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Avery Grambs used to dream of traveling the world with her mom, but now that her mom is dead, she has more practical plans: Survive high school. Win a scholarship. Make a better life for herself. But her fortune changes in an instant when billionaire Tobias Hawthorne dies and leaves Avery basically his entire fortune. Avery has no idea who Tobias Hawthorne is, much less why he chose her, but the fortune comes with a catch. To receive her inheritance, Avery must move into the mysterious Hawthorne House, where every corner of the mansion seems to hide a puzzle, a riddle, or a code.
However, Avery isn’t the only occupant of Hawthorne House. Tobias Hawthorne’s repossessed family is living there too, including the four Hawthorne grandsons. Heir apparent Grayson is convinced Avery is a con woman, while his brother, Jameson, sees her as their grandfather’s last puzzle to be solved.
Soon Avery is caught in a world of grossly gorgeous riches with the power to literally change the world. But Avery isn’t willing to simply settle into her life of wealth. She wants to know why Tobias Hawthorne chose her, and she’s not the only one determined to solve the riddle. But whom can she trust in the midst of the inheritance games — and who wants her dead?
There’s something instantly appealing about The Inheritance Games. Perhaps it’s that nearly everyone has, at one time or another, dreamed of finding out they had a rich relative who left them a fortune or who has asked themselves what they would do if they had a million dollars. Whatever the reason, this book has the charm of a modern-day Cinderella story, mixed with a compelling riddle-strewn mystery that reminded me of a combination of Clue and National Treasure.
Despite the worn-out love triangle trope, I still thoroughly enjoyed reading Jennifer Lynn Barnes’ book (she has some other really fun YA thrillers) and cannot wait to find out what happens next (and maybe have some questions answered) in the upcoming sequel.
Rated: Moderate, for at least 25 uses of mild language and around 6 uses of moderate language. The main character’s friend uses alternative swear words frequently (such as replacing the F-word with “fax.”), which can be annoying and is one of the reasons I bumped this up to a moderate rating. The friend also mentions getting in trouble when her boyfriend takes “personal pictures” of her. There are themes of domestic abuse and violence (although not super detailed), some mild violence and blood, and an underage character who gets drunk several times in the story. The main character has a conversation with an unscrupulous woman in a bubble bath. Two characters kiss.
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