Honestly, it reminded me of the "39 Clues" but on steroids and a ton more intrigue and romance. I didn't love the way it started but it wasn't that bad. It kind of started as almost the main character speaking to a journal, and I didn't love that.

But besides that it was such an intriguing and captivating book. One I'm hoping has a sequel in the future because the way it ended cannot be the way it ends. I do wish that Avery had a tiny bit more self awareness but, again, it wasn't something terrible for me. The character development was really great and really well written. It wasn't too fast but it definitely did not drag on. I would have been happy with a reverse harem ending but that's not mainstream yet so whatever. Either way the relationship the four brothers had with each other as well as with Avery was amazing. As was the relationship between between Avery and Libby. In all, the mystery was enticing wand the relationships were captivating. The diversity was *chef's kiss* and the cliffhangers has me hungry for more.

I love me a good mansion-filled-with-secrets story! This book had me enthralled right from the start and up until the end. I was hooked and I need more! I cannot wait until the next book because I need to know more about Tobias’ secrets!!!

This is my first (can you believe it?) and certainly not last Jennifer Lynn Barnes book. This is a wild story about a girl who is suddenly thrust into billionaire status (and the public eye that comes with it). Avery is very much not expecting to inherit a stranger's entire fortune, but here she is, with the caveat that she must live in the deceased's home, Hawthorne House, for one year. Of course, also living at Hawthorne House are the man's still living relatives, who have just found out they've been disinherited, whoopsie!

Obviously this is some kind of test for Avery, but no one quite knows how or why. And as Avery investigates, with the sometimes-help of some of the Hawthorne grandsons, all kinds of secrets begin to unfurl. I won't lie, I had a wee bit of trouble at the start of the book figuring out the brothers, and who was connected to who, and what they meant within this family. It's a fairly large group, but they are all well fleshed out as characters, so as the story went on I definitely was able to decipher them better.

Avery is dealing with all kinds of issues that many teens would be going through: changing schools and making new friends, her sister's abusive boyfriend, and her blossoming feelings for... well, more than one of the Hawthorne grandsons. But in addition to these more usual problems, she has to cope with press junkets, making proper appearances at events, running a philanthropic organization, all while just trying to live her life. It's a lot, but if anyone can do it, Avery can! The mysteries of Hawthorne House just add to the curiosity of why Avery is there to begin with, and it's what made me itch to keep reading.

Bottom Line: Such a fun story of secrets, mysteries, and family, I am definitely looking forward to the sequel!

If you've read a book by this author before, you will absolutely feel at home picking this one up. Barnes has a style that feels very familiar even if her plots vary. At first, though, I'll admit this gave me a bit more than just a familiar vibe with the 'girl uprooted and thrown into wealthy family dynamic' concept which we saw in both the the <i>Fixer</i> and the <i>Debutantes</i> series but shortly after the introduction of said trope it this diverges into it's own story, just like the other books did. Plus, I mean, that does seem to be Barnes' preferred way of kicking things off. It's definitely on brand. And that's not a complaint.

"<i>I am currently looking at a picture of Jameson Hawthorne. Gotta say. He's faxable.</i>"
"<b>Max!</b>"
"<i>I'm just saying, he looks like he knows his way around a fax machine. He's probably really great at dialing the numbers. I bet he's even faxed long distance.</i>"
"<b>I have no idea what you're even talking about anymore.</b>"

THE INHERITANCE GAMES completely sucked me in for the span of an afternoon and that's another thing readers familiar with this author know to expect. Not only does she plot out a tense thriller but her books are compulsively readable and often a lot of fun even when the stakes are high. She also loves to torment her protagonists by bouncing them off a variety of personas and we definitely had those, too. I definitely felt this particular group was appropriate not only for the circumstances but also as a result of their upbringing but I'll admit I wasn't quite won over by them. I think it felt like they were trying too hard to lean into their archetype and I never quite bought it. I liked those more on the periphery, connected to the family but not the actual players, like the main lawyer liason and the bodyguard (and maybe because those two were often in the same scenes? hard to know!), but overall this might've been my least favourite ensemble from this author; at least from the last few releases. But the excitement of the thrills, the mystery, the games? I was hooked.

