Stir Until Thoroughly Confused

Toronto #4

by Heather Wardell

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?

Genres: Chick Lit, Romance, Contemporary Romance

260 pages, Paperback

First published December 23, 2010

About the author

I am a natural 1200 wpm speed reader and the author of twenty-three self-published novels including the free ebook "Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo" which has had over 400,000 downloads.

In my spare time, I read, run, swim, crochet, take care of my cat Pearl, and play drums and clarinet. Generally not all at once.

I only record books here if I absolutely love them and hugely recommend them. I definitely read more than you see here. :)

Reviews

[Lisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

I know that I have read a lot from Heather Wardell in the last month and that is because I can't tell you how much I enjoy her writing, not just the style but how she pulls me into the story and leaves me begging for more! I was even more excited about this because it meant that I got to meet up with my favorite characters from Life Love and a Polar Bear Tattoo and Go Small or Go Home. I love that Heather starts these books with the climax or huge turning point in the story and then walks you through the story leading to that point so that you are constantly guessing about what was going to happen.

The Characters-

Mary - I was able to connect with Mary right away. She has left everything behind and moved to Toronto to fulfill her dreams of being a chef. Things are not going as she had hoped they would. Mary has the interview of a lifetime only to be told that she should come back in 3 months and things might change. I love that Mary is so determined that she parks herself on Kegan's flower box until he hires her. I love that she is a strong willed woman who goes after what she wants....will she get it in the end?

Kegan - When we first meet Kegan in Life Love and the Polar Bear Tattoo I thought that he was a bit of a jerk. Don't get me wrong, he was an attractive jerk, but a jerk none the less. He holds true to his stubbornness in this book, but he has had some changes in his life and he is trying to change how he reacts to people. I loved getting to know him better and decided that he isn't the jerk I thought that he was.

It was also great to get to see what was happening in the lives of Tess, Forrest, Jen, Candice, Ian and Larissa. I like when an author was bring people back into a story without them taking the story over. I really hope that there are going to be more books coming! I want to know what happens with all of them!

The Plot -

Another great story line! The diversity that Heather Wardell writes in is amazing. This story is about opening and rebuilding two restaurants, Steel and Magma. I would have have had the first clue on how to make a reader feel connected to this but Heather does a great job of it. As in the previous books, there are a couple of sub story lines that help us get to know Megan and Kegan even better. The story is completely believable and the time line makes total sense. This book made me laugh and it made me cry. I couldn't ask for more from a book.

My Rating:

I loved this book as much as I loved the other two. I highly recommend that you check these books out. You can find then on Heather's website for just $0.99 each. You couldn't find them for a better deal. Check them out and let me know what you thing.

5 of 5 stars

[Jaidis Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stir Until Thoroughly Confused by Heather Wardell is a fabulous story about self discovery, determination, and love. So many of us have sacrificed our dreams while putting those of the ones we love, or loved, above our own. While a noble and caring thing to do, it's not always the right thing to do and we're left with a shattered picture of what we thought this life of ours would be. What do I do? Where do I go? How could I possibly start over? Mary had asked herself these same questions time and time again. She had always wanted to enroll at the Culinary Institute but her husband Charles had other plans. He needed to finish schooling so Mary did what she had to do in order to make that happen. She could always save up and try again, couldn't she? She soon found out that her goals played no role in the plans Charles had made for them. The plans he made for her. It was then that she knew she had to leave, and that's just what she did!

Toronto was a new world to Mary and she couldn't have been happier about that! This was her life and she was going to live it her way. She set her sights on Steel, the area's most popular restaurant and was determined to get what she had wanted for so very long. Though she soon discovered she wanted much more than to be a top chef, she wanted Kegan Underwood. Kegan was tall, dark and handsome. He knew what he wanted, how he wanted it and how to get it done. Women fell for him daily but getting them to stay by his side and tolerate his controlling and passionate nature was just about impossible. Even knowing this, Mary couldn't help but be drawn to him and he to Mary. Mary's career meant everything to her and she wasn't about to risk it, but what if she didn't have to? Could they make this work and both find what they had been searching for so very long.

Heather Wardell did a wonderful job grabbing the reader's attention and creating an emotional investment with the characters and storyline. This book had my attention from the start and I was easily able to identify with Mary and what she had gone through. I'm sure most readers will, with Mary or any of the other well developed characters. The relationship that forms between the two main characters is exciting and realistic. I found myself being a part of it and feeling that tension right along with them! This was a fantastic read and I highly recommend it!

