BOOK: STIRRING UP TROUBLE
AUTHOR:
PUB DATE: 08 AUGUST 2023
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REVIEW
Thanks to Netgalley and the Publisher for this ARC. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
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Y'all know I'm a sucker for a single parent romance, and this book had a older brother whi served as a parent to his younger sister after their mother's death. I liked and admired Gavin, he was going through a lot and he still put his sister first. He was a lovely character and he loved to cook too. I liked that his job took me to a restaurant.
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Our FMC is the sunshine to Gavin's grump. I loved reading about her because she's a romance author and I enjoyed getting into an author's mind. She was also the perfect person to look after Bree. I liked that she was able to discover herself and deal with her issues.
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Their romance was very good too, I liked that it was fast, no miscommunication. They were really good together. A wonderful read!

A fun and steamy story. Tragedy has brought an unexpected role into Gavin’s life. Sloane needs Gavin and Gavin needs Sloane. Bree needs them both. A great story!!

Stirring Up Trouble is being re-released as Book 4 in the Pine Mountain series by Kimberly Kincaid, featuring a grumpy/sunshine small town romance for Gavin and Sloane. Gavin is a grumpy restaurant manager in need of a babysitter for his 13 year-old willful sister, so his boss suggests her best friend, Sloane. Sloane is a romance author suffering from writer’s block and a need for cash to fund her next adventure. She has no experience with kids and doesn’t do commitment, but the chemistry between the can’t be ignored. Will the bonds being formed be destined for more, or will there be multiple broken hearts at the end of their agreement?

This was the first book I’ve read from the Pine Mountain series, and I really enjoyed the characters. Gavin’s story arc was a great representation of the grumpy hero trope. The emotional issues for Gavin, Sloane, and Bree were all really well written and felt authentic. My heart broke for Gavin and Bree in their grief, as I know what that is like. I loved Gavin and Sloane together, and how spicy their chemistry got at times! There were only a couple things that bothered me. The first was Sloane’s failure to communicate her plans, despite being involved with a single dad with an emotionally fragile teen who was attached to her! Miscommunication or lack of communication is starting to become a pet peeve of mine in books.😆 The other thing… I would have liked to have seen more of the town to get more of the vibe. Overall, I really enjoyed the book, but my favorite character actually ended up being Bree. Her emotional journey was well done, and she really captured my heart. I look forward to seeing what comes next!

I received a free ARC from the author and NetGalley, and am leaving this review voluntarily. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

I sort of remember reading these books when they were first released but am totally enjoying this 2023 version. This is the third book in the Pine Harbor Mountain series, and this book centers on Gavin, the front of house and wine expert for the restaurant. Gavin has a 13 year old sister Bree, who lives with him since their mom died and he needs after school help staying with her. Sloane is the chef’s best friend, and an romance author who has always had a wanderlust, never wanted to stay in one place but is running low on money and takes the job for Gavin temporarily. Gavin is so serious and grumpy about everything and Sloane is just the opposite which makes for a good conflict to keep this HEA from happening too quickly. Sloane is always “stirring up trouble” with her actions but Bree loves her and so the story goes. I Thoroughly enjoyed this read. I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own..

Sloane has traveled the globe crossing off things in her bucket list just to add more adventures to it. She’s been living in Pine Mountain to spend time with her best friend and she’s struggling with writer’s block and the hole in her savings account.

She ends up filling in as a stand-in babysitter/English tutor to Gavin’s 13-year old sister, Bree. Gavin is in over his head with a moody, grieving and hormonal teen girl, and he is at first suspicious of Sloane being up to the task of being responsible for Bree.

Sloane and Gavin are complete opposites and have some pretty crazy skirmishes over their opposing points of view, but the chemistry between them is sizzling hot. Gavin’s slow and methodical approach to life opens Sloane to some new ideas about herself, and evokes some emotions that make her readjust her outlook.

Gavin and Sloane, along with Bree definitely stir up some trouble, the kind of trouble in this entertaining and enjoyable read!

I received a free ARC from the author and NetGalley; and I am voluntarily leaving an unbiased review.

Sloane is about to turn some lives upside down. She's a newbie author and tackling a serious case of writers block. She needs to really live the adventure so she needs to get to Greece. She just needs the funds and taking a temporary nanny gig to a preteen is a quick way to get the cash she needs.

Enter a grumpy boss who really doesn't want a nanny in his life. But he's new to the dad-life, he's taken over the care of his baby sister and trying to run his restaurant isn't giving her the time she needs.