"<i>[it's] not a figment of Thea's delightfully vindictive imagination.</i>"
"<b>Xander</b>."
"<i>I said she was <b>delightfully</b> vindictive.</i>"
"<u>If I were a boy, people would just call me driven</u>."
"<b>Thea."
"<u>Right. No feminism at the dinner table.</u>"

Barnes does mix things up with the romance, however. She's known for little to almost no romance in many of her stories and this one.. well, there's an element. I've never minded the lack of it because I've always found Barnes' stories to be strong enough to not need that as a distraction but I was totally open for seeing where things might go. And sadly I think this might've been a case akin to going from abstaining to.. overdoing it. Not in content but in abstract. I don't what to spoil to how or why but it's not my favourite trope and because of not really being sold on the characters themselves, either..? It didn't help matters. But I'm open to seeing where this goes because of course I'm excited for a follow up and to see what is in store for these characters after certain final-chapter reveals. Because you know this isn't the end of the secrets or the game.

<i>I knew better than to put any confidence in the assurances of good-looking guys.</i>

This twisty story definitely keeps you guessing, almost right up to the end, and the sheer craftiness of the method of the unveiling is unreal. But the message at the heart of it? You won't expect it.

I will forever mourn the unfinished <i>Fixer</i> series but as long as Barnes keeps setting new books out in the world? I'll be happy.

3.5 stars

I am not a fan of mystery or thriller, but throw in some Cinderella and a gorgeous cover mixed with billionaire drama and I'm sold. I'm so glad I gave this book a chance! I enjoyed the ride while reading it. This was full of twists, turns, secrets and puzzles. I felt like I was with the characters as they navigated the mansion.

Avery was such an interesting girl who has lived a hard-life, but she becomes a billionaire overnight with a condition: move into Tobias Hawthrone's mansion with his four grandsons (Nash, Grayson, Jameson and Xander). While at the mansion she has to deal with these boys while trying to figure out the puzzles left behind by Tobias.

I was totally sucked in from the first line. Each character was comical in their own way. They all were loved by me for very different reasons. Avery is a sassy girl who tries hard to live a good life, but with so many things in her way she pushes her way through. Nash is grandson who doesn’t care for the money at all. He comes and goes as he pleases. Alexander aka Xander is the more selfish grandson, he just wants and never seems to want to give. Grayson is the grandson to quickly distrust Avery and is searching for ways to discredit her. Lastly, Jameson is the one who seems to resembles his grandfather the most.

I am so excited for the sequel because this was a perfect start to a refreshing mystery!

“Was wanting to feel something other than awful really so wrong? ‘Everyone’s a little wrong sometimes, Heiress”

Avery Grambs has had it pretty rough but when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves her his fortune, she can’t believe her good luck but what’s the catch? Besides not having a clue who Tobias is or why he’d even consider leaving his fortune to her, Avery finds out that she must move into the Hawthorne House. Ah, and herein lies the rub! Every room a puzzle and a riddle but there’s another catch, Tobias left behind four very smart and very unhappy grandsons, each with their own issue with Avery inheriting what they thought was their fortune. It’s not long before someone is trying to murder her but who?

This is the most fun I’ve had reading a mystery/thriller! I loved Avery, she’s the perfect character to take on the challenge of Hawthorne House and its inhabitants. The supporting characters are just as interesting and engaging and the plot is non-stop thrills spiced with secrets, puzzles (and I love puzzles), romance and riddles! I’m hoping this is the start to a new series and if so, sign me up for the next book!

Thank you to Little, Brown Books for Young Readers, Jennifer Lynn Barnes & NetGalley for providing me this book in exchange for my review!

BOOK REPORT for The Inheritance Games (The Inheritance Games #1) by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

Cover Story: Montell Jordan
BFF Charm: Yay
Swoonworthy Scale: 5
Talky Talk: Westing Game Meets Knives Out
Bonus Factors: Rich Family, Mystery House
Factor: Series Starter
Anti-Bonus Factor: Abusive Ex
Relationship Status: I'll Bring the Declaration

Content Warning: There are scenes of an emotionally abusive nature and the aftermath of physical abuse in The Inheritance Games that might be triggering for some readers.

Cover Story:
This is no computer-generated awesomeness—the sculpture is a real, 3D masterpiece that I, were I Barnes, would 100% have framed and hung in my home in a place of honor.

The Deal:
Avery Grambs is living day-to-day, making ends meet the best she can. Her mother died, leaving her in the care of a half-sister, who's also struggling to keep afloat. All Avery wants to do is get through high school and college, and then find herself a job that allows her to travel.

