{"id":1891,"date":"2025-02-06T12:39:00","date_gmt":"2025-02-06T12:39:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=1891"},"modified":"2025-02-06T12:39:00","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T12:39:00","slug":"book-review-the-bulgarian-bartender","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/?p=1891","title":{"rendered":"Book Review: The Bulgarian Bartender"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wp-block-media-text alignwide is-stacked-on-mobile\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-media-text__content\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group has-background\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group__inner-container is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\">\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-vertical is-content-justification-center is-layout-flex wp-container-core-group-is-layout-1 wp-block-group-is-layout-flex\">\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-text-color has-large-font-size\"><strong><em>The Bulgarian Bartender<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center has-regular-font-size\">by Daryl Kulak<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Genre:<\/strong> Mystery, Thriller &amp; Suspense <\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>ISBN: <\/strong>9781304213860<\/p>\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center\"><strong>Print Length:<\/strong> 252 pages<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<div class=\"align-button-center ub-buttons orientation-button-row 1 wp-block-ub-button\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4hw7yFY\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\">\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Amazon<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/5423\/9781304213860\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\">\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Bookshop<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p><em>Reviewed by Melissa Suggitt<\/em><\/p>\n<h2 class=\"ub_advanced_heading wp-block-ub-advanced-heading\"><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong><\/strong><strong>A story packed with heart, hilarity, and a healthy dose of chaos<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Two small-town women, one missing friend, and a dangerous Bulgarian underworld\u2014how far would you go for friendship? <em>The Bulgarian Bartender<\/em> by Daryl Kulak is a wild journey of danger, friendship, loyalty, and the extraordinary lengths three women will go for one another.<\/p>\n<p>The plot centers on Tiff, Angie, and Kaylee, three lifelong friends from the small town of Mount Miffsberg, Ohio. When Kaylee goes missing in Bulgaria under mysterious circumstances, Tiff\u2014a confident yet struggling stripper\u2014and Angie\u2014a tough, resourceful welder and dojo owner\u2014decide they\u2019re the only ones who can bring her home.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>What begins as a desperate rescue mission quickly escalates into a whirlwind adventure as they find themselves entangled with a dangerous underground group known as the Thracian Brotherhood. From navigating dark alleys and perilous hideouts to deciphering hidden motives, the two women face a world far removed from their quiet Midwestern roots.<\/p>\n<p><span><\/span><\/p>\n<p>Along the way, they discover help in the most unlikely of places. Characters like the enigmatic and resourceful Dueza add depth and surprises to the journey, proving that allies can appear when you least expect them. Each step forward reveals new challenges and twists, making the women confront not only the dangers around them but also their own insecurities and hidden strengths.<\/p>\n<p>Sure, you\u2019ll need to suspend your disbelief a little. The idea of these three women\u2014one a stripper, one working in a waste facility, and one a mechanic slash karate instructor\u2014taking on an international rescue mission might sound like a stretch. But that\u2019s part of the book\u2019s charm. It\u2019s a buddy comedy meets action-adventure ride where you\u2019ll find a story that\u2019s as touching as it is tense and fun.<\/p>\n<p>What makes this book shine is its relationship between its leading women. Author Daryl Kulak blends sharp, witty banter with moments of heartfelt affection, creating a dynamic that feels raw and unapologetically real. Tiff\u2019s crass humor, Angie\u2019s no-nonsense practicality, and Kaylee\u2019s magnetic charisma each shine through, keeping the story lively and engaging\u2014even amidst all the ass-kicking.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s always refreshing to see a portrayal of women who empower and celebrate each other rather than competing with one another. The lengths Tiff and Angie go to for Kaylee\u2014traveling to Bulgaria, taking on a shadowy organization, and confronting their own fears\u2014had me tearing up more than once. It\u2019s a beautiful reminder of the strength and depth of female friendships, the kind many of us wish we had in our own lives.\u00a0<\/p>\n<p>Tiff, in particular, stands out as a memorable character. Tough, messy, and unapologetic on the outside, she might not seem like the kind of person to take on a mission like this, but her quick wit and intelligence make her an endearing and compelling protagonist. She\u2019s a survivor\u2014of her circumstances and her own self-doubt\u2014and that makes her journey all the more satisfying.<\/p>\n<p>The story\u2019s Bulgarian setting, complete with its cultural nuances, danger-filled streets, and breathtaking locales, adds richness and flavor. Thrilling encounters with the Thracian Brotherhood, unexpected moments of humor, and the palpable bond between the women keep you hooked even as the story veers into the outrageous. It\u2019s escapism at its best, blending action, tension, comedy, and heart.<\/p>\n<p>Clearly set up as the start of a multi-book series, <em>The Bulgarian Bartender<\/em> leaves you eager to see what\u2019s next for these three unlikely heroines. The dynamic between Tiff, Angie, and Kaylee is so compelling, you\u2019ll want to follow them into their next adventure badly\u2014wherever in the world it might take them. I, for one, can\u2019t wait to see what chaos and camaraderie lie ahead.<\/p>\n<div class=\"align-button-center ub-buttons orientation-button-row 1 wp-block-ub-button\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/amzn.to\/4hw7yFY\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\">\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Amazon<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/bookshop.org\/a\/5423\/9781304213860\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\">\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Bookshop<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>Thank you for reading Melissa Suggitt\u2019s book review of<em> The Bulgarian Bartender <\/em>by Daryl Kulak! If you liked what you read, please spend some more time with us at the links below.<\/p>\n<div class=\"align-button-center ub-buttons orientation-button-row 1 wp-block-ub-button\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/category\/book-review\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\">\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Book Reviews<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/category\/blog\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\">\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">IBR Blog<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"ub-button-container\">\n\t\t\t<a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/writers-only\/\" target=\"_blank\" class=\"ub-button-block-main ub-button-medium   ub-button-flex-medium\" rel=\"noopener\">\n<div class=\"ub-button-content-holder\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"ub-button-icon-holder\">\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/span><span class=\"ub-button-block-btn\">Resources for Writers<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n<p>\t\t\t<\/p><\/a>\n\t\t<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>The post <a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/2025\/02\/06\/book-review-the-bulgarian-bartender\/\">Book Review: The Bulgarian Bartender<\/a> appeared first on <a href=\"https:\/\/independentbookreview.com\/\">Independent Book Review<\/a>.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Bulgarian Bartender by Daryl Kulak Genre: Mystery, Thriller &amp; Suspense ISBN: 9781304213860 Print Length: 252 pages Amazon Bookshop Reviewed by Melissa Suggitt A story packed with heart, hilarity, and a healthy dose of chaos Two small-town women, one missing friend, and a dangerous Bulgarian underworld\u2014how far would you go for friendship? The Bulgarian Bartender [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":1892,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[4],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1891","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-bookreviews"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1891"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1891"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1891\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1892"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1891"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1891"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/bookloves.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1891"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}