Back at 2020, I binge read Jenn Bennett's urban fantasy series, Arcadia Bell and very much liked it. However, I had collect the Roaring Twenties series in physical form back at 2014 even though I had not read Arcadia Bell series yet. If you ask why, it's just back then I loved paranormal romance genre and always search for any unique PNR books. To be honest, I had read Bitter Spirits back then in 2014 or 2015 but the book didn't hold my interest so I kinda wish to pick it later. Since I liked Arcadia Bell series, I have hope that I will love Bitter Spirits as well.

Bitter Spirits have all that oldies but goldies paranormal romance aspect although set in the past, the Prohibition era and also located in San Francisco . This book, imho, is more like romance than paranormal. The romance aspect is pretty much upfront compared to Arcadia Bell. If I had read this one back then in my PNR era, I might appraised the romance aspect. However, I think that the romance aspect kinda set the supernatural elements and mysteries to the back burner. Both MCs, Aida Palmer and Winter Magnusson come with so many emotional baggage and chips on their shoulders that come from their hard pasts. Usually this characterization will make me praised the characters. However, seems like I'm not in the mood to appreciate the emotional talk and the angst as well. Although I did enjoy Aida and Winter's witty banter also I liked how both characters are enjoying sex in positive manners. Especially Aida, I liked that she's not a shivering lilies and welcome Winter with all his pervert thoughts. It's just the angst got in the way and make things can go from a happy sunshine moments to ugly fights really fast.

I also dislike how Bennett handle Aida and Winter's different views and their relationship in the end. I always want Aida to be independent and although she still gained her independence I just dislike how its represent. I get that Bennett write those part to tell that being in love with your significant others mean that some things must be compromised or the happy ending will not works. Didn't mean I will liked it also the last part after the big fight between Aida and Winter kinda rushed. It's also remind me one of PNR plot device that I don't very much like aka the kidnapping. I swear many PNR (and maybe cozy mysteries) books I read always end up with kidnapping! Because of this kidnapping, Aida and Winter finally reconcile but what make me pissed off is how Aida bend and admit that she loved him just because Winter manage to get her deceased brother things and that happen after Winter shout to Aida to get out from his house in their last fight. I just like whoaa, I want a groveling if my husband shout out to me like that. Pronto. It just the groveling didn't happen on screen, there's no "sorry" said from both parties. It's all happen by showing not telling, and I admit that part make me feel sour. Anyway, I'm surprised with the amount of steaminess (or spiciness, whatever) this book had. To said this book make me almost fanned myself is an understatement. The sexual tensions are plenty you can see it from afar. The sex scenes itself are well written without being too corny. Basically, just like the good ol' PNR books I had read back then. It's just my taste had changed and some things that I can tolerate back then, I found that now I didn't.

You ask about the story, hmm? Well, it already described in the blurb 🤣. The story is pretty simple and straightforward. The mysteries is okay. The haunting is just a little and not scary at all. The stake while higher, feel just not that explored thoroughly. As characters, both Aida and Winter are likable and I can't help to picture Alexander Skarsgard as Winter with how he towering over Aida (the male model in the cover didn't hold Winter justice). I also liked that both characters have minor deformation from accidents and still struggle about that but they also confirm to each other that it's okay. It's just the way Bennett handle the outcome of their relationship is what annoyed me. I liked Winter's sister, Astrid; his trusted companions, Bo Yeung; and also Winter's household staffs that apparently have logical mind compared to their employer since Winter is apparently too much haunted by his pasts.

Well, Bitter Spirits is the first installment of Roaring Twenties series featuring Magnusson siblings and people around them. This book have its up and down.It get slow in the middle and too focused in romance rather than paranormal elements (goodness, how can I declare myself as a romance reader after this??), also with my busy schedule that's why I'm slogging while reading this book . I hope the next book, Grim Shadows, feature Winter younger brother, Lowe Magnusson at least will be more interesting.