I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley and am voluntarily posting a review. All opinions are my own.
Stirring Up Love is the second book in Chandra Blumberg’ s Taste of Love series. It can be read as a stand-alone, although I do recommend the first one.
This one is just as fun as the first, really leaning into the food element with a lot of enticing descriptions of different dishes. It’s also quite fun and tropey, with a fairly well executed enemies-to-lovers dynamic.
Simone and Finn are both dedicated to the culinary field, and competition between them to build themselves in, locally initially and then on a bigger scale through a reality show, has them butting heads in a comical way. It could easily epically fail, but the simmering tension leads to them constantly crossing paths in ways they initially did not expect, like going on a cross-country road trip. I loved watching the two of them bond as they got to know each other, and reconsider whether their careers really were more important than each other.
There are some moments where the pacing feels a bit uneven, like the beginning takes a bit to get going and there were some moments where I felt it was a bit slow going in the middle. But given I had issues with the angst of the last book, I felt that there was a better balance of that here, with the characters having better reasoning for their concerns and higher stakes to challenge the relationship.
I enjoyed this one more than the first, and will continue reading Chandra Blumberg’s work to observe her growth as a writer. Whatever your thoughts on the first one, I recommend this to readers of food-centric contemporary romance.

I think this might be an unpopular opinion, but I didn’t love this one. I started it like five times and kept putting it down and then I just made myself push through it because I had an early reader copy.

I usually love an enemies to lovers romance! They are totally my jam. But I guess I really need to like both characters for it to work for me and this one fell flat. Simone and Finn were interesting characters, but I just couldn’t connect with them. They both pushed away help at every opportunity and even their sympathetic back stories didn’t sway me.

And, my least favorite form of conflict is miscommunication and it abounds in this book.

I didn’t love this one, but it could totally be a “me” thing.

A few of my favourite things, food, banter and sort of enemies to lovers trope make for an interesting read. 3 stars.

Thank you to the author, Montlake Books and NetGalley, for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is a classic enemies to lovers story, albeit with a few twists and - for me at least - one major drawback. The story is set in a small town, with the contrast to the big city, features a lot of food, two people each with their own vision, and an epic road trip. Not front and center, but an important part of the story are also family relationships - and the lack of them, as the case may be. I really wanted to like this, but felt put off by both main characters at every turn - they were both prickly AF and actively pushed away any offers of help or constructive criticism. The jump from local to the big-time was very abrupt, and the ending, while lovely, was too little too late for me.

Stirring Up Love is an enemies-to-lovers romance when main characters, Simone and Finn, compete over who has the best barbecue sauce at a farmer's market. They can't seem to get over their feud even when on a reality-show and are then forced to make the drive back home together.

I loved Simone as a main character and how determined she was to make her goals come true. Despite obstacles in the way, she was still determined to prove herself and achieve her dreams. I loved seeing Simone grow as a person. However, I was not a big fan of Finn. I found myself getting a bit annoyed by him, and I didn't really connect with him as a character. Still, I won't say their chemistry wasn't bad, per se. It was quite funny and entertaining in some scenes.

Secondly, I was not a fan of how much of the arguments in the book were due to miscommunication. It can be very irritating when it's a repeated trend and takes away from the reader experience.

In the end, it was an interesting premise, and it was great seeing the characters grow along the way.

This was very cute, and a sweet enemies to lovers romance! I read Digging Up Love, the first in the series, just a few months ago, so I got the background on the family and Simone's sister Alisha, and the family restaurant. This book is about Simone as she takes over the family BBQ restaurant and starts to make it her own, as well as her helping to plan Alisha's wedding and bachelorette party.

One of Simone's big plans to make the restaurant her own is to start selling some of the restaurant's offerings at the local farmer's market, which is where she first meets Finn, who's friend has snagged him a last-minute booth to be able to sell his BBQ sauce. Finn is a chef hoping to start selling his sauce and get it into stores, but needs to find a market to begin to grow. His friend has also so helpfully signed him up for a reality TV show, The Executives (think Shark Tank or Dragon's Den), where he has a chance of getting a huge boost from a financial backer for his intended BBQ sauce business as well as a culinary school he hopes to open.

The moment that Simone discovers an out-of-towner infringing on her farmer's market to sell the same exact item, she and Finn clash ... and suddenly, the great idea she had to sign up for The Executives to get a big financial boost and expand the family BBQ restaurant? Suddenly Finn is there, too! She just can't get away from this guy that seems to be everywhere, trying to take away her business.

This is a laugh-out-loud enemies to lovers, very food focused, road trip, and a great time romance that I think absolutely everybody will enjoy, so I recommend it for everyone - especially anyone who read the first book and loved it (not necessary to read it first). It's a great mixed race couple story, who have a lot of misunderstandings but with a road trip across the country, get a lot of time to discuss their lives and learn a lot about each other and why they do what they do, and why they want to get The Executives financial backing.

I received an advance review copy from NetGalley and Montlake, and this is my honest feedback

This is a rivals to lovers romance with a little Shark Tank AND a road trip. I like all those things so I was excited for this book.

