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renpuspita's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
lighthearted
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Part of my binge read for Roaring Twenties series by Jenn Bennett.
I stated in my review of Bitter Spirit that I hope Grim Shadows will be better and well, it was! I had lower my expectation but this book exceeded it and make me read it twice back to back. Tbh, the second read is mostly to refresh my memory in order to write the review and usually I read it by skimming. I end up read the book thoroughly, lol. My issues with Bitter Spirit is the book is too heavy on romance instead supernatural elements and I don't like the way Bennett handle Winter and Aida's dynamic that still make me feel sour.
It's not happen with Grim Shadows. Balanced at it's should be between the romance and the supernatural/paranormal elements and also have romantic relationships that totally my catnip. Lowe is a scoundrel, rakish to the boot and a professional liar. Winter might do bootlegging, yet Lowe also dabble in illegal activity beside become a legal archeologist himself since he also sell forgery version of Egypt artifacts to greedy people. An act that also make him targeted by some bad guys. Hadley is a museum curator with chips on her shoulder or to be precise, a spectre that gung-ho to destroy everything depend on Hadley's haywire emotion. She's also an ice queen type, older than Lowe by 4 years, cold and hesitant to touch another people because of her past. Two very much different people. One is cold, one is a rascal, yet I prefer their romance compared to the previous couple.
The things with Lowe and Hadley is, Lowe didn't force Hadley with his alpha manliness to accept him. He's so patient with her and knowing that she's a control freak, he give a control to her regarding their sizzling attraction to each other. Their first impression is not that good, but reader will see bit by bit when Hadley begin open her heart to Lowe. Girl have trust issues and low self esteem to begin with so I liked how Bennett write the romance aspect. I also liked that Lowe himself have some moments of doubts. While he's as much as alpha hero like his brother, Winter; Lowe is not asshole. He's truly care to people that mean the most to him like his best friend, Adam and Adam's daughter, Stella. He admit that he make mistake and want to amend them, a fact that can be read when he have a change of heart regarding the amulet that he promised to Hadley's father since he also falling in love to Hadley. When the revelation behind Lowe's lies to Hadley start revealed, I also liked the way Bennett write it. The apology scene didn't rushed, Bennett give both Lowe and Hadley time to arrange their heart and how they talk to make their relationship work. Also, no kidnapping plot device to make things interesting! Frankly, I'm surprised but a good surprise indeed.
As for the sex scenes, Grim Shadows might have one of best sex scenes I had read in my journey of reading romance novel *heh!. Lowe is pretty much like Winter, he's pervert to the core and if Winter is more like breast man then Lowe appreciate Hadley's ass (no kidding). Lowe and Hadley might be not over excited about sex like Winter and Aida, since Hadley also have low self esteem regarding her sex life but when the deeds happen, its happen spectacularly and with some tender moments as well. But, my favorite might be the second sex scene. All I can said is just..wow. Wow and wowza. Bennett seems like outdone herself in writing sizzling sex scene with this one. Not that I'm complaining 😏.
I have stated my opinion about the romance (and the steamy scenes), now about the story I like Grim Shadows the most. The vibes remind me of Indiana Jones, one of my favorite movies. The Egypt myth work wonders since I also love it. The treasure hunting, the puzzle solving, the many camaderies that Lowe and Hadley did in order to collect the artifacts are delightful to read and that what make the book interesting. The amount of action and suspense is well balance with some of romance and tender moments. Maybe that's why I read this book twice, I just so happen to enjoy Lowe and Hadley working together to solve the mysteries while also read how their romance unraveled.
This book is not standalone since the story is a continuation of Bitter Spirit. But if you read Grim Shadows first; it's okay since Winter and Aida only have minor roles and the story spotlight is still on Lowe and Hadley. One of the best historical romance with paranormal aspect that I had read, combined the best elements of the two genres and completed with a sizzling sexual tensions between a rakish hero and ice queen heroine that in the end got her melted against the hero in a totally wicked ways. Recommended!
