Review: Stir Me Up by Sabrina Elkins

Stir Me Up 
by Sabrina Elkins
Released Date: Published October 1st 2013 by HarlequinTEEN
Pages: 268
View/Purchase: Goodreads, Amazon, B&N

Cami Broussard has her future all figured out. She'll finish her senior year of high school, then go to work full-time as an apprentice chef in her father's French restaurant, alongside her boyfriend, Luke. But then twenty-year-old ex-Marine Julian Wyatt comes to live with Cami's family while recovering from serious injuries. And suddenly Cami finds herself questioning everything she thought she wanted.

Julian's all attitude, challenges and intense green-brown eyes. But beneath that abrasive exterior is a man who just might be as lost as Cami's starting to feel. And Cami can't stop thinking about him. Talking to him. Wanting to kiss him. He's got her seriously stirred up. Her senior year has just gotten a lot more complicated….
(Synopsis taken from Goodreads)

My Review:

Stir Me Up is a story of two young individuals who are trying to find their way in life. Becoming a chef has always been Cami's dream career. Ever since she can remember she has been in the kitchen with her father. But even though her father is a chef at his own French restaurant, he doesn't want Cami to become a chef and therefore he does everything to make her apply to college for a different career. Just when things couldn't get better at her home, her stepmother's nephew, Julian Wyatt has been severally injured and has to stay at their house to recover. When the two first meet, there seemed to be hate towards each other, but the more time Cami starts to spend with Julian, the more she starts to feel for the ex-Marine. 

After getting injured in battle, Julian Wyatt has to suffered when he finds himself unable to walk. Been in the middle of war and having his companions killed has made a huge impact on him, both emotionally and physically. But no matter what his feelings are, the minute he arrives at the Broussard household he is greeted by someone he didn't expect to like at all, Cami. He knows that stopping Cami from doing what she wants is going to be difficult, especially when he finds himself attracted to her. As he encourages her to do what she wants to do no matter what, the more they'll have to overcome if they truly want to be together. 

When I first started reading, I thought this book had too many ideas in one. It felt overdone with the ideas, but as I kept reading the more I started liking the characters and story. Cami has a gift for cooking and it makes sense for her dad to stop her from making a terrible mistake. He thinks that she needs a career that will let her be with her family and not have to work as much. Her case is relatable to anyone that is going through the high school/college transition. On the other hand, Julian is a charming character that will melt anyone's heart or break them with his attitude, but he has been through a traumatic event that has led him to harden his feelings. The story flowed beautifully which I really liked and the ending was a bit surprising. I expected something else, but it worked really well for the story and I'm glad I got to read it. The romance is great and the message of “following your dreams no matter” what makes the story enjoyable to read. I recommend everyone to give it a try, you will not regret it. 

*ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review*

My Rating: