There’s a big curse in little Chinatown…and it’s not Prohibition. Although Bitter Spirits wasn’t the Gatsby-esque book I was expecting, it delivered on a decent romance, fun plot, and original setting. Aida was very stubborn and proud, something I really appreciate in heroines (probably because it reminds me of myself). Chinatown, and other Chinese characters were heavily represented though. The resolution of the mystery is a bit odd, but I guess it works for the story.īitter Spirits brings an interesting setting to the table, but only skirts the flapper lifestyle. As a big person in the San Francisco illegal alcohol trade and thus the underworld, there are plenty of candidates. The main mystery hinges on the fact that there is someone trying to harm Winter. It was good that they spent time together to get to actually know each other before they started something. It was all well done in my opinion, especially because Bitter Spirits manages to stay clear of the instalove phenomenon, but a bit much for the non-romance reader that I am. We get scene after scene with both of them in it, and tons of attraction. Because there are barely any side plots – something that’s usually a good thing – the book is very intense. The first half of Bitter Spirits focusses a lot on the budding romance between Aida and Winter. They immediately feel attracted – but is there more than just attraction?

He is one of the biggest bootleggers (both metaphorically and literally) in San Francisco. One night she meets Winter through her boss. That’s what Bitter Spirits brings to the table in one neat package.Īida is an independent spirit medium that travels the country with her act. The twenties, bootlegging, spirits and a sparkling romance. Published January 7th 2014 by Berkley Sensation

Bitter spirits by jenn bennett