I stated in my review of Bitter Spirit that I hope Grim Shadows will be better and well, it was! I had lower my expectation but this book exceeded it and make me read it twice back to back. Tbh, the second read is mostly to refresh my memory in order to write the review and usually I read it by skimming. I end up read the book thoroughly, lol. My issues with Bitter Spirit is the book is too heavy on romance instead supernatural elements and I don't like the way Bennett handle Winter and Aida's dynamic that still make me feel sour.
It's not happen with Grim Shadows. Balanced at it's should be between the romance and the supernatural/paranormal elements and also have romantic relationships that totally my catnip. Lowe is a scoundrel, rakish to the boot and a professional liar. Winter might do bootlegging, yet Lowe also dabble in illegal activity beside become a legal archeologist himself since he also sell forgery version of Egypt artifacts to greedy people. An act that also make him targeted by some bad guys. Hadley is a museum curator with chips on her shoulder or to be precise, a spectre that gung-ho to destroy everything depend on Hadley's haywire emotion. She's also an ice queen type, older than Lowe by 4 years, cold and hesitant to touch another people because of her past. Two very much different people. One is cold, one is a rascal, yet I prefer their romance compared to the previous couple.
The things with Lowe and Hadley is, Lowe didn't force Hadley with his alpha manliness to accept him. He's so patient with her and knowing that she's a control freak, he give a control to her regarding their sizzling attraction to each other. Their first impression is not that good, but reader will see bit by bit when Hadley begin open her heart to Lowe. Girl have trust issues and low self esteem to begin with so I liked how Bennett write the romance aspect. I also liked that Lowe himself have some moments of doubts. While he's as much as alpha hero like his brother, Winter; Lowe is not asshole. He's truly care to people that mean the most to him like his best friend, Adam and Adam's daughter, Stella. He admit that he make mistake and want to amend them, a fact that can be read when he have a change of heart regarding the amulet that he promised to Hadley's father since he also falling in love to Hadley. When the revelation behind Lowe's lies to Hadley start revealed, I also liked the way Bennett write it. The apology scene didn't rushed, Bennett give both Lowe and Hadley time to arrange their heart and how they talk to make their relationship work. Also, no kidnapping plot device to make things interesting! Frankly, I'm surprised but a good surprise indeed.
As for the sex scenes, Grim Shadows might have one of best sex scenes I had read in my journey of reading romance novel *heh!. Lowe is pretty much like Winter, he's pervert to the core and if Winter is more like breast man then Lowe appreciate Hadley's ass (no kidding). Lowe and Hadley might be not over excited about sex like Winter and Aida, since Hadley also have low self esteem regarding her sex life but when the deeds happen, its happen spectacularly and with some tender moments as well. But, my favorite might be the second sex scene. All I can said is just..wow. Wow and wowza. Bennett seems like outdone herself in writing sizzling sex scene with this one. Not that I'm complaining 😏.
I have stated my opinion about the romance (and the steamy scenes), now about the story I like Grim Shadows the most. The vibes remind me of Indiana Jones, one of my favorite movies. The Egypt myth work wonders since I also love it. The treasure hunting, the puzzle solving, the many camaderies that Lowe and Hadley did in order to collect the artifacts are delightful to read and that what make the book interesting. The amount of action and suspense is well balance with some of romance and tender moments. Maybe that's why I read this book twice, I just so happen to enjoy Lowe and Hadley working together to solve the mysteries while also read how their romance unraveled.
This book is not standalone since the story is a continuation of Bitter Spirit. But if you read Grim Shadows first; it's okay since Winter and Aida only have minor roles and the story spotlight is still on Lowe and Hadley. One of the best historical romance with paranormal aspect that I had read, combined the best elements of the two genres and completed with a sizzling sexual tensions between a rakish hero and ice queen heroine that in the end got her melted against the hero in a totally wicked ways. Recommended!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Panic attacks/disorders, and Injury/Injury detail
Moderate: Abandonment, Death of parent, and Infidelity
Minor: Sexual assault and Pregnancy
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