When Avery's contacted by the estate of Tobias Hawthorne, eccentric billionaire philanthropist, Avery thinks it's a joke. She doesn't know Hawthorne and has no idea why he'd include her in his will. And when she hears that he's left her pretty much everything, she's certain that someone's messing with her. She's not entirely wrong; to get the inheritance, she must live for an entire year in Hawthorne House, a house filled with secret passages and puzzles … and Hawthorne's family, including the four Hawthorne grandsons, each of whom seems to be playing their own games.

BFF Charm: Yay
The fact that Avery's the youngest billionaire ever notwithstanding, I'd absolutely love to be friends with her—before or after her windfall. She's a smart—both street and book—young woman with a good head on her shoulders. Even when she doesn't have money to spare, she is kind to people less fortunate than her. She's extremely clever and sees the world around her differently than a lot of people, which comes in handy when trying to un-puzzle the world of Tobias Hawthorne. Her brain works totally different than mine, and it would be fascinating to hang out with her and learn how she arrives at her decisions and conclusions. And to be totally materialistic, the idea of being able to borrow my BFFs private jet on occasion isn't a bad prospect at all.

Swoonworthy Scale: 5
The three youngest Hawthorne grandsons—Grayson, Jameson, and Xander—are all around Avery's age, and all are both attractive and intriguing, a dangerous combination. But the position Avery finds herself in means that she can't really trust any of them even when her body's telling her to throw caution to the wind.

(Ed. note: Xander, the youngest, isn't really part of the equation, but there were moments when it seemed like he could be. The love triangle—and there's no mistaking that it is, indeed, a love triangle—is for the most part just between Grayson, Jameson, and Avery.)

Talky Talk: Westing Game Meets Knives Out
The idea of solving puzzles for an inheritance left by an eccentric billionaire isn't a new one, but it is always a fun trope to read. Barnes leans more toward the themes of The Westing Game in The Inheritance Games—Tobias's death wasn't suspicious—but the elements of the rich, entitled, shocked family with secrets feels very much like Knives Out.

The puzzles in The Inheritance Games leave a little to be desired; the nerdier side of me wanted more complexity in the explanations of the search for clues and answers than we got and meandering passages about Avery's travel through the house. (I mean, it had wings, plural, and myriad of secret passages that we only got to read about a few of.) The characters, particularly Grayson and Jameson, were the true puzzles of the book; it was hard to trust them, even past the end of the novel when more of their secrets were revealed. Barnes's background in psychology definitely comes into play here.

Bonus Factor: Rich Family
Although the family makeup is different than that of the Drysdales, the Hawthornes totally have the same vibe. None of the grandsons wears a cable knit sweater, sadly, but I can imagine at least one of them has one in their closet.

Bonus Factor: Mystery House
Tobias Hawthorne never finished building and changing Hawthorne House; he added wings and rooms and secret areas every year. It reminded me a ton of The Winchester Mystery House, with fewer paranormal aspects/doors that lead nowhere.

Factor: Series Starter
The Inheritance Games is a #1. There's a cliffhanger at the end of the book, but it's not so terrible that I am gnashing my teeth at the fact that I won't get to read the sequel until sometime in the future. I can't quite tell if it'll just be a duology or there are more planned, but I wouldn't mind chasing Tobias Hawthorne's crazy for a while yet.

Anti-Bonus Factor: Abusive Ex
Avery's sister has a horrible ex named Drake that is both emotionally and physically abusive. And, he sadly does not get kicked to the curb nearly soon enough for my preferences.

Relationship Status: I'll Bring the Declaration
You weren't as complex as I was hoping for, Book, but our adventures were exciting and our time together well-spent. I look forward to digging even deeper into your secrets the next time we meet.

Photos will be shared to Instagram for a bookstagram tour stop.

I'm not sure about you but I love an intelligent read. I was glad that The Inheritance Games was such.

This book was overall a great read, almost perfect for any age. (see notes below) It was a fun and engaging story full of mystery and wonder. It sounds (and looks) like a fantasy but it is very much set during the modern day in the US. That was a pleasant surprise and I really enjoyed how The Inheritance Games showed the day-to-day life of Avery.

One massive complaint that I have though is Jamison and Greyson. I could not keep these two separate. They were completely indistinguishable and I finally realized why. Their names are too similar (neither used nicknames) and my brain just did not like that.

