You need to sign in or sign up before continuing.
Take a photo of a barcode or cover
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Violence
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Cancer, Child death, Chronic illness, Drug abuse, Drug use, Infidelity, Grief, Suicide attempt, Gaslighting
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Addiction, Child death, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gun violence, Infidelity, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
Minor: Infertility
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Confinement, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Gun violence, Infertility, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Violence, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Stalking, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Classism
Moderate: Addiction, Child death, Pregnancy, Abandonment
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Graphic: Kidnapping
Moderate: Gore
Minor: Addiction, Death, Infidelity, Fire/Fire injury
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Jennifer Lynn Barnes is a very good suspense writer and this book is a perfect example of that. This is one of the fastest paced books I’ve read in a while. We picked up right where the previous book ended and did not stop moving forward until this one ended. The puzzles and developments were intriguing and made for some very good twists and turns. I’ve seen several people complaining about red herrings, but I personally loved that. It's a mystery and that's a common feature of the genre. The assumptions the characters made based on the information they had made perfect sense. I was almost fully on board with them as fact, though the reality also worked for me and didn’t necessarily come as a surprise either. Though Toby’s real daughter was a bit of a surprise. I think it was foreshadowed well enough, though the connection with Mellie and Eli could have been on the page more.
The thing with Mellie and Eli as a whole made sense but also wasn’t foreshadowed enough for me. The explanation we got at the end gives us enough information to explain what happened and their motives, but it also came kind of late. Like, I never would have guessed any of what they said prior to them telling us. So that could have been executed better.
I love that we got to spend time with Max. She’s such a fun character, though I would have liked for her to have more of her own story. She kind of does, with her parents, but we really don’t know what’s going on with her. I would understand this if she and Avery had had a conversation when Max first arrived and Max had said she really didn’t want to talk about it, but we don’t get anything like that. Max is really just there to support Avery, but Avery doesn’t really do much for her in return, which is unfortunate. This is one of the few problems I had with this book, because I love Max and think she deserves better.
Same with Libby. She’s definitely going through something in this book, but we don’t see a whole lot of it. And yeah, it's Avery's story and Libby's problems should not fall to her to solve (or be in any way responsible for), but it doesn't really feel like we see enough of what's going on with her. And this wouldn't be a problem if they weren't reasonably close, but they are. So it's kind of weird that Avery doesn't seem to wonder about what Libby's dealing with or want to talk to her about it.
I’m very glad that we seem to be done with the love triangle. I’m really not a huge fan of love triangles, and it certainly seemed like Avery already knew who she wanted pretty early in this book, but then it got dragged out and I was not into those parts as much. I’ve also got mixed feelings about the whole Jameson or Grayson thing, just knowing their past with Emily. I can appreciate what it does in terms of parallelism, but I also think the whole thing is kind of dumb and a little sexist? Like, they’re fighting over who gets to date a girl and not taking into account what she might want. Which is kind of gross to me. It was skirted around with Emily, because her thing was causing problems, apparently, but it still doesn’t sit right with me. I think it was a little better with Avery, but it’s also just kind of a weird situation. I would like to move on and not revisit this in the final book, but I suspect we are likely not quite done with it, unfortunately.
On a related note, I liked Avery’s hesitance to get involved with either Jameson or Grayson. Avery has had to take care of herself in a lot of ways for many years, so she's not used to feeling like she can rely on people or be vulnerable with them. I'm so happy that this extends to potential love interests and that it isn't a case of Love Fixes Everything or the love interest is just So Special he's the Exception. Even when she makes her choice at the end, she's still nervous and a little scared. But she has made the choice to try this, so it works.
This was an excellent follow up to a fantastic start and I'm very excited to see how this trilogy gets wrapped up.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gun violence, Panic attacks/disorders, Blood, Kidnapping, Grief, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Addiction, Alcoholism, Bullying, Drug abuse, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Abandonment, Classism
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
This feels like the book version of an escape room, under the wire to hunt down clues with the giddiness of a game afoot. It's just ~fun~ pure and simple. In this puzzle of a sequel, we follow the Hawthornes deeper into their (many, unnecessarily fancy) closets for creepier skeletons. We delve into a family history that is twisted and secretive with complicated repercussions in the present.
