A review by superfangirl818
The Hawthorne Legacy by Jennifer Lynn Barnes

adventurous dark emotional 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? Yes

3.75

Just like the first book, this is well-written, with layered characters, genius clues and games, and overall a good time.

However, there is one big issue I have with this book that knocked the rating down this much.

(MAJOR SPOILERS)

For a decent chunk of the book, we were toeing the line of incest with Avery and her stupid love triangle with two of the Hawthorne boys (Jameson and Grayson). For a while, we believed that Avery was Toby Hawthorne's daughter, Jameson and Grayson's adoptive uncle (because we find out he was adopted), which would have made Avery the adoptive first cousin of Jameson and Grayson. Biologically, they aren't related, but as Toby Hawthorne literally says in the book, "biology isn't everything." And though we find out Avery isn't actually his daughter, we thought that for the longest time. But even being that closely related didn't stop the romances. Which, personally, if I found out the guy I was into was my adoptive first cousin, I would have done a full 180 in the other direction.

That whole near-incest thing did not need to happen. I wish it didn't happen. It's not that hard to make sure your romances don't even hint at incest.

Other than that and the continuation of that annoying love triangle, this was a good book.