The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

E-Audio, 10:45:37
Narrated by: Christie Moreau
Release Date: September 1, 2020
Published by: Hachette Book Group
Read from: October 3-5, 2020
The Inheritance Games, #1
Source: Library (Overdrive)
TW: 
For fans of: Mystery, Romance, Contemporary, First in a series, Series, YA

 

     A Cinderella story with deadly stakes and thrilling twists, perfect for fans of One of Us is Lying and Knives Out.

     Avery Grambs has a plan for a better future: survive high school, win a scholarship, and get out. But her fortunes change in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery virtually his entire fortune. The catch? Avery has no idea why–or even who Tobias Hawthorne is. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into sprawling, secret passage-filled Hawthorne House, where every room bears the old man’s touch–and his love of puzzles, riddles, and codes.

     Unfortunately for Avery, Hawthorne House is also occupied by the family that Tobias Hawthorne just dispossessed. This includes the four Hawthorne grandsons: dangerous, magnetic, brilliant boys who grew up with every expectation that one day, they would inherit billions. Heir apparent Grayson Hawthorne is convinced that Avery must be a con-woman, and he’s determined to take her down. His brother, Jameson, views her as their grandfather’s last hurrah: a twisted riddle, a puzzle to be solved. Caught in a world of wealth and privilege, with danger around every turn, Avery will have to play the game herself just to survive.

*MY THOUGHTS*

When I heard about this one, I didn’t even need to see what it was about. I just knew that it was by Jennifer Lynn Barnes. And then someone compared it to Knives Out and I KNEW I needed to have it. And although I didn’t love it, it was still entertaining.

She started with nothing. She meets a family who has everything. They have to play each other for “everything. These tasks are no easy feat. What can she do to convince them she’s not a con-woman and that she’s just as surprised as they are?

This started out SO. GOOD. I was hooked trying to figure out all the reasons why this was happening to her. I think I got all the way up to when they found the first clue and then I was like ok…… Towards the middle it started dragging. I’m not even sure what made me slow down, I just know I put it down and started something else.

As for the characters, I loved them. Especially the brothers. I knew there was so much more to them than they were letting on. I loved watching them transform from who they were introduced as to who they were at the end of the book. As for Avery, she was ok, but I can’t help but think we don’t know everything about her. And at the end, I find out that’s exactly it. There’s so much more about her to find out. We’ll figure it out in the sequel I guess.

As for the ending, I was not a fan lol Really I’m never a fan of bombs dropping at the end of the story. Only because by the time the next book comes out I’m going to forget the big news. I’m putting my request in now for someone to put this on Recaptains or something so when the next book comes out I’ll know what happens lol As of right now though, I remember everything and let me just tell you, if you haven’t read this, it’s a doozie. So much so I had to rewind it and go back and listen again to make sure I heard it correctly. And then I said “WTF” out loud. So glad I was alone in my office lol

Lastly, since this was the audio, I want to talk about the narrator. Christie Moreau was really good. She had different voices, had good inflections, and kept me entertained. I didn’t know she had so many other books, but I remember going to check on what else she narrated so I could listen to those too.

This wasn’t the best Barnes I’ve ever read, but I did enjoy it. I can’t help but wonder what the next book is about. I guess I’ll find out next year!

Overall, I give this