balanced too! He was hurt by Susan's actions and though he tries to hold onto the resentment, it's not easy to forget the good moments that they had either. And though he's a little rude at times, he was nowhere close to behaving like an ass, so it was hard not to fall for him.
And though the way Susan had handled things in the past might not have been great, it was quite refreshing to find that both of them were equally responsible for their mistakes. I loved watching them slowly let of their regrets and resentment while they grew closer to each other.
“Strange world.” Susan shakes her head. “Maybe that’s the blessing and curse of being a woman: we’re allowed— encouraged, even—to feel and express our feelings. We can get them out, but sometimes I think we get stuck in them too. We think about them so much that we just keep turning over and over all the things we did wrong and should have done differently, and how things could be so different and maybe better if we’d just . . .”
Though some might find the pacing a little slow, I think it suits this book and gives time for the characters to grow and learn more things. And the food descriptions made up for the lack of steamy scenes(which I was a little disappointed by).
In the end, this was a super-cute read with memorable and well-developed characters that I ended up loving! Can't wait to read more from this author!
*I was provided with an ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*
All Stirred Up follows the story of Susan Napier, who has come to Edinburgh to save the only Elliot's restaurant that remains standing, the one that was started by her grandfather. All the others have been closed down due to financial mismanagement and other issues. It's upto Susan to hold on to what's left of her grandfather's legacy.
But it's not just Susan who has come to Edinburgh. Her ex-boyfriend Chris, who's now a famous celebrity chef is back here as well and he plans to open his new restaurant. And he's not too pleased to see her, with the way she broke things off between them after her mother's death. Though she tries her best to avoid meeting him, circumstances keep throwing them into each other's paths. But will these two acknowledge their past mistakes and give into the attraction that still simmers between them or will they end up hurting each other more than before?
This was a lovely second chance romance with such amazing food descriptions! I think this is the second book that I've read this month that is centered around food, and it managed to make me hungry once again lol!
It took a while for me to get used to the writing (as the book is written in present tense) but I was quickly immersed in Susan and Chris' story!
And to be honest, I didn't really like most of the secondary characters at first. Susan's family seemed quite self-absorbed and I was prepared to hate all of them as they always expected Susan to deal with everything.
It was quite hard to like them when literally everyone from Susan's family to her friends expects her to fix things for them(and this kinda goes on till the very end). But the further I read, the more I learnt about them and it was pretty hard to dislike them completely.
We could see how Susan and her sisters were affected by her mother's death. I also liked the fact that Susan was no pushover. She bent for her family and made some concessions, but she was also wily and clever enough to maneuver them too! And I couldn't really dislike her aunt Kay for her role in Susan and Chris' break-up either, as she had cause for concern.
Chris was a great love interest (totally imagined him as Sam Heughan in my head, as it's mentioned that he looks like him) and he was pretty balanced too! He was hurt by Susan's actions and though he tries to hold onto the resentment, it's not easy to forget the good moments that they had either. And though he's a little rude at times, he was nowhere close to behaving like an ass, so it was hard not to fall for him.
And though the way Susan had handled things in the past might not have been great, it was quite refreshing to find that both of them were equally responsible for their mistakes. I loved watching them slowly let of their regrets and resentment while they grew closer to each other.
“Strange world.” Susan shakes her head. “Maybe that’s the blessing and curse of being a woman: we’re allowed— encouraged, even—to feel and express our feelings. We can get them out, but sometimes I think we get stuck in them too. We think about them so much that we just keep turning over and over all the things we did wrong and should have done differently, and how things could be so different and maybe better if we’d just . . .”
Though some might find the pacing a little slow, I think it suits this book and gives time for the characters to grow and learn more things. And the food descriptions made up for the lack of steamy scenes(which I was a little disappointed by).
In the end, this was a super-cute read with memorable and well-developed characters that I ended up loving! Can't wait to read more from this author!
*I was provided with an ARC via Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review*
April 28, 2020
Restaurants, renovations and romance fill All Stirred Up by Brianne Moore. Set in beautiful Edinburgh Moore conjures up a charming town and lovable characters. Susan’s family sold off their restaurants after her grandfather and mother’s passing and father’s poor management except for the original one. So she and her family return to Edinburgh so she can take over running the remaining one. Once she arrives she learns her old boyfriend Chris, now a celebrity chef, is opening his own place there. The two keep running into each other and their interactions add the will they or won’t they that kept me reading late into the night. It was great seeing Susan work to keep her family’s legacy alive and to turn around a struggling business. I loved seeing Chris mentor a kid from his rough neighborhood. After this Scottish escape I would definitely want to see these charters that Moore has created again.
May 8, 2020
Inspired by Jane Austen's Persuasion, this second chance romance set in Edinburgh, Scotland is a fun food frolic. A delightful contemporary twist on a classic tale, All Stirred Up will make Jane Austen’s many fans laugh, cry, and eat.
