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Roaring Twenties #3
Grave Phantoms
From the author of Grim Shadows and Bitter Spirits comes the new Roaring Twenties novel in the series hailed as “Boardwalk Empire meets Ghost Hunters, but so much better” (Molly Harper, national bestselling author of the Jane Jameson series).
Feisty flapper Astrid Magnusson is home from college and yearning for the one thing that’s always been off limits: Bo Yeung, her notorious bootlegging brother’s second-in-command. Unfortunately her dream of an easy reunion proves difficult after a violent storm sends a mysterious yacht crashing into the Magnussons’ docks. What’s worse, the boat disappeared a year ago, and the survivors are acting strangely…
Bo has worked with the Magnusson family for years, doing whatever is needed, including keeping his boss’s younger sister out of trouble—and his hands to himself. Of course, that isn’t so easy after Astrid has a haunting vision about the yacht’s disappearance, plunging them into an underground world of old money and dark magic. Danger will drive them closer together, but surviving their own forbidden feelings could be the bigger risk.
Feisty flapper Astrid Magnusson is home from college and yearning for the one thing that’s always been off limits: Bo Yeung, her notorious bootlegging brother’s second-in-command. Unfortunately her dream of an easy reunion proves difficult after a violent storm sends a mysterious yacht crashing into the Magnussons’ docks. What’s worse, the boat disappeared a year ago, and the survivors are acting strangely…
Bo has worked with the Magnusson family for years, doing whatever is needed, including keeping his boss’s younger sister out of trouble—and his hands to himself. Of course, that isn’t so easy after Astrid has a haunting vision about the yacht’s disappearance, plunging them into an underground world of old money and dark magic. Danger will drive them closer together, but surviving their own forbidden feelings could be the bigger risk.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published May 5, 2015
21 people are currently reading
1191 people want to read
About the author
Jenn Bennett
27 books4,911 followersJenn Bennett is the author of over a dozen books for children and teens, including: ALEX, APPROXIMATELY; STARRY EYES; and GRUMBONES. 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 in a haunted house near Birmingham with one husband and two dogs. Visit her at www.jennbennett.net.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 159 reviews
December 30, 2015
Supernatural evil, danger and a forbidden romance combined to make Grave Phantoms a thrilling read. I’ve been eagerly awaiting Astrid and Bo’s story, since we’ve seen hints of their attraction in the previous books, and I was not disappointed!
Astrid, the baby sister in the Magnusson clan has been in love with Bo Yeung, her brother’s right hand man in the family’s bootlegging business, for years. Now back home on winter break, Astrid is determined to do something about it, make Bo realize she’s a woman and not Winter Magnusson’s kid sister. Little does she know that Bo returns her feelings, even if he feels their romance is impossible.
Winter, the Magnusson’s patriarch, took Bo under his wing, sponsored his education, gave him a place to live, and made him his right hand man, but that doesn’t mean he’ll approve of Bo for his little sister Astrid. Bo is of Asian descent and back in the 1920s when prejudices were running high, anything romantic with Astrid is near impossible and taboo.
All this is put to the side when a mysterious yacht crashes into the Magnusson dock, and they find out its none other than the Plumed Serpent which has been missing for a year. Astrid climbs aboard with Bo and launches them straight into danger when she touches and absorbs the energy of an ancient idol. Now Bo and Astrid must solve this evil puzzle if they want any future, let alone a future together.
Normally a forbidden romance puts me on edge because I’m on pins and needles worrying when the romance will be discovered, but there was too much action, danger, and sexy times to fret about any of that. Plus, Bo and Astrid were determined to make things work whatever the cost so there was never any despairing that they wouldn’t be together. I loved the pluck and courage of Astrid. Bo was amazing, protective, and a sexy surprise behind doors *wink, wink*! I loved his take charge attitude, and boy-oh-boy can Ms. Bennett write some HOT scenes!
I was completely immersed in this story and the Roaring Twenties that Jenn Bennett so cleverly recreated. Although I’m no expert in the time period, it felt authentically portrayed. (Check out Jenn’s Pinterest Jenn’s Pinterest board as well as mine with character picks and the look of San Francisco in the 1920’s). “Seeing” the previous couples, Winter and Aida with their baby Karin and Lowe and Hadley still so madly love was a treat, but even more so was the amazing epilogue set years in the future! If you haven’t picked this exciting and super sexy series you are definitely missing out!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
Astrid, the baby sister in the Magnusson clan has been in love with Bo Yeung, her brother’s right hand man in the family’s bootlegging business, for years. Now back home on winter break, Astrid is determined to do something about it, make Bo realize she’s a woman and not Winter Magnusson’s kid sister. Little does she know that Bo returns her feelings, even if he feels their romance is impossible.
Winter, the Magnusson’s patriarch, took Bo under his wing, sponsored his education, gave him a place to live, and made him his right hand man, but that doesn’t mean he’ll approve of Bo for his little sister Astrid. Bo is of Asian descent and back in the 1920s when prejudices were running high, anything romantic with Astrid is near impossible and taboo.
All this is put to the side when a mysterious yacht crashes into the Magnusson dock, and they find out its none other than the Plumed Serpent which has been missing for a year. Astrid climbs aboard with Bo and launches them straight into danger when she touches and absorbs the energy of an ancient idol. Now Bo and Astrid must solve this evil puzzle if they want any future, let alone a future together.
Normally a forbidden romance puts me on edge because I’m on pins and needles worrying when the romance will be discovered, but there was too much action, danger, and sexy times to fret about any of that. Plus, Bo and Astrid were determined to make things work whatever the cost so there was never any despairing that they wouldn’t be together. I loved the pluck and courage of Astrid. Bo was amazing, protective, and a sexy surprise behind doors *wink, wink*! I loved his take charge attitude, and boy-oh-boy can Ms. Bennett write some HOT scenes!
I was completely immersed in this story and the Roaring Twenties that Jenn Bennett so cleverly recreated. Although I’m no expert in the time period, it felt authentically portrayed. (Check out Jenn’s Pinterest Jenn’s Pinterest board as well as mine with character picks and the look of San Francisco in the 1920’s). “Seeing” the previous couples, Winter and Aida with their baby Karin and Lowe and Hadley still so madly love was a treat, but even more so was the amazing epilogue set years in the future! If you haven’t picked this exciting and super sexy series you are definitely missing out!
A copy was kindly provided by Berkley in exchange for an honest review.
February 4, 2017
2,5 Stars
While I appreciated the imaginative narration, the lively dialogues and the 1920s San Francisco setting once more, romance and mystery wise this trilogy ends on a disappointing note for me. The paranormal sub-plot involving a haunted yacht and an Aztec curse was not as layered and engrossing compared to the ones in the first two books. The love story between Astrid Magnusson, the youngest sibling in the Swedish bootlegging family featuring in the whole series, and Bo Yeung, the Chinese assistant "adopted" by the clan when he was still a forlorn street urchin, didn't quite grab me or, let alone, convinced me.
"Friends-to-lovers" is one of my least favourite tropes, and that certainly didn't help, but really wanting to complete the trilogy, even if each instalment works perfectly as a standalone, I was willing to enjoy it all the same had the romance been more engaging. Astrid and Bo are very young, 19 and 21, and their age inevitably reflects on their takes on emotions and passion, and besides this, the way the evolving relationship was portrayed didn't feel meaningful or believable. Astrid behaves in a flighty and childish manner most of the time and Bo appears as an alpha-wannabe acting older than his years. They made me regret book 1 and 2 "mature" couples every step of the way. Bitter Spirits and Grim Shadows, which I very much enjoyed, have way more complex and exciting leads and a definitely better blend of romance and mystery.
May 4, 2015
Reviewed by: Rabid Reads.
This is the second time in as many years that I’ve had to bid adieu to one of Jenn Bennett’s series, and I really hate goodbyes. GRAVE PHANTOMS had a different vibe to it than the two previous installments because the final Magnusson sibling is younger, female, and the romance had a friends turned lovers spin to it. The plot wasn’t quite as strong as books 1 & 2 with somewhat choppy writing, and a discernible separation between Astrid & Bo’s relationship, and the ghost yacht story line rather than a blended narrative.
To an outsider, the Roaring Twenties era appears to be a fun adventure, that is if you’re a white American, however for people like Yeung, it’s anything but. I liked how the author succeeded in capturing the prejudice of this period, and how it added a level of taboo-ness to the love story. Witnessing the general population’s treatment of Bo, and immigrants as a whole, through his eyes as well as via Astrid, someone who cares deeply for him, was humanizing, and I thought that the two characters’ reactions were very genuine.
I loved how madly independent both of the protagonists were; Miss Magnusson with her refusal to live in her brothers’ shadow, and Yeung’s unwillingness to accept hand-outs. It was great seeing these two finally take steps towards achieving their happily-ever-after, and strangely it wasn’t their moving reunion that caused me to reach for a tissue, although that too was a close call. Instead, it was Bo’s heart-to-heart with Winter; his second-in-command envisioned the worst when he declared his intentions, but family by choice is no small thing.
The artefact decoding facet of this tale was in a lot of ways similar to GRIM SHADOWS; however it wasn’t quite as detailed as Lowe’s novel, or as entertaining. Pirates aboard a ghost yacht sound exciting, and yet the parts didn’t fit as cleanly together as they could have which made Bennett’s last hurrah rather tame in comparison to ROARING TWENTIES # 1 & 2. I wish that the epilogue had been slightly longer, and had encompassed all of the Magnusson clan to a larger extent as opposed to being mostly about Astrid & Bo.
GRAVE PHANTOMS was a fitting conclusion to this trilogy.
This is the second time in as many years that I’ve had to bid adieu to one of Jenn Bennett’s series, and I really hate goodbyes. GRAVE PHANTOMS had a different vibe to it than the two previous installments because the final Magnusson sibling is younger, female, and the romance had a friends turned lovers spin to it. The plot wasn’t quite as strong as books 1 & 2 with somewhat choppy writing, and a discernible separation between Astrid & Bo’s relationship, and the ghost yacht story line rather than a blended narrative.
To an outsider, the Roaring Twenties era appears to be a fun adventure, that is if you’re a white American, however for people like Yeung, it’s anything but. I liked how the author succeeded in capturing the prejudice of this period, and how it added a level of taboo-ness to the love story. Witnessing the general population’s treatment of Bo, and immigrants as a whole, through his eyes as well as via Astrid, someone who cares deeply for him, was humanizing, and I thought that the two characters’ reactions were very genuine.
I loved how madly independent both of the protagonists were; Miss Magnusson with her refusal to live in her brothers’ shadow, and Yeung’s unwillingness to accept hand-outs. It was great seeing these two finally take steps towards achieving their happily-ever-after, and strangely it wasn’t their moving reunion that caused me to reach for a tissue, although that too was a close call. Instead, it was Bo’s heart-to-heart with Winter; his second-in-command envisioned the worst when he declared his intentions, but family by choice is no small thing.
The artefact decoding facet of this tale was in a lot of ways similar to GRIM SHADOWS; however it wasn’t quite as detailed as Lowe’s novel, or as entertaining. Pirates aboard a ghost yacht sound exciting, and yet the parts didn’t fit as cleanly together as they could have which made Bennett’s last hurrah rather tame in comparison to ROARING TWENTIES # 1 & 2. I wish that the epilogue had been slightly longer, and had encompassed all of the Magnusson clan to a larger extent as opposed to being mostly about Astrid & Bo.
GRAVE PHANTOMS was a fitting conclusion to this trilogy.
September 16, 2018
I have enjoyed this series so much and this book was a fitting ending to all of it.