Unfortunately, the heroine, Simone, spends way too much time frustrated that she can't get her imaginary project to revitalize her hometown and that she can't reconnect with her hometown friends. This in turn, frustrated me because all she had to do was tell someone (anyone! her sister, her grandparents, her old friends) and all her problems would be solved.

Finn is the a hard working chef who just needs a break . His BBQ sauce is die for the opportunity to sell at a local farmer's market could expand his client base. I thought the rivalry at the farmer's market was just unrealistic. Simone held onto her grudges for far too long.

That was basically my takeaway from the whole book. Too many instances of miscommunications or no communication at all.

I'd love to see a book with Finn's best friend, the real estate guy. He could be an interesting lead.

*I received an advance copy of this book from NetGalley and the publisher and I am required to disclose that in my review in compliance with federal law.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advance copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

I wasn't a huge fan of this story, while the premise was one I am interested in, I couldn't connect with the characters and didn't enjoy how they were portrayed - they came across quite juvenile which I found frustrating.

This revived my love for road trip romances! Following a fiery feud between two stubborn BBQ-loving entrepreneurs, it was a wonderful closed-door romance with lots of sizzle.

Simone strives to take her restaurant Honey and Hickory to new heights. Specializing in barbecue, Simone is less than thrilled when an out-of-towner appears at the local market with plans to sell his homemade BBQ sauce—Finn's Secret Sauce. Beginning a heated rivalry with hilarious sabotage and snarky banter, I loved the chemistry between Simone and Finn.

It was amusing the way these two continually crossed paths, eventually leading to a reluctant business deal and an epic road trip. And it's definitely a road trip to remember, with pitstops leading to a haunted B&B, nearly catching hypothermia, and a swoonworthy kiss in the icy rain. So many funny, sweet moments!

I loved seeing Simone and Finn slowly unravel the fears they both have, ultimately falling in love in the process. I had a lot of fun reading this one!

Stirring Up Love by Chandra Blumberg is the second in a series. However, this reads as a stand alone. This is a fun enemies to lovers story about Finn and Simone. While their chemistry is off the charts, they don't really get to know each other until a financial investment and road trip put them in close proximity for a longer time period. It was a cute read and definitely a good trope of the enemies to lovers. I would recommend this read!

A competitors to lovers romance! Simone wants to sell her family's barbecue sauce to keep their restaurant going. Finn wants to see his barbecue sauce to fund his future as well. They clash at the farmers market and then at the Executives, a reality show where the winner finds their product funded. No spoilers as to what happens there but then the two of them find themselves road tripping back home together. It's the road trip that changes everything. Yes it's trope-y but it's cute with good characters and fine storytelling. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC. A good read.

I really enjoyed Chandra Blumberg’s debut, Digging Up Love, so I was excited to read this book. Stirring Up Love stars Simone, the sister of Alisha, the female main character from Digging Up Love, although this book can stand alone.

Simone has just returned home to small-town Hawksburg, Illinois after a stint in Chicago. Corporate life wasn’t for her, and Hawksburg is where her heart is. She’s running the family business, a barbeque restaurant, and has dreams of making Hawksburg a dining and entertainment destination. She decides to go on a show called “The Executives” (it’s kind of like “Shark Tank”) to get funding to expand the restaurant and get started on the path toward her dreams.

Only one problem—she spent all summer feuding at a farmer’s market with a rival barbeque sauce seller named Finn, and she’s forced to go head-to-head with him on “The Executives.” Finn is seeking funding for his line of barbeque sauces, which he wants to use to start a cooking school for formerly incarcerated people and others who have struggled to find their footing in the world.

Finn and Simone argue pretty viciously on live TV, but then they’re thrown when the investors want them to team up and share the money. They both have to decide if they want to take the deal. When their flights back home from LA get canceled due to snowstorms, they see each other at the airport and Finn suggests driving home to Illinois. Simone needs to get home for her sister’s wedding, so she agrees.

What follows is a lovely, heartfelt road trip romance between two people with a lot at stake and a simmering rivalry. I thought their backstories were especially well-crafted—Finn grew up in foster care and has a lot of baggage surrounding that, and Simone is struggling to feel accepted by the people in her town and prove herself worthy of running her grandfather’s restaurant. The road trip gives them a chance to understand each other better, and soon all their hostility gives way to real feelings for each other.

If you’re a fan of romances with food, road trips, or reality TV—or you enjoy the rivals to lovers trope—I think you’ll love this one!

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC.

A really fun enemies to lovers romance read……I thoroughly enjoyed this book and had not realized it was second in a series( I will be looking to read book 1 in future). It works well as a stand-alone and I really enjoyed the writers writing style so I look forward to future books which I believe was hinted at in this one. Fine and Simone come together with lots of emotional baggage on both sides, wanting to dislike the other but finding out that they actually like more about one another than they would have thought. Both vying to make their mark in this world through cooking and a chance to win a bit of help through a TV entrepreneur show and a big decision to make keeps the tension between them flowing. Thanks to a snow storm and travel being cancelled a road trip is suggested and so the story takes off with funny, silly moments, tender moments, angry frustrated moments and so much more.