Hazel O'Shea
Written for the Juniper Grove Blog

[I'd So Rather Be Reading {Nat} · Rating 5 out of 5]

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 Many. Her 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

[Samantha March · Rating 4 out of 5]

Author Heather Wardell made it to the top of my Favorites List with her first novel, Life, Love and Polar Bear Tattoo¸ and I have been eagerly reading her books since. Her latest, Stir Until Thoroughly Confused, did not leave me disappointed. The story centers around Mary, who is struggling to break free from difficult divorce. She moves to Toronto to put behind her controlling ex-husband and mother, but is without a job. She is determined to follow her dream of working as a chef. Enter Kegan. Yes, the Kegan from some of Wardell’s past novels, that Kegan. Kegan appears to be a somewhat changed man, and it doesn’t take long for a romance to start quietly brewing between him and Mary. But with Kegan now Mary’s boss, his controlling attitude revolving around his restaurants lead to one too many fights between the new couple. Mary is smacked with an ultimatum: choose Kegan and the relationship, or her dream career.

I love revisiting the characters from Wardell’s previous novels. It is fun to catch up with them and see which direction their lives have taken. In Stir, readers not only get plenty of Kegan to keep them happy, but a handful of other characters make cameos as well. This book is filled with interesting characters and unique plot points, even though the main subject is a well known one: should a woman choose her career or a man? Wardell keeps her story fresh and fast-paced, engaging readers in the world she creates so well. The only part I disliked was I felt there should have been more showing the downfall of Mary and Kegan’s relationship. I felt that things went really well for them, then started to fall apart almost without any warning. It seemed as though the characters were just a half step ahead of where the story was going. But overall, another fantastic read and a definite recommendation from me! If you haven’t read anything yet by Heather Wardell, a highly suggest you do!

[BecksBookPicks · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is my second book by Heather Wardell. I like her style as an author a lot. She begins her story's where the character has to take time to think back and reflect. So when you start a story by her, you are with the main character at the turning point in their life. You then get to turn back the clock and learn how the character got there. Its nice in the back of your mind, you in someways know where the story is going and you get to enjoy the ride there.

This story is no different. Mary finally has her dream job and a boss, Kegan, who fully supports her. The two are drawn to one another from the moment they meet. They dance around the idea for a long time of a romance and you can tell the two want to fight it. Eventually though they have to give into one another. Kegan has to work on his control issues and this is where the problem sets in. Eventually the two know they can no longer be together. It just isn't working, so what are they to do. That is when Mary has to decide, does she want her dream job and keep the restaurant that she built or does she keep the man she truly loves.

The story had a soft spot in my heart. In some ways it reminded me of my husband and I. No, I am no great chef at all, however when I met my husband, we met in a restaurant and he happened to be my boss and I was a waitress. So, it was fun watching them dance around on whether to date or night.

[Nenette · Rating 3 out of 5]

I bet the food was delicious, though fictional. I also love to cook (and eat) so I can imagine what wonders spices can do to a dish, even dessert. But food is not the main focus of this story. It's a love story between the chef and the restaurant owner, which to my palate is just too sweet and mushy.

This is the fourth romance book by this author that I've read one after the other. I was good until the third, but by this fourth book, I thought I shouldn't have done the continuous reading.

I'm still giving this three stars, to be fair. It was mushy, yes, but one can only take so much.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

A really cute story with a happy ending. It's just a feel good book that you go into enjoying because that's what it's supposed to do.

[Belinda Boring · Rating 5 out of 5]

What would you do if you had to make a choice between the two things that matter the most to you – one you would keep and the other let go of? For me, I guess it would depend on what those things were and for Mary, they are both something she couldn’t live without. Finally free from an oppressive marriage, she is taking back control of her life and following her dreams of becoming a chef in an upscale restaurant. Her love for cooking is a passion that runs deep for Mary so when she sees an opportunity to work for one of the hottest restaurants in town, she seizes it and plans on dazzling her future boss in her interview. She dazzled him alright but one look at Kegan, the intense and sexy owner of Steel and Mary finds herself caught up in an attraction that inevitably leads to romance. With both of them focused and driven on reopening the restaurant after a horrible fire and starting the new restaurant Magma, sparks soon lead to clashes as Kegan struggles to rein in his need to control everything within his realm – including Mary. Deeply in love and knowing that there’s no one else for them but each other, things start building to a boiling point where a decision must be made and the responsibility falls on Mary. Unable to do it, Kegan asks Mary to choose – do they keep their relationship purely business or does she leave the perfect job and only career she’s ever wanted by putting Kegan first and choosing love.