I’ve enjoyed the snippets of Astrid and Bo from the previous books, but I loved getting to see all of them here. She’s smart and goes after what she wants. He’s sort of a marshmallow on the inside and I’m here for it. Together they’re so smitten with each other it’s adorable.
Plot wise, it felt like the story of Astrid and Bo’s relationship was more important. Of course they did do the adventure-y things, but at times, it felt like an afterthought. However, I loved seeing the rest of the family.
Overall, I have loved this entire series and I’m sad that it’s over, but with the absolutely perfect epilogue, I’m happy with how it ended.
I’ve enjoyed the snippets of Astrid and Bo from the previous books, but I loved getting to see all of them here. She’s smart and goes after what she wants. He’s sort of a marshmallow on the inside and I’m here for it. Together they’re so smitten with each other it’s adorable.
Plot wise, it felt like the story of Astrid and Bo’s relationship was more important. Of course they did do the adventure-y things, but at times, it felt like an afterthought. However, I loved seeing the rest of the family.
Overall, I have loved this entire series and I’m sad that it’s over, but with the absolutely perfect epilogue, I’m happy with how it ended.
March 18, 2016
Originally posted at The Book Nympho
Bennet has cemented her spot on my auto-reader authors list!
The Infuriating part
Has nothing to do with the book itself. I love reading the Roaring Twenties, I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love the newness of it for me as a reader since I've never read a book/series set in the 20s. It's fun to see some of the American historical elements weaved through it. Jenn Bennett did a great job in her research and had me researching a few things as I read each book. The 20s is really an awaking decant in America in many ways. But the part that pisses me off is the sexism, racism and even classism (is that word?).
It really hits me hard in Grave Phantoms. The fact that Bo and Astrid can't be together in public because he is Chinese and she is white just makes me mad! Bo and Astrid have two social obstacles against them, their difference in class and their races. I hurt for this couple. They love each other so deeply and completely but they have to hide it because of what people will say and the fact that it's illegal for them to get married. GRRRRR!!
The Sexy
Bo and Astrid has been dancing around each other for years and their attraction for each other finally boils over and it's hot! Because of their differences in the public eye (Astrid being white and wealthy) Bo demands to be the "boss" in the bedroom and Astrid has no problems letting him take the lead. They are made for each other and their smexy scenes are both tongue curling and touching.
Page-turner
Jenn Bennett sucked me in from page one of Grave Phantoms and held my attention until the last page. The characters of the Roaring Twenties series are bold, sassy and characters that works their way into your heart. The paranormal elements in the mystery are just the right touch to keep PNR readers happy.
A Perfect Ending
I hate that Grave Phantoms is the last book Jenn Bennett's Roaring Twenties series. I did enjoy seeing peeks into the previous couples lives to see what they have been up to. And the epilogue was a prefect ending to Bo and Astrid's HEA. It made all the infuriating parts worth it.
Cover side note
I so happy to see that the cover has an Asian model for Bo. I've read other books where the hero or heroine was not white and yet both models are white. So high five to Berkley for staying true to Jenn Bennett's characters!
Bennet has cemented her spot on my auto-reader authors list!
The Infuriating part
Has nothing to do with the book itself. I love reading the Roaring Twenties, I have a love/hate relationship with it. I love the newness of it for me as a reader since I've never read a book/series set in the 20s. It's fun to see some of the American historical elements weaved through it. Jenn Bennett did a great job in her research and had me researching a few things as I read each book. The 20s is really an awaking decant in America in many ways. But the part that pisses me off is the sexism, racism and even classism (is that word?).
It really hits me hard in Grave Phantoms. The fact that Bo and Astrid can't be together in public because he is Chinese and she is white just makes me mad! Bo and Astrid have two social obstacles against them, their difference in class and their races. I hurt for this couple. They love each other so deeply and completely but they have to hide it because of what people will say and the fact that it's illegal for them to get married. GRRRRR!!
The Sexy
Bo and Astrid has been dancing around each other for years and their attraction for each other finally boils over and it's hot! Because of their differences in the public eye (Astrid being white and wealthy) Bo demands to be the "boss" in the bedroom and Astrid has no problems letting him take the lead. They are made for each other and their smexy scenes are both tongue curling and touching.
Page-turner
Jenn Bennett sucked me in from page one of Grave Phantoms and held my attention until the last page. The characters of the Roaring Twenties series are bold, sassy and characters that works their way into your heart. The paranormal elements in the mystery are just the right touch to keep PNR readers happy.
A Perfect Ending
I hate that Grave Phantoms is the last book Jenn Bennett's Roaring Twenties series. I did enjoy seeing peeks into the previous couples lives to see what they have been up to. And the epilogue was a prefect ending to Bo and Astrid's HEA. It made all the infuriating parts worth it.
Cover side note
I so happy to see that the cover has an Asian model for Bo. I've read other books where the hero or heroine was not white and yet both models are white. So high five to Berkley for staying true to Jenn Bennett's characters!
May 22, 2015
I adore this series--and Jenn Bennett. I cannot recommend a more consistently reliable paranormal romance author.
May 5, 2015
In the third book in the Roaring Twenties series by Jenn Bennett, readers get some amazing action, fabulous characterization and incredible worldbuilding.
First off, I want to say that this series is probably one of the best new series out there. If you’re a fan of hybrid novels such as Kristen Callihan’s Darkest London series and Bec McMaster’s London Steampunk, then the Roaring Twenties will definitely be something you should check out. Bennett blends the 1920’s elements with several interesting paranormal and historical elements. So far this series has been amazing and one that I look forward to reading every time a new book comes out.
A big reason why I love it is because of Bennett’s writing. I say this all the time but there is nothing better than good writing. The first chapter of this book is honestly one of the best first chapters I’ve read in a long time. Not only does Bennett give readers a taste of her character’s personality, but she also covers backstory and also brings in the paranormal aspect and sets up the plot. It’s immensely well done and I knew just from reading that first chapter that the rest of the book would follow the same path.
What’s interesting about this book is that it features an Asian hero. Bo is someone we’ve seen in the other books, but I really fell in love with him in this one. He’s very sincere, very protective but also loves Astrid to death. Their early childhood together has set the basis of the romance, but Bennett does a fantastic job of building on that while also having a little fun. Astrid’s character really gave it that bounce and flirtiness.
The worldbuilding and action make this book even better. With all the little twists and surprises, Bennett keeps readers on their toes and it makes for an amazing ride. With GRAVE PHANTOMS, Jenn Bennett shows how polished a writer she really is. This is definitely not a series you should miss!
May 26, 2015
Mon avis en Français
My English review
I always spend a good time with all the novels written by Jenn Bennett, so I was excited to be able to get into this third volume. We had the chance to follow Winter and Lowe in the previous volumes and we’re this time with the family’s younger sister: Astrid. I was really curious about her story, as well as Bo’s, as we have seen them a lot over the volumes.
The relationship between the two is not really easy, although it is simple to see that the two love each other deeply, there are still many problems that separate them. The fact that he is Chinese and she Swedish is a first difficult thing in this period, but on top of that, Bo works for Astrid’s brother and the consequences of their relationship are always floating above their heads. Would he accept their love? Would he disown him for that? And if that was the case, how could he make a living? Yes many questions remaining constantly present throughout the chapters. Yet we hope that they will find the solutions to all this, because the two are meant to be together and they deserve to have a good time together.
Yet there is more than that … Indeed, after returning back at home, Astrid finds herself embarked on a strange story. A yacht appears after a year of absence and no one seems to give a reason for that fact. But our heroine is curious and determined and by touching an idol, she finds herself tied to this whole story. Winning like that strange visions, Bo and she will have to understand what is happening and what these people are hiding… This is also a much more complicated and strange that we might have assumed.
It was a good third book and I had a good time again with the characters. I wonder if now that we have followed each of the family members, we’re done with the series or if we will discover other different later. Anyway I still enjoy this period of the Roaring Twenties and it is a pleasure to be in the world and to find all the characters we know.
My English review
I always spend a good time with all the novels written by Jenn Bennett, so I was excited to be able to get into this third volume. We had the chance to follow Winter and Lowe in the previous volumes and we’re this time with the family’s younger sister: Astrid. I was really curious about her story, as well as Bo’s, as we have seen them a lot over the volumes.
The relationship between the two is not really easy, although it is simple to see that the two love each other deeply, there are still many problems that separate them. The fact that he is Chinese and she Swedish is a first difficult thing in this period, but on top of that, Bo works for Astrid’s brother and the consequences of their relationship are always floating above their heads. Would he accept their love? Would he disown him for that? And if that was the case, how could he make a living? Yes many questions remaining constantly present throughout the chapters. Yet we hope that they will find the solutions to all this, because the two are meant to be together and they deserve to have a good time together.
Yet there is more than that … Indeed, after returning back at home, Astrid finds herself embarked on a strange story. A yacht appears after a year of absence and no one seems to give a reason for that fact. But our heroine is curious and determined and by touching an idol, she finds herself tied to this whole story. Winning like that strange visions, Bo and she will have to understand what is happening and what these people are hiding… This is also a much more complicated and strange that we might have assumed.
It was a good third book and I had a good time again with the characters. I wonder if now that we have followed each of the family members, we’re done with the series or if we will discover other different later. Anyway I still enjoy this period of the Roaring Twenties and it is a pleasure to be in the world and to find all the characters we know.
May 5, 2015
San Francisco 1928, and the Roaring Twenties is in full swing. I'm so sorry this trilogy is coming to an end...I want more in this world.
Liked this one, liked it a lot. It reminded me much more in tone of the ‘Arcadia Bell’ series than the first two books. The paranormal mystery (if a bit slighted) was different and interesting, the glimpses of the underbelly of life during the Prohibition era intriguing, and the love story sweet and spicy. (These were the sex scenes I wanted between Lon and Cady)!!
What stood out and shined in the book, however, was the depiction of the romance between a Chinese man and a rich young white woman in an era when a relationship between them was not only considered immoral, but was also illegal. Kudos to the author for her deft handling of a sensitive subject, and for giving real consideration to the socio-economic difficulties the couple faced. The storyline was much more character driven than plot driven, but it worked well here.
Liked this one, liked it a lot. It reminded me much more in tone of the ‘Arcadia Bell’ series than the first two books. The paranormal mystery (if a bit slighted) was different and interesting, the glimpses of the underbelly of life during the Prohibition era intriguing, and the love story sweet and spicy. (These were the sex scenes I wanted between Lon and Cady)!!
What stood out and shined in the book, however, was the depiction of the romance between a Chinese man and a rich young white woman in an era when a relationship between them was not only considered immoral, but was also illegal. Kudos to the author for her deft handling of a sensitive subject, and for giving real consideration to the socio-economic difficulties the couple faced. The storyline was much more character driven than plot driven, but it worked well here.
May 3, 2015
Adorable! I've been waiting for Bo's book and him and Astrid are just the best. I loved them. Review to come
April 28, 2015
They have been crushing on each other since she was just sixteen and now she's coming home to do something about it. Though even for a fearless Magnusson descended from Vikings, love can be complicated. Astrid is in love with the Chinese man who rose from a scrappy thief on the streets when her brother practically adopted Bo to becoming Winter's most trusted right-hand man in the family bootleg business. Talk about forbidden romance! I have been excited for this story since I saw hints of Bo and Astrid's interest in book one and now it was finally their turn. While this one wasn't as epic with the paranormal action, it was a knotty tangle of a romance that made up for it.
