I’m such a fan of The Inheritance Games series and SO glad it got a sequel.
Excuse me while I settle down with this book and a hot chocolate for some pleasurable wish-fulfilment (referring to inheriting an eccentric billionaire’s fortune fyi — not the murder attempts Avery goes through….pass on those). But I am here for TIPS 🙌🏻 10/10 would like a fortune too.
The sequel kicks off directly where book 1 left off. You can catch my review of The Inheritance Games here! I didn’t have time for a reread, but I lowkey wish I had because there are a LOT of characters. It does a bit of a recap, but I was struggling to remember some of the minor characters. (The Laughlin family tree left me fuzzy, but that’s on me.) We launch instantly into the new puzzles and twists: with Avery and Jameson making a bet on who can solve the mystery first. Is Toby Hawthorne still alive.
I really don’t want to spoil anything but just know that there are a LOT OF TWISTS. There are twists that double back on themselves just to leave you pleasantly spinning. A lot of it is about family trees and the past too, so we get to unpack the mystery behind Toby’s “death” and start chewing through more clues on WHY Avery was chosen to inherit the Hawthorne fortune (also why Tobias disinherited all his kids too). The whole book is so thoroughly unpredictable too. I love that. I love how I never knew what would happen next, which twists would toss me off the next proverbial cliff, or who would even be telling the truth.
“Allow me to let you in on a Hawthorne trade secret, Heiress: There are no rules that matter more than winning.”
Avery really does NOT rest or catch a break through all of her powering through the clues and unravelling mysteries. Which like I get, but also (a) girl is not enjoying her fortune very much, and (b) I want to know how Mr Hawthorne even had time to amass his billions because all he seemed to do was leave clues and puzzles within clues and puzzles for his kids/grandkids to solve 20 years later. There is a lot of rich people angst here, but pfft, it was fun.
Also the characters continue to be my favourite!! I love Avery. I love how she’s still an overwhelmed, rough-around-the-edges teen who gets annoyed at rich people protocols and literally has no idea how to enjoy being famous. She is very reserved still, very unwilling to want things in case they’re snatched away. Also I lowkey love her relationship to her lawyers/surveillance team 🥺 I know it’s just their job, but Alisa and Oren are the best and care for her so much.
And those stupid Hawthorne boys 😪👌🏻 I love them. Greyson, the composed cool calm and collected young mister business man. Jameson, the absolute charming suave little shit who is all about puzzles and games and being enigmatic while a little bit tortured. Xander, who is just cheerful and fun and isn’t into his older brothers’ dramas and always inventing some robot contraption. Jameson is my favourite, I will not lie. I just love his devil-may-care attitude until he realises that he does, in fact, care quite a lot. Also Greyson/Jameson are drama queens with their brotherly challenges to each other and I love them but they’re also idiots 😂 (Also I realise Nash is the fourth Hawthorne brother, but let’s agree he’s useless.)
Games, twisted secrets, ridiculous wealth, and shocking revelations — this is such a deliciously enjoyable mystery series and so unputdownable. I need more.
Thanks to Penguin Australia for the review copy! It’s out Sept 14th, 2021.
Intrigue, riches, and romance abound in this thrilling sequel to the New York Times bestselling The Inheritance Games, perfect for fans of Karen McManus and Holly Jackson.
The Inheritance Games ended with a bombshell, and now heiress Avery Grambs has to pick up the pieces and find the man who might hold the answers to all of her questions – including why Tobias Hawthorne left his entire fortune to Avery, a virtual stranger, rather than to his own daughters or grandsons.
As the mystery grows and the plot thickens, Grayson and Jameson, the enigmatic and magnetic Hawthorne grandsons, continue to pull Avery in different directions. And there are threats lurking around every corner, as adversaries emerge who will stop at nothing to see Avery out of the picture – by any means necessary.
With nonstop action, aspirational jet-setting, family intrigue, swoonworthy romance, and billions of dollars hanging in the balance, The Hawthorne Legacy will thrill Jennifer Lynn Barnes fans and new readers alike.
Goodreads | Book Depository | Booktopia | Penguin AUS
I’m waiting on my hold to come in at the library for the newest book, but after reading this, I’m thinking I should go back and revisit the first book! I loved the first book so much!
It was SO good for sure!! When book 3 comes out, I’m hoping to do a full series reread.