You can find me *trying* to patiently wait for book two that releases sometime in 2021.



Rating: 4/5

Language: d*** and a** a few times, words were substituted as to not use the actual words

Romance: a kiss or two

Spiritual: n/a

Violence: a death that happened in the past, gunshot wounds



*I received a copy of this book from the publisher. All thoughts are my own and a positive review was not required.



Favorite Quotes:

A second later, my phone rang. "Are you really okay?" Max asked when I answered.

I looked back down at the postcards in my lap, and the muscles in my throat tightened. I would make it through high school. I'd apply for every scholarship I qualified for. I'd get a marketable degree that allowed me to work remotely and paid me well.

I'd travel the world.

I let out a long, jagged breath, and then answered Max's question. "You know me, Maxine. I always land on my feet."



"The entire world's going to want a piece of you, Mystery Girl. This has the story of the century written all over it."

Story of the century. My brain kicked back into gear because there was every indication that this wasn't a joke. I wasn't delusional. I wasn't dreaming.

I was an heiress.



"I don't know how you did this." He cut me off, his voice dangerous and soft. "I don't know what hold you had over my grandfather or what kind of con you're running here."

"I'm not--"

"I'm talking right now, Ms. Grambs." He placed his hand flat on the door. I'd been wrong about his eyes. They weren't pools. They were ice. "I haven't a clue how you pulled this off, but I will find out. I see you now. I know what you are and what you're capable of, and there is nothing I wouldn't do to protect my family. Whatever game you're playing here, no matter how long this con--I will find the truth, and God help me when I do."

This mash retelling of Cinderella with a mix of Knives Out is exactly what I never knew I needed. It was beautifully written, filled with suspense. and lots of action! This fast paced read, was filled with surprises, and I couldn't get enough! I also love the fact that it kept me guessing, and just when I though I knew what was in store next, I was taken aback, with an unexpected twist after another.
I almost wish I could read it again for the first time feels! I definitely recommend it to fans of The Hunger Games, the Maze Runner.. and anyone who loves a good mystery, and a story that will keep you on your toes the entire way through!

The first page is awe-striking and gut punching. Not in a big moment type of way, but in a slow burn. The Inheritance Games was one heck of a twisted thrill ride that literally will have you guessing until the very end.

Right when you meet our protagonist, Avery you know that our story is going to be some-what dark. Her live was not sheltered, glitzy, or glam. She had it tough growing up and now she is thrown into a huge mystery with no one going out of their way to help her. I really felt for Avery reading this book, yet at the same time she’s very strong of heart and courage despite everything.

On the other side was our Hawthorne men. Man, I loved Xander’s character so much. He was so aloof yet intelligent, hilarious, and all around the type of guy who you would want as your best friend. Then we have Nash, the eldest brother who played a great part in the story. Finally Jameson and Grayson the two Hawthorne brothers with the largest role. They are both very different from one another, yet also very similar. They equally play a huge part in Avery’s story and even though it was somewhat a “love triangle”, I didn’t feel as if there was much romance in the story. If I had to choose though… I would have been team Grayson all the way. I loved his hard exterior and the way he was so protective.

Overall this story was absolutely fantastic. I adored reading every twist, every “oh-crap” moment, every thrill in each turn. Jennifer Lynn Barnes absolutely has you guessing until the very end and even then she leaves us with another mystery to ponder. I will say this book is not the light and airy YA read a lot of people love. It is more mysterious, more dark and foreboding, and honestly I LOVED it. Anytime a book makes you constantly thinking and guessing and making your heart race… I am in!!

I am getting more and more into mysteries, and this reads like a YA Knives Out. A super fun, super twisty adventure for survival, I loved this so much, I am very excited another book is planned! Jennifer Lynn Barnes does mysteries very well (check out her The Naturals series for some great thrillers).

Avery is a fun point of view to follow. She is struck just as incredulous by the situation she is placed in as the rest of the characters, but she is tough! To survive the Hawthornes, she needs to be. The characterization really makes the book sing; each character, through there is a large cast, stands out. They each give an interesting aspect to the overall plot. Of course, there are four dreamy boys, all expecting to have inherited part of their grandfather's estate. Oh what is a girl to do with these guys trying to figure her out, while she's figuring everything else out? This romance really rounds out the plot. Who doesn't like a little love with their mystery?