This is an amazing story filled with deep sighs, intense moments and an emotional level that keeps you glued to the book. Once I began, I didn’t want to stop because the author had me so involved in what was happening. There was that constant buzz that thrummed through me as I felt things building with both the sexual tension between the Kegan and Mary and the energy generated from two highly passionate people who struggled at times to rein it in. Honestly when I think of this story, I see an image of a pot sitting on a stovetop slowly simmering with the occasional bubble as time goes on. The longer it heats, the hotter the temperature until it’s suddenly at a fevered pitch and borders on out of control. That was one of the things that most impressed me about the way the author wrote her book – she managed to maintain that level of intensity and interest through the entire series without me once thinking “Good gosh stop already” because it was just too much. She gave it that flow where I didn’t feel I was being jerked around, stirred up only to be dropped flat. To me, that shows talent and it made reading the book a great experience for me.

I really felt that Mary and Kegan were incredible characters because I could identify with them so well. I enjoyed that the struggles they faced were “real” and I was shown the highs and lows that come when two people try to adjust to each other. I loved the tenacity of Mary. For someone who had been stifled for years, she came out of that marriage roaring and adamant that she was not only going to survive but thrive. I loved the level of commitment she showed to both her job and Kegan because without a doubt, he was difficult to deal with at times. She stuck it out, believed him when he shared he was trying to change but also stood her ground when it became too much. Mary was a character who got better and better because you could see her develop into this strong and empowered woman who went from doormat to assertive. I felt for her as she struggled to make her decision because it had to be painful but once she made up her mind, she never looked back. You can’t help but cheer for her.

I will admit my first impression of Kegan wasn’t favorable. As the story opens, you learn that he laid the responsibility of deciding their future onto Mary’s shoulders and my thought was “Wow what a cop out. What kind of guy is she involved with?” I didn’t hold onto that very long though as Kegan enter the story and made me catch my breath when Mary described this incredibly sexy man that would make any woman’s knees weak. The man is passion personified and completely driven by it. He is used to having everything under very tight and heavily controlled grip so it wasn’t a surprise to learn that it was a constant struggle for him to manage his attitude and overstepping of boundaries. I love a flawed man, especially one who has the humility to admit he has a problem and honestly attempts to work on his weaknesses. He is wonderful with Mary, attentive, devoted and treats her the way a woman should be treated… all except for when they’re working together and his need to dictate surfaces. By the end of the book and being totally absorbed in his energy, I completely understood why Kegan couldn’t make the decision because it must have driven him nuts. Oh and my review wouldn’t be complete without this final report … Kegan knows how to kiss, like “OMGSH catch me because I’m swooning” The man attacks everything in his life with a fierce intensity and I spent nearly half the book wishing I could have been on the receiving end of one of them.

What more can I say than I really enjoyed this book and it completely satisfied my romance cravings. STIR UNTIL THOROUGHLY CONFUSED is definitely a book romance lovers should read and I hope each person loves it just as much as I did. Happy reading!

[Yvonne · Rating 4 out of 5]

Talk about being down on your luck – Mary is going through a difficult divorce and has no job. The one thing Mary always wanted to do was be a chef, but she was looking for the perfect opportunity. She’s sure she found it when the owner of a popular restaurant is opening a new one and is searching for the right person to be their chef. After the job interview is over, Mary is sure she’s going to get the job. Disappointment fills her when the owner, Kegan Underwood, informs her that his plans have changed and he won’t be opening the restaurant after all. He advises her to come back in three months when his plans might change.

Mary doesn’t accept this decision and proceeds to camp out in front of Kegan’s restaurant, determined to win him over and get him to change his mind. She succeeds, but when outside forces get in the way, she wonders just what she’s gotten herself into. Not to mention that sparks fly all over the place between Kegan and Mary. Can a romance with her controlling boss really work? When Mary is faced with the choice between the man she loves or the career she loves, she’s completely torn.

The chemistry between Mary and Kegan sizzles, add a dash of mystery to the recipe and you have a fun story with an excellent cast of characters. Even the secondary ones make their presence known. Several characters from Heather’s previous book “Go Small or Go Home” make an appearance in this book. It is not necessary to read them both (although you will want to – they are both wonderful stories). Each book stands alone, but it’s fun to see returning characters and find out how they are doing after their story ended.

