Book Review: Stir Until Thoroughly Confused by Heather Wardell

Summary: 
Mary's given up everything, including an unsatisfying marriage, to become a chef.  But the career comes with a side dish: Kegan, her sexy but controlling new boss.

They're soon in a relationship, and in all-too-frequent arguments, and when it becomes clear they can't work together and be together Mary faces a dilemma: keep her dream job or her dream man?

Heather Wardell writes women's fiction with depth, humor, and heart. She has five novels available now, one for free download and the rest for $0.99. You can read excerpts at http://www.heatherwardell.com

Release Date:  January 24, 2011
Age Group: Adult
Source: Author

Review: 
I've read and loved all of Heather Wardell's books: Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tatoo, Planning to Live, Go Small or Go Home, and Seven Exes are Eight Too ManyHer women's fiction features strong, independent women who are trying to balance a career, love, and the fulfillment of their personal dreams.  Wardell's book are romantic without being smutty, something that I really appreciate.  Once I start one of her books, I just cannot stop until I've finished it.  It doesn't matter what I have going on, I'm going to sit and read until I finish the book---I have yet to make one of Wardell's books last more than one day.


Stir Until Thoroughly Confused features one of my favorite characters from Wardell's previous books: Kegan the sexy restaurant owner.  I've always wondered if Kegan got his happily ever after, especially after his heartbreak in Life, Love and a Polar Bear Tatoo, so I was thrilled when I learned Kegan got his own book.  If you're new to Heather Wardell's writing, don't start with this book.  It contains cameo appearances by several main characters from her previous books.  You'll ruin the ends of several of her other books if you read this one first.

This book is a first person narrative (my favorite) with Mary the self-taught chef as our narrator.  She is looking for a job and wants to work at Kegan's new restaurant, Magma.  Mary has an indomitable spirit which I really admire.  Wardell writes her characters so well that I can easily imagine myself feeling what her characters feel.  The book follows Mary in her new career, especially the ups and downs with her new boss.  She's forced into a major decision at the end of the book, and that conflict resolution left me guessing the entire time.  I loved the way Wardell develops her characters, especially the way they grow throughout the story.

If you like women's fiction, romance, or you're just looking for an emotional read, I would definitely recommend Heather Wardell's books.  They are excellent!

Just One Gripe: 
The cover did not make me want to read this book.  Don't be put off by the cover though---it's Wardell's writing that makes her books so special. 

The Best Thing About This Book: 
I loved the character growth.

Appropriate for a younger audience: 
Probably not.

Score: 
Characters: 5/5
Plot:  5/5
Setting/Imagery: 5/5
Originality: 5/5
Ending: 5/5
Total Score:  25/25





5 comments:

  1. This isn't my normal type of read, but the story sounds awesome! Great review, Kelli! :)

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  2. Heather's books are so fantastic. I'm going to have to add this one to my list of tbr books. I loved Planning To Live...that book was so wonderful.

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  3. I have to agree with your grip. What is up with that cover. It doesn't match the summary at all.

    This book sounds fun, but I haven't read any of the other books. I can't resist a book for only .99 so it is still mine, but now I want to check out the others.

    Thanks for introducing me to this author.

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  4. Thanks for the review. I hadn't heard of this author before, but this one sounds like a good read! I agree with you on the cover - it's pretty awful!

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  5. I agree, that is a horrible cover, I probably would have never even picked this book up based on that.

    But glad for the new author rec! As soon as my kindle comes in I will have to get one of her books!

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