There are lots of big issues dealt with in this story; death of parents, elder sibling taking on parental role, being the odd one out in the family, never being able to do anything to please a parent. Sloane was a great role model for Bree, showing her you don't need to be a clone and fit in, you can march to your own drum and still be successful and happy. Slone is independent, strong willed, intelligent and compassionate.

I do enjoy it when the book world features in romance books, it's like getting to see behind the curtain lol.

I had read the previously published version of this book but this recreation is much much better. The storyline did not change but the added scenes are great. Single dad hires struggling author as a babysitter to his grumpy 13 yr old sister. The story has all the feels and is a quick read!

Sloane Russo is a successful romance author who is a free spirit and doesn’t like to be tied down. Her publisher doesn’t like her latest pitch for a book, and wants her to write a romance set in Greece. Since Sloane has used her travels for her inspiration in the past, she needs to find the money to fund her trip. In walks Gavin Carmichael, the restaurant manager at her chef friend’s restaurant, and he needs a nanny/babysitter for his half sister. Gavin’s mother died ten months ago and left him to raise his half sister. While she is 13, she has had a rough time. Of course this sets up the inevitable, forbidden nanny romance. I really liked the dynamic between Bree and Gavin, and the addition of Sloane helped Gavin learn how to relate to Bree. Overall, an enjoyable book. Note that this is a reissue of this book, with some updating. I received an arc of this book from NetGalley for my honest review.

Kimberley Kincaid has created a storyline that gives us very likeable characters dealing with a hard topic she makes it easy for the reader to feel the heartache a child feels after losing a parent but also gives us the expected heat and thrill of new found love between Gavin and Sloan along with just enough drama laughter and tears to keep everything interesting and exciting.

“I’m ready to stir up a little trouble, one sip at a time.”

Book three of the Pine Mountain series focuses on Gavin and Sloane. Gavin has recently taken custody of his half sister, Bree, after his mother passed away. Being a sudden dad of a 13 year old wasn’t something he planned for and it was much harder than he was expecting. However, when his boss’s friend Sloane is in need of a job she ends up being the perfect candidate for a babysitter.

Sloane doesn’t settle down, she travels everywhere and likes life on the move, but when she starts spending time with Bree and Gavin she starts to see things from a different perspective and maybe it’s time to settle down. This was another sweet trip to Pine Mountain!

Thank you @KimberlyKincaidauthor for the ARC!
Release Date: August 11, 2023
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Sloane is a romance writer.
Gavin is a restaurant manager of la Dolce Vita.
Bree is Gavin’s sister.

Sloan and Gavin meet at the restaurant and she accepts the job to watching Gavin’s sister.
( who has issues since her mother died).
Sloane and Gavin have a slow burning odd chemistry ( being opposites attract, sunshine to grumpy, single dad and an unconventional romance author).
Sloane was looking for love ( like in her romance novels, but as yet it hasn’t happened).
Gavin is stoic and serious and (has to deal with his Mom’s
death, estate, as well as be a parent to his sister).
Can Sloane, Gavin and Bree have
A Happily Ever After? You will have to read the book.
This book has intrigue, romance, and lots of emotions.
Great Job Kimberly Kincaid !!!!

This story about an author and a chef in need of temporary help with his teenage half-sister was a solid read. I appreciated the scope of the dynamics between the relationship between each of the characters. Overall, I would read more from this author in the future. I received a copy of this book from NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving my honest thoughts and opinion of the read.

Stirring up Trouble
By: Kimberly Kincaid

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These two are so much fun!

Sometimes you wonder if two people end up together by a wing and a prayer. Oh my Sloan and Gavin might just be that pair. Add in a teenager and easy peasy right? But what a great ride. The authors writing flawless and the words are so captivating, the plot had so many twists and turns and none that I was expecting, and many shockingly intimate I have become a huge fan of this author. The author writes with so much intensity and emotion pulled from each book it’s felt page after page. Some are quick witted story lines are so perfect and lets you believe you have a front row seat. So being able to read this love story didn’t disappoint. The authors ability to have two separate individuals struggling in their everyday life and try to navigate someone else’s thoughts, needs and desires was intense and gives all the fills.

Authors Blurb: Ingredients:
One grumpy restaurant manager desperately in need of a nanny for the thirteen-year-old half-sister he’s suddenly single parenting

One capricious, flat broke author who needs to kick her writer’s block to the curb with a one-way ticket out of town

One temporary deal that comes with some seriously distracting, seriously off-limits temptation

Mix well and watch these two go from slow burn to sizzle

Serve with a side of grumpy/sunshine, single dad + “anti” nanny workplace romance, epic flirting, and a hot and hard-fought happily ever after.