I really enjoy Heather’s writing style. Go Small or Go Home was the first book of hers that I read and I loved it, this one is no different. I’ve already added some of her other books to my Nook. She’s a wonderful storyteller.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was rather good, mellow, maybe a bit long. I found Toronto, Canada, a bit unusual as backdrop for a romantic story, but that's rather a good thing.
I had a hard time relating to the characters, I guess I would expect thirty-somethings to be done with their soulsearching already and know what they want in their lives and who they really are. On the other hand, perhaps people need protagonists as these too. Not everyone grows up early...
Also, I guess I don't share the author's perception of "being strong" so I coudn't really accept the characters' reasoning about their problems. I found they were kind of going in circles, and no real leap was ever made. Mary was too soft and forgiving for my taste, especially since in the end she accepted Kegan's inability to overcome his control issues. The solution proposed was that of avoiding his problem rather than overcoming it. I suppose one could say that it is how it is in life – nobody's perfect, you accept people with all their faults etc., but then in this case it means that the main character didn't really achieve anything. She chose the man over her career, and even though he promised he would let her be in control (sort of) I don't believe it will really happen – having read their story, there's no reason to believe he will stick to his promise. It only makes Mary the weaker for believing him.

[Jennie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Heather Wardell’s books initially give the image that they are fun and fluffy but soon after starting you realize that they are actually deep and emotionally touching. While this novel wasn’t as heart wrenching as Planning to Live it was still very powerful. The underlying theme of self-confidence and self-worth was intertwined into the story, connecting the reader to the characters to the point that I actually cheered out loud during a scene towards the end of the story. Kegan and Mary are both characters with real flaws – both stumbling through their days trying to be something better, fighting hard to reach what they want. The range of characters didn’t stop with those two but included others facing real life situations – struggles, lost hope and fear. These subplots gave the story range and depth and brought perspective to Mary and Kegan, as well as the reader.

I am the worst in the kitchen but the cooking and restaurant world has always fascinated me so I was looking forward to a fun dip into that world. I loved the creative ideas behind Magma’s menu and the initial tastings – a unique and modern spin on spices. Such a twist on the traditional locale based cuisine that I wished there was a restaurant near me with that same type of environment and food.

[KB Wayne · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a lovely surprise! I'd read two of the author's other stories and truthfully, I am not sure what possessed me to read this one as well. I'm glad I did, though, as it is almost nothing like the other two!

In this book we were not shortchanged: we got to know our characters, Mary, an aspiring chef, and Kegan, a restaurant owner, learn their back story(-ies) and then enjoy them together as a couple. (This author, at least in the other two books of hers I've read, waited until the last moment to join the couples after a painfully protracted story, so we were left without getting to enjoy any of the "happily ever after" or whatever. As a reader, I want that. I want to enjoy some of their ride and no, I am not being cutesy to describe sex, although that can certainly be fun! In this book there is some sex, tastefully described, and that's its own kind of fun, of course ....)

Again, another recurring theme for this author is to have female leads who have crippling self-esteem problems and man is it a drag. In this story, Mary does have some baggage but it is not overwhelming and she is actively, from the get-go, working on establishing her independence and her worth. She made sense to me and her transformation felt organic.

Got a kick out of it -- a sweet story.

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Stir Until Thoroughly Confused is a new story by Heather Wardell. This time around, Ms. Wardell brings us a very endearing romance. It’s not just about a woman who falls for her boss. It is about 2 people who struggle to make changes in their lives and how they help each other along the way. I really enjoyed watching Mary change and grow into a more confident person. I think many women will identify with her struggle to make a new life for herself and figure out who she wants to be. The relationship between her and Kegan was very real. I enjoyed the path that it took and how they started out as friends. Ms. Wardell did an excellent job of capturing the excitement and uncertainty one feels when faced with a new love interest. I loved Kegan and Mary as a couple and I was really rooting for them in the end. After reading this book, I discovered that she has 2 previous books that have some of the same characters. However, I never felt like I was missing any back story.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is only my second book by Heather Wardell and I absolutely adored it. Not only for the romance, but because it focused on one of my favorite characters from Life, Love, and a Polar Bear Tattoo: Kegan. On the surface this is a romance, but it's so much more than that. It's a story about two people struggling to find a balance between their careers, personal and professional dreams and love.

