Audio Book Review-Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett

About The Book

Aida Palmer performs a spirit medium show onstage at Chinatown’s illustrious Gris-Gris speakeasy. However, her ability to summon (and expel) the dead is more than just an act. Winter Magnusson is a notorious bootlegger who’s more comfortable with guns than ghosts. Unfortunately for him, he’s the recent target of a malevolent hex that renders him a magnet for hauntings. After Aida’s supernatural assistance is enlisted to banish the ghosts, her spirit-chilled aura heats up as the charming bootlegger casts a different sort of spell on her. On the hunt for the curseworker responsible for the hex, Aida and Winter become drunk on passion. And the closer they become, the more they realize they have ghosts of their own to exorcise…

My Review

First Impressions

This is a series that I have been meaning to get to for quite a long while and really ever since it was released. I just love this era, and I feel like hardly any authors write in this era, so I have really been intrigued by these books. I saw the first one available in audio and I was looking for something different, and I decided to grab this one up and I have to say, that I took way too long reading this one because I absolutely adored every single moment in listening to this one here. There was something so much fun about this book and it was WAY sexier than I actually expected it to be. This is my first time reading this author, so I am not sure why I had that impression, but this author captured so many aspects of this story so well and I couldn’t get enough of it. If you like a mix of history, gothic-like feels, and rich culture then you definitely need to grab this one up.

Summary

Aida Palmer is a spirit medium and has always had the ability to talk to spirits and ghosts and has been able to train herself to embody the spirits for short time and do it to perform for others. She has worked hard to build herself a respectable reputation and has come a long way from being an orphan and foster child. Winter Magnusson, is a bootlegger and has his hands dipping in all sorts of pots and lives on the border of the law. But now he is being targeted by a hex and needs Aida’s assistance. After her assistance, there is instant chemistry, and through a set of events they end up working together in solving the mystery of why there are malevolent ghosts that are becoming drawn to him. But soon something more builds between Aida and Winter, but when their casual relationship turns into something more, will Winter be able to fight for Aida and prove to her their love is genuine and worth fighting for?

What I Loved

Bitter Spirits was such a fantastic twist of a romance and I loved everything about this story. This story just worked so well for me, and I was in the right mood for this type of story. And I have to say that the chemistry that is built between these two is top-notch, the hero is such a scoundrel, and he really draws Aida in and I loved the hints of seduction and sexual teasing that these two get involved in. Their romance just blossoms so well and balances so well with the other aspects of the story. I found both the characters so endearing, they have their own distinctive flair but somehow balance each other out. I was so curious to see where the author would lead their relationship. In the beginning, it starts out slow with gentle teasing but then builds into a stronger crescendo of feeling and sexual chemistry. Then on the plot side, we have the mystery surrounding the ghost hex. I really was so drawn into the plot effects and the fascinating world-building. The author really builds on the culture surrounding the “roaring twenties” and you can bet I was feeling the vibe of the speakeasy bars and jazz and the rich clothing and hairstyles. I honestly wanted to just LIVE within this story, it just captured my interest so quickly and I am so stoked to explore the series even further.

What I Struggled With

There wasn’t much I struggled with to be honest, I didn’t like some of the choices the heroine makes regarding the relationship that causes the third act conflict, but I know it was just a plot device and it eventually worked for me.

The Narration

Amy Landon did such an incredible job with this one here. I just couldn’t seem to get enough of it. I was so fascinated with how well she captured the essence of the story and really handled the building of the relationship so well. She has such a pleasant voice that was so nice to listen to and I enjoyed her character inflections. I will definitely be looking for more books narrated by her.

Overall View

I found Bitter Spirits to be such a captivating, sensual-provoking romance that won its way quickly into my sphere. It’s a story that will immediately capture your attention, stun you with its historical detail, and will deliver in such a unique aspect that completes a balanced satisfying way! A TRUE KEEPER!

Book Details

Title: Bitter Spirits

Author: Jenn Bennett

Genre: Historical Romance

Format: Audiobook

Source: Library

Length: 10 Hours and 32 Mins

About the Narrators

Amy Landon is a classically trained actress with numerous off-Broadway, film, and television credits. Her voice can also be heard on many television and radio commercials. She has an easy facility with dialects, which she also coaches and teaches, and she is happy to find her lifelong obsession with books is matching up with her acting and vocal work.

Book Links

Amazon| Barnes & Noble| Kobo| Goodreads| LibraryThing| Storygraph| Literal Club| Audible| Anyplay

Series Order

About The Author

Jenn Bennett is the author of over a dozen books, including the young adult titles: ALEX, APPROXIMATELY; STARRY EYES; SERIOUS MOONLIGHT; and THE LADY ROGUE. She also writes romance and fantasy for adults. Her books have earned multiple starred reviews, been Goodreads Choice Award nominees, and have been included on annual Best Book lists for both Kirkus and Publishers Weekly. She lives near Atlanta with one husband and two dogs.