I received a free copy from NetGalley and all opinions are my own

I would recommend this book to friends and family and my book clubs

Simone just moved back to her hometown and is trying to prove that she can take over the family business. Finn is trying to get his BBQ sauce business to take off. The two are pitted against each other but then are told they need to work together to expand their businesses. Throw in a cross country road trip, what’s the worst that could happen.

This book had a lot going on. Between the farmers market plotline (that just abruptly ends) The Executive plot line (that doesn’t really make sense) and the cross country road trip that ends with Simone’s sister’s wedding, I was waiting for the end of the book. A lot of the book felt dragged out. The main characters weren’t super likable from the beginning but then didn’t redeem themselves in my opinion.

Not my favorite book, but it might suit others better! I liked how they were rivals and that they shared what they loved together but it was a bit slow to me which I didn't love. I think people will smile when they read this, but again just not for me.

Simone and Finn were absolutely one of the cutest enemies to lovers books I’ve read in a long time!

They’re both really scared to let others in and when they end up competing first at a farmers market selling barbecue sauces and then end up competing on the same reality show selling those same barbecue sauces, the sparks really fly!

The fear continues with them when a financial investment along with an impromptu road trip gives them the opportunity to get to know each other. Slowly Simone and Finn get to know each other and see what made each other end up on the reality show.

I liked that they both talked about how they both came from adopted or fostered backgrounds and it made them realize that they both had a lot in common. Especially with their need to feel secure in life.

4/5 ⭐️

Thank you to NetGalley and Chandra Blumberg for giving me a copy in exchange for honest review.

Simone has moved back to the small town of Hawksburg after leaving Chicago. She's taken over her grandfather's restaurant and she's determined to grow the business and the town. So she decides to sell her family's BBQ sauce to jumpstart her dream.

The problem? Finn Rimes. Finn is a chef with big dreams as well, and to make his happen, he's going to sell his own BBQ sauce. The two first butt heads at the town's farmer's market where they both sell their sauces during the summer. Then they meet again when they each go on a reality tv show to get funding for their businesses (think Shark Tank).

After waging war on tv, the two end up on a road trip across the country, and it will be a miracle if they both survive.

Rivals to lovers is pretty much my favorite trope, so of course I loved this! I love Simone and Finn! I loved all the food (definitely made me super hungry). It was funny and sweet and I just wanted to jump in the book and give Finn a huge hug. I really loved everything about this book.

STIRRING UP LOVE comes out July 26th, so make sure you get it! And it is a follow up, so I strongly recommend you read DIGGING UP LOVE first!

*Thanks to NetGalley and Montlake for the ARC!

(Review will be posted closer to publication time)

Simone Blake has done her time in Chicago and when she's betrayed and fired from the corporate world, she goes back to her small town to run her family's barbecue restaurant. Simone's always felt she was "second best" - even the restaurant that's now hers was first given to her sister. She wants to fit in again and has this idea to sell the restaurant's BBQ sauce at the local farmers' market (a market she plans to help expand and grow). 

Simone's plans find a a small road block with the arrival of chef Finn Rimes ... selling his own BBQ sauce! An outsider, the nerve! So, she sics the "knitting group" on him and does everything in her power to drive him out of "her" town. 

If Simone has feelings of being second best, Finn has always felt like he is "the last", or worse, the unwanted, the one no one chooses or cares for. He grew up in the foster system, has no idea what it's like to have "a home", and all he wants is to belong. His BBQ sauce business is just a means to an end. He wants to open a cooking school for people like him, Cooking saved him and he wants to give that to others. 

When a reality show (think Shark Tank) throws them together in the most unexpected way, they'll have to either team up or forfeit the prize. Small problem; they can't stay away from each other. 

This is a lovely rivals to lovers romance. Book #2 in a series, it can be read as a standalone, but maybe I needed to have met Simone in book 1. I fell in love with Finn from the moment he showed up but I had trouble warming up to Simone because of the way she treated him right off the bat. As you spend more time with them and figure out what moves them, you can't help but root for them to find a way to each other. 

I liked that the reality show plot didn't take over and it was more of a road trip story than anything. 

A sweet (as in zero spice) romance for lovers of food, trips and found family.

Rep and possible triggers: interracial romance (BW/WM). Feelings of inferiority, growing up in foster care, mentions of homelessness and hunger. 

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own. Thank you, NetGalley, Montlake and the author for the advanced copy.

Thank you Netgalley and Montlake for the opportunity to read an early copy of Stirring Up Love. I loved the first book in this series and I was so excited when I saw that this was Simone's story. I loved this book as well! I cannot wait to read what Chandra Blumberg writes next.

This is a romance story between Simone and Finn who didn't get along at the first sight and was enemies but later on turned to lovers, while on a road trip to attend a contest.

I thought the story was cute and was told from Simone's and Finn's points of views. There were some funny parts in the story as well and the writing was great. But unfortunately, I wasn't really into the story and found myself bored at some parts of the story but maybe it was just me. The ending was predictable.

Overall, it was an OK romance story but if you like something you want to laugh about, then this one is for you--worth three stars.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC. The review is based on my honest opinion only.