Heather Wardell has a way of pulling you into her story and her character's lives and leaving you wanting more. I started this book at the gym in the morning and came home that afternoon and finished it because I couldn't wait to find out what happened. I'm looking forward to reading more of her books.

[Leslie · Rating 2 out of 5]

I read A Life that Fits and Stir Until Thoroughly Confused back to back. While I think Ms. Wardell is a good writer, and her stories are light and delightful, I was disappointed in the following:
1. Both books were exactly the same - girl and guy break up, girl gets backbone, girl gets everything she wants, and it all comes too easily.
2. Ms. Wardell has great intentions, but I feel like she "chickens out" - in both books, the villain of the story could have done so much more to thwart the progress of the main character, thus making the story take more twists and turns.
3. Ultimately, both books are a bit flat - the story is nice, but the juicy twists, the vulnerability, and the conquering of various failures is lacking


I wonder if all her books are like this, but it will be awhile until I read one again.

[Judith · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting book which is a beautiful love story at the core, but one that is endangered by excessive control issues and the jeolousy often found in the very competitive world of professional cooking. All those egos can't be comfortable, and when the pressure's on due to Grand Re-Opening of a restaurant that is the pride and joy of the hero, often even the treasure of love and one's significant other may be lost. A very good read that is riveting in many ways. As one who was involved in the commercial food service industry for a number of years, I found it to be authentic and truly an eye-opener to those who may not be aware of what goes on behind the kitchen doors of fine dining restaurants. A very good read.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stir Until Thoroughly Confused was one of my favorites by Heather Wardell. She always does a great job of capturing a true message that women can relate to, and this book was no exception.

Many people in real life have had to choose between a following their dreams giving them up for someone they love.. When you think about it happening to someone else, you know what the answer is. Or at least what it should be. But as I read this book from Mary's point of view, I was at a complete loss as to what I'd do if I were her. Heather Wardell kept me guessing the whole way through, as usual, and failed to disappoint me. 5 star for this one, as usual!

[Donna Hatridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of Heather Wardell's writing style. Her books make you think. Her characters are believable and draw you right into the story.

If you read Life Love and aPolar Bear Tattoo you will remember Kegan and his restaurant Steel.

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?

[Becky Burciaga · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the first book by this author I've read, but not having read the books prior to this one in the series didn't detract from the story. Mary and Kegan's story is a bit complicated, going back and forth from the present to the past, setting the groundwork for this story, but it is still a romance story that you'll find grabs on from the beginning and you must read it straight through. All in all, I enjoyed the characters, the plot and the overall feel to the story.

This book was provided by the Publisher and Netgalley for my honest review.

[Julie Shick · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really want to give this book 4.5. It was an awesome book. At first I missed Forrest and Hockey from Go Small or Go Home. It was nice to "see" Kegan again though. The book caught me but it took a touch longer than Go Small. There wasn't anything wrong with the book but restaurants aren't hockey. So my lack of investment in the beginning was personal. The book is well written and the characters are believable. I have already started the author's next book, Life that Fits.

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rating: 4.5

Ive loved Kegan since I read Life, love and a polar bear tattoo and this book made me love him more! (can I say sexiest fictional character ever?)
I liked the story a lot...it was slow paced but very sweet.
I loved how throughout the book the main character, Mary, was able to find herself and learns to be a strong woman and make decisions on her own and at the same time be able to start over with her personal love life.
The ending was amazing and left a smile on my face :)

[Melonia Nicol · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sometimes a girl just needs to read some fluff with a bit of a story to keep you entertained. This book certainly did that to the point I actually gigled out loud! To which my husband asked what I was doing; justa shaking his head and smiling when I replied..."Just reading a book!" worth a go for some fun and light entertainment.

[Michele]

Absolutely loved it!!!! Check my blog www.queenofreading for a full review!

[Kaley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fabulous read by the fantastic Heather Wardell :)

[Lizz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Mary's spirit, and how she is so willing to do whatever she needs to do in order to realize her dreams. Plus they went to Niagara Falls, and since I'd just been there it was fun to picture.

[BJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Light reading, but entertaining.

[Linda · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't really care for the story, didn't feel a connection to the characters.

[Leslie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure why I enjoy Wardell's books so much, but I do. Don't expect literature, just an enjoyable read.

[Jennie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this one. Easily my favorite of the series with overlapping characters and places (though it's a toss up between this and Go Small or Go Home). Glad to see Kegan come back into the story.

[Alison]

on my kindle