Astrid is a sassy, sparkling pretty young woman ready to stretch her wings out in the big world away from the protection of both her big brothers so she heads to university in Southern California. But independence isn't all its cracked up to be when she's homesick for San Francisco and her family, when she made some big mistakes and when school doesn't quite seem to be her thing. Most of all, she misses Bo. Dreadfully. He stopped returning her letters after she snarled at him for warning her against starting something up with her professor. Okay and he was right, but it was her mistake to make. However, now that she's back for her birthday and the holidays, she's going to get some answers out of the frustrating, confusing man who has starred in her dreams for years.
Bo sees the determination and ire in Astrid's eyes when she saunters into his office at the dockside warehouse for her brother's bootlegging business. Reading those letters of her time with her professor and those other college men ate at him and also taught him that his feelings needed to be stored away. He needed to move on. He was Chinese and she was white. He had grown up a servant in her brother's house and she was a wealthy socialite. And then there was Winter who had been like a father to him and he couldn't betray Winter's trust with his little sister.
Apparently, Astrid wasn't on board with this plan, but before she can corner him an odd ghost ship with passengers arrives at the pier. The police come and take away the bewildered survivors and its determined that the boat disappeared a year before. Things get more mysterious when Astrid gets pulled into the mess by touching a little idol made of turquoise. There is nothing for it, but to get answers. And he suspects that he needs to find the answers about what to do about how he and Astrid feel about each other because Astrid isn't letting him evade matters.
Compared to the first two books, this one might be considered tame in the dangerous intensity of the action. Not that its lacking action and danger, but foremost in this one is the passionate romance between two people that feel love and everything from honor, duty and the law tell them they can't have it.
For the most part, I enjoyed this one. Astrid was iffy for me at first, but I had to remind myself that she is young and relatively naive to explain her brash emotions and logic. She is not the rich, beautiful, spoiled younger sister for nothing, but she wasn't awful just determined. She knew what the significant barriers were for her and Bo to be together, but she didn't understand more than 'we want to be together so there must be a way'. Bo was the one who thought through the practical ramification of what daily living would be like and he was the one who cared more for her family's approval since they were his adopted family as well. He's also lived a tough life as a survivor compared to her more sheltered existence.
Over the years, Astrid had witnessed plenty of small indignities. People poking fun at her parents' accents. Greta being ignored at the market while someone less foreign was served ahead of her. But none of that came close to what Bo had to suffer...
Astrid was suddenly livid.
The woman muttered something about "trash" and "immigrants" taking over their apartment building...
"What have you told me before?" Bo murmured. "It's not worth it."
"I was wrong"...
"The answer is yes." Bo said over the clack of the rising elevator, surprising her.
She raised her head. "What's that?"
"You asked me earlier if I missed you. And I did. Terribly."
Oh, well then. Astrid flicked a glance to the elevator operator. He looked straight ahead.
Bo wasn't finished. "I thought of you the entire time I was at work last night. I went to sleep thinking about you. I even dreamed about you. About us. Together."
"Stars," Astrid murmured breathlessly.
The elevator operator slid her a sideways glance of approval. He was impressed with Bo's daring too. It was thrilling to hear Bo say any of this at all- and in public? Well. That knocked her for a loop.
pp. 121-123 Astrid and Bo from Grave Phantoms
Upon forcing himself to shake off the druggy haze of the pain pill, he'd remembered a word he'd overheard Astrid saying when she'd been confessing to Le-Ann in the Moon's parlor: My feelings for him are sempiternal.
He had no idea what that meant. But like everything else he didn't know, he sought the education he required between the pages of his humble library. He was able to sound the word out and find it in his battered Webster's.
Sempiternal: eternal, everlasting.
My feelings for him are sempiternal.
That did it. He was probably the only man alive to masturbate after reading the dictionary. p. 161 Bo from Grave Phantoms
The romance slowly develops from 'we can't be together' to 'maybe we need to figure out how we can'. Meanwhile, they spark with anger, humor, and passion along the way. Bo is sexy, strong, and is every bit Astrid's equal and she is well aware of his worth. His dominating nature in the bedroom was a squirmy scorchy surprise that was engaging to read. He pointed out to Astrid that outside the bedroom he was emasculated and treated like her inferior, but here he could be a man and truly himself. Astrid understood and was all for it. The two of them were great together.
"I'm just saying there are those gray areas between the neighborhoods, and that makes me think that maybe that's a place for us. We aren't the first people to do this. Love crosses streets. It doesn't realize that it is supposed to stay confined to one neighborhood."
p. 228 Astrid from Grave Phantoms
As to the backdrop of the 20s, that was there and there were lots of authentic bits from their speech, to their clothes, to their activities and down to the social culture of the times. The author wove it into the story well.
This one felt like the end of a series particularly with that epilogue (which was so adorable by the way), but I've not heard for sure. It was a natural place to wrap things up, but I certainly wouldn't be opposed to other stories in this fun paranormal world.
To wrap it up, it was another engaging installment in the series that I enjoyed from cover to cover. Fans of spicy romance set in the Roaring 20s blended with paranormal elements should definitely give this book/series a look-see.
My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
Astrid is a sassy, sparkling pretty young woman ready to stretch her wings out in the big world away from the protection of both her big brothers so she heads to university in Southern California. But independence isn't all its cracked up to be when she's homesick for San Francisco and her family, when she made some big mistakes and when school doesn't quite seem to be her thing. Most of all, she misses Bo. Dreadfully. He stopped returning her letters after she snarled at him for warning her against starting something up with her professor. Okay and he was right, but it was her mistake to make. However, now that she's back for her birthday and the holidays, she's going to get some answers out of the frustrating, confusing man who has starred in her dreams for years.
Bo sees the determination and ire in Astrid's eyes when she saunters into his office at the dockside warehouse for her brother's bootlegging business. Reading those letters of her time with her professor and those other college men ate at him and also taught him that his feelings needed to be stored away. He needed to move on. He was Chinese and she was white. He had grown up a servant in her brother's house and she was a wealthy socialite. And then there was Winter who had been like a father to him and he couldn't betray Winter's trust with his little sister.
Apparently, Astrid wasn't on board with this plan, but before she can corner him an odd ghost ship with passengers arrives at the pier. The police come and take away the bewildered survivors and its determined that the boat disappeared a year before. Things get more mysterious when Astrid gets pulled into the mess by touching a little idol made of turquoise. There is nothing for it, but to get answers. And he suspects that he needs to find the answers about what to do about how he and Astrid feel about each other because Astrid isn't letting him evade matters.
Compared to the first two books, this one might be considered tame in the dangerous intensity of the action. Not that its lacking action and danger, but foremost in this one is the passionate romance between two people that feel love and everything from honor, duty and the law tell them they can't have it.
For the most part, I enjoyed this one. Astrid was iffy for me at first, but I had to remind myself that she is young and relatively naive to explain her brash emotions and logic. She is not the rich, beautiful, spoiled younger sister for nothing, but she wasn't awful just determined. She knew what the significant barriers were for her and Bo to be together, but she didn't understand more than 'we want to be together so there must be a way'. Bo was the one who thought through the practical ramification of what daily living would be like and he was the one who cared more for her family's approval since they were his adopted family as well. He's also lived a tough life as a survivor compared to her more sheltered existence.
Over the years, Astrid had witnessed plenty of small indignities. People poking fun at her parents' accents. Greta being ignored at the market while someone less foreign was served ahead of her. But none of that came close to what Bo had to suffer...
Astrid was suddenly livid.
The woman muttered something about "trash" and "immigrants" taking over their apartment building...
"What have you told me before?" Bo murmured. "It's not worth it."
"I was wrong"...
"The answer is yes." Bo said over the clack of the rising elevator, surprising her.
She raised her head. "What's that?"
"You asked me earlier if I missed you. And I did. Terribly."
Oh, well then. Astrid flicked a glance to the elevator operator. He looked straight ahead.
Bo wasn't finished. "I thought of you the entire time I was at work last night. I went to sleep thinking about you. I even dreamed about you. About us. Together."
"Stars," Astrid murmured breathlessly.
The elevator operator slid her a sideways glance of approval. He was impressed with Bo's daring too. It was thrilling to hear Bo say any of this at all- and in public? Well. That knocked her for a loop.
pp. 121-123 Astrid and Bo from Grave Phantoms
Upon forcing himself to shake off the druggy haze of the pain pill, he'd remembered a word he'd overheard Astrid saying when she'd been confessing to Le-Ann in the Moon's parlor: My feelings for him are sempiternal.
He had no idea what that meant. But like everything else he didn't know, he sought the education he required between the pages of his humble library. He was able to sound the word out and find it in his battered Webster's.
Sempiternal: eternal, everlasting.
My feelings for him are sempiternal.
That did it. He was probably the only man alive to masturbate after reading the dictionary. p. 161 Bo from Grave Phantoms
The romance slowly develops from 'we can't be together' to 'maybe we need to figure out how we can'. Meanwhile, they spark with anger, humor, and passion along the way. Bo is sexy, strong, and is every bit Astrid's equal and she is well aware of his worth. His dominating nature in the bedroom was a squirmy scorchy surprise that was engaging to read. He pointed out to Astrid that outside the bedroom he was emasculated and treated like her inferior, but here he could be a man and truly himself. Astrid understood and was all for it. The two of them were great together.
"I'm just saying there are those gray areas between the neighborhoods, and that makes me think that maybe that's a place for us. We aren't the first people to do this. Love crosses streets. It doesn't realize that it is supposed to stay confined to one neighborhood."
p. 228 Astrid from Grave Phantoms
As to the backdrop of the 20s, that was there and there were lots of authentic bits from their speech, to their clothes, to their activities and down to the social culture of the times. The author wove it into the story well.
This one felt like the end of a series particularly with that epilogue (which was so adorable by the way), but I've not heard for sure. It was a natural place to wrap things up, but I certainly wouldn't be opposed to other stories in this fun paranormal world.
To wrap it up, it was another engaging installment in the series that I enjoyed from cover to cover. Fans of spicy romance set in the Roaring 20s blended with paranormal elements should definitely give this book/series a look-see.
My thanks to Penguin Group and Net Galley for the opportunity to read this book in exchange for an honest review.
May 19, 2015
Love Jenn Bennett - Love the books - hate that they have to end!!!
I adored the first two books in this series and this one is no different!
I adored the first two books in this series and this one is no different!
June 18, 2018
It's Christmas break and Astrid Magnusson has returned home from college with one Christmas wish: She wants Bo Yeung for Christmas. Bo was an orphan taken off of the streets by Astrid's oldest brother. He has worked for Bootlegger Winter Magnusson for years and is now his second in command. But before Astrid gets to talk to Bo, a mysterious yacht crashes into the Magnusson pier during a storm. This ship disappeared over a year ago. The survivors on the ship are acting strangely. When Astrid touches a small jade statue that was on the ship, she passes out. Suddenly a peculiar man is threatening to kill her if she doesn't hand over the statue. Bo is there to make sure nothing happens to her.
This is the third book in the Roaring Twenties series. I didn't think it was as good as the previous books in the series. The mystery was just okay. Bo and Astrid moved from place to place asking questions about the ship and its survivors. The only excitement was the man with the knife threatening Astrid from time to time. The romance was slow. It only took a few pages to discover that Bo and Astrid were in love with each other, but the public and maybe her family would never accept their interracial relationship. Every time they tried to talk about it, someone would interrupt. This got old after a while. My rating: 3 Stars.
This is the third book in the Roaring Twenties series. I didn't think it was as good as the previous books in the series. The mystery was just okay. Bo and Astrid moved from place to place asking questions about the ship and its survivors. The only excitement was the man with the knife threatening Astrid from time to time. The romance was slow. It only took a few pages to discover that Bo and Astrid were in love with each other, but the public and maybe her family would never accept their interracial relationship. Every time they tried to talk about it, someone would interrupt. This got old after a while. My rating: 3 Stars.
