Review: Kindred Spirits by Alicia Dyal

Author: Alicia Dyal

Pages/Word Count: 49 Pages

At a Glance: This is just a sweet short story.

Reviewed By: Maryann

Blurb: Casey’s a hotshot bartender in Chicago, but that doesn’t mean he’s not sensitive. Though uncharacteristic, Casey lets a big, charismatic Tennessee bear named Mike seduce him. Who can explain the laws of attraction? No matter, Casey’s hooked, and he knows what he wants. Unfortunately, Mike’s only in town for the weekend. But then, Casey and Mike’s shot at something more is interrupted by Casey’s brother’s death.

Casey sets out to accomplish making his brother’s dream come true, but that means quitting his job and moving to Tennessee. Months later, while still trying to cope with his loss, he runs into Mike, who’s running a bar he’s inherited from his father, and he happens to be looking for a new bartender. Casey and Mike reconnect, but the ghosts of their loved ones might ruin their chance for love.

Review: Casey Jorden is a flashy bartender, working at the RedPurple club in Chicago. Casey spies a man at the bar he very much wants to hook up with. He gets into small talk with the man and finds out he’s not going to be in town long. Casey considers a one-night-stand with the man, and asks where he’s staying. The man tells Casey and gives him his room number. He offers to buy Casey dinner and then tells him his name is Mike.

Casey asks a co-worker to cover part of his shift so he can go meet Mike, but Casey starts to doubt himself, thinking maybe he should meet Mike in a public place just to play it safe. He feels meeting up with Mike is going to be something special, though as he gets to the hotel, tragedy strikes and he never gets to meet with him.

Casey becomes somewhat of a lost soul. He has left Chicago, and his dream job, and is now in Tennessee. He’s dealing with so many emotions: the house, family, and finding a job. He also thinks of Mike and the connection he felt with him, but never really got to make. As he’s pressured, he makes the decision to look for a job in Tennessee. He gets an interview at a local bar called the Lucky 8, and life gives him another surprise.

This was a first read from Alicia Dyal. The story flowed well and the characters were well written. This is just a sweet short story.