In terms of Avery's life, the unnecessary love triangle marches on. I was pleased with the resolution at the very end of the book where an actual choice is made. I'm not sure I was cheering for anyone in particular before, but I like what Avery decided. My only concern is that the series isn't over, and sometimes love triangles have the last laugh when I think they're over, so. Just hoping the current choice is endgame, and we can focus on different drama in the next one. In non-romantic news, best friend Max shows up instead of just being a voice over the phone, which is a vast improvement for everyone. I desperately needed someone to say "smash the patriarchy" in front of all the rich people.
In terms of the mystery, there's some light (private) jet-setting, which adds to the makeover montage moments to remind us that there is ridiculous wealth on the line. Like an alarming amount. Like I think Max has her work cut out for her with the smashing part. I didn't find most of the reveals particularly shocking as the mystery unfolds, but I was entertained at all times. Also, the sheer number of twists and turns made for an intriguing path for the characters even if you suspect what's coming at the end. This book was pure escapism for me, and I loved it.
In terms of Avery's life, the unnecessary love triangle marches on. I was pleased with the resolution at the very end of the book where an actual choice is made. I'm not sure I was cheering for anyone in particular before, but I like what Avery decided. My only concern is that the series isn't over, and sometimes love triangles have the last laugh when I think they're over, so. Just hoping the current choice is endgame, and we can focus on different drama in the next one. In non-romantic news, best friend Max shows up instead of just being a voice over the phone, which is a vast improvement for everyone. I desperately needed someone to say "smash the patriarchy" in front of all the rich people.
In terms of the mystery, there's some light (private) jet-setting, which adds to the makeover montage moments to remind us that there is ridiculous wealth on the line. Like an alarming amount. Like I think Max has her work cut out for her with the smashing part. I didn't find most of the reveals particularly shocking as the mystery unfolds, but I was entertained at all times. Also, the sheer number of twists and turns made for an intriguing path for the characters even if you suspect what's coming at the end. This book was pure escapism for me, and I loved it.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Addiction, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Classism
Minor: Bullying, Drug abuse, Gun violence, Infidelity, Miscarriage, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Kidnapping, Suicide attempt
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Content Warnings
Moderate: Alcoholism, Death, Infidelity, Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Abandonment
Minor: Drug abuse, Miscarriage, Pregnancy
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Content Warnings
Graphic: Infidelity, Kidnapping, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Addiction, Death, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Grief, Stalking, Death of parent, Murder, Abandonment, Alcohol
Minor: Alcoholism, Child death, Cursing, Sexual content, Suicidal thoughts, Terminal illness, Blood, Medical content, Dementia, Pregnancy, Injury/Injury detail
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Loveable characters:
Yes
Content Warnings
Minor: Child death, Cursing, Death, Gun violence, Infidelity, Physical abuse, Blood, Medical content, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
This book was perfect for ending my reading slump, and I absolutely flew through it.
“The Hawthorne Legacy” occurs right after the events of “The Inheritance Games,” with a new mystery to solve and even higher risks at stake. While I liked the first book more, the Hawthorne Legacy was a successful follow up to an ongoing trilogy.
One thing I appreciated was the character development of Avery, as she really embodied a smart and lovable character. Her character arc paired with the short chapters and engaging mystery created a fun read, which helped me escape reality for a few hours.
However, the love triangle kind of upset me at times, and a few plot points were not my favorite. But all in all, I will be picking up the last book when it comes out, and suggest that you do as well.
“The Hawthorne Legacy” occurs right after the events of “The Inheritance Games,” with a new mystery to solve and even higher risks at stake. While I liked the first book more, the Hawthorne Legacy was a successful follow up to an ongoing trilogy.
One thing I appreciated was the character development of Avery, as she really embodied a smart and lovable character. Her character arc paired with the short chapters and engaging mystery created a fun read, which helped me escape reality for a few hours.
However, the love triangle kind of upset me at times, and a few plot points were not my favorite. But all in all, I will be picking up the last book when it comes out, and suggest that you do as well.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Child death, Death, Gun violence, Miscarriage, Kidnapping, Grief, Death of parent, Murder, Pregnancy, Fire/Fire injury
Moderate: Infertility, Infidelity, Toxic relationship, Medical content, Abandonment