Someone who reads a lot of mysteries may be able to predict some of the twists, but each turn pleasantly surprised me. I loved trying to guess, along with Avery, how she plays into this last game of Tobias Hawthorne. If you are into escape rooms and puzzles, you will get sucked into this story, as Avery combs through the mansion to find clues left behind to help solve the mystery. Is there more to it than meets the eye? You better believe it.

A fast-paced murder mystery with some love triangles thrown in, The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a perfect hunker down and binge read!

** spoiler alert ** I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

YES FINALLY, A BOOK THAT GAVE ME ADRENALINE RUSH.

IT'S BEEN SUCH A LONG TIME.

Can we please all give a moment to the author for just getting straight to the point and not overdoing the tragic backstory trope
As someone who is incredibly reasonably impatient, I can't express my gratitude enough for the author just getting to the point of Avery acquiring the inheritance, moving to the Hawthorne House, and starting the mystery. Instead of dragging out the descriptions of Avery's poverty lifestyle and tragic backstory for three chapters before finally getting to the story.

There's a bit reverse harem in this book
I'm emphasizing on this just in case if you're not used to reverse harem (or am not aware of its upcoming presence), it might become a...non-pleasant surprise that can taint your reading experience. It was fine for me (but I have my own problems with it, regarding Emily, I'll get to it later), so I'm just bolding this as a friendly tip to prepare you dear reader who might go into this book to maximum your enjoyment.

Let's talk about Emily
I'm sorry, normally I wouldn't include spoilers in my reviews because I want to recommend books, but I really want to talk about Emily because I am left in so much dilemma after her character's revelation.

Emily was one of the featured mysteries that drove many of the motivations behind the character's actions in this book, so her role was quite important. However I didn't like her at all, and it upset me quite a bit how loved she was and how good, perfect - almost angelic - her portrayal was.

Yes, I understand the concept of not speaking ill fo the dead. But I think we still need to point how the toxic nature of Emily and her presence on the entire Hawthorne family. Emily is described by the characters as "beautiful and smart", but also incredibly manipulating and obsessively dominating. I think there's a narcissistic nature to her character as well seeing how unregretful she is at ruining the relationship between Jameson and Grayson, as well as how she guilted Rebecca and Thea against their relationship. She is the epitome of a toxic individual because she does nothing but inflict chaos and ruin relationships for her own selfish desires with no care of the consequences. She abuses people in her life who loves her, and cares for her, and causes so much pain. I still empathize with her heart condition and her unfortunate/untimely death, but that doesn't excuse her domineering and toxic behaviors when she was alive.

Overall, the mystery flowed in a very logical and understanding manner throughout the entire book
The mystery was very well written. There's a clear logic toward everything that happens, especially regarding how they go from one hint to another as they slowly unravel the mystery. This makes the book easy to follow and pleasant to read.

So yeah, I love this book. And if you'll excuse me, I'll be now spending hours looking through YA mystery book recommendations now.

This book was received from the Author, and Publisher, in exchange for an honest

The Inheritance Games is the first thrilling instalment in a new series from a phenomenal storyteller.

Avery Grambs a seventeen year old teenager, who life is not easy, living in the care of her older half sister on the brink of poverty. Her one notable talent is her astonishing mathematically ability, that seems to go unnoticed in school until very recently.

Her presence has been requested to a reading of a will, from a man that she has no knowledge of. Even more strange is that her name is actually on will, the reading takes place in Texas, at the Estate of the late Tobias Hawthorne. Who seems to have made her an heiress to a billion-dollar fortune. She is the only one to receive the bulk from Mr Tobias Hawthorne fortune and known seems to know why. Needless to say this has turned the complete Hawthorne family on its head.

“The old man was playing the long game.”

There is one catch though, in order for her have access to what is now her astronomical fortune, she must consent to reside at Hawthorne House for a year living alongside his family. Shocked and confused both Avery and the rest of late Hawthorne family, along with the Billionaire grandson’s must take everything in stride, or at least pretend to. The Mansion is a treasure trove of secrets waiting to be solved, along with engaging insane question as to why Avery?