May 13, 2015
It's the end to another wonderful Jenn Bennett series, and I will miss the feisty Magnusson clan dearly! They have been an entertaining family to say the least. The last story couldn't be a more fitting conclusion, it being the romance between two characters we have already come to know, love, and ship.
Astrid Magnusson - sister to Winter and Lowe, heroes of the first two books - and Bo Yeung - Winter's second-in-command for his bootlegging business - have been dancing around each other for two years now. We've seen that they're best friends, but we've wanted so much more for them. Now that Astrid is home from school after months of being away, she's ready to reunite with Bo and test the rocky waters of their relationship. When a different sort of storm sends a yacht that mysteriously disappeared a year ago into the Magnusson's dock, Bo and Astrid are inexorably pulled into the mystery, and the pair will have to contend with more than just their hearts.
I have waited and waited for this story. I knew from Bitter Spirits that Bo and Astrid were like two peas in a pod, and I so wanted to know their backstory and see them fall in love. I'm a sucker for a friends to more romance, especially when one or both parties have been secretly yearning for the other. What I most enjoyed about Bo and Astrid's romance, though, is the societal complications. It's the type of angst that makes me heartsick but rooting for the couple all the more. It's 1920s San Francisco, and because Bo is Chinese, he's not legally allowed to marry Astrid, and if he even touches her in certain public places, he could get in serious trouble. He has been forced to keep his distance, even though he practically worships Astrid. It made me ache for him, especially because he's been wordlessly loyal to her all this time. I think anyone can see the love Bo and Astrid share, and I was desperate for them to make it work.
Astrid, too, is a wonderful character. She's strong-minded and vibrant; her personality really jumps off the pages. Even with two notorious and protective older brothers, she makes sure she's her own woman and that her decisions will be hers alone. This series has truly had three really fierce women - all in their own ways - which is especially fun to see in this flapper-era setting. Astrid's chemistry with Bo is just as magnetic. I was smitten with their easy banter and companionship, and I loved the way they pushed each other when the time called for it. Jenn Bennett is no stranger to romance, and the sex scenes are sensual and tender. It helps that both the characters and the readers have been anxious for it forever now.
The story itself - like the other books in the series - is a fun mix of history, paranormal, magic, and mystery. After touching a turquoise object, Astrid starts having visions of a sacrificial ritual that may have taken place on the yacht. Together, she and Bo try to figure out just what happened, but to do so they have to enter an underground world of old money and dark magic. I don't think the plot is quite as strong as the first two (the climax confused me a little bit), but it's got all the right ingredients to keep you hooked.
I can't recommend this series enough! It's adult romance at its best, and I don't believe I've read anything else quite like it. Be prepared to be dazzled by the characters, who will most certainly win you over.
***Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for approving my request in exchange for an honest review.***
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
Astrid Magnusson - sister to Winter and Lowe, heroes of the first two books - and Bo Yeung - Winter's second-in-command for his bootlegging business - have been dancing around each other for two years now. We've seen that they're best friends, but we've wanted so much more for them. Now that Astrid is home from school after months of being away, she's ready to reunite with Bo and test the rocky waters of their relationship. When a different sort of storm sends a yacht that mysteriously disappeared a year ago into the Magnusson's dock, Bo and Astrid are inexorably pulled into the mystery, and the pair will have to contend with more than just their hearts.
I have waited and waited for this story. I knew from Bitter Spirits that Bo and Astrid were like two peas in a pod, and I so wanted to know their backstory and see them fall in love. I'm a sucker for a friends to more romance, especially when one or both parties have been secretly yearning for the other. What I most enjoyed about Bo and Astrid's romance, though, is the societal complications. It's the type of angst that makes me heartsick but rooting for the couple all the more. It's 1920s San Francisco, and because Bo is Chinese, he's not legally allowed to marry Astrid, and if he even touches her in certain public places, he could get in serious trouble. He has been forced to keep his distance, even though he practically worships Astrid. It made me ache for him, especially because he's been wordlessly loyal to her all this time. I think anyone can see the love Bo and Astrid share, and I was desperate for them to make it work.
Astrid, too, is a wonderful character. She's strong-minded and vibrant; her personality really jumps off the pages. Even with two notorious and protective older brothers, she makes sure she's her own woman and that her decisions will be hers alone. This series has truly had three really fierce women - all in their own ways - which is especially fun to see in this flapper-era setting. Astrid's chemistry with Bo is just as magnetic. I was smitten with their easy banter and companionship, and I loved the way they pushed each other when the time called for it. Jenn Bennett is no stranger to romance, and the sex scenes are sensual and tender. It helps that both the characters and the readers have been anxious for it forever now.
The story itself - like the other books in the series - is a fun mix of history, paranormal, magic, and mystery. After touching a turquoise object, Astrid starts having visions of a sacrificial ritual that may have taken place on the yacht. Together, she and Bo try to figure out just what happened, but to do so they have to enter an underground world of old money and dark magic. I don't think the plot is quite as strong as the first two (the climax confused me a little bit), but it's got all the right ingredients to keep you hooked.
I can't recommend this series enough! It's adult romance at its best, and I don't believe I've read anything else quite like it. Be prepared to be dazzled by the characters, who will most certainly win you over.
***Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for approving my request in exchange for an honest review.***
This review can also be found at Love at First Page.
August 17, 2020
Spoilers ahead
The final book in the Roaring Twenties series and we get the story of Astrid, the younger sister of the Magnusson boys and Bo who's Winter's right hand man and has been a part of the family for a few years now.
Astrid and Bo have been close friends for years, with secret feelings hiding below the surface. With Astrid away at college they still manage to communicate until something shared in a last letter causes distance between them. When Astrid comes home for her birthday and Bo doesn't show up to wish her happy birthday she goes storming down to the docks to give him a piece of her mind.....only a ship runs ashore that starts a journey filled with mystery,adventure and danger but which will also forces them to confront their feelings for each other and finally be brave enough to take a chance.
********
Y'all friends to lovers grinds my bones I tell ya, on one hand it's glorious being with someone who knows you so well but the execution of this trope just rarely sits well with me.
Now in this case the obstacles to them being together are actually OBSTACLES!!!! I mean he could be jailed and they couldn't even legally marry because of his race! And while I can appreciate that and the problems it'd cause......the family weren't exactly law abiding so I just wanted some more effort on Bo's part. I can't stand the I'll suffer in silence because it's best bs.
Then.....the thing I detest more than my ex(and that's saying something😂) sleeping with OP. Like how can you KNOW that your heart belongs to someone else but still sleep with OW? And the little detail just pissed me off. Now in all fairness after his serious drunken oops he hadn't had sex in years but still?!!! That shit is never necessary man!! Like damn let true love help you keep that dick on lockdown!
And Astrid, she loved Bo but when she realized nothing was happening between them she slept with someone else in college. G dammit.... Both of y'all have several seats!!! Why isn't communication shown in romance??? Are the mcs mute??? It's enough to give me high blood pressure
Anywho eventually they got their shit together and the story flowed pretty well
For me this author is really talented, I neber skimmed and was invested in the story but the beginning of the romance caused me a few hiccups
I enjoyed the plot though it definitely felt convenient, as I remember the previous h's special talent continued so was Astrid's just connected to this particular incident? Why?
Nonetheless it was an interesting enough read with a lovely epilogue showing all the couples married with kids. Book 1 still remains a fave
No cheating
We get an appearance by an ex of Bo's which caused a tiny bit of drama
H has been celibate for 2 years
h recently lost her virginity
The final book in the Roaring Twenties series and we get the story of Astrid, the younger sister of the Magnusson boys and Bo who's Winter's right hand man and has been a part of the family for a few years now.
Astrid and Bo have been close friends for years, with secret feelings hiding below the surface. With Astrid away at college they still manage to communicate until something shared in a last letter causes distance between them. When Astrid comes home for her birthday and Bo doesn't show up to wish her happy birthday she goes storming down to the docks to give him a piece of her mind.....only a ship runs ashore that starts a journey filled with mystery,adventure and danger but which will also forces them to confront their feelings for each other and finally be brave enough to take a chance.
********
Y'all friends to lovers grinds my bones I tell ya, on one hand it's glorious being with someone who knows you so well but the execution of this trope just rarely sits well with me.
Now in this case the obstacles to them being together are actually OBSTACLES!!!! I mean he could be jailed and they couldn't even legally marry because of his race! And while I can appreciate that and the problems it'd cause......the family weren't exactly law abiding so I just wanted some more effort on Bo's part. I can't stand the I'll suffer in silence because it's best bs.
Then.....the thing I detest more than my ex(and that's saying something😂) sleeping with OP. Like how can you KNOW that your heart belongs to someone else but still sleep with OW? And the little detail just pissed me off. Now in all fairness after his serious drunken oops he hadn't had sex in years but still?!!! That shit is never necessary man!! Like damn let true love help you keep that dick on lockdown!
And Astrid, she loved Bo but when she realized nothing was happening between them she slept with someone else in college. G dammit.... Both of y'all have several seats!!! Why isn't communication shown in romance??? Are the mcs mute??? It's enough to give me high blood pressure
Anywho eventually they got their shit together and the story flowed pretty well
For me this author is really talented, I neber skimmed and was invested in the story but the beginning of the romance caused me a few hiccups
I enjoyed the plot though it definitely felt convenient, as I remember the previous h's special talent continued so was Astrid's just connected to this particular incident? Why?
Nonetheless it was an interesting enough read with a lovely epilogue showing all the couples married with kids. Book 1 still remains a fave
No cheating
We get an appearance by an ex of Bo's which caused a tiny bit of drama
H has been celibate for 2 years
h recently lost her virginity
September 8, 2019
Astrid Magnusson is the youngest sister of bootlegger king Winter Magnusson: she's blonde, extroverted, and used to getting her own way. Bo Yeung is Winter's second-in-command: he's Chinese, threatening, and competent. THEY LIKE EACH OTHER. This leads to petty fights until they get their bone on and then it's merely a matter of reorganizing the world so they can be together.
1. My sarcastic lightheartedness aside, I thought the narrative did a decent job of trying to engage with the very real """problem""" (these sarcastic quotes brought to you by racist laws of the USA!!) of a Chinese man and a Caucasian woman choosing to live / marry / have children together. I've frequently commented on the difficultly of introducing reality-heavy shit like death, racism, etc. into the fluffernutter world of historical romance, but it shows a certain awareness of its time and place which is commendable.
2. The setting remains intriguing: Prohibition San Francisco in 1928/9 with an icing of supernatural realness. Again, I felt the world building around that supernatural icing was a bit underdeveloped (do presidents get secret agent men who can cure hexes? see auras?), and the world itself was a little less tangible than in the earlier book.
3. The relationship didn't quite land for me. They have been friends since they met and then their growing Awareness of one another leads them to try and forget one another with various other people. This creates Drama between them and obviously doesn't work. So once they're back in the same city and, y'know, COMMUNICATING, there is absolutely zero (personal) hurdles to them getting and staying together. Add to that the fact that the book is so focused on their boners for one another that we get very little development or proof of their ~~bff connection. It's all focused on the raging physical attraction that is finally being let out of the box.
It's kind of...boring? in a way?
4. Also not a fan of the "pretending" conceit that threads the first half of this thing. Because of their wrought history, they decide to pretend to be other people in order to get their groove on dating-wise. But then they proceed to straight...be themselves? It's a level of construct that could result in interesting dynamics if the "pretending" actually engaged with the characters more than superficially. This attempt does not and it ends up feeling superfluous and wasteful.