January 17, 2021
I have been loving me some romance lately, and I had a lot of fun with All Stirred Up by Brianne Moore. I had been seeing it around on Bookstagram and really wanted to check it out, so I grabbed both a physical copy and the audio from the library. I didn't really laugh out loud during this one, but there were definitely moments that made me chuckle, and I also appreciated the serious moments. Despite some underlying themes that were on the heavier side, overall this was a great read and a very nice palate cleanser between other books (looking at you Betty). The audiobook is narrated by Mary Jane Wells and she was amazing. The female characters in this book can be a little screechy, and Wells nailed it. I also loved her accent for Chris.
I loved the setting, many of the characters, and definitely all the food in All Stirred Up, and I think my favorite scenes in the book are those that deal with food. There are moments that made me tear up a bit, and I liked that it touches on both grief and family. Susan was a wonderful character, and I was rooting for her and Chris the entire time. I'm not super familiar with the different tropes, but it was easy to see this is a second chance romance, and I really enjoyed that part. I also loved that the viewpoints switched between both Chris and Susan, so you could see what was happening on both sides. I thought this book was completely adorable, and I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from Moore!
I loved the setting, many of the characters, and definitely all the food in All Stirred Up, and I think my favorite scenes in the book are those that deal with food. There are moments that made me tear up a bit, and I liked that it touches on both grief and family. Susan was a wonderful character, and I was rooting for her and Chris the entire time. I'm not super familiar with the different tropes, but it was easy to see this is a second chance romance, and I really enjoyed that part. I also loved that the viewpoints switched between both Chris and Susan, so you could see what was happening on both sides. I thought this book was completely adorable, and I will definitely be looking forward to reading more from Moore!
November 10, 2020
I have received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
Well, well.. it looks like I've met my match. Ever since I saw All Stirred Up I really wanted to dive into it. At first glance, I thought it was going to be kind of like the movie 'No Reservations'. Sure, I was going to expect some cooking and romance. Maybe even some friendly competition.
What I got was food. Lots and lots of food. Each page had something new or described in even more detail what they were making or plating. I was expecting something interesting or entertaining to happen so that I could find something to like in it.
I looked so freaking hard and I couldn't find a damn thing likable. It did make me hungry though so dinner was made. I guess that's a goal?
In the end, I feel like I got a culinary degree just by listening to this audiobook.
Well, well.. it looks like I've met my match. Ever since I saw All Stirred Up I really wanted to dive into it. At first glance, I thought it was going to be kind of like the movie 'No Reservations'. Sure, I was going to expect some cooking and romance. Maybe even some friendly competition.
What I got was food. Lots and lots of food. Each page had something new or described in even more detail what they were making or plating. I was expecting something interesting or entertaining to happen so that I could find something to like in it.
I looked so freaking hard and I couldn't find a damn thing likable. It did make me hungry though so dinner was made. I guess that's a goal?
In the end, I feel like I got a culinary degree just by listening to this audiobook.
December 3, 2020
This was a really cute slow burn romance, but I only gave it 3 stars because it was WAY too slow. At some points I even forgot what it was talking about, because it was going on and on about things that did not matter to the story.
However, I LOVED the girl boss that was the main character. She changed her life and that of her family, rebuilt a business from zero, all on her own.
That said, I feel like the romance was barely there other than the end. That seemed more like an extreme slow burn, only if you thought about the two being polite as being romantic.
Structurally, I liked the writing very much and how all the chapters were divided; nothing too long or too short. Just cute!
However, I LOVED the girl boss that was the main character. She changed her life and that of her family, rebuilt a business from zero, all on her own.
That said, I feel like the romance was barely there other than the end. That seemed more like an extreme slow burn, only if you thought about the two being polite as being romantic.
Structurally, I liked the writing very much and how all the chapters were divided; nothing too long or too short. Just cute!
September 30, 2020
Actual Rating 3.5 ⭐
I really enjoyed this, it was easy to read, light-hearted and comical at times. I found the characters to be well developed and each had their individual stories and backgrounds, everything seemed to come together in the end really nicely so nothing felt like it was unnecessary.
I did feel like the story was a little dragged out and getting to the ending took a little longer than I would have liked. I also would have liked more romance, I'm not a huge fan of romances happening at the end of books as I find myself a little disappointed.
But overall a really enjoyable read
I really enjoyed this, it was easy to read, light-hearted and comical at times. I found the characters to be well developed and each had their individual stories and backgrounds, everything seemed to come together in the end really nicely so nothing felt like it was unnecessary.
I did feel like the story was a little dragged out and getting to the ending took a little longer than I would have liked. I also would have liked more romance, I'm not a huge fan of romances happening at the end of books as I find myself a little disappointed.