This is a wonderful thrilling book, that will have turning those pages as fast you can.
A stunning on the edge of your seat kind of read. One that you want to unravel, and align all the jigsaw puzzle pieces together.
An addictive reading game that takes the reader on a quest, along with Avery to understand the reason behind the eccentric, a done right mischievous Tobias Hawthorne. Like any pretentious family they are overly fond of losing all that money to a compete strange.
The author seamlessly narration moves along as the mystery unfolds and each every character is a three dimensional. Jennifer Lynn Barnes meticulously uses two of my all favorite tropes in this captivating ya novel. The reader is gifted with a subtle love triangle, along with the “ The Teenage Chosen One” trope.
The plot twist and the authors ability to create an exceptional storyline is the reason she has a cult following.
The book ends on a delightful cliffhanger ending, to allow the reader a set up for more to come in this fast paced Ya Contemporary Thriller.

This one book that you do not want to pass by.
I highly recommend it to my family and friends

#TheInheritanceGames

I received an ARC from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. My thoughts and opinions are my own. Any quotes I use are from an unpublished copy and may not reflect the finished product.

I LOVED THIS BOOK SO MUCH! Jennifer Lynn Barnes has really outdone herself with The Inheritance Games, and I'm still trying to wrap my head around its contents! There were riddles, puzzles, hidden compartments, secret passageways, clues AND SO MUCH MORE. I was constantly surprised by the story as it developed, and instantly fell in love with the characters. I devoured this book in a single day, so be sure to clear your calendars! The Inheritance Games is going to consume your every waking thought (and possibly some unconscious ones) and be impossible to put down.

My one teeny tiny quibble: the romance. There's a love triangle, which I'm firmly against in all genres unless there are EXTREME and EXTENUATING circumstances. Neither of those applied to this book, so that aspect was disappointing. Avery also developed feelings for two of the Hawthorne brothers relatively quickly, and it wasn't entirely believable. Her world was just flipped upside down, someone might be trying to kill her, and she's swoony for one person's shirtless body and another's piercing eyes. I can see how she might potentially fall into a relationship with one of them, but the insinuation that she has feelings for both really soured my mood regarding the romance. Regardless, I know which Hawthorne I would pick. ;)

Enough of that! The rest of the book was marvelous! Granddaddy Hawthorne passed away and left one last game in his wake. He made sure all of his grandsons would be there to participate, and he threw Avery into the mix to make things interesting. I loved learning about Hawthorne House and its inhabitants, and I cannot wait to revisit its secrets and hidden mysteries. Unlike Avery, the Hawthorne brothers are used to playing their grandfather's games, but she's smart and a quick learner. Avery starts finding clues on her own and sharing the information when it benefits her, but she also depends on the brothers to be generous with their knowledge as well.

There is so much going on in this book, and I have no idea how the author turned all of the threads into one coherent story. I can't imagine thinking up and creating all of the riddles, hidden latches and buttons, and everything else this book contained. Wonderfully written and incredibly imaginative - - I would give Barnes a standing ovation if I could.

If you like books that make you think, The Inheritance Games will challenge even the most accomplished readers. I had absolutely no idea how this story would play out, and I loved it! I should be a ballerina for how often the author kept me on my toes. 🩰 Seriously, put this one on your TBRs! Oh, and don't trust anyone! ;) (★★★★⋆)

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Lynn Barnes and this book just adds to the reasons why I love her novels. I stayed up halfway through the night just so I could finish this book. I just couldn't put it down!

Avery Grambs is a fierce, crazy smart, and independent female character. She is so genuine you can't help but cheer her on. Her life hasn't been easy and she's had to fight her way through poverty and loss of a parent. One day, out of the blue, she learns she is named as a beneficiary in the will of a billionaire, Tobias Hawthorne, a man she has never met. There are so many twists and turns and amazing characters in this story. If you love mysteries and suspense, especially the movie, "Knives Out", this is a must-read!

Thanks to NetGalley, Little, Brown and Company, and Jennifer Lynn Barnes for an advanced eBook in exchange for my honest review.

It’s been a while since I’ve binge read a book in one sitting, by The Inheritance Game had me in the edge of my seat trying to guess just what the heck was going on.

Avery was a character. She took no crap from these boys and knew how to hold her own. She was whip smart and good at solving puzzles. So when she’s thrown into this new life of wealth and games she adapts extremely well. I loved her sass and her dedication to her sister.

The Hawthorne boys were just on another level. All smart, extremely talented and hot. Must be nice to be the whole package. Nash, the oldest, was so sweet, caring and over the bs games his grandfather had been putting together for years. Greyson was a total bore. He kind of just faded into the background, the wet blanket of the group. Jameson was a shot of whiskey. High spirited and the poor boy felt everything. He was very one track minded though and I’ll be interested to see how he develops in the next book. Finally we have the baby of the boys, my sweet scone loving and brainiac Xander. I loved him so much! He was totally random, sweet as heck and hiding some pretty big secrets.

