Review: "a truly enjoyable read..."
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 06 14, 2011
After being fired from an elite restaurant--and blackballed by the irate head chef--Toby Andrews has to take whatever job he can find.  He ends up at Evan Blankenship's failing restaurant, Le Potiron.  Evan's bitter and angry after the defection of his business partner, and he hates people.  He's also incredibly attractive.  Can Toby turn Le Potiron around and get Evan to give him a chance romantically, or will he blow his last chance?Stirring Up Trouble tells what happens when a somewhat immature, temperamental chef realizes he needs to make some changes in order to get what he really wants.  Despite Toby's tendency to act impulsively, I couldn't help but like him.  He cares about his family and his work, he's funny, and he has a strong sense of fairness.  Since the story focuses on Toby's point of view, Evan was a bit harder to get a handle on.  He's sexy and surly.  He likes to cook, but hates the people aspect of running a restaurant.  He also hates it when Toby makes decisions about the restaurant without informing him, which is understandable.  Toby's impetuous nature may be helpful in seizing the moment and improving business at the restaurant (a process that was a lot of fun to read about), but it's not good for his relationship with Evan.  I enjoyed Evan and Toby's somewhat stormy relationship, and the scenes between them were both hot and sweet.  I even liked the conceited villain, and hoped he would get his comeuppance.  As a person who doesn't much like to cook, it was fun reading about chefs and the inner workings of a restaurant.  I don't think I've ever read a book by Z.A. Maxfield that I didn't like, and Stirring Up Trouble is no exception.  Great heroes, interesting secondary characters, and an engaging plot all combine to "cook" up a truly enjoyable read.CassieReviewed for Joyfully Reviewed