But overall a really enjoyable read
November 7, 2020
Unfortunately, this was not for me. All stirred up sounded pretty good with its cute cover and premise but after a little while, I found myself being really bored and nothing really stood out to me. I didn't even notice the romance and I was excited about that part. The food/restaurant theme can be nice but here I felt like it was too much about that and honestly, my mind wandered off because I didn't found it interesting enough. This audiobook brought me a headache and that definitely didn't help me enjoy it (which I didn't.. obviously). Maybe others will enjoy this but sadly I'm not one of them.
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
(Thank you for letting me read and review an ARC via Netgalley)
September 21, 2020
This book was a lot of fun to read! I thoroughly enjoyed it AND the best part.... its about food!
The overall story was really good. I loved all the parts about the dueling restaurants. The actual cooking competition was really fun to read. It was like watching a TV show like Chopped but reading it instead and I was not disappointed in the slightest. I also really liked the parts about the restaurant renovation, coming up with new dishes, and training a new chef! All of that was just wonderful and really entertaining.
The LOVE aspect of the book was even better!! Two ex-lovers who are now restaurant owners in the SAME town!! Like obviously you know there is going to be drama. But I have to say, there really wasn't as much as I thought there would be between the ex's and more drama was family related. I still enjoyed it though! I felt it was the perfect amount and there was that "misunderstanding trope" going on which I love!
The characters were good. I found them to be relatable all on their own ways. I felt some of the characters to be a little frustrating but honestly that's the point when there is family drama.
If you enjoy cooking shows, home renos, drama, and a second chance cute romance then you will love this! So I highly recommend!
The overall story was really good. I loved all the parts about the dueling restaurants. The actual cooking competition was really fun to read. It was like watching a TV show like Chopped but reading it instead and I was not disappointed in the slightest. I also really liked the parts about the restaurant renovation, coming up with new dishes, and training a new chef! All of that was just wonderful and really entertaining.
The LOVE aspect of the book was even better!! Two ex-lovers who are now restaurant owners in the SAME town!! Like obviously you know there is going to be drama. But I have to say, there really wasn't as much as I thought there would be between the ex's and more drama was family related. I still enjoyed it though! I felt it was the perfect amount and there was that "misunderstanding trope" going on which I love!
The characters were good. I found them to be relatable all on their own ways. I felt some of the characters to be a little frustrating but honestly that's the point when there is family drama.
If you enjoy cooking shows, home renos, drama, and a second chance cute romance then you will love this! So I highly recommend!
October 7, 2020
Reviewed for
Wit and Sin
Jane Austen’s Persuasion gets a modern-day remake in All Stirred Up . As both a Janeite and a lover of foodie romances, I couldn’t wait to dive into a reimagining of Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth’s love story set in the culinary world. While the result may not be as stunning as its inspiration, I still found author Brianne Moore’s take interesting and engaging.
Susan Napier’s grandfather founded a chain of restaurants that were successful and world-renowned. In the wake of his death and the passing of Susan’s mother, the Napier family is nearly in ruins. All they have left is the flagship restaurant in Edinburgh. Susan is determined to revitalize the restaurant and save her grandfather’s legacy. I loved her quiet strength and her determination in the face of numerous, frustrating obstacles. Susan isn’t perfect but she’s a good, kind woman with good business sense, a talent for pastry and sweets, and a spine of steel most don’t see. She and Chris Baker have a history and their breakup was bad. They were both young and Susan was still grieving her mother’s death when she was persuaded to leave him. Chris is understandably bitter given how things turned out, but he can’t help but be drawn to Susan once they’re both in the same city. Chris has become a famous chef in the intervening years since their breakup. He isn’t perfect either; there’s a lot of him that’s still hurt and angry. But beneath it all is a good man who is helps others where he can and who has vision and determination of his own. He and Susan simply “click,” but don’t expect a grand romance in All Stirred Up . The love story is a bit understated and lacks the passionate undertones I would have liked. The romance doesn’t really get going until the end of the book and though the history between Susan and Chris is well-established enough for the ending to be believable, a bit more zing or simmering tension would have given the romance more life.
The Edinburgh restaurant scene is highlighted in All Stirred Up and it’s where the writing shines. Ms. Moore will make you salivate with all the divine dishes described in this story. Her culinary knowledge is apparent and the descriptions of both food and locations bring the book to life. She also rounds out the story with a host of engaging secondary characters. If you’re familiar with Persuasion you’ll recognize who their classic counterparts are and I loved the depth and character motivation Ms. Moore added to Susan’s sisters. So while the romance was a bit lacking for me, I still really enjoyed this book overall. I’m a sucker for Austen retellings and Ms. Moore does a great job of including classic elements and storylines while making this book stand on its own.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
Jane Austen’s Persuasion gets a modern-day remake in All Stirred Up . As both a Janeite and a lover of foodie romances, I couldn’t wait to dive into a reimagining of Anne Elliot and Frederick Wentworth’s love story set in the culinary world. While the result may not be as stunning as its inspiration, I still found author Brianne Moore’s take interesting and engaging.
Susan Napier’s grandfather founded a chain of restaurants that were successful and world-renowned. In the wake of his death and the passing of Susan’s mother, the Napier family is nearly in ruins. All they have left is the flagship restaurant in Edinburgh. Susan is determined to revitalize the restaurant and save her grandfather’s legacy. I loved her quiet strength and her determination in the face of numerous, frustrating obstacles. Susan isn’t perfect but she’s a good, kind woman with good business sense, a talent for pastry and sweets, and a spine of steel most don’t see. She and Chris Baker have a history and their breakup was bad. They were both young and Susan was still grieving her mother’s death when she was persuaded to leave him. Chris is understandably bitter given how things turned out, but he can’t help but be drawn to Susan once they’re both in the same city. Chris has become a famous chef in the intervening years since their breakup. He isn’t perfect either; there’s a lot of him that’s still hurt and angry. But beneath it all is a good man who is helps others where he can and who has vision and determination of his own. He and Susan simply “click,” but don’t expect a grand romance in All Stirred Up . The love story is a bit understated and lacks the passionate undertones I would have liked. The romance doesn’t really get going until the end of the book and though the history between Susan and Chris is well-established enough for the ending to be believable, a bit more zing or simmering tension would have given the romance more life.
The Edinburgh restaurant scene is highlighted in All Stirred Up and it’s where the writing shines. Ms. Moore will make you salivate with all the divine dishes described in this story. Her culinary knowledge is apparent and the descriptions of both food and locations bring the book to life. She also rounds out the story with a host of engaging secondary characters. If you’re familiar with Persuasion you’ll recognize who their classic counterparts are and I loved the depth and character motivation Ms. Moore added to Susan’s sisters. So while the romance was a bit lacking for me, I still really enjoyed this book overall. I’m a sucker for Austen retellings and Ms. Moore does a great job of including classic elements and storylines while making this book stand on its own.
FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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August 29, 2020A Persuasion-like story between two chefs setting up competing restaurants in a small Scottish town. BUT the romance was more of a side dish than the main course and the heat level was a VERY VERY low simmer. Am I through with cooking metaphors? Not a chance!
On the positive side, I loved the setting of All Stirred Up- Scotland, the restaurants, all the cooking and food descriptions. In vibe and tone it reminded me a lot of Beth O'Leary - strong family relationships and a charming setting.
On the negative, this is yet again a book with a cute, romance-y cover that is really more fiction with a romantic side plot. There is a LOT of time spent on Susan's family, her sisters, the death of her mother, and the a lot of stuff that happened in the past.
For most of the book the love interests are actually DATING OTHER PEOPLE. One of Susan's sisters was clearly suffering from tremendous anxiety (after the death of a parent) and everyone treated her as some kind of annoying drama queen for most of the book.
So, this isn't really a romance but did have elements I enjoyed. If you're okay with a slow pace and a book that doesn't put romance front and center, give it a try!
On the positive side, I loved the setting of All Stirred Up- Scotland, the restaurants, all the cooking and food descriptions. In vibe and tone it reminded me a lot of Beth O'Leary - strong family relationships and a charming setting.
On the negative, this is yet again a book with a cute, romance-y cover that is really more fiction with a romantic side plot. There is a LOT of time spent on Susan's family, her sisters, the death of her mother, and the a lot of stuff that happened in the past.
For most of the book the love interests are actually DATING OTHER PEOPLE. One of Susan's sisters was clearly suffering from tremendous anxiety (after the death of a parent) and everyone treated her as some kind of annoying drama queen for most of the book.
So, this isn't really a romance but did have elements I enjoyed. If you're okay with a slow pace and a book that doesn't put romance front and center, give it a try!
October 23, 2020
Thank you for my review audio copy.
Well, that was enjoyable. The content itself was ok. I mean, I have heard this story told many, many times in different ways and it was enjoyable. I loved the audio though. If we are being honest, I do not think I would have finished had I been reading the copy. It started off very slow, dragged quite a bit and then sped up at the end. I was honestly just waiting for the end.
I think the narration was fantastic and if you want to pick this one up...I will highly recommend the audio version.
Well, that was enjoyable. The content itself was ok. I mean, I have heard this story told many, many times in different ways and it was enjoyable. I loved the audio though. If we are being honest, I do not think I would have finished had I been reading the copy. It started off very slow, dragged quite a bit and then sped up at the end. I was honestly just waiting for the end.
I think the narration was fantastic and if you want to pick this one up...I will highly recommend the audio version.
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