Like Jameson I was addicted to the game that Tobias Hawthorne has set into motion with his death. Why was Avery left to inherit everything? Was there any kind of connection? I rushed through this book for answers to my questions, to see if my predictions were correct. They weren’t but it was still fun being wrong.

There was a teeny tiny bit of romance, but it felt more thrill seeking and out of convenience than actual romance. A romance of opportunity if you will. I don’t want to spoil which boy, but I will say that I never felt like he saw Avery for who she was. Someone special no matter why she was brought here but because she could keep up.

The ending was actually super disappointing. I was expecting more, a big got you moment. Turns out the only thing I did guess right was the last big surprise at the end. After sitting on this book for a bit I also feel like I don’t really know any of the characters. I know Avery but everyone else is still a mystery except for maybe Xander who we got to know best out of the brothers. This is a series of some sort though so there will be more to come, just kind of wish I had gotten to know the brothers more in the first book. That being said though, it really did capture my attention and I enjoyed the fast-paced nature of the story.

The Inheritance Games is the first book in the young adult mystery series of the same name by author Jennifer Lynn Barnes. This book was so awesome! I enjoyed it immensely. It kind of reminded me of the movie Knives Out, minus the murder element. But both Knives Out and the Inheritance games feature crazy houses, zany families, eccentric gentlemen that have passed away, and a will reading where the bulk of the substantial estate goes to a non-family member. Knives out is one of my favorite movies that I have seen in a while, and now I can add The Inheritance Games to that favorites list. I loved the twisty events and secrets galore that Tobias Hawthorne laid out for our main character Avery and his four grandsons. If you are a fan of fun mystery books with a cool plotline, then The Inheritance Games is going to be a book that you do not want to miss.

In The Inheritance Games, we meet high school student Avery and right off the bat that we learn that Avery is smart, great at solving puzzles and that she has lived a pretty rough life so far. When she is whisked away to a billionaire’s house for a Will reading, her whole world changes. She learns that Billionaire Tobias Hawthorne has left the bulk of his estate to her. And the craziest part is that she doesn’t even know who Tobias Hawthorne is. As you can imagine, his daughters and grandsons are confused and maybe a little angry at the turn of events. But this is just the beginning because what happens next is a series of puzzles and clues for Avery and Tobias Hawthorne’s four grandsons- Jameson, Nash, Grayson, and Xander to try and solve.

The Inheritance Games is a really cool puzzle book with many mysteries to solve. As I was reading, I thought this book was going to be a standalone, but I was super excited to learn that it is going to be a series. Of course, I didn’t learn this until I got to the last page and saw the crazy cliffhanger that was waiting for me there. I loved the setting, the characters and the world that Jennifer Lynn Barnes created. I am not sure about the romance just yet. It has the possibility to develop into a few different things and I don’t want to voice any of my opinions until the next book. One because I am not sure what I want to happen exactly, and two because I am not quite sure if this is going to be a love triangle or not. It doesn’t really matter to me, because the romance was secondary to the puzzles, exploring this awesome mansion and solving the mystery that Tobias Hawthorne laid out for everyone. The Inheritance Game is a must read for all mystery lovers- young and old alike.

P.S. Jennifer did a great job researching estate planning and estate administration. The estate planning lawyer in me was squee-ing with delight every time I saw something new come up, like Slayer statutes, and lapse and anti lapse rules. Of course, Jennifer doesn’t use those terms, she keeps all of the legal stuff very accessible and easy to understand for the reader, but I could tell that she really did her research, and I appreciated it.

Any time something is compared to Knives Out, it’ll probably be my jam. So I couldn’t wait to get my hands on this book! I’m a sucker for sprawling mansions with secret passageways and hidden riddles.

Avery Grambs is just a normal teenage girl…until she finds out billionaire Tobias Hawthorne left her his entire inheritance of 42 billion dollars. But the Hawthorne family is used to a life of luxury, and they aren’t too thrilled to be disinherited.

Soon after, Avery – and the billionaire’s 4 grandsons – realize there’s a game hidden in the will. Avery is desperate to find out why she was chosen as this stranger’s heir, so she plays along, following every riddle and searching the mansion for clues.