5. Also Aida's ghosts are full of spoilers for the coming depression which is a unique way of protecting your wealthy protagonists from their own wealth.
5.5 (This actually makes me want to expound on an issue I had with the series overall: the use of "wealth" as a shorthand without examining the dynamics of that wealth. Which is to say: the Magnussons's wealth is because of their flaunting of prohibition. But do they flaunt prohibition because they truly do not see justice in the laws forbidding alcohol, or do they flaunt it because it presents an opportunity to make a buck or three? I wanted to attribute the former to these characters but by the epilogue of this book, I begin to doubt my own hopes because while they pay lip service to ignoring bad laws, they don't actually take up any additional arms against them. It's a passive rebellion, and it seems to be driven by $$$. This is disappointing to me as a reader and retroactively sours some of my enjoyment of this series.)
1. My sarcastic lightheartedness aside, I thought the narrative did a decent job of trying to engage with the very real """problem""" (these sarcastic quotes brought to you by racist laws of the USA!!) of a Chinese man and a Caucasian woman choosing to live / marry / have children together. I've frequently commented on the difficultly of introducing reality-heavy shit like death, racism, etc. into the fluffernutter world of historical romance, but it shows a certain awareness of its time and place which is commendable.
2. The setting remains intriguing: Prohibition San Francisco in 1928/9 with an icing of supernatural realness. Again, I felt the world building around that supernatural icing was a bit underdeveloped (do presidents get secret agent men who can cure hexes? see auras?), and the world itself was a little less tangible than in the earlier book.
3. The relationship didn't quite land for me. They have been friends since they met and then their growing Awareness of one another leads them to try and forget one another with various other people. This creates Drama between them and obviously doesn't work. So once they're back in the same city and, y'know, COMMUNICATING, there is absolutely zero (personal) hurdles to them getting and staying together. Add to that the fact that the book is so focused on their boners for one another that we get very little development or proof of their ~~bff connection. It's all focused on the raging physical attraction that is finally being let out of the box.
It's kind of...boring? in a way?
4. Also not a fan of the "pretending" conceit that threads the first half of this thing. Because of their wrought history, they decide to pretend to be other people in order to get their groove on dating-wise. But then they proceed to straight...be themselves? It's a level of construct that could result in interesting dynamics if the "pretending" actually engaged with the characters more than superficially. This attempt does not and it ends up feeling superfluous and wasteful.
5. Also Aida's ghosts are full of spoilers for the coming depression which is a unique way of protecting your wealthy protagonists from their own wealth.
5.5 (This actually makes me want to expound on an issue I had with the series overall: the use of "wealth" as a shorthand without examining the dynamics of that wealth. Which is to say: the Magnussons's wealth is because of their flaunting of prohibition. But do they flaunt prohibition because they truly do not see justice in the laws forbidding alcohol, or do they flaunt it because it presents an opportunity to make a buck or three? I wanted to attribute the former to these characters but by the epilogue of this book, I begin to doubt my own hopes because while they pay lip service to ignoring bad laws, they don't actually take up any additional arms against them. It's a passive rebellion, and it seems to be driven by $$$. This is disappointing to me as a reader and retroactively sours some of my enjoyment of this series.)
May 12, 2024
Enjoyable 1920s, interracial romance
This is the third and final book in a highly entertaining paranormal, historical-romance series. Astrid and Bo have some serious romantic conflicts, the primary one being the bigotry toward Chinese-Americans like Bo from white Euro-Americans, including a law against interracial marriage.
This story is a "friends to lover's" plot, because Bo and Astrid have been friends for years. I liked both of them very much, and I was rooting for their HEA.
As is the case in the other two books in this series, there is a high-octane action plot with some scary villains, which is resolved in a very satisfying way.
This book ends with a terrific epilogue 10 years in the future, which includes the FMCs and MMCs from the first two books. They are all interconnected as one, big, happy, extended family.
All in all, this is a terrific trilogy. I've read it multiple times, and I will definitely reread it in the future.
This is the third and final book in a highly entertaining paranormal, historical-romance series. Astrid and Bo have some serious romantic conflicts, the primary one being the bigotry toward Chinese-Americans like Bo from white Euro-Americans, including a law against interracial marriage.
This story is a "friends to lover's" plot, because Bo and Astrid have been friends for years. I liked both of them very much, and I was rooting for their HEA.
As is the case in the other two books in this series, there is a high-octane action plot with some scary villains, which is resolved in a very satisfying way.
This book ends with a terrific epilogue 10 years in the future, which includes the FMCs and MMCs from the first two books. They are all interconnected as one, big, happy, extended family.
All in all, this is a terrific trilogy. I've read it multiple times, and I will definitely reread it in the future.
October 24, 2016
Listen, I like these books, and they have a lot of great elements. Fun plots, clever writing, GREAT sex scenes. San Francisco. Flappers. But can I maybe find someone who writes exactly like this except without the dudes being super-dominant and possessive?
Bo literally says this to Astrid: "You will never get over me. Do you hear me? Never! You will never be free of me, because I won't let you go. I will put a bullet in any man who touches you. I will go to jail for you. I will die for you. My ghost will haunt you from the grave."
And I'm like "Uh... That's creepy, right? Possessive in the extreme? Something a stalker and/or serial killer would say?"
But Astrid is like "Actually, it's kinda hot, and we will now aggressively make out."
~ROMANCE NOVELS~
I like Bo and Astrid, and I was rooting for them, especially with the whole mixed-race aspect of their relationship. And there is an Actual Lesbian Couple in this book! And pirates! And people masturbating to the dictionary! There were just a few parts where I had to backtrack and go "wait, that was supposed to be sexy, NOT creepy and controlling?" I think I'm reading the wrong sorts of romance novels.
I am going to miss the Magnussons, though. Especially Hadley, she's still my favorite.
Things googled: amaranthine, Dungeness, huli jing, sempiternal, Jack Johnson (boxer), Conservatory of Flowers San Francisco, black and tan club
Bo literally says this to Astrid: "You will never get over me. Do you hear me? Never! You will never be free of me, because I won't let you go. I will put a bullet in any man who touches you. I will go to jail for you. I will die for you. My ghost will haunt you from the grave."
And I'm like "Uh... That's creepy, right? Possessive in the extreme? Something a stalker and/or serial killer would say?"
But Astrid is like "Actually, it's kinda hot, and we will now aggressively make out."
~ROMANCE NOVELS~
I like Bo and Astrid, and I was rooting for them, especially with the whole mixed-race aspect of their relationship. And there is an Actual Lesbian Couple in this book! And pirates! And people masturbating to the dictionary! There were just a few parts where I had to backtrack and go "wait, that was supposed to be sexy, NOT creepy and controlling?" I think I'm reading the wrong sorts of romance novels.
I am going to miss the Magnussons, though. Especially Hadley, she's still my favorite.
Things googled: amaranthine, Dungeness, huli jing, sempiternal, Jack Johnson (boxer), Conservatory of Flowers San Francisco, black and tan club
October 6, 2015
A boat turns up at the Magnusson docks that's been missing for a year carrying a bunch of bewildered, possibly amnesiac voyagers. Upon examining the boat, youngest Magnusson, Astrid, suffers a strange, magical reaction to an object she finds there. One she's determined to get to the bottom of, so long as it means being near long-time crush Bo as much as possible.
By far the weakest instalment of the series, which is a shame as it's the final one and sad to have it end so limply. The chemistry found in abundance between the lead characters in the first two books was almost wholly missing here between Bo and Astrid. In fairness, it was a very different set-up -Star-crossed longing in place of fiery passion, and on the younger end of the scale, too. It was a much more innocent, fumbling and awkward affair that, sadly, did very little for me.
I feel like the mystery itself was also weaker and very sparse in terms of page time.
All together, a much slower moving book from Bennett
3 Stars ★★★ A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
By far the weakest instalment of the series, which is a shame as it's the final one and sad to have it end so limply. The chemistry found in abundance between the lead characters in the first two books was almost wholly missing here between Bo and Astrid. In fairness, it was a very different set-up -Star-crossed longing in place of fiery passion, and on the younger end of the scale, too. It was a much more innocent, fumbling and awkward affair that, sadly, did very little for me.
I feel like the mystery itself was also weaker and very sparse in terms of page time.
All together, a much slower moving book from Bennett
3 Stars ★★★ A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
March 1, 2020
3.5 stars
I saw this one for $5 and I thought ‘you know what, I love Jenn Bennett’s YA and I love the 20s, so why not?’. On a whole I really enjoyed this, this is the first historical romance I’ve read set in the 20s and that aspect was honestly great. I struggled a little bit with the characters—I liked them until it came to the actual sexy times where Bo was all like ‘I have to control this every time’ and I was like ‘that’s a no from me’.
I have to say that I’m kind of meh about the whole paranormal romance genre. I haven’t read many, but there also aren’t a lot that capture my attention. So I’m glad that this one was enjoyable. That being said, I think I would’ve enjoyed it even more without those aspects and instead just a straight mystery. Kind of Miss Fisher’s, but with smutty goodness!
I saw this one for $5 and I thought ‘you know what, I love Jenn Bennett’s YA and I love the 20s, so why not?’. On a whole I really enjoyed this, this is the first historical romance I’ve read set in the 20s and that aspect was honestly great. I struggled a little bit with the characters—I liked them until it came to the actual sexy times where Bo was all like ‘I have to control this every time’ and I was like ‘that’s a no from me’.
I have to say that I’m kind of meh about the whole paranormal romance genre. I haven’t read many, but there also aren’t a lot that capture my attention. So I’m glad that this one was enjoyable. That being said, I think I would’ve enjoyed it even more without those aspects and instead just a straight mystery. Kind of Miss Fisher’s, but with smutty goodness!
December 29, 2024
I have *loved* this series! I’m excited to explore the author’s backlist now. Also, this hit so well after watching the TV series ‘1923’!
May 7, 2015
Originally reviewed for & posted at Vampire Book Club
Review source: copy provided by publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
Note: While this review will be spoiler free it may include references from previous books in the series.
The third (and sadly last, I think) in the brilliant Roaring Twenties series Grave Phantoms finally sees Bo and Astrid get down and dirty with the tension that sizzled through the previous books. Unlike the older two Magnusson brothers who met their matches in new acquaintances, these two have something I love in my romances—history.
After a series of progressively terser letter exchanges (with which we start the book) Astrid returns to San Francisco after her first semester of college in Los Angeles. A mixture of fury over Bo ignoring her, a new determination to move the relationship forward, and bootlegged champagne, leaves Astrid just about ready to kick Bo’s arse. Unfortunately the wind is taken out of her sails by a luxury yacht crashing into the Magnusson pier; a yacht that disappeared more than a year ago and is full of survivors claiming they don’t remember a thing.
Bo was hoping when Astrid left, his feelings would go with her. But when she storms back into his life, no such luck. While investigating the mysterious yacht, Astrid touches an idol, causing her to have visions of what happened on the fateful night the boat disappeared. She is convinced the survivors know more than they are letting on, but Bo is more concerned about the ancient magic now plaguing Astrid.
Emotions run high between these two and their developing relationship was filled with beautifully touching moments coupled with fiery exchanges. Both are headstrong, and relatively young so mistakes are made and feelings hurt, but I never doubted how deep their connection ran. Jenn Bennett did a fanatic job cranking the sexual tension up to dizzying heights and then bringing the steam that was equally as tender as it was hot.
I’d missed this world: the opulent twenties backdrop, with luxury cars and jazz-filled speakeasies. The historical setting throws in all sorts of social, cultural and legal complications and prejudices for them though–not to mention Bo’s allegiance to Winter, Astrid’s older brother. The stakes felt high and all felt like genuine and real obstacles to these characters; I didn’t feel like things could be solved if they would just talk honestly to each other (one of my biggest pet peeves).
My only issue with Grave Phantoms was, as there was so much conflict to resolve between Bo and Astrid, both internal and external, the pacing of the mystery plot suffered in the middle. The ghost ship aspect and the overall plot arc of the survivors worked really well for me, with plenty of action that actually helped drive the romantic plot forward. I just wish we’d had more time to delve deeper into the magical aspects of it. I love how each of these books explore a different culture’s mythology giving each one a unique flavour: Bitter Spirits Chinese, Grim Shadows Egyptian and here Ancient Mayan and Aztec. I loved the direction and was fascinated by what was here, but just wish we’d could have uncovered even more earlier in the book.
Whilst the other aspects may not have been quite as strong as previous instalments, Grave Phantoms gave me everything I was hoping for in Bo and Astrid’s story: tenderness, passion and a winding road to traverse. It wraps the series up well, with a short epilogue featuring all the characters, but I’m really sad to see this series go.
Sexual content: graphic sex
Review source: copy provided by publisher, via Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review
Rating (out of 5): 4 stars
Note: While this review will be spoiler free it may include references from previous books in the series.
The third (and sadly last, I think) in the brilliant Roaring Twenties series Grave Phantoms finally sees Bo and Astrid get down and dirty with the tension that sizzled through the previous books. Unlike the older two Magnusson brothers who met their matches in new acquaintances, these two have something I love in my romances—history.
After a series of progressively terser letter exchanges (with which we start the book) Astrid returns to San Francisco after her first semester of college in Los Angeles. A mixture of fury over Bo ignoring her, a new determination to move the relationship forward, and bootlegged champagne, leaves Astrid just about ready to kick Bo’s arse. Unfortunately the wind is taken out of her sails by a luxury yacht crashing into the Magnusson pier; a yacht that disappeared more than a year ago and is full of survivors claiming they don’t remember a thing.
Bo was hoping when Astrid left, his feelings would go with her. But when she storms back into his life, no such luck. While investigating the mysterious yacht, Astrid touches an idol, causing her to have visions of what happened on the fateful night the boat disappeared. She is convinced the survivors know more than they are letting on, but Bo is more concerned about the ancient magic now plaguing Astrid.
Emotions run high between these two and their developing relationship was filled with beautifully touching moments coupled with fiery exchanges. Both are headstrong, and relatively young so mistakes are made and feelings hurt, but I never doubted how deep their connection ran. Jenn Bennett did a fanatic job cranking the sexual tension up to dizzying heights and then bringing the steam that was equally as tender as it was hot.
I’d missed this world: the opulent twenties backdrop, with luxury cars and jazz-filled speakeasies. The historical setting throws in all sorts of social, cultural and legal complications and prejudices for them though–not to mention Bo’s allegiance to Winter, Astrid’s older brother. The stakes felt high and all felt like genuine and real obstacles to these characters; I didn’t feel like things could be solved if they would just talk honestly to each other (one of my biggest pet peeves).
My only issue with Grave Phantoms was, as there was so much conflict to resolve between Bo and Astrid, both internal and external, the pacing of the mystery plot suffered in the middle. The ghost ship aspect and the overall plot arc of the survivors worked really well for me, with plenty of action that actually helped drive the romantic plot forward. I just wish we’d had more time to delve deeper into the magical aspects of it. I love how each of these books explore a different culture’s mythology giving each one a unique flavour: Bitter Spirits Chinese, Grim Shadows Egyptian and here Ancient Mayan and Aztec. I loved the direction and was fascinated by what was here, but just wish we’d could have uncovered even more earlier in the book.
Whilst the other aspects may not have been quite as strong as previous instalments, Grave Phantoms gave me everything I was hoping for in Bo and Astrid’s story: tenderness, passion and a winding road to traverse. It wraps the series up well, with a short epilogue featuring all the characters, but I’m really sad to see this series go.
Sexual content: graphic sex
June 2, 2015
Review originally posted at http://fictionvixen.com/review-grave-...
he Roaring Twenties is a series I like to recommend when a reader is looking for something different. Set in the 1920’s, it’s a mix of historical and paranormal romance and you just never know exactly what you’re going to get when you start reading. But it’s fun, and sexy and the characters are wonderfully complex and unique. Grave Phantoms is Astrid and Bo’s love story and the conclusion to this trilogy that began with Astrid’s brother Winter in Bitter Spirits.
I think we’ve all known Astrid and Bo were going to end up together. Well, I guess HOPED is a better word, we’ve all hoped that the beautiful Astrid would end up with Winter’s second in command and her closest companion. They have a relationship that has grown through the years from friendship to a yearning for each other that neither knows what to do with. Astrid goes off to school with every intention of becoming independent and getting out from under her brother’s shadows, but she misses Bo and writes to him often. When his return letters suddenly stop, she returns home fully intending on finding out if his feelings are just as powerful as hers.
Bo Yeung knows a relationship with Astrid is near impossible. Not only do they have different stations in life, but a Chinese man and a white woman aren’t even allowed to marry. Not to mention how her family would react if they realized how much he longs to be with her. The day Winter took him off the streets as a boy and brought him into the family bootlegging business changed his life, he fears losing the respect and support of the man who has for all intents and purposes been a true friend and father figure in his life.
Everything gets even more complicated when a ship that’s been missing for a year suddenly crashes into the pier at the Magnusson bootlegging operations. When Astrid accidentally finds a mysterious relic and begins to have visions, Bo realizes he’ll do anything to keep her safe. If that includes finally giving in to her questions over how he feels and admitting his fears, so be it.
I adore this series. The history is so rich and vibrant and I’ve always thought this author blended the paranormal aspects with that history seamlessly. Even while waiting none too patiently for Bo and Astrid’s love story, I was sad to finally pick it up knowing this series would be over as soon as I’d finished reading. But it was worth the wait. Astrid and Bo make a wonderful couple. Having grown up together, they know each other very well and have an ease and comfort with each other that comes across as they are finally learning to be more than friends.
While I did enjoy the paranormal mystery, I don’t think it was as strong as the mysteries in the first two books. This is a much more character driven story, but I think the circumstances surrounding Bo and Astrid relationship and the stigma of their love in that era demanded that. Ms. Bennett doesn’t shy away from the prejudices of that time and what this couple has to overcome to be together. There is no easy solution for them, and because they are both very independent people they have to work hard to really consider all the ramifications of a life together. One of my favorite scenes was when Bo and Winter have a heart to heart and Bo finally realizes that he IS a part of the Magnusson family already. He always has been. Even if society doesn’t yet accept their relationship, there are people who will be there to offer support and love.
The epilogue was nicely done and a very sweet ending for this series, but I’m still hoping we’ll see this family again in the future. Final grade- B
Favorite Quote:
he Roaring Twenties is a series I like to recommend when a reader is looking for something different. Set in the 1920’s, it’s a mix of historical and paranormal romance and you just never know exactly what you’re going to get when you start reading. But it’s fun, and sexy and the characters are wonderfully complex and unique. Grave Phantoms is Astrid and Bo’s love story and the conclusion to this trilogy that began with Astrid’s brother Winter in Bitter Spirits.
I think we’ve all known Astrid and Bo were going to end up together. Well, I guess HOPED is a better word, we’ve all hoped that the beautiful Astrid would end up with Winter’s second in command and her closest companion. They have a relationship that has grown through the years from friendship to a yearning for each other that neither knows what to do with. Astrid goes off to school with every intention of becoming independent and getting out from under her brother’s shadows, but she misses Bo and writes to him often. When his return letters suddenly stop, she returns home fully intending on finding out if his feelings are just as powerful as hers.
Bo Yeung knows a relationship with Astrid is near impossible. Not only do they have different stations in life, but a Chinese man and a white woman aren’t even allowed to marry. Not to mention how her family would react if they realized how much he longs to be with her. The day Winter took him off the streets as a boy and brought him into the family bootlegging business changed his life, he fears losing the respect and support of the man who has for all intents and purposes been a true friend and father figure in his life.
Everything gets even more complicated when a ship that’s been missing for a year suddenly crashes into the pier at the Magnusson bootlegging operations. When Astrid accidentally finds a mysterious relic and begins to have visions, Bo realizes he’ll do anything to keep her safe. If that includes finally giving in to her questions over how he feels and admitting his fears, so be it.
I adore this series. The history is so rich and vibrant and I’ve always thought this author blended the paranormal aspects with that history seamlessly. Even while waiting none too patiently for Bo and Astrid’s love story, I was sad to finally pick it up knowing this series would be over as soon as I’d finished reading. But it was worth the wait. Astrid and Bo make a wonderful couple. Having grown up together, they know each other very well and have an ease and comfort with each other that comes across as they are finally learning to be more than friends.
While I did enjoy the paranormal mystery, I don’t think it was as strong as the mysteries in the first two books. This is a much more character driven story, but I think the circumstances surrounding Bo and Astrid relationship and the stigma of their love in that era demanded that. Ms. Bennett doesn’t shy away from the prejudices of that time and what this couple has to overcome to be together. There is no easy solution for them, and because they are both very independent people they have to work hard to really consider all the ramifications of a life together. One of my favorite scenes was when Bo and Winter have a heart to heart and Bo finally realizes that he IS a part of the Magnusson family already. He always has been. Even if society doesn’t yet accept their relationship, there are people who will be there to offer support and love.
The epilogue was nicely done and a very sweet ending for this series, but I’m still hoping we’ll see this family again in the future. Final grade- B
Favorite Quote:
“Look at us,” he whispered. “We are beautiful.”
January 6, 2016
The third and last book in this trilogy, taking place in the Roaring Twenties, San Francisco. The time of bootlegging, illegal drinking and smuggling, corrupt cops looking the other way. But it is also a time where a relationship between people of different races is frowned upon, and forbidden. Especially when the female in the relationship is white.
A time where fortunes can be made by those willing to take a risk. Like Winter Magnusson has. His right-hand man for many years has been Bo Yeung, a young Chinese man Winter took in. Bo has been doing odd jobs for Winter for years now, acting as chauffeur and bodyguard and serving as his eyes and ears. Living with Winter and his family, made Bo live between two worlds: no longer fully accepted by the Chinese living in China town, and certainly not belonging in the white world either, where he is seen as merely a servant.
But Bo has been in love with Winter’s younger sister Astrid for years now, and it seems that she feels the same for him. Or will time spend apart cure her from that? When Astrid goes of to college in Los Angeles, where she will make new friends and learn interesting things, will she forget all about him? And what if she doesn’t?
And then Astrid comes back home on her birthday, in the middle of a huge storm, and no one is there to welcome her, so she sets out for her brother’s warehouse herself, where she is certain she will find Bo. Slighty drunk on champagne. She just has to see him.
But then the storm tosses a yacht into their dock, a strange yacht that has disappeared a year ago, and has been missing ever since. The survivors all look and act strange, and are taken to the hospital. Bo and Winter want the ship gone from their dock as soon as possible, they don’t need curious gawkers around their place of (illegal) business. The police wants it to stay put, but Bo invents some excuse to get aboard and see if the motor is still running. Stubborn Astrid goes with him, as does the police officer on watch, and they find the place absolutely trashed. When Astrid stumbles and picks up a strange little statue, things go to hell.
She sees a vision of people getting killed in some strange ritual, a year ago, and falls into a coma. Bo is frantic, but in the hospital Astrid awakens again. It is a busy evening, as the survivors have also been brought there and they pick up some gossip.
Whatever happened to Astrid is dangerous, and even more dangerous are the people who want that statue back. And so Bo and Astrid set out together to find out the meaning behind the statue and the strange symbol on its stomach, meeting interesting people and falling more and more in love with eachother. Bo has his own ideas about their future together, but Astrid is determined to find her own place in the world, and in his life, and with some help from her sisters-in-law, she manages it.
This was a very captivating tale, which showed a unique peek in live in the twenties in America. I enjoyed the careful romance building between Astrid and Bo, it felt natural, even though both wanted so much more. After closing the book, I would have liked to have witnessed the trouble a mixed couple had in those days a bit more, not it was more glossed over or anticipated and it never came.
I really liked Astrid, and how she never backed down for anything. She stood beside Bo and did the things she thought were right and had to be done. I admire her for that.
Jenn Bennett certainly delivered in this very good last instalment in the series. I wish I could have met the Magnusson family back then.
9 stars.
A time where fortunes can be made by those willing to take a risk. Like Winter Magnusson has. His right-hand man for many years has been Bo Yeung, a young Chinese man Winter took in. Bo has been doing odd jobs for Winter for years now, acting as chauffeur and bodyguard and serving as his eyes and ears. Living with Winter and his family, made Bo live between two worlds: no longer fully accepted by the Chinese living in China town, and certainly not belonging in the white world either, where he is seen as merely a servant.
But Bo has been in love with Winter’s younger sister Astrid for years now, and it seems that she feels the same for him. Or will time spend apart cure her from that? When Astrid goes of to college in Los Angeles, where she will make new friends and learn interesting things, will she forget all about him? And what if she doesn’t?
And then Astrid comes back home on her birthday, in the middle of a huge storm, and no one is there to welcome her, so she sets out for her brother’s warehouse herself, where she is certain she will find Bo. Slighty drunk on champagne. She just has to see him.
But then the storm tosses a yacht into their dock, a strange yacht that has disappeared a year ago, and has been missing ever since. The survivors all look and act strange, and are taken to the hospital. Bo and Winter want the ship gone from their dock as soon as possible, they don’t need curious gawkers around their place of (illegal) business. The police wants it to stay put, but Bo invents some excuse to get aboard and see if the motor is still running. Stubborn Astrid goes with him, as does the police officer on watch, and they find the place absolutely trashed. When Astrid stumbles and picks up a strange little statue, things go to hell.
She sees a vision of people getting killed in some strange ritual, a year ago, and falls into a coma. Bo is frantic, but in the hospital Astrid awakens again. It is a busy evening, as the survivors have also been brought there and they pick up some gossip.
Whatever happened to Astrid is dangerous, and even more dangerous are the people who want that statue back. And so Bo and Astrid set out together to find out the meaning behind the statue and the strange symbol on its stomach, meeting interesting people and falling more and more in love with eachother. Bo has his own ideas about their future together, but Astrid is determined to find her own place in the world, and in his life, and with some help from her sisters-in-law, she manages it.
This was a very captivating tale, which showed a unique peek in live in the twenties in America. I enjoyed the careful romance building between Astrid and Bo, it felt natural, even though both wanted so much more. After closing the book, I would have liked to have witnessed the trouble a mixed couple had in those days a bit more, not it was more glossed over or anticipated and it never came.
I really liked Astrid, and how she never backed down for anything. She stood beside Bo and did the things she thought were right and had to be done. I admire her for that.
Jenn Bennett certainly delivered in this very good last instalment in the series. I wish I could have met the Magnusson family back then.
9 stars.
February 24, 2017
Review posted on Got Fiction?
In this third (and last) installment of the Roaring Twenties series, we see Astrid, the youngest Magnusson sibling grow up a bit. She’s been in love with Bo Yeung since she was 14, but hasn’t been able to do anything about it. This is San Francisco in the ’20s after all. He’s Chinese, and she’s…not.
That’s one thing that I loved about this book. Their obstacles aren’t miraculously overcome simply because they’re in love. So while Astrid is down in Los Angeles trying to forget about Bo and go to college, and while Bo is still helping her brother run the bootlegging business, neither one of them pretends that they have a chance. And yet, each one hopes…
When Astrid comes back home for Christmas, she’s so mad that Bo isn’t there to greet her, so she goes down to the warehouse to give him a piece of her mind. But a yacht comes crashing into the docks. Literally. And something weird happens. It turns out this yacht has been missing for over a year, and none of the passengers on board can tell anyone their own names, let alone what has happened (this is something I feel was never explained properly, hence the 4 star rating. It really felt like the time frame was glossed over).
Once the police have come and gone, Bo and Astrid board the boat and Astrid picks something up. The second she touches it, she seizes and has a vision. She catches a glimpse of what happened on board and it is very scary. Possibly some weird ritual involving human sacrifice. By the time she comes to, the little turquoise idol she touched is inactive. But she’s not. She keeps catching glimpses of the past. She and Bo decide to investigate, and it leads them into an old pirate legend that may not be legend after all.
This series has been a great one, and I’m really sad to see it end at only three books. I loved Bo. Seriously, loved him. He’s the best hero in the series. I liked Astrid, but I felt like she needed to grow up in between the last book and this one. And she’s still so young, both literally (I think she’s 19), and figuratively. I thought going away to college would have helped, and it did, but she still came back super teenagerish. I was hoping for more from her.
While the two of them try to figure out where that yacht had been for a year, and what’s actually going on, they’re finally at the point that they are no longer pretending they aren’t in love with each other. And I think that was my favorite part of the book. They had real-world obstacles to overcome, in addition to the occult. I would love for the author to pick this series back up again, because there really aren’t enough historical paranormal romances out there. I mean, flappers, Prohibition, and ghosts? What’s not to love?
If you haven’t read this series, I highly recommend it. The writing style is fantastic, the storyline is exciting, and the characters are all like-able and relatable. Bootlegging, psychics, ancient pirate legends, and romance. You want this book.
***Review copy courtesy of Berkley Sensation
In this third (and last) installment of the Roaring Twenties series, we see Astrid, the youngest Magnusson sibling grow up a bit. She’s been in love with Bo Yeung since she was 14, but hasn’t been able to do anything about it. This is San Francisco in the ’20s after all. He’s Chinese, and she’s…not.
That’s one thing that I loved about this book. Their obstacles aren’t miraculously overcome simply because they’re in love. So while Astrid is down in Los Angeles trying to forget about Bo and go to college, and while Bo is still helping her brother run the bootlegging business, neither one of them pretends that they have a chance. And yet, each one hopes…
When Astrid comes back home for Christmas, she’s so mad that Bo isn’t there to greet her, so she goes down to the warehouse to give him a piece of her mind. But a yacht comes crashing into the docks. Literally. And something weird happens. It turns out this yacht has been missing for over a year, and none of the passengers on board can tell anyone their own names, let alone what has happened (this is something I feel was never explained properly, hence the 4 star rating. It really felt like the time frame was glossed over).
Once the police have come and gone, Bo and Astrid board the boat and Astrid picks something up. The second she touches it, she seizes and has a vision. She catches a glimpse of what happened on board and it is very scary. Possibly some weird ritual involving human sacrifice. By the time she comes to, the little turquoise idol she touched is inactive. But she’s not. She keeps catching glimpses of the past. She and Bo decide to investigate, and it leads them into an old pirate legend that may not be legend after all.
This series has been a great one, and I’m really sad to see it end at only three books. I loved Bo. Seriously, loved him. He’s the best hero in the series. I liked Astrid, but I felt like she needed to grow up in between the last book and this one. And she’s still so young, both literally (I think she’s 19), and figuratively. I thought going away to college would have helped, and it did, but she still came back super teenagerish. I was hoping for more from her.
While the two of them try to figure out where that yacht had been for a year, and what’s actually going on, they’re finally at the point that they are no longer pretending they aren’t in love with each other. And I think that was my favorite part of the book. They had real-world obstacles to overcome, in addition to the occult. I would love for the author to pick this series back up again, because there really aren’t enough historical paranormal romances out there. I mean, flappers, Prohibition, and ghosts? What’s not to love?
If you haven’t read this series, I highly recommend it. The writing style is fantastic, the storyline is exciting, and the characters are all like-able and relatable. Bootlegging, psychics, ancient pirate legends, and romance. You want this book.
***Review copy courtesy of Berkley Sensation
July 29, 2015
Review courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy.
If there is one thing the Roaring Twenties series has firmly established, it's that Jenn Bennett writes a damn good romance. GRAVE PHANTOMS is no exception to this rule, as Bo and Astrid's mutual crush finally takes center stage. And while the paranormal elements were interesting, I found myself completely focused on the very real obstacles facing a rich white girl and a middle class Asian boy who love each other dearly.
Both of the prior books in this series have offered glimpses of the chemistry between these main characters, and it was those hints that helped me get through Astrid's first few juvenile attempts to make Bo jealous. In addition to a romance that addresses racial prejudice in the 20's (such as the fact that it is illegal for Bo and Astrid to get married in most US states), there is also the socioeconomic questions they must face. Where could they live? How would they support themselves? I mean, don't get me wrong, the sex is awesome, but in addition to that, the issues slowing these two down were real, valid, and handled deftly.
The paranormal elements of GRAVE PHANTOMS were also well crafted, but I found them only tangentially interesting compared to the relationship between Bo and Astrid. A little hint of reality goes a long way in remaking familiar tropes into something thrilling and new, which GRAVE PHANTOMS proves to great effect.
Sexual content: Sex scenes, references to rape.
If there is one thing the Roaring Twenties series has firmly established, it's that Jenn Bennett writes a damn good romance. GRAVE PHANTOMS is no exception to this rule, as Bo and Astrid's mutual crush finally takes center stage. And while the paranormal elements were interesting, I found myself completely focused on the very real obstacles facing a rich white girl and a middle class Asian boy who love each other dearly.
Both of the prior books in this series have offered glimpses of the chemistry between these main characters, and it was those hints that helped me get through Astrid's first few juvenile attempts to make Bo jealous. In addition to a romance that addresses racial prejudice in the 20's (such as the fact that it is illegal for Bo and Astrid to get married in most US states), there is also the socioeconomic questions they must face. Where could they live? How would they support themselves? I mean, don't get me wrong, the sex is awesome, but in addition to that, the issues slowing these two down were real, valid, and handled deftly.
The paranormal elements of GRAVE PHANTOMS were also well crafted, but I found them only tangentially interesting compared to the relationship between Bo and Astrid. A little hint of reality goes a long way in remaking familiar tropes into something thrilling and new, which GRAVE PHANTOMS proves to great effect.
Sexual content: Sex scenes, references to rape.
May 24, 2015
An interesting plot and important inter-racial dynamics are marred by a heroine who is very young and very silly. Aside from her good looks and a shared childhood, she has little to offer the hero. Perhaps if Bo had been written as being much younger too, their relationship might have felt truer to me, but instead I spent the entire book wondering why he'd bother with a giddy little thing who ran around saying "Stars!" all the time. Yes, this could have worked as a YA addition to the series, but these characters cannot compete with the smarter, older, more worldly characters of the previous two books.
Read
June 3, 2015As much as I was enjoying the story, I was unable to finish reading my ARC copy because of formatting issues.
I'll do a full review when I get a finished copy of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Berkley NAL for a review copy of this book.
I'll do a full review when I get a finished copy of the book.
Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin Group Berkley NAL for a review copy of this book.
August 4, 2015
LOVE this series!
January 6, 2017
Third in the Roaring Twenties historical paranormal romance series and revolving around the Magnusson family in San Francisco. The couple focus is on Astrid and Bo.
My Take
Bennet does a nice job of making me feel like I'm in the 1920s, and the interaction between Astrid and Bo is sweet as is Aida and Hadley's support, but…
…the primary conflict in Grave Phantoms is the anti-miscegenation laws that forbid Astrid and Bo from even thinking of having a relationship. That it's totally illegal for a white person to have a relationship with a non-white person. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
My one problem with this conflict is that while Bennett says it's a problem, it doesn't show up in the action as a problem. There's no actual conflict. Just a lot of talk, talk, talk about how awful it is that each loves the other…and…sob…they can never be together. Part of me wanted to smack 'em and tell 'em to move to some place where they can be together.
It's but one part of the half-measures that abound throughout Grave Phantoms. I did enjoy reading this, but Bennett never really commits to emotion or danger. The whole scene with the bad guys indicating that she might survive…that cliché no one ever actually believes…is undercut even more by the rest of the "conversation" amongst the pirates. The storm that never comes to anything. Their shared belief that Winter will be furious. Aida's sickly condition that doesn't go anywhere.
That initial conflict with Astrid raking Bo down for not taking time off from work seemed out of character for her.
Lol, sounds like Astrid and Bo visited their day's version of the Mitchell Brothers. Hmmm, I wonder if she did use that mirror later…?
And from the epilogue, I suspect this is the end of the series, which is a bummer, as I have enjoyed the combination of bootlegging, archeology, and the 1920s.
The Story
It didn't work. Going away to college was supposed to diminish the attraction feisty flapper Astrid Magnusson has for her brother's second-in-command. But not even the threat of the incoming storm that is already flooding the piers can dampen Astrid's hopes until the storm sends a mysterious yacht crashing into the Magnussons' docks.
The Plumed Serpent disappeared a year ago, and the survivors who are staggering off seem more like zombies…leading to an encounter that impacts Bo and Astrid with the haunting visions she has about the yacht's disappearance.
Danger that brings all of Bo's protective instincts to the fore even as they plunge into an underground world of dark magic and Aztec ritual.
Danger that will drive them closer together, but the greater risk will be in surviving their own forbidden feelings.
The Characters
Astrid "Mui-mui" Magnusson is the youngest of the bootlegging Magnusson family and is on academic probation.
The twenty-one-year-old Yeung "Ah-Sing" Bo-sing is Winter's captain.
Winter Magnusson is the oldest sibling and in charge of the family business, Magnusson Fish Company (during the day) which is based in San Francisco. He's married to Aida who is a trance medium ( Bitter Spirits , 1), and they have a daughter, Karin. Sam is their guard dog.
Professor Lowe Magnusson, a treasure hunter, is another brother who is married to Hadley, a museum curator at the de Young Museum ( Grim Shadows , 2), and they have an adopted five-year-old daughter, the deaf Stella Goldberg. Number Five is Hadley's cat. The Sheuts are Mori specters, shadowy hounds of hell, that show up when Hadley is upset.
Jonte is the family driver; Benita is the seamstress; and, Greta is the disapproving head housekeeper. Old Bertha is the stuffed shark mascot for the company.
The Gris-Gris Club, a black-and-tan joint, is owned by Velma Toussaint, a hoodoo and former dancer who inherited the club and is supplied by Winter. It features a house band and various stage acts. Daniels is the club manager; Hezekiah and Joe are bouncers. Leroy Garvey is a regular patron.
Dr. Maria Navarro and her colleague, Mathilda King, are experts on Aztec and Mayan culture and are referred to as the Wicked Wenches. The snotty and bigoted Mrs. Humphreys is one of their tenants; her husband is a state senator. Mr. Laroche is the elevator operator in the building. Hambry is the chief of police. Officer Barlow is a jerk. Nurse Dupree works at the hospital, as does Nurse Sue who does favors for Bo.
Chinatown
Ju Wong is a tong leader who owns a sewing factory and runs a house of prostitution. Sylvia Fong, a switchboard operator, once dated Bo…along with her twin sister, Amy. Andy Lee is their boss at the telephone office. Dr. Moon stitches up injuries for Asians who would not be accepted in a hospital; Le-Ann is his wife. Mr. Han is interested in Bo coming in with his fishing company. Mrs. Lin owns a restaurant.
KPO Radio is a National Broadcasting Club affiliate radio station located in the Hale Brothers department store building. Girl Friday is a half-hour program for women in San Francisco.
The Plumed Serpent is…
…a yacht that disappeared a year ago. Mrs. Cushing is the owner. Mary Richards was her missing maid. Dan is Mrs. Cushing's houseboy. Little Mike has a part-time job as a guard. Marty Haig had been the boat's captain.
Max Nance, a.k.a., Kit Manson, is colleagues with Bechard, and Jean Fleury, a French privateer; they serve the Sibyl. Babel's Tower is a dance hall on Terrific Street where the Pieces of Eight meet. Mad Hammett is in charge of the dancers, of whom Bebe is one.
UCLA is…
…where Astrid is attending college. Jane is her dorm mate. Professor Luke Barnes is a predator.
A black-and-tan club means societal restrictions are ignored. A huli jing is a fox spirit. Mary is one of Astrid's friends. Mrs. Bacall is a curator who knows all about Egyptian funerary customs.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a contrast in brights and subdued colors against a bright deep blue night sky with a ghostly wisp of red emerging from Chinatown in the background and wending its way across the street and around Astrid and Bo. The blonde Astrid has a turquoise feathered band encircling her head and wears a deep teal sleeveless flapper dress while pressed up against a very dapper Bo in his patterned vest, white shirt with tie, and dress pants and who has his arms around her. The title is in a Deco-like font in red with a stylized gray iris slanting down between the title and the series information. The author's name is in white at the bottom.
The title is Astrid's nemeses, the Grave Phantoms targeting her aura.
My Take
Bennet does a nice job of making me feel like I'm in the 1920s, and the interaction between Astrid and Bo is sweet as is Aida and Hadley's support, but…
…the primary conflict in Grave Phantoms is the anti-miscegenation laws that forbid Astrid and Bo from even thinking of having a relationship. That it's totally illegal for a white person to have a relationship with a non-white person. Sounds familiar, doesn't it?
My one problem with this conflict is that while Bennett says it's a problem, it doesn't show up in the action as a problem. There's no actual conflict. Just a lot of talk, talk, talk about how awful it is that each loves the other…and…sob…they can never be together. Part of me wanted to smack 'em and tell 'em to move to some place where they can be together.
It's but one part of the half-measures that abound throughout Grave Phantoms. I did enjoy reading this, but Bennett never really commits to emotion or danger. The whole scene with the bad guys indicating that she might survive…that cliché no one ever actually believes…is undercut even more by the rest of the "conversation" amongst the pirates. The storm that never comes to anything. Their shared belief that Winter will be furious. Aida's sickly condition that doesn't go anywhere.
That initial conflict with Astrid raking Bo down for not taking time off from work seemed out of character for her.
Lol, sounds like Astrid and Bo visited their day's version of the Mitchell Brothers. Hmmm, I wonder if she did use that mirror later…?
And from the epilogue, I suspect this is the end of the series, which is a bummer, as I have enjoyed the combination of bootlegging, archeology, and the 1920s.
The Story
It didn't work. Going away to college was supposed to diminish the attraction feisty flapper Astrid Magnusson has for her brother's second-in-command. But not even the threat of the incoming storm that is already flooding the piers can dampen Astrid's hopes until the storm sends a mysterious yacht crashing into the Magnussons' docks.
The Plumed Serpent disappeared a year ago, and the survivors who are staggering off seem more like zombies…leading to an encounter that impacts Bo and Astrid with the haunting visions she has about the yacht's disappearance.
Danger that brings all of Bo's protective instincts to the fore even as they plunge into an underground world of dark magic and Aztec ritual.
Danger that will drive them closer together, but the greater risk will be in surviving their own forbidden feelings.
The Characters
Astrid "Mui-mui" Magnusson is the youngest of the bootlegging Magnusson family and is on academic probation.
The twenty-one-year-old Yeung "Ah-Sing" Bo-sing is Winter's captain.
Winter Magnusson is the oldest sibling and in charge of the family business, Magnusson Fish Company (during the day) which is based in San Francisco. He's married to Aida who is a trance medium ( Bitter Spirits , 1), and they have a daughter, Karin. Sam is their guard dog.
Professor Lowe Magnusson, a treasure hunter, is another brother who is married to Hadley, a museum curator at the de Young Museum ( Grim Shadows , 2), and they have an adopted five-year-old daughter, the deaf Stella Goldberg. Number Five is Hadley's cat. The Sheuts are Mori specters, shadowy hounds of hell, that show up when Hadley is upset.
Jonte is the family driver; Benita is the seamstress; and, Greta is the disapproving head housekeeper. Old Bertha is the stuffed shark mascot for the company.
The Gris-Gris Club, a black-and-tan joint, is owned by Velma Toussaint, a hoodoo and former dancer who inherited the club and is supplied by Winter. It features a house band and various stage acts. Daniels is the club manager; Hezekiah and Joe are bouncers. Leroy Garvey is a regular patron.
Dr. Maria Navarro and her colleague, Mathilda King, are experts on Aztec and Mayan culture and are referred to as the Wicked Wenches. The snotty and bigoted Mrs. Humphreys is one of their tenants; her husband is a state senator. Mr. Laroche is the elevator operator in the building. Hambry is the chief of police. Officer Barlow is a jerk. Nurse Dupree works at the hospital, as does Nurse Sue who does favors for Bo.
Chinatown
Ju Wong is a tong leader who owns a sewing factory and runs a house of prostitution. Sylvia Fong, a switchboard operator, once dated Bo…along with her twin sister, Amy. Andy Lee is their boss at the telephone office. Dr. Moon stitches up injuries for Asians who would not be accepted in a hospital; Le-Ann is his wife. Mr. Han is interested in Bo coming in with his fishing company. Mrs. Lin owns a restaurant.
KPO Radio is a National Broadcasting Club affiliate radio station located in the Hale Brothers department store building. Girl Friday is a half-hour program for women in San Francisco.
The Plumed Serpent is…
…a yacht that disappeared a year ago. Mrs. Cushing is the owner. Mary Richards was her missing maid. Dan is Mrs. Cushing's houseboy. Little Mike has a part-time job as a guard. Marty Haig had been the boat's captain.
Max Nance, a.k.a., Kit Manson, is colleagues with Bechard, and Jean Fleury, a French privateer; they serve the Sibyl. Babel's Tower is a dance hall on Terrific Street where the Pieces of Eight meet. Mad Hammett is in charge of the dancers, of whom Bebe is one.
UCLA is…
…where Astrid is attending college. Jane is her dorm mate. Professor Luke Barnes is a predator.
A black-and-tan club means societal restrictions are ignored. A huli jing is a fox spirit. Mary is one of Astrid's friends. Mrs. Bacall is a curator who knows all about Egyptian funerary customs.
The Cover and Title
The cover is a contrast in brights and subdued colors against a bright deep blue night sky with a ghostly wisp of red emerging from Chinatown in the background and wending its way across the street and around Astrid and Bo. The blonde Astrid has a turquoise feathered band encircling her head and wears a deep teal sleeveless flapper dress while pressed up against a very dapper Bo in his patterned vest, white shirt with tie, and dress pants and who has his arms around her. The title is in a Deco-like font in red with a stylized gray iris slanting down between the title and the series information. The author's name is in white at the bottom.
The title is Astrid's nemeses, the Grave Phantoms targeting her aura.
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