Review Detail

THE HAWTHORNE LEGACY is the twisty, suspenseful, and satisfying sequel we have been waiting for. Beginning after THE INHERITANCE GAMES, Avery Grambs is now searching for answers about herself, her past, and the people she thought she knew. As she plays the games of the man who left her an unbelievable fortune, she must decide who she will be when all this is through.

So much money has allowed the Hawthornes to cover so many secrets. As Avery works with the brothers to uncover them, many shocking truths will come to light with an unclear end in sight. These games they are playing may have deadly consequences for those who are also searching and those who will do anything to get what they want.

What I loved: These books are absolutely deliciously mysterious and twisty. Avery and the brothers are solving riddles and puzzles almost constantly, and every time it seems that they have figured anything out, a shocking twist has the reader questioning everything. I love that it can be followed and the same conclusions reached as those that the characters come to (even if they are way faster and better at solving these complex puzzles than most of us will ever be), and it still manages to shock and awe along the way. This is a book that is impossible to put down and so easy to keep turning pages to find out just one more thing. Even by the end, there are puzzles that are still unsolved, and it creates a theme of the power of knowledge/ignorance and where you draw the line in searches. Life is always a puzzle for us mortals, though the Hawthorne's is a bit more literal.

There were some intriguing themes around love/feelings, defining family, publicity, money, and secrets that make this a book that would definitely be worth discussing in a book group. The characterizations were also really interesting, and I appreciated how the key characters grow, particularly Avery but also some of the brothers. The romance is also icing on the cake.

Final verdict: A riveting and highly devourable sequel, THE HAWTHORNE LEGACY is a compelling read about secrets and family. Highly recommend this series (definitely need to read in order) for fans of TRULY DEVIOUS, #MURDERTRENDING, and/or THEY WISH THEY WERE US.