The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes [Ft. Teenage Billionaires, Puzzles, And Plot Twists!]

Avery Grambs was living in her car one day, and heiress to a billionare legacy the next.

The rags to riches story is made entirely more captivating by the fact: she has no idea why she was chosen. She’s not related. She doesn’t even think she ever met philanthropist, Tobias Hawthorne. Make it make senseeeee, Avery thinks, but also she is not knocking this insane opportunity.

But she is this outsider that’s just snatched away this fortune from the real Hawthorne family, including his four grandsons who are basically disinherited in a snap. There are mothers, aunts, and cousins all coldly furious over this and wondering if they can contest the will and looking for loopholes. Like…who inherits if Avery mysteriously….dies?

It’s quite character driven too!

The plot is knotted complexed weave of clues to follow and riddles to solve, but it’s very focused on the brilliant cast of characters. Avery is a fantastic narrator: no nonsense attitude, very pragmatic, and also addicted to logic and strategy. She’s also kind and not bedazzled by privledge since she comes from a hard background, and was nearly homeless. But as the stakes get higher and there’s a murder attempt — she isn’t sure if she’s cut out for this. (She also has the sweetest relationship with her older half sister and I loved them!!)

Then we have the four Hawthorn boys: Nash, Grayson, Jameson, and Xander. Um, I kind of loved them all 👀💛 Brother stories with messy complicated dynamics are my absolute favourite. The brothers brought such complicated dynamics to the page and NO ONE was straightforward or reliable.

• Nash: he’s the oldest and not as involved in the mystery. A cowboy, one who travels and kind of rescues poor lost souls.
• Grayson: he’s 19 and reminded me of Gansey, but like…if Gansey had a super cold streak. He’s the one who’s lost EVERYTHING by Avery appearing and inheriting all. He’s trained to rule this empire and now it’s just …gone.
• Jameson: he is our soft manic pixie dream boy and I loved him 😭no regrets. He’s the tortured genius, the one with no self regard and is whimsical as well as self destructive. He also lives for puzzles and solving things and winning.
• Xander: the soft baby brother!! Except he’s super tall and also a genius?! He is all about scones and building robots…and keeping many mysteries in his own pockets.

Also it wasn’t quite a love triangle, but the VIBES. I freaking love it.

The only things I have reservations about were: I expected a bigger, flashier finale, and felt it wasn’t as climactic as I hoped. I wanted a bit more emotion from the brothers too…and omg this is petty but AVERY’S BODY GUARD NEVER SLEPT. I worried for him 😭😂 Can someone pls relieve this man so he may rest.

The book is as compelling as it is excellently written, a twisty delight that will leave your mind racing.

It’s this whirlwind of being crashed into a world of grossly gorgeous riches and power, where you could literally change the world if you chose. But why is Avery there and what on earth is she doing? And who wants to kill her for this “mistake”? It also does talk a bit about the gross wealth, how the rich thrive while others suffer, and responsibility to change (basically rule!) the world.

Also. I am so relieved there’s a sequel because I want more from these characters.