Stirring Up Trouble

By: Juli Alexander

Narrated by: Rachel Jacobs

Zoe Miller is a 15-year-old witch with a talent for potions. She's working hard to find a substitute for toad slime. Since fat-free margarine has been found to be a substitute for dead man's toe, she's hopeful that she'll find one.

Then there's all the so-called normal stuff. Like high school, her annoyingly selfish "friend" Anya, and her crush on Anya's ex-boyfriend Jake.

Now, Zoe's dad is dating Jake's mom, and things are getting more and more complicated. If only Zoe could brew a potion or two and set everything straight. Zoe can't. If she brews a self-serving potion, bad things will happen to her appearance. Like a crooked nose, giant wart, green skin, rotting teeth - the whole ugly witch stereotype.

Zoe's tired of fate interfering so cruelly in her life. Can you really blame her for putting her potions to not-so-good use and stirring up trouble?

©2012 Juliana P. Heaton (P)2014 Juliana P. Heaton

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Any additional comments?

Stirring Up Trouble is the story of your average 15 year old teen girl who also just happens to be a witch. Zoe has some of the everyday challenges of being a teen. Her parents are divorced, a best friend who isn't always on her side and a crush on Jake the ex boyfriend of said best friend. When Zoe's dad starts dating Jake's mom, Zoe thinks that it can't get any worse. All she wants to do is brew a few potions to make things easier. Trouble with that is if she benefits from any self-serving potions bad things will happen to her such a her nose will grow or she will start sprouting hair from her chin. Can Zoe get the guy and save face?

I really enjoyed this book. I think that Ms. Alexander has a real grasp on the teen age novel. Sometime when you read a YA/New Adult book, the author seems so out of touch. Not here with Ms. Alexander. She is the real deal.

Ms. Jacob's narration draws you into the story even more. She has a great range of character voices. I liked the pacing of the book. Ms. Jacob's didn't let me down.\

I would recommend this book for 13+ years old and up. There is a little romance but most of all there is a lot of fun!

A teen romance book

Would you say that listening to this book was time well-spent? Why or why not?

This little novel is very good. The entertaining voice of the main character as she faces her various teenage problems along with challenges associated with her very special gifts kept me listening up to the end.