October 1st 2013 by HarlequinTEEN
Genre: upper Young Adult – Contemporary
Cami Broussard has her future all figured out. She’ll finish her senior year of high school, then go to work full-time as an apprentice chef in her father’s French restaurant, alongside her boyfriend, Luke. But then twenty-year-old ex-Marine Julian Wyatt comes to live with Cami’s family while recovering from serious injuries. And suddenly Cami finds herself questioning everything she thought she wanted.
Julian’s all attitude, challenges and intense green-brown eyes. But beneath that abrasive exterior is a man who just might be as lost as Cami’s starting to feel. And Cami can’t stop thinking about him. Talking to him. Wanting to kiss him. He’s got her seriously stirred up. Her senior year has just gotten a lot more complicated….
Contains mature content and some sexual situations. Suited for readers 16 and up.
Queekie Girl Reads Reviews...
Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins
**Review copy provided in exchange for an honest review**
I would like to thank, first of all, the lovely author, Sabrina Elkins! Thank you to HarlequinTEEN and Kismet Book Touring for the privilege! I am very grateful to have read an advance copy of Stir Me Up! Thank you all very much!!
I don't even know where to start. Stir Me Up gave me the chance to open doors to read more books in the NA genre! I wasn't expecting too much. I astonishingly didn't expect the book would be ravishing and well-written with good pacing. Right from the beginning, I knew I would never have time to do anything but read this book! I found myself still up, late at night just because I couldn't stop myself from reading! It is such a great read!!
Full of emotions and positive thoughts to say about this book!! I can't handle it!! Super long review and I'm sorry if it's really annoying when I review such wordy one. I couldn't help it! Oh my heart! Overall, I really enjoyed reading the book! The plot suits me well! I've had no problems with it! I just have many, many thoughts and interpretations, including my opinions.
Cami's love for cooking/food inspires me to have a solid goal of my own and making sure I believe in myself and do the best I can all the time. I had a great time imagining mouth-watering food. I could feel Cami's passion for creating her own recipes or anything creative that has to do with food. With her artwork, it shows her signature and personality. I love, love that! Enthusiastic, vibrant, resilient chef as well! Delighted by every scrumptious food described in the book!! I'm jealous right now for not trying out French cuisine before. I had once, I think. I'm not entirely sure. Planning to visit France one day is really exciting where surely, without a doubt, French foods are present!!
Stir Me Up speaks to me in many ways. I love that the idea of sense of belonging in the family is present in the book. As it is for me, family is essential. I don't have to have anything just as long I have my loving and supportive family. Cami's family showed that they are trying to build up a warm welcome to their new family member and I really feel for that very much.
Cami's relationship with her stepmom, Estella, has also improved on a certain point where she realized that she gladly and fully accepts Estella in the family. The first few chapters, Cami doesn't seem to like Estella that much, in my opinion. As I continued reading, I did see difference in their relationship. The gap in between them slowly closing in and that made me truly happy. They have had created a bonding with each other.
In the beginning of when Julian made his first appearance in the book, I started to put myself in his shoes and suddenly I understand the rage and frustration he felt that is inevitable. It's excruciatingly painful. The experience is met by a turning point. Love it!!
Julian is realistic in a way that he is an open minded person. Well-mannered, humorous, respectful and gentleman. Loyal and devoted soldier. His insecurity has even better made him the way he is true to everyone. Especially his vulnerability that is visible. Being physically challenged, he was reminded of the goodness in life and becomes reflective of his present and future decisions in his life.
The ending is absolutely adorable! The journey for both Julian and Cami has their destination set although still a mystery because it's all about surprises on the way!
For me, I learned from the book I would find myself first ultimately. Secondly, the one main goal I truly care about and hopefully everything falls into place.
It's nicely organized and well thought-out book. I crave for more delicious reads from Sabrina Elkins!! Insanely good read! I love Stir Me Up to pieces! I was imagining if ever this book were a cheesecake or cheese, it will vanish in an instant without warning because I consumed it all! A delicious book you should be reading right now! I wouldn't ignore this if I were you! Highly recommend!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Mom used to say life gives you everything in balance. Every bad will be countered by an equal amount of good." - Julian
I agree with Julian's mom about life in balance. No pain, no gain. So it's either you suffer first in the circumstances you're in and expect good overcome or nothing at all.
"Of course somewhere in all of this I have final exam to study for, but I'm a senior now so really teachers have stopped pushing us so hard." - Cami
As a student myself, I absolutely could relate to what Cami has to say about final exam...
(Actual) Rating: 5 of 5 stars
Find Sabrina Elkins
SABRINA ELKINS, author of STIR ME UP, has also worked as a journalist, movie copywriter and prep cook. She grew up in Vermont, graduated from USC, and now lives in Southern California with her husband and three kids.
Sabrina loves hearing from fans and encourages you to visit her website, sabrinaelkins.com, and find her on Twitter @sabrina_elkins, Facebook, and at Goodreads.
Early Praise
“Cami’s slow burn for a wounded hero will rivet readers. I seriously loved this book.”
—Jennifer Echols, author of DIRTY LITTLE SECRET
“Fun, steamy, and leaves you hungry for more. Sabrina Elkins nails the vulnerability of becoming an adult and the choices that come with growing up.”
—Katie McGarry, author of DARE YOU TO
No comments:
Post a Comment