But when Avery’s life is put in danger, she has to find out which of her new housemates wants her dead – before it’s too late.

This book was SO much fun – exactly what I was hoping for! It’s very much a cross between Knives Out and The Westing Game (both of which I am all about). There was some family drama, a little romance, and a whole lot of mystery and adventure.

Not only was it ridiculously entertaining, but it was also well written, with fully-formed and interesting characters. It goes without saying that I LOVED the setting. I mean, a mysterious mansion with hidden passageways, rooms to fit every possible activity, multiple libraries, and a dark forest on the grounds? Um, yes please.

I sometimes have trouble with YA books if they feel too young, but this one didn’t feel that way at all. I flew through this in one day, and am beyond excited that there’ll be a sequel!

Read this IMMEDIATELY if you like:

the Truly Devious series
games and riddles
Karen McManus/Holly Jackson
Knives Out or Clue
mysterious mansions

I knew The Inheritance Games had a lot to live up to. It was described as “A Cinderella story with deadly stakes and thrilling twists, perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out.” As a fan of the movie Knives Out and the book, One of Us is Lying, the book already had a weight to carry. Not to mention the description reminding me of one of my all time favorite Middle Grade books, The Westing Game. So going into it I was scared. In the end, Barnes did what Barnes does and wooed me with her storytelling talent.

The Inheritance Games is the story of Avery, a girl that lost her mother when she was around 15 and has being taken care of by her sister, Libby. Both girls are doing what they can to get by and it isn’t always easy. Until one day Avery is informed she is the heiress to a billionaire she has never met. Suddenly Avery and Libby are living in a mansion and Avery is dealing with the family that was disinherited. Using the clues left behind by Tobias Hawthorne and working the 4 Hawthorne brothers Avery tries to uncover the mystery of why she was named heiress to a fortune of a man she doesn’t know.

There wear a lot of things I really enjoyed about The Inheritance Games. First and foremost I loved the Hawthorne brothers. Each boy was completely different and had different reactions to being written out of the will. But they were also family and tried to remember that through out the whole story. I also really loved the puzzle aspect and how Avery was able to work with the boys or on her own to figure out what the clue meant. Also as weird as it is, I loved Hawthorne House. It kind of wish there was a map included in the book explaining it better. But what I loved the most was the aspect of the importance of family. That is the one part of the story that took me by surprise and the aspect I thing really grounded the book.

The truth is I really enjoyed The Inheritance Games. Was a bit long? Slightly, but it was also a really quick read and entertaining characters and a well thought out plot. Sure I felt the Knives Out vibe, but it is a book that stands on its own and doesn’t really need the comparisons. I really look forward to see what else Barnes brings us on what I hope is a long series of capers. Add this to your TBR.

THE INHERITANCE GAMES is a twisty mystery full of unique characters. Avery Grambs is living out of her car after her sister's abusive ex-boyfriend moves back in. Her mother died in the past, and her (half) sister is all she has. Then, suddenly, she is summoned to Texas for the reading of a will for one of the richest men in the world. Avery has never even really heard much about him, and this comes as a big surprise.

An even bigger surprise comes after the reading of the will - Avery is to inherit nearly all of his money and holdings. This will only happen if she moves into Hawthorne house with all of his family who were snubbed in the will. His four handsome grandsons are also living there, and they start to dig deeper into this oddity, setting them on an advanced quest/scavenger hunt that will also reveal the secrets they have been keeping.

What I loved: This story is all very intriguing. We don't know why Avery was chosen and why the will comes with the conditions it does. There are a number of other mysteries that crop up along the way and every one of them keeps you guessing. The Hawthorne brothers are shrouded in mystery and excellent secret keepers, and I found them all to seem like caricatures of people at the beginning, but they develop as Avery learns more about them. I was completely invested in the characters and the games they are playing by the end.

And I really love that the ending shocked me. It immediately made me turn back through the book for the clues I may have missed. I cannot wait to see what will happen next, and I definitely want to follow this series.

Final verdict: Twisty and surprising, THE INHERITANCE GAMES is a YA contemporary shrouded in mystery and filled with intriguing characters. Highly recommend for fans of TRULY DEVIOUS, #MURDERTRENDING, and/or THEY WISH THEY WERE US.

Please note that I received an ARC from the publisher. All opinions are my own.