The Inheritance Games by Jennifer Lynn Barnes
Little, Brown and Company; 2020; 372 pages
Content Warnings: Physical and emotional abuse, firearms, discussed death of a loved one, some action, moderately strong language
About the Author: “Jennifer Lynn Barnes (who mostly goes by Jen) is the author of more than a dozen critically acclaimed young adult novels. She has advanced degrees in psychology, psychiatry, and cognitive science, including graduate degrees from Cambridge University, where she was a Fulbright Scholar, and Yale University, where she received her Ph.D. in 2012. Jen wrote her first published novel when she was nineteen-years-old and sold her first five books while still in college. In additional to writing YA novels, Jen has also written original pilot scripts for television networks like USA and MTV, and she is one of the world’s leading experts on the psychology of fandom and the cognitive science of fiction and the imagination more broadly. Jen is an Associate Professor at the University of Oklahoma, where she holds a dual appointment in Psychology and Professional Writing.” (Bio taken from the author’s website.)
Website: http://www.jenniferlynnbarnes.com
Instagram: @authorjenlynnbarnes
Twitter: @jenlynnbarnes
Hashtag: #theinheritancegames
Avery Grambs never expected to own a million dollars, much less a billion. But when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne leaves her almost his entire fortune of 46.2 billion dollars, Avery’s life changes in an instant. Suddenly, she’s living in a sprawling mansion with the family he just disinherited, including the four unpredictable and alluring grandsons who had expected to inherit everything. With danger around every corner, Avery must use all her wits to play the game Tobias Hawthorne left for them and solve the mystery of Hawthorne House.
Thrilling and full of twists, Jennifer Lynn Barnes’s latest novel kept me reading until I reached the captivating conclusion. Avery is a fantastic heroine with a wonderful voice. I enjoyed spending the story in her clever mind and could relate to her shock at the change in her fortune and her struggle to decide between the boys. The push-and-pull romance was maddeningly enticing with surprises around every corner, and the book had such a riveting plot that by the time I reached the ending, I was already longing for more. All the characters were so well-developed that it felt as if they leapt off the page and into my living room. I absolutely loved solving the puzzles along with the teens, and the mystery was thoroughly exciting. This is the perfect read for fans of high-stakes challenges, action-packed mysteries, and electrifying plot twists.
PRR Writer, Wendy Waltrip