This book has everything I love in a book. Then you add that it's beautifully written and believable. It is easily a five star read. Written in dual POV my personal favorite this story flows so incredibly well that the next thing you know your 80% into the book and loving every second of it. The believable way the characters interact is perfect. Run, Hop, Jump or use your (1 click) finger to do whatever you have to do and get this amazing book. It'll break your heart, you'll want to scream with frustration and it'll let you discover that love just might conquer all. The chemistry is steamy and sweet and oh so romantic.

Thanks Netgally for letting me read and review.📚💕

A romp through the life of a restaurant owner, the teenager he is bringing up and the babysitter. The pain of the orphaned 13 year old is sensitively shared and her worries kindly explained. The romance is central but doesn’t overshadow the character growth. I really enjoyed my read.

Stirring Up Trouble is the third book in Kimberly Kinkaid’s Pine Mountain series and a fun, angsty, and entertaining story of picking your battles and opening your heart. Realistic character portrayals and an interesting and intelligent storyline goes a long way to creating a thoroughly enjoyable read, and Ms Kincaid has certainly achieved that with this story. I’m always impressed with the easy ebb and flow of this authors work (whether it be serious and emotional, or light-hearted and amusing) and Stirring Up Trouble is not only a great addition to the series, but a terrific way to satisfy your romance appetite.

This book was really enjoyable

It has a good storyline and well developed characters that worked well together

I enjoyed the plot and the will she stay theme

I thought that it was a well written story of where your heart is

It was romantic and sexy, honest and heartfelt

It is 4 stars from me for this one, highly recommended

This is a new to me author and I enjoyed the book. I thought the premise was intriguing and I enjoyed the characters. I would read this author again and I will recommend to others.

This was a swoony read with lots of feels and some sizzle. While I enjoyed following Sloane and Gavin’s romantic journey, I really liked watching their emotional journey with Bree, Gavin’s little sister. I would have liked to see an epilogue where Gavin and Bree meet Sloane’s family but no such luck. Overall a great read!

Stirring up Trouble has Gavin a taciturn restaurant manager having sole custody of his hormonal thirteen year old sister after their mother dies. Needing someone to ‘babysit’ Bree after previous carer has to leave he hires Sloane, an author who travels a great deal to different countries to find inspiration for her romance novels.
Needing funds as she has a deadline, her agent wants her next book to be based in Greece so Sloane intends to look after Bree for only a few weeks. Gavin is attracted to Sloane and she to him and they start a relationship more or less straight away. With a stroppy teenager and Sloan’s plan to leave all does not go smoothly.
Although a light read with little angst and not a great deal of depth it kept me entertained until the end which was wrapped up pretty quickly. I was happy when I saw there was an epilogue to have a glimpse of their future but unfortunately for me this was pertaining to another character whose story will be next in this series.
My thanks to net galley and publisher for the opportunity to review this book honestly.

I really don't like leaving negative reviews, but I try to be fair and honest. So here we are. This book is part of an older series that the author apparently is rereleasing with added "steam," which could account for why the intimate scenes felt pasted in. I ended up skimming them. For me, I didn't feel any real connection to either main character. Sloane is nice enough, a supposed free spirit who travels the world for inspiration for the romance novels she writes. She's only in Pine Mountain temporarily, mostly to make some cash for traveling and to stand up as maid of honor for her BFF.

Sloane ends up as a babysitter for hero Gavin, an uptight (not really the grumpy we're promised) restaurant manager who's recently gained custody of his 13-year-old sister, Bree. The label "babysitter" grates not only on teenaged Bree, but on the reader as well. In spite of acknowledging that Bree is well past the age of needing a sitter, the label persists, and it feels gross.

The whole free-spirit-connects-with-surly-teen trope isn't new, nor is the overwhelmed-older-brother-with-no-clue-about-teen-girls one, but it's not executed particularly well here. Or at least not interestingly so. Yes, you feel for both Gavin and Bree, but you don't necessarily feel the confused and bittersweet love that surely is between them.

I also felt the big miscommunication does not resolve logically. I don't want to spoil the ending, but I think the wrong person apologized.

The book is well written though; the author knows how to write. I've enjoyed more recent books by the same author. I think this one maybe should have just stayed in 2014.

I received an ARC of this book for free from the publisher and Netgalley. I'm writing this review voluntarily,and it reflects my honest opinion. Thanks!